Fish is best fresh, there’s no way around it. The fresher the better! So, the best attitude to approach the fish section with is, what looks best? How to Tell When Fish is Fresh With whole fish, you can usually tell just by looking at the eyes — they should be clear, not foggy and sunken. With fillets, if the surface is dried out and tired looking, that’s not a good sign....
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Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars are loosely based off of Spanish sopaipillas – round, flat pieces of fried dough. Sopaipillas can be sweet or savory and the toppings vary by region. In Peru, they sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar. That’s where this recipe comes from. You will love how easy it is to make this delicious dessert! Plus, when I was shopping for the ingredients to make Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars, I found a crescent roll dough that wasn’t perforated....
We bought the dough from the ‘tamale lady’ who sold it from her house in a nearby town. My brother-in-law slow-cooked a pork shoulder with chiles, garlic, and onions to shred for the filling. It was a family effort; without a large cast of cooks (at least eight), it would be impossible to accomplish such a feat. That’s why this tamale pie is such a revelation! Layers of cheese, canned green chiles, scallions, and shredded chicken from a rotisserie bird are tucked between two blankets of dough in a skillet to make a pie....
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Homemade Vanilla Buttercream Frosting This homemade vanilla buttercream frosting recipe has been used in our family for generations. It is also known as “American buttercream frosting”. I love this recipe because it is easy, tastes great, and can be used in so many different ways. It can be used for spreading, as a filler between cake layers, and it is perfect for piping. It’s a great all-around frosting that can be used for just about anything....
Whether it flavors crunchy biscotti, sweet Italian sausage, or an Ouzo cocktail, anise seed lends a licorice-like taste to a wide range of foods found across an equally wide range of cuisines, including Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern and South Asian. Just a small amount can make your dishes and desserts taste a little fancy—but not too fancy. What Is Anise Seed? Anise seeds are the seeds of the anise plant (Latin name Pimpinella anisum), which is a flowering annual that’s native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia....
What’s a grain bowl? These are bowls filled full with fresh and delicious vegetables, some protein, and a cooked whole grain. The components can often be made ahead of time, so grain bowls make a great assemble-and-go meal. How To Make a Grain Bowl I recently visited the kitchen of Whole Heart Provisions in Boston, a popular local grain bowl restaurant, and learned a few tricks from their chef, Rebecca Arnold....
Here’s a quickie, inspired by Southern Italian flavors. A little bacon (or pancetta), some toasted pine nuts, some garlic (of course), oregano, and red pepper flakes, and your cauliflower is ready for a debutante ball. Or a midweek meal. Enjoy! Toss to combine and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Do not let the garlic burn. Related Video
“How are you planning to do that?” I asked, curious to know how this young man, a former college football player who could probably bench press a Volkswagen, would approach the challenge. “Lettuce wraps,” he replied. Well Patrick, this one is for you. It comes from my best pal and blogging buddy, the incredible marvelous Jaden Hair of SteamyKitchen.com, from her newly released cookbook, Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites. (In fact, all of the recipes in her book would be great for your new year resolution, hmmm, maybe I’ll get you a copy as a pre-wedding gift!...
These cranberry meatballs are particularly fun, in that they are sweet, sour, spicy, and savory all at once. Cheerful little flavor balls in a festive, candy-red cranberry glaze. Yum! I can say that because I made 6 batches working toward this final recipe, and I think I personally ate most of them. I’m using naturally lean and mild ground turkey which needs all the help it can get. So with these meatballs, I’ve herbed them up a bit with thyme and fennel seeds, and folded in some ricotta cheese and milk-soaked torn bread to help make them tender and soft (but still sturdy enough to pick up with a toothpick)....
This dip is the perfect dip for cheesy Doritos chips. It was specifically made for them with a rich flavor combination that everyone will love! You can’t go wrong with a thick and creamy appetizer that will feed a crowd. If you are a Dorito chips lover, then this dip is just what you need to make! I am sure you are thinking, why do I need a dip for my delicious tasting Doritos!...
But I don’t always understand coconut oil. Why are there so many kinds? Are some healthier than others? Why is it solid one day and liquid the next? How do I measure it when it’s solid? What’s the best way to melt it? Here’s everything you need to know about coconut oil! What Is Coconut Oil? Is It Healthy? Coconut oil is extracted from the flesh of coconuts. It’s a saturated fat, and it’s solid at room temperature....
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When I was a kid my parents would get a couple cartons at a time, which they still had to ration, because I, like my 5 siblings, could easily drink a carton apiece. These days I make my own eggnog, and sadly must submit again to rationing, self-imposed this time, for the sake of my not-so-girlish-anymore figure. A reader suggested that eggnog would make a good ice cream, and once that idea lodged in my brain it never let go until the ice cream was made....
Ginger peach rum punch is a refreshing porch sipper. Ripe peaches are muddled with rum, fresh lime juice, and simply syrup. Bring it over to a BBQ or to your neighbor’s for a hang on the stoop. When you’re ready to serve, top it with spicy ginger beer and add ice for a juicy summer cocktail! The Best Rum for this Peachy Punch Peaches play well with a variety of liquors, but for this recipe rum is my booze of choice....
Grilled Chicken Sandwich This Grilled Chicken Sandwich is a delightful alternative to your ordinary summer barbecued burgers and hot dogs. Grilled chicken is so easy to make and is so delicious! This sandwich offers classic layers of flavor that just cant be beat in the summertime: tender chicken, crisp bacon, smooth avocado, juicy tomatoes and fresh lettuce between a soft ciabatta bun and slathered with a tangy aioli mayo. Suggestions for this Recipe You can make these sandwiches into sliders!...
Up until recently, I indulged my craving for the popular side with a quick pass through the McDonald’s drive-thru or late-night delivery order of cheese fries from my local diner. I never tried making them at home, convinced I wouldn’t be able to achieve a crispy enough or tasty enough result. Well, after a mountain of research and tests, I’m pleased to say that I was very much mistaken. With a few essential techniques, you, too, can achieve a satisfying and crispy fry at home....
Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes I’ve been making my own spaghetti sauce for years now—and I love it. It’s so easy to make, and the flavor is so much better than the store-bought kind. I love making this sauce with fresh garden tomatoes from my garden. You can’t beat the flavor of homegrown produce in a dish like this one! This recipe works well with any kind of pasta. The best part about making spaghetti sauce is that you can customize it to your tastes; so feel free to add more or less garlic and basil leaves....
