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Friday, October 11, 2013

Creamy Ham and Broccoli

Creamy Ham and Broccoli

Ingredients:

1/2 cup. chopped onion
3 cups chopped ham, or use cooked chopped chicken or turkey
16 oz. frozen cut broccoli, thawed
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 jar (8 oz.) pasteurized process cheese spread
1 can (8 oz.) sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 cup. uncooked converted rice
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup. chopped celery
1/2 tsp. pepper
paprika (optional)

Preparation:

In slow cooker, combine ham, broccoli, soup, cheese spread, water chestnuts, rice, milk, celery, onion and pepper. Stir until blended. Smooth top, pushing rice into mixture. Cover and cook on high for 2 - 2 1/2 hours or on low for 4-5 hours or until rice and onion are tender, stirring occasionally if possible. Check near end of cooking time to make sure the rice does not get too mushy.


Bacon Cheddar Pull-Apart Bread





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Bacon Cheddar Pull-Apart Bread

An easy and tasty bacon cheddar pull apart bread recipe that is sure to be a favorite of you and your family. And sure to be a winner recipe at your next party or get together try the following recipe for bacon cheddar pull apart bread.



8 oz of your favorite shredded cheddar cheese blend.

1 large round loaf of soft bread (like a French or Italian round)
8 oz. diced sliced bacon, cooked crisp
1/2 cup melted butter
1 Tablespoon dry Ranch dressing mix from packet




Directions:



Cut bread in 3/4-inch intervals, being careful to not cut all the way through. Cut again, crosswise, not cutting all the way through. Place cheese in between all cuts: sprinkle with bacon. Blend melted butter and Ranch mix and drizzle over top of bread evenly. Wrap in foil and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes; uncover and bake 10 minutes more. Serve hot and pull apart pieces from loaf to eat!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Kitchen Knife Safety Skills



Take and find some different helpful and useful information on kitchen knife safey tips and videos along with several different pictures of different knife types and there uses. To take and view some different common kitchen knifes, with pictures and knife usage information Click Here:

Kitchen Knife Terminology


What to look for in a quality kitchen knife and the terms to describe each part of the knife.

(1) Knife Point - The very end of the knife blade that can be used for piercing



(2) Knife Tip - The also referred to as the belly or curve on knives with curved blades. This portion of the blade is used for intricate and small cutting tasks.



(3) Blade Edge - The entire cutting portion of the knife that extends from the blade point to the blade heel.



(4) Blade Heel - The rear portion of the blade used for heavier cutting tasks that require more force.



(5) Spine - The top thick portion of the knife blade that adds weight and strength to the knife.

(6) Bolster - The thick metal portion between the handle and the blade that adds weight and balance to the knife.



(7) Tang - Not visible in the photo, the tang is the portion of the metal blade that extends into the handle.



(8) Handle Guard - The lip below the butt of the handle that provides a good grip and prevents fingers from slipping.



(9) Butt - the very end of the knifes handle.



(10) Scales - These are the two pieces that make up the knifes handle. Materials vary, wood, plastics, composites, rubber, etc., they are attached using rivets, usually three.



Welcome to the Kitchen Knife Safety here you can take and watch some different video's on knife safety. And also a great time to teach your kids  some different kitchen knife sfety as well. You can even find kids knife safety video's as well. If you happen to have a video to share on the site please take and send it to us from our Contact Link OR Fedback Page.  If on Youtube , send us the "Embedment Code OR Link so we can add it. You can find all kinds of helpful and useful information below as well as pictures and descriptions of some different common kitchen knifes. You may also take and click on any of the following items that we have selected, to purchase any of them. Or you can take and visit our Online Amazon Store, A Cooks Paradise to take and find even more great deals. So come on by and check everything out.
Move Your Mouse Over Any Item To Get More Information, Then Click Item To Purchase: You can find even more items like this from our store.



Six Knife Safety Tips:



1. Make sure your knives are very sharp – The sharper the knife, the easier the chopping. Dull knives go through food with more difficulty upping the odds of your having a mishap.




2. Always lay knives flat on the counter or cutting board when taking a rest from your chopping. Leaving a knife with a blade sticking up or over the edge of a counter or sink is just asking for a hospital visit.




3. When washing or drying knives, place them point side down in dishwasher or dish drain. My dish drying drain actually has a box with slots for knives to dry without having to worry about someone getting poked.




4. Don’t try and catch a falling knife. Unless a child or pet is directly in its path, step aside and let falling knives drop to the floor. You don’t want to end up with stitches because you caught a knife by the blade.




5. Keep knives in a chopping block. Sharp knives belong in a chopping block, not loose in a drawer for obvious reasons. Anyone rummaging around in the drawer could get hurt.




6. Don’t put kitchen knives in dishwater, especially if you can’t see through to the bottom. You might cut yourself while washing dishes. Always wash knives as soon as you’re done using them.






You've just paid out your hard-earned money on a brand new kitchen knife. That is the buying part over with. But, what about taking care of it, so that it will last you for a long time?


Following some simple rules will help you to keep that quality knife in great condition, giving you years of satisfaction.


Cutting on an unsuitable surface is likely to damage either the knife or the surface! Use a chopping board made of wood or plastic.


After use wash the knife in warm soapy water after use, and dry it. Never use a dishwasher for wooden-handled knives. Preferably don't use a dishwasher for any knives.


Don't use a scouring pad or other abrasive material to clean your knife. This will scratch the blade. A sponge or soft cloth is best.


Many knives are stain-resistant, but you may notice some discolouration of the blade if it is not cleaned after use with acidic foods such as lemons or pickles.


This discolouration can normally be easily removed by rubbing gently with a good quality mild cream cleanser to bring back the knife's original shine.


Don't allow your knife to go blunt. Sharpen regularly using a whetstone, or perhaps a ceramic or diamond tool.


Of Paramount Importance Is Knife SafetyThe kitchen can be a busy place, and accidents can and do happen. Follow these tips


and avoid problems with cutting yourself with your knives.If used properly, a sharp knife is safer than a blunt one. Less force is required to use a sharp knife, so there is less chance of it slipping. But a sharp knife can be very dangerous if abused.


It may seem like a contradiction, but sharp knives are the safest. With a clean edge, a knife is more predicable and easier to control. If you've purchased a top-of-the-line knife, maintaining the quality of the blade ensures maximum value from your investment.



While a sharp knife is indeed a safe knife, it's wise to use caution with your newly sharpened knives, as they will be sharper than you expect.Always use a chopping board, and never touch the edge of the blade with your finger.



Never leave the knife lying in a washing up bowl, or anywhere else where your fingers could come into accidental contact with the blade.



Finally, it goes without saying that sharp knives should be kept well out of the reach of children, and stored in a safe place such as a knife block.Never use your knife to cut frozen food or to cut through bone. This will blunt the blade or possibly even chip it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1689697




TIPS AND WARNINGS:


Don't wash a knife in an automatic dishwasher. or immerse it in hot, soapy water; this can shorten the life of the knife handle. Repeated wetting and drying can crack wooden handles.




Don't Use That Kitchen Knife Until You Know How To Care For It by D RuplingerWhen using a kitchen knife, or any sharp object, remember to put safety first. Although it sounds obvious don't run around with a sharp knife in your hand, don't point a knife at anyone and always cut away from yourself not towards yourself.



Also, don't use your finger to see how sharp the blade is. Yes, I know some of you reading this article have been guilty of this at least once and have found out that the edge of the knife was indeed very sharp because you cut yourself on it!



Another important safety tip is to never use the knife for other than its intended purpose. No, a sharp kitchen knife should not be used as a makeshift screwdriver or as a device to try and pry open a locked door that you can't find the key for. Nor should it be used to pry apart a stack of frozen hamburger patties. You could easily cut yourself if the knife slips and you are also in danger of breaking the tip of your knife off. Also, don't use your kitchen knives to cut the tops off plastic jugs or to cut cardboard boxes unless you want to almost instantly dull your knife. Use a scissors or utility knife for those jobs.



When you buy a kitchen knife you get what you pay for so invest in the best quality knives you can afford and buy them from a reputable dealer. A fully forged carbon knife is the highest quality knife you can buy. High carbon stainless steel knives are also pretty good. Regular stainless steel knives aren't as good and won't last you as long but any knife will last longer if you take care of it properly (and
most people don't care for their knives the way they should). What should you do to
properly maintain your knives? Below is a list of 6 important knife care tips.




1) Never ever, and I repeat NEVER, put your knives in the dishwasher. The harsh chemicals from your dishwasher detergent will pit your knives and the dry cycle will also damage your knives. In addition, if the sharp edges of your knives bump up against anything else, like your plates, it will damage and dull your knives. Instead, as soon as possible after using your knives, wash them by hand with a mild detergent and hand dry them. Don't allow the knives to drip dry because moisture will dull your knives and will damage the wood handles of knives.




2) Always use a cutting board. Don't cut on your countertop. Not only is cutting on your countertop bad for your countertop, it's bad for the blade of your knife too. And never use a glass cutting board. Glass cutting boards may be pretty but they are also pretty horrible for a knife. It's a quick way to dull and ruin a knife.




3) Regularly use a honing steel to maintain the edges on your knives, but learn how to use the honing steel properly. To learn the right technique, ask the dealer where you buy your knives to sell you a good honing steel and to also show you how to use it.




4) Have your knives professionally sharpened. Although there are lots of knife sharpeners available for in-home use, I don't recommend using them. It's too easy to permanently damage your knife. Instead use your honing steel regularly and take your knives to a professional for sharpening a few times a year. If you take care of your knives properly you won't need to get your knives sharpened more than a few
times a year depending on how much you use your knives.




5) Don't store your knives in a drawer with lots of metal objects, such as your kitchen utensil drawer. The edges of your knives will get banged against the other metal things, damaging and dulling the edges of your knives. You can still store your knives in a drawer, but don't have that drawer crowded full of other items. Just keep your knives in that drawer. Another option is to use a wood block to
store your knives.




6) Use the correct knife for the task at hand. Don't use your serrated bread knife for chopping and dicing. Don't use your boning knife to slice your bread. Instead,use a chef's knife (also called a cook's knife or a French knife for chopping, slicing and dicing. Use a paring knife for peeling and trimming, and for cutting and slicing small items. A utility knife is great for slicing meat and cheese. A boning knife is for cutting meat and poultry. A fillet knife is a great for cutting fish. And, as you would expect, a bread knife's best use is cutting bread.With proper use and care, your knives will last you a long time and will help make your kitchen cutting tasks easier and more enjoyable.



To take and view some different common kitchen knifes, with pictures and knife usage information Click Here:



Also check out the different knife safty videos on this page located on the site link below...

Crock Pot Barbequed Ham Sandwiches




Take a moment to check out the Site Map and view the whole site from a single location and check out all the simple and quick recipes on the whole site from one spot. Don't forget to stop on by and visit Our Online Store for some great deals for your whole home inside and out.



Have a recipe that you would like to take and either Multiply OR Divide, then take and check the following recipe multiplier and divider tool out by Clicking Here just a matter of copy and paste the recipe and when your done hit a button check it out today:

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Crock Pot Barbequed Ham Sandwiches


Looking for something different and easy for supper or party idea? Try the following crockpotbarbequedhamsandwiches



Ingredients:



2 1/2 pounds shaved ham*

1 12-oz. bottle chili sauce

1/2 cup tomato-based barbeque sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons dry mustard

16 hamburger buns




Directions:


Combine chili sauce, barbeque sauce, brown sugar and dry mustard in a medium-sized crock pot and mix well. Add ham and stir gently until combined. Heat until bubbly then reduce the crock pot setting to “warm” until ready to serve. Serve on hamburger buns.


I usually buy a small whole ham and ask them to shave it for me in the deli – it’s always cheaper that way.



Monday, October 7, 2013

How to Lose Weight by Eating: 5 Foods that Boost Your Metabolism

You've decided to eat better by focusing on foods that are good for you, so why not take it a step further and incorporate some metabolism-boosting ingredients into your meals? While we can't dramatically change the body we were born with, there are a few things we can do (and eat) to make a difference.

 Nutritionist Kelly Aronica shares some advice for giving your metabolism a kick, while we provide some easy meal ideas.

1) Turmeric: Full of antioxidants, this colorful spice is also a great way to speed up your metabolism. It's often found in Indian dishes or curries.

SUGGESTED RECIPE: Chicken and Eggplant Stew with Grilled Country Bread

This re-invented - and healthier version of - chicken and eggplant parm is wonderful spooned over crusty and crispy bread that softens as it soaks in the flavorful tomato sauce.

Click Here to See the Chicken Stew with Grilled country Bread Recipe


2) Cayenne and Other Chile Peppers: The capsaicin in chiles is what makes food spicy; so it's safe to say that if it makes you sweat, it's increasing your metabolism. These foods also provide carotenoids and twice the amount of vitamin C found in citrus fruits. They can easily be incorporated into a variety of dishes like salads, soups, curries, and more.

SUGGESTED RECIPE: Green Meatball Curry

This curry has been inspired by the meatball stews of Goa. It is a beautiful dish and the flavors are deep and well rounded. It is perfect for an easy dinner and great for children (without the chiles) as they can help form the meatballs, as I did when young. The curry itself only requires the chopping of an onion and a blender. Serve it with basmati rice, bread, rice noodles or even mashed potatoes - anything to soak up the delicious gravy.

Click Here to see This Green Meatball Curry Recipe


3) Ginger: Is a great ingredient to use because it has gingerols, capsaicin, and piperine - compounds that boost metabolism (they also supposedly have an aphrodisiac effect). Try ginger tea or cooking with real ginger. The spicier you make it, the better.

SUGGESTED RECIPE: Slow Roasted Salmon with Ginger (Pictured at Top of Page)

If you're looking to do something a little different, try chef Lomonaco's slow-roasted salmon with ginger, which actually doesn't take that much time to prepare at all. Start working on the sauce when the salmon goes in the oven, and by the time it's done cooking, the sauce will be ready to spoon on top.

Click Here to see This Slow Roasted Salmon with Ginger Recipe

4) Caffeine: In the form of coffee or green tea, caffeine is an effective way to boost your metabolism. "Researchers credit the boost in metabolism to tea's catechins, but you probably need about 2 cups a day to have any effect," says Kelly Aronica. "However, you will also the get the other possible benefits of green tea that include reduction of risk of cancer and heart disease." Coffee, in turn, has been shown to increase productivity and concentration, but be warned that because caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, excessive amounts (more than 3-4 cups of coffee per day) have been linked to nervousness and sleeplessness. One to two cups a day, however, has been shown to be safe.

SUGGESTED RECIPE: Café du Catnip Cocktail Recipe

 Think of this as an Irish coffee by way of Jackson Square - an original born out of a classic. Served at Ninth Ward in New York City, this dessert-like drink features Café du Monde coffee spiked with Catdaddy Moonshine and Bailey's and is topped with a dollop of whipped cream.

Click Here to see the Café du Catnip Cocktail Recipe

5) Cinnamon: Raises metabolism and aids in digestion so try adding a healthy dose to your high-fiber oatmeal in the morning! Or, try using it in savory dishes like the ones below.

SUGGESTED RECIPE: Slow Cooker Irish Oatmeal Recipe

There's no question that steel-cut oats are superior in flavor to instant oatmeal, but the extended cooking time, obligatory stirring, and sticky pot to clean can put off even the most loyal oatmeal enthusiast. Using a slow cooker eliminates the stove-top surveillance and mess. Plus, the oatmeal can be kept warm for late risers.

Click Here to see The Slow Cooker Irish Oatmeal Recipe

-Yasmin Fahr, The Daily Meal

Click Here to see More Suggested Recipes That will Help You Lose Weight 


Quick and Easy Supper And Dinner Ideas




Take a moment to check out the Site Map and view the whole site from a single location and check out all the simple and quick recipes on the whole site from one spot. Don't forget to stop on by and visit Our Online Store for some great deals for your whole home inside and out.




Moist sour cream banana bread:

Banana is a fruit that has many benefits for our body health. But many of us who do not like the taste or eat it directly, perhaps we need to make a banana into something different, may be we can change into another form of food but with the nutrients that are not reduced to the health needs of our bodies. One of them is to change it with a cake, here is a recipe taken from a pdf www.easy-banana-recipes.com




Moist sour cream banana bread Makes: 1 loaf | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Baking time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

3 over-ripe medium (1 cup) bananas, mashed
1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs, beaten
2/3 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Pinch of salt



Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350oF/180oC.


2. In a mixing bowl, combine mashed bananas with butter.


3. Add in eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and mix.


4. Add in sugar, baking soda, salt and mix.


5. Add flour last and mix until just combined.


6. Pour mixture into a greased and floured bread loaf pan.


7. Bake for 45 minutes or until a wooden pick comes out clean.


8. Allow to cool before removing from pan.


9. Glaze with icing or whipped cream, and sprinkle with mixed peel, if desired. Variations This recipe is so versatile, you can add almost anything to it. Try adding 1/2 a cup of chocolate chips, nuts, raisins, dates or anything else you like to the mixture. Remember to stir them in last, just before pouring the mixture into the pan. About Author I fall into the category of women who cook for convenience. I’m Dorena Long and I’m a work-at-home mother of 3 wonderful kids who keep me busy and grounded every single moment. I love cooking, eating, but hate washing-up. And I lack patience good cooks naturally have, which is probably why I am always “short-cutting” my way through for the easiest and quickest recipes to cook for my family. Over the years, I have diligently compiled a list of wonderfully easy and good recipes that has helped me spend less time in the kitchen, and spend more time pursuing other interests like my website, www.easy-banana-recipes.com. I also love travelling, writing, investing, reading and watching reality shows (which I am not very proud of). I can often be found at book stores in Kuala Lumpur whenever I am free.

Source [www.easy-banana-recipes.com]

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Halloween Recipes:

Paula’s Halloween Party Menu

 

  Witch’s Brew
What party could be complete with out a cauldron of Paula’s favorite brew? Follow our directions for setting your bowl of brew in a vat of dry ice for even more fun!

imageMini Mummies
You only need two ingredients to make these super simple mummies. They’re a shriek!
imageMoldy Guacamole and Creepy Critters
Corn tortillas cut into fun Halloween shapes make the best chips for this mysterious moldy guacamole dip.
imageCheese Cats, Bats, and Jack-o-Lanterns
Cheese cookies are a staple at any Southern affair, but for Halloween, try these cheese cookies cut into spooky and creepy cats and bats!
imagePumpkin Seed Snack Mix
Wait! Don’t throw away your pumpkin seeds when you’re finished carving. You can save them and turn them into this delightful fall snack.
imageWicked Candy Bar Cupcakes
Dessert never tasted so good with these devilish cupcakes. The little ones will enjoy decorating these scary cupcakes almost as much as they’ll love eating them.