The Original FriedChickenOnline.com Recipe!
Posted in: Desserts, Main Dishes, News from FriedChickenOnline.com, Recipes | Comments (1)
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Here it is, the recipe that started it all….
You need at least 3 bowls and 3 plates or 5 bowls and a plate.
Bowl 1 (or a plate)
Raw Chicken. In the video, I use a 20oz package of chicken tenders
Bowl 2
1 cup of self rising flour
Bowl 3
3 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup cool water
1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite hot sauce (I use Franks Redhot)
The amount of hot sauce depends on hot seasoned you like your chicken. I suggest using 3/4 of a cup to start and adjust it next time. Most of the heat cooks out of the chicken and it leaves a savory taste.
Bowl 4
2 cups self rising flour
1 Tbsp black pepper
1 Tbsp salt
Bowl 5
Is for breaded chicken to be fried
Last Plate
for the cooked chicken, line with a paper towel
Method
Use one hand for wet ingredients, and the other for dry.
Take you “dry” hand and dip a piece of chicken in the first bowl of plain self rising flour. Toss to coat. Still with the dry hand, pick up the chicken piece, shake off the excess flour, and place in egg wash.
Using your “wet” hand, toss the chicken to coat with the egg wash. Using wet hand, pick up chicken and place in seasoned self rising flour.
Toss chicken in last bowl of flour using dry hand. Then remove chicken to plate or bowl to wait to be fried. Repeat until desired amount of chicken is breaded.
Next, fry chicken in 350F oil for 5-6 minutes (internal temp of chicken needs to be 165f). Then it will be ready to eat!
admin @ March 20, 2009
Been a While…
Posted in: News from FriedChickenOnline.com | Comments (0)
I haven’t posted in a while, and I am sorry!!!
I have been working way too many hours at my day job and that has left me with zero time to even sleep, let alone make videos.
I promise that soon I will be back in production and have some new videos, until then, send me your requests!!!
Let me know what you would like me to make and maybe I will make it!
Also, I just bought a pressure cooker and am looking forward to learning all about that!
Stay tuned….
Chef Kevin
admin @ September 26, 2009
Watermelon – Nature’s Other Candy!
Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)
It’s that time of year again – time to enjoy some of nature’s most delicious foods. Summertime yields some of the juiciest and sweetest fruits there are and watermelon is on the top of my list. Why do I love watermelon so much? It’s sweet, juicy and refreshing.
Just the thought of a juicy slice makes my mouth water, especially on a hot summer’s day. Not only that, but some of that pretty red and green fruit brightens up any plate or table; not to mention how good it is for you. All the water in watermelon will fill you up and naturally cleanses your body. Yes, I know the seeds can be a little annoying, but to me, they are worth the work of picking them out (or spitting them out…politely of course) for all the other benefits you get from watermelon.
There are many ways you can incorporate watermelon into your meals or eat it as a healthy snack. Here are just a few of my favorites.
• The obvious is to slice it up into triangular pieces, small enough for little hands. Divide them up into storage containers and place them in the fridge for easy access. I know if something is in sight and easily accessible my family will eat it up. On the other hand, if it takes a lot of work or is out of sight they won’t touch it. Obviously you will want to take out the seeds first, before storing it for the smaller kids.
• For a beautiful side dish on any table, lay the watermelon on its side and cut about 1/4 of the top off using a zig-zag motion, which will make a nice oblong “bowl”. Slice about a 1/4 of the bottom off to make a stable base. You can use a round watermelon as well.
Create little melon balls by scooping out the fruit with the help of a melon-baller. Remove the seeds as much as possible while scooping. You will want to place the melon balls in a bowl while scooping, then once the inside of the melon is fairly clean and smooth, place the melon balls inside the watermelon bowl.
You can add other melon like cantaloupe and honey dew as well, if desired. The top part of the watermelon can be used as a lid if transporting. Be sure to use the flesh from the lid as melon balls as well so not to waste any of the delicious goodness.
For the more creative readers, create shapes out of the watermelon like fish and cars. A great site to learn how to make shapes out of watermelon is the National Watermelon Promotion Board. (http://www.watermelon.org)
• For breakfast, dice up some seeded watermelon; layer with banana slices, apples, oranges or other fruit of your liking. Add some yogurt and granola for a tasty and healthy morning starter.
• A fun appetizer is to make watermelon checkers. Cut equal sizes of 1/2 inch thick squares of watermelon and your favorite cheese. Layout like a checkerboard, alternating watermelon and cheese. Cut small circles of the watermelon and cheese to use as checkers. What a fun creative appetizer to serve at any summer outing.
• For a fun and healthy summertime treat kids will love, make watermelon “ice cream” cones. Using regular cake cones fill the bottom of each cone with a tablespoon of pineapple cream cheese frosting. Then place a spoonful of dried Craisins over the frosting. Using an ice cream scoop, place a scoop of seedless watermelon over the Craisins, then top with sprinkles. You’ll have a healthy, delicious and adorable treat kids ask for again and again. Great for birthday parties, 4th of July or anytime.
• Another fun treat kids and adults both enjoy is Frosted Watermelon. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out cookie-like shapes from the watermelon. Frost with flavored yogurt and sprinkle with granola. You can also use classic watermelon wedges instead of cookie shapes.
These ideas will brighten up any table, plus give the added benefits of eating something delicious and healthy. Watermelon really is nature’s healthy, sweet treat.
admin @ May 11, 2009
When It’s Too Hot to Cook
Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)
What is worse than the dreaded question, “What’s for dinner mom”? In the summer, it’s the thought of turning on the stove or oven to make dinner. I thought it would be good to share some great summertime dinners, everyone in your family will love. Not only do they not require any cooking, but they are healthy and delicious as well.
In the summer many families enjoy some wonderful salads. Here are a few of favorites. Of course you can incorporate whatever ingredients your family prefers.
Not your traditional tossed salad: A traditional tossed salad is awesome and easy to make, but sometimes as a standalone meal, it may not fully satisfy those hungry appetites at dinner. To enhance a traditional tossed salad try adding some of the following ingredients for extra flavor and protein:
• Chunks of cubed cheddar cheese
• Slices of lunchmeat, like turkey, chicken breast or ham
• Leftover chicken breast
• Zucchini squash slices
• Yellow squash slices
• Crumble some leftover taco meat, tortilla chips and Catalina dressing for a taco salad
Chef’s salad: Basically a chef’s salad is an upgraded tossed salad. Just add hardboiled eggs, chunks of cheese and sliced ham, turkey, chicken breast and roast beef and voila, you have a chef’s salad. Hearty and yummy!
Spinach salad: Made with yummy spinach leaves or baby spinach leaves, a spinach salad is cool, refreshing and yummy! I like to add shredded cheese, slices of ham, turkey and roast beef, cucumbers, pickles, black olives and for added zest some jalapenos! I top mine with an Italian dressing or balsamic vinaigrette.
Sandwiches: Another great meal idea you can create without cooking is sandwiches. Yes, sandwiches for dinner. When it’s too hot to cook, some cool sandwiches are the ticket. Not only are they easy and heat free, but they are also less filling than a big huge dinner! Some great summer sandwiches are:
Chicken salad: I love chicken salad and love to have a batch made up for last minute, easy on the go meals. Serve some on a pita or flat bread, in a tortilla or in a croissant to change things up a bit.
Deli style sandwiches: I love to sink my teeth into a yummy, thick sandwich filled with all of the fixings of a deli. Pile on the meats, cheeses, and veggies! Some of my favorites are:
• Ham
• Turkey
• Roast Beef
• Chicken Breast
• Corned Beef
• Salami
• Pepperoni
• Bacon
• Alfalfa or Bean Sprouts
• Cucumbers
• Pickles
• Tomatoes
• Romaine or Leaf Lettuce
• Green Peppers
Serve on thick bread with brown mustard, if you like, and mayonnaise.
Dinner doesn’t always have to be a huge 3 or 4 course cooked or baked meal. A hearty salad or sandwich will satisfy your kids, hubby and guests, while keeping you cool at the same time.
admin @ May 11, 2009
Delicious Meals Without the Stove
Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)
Oh the dreaded thought of turning on the stove when it’s 90+?F outside. There’s got to be some other way to make delicious, satisfying meals for your family without slaving over a hot stove! There are! I’m going to give you some delicious meal ideas for dinner that will not only keep you out of the kitchen, but will satisfy just about every appetite.
Summer is the time for grilling. (Unless you live in the Northern Hemisphere and fall in with those of us who tend to grill year ‘round, in the snow…but that’s another story.) There is nothing like a lip-smacking grilled steak, grilled chicken breast or grilled hamburger. They are delicious and better for you than cooking inside because the fat and grease is allowed to drain off, where when cooked in a pan, the meat soaks up all that fat and grease. Yuk! While grilling up your favorite meat, here are some unique side dishes you can grill alongside the meat that your family will love and ask for over and over again.
The number one side dish in our family when we grill is grilled potatoes. They are easy, yet oh so delicious.
Grilled Potatoes
What you need:
• Obviously potatoes, cut into bit size pieces. I use one medium potato per person. I usually make a couple extra for leftovers. (My hubby is the leftover king; he takes them to work in his lunch which means we don’t waste much.) We leave the skin on, but you can peel them if you so choose.
• Aluminum foil: Tear off 6 inch rectangles, large enough to make a nice envelope for the potatoes.
• Garlic Powder and pepper: I sprinkle some over each potato, but you can season to your taste though.
• Butter: 2 pats of butter for each envelope or a 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil
• Onion: Chopped, enough to flavor each potato envelope (optional).
• Any other seasonings or vegetables you prefer.
How to prepare:
Like I said above, but will repeat in case you didn’t catch it, cut the potatoes into bite size pieces, placing 1 cut up potato on 1 piece of aluminum foil. (If you have small potatoes, you can use two per one piece of aluminum foil). Add the onion. Sprinkle with your favorite seasonings and top with 2 pats of butter or the olive oil. Fold the aluminum foil over to make a nice envelope around them so it won’t open on the grill.
The potatoes usually take about 15 minutes longer than the meat so prepare them first and get them going and then grill your meat.
You can use this same type of recipe for just about any of your favorite veggies like a delicious yellow or zucchini squash, red, green or yellow peppers and so on. Use your imagination. You can mix up as many different types of veggies as you want.
Not your typical corn on the cob – I’m sure most of you have heard of or even eaten grilled corn on the cob. This is another family favorite of ours. How about a little twist on the traditional grilled corn on the cob? Here’s a delicious recipe that is sure to please.
You need:
• Corn on the cob, in the husks
• Butter, softened
• Bacon bits
• Chopped chives
How to make it:
• Pull back the husks from the corn, but do not remove completely. Remove the silk and soak in cold water for about 30 minutes.
• Brush on butter over the corn and replace the husks around the buttered corn
• Grill, turning frequently to avoid burning, about 5 to 7 minutes
• Serve with the bacon bits and chives.
Veggie Kabobs – Veggie kabobs are fun, colorful and delicious and healthy. They are also a great way to get your kids to eat more veggies because they come on a stick. I don’t know why kids like to eat things on a stick but they do so what better way to get some veggies in them.
There are a variety of veggies you can use for veggie kabobs, so choose your favorites, or veggies you’ve been trying to get your kids to eat! Some suggestions are:
• Tomatoes: cut into quarters
• Cucumbers: sliced into one inch thick pieces
• Mushrooms: whole
• Onions: cut into quarters
• Peppers, green, red or yellow: Slice the pepper into quarters and remove the seeds
• Zucchini squash: sliced into one inch thick pieces
• Yellow squash: sliced into one inch thick pieces
• Broccoli: Use pieces big enough to stay on the stick
• Cauliflower: Again, you will need to use pieces that won’t break when you put them on the stick.
• Carrots: baby carrots work great or slice regular size carrots into one inch size pieces
Put the veggies on the stick by inserting the stick in the center. For crispier veggies you will need to be more careful when inserting the stick into it so they won’t break. Alternate veggies as you place them on the sticks. You can have any variety of veggies you like in any order you like. I like to put a piece of onion in between each veggie piece for flavor, but that’s me, I like onions. Some like a piece of pepper between each, which is good too. Use your imagination; use a variety of color like green, red and orange. This will entice your kids even more.
Brush each veggie with olive oil before placing on the grill and be sure to leave enough room on the stick for handling! When grilling, turn frequently to prevent burning. I prefer a little burnt flavor around the edges, but again, that’s me! Grill them to your families taste.
Veggie kabobs are a great side dish for any meat including steak, chicken and hamburgers; they brighten up a plate and are full of flavor and yummy healthiness.
So, besides grilling what else could you make that doesn’t require a stove, oven or grill? Oh, I know, how about an easy recipes you can microwave?
One of our favorites is “Chips and Cheese” as my husband calls it. Most people call them nachos. We usually serve them as a snack when they don’t have any meat on them. If you have any leftover taco meat, you can add it to them for a yummy, easy to make, dinner everyone will love.
All you do is:
• Spread some tortilla chips on a plate
• If adding leftover taco meat, do it here
• Sprinkle shredded cheese over each chip
• Microwave for 30 to 45 seconds
• Top with your favorite nacho toppings like salsa, sour cream, olives, tomatoes, lettuce and jalapenos.
These are an easy, delicious and great way to use leftover taco meat, if you decide to do that. They are great no matter which way you choose to go.
Another summertime meal idea is to serve salad as a main dish! You can use your favorite veggies and top with a piece of that grilled chicken or steak, cut into slices. It’s common for some to eat this when trying to shed some pounds too. Not only is it great for staying out of the kitchen on a hot summer’s day, but it’s also a healthy, high protein meal.
admin @ May 11, 2009
Iceberg Lettuce – Ideas For New Uses
Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)
Iceberg lettuce is the lettuce my mom always used when I was growing up and I continue using it for my family. There are lots of lettuce species you can pick up in your local market or farmer’s market, but iceberg lettuce is the most popular and the least expensive. It contains a lot of water which is good for you, but also has a blander flavor and fewer nutrients than a darker, leafier lettuce like Romaine or Green Leaf lettuce.
Preparing Iceberg Lettuce
Cleaning and coring iceberg lettuce is quick and easy. To get the core out, hold the head of lettuce, core side down, and gently but firmly bang it on the counter top. This should break the core apart from the rest of the head; grab it and pull out. Then run the head under cold water, rinsing out all the crevices and around the outside.
Some people prefer iceberg lettuce because of its lighter flavor and crispness. It’s also a favorite because of its value in these tough economic times. Here are some great things you can do with an inexpensive head of iceberg lettuce to enhance any meal.
Burger Topping
My favorite use is to top a hamburger with a nice, crispy leaf of iceberg lettuce. This gives the burger some extra texture, color and flavor. After washing the lettuce, I tear off nice size leaves and dab them with a paper towel so my buns won’t get soggy.
Tossed Salads
Of course when talking about lettuce, we all think of salad. Iceberg lettuce is a great for a traditional tossed salad. After washing and coring as recommended above, chop or tear the head into a large salad bowl. Chop your favorite raw veggies and toss. Some suggestions are: tomato, onion, green pepper, cucumbers, mushrooms, carrots. Serve in individual bowls and top with your favorite dressing, croutons, bacon bits or other salad toppings. Serve as a side dish, or appetizer, or as an entrée.
Main Dish Salads
Speaking of using salad as an entrée, this is a great way to have a low calorie, highly nutritious meal for lunch or dinner. Just add some grilled chicken or steak, cut into strips, and place atop the salad before adding any other toppings. I like mine with just dressing; I try to choose a vinaigrette or balsamic to keep the calories and fat down.
In Place of Bread
For a healthy and tasty twist, use two nice size leaves for a sandwich instead of bread. Simply place your favorite sandwich meat, a slice of cheese and a slice of tomato between two iceberg lettuce leaves for a tasty, crunchy and healthy meal. Tuna works and tastes great too lying between two crisp leaves. Try an “open face” sandwich using a leaf or two of crispy iceberg lettuce as the base. Layer your favorite lunch meat, cheese, tomato, cucumber, peppers, etc. and enjoy with a fork.
Garnish or Decoration
A couple of iceberg lettuce leaves placed as a base under any meat or rice makes a lovely dish to serve as well. And since iceberg lettuce is inexpensive, it’s great to use as a decoration for just about any meal. Other ideas for using iceberg lettuce as a decoration are to place it under a scoop of chicken salad for a healthy lunch or place it under a bed of couscous as a side dish.
There are many uses for iceberg lettuce, go grab a head of crispy iceberg lettuce and let your creative juices flow.
admin @ May 11, 2009
Frozen Treats For Your Family
Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)
Frozen Treats Your Family Will Love
In the good old summer time! Great words aren’t they? Do they bring up thoughts of days gone past, when you were a child, playing out in the neighborhood with all your friends? They do for me. Those words also remind of the most awesome frozen summertime treats they had back then. Remember the ice cream man coming around with rocket bombs, and chocolate covered ice cream bars on a stick and snow cones in the most vibrant colors that quenched any thirst? Mmmm, I sure do.
Well, since those days are long gone, at least for me they are, how about mixing up some good old fashioned frozen treats right from the comfort of your own home. Not only are they healthier, but probably less expensive too. Here are some ideas and recipes for good old fashioned frozen summer treats.
Frozen S’mores – A classic treat with a twist – Great not only when sitting around a campfire, but a fun treat anytime.
Here’s what you need:
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 6 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
• 14 or so graham crackers
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream, softened on microwave’s defrost setting for 30 seconds
• 1 pint chocolate ice cream, softened on microwave’s defrost setting for 30 seconds
Here’s what you do:
• Microwave cream and chocolate on high power until very hot, about 2 minutes. Whisk until chocolate melts into a smooth sauce.
• Line an 8-inch square metal pan with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang. Arrange 1/3 of the graham crackers over bottom, cutting the final few with a knife to fit. Drizzle 1/3 of the sauce over the crackers; spread evenly. Freeze until chocolate is just set, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Spread vanilla ice cream over the chocolate. Top with another cracker layer as before. Drizzle another 1/3 of the sauce over the crackers; spread evenly. Freeze until just set, 5 to 10 minutes. Spread chocolate ice cream over the crackers. Arrange a final layer of crackers over the ice cream. Spread remaining sauce over crackers.
• Freeze until set, about 2 hours, or double-wrap in plastic and freeze up to 5 days.
• To serve, lift dessert from pan; discard plastic wrap. Halve the dessert; cut each half into 6 slices. Return to freezer briefly.
You’re family will think you’re a genius when you pop these puppies out of the freezer.
Trying to get your kids to eat more spinach? Here’s a way that will fool even the brightest child.
Green Slime Smoothie
What you need:
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 cups frozen strawberries
• 1 banana
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 cup ice
What you do:
1. Place the spinach in the freezer until frozen, at least 1 hour.
2. Combine the spinach, strawberries, banana, honey, and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
You can use other fruit like bananas and berries too.
Your kids will never suspect there’s spinach in there and they’ll ask for this treat over and over, so be sure to have plenty of the ingredients on hand throughout the summer.
Frozen Fruit Cups
What you need:
• 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice
• 1/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries
• 3 bananas, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
What you do:
In a large bowl, stir together the sour cream, lemon juice, sugar and salt until blended. Fold in the pineapple, cherries, bananas and pecans. Pour into paper lined muffin tins. Freeze until set, then transfer to re-sealable freezer bags for storage.
Makes: 18 fruit cups
Easy, delicious, convenient and healthy! What more could a mother ask for? Oh, let me think a new house, new furniture, a new car…just kidding!
There’s no need to get the summertime blues with these easy, healthy, yummy treats you can make right at home on just about any budget. Your kids, hubby and guests will thank you for them and ask you to make them over and over. So, stock up on your favorite summer fruits and veggies and enjoy a cool, refreshing summer.
admin @ May 11, 2009
When It’s Hot Cool off with These Summertime Goodies
Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)
When It’s Hot Cool off with These Summertime Goodies
Summertime yields some of the best fruits and veggies of the year. Some of my favorites are plums, peaches, nectarines, grapes, summer squash, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, carrots, corn and so on. I love to grab a handful of grapes or strawberries as a snack on a hot summer’s day, or chop up some crisp, raw vegetables to enjoy with a creamy dip. There are hundreds of cool, summer recipes using your favorite fruits and veggies and so I thought I’d share some here.
Berry Fool: Easy to make but oh so yummy to eat. Your guests will be wowed with this delicious, summery dessert and your family will love it too.
1. 4 cups strawberries or 3 cups blackberries, blueberries or raspberries
2. 1/2 cup sugar
3. 1 tsp. lemon juice
4. 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Preparation:
• Gently rinse berries. Hull strawberries if using. Set aside a few berries for garnish, if you like.
• In a medium bowl gently toss berries with sugar and lemon juice. Let sit for 20 min.
• Put berry mixture in a blender or food processor and whirl until smooth or simply use a large fork to mash them a bit. Set aside.
• In a large bowl beat cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold berry mixture into cream until evenly distributed. Spoon into serving dishes, top with reserved berries for garnish, if you like, and serve immediately or keep chilled up to 1 hour.
So cool, fruity and delicious; a perfect treat all summer long.
Here’s a summertime treat perfect for kids:
Jell-O Ice Cream
What you need:
• 3-ounce package of your favorite flavor Jell-O
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 cups of your favorite flavor of ice cream or sherbet
What to do:
Completely dissolve Jell-O in boiling water. Stir for 2 minutes. Add ice cream or sherbet by the spoonful, stirring until melted. Pour into individual dessert glasses or serving bowl. Chill until set, about 30 minutes. Garnish as desired with colorful berries.
Another flavor combination that makes a scrumptious summer treat sure to please any child or hubby is Vanilla Ice Cream and Orange flavored gelatin. This would be like an Orange Julius or Dreamsicle.
Come up with your own flavor combinations – let your taste buds be your guide.
Berry Fruity Shake, a summertime treat everyone will love to cool off with and is oh so easy to make.
• 4 1/2 cups ice cubes
• 2 cups milk
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 2 cups of your favorite berries, like blue, black and raspberry
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fill the blender 3/4 full of ice cubes. Pour in the milk, sugar, berries and vanilla. Blend until smooth.
Use your imagination when thinking of cool, summertime treats to help your family stay cool, using all the wonderful yumminess of summer fruit and veggies. Nothing is better for you or tastier than nature’s own goodness!
admin @ May 11, 2009
Five Cool Snack Ideas for Kids
Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)
Five Cool Snack Ideas for Kids
Got kids? Got kids that get bored, hungry and hot in the summertime? If you do have kids you know all of those things go together whether we want them to or not, right? Do you get tired of hearing, “but I don’t like THAT mom” or other complaints when you offer them a quick snack? Are you looking for some healthy, delicious, “cool” (as in refreshing AND neat) treats to satisfy kids of all ages? Then look no further! Here are five treats your kids will love and ask for over and over. Not only will your kids love them but so will you because they are easy to make, delicious and healthy. Who could ask for anything more?
Fruit Pizza:
Delicious and oh so easy to make; fruit pizza will please every person in your household and it will help get your kids (and hubby) to eat more fruit.
The ingredients:
• 1 pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough mix
• 1-8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 4 cups assorted fruits, sliced (strawberries, bananas, oranges, blueberries, etc.), you can throw these together in a bowl if you wish.
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees Celsius). Roll cookie dough into a ball and place in the center of a pizza pan and spread evenly over pizza pan, into a 12 inch circle. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Mix the sugar and cream cheese together and spread over the cookie crust. Top with the fruit and then sprinkle the lemon juice over the fruit (this helps to keep it from turning brown). Refrigerate. Slice into 12 pizza wedges and serve. Refrigerate any leftovers. This is also a great treat to serve at a birthday party. Kids and adults love it!
Fruit Juice Spritzer
Do your kids like soda, but you hate for them to have it all the time? One of my favorite beverages any time of the year is a fruit juice spritzer. It’s refreshing, cool and tasty. Plus it has the added benefit of fruit juice so you can count is as a fruit serving for the day! I prefer using 100% Juicy Juice, being that it’s, well, 100% all natural juice. But you can use any juice you prefer. You’re kids will love it and it’s a cool, easy to serve beverage made of ingredients you probably already have. It’s also healthier than letting them have a full glass of soda.
It’s so easy. All you do is pour about 1/2 a glass of juice in a cup over ice and fill the rest of the glass with 7UP or Sprite. Voila! You have a Fruit Juice Spritzer. It’s better than a full glass of soda and your kids get the fruit serving they need. You can vary the amounts of course; a little more juice or a little less, depending on your taste, but don’t defeat the purpose of cutting down on the soda.
For an added treat you could blend the juice with some ice in the blender and make “slushies.” Just fill the glass with the slushie mix and pour the soda over the icy juice.
Homemade Juice or Kool-Aid popsicles
One of my kid’s favorite treats growing up was homemade popsicles. They loved helping make them and of course eating them. Plus they are super easy to make and oh so handy when your kids need a quick snack to tide them over until dinner.
Ingredients:
• Pitcher of Kool-Aid or other drink mix, prepared. You can also make juicy pops using your favorite fruit juice, but mix with water first, 5 parts water to 1 part juice.
• Freezer pop molds. If you don’t have them, just use ice cube trays.
Pour the prepared drink mix or Kool-Aid into freezer molds or ice cube trays and freeze. If you want to put a popsicle stick into the ice cubed pops, freeze slightly first, and then insert in the middle of the ice cube pop so it will stand up.
Voila! Easy, handy, yummy and cool! You’re kids will think you’re the best mom ever.
Ice Cream Float
Who doesn’t love ice cream? What better summertime treats than a delicious ice cream float? It’s so quick, easy and refreshing. Here’s a neat twist on the traditional float:
Using your choice of ice cream put two scoops in a dessert or tall glass. Break up your favorite candy bar into pieces and place in glass. Fill with your favorite soda, like root beer or cola.
Yogurt and Fruit Lollies
When I was a kid I loved having something I could grab and go outside with my friends. (Where have those days gone?) Better yet, I loved having a treat I could share with my friends. These yummy yogurt and fruit lollies are the perfect summertime treat. They are cool, refreshing, healthy and easy to take on the go.
What you need:
• Popsicle molds with sticks, preferably the flat molds
• A container of flavored yogurt, preferably a fruit flavor
• Sliced fruit
How you make it:
Fill the molds with the yogurt, insert stick and place fruit on the top. Freeze. Place mold in warm water to remove the lolly when ready to eat.
Healthy, delicious, and handy all wrapped up into one! Every mother’s dream and every kid’s treat. Making kids happy and keeping them healthy doesn’t have to be a huge chore, nor does it have to taste bad. Using these simple ideas will serve both purposes, quick, easily and efficiently. Your kids will thank you for it.
admin @ May 11, 2009
Food You Can Take To The Beach!
Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)
Cool Foods You Can Take to the Beach
Summertime means beach time in our family. We live in a state with lots of beautiful lakes so we spend lots of time cooling off at the beach on those hot summer days. Of course this entails packing enough good healthy, easily to tote foods, that will keep your family satisfied for the whole day.
I try (emphasis on try) to take wholesome foods that don’t have a lot of packaging to keep down on the garbage waste. I also try to take foods that aren’t in big bags, that little, sandy hands won’t be reaching into them and ruin the whole bag. There’s nothing worse than biting down on a grain or two of sand. Here are some ideas for feeding your family at the beach that are easy, healthy, satisfying and cooler friendly.
Oranges: They’re easy to peel and you can throw the peel in the grass for the deer or other animals to eat!
Apples: Great choice for the beach. Again you can throw the core on the ground for the animals, but make sure you throw it out of the path where people walk.
Pickles and cheese: One of my kids’ favorite beach snacks. I put a few pickles in a sandwich bag and some slices of cheese in a separate baggie. This one you’ll want to make sure little hands are clean before they reach in and grab.
Prepared sandwiches: I used to take a loaf of bread, the lunch meat, cheese and all the fixings, but it’s much easier to make the sandwiches at home, pack them in a zippered baggie and tote them in the cooler. You will want to place them on top of the ice, for obvious reasons.
Individually wrapped snack cakes or cookies: Probably not on the top of the list as far as healthiness goes, but for some reason those little chocolate snack cakes taste so good at the beach. Take them out of the box before toting. If they won’t melt in the heat, carry them in a cloth bag as opposed to a plastic bag. (Side note: the cloth grocery bags they have now are GREAT for toting food to the beach!!!) If they will melt, say they have chocolate in or on them, then place them in zippered baggies before placing in the cooler. The plastic that is already on them won’t prevent melted ice from seeping through.
If you do decide to take chips, make up individual baggies for each person. This will help save little, sandy hands from ruining the whole bag!
Watermelon slices: These are cool, refreshing and delicious. But, how do you make them cooler ready for the beach? You can cut up 1/2 inch squares and place them in individual baggies. Or you can cut into regular triangles and place one slice in a baggie or plastic wrap.
If you decide to grill hamburgers on the beach, prepare your patties ahead of time. I’ve taken a chunk of hamburger meat to the beach; forgetting beaches usually don’t have hot water and soap to wash the raw, greasy meat off your hands. Know what I mean?
So, make your patties ahead of time, have your veggies sliced and ready in little baggies, as well as your cheese. As far as condiments go, I buy separate bottles specifically for the beach. That way if they get sandy, it’s not a big deal to toss out or try to salvage some before you toss the whole bottle.
Beach time is fun time and can be a great family bonding experience. Toting food doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking if you prepare in advance using the tips and suggestions above.
admin @ May 11, 2009
Stay Cool and Eat Healthy Too with Baba Ganoush
Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)
Stay Cool and Eat Healthy Too
It’s hot out; all you want to do is grab a mounding bowl of ice cream and gobble it down. I don’t blame you. I want to do the same thing. But, is it really the best for our bodies? Nah! So, here are some healthy suggestions that will cool you off and help you eat right.
Berries and all kinds of other fruit are ripe for the picking during the summer, so indulge. If you get most of your produce from a grocery store, the prices on most summer fruit and vegetables are lower than at other times of the year, so stock up. You can freeze items like blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and so forth. You can slice up peppers, onions, carrots and squash for a nice addition to any salad, or just to grab and munch.
Summer is a great time for healthy shakes; you can add fresh berries to your protein shake for added flavor and color.
Grilling is the way to cook during the hot summer months. Veggie kabobs are a great addition to any meal that is healthy, delicious and colorful. Another use for summer vegetables on the grill is to slice some red, yellow and green peppers and onion, add a little olive oil, wrap in aluminum foil and grill. Yummy and healthy to boot! Veggie kabobs make a great side dish for steak, chicken or burgers.
Hit up your local farmer’s market for other great summertime deals on fruits and veggies. Rhubarb, eggplant and beets are delicious summer vegetables. You can make a simple, but scrumptious beet salad with onions, feta cheese and a light ranch dressing or oil and vinegar. For a simple, cool and refreshing snack, dip pieces of rhubarb in honey or sugar.
Here’s a recipe for classic eggplant dip:
Ingredients:
• 1 large eggplant
• 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 4 teaspoons of wine vinegar
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• sea salt
• freshly ground pepper
Preparation:
Pierce the eggplant with a fork and char on the grill, or over an open flame (alternatively, broil for 10-15 minutes) until the eggplant turns black and is very soft. Set to cool and drain on a rack with paper towels underneath.
As soon as it can be handled, peel by hand (the skin will come off easily), and transfer to a bowl. Chop the pulp into small pieces with a knife, and mash with a fork. With a wooden spoon, stir in oil and vinegar slowly, alternating between them, until well blended. Stir in garlic, salt, and pepper.
Serve chilled or at room temperature, with pita wedges, slices of crusty bread, and/or fresh vegetables, garnished with black olives and a sprig of parsley. Yield: about 1 1/2 cups.
Summertime can be one of the best times of the year. So stay healthy by eating all the fresh fruits and vegetables available on the market at reasonable prices. Stay healthy and cool all at the same time.
admin @ May 11, 2009
Leon’s Peanut Brittle
Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)
Visit their site and buy some peanut brittle. Really good stuff!
admin @ May 11, 2009
Chicken Salad for a “cool” summer meal
Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)
Chicken Salad – A Delicious, Cool and Healthy Treat
Chicken Salad is a great summertime treat for lunch, dinner or to take to a potluck. There are many variations of Chicken Salad you can make, but the basic recipe is:
• Diced, cooked chicken chunks
• Chopped celery
• Chopped onion
• Seedless grapes, white or purple
• Mustard
• Mayonnaise
• Salt
• Pepper
I didn’t suggest any measurements here because you can determine the amounts you need for your family or size of dish you are taking for a potluck.
Place the cooled chicken chunks in a bowl. Mix the other ingredients together and pour over the chicken chunks and blend together.
You can add almond slices or pecans for a crunchy treat, hard boiled sliced egg or lemon juice to the mixture for added flavor. Also, use low fat mayonnaise for a healthier treat.
Chicken salad can be served with bread for sandwiches, on a leaf of lettuce for a nice summertime treat or as a side dish with dinner or at a potluck. I’ve never seen a chicken salad that didn’t get demolished at a potluck or graduation party.
Chicken salad can also be economical. Who couldn’t use a little economical help these days? Grocery stores often have chicken on sale, so when it is, purchase a large amount of it. Then have a cooking day and make a large batch of Chicken Salad. Place a big bowl in your fridge for easy access. Your family will grab it for a quick lunch and when you need a last minute side dish, it will be there. You can also divide it up into smaller portions for a quick lunch on the go.
Another great way to serve chicken salad is to put it in a tortilla wrap, in pita bread or over crackers as a yummy appetizer. Oh and don’t forget about serving it in a croissant for a beautiful and tasty lunch.
Chicken salad is better for you than potato salad, different and I think it’s “prettier”. It’s great for picnics, graduation parties, and open houses, 4th of July celebrations, taking to the beach in a cooler, potlucks or any time you want to serve a nice, cool dish. In a clear serving dish, it also makes a pretty presentation, especially if you add purple grapes.
So, remember, when thinking about a nice, healthy, delicious meal, think Chicken salad instead of potato salad. Your guests will appreciate it and you won’t have to cart home any leftovers. Be sure to set some aside at home for yourself and your family.
admin @ May 9, 2009
Cakes
Posted in: Articles, Desserts | Comments (0)
Wow, what a day! It is cake season!
Most chefs don’t do cakes and cook. In fact, at culinary school, my chefs referred to baking and pastry as “the dark arts”. I still enjoy it. Here are 3 cakes I made today.
Red Velvet with Chocolate Chips and all butter buttercream. Covered in fondant.
Chocolate fudge cake with scratch made all butter chocolate buttercream.
Bridal Shower cake, white cake, buttercream, fondant
Whew, what a busy day!
admin @ May 8, 2009
Mother’s Day Planning Checklist
Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)
Too often Mother’s Day sneaks up on us and instead of gifting your mother with a well planned day we hastily throw something together, grab the last card on the shelf and give her toast with peanut butter and coffee to her for breakfast. You an avoid that this Mother’s Day with a little advanced planning.
- Buy or Make your Mother’s Day card
- Write your mother a poem. Don’t wait until the last minute for this. You want it to sound well thought out and sincere. Not thrown together at the last minute.
- Get the signature of everyone that needs to sign the card
- If you’ll be giving her flowers make sure you have picked them out or have ordered them to be delivered.
- Choose an appropriate gift and then purchase it. If you are ordering online, make sure that you allow enough time for shipping and delivery.
- Choose a wrapping paper or pretty gift box and get your package ready for giving
- If you are cooking a meal, make sure you get the ingredients from the grocery store so you aren’t caught without a key ingredient.
- If you are making a coupon book for mom to redeem throughout the year make sure to get it done and printed early.
- Taking mom to a movie, play or concert? Make sure you buy the tickets in advance
- Make sure anyone you have invited to share this Mother’s Day with you has been notified of your plans and is able to attend
- Get your camera ready and have extra batteries ready – just in case
- Pampering mom at the salon or spa? Don’t forget to make the appointments
- Need a babysitter for evening plans? So do your neighbors. Don’t wait until the last minute or you might just be out of luck.
- Make any reservations that need to be made. Here are a few reminders:
-
- Restaurant – if you will be eating out
- Airplane – if you will be traveling
- Hotel – if you need one while traveling
- Car – again, if it is needed.
The important thing to remember is to plan, plan, plan ahead. Put reminders on your calendar, your cell phone or anything that will trigger your mind to remember that you have some important planning to do. Make this Mother’s Day the best planned, least stressful one every and be sure to do it again next year.
admin @ April 13, 2009
Honoring Mom
Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)
Mother’s Day is about more than giving gifts and eating good food. Mother’s Day was created to honor the job of mothering. Honoring mothers dates back to the time of gods and goddesses and it wasn’t until 1908 that Mother’s Day was recognized and celebrated in the United States, Mexico and Canada. By 1948 over 40 countries were recognizing and celebrating Mother’s Day, although not always on the same day. The United States Congress officially approved Mother’s Day in 1948 and it has been celebrated on the second Sunday in May ever since. So, what will you be doing to honor your mother on Mother’s Day? Here is a short list of things you can do for your mom to show her how much you appreciate her.
Flowers
Roses and carnations are a popular choice to give mom’s. In fact, florists see more sales for Mother’s Day than they do for Valentine’s Day. In addition to flowers, plants for your mother’s garden might be a good choice to present her with, especially if she has a green thumb as is always working in her garden.
Outings
You know better than most what your mom would enjoy for her special day. Would she like to visit a local museum or the zoo? Perhaps she’d prefer a day trip to a nearby city or even a long weekend away. Maybe she would just like to stay near home and have a picnic or go out to her favorite restaurant for her Mother’s Day meal.
Food
Whether you will be cooking breakfast, taking your mother out for brunch or lunch, preparing an elaborate dinner or just going out for a picnic in the park food will mostly likely take a starring role in the honoring of your mother this Mother’s Day. Make sure to ask her what her preferences are so you can make those plans in advance.
Gifts
The gift you give your mother on Mother’s Day will be the representation of your love and appreciation for her so take the time to choose something she would enjoy. If you know your mother loves to read but rarely gets the time to do so, consider giving her a few hours, or even a whole day, of quiet time to read that book she has had her eye on – maybe even buy it for her if she doesn’t already have it. Whatever you decide to give to your mom make sure it looks like you took the time to carefully plan for her desires.
More than anything honoring your mom on Mother’s Day will be about the memories you make this day and all the others throughout the year. Whether you remember this day or not, your mother most likely will. She keeps every card, letter and poem you have ever written her and cherishes each one as the treasure it is. Make sure to spend quality time with your mother this year and let her know how much you love her. Don’t forget to take a picture to commemorate the day.
admin @ April 13, 2009
