How to make cake pops

Posted in recipes by Jessie Chipley on January 4, 2012

Making cake pops in a cake pop maker is easy and once you’ve got the basic technique down, you can decorate them any way you like.  The possibilities are endless.

cake pops

The absolute easiest way to make a cake pop in a  cake pop maker is with a boxed cake mix.  Just follow the directions like you would for any cake, but pour the batter into your cake pop maker and bake them that way.  The cake pop maker eliminates waste and maximizes the number of cake pops you’ll get out of a single box of cake mix.

Once the cake pops are done baking and have cooled, you’re ready to insert the sticks.  Lolly pop sticks, wooden sticks, or plastic sticks designed specifically for cake pops will all work.  Consider the type of display you’ll be making with the cake pops, and choose appropriate lengths of sticks.  Perhaps you’ll want to use all the same length of stick, or maybe you’d like to create a staggered effect by trimming some sticks shorter than others.  For designs that require more than one cake ball on a single stick, be sure to use extra long, plastic sticks.

When the cake pops are on the sticks, you’re ready to decorate them.  Before you begin, make sure you have a place to “stick” the decorated cake pops in an upright position so your decorating is unharmed.  There are accessory trays you can purchase to hold finished cake pops, or you can create your own stand from styrofoam.

Now that the cake pops are on sticks and you have a place to put them, you’re ready to decorate.  You could make them into Spiders to celebrate halloween, snowmen (using 3 cake balls per cake pop) for a winter party, baby chicks for a baby shower, or Elmo heads for a child’s birthday party.  Experiment using different coatings like frosting or melted chocolate.  Decorate using colored sugar, colored frosting, or candy pieces.  You could even leave the cake pops undecorated and invite guests over for a cake pop party!  Be creative and most importantly, have fun!  

A Crustless Pizza For People On A Low Carb Diet

Posted in Pasta Recipes by Lonnie Hawthorn on January 2, 2012

One of the big problems with eating low carb is dealing with cravings you may have for some of your favorite foods which happen to be very high in carbohydrate levels.  Most diets will just tell you to get over the craving and learn to live without your favorite foods.  I think this is a recipe for failure when it comes to choosing a healthy lifestyle.  The more good alternatives for unhealthy foods you have the better the chances are that you will not be tempted to cheat.

Pizza is one of the most popular foods in America but unfortunately it is loaded with carbs because of the crust.  Of course many people add sugar to the sauce which can throw your diet off, but this is easy to combat by using artificial sweeteners such as Splenda.  But what about the crust?

This is a recipe that makes a very good alternative to a high carb crust and it is basically 0 carbs.

Preheat your oven to 350 deg. F.  Next mix together 6 eggs and 6 ounces of room temperature cream cheese.  Using a blender or food processor works well for this.  Mix then until they are completely blended and then add 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon salt.  For added heat add a little black pepper or cayenne pepper.

Butter the bottom of a 9 X 13 inch pan and sprinkle in 1 cup shredded Italian cheeses and pour on the egg and cream cheese mixture.  Bake for about 25 minutes or until the top starts to brown.  Remove the crust and add all the toppings you want.  I really like lots of veggies along with Canadian Bacon.  Put the pizza back into the oven and bake for another 10 – 15 minutes or until the toppings are hot.  If you use vegetables don’t cook it so long that they get limp.  They are much better if crisp.

With the added toppings and sauce you will end up with a couple of effective carbohydrates per slice but that is a lot better than the 30 to 50 from a deep dish Chicago style.

 

Getting the Most From Home Gas Grills

Posted in food by Jessie Chipley on December 27, 2011

Buying a barbecue can be a thrilling experience because you know you’re on the verge of wonderful summertime meals. But first you have to get a piece of equipment that will fit within your overall budget. There are barbecues in all price ranges and making sure you get the right one is important for the best value. You don’t want to make the mistake of spending too much money on something you will never actually use. And on the other hand, you don’t want to skimp on the grill that will need to be replaced or repaired after just a few months. One of the best things about grills is their tendency to last a long time, so if you make the right choice you won’t have to upgrade again for several years. The first step is to think about how much you barbecue on a regular basis and what type of grill size will fit your family.

Once you’ve purchased the perfect barbecue, it’s time to use it to the fullest potential. One of the biggest problems with modern grilling is people’s tendency to cook the same thing time and time again. While it’s good to hold fast to tradition, you don’t want your barbecue routine to get stale either. If you become predictable and boring, then a lot of the magic is lost from home grilling. You have to remember there is a world of food out there that can be brought to grilling perfection using modern gas grills. Cooking frozen burgers or hotdogs has its place, but you won’t be getting the most from your barbecue if that’s all you ever cook.

gas grillsWe live in a great time for the sharing of information regarding recipes and ideas. All you have to do is look on the Internet for great suggestions on things you can try for your next barbecue meal. There are even forums and chat rooms dedicated to true barbecue fans who are more than willing to impart their wisdom. Being able to develop a sense of community has benefited home grilling tremendously. Experimenting and bringing new dishes to life is a great way to share with other people at the same time. And when everything goes right, you’ll be able to prepare marvelous meals while convincing your family that you are the best barbecue master in town.

There are a few general rules you should always follow when using the best gas grills on the market. Fresh ingredients and quality produce our key elements to any barbecue routine. You should also investigate homemade barbecue sauce recipes to get true flavor from your food rather than overpowering it with a generic bottled sauce. It’s also a good idea to pay attention to cooking times so that you can become more efficient after each cooking session. Eventually you’ll be able to handle more food in addition to different variations on cuisine to come up with a comprehensive menu that will blow your guests away.

 

Chia Seed Pizza – a sneaky way to get your kids eating healthy!

Posted in Pizza Recipes by Neil Wasko on December 19, 2011

For many parents, the challenge of getting their kids to eat healthy can be almost unbearable. Between constant commercials offering sugary and deep fried fatty treats, to the poor choices offered for lunch at school, it has never been more important to help your kids make the right choices. One of the easiest ways to get back on track is to get sneaky! By slipping a little something here or there into foods your kids already love, you’ll be making sure they get the nutrition they need, and they’ll be none the wiser.

Here’s a great recipe for a kid favorite – pizza. We’ve decided to get a little sneaky by adding in some chia seeds in place of tomato paste. If you’re unfamiliar with chia seeds, basically they are very small seeds that expand in liquid to about 10 times their normal size, making them a great natural thickener. By replacing tomato paste with regular crushed tomatoes thickened with chia, your kids will never know the difference and you’ll be cutting out a ton of added calories and carbs. So here goes…

The Sauce:

  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp basil
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup water or broth
  • salt and pepper to taste

The Toppings:

We recommend you use 1 cup of cheese, plus your favorite toppings. Don’t just pile it with meats, try something different like caramelized unions, green peppers, pickles or even tofu! Sometimes kids will really get into the creative aspect of it and love it! This is a seriously great way to get your kids excited about eating something healthy.

The Crust:

We recommend you find a whole wheat, store bought crust. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may also try using tortillas or pita bread to cut down on the carbs!

Putting it all together:

Soak chia seeds in water/broth for 15 minutes prior to getting started. Then, combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool for a minute or two. Spread on pizza crust with a ladle. Then top with cheese and finally your favorite toppings.  Bake for 12 minutes at 375 degrees or until cheese is golden brown.


Gluten Free Pizza Crust

Posted in pizza by Neil Wasko on December 16, 2011

Anyone who finds out they can’t eat foods containing gluten anymore often start to think of some of their favorite foods that they won’t be able to eat anymore.  Pizza is often high on the list, especially for kids who have recently been diagnosed with gluten intolerance.  But the good news is that practically any recipe can be made gluten free with a few good recipes and a gluten free pantry stocked with a few basic flours and starches.

There are a lot of recipes available for gluten free pizza crust, or you can simply by a mix.  Bob’s Red Mill makes a great gluten free pizza crust mix.  There are some great new companies that are make some great pizza crust as well like the Gluten Free Bistro out of Colorado.  Both of these companies strive to make healthy gluten free pizza crusts that you can feel good about eating.

One thing that is fun about being forced to make your own crust is that you get fresh pizza dough and fresh pizza that really tastes better.  Once you find a good recipe or mix you will start to love pizza night.  Everyone can personalize mini pizzas with their own toppings or you can make a large pizza for everyone to share.

To make the crust more nutritious try using more nutrient dense flours like almond meal, bean flours, or coconut flour.  This video shows how to make an easy gluten free pizza crust with almond meal.



Lasagna Recipes That Will Refresh Your Soul

Posted in Italian Recipes by Milagros Dobek on December 14, 2011

The medicine of the soul is good food. This saying has been used for centuries as a reason to drown ourselves with rich spicy food when we are happy, sad, or in between. Everyone loves to share a good hearty meal with family and friends, and there is no better time than the Thanksgiving/Christmas season that is here with us to share the gift of fine dining with your loved ones. Pot roasts, turkey, chicken and lamb dishes are all associated with large families and big meals. However, on that quiet night in, why not try out an easy-to-make dish that is as delicious as it looks; lasagna.

Easy lasagna recipes are all over the net and in many cookbooks. Most of them call for ground beef, white and red onions, spices, a generous helping of various types of grated cheese and, of course, uncooked lasagna pasta. Lasagna pasta is made from durum flour, the only kind of flour allowed for pasta in Italy. You can make the pasta yourself from scratch. However, since this article is about easy lasagna recipes, just buy a packet from your local food store. The essence of lasagna, and what makes it a glorious meal to partake, is the layers of sauce and cheese that make the dish. First the red meat sauce, then the white lasagna pasta sauce mixed with melted butter, and finally the layers of cheese.

If you are a vegetarian, there is an easy vegetarian lasagna available right next to the beefy one in every book store and website. You can make green lasagna with plenty of cheese and spinach or broccoli. You can even use whole wheat lasagna noodles and low fat cottage cheese for a healthier, more calorie-conscious lasagna dish. Easy vegetarian lasagna dishes can also consist of plenty of mushrooms, eggplant, zucchini and bell peppers with low fat ricotta, mozzarella and cottage cheeses. However you prefer your lasagna, rest assured you’ll enjoy it served with garlic bread and salad.

Homemade Hamburgers: Texture

Posted in food by Allan Goulding on December 11, 2011

Practically everyone has his or her own favorite homemade hamburgers. Hamburgers are extremely versatile, so it’s easy to create the burger that’s just the right fit for you and your family. Seasonings, cooking methods, buns, and condiments can all be tweaked to change the flavor of the hamburgers. Of course, different meats can be used, as well. One element of homemade hamburgers that’s often overlooked, however, is the texture of the meat.

Ground beef is the traditional choice for making hamburgers. Even so, there can be different textures of beef that lends itself to making burgers. You might not see this in a typical supermarket, but you’ll probably find them in a butcher’s shop. Generally speaking, beef can be turned into textures ranging from coarse to fine. If you prefer coarse ground beef in your burgers, ask the butcher for chopped meat. If you want fine ground beef, ask the butcher to double grind the meat. Which texture is best? That’s a matter of personal taste.

The texture of a hamburger can also be altered in the cooking process. For example, we like our homemade hamburgers to be crunchy on the outside but soft and juicy on the inside. This is accomplished by searing the outside of the burgers on a hot grill, then moving the patties away from the direct heat to finish cooking at a slow rate.

How to Make the Perfect Cappuccino

Posted in Blog by Allyson Scharff on November 25, 2011

If you think pizza, you think Italy. If you think Italy, you think Italian coffee. If you think Italian coffee, you think espresso.

Now, when I think espresso, I immediately think cappuccino, stiff milk froth and luxury. Just thinking about cappuccino, I can almost smell the luxury brands and the wonderful aroma that makes your mouth water.

I used to think that it was really hard to make a good cappuccino. Of course it all depends on the two main ingredients, the perfect coffee and the perfect froth. It took me a long time to find the best espresso maker and when I finally found the machine that allowed for a fabulous espresso, within my budget, I found that the froth maker on the side really did not work that well.

I would end up with the perfect espresso and the little froth I was able to make, would immediately collapse, turning my cappuccino in a regular cafe late. That was, until I came across a little milk frother capable of creating the most wonderful fluffy froth in a matter of only a few seconds. No longer did my cappuccino froth collapse, the froth I can make with this little appliance, is so dense that you can actually put a sugar cube on top and it will stay there, until you actually start mixing it with the hot espresso underneath.

Puff Pastry

Posted in Pizza Ingredients by Roslyn Gregorich on November 18, 2011

Puff pastry has the same basic ingredients as plain or flaky pastry. Because of their low melting points, butter or margarine is usually employed as the shortening. Here again ordinary flour is used. While the mixing is different, it requires only patience. Flour, salt, and ice water are stirred until they are just blended, and the mixture is set aside for half an hour at room temperature. The dough is then rolled out on a floured board, and small pieces of shortening are laid all over it. Folded in and rested for a few minutes, the dough is then rolled out to a thickness of a quarter of an inch, folded again, wrapped in waxed paper, and chilled. Over again, the rolling and wrapping and chilling continue: it is this repetition which is the secret of the delicate result. In the end the paste is baked. The mass, which is shaped to suit the purpose, puffs into a patty shell, forming a tasty and handsome vehicle for crabmeat or other filling.

The cream puff is a variety of puff paste that uses eggs in its batter. The leavening agent in all puff pastry is the air trapped in the strong walls of flour, water, and shortening. In cream puffs beaten egg whites furnish added strength. These shells can be made in any size and flavored to contain dessert fillings as well as chicken salad or other dishes.

Once the art of making puff paste is mastered, many variations can be achieved to match the napoleons, eclairs, and other creations of the professional baker. Prepared mixes have shortened the time required for preliminary steps and have made the preparation of exotic pastries possible for the imaginative cook.

Lowest Priced Rice Cooker

Posted in cooking by Jessie Gropp on November 12, 2011

Where can I find the Aroma Cool-Touch Rice Cooker lowest price? My wife has been strongly hinting these last few days that this is what she wants for Christmas. After 20 years of marriage, I can now finally tell when she is hinting for a gift. In order to save money, she has been doing a lot more cooking, and since she enjoys rice dishes, a new rice cooker would make perfect sense to own.

Thankfully she isn’t the type of person who likes all of the gadgets and doodads on an appliance. This model is fairly simple, but it does exactly what we need it to do.

What she will really like is the warming feature. This way she can set it up to cook, and when it is ready, it will automatically switch over to warm mode. This way she doesn’t have to keep checking on it.

I’m looking online now for the best deal on this rice cooker. Instead of going to the mall, shopping online is much easier and quicker. Plus I can do quick price comparisons with each different site. Like I said, I’m trying to save money and shopping like this will certainly save me money.

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