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Spinach Salad with Nectarine Vinaigrette and Marinated Fl...

1st Prize – Salad CategoryRecipe created by Lyn Weingarten, Austin, TexasMake It Special Chef Recipe ContestChef Quote: "I'm fascinated with various fruit and meat combinations. The sweetness and slight acidity of nectarines make an excellent marinade that tenderizes and flavors the meat. The nectarine's flavor and tender, pulpy flesh combines well with the other ingredients to create a creamy,. . .

Gianduia Peaches

Grand Prize Winner1st Prize – Dessert CategoryRecipe created by Wolfgang HanauWest Palm Beach, FloridaMake It Special Chef Recipe ContestMakes 12 servingsChef Quote: "I enjoy cooking with fruits because they are naturally sweet and healthy. Fruits provide the sugar your body needs to sustain itself and their natural flavors are so good that they sweeten desserts beautifully." – Wolfgang Hanau(N. . .

Brownies and Glaze

(NC)—This recipe was prepared by Camelback and Central, 1403 2nd Avenue, New York, New York.3/4 cup all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt6 tablespoons sweet butter3 ounces baking chocolate3/4 cup sugar2 eggs1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts1 teaspoon vanilla2 ounces Jack Daniel's WhiskeyJack Daniel's GlazeMix together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. Melt butter an. . .

Potato Salad with Lobster and Shrimp

1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cooked and cubed3/4 cup Summersweet Lobster and Shrimp Dip (or Chicken Cilantro Dip)1/4 cup light mayonnaise1 small red bell pepper, coarsely diced1 small green bell pepper, coarsely diced2 stalks celery, coarsely diced1 stalk green onion, finely chopped1/2 small red onion, finely chopped1 tsp saltFreshly cracked black pepper to tasteItalian parsley for garnish. . .

English Muffin Crab "Au Gratin"

Perfect for lunch or brunch4 English muffins, halved1/2 cup (120ml) Summersweet Crab and Three Cheese Dipfine bread crumbsparmesan cheese, freshly gratedGreen onions, finely diced for garnishPreheat the oven to 325F (170C). Arrange the English muffin halves on a baking sheet. Spread one tablespoon (15ml) of Summersweet Crab and Three Cheese Dip on top of each half. Sprinkle generously with brea. . .

Cranberry Maple Barbecue Sauce

1 tsp (5 mL) oil1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped onion1 cup (250 mL) Ocean Spray® Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce1/2 cup (125 mL) maple syrup1/4 cup (50 mL) ketchup1/4 cup (50 mL) cider vinegarHeat oil in a medium non-stick saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasional. . .

The Ultimate Peanut Butter Sandwich: Chunky Peanut Butter...

1/2 cup Smooth peanut butter 125 mL4 tbsp Maple syrup 60 mL2 tbsp Each dried figs, dried apricots, 25 mL dried cranberries, chopped finely in food processor1/4 cup Shredded sweetened coconut 50 mL1/8 tsp Ground cinnamon 0.5 mL3 10-inch soft whole-wheat tortillas 33 tbsp Finely chopped toasted 45 mL pecan piecesMix peanut butter, maple syrup, dried fruit, coconut and cinnamon in a bowl – makes a. . .

Supreme Burgers

2 pounds ground chuck1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon pepper1/4 cup heavy cream2 teaspoons vegetable oil2 tablespoons shallots, minced11/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms1/4 cup Jack Daniel's Whiskey1/2 cup heavy cream1 large tomato, chopped2 tablespoons minced parsley1/4 teaspoon basil1 teaspoon saltCombine ground chuck, salt, pepper and 1/4 cup cream. Shape into six patties. In large skillet, add oi. . .

Tips for the Summer Grill

(NC)—There is nothing that says summer like grillin' and chillin' at the backyard BBQ. Steaks, chicken, ribs or burgers, they all seem to taste better when cooked on the grill. But as good as they taste now, there are a number of "tips" that can help you make the most of your summer grillJack Daniel's has long been a part of BBQing in the US, sponsoring a number of BBQ contests and being a key . . .

Why Chocolate Melts In Your Mouth, Not In Your Hand

(NC)—Ever wonder why those delicious little chocolates hardly ever melt in your hand? Pop them in your mouth, and they transform into soft, gooey liquid. Here's the secret…The way chocolate is manufactured has changed considerably. Originally, chocolate was made with cocoa butter, derived from cocoa beans. Cocoa butter naturally melts at the temperature in your mouth: 37ºC. This is about as hot. . .

A Sweet Slice Of Summer

As the days grow longer, peaches, plums and nectarines are ripe for the picking – and a must-have for summer meals(NC)—REEDLEY, Calif. — As Mother Nature turns up the heat, peaches, plums and nectarines will begin arriving in abundance at the local supermarkets and fruit stands. Like hot days and balmy nights, these delicious summer fruits begin arriving in late spring and disappear with the fi. . .

To Be Or Not To Be… Healthy? The Choice Is Yours

(NC)-Your doctor utters those dreaded words; you must lower your cholesterol or face the possibility of heart disease. You think you will have to give up all the foods you love. However, being healthy does not mean eating a rabbit's diet. Retailers are increasingly helping consumers find ways to eat the foods that they love without fearing the next checkup. Here are some tips to help you unders. . .

You Don't Know Beans!

(NC)-Looking for reasons to get your family to eat more legumes? It turns out that the skin on beans is not just an important source of fibre, it's rich in powerful nutrient compounds that may help prevent chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. So haul out the old saucepan and start experimenting. From navy through to pinto, black and kidney, beans not only taste good, their benefits w. . .

Tasty Rice Pudding

Tasty Rice Pudding by Kenia Morales 1 cup - uncooked rice 1 teaspoon - vanilla a pinch of salt ( if desire) 3 sticks - cinnamon 1/3 cup - sugar 2 1/2 cups water 12 0z. - evaporated milkBring water to boil for at least 7 minutes with cinnamon sticks, stir in rice. When rice tenders completely stir in evaporated milk, sugar, salt and vanilla.Cover and let it simmer for 10 minutes. It makes up. . .

Quick and Easy Breakfast Solutions

(NC)-Looking for a fresh, new way to start the day? Think outside the breadbox…and beyond! Darlene Gingrich, Thomas' Break-xpert provides the following 'menu' of mouth-watering morning solutions that include much more than just jams and syrup: Calling all cheese-lovers! Top an English Muffin with a slice of your favourite cheese, add a slice of ham or bacon and toast open-faced under the broile. . .

All The Sweetness, Without Sugar!

(NC)-Imagine eating sweets without having to think about all the calories you're taking in . . . Believe it or not, it's a reality! Tabletop sweeteners are powerful sugar substitutes used in food products as an alternative to white sugar. Since they contain very few calories, these agents provide a sweet taste without the added energy - much to the delight of people watching their caloric intak. . .

Debunking The Aspartame Myth

(NC)-Whether or not you've ever consumed products containing aspartame, you've surely heard all kinds of things about it - many of them contradictory. So who's telling the truth? Dr. Joe Schwarcz, Director of the McGill University Office for Chemistry and Society, devotes an entire chapter to aspartame in his new book That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles. He maintains that aspartame is safe: "Asp. . .

The Sweet Side Of Science

(NC)-Everybody's heard of aspartame. The list of products using it for sweetness is long, including breakfast cereals, soft drinks, desserts and yogurt. But what exactly is aspartame?Aspartame is a tabletop sweetener that gives foods a sweet taste, but contains a negligible amount of calories and carbohydrate. Aspartame is not the only sugar substitute to have these properties. Sucralose is ano. . .

Cool Snacks for a Hot Summer

Beat the heat with these cool summer treats!Mouse PopsiclesIt’s not what you’re thinking! The name refers to the size of the popsicle—not the contents. Wash a bowl of seedless grapes, and then set the grapes in the freezer for about an hour. Poke colored toothpicks into the grapes to serve.Juice PopsSummer isn’t complete without homemade juice popsicles. Simply fill a popsicle mold or an ice tr. . .

Exploring World Flavours In The Comfort Of Your Own Backyard

(NC)—Summer is almost here, which means backyard entertaining and patio parties with family and friends. As cross-cultural cuisine continues to gain in popularity, guests will be craving foods with more intense, diverse flavours this season.The standard fare associated with the much anticipated barbecue season can be easily enhanced by adding Caribbean, Mexican or Asian influences to your summe. . .

Curried Turkey Wraps

Prep Time: 15-20 minutesMakes: 4 servings (wraps)1/4 cup (50 mL) Knorr® Spicy Caribbean Marinade1/2 cup (125 mL) light mayonnaise2 tbsp (30 mL) honey3/4 tsp (3 mL) curry powder1/4 cup (50 mL) diced celery1/4 cup (50 mL) sliced green onions1/4 cup (50 mL) raisins or dried cranberries2 cups (500 mL) shredded cooked turkey1/4 cup (50 mL) slivered almonds, toasted4 Boston lettuce leaves4 large flou. . .

Mexican Burgers

Prep Time: 15 minutesCook Time: 15 minutesMakes: 6 servings1 pkg Knorr® Onion Soup Mix1 1/2 lbs (750 g) medium ground beef1/4 cup (50 mL) water2 tbsp (30 mL) chili powder1 tsp (5 mL) ground cumin1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) dried oregano6 slices Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese(2x 1.5 inches/ 5x3 cm)1/2 cup (125 mL) prepared salsa1/4 cup (50 mL) mayonnaise6 bunsshredded lettucecoriander leavesIn a large bow. . .

Seafood and Corn Beach Barbecue

(NC)—Seafood and seasonal vegetables steam to perfection on the grill in foil pouches lined with fresh corn husks. The husks prevent the contents from burning and add flavour to the steamy juices. This recipe makes one individual package that makes a full meal for one person. Make as many pouches as you have guests. Serve this dinner the first day out when sweet, local corn is in season. The se. . .

6 Delicious Coffee Recipes

Do you love coffee? Most of us do. In this article we will provide you with 6 recipes to enjoy your coffee a different way. We hope you enjoy it.Irish Coffee 1 teapsoon of suger 1 jigger of Bushmills Irish Whiskey 2/3 cup of coffee or flavored Irish Creme coffee 1/4 cup of heavy cream, lightly whippedPrehead the glass with hot water. Dump the water out and add the hot coffee with the teaspoon o. . .

Grilled Lamb Shashliki

(NC)—This is one of those easy recipes with a real Mediterranean feel. If extra guests arrive, stretch the meal with more pita bread, or rice cooked with friedonions and spinach. Buy some tzatziki, make a Greek salad or serve with thinly sliced cucumbers dressed with sour cream, lemon juice and fresh dill.Ingredients 3 lbs boneless leg or shoulder of lamb 750 g 1 cup olive oil 250 mL 1/2 cup le. . .

Grilled Tandoori-Style Chicken with Cool Cucumber Raita

(NC)—Using a tandoori paste from a jar makes this spicy chicken dish fast and easy. Marinate the meat at the cottage in the morning, or combine the chicken and marinade and marinate overnight in the refrigerator before leaving for the cottage the next day. This marinade is also lovely for grilled lamb chops. You can make the raita at home and bring it along in the cooler.Ingredients 2 lbs bonel. . .

Wine Etiquette With Ease

Correct wine etiquette makes the tasting experience more comfortable and enjoyable. Like most interests, there is a set of protocol that most wine lovers adhere to. Good taste dictates that tasting at wineries, ordering wine at restaurants, and hosting a dinner party all require certain formalities.Tasting Room EtiquetteIn a winery's tasting room, white wines are generally tasted first, follo. . .

Homemade Ice Cream

Have you ever wondered if there was a healthful alternative to the sugar and preservative filled ice cream you buy in the supermarkets? If you have or if you would truly like to try homemade ice cream then this is for you. I have a recipe for vanilla ice cream, that will knock your socks off when you taste it.The first thing you need to know is how to make your own 100% healthy and natural va. . .

Spanish Food - How To Make Spicy Gazpacho Soup.

Home-made soups are so good for you - all that nourishing stock and chock-a-block full of vitamins and minerals. But ... who on earth could face boiling bones for hours on end during the scorching Spanish summer weather, not to mention preparing the soup once the stock is made? I don´t think it would tickle anybody´s fancy to then have to tuck into a piping-hot soup! For this reason, the. . .

The Secret To Making Perfect Chili Fit For A King

Every autumn my thoughts turn to making chili. The garden is about done. The freezer is full of veggies. All the canning is done, and winter is coming. Just before winter hits, the price of beef drops as cattlemen sell off any remaining stock that they don't want to "winter over". It is the perfect time to stock the freezer with homemade chili.There is nothing better than to come home at the en. . .

How I Made Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies In Simple, Sup...

I was sitting there watching one of my favorite tv shows when a cookie craving hit me. As I watched one of the main characters take her chocolate chip cookies off the baking sheet, I drooled at the prospect of some freshly baked cookies. I wanted something that was easy, quick, and didn't require me to go out and buy ingredients. So I searched the Internet, figuring peanut butter cookies would . . .

Spanish Food - How To Prepare Boquerones.

Whilst on your travels in Spain and pausing to take a breath from site-seeing, you have surely experimented with "tapas" at a welcoming bar. If this is the case, it is more than likely that you have come across the small, tasty filleted fish, preserved in olive oil, sliced garlic and chopped parsley, and highly popular throughout Spain. This delectable dish is usually known as "boqueron. . .

Spanish Food - The Perfect Paella

Looking for a traditional Spanish recipe? Without doubt, the best-known is going to be the prodigious paella ... that tasty, adaptable, gregarious dish famed throughout Spain and the World. And, what an impressive choice of recipes exist for a pleasurable paella: seafood, chicken, rabbit ... or a mixture of all three! Perhaps you are non-meat eating ... well, just opt for one of the several. . .

Twisted Sisters

I tried not to lean against anything. Leaning, I Feared, would give the wrong impression. It could seem too casual. Sitting was also not an option. I also did my level best not to make eye contact. This was harder than it sounds. When you are surrounded by people with dentition that resembles broken picket fences and forearms adorned with jail house style tattoos (some apparently made by carvin. . .

Digging Up Earthnuts (Conopodium Majus)

The custom of grubbing for Earthnuts, or Pignuts is as ancient as mankind itself. Although these tasty tubers are beloved of pigs (hence the name) they are a most unusual and rewarding woodland snack and there was a time when they were a popular nibble for country children on their way to and from school.The fern like leaves appear along with the Lesser Celandine in the spring. During May and J. . .

Rowan Jelly (Mountain Ash - Pyrus aucuparia)

Sharp and sour but sweet and succulent all at the same time, this traditional accompanyment to cold meat is bursting with flavour, and folklore !‘Rowan tree and red thread - have the witches all in dread’On May eve Rowan crosses used to be worn in UK and were sometimes fastened to cattle (or their barns) for protection against witches and other ‘evil doers’. Legend has i. . .

Tayberry Jam

The taste of Summer, bursting with flavour and anti-oxidant effects. Tayberries are a Raspberry / Blackberry cross that combines the best of both. Big, succulent fruits that crop early. Blackberries were eaten even in Stone Age times, pips from the fruit were found in the stomach remains of a Neolithic man preserved in clay in Essex. Blackberry picking time was once a most important country act. . .

Natures Cold Remedies In Your Kitchen

During the winter it can be hard to escape that shivery feeling that happens when you get too cold. A good immediate remedy for this is to wrap yourself up in a douvet and stick a hairdryer up it, (making sure the air flow is not restricted) until you feel warmed up.Colds are the body's escape mechanism. When the whole system is overloaded it crashes. The body stresses out and the immune system. . .

School Lunches the Frugal Way!

It seems that school starts earlier every year. So it's time to start thinking about what to put in those school lunches every morning. My children always wanted to bring their own lunches because they didn't really like what was offered in the school lunchroom. But it was sometimes a little difficult to make their lunches nutritious and tasty and also to put a little variety in their lunchbo. . .

Alfredo, and Who on Earth Was He?

If you ask for pasta with Alfredo sauce at a restaurant in Italy all you get from your waiter is a stare. Why is one of the most famous “Italian sauces” for pasta unknown in its country of origin? The answer is simple: because in Italy an Alfredo “sauce” doesn’t exist.Yes, Italians make a dish of pasta, fettuccine dressed with nothing else than good aged parmigiano cheese and a lot of butter, b. . .

10 Surefire Ways To Survive Eating Out

I personal lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some tactics I used to lose the weight1) Steamed instead of fried2) Brown rice instead of white rice3) Wheat bread instead of white bread4) Sauce and dressing on the side. Dip your fork into the sauce first then into the food.5) At dinner exchange the potato or other carbohydrates with extra veggies6) No oil7) Do not feel like you need to eat the enti. . .

Frugal Outdoor Cooking

Firing up the grill is a great way to cook in the summer! Here are a few grilling tips and a couple of recipes, too. For great grilled burgers, form the patty gently. Smashing the meat forces out moisture. Sear both sides of the burger on both sides, then move the burger and cook with indirect heat till done. Use a meat thermometer to gauge when the meat is done. Ground beef should be cooked. . .

Délices de France, A Delicious Way Of Cooking, A Culinary...

Would you like to taste authentic French specialties gourmet food and recipes? Well, this is what Délices de France can do for you. Délices de France was founded in January of 2004 by Anne Garrett. I know all the fine dining of her country. Ingredients from the best French tables, used with a blend of spices, mushrooms, mustards and different ingredients, will please your delicate palate. Do y. . .

Guide To Tasting Wine

The basics of tasting wine are relatively simple to learn. Once the fundamentals are mastered, the nuances and details can be enhanced over a lifetime. Like any other skill, tasting wine requires practice, and consistency is probably the most important factor. One helpful strategy an aspiring wine taster can pursue is tasting with a friend that has superior knowledge. Questions can be . . .

The Curious History Of Wine Consumption In America

The history of wine consumption in America has been frought with starts, stops, and inconsistencies. The American population has always had a love-hate relationship with alcohol. Historic prohibitionist attitudes amongst much of the American population have blurred the line between moderate wine consumption and detrimental alcoholism. As a result, regular, moderate consumption of wine by the. . .

Tomatoes Fight Cancer Best When Used With Broccoli

A recent study suggested that eating tomatoes and broccoli together can enhance the anti-cancer potentency possessed by tomatoes and broccoli. In the study, rats were injected with human prostate tumors. And they were fed powdered tomato and dried broccoli. Used also in the study was finasteride, a drug that shows to slow the benign growth of the prostate. The study found that the rats use diet. . .

What's So Special About Cinnamon?

I don't know about you, but just the smell of cinnamon makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over.My favorite cookies to make is Snickerdoodles because I just LOVE the smell of them baking. There's just something warm and delicious about it.The sense of smell is powerful - and when my kids smell Cinnamon, they are going to feel warm and fuzzy all over because of the fun we've had in the kitchen.But. . .

Vegetarian Does Not Have To Be "All Or Nothing"

Many people contemplate becoming a vegetarian at one point or another. Some consider a meatless diet because they feel sorry for the animals. Others think a vegetarian way of eating will improve their health. However, out of those well-intentioned people very few actually follow through and change their way of eating. The idea of completely giving up meat forms a big stumbling block for mo. . .

Obese Government

Very few people (including members of Congress) actually grasp the numbers involved in the federal budget. The total net "economy" of the United States is about $9.25 trillion. That represents the total production, sales, purchase and consumption in the United States in 2003, according to estimates provided by the CIA. Government is the single biggest industry in the United States, both federal. . .

Easy and Healthy Snacks

In our house, snacks are almost a way of life. Particularly in the summer, while we travel to the creek by day and out of town on the weekends, snacks take a central roll in getting us where we want to go in a healthy way. A good snack can help alleviate the afternoon blahs as well as prevent low blood sugar after a meal that was hours ago. When it’s hot outside, whole fresh fruit is an exce. . .