Gourmet Food And Restaurants

There are lot of Restaurants in Portland

I live in Portland, which is an excellent city for gourmet restaurants. Portland has more restaurants per capita than almost any other city I know of. There is just too much food for any one person to ever try. Nonetheless, I give it a shot. I particularly like the gourmet Pizza restaurants. The East Coast is usually the place to get pizza. The West Coast is not known for its pizza places. Nevertheless, if you really look for them you can find some really good pizza places. I've had some thin crust, deep dish, and other kinds of pizzas here that are surprisingly good.

Gourmet food = Delicious!

I have always loved gourmet food. My mother was a heck of a cook while I was growing up. She would cook every night, and almost always make something different. I don't know where she got so many different recipes from. All of them seemed perfected, and yet she very rarely repeated any of them. The only ones that she would cook more than once were the ones that we really liked. If people asked for them, she would cook them again. There is nothing quite like her cooking. The only thing that even comes close is going to a gourmet restaurant.

Steakhouses, Perfect gourmet restaurants!

Of course, my very favorite gourmet restaurants are steakhouses. There's nothing quite like a gourmet steak. I'll have to admit that I'm not all that imaginative in my tastes. Filet mignon is my favorite – I suppose it is almost everyone's favorite. It is so tender, juicy, and rich. If I had the money, I would probably eat a fillet every night. After all, why not eat only the best if you can afford it? Still, every once in a while it is nice to get fish. There are some great gourmet fish restaurants here. The other day, I was eating downtown and had some tuna that was out of this world. It was seared on the sides, but raw in the middle – sort of a flame kissed sushi. It was to die for!

Gourmet vegetarian restaurants are great!

There are also some great gourmet vegetarian restaurants. Although I am not a vegetarian myself, I really respect gourmet restaurants that can cook vegetarian food. Meat automatically adds so much flavor to any dish that learning to cook without it is quite a challenge. The people who can do it really win my admiration. Sometimes, I'll go to a gourmet vegetarian restaurant even if I don't have any vegetarians with me. Some of the gourmet restaurants here are that good!

Importance Of Food Portion Sizes

Now that we've all made our New Year's resolutions, everyone who has losing weight on their list, raise your hand! Most of us gained a few pounds over the holiday season and need to shed a few - or more - to get back in shape. There's certainly no shortage of weight loss plans. The number and variety of such programs can be bewildering. Isn't there a simple, straightforward way to lose weight without counting, weighing and navigating food exchange calculations? Read on to see how regulating your food portion sizes and eating your meals in individual courses can make weight loss a snap!
To begin, allow yourself one daily treat to look forward to, in a satisfying amount. Choose just one of your favorite forbidden foods. Read the label and decide on reasonable food portion sizes to eat each day. Make the size small, but satisfying. When you sit down to enjoy this treat, serve it on a pretty plate. It's special. Eat and chew slowly, so that you get every last tidbit of enjoyment of the flavor, texture and forbidden pleasure.
With meals, do plan healthy menus with foods you like. Let's say you're having lasagna, a salad and French bread for dinner. Now this may sound like a dieter's dream, but it's absolutely OK as long as you monitor food portion sizes. Make the salad large, with lots of your favorite veggie additions - the more, the merrier. Serve it on an attractive plate as your first course. Again, eat slowly, chew well and enjoy every last bite.
Eating slowly allows your stomach to fill slowly. You'll be surprised to find a sense of fullness ensues. You start to feel satisfied. Yet the calories you've consumed are minimal. Kick back for just 5 or 10 minutes before moving on to your next course.
Now for the lasagna. Again, use a plate that makes a nice, restaurant style presentation. Eyeball the lasagna. Reduce this food portion size by one-third of what you'd normally eat. Do the same with the French bread. Use less butter or better yet, brush the bread with olive oil. Add some minced garlic, sliced olives and diced onions. You've got a lot of flavor, fewer calories and the cholesterol-lowering benefits of the garlic and onions. Savor each bite and eat slowly! You may be shocked to discover you're actually full before you finish your plate.
Make breakfast and lunch lighter as well. Fruit, muffins and yogurt are good breakfast choices. A chef's salad with turkey, chicken or other lean meat is a low-calorie, satisfying lunch.
Follow this plan, day by day. Learn to eat slowly, make your food a visual feast and cut your food portion sizes. Eat one course at a time. Have your daily treat. This is a program that's easy to stick with and lose all the weight, gradually and painlessly. Soon you'll have the figure you crave!

Easy 30 Minute Meals

Welcome to zone smoothie recipes!

Let’s face it – who wants to slave away in the kitchen for hours upon hours just to produce a decent meal? No one wants to do that. In fact, most individuals who are responsible for making the family meals prefer to spend less than one hour in the kitchen. That one hour includes all the preparation time, cooking and cleaning up. Is it possible to make a great meal and have the kitchen spotlessly clean in that amount of time? Yes, it is absolutely possible.

This is a food family zone with info on tasty recipes in 30 min...

If you spend any time listening to Rachel Ray and her cooking ideas and recipes, you may be familiar with her 30 min. meals and how appetizing they can be. The entire idea behind her 30 minute meals is, of course, to be in and out of the kitchen in no time at all. Her 30 minute meal recipes and ideas are not only fast, but incredibly delicious as well. If you’re in the mood for soup, it can be done super fast. If you’re craving more of a satisfying meal such as chicken or lamb, that can be made in only 30 minutes as well. Let me give you a very good hint: glance over the recipe before you attempt to make it in 30 minutes or less. If you’re not familiar with all of the ingredients and steps that need to be followed, I can guarantee that your 30 minute meals will turn into an hour or more. If you spend 5 minutes reading over the recipe before you even step foot into your kitchen, you will find that the easy 30 min meals will be stress-free and a huge hit with your family.
Contrary to what many people may believe, there are not simply a limited amount of recipes that can be successfully made within 30 minutes. There are, in fact, enough of 30 minute recipes available that your family will be happy for weeks without ever eating the same meal twice. Rachel Ray isn’t the only person who has 30 minute meal recipes for you. There are others that can be found. Rachel Ray fans may not want to even think about a recipe that wasn’t suggested by the cooking genius. That’s your choice. Afterall, they’re your tastebuds.
Your family will be happy with all of the new meals that you’re creating. You will be happy because you’ll be spending less time in the kitchen and more time with your family. You really can’t go wrong with having a recipe that can be created and brought to perfection within 30 minutes.

Smoothie Recipes For A Delicious Meal

Here we are into 2008 and determined to keep our New Year's resolutions. If you're like me, you can't help thinking of all the buzz about nutritious food and getting trim and fat. Maybe it's the guilt of holiday indulgences that puts food-related resolutions at the forefront. Along with the guilt and determination, a little bit of a discouraged feeling may seep into your mind. "Phooey on all this health business! Ugh. Low-calorie this and boring that. Food is good!" Well, here's some good news to spur you on to success. Try some of these imaginative smoothie recipes, good for breakfast, lunch or even a midnight snack. Be the one who keeps your resolution for a healthier you! All you need is a blender.
Breakfast smoothie recipes start you off deliciously and nutritiously. We all know fruit and yogurt are healthy, but can be a bit dull first thing in the morning, whereas the smoothie is an entirely different experience. With the looks of a milkshake and a sensational and refreshing fruit taste, you've got a breakfast worth drinking! It's full of vitamins, fills you up, is quick to fix and is low in calories.
Almost any fruit goes well in smoothie recipes, regardless of the time of day. Oranges, kiwi fruit, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries and banana are all excellent for the fruit component. You can mix several fruits in the same smoothie recipe.
If your favorite fruit is not in season, use a package of frozen fruit with its syrup. The syrup adds a few calories, but look at it this way. It's a complete meal. You won't be hungry until lunch. The nutritional value far outweighs the extra calorie count. Alternatively, use the new fruits that come in jars with Splenda( as the sweetener in the juice.
Fruit juices add flavor and can help thicken the drink, depending on the juice. Survey the juice aisle at the grocery and load up your cart.
Flavored yogurts and ones with real fruit at the bottom add even more flavor and substance. Pina colada yogurt goes great with tropical fruits.
Smoothie recipes allow you to adhere to your dietary restrictions too. For example, if you're lactose intolerant, you can substitute soy milk or use a 2% fat acidophilus milk. Soy milk is a powerhouse of nutrients and comes in several flavors as well as an unsweetened form.
Now for some special flavor additions. A tablespoon or two of Torani( syrup in a flavor complimentary to your smoothie recipe ingredients can make a great smoothie magnificent. Toss in some shredded coconut or tahini paste for an exotic taste treat. A small scoop of quality ice cream never hurts.
Having just one smoothie each day can fulfill many of your New Year's resolution objectives. These generic smoothie recipes guarantee better nutrition, more energy and a trimmer you!

Vitamin C Health Benefits

There are some people who make some very extravagant claims about vitamin supplements, including vitamin C. It is claimed by some rather noteworthy people that taking hundreds of times the US RDA of C vitamins can greatly improve mental health, increase your lifespan, and make you healthier. Although this hasn't been proven by science, taking large doses at least doesn't seem to hurt you. Vitamin D, vitamin A, and many other nutrients can be harmful in excessive quantities. With vitamin C, however, you are unlikely to hurt yourself by taking too much. Your body simply flushes out any excess, and uses the part that it needs. If you take way too much you can give yourself a stomach ache, but that is about it.
I have personally used vitamin C to good effect to combat past illnesses. I used to have a doctor – and alternative medicine practitioner – who is crazy about the stuff. Every time one of his patients would get sick, he would give them what was known as a Super-C. He would inject concentrated high levels of vitamin C in the blood, combined with a small dose of Hydrochloric acid. It was amazing how quickly and effectively it would work. Within minutes of getting the injection, I would be feeling better. All the congestion would drain out of my sinuses, and my body would immediately fight off the illness. Although this still is not a common technique among many doctors, it is growing in popularity. It is quick, easy, and powerful. What else could you ask for?

Which Nutritional Supplements Are Healthy?

Taking the right nutritional supplements can make a big difference. A lot of people think that all nutritional health supplements are good for everyone. After all, they are marketed in a pretty broad way. Basically, if a company can get you to buy its nutritional vitamin supplements, it will. Nonetheless, a lot of them have very specific uses. Don't just take them indiscriminately!
Some nutritional supplements are good for everyone. For example, everyone should take a multivitamin every day. Although multivitamins are no substitute for a good diet, they do help to make double sure that you are getting all the nutrients that you need. Not every nutritional supplement on the shelf is of equal quality, so make sure that you get one from a reputable source. After all, it is not just enough to get the vitamins. Some forms are easier for your body to absorb than others. If you get the wrong form of vitamin supplement, it will all wash right through your system. You won't get any gain at all from cheap nutritional supplements that aren't made for high absorption.
The most popular nutrition supplements are meant for all around health. Some of the things they are good for are enhancing the immune system, mental functioning, and other things like that. Some of these address particular problems, such as chronic respiratory issues, digestive problems, or age-related problems. Most of these nutritional supplements can be taken just as directed, although it is ideal to have the advice of a health care professional. Nonetheless, just going to the store and ask them what nutritional supplements they recommend can really help you to get on the right track.
Of course, other nutritional supplements are meant for more athletic uses. A lot of them are meant for bodybuilding and exercise. When I first started exercising, I was skeptical of this kind of supplement. After all, I figure that exercising and getting good nutrition alone were enough to keep me lean, mean, fit, and strong. Although I got pretty good results from my exercises, one of my friends convinced me to try some bodybuilding supplements after awhile. I was really amazed by the difference. They helped me bulk up much quicker, and I had more energy than ever. I even got a metabolism aid to speed up my weight loss. Although I felt a bit giddy from it, it really did the trick. I was shedding pounds like you would not believe!

Problematic Food Packaging

With the focus in our world, as of late, being on the safety of both food and toys, there are many things that we are forced to think about. There are obviously some changes that need to be made when a child’s toy ends up being made with what is considered a date rape drug. It’s not just toys that are problematic either. There are been many scares with E Coli, which is something that can make people very sick. This might mean better food packaging options.
One company that had to recall millions of pounds of ground beef due to E Coli is one that I am very familiar with. It is in my general area, and I have known people who have worked there. That also meant that the meat I was eating was sometimes coming from the plant. Once they had a problem, they were discussing their food packaging options. One such options was something that would change color when meat went bad, and other was telling customers when meat was injected with dye to make it appear fresher that it is.
Another food packaging problem that confronts us is not something that companies have control over. When there is something bad in a product, that is always on the packaging. Most make the mistake of washing lettuce, for example, and then they put it right back in the food packaging they got from the store. This means anything within that bag is right back on the food, even when the consumer feels they have washed the food. That can be very dangerous, as things like lettuce can be just as bad as meat when it comes to harboring harmful bacteria.
Think about the food packaging that you are getting as well as the food contained within. Always throw away what the food came in and put your items in something else once they have been cleaned. Don’t be afraid to ask how old meat really is when you buy it, and always look for signs that something is not right. You may not be able to control when foods have E Coli or something equally bad, but you can control how you hand food packaging in order to keep you and your family in good health. While disposable baggies and other storage implements might seem like a waste of money, they can be valuable in terms of your health.

Great Food Party

Everyone hates trying to balance a drink and a plate of food with cutlery at a party. The situation is worsened by trying to make small talk at the same time to someone you've just met. Parties should be relaxing affairs, not endurance tests for making guests feel uncomfortable. Party food should be user friendly. Most people have a story to tell about attempting to cut through food on a paper plate, precariously placed on their lap. Finger food is the answer and it's cheap and easy to organise.
The domestic goddesses amongst us will make everything from scratch of course. For those with limited time for preparation, there are some excellent deli counters at the local supermarkets and in grocery stores. The key to party food is to keep it simple. People go to parties to chat and perhaps, have a dance. No one is scoring points for gourmet presentation. Of course, the food and drink offered needs to be varied and tasty.
If the rule is to cut out knives and forks, it's easy to go from there with sausage rolls, vol au vents and mini quiche. Everything bite size is another good rule of thumb. Think mini at all times when selecting the pizza slices, cheese puffs and chicken wings. It's still possible to throw in something refreshing because you don't want an endless series of dry offerings. Cherry tomatoes are a popular choice or slices of kiwi fruit or avocado. Dips are very popular and the ideal party food when served up with bread sticks or chips. A simple bowl of houmous or soured cream with chives will go down a treat. Salsa or guacamole are also popular dips.
Variety is important as everyone has different tastes. Include Mexican tacos and enchiladas but don't overdo the spicy offerings. Make sure that there are plenty non-alcoholic drinks available for the car drivers. A fruit punch is very welcome during summer. You can still offer an alcoholic punch with a Pimms or Sangria base. There should be vegetarian options too and it's advisable to find out in advance of the party if there are any vegans or other people with dietary requirements amongst the guests.
Canapés are a traditional sight at parties. These can be very complicated if desired but they can be kept a simple party food too. Thai Fishcakes with Lime Dip and Italian Brushetta with Tomato and Basil are both mouth watering. Sweet canapés can be tartlets with chocolate or lemon fillings and mousse can be made from different flavors.

Chocolate Covered Potato Chips, New Food Trend!

There are times that you may be craving something but you have no idea what that something is. Chances are that chocolate covered potato chips will help you through that mysterious hunger. There are some good reasons that this tasty treat will address even the most evasive snack-deficit.
Chocolate covered potato chips cover all craving basis. We all have had those cravings for salty foods. There were times that I had so many of these kinds of sodium-packed snacks, I began thinking that salt was one of the four food groups. Your craving for salt will be addressed with a portion of chocolate covered potato chips.
Of course, most of us can relate to the most obvious craving that is on the tops of snack wish lists everywhere. Chocolate covered potato chips address the need to ingest the all important cocoa bean. You can find a quality product that offers a smooth, satisfying coating of chocolate that will make you feel as if you have just fallen in love.
Just about everyone has a sweet tooth but some of us have sweet teeth. The need for something sugary is addressed when you indulge in chocolate covered potato chips. The contrast between the salty chips and the sweet cocoa is prevalent and it is a culinary playground for the palette.
Then there is the crunch. The noise-in-your-head foods are really sought after from time to time. Chocolate covered potato chips offer the smooth texture of sweet chocolate with the salty crunch of the potato chip. It’s the best of both worlds. You have contrast in texture and flavor.
Now it is safe to assume that you don’t want too much of a good thing when it comes to this particular snack. Chocolate covered potato chips are not for dieters but this treat can actually save you some calories in the long run. There is a good reason that I make this unusual statement.
First of all, you can satisfy a number of cravings with just one snack. You also don’t need much of this treat, either. Smaller portions help you stay in control while still leaving you with a happy, fulfilled feeling in the process. A few chocolate covered potato chips go a long way.
Many people will tell you how easy it is to over indulge in regular potato chips. They just seem to disappear out of the bag. However, a few chocolate covered potato chips go along way. It’s just one more reason to reach for this satisfying treat.

List Of High Fiber Foods

Natural fiber is a great source for keeping a body lean and healthy. Some many be surprised to find that this element is rich in many foods that they would never consider. A list of high fiber foods is the ideal tool for making sure that these nutrients are in great supply in your diet plan.

Losing weight is pretty easy on a high fiber diet. This is especially true considering the vast number of food choices that you have at your fingertips. Use a list of high fiber foods as a source of grocery shopping inspiration and you will see how many great choices you really have.

The general rule is to have at least three grams of fiber for every 190 calories in each serving. The fiber actually balances the rest of the caloric intake in a few ways. This nutrient is ideal for natural weight loss and overall health. This element works in a number of ways.
First of all, anyone who has a substantial appetite will appreciate having a full feeling throughout the day. Foods high in fiber keep you feeling full and this makes the temptation to snack quite manageable. If you are not hungry all the time you are much less likely to cheat on your weight loss plan.
The fiber-rich foods also serve to absorb fat. You can actually eat more fatty foods without suffering the weight gain ramifications if you start your day with a healthy serving of fiber. This nutrient actually traps fat and keeps it from being absorbed into the system.
Of course, you have to be reasonable about this. Don’t think that eating a bowl of oatmeal followed by four pieces of butter cream icing filled cake is going to work. The idea is to create a balance that is realistic. Also, you can’t expect to lose weight while eating lots of fatty foods. The fiber simply serves as a balancing agent when you are on a maintenance plan.
There will be many surprises on the list of high fiber foods. One that really stands out is ice cream. Yes, some low fat ice creams are packed with fiber, making them the ideal treat for your weekly diet reward. You have to keep in mind that these products contain sugar in most cases so you do want to eat this treat in moderation.
If you want to lose weight without feeling hungry all day, you might want to look into a fiber-rich eating plan. A great place to start is a list of high fiber foods for inspiration.

Casserole Recipes

When you've had a long day, the last thing you need is to come home and spend an hour or more getting dinner to the table. Fortunately for us all, the casserole can step in from your freezer inventory and be ready in short order.
The casserole, as a meal-in-a-pot, has been around since ancient times. It was the French, in the 19th century, who gave us the name, casserole (cocotte) which identified the container rather than specific contents. In general, a casserole is any large, deep oven proof container in which the ingredients, usually vegetables, cooked meats and fish are mixed or layered, with a base of pasta or rice in a sauce. Today, known by a number of names, casserole recipes are found in nearly every cuisine around the world.
There are thousands of combinations to be made from such ingredients. Casserole recipes abound, online and in cookbooks. With a bit of practice, you can make your own recipes, using your favorite ingredients in combinations pleasing to your family. The contents take ingredients from nearly all the food groups and make a substantial, nutritious and satisfying meal. Served with a dinner salad and a chunk of bread, even a teen's voracious appetite and taste buds are made happy by the end of the meal.
One major advantage of casserole recipes is that you can make most ahead of time. You can take them straight from the frig to the oven for a quick meal. If you double the recipe, one may be frozen for use up to three months later.
When you plan to freeze a casserole, line your dish with heavy foil of sufficient size to cover the top of the dish when cooked. Pop the casserole, dish and all, into the freezer. When frozen, lift the entire casserole from the dish and wrap it foil and all, in a sealable freezer bag. Your casserole dish is again ready for another task and you have a ready-to-go meal to fill in future menus.
The diversity of ingredients contained in casserole recipes is indeed a boon to the cook. Much like the omelette, ingredients can be pretty much what you'd like to combine. Casserole recipes are good candidates for substitutions of your choice. If you find a recipe featuring green beans, corn may do just as well. This versatility allows you to make good use of leftovers.
Many cooks believe that seasoning is the soul of any dish. Different seasonings can make the same ingredients a totally new taste experience. So don't hesitate to vary your seasonings.
The same is true of your sauce. Simple white sauces, gravy made of chicken or beef broths and thin sauces of orange juice, ginger and butter drizzled over rice, chicken and vegetables are just a few of the possibilities.
Make casserole recipes a first choice when filling out your menus. You'll gain variety, value and save time for future meals, all while satisfying your family's appetite.

Fruit And Vegetable

Everyone has different things that they enjoy doing. My husband and I enjoy fishing. He is also an avid hunter. This means that we often have a variety of meats and fish in the freezer. We also like to entertain so we throw wild game feeds twice a year for friends and family. Many of my husband’s friends are also hunters so they like to give us different cuts of meat to prepare for the feeds. Coming up with side dishes that are unique is sometimes a challenge.
Some of the people we have for the game feeds are not very adventuresome when it comes to trying the different game dishes that we prepare. They will usually eat fish so we always have fish prepared a few different ways. I try to find a fruit and vegetable that compliments the geographical area where the meat and fish come from. My husband travels all over on his hunting trips so I ask him to check what the local fruit and vegetable specialties are in the various areas. He goes to Idaho for elk hunting so I serve Idaho potatoes as a side dish with the elk roast. We have picked wild blueberries when we have gone into Canada fishing. I usually incorporate them into a dessert. Other fruit and vegetable side dishes we have tried include; strawberries, cranberries, rhubarb, squash and tomatoes. I always make a huge tossed salad with fresh fruit and vegetable combinations and different dressings served on the side. Most people like salad so they will not go hungry if they are unwilling to try out some of the different game dishes.
Breads are another filler that most people like. I have found some interesting European bread recipes that are quite easy to make. The smell of fresh baked bread is always welcoming and puts people in the mood to eat. My husband also checks out local wineries when he is hunting. It is fun to have different wines from various regions of the country. We try to have both white and red wines.
Most people like to bring something when they come for the game feed. The first year if anyone asked what they could bring I told them they could bring something for dessert. This has now turned into a tradition of the guests bring a variety of desserts. This is my favorite part of the game feed. We eat the wild game all the time, but having several desserts to choose from is a real treat. I try to limit my self to eating from the fruit and vegetable selection and the dessert bar.

Easy Soup Recipes For Everyone!

Less than enchanting economic times prompt you to look for ways to save on the grocery bill, while hectic days encourage you to have a small stockpile of meals that can be brought quickly to the table.
One of the easiest ways to satisfy both objectives is to spend a Saturday making a couple of quarts each of two or three easy soup recipes. Portion the soups in individual or family size servings to freeze for future cheap, quick-to-fix and delicious meals.
Here are two such easy soup recipes to get you started. These recipes can be followed exactly as given, but they are also generic recipes. Substitutions give a similar texture and body, but with different flavors. Suggestion for alternate ingredients follows each of these easy soup recipes.
One uses a cream base while the other uses a broth. You'll be surprised to find how a few minor adjustments to each recipe can provide many distinctly different easy soup recipes.

EASY CLAM CHOWDER SOUP

3 Tb. Butter
3 Tb. flour
6 cups milk
2 large potatoes, cooked until almost done, diced in 2-inch cubes
2 3.5-ounce cans clams, with juice
1 15-ounce can corn
3 large mushrooms, sliced
1 large onion, diced
3 green onions, sliced
1 tsp. Thyme

Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Use a whisk to mix in the flour. Cook over low heat until the roux thickens. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly. Add the remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 30-45 minutes, or until soup acquires the thickness you prefer. Garnish with fresh parsley if you like.

Instead of, or in addition to clams, try shrimp, crab, Krab(, crawfish or catfish nuggets. Substitute celery, water chestnuts or spinach for any of the vegetables. Chives are good in place of green onions. Use a teaspoon of tarragon or 1/4 cup fresh cilantro in place of the thyme.

EASY CHICKEN VEGETABLE SOUP

8 cups chicken broth
2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced in 1-inch cubes
1 15-ounce can green beans
1 15-ounce can corn
1 large red bell pepper, diced
1 large onion, diced
2-3 stalks celery, sliced thinly
1 tsp. sage
2 tsp. minced garlic
a pinch of cayenne

Drain the canned vegetables. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally. Cook for 45 minutes.
Turkey, sausage or diced ham works just as well as chicken. In place of the green beans, try fresh, sliced zucchini added to the soup just 5 minutes before serving. Substitute one orange and one yellow bell pepper for the beans and corn for a colorful and tasty soup. Rosemary, thyme or marjoram can replace the sage.
Once you try these easy soup recipes, you'll see how adaptable they are. Use your imagination. Don't forget to use any leftovers from the frig. In just a few hours, you can have many lunch or dinner servings ready to go in minutes!

Food Pyramid

Many of us have our plates full, so to speak, with a merry-go-round of tasks and activities that keep us on the run. Sometimes it's easy to forget that a proper diet is necessary to keep us going. Each family member may have a different schedule and gathering everyone around the dinner table may seem next to impossible. Does this sound like your family? Do you fret over your teen grabbing a frozen snack and calling it dinner?
The new food pyramid provides a handy way to make sure your family gets the nutrition they need, no matter the pace of life. Let's take a look at how easy it can be to ensure good nutrition.
The food pyramid is divided into five major categories: grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meats. We'll offer suggestions on working these essentials into the daily fare with nary a complaint.
Grains encompass many of the staples we all have on hand in our cupboards. Food pyramid guidelines recommend the inclusion of whole grains, such as whole wheat, rolled oats and brown or wild rice. Try whole wheat pita bread for the lunch box sandwich. A baggie loaded with whole-wheat crackers in a mix of nuts and raisins makes a delicious and nutritious snack. Use rolled oats for a batch of oatmeal cookies.
Fruits provide essential vitamins as well as dietary fiber. Fresh fruits that are in season are at the peak of flavor and are less expensive than out of season choices. Pop a fresh peach in the lunch bag. Make your own granola mix with a liberal sprinkling of dried fruits. Fruit and yogurt make a tasty dessert or breakfast smoothie. Homemade fruit pie is always welcome.
Vegetables hold a prominent spot on the food pyramid and are easy to make into subtle dietary stars. As possible, choose fresh vegetables in season. Put them in pilafs, dinner salads, omelettes or casseroles. A plate of whole grain crackers, celery, carrots and cheese cubes with dip on the side makes a triple hitter for the food pyramid priorities.
Dairy products are excellent sources of calcium. Cheese, yogurt, calcium-fortified juices and soy beverages offer good alternatives for the lactose intolerant. A sprinkling of shredded cheese adds a dose of calcium to a dinner salad or layered into a sandwich. Encourage the kids to reach for a glass of milk or soy beverage instead of a soda.
Meats are best for your health when they are lean. Chicken breasts, fish and pork chops rate high on the food pyramid, as good sources of protein, while being low on fat. Vegans can keep their protein intake up with tofu, veggie-burgers, beans and nuts standing in for meats.
Use these tips to get nutrition on your family's meal agenda. A quick glance at the food pyramid components can inspire healthy menus and snack items to keep you on track with good eating habits. Bon Appetit!

Chocolate Cake Recipe

When it comes to baking, everyone has a different way of going about it. Some people follow a recipe exactly while others take a recipe and make it their own. As long as the end result turns out incredibly scrumptious, what does it really matter? Experimenting and finding new ingredients and ways of baking is all part of people having their own tastes and creativity. Plus, it is the way that new recipes are put into publication. There’s one thing that is, in my opinion, incredibly hard to mess up – a chocolate cake recipe. There isn’t a chocolate cake recipe in existence that hasn’t turned into something that I’ve thought to be terrible. Sure, some of them could use some improvement, but chocolate is my weakness. As long as it turns out fluffy and moist, I’m in heaven.
No matter what cookbook you read through, you will find a chocolate cake recipe, or several, that will tempt you beyond belief. There will be different toppings, ingredients or icings that will be suggested. You can pick the chocolate cake recipe that fits the amount of work that you are comfortable with making.
My grandmother used to make the best cakes. Every year, for my birthday, she would make me a chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. In my opinion, there is nothing better. She never shared her recipe with anyone, she simply enjoyed all of us drooling over it and praising her skills. Her birthday cakes were the main reason I looked forward to my birthdays. In her final year of life, she was rather sick. My birthday was a week away and she called me to tell me that she was incredibly sorry but she wouldn’t be able to bake my cake. She didn’t feel that she had the strength or energy. But, she wanted to pass along her secret chocolate cake recipe that we all longed to have. Within a day, it was in my hands. I read over it, noticing that the last ingredient listed was “love”. My eyes welled up and I decided that I would be baking my own birthday cake that year. I did exactly that, following her chocolate cake recipe to the exact details. On the night of my birthday, I took my grandmother a piece of cake. She ate it very slowly, telling me how wonderful it was. I saw the look of happiness in her eyes.
No matter how many chocolate cake recipes you will come across in your lifetime, you will always have one that you’re attached to. Perhaps it simply tastes the best, or maybe it has sentimental meaning.

Chicken Recipes !

With rising food costs, making a menu that doesn't break the budget can be a daunting task. However, if you take advantage of some of the reasonably priced staple food items, with a little imagination, you can serve a diversity of meals that will please both your family and pocketbook. Chicken is one such food that is healthful, nutritious and versatile. Here we'll look at the many ways chicken recipes can add value to your menu and save you time in the kitchen to boot.
There is hardly a cuisine in the world where chicken does not hold a prominent place in everyday cooking. Every cuisine is distinguished, in large part, by the seasonings native to the region. Seasoning is the heart of any dish. With the varied seasoning sets of cuisines available from around the world, you can make any recipe a brand new taste experience. This is particularly true of chicken recipes. With its mild flavor and firm texture, chicken is the chameleon of meal ideas.
Take a look at some examples. Chicken curry over rice, with the fragrant, spicy herbs of India may be contrasted with Cajun gumbo or chicken fried rice seasoned with Chinese five spice. The French chicken may be roasted with the savory flavors of thyme, marjoram and lavender. Chicken leftovers may be chopped, seasoned with spicy Mexican-Southwest flavors and popped into a taco or baked into an enchilada. Chicken noodle soup served with salad and rolls, makes a healthy lunch or light dinner. Lemon chicken is a Chinese delight. Save up wings from roasted chickens for a batch of buffalo wings. Jamaican cuisine yields dozens of chicken recipes with a variety of flavorful chutneys and salsas. Then you have the old standbys, chicken casseroles, Southern fried chicken and chicken sandwiches. On hot summer days, make a chef's salad with strips of chicken breast. There is a world of chicken recipes for the imaginative cook.
The slow cooker is a time-saving device that allows you to cook a quantity of chicken which can be skinned, chopped, portioned and frozen for future menus. If you wish, you can season each portion before freezing for do-ahead chicken recipes for additional time savings. When freezing cooked meat, immerse in chicken broth to maintain the freshly cooked texture.
You'll soon find it's easy to create your own chicken recipes. Check the frig for those leftover vegetables. A little chopped onion, celery, corn, peas or bell pepper can be mixed with a chicken sauce from your broth and served on top of noodles for a satisfying, tasty dish. Chicken recipes abound on the internet, so you needn't have a gourmet library to spark up your menus. Try something new, give your family a treat and save a bundle on food!