Chef Blog

Even though so many cooking professionals and the oven industries may never want to admit to it, but if considering the health issues, microwave cooking is overall healthier than that of most other ways of cooking. The best part of cooking food in microwaves, there is no need to grease the cooking containers, so this cuts back on the unwanted fats. When it comes to those foods such as meats that contain fats naturally there is the process of removal by the microwave than most other methods of cooking.

With the microwave now being such a main kitchen appliance of necessity for most, there have been a good number of studies that have found that foods such as fruits and vegetables will retain all nutrients, color and health as low cooked foods are better than over cooked food.

Since the microwave is constantly mixing up the molecules of the water or other liquids, this will make most all foods to almost be self-steaming. The biggest plus are the minerals and the vitamins that are better kept into the foods, and this is because of there only needing to be a very small amount of liquids of requirement for microwave cooking.

With the desire for quick cooking in your microwave, but without skipping any of the food’s nutrients, it is a fact that now more than 85% of all traditional oven recipes can easily be converted to fats microwave cooking. Besides requiring low quantities of butters and oils, there are also low requirement for extra herbs and spices when comparing foods made in the microwave instead of the convectional ovens.

In fact, there is at least 20% to 25% of a cut back in the oils or butters that is normally called for in the food recipes when they are prepared in the microwave.  This is because the natural food flavors will always be accentuated more in the microwave than when made in the oven. When the recipe calls for liquids, you can easily leave out a good 20% to 25% in a microwave dish, in your recipe conversions.  The reason for this is the fact that microwaves do not evaporate the extra excess water due to there being no dry heating processes inbuilt in the microwave.

Whether you desire to prepare appetizers, soups, sandwiches, brunches, main dishes, cheese or egg dishes, no one will know the difference unless you tell them that these are cooked in a microwave!  This is also just as true for the meat meals, fish or various other seafood meals, dishes with pork, and even most any type of chicken dish your heart desires are all capable of being created equal or better than made in a conventional oven.

The same goes for all of your side dishes, and even you’re many varieties of desired sweets and baked goods. Every one of the foods that you could ever wish to make will always turn out wonderful when following the microwave cooking requirements specifically for what ever the meal is that you are preparing!

In addition to all of this delicious food, one needs to have an excellent microwave to cook it! In my adventures in the kitchen, I have found a new brands such as Bosch, Thermador, or even Siemens Home to have the very best in microwave ovens.

It’s October again and you know what that means - time for all those tricks and treats at month’s end.  That’s right.  Halloween is right around the corner once again.  If you’re a true celebrator of October 31st, then here are a handful of recipes and treats that are sure to liven up the taste buds and bring enjoyment to the occasion.

1.    “Ghoul-Ade” – a simple recipe for a sweet drink.  Mix together 1 envelope unsweetened grape Kool-Aid, 1 envelope unsweetened orange Kool-Aid, 3 quarts of cold water, 2 cups of sugar, and a quart of either 7-Up or Sprite.  Stir the mixture well, add ice, chill, and serve.

2.    Ghastly Ghoulish Snack Mix – candies, cereal, and fruits make this an instant success for any party.

1 cup of Candy Corn
1 cup of cheese curls
1 cup of corn chips
1 cup of dry-roasted peanuts
1 cup of Golden Grahams cereal
1/2 cup of gum drops
1 cup of M&M’S  preferably in Halloween colors
1 cup of raisins
1/2 cup of Red Hots candies
1 cup of shoestring potatoes
1/2 cup of shelled Sunflower seeds

Place in a large bag and shake up the mixture.  Put the mixture into several serving bowls or containers, and watch everyone enjoy the treat.

3.    Halloween Snack Mix – quick and very easy to fix, and sure to please.  Mix together 1-16oz. bag of Halloween-colored M&M’s, 1-16oz. box of raisins (any brand), and 1-16oz. jar of dry-roasted peanuts (preferably the salted kind).  Put the mix out in serving bowls or containers and watch your guests gobble these up. (HINT: These are also great as an energy source for both football games and football practice.)

4.    Jack-O-Lantern Smoothie – devilishly delicious.

Ingredients:
candies or fruits for decoration
2 cups of your favorite vanilla ice cream
6 navel oranges

Directions:
Cut a slice off the bottoms of the oranges to keep them from rolling.  Slice off roughly a third of the tops (do not throw these away) and scoop out the contents of the oranges.  Remove the seeds and squeeze the juice and pulp into a blender.  Add the 2 cups of vanilla ice cream to the juice and pulp then blend the mixture.

Decorate the oranges like Jack-O-Lanterns.  Pour the blended mixture into the orange.  Pierce a hole in the orange tops big enough to accommodate a straw.  Replace the tops of the oranges, place the straws in place, serve them up, and watch them put smiles on everyone’s faces. (HINT:  Place in freezer ahead of time.  Make sure to remove about 20 minutes before serving.)

5.    Wicked Witches Brew – not that wicked but definitely tasty.  Mix together 1-32oz. bottle of Cran-Raspberry juice, 2 cups of fresh lime juice, 4½ cups of prepared Orange juice, and 2 cups of prepared Pineapple juice.  Pour into a large serving container of ice, let chill thoroughly, and serve it up.  It’s almost a guarantee that this beverage won’t last that long, but it’s quick and easy to mix up another batch.

Although you may not be aware of this, October is not just the month for Halloween.  It is also known as “National Eat Better, Eat Together Month.”  It is referred to as a time for parents to eat meals with children and teens, as well as to celebrate the feast.  Parents can make the family meals special in numerous ways, but a great dish coupled with good conversation is the ticket to success for this event.  Here are some suggestions on how to make this event more memorable.

1.    Have a candlelight dinner
2.    Plan the meal and then get the whole family involved in the shopping expedition
3.    Think about serving foods from other countries.  Then assign your children the research detail of finding a good menu online.
4.    Try serving up a salad from another country such as Asian, Latin American, or Mediterranean for example.  Remember the salad dressing as well.

These are just a few suggestions to help you get started, but the bottom line is that you want to get your children involved in this so that the meal is remembered like photos from a great family vacation.  The meal doesn’t always have to be lavish.  It can be something that’s very simple to prepare.  The key is that the entire family participates in the activities.

As an added suggestion, taking point #4 above into consideration, salads are not just a menu option.  Granted, there are health and nutrition benefits, but this is also one of the best ways for your children to have a say in what they like as well as a great way to express their individualism.  Don’t forget that, from a nutritional standpoint, that fruits and vegetables are a great source of fiber and are linked to a reduced cancer risk.

Researchers at Iowa State and Ohio State Universities showed that consuming salads, with the addition of a full-fat salad dressing, promotes the body’s absorption of alpha and beta-carotenes, and lycopene, all of which help the body fight off cancer and heart diseases.  The added bonus here is that most of the regular salad dressings are free of any Trans-fats.

Additionally, in a study that was conducted at Washington State University, the items on the menu were second in importance to the fact that the children enjoyed being able to be a part of the dinner conversation.  They enjoyed being able to talk about their day and sharing what happened, finding out what others have been up to, and just to be able to laugh about humorous things.

Despite studies that have shown how families that eat together tend to be better as a family unit and not tend towards dysfunction, families are eating together less and less.  As a result of this, the Nutrition Education Network of Washington began promoting National Eat Better, Eat Together Month.  The premise of the event was that families would enjoy more meals together while strengthening the family unit at the same time.

October is National Sun-Dried Tomato Month and there’s no better way to celebrate it than with a mouth-watering dish that uses them in the recipe.  What you need to remember about sun-dried tomatoes is that their flavor is very concentrated and salty, so just a little will go a long way.  Also, they usually have to be reconstituted unless they are packed in oil.

All you need to do is let them soak in warm water for a half hour or until they are soft and pliable, drain (you can save the liquid for adding flavor to soups, stocks, and sauces), pat them dry, and then use them as directed in the recipe.  Here’s a tantalizing recipe to tempt your palate with.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Orange Beef (Preparation time – 75 min./cooking time - 25 min.)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of sun-dried tomatoes that are not oil-packed, 1/2 cup corn oil, 4 scallions cut on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces, 2 garlic cloves (chopped fine), 2 tablespoons of peeled and finely julienned gingerroot, 1 chopped red jalapeno pepper with the seeds removed, 1/4 cup beef or chicken stock, coarse or kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

Beef and Marinade:
1 pound flank steak, 2 tablespoons brandy, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon corn oil

Orange Zest:
8 cups of water, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/4 cup orange zest that is finely julienned from 1 large orange

Preparation:

Cut flank steak into ¼” wide diagonal strips against the grain.  Mix soy sauce and brandy, and then add the steak strips.  Add the cornstarch and mix well to coat the meat.  Add the oil and make sure meat is separated.  Let the mixture sit at room temperature anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.

Cook the orange zest by bringing sugar and water to a boil in a saucepan at high heat, stirring in the orange zest and boiling for roughly 5 minutes.  Drain the mixture and rinse it with cold water, squeezing dry, and then set the mixture aside.

Reconstitute the sun-dried tomatoes by soaking them in warm water for approximately 10 minutes or until they have softened up, then slice them into julienne.

Using either a skillet or a wok, heat the oil to 350° (to a point where it’s nearly smoking).  Add the strips of steak making sure all pieces are separated.  The strips should turn a golden color within about 2 minutes.  Remove them from the hot oil, preferably with a slotted spoon so that they can drain.  Set to the side.

Remove all but about 2 teaspoons of the oil form the skillet (or wok) and add the garlic, gingerroot, jalapeno, orange zest, scallions, and the sun-dried tomatoes.  Over a high flame, cook the mixture 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic turns golden.  Next, place the steak strips in the skillet (or wok), add the stock, and stir well while cooking for roughly 3 minutes or until all liquid has cooked off and evaporated.  Using salt and pepper, season the mixture to taste and transfer to a large serving plate.

Summer has ended and it’s time to look at seasonal foods for fall. Part of what makes the change of seasons such a joy is the change in the foods we eat. One of the main markers of the fall season is that it is cool and dry. Leaves and fruit begin to fall as the temperature drops and the sunshine lessens. Summer fruits such as plums, oranges, grapes, and other watery fruits are replaced with potatoes, carrots, and other dry types. We move from the heat of summer in which ate light, to the coolness of fall in which we look for heartier blends. Here are two deserts made with seasonal foods for fall that are sure to put a warm smile on your face.

Baked apples
Ingredients:
4 apples for baking
1/3 c. chopped cranberries
1 chopped banana
3 Tbl. honey
¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
4 Tbl. Water

Core the apples leaving holes large enough for filling. Put the apples in individual, 6-oz. microwave safe cups. Combine cranberries, banana, honey, and cinnamon and fill the apples with the mixture. Pour 1 Tbl. of water over each apple and cook them (uncovered) in microwave oven for six minutes. They should be soft to the touch. Let stand until cool.

Dutch Apple Pie
1 9” pie shell, partially baked

Topping Ingredients:
½ c. packed brown sugar
1 ¾ c. flour (self-rising)
¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
¾ c. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. vanilla extract
½ c. softened butter
½ granulated sugar
¾ tsp.

Filling Ingredients:
1 ¾ c. water
2 Tbl. packed brown sugar
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ oz. orange liqueur
4 sliced apples
2 Tbl. raisins
2 ¼ Tbl. cornstarch
6 Tbl. granulated sugar

Combine 1 ½ c. water, sugars, nutmeg, cinnamon, and liqueur in a saucepan, bringing it to a boil. Add apples and cook for five minutes. Add raisins, cooking for another two minutes until apples become less firm. Use the remaining water to mix with cornstarch and add it to the apple mixture. Keep cooking until the mixture becomes thick and clear. Pour the mixture into the pie shell in a mound. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugars, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and butter. Crumble the mixture over the top of the pie and place in the oven to bake for 350 degrees for until golden brown, about 45 minutes.

These seasonal foods for fall are easy to make and are sure to please your family when they come in the door and are greeted by the wonderful aroma of freshly baked apples. Seasonal foods for fall give your home an aroma that brings back the memories of childhood holidays and going to Grandma’s house.

School lunches don’t have to consist of the traditional sandwich, which is often a rather boring option. However, back to school lunch ideas can be a challenge for parents wanting to provide their kids with a nutritious meal and give them foods they enjoy.

Here are a few back to school lunch ideas that will have your kids anxious to open their lunch box each day.  Let’s look at a couple recipes that are sure to please even the most discerning young palette.

This one is a favorite of my teenage son and its fun to make too. There are a couple of variations on this one — the old peanut butter and jelly standard and the club sandwich. Simply cut two slices of bread diagonally in half. Place one of the triangles on the bottom and place a slice or two of ham, cheese, and spread some mustard on it. Place the next triangle on top and spread some mayo on it. Place another slice or two of turkey. Place the third triangle on top and place tomato, cucumber, lettuce and a slice of cooked bacon. Place the final triangle on top to cover the sandwich. Place two toothpicks in the sandwich and cut it in half.

For an easy and fun lunchbox snack, here’s a yummy back to school lunch idea. Gather the kids and make some healthy granola popcorn balls with peanuts.

Healthy Popcorn Balls
Ingredients:
3 quarts popped popcorn
1-quart granola cereal
2 c. salted peanuts
1 ½ c. white sugar
1 ½ c. light molasses

Directions:
Grease a large kettle. Mix together popcorn, granola, and peanuts. Combine the molasses and sugar in a 2-quart saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat until the temperature is about 250 degrees. Pour the mixture evenly over the popcorn mixture and toss with a wooden spoon to coat all the popcorn mixture. Let it cool. Butter your hands and shape the mixture into tennis ball sized balls. Wrap them in colored plastic wrap.

The following back to school lunch ideas were always a favorite of my kids when they were little.

Pigs in a Blanket
Ingredients:
1 package of refrigerated croissant dough
6 hot dogs
Butter

Preparation:
Separate the croissant dough and leave it flat. Spread butter on it and place a single slice of cheese along with one hot dog on it. Roll the dough around the hot dog and place them about an inch apart on a cookie sheet that has been coated with nonstick cooking spray. Use a toothpick to hold them together and bake in a 350-degree oven for about eighteen minutes until the top becomes golden brown.

Use your creativity and you are sure to find many other back to school lunch ideas.

September is national honey month and what better way to enjoy this special month than with some delicious sweet foods. Here are some honey recipes for national honey month will have your mouth watering.

With cooler days and fall colors upon us, the following ham recipe is a great way to put barbeque season behind us and become reacquainted with the oven.

Ingredients:
½ c. honey
½ c. brown sugar
Whole cloves
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 Tbsp. orange juice
10 lb. fully cooked ham with bone

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Place the ham, with the fat side up, in a roasting pan and place it on a rack.  Place your meat thermometer in the thickest part of the ham and bake it uncovered for one hour and fifty minutes. When heated through remove any skin with a sharp knife. Use the knife to score the fat into one-inch diamonds. Place a clove in each. In a one-quart saucepan, combine the honey, brown sugar, mustard and orange juice then bring to a boil as you stir the mixture over medium heat to make your honey glaze. Spread half the glaze over the ham and bake it for thirty minutes. Brush on the rest of the glaze and bake for an additional thirty minutes until the ham is a crisp golden color and your meat thermometer registers one hundred and thirty degrees. Let the ham cool for fifteen minutes before carving it.

Here is a great sweet potato recipe to add to your honey recipes for national honey month. They are cooked and then mashed with honey, brown sugar, butter and milk and baked in the oven with marshmallows.

Ingredients:
2 c. warm sweet potatoes, mashed
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons butter
¼ teaspoon salt
½ c. whole milk
1 c. miniature marshmallows

Preparation:
Combine sweet potatoes, brown sugar, honey, butter, salt, and milk. Spoon the mixture into a one-quart casserole dish and top it with marshmallows. Bake it at three hundred fifty degrees until golden brown.

Here is a great tasting honey spread that families can enjoy with breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:
¼ tsp cinnamon powder
½ c. cream honey
¼ c. soft butter

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and beat until smooth and creamy. Spread it on hot bread or biscuits.

There are many wonderful honey recipes to be found during national honey month. Create them up for you and your family and enjoy. Honey is an extremely versatile ingredient and can be used in almost any recipe that uses sugar. It has a unique flavor and brings out a special taste in almost any food. Try it in a few of your recipes for the month and see how delicious they can be.

The end of summer means it’s time to wind down the barbeque and Labor Day is a time to celebrate Mother Nature. Here are our top ten Labor Day treats to make the day a special one for you and your family.

1.    Bacon-filled Cheeseburgers

Ingredients:
3-5 slices of pre-cooked bacon
1 ½ lbs. of lean ground beef
½ tsp. garlic powder
¼ tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. salt
Cooking spray
½ c. cheddar cheese (shredded)
Buns

Preparation:
Prepare and start the grill. Heat the bacon according to the directions. Drain and crumble the bacon into a mixing bowl and add ground beef, garlic powder and pepper. Mix with hands and make into six (lightly packed) patties. Sprinkle salt on both sides. Spray the grill with cooking spray and place patties on the grill. Cook for 5 minutes then flip and top with cheese. Cook for three minutes or until no longer red inside. Place buns on the grill for toasting during the last minute or two. Serve hamburgers on the toasted buns and top with favorite toppings.

2.    Labor Day Potato Salad Treat
Ingredients:
2 lbs. red potatoes
1 c. mayo
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 clove minced garlic
2 Tbsp. pickle relish (sweet)
2 tsp. hot sauce
2 peeled and diced cucumbers
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:
Prepare potatoes by washing and cutting into small chunks and place in a saucepan cover with water, bringing to a boil. Cook for ten minutes or until tender and drain. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine mayo, mustard, garlic, relish, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Add potatoes and cucumbers to the mixture and adjust seasonings to taste.

3.    Fresh corn on the cob
Wrap the corn in aluminum foil and cook on the grill with the hamburgers until soft
4.    Chips and Salsa
Tortilla chips and salsa are great for a quick snack
5.    Watermelon
Fresh cut watermelon is always a treat. Slice it and let the kids take it outdoors.
6.    Smores
As the day winds down, gather around the campfire and enjoy a sweet chocolaty treat. While the kids are cooking the marshmallows, prepare a graham cracker by breaking it in half and placing two pieces of Hershey’s chocolate bar on it. Place a cooked marshmallow on top of the chocolate and cover with the other half of the graham cracker.
7.    Ice cream bars
Keep some on hand for when the kids come in from a game of Labor Day volleyball
8.    Fresh strawberries
Wash, de-stem, and place in a bowl with a sprinkling of sugar or sugar substitute
9.    Frozen bananas
Peel medium bananas, put them on a popsicle stick and place in the freezer until frozen
10.    Frozen grapes
Wash red and green seedless grapes and place them in the freezer until frozen. These are great to pop in your mouth on a hot lazy summer day.

For all of those that truly love to throw parties, you may already be well aware of the need to have a good versatility of party appetizers, along with more fulfilling types of foods to serve. All though, the main menu mostly does depend upon the type or theme that each and every party is specifically designed for, there are always other considerations too. There will be various areas specifically pertaining to several other points that must be taken into consideration when the menu is at its final planning stages.

Not only are the appetizers, drinks and main dishes of foods all needed to match the main party theme, but all of these main stages of giving a very good party must also be guest list fitting, seasonally timed, and for most of us, economically or budget appropriate.  The just is no need to be boring with your party menus of crackers, cheese and punch, when there are so many optimal and affordable for most anyone readily available to create.

There are now no more excuses for your next party, because not only are there many easily creative and even affordable types of party recipes such as Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, Mexican Cheese Fondue, a tasty and even an interchangeable 7 Layer Dip, all with a couple of different fresh types of fruit punches or a well nourishing smoothie drink.

Need a larger main dish or two?  Go for a couple of different kinds of homemade pizzas, or depending upon the party setting, a BBQ menu always makes for a content and happy party crowd.

For those looking for some quick and easy party menu guidelines that really do work, here are some successful tips to follow for your next party:

1. When first deciding upon the best fitting party menu for your next party, make sure all the  foods, appetizers and drinks are decided around the main party setting. For example, if it is a Cinco de Mayo party, the appetizers, foods and drinks should be appropriately fitting to the theme of Mexican foods.

2. When take into account the budget amount that is available to work with.  Stick to this designated food budget account.  There are very few reasons of need to really break the official set budget because there really are many creative party recipe options to choose from.  It is best to remember that no matter what is originally on the menu, there can always be another more affordable food item available to replace it, if need be.

3. The next party menu secret, make sure to somewhat be widely pleasing to the guests that are both vegetarian, and non-vegetarian when it comes to a variety of party recipes. When there are several different tastes and personal food preferences all in one setting, it is best to have a wide variety of appetizers, a couple of different choices in main menu dishes, and at least 3 or 4 beverage choices.  It is also important to never feel pressured that alcohol must be served, especially when it is you liable for those drinking at your party.

Whether you are throwing a formal party, family holiday get together, or just the weekly immediate family fun, homemade cheese dips are exactly what your gathering calls for!  If you are one of those that thought that the homemade cheese dip recipe is the plain melting of a good creamy cheese next to some tasty chips, you are then behind in just exactly how far and wide the homemade cheese dip world has expanded the last several decades.  So for those cheese lovers out there desiring to expand their horizons, you will not be disappointed with your homemade cheese dip search after the ball is rolling in collecting your soon to be favorite homemade cheese dip recipes.

If you are desiring to make a specialty homemade cheese dip for your next formal or friend and family party, one way to choose the best recipe or two it for you to match the cheese dip choices with the holiday or celebration theme right along with making sure to coincide with the other foods upon the menu of the party.  There are many varieties of crab, shrimp, and avocado, along with many other more complicated forms of homemade cheese dips that can be chosen.  There are homemade cheese dips that are best for chips and crackers.  There are also those that actually will fit better with vegetables or even large prawns instead of the regular ordinary chips or crackers.

When creating your party menu, make sure that you pull up homemade cheese dips upon the Internet to get the best well rounded idea when it comes to the 100’s of homemade cheese dip recipe options to best fit your party, budget and time needs. As soon as you are going throughout the wide range of homemade cheese dip recipes, you will quickly realize that no longer must all cheese dips be the full-blown calorie and dairy bloating filled type of cheese recipes.  There are now many low carb and calorie recipes that leaves in all the taste without the extra-unwanted pounds for you and your guests.

The list is almost endless as to what a good cheese dip can consist of, and if you have your own garden or even mini garden, fresh herbs of dill or chives, green scallion onions, freshly minced garlic, any and every form of a pepper, all tomato varieties, fresh cucumber bits, freshly picked and finely chopped raw spinach, garden grown peas, and so much more can come straight out of the garden and into your favorite flavors of creamy cheese.

If looking for some even more unique types of cheese dip ingredients, there are a wide variety of finely chopped nuts to choose from.  Also there are several kinds of olive varieties that go very well with different cheese flavors. There are too, pimentos, mustard seeds, caraway seeds, and even the wonderful full flavor of pesto that will add that exact pizzazz or zest that will keep your family and guests wanting more. It is up to you on how many or how few ingredients to add no matter if it is a fun family night of cooking or the mind blowing homemade cheese dip for the big party!