When I moved in with my girlfriend, I was surprised to see that she had a George Foreman grill. She was always pretty straight forward in her cooking. She is an excellent cook, but she is sort of an ascetic. She takes great pride in only using the essential tools. She has always told me [...]
This year we were in charge of the annual block party. This event rotates from one home to the next in our small community. We live across the street from a lake so the block party involves 12 homes along a one mile stretch of the lake. Each year the host and hostess provides the [...]
As women, many of us feel a natural obligation to be perfect in all ways. While not many of us would enjoy being a “Stepford wife”, we can still use certain techniques in order to appear to be the perfect woman. Cooking, cleaning, a nice body and pretty appearance are all qualities of a perfect [...]
Fresh garden asparagus has captivated the culinary world for more than two thousand years. The Pharaohs of Egypt cultivated this delicacy as an offering to their gods, although it must be suspected they sampled for themselves as well. This member of the lily family did not escape the attention of the ancient Romans and Greeks, [...]
There’s nothing that says home like the smell of fresh-baked bread. Except, perhaps, when the baker takes it up a notch and the bread in the oven is banana bread.
There are few dishes that can compare to casserole recipes when it comes to classic comfort food. These mealtime favorites have been around for generations and many people commonly associate the casserole with memorable family get-togethers. Casserole recipes come in many different forms and you have lots and lots of choices available to you.
Asian cuisine is very popular in most parts of the world, both in authentic form and adapted to local tastes. Japanese food has many devotees in the West. Japanese restaurants are common and sushi features in lunch boxes. The Japanese have a healthy diet on the whole and eat a lot of fish and vegetables. [...]
Do you feel at the peak of health? If not, why not? We all have some health problems in life, ranging from simple frustrations to life-threatening conditions. When you’re young, you may not make a connection between the food you eat and how you feel. As age progresses, you’re more likely to question how the [...]
There seems to be a lot of interesting views on what is healthy for the body and what is not. Though we have been told forever that high fat foods are bad for our bodies, many successfully lose weight on Atkins by eating those foods. It is a personal choice for everyone, but the majority [...]
Finding an unusual and unique gift can be a real challenge for most of us. Flowers or candy are great at times, but if you want to send someone a present that expresses your adoration for them or shows that you are sweet on them, consider sending decorated sugar cookies in the form of a [...]
One of my favorite desserts is strawberry shortcake, and it has been since I was a child. There is something delicious about the mix of light cake, strawberries, and whipped cream that most children and many adults love. Growing up, we only had it one way, and that was always fine with me. However, I [...]
Cake designs are a big part of the dessert world, offering many beautiful compliments to any party or celebration where a cake would be present.
My first exposure to really good (useful) cake decorating supplies was when I was a kid and used to watch my grandmother baking and decorating. She would bake and cool a set of cakes, ice the layers and the cake in completion, then—the moment of greatest delight for me—reach into a special cabinet and retrieve [...]
Jack Daniel’s, the Old No. 7 Brand, is a name most adults recognize as smooth sippin’ Tennessee whiskey made in Lynchburg, Tennessee, population 361. Jack Daniel’s is a sour mash that differs from bourbon because it goes through an extra ten day process that involves dripping the new whiskey through sugar maple charcoal, refining the [...]
For a while, I was beginning to think that there was something wrong with my cooking. My husband began to put Tabasco sauce on just about everything that I made him for dinner. Either I was a bad cook, or his taste buds were getting worn out. I was relieved when he informed me that [...]
If you bake then you definitely need at least one cake stand. If you bake a lot then you might need a few. There are tons of options in this classic kitchen necessity for bakers and you might even find a cake stand that really stands out. Choosing an item (or items) that suits you [...]
Jelly beans are the stuff of dreams for many kids. However, there are plenty of adults who love to indulge in this colorful candy confection. While most of us typically think of fruity flavors when it comes to this popular treat, there are lots of different flavors to consider as well. Following are some great [...]
Parents have become increasingly concerned about the quality of food they buy for their children. Many have pursued the organic path and it’s never too early to start. Organic baby food is much in demand and nutritionists agree that the early months and years of diet play a significant role in the well being of [...]
Cheesecake is one of those desserts that you either like or you don’t like. It seems that despite its name, this decadent dessert more closely resembles a pie than a cake, and there are lots of different variations. There is a great recipe appropriate for every menu, because it is the most classic dessert of [...]
Branson, Missouri is well known as a vacation destination and home to live entertainment. The smart waterfront along Lake Taneycomo is the location for downtown attractions. Restaurants are all part of the scene and the Candlestick Inn is one of the best, offering first class service with great food and wine. The restaurant overlooks the [...]
One of the first things I look at when entering a kitchen is the cabinets. Cabinet designs come in many different shapes and forms. With the many options available to homeowners, it is a wonder that people are able to make a decision on which of the cabinet designs to choose.
Do you know someone that loves to cook? Do you know anyone that can take ordinary ingredients and create an extraordinary meal? I love to cook. In the past I concentrated on preparing foods like my mother did, I guess it would be called wholesome home cooking. A couple years ago I discover the food [...]
Fruit and vegetable juices are a great and convenient way for busy people to get their daily dose of goodness. Purchasing ready made juice at the grocery or convenience store can be pricey and instead you might want to consider investing in a home juicer.
If you feel at a loss when it comes to dinner party ideas you are most definitely not alone. Not everyone is creative and some of us are downright stifled when it comes to coming up with ideas for entertaining that haven’t been used already. There are some ways to get your mind moving in [...]
The cost of food is becoming a concern for most Americans. Indeed, around the world, people are struggling to put nutritious, filling meals on the table for their families. Here, we’ll take a look at one of the best menu ideas to fulfill that objective. Vegetarian soups are easy to make, packed with nutrition, economical [...]
If you want to have a nice looking kitchen, the key is to combine form and function. Everything should be designed to make cooking as easy as possible, but that doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice style. Making your cabinets, spice racks, baskets, counters, and cookware look attractive will not only give you a [...]
The small, deciduous almond tree produces lovely white or light pink flowers. The fruit of the tree, almonds, is a very versatile nut and is used in many forms. Roasted almonds are a treat in themselves. California is the chief producer of the nut, followed by the Mediterranean countries of Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, [...]
Chocolate is one of the most popular of treats, around the world. Almost every cuisine makes use of chocolate, most often in the form of candies and confections. I’m sure my bias is showing when I say that almost everyone on the planet enjoys a chocolate in some form. Granted, there are a few individuals [...]
Chai is a great spice milk tea from India that is quickly becoming extremely popular in the West as people discover it at coffee and tea houses everywhere. The ingredients of chai are touted to have healthful benefits, which is typically prepared by boiling loose leaf tea and adding milk, sweetener, and various spices depending [...]
I don’t know about you, but speaking for myself, I never even realized that there could be a profession such as a cake designer! I mean, sure I’ve noticed that some of the bakeries have absolutely ravishing cake designs. But I’ve always attributed this more to the fact that the baker was a creative soul [...]