recipes

Functional Food: The 3 Best Family Meals You Can Batch-Cook

March 6, 2023 By Anne

Ensuring we provide tasty nutritious meals for our families when we lead such a busy life is taxing. When there’s work to do, extracurricular activities to manage, and the less-than-easy task of looking after your home, you may find it hard to get everything in balance, especially when it comes to the right meals, but this is where batch cooking comes to the rescue! Batch cooking is, very simply, cooking a larger portion of your favorite foods that you can store for future use, either in freezers or in the fridge for later in the week. Here are some of the best batch-cooked meals out there you can cook.

Sloppy Joes

One of the old-fashioned staples for most kids growing up, Sloppy Joes are easily freezable and when you create such a massive amount, a lot of people are concerned when they bring something out of the freezer that it either loses its texture and goes all runny, but this is nothing to be concerned about when it comes to Sloppy Joes because they are already sloppy in nature! If you feel they are too runny after you take them out of the freezer, just brown them off in the frying pan to reduce the liquid!

Casseroles

The great thing about having a slow cooker is that you can make meals with minimum effort. Another great benefit is that most of these meals can be portioned up and frozen. A little trick if you want to maximize freezer space is to not portion up less solid meals into Tupperware boxes, but instead, put them in freezer bags. This means that you may have to cut up the meat into smaller portions for it to maintain that liquidy consistency, but when you have more freezer space, you can get into the habit of batch-cooking a meal whenever you have some time spare. The great thing about batch-cooked meals is that they last at least up to six months in the freezer. Just make sure you put the date the meal was cooked on the Tupperware box or freezer bag!

Lasagna

One of those dishes that tastes amazing, in or out of the freezer. Lasagna is an amazing way for you to not just create a filling family staple, but is the perfect opportunity to load this dish with lots of vegetables. Your children may very well turn their noses up at the sight of vegetables, which is why you can benefit from making your own tomato sauce that has a wide variety of onions, carrots, zucchinis, peppers, and almost anything to create this amazing base. The benefit of this type of tomato sauce is that you can also freeze it, making short work of pasta dishes beyond lasagna, but spaghetti bolognese and even chili!

Ensuring we have an idea of the best batch-cooked meals we can portion up is critical because it means we’re not just working more effectively within the time constraints, but we’ve also got more opportunities to do the things that we want!

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Create Delicious Dishes With Fresh Ingredients: A Step-by-Step Guide

March 6, 2023 By Anne

Do you ever feel like you’re in a cooking rut? You want to make something delicious, but you can’t seem to come up with an idea. Maybe you resort to eating out more often than you’d like or ordering takeout. Well, fresh ingredients are not only healthier and tastier, but they’re also easier to work with than dried herbs and spices. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to use fresh ingredients to create delicious dishes that will wow your taste buds!

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Start with a tasty base

One of the best ways to start a delicious recipe is with a tasty base. This is where you will build the flavors and structure of your dish, so it’s important to choose ingredients that will complement the other flavors you’ll be adding. Start by selecting a quality protein such as lean ground beef or chicken, shrimp, pork, or even tofu. Once you have chosen your protein, pick out fresh vegetables like onions, peppers, carrots, garlic, and mushrooms for flavor and texture. Finally, add some grains such as quinoa or brown rice for extra nutrition. These ingredients form the foundation of your dish and provide essential nutrients as well as taste.

Boost the flavor

Once you have a tasty base for your dish, it is time to boost the flavor. The best way to do this is by adding sauces and marinades. This can give your meals an extra kick of flavor and help to balance out the ingredients. For example, if you are making a stir-fry or curry with vegetables, try adding some soy sauce or fish sauce for umami notes. For Mexican dishes, add salsa or pico de gallo for some zesty acidity. And for Mediterranean dishes, try using olive oil and vinegar as a marinade for meats. These sauces can add depth and complexity of flavor that will take your dish from ordinary to extraordinary!

Another great way to enhance flavors is through herbs and spices. Fresh herbs can all be used in The Butter Half’s tabouli salad, as well as different combinations to create unique flavor nuances in your dishes. You can also use dried herbs and spices such as paprika, cumin, coriander powder, or chili powder, depending on what kind of cuisine you are trying to achieve. By experimenting with different combinations of these ingredients, you can create layers upon layers of flavor in your dish!

Use fresh ingredients

Fresh ingredients can make a huge difference in the flavor and quality of any dish. By using fresh ingredients, you can ensure that your dish will be bursting with vibrant flavors and nutrients. Fresh vegetables like onions, peppers, carrots, garlic, and mushrooms not only add flavor and texture to dishes but also provide essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

In conclusion, there are many different ways to create a flavorful and nutritious dish. By using the right combination of ingredients and techniques, such as adding sauces, marinades, herbs, and spices, you can create delicious dishes with layers of flavor that will impress even the toughest critics. Don’t forget to use fresh ingredients for maximum nutrition and taste! With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating mouth-watering meals in no time!

Anne

Delicious Breakfast Recipes for the Non-Breakfast Lover

February 1, 2023 By Anne

Do you dread making breakfast every morning? Are you one of those people who just doesn’t like breakfast foods? Well, have no fear! This blog post will give you some breakfast tips that will change your mind about this particular meal. So whether you’re a sweet tooth or a savory lover, there’s something here for everyone!

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1) Work with ingredients you love

If you love working with ingredients, breakfast is a great place to start. Choosing fresh, seasonal ingredients can be an enjoyable experience that adds flavor and texture to any meal. Consider shopping at local farmers’ markets for the freshest produce or seeking out organic sources at health food stores – either way, you can be sure you’re getting high-quality ingredients. You can also opt to buy pre-made or frozen items like smoothie packs or oatmeal cups to help streamline the process.

When it comes to recipes, look for ones with fewer ingredients and steps that won’t take long to prepare. This way you get tasty results without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Additionally, try experimenting with different flavor combinations and spices, such as adding nutmeg or cardamom to your oatmeal or using honey instead of sugar in your pancakes.

Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative when creating new breakfast dishes! Consider combining unlikely ingredients like sweet potatoes and eggs in a frittata or making breakfast burritos with scrambled eggs and black beans for a more savory option. And why not top it all off with some fresh fruit for added nutrition? Whatever your breakfast preference is, there are many delicious ways to enjoy this important meal every morning!

2) Make it the night before

If you’re not a morning person and prefer to sleep in, try prepping your breakfast the night before. This can be as simple as making overnight oats or chia pudding for a grab-and-go option. You can also make savory dishes like frittatas or quiches that can easily be reheated in the morning.

Having a time-saving plan will help you stay motivated to prepare something when you don’t feel like cooking. Plus, if you make enough food ahead of time, you can freeze individual portions and have ready-to-eat meals at your disposal all week long!

3) Get creative with leftovers

Leftovers are one of the easiest ways to get breakfast on the table quickly. Whether you have leftover grains, vegetables, proteins, or even sauces from dinner the night before, all of these can easily be turned into tasty breakfast dishes.

For example, try cutting up roasted potatoes and caramelizing them in a skillet with onions and garlic for a savory breakfast hash. Or, if you have extra grilled chicken from last night’s meal, mix it together with scrambled eggs and cheese to create an easy strata that can feed a crowd. You could also learn how to make omurice using leftovers! The possibilities are endless when it comes to transforming leftovers into delicious breakfasts.

No matter what your breakfast preferences are, there are plenty of ways to get creative and make delicious meals that you’ll love. Try using some of these tips to give your mornings a tasty boost!

Anne

The Best Ways to Make Exciting Meals with Chicken

January 21, 2023 By Anne

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Let’s face it, chicken isn’t always the most flavorful of meats. It can even be pretty bland compared to some other options. However, the relatively mild taste of chicken also means that it’s perfect for taking on all kinds of flavors. You can cook it in many different ways, giving it new textures and flavors. Cuisines from around the world use chicken, so you can find inspiration from just about anywhere you can think of. Whether you like it spicy, buttery, or served up with plenty of vegetables, you can make chicken a whole lot more interesting if you’re willing to explore some different ways of cooking it.

Marinate It

One of the best ways to get lots of flavor into meat is to marinate it. A marinade will slowly infuse your chicken with flavors so that, when it’s time to cook it, it will taste delicious. After marinating, you can grill your chicken, bake it, fry it, or do whatever you feel like doing. There are so many different options for marinades too, so you can choose whatever flavors you like. You could opt for some Asian flavors, some classic BBQ, some Mexican spices, Italian seasonings, or whatever you feel like having.

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Roast It

Roasting a whole chicken is a really economical way to cook with chicken. Once your chicken is roasted, you can use different parts of it for different meals. Start off by serving slices of the breast with roasted vegetables and other sides. Then use the leftovers for whatever you feel like, whether it’s a curry, burritos, stir-fry, or anything else that calls for shredded chicken. You can roast your chicken with plenty of different flavors, from simple rosemary and garlic with salt and pepper to some more spices or other seasonings. You can even use the bones to make a stock.

Bread or Batter It

If you want to give a different texture to your chicken, adding a bread crumb or batter could be the way to do it. These are typically added before frying, but you can also bake for a low-fat alternative. You could make a perfect breaded paillard chicken, some Southern-fried chicken, or maybe some sweet and sour chicken or General Tso’s chicken. Whether you choose to bread or batter your chicken, you can add whatever flavors you like to create a delicious coating. Just make sure you take the right steps to get it to stick.

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Fry It

Instead of deep-frying your chicken in oil, consider sauteeing or stir-frying it. This gives you a huge range of options, from fajitas or tortillas to chicken fried rice. By frying things on the stovetop, you can add whatever seasoning or flavors you want. Just be careful not to overcook it, because it can easily end up dry if you’re not careful. Your pan should be hot, and you should cook it for as short a time as you can while ensuring it’s cooked through.

Chicken is incredibly versatile and goes well with so many different flavors. You can do what you like with it and create some delicious meals.

Anne

4 Ways to Make the Food You Cook, Taste Amazing

January 21, 2023 By Anne

Flavour and seasoning are often overlooked when it comes to recipes. That being said, they are an essential part of cooking. This is especially the case if you have some fussy eaters in your family. So, how are you meant to know how to add flavour, if you have never been shown? Find out here.

Learn how to Taste

A lot of people have no idea what they are tasting for. When they do taste, if it’s a little flat they end up adding more salt. If this sounds familiar then you need to remember that when the areas of the mouth are stimulated, your food will taste far more balanced. If one area of your mouth isn’t stimulated then food can taste too salty, sweet or fatty. If you think about French fries then you may normally add salt, which is fine. When you add vinegar, and then dip it in ketchup, you will be ticking all of the flavour profiles of salt, fat, sour and sweet. It’s all about balance, and when you are able to take this approach and taste your food properly, you will soon find that you see way bigger improvements in your cooking. If you want something to experiment with then find a great recipe on smoking a whole chicken at jerkyholic.com.

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Always Finish with Acid

Lime juice, lemon juice, wine or vinegar are all very good options here. If you can add some freshness to the dish then this will lift the flavours and it will also cut through some of the heaviness, or the fat. A lot of people are used to seeing a lemon wedge on their dinner if they are having fish but don’t think about using acid for other meals. Acid is great at transforming vegetables and if you add this, along with some salt and butter then you will see a huge improvement in your cooking.

Mix up Textures where Possible

The way that you taste your food isn’t at all limited to the flavours that you have. At the end of the day, the texture of what you eat is very important. Just make sure that your meal contains a lot of textures, whether it is crisp, soft or crunchy. You also need to try and mix various textures by trying to layer your bowl. If you can do this then you will soon find that things work in your favour. Top your meals with toasted seeds if you want a crunch or drizzle some yoghurt on top of things if you want that mouthfeel.

Don’t Limit your Dressings

Why not make your own dressing? Homemade dressings are very quick to make and they are also very low in sugar and salt. Don’t limit them to salads though. You can also add them to vegetables, stews, soups and more. If you can do this then you will find that you can get the best result out of your cooking experience and you can also get more flavour too.