Coverleaf Blog » Cooking and Food

It’s (almost) Thanksgiving

November 17th, 2009

It’s almost Thanksgiving - that means it’s time to start thinking about what to make.  Sure - there’s turkey, but there’s so much more to Thanksgiving than just turkey.  So, get in the holiday spirit and check out these recipies:

Gravy - Click here.

Sides - Click here.

Pies - Click here.

Turkey - Click here.

What to do with leftover turkey - Click here.

Enjoy!

The Best Mac ‘n’ Cheese Yet

September 23rd, 2009

Try this recipe for Mac ‘n’ Cheese from Family Circle - it uses 3 cheeses and is extra rich and creamy.  Eat it for a side dish to a meal or an entire meal in itself - either way it’s a definite crowd pleaser!  How can you not love this tasty blend of Cheddar, Gruyere and Asiago?  It’s music to a cheese lovers ears!  Get the recipe here.

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Mac & Cheese

Inside the First Kitchen

September 21st, 2009

Go inside the First Kitchen with this article from Men’s Health.  The White House Garden is the source of food for not only the First Family, but also a local soup kitchen in the area and an educational tool for children.  The garden is home to hundreds of different types of produce - from tomatoes and herbs to peppers and greens, all which make the food served up in the White House some of the freshest around.  The White House Chef, Sam Kass, is an advocate for healthy eating, and his philosophy of simple foods can be flavorful and delicious is not lost on the First Family.  To see what Kass is cooking up in the kitchen, read Real Food.

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Inside the First Kitchen

One-Dish Dinners

September 18th, 2009

Check out these One-Dish Dinners from Family Fun.  Gone are the days of sides of veggies, now we can put everything in one dish and enjoy!  With the Stuffed Crust Veggie Pie, you can get your dairy fix with all the gooey cheese on top and baked into the crust, and your veggies right on top of the pizza.  Pizza is always a crowd pleaser, so there will be no problem serving this one!  Also featured is White Chili with Chicken - that can be made in 30 minutes or less with leftover chicken.  This recipe gets its delicious flavors from the white beans and corn inside the chili, the yummy chicken folded in and the cheese melted on top.

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One-Dish Dinners

Easy Gourmet Meals

September 17th, 2009

Love gourmet meals but hate spending the day preparing them? From Chicken Palliard to Mustard-Crusted Salmon, these dishes might sound like a lot of work, but with these quick tips from Men’s Health, you’ll be on your way to eating like a king in no time. Also, remember that you don’t always need to follow the recipe exactly. Get the basics down and then substitute - it’s innovation in the kitchen that really makes a good cook. Click here for more details.

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Gourmet Meals, Fast

Eat Healthier at Home

September 16th, 2009

Want your kids to start eating healthier?  Well, then it’s time to start teaching healthy eating habits at home.  Brian Wansink, Ph.D., talks about all the subtle ways to get your kids to eat better in this article Teach Healthy Eating at Home.  First step is to not ask questions - meaning if your child wants a drink, bring them water, and bring them a big glass of it in hopes that they’ll drink more since they were given a bigger portion.  The same goes true for fruits and veggies - give your child a bigger portion, then they’ll be more likely to eat more of them.  Just the opposite is true for other snack foods that you’d rather get your child to eat less of - put things in a smaller  bowl and fill it to the top, then they will be less likely to want more.  Read on for more of Dr. Wansink’s tips on getting your kids into good eating habits early.

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TEACH YOUR KIDS TO TRY (AND LOVE) HEALTHY FOODS

My My This American Pie

September 2nd, 2009

What’s more American than pie?  Well, how about 8 pie recipes - showcasing some of the finest recipes for pumpkin, cherry and everyone’s favorite - apple.  Learn tricks of the trade from some of the best bakers in the Midwest, compliments of Midwest Living’s My My This American Pie.  The best apples to use in an apple pie, how to blind bake your crust, and whats the right thickener for your cherry pie are just a few of the tips you’ll learn from these piemakers.

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September/October 2009

Play with your Food!

August 31st, 2009

Encouraging your kids to play with their food?  We’re not supposed to do that - until now.  Try out these tricks, and you’re kids will be begging for more food and more play time!  Create a dinosaur scene with dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets and broccoli trees - and your child will channel the dinosaurs and eat the veggies too.  Want them to eat more fruit?  Scoop out balls of watermelon and honeydew with an ice cream scoop into cones and you’ll have a low fat, healthy snack! Check out this article, Play with Your Food, in Parents Magazine.

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August 2009

Beer, Meet Food

August 27th, 2009

Beer makes everything better, right? Of course. Whether your eating pizza, eggs or a big juicy steak, there’s a perfect beer pairing for your meal.  Learn why specific types of beer works with different foods, and what health benefits it has - you’ll be suprised, the right beer can be both good and good for you!  Read Beer, Meet Food to find out more.

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August 2009

Say Yes to Spaghetti!

August 25th, 2009

Spaghetti - America’s favorite pasta by far - is not only fun and delicious, but it’s also budget friendly.  It’s like a blank canvas - you can pair almost anything you like with pasta.  Traditional tomatoes, meaty Bolognese, and vegetables are just a few of the suggestions in On Top of Spaghetti, by Better Homes & Gardens.  My personal favorite is the simple Spaghetti with Two Tomato Toss - made with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh cherry tomatoes, bocconcini (that’s bite sized mozzarella balls) and extra red pepper flakes for some heat.  Recipes can be found on page 212.

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September 2009

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