Classic Cheesy Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe

1 lb. cooked chicken, diced
1 box (10 oz) frozen broccoli florettes, thawed
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a small casserole dish.

Put chicken in casserole, then add the broccoli, distributing evenly over chicken.

In a bowl, mix together the mushroom soup and cheese until smooth, then spoon over the chicken, spreading evenly.

Cover and bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until bubbly hot.

Will serve 2 to 4.

The Nutrition Facts Of White Meat And Dark Meat Chicken

Discussions have gone back and forth forever about which poultry cuts are healthier - white meat or dark meat. If consumers' habits are any indication of which cut is believed to be healthier right now, then white meat chicken wins the argument.

The sale of chicken breast meat outranks any other cuts of poultry. Americans, for the most part, are leaning toward this cut of meat as an attempt to eat healthier. It seems we have become obsessed with the term 'boneless skinless chicken breasts.' Whether you like it or not, the term seems to have become a basic ingredient in many recipes, almost as commonly used as the term 'bring to a boil.'

Now there seems to be a bit of a backlash against this chicken breast or white meat obsession. Chefs, cooks, and foodies around the globe have spoken loud and clear against the American romance with white meat. This cry out against white meat isn't so much to say all white meat is bad, but to say that dark meat isn't evil.

Many chefs and other foodies extoll the virtues of chicken dark meat over the white meat of the bird. What they claim is the dark meat far exceeds the white meat in both taste and texture.

This increase in sales of chicken white meat over the dark meat of the chicken has caused the inevitable economic impact. Simply put, the price of white meat went up. When we love something enough to binge on it, the market responds by raising the price to suit our insatiable appetite.

So, we know two things for sure; 1) white meat is consumed more often than dark meat, and 2) white meat is more expensive than dark meat.

Where the debate lies is in the nutritional value. You can find articles that list the benefits of white meat over dark meat, and find equally believable articles listing the same benefits of dark meat over white meat. It's very confusing.

Rather than try to summarize what I think, or what someone else thinks, I thought I'd just list the nutritional values as given on the nutritional labels for each, white meat and dark meat. Then, you can decide what is most important to you and your diet.

White meat chicken - 1 cup cooked

231 calories, 45 from fat
fat 5 g
cholesterol 40%
carbs 0
dietary fiber 0
sugars 0
protein 43 g
niacin 96%
B6 42%
B12 8%
iron 8%
zinc 9%

Dark meat chicken - 1 cup cooked

249 calories, 110 from fat
fat 12 g
cholesterol 35%
carbs 0
dietary fiber 0
sugars 0
protein 33 g
niacin 40%
B6 22%
B12 6%
iron 10%
zinc 20%

After you have compared the nutritional value of both, consider your pocketbook. As I mentioned, due to popular demand, white chicken meat is considerably more expensive than dark chicken meat. Does the lower fat content of white chicken meat justify the added expense? There are some vitamin and mineral differences to take into account, too.

Many nutrition experts recommend we approach chicken meat in the same way we  should approach everything else - in moderation. A little bit of dark meat added to a diet of white meat, and a little bit of white meat added to a diet of dark meat, could both be beneficial.

Decide for yourself. Which do you prefer? And then ask yourself why. You may want to cross-over to the other side once in a while and find out what all the fuss is about. Then just relax, dig in, and enjoy that delicious bird!

Chicken Pad Thai Casserole Recipe

4 cups diced cooked chicken
1 pack (3 oz) Ramen noodles, broken up slightly
1 can (28 oz) chop suey vegetables
1 pack (1 oz) Pad Thai seasoning mix
1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a casserole dish.

Put all the ingredients together in a large bowl and toss to combine well, then pour into casserole dish.

Cover tightly and bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until bubbly hot and ramen noodles are tender.

Will serve 2 to 4.

Quick Chicken Casserole Recipes You Can Make Today

The Best Fast Four Ingredients Casseroles

Meal planning is all very good, but in real life, there are times when all your great plans fail. These are the times you are tempted to either cave in and have some expensive, unhealthy convenience food, go to the drive thru, or order expensive delivery pizza.

But, you're smarter than that, so instead you run into the grocery store to grab something quick and healthy for dinner, and that usually leads you right to the chicken. You know it's healthy, it's inexpensive, and it's versatile.

When you get home you have your chicken, you look at the pantry, and you think; "Now what?" You've got to make this fast and easy. Throwing a chicken casserole together would be ideal since you would then have time to get things done while it's in the oven. Maybe you could go through the kids' school papers, make a phone call or two, or just gather your thoughts and go through your to-do list for the day.

If this is the scenario in your house more often than not, you need an arsenal of 'go to' ingredients to add to your chicken so you can get a casserole in the oven and cooking in minutes. You don't have time to chop and measure. These are the kinds of ingredients that you can open, pour or shake, and be done. These are the kinds of short cuts you need to make delicious chicken casseroles very fast and very easy.

So, what do you need to keep on hand? Here are four of my favorite ingredients to produce a chicken casserole in no time flat. Of course, you'll want to keep some sort of broth in the pantry, too, but along with that basic, consider these flavorful and filling additions.

Salsa

Oh, what a good jar of salsa can do for a piece of chicken! Choose the salsa you like best, the kind you would eat as a condiment with Mexican food. You want all those intense flavors in one jar for this ingredient to save time and do the work for you. Just pour it all over the chicken in a casserole and bake. You can add other ingredients if you like, but with the right salsa, it could be enough as is. Of course, if salsa isn't right for you, substitute any good marinara or other sauce for this ingredient. Just as long as it's rich and flavorful, and easy, it works.

Penne Pasta

The reason I chose this particular pasta is because it's sturdy. If you are going to include pasta in a casserole, you need to be sure it won't get mushy. You can bake uncooked pasta along with the chicken, but you have to be sure to add enough broth or other liquid to cook the pasta. Or, you can keep a container of cooked penne pasta in your refrigerator for up to a week to use in your casseroles. Just be sure to under-cook it slightly if you decide to do this so it doesn't over-cook in the casserole dish. For extra nutrition and more of a sturdy pasta, choose whole wheat penne pasta.

Frozen Mixed Vegetables

Variety is the key when choosing this ingredient. If you load your freezer with an array of mixed vegetables, you'll be able to make chicken casseroles across a wide flavor palate. Choose stir-fry, soup and stew, winter blends, spring blends, or any variety that looks good. Then let those mixes inspire the rest of the casserole ingredients and flavorings. Oh, and don't forget to stock up on a few bags of frozen mixed berries or fruit, as well. Blueberries and pineapple are two great additions to chicken casserole recipes.

Seasoning Blends

A pantry full of little seasoning packets is the fastest and easiest way to turn plain chicken into tasty chicken in no time flat. You don't have to dig around in your spice rack trying to decide what to use, how much to use, and what goes with what. The prepackaged seasoning and flavor packets, jars, and tins have done the thinking for you. Just stock up on a good variety and let the flavors in the blend help you decide what sort of chicken casserole you want to create.

With these four simple ingredients in the pantry, you'll be able to have a satisfying chicken casserole in and out of the oven in no time at all. Once you have your chicken home from the store, just grab the first ingredient you can get your hands on and let the inspiration begin!

Chicken Hollandaise With Potato And Asparagus Casserole Recipe

4 thin chicken cutlets
4 cups frozen hash browns
2 cups chopped asparagus, fresh or frozen
1 can cream of asparagus soup
1/4 cup milk
lemon juice
butter
paprika

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a 9x13 casserole dish.

Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper, then lightly brown in a skillet over medium heat; remove and set aside.

In same skillet, brown the frozen hash browns.

Put hash brown potatoes in casserole dish, then top with browned chicken cutlets.

Put asparagus on top of chicken, spreading evenly.

Whisk together the soup, milk, and a little lemon juice, then pour evenly over the asparagus, chicken, and potato mixture in casserole.

Put small dots of butter evenly on top, then sprinkle with paprika.

Cover and bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until chicken is completely cooked through and potatoes and asparagus are both tender.

Will serve 4.

Chicken Cooking Tips: White Meat And Dark Meat

How Poultry Meat Got Its Color – The Magic Of Myoglobin

Many poultry eaters have a preference for white meat or dark meat. It could be a matter of flavor, texture, or nutrition, or all three. The discussion around many a dinner table has been known to get heated when it comes to which is actually better.

But, have you ever considered what makes white meat white and dark meat dark?  If we're talking about poultry in general, why is the breast meat of a chicken or turkey considered white meat when the breast of a duck or goose is considered dark meat?

It all has to do with exercise and myoglobin. When muscles get exercise, myoglobin is needed to increase oxygen in the muscle. When a muscle is exercised a lot, it stores more myoglobin. More myoglobin produces what we recognize as dark meat.

To understand where the white meat and dark meat is located on a bird, you just have to watch a bird's movements. You won't find chickens and turkeys flying around a lot. In fact, they spend most of their time standing around. That's why you'll find a higher concentration of myoglobin in their legs, thighs, and hind quarters, producing what we know as dark meat. The breast and wings of these grounded birds aren't getting much exercise, so that's where you find the white meat.

No so for ducks and geese. Watch the skies in the spring and fall and perhaps you see ducks and geese migrating north, then south, and back again. These birds spend a lot of time flying. Even the domesticated variety spend a lot of time in the air. That means you'll find lots of myoglobin in the muscles of the entire bird.

In other words, don't expect to find white meat on a duck or goose.

Poultry eaters may not all know the reason for the difference between white meat and dark meat, but most can tell you why they prefer one over the other.  Where do you stand?

To begin with, fat adds flavor. For that reason, dark meat, the fattier of the two, has more flavor. Then again, there are those white meat eaters who claim the 'gamier' taste of the dark meat is what makes them choose the white meat.

White meat may be preferable to those seeking a leaner diet. You may not get as much flavor with white meat, but you also don't get as much fat or cholesterol. Flavor can be added in other ways, such as marinades, to satisfy the taste buds and still avoid the extra fat.

Because white meat doesn't have much fat, you may experience a drier piece of chicken when you cook white meat, especially if you remove the skin and bone. Dark meat is typically more moist. Of course, cooking methods can help improve the white meat and keep it moist. But, it is one more reason people may choose dark meat over white meat.

Then there's the economic impact. Americans, especially, have chosen to buy more white meat than dark meat chicken as they try to follow a leaner, healthier diet by cutting out fat and cholesterol. This popularity of white meat has resulted in rising prices of breast meat. If the economy worsens, we may see a swing back to eating more dark meat since it is cheaper to buy. Our diets may take a back seat to our pocketbook.

So, are you a white meat eater or a dark meat eater? Either way, it's interesting to know how the difference develops in poultry. Now when the discussion around the table involves white meat or dark meat, you can impress your family and guests with your extensive knowledge. Or you can just dig in and enjoy your favorite poultry dish!

Country Chicken Casserole Recipe

1 lb ground chicken
1 can (10 oz) golden mushroom condensed soup
1 bag (16 oz) frozen mixed peas and carrots
2 cups cooked mashed potatoes
butter
salt and pepper to taste   

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a square or round shallow casserole dish.

Brown the chicken in a large skillet, breaking it apart. When cooked thoroughly add the soup, stir to combine, then add the frozen mixed vegetables, stir to combine, remove from heat.

Put this mixture in the prepared casserole dish.

Stop with smashed potatoes, spreading out evenly.

Dot with butter pieces, then add salt and pepper as needed.

Bake uncovered in preheated oven until the potatoes brown slightly on top and insides are nice and hot.

Will serve 4 to 6.

Low Carb Chicken Casserole Recipe Ideas

Creative Chicken Casseroles - The Low Carb Darlings

When you're starting a low carb diet, probably one of the foods most people turn to is chicken. Its "zero carbs, high protein" sales pitch hits the mark. Chicken is also reasonably priced and versatile.

But, with any diet, variety is important. Eating yet another grilled chicken breast with a side of asparagus spears is not going to keep the low carb dieter happy for long. Not long at all.

A person who is limiting carbs in their diet needs dishes that are filling. Carbs play a big role in filling our tummy, so the clever dieter has to find ways to replace the bad carbs they may have been eating with good carbs and plenty of protein.

So, how do we move chicken from that 'grilled boneless skinless chicken breast' on a plate to something that tastes like a real meal?  Get that chicken in a casserole where it can be a part of something filling, nutritious, delicious, and low carb.  Let's take a look at a few ideas for doing just that.

Asian Inspired Low Carb Chicken Casserole

Think of your favorite stir-fry ingredients and get them together easily in a casserole. Layer thinly cut strips of chicken with shoestring style celery, carrots, and onions in a casserole dish. You might want to add some shredded cabbage, too. If you have bean sprouts and water chestnuts, add those, too.

 Whisk together some soy sauce, mustard, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, and drizzle it over the ingredients. Cover and bake. Sprinkle some chopped almonds over the top before serving if you like. This dish is very filling as is or it can be served over rice if your diet allows.

Mexican Inspired Low Carb Chicken Casserole

If you de-construct those tacos, enchiladas, and burritos, it's easy to create a chicken casserole that is flavorful, filling, and low carb. You start with the chicken, browning it if you like. Then layer in the low carb ingredients you love in your favorite Mexican foods. Choose poblamo peppers, red chilies, onions, celery, tomatoes, corn, tomato sauce, and cilantro.

 If allowed on your diet, add black beans, pinto beans, or other beans to the dish. Add cheese and you have a filling low carb chicken casserole with very little difficulty but a lot of taste. Again, you can serve this over rice or tortillas if allowed.

Italian Inspired Low Carb Chicken Casserole

When pasta is avoided because of a low carb diet, you may be tempted to avoid Italian dishes, as well. The good news is, there's a lot more to enjoy about Italian cooking than pasta. Fresh vegetables and tasty herbs are the keys to creating a chicken casserole that is flavorful enough to satisfy the low carb dieter.

Choose fresh zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, and onion, to set the stage. Then add fresh basil or dried oregano flakes and top with fresh Mozzarella cheese. When the chicken is smothered in these ingredients, you won't even think about the pasta!

Being on a low carb diet shouldn't mean you have to limit your meals to plain old grilled chicken breasts over and over again. With these few suggestions, you can create filling delicious chicken casseroles that are still low carb, but never boring!

Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

1 lb cooked chicken, shredded
1 can (10 oz) green chilie enchilada sauce
1 can (10.75 oz) fiesta nacho cheese condensed soup
4 (8 in) corn tortillas

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil 9x9 inch casserole dish.

Spread half the enchilada sauce in casserole dish.

Put remaining enchilada sauce in bowl with chicken and soup; stir to combine well.

Lay tortillas out on work surface and spoon even amounts of chicken mixture into each tortilla, then roll each up and set (open edge down) into casserole dish.

Spoon remaining enchilada sauce over the top and spread evenly.

You may top with chopped jalepenos or shredded cheese at this point if you like.

Bake, uncovered, in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly hot all the way through.

Will serve 4.

Give Kids What They Love With These Crazy Chicken Casseroles

Crazy Chicken Casseroles Ideas

Kids and chicken casseroles don't naturally go together. How often have you heard from your kids; "Oh good! Another chicken casserole for dinner!" Probably never. You are bound to get a much better reception if you serve up chicken nuggets, right?

But, if you're faced with another batch of those nuggets you're going to go a bit crazy. Besides, you want to introduce a few more flavors and nutrition into your child's diet. Something's got to change.

It's not as difficult as you might think (or that your kids might want you to think) to find ways to serve chicken without resorting to nuggets every time. The main thing to keep in mind is the ingredients your kids like in other foods, and how to incorporate them with chicken in one dish. Let's see if we can come up with a few simple suggestions.

Fruity Finesse

It won't matter much if you use fresh, canned, frozen, or juiced.  When you incorporate fruit into a casserole, you have sparked your kids' interest. If your kids aren't big fans of vegetables, remember; fruit also is loaded with vitamins and minerals. If you've been battling trying to get vegetables into your child's diet, you might want to rethink your strategy. Add a lot of taste and nutrition by using fruit and berries in your next chicken casserole.

Pizza Pretenders

What kid turns their nose up at a pizza? The next time you want to make chicken casserole that your kids will actually eat and enjoy, try using the same ingredients you would on a pizza. Whatever they like - pepperoni, sausage, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese - are all perfect to create a casserole that will actually appeals to kids who claim they will only eat pizza.

Dip Duplicates

Think of what your kids like to dip their chicken nuggets or wings into. Also consider what sort of dip they like with potato chips and tortilla chips. Duplicate those same flavors in a chicken casserole. Create sauces that mimic some of your kids' favorite dips and you'll get them interested enough in your chicken casserole to dig right in. Some favorite dips you might want to duplicate include Ranch style dip, bean dip, pico de gallo, salsa, queso blanco, and French onion dip.

Do your kids lose interest in dinner at the mere mention of the words 'chicken casserole?' It's understandable, especially when the recipes don't entice them to take a closer look. Rather than try to feed your kids yet another 'cream of chicken and broccoli' dish, try something they actually could, and would, sink their teeth into and enjoy!

Chicken Egg Strata Casserole Recipe

4 cups diced cooked chicken
1 can (10 oz) cream of chicken soup
4 slices bread, cut or torn small
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups broth
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a 9x13 casserole dish.

Mix together all the ingredients together in a bowl, then dump out into the casserole and spread evenly.

Bake, uncovered, in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until golden brown on the edges and top.
Remove and let sit for 5 minutes.

Will serve 6 to 8.

Use This Advice When Shopping For Casserole DIshes

Comparing Casserole Cookware - The Good And Not So Good

Being able to put dinner together quickly and easily is the reason why many of us love casserole recipes. You can layer or mix ingredients, throw them in the oven, and voila!, in about 45 minutes or less, dinner is served.

But, not all casserole pans, the actual dishes themselves, are created equal. Or, I should really say, not all casserole pans are suitable or desirable for every recipe. Let's take a look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of using specific casserole dishes.

Glass

These are the workhorses in many homes; the classic transparent casserole. Think about the assortment of 9x13 glass cookware you have. You may also have some round glass casseroles with covers.

The benefits to using these glass casseroles or baking dishes is that you can see what's cooking. If you make a lot of layered casserole recipes, it can also be pretty to see. They are relatively lightweight and usually quite inexpensive. You can also find lots of them at thrift stores. Because they're glass (non-reactive) you can also do marinading and baking in the same pan. These are also easy to clean in a dishwasher.

The drawbacks to these pans is they can break, not just by dropping them, but if you add cold liquid into a hot pan. They can develop small chips around the edges and the covers, and may develop stains that are difficult to remove, although not impossible.

Enameled Stoneware

There are some very pretty colors and designs when it comes to this category of casserole dishes. There are also some very pretty prices, so this is a nice category for gifts.

The benefits to using these casserole dishes is they are lovely, and go from oven to even the fanciest table. They also heat evenly and maintain the heat well. These are sturdy dishes, even though they do need some gentle handling, they won't chip or break as easily as a glass casserole.

The downside would have to be the price. Other than that, they are not very lightweight, which is good and bad. Their heavier weight is nice for cooking reasons but they are harder to lug around.

Glazed Stoneware

You'll find these casserole dishes to be very lovely, usually more earthy looking, and suitable for showing off. Think about a bean pot with a cover and you've got a general idea.

The benefits to using these lovely dishes is they heat evenly and go from oven to table beautifully. You can often find these dishes made by local potters. Once you buy one, you could easily end up with a collection.

The downside is they can break if not handled carefully. Many of them have hand painted designs, which means you really don't want to put them in the dishwasher. They may also be on the more expensive side, especially if you're just looking for a dish for everyday use.

Cast Iron

This covers a wide range of casserole options, from raw cast iron to the colorful enamel coated variety. They come in all sorts of sizes and prices.

The benefits to using one of these heavy duty pots for casseroles is they are suitable for browning the meats and veggies right in the same pot, before adding the remaining ingredients. Then the dish can go right into the oven. These pots are very versatile, almost indestructible, and hold heat well. And, did I say pretty?

The downsize may be the weight and the price. They are heavy, but that's part of what gives them their fantastic versatility. If you choose a less expensive raw cast iron pot, keep in mind that cooking acidic ingredients in a raw cast iron pot can harm the finish or patina.

 For that reason, you may want to choose an enamel coated cast iron pot. But, the price is going to jump up considerably. The good news is, there are companies that specialize in average priced cookware that have taken on the fancier cookware group and developed their own enameled cast iron pots to suit a tighter budget.

Stainless

When you look at a set of stainless pots and pans, you will often see a big pot with oven proof handles that is suitable for making casseroles. This is a very popular trend.

One reason we're seeing more of these stainless pot/casserole dishes is the versatility. This is the kind of pot that does double duty; you can boil water for spaghetti in it (which you can't do in a raw cast iron pot), brown meat and vegetables, build your casserole recipe, and throw it in the oven. If you don't have a huge pantry, it's nice to have everything rolled into one pot. They are also lightweight and almost indestructible.

You may get a ding or a slight scratch, but most good stainless cookware is extremely durable. Stainless is also non-reactive so you can put acidic food in there with no worries.

The downside is price. To get a nice pot with a heavy bottom, good conductivity, and oven-proof handles, you're going to spend a little money. But, don't forget; this one pot, if you choose the right one, can do everything from boil water to simmer chili to bake a casserole, and then some. It may be worth the investment.

Even a beginner cook knows there will come a time when they will want to make a beautiful, comforting, bubbly hot casserole. The right casserole vessel is almost as important as the right ingredients. Shop around, try a few different styles, then choose what works best for you. Most importantly, enjoy your casserole creations!

Chicken Chili With Cheddar Casserole Recipes

4 cups diced cooked chicken
2 cans (15 oz ea) chili
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 can (8 oz) crescent rolls
melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish.

In a bowl, stir together the chicken, chili, and cheese, then spread out into the casserole dish.

Open the crescent rolls and roll the dough out flat, pinching the perforations closed.

Lay the dough on top of the mixture in the casserole, adjusting the dough to fit to the edges.

Brush melted butter over the top if you wish.

Bake, uncovered, in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top crust is a rich golden brown and the mixture is bubbly hot.

Remove and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Will serve 6 to 8.

What To Look For When Buying Chicken

Choosing Chicken Wisely – Looks Are Everything

When buying and cooking chicken and other poultry, there are always a few questions that come up over and over. You may be an expert at choosing the perfect chicken for cooking, but still have some issues when you cook your bird. Or, you may have excellent results when your chicken comes out of the oven, but you're always puzzled about the quality of the bird when you buy it.

Before people bought chicken out of a large bin in a grocery store, they were buying from a farmer. In some ways it was easier since the farmer would give you a chicken and you just bought it. Now, you dig through the piles and piles of chicken in the grocery store and wonder; "Is this one good, or is that one better?"
To help clear up the confusion, let's take a look at a few common concerns when it comes to choosing and cooking a chicken.

Color of Raw Poultry

When you walk up to the meat department, the overall color is the first thing you notice. You will find a color variance from white to yellow, even with hints of blue. These colors are all normal and are influenced by the age of the chicken, the breed, the exercise the chicken got, as well as the feed the bird ate. For instance, a young bird will have less fat, which would mean the bird is more blue than yellow in color. A very active bird, one who gets a lot of exercise, will tend to be darker in color.

Color of Raw Ground Poultry

If you buy ground chicken often, you'll notice the products don't always look the same. If the ground chicken looks very white, it probably contains more white meat along with skin. If the ground chicken is pink, it probably contains more dark meat and less skin. As long as the product is all meat, skin, and fat, the ground chicken is acceptable for sale. Much of the packaging today will also list the percentage fat content, which could help explain the color.

Color Changes in Raw Poultry
 

As we see, there are many reasons why chicken might be slightly different in coloration. The meat's color depends in part on the age, sex, feed, and exercise. Color changes are likely to occur in packaged poultry even when it's still fresh. Exposure to light and temperature changes can produce a slight color change. However, if this color change is also accompanied by an off odor, or a sticky or slimy feel, then the product is spoiled.

Color Changes in Frozen Poultry

When that poultry hits the freezer, changes naturally occur in the fibers. As a result, you can expect some color changes in the poultry. However, if you see white patches that resemble cooked chicken, it's freezer burn. This is still safe to cook and eat, but the area will be dried out and chewy. Trim away the freezer burned patches before cooking the frozen chicken. It will give you better results.

Color Seepage in Cooked Poultry

Even the best looking roasting chicken in the meat department can surprise you when it comes out of the oven. If you've ever had darkening or red 'seepage' around the bones of your roasted chicken, you know what I mean.  Don't fret. This does not mean your bird is dangerous or unhealthy. It means you have purchased a young bird who's bones have not hardened (calcified) completely.

  The pigment from the bone marrow seeps out of the thin bone and into the surrounding area, leaving a darkened or reddish tinge to the meat and bones. It doesn't look too appetizing, but it's safe to eat.  Always check a chicken with bones for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken. If you see 165 degrees, the chicken is done, regardless of how it looks.

The perfect chicken is a chicken that is fresh and suits your family. If it's blue tinged or yellow tinged, that means it's young or old, or perhaps has eaten some feed that colored the tissue. Ground chicken may have a larger percentage of white meat in it if it is pale, and more dark meat if it is pink. Darkening around the bones of your cooked chicken could mean you bought a young chicken.  Take all these things into consideration, then go ahead and cook your bird and enjoy!

Chicken And Cheddar Hash O'Brien Potatoes Casserole Recipe

1 package (28 oz) frozen potatoes O'Brien, thawed
1 can (10 oz) Cheddar cheese soup   
4 cups cooked diced chicken
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese   

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil a 9x13 casserole.

Put the potatoes in the casserole, distributing evenly. Salt and pepper to taste.

In a bowl, mix together the soup and chicken, then add that to the casserole.

Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.

Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes or until bubbly hot and potatoes have browned slightly around the edges.

Will serve 4 to 6.

Nutritional Information About Chiken

Chicken Nutrition Surprise – Look Who's Got Omega 3 And 6

The term 'fatty acid' is a bit confusing. Do we really want to ingest something that's called 'fatty?' The simple answer is; "Yes, in this case, we do."

Fatty acids are necessary for all systems of the body to function properly. You need them for your brain, skin, breathing, and blood. It's pretty easy to see that you can't get along without fatty acids in your diet.

Two very important fatty acids are omega-3 and omega-6. Health professionals all agree that these fatty acids are absolutely essential to maintain overall health.

Omega-3 is important for controlling blood clotting, supporting cell growth in the brain, protecting against heart disease, stroke, fighting cancer, inflammation of the bowels, as well as fighting other autoimmune diseases, even arthritis.

Omega-6 has been proven to lower LDL cholesterol, protect against heart disease, relieve inflammation, build healthy skin, hair, and bones, as well as boost metabolism.

Experts don't necessarily agree on what ratio to each other these two fatty acids should be consumed. Our diets are often lacking in both, so the ratio becomes less important than just making sure you eat some of each fatty acid every day.

When you look at the benefits of each omega-3 and omega-6, you can see why it's important to get some of these essential fatty acids in your diet on a regular basis.

That brings us to the subject of food and nutrition. These two fatty acids cannot produce themselves in the body, so you have to find ways to ingest them. We know fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines provide these healthy fatty acids. You should also add nuts, healthy oils, and plenty of green leafy vegetables to your diet for even more omega-3 and omega-6.

But, along with these foods, there are others to consider. If you eat chicken, pork, or beef, which offers the best nutrition? Let's compare chicken with some other meats to see what we can learn about the nutritional value.

Chicken white meat - omega-3, 98 mg; omega-6, 826 mg

Chicken dark meat - omega-3, 210 mg; omega-6, 2366 mg

Pork tenderloin - omega-3, 11 mg; omega-6, 360 mg

Beef tenderloin - omega-3, 20 mg; omega-6, 207 mg

These meats may not be on the level of an omega super-food like salmon, but you have to admit, when it comes to choosing a fatty acid rich protein, choosing chicken is a pretty good idea – and delicious, too!

BBQ Chicken And Baked Bean Casserole

1 can (16 oz) favorite pork and beans
4 pieces chicken, any you like
2 Tbsp peach preserves (or other sweet preserves)
1 tsp soy sauce

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Lightly oil a small casserole dish.

Spoon the pork and beans into the casserole, spreading evenly.

Arrange the chicken pieces over the top of the beans.

In a bowl, mix together the peach preserves and soy sauce, then spoon over the top of the chicken pieces, spreading to cover thoroughly.

Cover and bake in preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hour or until chicken is cooked through. Cooking time will vary depending on what chicken pieces you choose - cook dark meat longer than white meat.

Will serve 2 to 4.

Use This Guide When Shopping For Chicken

Chicken Lingo Explained – Learn Your Labels

Shopping for chicken can be confusing. It used to be that you'd go to your local farm and buy the chicken that the farmer handed you. Now there are labels. You may see chicken that is labeled free range, farm raised, organic, natural, or no hormones added.

What does it all mean? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for the designations you see on your packaged chicken. Let's take a look at the simplest explanation of a few of the categories you may come across when you are buying chicken in the grocery store.

Free Range

It's pretty difficult to define this label, which is why the USDA doesn't have a blanket rule for all chicken farms that claim to be free range. Each farm must make their own case and present it to the USDA for approval. The 'free range' designation means the chickens must have access to the outdoors for a part of the day. They are not forced outdoors, so they may not be 'free ranging' as much as folks may think. Having a free range designation from the USDA does not mean the chickens are organic, since the feed is not part of the designation; just the availability of the outdoors.

Organic

This label is more complicated. To begin, all chicken labeled 'organic' must also be free range. Once this is established, then the other rules come into play, and the USDA has very specific rules regarding production. Chicken can only be labeled organic if the farm adheres to these strict rules. Also, according to the USDA, having an organic designation doesn't mean the product is safer or healthier than chicken without the organic label.

Farm Raised

If you scratch your head a little when you see this label, it's understandable. Aren't all chickens raised on farms? This label could be slapped on every chicken package in the store, which means if you see it, it doesn't mean anything. However, if you are eating at a restaurant and you see 'farm raised' on a chicken menu item, it usually indicates that the chicken is locally grown. But, to be sure, ask your waiter or the restaurant manager, especially if they are asking a higher price for their 'farm raised' chicken.

Natural

Again, this is a label that could be placed on all the chicken you see in the grocery store. The fact is, producers don't need to add coloring or preservatives or other artificial ingredients when they process the chicken. Getting the chicken from the farm to the store only requires minimal handling. In other words, don't pay more for a chicken labeled 'natural' since all producers could sport the same label if they wanted to.

No Hormones Added

This is probably one of the most seen, and least understood, labels on chicken today. The fact is, in the United States, the FDA prohibits the use of added hormones in chicken. Every package of chicken can properly be labeled 'no hormones added' but also must include a line saying no hormones are used in any poultry products, stating clearly that they are not unique in this claim. Marketing with this label seems to be falling out of favor as consumers learn the truth about added hormones; simply, there are no added hormones, ever.

Raised Without Antibiotics

With modern day concerns about the overuse of antibiotics, especially in children, consumers wanted to be reassured that they weren't getting doses of hidden antibiotics in their food. The USDA allows the phrase 'raised without antibiotics' to be used on packaging if the chicken was raised without the use of antibiotics.

You may see marketing outside of the packaging itself using the term 'antibiotic free' since only the packaging is regulated by the USDA. The concern about antibiotics in chicken may be unnecessary since the USDA requires certain procedures for chicken production and packaging that eliminates any residual antibiotics from the chicken, rendering it 'antibiotic free' in reality. However, if you are concerned with antibiotics in your food, then look for the USDA label 'Raised Without Antibiotics' on the chicken packaging.

What this all boils down to is you need to read chicken packaging labels carefully, keeping in mind that some of the terms used on the label may be part of a marketing strategy. For instance, if a chicken labeled 'farm raised' is priced higher than a chicken without that label, you'll have to ask yourself; "Where was the cheaper chicken raised?"  Other labels, however, are USDA designations and cannot be used for marketing.

Now that you have the low-down on labeling, I know shopping for the right chicken will be much easier. And, after all that hard work, it's time to relax and think about that delicious chicken dinner on the table tonight.

Cheesy Chicken Marinara Stuffed Pasta Shells Recipe

1 box (12 oz) jumbo pasta shells
1 jar (26 oz) marinara or spaghetti sauce, divided
1 lb. cooked chicken, shredded
1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a large casserole dish.

Cook the pasta according to directions on box BUT leave them slightly al dente; drain well and set aside.

Pour 1/3 the jar of marinara into the casserole dish and spread out evenly.

Set the cooked pasta shells on top of the sauce in casserole dish, arranging evenly, open side up.

In a bowl, mix together 1/3 the jar of sauce with the shredded chicken and ricotta cheese, just until combined well.

Spoon the chicken mixture carefully into the pasta shells.

Pour the remaining sauce over the top.

Cover and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until bubbly hot.

Will serve 4 to 6.

Tips For Selecting The Right Chicken For Your Recipe

Chicken Cooking Solutions – Match The Bird To The Method

When shopping for chicken for dinner, you may run into some terms you aren't necessarily familiar with. Or, perhaps you've heard the terms but just don't know what difference they make in choosing your bird.

It's really quite basic - you want to choose the right bird for the cooking method, and the right cooking method for the bird. Let's start by looking at some standard chicken types you will find in the grocery store.

Broiler or fryer - A young chicken, under 13 weeks of age. The meat is tender.

Roaster - A young chicken, 3 to 5 months of age. The meat is tender.

Capon - An unsexed male chicken, 8 months of age or younger. The meat is tender.

Baking or stewing - A mature female chicken, more than 10 months of age. The meat is less tender.
Once you know what kind of bird you have, you can decide how to cook it. Chicken that is younger with tender meat can be cooked successfully in dry heat, such as roasting, broiling, and frying. Chicken that is older and less tender will be better cooked in moist heat, such as braising, in a stew, in a slow cooker, or in a creamy casserole.

But, even within these cooking methods, you may run into a few problems. For instance, we know that the dark meat on your chicken takes more time to cook than the white meat, regardless of whether you have a broiler, a capon, or a stewing chicken. To cook the dark meat and white meat successfully, you may need to use a few tricks. Take a look at the following suggestions and see if you can tweak your cooking methods to better suit your bird.

Cut Up Chicken

Having both dark meat and white meat on the menu isn't too much of a problem if you buy cut up chicken, or cut up a whole chicken yourself. With the white and dark meat separated, you can easily execute the best cooking method on both.

This is one of the easiest methods. Heat up a large skillet and start by browning the legs and thighs first, then let them cook just until they are about halfway done; remove and set aside.

Put the white meat in the skillet, brown nicely on both sides, then add the dark meat back into the skillet and continue cooking until the pieces are cooked through and no longer pink inside. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, especially if you are cooking bone-in chicken pieces. By browning and cooking the dark meat a little first, you give it a head-start on the white meat, ensuring both are cooked properly.

If you absolutely have to put your chicken in one pot or casserole without browning or precooking, try to use bone-in chicken breasts. They will maintain the moisture better while cooking. If you are using boneless meat, both white and dark, cut the dark meat smaller than the white meat to help even out cooking times.

Whole Chicken

What happens when you can't separate the dark meat from the white meat, such as when you're roasting a whole chicken? There are methods to help make sure the white meat doesn't overcook and get dried out while the dark meat finishes cooking.

One delicious way to help preserve the moisture in the chicken breast is to create a buttery paste and gently rub it between the skin and meat of the breast. Mix the butter with herbs, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and any seasoning you like, then slip the paste carefully into the pocket under the skin, distributing it evenly over the breast meat. This may take a little practice, but if you take your time and gently lift the skin away from the meat, you'll be able to learn this technique with no problem.

Trussing the legs up so they lay over the breast is another way to help protect the breast from the direct heat, which will dry it and cook it faster than the rest of the bird. Don't get too worried about trussing like a professional chef. Just get some butcher string and tie those legs up there so they cover as much of the breast as possible. It doesn't have to be pretty; you'll cut it off before anyone sees it anyway. And, again, your technique will improve after you do it a few times.

For this method, you have to let go of the picture you have in your mind of a chicken roasting beautifully, breast side up, in the oven, at least for a little while. About midway through the roasting time, you're going to turn the whole chicken over onto the breast. This method not only protects the breast from direct heat for some of the cooking time, but also allows the juices inside the darker part of the bird (the back) to flow into the breast meat when it's cooking upside-down. Then, turn the bird back over (breast side up) for the last ten minutes or so of roasting time so you can baste it and the skin crisps up.

Now that you know a little more about what sort of chicken you're buying, and how to cook each one to achieve the best results, get out your cookbook and take a trip to the store. Doesn't chicken for dinner sound scrumptious!?

Cajun Chicken And Rice Casserole Recipe

1 cup rice, uncooked
2 cups water or broth
2 cups frozen onion/celery/pepper seasoning blend
4 to 6 pieces chicken (your choice)
2 to 3 Tbsp Cajun seasoning mix

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a casserole dish.

Pour the rice, water or broth, and frozen seasoning blend in the casserole and gently stir to combine.

Lay the chicken on top, then sprinkle the Cajun seasoning all over.

Cover tightly and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until chicken is thoroughly cooked and rice is tender.

Will serve 4 to 6.

Great Ways To Improve Your Chicken Cooking Skills Today

If your family doesn't run to the table, maybe it is time to take an honest look at your cooking routine and see if you have fallen into a menu rut. Generate some mealtime enthusiasm and put a smile on your family's faces with some fresh new ideas for cooking chicken that are sure to please.

Chicken

Chicken broth should be used when you are sautéing your vegetables. Chicken broth can be purchased at any grocery store. It is important to choose a chicken broth that is low in sodium so that you do not eat too much sodium. Sodium can cause you to retain water which is not good.

Chicken broth is a great cooking base for vegetables. Chicken broth is a great way to add flavor to your vegetables while keeping them from sticking to your pan. Chicken broth is readily available at most grocery stores, and it is very affordably priced.

You should cook chicken stew if you need to make a quick meal. Take a carton of chicken broth and put it in a large stock pot. Add cooked shredded chicken, diced potatoes, carrots, green beans and onions to the pot. Season to taste and cook for three hours on low. It is a tasty meal that does not take a lot of work.

If a recipe calls for milk or water, try some other flavorful liquid to enhance the flavor of your dish. For example, you might try chicken broth or beef broth instead of water in a meat dish. You might even try fruit juice when cooking certain veggies. To replace milk, yogurt, sour cream and buttermilk can make good substitutes. Using different liquids can add nutritional value, while at the same time punching up bland, old recipes.

Never wash chicken or other poultry. Washing it with water doesn't eliminate the bacteria; washing merely spreads the bacteria around to your sink, utensils, and countertop. To kill any bacteria in the chicken and ensure that it is safe to eat, cook it to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Try ketchup as a batter ingredient in fried foods. You can dip chicken into ketchup prior to dipping it into breadcrumbs. This will enhance the moisture and flavor of your chicken. The ketchup adds an unexpected zip to fried food, leaving everyone asking for the recipe.

Chicken Cooking Skills

Soup is for all seasons! When we usually think of soup, we think of a hot bowl of chicken noodle when we are sick or a piping hot bowl of chili on a cold winter night. But don't forget about soup in the summer, too. There are a lot of easy recipes for refreshing cold soups like gazpacho and fruit soups to enjoy during warm months.

If you took an honest look at your mealtime offerings and decided that they could use some help, start with the fresh ideas in the article above and you will have your family running to the table in no time. These practical tips will get you on your way to improving your chicken cooking skills.

Mixed Berry Chicken And Rice Casserole Recipe

1 cup long grain brown rice
2 cups water
1 package (2 oz) sweet & sour sauce mix
1 bag (16 oz) frozen mixed berries
6 small chicken thighs, skin and bones removed

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a casserole dish.

In a bowl, mix together the rice, water, and package sauce mix, then dump into casserole.

Sprinkle the frozen mixed berries (may also use frozen fruit) on top of the rice.

Arrange the chicken over the top, pushing them gently into the rice/berry mixture. Season the chicken with salt and pepper as desired.

Cover tightly and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.

Will serve 4 to 6.

Learning Your Way Around The Kitchen: Chicken Cooking Tips For All

Cooking chicken is a skill that is very helpful to know. When you cook chicken at home, you can be creative, save money and eat better! Listed below is some chicken cooking tips to help you around your kitchen.

Chicken

For stir fry with an authentic Chinese touch, try using their velveting technique! Prepare a mixture of corn starch, egg whites, seasonings and sherry and set your pork, chicken or shrimp in it for about half an hour. Then, blanch it in hot oil or boiling water for shiny, tender and delicious restaurant quality stir fry.

Cook your rice in vegetable or chicken stock instead of using water. Choosing a stock will add both extra taste and valuable nutrients. The cooking process and time are the same as with water, so you won't be adding any extra work by trying this method.

A super healthy, and tasty, veggie dish is simply sauteed veggies in some chicken broth. The chicken broth will cut down on the fat in your vegetable dishes while enhancing their flavor. Do this and you will find that your vegetables are delicious and easy to prepare.

You may or may not have heard of schmaltz, but it is a very useful component when cooking. Schmaltz, otherwise known as chicken fat, is very rich. The flavor of schmaltz is deeper than duck fat and can be used for many things, such as cooking meats or poaching fish.

Use this tip when cooking chicken. Rather than using a roasting rack to cook the chicken, slice an onion and put the slices in an oiled pan. Then take the chicken and place it on top of the onions. While cooking, the the onions will absorb the juices of the chicken. This is useful for later when you make a sauce from the onions by pouring water or stock into the pan and cooking on high heat for three minutes.

If you are preparing a whole chicken or turkey, take the time to season under the skin as part of your preparation. By gently sliding your fingers between the skin and meat in the breast area and thigh area, you can create room for seasoning. Blend your preferred herbs and spices and slowly rub them against the meat under the skin. The skin will lock in juices and allow your seasoning to absorb into the meat.

Chicken Cooking Tips

When roasting a chicken or turkey, maximize the flavor and juiciness by stuffing the cavity with halved or quartered lemons, onions, shallots, garlic cloves or oranges. These foods will add a great, subtle flavor to the meat while providing extra moisture as they roast in the oven. Simply remove the items from the cavity prior to carving the bird.

Cooking is all practice. With these chicken cooking tips in hand, you're ready to get on the road toward being a better cook, and reducing your dependence on expensive and unhealthy pre-made food. Don't keep eating out- apply what this article has taught you and soon you'll be making your own delicious meals and saving tons of money!

Bacon And Chicken Golden Noodle Casserole Recipe

6 chicken tenders
6 strips bacon
6 oz wide egg noodles, cooked al dente
1 can (10 oz) golden mushroom soup
1 soup can of milk
salt and pepper

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Lightly oil a shallow casserole dish.

Wrap each chicken tender with a strip of bacon.

Put a skillet over medium-high heat.

Place the bacon wrapped chicken tenders in the hot skillet and fry until bacon crisps and chicken cooks until almost done, turning to get all sides. Remove as needed to make room for more.

Put the cooked egg noodles, soup, and milk in a bowl and toss together until well blended, then dump into the casserole dish.

Set the bacon wrapped chicken tenders on top of the noodles.

Bake, uncovered, in preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Will serve 2 to 4.

Great Chicken Cooking Tips To Help You Make Great Meals!

Cooking is one of the finest skills to study on your own. Cooking well can improve your health, save you money and be fun. Better yet, cooking is a skill you can always improve. Even the greatest kitchen veterans can learn a little something new. Here are a few handy chicken cooking tips for getting better results out of your kitchen:

Chicken

When you are making chicken stock, think in terms of high volume. Plan to make a big pot of stock so you can freeze and store it. Good chicken stock that you make at home makes a great starter for soups, casseroles, stews and other dishes. Let your stock cool off and pour it inside Ziploc bags.

You may or may not have heard of schmaltz, but it is a very useful component when cooking. Schmaltz, otherwise known as chicken fat, is very rich. The flavor of schmaltz is deeper than duck fat and can be used for many things, such as cooking meats or poaching fish.

If your family tends to eat a lot of chicken and often, remember to always brine the poultry as it will lock in flavor. Otherwise you are left with a dry piece of chicken that merely has whatever spices and herbs you chose coated on the outside rather than penetrating every bite.

Try cooking stock ahead of time and freezing it. It is always handy to have chicken, beef, or vegetable stock handy when you are boiling vegetables or want to make a quick soup. It is also easier this way because it is less mess the day you are having your meal!

Save your carrot peelings, the ends of onions, parmesan rinds, and celery leaves in a container in your freezer. The next time you roast a turkey, a chicken, or bone-in beef, place the bones or carcass into a stock pot with your frozen veggie parts and cover with enough water to cover it all. Let this simmer as long as you can stand it (up to 8 hours) for a rich, flavorful stock that you can use in recipes or as a base for soup.

Ditch the roasting rack when roasting a chicken, instead laying the bird on a bed of thick onion slices lining an oiled pan. The onions will absorb the juices from the chicken as it cooks, and you can whip up a delicious sauce with them by adding some stock or water and reducing the mixture while the chicken rests on the carving board.

Chicken Cooking Tips

If you are cooking a meal and it calls for already cooked chicken the best thing to do is to stop at the deli counter and buy a whole already cooked chicken. You can also buy frozen chicken that is already cooked as well. It may be expensive but if you are in a pinch it is good for you.

Hopefully, some of these chicken cooking tips will prove useful to you. Not only is cooking a field in which there is always something new to learn, it is a very personal skill set. You retain full control of what you learn and how you apply it. Keep your eyes peeled for more tips that you can use to cook the way you want to.

Tips For Cheap And Easy Meals From Scratch

Cooking can be quite a joy, once you have mastered a few basic skills. By following some of this article's tips, you will have a new-found confidence in your cooking acumen and improve as a cook. After you have acquired these skills, you will begin to have fun.

It is extremely important to prepare your ingredients before you begin cooking your meal for a group. Be certain that you have every ingredient you will need on hand. It is not too much to get your meals ready the day before. Make sure you have the necessary utensils. Did you think of everything? Having everything ready will take some of the stress off and increase the chances of your success.

If you are going to make a stir-fry dish, slice the meat on the bias, as thinly as possible. This may take some time and effort. Take the meat out of the freezer once it firms up (not frozen) then cut at an angle of 45 degrees across the grainy part of the meat.

Having knives that are very sharp is essential when cooking. You are more likely to injure yourself using a dull knife. You could easily cut yourself if you are trying to cut something up with a dull knife.

When you are having an important person over for dinner, prepare a meal that you are experienced with. Stay away from using new ingredients, or a new recipe. That way, cooking will cause a great deal less stress.

Quickly cooking vegetables makes them crispier and more nutrient-filled. Slow-cooked vegetables lose nutritional value and taste. These quick cooking techniques will produce generally, healthier vegetable sides. The less time you take to cook them, the better your vegetables will be.

Use airtight containers whenever you store unused baking mixes, flour or sugar in your pantry or kitchen. Store spices, seasonings and ingredients in airtight containers to avoid exposure to light, heat and humidity. Airtight containers are available practically everywhere and are well worth their cost.

When trying to eat a healthier diet or lose weight, you should decrease the portion of oils used in cooking meals. There is a lot of fat that are not needed in butter and oil. Try cooking with a cooking spray so that you will use less oil but the same effect.

Sauteing vegetables in chicken broth is very healthy. Broth will flavor the vegetables, and less oil will be needed to saute them. This method of cooking vegetables will be tasty and rich in nutrients.

Try drying your own tomatoes. Slice tomatoes 1/2" thick to dry. Romas should be cut in two lengthwise. Using a cooling rack, lay the sliced tomatoes with the side that is cut facing upward, and then sprinkle them lightly with salt. Place the cooling rack on a cookie sheet and dry in a 190 degree oven for up to 10 hours. The tomatoes can then be placed in plastic bags and stored in the freezer. Zing up your dried tomatoes and conserve them at the same time by canning them in olive oil and herbs. Put your canned tomatoes in the fridge and be sure to use them in the next two weeks.

In conclusion, it is simple to learn how to cook. It only takes patience and a willingness to learn. Keep these tips in mind and you'll rule the kitchen. Keeping a positive attitude will help to ensure success in the kitchen!

The Best Cooking Tips To Help You In The Kitchen

Cooking is a skill you can always improve upon. Cooking is a life skill that everyone works on, every day. However, if you want something that will give you a head start on your cooking skills, look no further than this article! These tips will improve your overall approach to cooking.

Meat should always be thinly sliced and cut on the bias if you are adding it to a stir-fry. This may take some patience and it can be a bit time-consuming. Then take the meat of out the freezer when it has firmed up a little, but has not frozen yet, and cut the meat at 45 degrees with the grain.

Always keep your spices away from light in a cool place. If the spices become too hot, or moist from humidity, it can shorten their shelf life. Too much light exposure also does this. Spices last longer and taste better when stored in cool, dark locations. Fresh spices offer better taste profiles than stale ones.

If you boil your vegetables it can cook out the nutrients. To keep them loaded with nutrients that are beneficial to your body, chose faster cooking methods like steaming or sauteing, or enjoy them raw.

The smell of garlic can transfer to your hands easily. To remove the odor, simply take your hands and rub them against the sides of a stainless-steel sink. This works for garlic and for other foods that leave behind a strong odor on your hands. This will take care of the odors clinging to your hands and enable you to handle other ingredients without contaminating them with strong aromas.

Have you ever struggled with grilling meat? It is always wise to utilize a good meat thermometer (a digital one is best to give you an exact reading) to ensure that the inner portions are cooked correctly. If you have thick meat, more than a inch and a half, close the grill to make cooking time shorter.

Chicken broth is a great cooking base for vegetables. Using chicken broth will prevent the vegetables from sticking in the pan as well as add some tasty flavor at the same time. You can make your own chicken broth or you can buy it at most any supermarket at a very low price.

If you want to add flavor to your dishes, use a liquid other than milk or water. For example, you might try chicken broth or beef broth instead of water in a meat dish. You might even try fruit juice when cooking certain veggies. Substitute sour cream, buttermilk or even yogurt in place of regular milk. A good method for increasing your nutritional intake is by increasing the amount of liquids you drink throughout the day.

It is exciting to learn about new cooking techniques. It might be nearly as fun as consuming the meal! You have hopefully learned a few things from this article and have a better understanding of your own cooking desires and skills. There is always something new to learn about cooking. You can enjoy it your entire life.

The Secrets Every Great Cook Need To Know

It is important to be always learning new cooking skills, even if you're just cooking for family. When you know different methods and techniques, you could make an ordinary meal turn into something spectacular that will be requested again and again. This article will give you some great tips for livening up your meals.

Having knives that are very sharp is essential when cooking. If you try to cut using a dull knife, you will have a lot of difficulty, and it can also a very dangerous. You could easily cut yourself if you are trying to cut something up with a dull knife.

Long cooking processes, like boiling, can "zap" nutrients from foods, like vegetables. For the most nutritious vegetables, employ fast cooking methods or, better yet, consume raw veggies.

For healthier, lower-calorie mashed potatoes, add some cooked cauliflower to your tubers. Cauliflower blends perfectly with your potatoes without changing the taste of your mashed potatoes. Cauliflower also matches the color and texture of the potatoes. This is a great way to add veggies and eliminate calories from a favorite dish.

Are you using basil? Store the basil within a glass. Add some water to cover the stems. The basil can remain fresh for several days if it is placed in indirect sunlight. Most often times, basil will actually take root in water. If you maintain the basil by trimming the outgrowth, you can get quite a lot of free basil using this method.

Much like a sponge, the mushrooms will absorb the water. So, in order to clean them, wipe off each mushroom with a clean, wet cloth.

If you cooked with a sauce, save the leftover sauce in an ice cube tray that you can freeze. All you need to do next time you want to use it, is reheat in a saucepan. The sauce will remain edible even after being in an ice tray.

Figuring out how long meat should be grilled can be tough. Whenever you are grilling it is advisable to have a quality cooking thermometer handy to ensure thoroughly cooked meat. If possible use a digital meat thermometer to obtain a more accurate reading. If you have thick meat, more than a inch and a half, close the grill to make cooking time shorter.

If you are going to be making chicken stock, it is best to go big or not at all. If you make a large amount of stock you can freeze it for future use. You can use your homemade chicken stock for soups, casseroles and stews. To preserve your stock for future use, just simply make sure that it is stored in heavy duty freezer bags and frozen solid. This way the stock should keep for several months or so.

Try cooking your vegetables in chicken broth for an extra kick. Not only will the flavor be enhanced, but they will be lower in fat without the need for oils and butter. This method of cooking vegetables will be tasty and rich in nutrients.

Becoming a good cook is a lifelong learning process. The following tips can help you become a better cook, no matter how many people you are cooking for.

The Very Best Cooking Tips You Will Ever Receive

Many people think of cooking as a pleasant and worthwhile hobby. Anyone's mood can brighten up with a kitchen that smells good with fresh ingredients. It can be hard to find the right tips about cooking. The following article provides you with plenty of hints and tips to make all of your meals great ones.

Prepare to cook before you actually start cooking. Be prepared in advance to make your cooking go smoothly. When you have a timeline for your meal to be ready, things can get a bit stressful once you start cooking. Do the prep work as early as you can to avoid stress later.

A pie crust should be baked a little bit longer than you would think. Pastry crust should be baked to a golden caramel color rather than a pale blond shade. When you see the golden color it indicates carmelization, which lends a crisp, sweet flavor to the pie crust.

It's very important to have good, sharp knives for cooking. Not only can it be difficult to cut with dull knives, but it is dangerous to use them too. Forcing dull knives through foods can result in personal injury, whereas a sharp knife will quickly and easily cut right through.

if fresh basil what you're cooking with? Place fresh basil into a glass. Add water to cover the stems. The basil will stay fresh for a matter of weeks on your windowsill or kitchen counter. By changing the water every so often, your basil will develop roots. If you keep the basil trimmed regularly, this will promote growth and allow a decent supply of basil on an ongoing basis.

Nearly any recipe benefits from using fresh ingredients rather than the frozen or dried version. You will save plenty of money by buying fresh vegetables and other ingredients, and your food will also taste more flavorful.

To make the cooking process easier and faster, many preparatory steps can be completed ahead of time. Peruse your recipes and look for things you can do ahead of time. Choose items that will not spoil. You can prepare a lot of food the day prior to actually cooking. This makes preparing even more complex recipes fun and fast.

Have you ever struggled with grilling meat? Investing in a top-notch meat thermometer, such as an ultra-precise digital one, will let let you make sure that the meat is cooked correctly inside and out. Try using a grilling lid to reduce the cooking time on thicker cuts of meat.

Many times your burgers can stick to your grill and it could be nearly impossible to free them without destroying them. To avoid this possibility, you can apply a light coat of vegetable oil to the grill before cooking.

As this article has discussed, cooking is revered by many as an excellent and enjoyable hobby. However, some people don't know where to start, in terms of picking the right recipes or using the proper techniques. Follow this article's advice and you will be on your way to cooking great food.

The Best Advice When It Comes To Cooking At Home

There is no limit to what you can learn with cooking, no matter how much you think you already know. Cooking is a skill that involves life-long improvement. Before cooking your first meal, choose a simple recipe. The tips below will give you some great ideas to boost your cooking skills.

Slicing hot meat is often challenging, so consider partially freezing joints before you attempt to cut them up. This technique for thin cut meat is ideal for specific types of recipes, especially Asian cuisine. The knife can cut the partly frozen meat with less damage than if it were thawed. This is because the partially frozen meat fibers are not as easily stretched or torn. After slicing the meat, allow it to completely thaw to ensure that it cooks evenly.

Did you ever feel badly for throwing moldy fruit in the garbage? Is it possible to simply cut out the moldy, rotten part of the fruit? It's not safe to try to save partially rotted fruit. It must be discarded because mold spores that you cannot see may be present on other areas of the fruit. If eaten, you could become ill.

A nutritious way to reduce the calories from your mashed potatoes is to replace some of the potatoes with cauliflower. Because cauliflower has a pretty bland taste, it blends well with the potatoes and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. Additionally, mashed cauliflower has the same texture and color as mashed potatoes, so no one will know that you've boosted the veggie content of the dish while removing calories.

Quickly cooking vegetables makes them crispier and more nutrient-filled. With slower cook times, the overall value of the vegetables is decreased, mainly taste and nutrition. If you do this, it will provide you a vegetable that is higher in nutritious value. So in summary, cook your vegetables for the shortest amount of time possible.

Doing so will give you fresh fruit year round. You also have the benefit of enjoying fruits out of season.

Avoid using too much cooking oil by measuring it! To lower some fat content in foods, always measure your oil when you are cooking, do not pour it from the bottle right in the pan. You'll want to make sure to only use the amount of cooking oil that you need.

If you want to cook a roast, yet you don't have much time, don't take out the bone. It will cook faster because the bone will evenly distribute the heat inside your roaster. Before serving the roast, simply cut the meat from the bone.

It is necessary for all cooks to organize their cooking supplies. If you are disorganized, you won't know where to find the cheese grater or the spatula when you need them. Keep certain similar tools in one area. Try utilizing a spice cabinet to keep all your spices in one spot.

Learning new things about cooking is exciting! It's almost as much fun as eating! With what you learned from this article you're hopefully now able to use a lot of new skills you learned in the kitchen and for your meals! When it comes to being passionate about developing your cooking stills, stay hungry!

Solid Advice Every Home Cook Should Be Aware Of

It does take a little bit of practice, though, to develop the skill. Regardless of why you want to cook, knowing what you are doing will help. This article provides several delicious tips that can help you become a better cook.

Have you ever struggled with grilling meat? A good meat thermometer can pinpoint the cooking status of meat, inside and out. Use a digital thermometer for the most precise results. If you're working with a particularly thick slice of meat, you can cut back on grilling time by closing the lid of the grill.

Seasoning should be applied in small amounts throughout the cooking process rather than all at once. This will help to give your food the maximum amount of flavor possible.

Measure your cooking oil! To lower the amount of fat in your cooking, be sure to carefully measure the amount of oil that you use when you cook, instead of simply pouring from the bottle into a pan. You will also be able to monitor how much oil you will be using.

Leaving the bone in a roast will help if you have a limited amount of time. It will cook faster because the bone will evenly distribute the heat inside your roaster. It is easy enough to cut the meat off the bone once the roast is cooked.

The stress of making dinner can be alleviated by prepping certain ingredients the night before. Make your sauces, cut your ingredients or marinate meat the day before. You will have fewer tasks to complete when it's time to put the meal together, making it less stressful.

A good cook will have their utensils and ingredients well organized. If your supplies are disorganized, you will waste time running around trying to find everything. Consider storing similar things together. As an example, parsley and basil are spices, so they should be stored in a cabinet together with all of the other spices.

Replace your spices twice a year. If a spice is kept for a long time, it could lose some of its flavor. If you buy too much of a spice, give it to someone you love!

Homemade stock can add flavor to many dishes. If you make it in large quantities, you can store the excess in resealable bags in your freezer. Doing so will give you the best stock for any dish that calls for it. When you prepare your stock from scratch, you will be certain that it is 100% natural, not loaded with preservatives.

Dry ground meat with a towel before you put it in the pan to remove excess moisture. You should remove excess moisture from ground beef prior to cooking. When ground meats are cooked, excess moisture can be released. The moisture will start to sizzle and steam away when it hits the heat of the pan. The meat is likely to steam, rather than sear as it is supposed to.

Hopefully, you're now feeling inspired to take this advice into the kitchen. Use the tips mentioned in the article to help make you the best cook you can be. Regardless of your motivation for cooking, a home-made meal will surely be enjoyed. The truth is, you will need a certain amount of skill to become a good cook. Now that you have learned the information presented, continue building on your cooking skills.

Simple Cooking Secrets To Improve Any Home Cuisine

Do you find cooking stressful or intimidating? Do not allow cooking to cause you grief. Here you will find some excellent cooking ideas that will help you remove the stresses of not knowing where to begin. Once you follow the strategies in this guide, you will be wishing that you could have known about these things sooner.

A cool, dark storage area will preserve your herbs freshness for the longest period of time. When exposed to light and heat, spices will lose their sharpness and flavor. Generally, ground spices and herbs keep most of their flavor for a year. Whole spices may retain flavor for up to five years. They'll remain fresh longer if stored properly.

Preparation is one of the most important things that you will have to do before you cook a meal for your friends or family. Make sure that you have all of the ingredients available. Get everything set to cook the next day. Determine if you have you got the right utensils, etc. With the right groundwork, you can enter your kitchen confidently and get right to work whipping up a fantastic meal.

A sharp knife is indispensable for efficient cooking. Blunted knives do not cut things well, and they can also pose a safety hazard. You are more likely to get cut exerting force on a dull knife to slice a vegetable than you are when using a sharp knife.

Certain methods of preparing vegetables, such as boiling, can reduce their nutrients, due to the length of cooking time. For the most nutritious vegetables, employ fast cooking methods or, better yet, consume raw veggies.

If you are cooking for someone you want to impress, cook something you already know how to make. Avoid trying to cook something new. You will feel less stressed while cooking if you follow this tip.

If you've made sauce, you should place any that is leftover in an ice tray and freeze it. When you feel the need to create another meal, you will have them handy to heat up. Not to worry, it freezes well and is perfectly edible when stored this way.

Have you ever struggled with grilling meat? Use a good meat thermometer (a digital one is more accurate) so that you can ensure the inside is cooked correctly. Think about closing your grill's lid to cut down on grill time any time you grill meat thicker than an inch and a half.

When making your own chicken stock, prepare more than you need up front. Plan on preparing a large pot of stock in order to freeze it for storing. Many great recipes including soups, casseroles and stews call for a base of chicken stock. Allow the stock to cool, then split it up into heavy duty Ziploc freezer bags.

What you want to do when cooking pumpkins is to first stand it upright, then slice it in half right down the middle. The halves should be placed face-down on two baking pans. Add a few tablespoons of water to the pan and roast the pumpkin for one hour in a 350 degree oven.

Cooking for other people, especially family, can be quite a hassle. Luckily many ways exist that assist you in meal preparation. You can breathe a little easier when you next enter your kitchen.

Say Goodbye To Kitchen Disasters With These Cooking Tips

Nearly everyone enjoys food time. The time is more pleasurable when the one who is preparing the meal is talented in the kitchen. Experienced cooks and total neophytes alike can pick up new ideas and improve their meals by taking a look at this article's suggestions.

When baking crust for pie or tarts, leave them in the oven to bake a little longer than you planned. They should not be a pale blond color, they need to be golden brown. The golden color is a sign that the sugars in the crust have finally caramelized.

Keep spices tucked away in cool, dry and dark areas. If the spices become too hot, or moist from humidity, it can shorten their shelf life. Too much light exposure also does this. When spices are stored in an adequately dark and cool area, they tend to retain their taste and shelf life for greater periods of time. Using fresh spices will make your food taste better.

A sharp knife is imperative when preparing food. Blunt knives are frustrating to use and they can also be very hazardous. Use a sharp knife and it will glide right through the items you wish to cut, without you having to put a great amount of force behind the blade.

If you are trying to impress a new guest or important visitor, cook proven dishes that you excel in preparing. You should never attempt to cook some new dish or even a new ingredient you've never attempted. Cooking will be less stressful this way.

Do you feel you are being wasteful by discarding molded fruit? Have you ever tried to salvage a fruit by slicing away the bad-looking part? Never try to salvage fruit that is past its prime. Get rid of anything that has mold on it. Mold goes deeper than the eye can see and could be very harmful.

Are you using fresh basil to cook with? Take out a glass and put some fresh basil inside. Then cover the stems of the basil with water. You can put it on the kitchen counter and keep it for weeks. If you pay close attention and frequently change the water in the glass, you are likely to see basil roots starting to grow. Plant the fresh basil in a small pot with rich soil to have fresh basil available at all times.

If you are on a diet, try cutting down the amount of oil you use in your food. These products contain a lot of unnecessary fat. A wonderful option for cooking is a nonstick cooking spray. It gives the same nonstick result with far less health ramifications.

When you are enjoying a wonderful meal, the feeling that you get with that first bite is can not be described with words. You might think that learning good cooking skills take years, but you could be off on this assumption. There is almost nobody who cannot learn the art of cooking. This article has hopefully prepared you to get in the kitchen and create some magic.

Read These Cooking Tips Before Going Into The Kitchen

Cooking is a skill that can always get better. Not even the most experienced chef is so educated that a few new tricks would not be of use to her. A few basic tips can make cooking much easier, if you are just getting started. Read on to discover more valuable information about the art of cooking.

If cooking with skewers is something you are considering, then you will want to know certain things. If using skewers made of steel or metal, avoid ones with rounded surfaces and try ones with square or beveled designs.

The prep work is a very important part of assembling a home-cooked meal for family or friends. Make sure that you have all of the ingredients available. Assemble utensils and other needed equipment before you start to cook. This will limit the amount of stress you experience when cooking the meal and help to ensure that you are able to cook the masterpiece you want.

If you're cooking food for an important person, such as a new date or even your boss, you should make sure you are cooking food you are experienced at. Do not attempt to take on a fancy new recipe, or use ingredients you have not previously worked with. That way, cooking will cause a great deal less stress.

Many people like to cook with apples towards the end of the year, but if they aren't stored properly they can spoil. Apples will be ruined if they are stored in a warm place, make sure you store them in the fridge or in a cool place. Make sure you take a look at them throughout the season; a simple rotten apple can easily ruin the rest of the bunch.

These spices are able to be used on many things in the kitchen, not just meats. Experiment with adding it to roasted seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin, or even sprinkle into salads and egg dishes. It will add a little bit of mysterious flavor to your meal.

Although garlic is a great flavor booster that compliments a wide variety of foods, it can unfortunately stick to your hands. An easy way to remove the smell is to rub your hands on a stainless steel surface like your sink. The steel will clean your hands and remove the smell. You can buy stainless steel "soaps" at your local kitchen store to keep on hand.

Try lowering the amount of oil you cook with if you are trying to lose weight and eat healthier. Substances such as oil and butter contain unnecessary fat. As an alternative, try using non-stick cooking spray as it works the same while containing less unhealthy ingredients and fats.

Wooden skewers should be soaked in water for a minimimum of thirty minutes before they are used. Using this method, you will not burn them when you're cooking. To ensure that your food stays on the skewers, use two skewers instead of one to hold the food firmly in place.

Even cooks who have experience are still learning new tips so they are able to have a better day in the kitchen. New cooks should prepare for failure and be confident in their successes. Creating new recipes or devising new techniques makes cooking exciting.

Please Even The Pickiest Person With These Quick Cooking Tips

Many folks can view cooking as quite a troublesome chore. This article will provide you with some creative culinary tips that will make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable.

Preparation is one of the most important things that you will have to do before you cook a meal for your friends or family. You need to have the ingredients readily available. Get everything set to cook the next day. Determine if you have you got the right utensils, etc. Doing so allows you to focus on the cooking itself.

It is important to add oil to the side of the pan when you are cooking so that it is already warmed when it finally gets to the delicious food you are preparing. This helps to boost the food's flavor when it is done.

Sharp knives are imperative when being used in the kitchen. If you try to cut using a dull knife, you will have a lot of difficulty, and it can also a very dangerous. It is easier to hurt yourself while you are struggling to cut something than if you were using a sharper knife.

To maintain a vegetable's quality, cook it quickly. Vegetables which are cooked slowly can lose their taste and valuable nutrients. You have an added bonus, because these certain techniques make vegetables healthier in general. Cooking vegetables as quickly as possible is key to preserving their nutrients.

if fresh basil what you're cooking with? Try placing clumps of fresh basil into a clear, glass container. Pour water into the glass so that the stems are covered with water. Put it on top of your kitchen counter and it will be fresh for weeks! Remember to refresh the water from time to time, and you will notice that the basil starts to grow roots. Trim your basil plants once in awhile to promote more growth, and enjoy your fresh basil for quite a long time.

You can use it on other types of food besides meat. Add these types of seasonings to roasted pumpkin seeds when you need a pick-me-up, or spice up your breakfast by putting it on scrambled eggs. Everyone will ask what you used to make it so good.

Save time and money by freezing leftover sauce in ice cube trays in the freezer. You will then have it readily available for when you need to make a quick and easy meal. All that needs to be done is to warm it up in a pan. This process doesn't cause the sauce to go bad, so reheat with confidence!

Have you ever experienced difficulty judging the time your meat should be grilled? It is always good to use a meat thermometer to determine when your meat is properly cooked. If you are cooking meat thicker than 1.5 inches, close the lid of the grill to help it cook more quickly.

You should have a good idea of how you can make cooking more fun by now. These tips will allow you to approach cooking with a renewed and creative vigor.

Need Some Easy Cooking Ideas? Check Out These Quick Tips!

How many times have you dreaded going into the kitchen to make breakfast, lunch, or dinner? You might need a new perspective. Cooking can be enjoyable and relaxing if you try to see it in another way. Here are a few cooking tips that are sure to get your taste buds tingling and entice your inner chef to come out.

You want to make certain you have the prep work done ahead of time. Before you start making your food, it is a good thing to have everything prepared. When you're ready to begin cooking and have set your deadline to finish, you can get really stressed. Prepare early to avoid later stress.

When baking pie or tart crusts, bake them longer than you think you should. The color should be a darker caramel instead of the pale blond so many people do. The golden color is a sign that the sugars in the crust have finally caramelized.

When trying out a new marinade or seasoning, test it on a small piece of meat before you cook the entire meal. Hamburgers, meatballs and meatloaf all require some careful seasoning. Never cook your whole meal without testing the seasoning. Try cooking a small patty first. After doing this, you can either adjust the seasoning to better suit your tastes, or just continue to cook the meat as is.

When preparing meals at home, you must use sharp knives for best results. The duller the knife, the more difficult your kitchen task will be. You are also in danger of cutting yourself if you choose a dull knife. If you are putting too much pressure onto the knife due to its dullness, the likelihood of having an accident is increased.

Do you find yourself throwing away molded fruits a lot? Be sure to check apples occasionally because one bad apple will ruin all of them. The truth is that a rotten spot often signifies that the whole fruit is bad. Any rotten or moldy fruits should be discarded immediately, even if it just looks like surface mold. Mold can actually be deeper in the fruit, even if you can't see it. When you consume it, it can cause a number of illnesses.

Are you planning to use freshly picked basil in a recipe? Put a some of it in a cup. Pour water into the glass so that the stems are covered with water. Next, place the basil and glass on the kitchen counter; the herb will remain fresh for a week or more. If you are sure to add fresh water, your basil will even form roots and become a plant. Plant the fresh basil in a small pot with rich soil to have fresh basil available at all times.

Try these tips to cook your dishes. After you have given a few new dishes a try, you might just understand that cooking isn't so awful after all! You may find that you enjoy cooking and begin experimenting even further. Try cooking from home.

Your Family Will Love The Meals You Make With These Simple Cooking Tips

Human beings need to eat to live! But plain "survival" foods can lead to boredom in the kitchen. Being able to cook a culinary masterpiece is often more rewarding than actually eating it. Here are several tips to get the most from your cooking.

Allow the oil to heat up in the pan before adding your food. Hot oil adds more flavor to the food, giving you the tastiest results when you're finished.

There is a trick to save your hard work and be able to use it instantly. Mix two spoons of water and one spoon of corn starch in a bowl. You can then add the solution to the sauce and it will become thicker. Add your starch solution slowly to ensure just the right consistency.

If you've made sauce, you should place any that is leftover in an ice tray and freeze it. Just melt the sauce cubes in a sauce pan when you are ready to prepare dinner. Don't worry, your sauce will taste great even after having been frozen.

Make big portions when preparing stock. Plan on preparing a large pot of stock in order to freeze it for storing. Good homemade chicken stock is a wonderful base in soups, stews, casseroles and more. Allow the stock to cool, then split it up into heavy duty Ziploc freezer bags.

When cooking pumpkins, set the pumpkin so the top is facing up and slice it in half down the middle. Place each half on a baking sheet. Add a touch of water to each sheet before putting it in the oven. You will want to bake this for approximately an hour at 350 degrees.

When you purchase garlic for cooking, find the freshest head possible. Usually, fresher garlic will have a sweeter taste. If it isn't soft, bruised or shriveled and it has some firm skin then you know that the garlic is fresh.

Bone-in roasts will cook most rapidly, something to keep in mind when you need to watch the clock. Your roast will be done a lot faster because its bone transfer heat to your roaster. After the cooking period is completed, simply remove the bone and proceed as usual.

You should never throw away your leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Rather, cut the turkey into pieces, pile it into a sealed container and freeze it. Freezing can add weeks to the life of your leftovers and turkey can be pulled out as desired, and thawed for sandwiches or shredded for salads.

Many veggies and herbs have a scent that remains on cutting boards even after they are washed. Mark your ends on the cutting board using indelible ink so that you can remember one side from the other.

Learning how to cook great meals can be fun and exciting. The advice in this article will enable you to start building a skill set for cooking that you will continue to build on for years to come. Improving your culinary prowess will cause others to beg for your home-cooked snacks at every get-together.

Wild Rice Cauliflower Soup Recipe

1 medium size onion, diced
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 cup Sliced fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup flour
1 quart chicken broth
2 cups COOKED wild rice
2 cups COOKED cauliflower pieces (bite size)
1 cup half-n-half or cream

In a soup pot over medium-low heat, add the onion, celery, and mushrooms along with the cooking oil and butter; cook until vegetables are softened.

With soup pot still over heat, sprinkle in the flour and stir until flour disappears, then continue stirring and slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly until soup thickens.

Now add in the wild rice, cauliflower, and cream and carefully stir until blended well. Cook just until heated through; do not allow to boil.

Serve immediately.

Will serve 4 to 6.

Viva Verde Roasted Pepper Rice Recipe

4 large green bell peppers (or poblano peppers)
olive oil
4 cups chicken stock, divided
1 cup fresh chopped parsley
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove
1 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups (uncooked) long grain white rice

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat whole green bell peppers with olive oil then place on a baking sheet.

Roast until softened and slightly charred, then remove from oven, place in a heat resistant bowl and cover with plastic wrap and let sit to sweat off the skins. Remove and discard  the skins, stems, seeds, and membranes.

Place the cleaned peppers in a blender or food processor with 2 cups of the chicken stock and pulse until blended well.

Add in the parsley, onions, garlic, salt, and pepper a little at a time, pulsing in between until the mixture is a smooth puree consistency. Set aside.

In a big pot over medium heat, add the olive oil and rice, stirring to coat the rice well with the oil; continue stirring the rice in the oil for about 2 minutes until warmed through, then add the pureed green pepper mixture to the rice in the pot, turn heat down to low and simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Get out a small saucepan and heat the remaining 2 cups of chicken stock until just boiling, then pour the hot chicken stock into the big pot with rice and stir gently to combine.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately turn heat to very low, cover the pot and simmer gently for 20 minutes or until rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed.

Fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot.

Will make 6 servings.

Follow These Simple Tips To Cook Like A Master Chef

Even casual cooks can learn something new every now and then. When you know different methods and techniques, you could make an ordinary meal turn into something spectacular that will be requested again and again. Make every meal exceptional with the following tasty tips.

If you would like to start cooking more food on your own, take a trip to a local library or bookstore where you can find many cookbooks with recipes you can enjoy making at home. Be as patient as you can be when you are learning how to cook.

A good tip when cooking with oil is to put it on the sides of the pan so it's already hot when it slides down into the food. This will enhance the flavor of the dish when it is finished cooking.

Freeze your meat slightly and you will find that it slices with ease. This tip is particularly handy for Asian dishes. With meat that is somewhat frozen, the fibers tend not to stretch or tear as much when they are sliced, making for much cleaner cuts. After you have sliced the meat, allow it to thaw out before cooking. This keeps the meat cooking evenly.

Poultry seasoning is very versatile and can be used in a variety of ways not just with poultry. Put in on pumpkin seeds or in scrambled eggs to add a new flavor. People will notice a different flavor than usual in your dish, and wonder what it is.

By doing any prep work the day before a big meal, you can make the actual cooking process faster and less stressful. Check the recipe you're using to see if some preparation can be done without the partially prepared dish spoiling. A lot of the preliminary work can be done a day before you cook the meal. This can turn even the most complex recipes into quick, fun and fast cooking jobs.

Finding the correct amount of time to grill certain meats is a science that not many of us know how to do. Use a digital or other high-quality internal thermometer to check whether your meat is cooked enough. A good rule of thumb to reduce the total cooking time is to always close the grill lid whenever the thickness of the meat exceeds 1.5 inches.

If you want to make chicken stock, you might as well make a lot of it. Plan to make a big pot of stock so you can freeze and store it. Good homemade chicken stock is a wonderful base in soups, stews, casseroles and more. Once your stock is finished, cool it and put it in heavy freezer bags.

If you want to eat healthier and lose weight, it's really important to use fewer oils in your cooking. Substances such as oil and butter contain unnecessary fat. To achieve the same results without resorting to unhealthy oils, you can use nonstick cooking spray instead.

Becoming a good cook is a lifelong learning process. The tips detailed in this article should be used as an example of finding information that can help you become a better cook both for yourself and for your loved ones.