Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Cooking 101: Growing Green Onions

Whether its cooking pad thai or just eggs, adding green onions can make your dishes really create fireworks of flavor. The issue at hand is having to continuously buy bunches from the grocery store every week, because the cost can add up. So, why not grow them in your own kitchen!

All you need is to take your leftover green onion bunches, and cut them down to about an inch. Just put them in a cup of water, similar to the picture. Then, just make sure you put the glass near a window so the bunches get plenty of sunlight. I'd change the water about every two day, because then you have fresh water

Before you know it, you'll have grown your next bunch of green onions. Once they grow, use scissors to trim what you need. Then, start again! You'll probably get a few bunches from regrowing   just one bunch!

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Cooking 101: Cutting Fresh Basil

Have you ever had great recipes that calls for chopped fresh basil? My favorite one is Strawberry Bruschetta, that's topped with strands of basil. But chopping basil isn't necessarily easy, until I learned a new way that's simple. Plus, it will get the perfect strand that you want.




Start by flattening out a single basil leaf. Then,  roll it up like a tortilla, similar to what is pictured
on the right side. Depending of how thick or thin you would like the strands, wrap it tightly or loosely.

Then, make your slices longways along your wrapped basil leaf. Visually speaking, think of how you would slice a rolled up tortilla filled with cream cheese and veggies.  Once your done, repeat with the rest of your basil leaf and you will get something that looks like the bottom picture!















Monday, March 17, 2014

Spinach Garlic Biscuits

  When the calendar reads March 17th, that means its time to grab anything green from our closets and make sure our stomach is ready for corn beef and cabbage. 

St. Patrick's Day marks the one day of the year that the entire world celebrates being Irish and hail in the glory of Irish drinks and food. But if you're planning a party or want something simple to make with your dinner, then these biscuits are perfect!

Spinach & Garlic Biscuits Ingredients
- 1 pkg of Biscuits
- 1/4 pkg of Frozen Spinach (thawed)
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- Olive oil
- Parmesan Cheese

Start by following the directions on the biscuits package and preheat the oven. Lay out each biscuit on a cookie sheet a few inches apart. Paint a little bit of olive oil on top of each biscuit.

Then, after mincing the garlic, spoon out a little bit of garlic on each biscuit as well. This usually is about 8 mini garlic pieces. Add a bit of spinach and top it with some Parmesan cheese, just like in the picture. The secret is to not fully drain the spinach, because the cooking process dries the spinach out a bit.  Once your done enjoy!







 

Friday, February 14, 2014

Chicken & Vegetable Quesadillas

 Like every holiday there are more times than not, those specialty dishes. For Thanksgiving it means cooking a turkey for several hours until it's golden brown. For Christmas it means cooking a ham and having leftovers for breakfast the following day. 

 For Valentine's Day it means couples will endure in seafood, such as oysters or lobster.  But, why not have a recipe that shows you care without the hassle.

Chicken & Vegetable Quesadillas
- 2 Chicken Breasts
- Olive Oil
- Tortillas
- Chopped Onion
- Chopped Green Pepper
- Frozen Corn
- Frozen Broccoli
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Salt & Pepper

Makes: About 6 Quesadillas

Start this recipe by heating a medium sized skillet on the stove. Chop your chicken breasts into quarter size pieces and cook them until done. I season the chicken with a little bit of pepper and salt, to add flavor to the chicken. Once the chicken is done, set your pan aside and start cooking your vegetables.

The best part about this recipe is you can add as many vegetables as you want. You can even change it up and add your favorites. I went with a healthy choice and used what's pictured left. 

Just to get an idea about portion, I use about a 1/3 - 1/2 cup of each chopped vegetable. I usually throw the pepper in the skillet first, because it takes the longest to cook, followed by the onions, broccoli and the corn. 

The key to a good quesadilla is how they cook. Take your olive oil and pour some in a bowl. Lay out a tortilla on a plate and paint a light layer of olive oil on each side. Then, pick whichever side and sprinkle the amount of cheese chicken and vegetables that is desired. But, only sprinkle it on half of the one side because it makes the next part easier.

Finally, fold it over gently. Place the quesadilla on a hot griddle and cook each side until cheese is melted and tortillas are golden brown. Then, add some corn salsa and rice! Then, enjoy your romantic Mexican meal! Happy Valentine's Day!











Saturday, October 19, 2013

Banana Mud Delite

As a child,  I've always had a great fascination with chocolate pudding. Whether it was coming home from school or on a rainy day, when my grandmother made pudding life seemed perfect.
So I decided to come up with a recipe combining perfection with a variety of ingredients that will take you back to childhood.

Banana Mud Delite Ingredients
- 1 Snackpack Puddng container
- 2 Tbs. Cool whip
- 1 banana

You can see from the list of ingredients, I decided to use snack packs, rather than homemade pudding. I did this because its easier than making homemade. But, feel free to substitute and make Jello homemade pudding. It's the best!


Start the recipe by emptying a snack pack container of pudding in a bowl. Depending on how much you want, feel free to use two containers. Then, slice a banana and add it to your bowl of pudding. I used 1/2 - 1 banana depending on it's size. Once that's done, spoon in your 2 tbs. of Cool Whip and mix it all together.

 
All you have to do is taste and your taste buds won't regret it. So try my Banana Mud Delite as a great after school snack for your kids or for yourself as a late night snack!







Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Winnie the Pooh Sandwich with Fruit Bees

It's back to school time for students all across the country and that means parents will be packing school lunches. But how can you use lunches to help your kids deal with those back to school jitters?
 
The ideas are meant to get a smile from your kids as well as help you connect with them while they’re away.

Winnie the Pooh Sandwich Ingredients
- 2 slices of bread
- Favorite jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Honey
- Banana


What makes this unique is you're going to carve a Winnie the Pooh face into the sandwich. The idea is to make a circular face first, with little ears at the top. Start with a little square at the top, then round one side at the top for the first ear, and then round the second for the second ear. Finally, take your knife in a circular motion to create Pooh's round face.

Then do the same with the other half, and peel off the crusts. Just add the peanut butter, jelly, honey and banana on top, then cover it. The final touches are his face. Slice some chocolate licorice in pieces to resemble eyes, eyebrows, mouth and nose and use peanut butter as your glue. Then you have Winnie the Pooh!

Pineapple Fruit Bees Ingredients
- Pineapple
- Hershey's magic shell
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate chips
- Toothpicks


Start by slicing your pineapple into an oval shape. Then take a toothpick and use it to place the Hershey's Magic Shell on the pineapple. It will be a bit runny, but just put them in the fridge and it will harden. Once that's complete just take two chocolate chips, and put peanut butter on the bottom. This will serve as your glue and place them on your bee. Lastly, cut out two small triangles to place next to the bees body and there you have it!




Friday, August 23, 2013

Tomato Basil Pita Pocket

The best part of working in television is the fact that it keeps me busy. But, it doesn't mean I've forgotten those who follow this blog. I've had some time to develop some great new recipes and this one is perfect for any season.

All you need are your taste buds and appetite, and you'll have the perfect snack or lunch for you or your family.








Tomato Basil Pita Pocket Ingredients
 - 1 pkg. of whole wheat pitas
 - 1 Red pepper
 - Mozzarella cheese
 - Cubed chicken
 - Alfredo sauce ( I used Ragu Red Pepper Alfredo)
- Tomato
 - Basil
 - Oregano
 - Parsley


                                                                 

Start by cooking your chicken in a medium sized pan. Once that's done, cut your red pepper into slices and saute them. 

Then, take a pita and put it on a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. This will keep the pita from sticking. Season each side with oregano, parsley and basil. Feel free to use as much as you would like. 


 


After that, spread the Alfredo sauce across the pita. Now, put the cubed chicken on top and  feel free to use enough to cover the pita. Finally, add the red peppers and mozzarella cheese. 

Preheat the oven at 325 degrees, fold the pita pocket and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Then, take a bite of ooey-gooey goodness that will fill your stomach with happiness.