Try this blueberry pie recipe in the winter, using the surprisingly tasty imported blueberries that turn up  – often on sale.

blueberry pie

(more…)

When the weather outside is frightful, keep warm with these traditional Christmas flavors.

Hot Toddy with Cider and Tequila

(more…)

Christmas Drinks - Tequila Martini

(more…)

Food Trends for 2011 as predicted by the good folks at FoodChannel.com include more focus on locally sourced yum yums, more  men in the kitchen and more rooftop gardens… among other things. Check their site for the comprehensive write-up.

Food Trends for 2011

1. The Canning Comeback – “Putting Up” is gaining popularity for both economy and health.
2. Men in Aprons – Layoffs have led to more men cooking.
3. Local Somewhere – We care about hand-tended no matter where it’s grown.
4. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – We’re tired of being told what we can eat.
5. Appetite for Food Apps – Social media is our guide and our coupon source.
6. Small is the New Big Business – Corporations are thinking like small businesses.
7. Fresh Every Day – Rooftop gardens are just part of this trend.
8. Chefs in Schools – Better flavor is possible in an institutional setting.
9. Discomfort Foods – Change makes us comfortable with more change.
10. Eating for Sex and Other Things – We are working longer, and want all the gusto.

Iceberg Vodka Classic Candy Cane Martini

Love candy canes? Love martinis? Love Christmas but need a stiff drink to get through it?  Here’s a spiffy recipe for ya.

Tip: Be sure to rim your glasses with crushed candy canes! Next to the minty booze, that’s certainly the best part!

Candy Cane Martini

Iceberg Vodka Classic Candy Cane Martini

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz Chilled (between 5 and 7 degrees) Iceberg vodka
• ½ oz – 1tsp vanilla flavored liqueur
• ½ oz – 1 tsp peppermint schnapps
• 1 oz club soda
• ice
• crushed candy canes to rim glass
• 1-2 drops of food coloring in either green or red for effect

Materials:

• cocktail shaker
• martini glass

Procedure:

1. Put some ice in the cocktail shaker.
2. Once done, pour the Iceberg vodka, peppermint schnapps, and the club soda inside the container.
3. Shake the shaker vigorously then pour its contents in a martini glass rimmed with crushed candy canes.
4. Insert small candy cane for garnish (optional)
5. Serve.

A celebrity chef can earn a heck of a lot of dough, according to Forbes.com. If you can cook, look tasty on camera and are as lucky and talented as some of these folks, you can expect to earn millions of clams (har) for your efforts!

Here are the top earning celebrity chefs according to Forbes Magazine.

Rachel Ray – $18 million per year
Wolfgang Puck – $16 million
Gordon Ramsay – $7.5 million
Nobuyuki Matsuhisa – $5 million
Alain Ducasse – $5 million
Paula Deen – $4.5 million
Mario Batalli – $3 million
Tom Colicchio – $2 million
Bobby Flay – $1.5 million
Anthony Bourdain $1.5 million

The new wave of processed food companies touting how their sauces and canned pastas now contain a full day’s allotment of vegetables — but Healthy Mom author Iva Young thinks that’s deceptive.

Young believes that we need to eat actual vegetables if we want to have a real healthy diet, and there are five key veggies that top her list as the healthiest.

They include:

Spinach – Spinach is an excellent source of Vitamin K, Vitamin A, manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin B2, calcium, potassium and Vitamin B6. It’s also a good source of fiber, copper, protein, phosphorous, zinc, Vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, niacin and anti-oxidants.

Lettuce (greenleaf, red leaf, romaine) -  Lettuce is a low calorie fiber food that is also a great place to find Vitamin A, folic acid, lactucarium (which helps enhance calmness and pain relief), as well as the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. Lettuce also contains a good amount of anti-cancer properties.

Broccoli -  Besides having great flavor and texture, Broccoli contains copious amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, beta carotene and Vitamin K. The minerals in broccoli include calcium, potassium, iron and folate. A great source of fiber, broccoli also provides lots of bioflavonoids, which is an antioxidant that helps protect against cancer and heart disease.

Brussels Sprouts – A staple in the diets of Asian cultures, who are among the longest lived people in the world, the crunchy garnish contains lots of potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, beta carotene and Vitamin K. This is another great anti-cancer vegetable.

Cabbage – Although best known as the partner of corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day, cabbage is a great low calorie food that contains a good amount of fiber, calcium and Vitamin C. Cabbage is incredibly packed with substantial anti-cancer agents.

These no-bake Chinese noodle cookies are a Christmas favourite. Kids love making them and everyone loves eating them.  They couldn’t be easier to make.

chinese noodle cookie

(more…)

This simple Bisquick Sausage Balls Recipe makes great party food.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Bisquick
• 1 pound sausage – try chorizo or hot Italian – removed from casing
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl by hand or with a wooden spoon.
3. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
4. Roll the Bisquick mixture into meatballs.
5. Bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Serving suggestions:

Serve with peach chutney, corn relish, spicy mustard or even mayonnaise. Yum!

Hot Cheese & Salsa Dip Recipe

Hot Cheese Dip

Makes about 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup beer
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed
• 8 oz cheddar cheese, cubed
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• hot sauce to taste, optional

Instructions:

1. Mix salsa, beer and cheeses in a large, microwave-safe bowl.
2. Microwave on high (100 percent power) for 2 minutes.
3. Remove from oven and stir well.
4. Microwave on high again until cheeses are melted, about 2 to 3 minutes more.
5. Add cilantro and stir well to blend.
6. Add hot sauce to taste if desired.
7. Transfer to serving dish and enjoy warm with tortilla chips and cut veggies.