Busy Family Meal Planning

June 26th, 2008

Teaching kids to use knives

So very very important if you’re going to have your kids join in and learn to cook. Here’s an excellent video on knife safety, featuring kids.

Tags: easy recipes, family meals, healthy cooking, healthy eating, healthy recipes, meal planning, quick recipes, recipes, Thirty Minute MealsShare This

By Cyndi Lavin -- 0 comments

June 16th, 2008

Pasta cooking techniques

Pasta is so easy to make, and is such a nice base for so many dishes. Although we often think of pasta as a fall and winter dish, don’t forget about pasta salads, the perfect way to enjoy a filling meal that isn’t too hearty on a hot day. Coming up in […]

By Cyndi Lavin -- 0 comments

June 9th, 2008

Grilling chicken fast!

Barbecued chicken is truly one of life’s best summertime pleasures. If only it didn’t take so long! Well, I’ve got a couple of barbecuing tips for you to make sure your chicken grilling fits into your busy family style. The key is preparation…now there’s a big surprise! Seriously though, if you do the prep, you […]

By Cyndi Lavin -- 1 comment

June 2nd, 2008

Spice-rub for your grilled flank steaks

When you use a rub like this on your steak, it’s best if you apply it in the morning and let it sit all day in the fridge. This recipe makes enough rub to do 1 to 2 pounds of flank steak. The easiest way to do the prep is to work the rub into […]

By Cyndi Lavin -- 1 comment

May 29th, 2008

Making garden-fresh salsa

My thanks to Deborah at She Knows Parties for finding and sharing this YouTube link!

Tags: easy recipes, family meals, healthy cooking, healthy eating, healthy recipes, meal planning, quick recipes, recipes, Thirty Minute MealsShare This

By Cyndi Lavin -- 0 comments

May 26th, 2008

Master Mix for baking

Mix up some Master Mix for baking during your once a week food prep time or during OAMC sessions. You’ll never reach for Bisquick again :-)
Regular Master Mix for Baking (13 cups)
9 c unbleached white flour
1/3 c baking powder
1 T salt
1 t cream of tartar
1/4 c sugar
2 c canola oil
Healthier Master Mix (15 […]

By Cyndi Lavin -- 0 comments

May 19th, 2008

Making basic risotto

Risotto can be made in large batches and either kept for a couple days in the fridge (no longer) or even frozen if you cook it to the barely al dente stage. No matter how complicated the recipe is that calls for risotto, the basics of preparation of the rice are basically the same. […]

By Cyndi Lavin -- 1 comment

May 7th, 2008

May is National Grilling Month!

Well, maybe not in New England, but at least in the rest of the country :-)
According to the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association, it’s time to fire up that grill!  The HPBA has made some wonderful guides available on their website, including one that covers the all-important task of getting the grill ready to use!
Grill-amentals […]

By Cyndi Lavin -- 0 comments

April 30th, 2008

Unlimited stir fries

Many grocery store chains have a store brand of sauces and marinades, and some of them are actually quite good! Hannaford is my local grocery, and they have a selection of grilling sauces, stir-fry sauces, marinades, salad dressings, salsas, mustards, oils, and bread toppers. An amazing array, really! These items are usually spread throughout the […]

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April 16th, 2008

Making a white sauce (aka Bechamel sauce)

In approximately 15 minutes, you can have a smooth creamy white sauce prepared which will make your soups and souffles a thing of beauty! And it’s so easy to do. The directions are the same for any of the variations: you will simple add more or less butter and flour according to how thick you […]

By Cyndi Lavin -- 1 comment