Burger Basics

What are the basics of a good burger? It needs to be juicy, a little charred but not too much and cooked to perfection. Here are some tips that you can use this summer to grill yourself the best burgers that you have ever had. The Perfect Size While we all picture big burgers, the best ones start out thin. This is because thin burgers will cook more evenly than thicker ones. Three-quarters- to one-inch thick are perfect. This way you won’t wind up with burgers that are charred on the outside but undercooked in the middle. Better Browning If … Continue reading →

Quick and Easy Meal

Sometimes you just need something quick, easy and filling for a meal. On nights when I am in this position, this recipe is a good option. It’s also not an expensive option which given the economic climate is a point in its favor. This is of course a gluten free version. Ingredients 16 ounces ground beef 1 tablespoon Shiraz 1 onion 2 cloves garlic Half green bell pepper 1 teaspoon chili flakes 1 teaspoon Italian herbs 3 tablespoons tomato paste Half a 15 ounce tin of brown lentils 1 15 ounce tin mixed beans 6 gluten free corn tortillas. I … Continue reading →

Combining Meat and Cheese

When I’m looking for a quick meal to serve on a busy weeknight, I often turn to my initials—-MC. When my family members see MC on the dinner calendar that hangs on our refrigerator door they instantly know that we’ll be dining on two favorites: Meat and cheese. I have a seemingly endless variety of recipes, which feature a combination of meat and cheese, that are fast, tasty and nutritious. Some of my family’s favorites are: CHEEZ-IT MEATLOAF Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef 1 cup crushed Cheez-It crackers (you can also use a generic version of cheese crackers) 1/4 cup … Continue reading →

Chili Corn Meatballs

When we’re cooking meals every day, it’s easy to get so stuck in the rut of using the same tried and proven recipes that we forget to venture out and try something new, or we simply can’t be bothered. I have a few books where I have written out some of my favorites over the years. The other day I was looking for another recipe, when I came across this one. ‘Oh, that used to be good and we haven’t had that in ages ‘I said to my husband who agreed. So I made it that week. One thing I … Continue reading →

Stuffed Summer Sensations—Burgers and Chicken

Who wouldn’t be delightfully surprised to bite into an ordinary burger and find an added burst of flavor and texture? Burgers, chicken, or pork stuffed with hidden chunks of cheese and vegetables are nothing new to foodies, but what if you cut into a traditional cut of meat to find that it was filled with bacon, fresh herbs and other fantastic fixings? Discover what your reaction would be by making these incredibly delicious stuffed dishes this summer: STUFFED BACON BURGERS Ingredients: 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 4 slices cooked bacon, chopped 1 1/2 to 2 pounds ground chuck 1 … Continue reading →

Stuff It !

My grandmother’s birthday is next week, and there’s nothing she would love more than to sink her teeth into her favorite stuffed peppers. Unfortunately, since suffering a major stroke, she hasn’t been able to enjoy many of her favorite foods. However, in honor of my beloved grandma, who taught me so much about cooking and the importance of good nutrition, I’m sharing these simple and ethnic-inspired stuffed pepper recipes: GREEK STUFFED PEPPERS Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, diced 2 teaspoons garlic salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 2 cloves crushed garlic to taste 2 … Continue reading →

Spice Up Boring Beef

Ground beef can be boring, but it’s affordable, which is why I often save a space for it in my shopping cart. Most cuts of beef are a bit blah on their own. However, if you look at a specific cut of meat as a blank canvas, and use spices and other ingredients as the paint that covers it, then you can serve edible masterpieces at every meal. Here are a few easy recipes to get you started: MEXICAN PIZZA Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef 3/4 cup chunky salsa 2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled jalapeno peppers 1 package thick or … Continue reading →

Spring Break Menu: Tropical Treats

Just because you can’t afford to jet off to the Caribbean this spring doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the ravishing regional cuisine. The following tropical treats can be made in your own kitchen for less than a quarter of what you would pay for a plane ticket to the island retreat. CARIBBEAN STEAK WITH COCONUT RICE Ingredients: 1 flank steak (about 1 1/2 pounds) 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple Ingredients for Marinade: 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon Caribbean jerk seasoning Ingredients for Coconut Rice: 2 cups water 1 … Continue reading →

On the Menu in My House: Five-Alarm Chili and Super Simple Sloppy Joes

There are some people in this world who simply refuse to eat leftovers. I happen to have grown up with one and presently live with another, so I know the frustration that comes with having to make a separate dish for these picky eaters. Tonight, I planned to reheat the Five-Alarm Chili leftover from Super Bowl Sunday, but I know that move would result in discontent among the diners. (Four days is a bit long for leftovers, but I examined it and it seems fine.) So, I’m going with Plan B. I’ll eat the chili and make my Super Simple … Continue reading →

Quick and Easy Weeknight Recipes

With Halloween just a few days away you might be looking for dinner recipes that are quick and easy to prepare. If you are like me, then you also want a recipe that contains more nutrients than a bag of Skittles, so your little ghosts and goblins have the energy they need to canvas the neighborhood. Growing up my parents wouldn’t allow us to begin trick-or-treating until we ate a nutritious dinner. Of course, getting squirmy, excited kids to chow down on a plate full of chicken and broccoli was never an easy task. These days parents have a bigger … Continue reading →