If you’ve ever wondered how to make Chinese dumplings, today is the day you’ll discover that it’s totally doable by any home cook! You don’t even need a bamboo steamer! Siu Mai (Shumai – Chinese Steamed Dumplings) It’s so unsatisfying going to Yum Cha* with just two people. I mean, Yum Cha is all about ordering as many different types of dumplings you can, sprinkled with a few crunchy deep fried things (hello Spring Rolls!...
Pound Cake Pound Cake can spark spirited debates in the baking world. Some are adamant we should stay true to the traditional method that uses no baking powder in order to give it lift, resulting in quite a dense, heavy cake by modern tastes. Others insist on “improving” Pound Cakes by making the crumb much lighter and fluffier, giving rise to something (hah!) that barely resembles what a Pound Cake should be like....
Preparation Eucalyptus and its extracted essential oils—from the leaf and bark—have been extensively researched for their antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties, explains Erin Mewshaw, FNP-BC, the Clinical Director at the New York Center for Innovative Medicine. But that’s not all they have to offer: According to Mewshaw, eucalyptus oils in particular are valued for their anesthetic, antiseptic, and bug-repellant qualities, as well. Ultimately, this fragrant plant is a must for those hoping to fight colds, alleviate pain, and even battle stress and anxiety homeopathically....
Preparation Psychologists from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have found a link between extroverts and their word choices, which can help marketers and advertisers better target certain audiences with their messaging. According to the study, an “extrovert consumer” will be attracted to marketing messages that match their personality with more extroverted and creative language. Extraversion is generally defined by psychologists as the tendency to experience positive emotions and enjoy social interactions....
Preparation As the working mom of a young child, vegetarian cook and author Anna Jones needs the meals she puts on her family’s table to be easy yet flavorful, but she also wants them to be good for the planet. “We make 35,000 decisions a day; that’s a lot of potential for making a change,” says Jones. “What we need, of course, is a systematic change in our food system led by our governments; but each small choice we make matters and it is up to us to make different choices as well as demanding action from those who hold the power and purse strings....
Yeah, I know this is a food blog , but I just can’t help adding in a few exercise and diet tips now and then. It’s a daily struggle for me to lose weight and maintain, and I find that intense workouts help tremendously. I couldn’t possibly eat all of this food that I blog about without frequent exercise. Sometimes I walk, more often I run, and I always lift weights....
‘Z’ is always one of the most challenging letters to try to play the alphabet game with, and it doesn’t get any easier when you’re listing food. Surprisingly enough, I was able to find enough for a perfect 10-item list. Have you tried any of these fruits that aren’t the zucchini? 1. Zucchini When I first learned that zucchinis are fruits, I was shocked, but they are. So are squash, cucumbers, eggplants, and several other foods that people traditionally think of as veggies....
From burritos and quesadillas to spaghetti and sloppy joe’s, we have 13 different ways to transform your leftover taco meat into tasty new meals. Pretty sure after reading this article, you’ll want to cook a big batch of taco meat just so you can make all these tasty variations. And you definitely should! It will make your life so much easier. Simply cook up a big batch of ground beef (or turkey) at the beginning of the week, and you can whip together quick and easy meals all week long....
Nothing quite spells comfort and convenience like a Crockpot! Sure, meat and potatoes are delish in the slow cooker, but these rice recipes are worth a mention. From chicken and rice to rice pudding, the slow cooker is where the party starts! Cooking rice on the stovetop can be tricky if not done right. The slow cooker provides all the ease of a rice cooker, with your favorite cooking appliance....
Who doesn’t love spaghetti? But let’s be honest, no matter how good it is, leftovers are unavoidable. It really loses its luster the next day, too. But it’s such a waste of good food if you throw it away! That’s why I found 16 recipes you can make with leftover spaghetti. These transformations are plain brilliant, and they’re so easy to pull off, to boot. Whether it’s spaghetti from your kid’s birthday party or a casual dinner with the family, you can easily make it the next day’s winner....
From grilled cheese and sandwiches to salad and tacos, you’ll flip for halloumi. Thanks to its high melting point, many halloumi cheese recipes include grilling or frying it since it doesn’t melt in the same way as, say, cheddar. Typically made from a blend of sheep and goat milk, halloumi has a similar texture to paneer or cheese curds. It’s slightly salty, holds its shape beautifully, and is high in protein and calcium....
Luckily, plenty of chocoholics are willing to test the limits of what you can add to a cocktail shaker. I know because I’m one of them. And I did the demanding work of compiling this list of chocolate cocktails just for you. I even went the extra mile and tested them first! I know; I’m a saint. Okay, okay! So it wasn’t exactly “demanding.” Instead, it was delicious, decadent, and oh-so-boozy....
This list contains many things that vegetarians assume they’ll never be able to eat again – burgers, sloppy joes, burritos, tacos, and even pulled pork. None of the recipes contain meat; instead, you’ll use fruits, veggies, and grains as meat substitutes. When the food is cooked correctly, many people can’t tell the difference. Whether you’re looking for main courses, breads, or something else, you should be able to find something tasty and meat-free on this list....
Learning and mastering new recipes also mean coming across ingredients that are not always available in your kitchen. While this may not necessarily be a negative thing, you don’t always want to go out for just one item, especially when you’re doing your cooking during the wee hours of the night or when it’s drizzling outside. Everyone knows that garlic and onions are perennial ingredients that help infuse a dish with so much flavor....
Rice is a favorite pantry staple in most homes (including mine). It’s such a versatile, nutritious grain you can serve as a side dish, main course, afternoon snack, and even dessert! It’s almost always used as a base for various saucy and savory meals. But now, it’s time to put the spotlight on this glorious grain. Say goodbye to plain rice because by using a few simple ingredients, you can turn it into a winning meal....
There’s nothing quite like eating parsnip soup during the colder months to warm you up. Some even roast up these veggies as a side to their roast beef or chicken, as it acts as the perfect companion for heavier mains. These root vegetables are quite popular and versatile, which is why they have the tendency to run out when they are in season. Or, they may just be difficult to find in your town....
Preparation If you’re battling bouts of back pain, you’re in good company. In fact, this is one of the most common medical ailments, according to the American Chiropractic Association. Back pain affects an estimated 80 percent of adults in the United States, and it’s also the leading cause of disability worldwide. Of course, chronic back pain has many culprits, but the most common include poor posture, improper lifting, and subpar sleeping habits, according to David Friedman, ND, DC, doctor of naturopathy, clinical nutritionist, and chiropractic neurologist....
Preparation There’s no doubt that wind chimes add a serene sound to your outdoor space, but they aren’t always the most aesthetically-pleasing items. If you’re not careful about your selection, wind chimes can skew a little too close to the likes of odd figurines. But today, thanks in large part to the emergence of online marketplaces like Etsy, there’s a new crop of chimes that are decidedly artful. A basic search will quickly uncover chimes made of materials like bamboo, painted stoneware, raw stone, capiz shells, upcycled wine bottles, and more....
There just are not enough words to describe how much I love blondies. These ultra-thick cookie slabs are wonderfully rich, dense, and highly addictive. One bite, and I’m sure you’ll think so too. And while classic blondies are incredible, these are even better. I mean, is there anything chocolate doesn’t elevate? They’re so good; it’s hard to believe that they’re also effortless to make. In fact, you can have these sensational chocolate chip blondies ready in under an hour!...
I always go as simple as possible with decor. Some nice pastels are utilized for the table. I purchased the baby blue tablecloth and Easter egg table runner at HomeGoods. The centerpiece is just a purchased plant tucked into a basket with Easter grass. When brunch is over, I can send the plant home with one of my guests. I’m kind of crazy about collecting dishes. Every time I see some on clearance (usually at my favorite place- HomeGoods), I pick them up....
