Mike O'Neil loves breach pea w ham soup...

at Useless Bay Coffee Co. Taking a lunch break during the two-day Social Media for Professionals Workshop Retreat!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSUf16Awwjw&hl=en

Five-Week Menu and Shopping List

Must we re-think the weekly menu and grocery list 52 times a year! What if we create a basic monthly menu and general shopping list which can be used over and over? Of course, this is flexible, and new items can be added to your menu while the ones you're tired of can be deleted, but the idea is to MAKE a menu plan, PRINT IT OUT and take it with you when you MUST make an emergency trip to the grocery store.

Hopefully, this will prevent the problem of "I got a full basket of groceries and NOTHING to eat!" Most of these are simple meals that don't need a lot of fuss to get to the table.

My 5-week plan has 5 dinner meals each week. This allows for one leftover night and one night out.

You can make the meals as simple or complicated as you want. For example, many grocery stores offer baked chicken in the deli. You may choose to purchase this instead of baking it yourself at home. You may choose canned green beans and instant mashed potatoes or you may have the time to make the baked chicken yourself, fresh green beans and homemade mashed potatoes.

You decide what works for you!

Week One:

- Hamburgers, lettuce, tomato, cheese, oven fried potatoes

- Baked Chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy

- Macaroni and Cheese, Spinach

- Pea Soup and ham, garlic bread

- Shrimp and rice, broccoli

Week Two:

- Tuna noodle casserole, corn, chicken soup, cheese, noodles, mayo

- Polish sausage, pan-fried potatoes, red cabbage

- Veal stew, potatoes, carrots, beef bouillon

- Tacos, cheese, taco seasoning, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, ground beef

- Chicken Chinese meal, snow peas, rice, chicken breast, carrots

Week Three:

- Chicken breast, rice, spinach, mushrooms

- Spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread, salad

- Pork chops, Au gratin potatoes, sauerkraut or red cabbage

- Beef Stew, potatoes, and carrots

- Lasagna, salad

Week Four:

- Hot dogs, baked beans, sauerkraut

- Steak, rice, salad

- Omelets and pan-fried potatoes

- Meatloaf, potatoes, carrots

- Soup and sandwich (egg or tuna salad), chicken noodle soup

Week Five:

- Homemade Pizza, salad

- Vegetable dinner, steamed squash, corn on cob, carrots, green beans, hot rolls

- Cabbage rolls, soft bread steaks, salad

- Chicken noodle casserole, carrots or vegetable in season

- Shrimp, red beans and rice, steamed broccoli

Focus on the weekly specials of fruit and vegetables in season; changing as needed.

Staples: flour, sugar, cereal, orange juice, soup, mayo, condiments, salt and pepper, paper products, cleaning products, personal products.

by Leslie Sausage

heart4home.net

Top 5 Qi Improvement Ingredients in Chinese Herbal Soup & Free Recipe

In Chinese medication books, there are 1000 types of herb to look for, however there are way too many herbs with different features and nature, so it is not advisable that you simply mix and match with Chinese herbs. At least you need to understand the nature and behavior before mixing them around in soup.

The top 5 Chinese Herbal Soup ingredient for Qi improvement are:

1. Wild Ginseng
Ginseng is beneficial to all internal organs, it stimulates physical vigor, soothes temperament, promotes general well-being and longevity. It is the "Yang" type of herb according Chinese medication reference book. The older the age of this wild ginseng, the better and higher level of minerals and nutrition.

2. American Wild Ginseng
Stimulates energy and nourishes the lungs and spleen. It is beneficial to those who suffer from mental and heart weakness, cough, fatigue and menopause. America Wild Ginseng is sometimes very good in having it anytime in the day, usually it is best to drink in the morning or before bed.

3. Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae (Dangshen)
Reinforce Qi, invigorates and improves blood circulation. It is also effective in the treatment of fatigue and pale complexion. It is the most commonly used in Chinese herb soup making as the ingredients.

4. Chinese Yam
Tastes sweet and is neutral in nature. It nourishes the lungs and kidneys, strengthens the spleen, stop diarrhea, improves vitality and restores Qi. Since it serve more healthier in cleaning up the body.

5. Walnut
Walnut improves Qi and regulates blood circulation. It is also known as "longevity fruit". Other than this, it also help in improving our memory power and healthier.

A Qi improvement Chinese Herbal Soup recipe: Chinese Yam with Pork Spare Ribs Soup

Ingredients:
1. Pork Spare Ribs 750 gram
2. Chinese Yam 500 gram
3. Soup Stock 1000 gram
4. Salt 8 gram
5. Some Ginger slices
6. Water 2 liter
7. Some White Pepper powder

Steps:
1. Soak port spare ribs in cold water and boil it until water is boiling. Pick it up and set aside to let it cool down.
2. Skinned Chinese yam, cut into slices and soak into salt water to avoid it gets oxidation.
3. Put port spare ribs, soup stock, hot water, ginger slice into pot and cook until half done.
4. Add in Chinese yam, continue boil it with big fire heating until boiled, then change to small fire heating continue for 40 minutes.
5. Add in a dash of salt and some white pepper powder before serve.

Enjoy~

Mix and Match Soup Recipe - Great Budget Meal Planning Idea

Many people I've talked with lately have expressed concern about how to cut the cost of their family's food budget. They realize that stocking up and buying items on sale is a great way to do save... but then what do you do with a pantry stockpile of assorted beans, stewed tomatoes, and canned lunch meat?

The following recipe is not only easy and delicious, it's also a simple way to use up those canned, dried, and other easily stored food items in a delicious homemade soup.

Mix-and-Match Soup (8 generous servings)

Broth (choose one)

Tomato: One 12-ounce can of tomato paste plus two 16-ounce cans of tomatoes with juice (chopped) plus water to equal 10 cups total
Chicken/Turkey: 10 cups broth or 4 bouillon cubes dissolved in 10 cups of water
Beef: 10 cups broth or 4 bouillon cubes dissolved in 10 cups of water

Protein (choose one -- 1 pound or 2 cups, cooked)

Ground beef, browned


Leftover meatballs or meatloaf, chopped


Cooked chicken or turkey (cut up)


Ham (cut up)


Lentils


Frankfurters, sliced (or any sausage or Kielbasa)


Pepperoni, sliced


Beans, cooked or canned (pintos, kidney, Great Northern, etc.)

Grain (choose 1 or 2 for a total of 2 cups)

Rice, cooked (any variety)


Barley, cooked


Pasta, raw


Corn


Dumplings (add near end of cooking time)

Vegetables (raw, cooked or canned, choose 2 or more for a total of 1 to 2 cups)

Cabbage


Carrots


Celery


Onion


Potatoes


Tomatoes


Green beans


Turnips


Parsnips


Broccoli


Peas or pea pods


Cauliflower


Bell pepper


Zucchini (add raw)

Seasonings (choose 2 to 4 spices, 1 to 2 teaspoons each)

Basil


Cayenne (dash)


Chives


Cumin


Garlic


Marjoram


Onion powder


Thyme


Rosemary


Parsley


Oregano

To Prepare Soup:

Bring the broth to a boil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven. Add all of the ingredients and salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat and simmer one hour.

Slow Cooker Prep:

Pour the boiling stock and other ingredients into a slow cooker and simmer for 8 to 12 hours or overnight on LOW setting.

--Excerpted and adapted with permission from the book Mix-and-Match Recipes: Creative Ideas for Busy Kitchens (SourceBooks) by Deborah Taylor-Hough.

What's For Dinner? 30-Minute Menus For 2009 - 3rd Edition

Have you settled into the New Year? We are getting on a 'regular' schedule now that the holidays are over but still as busy as ever!

Cooking is a favorite past-time for me during the cold, winter days. The whole family works together in the warm kitchen for both meal prep and special projects. Creative cupcakes, food art using foods like macaroni and oatmeal, and fun sandwich faces will keep your little ones occupied during these cold days. I made Teddy Bear Bread during the winter months several years ago - we still remember it fondly and I am now making it for my grandchildren!

The menus this week are warming with a little jazz to rev up your week. Even though the menus have a special touch, they are all family-fare because they use simple techniques with simple foods.

I hope you have a great week!

Sunday:
Beef Burgundy (sliced mushrooms; use any leftovers for soup base on Wednesday)
Wide Egg Noodles
Marinated Broccoli and Red Pepper Salad (jarred herb vinaigrette)
Warm French Rolls, Butter
Peach Sundaes (purchased ice cream and jarred peach preserves)

Monday:
Lasagna Florentine - Vegetarian (frozen dumplings aka thin pastry strips, jarred pasta sauce, frozen chopped spinach)
Hearty Greek Salad (jarred artichokes, olives, and anchovies, jarred Italian salad dressing)
Italian Bread, Butter
Cookie Smores (purchased cookies, mini-morsels, and mini-marshmallows)

Tuesday:
Chicken Taco Ring Bake (crescent rolls, bagged shredded lettuce, canned tomatoes)
Salsa and Sour Cream Toppings (jarred salsa)
Red Onion / Orange Salad (canned Mandarin orange sections)
Heavenly Hash (canned fruit, frozen whipped topping)

Wednesday:
Beef-Vegetable Soup (soup base from Sunday's Beef Burgundy if possible)
Apple-Cheddar or Gouda Paninis
Blueberry Turnovers (crescent rolls, blueberry preserves)

Thursday:
Pulled Pork (crock pot, jarred BBQ sauce and beef gravy)
Buns and Condiments (jarred condiments)
Black-eyed Pea Salad (canned black-eyed peas)
Cheesecake Filled Pears (instant cheesecake pudding mix, canned pears)

Friday:
Dilled Tilapia Bundles (puff pastry)
Asian Stir Fry (frozen stir fry mix)
Cranberry-Apple Salad (dried cranberries)
Tuilles with Ice Cream (flour tortillas)

Saturday:
Speedy Chicken Divan (frozen broccoli-cheese mix)
Rice
Winter Fruit Salad with Yogurt Dressing (canned fruits, purchased yogurt)
Apple Pie a la Mode (purchased apple pie and ice cream)

I sincerely hope you have fun with your meal planning and preparation,
Elizabeth Randall and Family

Healthy Recipes - An Easy Asparagus Recipe

Behold the amazing asparagus! Just a half-cup of it cooked contains over 80 percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamin C, and about 25 percent of the RDA for folic acid. (Folic acid helps prevent birth defects and is important for the formation of blood cells.) It also contains vitamin A, vitamin B6 and potassium, and is a good source of fiber and glutathione, a powerful antioxidant. It has no fat or cholesterol, and one serving (about five spears) of the green variety contains only 20 calories.

Asparagus can be prepared in a number of ways. Unlike some vegetables, it's just as nutritious either raw or cooked. And if you make the following healthy recipe, you'll bring elegance to your table, along with good health:

Asparagus Rolls Serves 4

Ingredients

1 lb. fresh asparagus


4 slices Swiss cheese


4 slices thinly sliced deli ham or turkey, or prosciutto


4 T. butter, melted


1 C. dried whole wheat or regular bread crumbs


½ C. grated Parmesan cheese

Steps

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook asparagus in boiling water for 1 minute. Remove, and drain.


Layer a slice of cheese on top of a slice of ham, then place 3 to 4 asparagus spears on top of the cheese slice.


Roll the ham and cheese over the asparagus, and secure with a toothpick. Repeat with remaining ham, cheese and asparagus.


Place all the rolls in a casserole dish; then pour melted butter over the entire dish.


Sprinkle with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.


Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the crumb mixture forms a crust.

When buying fresh, look for stems that are firm and fairly straight, with well-formed, tightly closed tips. Contrary to common belief, the width of the stem is not an indication of tenderness -- thin or thick stems can be equally delicious. Just be sure the stalks are similar in size so they all cook at the same rate, as it only takes a few minutes for the stalks to become crisp-tender. Don't overcook or you'll end up with mush.

Lunch at Junior's in MGM Grand at Foxwoods Casino

Had lunch today at Junior's. Three of us had Matzo Ball Soup. Then I had a Baked Virginia Ham with Swiss cheese on wheat bread (excellent ham). Also on the table was a Steakburger with cheese and French Fries and Onion Rings. Also, two orders of Sliced Beef Brisket between two huge Potato Pancakes served with smashed apples and sour cream. To drink, we had Coke with lemon, unsweetened iced tea with lemon, an egg cream and Sierra Mist. I just loved the Matzo Ball Soup there.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=302fFH4B1ks&hl=en

Chicken Soup For the Stomach

It is no wonder that one of the most popular inspirational book series is called Chicken Soup. Few foods illicit such strong feelings of warmth and comfort. Most of us remember fondly the Campbell Soup commercials of the little boy coming in out of the cold to a piping hot bowl of this magic elixir. And of course, we all have heard of the mythical healing powers in those steaming bowls of chicken soup. So today let's finish off the last of that Sunday roasted chicken: a few morsels of meat clinging to the thigh and back, the golden crisp skin and not to be forgotten the mineral rich bones.

Before we move into the kitchen, let's rate this homemade version against the canned variety on our four Frugal Family core values:

Family first. As with other homemade options we have discussed if preparation time were the only measure of this value, then the canned variety would clearly win. But if we include intangibles like sharing the cooking experience and the pleasure of the homemade variety, then this one can be deemed a draw at the very least.

Saving money. Clearly the homemade variety wins in this category. A tin of store brand chicken noodle soup costs about forty-five pence (fifty cents USD) and holds approximately two portions. With my leftover chicken and noodles that were destined for the bin or compost heap and a couple of cups of fresh vegetables costing less than the can, we will make enough to feed four to five people.

Environmentally friendly. Again the homemade option clearly offers the advantage of producing no waste. In fact, it actually consumes food products that would otherwise end up in the bin or in my case partially in the composter. So while the aluminium tin may well be recyclable, the homemade version does better by reducing waste.

Healthier. Besides the obvious fact that the homemade version allows you to better control added salts and sugars, it also offers you the opportunity to alter the recipe to the likes, dislikes, and nutritional needs of your family. Soup is usually one of the main food products that I offer to my post-partum doula clients. It makes an excellent lunch that is both nutritious and delicious...plus since the first two weeks of food is offered as part of my package it is economical too. Of course, boiling the bones for a prolonged period of time as the homemade option does means that those highly valuable micro-nutrients such as iron and calcium leach into the broth. In addition, the most healing property of traditional chicken soup is actually the garlic, natures anti-biotic. Last week, we had nasty colds so I increased this ingredient to half of a head; something more difficult to do with a tin.

So now that we now why we should spend the extra time to make our homemade chicken noodle soup, let's go into the kitchen and make it.

Begin by boiling all of the leftover chicken bits, including bones and skins; use enough water to cover it all. Add your garlic at this point as well so that it too can infuse with the chicken into a rich broth base. Once you have brought it all to a rolling boil, turn down the heat and allow it to simmer. Remember the longer you boil it the more of those micro-nutrients will get into the soup. This is especially important if you are ill, recovering from an accident, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Minimum simmering time is approximately half an hour, but two or three hours is perfectly acceptable; just make sure to add more water if necessary. Once you are satisfied, allow this broth to cool. Then pick out the bones and skin. If you are serving small children you may even want to use a colander to drain these out.

Now, using our creative cooking skills, look inside your fridge for vegetables to add. Today I found:

Celery
Carrot
Onion
Mushrooms
Sweet peppers
Broccoli

When working with vegetables, a golden rule is the more colours you can add naturally the more nutritious it will be. This selection I used basically had every colour of the rainbow except blue; but I just did not think that blue berries would taste that good in chicken soup. But a handful for desert would fill out our rainbow of vitamin and minerals. Now bring our broth with those wonderful bits of chicken back to a rolling boil on high heat; add your fresh vegetables and simmer for another half an hour. I happened to have a container of leftover spaghetti from dinner a couple of nights ago. But if you don't you can add dry pasta and cook until that is done to your taste (my family likes it al-dente). Remember though that for variety or to change the nutritional values, you can also use rice or potatoes.

Now serve it all up piping hot with a smile. While it may have taken several hours from start to finish the amount of prep time is actually less than fifteen minutes; mainly to pick the meat off the bones and sieve the broth and to chop your fresh vegetables. While this makes an excellent light lunch, it can serve as dinner as well by adding a salad and some bread.

Nancy Today: Part 1- Split pea soup

Making delicious split pea soup.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hl8QplyBaw&hl=en

PorkStar Melbourne Menu Showcase Tour 09 @ Bluestone Restaurant Bar | 22 June 2009

Bluestone Restaurant Bar 349 Flinders Lane Melbourne Vic 3000 Australia www.bluestonerestaurantbar.com.au | Menu | Inspirational menu prepared by Martin Walker. Canapés on arrival. Vietnamese green mango and pork salad on Asian spoon. Oyster and pork crepinette. Pea and ham soup shooter with truffle oil (inspired by the wild pigs search for the truffle). Entrée. Pigs tale - a pork story. Pistachio and pork terrine. Goat cheese panna cotta with bacon syrup. Braised pork belly with Jerusalem artichoke, ras al hanout spiced scallop. Main. Roasted Western Plains Pork rack, smoked potato puree, braised apple and red cabbage. Dessert. Sicilian mince bastilla, apple salsa and a vanilla and pear ice-cream. | Background | PorkStar is a program designed to motivate leading chefs to be ahead of the curve with pork creativity and usage. PorkStars are princes and princesses of pork who are involved in exclusive VIP events, PorkStar dinners and PorkStar degustation lunches. Australian Pork Ltd. have been marshalling an elite group of the country's leading PorkStars who represent some of Australia's finest in culinary talent. Those selected have been honoured as PorkStars in a series of advertisements in food service publications, and more recently in the likes of 'Australian Gourmet Traveller' and 'Vogue Entertaining + Travel', acknowledging their achievement and their contribution. The PorkStar series encourages chefs to engage, experiment, invent and reinvent with the unmatched ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol-Vn-lhyj8&hl=en

Split Pea Soup Recipe : Add Garlic to Split Pea Soup

Learn how to add garlic to an easy split pea soup recipe in this free cooking class on video. Expert: Stephanie Barnett Bio: Stephanie Barnett was born in Seattle but spent her childhood in Los Angeles. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, her advertising career took her to Denver, Los Angeles and Hong Kong. Filmmaker: randy primm



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3t72W86hkI&hl=en

Leftover Food Ideas That Will Save You Money

Need to find some ways to use that leftover meat you had for dinner? Beef, ham, and chicken are three of the most popular meats eaten by consumers, but coming up with different ways to use the leftovers can be a challenge. This article presents some ways you can use beef, ham, and chicken leftovers in ways you may have forgotten or never considered.

1) Use the Roast. Just about everyone loves a good pot roast, and here's another way you can reuse the meat by making roast beef patties. Put the leftover roast pieces in your food processor. Add breadcrumbs, some of the broth from the roast, some chopped onions, salt, pepper, or other spices as you desire. Mince the ingredient in the food processor and -voila!-you now have your own homemade roast beef patties. Just fry them up in a pan and you have delicious beef patties that are perfect for a patty melt or burger.

2) Use the Ham. Ham has a wonderfully distinctive flavor and is versatile for use in many dishes. Here are a few ways you can use your leftover ham: (a) Make a ham pot pie. (b) Use the ham in soups such as split pea and ham, or potato and ham soups. (c) Make Ham patties. Mince the meat in your food processor and use it like ground beef. (d) Slice the ham and use it as a side dish with eggs. (e) Dice it and use it in country scrambles, and omelets. (e) Of course you could always slice the ham to make ham and cheese sandwiches.

3) Use the Chicken. Like beef, chicken is another versatile food that can be used in thousands of ways. Here are a few leftover chicken ideas: (a) Dice it and use it to make a chicken salad. (b) Use it with noodles to make a great chicken noodle dish. (c) Make a chicken pot pie. (d) Make chicken noodle soup. (e) Use the chicken in a casserole. (f) Chicken risotto (g) Make chicken soft tacos (h) Use the bones and carcass to make stock for soup, gravy, and broth. Add carrots, celery, bay leaves, onions, and water, and simmer for several hours for a homemade stock that is more delicious and economical than store-bought.

In conclusion, we have looked at several ideas for using up the leftover beef, ham, and chicken. Using your leftovers in new and unique ways brings variety to your menu and helps save money by not letting your leftover food go to waste.

ham and dunkin donuts

goes together like stromboli and soup



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6bwoq7IYas&hl=en

What's For Dinner? Spring Split Pea Soup

Greetings! Today is Sunday and I needed to make something great, good tasting and hearty that we could enjoy for dinner because I knew that by the end of today I would be hungry after working all day in the garden! So I decided to exhume the hambone from Easter out of the fridge and make this delectable split pea soup full of spring veggies! Here is what you will need to make this recipe: 1 ham bone 2 cups (1 bag) dried split peas 1 Cup Diced Carrots 1 Cup Diced Celery 1 Large Onion Diced 2 Cloves Garlic, Chopped 6 Cups Water 2 Veggie Bullion Cubes 2 Ham Bullion Cubes 1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme 1 Teaspoon Dried Marjoram Place dried peas in colander and rinse and sort out any stones or odd things that may be in there. Rinse again set aside. Place ham bone in crock and add veggies, peas, water, bullion cubes and herbs. Set on high and cook for 1 hour on high and reduce to low setting for remainder of cooking time 6 -7 hours. Remove ham bone and ham with a slotted spoon, careful not to remove too many of the cooked veggies. Try to get as much of the ham and cartilage out as you can. I used my immersion blender to smooth the soup. Remove the ham from the bone and shred all of the usable ham. Add back into the crock pot and serve with your favorite bread or biscuit. I hope you try this and I hope you enjoy it! Until next time, See Ya!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9R6qBpZKrk&hl=en

The Best Soups in the World

Soups have always been popular amongst the public due to the fact that they are -

(a) hot

(b) simple to make/prepare

(c) healthy

(d) differentiated

From my experience, these are the best the soups in the world.

(a) tomato soup: this sweet-tasting soup is one that appeals to many people around the world. Funnily enough, people who dislike tomato in its natural form, have found their taste buds responding in enthusiasm to its mouth-watering taste.

(b) vegetable soup: a favourite amongst rural folk, this soup makes use of many ingredients to deliver a heart-warming dish. Variations include adding chicken to it.

(c) mushroom soup: This mono-ingredient soup, is usually served with french toast. Its taste in this form, reminds us of why hobbits from middle-earth value this fungus with a lustful greed.

To enjoy your soup further, it is advisable to arm yourself with one of the following; brown bread, brown cake, rolls, white bread, french toast. Complimentary drinks may include a mug of ale, a glass of milk or single malt whiskey. In today's world where everyone is on the go, soups are experiencing an upsurge in popularity as people seek foods that are quick to prepare and which also carry helpful nutrients. Companies such as Tesco have rebranded their soup products to make them attractive to young people, who used to view soups as old-fashioned and bland.

Contemporary soups are now becoming the fashion, with some of the top restaurants offering fish and snail, otter and mushroom, and chili and pigeon soup.

Chef RC affable breach pea and ham soup

here is a great soup all made from scratch. i bioled the ham bone for 12 hours the day before to make the stock



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkZ8NY8R89o&hl=en

Slap Chop

Hi, it's Vince with Slap Chop! Youre going to be in a great mood all day, because youre going be slapping your troubles away with the Slap Chop. Now, look heres a potato. One slap you got big chunks for stew, two slaps home fries in a second. And, look at this when you add a mushroom: the more you do it, the finer it gets you dont have to switch any blades. Now, you love salad -- you hate making it. You know you hate making salads -- thats why you dont have any salad in your diet. Watch this one slap... salad! I love Pizza too, but once in a while get the veggies in, at least throw it on top of the pizza. Youre going to change your eating habits. Soup, Coleslaw, stuff we want, 5 seconds. 4 or 5 seconds, it's done. This thing, this tuna looks boring. Stop having a boring tuna, stop having a boring life. Add this tuna putting it in like this now youre going to have a nice, tuna, salad. Look at this youre going to have an exciting life now. Look heres a hard boiled egg. One chop, you add the pickle; you add the green onion. And what you can do is mix things together add the ham and youre going to love this. You dont have time to make breakfast, breakfast to go. Youre going to love my nuts. Watch this: almonds, walnuts. Comes with a cover so you can do everything in the cover. Alright, or you can do it on the board, whatever you like. So easy, one finger, if I can do it with one finger you guys can do it with your whole hand. Kids can do it. You know what they charge at the ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWI77Tln5SE&hl=en

The Princess and the Pea Part 3

Mark Swan's The Princess and the Pea. Released in 2002. The film is (c) to Mark Swan and Swan Animation.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sqqQkQlmOw&hl=en

White Bean Soup Recipe With Ham Hocks : Grating Cheese for Cornbread Recipe

Learn how to grate cheese to make cornbread for a ham hocks and white bean soup recipe in this free Southern food cooking video. Expert: David Postada Bio: David Postada is Chef and owner of the Big Easy Catering company in Santa Barbara, California. Filmmaker: Diana Bacon



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=davGf7AS91Q&hl=en

Russian Soups

Soup is one of the most important meals in Russia and mostly you will find that the Russian soups are very important to the Russians and they are usually served in the afternoon. There are very many kinds of Russian soups and if you were to put them in a list it will turn to be one endless list. Among some of the Russian soups that will be mentioned borsch is very famous compared to the other Russian soups which is made of beef and meat and it is normally served with sour cream. You will also come across vegetable soups which are referred to as shei.

This vegetable soups are usually made from vegetables an there ingredients will include potatoes, cabbages and meat. On top of that all you will also come across a specification that is normally referred to as the shei postnie. Note that this type of soup is the same as the one that was earlier mentioned. The only difference with shei postnie is that meat is part of the ingredient. Russian soups will also include soups that are made from fish. The perfect example is the one that is called the Uha or the fish soup. This is a one of kind soup that the recipe will include a lot of spice mixed with carrots and potatoes.

Among the variety of Russian soups, you will also find a soup in the Russian menu that is called Kuryniy soup which can also be translated as chicken soup, with the long lasting winters in Russia, the heartwarming cuisine of the Russian soups that will keep you warm and serve as a wonderful substitution for those who do not prefer vodka. It is normally served with rye bread which is constituted as the Russian mainstay diet. It's an ethnic soup that is made from a thin vegetable broth and flavored with herbs for the thickening of the stew that is rick in vegetable and chicken meat.

Grybnoy soup which can also be referred to as mushroom soup and is also found in the menus of the Russian soups, it has a total of up to 13 different ingredients that are included in the recipe of the soup. It is normally made by adding the fresh mushrooms in to cold water for about one to two hours with continuously changing the water three to four times. In the event that the mushrooms will be dry, you will be forced to boil them one 1 1/2 hours and so on. This Russian soup is normally served with a cold or hot sour cream.

Okroshka is a vegetable soup that is made from either meat or sausages. You will find that most people will find it very refreshing on a hot sunny day because it is normally served directly from the fridge after its preparation. It is served with sour cream and chopped dill. It should be known that all the above soups add health to your body.

Ethnic Food Recipes - The Chinese Way

Ethnic recipes originated from different cultural diversities of each country. It is a way of learning traditional meals in terms of food preparation, dietary habits, food symbolism and rituals.

Most Chinese dishes combine a mixture of ingredients and a balance of elements in its flavors, colors, aroma, textures and food preparations. It is a noted and regarded great combination of dishes. The usual meal that comprises Chinese ethnic dishes would include a cup of steamed rice, mixed vegetables, fried, steamed dish or soup. It even has four major Chinese cooking styles like Beijing Cuisine, Cantonese, Szechwan and Hunan also incorporate mixing of dishes.

A good Chinese cooking practice can be distinguished by their seasoning blends, temperature control and meticulous cutting of ingredients. For best results, parboiling and partial frying are the techniques used by Chinese for centuries already.

In a family meal, eating rice two to three times a day is basic. Two cups of long grain white rice is cooked with 3 cups water for just 20 minutes, done usually in four servings.

For rice porridge or congee, combining 8 cups of water and 1 cup of short grain rice will make out a commonly eaten breakfast. You can bring it to a boil, cover it in low fire and allow it to simmer for 1 ½ hours. Stirring is important every now and then in order to keep it from sticking in the pan. Veggies, dried fruits, meat, scallions, gingers and nuts can be added on top in order to spice up the recipe.

A combination of tea in every meal is a must. It is the most-loved beverage of Chinese individuals. Social gatherings would not be complete without a cup of hot tea. Oolong, black and green tea are the 3 popular varieties in China. Oolong is brown pale tea as compared to fresh peaches. Black tea has a more strong taste. Green tea has a light and fresh flavor. It comes in loose form and it is often drank without sugar or milk. Drinking tea lowers the risk of cholesterol, prevents cancer and heart diseases.

Some Chinese ethnic recipes are as follows:

Soups and Appetizers

A clear soup serves as a drink during meals; it is a way to warm up people during the winter time. Their soup is usually served in large bowls, for dinner or banquet. On the other hand, dimsum as an appetizer is served during the mid-mornings or afternoon and can be as a late night snack. Dimsum samples include wonton, egg rolls, dumplings, shrimp balls and pastries. To enjoy delicious soups and dims sum samples, you can try these recipes:

Wonton Recipe - Ingredients:

o Minced pound pork ½ lb.
o Minced fresh mushrooms ¼ lb.
o ¼ tsp. salt
o 1 tbsp. minced scallion
o 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
o 1 pc. egg yolk
o Peanut oil
o Wanton squares

Method:
o Using a bowl, mix pork, mushrooms, salt, scallions, pepper and egg yolk.
o Put a 1/2 tsp mixture at the center of won ton square and fold a corner to make triangles.
o Pull the corner bottom and overlap the tips pinching together.
o Fry in hot oil and drain.
o Serve with ketchup or mustard with a horseradish. It can make 120 pieces.

Main Dish

A main dish usually consists of meats or fish and vegetables. Fresh vegetables are important. It should be cooked quickly in order to retain its color and crispness. The dish below is good for 4 persons.

Almond Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:

o 1 ½ lbs. chicken breasts
o 1 tsp. honey
o 1 tbsp. cornstarch
o 12 ounces pea pods
o 3 tbsp. soy sauce
o ¼ cup vegetable oil
o 3 to 4 tbsp. Water
o 1 tsp. ginger
o 1 cup natural whole almonds
o 1/3 cup sherry

Method:

o Cut chicken breasts in ½ inch cube.
o Mix ginger, cornstarch, and honey. Blend soy sauce and sherry in water.
o Heat oil in a wok on medium heat.
o Add almonds and chicken. Cook for 3 minutes.
o Pour sherry mixture until sauce thickens and add pea pods. Stir fry and glazed.

How To Make Spanish Split Pea Soup : Cutting Ham Hocks for Spanish Split Pea Soup

Learn how to cut ham hocks whenmaking authentic Spanish split pea soup; learn more about making traditional Spanish food in this free cooking video. Expert: Lizbeth Muller Bio: Liz Muller is the owner of Liz's Hair Design in Hollywood, Florida. She has been a professional Hair Designer and Color Specialist for over 23 years. Filmmaker: Paul Muller



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B0JgfDmrDA&hl=en

Getting Ready for Fall - Pumpkin Black Bean Soup

Yields: 9 servings Ingredients: 3 (15oz.) cans black beans, rinsed and drained 1 (16oz.) can diced tomatoes ¼ cup butter 1 ¼ cup onion, chopped 4 tsp. minced garlic 1 tsp. salt ½ tsp. pepper 4 cups beef broth 1 (15oz.) can pumpkin puree ½ lb. cooked ham, cubed 3 tbsp. Red Wine vinegar Sour Cream for garnish Preparation Directions: ~ In a food processor, process 2 cans beans and tomatoes until smooth. Set aside. ~ Melt butter in a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until onion is soft. Add salt and pepper. Stir in bean puree mixture, extra can of beans, beef broth, pumpkin, and vinegar. Mix until well blended, then simmer about 25 minutes to blend flavors. ~ Stir in ham and heat thoroughly. ~ Serve with a dollop of sour cream.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j7iLf8DeOQ&hl=en

BOOM BOOM Soup DoreensKitchen.com

Ham & Bean Soup, DoreensKitchen.com, CD Cookbook, doreenskitchen@ymail.com, doreenpastore@yahoo.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBB1w83jX0s&hl=en

White Bean Soup Recipe With Ham Hocks : What Are Ham Hocks?

Learn about ham hocks for a ham hocks and white bean soup recipe in this free Southern food cooking video. Expert: David Postada Bio: David Postada is Chef and owner of the Big Easy Catering company in Santa Barbara, California. Filmmaker: Diana Bacon



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8uHCTdSKcg&hl=en

GREEN PEA SOUP

PEA SOUP



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFeXEwMLxls&hl=en

Mini Meals - Small Meals Made Easy

When you are in a real hurry, need a quick-fix meal or just want something on the smaller side, mini-meals are a great idea.

The variety is endless and can include just simple foods that you have in your fridge or cupboard.

These simple meals can take the edge off if you get really hungry but don't have time for a full meal. Some people also tend to be grazers and eat several smaller meals throughout the day instead of the standard three bigger meals and that's when having a variety of mini-meal ideas ready to go comes in handy.

Here are some ideas for quick and easy mini-meals that are not only delicious but are budget-friendly too.

Cottage Cheese: low-fat cottage cheese is a good base and can be combined with any of the following fruits or veggies (cut into bite-sized pieces) and a sprinkling of chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts.

Here are is a suggested list of fruits and vegetables to add to your cottage cheese.

- Fruit:
blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, apples or applesauce, banana, mandarin oranges, diced mango, peaches or pineapple

spices and sweeteners for fruit: agave syrup, cinnamon, honey, maple syrup, nutmeg

- Veggies:
carrots, celery, chayote squash, cucumber,green beans, jicama, leeks, mushrooms,onions or scallions, frozen, thawed and drained peas, radishes or tomatoes

herbs for veggies: basil, cilantro, dill, oregano, thyme, rosemary

Soup: Soup is a great way to get more vegetables in your diet and if you take a good vegetable soup (either homemade or a store bought variety with natural ingredients) and add a little something extra to it you can have a meal in a bowl in minutes.

Here are some easy additions to try:

-cooked and cubed white or sweet potatoes
-cooked brown or basmati rice
-canned beans (rinsed and drained)
-grilled chicken, grilled salmon
-canned salmon or tuna (drained)
-baked tofu (cut into cubes and add to soup)

Fresh spinach is a nice addition, just stir it into the hot soup and the leaves will wilt into it. You might also like to try fresh chopped herbs like cilantro or basil for a nice topping for the soup. You could also add a small handful of grated fresh cheese.

Pita Sandwich: Here's a simple idea that is so quick and can be made with practically anything you have on hand. I usually mix a few ingredients together, stuff the pita and then add a flavorful topping. Here are some of my favorite stuffings.

- mix together: tuna, a little mayonnaise, celery, tomatoes
topping: chopped fresh basil

- mix together: cooked chicken, low-fat Greek style plain yogurt, cucumbers, sweet red peppers
topping: sprinkling of chopped green olives

- mix together: Oriental style baked tofu, mustard, sliced scallions, water chestnuts
topping: alfalfa or radish sprouts

- mix together: spread some almond butter in the pita on one or both sides and add some diced strawberries or bananas
topping: a sprinkling of cinnamon or drizzle of honey

- mix together: cottage cheese, sliced leeks, capers, tomatoes
topping: walnut pieces

- mix together: cooked ham (diced), mustard, low-fat Swiss cheese cubes, shredded lettuce
topping: a sprinkling of diced apple

- mix together: spread a layer of whipped low-fat cream cheese inside one or both sides of the pita and add a mixture of diced apple and diced celery
topping: a sprinkling of cinnamon

- mix together: canned salmon (drained), thinly sliced red onion, low-fat Greek style plain yogurt, diced sun-dried tomatoes (no oil variety - softened in warm water)
topping: sprinkling of dried dill or chopped fresh dill

- mix together: diced hard-cooked egg, mayonnaise and spicy mustard, diced celery
topping: radish sprouts and grated parmesan cheese

- mix together: basil pesto, sun-dried tomatoes (in oil, drained and chopped), diced black olives, shredded cabbage
topping: crumbled goat cheese

Simple Fruit Combos: Use these combinations and simply place in a bowl and enjoy or place in a container to take to work for a light lunch.

- cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon cubes combined with crumbled blue or feta cheese

- apples chunks with grapes and gouda cheese

- red and green grapes, celery chunks and goat cheese crumbles

- mango, papaya and sliced almonds

- nectarine and peach slices or chunks tossed in a little low-fat plain or vanilla yogurt topped with crumbled cinnamon graham crackers

- strawberries and blueberries tossed in lemon yogurt with whole grain crackers on the side

Mini Sandwiches (Open-Faced) - whole grain English muffins topped with:

- marinara sauce, thin sliced mushrooms, low-fat cheese slice

- thin layer of tomato paste, basil leaves, cooked chopped shrimp, grated parmesan cheese

- mashed black beans topped with salsa and grated soy cheese

- hummus topped with baby spinach leaves, thin slices of zucchini squash or yellow summer squash, thin slice of beefsteak tomato and salt and pepper to taste

- vegetarian refried beans, thinly sliced tomatoes, thinly sliced cucumbers, vegetarian pepper jack cheese slice

- mashed banana, chopped dates and chopped walnuts

- low-fat mayonnaise, deli turkey slices, romaine lettuce and sweet red pepper slices

Other Quick Mini-Meal Options:

- String Cheese: another simple and quick idea and can be eaten with either sliced or cubed fruit of choice or vegetable sticks using carrots, celery, jicama, sweet peppers, cucumbers or chayote squash

- Fruit or Veggie Skewers: a simple idea and easy to make

For fruit skewers: try apple and pear cubes with green or red grapes skewered on small wooden skewers alternating with cubes of sharp cheddar cheese or choose your favorite fruit and cheese combos

For veggie skewers: try chunks of sweet peppers, cherry or grape tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini or even summer squash and your favorite cheese

Give these simple ideas a try when you need a quick mini-meal in a hurry.

White Bean Soup Recipe With Ham Hocks : How to Cut Cornbread

Learn how to cut cornbread for a ham hocks and white bean soup recipe in this free Southern food cooking video. Expert: David Postada Bio: David Postada is Chef and owner of the Big Easy Catering company in Santa Barbara, California. Filmmaker: Diana Bacon



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCMRcmVJyiU&hl=en

Mastering the Art of Soup Making

Soup making can quickly become a passion. Producing quick, hearty, low cost, one-pot meals that instantly satisfy will have you wondering why you haven't been making homemade soups sooner. Ranging from light and sparse broths and bisques, to heavy and complex stews and chowders, few dishes can match soup for delivering taste and comfort. Classics like minestrone, beef and barley, and Manhattan clam chowder are always delicious, while other more innovative dishes like curried crab and coconut; purée of split pea, cantaloupe soup with lime granite; Spanish gazpacho; cream of tomato with basil, and seafood gumbo, can also be made in the comfort of your own kitchen with the help of some fresh ingredients, and proper technique.

Soup making is a wonderful activity year round, thanks in part to changing climates, culinary desires, and fresh seasonal ingredients. Hearty winter chowders and stews or light summer bisques and consommés are amazing to create in just a few moments and have simmering on the back burner for everyone to enjoy. Visiting local farmers markets for the latest in season vegetables, and fish markets for the latest local catches can take your dishes to a whole new level.

The essence of great cooking is getting basic techniques mastered and then building on the foundations of flavors and textures to create the classics and new and delicious dishes. Homemade stocks, broths, and purees are the best starting points for most recipes, and creating them can be as much fun as making the soups and eating them. Soup stocks are made by adding meats and vegetables to a stockpot and simmering in water for hours on the stove top. The ingredients that go into stock making can be anything from leftovers to inexpensive vegetables, cuts of meats and fish.

cute babe makes breach pea and ham soup

A video walkthrough of this classic recipe by a really cute girl.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjsRorDqewA&hl=en

Quick Recipes For the End of a Busy Day

You know what it's like after a hard day at the office: you're tired, frustrated and just want to relax when you get back home. The last thing on your mind is standing in front of a hot cooker.

It's scenarios like that which have made takeaways so popular, whether it's a greasy cheeseburger, kebab meat of unknown origin or the old staple fish and chips. They're all enticing after a long day, and so easy...

But for a quick, simple meal, the takeaway isn't the only choice. You can knock up sandwiches, wraps, salad or pasta in a matter of minutes, and they're all cheaper and healthier than a takeaway.

There are a number of quick and easy recipes that you can use to make paninis, bagels and other posh sandwiches.

A favourite of mine is a delicious hot ciabatta with roast vegetables and cream cheese. Here's how you make it:

Chop up a mixture of vegetables - what you use is down to personal preference. I like courgettes, orange pepper, red onion and some cherry tomatoes. Put the vegetables onto an oven tray, drizzle some olive oil over them and sprinkle a few herbs on top. Place this into a hot oven and roast for about 20 minutes.

While that's cooking, why not change out of your work clothes into something more comfy, and open a bottle of wine before starting the next simple phase. Just make sure you give the vegetables the occasional shake so that they cook evenly.

Slice the ciabatta bread and toast it on a hot griddle pan with a splash of olive oil. This should be on a low heat, and keep a close watch on it as it only takes a few seconds.

And lastly, spread cream cheese onto the bread, remove the vegetables from the oven and scatter them onto the bread. Served with a simple side salad, this is a delicious, satisfying meal that's so simple to put together.

All in all, it takes about 25 minutes to prepare and cook this quick and easy recipe, and once you've got the vegetables in the oven that's the hardest part out of the way. And there won't be much washing up afterwards, either.

Here's an extra tip: make more roast vegetables than you need, as they are perfect for an additional snack - for example, in hummus for a quick lunchtime snack.

Although it's simple, experimentation is what makes a chef great and cooking so much fun. Why not try making a panini, bagel or ciabatta with different fillings. Use a variety of your favourite fillings, such as ham, cheese, salad and vegetables and there's a very good chance it'll taste great.

And remember that there's a huge selection of chutneys, relishes and jams available that will spice up even the simplest of sandwiches. For example, chili jam is a great, spicy addition to a chicken and cheese bagel.
And for more easy recipe ideas, keep an eye on your local delicatessens' and cafes' menus, and try to replicate their more interesting-sounding choices at home.

Of course, you can also try the Internet. Because you have access to the whole world, you can find some amazing recipe ideas online. Because of their Italian heritage, paninis really benefit from a wide range of tasty ideas.

So it doesn't matter how tired or fed-up you are when you get home from a long day, there's always something simple and quick you can prepare in the same time it would take for your takeaway to arrive.