Look no further than your freezer for Dad's perfect gift (BPT) - Bill Cosby once said, “Fatherhood is pretending the present you love the most is soap-on-a-rope.” As children all over the country prepare to honor their dads for Father’s Day or a special birthday, it might be time to say “no” to the soap and ties and give him what he really loves – a home-cooked meal. In a 20...
The dinner diaries [Infographic] Hosting a dinner party can be stressful – if your biggest fear of entertaining is burning a dish, you’re not alone. Extinguishing an entree is the primary concern of more than half (51 percent) of all hostesses. Need some help planning the perfect dinner party? Alexia Foods , a line of gourmet all-natural frozen potatoes, breads and side dishes recently surveyed 400 party hosts to find out what key ingredients are necessary to host a successful (and delicious) gathering.
Home chefs use new technology to cook with ease (BPT) - Home cooks are spending more time in their own kitchens and less time dining out, according to the January Monthly Measuring Cup Trend Report . Nearly half of surveyed consumers said they’re dining out less this year than they did in 2012 and are relying more on their cooking skills at home. Fortunately, techno...
Add fresh grapes for great summer dishes (BPT) - Grapes from California are in abundant supply throughout the summer, which is welcome news for those seeking a healthy, refreshing snack. They’re also a boon to the home cook: grapes provide bright color, a sweet-tart flavor and a refreshing burst of juice to warm-weather dishes. Grapes also complement, enhan...
Fruits and veggies pack a potassium punch [Infographic] Potassium is an essential nutrient in the American diet. It’s also a nutrient that most people don’t get enough of – so much so that it was identified as a nutrient of concern in the USDA’s 2010 Dietary Guidelines. In fact, concern has reached international levels as the World Health Organization recently released its first ever recommendation for potassium intake citing overwhelming evidence that increasing potassium intake (along with decreasing sodium intake) can lower blood pressure and ...
Get your full serving of pistachios [Infographic] Fool yourself full without feeling deprived with the “Pistachio Principle.” Two preliminary, behavioral nutritional studies suggest that empty pistachio shells may serve as an important visual cue about the amount consumed, potentially encouraging “mindfulness” as one eats, which may help reduce calorie intake. At 160 calories and a good source of protein and fiber, 49 pistachios is one serving, compared to 23 almonds, 18 cashews or 14 walnut halves. Pistachios are an excellent course of vi...
Time-pressed in the kitchen? Rediscover pressure cooking (BPT) - There’s nothing like the smell of a home-cooked meal wafting through the kitchen for hours and hours – that is, if you have time to prepare such a meal. Since most of us don’t have that sort of time on a daily basis, many time-pressed cooks are rediscovering pressure cooking: an age-old cooking method that makes...
Anthony Bourdain talks last meal on earth, advice for restaurateurs; old-school cocktails (BPT) - TV’s best-fed hedonist, Anthony Bourdain, is keeping busy these days with his hit travel series “Parts Unknown,” his publishing career and an upcoming appearance at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago. Love him or hate him, Bourdain is the biggest, baddest food d...
Simple ways to reduce excess sugar in your diet this summer (BPT) - Warm weather offers many sweet delights, from trips to the beach and more free time, to seasonal foods and soirees with family and friends. Unfortunately, many of the foods we commonly associate with spring and summer are high in added sugars. Hidden sugar in summer foods can make it a challenge to regulate calo...
Get the skinny on a simple switch [Infographic] Did you know that apple juice and apple sauce can serve as convenient substitutes in your favorite recipes to reduce calories, fat and refined sugar? Apple juice can replace common ingredients such as milk or broth, making it an excellent option for vegetarians and those with lactose-free dietary needs. Apple sauce can replace refined sugar with natural fruit sugar and reduce fat and calories in baked goods. Check out the Tree Top conversion chart below and remember to keep apple juice and a...
Five tips for lighter, brighter summer eating (BPT) - Simple, fresh and delicious – that’s summertime eating at its best. Less time in the kitchen means more time to enjoy the bright delicious flavors of just-picked berries, peaches, greens and other vegetables. “It makes sense to eat lighter in the summer,” says Chef William Tillinghast, culinary academic directo...
Serve up an ideal space for summer outdoor entertaining (BPT) - The arrival of milder temperatures means dining al fresco, hosting neighborhood cookouts and enjoying intimate cocktail parties under the stars. When creating a backyard oasis to entertain family and friends this summer, it’s important that it be both inviting and able to withstand the wear and tear that goes ha...
