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Preparation Whether you’re frosting sugar cookies or creating multi-colored layers for a cake, the vibrant hues from food coloring can help to create enticing, eye-catching desserts. However, there are some health concerns associated with artificial food colors (AFCs). According to Pediatrics, the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, “studies have raised concerns regarding the effect of AFCs on child behavior and their role in exacerbating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms.”...

Ingredients 1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken or celery soup 1 1/4 cups milk 1 cup frozen sweet peas 1/2 cup dried cranberries 4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup) 2 cups cut-up cooked turkey or chicken 1 1/2 cups cornbread stuffing mix 1 cup Original Bisquick™ mix 1/4 cup milk 2 eggs Preparation Heat oven to 400°F. Grease bottom and side of 3-quart casserole with shortening or cooking spray....

If you’ve strolled down the aisle of a Japanese or Asian supermarket, you may be bewildered by the different varieties and brands of Japanese rice. Here’s a guide to get you started in incorporating more Japanese rice into your diet! What is Japanese Rice? The rice eaten in Japan is a cultivar of Japonica rice (ジャポニカ米), plump short-grain rice. Also known as Uruchimai (粳米), it has a characteristic sticky, firm texture and slightly sweet....

Ingredients 7 oz uncooked vermicelli 3 medium tomatoes, seeded, chopped (about 2 cups) 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (2 oz) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel 1/8 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper 1 clove garlic, minced Preparation Cook and drain vermicelli as directed on package. Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Gently stir cooked vermicelli into tomato mixture to coat....

Preparation For many of us, a night of sleep is entirely hit or miss. There are so many circumstances that affect how you rest-anxiety, caffeine intake, diet, and health conditions, to name a few. With a number of factors playing a role in your nightly slumber, it’s no wonder 68 percent of adults between the ages of 18 and 29 have experienced insomnia, the National Sleep Foundation reports. Compare that figure with the number of adults ages 30 to 64 who have experienced insomnia: 59 percent!...

Ingredients 1 pouch (17.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces 1 can (21 oz) more fruit apple pie filling (about 2 1/3 cups) 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Preparation Heat oven to 375°F. Spray bottom and sides of 9-inch square pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, place cookie mix. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture is crumbly (do not overmix)....

Ingredients 3/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1/2 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/3 cup milk 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 1/3 cup finely chopped dried apricots 1 tablespoon quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats, if desired Preparation Heat oven to 400°F. Grease bottoms only of 6 regular-size muffin cups with shortening or cooking spray, or line with paper baking cups....

Ingredients 1 1/2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef 1/4 cup Progresso™ plain bread crumbs 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1 egg, slightly beaten 1/2 cup apricot preserves 1/4 cup hoisin sauce 1/4 cup rice vinegar 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) 1 medium red or green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces Preparation Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 15 x10-inch pan with sides with cooking spray....

Ingredients 1/2 cup butter or margarine 1 1/2 medium carrots, finely chopped (3/4 cup) 1 medium stalk celery, finely chopped (1/2 cup) 1 small onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup) 3 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton) 1 cup Original Bisquick™ mix 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) 1 cup milk 4 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (1 lb) 1/2 cup regular or nonalcoholic beer Preparation In 4-quart Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat....

Ingredients 1 box Betty Crocker™ Suddenly Salad™ classic pasta salad mix 3 tablespoons cold water 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup chopped cooked chicken 1/2 cup chopped cooked bacon (5 slices) 1/2 cup Progresso™ canned black beans or black-eyed peas, drained, rinsed 1/2 cup frozen corn, cooked as directed on bag, cooled...

Preparation Caviar has long been considered an extravagance-and at $95 and up for an ounce, that’s not surprising. The good news is that today there is a wider choice of caviar and other cured fish roe, making it’s more accessible than ever. And guess what? It’s also healthy. Caviar and roe are a great sources of omega 3 and vitamin B12 and also contain vitamins A, E, B6, iron, selenium, and magnesium, so there’s even more reason to enjoy it....

Ingredients 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ double chocolate chunk cookie mix 1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 tablespoons water 1 egg 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened 2 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 1/4 cup chopped pecans 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz) 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows 1/2 cup butter or margarine...

Ingredients 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 1/4 cups frozen diced celery, onion, and red and green bell peppers (from 10-oz bag) 2 cans (103/4 oz each) condensed cream of chicken soup 2 cans (10 oz each) diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained 1 package (12.5 oz) Old El Paso™ Soft Taco Dinner Kit 3 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken (from 2-lb chicken) 3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (12 oz)...

Tokyo offers possibly every cuisine in the world, and also many restaurants that are unique to Japan. For our dinner in Shinjuku, we decided to go to Zauo (ざうお) and fish for our dinner! Zauo has 13 locations in Japan including a few in Tokyo where guests get to fish their dinner. You can fish at every location except the original one in Fukuoka. Zauo in Shinjuku is located on the first floor of the Shinjuku Washington Hotel....

Ingredients 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ German chocolate cake mix Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box 1 1/2 cups sugar 3/4 cup butter 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk 4 egg yolks 1 package (7 oz) flaked coconut (2 2/3 cups) 2 cups chopped pecans 3 teaspoons vanilla 1/2 cup Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting (from 1-lb container) Preparation Heat oven to 350°F....

Ingredients 1 box (19 oz) Betty Crocker™ Gluten Free chocolate chip cookie mix 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla 1 egg 1 box (16 oz) Betty Crocker™ Gluten Free brownie mix 1/4 cup butter, melted 2 eggs Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray. In medium bowl, stir cookie ingredients until soft dough forms. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto bottom of pan....

Ingredients 1 box Betty Crocker™ Gluten Free brownie mix Butter and eggs called for on brownie mix box 25 caramels, unwrapped 2 tablespoons whipping cream 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans Preparation Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom of (8- or 9-inch) square pan. In medium bowl, stir together brownie mix, butter and eggs until blended. Spread 2/3 of batter in pan....

Ingredients 1 pork tenderloin (about 1 lb) 2 teaspoons olive or vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 to 2 teaspoons finely chopped chipotle chiles and adobo sauce (from 7-oz can) 1 teaspoon water 1/3 cup seedless red raspberry jam Preparation Heat closed medium-size contact grill for 5 minutes. Position drip tray to catch drippings. Meanwhile, cut pork in half lengthwise, then cut crosswise to make 4 equal pieces....

Preparation No matter how many Thanksgiving dinners you’ve cooked or eaten, no matter how many birds you’ve bought, thawed, brined, seasoned, buttered, basted, stuffed, or spatchcocked, there’s no escaping those nagging questions, “Am I doing it right?” and “Is there a better way to roast a turkey?” Certain styles of cooking turkey come into fashion and fall out of favor, only to return every few years. Deep-frying was all the rage for a few years, then it was brining, then upside-down roasting....

You asked, I’ve responded! Thanks to your inquisitive minds, I received a flood of questions as well as personal horror stories. So, following up to our articles on Japanese Dining Etiquette 101 and 20 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Japan, here’s my attempt of answering all of your questions, Part 2 of the Japanese Dining Etiquette guide! Note: Please remember that although etiquette goes beyond how to hold one’s chopsticks, it’s just a way of showing courtesy to others....