Posts

Ingredients 1 1/2 lb extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef 1 large onion, chopped (1 cup) 1 cup chopped carrots 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 can (14 oz) reduced-sodium fat-free beef broth 1/4 cup tomato paste 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 1/4 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 4 1/2 teaspoons flour 4 1/2 teaspoons water 1/2 cup frozen (thawed) chopped spinach, squeezed to drain 3 cups cubed peeled Yukon Gold potatoes (about 1 1/2 lb)...

Preparation You don’t have to hear much more than the name to know that the monkey orchid is a downright cute flower. Native to the tropical highland forests of Southeastern Ecuador, the Dracula simia-which translates to “little dragon monkey”-thrives at altitudes around 2,000 meters. Be prepared for a hike to see these quirky plants in their natural environment. What really captures our hearts about these little buddies are their long faces, formed by a handful of long petals....

Ingredients 1/2 cup 1-inch pieces uncooked vermicelli or small pasta shells (2 ounces) 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 medium onions, chopped (1 cup) 1/2 medium green bell pepper, chopped 1 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise in half, then thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups) 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with garlic, oregano and basil, undrained 1 can (14 ounces) beef or vegetable broth 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 can (15 to 16 ounces) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained...

Tonteki was featured on the popular Japanese TV program called “Shinya Shokudo (深夜食堂)” or “Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories” which is now available on Netflix. Watch How To Make Tonteki Click here to watch on YouTube Episode of Tonteki from Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories Midnight Diner features Japanese dishes that are more representative of home cooked recipes than Japanese restaurant menus in the US. If you’re interested in Japanese home cooked meals, you will enjoy this show as much as I do!...

Ingredients 2 1/2 cups baby-cut carrots (12 oz) 2 cups cut-up fresh broccoli 3 tablespoons butter or margarine 1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium) 3 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 2 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton) 1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves 2 cups cubed cooked turkey 4 slices bacon 1 cup Original Bisquick™ mix 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz)...

Preparation Many wedding traditions-from the bouquet toss to the diamond engagement ring-have been around for decades. But the meaning behind these rituals has shifted over the years, and many aren’t relevant in modern times. Here are 10 outdated wedding traditions that brides can safely abandon if they so choose. THE CRAZY ORIGINS OF CLASSIC WEDDING TRADITIONS As the Old English saying instructs a bride to carry “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” on her wedding day for good luck in married life....

Ingredients 2 boneless beef tenderloin steaks, 1 1/2 inches thick (6 oz each) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 cup finely chopped cremini mushrooms (2 oz) 2 thin slices prosciutto, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (from 1-lb package), thawed 1 egg, beaten 1...

Ingredients 1 box (16.9 oz) Betty Crocker™ Wild Blueberry Muffin & Quick Bread Mix 1 3/4 cups water 1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 eggs 3/4 cup maple-flavored syrup Preparation Drain blueberries, reserving liquid; rinse blueberries and set aside. Stir muffin mix, water, oil and eggs in medium bowl just until blended. Gently stir blueberries into batter. Grease heated griddle if necessary. For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle....

Ingredients 3 cups Reese’s peanut butter chips 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated) 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 1/3 cup finely chopped cocktail peanuts 1 cup dark chocolate chips 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream Preparation Line 9-inch square pan with foil; spray with cooking spray. In large microwavable bowl, microwave peanut butter chips uncovered on Medium (50%) in 1-minute increments 3 to 4 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring well after each minute....

Ingredients 1 bag (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups) 3 tablespoons organic sugar 2 tablespoons water 3 pasteurized eggs, separated 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup whipping cream 24 firm ladyfingers Preparation Fill bottom portion of double boiler or 1-quart saucepan with 1 to 1 1/2 inches water; heat to a simmer. Place chocolate chips in top portion of double boiler or in heatproof bowl placed over saucepan. With water simmering, stir chips until melted....

Preparation Roman numerals may feel Old World, but this table number DIY gives them a modern makeover. Simply cut the numbers from brightly colored paper, and voila-instant update. We chose a sunny hue for our DIY, but any bright color will make your reception tables pop. Sure, Rome wasn’t built in a day, but these cutout table numbers will come to life in no time at all. Table card template Brightly colored 8½ x 11 inch paper A pair of scissors Double-sided tape Craft knife...

Ingredients 1/3 cup butter (do not use margarine) 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ butter recipe yellow cake mix 1 cup water 2 teaspoons vanilla 3 eggs 1 can (13.4 oz) dulce de leche (caramelized sweetened condensed milk) 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup whipping cream Preparation Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease or spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan. In 1-quart saucepan, heat butter over medium heat 4 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, just until golden brown....

Ingredients 1/3 cup shortening 2 cups Bisquick™ Gluten Free pancake and baking mix 2/3 cup milk 3 eggs 1 jar (14 oz) pizza sauce 1 package (7 oz) sliced gluten-free pepperoni 1 bag (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups) Preparation Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In medium bowl, cut shortening into Bisquick mix with fork until particles are size of small peas....

Ingredients 2 large eggs 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley leaves 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves 2 tablespoons milk 1/4 teaspoon salt Dash pepper 1 oz brie cheese, rind removed and sliced Preparation Combine the eggs, basil, parsley, thyme, milk, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Whisk well to combine. Heat small nonstick skillet over medium heat. (Skillet should be hot before pouring in egg mixture....

We’re teaming up with Japanese Green Tea Company this holiday season to give away their best-selling authentic green tea to five (5) lucky winners. This award-winning Gyokuro Japanese green tea is the perfect beverage to bring a sense of balance when you need to slow down or detox during the busiest time of year. Win Gyokuro Premium Japanese Green Tea Today! Gyokuro Shaded Imperial Japanese Premium Green Tea Also known as “jade dew” or “jewel dew tea”, gyokuro (玉露茶) is a special type of green tea shaded from the sun for 20 days with specially made mats which allows the caffeine levels to increase in the leaves, in addition to allowing the amino acids to get stronger,producing a sweeter and stronger flavor....

Preparation What is a crisper drawer? If you don’t know how to use those drawers in your fridge, you’re not alone. According to Mary Kay Bolger, senior product development manager of refrigeration at Whirlpool, “In the many years of research we’ve done, we’ve found over and over again that crisper drawers seem to be a mystery to the consumer in terms of how they work or how they should be set....

Ingredients 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ lemon cake mix Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box 3 oz cream cheese, softened 1 tablespoon milk 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel 2 cups whipping cream 2/3 cup powdered sugar Lemon twist, if desired Preparation Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease bottoms only of two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans with shortening (do not use cooking spray)....

Ingredients 4 egg whites 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup water 3/4 cup sugar 1 can (16 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce 2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed 1/2 cup water 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup fresh cranberries Fresh mint leaves Preparation In large bowl, beat egg whites and salt with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form; set aside. In 1-quart saucepan, heat 1/3 cup water and 3/4 cup sugar to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved....

Have you tried this variety of Japanese mushrooms called nameko mushrooms (なめこ)? During autumn when mushrooms are in season, we often enjoy nameko mushrooms in our miso soup. Nameko mushrooms have a glossy viscid texture, and they are extremely slippery especially when you try to pick them up with a pair of chopsticks. When I was young, I would challenge myself by lifting the mushrooms one at a time without letting it fall back into the soup....

Nanakusa (春の七草), or “seven herbs,” refers to a group of Japanese herbs used for Nanakusa Gayu (七草粥), a rice porridge eaten on January 7th. Since there is little green during the winter, the herbs bring colors to the dining table, nutrition, and rest the stomach after feasting on Osechi Ryori. They also symbolize new life awaiting spring and are believed to ring in good health for the New Year....