Ab Diet Recipes That Are Fun and Easy
Abs diet recipes have something of a reputation for being dull. Ever gone to a restaurant and ordered the “diet plate”, only to have your waiter bring you a plate of Jello and cottage cheese?
The hardest part of defining abs is finding them. In order to see your abs, you must lose the body fat. After your fat is gone, you still have to build up muscle tissue, and that requires protein.
A low fat, high protein diet doesn’t need to be boring, though.
Here are a few fun, easy recipes to help you get started.
Tofu
Tofu is very high in protein and is great for building lean muscle. It is very common in Asian cuisine and is becoming popular in Western cooking because it can be a versatile, low-fat replacement for meat or dairy in many dishes. It can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores.
Tofu Strawberry Banana Shake
INGREDIENTS:
1 block silken or soft tofu
1 frozen banana
1 cup crushed pineapple (with juice)
1/2 cup skim milk or soy milk
4 strawberries
PREPARATION:
1. Drain the tofu and cut it into chunks.
2. Chop the banana and remove the strawberry stems.
3. Mix all ingredients in blender or food processor.
Time to Prepare: 5 minutes
Makes 1 serving
Tip: Add protein powder for an extra boost.
Lentils
Lentils (both red and brown) are also a protein powerhouse. The following recipe looks so complicated, you’ll impress your dinner date. But don’t let the long ingredients list fool you – it’s so simple that you can make it even if you have no cooking experience. Add the spices to your taste to make it mild or spicy.
Indian Curried Red Lentil Soup
(Taken from Vegetarian Times, March 2004)
1 cup red lentils (rinsed)
4 1/2 cups nonfat vegetable stock
2 Tbs. nonfat plain yogurt
1 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger (or powdered)
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. cayenne
1/2 tsp. onion powder
Possible garnishes may be:
* Shredded coconut
* Dried peanuts
* Cilantro
* Diced red pepper
* Chutney
* Raisins
1. Put lentils and vegetable stock in a large
saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high
heat.
2. Reduce heat to medium, and
cook for about 20 minutes, or until lentils
are tender.
3. Reduce heat to very low.
4. Put 2 cups lentils and yogurt into
blender, and puree until smooth.
5. Recombine with soup in pan, and stir in seasonings.
6. Heat and serve, garnishing each portion as desired.
Time to Prepare: 30 minutes
Makes 6 servings
There are many places on the Web where you can find free, simple recipes to lower your fat and build your muscle.
If you’re bored of the same old thing, try Japanese cooking – it is typically low in fat and high in vitamins and protein. Also, even if you’re not a vegetarian, check out some vegetarian recipes. Vegetarian cuisine has virtually no fat and a lot of health benefits.
Remember, abs diet recipes don’t have to be dull and bland. Get creative with your cooking. Your abs and your taste buds will both thank you.
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Nascar Tailgating – Easy Dinner Recipes and Dinner Ideas For Family Fun
Everybody loves Nascar racing, it’s a great family sport enjoyed by fans of all ages. Why not pack up the family and some easy dinner recipes for tailgating and enjoy some great family time together. Don’t forget to wear the colors of your favorite driver. Here are some great tailgating recipe ideas you can use at Nascar, or at a football game or any other party where you have access to a grill. The flavors here are big and bold, but the recipes are easy. Purists might go early and get those deep red rings from low and slow cooking of ribs or brisket. Those are divine, but a lengthy time commitment. Here are some easier recipes that can be finished in a flash. That might help save on beer consumption. Or it might not. (grin)
Bacon and Cheddar Bratwurst
This is a great grilled meal for father’s day or a tailgate party where flavors are big and diet is a four letter word. Yummy though!!!
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 Bratwursts
1/4 lb Cheddar cheese, sliced in strips
4 Slices of bacon
4 Hot dog buns
Bratwurst condiments – mustard – sauerkraut – minced onion
Instructions
Soak toothpicks in water for 30 minutes.
Preheat BBQ or grill for indirect cooking.
Slice the brats lengthwise but not completely through to make a pocket to hold the cheese. Stuff brats with cheese and wrap with bacon. Secure with a toothpick.
Grill brats, cheese side up, over indirect heat for 20 minutes until hot throughout and bacon is crisp.
Serve in buns, toasted (optional) with condiments on the side.
Shrimp Kabobs with Pineapple
Easy to put together and so fun and colorful. Great flavor and kids love them.
Serves 4
Ingredients
Cooking spray
Metal or wooden skewers
1 1/4 lb Large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 1/4 C Pineapple – fresh or canned in juice, cubed
1 Red onion -large, cut into 2 inch chunks
2 Tb Hoisin sauce
3/4 C Chicken or vegetable stock – low sodium
1/4 C Dark rum
2 Tsp Cornstarch
Instructions
Soak skewers in water if wooden. Turn on outside grill to medium high heat, and if using a stove top griddle spray with cooking spray and preheat over medium high heat. Prepare skewers by alternating shrimp, pineapple, and onion. After the skewers are assembled brush all sides with hoisin sauce. Place the skewers on the grill or pan and cook about 5 minutes, turning frequently. Shrimp should be bright pink and cooked through. In a small saucepan whisk together the broth, rum and cornstarch. Set the pan over medium high heat and simmer until sauce thickens about 3 minutes. Stir frequently. Drizzle the sauce over the skewers just before serving or put sauce on table for dipping.
Easy Three Bean Salad
Great accompaniment to any meal. Will stay in the refrigerator for up to one week in a tight lidded container.
Serves 8
Ingredients
1 Can Kidney beans – 15 oz, rinsed and drained
1 Can Black beans – 15 oz, drained and rinsed
1 Can Chickpeas – 15 oz, drained and rinsed
1/2 C Parsley – fresh, chopped
1/4 C Olive oil
1/4 C Balsamic vinegar
Instructions
Combine all ingredients and toss. Cover and chill.
Julie Languille
Mom, step-mom, foster mom and adoptive mom and owner of Dinners In A Flash http://www.dinnersinaflash.com
Easy Dinner Recipes, Menus and Meal Planning for Busy Families
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Baby Shower Recipes – Some Samples to Choose From
A baby shower is a kind of party that celebrates and welcomes a new member to the family. In this tradition, expectant parents usually receive gifts or money for their expected child, which, in a way, supports the parents by helping them get the things that they need for their baby (or the things that they may not be able to afford).
Baby showers are generally held in the later stages of pregnancy (in the last 2 months, for instance). There are, however, certain cultural beliefs that make people purposefully wait for the baby to arrive before having a baby shower. Adoptive parents, at times, wait until after the adoption is final and the baby has arrived in their home.
Baby showers are generally organized by close friends, relatives, or co-workers of the expectant parents (because baby showers center on gift-giving, it is considered inappropriate for a family member to host such events).
In its early form, baby showers were held exclusively for mothers-to-be, and only women were invited to attend the party. In addition, baby showers were traditionally held only for the first child. Today, however, many people arrange baby showers for both parents, and they can now be also arranged for every succeeding children (even children who have been adopted).
Activities in a baby shower typically include games, special activities, presents, and, most especially, food.
Below are some of the most common baby shower recipes:
· Pizza Sandwiches
Pizza sauce (can be store-bought or homemade)
Cottage cheese (low fat)
English muffins
Parmesan cheese
1. Mix 2-3 tbsp of pizza sauce with 2-3 tbsp of cottage cheese.
2. Spread the mixture onto one half of the English muffin.
3. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
4. Broil for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve.
· Creamy Tomato Soup
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 can tomato soup (condensed)
Milk
1 tbsp basil
Mozarella or croutons (for toppings)
1. Heat vegetable oil in a medium saucepan.
2. Add the tomato soup.
3. Add milk (approximately the same amount as that of the tomato soup).
4. Add basil and cook slowly on low heat (do not boil).
5. Top with a sprinkling of shredded mozzarella and croutons. Serve.
· Cheese Balls
½ lb cheese (cheddar or grated)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 pack cream cheese
4 oz Tabasco sauce
2 tsp onion
Chopped nuts
2 tsp catsup or chili sauce
1. Mix all ingredients together using a mixer or a food processor (the cheese should be at room temperature).
2. Empty mixed ingredients on small bowls lined with plastic wrap.
3. Refrigerate overnight.
4. To serve, remove wrap and sprinkle with nuts. Serve with assorted crackers.
· Chicken Puffs
4 tbsp butter
½ cup boiling water
½ cup flour
2 eggs
½ cup shredded cheese
2 cups cooked chicken
2 tbsp olives
2 tbsp wine
¼ cup mayonnaise
1. Melt butter in boiling water.
2. Add flour.
3. Stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball.
4. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
5. Add egg and beat briskly until smooth.
6. Stir in cheese.
7. Scoop 1 tsp dough into a greased baking sheet.
8. Preheat oven to 400°F.
9. Bake the puffs for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, cool, and split.
10. Combine the remaining ingredients with the finely chopped cooked chicken, pimiento, and olives.
11. Fill each puff with 2 tsp of the mixture. Serve.
There are just some of the baby shower recipes, there are numerous others to choose from – from sandwiches & finger foods, to snacks and dips and sweets – appetizing, yet simple and very easy to prepare.
Roger Mitchell has been freelancing as a writer for several years now. His articles on popular health topics include allergies, weight loss and various product reviews can be found on many news sites. His latest contribution at http://www.canopybedframe.net where he share tips on how you should choose a canopy bed frame for your bedroom.
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Tasty and Toasty Halloween Drink Recipes
These warm, autumnal drinks will warm the tummies of little monsters and adults alike! They’re toasty and tasty as well as easy to make – which makes them perfect for entertaining or for making together with the family.
Below are recipes for Mint Hallo-Cream and Orange Hallo-Cream. Note: you can leave the mint and/or orange extract out for a simply delicious vanilla cream drink.
Mint Hallo-Cream
Ingredients:
- 1/2 gallon milk or soy milk
- 1 pound vanilla flavored CandiQuik
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Green food coloring
- Whipped cream
- Sprinkles or nonpareils
Instructions:
- Heat milk on the stovetop on medium heat for five minutes.
- Chop the CandiQuik into small pieces and place into a heat resistant bowl.
- Pour the heated milk over the CandiQuik chunks and stir until candy is melted.
- Stir in vanilla and peppermint extract.
- Add eight drops of green food coloring to make green.
- Pour drink mixture into glasses, top with whipped cream and nonpareils or sprinkles and serve!
Orange Hallo-Cream
Ingredients:
- 1/2 gallon milk or soy milk
- 1 pound vanilla flavored CandiQuik
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- Red and yellow food coloring
- Whipped cream
- Sprinkles or nonpareils
Instructions:
- Heat milk on the stovetop on medium heat for five minutes.
- Chop the CandiQuik into small pieces and place into a heat resistant bowl.
- Pour the heated milk over the CandiQuik chunks and stir until candy is melted.
- Stir in vanilla and orange extract.
- Add three drops of red food coloring and 12 drops of yellow food coloring to make orange.
- Pour drink mixture into glasses, top with whipped cream and nonpareils or sprinkles and serve!
Our family makes these as a tradition to celebrate the beginning of autumn, and we hope you enjoy making these delicious Halloween beverages as much as we do!
Find pictures for these recipes at HalloweenHamlet.com and TastyTulsa.com.
Jennifer Hall enjoys holidays, good food, and coming up with fun recipes for the family. She writes for Halloween Hamlet and Tasty Tulsa – where you’ll find more fun, recipes, and great food!
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Spanish Recipes and Cuisine
Spain is country with a mixed and complex heritage and Spanish cooking reflects this fact. While Spain is a Mediterranean country, and many Spanish dishes owe much to this, Spanish food also includes native foods imported into the country from Spain’s former colonies in the New World such as beans, peppers, potatoes and tomatoes. Other Spanish dishes draw on the countries Jewish and Moorish heritage – it was worth remembering that much of Spain was ruled by the Moors for more than seven hundred years. Even the Reconquista (the Christian reconquest of the Iberian pennisula from Muslims) has left its traces in Spanish cuisine – pork is popular in Spanish food, and historically was a political statement of Christian identity because it was not eaten by Jews or Muslims.
The most important ingredient in Spanish cooking is olive oil, which is unsurprising when you consider the fact that Spain produces almost half of the world’s olives. However, in the North of Spain, butter and lard are also used.
Other characteristics of Spanish food, include the widespread use of garlic and onions, the serving of bread and wine with most meals, and the consumption of fruit or dairy products as desserts. One particularly well-known Spanish custom is the serving of small appetizers (“tapas”) with drinks.
Some popular Spanish dishes include:
– Gazpacho – A cold vegetable soup that is particularly popular in hotter areas such as Andalusia. Traditionally gazpacho was made stale bread, garlic, olive oil, salt and vinegar, but today, bell pepper and tomato are also often added. There is also a variant called &quit;gazpacho manchego&quit; which is served warm, and that includes meat (often rabbit) and mushrooms, and is more like a stew than a soup.
– Paella – A rice dish originally from Valencia. The main ingredients are rice, saffron and olive oil, and the dish is usually garnished with meat or seafood, and vegetables.
– Chorizo – A spicy sausage made from fatty pork seasoned with chili and paprika. There are two varieties: hot (“picante”) and sweet (“dulce”). Most varieties can be eaten cold, although there are some regions of Spain which produce varieties that need further cooking. Chorizo is not only eaten on its own, but is also used as an ingredient in other dishes.
– Jamón serrano – Dry-cured ham.
– Fabada Asturiana – A bean stew that also contains black blood sausage (“morcilla”), chorizo and pork, and which is flavored with saffron and other seasonings.
– Olla Podrida – A rich stew with bacon, poultry or game, ham, meats and vegetables.
– Marmitako – A fish stew made with onions, pimentos, potatoes and tomatoes.
– Calamares – Fried squid.
– Pescaíto Frito – Marinated fish, battered and fried.
– Tortilla de patatas – An onion and potato omelette.
Originally published at http://www.recipesmaniac.com/cook_spanish.php.php – visit this site for more information, photographs and Thai cook books.
Discover more about recipes and cooking at http://www.recipesmaniac.com/
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Low Glycemic Index Recipes
Let’s say you already know what products have low levels of GI. You can swap this so you don’t get bored eating them or you can try out low glycemic index recipes to make it more fun to eat.
One example is Broccoli Frittata. For this, you will need 3 beaten eggs, 2 cups sour cream, 2 slices whole grain bread processed into crumbs, half a cup of Parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2/3 cup chopped onion, and 3 (10 ounces) packages chopped broccoli.
You then preheat the oven to 350 degrees and heavily oil a 9×13 inch casserole. You then thoroughly mix the eggs, sour cream, cheese, nutmeg and bread crumbs with a fork or wire whisk then set this aside.
Next, you heat the oil in a medium skillet and add onions and cook until it is translucent. Meanwhile, you microwave the broccoli 2 – 3 minutes, until it is thawed. You then add the broccoli to the onions and continue cooking until the excess moisture is gone. Remove from heat and pour this into the prepared casserole.
Pour the egg mixture over broccoli and onions. Bake it for about 50 minutes or until the frittata is puffy and then serve.
Another example for a low glycemic index recipe is the Peppered Swordfish. If this is not available, you can substitute this instead for Sea Bass. First, you will need to prepare 6 swordfish steaks (about 6 ounces each), half a cup of dry white wine, ¼ cup lemon juice, half a teaspoon soy sauce, half a teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 clove garlic, 1 tablespoon coarsely ground pepper and 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper. You then blend all ingredients except the fish.
Rinse the fish under cool water and pat dry. Dip the fish in marinade, turning once. Grill about 12 minutes per side or just until the fish flakes when a fork is inserted in center.
You can buy books or do research online to find other low glycemic index recipes. If the ingredients mentioned in any of the dishes are not available, you must avoid putting products that contain partially hydrogenated oil and trans fatty acids, high fructose corn syrup, processed food such as white bread or bleached flour, pre-packaged or fried food and caloric drinks.
The must have’s on the hand can have seasonal fruits or vegetables, low to medium glycemic index in carbohydrate, lean meat and foods that are rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9.
For diet tips to lose weight, visit http://www.burn-fat-lose-weight.info
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Picnic at the Beach – Easy Dinner Recipes and Dinner Ideas For Family Fun
What could be better than a picnic at the beach for a family dinner outing? Sand in your toes, the roar of the ocean a walk on the beach, and a roaring fire to gather around. If you aren’t lucky enough to live near the ocean, a lake, pond, creek or fountain will do. Or simply put blankets down in the back yard. A few easy dinner recipes for a picnic at the beach then later when it gets dark you can do some star gazing.
What you need:
1) A place to go. Choose a local beach, preferably with fire pits or BBQs. One with a bit of shelter from the wind is ideal. It will keep the sand out of your food later.
2) Fire – a fire ring, BBQ, or create your own. You can bring a small portable BBQ or dig a pit and line it with stones. If you are making your own fire pit it is great to involve the whole faily in the digging, the hunt for stones and the search for firewood. It is a good idea to bring a grill to set on top of stones on your firepit. And i always bring some backup firewood in case the search for wood turns up less than an adequate supply.
3) Seating – a picnic bench, folding chairs or a huge old quilt or blanket are wonderful to sit on fireside. Bring several so as the day gets cooler you can all be near the fire and you can switch side s as the wind direction changes to avoid getting smoke on your eyes.
4) Games – It is a great idea to bring some games or toys to occupy the troops until dinner time. A bucket and shovel are classic beach toys and the basis of any good sand castle. It’s really amazing how the sand itself is entertaining for kids to play with. It’s like at Christmas when all the little kids love to play in the boxes and wrapping; take them to the beach and they love the sand. Of course later they’ll have it in every crevice, but that’s a price well worth paying for a good afternoon at the beach. Beach balls are another good choice as are Frisbees. Bring another bucket if you’ve got a shell collector. They’ll spend hours combing the beach for treasures. You can make a game of collecting sea shells and sea glass and have a craft day later where you turn your treasures into a craft such as decorated picture frames.
5) Camera – Since we may be making some decorated picture frames later with our collected shells, we may as well bring the camera and capture some sun and sand logged goofiness on film. I love a shot from the end of the day when everyone ir pink and sandy, tired and happy.
6) Safety – Be sure to have the safety discussion with kids early on. Depending on how many you have with you and what their ages are, there rules may vary, but each child should clearly know whether they are allowed in the water, and if so how deep. (To the knees? To the Belly button?) And if we are wandering the beach looking for shells, lets choose marker to show how far it is safe to go and whether you need to have someone come with you.
7) Drying off – Bring loads of towels, preferably big beach towels. Bring more than you think you’ll need because someone always gets cold and wet when it is later in the day and beginning to get chilly.
8) Warm clothes – be sure to bring jackets for every one. Once the day turns cooler it is easy to get chilled. Bring something soft in case we’re gotten any sunburn.
9) Sunscreen – I hate to have to cut a great outing short becasue we didn’t plan well enough for sun exposure. Be sure it is water proof, plentiful and it is reapplied as needed.
10) Drinks! Be sure to have plenty of bottles of water on hand and well as fruit drinks for the kids and whatever the adults would like. Why not go with a beach theme and have some mai tais on the beach. They needn’t even be alcoholic to taste good, although a little rum add good flaover. Buy mai tai mix, orange juice, mango juice, pineapple juice and rum if desired and go to town. It’s extra point if you bring cute glasses (non breakable of course) and super extra credit for those little umbrellas.
11) Food! I bet you thought we never get there, but you know the food is the highlight of the day. Today we’re doing shrimp boil in foil; succulent tender shrimp, sweet summer corn and spicy sausage all grilled together in a foil packet. The are make ahead and kept in the cooler to pop on the fire when we’re ready. Also bring a loaf or garlic bread, all buttered and sliced and wrapped in foil to warm on the grill. For appetizers I like to do little smokey sausage links. Give everyone a weiner roasting stick or fashion them yourselves from coat hangers, spear a little smoky sausage and heat over the fire until sizzling. Careful though, they’re hot! Bring more than you think you’ll need because appetites get big with all that sun and activity. I’m convinced it makes the food taste better too! For dessert, it’s got to be s’mores. Bring marshmallows, roasting sticks, chocolate bars and graham crackers. Again bring more than you think you need to account marshmallows dropped in the sand, burnt like torches and hearty appetites!
Grilled Shrimp “Boil” in Foil
A shrimp boil is a traditional southern dish where shrimp, shellfish, sausage and corn are boiled together with Old Bay seasoning. This has all the good flavor, but is faster and easier to prepare in foil packets.
Serves 4
1 1/2 lb Shrimp – medium – peeled and deveined
1 lb Mussels
1 lb Clams
1/2 lb Kielbasa, sliced
2 Cobs of of corn, shucked
2 Tb Butter
1/4 C Water
1/4 C White wine
1 Tsp Old Bay seasoning
Instructions
Preheat grill to medium high heat. Cut the corn into 1 inch rounds. Tear off 4 large sheets of foil and fold in half to double. Divide seafood, corn and sausage evenly among the packets, dot with butter, sprinkle on Old Bay, and 1 TB of both wine and water. Fold up with double folds to secure well. Grill packets about 10 minutes turning once until puffed. Empty each packet carefully into a bowl to serve.
Julie Languille
Mom, step-mom, foster mom and adoptive mom and owner of Dinners In A Flash
http://www.dinnersinaflash.com
Easy Dinner Recipes, Menus and Meal Planning for Busy Families
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New Orleans Recipes – Grillades – Chicken or Pork Chops With Tomato Gravy
My grandmother was named Anita. She was my father’s mother and lived to the age of 94. From my earliest childhood memories, she was always cooking good food. All the adults used to call my grandmother Nita for short. My oldest cousin will tell you that when she was just learning to talk and she her one of my grandmother’s friends call her Nita. She would correct them and say no “My Ta” which became Mata and hence she was always Mata to all her grandchildren.
Mata shared a common trait with all the old New Orleans cooks and was never one to write down her recipes. I managed to badger her into telling me how to do it so I could cook like her and preserve her recipes for future Dapremonts.
I am going to give you her Grillades recipe. Most people serve this over pasta. The Dapremont family usually ate it with Vermicelli spaghetti which is a very thin pasta that is a little larger than angel hair pasta. I never liked pasta too much so I would always have her make me some white rice and that was how I ate it.
Here it is:
Bon Apetit’
GRILLADES – CHICKEN (OR PORK CHOPS) WITH TOMATO GRAVY
Fry chicken or pork chops and set aside.
2 onions, chopped fine
1 whole garlic
1 can tomatoes
1 bunch parsley
1/2 can (4 oz.) tomato paste
1 Tbsp. flour
Fry onion in small amount of fat, then fry the tomatoes. Add garlic and parsley. After onion in brown, add flour (will thicken gravy). Add tomato paste. Add approximately 1 cup water and let simmer. Salt and pepper to taste. Add meat and let it cook down to taste. Serve over rice.
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The Best Italian Cooking Recipes
Italian cooking is incredibly popular, and it is definitely among the richest and most varied anywhere. The problem is finding an easy Italian recipe to make, which is especially important if you are just a beginner. There are a few really great Italian cooking recipes that are ideal to try out, even for someone who has never cooked Italian food before in their life.
Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp is a very popular Italian food and shrimp scampi is definitely one of the most widely loved Italian cooking recipes. For this recipe you will need 1 ½ pounds large shrimp, 1/3 cup butter, 4 tablespoons minced garlic, 6 green onions, ¼ cup dry white wine, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.
To prepare this dish you start off by rinsing the shrimp and setting it aside. Then you want to heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, cook the garlic for a couple of minutes until softened and then add the shrimp, green onions, wine, and lemon juice. You want to cook the shrimp until they are pink and firm, which should take about one to two minutes on each side.
Keep in mind that the trick to this recipe is to not overcook the shrimp. You can add a lot of extra garlic but make sure not to overdo it because you do not want to overshadow the taste of the shrimp. The dish is often served over pasta but can also be served on its own with some crusty bread.
Spaghetti with Mussels
Another of the most popular Italian cooking recipes is spaghetti with mussels. Not only is this considered as being one of the most delicious Italian cooking recipes but one of the easiest to prepare as well.
For this recipe you will need 3 pounds fresh mussels, 1 bay leaf, 6 peppercorns, 2 whole cloves, ¼ cup dry white wine, 3 quarts water, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 pound spaghetti, 4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 cup stewed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon fresh basil, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon white pepper.
To prepare, you begin by scrubbing the mussels under cold water, and removing the beards and draining. Then you want to add the mussels, bay leaf, peppercorns, cloves, and wine together in a large saucepan or kettle. Cover this mixture and bring to a boil, and then cook this over high heat until the mussels open. This typically takes about five minutes but times will vary depending on the cooking element.
Finally you add the garlic and cook briefly, stirring often. Add the tomatoes, broth and spaghetti, and then add the mussels to this. Stir and heat for a moment and serve hot.
These Italian cooking recipes are just examples of what authentic Italian cooking is really all about.
Echo Wang is a contributing Editor forcooking-tips – Find out which cooking products, treatments & solutions will continue to be beautiful at any time. Our site is dedicated to providing information about cooking well options so you can continue to do it perfect, if want to more information, please visit Italian Cooking Recipes
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Alaskan Crab Recipes For Dungeness and King Crabs
With so much great seafood, it’s no surprise that the crab meat coming out of Alaska is second to none. Especially prized among Alaska’s crab offerings are the king crab and the dungeness crab. Both are considered to be among the finest, most exquisite varieties of crab to be had anywhere. The dungeness crab season, much longer than the king crab season, lasts between December and June, and most of the fresh dungeness will be found towards the beginning of that period.
Consider trying out either of these magnificent recipes the next time you have the delight of buying either of these excellent crabs at your local market…or if you ever make it out to Alaska! A particular favorite is the cream of crab soup recipe described below!
· Dungeness Cream of Crab Soup:
Heat a half stick of butter in a pot, and when it begins to brown add a cup of milk, 4 cups half and half, and a small can of cream of celery soup. Stir and add minced parsley and spices (a pinch each of Old Bay, curry powder, and salt and pepper), and after 5 minutes of cooking add a pound of crab meat. Turn off flame and let sit several minutes. Add a splash of sherry or cognac to add a kick.
· King Crab Royale:
Split open several king crab legs (about 12 ounces of meat in all), leaving the meat inside the shells, though possibly separating and cutting up a bit, to make removal easier when eating. Separately, combine in a bowl a half cup of melted butter, one grated onion, finely chopped parsley and tarragon (a small handful in total), the juice of half a lemon, and a tablespoon of hot sauce, with salt and pepper to taste. Baste the crab legs, and send to the broiler. Cook under a high flame for 5 or 5 minutes, removing every 2 minutes to baste again.
These two king crab and dungeness crab recipes represent everything there is to be loved about Alaskan seafood: simplicity and versatility. Seafood consumers seem to appreciate those two qualities, as well as everything else that there is to love about the ecologically-conscious Alaskan seafood industry and all it has to offer. You could even start with the cream of crab soup, and then work your way to the King Crab Royale as a finale!
There are plenty of different ways to prepare Alaskan seafood. The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has great recipes to help you create the perfect dish.
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Fun Drink Recipes 