The Versatile English Muffin

English muffins can be used for almost anything. You can have them to start the day . They 're also good in a lunch or dinner or even for a quick snack. Pair them with any ingredient for a tasty and quick dish.

English muffins hav always been a a breakfast treat. After all there's nothing like one hot from the toaster, dripping with butter. However it makes an excellent base for a breakfast sandiwch. You can put either scrambled or a sunnyside up egg along with sausage and cheese on it. The famed Eggs Benedict require that the base be an English muffin, . You cna have the classic which also has Canadian bacon and Hollandaise sauce or variations. There's the Maryland Benedict thats subs in the bacon with a crab cake or the Californian style which features a slice of avocado added.

English muffins can also be used to make quick yet filling lunches and dinners.A simple recipe uses just cheddar with bacon. it's requires nothing more than just simple layering and then heating up in the toaster oven. You can even add a pickle or an onion for a British spin on it. A classic recipe is English muffin pizza. Just add pizza sauce, oil and shredded mozzarella and pop into the toaster oven for ten minutes or until the cheese melts. You can also prebake the muffins for a crispier crust. These pizzas also make good afternoon snacks especially if you're going to be eating the main meal a lot later on.

English muffins are versatile. You create a luxurious breakfast or a hearty lunch. They're perfect increating a fun dinner or easy snack. Try them in a variety of ways for some delicious eating.

Healthy Tailgating

Healthy and tailgating usually aren't used in the same sentence however it can be done. You can create healthy football fare that's both tasty and good for you. The best part is that you won't be sacrificing favorites or flavor. Another good thing is that they're easy to make.

Most parking lot parties start out with a grill.After all there's nothing like the taste of a well done burger or dog. However these can be bad for you with all that cholesterol and nitrates added. Switch to turkey or vegan substitutes. They taste the same yet provide you with lower calories and less preservatives. Also there is so much variety with veggie burgers these days you can bring four or five different types. Flavors range from the spicy Southwestern to the mushroom lovers to the tomato and soy cheese Italian. Serve on either rye or pumpernickel rolls for a healthier alternative to white bread.

Sides can be made just as healthy too. Cole slaw , always a favorite, can be pared down . It can have added crunch by introducing carrots and both red and green pepper strips to it. Also cut out the mayo and sub in a vinaigrette. Potato salad, long a tailgater standard, can be made with less mayo as well,or even with just oil and red wine vinegar. Add some onions and celery for flavor and texture . If your crew demands a macaroni salad, again make it healthier with spelt or whole wheat pasta and splash it with a low cal Italian dressing.

Tailgating is fun. Yet it doens't have to wreck havoc with your diet or health concerns. You can create a tasty, healthy party that's sure to create fans!

Bean Counting

Beans have always been the staple of any diet. They are nutritious and flavorful; a good stand in for meat when needed. What is also great about them is that there are so many different kinds of them and so many dishes featuring them., You can create hot or cold dishes - all delicious - all healthy.

Beans have been around for 3,000 years. The first came from wild plants found in Afghanistan and the Himalayas and were soon made into dishes. The plants quickly were transplanted to Aegean and Mediterranean areas however dried beans were also found in Peru. These were carbon dated from 2000 BCE and it was obvious that they were used in various recipes. Modern people can enjoy many different kinds of beans, from fava to pigeon. Peas are also part of this family as well as are lentils however these are divided into subcategories such as Pisum for peas and Lens for lentil.

Bean dishes are varied, You can create a tasty cold three bean salad which incorporate cannelini, kidney and chickpeas. Add some onions along with a vinaigrette dressing. A pea salad is different as well as being healthy. Mix fresh or frozen peas again with chopped onions and mayonnaise (sub in oil and vinegar for a lighter version).For a hot dish baked beans are classic. Sub in soy or turkey bacon instead of the pork if you don't want a high sodium dish.Then there's Mexican cuisine where beans figure prominently. Any dish has beans , whether red or black either in them or as a side.

Beans are a healthy and tasty choice for any dish, whether main or side. They are versatile hot or cold ; easy to cook and serve. Try any of the many varieties for a delicious change of pace.

Foodie Got Game

It used to be that stadium food meant a pretzel and a hot dog followed by a cup of luke warm beer. If you were lucky the food stand also had burgers and nachos. However all that is changing. Gourmet food is hitting the sports arenas and with it some pretty luxurious snacks.

This was the subject of Glenn Collins article in yesterday's New York Times Dining section. It seems that that New York City landmark, Madison Square Garden is kicking up its' fare to meet foodie standards. It makes sense. After all Manhattan is the gourmet capital of the world these days and why wouldn't a sports venue not get into the act too. There are lobster rolls along with brisket and and hard carved prime ribs along with other prime deli meats from the famed Carnegie deli. There will be two dozen high end specialty food stands in the Garden. Of course hot dogs still reign but they will be cheddar brats , made with high quality bratwurst braised in imported Dutch beer . Sauerkraut , also served, is made with a Riesling white wine.

Yankee Stadium has also undertaken this gourmet food idea. They have sliced steak carts that sell juicy steaks from the famed Lobels. Johnny Rockets is also there and baseball fans probably got a taste of that chain's heavenly onion rings and patty melts. The stadium also has Melissa's for fresh fruit (a welcome change from all that meat and grease ) as well as the Hard Rock Cafe. There are also Italian style stands to buy zeppoli and eggplant parmigiana. Yankee Stadium also offers private buffet areas where fans can eat in private but still enjoy the game from skyboxes.
These are membership only with expensive dues and entrance fees.

The days of just buying a dog or a pretzel at a game are over with. A new sports fan has emerged and that's one that is also a foodie.They want much more than sports fan s of previous eras. They want gourmet with that win.

Chewing On The Chew

Daytime television is changing. The decades old soap operas are gone and in their place talk shows. The Chew is one of these. It's not so much about celebrities but about the food they eat. It's an open dialog and forum that features a variety of personalities.

This new TV show and pioneer of sorts is the subject of a New York Times article in their Dining section. Dining regular , Julia Moskin, explores this as well as interviewing one of the pillars of The Chew, chef , Mario Battali. The premise of the show, according to Mr. Battali is cooking as well as panel discussions.Dr .Oz's daughter, Daphne, is also on the show as are fellow newcomers, Michael Symon, Carla Hall and Clinton Kelly. The show will also feature helpful hints such as creating the perfect sloppy Joe and making olives tastier to name a few.

Is this the future of daytime TV? Execs seem to think so . Thanks to the Food Channel and more foodies out there, food based shows are not only big hits but huge draws for advertisers. The Chew already has food giants like Kraft , Campbells and Hershey's buying advertising time. This beats the usual mix of smaller advertisers and local businesses who buy into the less than lucrative afternoon time slot. Another plus is that the food shows are the most Tivoed and they can be watched at any time. People's tastes are also changing and they want more reality TV instead of manufactured drama. This is what The Chew will provide as other shows . It will be shown on ABC and join The Travel CHannel amongst others in featuring food centric entertainment,.

Food shows are the hottest thing on television right now.It's no wonder that The Chew was created and replaced traditional programming. The proof is literally in the pudding , however , as to whether it will succeed or not.

A Well Made Meat Loaf

Meat loaf is considered the ultimate comfort food. It reminds us of home cooking and passed down family recipes.It's easy enough to make and with certain ingredients can also be considered even gourmet.Still, it's the perfect meal, especially on a crisp, fall evening.

The most important ingredient is the meat. Ground beef is the most traditional but you can also mix it with ground pork and veal. Mixing the different flavors makes for a tasty and juicy loaf. For a lower calorie one use ground turkey meat instead or even vegetarian beef crumbles. There is even a baby's firsts one made with equal portions of meat and formula. Binders usually are eggs and bread crumbs. The last can be flavored to give the meat loaf more taste.

Other ingredients can also be added. You can put in a hard boiled egg for more taste and protein. Some recipes call for bacon to be placed on the top for some crispiness and texture.Italian meat loaf calls for the addition of mozzarella and sauce while barbecue style calls for a half a cup of your favorite barbecue sauce. You can also make a cheesy meat loaf by adding strips of cheddar on top and putting under the broiler for minute or two. Other popular add ins are oregano, garlic, mushrooms and onions. For the vegan loaf, you can add healthy but yummy ingredients such as sunflower seeds , broccoli, cauliflower and carrots.

There's nothing as comforting as a meat loaf dinner on a cool fall night. You can vary what you put in and tailor it to your family's tastes and likes. You can experiment with it or leave it traditional.No matter how you make it it's still a family favorite tasty and satisfying.

Are You Eating Enough?

It's a question most of us have heard since childhood: Are you eating enough?As adults we would say yes. After all we try to have three meals a day.The problem is are we eating the right foods.Do we just grab a burger and feel satisfied with that? Or should we be eating more helpings of veggies and lean meats.

Any meal is a tricky navigation. Thanks to busy schedules, especially now in the fall, it's hard to find a healthy fast food or actually stay in our kitchens long enough to cook. Sometimes we think a sandwich will do the trick. After all what's so wrong with meat and bread. ? It's just not substantial enough. You may want to put some tomatoes on it or even sliced hard boiled egg for more protein.Don't add chips to round it out. Think grape tomatoes or even a pickle as a healthier alternative. Soup is another good choice for lunch or dinner. Round it out with a small mixed salad.

Sometimes we also feel like forgoing meals to keep on a diet or to have a quick weight loss. Don't. This is not a good way to shed pounds, Eat leaner, lighter fare. Try turkey or veggie burgers as opposed to red meat ones. Ratatouille is a low cal dish, tasty and chock full of tomatoes, onions and eggplant.Never skip breakfast or fill in with a quick breakfast sandwich. Oatmeal is a good choice as is fresh fruit with black coffee or plain tea. Stay away from doughnuts , bear claws and Danishes. Tasty yes, filling, yes, healthy, no

Are you eating enough? Ask yourself at every meal. However make sure you're also asking yourself is it healthy enough or is it a filler? Eat , but eat well