The Cooking Book » Cheap Recipes http://the-cooking-book.com Cooking tips and recipes Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:53:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Some Ideas For Tuna Salad http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/07/some-ideas-for-tuna-salad/ http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/07/some-ideas-for-tuna-salad/#comments Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:44:25 +0000 zoe http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/07/some-ideas-for-tuna-salad/ After working all day, it is time for supper, but in the summer heat who really wants to turn the stove on? For an easy, yet nutritious and delicious meal, have a tuna fish salad. Simply drain a can of tuna, add mayonnaise and pickle relish to taste, and you have the beginning. Want your food to be mouth-watering with those tempting looks? Spread cut lettuce, pet it with a large garnish of cherry tomatoes, decorate with chives freshly plucked from your kitchen garden and your food is ready to serve with that inviting magic aroma! Fill out your meal with some fresh rolls from the bakery department of your local grocery store, with some fruit for dessert and you have a banquet with almost no effort.

Tuna salad doesn’t have to be boring – spice it up with capers, pine nuts, red onions, chopped celery or diced scallions. Be creative, and relax; there is no wrong recipe for tuna salad. Inventing a new cuisine may seem appealing but if we think outside the box we can create something altogether new with food we have at our fingertips. If you enjoy eating tuna salad and tuna sandwiches, you should considering making a baked tuna recipe for a different and exciting meal.

My favorite macaroni and cheese casserole recipe includes cream of mushroom soup and a small amount of cooked tuna. To make it a little fancier, you can put in onion, bell pepper, fresh dill weed, or pimentos. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes until bubbly and fragrant. Topping with a bit of grated parmesan cheese or crumbled potato chips is a flavorful option. Use your imagination and create a new recipe altogether when you substitute tuna for cooked chicken in a recipe

The way to make grilled tuna with tangerines is to taste it with a sauce made of soya sauce, garlic paste, ginger paste, lime, sugar I place the fish in foil and grill it till it is browned. Over here, I grilled some chopped ripe mangoes, garlic, potatoes and green onions. After sauteing the fruits and vegetables until carmelized, I plate them with the fish nestled in the center and then drizzle everything with the ginger soy sauce.

Because tuna has an overpowering flavor, it is best to serve it with a large variety of fruits and vegetables. Grilling fish is relatively simple but the results can be impressive. Sprinkle the top of the dish with green onions. Serve this with a light, fruity white wine!

]]> http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/07/some-ideas-for-tuna-salad/feed/ 0 Crockpot Chicken And More http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/07/crockpot-chicken-and-more/ http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/07/crockpot-chicken-and-more/#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:47:33 +0000 zoe http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/07/crockpot-chicken-and-more/ Slow Cookers and Crock Pots are great when you want to save time in the kitchen. All you need to do is throw the food and seasonings into the pot, turn it on, and forget it at least until the end of the day. Thats when you come home from work to a delicious, fragrant, hot meal. And you didnt even have to slave over the stove, even though it may taste like a gourmet dinner. Although the crockpot does a great job with any meat, I think my favorite food to cook is chicken.

The flavors will soak into the chicken from the seasoning you use so it is a great start for any meal. Because Im so enthusiastic about poultry, my mother got me a book of crockpot chicken recipes that is filled with over 500 different variations on slow cooker chicken. I am especially fond of combining pineapple with chicken for a wonderful sweet and exotic flavor. This book of crockpot chicken recipes has more than 40 recipes with chicken and pineapple, so I dont think I am going to run out anytime soon!

Tonight Im making teriyaki chicken with pineapple citrus glaze. Yum! If you love chili but are trying to stay away from beef, because its higher in fat and cholesterol, you may want to consider trying a white chicken chili recipe. The first time I heard of chicken chili, I thought it probably must taste awful. You can make your chili mild or spicy with the same amount of heat and perfect seasoning whether you use the traditional beef recipe or try it with chicken. My favorite chicken chili recipe turns out to be a white chili, meaning that it uses fresh yellow tomatoes, shredded chicken, chili peppers, onions, and canned white beans, plus the usual seasonings and spices that give it a smoky and rich flavor.

Because they are sometimes not in season, yellow tomatoes are the only ingredient which you may have a hard time finding. You can use a rotisserie chicken to save time, or roast your own. Just make sure you simmer everything in a large pot for several hours until the chicken is tender and the flavors meld together. Once you try this chicken chili recipe, you wont want to go back to beef again! Some bake chicken breast can be the main dish of a wonderful and healthy meal. You can buy big bags of frozen chicken and thaw only the amount you need for each meal.

This is often the least expensive way to purchase chicken for your family. You can bake chicken breasts in almost in flavor, so you can eat them all the time and still feel like you are having something different all the time. You can season the chicken breast with pre-made marinades, homemade marinades, or dry seasonings. You can cook your dinner right away if you marinade your chicken the night before hand.

You can also season your chicken with dry seasonings like garlic or onion powder. If you mix onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder and cumin and use this mix to season a chicken breast, you will have a southwestern type dish. Sprinkle this mixture on both sides of your chicken breasts and bake.

]]> http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/07/crockpot-chicken-and-more/feed/ 0 Some Tips For Preparing Shrimps http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/05/some-tips-for-preparing-shrimps/ http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/05/some-tips-for-preparing-shrimps/#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 08:51:54 +0000 zoe http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/05/some-tips-for-preparing-shrimps/ Are you looking to add a little spice to your average dinner date? Next time you are planning something special for your significant other try cooking a delicious meal of curry-shrimp at home. It is a spicy but delicious alternative to your typical dinner. For that perfect date, clean your room and set the table with good dishes and light the room with candles and don’t forget to welcome her with her favorite flowers. Even though it is spicy, curry shrimp is a great dish because it offers a great kick and a taste that you made it with love.

when ever you choosing a unique dish you indicates you mate that you are not a ordinary type of boring person. A home cooked meal with a salad, a side of rice and a yummy desert would knock the socks off of your date. I was planning on serving cocktail with shrimps at a summer party, but I was worried I would have to buy more than I could afford. Everybody loves shrimp cocktail! My friend told me about a good way to cut down on the number of shrimp my guests would eat.

She suggested serving each individual shrimp in a shot glass with cocktail sauce in the bottom. Each time a guest wanted another shrimp, they would have to have to get another shot glass. My friend said it really cut down on the amount of shrimp she had to buy. I used plastic shot glasses and tail-on shrimp. For the shrimp cocktail I just used store bought sauce, although I did mix in a little extra horseradish because I like a spicier sauce. After all, I was throwing this shindig! A rosemary garnish added the perfect holiday look to the glasses and earned me praise from my guests!

Shrimp Scampi pizza is freakin awesome. I cant believe it took the world so long to find out how to make this. it is like taking my favorite pizza and shrimp, which is putting together. It tastes great. I love the way the cheese blend with those delicious little shrimpfish. Whatever El Diablo mean, I like to name my spiced shrimp pizza; just that. Praised by our forefathers as an aid in the bedroom, shrimp pizza was thought to have supernatural qualities.

On the wedding night, the bride would binge on a shrimp pizza which was thought to light a fire in her loins. I personally believe it is true and I just cant get enough shrimp pizza. Everyone who hasnt tried it yet should definitely go out get some and start reveling in the glory of it and enjoy the best thing to come along in pizza technology in years.

]]> http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/05/some-tips-for-preparing-shrimps/feed/ 0 Charcoal Grilling Is Cool http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/01/charcoal-grilling-is-cool/ http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/01/charcoal-grilling-is-cool/#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:17:13 +0000 zoe http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/01/charcoal-grilling-is-cool/ Perhaps you have just moved into your first place, or you decided that you wanted to broaden your horizons and try new things. Maybe you went to a Fourth of July barbeque party and tasted the beautiful smoked flavor, and decided you wanted to try to replicate it.

After doing your research, you decided that a charcoal grill is right for you. Now what? Give up and find a Texas tree services? Nah, that doesn’t really fit.

Now that you have decided you want a charcoal grill, you have to decide what type of charcoal grill will suit your needs. Are you planning on traveling and using your charcoal grill? If so, you will need a charcoal grill that is small enough to travel with you. Smaller charcoal grills are ideal for cookouts, camping, and tail gate parties, but would not be useful if you were cooking for a larger amount of people.

If you plan on feeding a larger amount of people, a larger charcoal grill will better suit your needs. If you are having issues deciding on which type you should get, you may consider getting both. Smaller charcoals grills can cost as little as $10 to $15 dollars, and will give you the ability to travel.

Charcoal grills contain hot embers and fire when it is in use. Safety should also be a major concern when you are picking out your first Charcoal grill. Look for a charcoal grill with a sturdy structure and sturdy legs. If you grill does now have sturdy legs, it’s chances of falling over is much greater. When a charcoal grill falls over, it will send the hot coals flying. Many charcoal grills also have built in safety features such as a water reservoir and smothering valves.

Undoubtedly, when you are cooking with fire, accidents can happen. In the case that your grill gets out of control or become to hot, these safety features will prevent potentially dangerous fires. The fire department has much better things to do then help you cook.

One of the most noticeable features when using charcoal is the flavor of the food you cook. To cook with a charcoal grill, you must buy charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid.

Charcoal is a one use item, and will need to be discarded after each use. Charcoal can be picked up at your local superstore, gas station, or grocery store, and is typically pretty inexpensive. Charcoal must be light and allowed to burn until the charcoal is no longer on fire, but is red embers. The best way to get the pile to burn is by stacking it in a pyramid.

While no one likes to clean their grill, it is necessary to maintain your grill if you want it to last it’s intended lifetime. One problem you will face is the fact that Charcoal grills stay hot for a long period of time. You can remedy this situation 2 ways.

First you can leave your grill open, allowing it to burn out. This method typically burns a lot of the grease off, but can potentially cause problems if you are not near your barbeque grill.

You do not want to start a fire. Another way is to completely close off your grill and deny the fire oxygen. As soon as the grill is cold, or cold enough not to burn you, you will want to clean the grill.

Leaving the grill dirty for any amount of time will cause the buildup to become hard, and may make it harder to remove. Use a wire brush to clean off the surface areas of your grill, and then spray cooking oil on the surface. Take the racks off and clean them with dishwashing soap. Dawn or other brands that have degreasers work best. Rinse the racks off, and replace them in the grill.
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]]> http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/01/charcoal-grilling-is-cool/feed/ 0 Secrets To Cheap Family Meals http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/01/secrets-to-cheap-family-meals/ http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/01/secrets-to-cheap-family-meals/#comments Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:45:18 +0000 zoe http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/01/secrets-to-cheap-family-meals/ With this failing economy many of us are looking at Meals on a budget to get us through. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom managing a family, a single mom with 3 children, or a working mother trying to handle a career and family, then you are going to need to know how to cook on a budget while still trying to maintain a healthy diet. Grocery costs are steeper than ever and many households are looking at how they can cut some costs without jepordizing their health.

By cutting a few corners and carefully controlling what you spend, you can definitely eat healthy while not breaking your bank account. Below is a list of excellent tips that you can start today to help you save some money on easy home cooking:

1.) The first step is to decide on a grocery budget and ensure to stick to it before you go to the grocery store.

2.) Every week many families will receive grocery flyers in the mail that contain discount sales items. Sit down and go through the flyer making a list of the discounted items that you plan on purchasing before you leave to the grocery store. A substantial amount of money can be saved by taking the time to do this.

3.) Goods that you will not use for sometime are great items to stock up on. You can store items such as tuna fish, canned soups and beans for a long period of time. If you find deals on these items then you may want to purchase several months worth. Other items that can be stored for a few months include dry goods such as breakfast cereals. Make sure to watch for cheap prices when you see them, and stock up on them.

4.) An excellent place to store foods are in the freezer. Large quantities of various food items can be bought and stored in the freezer. You can buy large sized bags of fruits and vegetables and store them for weeks in the freezer. Storing them this way will allow you to keep them for a few weeks which in turn will save you money in the long run. Other items that you can freeze are various meats such as chicken, turkey or burgers. You may want to refrigerate these items if can find them on sale. Putting them into freezer bags or enclosing them in aluminum foil will allow them to last even longer. Purchasing a few loaves of bread can also be a good idea. You can eat one for the week, and freeze the other loaves for the following week.

5.) Do your best to try and buy foods that are in season. Choosing out of season foods can be quite pricey.

6.) Cut and use vouchers from the weekly flyers. Look out for coupons for brand name foods, always compare them with the prices of generic brands, they can be cheaper. Also use coupons on items that you are likely to buy every week. Be sure to buy items that you will use, not just because they’re on sale, this will surely increase your grocery bill.

To find out more about how to save money on easy home cooking during these rough economic times. Read the comprehensive digital report “Times Are Tough – So Eat Cheap”. It is available for instant download. You will find detailed information to help you save money.

]]> http://the-cooking-book.com/2009/01/secrets-to-cheap-family-meals/feed/ 0 Homemade Ingredients Make This Chicken Stand Out In A Crowd http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/12/homemade-ingredients-make-this-chicken-stand-out-in-a-crowd/ http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/12/homemade-ingredients-make-this-chicken-stand-out-in-a-crowd/#comments Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:58:08 +0000 zoe http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/12/homemade-ingredients-make-this-chicken-stand-out-in-a-crowd/ If you are used to just slathering on any old barbeque sauce on your chicken when you want a sweet and tangy coating, you are in for a treat. Gather together your honey, ketchup, soy sauce, and garlic, for a real inspiration. A homemade sauce that replicates barbeque sauce, but allows you to control the flavors you want, is always welcome in any discrimating cook’s kitchen. Make your family a Sunday dinner featuring Golden Honey Chicken and see if they don’t ask for it again and again! I spice up the recipe with a little bottled hot sauce when my husband and I having a rare night alone at dinner, but eliminate the hot sauce when the kids are eating, too.

]]> http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/12/homemade-ingredients-make-this-chicken-stand-out-in-a-crowd/feed/ 0 Where to Find Decent Priced Dinner in Fort Worth? http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/12/where-to-find-decent-priced-dinner-in-fort-worth/ http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/12/where-to-find-decent-priced-dinner-in-fort-worth/#comments Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:14:36 +0000 zoe http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/12/where-to-find-decent-priced-dinner-in-fort-worth/ Looking for a place in Fort Worth where you can get a decent priced dinner (obviously will probably be more expensive in this part of town) that is excellent? Check out this list of
restaurants in Fort Worth for possible leads:

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House
(817) 877-3999
812 Main St
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Reata Restaurant
(817) 336-1009
310 Houston St
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Garcia’s Joe T Mexican Restaurant
(817) 626-4356
2201 N Commerce St
Fort Worth, TX 76164

Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
(817) 740-8810
2406 N Main St
Fort Worth, TX 76164

Bistro Louise Inc
(817) 922-9244
2900 S Hulen St Ste 40
Fort Worth, TX 76109

Michael’s Restaurant
(817) 877-3413
3413 W 7th St
Fort Worth, TX 76107

Ancho Chile Bar
(817) 877-3413
3413 W 7th St
Fort Worth, TX 76107

Saint-Emilion Restaurant Inc
(817) 737-2781
3617 W 7th St
Fort Worth, TX 76107

Texas De Brazil Restaurant
(817) 882-9500
101 N Houston St
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Angelo’s Barbecue
(817) 332-0357
2533 White Settlement Rd
Fort Worth, TX 76107

Cafe Aspen
(817) 738-0838
6103 Camp Bowie Blvd
Fort Worth, TX 76116

]]> http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/12/where-to-find-decent-priced-dinner-in-fort-worth/feed/ 0 Want To Spice Up Your Chicken Skillet? http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/12/want-to-spice-up-your-chicken-skillet/ http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/12/want-to-spice-up-your-chicken-skillet/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:49:51 +0000 zoe http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/12/want-to-spice-up-your-chicken-skillet/ I keep hot pepper flakes on my stove right alongside my salt and pepper, so, yes, I believe that the hotter the better. Taking a simple chicken skillet and turning it into a Hot Pepper and Garlic Chicken Skillet is right up my alley. Besides the hot pepper flakes, there is the pungent flavor and aroma of toasted garlic, and who can resist that? My youngest children don’t enjoy spicy foods as much as I do, so I usually save this one for grown-up night. Although, I have adjusted the temperature of the hot pepper flakes a bit by adding fewer flakes in the mix, and then sprinkling a few on my own plate at the table. Try it out, give the kids a few bites, and see if you’ve got a winner for all.

]]> http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/12/want-to-spice-up-your-chicken-skillet/feed/ 0 Sometimes It’s Nice To Snack Without Guilt http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/11/sometimes-its-nice-to-snack-without-guilt/ http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/11/sometimes-its-nice-to-snack-without-guilt/#comments Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:27:34 +0000 zoe http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/11/sometimes-its-nice-to-snack-without-guilt/ I like to sit down once in a while and enjoy a few crackers with some kind of spread, but everything I like is just not good for me. When I found a recipe for White Bean Spread I was a little skeptical. It sounded good for me, sure, but how could a spread that’s good for you be tasty? Using dried white beans, like navy beans or cannellini beans, which have a great flavor to begin with, then adding lots of garlic, onion, and fresh squeezed lemon, creates a snacking spread that’s good enough for company. Of course, then you’ll have to share and once you try this cracker spread, you may be a little hesitant.

]]> http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/11/sometimes-its-nice-to-snack-without-guilt/feed/ 0 How To Get Your Family To Eat Their Beans, And Love Them http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/11/how-to-get-your-family-to-eat-their-beans-and-love-them/ http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/11/how-to-get-your-family-to-eat-their-beans-and-love-them/#comments Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:49:48 +0000 zoe http://the-cooking-book.com/2008/11/how-to-get-your-family-to-eat-their-beans-and-love-them/ My family agreed we should reduce the amount of meat that we’re eating. Both for our health and for our budget. We’ve been trying to introduce more beans in our meals, but we got stuck. Basically, we ran out of ideas. Even though my husband and I enjoyed any black bean soup or casserole that I made, the youngsters tired more quickly of my dishes. Finding a great kid-friendly meal was a real blessing. I gave this Cheesy Beans and Rice Squares a try and it’s a winner. Most kids will eat anything if it’s covered in cheese, but this dish has more than just cheese going for it! The mixture of beans, rice, and cheese, combined with the great tanginess of Worcestershire sauce, makes this meal perfectly wonderful. And, anytime our whole family can agree on what’s for dinner, it’s a great moment for me.

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