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    Healthy Recipes with Big Flavor

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    Maintaining a healthy lifestyle includes a variety of commitments, from exercising to eating right. However, serving up healthy meals doesn’t have to be boring. Taco-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Prep time: 30 minutesCook time: 50 minutes Servings: 4 INGREDIENTS 2 spaghetti squash (2 pounds each) 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste, divided pepper, to taste 1 pound ground chicken 1 cup diced red onion, divided 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes 1 teaspoon cumin 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 can Black Ripe Sliced Olives 1 lime, juice only 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese 1 avocado, diced 1 large tomato, diced 1 jalapeno, minced 1/2 cup Lindsay Black Ripe Medium Olives 1 lime, wedged DIRECTIONS: Heat oven to 400° F. In microwave, cook one whole squash 3 minutes. Repeat with second squash. Cut each in half and scrape out seeds. Drizzle 1 teaspoon oil over each half and rub around until insides are coated. Sprinkle each with salt and pepper, to taste; place on parchment-lined baking sheet center down to lay flat. Bake 50 minutes. Heat large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Put 2 teaspoons oil in pan then chicken, 3/4 cup onion and garlic. Cook until chicken is cooked through. Add tomatoes, cumin, chili powder and remaining salt; stir to combine. Bring mixture to boil and cook, uncovered, 15 minutes to reduce liquid, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in sliced olives and lime juice. When squash is cooked, scrape insides with fork to release from edge then create nest. Put 1/4 of chicken mixture and 1/4 cup cheese in each squash half. Bake 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Top with avocado, diced tomatoes, remaining onions, jalapeno, whole olives and lime wedges. Mediterranean Chicken and Grain Bowl Servings: 6 INGREDIENTS  8 ounces farro or brown rice 6 cups spinach, stems removed 1 1/2 cups diced seedless cucumbers 1 1/2 diced tomatoes 6 thin slices red onion    3 cups cauliflower florets 3/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette 3 cups cooked skinless chicken breast 6 tablespoons fat-free or low-fat crumbled feta cheese 3 tablespoons kalamata olives DIRECTIONS:  Cook farro according to package instructions. On serving plate, place 1/2 cup farro. Around farro, arrange 1 cup spinach; 1/4 cup cucumber; 1/4 cup tomatoes; 1 slice red onion, separated into rings; and 1/2 cup cauliflower. Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette over salad. Top with 1/2 cup chicken and garnish with 1 tablespoon feta cheese and 1 1/2 teaspoons olives. Repeat with additional servings.  Curry-Spiced Tofu with Asian Vegetables Servings: 4 INGREDIENTS: 12 ounces light, extra-firm tofu, drained and patted dry, cut into four slices 1 tablespoon, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons, curry powder, divided 12 ounces packaged fresh stir-fry vegetables 1 tablespoon water 2 teaspoons canola oil 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil 1 large onion, cut into 3/4-inch wedges 4 large garlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup light coconut milk 1/4-1/2 teaspoon chili garlic sauce DIRECTIONS: Put tofu on large plate. Sprinkle tofu on both sides with 1 tablespoon curry powder. In large microwaveable bowl, microwave vegetables and water on high 2-3 minutes, or until vegetables are almost tender-crisp. Pour off remaining water. In large nonstick skillet, heat canola oil over medium-high heat, swirling to coat bottom. Cook tofu in single layer 3-4 minutes on each side, or until browned. Transfer to separate large plate. Cover loosely to keep warm. In same skillet, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat, swirling to coat bottom. Cook onion 1 minute, stirring frequently. Stir in vegetables and garlic. Cook 1-2 minutes, or until vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring constantly. Stir in coconut milk, chili garlic sauce and remaining curry powder. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Spoon vegetable mixture over tofu.

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    Bakers Edition: How to Create a Better Kitchen

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    Whether you’re whipping up a big batch of extra fudgy brownies for a school bake-sale or crafting a delicate three-tier Orange Cardamom Cake with Rose Buttercream for a special occasion, we have practical tips and advice for the ultimate kitchen layout, tools, and equipment so you can turn your kitchen into a bakers dream. Do you love to bake? Here are some great ways to make your kitchen work for you. Custom Counter Heights  Different tasks call for different countertop heights. Home cooks serious about baking may want to consider custom countertop heights to achieve the most comfortable height. A counter-height surface works fine when mixing or assembling recipes. For kneading or rolling out dough, most bakers prefer a lower surface to get the right amount of leverage. To achieve this, you can Install countertops at a custom height or lower a section of an island so it’s the right height.  For a simpler solution, stand on a step stool and use a counter or use a kitchen table to achieve the most comfortable height. Previous Next Turn to Your Pantry  Baking often requires lots of ingredients and bulky countertop equipment, so pantry organization is the key to maintain a pristine kitchen. Install pull-out and horizontal pantry drawers that help you easily access your baking supplies. If you have enough space, consider putting your baking station inside your pantry. Also consider extra shelving for mixer storage. Organizing the pantry into specific sections and using bins with airtight lids allow for easier access when you need the basics – flour, sugar, brown sugar, chocolate chips, etc. Previous Next The Right Work Station  Granite and marble stay cool, making pastry dough easy to roll and clean up easily. Other baker-friendly countertops that can accommodate rolling, cutting and direct heat with no fuss are Quartz and Corian. If you can’t afford to install a whole slab, purchase a small marble section specifically for baking, or place marble on the kitchen island. Previous Next Double Ovens If what you are looking for is more baking and less waiting, double ovens are a bakers dream. They’re Spacious and versatile enough to accommodate your needs and allow a baker to cook two dishes at different temperatures at the same time. The double ovens, with convection are a must as the Convection ovens work with fans that recirculate heat, which evenly bake cookies and crusts. Even baked goods such as croissants develop a crispy, even texture with convection heat. An oven with a warming drawer or built-in Proof mode create the perfect oven environment for proving dough, you can also cook a variety of dishes in the warming drawer like meringues or melt chocolate. Extra Deep Sink  The sink is an essential element to keep the kitchen clean. Clean-up will be a whole lot easier with a deep, wide more functional kitchen sink since baking often involves using odd-shaped pans, oversized cookie sheets and large mixing bowls – many of which can’t go in the dishwasher. Previous Next Stand Mixer Serious bakers have more than one, and double or triple up on the bowl attachments so they don’t have to stop to wash them before moving on to the next phase of a baking project. Previous Next Baking Supply Cart It’s easy to run low on countertop space and having your supplies within reach is essential when baking. With a rolling cart you can move around your kitchen more easily and have your baking essentials wherever you’re working. Tech Corner There are thousands of recipes and how-to videos online to access these you can wire in a TV, desktop or laptop computer or an iPad in a small corner next to your countertop. A kitchen desk area works well for multi-tasking bakers so you can monitor the oven when working or catching up on emails and social media.

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    6 Superfoods to Add to Your Diet in 2020

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    If you’re on the lookout for simple ways to boost the nutritional content of your meals in 2020, we’re breaking down the trendiest superfoods that’ll be getting lots of attention.   Fermented Food Fermentation is a natural process through which microorganisms like yeast and bacteria convert carbs — such as starch and sugar — into alcohol or acids. Yogurt, pickles, kombucha, and kimchi are all popular fermented foods today. These foods contain natural probiotics (aka good bacteria) that can improve digestion and your immunity, Fermented foods are rich in beneficial probiotics and are associated with a range of health benefits — from better digestion to stronger immunity. Try it: Add kimchi or sauerkraut to sandwiches or salads, substitute sugary sodas with naturally sparkling kombucha and you can also add yogurt and kefir to your smoothies. Seeds Seeds contain all the starting materials necessary to develop into complex plants. Because of this, these little guys pack a powerful nutritional punch. Extremely nutritious this fatty staple is having a moment. Pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds, and good ol’ chia all provide healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. When consumed as part of a healthy diet, seeds can help reduce blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Try it: Stock up on any kind of seeds you like and have them in baked goods, salads and dressings; You can also make chia seed pudding or add a spoonful of chia seeds to oatmeal to up the fiber and protein. Avocado These days, the avocado has become a popular food among millennial and health-conscious individuals. The Avocado is a fruit and it’s considered a superfood for its many health properties. Avocados are very nutritious and loaded with almost 20 essential vitamins and nutrients and are a good source of unsaturated fats, fiber, potassium, vitamin E, and B vitamins. They’re weight loss friendly, heart-healthy and, last but not least, taste incredible. Try it: Mash avocado on toast, add it to salads or blend some with a handful or two of fruit for a delicious smoothie. Microgreens  These are the baby versions of the vegetables and herbs you already know about, like kale, spinach, and mustard greens, radish, arugula, beet greens, cilantro, and parsley. Packed with vitamins and minerals, microgreens are becoming a fun, flavorful way to add to meals. Try it: Add fresh microgreens to your salads or grains, stir them into pasta, or use them as a nutritious garnish to your favorite meals. You can also drink them down with a greens powder as smoothies. Pulses Pulses, which include peas, lentils, and beans that provide loads of fiber, carbs, and protein are the new veggie superfood. Nutritious, sustainable and affordable, this nutrient balance can help stabilize your blood sugar and improve digestion. Try it: They’re great for making vegetarian burgers, eating in salad, soup, or pasta. Also, use pulses in baked goods -either whole or as flour. MCT Oil  Keto has made pretty much all fats popular, especially MCT oil which is a big part of the diet. For those unfamiliar MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) are found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and even some dairy products. MCT oil is easily absorbed and transported throughout the body. It can be used as an instant source of energy or can be converted into ketones to fuel your brain. They’re less likely to be stored as fat than other types of fat are—and they don’t spike your blood sugar the way carbohydrates do. Try it:  You’ll get some MCTs from coconut oil—but you can also buy bottles of flavorless isolated MCT oil. Add a teaspoon or two to your oatmeal, smoothies, dips or salad dressings for a little extra oomph.

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    Kitchen Remodel Ideas for Small Spaces

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    Learning how to optimize your cooking space is the first step to remodel your kitchen cost-effectively. With limited space, trying to update your kitchen with quality products that work and fit into your home can be a difficult task to accomplish.    Maximizing your kitchen space is a lot easier when you choose the right cabinet and appliance options. Kitchen cabinets can be the most cluttered space in any kitchen because of all the utensils needed for cooking. This is especially true with confined drawers because you end up putting all your eggs in one basket-so to speak! The good news is that there are simple and efficient ways to maximize your cabinet space.  For quick and easy access having food items next to your cooking area is a must! With a spice filler kit, you can neatly place your spices in your drawers at any angle to see each spice or any other food items for easy identification and removal.  Another useful way to organize your kitchen is with swing-out shelves that offer great visibility and easy access. These handy shelves remove the pain of having to search for hard to reach cookware and containers. Finding a place to store small appliances in small kitchens can be a huge challenge when you don’t want your counter space overrun with kitchen devices, you’ve got to get nifty. A kitchen with clutter-free counters is not only more aesthetically pleasing but also offer you the most cooking space possible.  Over-the-range microwaves are the ideal choice for small kitchens, but very few can fit in a compact space. The perfect over the range microwave for limited spaces is the COS-2413ORM1SS by Cosmo without having to settle for low power. This microwave has an impressive 1000 watts for precise control to give you excellent results with a range of touch presets and 10 power levels and sensor cooking to prepare your favorite meals and snacks. Eliminate smoke, steam, and cooking odors from your kitchen with built-in exhaust fans. This OTR microwave’s sleek black glass finish brings an ultra-chic look to your kitchen, and it’s wonderfully complemented by convenient functions like the ability to disable the glass turntable and child locks for safety. To seal the deal it boasts a very affordable price tag.  The refrigerator is the safeguard of produce, frozen foods, meat, dairy products to maintain the freshness of our food items 24 hours a day, but can also take up most of your kitchen space. For small kitchens, our French Door Refrigerator can make your cooking space feel larger and help improve mobility to be at eye-level with your food items. Here is a refrigerator to meet your everyday grocery demands, Cosmo’s FDR225RHSS 22.5 cubic feet 4-Door French Door Refrigerator. A Modern refrigerator that will make a statement but still takes up less space in your kitchen, so you’ll walk through it with ease. This refrigerator provides better storage for oversized and small items, its total storage capacity includes 15.9 cu. ft. fresh food capacity provides ample interior space, while 6.6 cu. ft. freezer capacity allows you to store plenty of your frozen foods with easy access. Sophisticated aesthetic features like a stainless steel finish that’s fingerprint resistant to keep your fridge looking spotless, and digital temperature controls and display for accurate monitoring. Our intelligently crafted refrigerator is here to provide you with easy access to your food items, ample kitchen space, and an automated ice-maker. A kitchen renovation is a formidable undertaking on its own with multiple areas to touch base. Especially choosing what appliances fit best with your cooking space. Cosmo offers a variety of products that make renovating for space easier with appliances that fit each unique kitchen area to maximize the utility and spaciousness of your kitchen.

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    5 Steps to Meal Prep for the Week

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    Eating healthier and saving time around the house are common goals for many families, and there’s one solution that can help attain both: meal-prepping. By planning and preparing meals in advance of each week, you can practice better portion control while creating free time for normally hectic mornings, afternoons and evenings. Consider these tips to start your meal-prepping process: Include the whole family. By letting everybody in on meal-prepping, you’re helping ensure everyone is satisfied with the breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks that become your end results. Even if you only plan to work in advance on lunches, for instance, loved ones will likely enjoy the process more if all are pleased with the meals they enjoy later. Plan the meals. Once the whole gang is included and on-board, start brainstorming the recipes and dishes you’d like to make. Try starting with just one course at first – lunch is likely to be the easiest – to help keep meal-prepping simple at the start. Buy ingredients in bulk. Whether your grocery shopping takes place over the weekend or on a free weeknight, purchasing ingredients and supplies in bulk – without overbuying perishables like fruits and veggies – can help make sure you have everything you need once it’s time to build the meals themselves. Head to the kitchen. Pick one day each week when you can plan to spend ample time in the kitchen making your meals. Use cooking techniques that are less hands-on, like baking or slow-cooking, as often as possible so you can multitask throughout. Sort and divide. Using quality food containers to keep your meals as fresh as possible, start splitting up servings in ways that fuel you and family while instituting improved portion control. By sorting out specific meals ahead of time, you can begin creating better eating habits.

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    The Electric Range You’ve Been Looking For

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    It’s officially a new decade, and that means it’s time to upgrade your kitchen appliances with better than ever cooking devices to implement into your home. Cosmo is here to provide you with high-quality home appliances for everyone from the everyday cook to professional chefs, always bringing precision to the table. Our COS-305AERC electric range is the kitchen appliance you need for enticing family meals, special occasions, and baking delectable desserts. The electric design ensures consistent heat for properly cooked meals without having to wait for a burners command. Built with smart technology this Range includes a sleek large 4 inch digital display to monitor oven temperature that functions more effortlessly and delay start options that provide a helping hand from start to finish. Modern aesthetic accompanies this stove-top that features a 5-burner smooth glass ceramic cooktop including two select a size burners to customize your cooking options the way you want. The electric stove-top provides you with stability for pots and pans of any size to increase your comfort to cook what you desire with the utmost safety for every dish that sits above each burner.  We designed the exclusive melt feature on this range for delicate foods that require low heat, when melting chocolate or holding sauces for appetizing results. Cleaning the electric stove-top is simple with one uniform surface to wipe down, reducing the build-up of grease and grime, leaving you with a spotless cooking area every time.  This state-of-the-art oven is one you can rely on to get dinner started after a long day at work.  The range is equipped with seven oven functions that include bake, broil, warm, proof, convection bake, convection broil, and convection roast to meet all of your cooking needs.  We furnish the electric oven with a precision temperature probe that advises the range to cycle the oven heating element on and off to prevent overheating. Our range also comes with a meat thermometer to determine whether meat, poultry, and fish are cooked to the desired doneness to eliminate the guesswork. The built-in timer on the control panel works to notify you when your food is done for superb meals every single time. The timer can be set in hours or minutes up to 11 hours and 59 minutes and counts down the set time to alert you when your meal is ready. Don’t worry about spending hours scraping and scrubbing food residues because our range offers a self-cleaning feature that does the work for you, cutting clean-up time in half. This range is a beautiful centerpiece that bring the kitchen together for the modern-day homeowner. The refined design of this range is compatible with any home décor that makes updating your kitchen a breeze. The polished blue porcelain interior creates a bold cooking backdrop, accenting your oven’s unique features. This range not only offers top of the line cooking results, but also brings an alluring presence in your kitchen. The COS-305AERC electric range is the way to cost-effectively revamp your kitchen, without having to compromise quality for price. Previous Next PROS Smooth glass ceramic cooktop is easy to clean Four cooktop burners and one warming zone, including two select a size burners to customize your cooking options Spacious 5 cu. ft. oven capacity with modern professional styling Turbo True European Convection oven features dual convection fans for faster, even cooking. Convection conversion function adjusts your recipe temperature and cook times for our oven 7 oven functions include Bake, Broil, Warm, Proof, Convection Bake, Convection Broil and Convection Roast Sleek large 4 inch digital display to monitor oven temperature and functions more effortlessly. Easy to clean blue porcelain interior creates a bold cooking backdrop that enhances the oven’s aesthetics High-quality stainless steel knobs perfectly match your electric range for durability and trouble-free operation Sabbath mode and delay start options allow you to schedule cook times. Self-cleaning oven feature for added convenience 2-year limited parts and labor warranty 220V Power Source Required for Installation I WANT THIS RANGE

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    Sustainable Cooking – 6 Seasonal Farmers Market Recipes

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    Farmers’ markets have grown in popularity thanks in part to the movement towards healthy, local, and organic food. Farmers’ markets pop up during the summer and fall with fresh-from-the-farm favorites. Here are some flavorful recipe ideas that let fresh fruit and vegetables play a starring role.  What You Might Find at a Farmers Market: Seasonal fruits and vegetables Dried fruit and nuts Dips and sauces Meat, fish, and eggs Prepared foods Freshly squeezed juices, coffee, and tea Fresh bread Fresh flowers and potted plants Honeys, preserves, and jams Cream of Zucchini Soup Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients 1/2 small onion, quartered 2 cloves garlic 3 medium zucchini, skin on cut in large chunks 32 oz reduced sodium Swanson chicken broth, or vegetable 2 tbsp reduced fat sour cream kosher salt and black pepper to taste fresh grated Parmesan cheese if desired for topping, optional  Instructions Combine chicken broth, onion, garlic and zucchini in a large pot over medium heat and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and purée with an immersion blender, add the sour cream and purée again until smooth. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust to taste. Serve hot. Heirloom Tomato & Herb Salad  Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients Fried Chickpeas & Capers 6 tablespoons grapeseed oil (or another high heat oil) divided 3 tablespoons brine packed capers, drained and patted dry 1/2 cup chickpeas (if from the can drained and patted dry) pinch of smoked paprika pinch of fine sea salt Salad 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon honey 2 tablespoons minced dill + additional sprigs for garnish 2 tablespoons minced basil, + full leaves for garnish 1 tablespoon minced parsley + additional sprigs for garnish 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt freshly ground black pepper 2 1/2 pounds assorted heirloom tomatoes, sliced 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half crumbled feta cheese for serving (optional) Instructions Heat 3 tablespoons of the grapeseed oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the capers and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown and burst open, about 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove them to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Carefully add the additional oil to the pan along with the chickpeas. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chickpeas begin to brown and crisp up. About 5-7 minutes. Remove from the heat to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Sprinkle the chickpeas with a pinch of smoked paprika and sea salt. Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, honey, dill, basil, and parsley. Drizzle in the olive oil and continue to whisk together until smooth. Stir in the salt and pepper and set aside. Arrange the sliced tomatoes on a large platter. Drizzle with the dressing and top with the fried capers, chickpeas and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese. Pasta with Grilled Eggplant, Smoky Tomato Sauce, and Basil Walnut Pistou Prep: 20 minutes  Cook: 45 minutes  Servings: 4 Ingredients 1 package gluten free lasagna noodles Smoky Tomato Sauce ½ eggplant, cut into rounds ¼” thick. 3 tablespoons olive oil kosher salt Basil Walnut Pistou 2 cloves garlic 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves ¼ cup walnuts ¼ cup fresh lemon juice 1/3 cup olive oil kosher salt Instructions For the Eggplant, preheat a grill to medium-low. Drizzle the eggplant slices with the olive oil and sprinkle them lightly with kosher salt. Place them on the grill with the largest pieces over the hottest part of the grill. Watch them carefully so they don’t burn, flipping them just as they start to soften and get good char marks on them, about 2 minutes depending on the size of the slices. Continue to cook them until they have the marks on the other side as well. When they are cooked to tender on both sides, remove them from the grill and set them aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gluten free lasagna noodles to al dente according to manufacturer’s directions. While the pasta is cooking, make the basil walnut pistou. Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well combined. Season to taste with kosher salt. After you drain the pasta, toss it with a generous amount of the smoky tomato sauce and the eggplant. Drizzle the top of the pasta with the basil walnut pistou and serve immediately. (Recipe via heatherchristo.com) Mushroom and Leek Quiche with Gruyere  Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Servings: 8   Ingredients 1 deep dish 9 inch pie crust 3 Tablespoons butter, divided 3 leeks, white and light green parts only 12 ounces sliced mushrooms 8 eggs 1 cup whole milk 1 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup flour (optional) 2 cups shredded gruyere cheese, divided 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese Instructions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, melt 2 Tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, undisturbed, for a few minutes, or until the bottom side is golden. Flip and continue to cook until mushrooms are golden on both sides. Season with salt. Remove to plate. In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add the leeks and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the leeks to a plate. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, salt, and flour. Sprinkle some of the gruyere cheese on the bottom of the pie crust. Pour half the egg mixture in followed by half of the gruyere cheese and half of the mushrooms and leeks. Pour the remaining egg mixture on top along with the rest of the mushrooms, leeks, cheese, and gruyere. Top with Parmesan cheese. Bake the quiche in the preheated oven for 60-80 minutes or until very golden brown and set in the center. If the pie crust gets too brown, shield

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    Quick and Tasty

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    For those who are always on the go, it can be difficult to find time to whip up meals and snacks that are both nutritious and tasty. However, with some simple changes – and time-saving recipes – you can create delicious dishes and meals that will keep you feeling energized to fuel your busy lifestyle. This Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe is an easy dish featuring egg roll flavors and it’s ready in only 15 minutes! Egg Roll Bowl with Shrimp Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 5 cups frozen cauliflower rice 3 tablespoons grape seed oil 3 tablespoons sesame oil 4 teaspoons minced or pressed garlic 2 teaspoons ginger paste 6 cups pre-cut coleslaw (cabbage and carrots) 1 cup sliced red bell pepper 1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions, root and tips trimmed 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice blend 1/4 cup tamari soy sauce 2 tablespoons mirin rice cooking wine 1 pound cooked and peeled shrimp, thawed 4 teaspoons sesame seeds In microwave, steam cauliflower according to package instructions. While cauliflower is cooking, warm large, nonstick skillet with lid over medium heat. Add oils, swirl to coat pan and, when shimmering, add garlic and ginger. Sauté until sizzling and fragrant, stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. Add coleslaw, bell pepper and scallions; continue sautéing, stirring frequently, until cabbage just begins to wilt, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle on five-spice blend and stir to incorporate. Add soy sauce and mirin rice cooking wine to pan and stir to evenly coat cabbage. Add shrimp to skillet; toss to evenly distribute. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid and allow shrimp to warm, about 3 minutes. Measure about 1 cup cooked cauliflower rice into bottom of four bowls. Top evenly with shrimp and cabbage mixture, about 1 cup vegetables and 9-11 large shrimp per serving, drizzling with pan sauce evenly. Sprinkle each bowl with 1 teaspoon sesame seeds and serve while hot. Notes: To help meal come together quickly, use frozen cauliflower rice, pre-grated ginger paste, pre-minced jarred garlic and bagged coleslaw mix. Green onions and bell pepper can also be pre-sliced.

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    How to Be an Environmentally Friendly Cook

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    Cooking sustainably is an excellent step to reduce your impact on the environment. What we eat and how we cook affects our health and the health of our planet. The easiest way to make sure your food is sustainably sourced is to cook it yourself! Cooking at home allows you to make sustainable choices at every step of the process, from shopping for the most sustainable ingredients to reducing food waste as you cook. Shop Smart Food waste is a worldwide epidemic, and it’s time the average person started fighting back. We throw out a jaw-dropping 400 pounds of food per person per year—40% of our food. When you buy food, make sure you buy exactly what you need. Plan meals, use grocery lists and avoid impulse buys. We suggest making a detailed shopping list and plan out your meals before heading to the store. We should just be sure that our shopping carts and grocery budgets aren’t bigger than our stomachs. Use all Nutritious Bits When cooking, use every piece of the food you’re cooking with. Leave the skin on cucumbers and potatoes, sauté broccoli stems along with the florets, your food will still be just a delicious. You can also use vegetable and meat scraps in homemade stocks, and use citrus fruit rinds and zest to add flavor to other meals. Eat Seasonally Produce eaten at the right time and season tastes better, is nutritious, and can also benefit the planet. Buying Fruits and veggies harvested in your region cuts down on the carbon footprint from long-distance transportation. You can find out what’s ready to harvest near you via the new Seasonal Food Guide Optimize Grains Grains and other plant foods are far less resource-intensive to produce than animal foods like dairy, eggs, and meat. For example, Oats already have a low carbon footprint, and overnight oats are more sustainable since it requires no heat. Eat more nutrition-rich heirloom and ancient whole grains because they grow in an eco-friendly way. Better Sweeteners Satisfy your sweet cravings with natural alternatives like honey, maple, stevia, and agave that don’t rely on intense farming practices. Go Organic Organic food is better for the environment and your body. Certified organic foods are grown and processed using farming methods that recycle resources without the use of synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes or petroleum. Buy Your Ingredients Locally As aforementioned buying Fruits, vegetables and other ingredients from local farmers is one of the most environmentally responsible ways to cook. Food products that are produced locally don’t have to be transported long distances, and this helps in reducing fuel and energy consumption. How you use your gadgets and appliances is just as important as the food you bring in to your kitchen. Use the Right Burner When cooking with gas burners, make sure the flame is fully below the pot; otherwise, heat and energy are wasted. When you put a small pot on a large element, you waste heat. Cook with Residual Beat When roasting vegetables or baking cookies, turn off the oven a few minutes before the recipe indicates this will conserve more energy. For casseroles and roasts, turn the oven off five or ten minutes earlier than you expect to remove the food. Cover Pans While Cooking Make sure all of your pots and pans have close-fitting lids, then use them whenever possible. To conserve energy, it’s best to keep your pans covered while cooking. Covering your pans will require less cooking time. Energy-efficiency Upgrades If you’re shopping for a new appliance, look for the Energy Star logo, found on products that can use up to 50 percent less energy or water without compromising performance. An efficient dishwasher, for instance, can use a lot less water than washing the dishes by hand in the sink. Go Paperless It’s easier than you think to replace paper with cloth in the kitchen. Try reusable cloth napkins instead of paper, or choose paper napkins made with recycled materials. Use Environmentally Friendly Cookware Pay attention to your cooking tools, the healthiest options are also the most eco-friendly kitchenware. Cool Leftovers Let foods sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before storing or freezing. Warm food in the fridge or freezer increases energy usage by raising the temperature of other items. Just don’t leave perishable foods out for more than two hours, to avoid contamination. Use Water More Wisely When we cook we tend to use a lot of water but there are ways to shrink your water footprint. Install a low-flow faucet on your sink. Try to wash vegetables and fruits in a large bowl or tub of water and scrub them with a vegetable brush instead of using your faucet as a power-washer. Which tips did you find most helpful to you? Let us know in the comment box below.

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    10 Lucky Foods for New Year’s Day

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    A new decade is upon us, and we have big hopes that good fortune will be on our side this New Year. People around the world have special foods they eat for good luck on New Year’s. Think about adding one of these New Year’s Eve party foods to bring luck to you and all your guests. Make 2020 your best year ever. Pork: For the longest time, Pork was associated as a dish reserved for the wealthy. In some cultures because pigs root forward they are a sign of prosperity.  This delicious meat is known to bring good luck when eaten on New Year’s Day. Fish: Do yourself a favor and add a hearty fish cuisine to your menu to supercharge your good fortune in the New Year. It is believed that the fish scales resemble coins symbolizing prosperity and abundance. Mix and match a few different New Year’s Eve food traditions with black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread to make a fortune this year. As the Southern saying goes, “peas for pennies, greens for dollars, and cornbread for gold. Greens: The color green symbolizes good luck and money. On New Year’s sink your teeth into some yummy and healthy leafy richness with greens like Kale, cabbage, collard greens, brussels sprouts, and green beans. Cornbread: Another southern tradition is eating cornbread on New Year’s Day.  Eating these golden delights will bring in good fortune this year. Black-eyed peas: Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is a time-honored tradition. in the American South, black-eyed peas are considered auspicious because of their resemblance to coins. Get started with a fresh black-eyed peas salad if you’re not in the mood to get very creative in the kitchen. Noodles: In China, Japan, and many other Asian countries, it’s customary to serve and eat noodles on New Year’s Day. Their length symbolizes long life. just make sure not to break or shorten the noodles during the cooking process. Pomegranate: As per the Turkish tradition, Pomegranates are associated with fertility and abundance. The Pomegranate seeds symbolize fertility and abundance for the coming year. Cakes: Ring-shaped cakes are amazing options to bite into, on this New Year’s Eve. It’s easier to make at home. It is often said that ring-shaped cakes with trinkets baked inside are symbolic of life coming full circle. So indulge your sweet tooth. Lentils: Italians believe that lentils hold a great deal of goodness. So it makes sense that lentil-based dishes are a great choice in the New Year. Grapes: The Spanish and Portuguese eat 12 grapes as the clock chimes 12 times at midnight to symbolize the 12 months of the New Year. Try passing around at your NYE party for a tasty twist.

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