Good Meals

Healthy Recipes: Our Top 12

Holly Quinn — 2010-11-22T09:52:00+00:00

If there's one thing we know for sure, it's that healthy recipes don't have to be bland or boring. Today's home cooking often includes the freshest produce and meats and contains less saturated fat and salt, and more fiber, complex crabs and healthy fats. We've scoured the recipe databases of our favorite cooking and health sites to find the 12 highest rated and tastiest healthy recipes -- try one for dinner tonight!

Vegetable Lasagna With Red Pepper Sauce - This lasagna, covered in a savory red pepper sauce and packed with three cheeses, zucchini, mushroom and onion is Kitchen Daily's highest-rated healthy recipe.

Sichuan Stye Chicken with Peanuts - A spicy, ginger-laced stir fry using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, garnished with chopped peanuts and scallions.

Chicken Enchiladas - A "rehabbed" healthy recipe version of a classic that's filled with chicken, beans and spices with a low-salt homemade sauce.

Creamy Potato Salad - Keep potato salad on your picnic menu with this healthy recipe that replaces some of the mayo with yogurt and adds gherkins, anchovy paste and capers for flavor.

Guilt-Free Fettuccine Alfredo - Who knew that such a decadent, fattening dish could be slimmed down so deliciously? The secret to this healthy recipe is low fat ricotta cheese.

Calzones - These made-over calzones have a homemade whole-wheat crust and are filled with fresh veggies, feta cheese and lean turkey breast.

Chicken Under a Brick with Rapini - Marinated butterflied chicken is infused with herbs and cooked under the weight of a brick and served with sauteed broccoli rabe.

Salmon Panzanella - A traditional Mediterranean bread salad with Salmon, fresh herbs, vegetables and olives, this healthy recipe is a great way to add salmon to your diet.

Korean Beef Stir Fry - This beef stir fry is a spicy, healthy recipe that features bean sprouts, baby spinach, ginger and sesame that cooks up in about five minutes.

Portobello "Cheese Steak" Sandwich - A healthy take on a notoriously unhealthy sandwich, this version uses meaty portobellos for the meat, with plenty of onion, pepper and low-fat provolone cheese.

Artichoke Scrambled Eggs Benedict - This clever healthy recipe is a twist on classic Eggs Benedict, with a whole artichoke heart and a slice of pancetta sitting in for and English muffin and Canadian bacon, is topped with a creamy scrambled egg and a drizzle of homemade lemon sauce.

Whoopie Pies - Even this traditional filled cake-cookie can be a light snack with this healthy recipe that replaces the fat in the cookie with mashed banana and has a Greek yogurt and Neufchatel cheese filling.

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Dessert Recipes: Picture This

Sally Worsham — 2010-11-22T07:49:00+00:00

Filed under: Desserts

If you're a novice in the kitchen, you know how helpful it can be to have pictures that accompany the recipe to let you see what the final product is supposed to look like. Without pictures, you don't really know if you have everything exactly the way it should be, especially when it comes to dessert recipes. With pictures to guide you through, you can feel confident enough to serve your dish with pride.

A great online resource for recipes, the website for the Food Network provides some delectable dessert recipes with pictures in their Quick and Easy Dessert Recipes section. With seven dessert recipes to choose from, you can see exactly how the final product should look. One of their most popular recipes, S'more Brownies, looks like an extra-special treat with its graham cracker crust, rich chocolate brownie filling, and marshmallow topping. Another dessert recipe that looks hard to pass up, the Grilled Banana and Nutella Panini takes the yummy chocolate and hazelnut spread, Nutella, and combines it with bananas for a tasty treat.

Another collection of dessert recipes with pictures, Women's Day's Dessert Recipes offers features like Eight Luscious Layer Cakes with cake recipes with pictures such as Red Velvet Cake and German Chocolate Cake with Caramel Cream Frosting and Eight Classic Desserts -- Reimagined, offering dessert recipes with pictures like Strawberry Short Cupcakes and Tiramisu Cheesecake. You'll also find individual dessert recipes with pictures on this Women's Day website. Try a beautiful Apple Crumb Pie recipe or the simple recipe for Cranberry Pear Gingerbread Muffins.

The Finest Chef, the website for Chef George, an internationally trained professional chef and pastry chef, gives his favorite recipes, all with accompanying pictures to guide you through the recipes. Of course, as a pastry chef, Chef George has several dessert recipes with pictures to offer. So helpful in creating the presentation of the desserts, each recipe has a clear picture of how it should look at the end of preparation. With a variety of dessert recipes with pictures, you can make French Crepes, Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee, Apple Crumble Cake with Ice Cream, and even the dessert that serves as Chef George's logo, Caramelized Plantain Cup Filled With Brie Cheese and Fruits.

One other resource for dessert recipes with pictures, Fine Dining's Desserts, Chocolate, Strawberry, Gourmet Dessert Recipes is an impressive gathering of many different dessert recipes, all with pictures that show you exactly how the dessert should look. You can choose from Easy Desserts like Strawberry Mascarpone Dessert, Frozen Desserts like Valentine Napoleon Pastry Hearts, Cake Desserts such as Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes, Pie Desserts such as No-Bake Key Lime Pie, and Gourmet Desserts like Easy Coffee Semifreddo Marshmallow. With all of these delicious desserts to choose from, you can easily find one you will love as well as an accompanying picture to aid you in getting the dessert to look just as perfect as the photo.

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Holiday Recipes: Healthy Twists on the Classics

Amber DeGrace — 2010-11-22T07:32:00+00:00

Filed under: Healthy Cooking

Everyone enjoys eating delicious food during the holidays but maybe this season you are looking for holiday recipes that are healthier than the standard fare. Holiday recipes don't need to be packed full of sugar and calories to be memorable and appealing. Consider these healthy recipes for your holiday meal preparation this year.

Sweet Potato Gratin - One simple way to make holiday recipes healthier is by cutting out ingredients like marshmallows from sweet potato dishes. This sweet potato gratin does not have any sweet additives but instead gets a punch of flavor from the addition of dried herbs and Gruyere cheese. Using low-sodium chicken broth is another way this recipe cuts out some of the unhealthy additives some recipes may have.

Potato Parsnip Mash - Mashed potatoes are a traditional dish to serve for the holidays at the dinner table and it is common for families to have holiday recipes for it containing large quantities of butter. While this may taste appealing, it is not the healthiest food that can be served. Consider this as one of the more healthy recipes that can be served. The addition of parsnips adds an interesting flavor to the potatoes and there is no butter in this recipe at all. Instead, it calls to add a small amount of extra virgin olive oil and water for creaminess. If you've never had parsnips, don't be afraid! They are similar to carrots, but sweeter and a bit spicy.

Oven-Roasted Apricot Stuffed Turkey Breast - This is one of the tastiest and healthiest holiday recipes you may make this year! Instead of having a deep fried turkey or a whole turkey with the skin on, which adds a lot of fat to the dish, consider having your meal consist of healthy turkey breast. The turkey breast is stuffed with a mixture of breadcrumbs, chopped apricots, chopped pecans, and herbs. This is a tasty way to serve a main meal to your guests at any holiday meal. Not only does it taste excellent but it also looks like a professional meal and is simple enough for anyone to make in the comfort of his or her own kitchen.

Curried Carrot and Apple Soup - Perhaps soup is not part of your normal list of holiday recipes but this holiday season it may be a dish you'd like to try. This soup is creamy, rich, and smooth but made with all healthy ingredients. You will use carrots, apples, celery, onion, reduced-sodium chicken brother, and curry powder for the soup. It will get cooked on the stovetop until soft and then blended until smooth. Offer plain yogurt to drizzle on top as a garnish and fresh herbs for color and a surprise of flavor.

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole - Here is an example of great holiday recipes that can be made all year long. This recipe calls for milk and you can easily use skim or nonfat and not lose any of the richness of the dish thanks to low-sodium cream of mushroom soup. This also has broccoli and cheese in and is baked with a topping of bread crumbs and will be a crowd-pleaser!

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Quick Healthy Recipes the Whole Family Will Love

Sally Worsham — 2010-11-20T12:55:00+00:00

Filed under: Healthy Cooking

A favorite of busy parents, quick healthy recipes for dinner are a lifesaver when everyone's hungry and there's not a lot of time to prepare dinner. We all want to feed our children the healthiest meals possible but sometimes are worried that we don't have enough time to fix a wholesome meal. The following quick healthy recipes can help you serve delicious and nutritious meals in less than 30 minutes that everyone in your family will enjoy eating.

If you're looking for quick healthy recipes for your family's dinner repertoire, check out Eating Well, a vast resource for nutritious meals. And, with a section of Quick and Healthy Dinner Recipes and Menus, you're sure to find some entrees your family will want to try. Are your kids fans of fish sticks? If so, fix them Beer-Battered Fish Tacos with Tomato and Avocado Salsa. Enjoy fried fish without the high calories and cholesterol with this quick healthy recipe that calls for frying battered pieces of tilapia fillet, wrapping them in warm corn tortillas, and topping with a salsa made with tomatoes, avocados, red onions, and jalapenos.

Another quick healthy recipe from Eating Well, Southwestern Beef and Bean Burger Wraps appeal to fans of burgers and Tex-Mex. Combine 93%-lean ground beef and refried beans with cilantro and jalapenos, shape into patties, and broil. As the burgers are broiling, mash an avocado with salsa. Then spread a layer of guacamole on a whole-wheat tortilla, sprinkle with shredded romaine lettuce and shredded pepper Jack cheese, top with a burger, and wrap. Voila - a quick healthy recipe the whole family will enjoy.

There's not a dish kids love more than macaroni and cheese, but how healthy is the orange-tinged boxed stuff? Kitchen Daily has a quick healthy recipe adaptation of the favorite, Radiatore and Cheese. Cook the radiatore, or corkscrew macaroni, and drain. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese, chopped fresh tomatoes, green onions, oregano, and garlic. Then add a mixture of milk, flour, and salt, and stir over medium heat until the cheese is melted and the sauce is thick and bubbly. You now have a quick healthy recipe your kids will happily devour.

Another quick healthy recipe for pasta, Epicurious' Multi-Grain Penne with Hazelnut Pesto, Green Beans, and Parmesan is so delicious that no one will even notice he is eating green vegetables. In your food processor, make a pesto from parsley, roasted hazelnuts, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. Boil some whole-grain penne, and add the green beans at the last two minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and beans, toss with the pesto, and top with Parmesan cheese.

Chicken dinners are a mainstay for most families, and this quick healthy recipe for Tandoori Curry Chicken from Kaboose will become a family favorite. Toast curry powder, add fat-free Greek yogurt, and then top salted and peppered thinly sliced chicken breast cutlets with the curry yogurt mixture and broil. Serve with the quick healthy recipes for Cinnamon Couscous and Spinach with Currants for a nutritious Indian-themed dinner.

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Comfort Food Recipes Made Healthy

Sally Worsham — 2010-11-19T11:41:00+00:00

Filed under: Healthy Cooking

When you're in the mood for your favorite comfort food, you're probably not thinking about how healthy this dish will be. However, many comfort foods can be high in fat, cholesterol, and calories. Wouldn't it be nice to have healthy versions of your favorite comfort food recipes? Just as delicious as your old favorites but healthier, these revamped comfort food recipes will be much easier on your waistline.

A favorite comfort food of many, fried chicken is not the healthiest of entrees. However, you can easily find lighter versions of this treat, such as Epicurious' Crisp Oven-"Fried" Chicken. Using whole-grain breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, salt, and paprika as its breading, you'll bake the breaded chicken breasts for 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Once you taste how deliciously crispy this chicken is, you'll never want to fry chicken again.

The perfect companion to fried chicken, macaroni and cheese is high up on most people's list of favorite comfort foods, but it can be so high calorie and filled with fat. Another reworked comfort food recipe from Epicurious, Mac 'n' Cheese uses skim milk and reduced-fat cheese to keep the calories and fat content low. By using a tablespoon of light butter and three ounces of Velveeta Light cheese in combination with two cups of skim milk and eight ounces of reduced-fat cheddar cheese, you'll end up with creamy mac and cheese that will make you forget all about the fluorescent-orange boxed stuff.

Do you dream of cheeseburgers and fries when you need comfort food? Don't think you can't make healthier low-fat versions of these comfort food dishes because you can easily. Eating Well's Inside-Out Cheeseburgers call for using 90% lean ground beef to keep the fat content low. These cheeseburgers contain the cheese inside the hamburger patty. You just combine low-fat shredded cheddar cheese with a hard or semi-hard cheese like Gruyere, Gouda, Asiago, or Parmigiano-Reggiano. Then you mix the ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and pepper, and then form the patties around two tablespoons of the cheese mixture and grill for delicious low-fat cheeseburgers.

You can't enjoy cheeseburgers without French fries, and Epicurious gives you a couple of choices for making low-fat and healthy versions of this comfort food treat. The first recipe, Salt and Pepper Oven Fries, uses the Japanese table seasoning known as shichimi togarashi (dried chilies, sesame seeds, and seaweed) to add great flavor. Slice baking potatoes into strips, drizzle with olive oil, and roast at 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Then sprinkle with sea salt and shichimi togarashi for tasty and healthy french fries. The Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic and Herbs recipe is similar, except for using sweet potatoes, of course. Roasted and then sprinkles with minced garlic, thyme, and Italian parsley, this is one comfort food that might taste too good for anyone to think it's healthy.

A meal of comfort food wouldn't be complete without dessert, and Delish's Chocolate Chip-Oatmeal Cookies are ooey-gooey-yummy while only being 80 calories each. Also, each cookie has a gram of fiber to make them even healthier. The secret is to use trans-fat-free vegetable oil spread along with two and a half cups of either quick-cooking or old fashioned oats. Low in fat, calories, and cholesterol, these are comfort food cookies you won't feel guilty eating.

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Thanksgiving Recipes for a Family Meal

Amber DeGrace — 2010-11-19T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Family Meals

Thanksgiving is one of the most wonderful times of year because you can pull out all your favorite Thanksgiving recipes and make a delicious meal for your family. Sometimes, it is nice to find new recipes for Thanksgiving in order to make Thanksgiving dinner a little different. Here are a few new Thanksgiving recipes you may want to try that will still be suitable for all members of the family!

Green Bean Casserole - This is one example of Thanksgiving recipes that is certain to please everyone at the dinner table. You will combine either canned green beans or cooked fresh green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk and soy sauce, top with French's French Fried Onions, and bake. A side dish couldn't be simpler to make, and when preparing a Thanksgiving dinner you'll be thankful for simple and easy dishes to prepare! There are optional changes in this recipe including adding Cheddar cheese, cooked broccoli or chopped red pepper.

Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Pie - A collection of Thanksgiving recipes isn't complete without a pumpkin pie included somewhere. Traditional pumpkin pies are delicious and popular, but consider an interesting twist on it for this years Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone will enjoy the addition of chocolate in this pumpkin pie! The recipe directs you to another page with detailed instructions on making your own All-Butter Pie Dough but if you don't have the time (or are uncertain of your crust-making abilities) you can easily substitute a pre-made pie crust. This recipe calls for the expected cinnamon and cloves but with the addition of melted bittersweet chocolate swirled onto the top before baking, it will be one pumpkin pie everyone will remember!

Maple-Brined Turkey - One of the Thanksgiving recipes that cannot be overlooked is the one for turkey! Brining the turkey will seal in the juices and flavors of the turkey and the maple syrup and brown sugar will add a wonderful sweet element to the salt in the brine. Keep the turkey in the brine for up to 24 hours before baking it, and when ready, cook to 180 degrees. Remember to let your turkey rest for about 20 minutes while covered before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the turkey. This is one of the recipes for Thanksgiving that will make for great leftovers as well.

Cornbread Pecan Stuffing - Of course you need a few ways to make stuffing as part of your Thanksgiving recipe choices. Consider one that is a bit more unusual than simply a bread and herb combination. This stuffing is packed with various flavors and textures and has fresh-made cornbread, bacon, onion, celery, shallots, herbs and toasted pecans. Try this delicious option as part of your Thanksgiving dinner!

Cranberry Relish - This cranberry relish is full of sweet, tangy, and tart flavors, making it the perfect compliment to the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving recipes need to include a cranberry relish and with ingredients like oranges, cranberries, sugar, scallions, fresh ginger, and cinnamon, this is one of the more interesting relish recipes for Thanksgiving you'll find.

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Pumpkin Seeds: Healthy Snack for the Whole Family

Holly Quinn — 2010-11-19T08:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Snacks

Pumpkin seeds take the spotlight in Autumn, usually as a salty snack that bakes in the oven while the family carves Jack-o-lanterns at Halloween or prepares the filling for pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. It's a snack that deserves more attention, especially when you consider that the amount of zinc packed into a handful of pumpkin seeds qualifies it as one of the coveted "Superfoods," an extra-nutritious treat with health benefits. Pumpkin seeds are often salted, roasted and eaten like peanuts, but they can also be sweet, spicy or plain. The white shell of the pumpkin seed is edible, but hulled pumpkin seeds, also called pepitos, are a popular snack and cooking ingredient in Mexico. Cook up a batch of pumpkin seeds the next time you cut a pumpkin, or purchase gourmet pumpkin seeds online for healthy year-round snacking.

Make Your Own

Simple toasted pumpkin seeds are made by tossing rinsed seeds with olive oil and baking about 15 minutes, until crisp. You can add salt and pepper, chili or garlic powder, or cinnamon and sugar to create different flavors. Some people even skip the rinsing step for extra flavor (but be sure to remove all of the pumpkin strings).

For perfectly crispy toasted pumpkin seeds, boil the seeds in salted water for ten minutes, then bake for about 20 minutes.

To make roasted pumpkin seeds with lime, dry roast the seeds in a cast iron skillet over high heat until they crackle and become crispy, and toss with salted lime. This quick method of cooking pumpkin seeds got high marks from Kitchen Daily Family Chef tester Naomi Shulman, who added a little spice at the end for kick.

Buy Online

Harvest Roast sells nothing but all-natural roasted pumpkin seeds in a variety of flavors. The Oregon-based company grows their own local pumpkins that yield big, meaty seeds. Flavors include chili lime, garlic herb, honey sesame, jalapeno and sea salt. Small 56g packs are $2.19, large 120g bags are $3.99.

Kathie's Kitchen SuperSeedz, available at SnackAisle.com, are all-natural dry roasted shelled pumpkin seeds in flavors like cinnamon & sugar, Somewhat Spicy and Original Curry. $5.99 for a 6 oz bag.

Nuts Online carries roasted pepitas, lightly salted shelled pumpkin seeds ready for snacking, cooking or sprinkling on salads, for $5.49 a pound. Also available in unsalted.

Old fashioned salt-coated Indian brand pumpkin seeds can be purchased in bulk at Zenobia.com -- the individual-sized bags are great for all ages and come in kid-friendly flavors such as BBQ and hot 'n spicy. Four cases of 36 bags for $25, shipping included.

For something really gourmet, try chocolate-covered pumpkin seeds from Nuts Online. Shelled and dry roasted, the seeds are coated in milk chocolate for a sweet treat or embellishment to cakes or ice cream. A one pound bag is $6.49.

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Diabetic Meal Plan: Sample Menus

Mike Barzacchini — 2010-10-29T10:43:00+00:00

Filed under: Diet Plans

Diabetic meal plans help you take the guesswork out of following a healthy diet. A good diabetic meal plan will not only guide your food decisions at breakfast, lunch, supper and snack time, it will also be flexible enough to provide you with a variety of healthy and tasty menu choices.

Along with managing your diabetes, a successful meal plan will also help you prevent complications from other conditions like heart disease and stroke. Here are a few resources to help you develop and follow a diabetic meal plan:

WebMD offers a sample diabetic meal plan menu that provides approximately 1600 calories and 220 grams of carbohydrates. Drinking water is an important part of any diabetic meal plan and Web MD advises two eight-ounce glasses with each meal.

Mayo Clinic shares sample menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and provides a wide variety of resources to help you develop your diabetic meal plan. This includes tips to help people with diabetes make healthy food choices by becoming more aware of recommended foods and foods to avoid. Recommend foods include healthy carbohydrates, foods rich in fiber, heart-healthy fish and "good" fats. The Mayo plan advise that people with diabetes avoid foods high in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium.

Mayo Clinic also features an extensive list of diabetes recipes to help you develop your meal plan. The many appetizers choices include chickpea hummus, fresh tomato crostini, and fresh spring rolls with shrimp. Beverage recipes that fit a diabetic meal plan range from blackberry iced tea with cinnamon and morning mojito to iced espresso latte.

Suggested recipes for breakfast include baked blueberry French toast, buttermilk waffles, baked oatmeal and buckwheat pancakes. For lunch, choose from dozens of menu items like chicken quesadillas, hearty turkey chili, and Hawaiian calzone. Baked salmon with Southeast Asian marinade, curried pork tenderloin in apple cider, and southwestern chicken and pasta are among the many tasty supper options for your diabetic meal plan.

The Mayo diabetic recipe resource guide also includes ample choices for desserts (grilled angel food cake), salads (chicken salad with Thai flavors), sandwiches (Philly steak), soups (Tuscan white bean stew), side dishes (black-eyed pea and sweet corn salsa), and sauces (cranberry orange glaze) to round out your meal plan.

Since time is often a barrier to planning and preparing healthy meals, the American Diabetes Association offers a list of quick meal ideas for a diabetic diet using frozen vegetables, flour tortillas, canned tomatoes, eggs or egg substitutes and other easy-to-find ingredients.

AOL Health also has diabetic meal plans for a variety of daily calorie limits, including:

1200-calorie-a-day plans

1500-calorie-a-day plans

1800-calorie-a-day plans

EatRight.org, a service of the American Dietetic Association, provides a wealth of resources, including information on food exchange lists and tips for creating your diabetic meal plan.

Healthy recipes for a diabetic meal plan and menu ideas are also a big part of the American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Forecast magazine. Diabetes Forecast includes a searchable recipe data base and a "Diabetize Your Recipe" feature that even allows you to submit your own recipe to be diabetized.

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Cupcake Recipes for Any Occasion

Troy Thompson — 2010-10-29T09:34:00+00:00

Filed under: Desserts

Pull out a tray of cupcakes and you'll probably be met with broadening smiles no matter what the situation. The sweet individual dessert cakes are a proven crowd pleaser and can also be a satisfying private indulgence. While simple vanilla and chocolate cupcakes can always delight, we've assembled some cupcake recipes that can help turn everyday occasions into a memorable special event. Sophisticated, fun and funky, these cupcake recipes can be served anytime. As an afternoon snack, party platter or after-dinner encore these cupcakes are sure to attract plenty of attention, and create plenty of smiles.

Ghiradelli Chocolate Cupcake Recipe
Take your indulgence on a chocolate spree with this cupcake recipe by Ghiradelli Chocolate. These cupcakes are rich in dark chocolate with a hint of mocha flavoring and feature a creamy chocolate frosting.

Chocolate Volcano Cupcake Recipe
Surprise your guest with a chocolate cupcake recipe that features frosting "lava" on the inside. These treats are easy to make and are sure to be a hit when they "erupt" in sweetness. Vary the recipe by making homemade frosting with orange food coloring for a more realistic looking "lava" flow.

Vanilla Cupcake Recipe
This simple vanilla cupcake recipe dresses up the traditional favorite with decorative candies and is just one way to make colorful cupcakes that will please your guests as much visually as they will with flavor.

Tie-Dyed Cupcake Recipe
It's hard to get more colorful than this cupcake recipe for tie-dyed cupcakes. People will talk about these creative and fun cakes. The adults can reminisce about Woodstock while the kids will be fascinated by the vibrant array of colors.

Tiramisu Cupcake Recipe
For a touch of elegance, use this cupcake recipe that give Tiramisu a twist. This take on the classic Italian dessert cake can provide a little sophistication to your evening dinner or can be pulled out with coffee for a decadent afternoon visit with friends. The coffee-Marsala syrup and Mascarpone frosting may be a little more labor intensive to make, but the results speak for themselves.

Lemon Meringue Cupcake Recipe
Lemon meringue pie has been a traditional favorite of pie lovers everywhere and this cupcake recipe uses lemon curd and fresh sugary meringue to indulge fans of the pie that inspired it.

Ice Cream Cupcake Recipes
We all know that everybody screams for ice cream, so why not incorporate that frozen favorite into a creative cupcake recipe of your own design? There are no limits when using ice cream to make cupcakes and with all the types and flavors possible, you're sure to find an ice cream cupcake recipe to please everyone.

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Party Snacks: What to Serve

Mike Barzacchini — 2010-10-28T12:21:00+00:00

Filed under: Snacks

Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue, football tailgate or family celebration, the right party snacks and appetizers can help make the occasion. Fortunately, you've never had more more recipes to choose from when planning your party menu.

Spicy appetizers and snacks remain a popular party choice. Tabasco offers a selection of "attention-getting recipes," including 1-Step Smokey Ranch Dip, served with grilled chicken tenders, vegetables or chips, and Chile con Queso, perfect for dipping veggies or tortilla chips. Quickie Quesadillas are another popular party snack, combining refried beans, red bell pepper, cilantro or parsley and Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese with Tabasco's Green Jalapeno Pepper Sauce. These are just three of the dozens of zesty appetizer recipes available from Tabasco.

On the sweeter side, this Pecan-Sweet Potato appetizer recipe from Pillsbury featuring sweet potato and cheese filling wrapped in crescent dough and baked golden brown makes a unique and tasty party snack. Chex also has many sweet and tasty variations of its popular snack mix recipe, including Pumpkin Pie Crunch and Ginger Honey Crunch.

Party snacks may also lead to unwanted calories. Fortunately many healthy snack options are available. Mayo Clinic suggests Fresh Fruit Kebabs with Lemon-Lime Dip. Make kabobs with seasonal fruit including strawberries, red grapes, pineapple chunks and kiwi. Or add exotic choices like star fruit. Mayo dietitians recommend dipping fruit in pineapple or orange juice to prevent browning. Mayo Clinic's White Bean Dip is another healthy party snack alternative.

Sweet'N Low has a selection of appetizer recipes for people looking to reduce or avoid sugar for diet or health reasons. Popular party snack choices include crabmeat dip served with raw vegetables and Light and Lively Spiced Nuts with raisins, walnuts, almonds, nutmeg and ground cinnamon.

Eggs are a great high-protein party snack ingredient and egg appetizer recipes offer more versatility than you might expect. Bacon and Cheddar Deviled Eggs are a tasty cold appetizer choice. This recipe from the American Egg Board serves 24 and takes just 30 minutes of prep time. For a different hot party snack, try Mini Wonton Quiches, made with eggs, ham, red bell peppers, green onions and wonton wrappers. Recipe makes two dozen.

When planning your party appetizers, don't forget the kids. Kraft is a great source for kid-friendly party snack recipes. Try Turtle Cracker Critters with cheese, crackers for the shell, a cherry tomato half and carrot or celery sticks for the turtle's legs. Baked Mozzarella Bites feature thin slices of cheese melted between two crackers with marina sauce on the side for dipping. And what kid could resist Ants on a Log -- celery sticks filled with cream cheese and topped with raisins. Chiquita is another great source for delicious party snack recipes for younger guests, including Banana Socials with honey and cinnamon baked on a cracker and PBJ Dogs, combining kid favorite ingredients like bananas, peanut butter and jelly on a hot dog bun.

Check out KitchenDaily for more party snack recipes like Fiesta Shrimp, Feta Fruit Appetizers and great Appetizer Fruit Plate. And search GoodMeals for more appetizer and party snack tips and ideas.

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Diet Meal Plans You'll Love To Serve - GoodMeals

Megan Koester — 2010-10-28T11:55:00+00:00

Filed under: Diet Plans

Friends and families rarely want to hear that their chum, matriarch or patriarch is on a diet -- it generally means that, by proxy, they're going to be privy to an insufferable amount of bland, flavorless food that's "good for them" for quite some time. It is possible, however, to cook good diet foods for your friends and family without sacrificing flavor. Finding a user-friendly weight loss program to please everyone in your life, though, can be difficult. Are you trying to lose the pounds but don't want to burden your loved ones with dressing optional salads, wheat germ and rice cakes? The diet meal plans on this list will help you shed the pounds while retaining your family's sanity. Don't keep them to yourself -- these guilt free options are good enough to share!

Fad diets are a dime a dozen -- figuring out a low-calorie diet meal plan that supports long term, healthy weight loss is the best way to shed the pounds and keep them off. Eating foods that are high in protein and fiber is a great way to stay full, keep your energy levels up and resist the temptation of high calorie, nutrition deficient snacks like sweets. The meal and snack options here work on both an individual and family basis -- snack wise, keeping your family happy with options like popcorn and beef jerky is always a good option, and making an appetizer out of fiber rich foods like beans and salsa (this recipe is cheap, easy and, with the addition of low-calorie chips, guiltless) will garner no complaints.

Cutting down on carbs is a weight loss plan mainstay -- watching your carbohydrate intake is a surefire way to ensure quick weight loss and keep the excess bulk off. The family-friendly options in this article are great for family dinners; options like Wasabi Salmon Burgers and Grilled Steak and Papaya Salad are delicious and exotic enough to keep your loved ones happy with this diet meal plan.

Diabetes is increasingly becoming a widespread problem in the United States; if you have to ascribe to a diabetic diet, though, your friends and family shouldn't have to feel the detrimental effects of this diet meal plan. Regardless of whether or not one has diabetes, diabetic recipes are actually healthy for everyone -- balancing carbs, proteins and fats is a good way to ensure a healthy weight and lifestyle. The meal options here will please everyone in your family -- from vegetable pot roast to Thai omelet soup, the tastes of all members of your circle will be covered.

The acai berry diet is unavoidably hot right now -- as weight loss programs go, it's hard to ignore. Acai berries are chock full of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids -- they're difficult to eat on their own, though, and usually need to be substituted into a pre-existing dish that calls for berries (for more information on acai berries, click here). Try throwing them in a smoothie recipe like this; after all, everyone loves smoothies! Using them in lieu of something like cranberries (as in this recipe, for example) is another great way to throw a few antioxidants into you and your family's diet.

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Flat Belly Diet Tips

Linsey Knerl — 2010-10-28T11:49:00+00:00

Filed under: Diet Plans

You've heard of the flat belly diet: changing what you eat can change the shape of your midsection. Easy to incorporate into your existing schedule, it has the potential to put you on track to eating better and feeling great. We look at some of the simpler flat belly diet tips to jumpstart a flatter stomach and change your look for the better!

Kicking It Off

Like most popular diets, the flat belly diet recommends an intensive starting period to help banish bloat and lose excess water weight. Some of the things that are not allowed during this time include: excess salt, extra carbs, gassy eats, caffeine, alcohol, and even chewing gum! It is also recommended that those determined to be successful on the flat tummy diet avoid raw foods with extra bulk, as they take up room in your stomach and make it hard to shrink your stomach.

Limit Red Meat

One of the most unique characteristics of the flat belly diet is its very strict limit on the consumption of red meats. Since it has been linked to health problems such as esophageal, prostate, and liver cancer in some studies, red meat is generally discouraged unless it is organic, nitrate-free, and fits the recommended 3 oz. portion size. Flat belly diet experts also suggest marinating meats to help reduce heterocyclic amines (HCA).

Add Good Fats

One of the core principles of the flat belly diet is the regular consumption of good fats, especially those high in Omega-3's and other nutritious fatty acids. By eating daily portions of nuts (such as almonds, cashews, pecans, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and walnuts), edamame, olives, healthy oils (including olive, flaxseed, and sunflower), and avocados, dieters can fill up on the good stuff and might possibly even see their bellies flatten! The diet also allows for a steady supply of dark chocolate, one of the more delicious core staples of the flat belly diet.

The 4-Hour Rule

Regular fueling is another important factor in the fight to reduce belly fat. For maximum results, it is suggested that a dieter's daily food intake is broken down into smaller meals eaten every four hours or so. Because it is often difficult for many people to have a sit down meal this often, some of the more "on-the-go" snacks are recommended, such as the nuts mentioned above.

Stay Hydrated

One way to keep on track and avoid overeating is to remain well-hydrated. Keeping a healthy level of fluids is important for a flat belly, and the diet recommends taking in at least 7 cups of water a day to combat the desire to indulge in excess calories.

Is the flat belly diet a surefire way to slim down and feel better about yourself? As with any diet, results will vary for each person, and success depends on your level of commitment to the program. Combined with a proper level of exercise and other healthy lifestyle choices (such as adequate sleep and maintaining stress levels), it has the potential to smooth out your stomach and create fantastic results!

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High Blood Pressure Diet: What to Eat and What to Avoid

Linsey Knerl — 2010-10-28T11:26:00+00:00

Filed under: Diet Plans

A high blood pressure diet is a simple way to manage a dangerous health condition. While it's not necessary to completely abandon all foods that can contribute to this very common disease, limiting salty foods and and upping your intake of the good stuff can help in reducing high blood pressure and could quite possibly give you a chance at staying healthy without medication. Here is the low down on some of the best (and worst) foods for keeping your blood pressure under control!

The Bad

Everyone knows to avoid salty foods on a high blood pressure diet, but few are aware of all the places salt can hide in a daily diet. In addition to the obvious, like chips and other "salty" snacks, processed foods, in general, are high in sodium and can put even the healthiest person over the recommended daily limit. According to Kathy Duran-Thal R.D., of the Cooper Wellness Program, the majority of our sodium intake comes in processed and prepared foods, and only 11% is added during cooking or at the table. If it comes out of a package, it most likely has higher sodium than its whole food counterpart.

Other foods that can have a negative effect on the battle to reduce high blood pressure include: red meat, caffeine, and alcohol. You will also want to be weary of salty food "pairings." These are food combinations that you are accustomed to eating and that can put you well over your daily sodium limit (chips and dip, for example.)

The Good

Assuming you can cut out the obvious high-sodium food choices, you are still left with the challenge of finding a delicious way to season favorite meals and dishes. While there are some suitable "low" and "no-salt" options on the market for high blood pressure diets, many of them are costly and some leave much to be desired in the way of creating a suitable flavor. Top chefs and doctors recommended using ingredients that you'd want to use anyway, like garlic, onion, lemon, and fresh herbs and spices. In addition to being a low and no-sodium choice, they can bring out the essence of your main ingredients, making it easy to skip the salt at the dinner table, too!

Since many of us use salt as a way to liven up bland foods, choose fresh ingredients whenever possible. In addition to having a more robust flavor, the crisp texture of a fresh head of broccoli (instead of frozen cuts), for example, can help you focus on the experience of eating fresh, and lessen your desire to add salt. You may also want to try creating your own version of popular salty snacks. This may include baked sweet potato fries, or homemade, unsalted pretzels.

Perhaps the best way to monitor sodium and be successful at reducing high blood pressure is by checking labels. Even that supposedly "healthy" salad can be high in sodium, especially if it comes with a super salty dressing or has garnishments like bacon, deli meats, or croutons. Strive to keep your sodium level well below the recommended daily allowance, and you may have a chance at combating high blood pressure on your own!

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High Cholesterol Diet: Heart Healthy Foods

Holly Quinn — 2010-10-28T11:17:00+00:00

Filed under: Diet Plans

If you or a family member have high cholesterol, defined as an LDL ("bad" cholesterol) level of 160 or higher, keeping a lower cholesterol diet that also limits saturated fats is one way to reduce the risk of heart disease. The US National Institute of Health recommends a maximum of 200 milligrams of cholesterol a day, with calories from saturated fat at 7% or less, and up to 35% from unsaturated fats. As a general rule, processed and high cholesterol foods are cut out as much as possible; meats, fish, poultry and egg yolks are limited, dairy products are low-fat and oils are monounsaturated (such as canola). Fruits, vegetable and whole grains -- high cholesterol foods come from animal products, so these foods are naturally cholesterol-free -- are limited only according to calorie intake. The healthiest thing you can do for your heart health is to lose excess weight and/or maintain a healthy weight. If you know your LDL level is high, keep to a high cholesterol diet such as the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Diet.

Switching from a free-for-all style diet to a more rigid high cholesterol diet can seem overwhelming, as if you'll never be able to eat the foods you love again. Remember that even "bad" foods can be had in moderation, and focus on finding lower cholesterol diet recipes that appeal to you and your family. Trying new home-cooked dishes can be a welcome change from the old rotation, so have fun with it.

Looking for recipes for a high cholesterol diet? You can start with some of these:

Wasabi Salmon Burgers are a heart-healthy twist on hamburgers that are also a change of pace if you're following the American Heart Association's recommendation of eating two salmon meals a week. Although salmon is "fatty" and contains cholesterol, it's rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which work to raise HDL ("good" cholesterol) levels, making it one of the good high cholesterol foods. Toss the egg yolk to make it even more in line with a lower cholesterol diet. These burgers can be served on whole wheat buns or over a bed of salad greens.

Better Than Ever Cheesy Meat Lasagna from Kraft keeps comfort food on the table even when following a high cholesterol diet by using low fat cottage cheeses instead of ricotta and extra-lean ground beef. This recipe can get even better with omega-3 enriched noodles and just the egg white.

Turkish Chicken Thighs are a tasty break from repetitive sauteed chicken dishes that are often served as part of a lower cholesterol diet. The skinless chicken thighs (you can use less fatty boneless skinless chicken breasts instead if you like, though it will be less tender) are marinated in a mixture of low-fat yogurt, ginger, hot paprika and mint before cooking in the oven.

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie replaces lamb with a protein-rich mixture of kidney beans and vegetables in a tomato-based sauce, topped with the traditional mashed potatoes. Adding meatless meals to your high cholesterol diet at least once a week is a great way to cut down on dietary cholesterol. With this recipe, be sure to use low fat dairy products, canola oil, and heart-healthy spread for the margarine.

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New Diet Strategies to Get You Motivated

Megan Koester — 2010-10-28T06:12:00+00:00

Filed under: Diet Plans

It seems like every other day a new diet makes its way to the market. There are literally thousands of diet plans currently in the public lexicon; finding the right one that fits your specific needs can be a daunting task. Luckily, though, we've done the legwork for you! Our simple explanations of the hot new diet trends on this list will help you figure out which one(s) make the most sense for you -- trust us, there's something for everyone to be found here. (Actually sticking to one of these diet plans, however, is something you'll have to do yourself!)

The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet by Robb Wolf and Loren Cordain Ph.D.
The Paleo Solution isn't just a weight loss diet plan -- it's also designed to prevent diseases like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Billing itself as the "original human diet," the Paleo Solution seeks to combine the benefits of modern science and research with the benefits of our hunter-gatherer past. Just make meals out of lean, natural proteins (i.e. grass fed meat, free range chicken and wild fish), seasonal fruits and veggies and healthy fats (i.e. nuts, olive oil, etc.) and you'll see a change! The Paleo Diet is particularly great for people who are at high risk for or are already in the throws of the diseases mentioned above.

The Belly Fat Cure: Discover the New Carb Swap System and Lose 4 to 9 lbs. Every Week by Jorge Cruise and David Katz
The authors of the Belly Fat Cure maintain that the cause of obesity can be traced to the hidden sugars that are packed into everyday foods; eliminating these hidden sugars and their empty calories from our diets and replacing them with the "right" kind of calories will result in weight loss. The primary goal of the Belly Fat Cure is to lower the body's insulin levels -- if you already have trouble with or are at risk for diabetes, this diet would be perfect for you.

The Carb Lovers Diet: Eat What You Love, Get Slim For Life by Ellen Kunes and Frances Largeman-Roth
This new diet takes one of the fundamental underlying assumptions of dieting, that carbs are "bad" for us, and turns it on its head. According to the diet's authors, eating the right kind of carbs (like whole grains, fruits and vegetables) will help you shrink fat cells, increase your metabolism and muscle mass, make you feel fuller longer, and keep your blood sugar and cholesterol under control. This healthy diet plan is perfect for people who are approaching middle or old age, as taking care of one's metabolism, cholesterol and blood sugar at that time in one's life is crucial.

Eat Right 4 Your Type: The Individualized Diet Solution to Staying Healthy, Living Longer & Achieving Your Ideal Weight by Peter J. D'Adamo and Catherine Whitney
The "type" referred to in this diet's title is one's blood type. The authors of this diet believe that your blood type dictates your nutritional needs-people that have Type A blood, for example, are biologically predisposed to benefit from a vegetarian lifestyle. People with Type O blood, however, benefit greatly from lean animal proteins. In terms of tailoring diet meal plans to your needs, it doesn't get any more specific than this!

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Pie Recipes the Family Will Love

Troy Thompson — 2010-10-27T13:56:00+00:00

Filed under: Desserts

Ahhh, pie.

It's a classic dessert often featured at holiday celebrations and special occasions that can also serve as a relaxing mid-day snack or bedtime bribe. No matter what the reason, a slice of pie can melt away your worries and help to bring a smile to all that partake. That's what helps make pie the perfect treat anytime the family is gathered around the dinner table. A good pie recipe is like an elixir of happiness.

Pie recipes have changed over the years to incorporate candy, ice cream, pudding and other favorites, but some families still hold to tried and true homemade pie recipes that have been passed down for generations. Whether you're taking advantage of fresh seasonal ingredients or whipping together a quick treat for the kids, here are a few pie recipes that can help to put a smile on your family's faces that might even become favorites. Any of these pie recipes can have your family pushing away their plates and patting their bellies in smiling satisfaction. Try one yourself and witness the results. Whether you bake a fruit pie from scratch or whip together a quick frozen delight your family will thank you, because nothing says happy like a homemade slice of...ahhh.

Fruit pies are a summertime favorite when berries ripen and fresh fruit is plentiful. Blueberry, blackberry, huckleberry and other berries are a classic ingredient in pie recipes that can satisfy your family and fill your home with happy aromas. There are many variations of apple pie recipes. The American classic may have been around since the middle ages, but has found iconic status on this side of the pond as a comforting favorite for many families. Try an apple crisp pie recipe or a caramel apple pie for a new spin on the traditional classic.

The coffee buttercrunch pie recipe on page 355 of Maida Heatter's Book Of Great Desserts may be the genesis for the many variations of "Better Than Sex" cakes and pies that have become popular. Recent variations include pudding fillings that can be made quickly and require no baking if using a ready-made crust.

Key Lime pie originated in Florida but has since spread its sweet tartness to tables nationwide. Purists use key lime pie recipes that don't call for green food coloring and insist that the pie should be made in its natural yellowish glory and some still use a meringue topping instead of whipped cream, but however you make it, there's no denying its tasty attraction.

The creaminess and decadence of a chocolate French silk pie is always a crowd pleaser and cream pie recipes of all sorts can be a kid favorite. Banana cream pie is a traditional kid favorite that also brings out the child in indulgent adults.

Ice cream pies have become a popular new twist on the classic dessert and pie recipes for this frozen treat can be as varied as the many flavors of ice cream used to make them. Snickers pie, Butterfinger pie, Oreo cookie pie and other candied and cookied ice creams are almost always sure-fired options to treat your family during dessert that feature easy prep and high rewards.

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Weight Loss Recipes for Healthy Eating, Better Nutrition

Megan Koester — 2010-10-27T13:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Diet Plans

For many, no phrase in the English language is more bone chilling than "weight loss plan." It's generally assumed that, once people dedicate themselves to a weight loss diet, all the joy they once took in eating falls by the wayside. Weight loss recipes usually focus on nutrition, not flavor - as such, it's hard for most folks to get excited about typical healthy diet food options. Steamed veggies? Brown rice? Are those the only foods dieters have to look forward to? In a word, no. Not all weight loss foods have to be bland and flavorless. It is possible to eat right, lose weight and not sacrifice a bit of taste. Want to eat right on your terms? Take a look at these suggestions!

Lemon & Dill Chicken: Chicken is a fantastic source of lean protein -- a mere four ounces of the stuff is packed with over 67 percent of all the protein you need in a day. It's much better for you than red meat, fills you up fast and gives you energy. Best of all, it tastes great! This Greek-inspired weight loss recipe infuses the flavors of olive oil, dill, lemon and garlic into boneless chicken breasts-the end result is a delicious and nutritious taste of the Mediterranean.

Fruit-Filled Puff Pancakes: Sweets are usually a dieter's nightmare; a single dessert truck could upset an entire diet plan. This healthy diet recipe, though, gives you all the sweetness you crave and none of the guilt. Low-fat puff pancakes are made with fat-free milk, flour and egg whites, and fresh fruit and a touch of marmalade provide the filling. No extra sugar needs to be added; the sweetness of the fruit is enough to make this recipe a hit.

Miso-Glazed Scallops with Soba Noodles: A lot of weight loss recipes utilize the same ingredients -- chicken, fish, lettuce. If you're not careful, you'll get bored quickly. Throw some variety into your routine with this Japanese-inspired recipe. Like all varieties of seafood, scallops are low in fat; the sauce in this dish is low in fat, too, but certainly doesn't taste it. And since we're on the topic of seafood...

Chili-Rubbed Tilapia with Asparagus & Lemon: Tilapia is one of the cheapest and easiest varieties of fish to find; just because it's cheap and easy to find, though, doesn't mean it can't be gussied up a bit in your weight loss recipes. Rubbing a handful of spices on a fillet or two goes a long way.

Grilled Eggplant Cannelloni: Traditional cannelloni isn't great for your health, but this vegan alternative is. It's completely dairy-free, using eggplant in lieu of pasta and tomatoes instead of cheese. The inclusion of fresh mint and mustard seeds ensures that this left-of-center weight loss recipe never lacks in flavor because of its lack of dairy.

Ginger-Lime Chicken Salad: Salad is the ultimate healthy diet food -- covering a bed of lettuce in cheese and Ranch dressing, though, negates any nutritional value the meal could have. This quick, easy and delicious recipe tastes just as good as a Ranch covered salad but is infinitely better for you. Fresh ginger and lime juice give this dish a bit of kick, as does the addition of red onion.

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Healthy Breakfast: Recipes for the Family

Matthew Wilkening — 2010-10-08T09:34:00+00:00

Filed under: Breakfast

Healthy breakfast recipes are a fantastic way to start your day off right. Of course, not everybody in your house may be looking for the same idyllic family breakfast that you're currently envisioning. They may want to grab a quick donut, exercise bar, or worse, hit one of those fast food places. So how can you be ready with easy-to-make meals that will get everybody's day started properly, and still have time to get yourself together and conquer the world in whatever way you see fit?

We're here to help with healthy breakfast ideas that will entice your family to join you at the table before they have a chance to escape. Let's start with eggs, an amazingly diverse and easy to prepare staple of countless morning meals. Eggs can increase your cholesterol, but there are still tons of healthy ways to prepare and enjoy them.

If you keep a supply of chopped-up vegetables such as fresh tomatoes, mushrooms and onions in your refrigerator, you've got everything you need for a healthy breakfast recipe. Just crack and scramble some eggs, add a little milk, fry it in a pan, add your vegetables, fold it in half and you're done. Want some good omelette ideas? Check out this Greek omelette from Slashfood, or this artichoke version from Kitchen Daily.

Oatmeal is another heart-healthy family breakfast idea that allows for a lot of flexibility. There are countless healthy breakfast recipes featuring oatmeal and, usually, some kind of delicious fruit; we're partial to this pear and maple oatmeal recipe. If you or your loved ones truly can't find the time to sit for the meal, this portable Oatmeal breakfast cookie recipe can be made in advance to provide a healthy and portable starting meal for the day.

Pancakes are another family breakfast fixture, but you have to be careful because traditional white flour recipes can lead you straight into a sugar crash, especially when combined with overly-sweetened maple syrup. Luckily, there are lots of healthy breakfast recipes featuring pancakes and waffles nowadays. The key is to use whole wheat or whole grain mixes, while using natural fruits like strawberries, raspberries and of course, blueberries to provide sweet contrasting flavor. Here's an amazing-looking whole wheat blueberry buttermilk pancake recipe that'll make you forget all about that local fast food joint.

There's an abundance of healthy breakfast recipe options over on KitchenDaily.com, and as long as you keep the common sense ideas above in mind when preparing your family breakfast, you should be able to quickly and inexpensively provide a great start for yourself and your loved ones, even on the most hectic days.

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Snack Mix Ideas

Matthew Wilkening — 2010-10-08T09:10:00+00:00

Filed under: Snacks

Snack mixes are great to have around the house in order to stave off in-between meal hunger attacks, but store bought brands, even the healthiest ones, are often heavy on preservatives, MSG, oils and other flavor enhancers. So why bother with that, when it's easy to make snack mix that's both healthy and tailored to your personal tastes?

Here are some ideas on how to make creative versions of one of the most popular homemade snacks around without spending a lot of time or money. Anyone who's had snack mix before can probably list the basic ingredients you'll need for the traditional recipe: pretzels, some form of cereal, and nuts. Now remember, we're trying to keep things healthy so look for reduced salt or salt-free pretzels, and make sure the cereal you choose isn't loaded up with sugars, preservatives or other chemicals. Organic, corn or rice-based cereals are a safe bet.

Now comes the fun part, you can add just about anything you want to create your own ideal snack mix. Dried fruit is a popular addition, and there's lots of wonderful varieties to choose from; apples, banana chips, cranberries, peaches, raisins and apricots are all great choices. Coconut or small chocolate candies such as M&Ms are often included in the most traditional recipes, just make sure not to use them too liberally.

To add a little kick to your new homemade snack mixes, it's best to add a little bit of oil or butter, often combined with some simple spices, to coat the snack mix, combine all the disparate flavors and, generally, make it a treat instead of a piles of unrelated elements. Let's look at this simple snack mix recipe from Kitchen Daily; it features just four ingredients, including hulled pumpkin seeds. They use a small amount of olive oil and cheese, baked into the mixture via oven, to add a savory burst of flavor to the mix.

Or maybe you want make snack mix that doesn't include breakfast cereal. Popcorn-based homemade snacks are easy to put together, too. As you can imagine, butter works well as the binding ingredient for this category of snack mix, and light dashes of garlic and onion powder are also often used. Here's a sweet popcorn mix recipe that uses honey instead, and doesn't require any baking. Just combine your ingredients and shake it up in a paper bag. Voila! You're a cook.

If you really want to watch the calories, here's one of the simplest recipes of all; the Fruit and Peanut snack mix. No oils or spices, just pretzels, dried fruit and some peanuts. It'll take you minutes to make this and you'll get a great blend of salty and sweet ready whenever you get hungry.

Remember, most of these ingredients work well together, and there's no "snack mix police" that's going to come get you if you try something not found on a recipe, so go ahead and make your own homemade, delicious snack mix anytime and anyway you see fit.

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Apple Crisp: The Perfect Fall Dessert

Holly Quinn — 2010-10-07T13:27:00+00:00

Filed under: Desserts

Fall means cooler weather, shorter days and apples -- lots of apples. Although apples are available in supermarkets year-round these days, there's still an abundance of apples in many regions every fall, and a bag of crisp apples can be had for a bargain price. What to do with all those apples? The old-fashioned apple crisp, which skips the once time-consuming step of making and rolling out the pastry for an apple pie, still makes a perfect fall dessert -- and, with ingredients like oats, nuts and/or berries, it can be one of the healthier apple recipes.

Any of these apple crisps can be served hot, warm or cold; with milk, vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt; or plan and simple in a bowl.

For a very basic old-fashioned version, Taste of Home's Apple Crisp has only five ingredients: apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon and butter. The "crisp" in this version is basically a streusel of flour and sugar cut with butter. As the butter and sugar melt into the apples in the oven, the crisp pulls together into a sticky sweet-tart fall dessert to pair with ice cream.

Have a freezer full of summer berries? Try this Apple Berry Crisp from holidaykitchen.tv: add two cups of your favorite berry (or a combination of berries) to a traditional apple recipe that also include oats, a popular addition that adds fiber.

Try adding cranberries for a twist on apple crisp that gives the fall dessert a taste of the holidays. Better Homes and Garden's Apple Cranberry Crisp is made richer with brown sugar in the oat-laden crisp. Serve with vanilla or lemon yogurt for a cool, tart contrast to the sweet warm apples.

Bake apple crisp outdoors in a dutch oven with Bob Kellerman's Apple Crisp, featured on Paula Deen's "Camp Cooking" episode. A mixture of apples, sugar, lemon and golden raisins and topped with a crisp mixture full of spices are placed in the dutch oven, with instructions on how to use coals on the bottom and top of the pot, allowing the apple crisp to bake over a campfire. This apple recipe can also be baked at 350 degrees in a convention oven indoors.

Looking for a "made-over" light version? Eating Well's Old Fashioned Apple-Nut Crisp is made white and brown sugar or Splenda, with whole wheat flour and a combination of canola oil and apple juice concentrate instead of butter or margarine, cutting back on the fat. With a healthy addition of hazelnuts or walnuts, you have your fall dessert guilt-free.

If there's no time for chopping apples or preparing a topping, Easy Apple Crisp from Campell's Kitchen is as close as you'll come to premade: pour a can of apple pie filling into a baking dish and cover with crumbled oatmeal cookies mixed with nuts and butter. Only 15 minutes in the oven -- you can't get an apple recipe that's much easier or quicker than that.

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