Many of us are looking to make healthier lifestyle choices and one way to do that is in the kitchen. By making simple variations in our cooking, we can help to reduce calories and lower fat. We can do this, while preserving flavor by baking instead of frying our favorite foods. Try basting with broth instead of butter and removing the skin from chicken prior to cooking. Add extra flavor by adding your favorite seasonings or spices and stay away from pan frying foods, which adds extra fat. This helps lower your risk of metabolic syndrome that leads to heart disease, stroke and type II diabetes and increases the overall healthfulness of your diet.

A great recipe for baked chicken starts with eight chicken pieces. Prepare the dipping mixture by combining an egg, 2-3 tablespoons of Cajun mustard, 1/4 cup of buttermilk, and salt and pepper in a small dish. On a flat plate combine 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 1/4 cup of oatmeal, 1/4 cup sliced almonds, 1 tablespoon powered garlic, 1 teaspoon crushed pepper, 1 teaspoon Cajun spice, 1 teaspoon basil flakes, 1 teaspoon Italian herbs and 1 teaspoon parsley flakes. Coat the chicken in the egg mixture and then coat with the flour mixture and place on a baking sheet sprayed with canola oil. To help the flour on the chicken cook, spray the chicken pieces with canola oil before placing in a preheated oven at 425° and bake for 25-30 minutes until it’s golden brown. This chicken is much healthier than the fried version, and can also be made with boneless chicken.

 

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Creating an authentic Italian dish is quite easy if you have "on hand" five staple ingredients.First and foremost, it's all about the pasta. Both fresh and dried pasta are easily available to the consumer cook. Rather than buying huge amounts of any one type, you're best to purchase small amounts of the most common types, such as spaghetti, linguine, lasagna and elbow. Store your fresh pasta in the refrigerator and you're dried in a the pantry.

Though "special" Italian recipes call for white 'bechamel' sauce, it's still the red tomato sauce that takes center stage in Italian cuisine. Tomato sauce is easy to prepare from scratch. Nevertheless, you wise to stock your pantry with your favorite bottled brand as most are very favorable substitutes.

Olive oil is used abundantly in Italian cuisine. While extra-virgin olive oil is used for raw dressings over pasta salads and vegetable side-dishes, regular olive oil is used for frying and sauteing. By respecting this rule, you preserve the health benefits of this precious oil.

Italians love their garlic. So, it's little wonder that this humble bulb is found in virtually all Italian recipes. You can purchase garlic fresh, dried, powdered or jarred. Fresh garlic, being the premier alternative, is easily stored in a cool, dry place such as a root cellar or refrigerator.

Mushrooms are loved by Italians. Porcini mushrooms, in particular, are renowned in Italian cooking. Fresh or dried, these gems lend a subtle earthy flavor to Italian dishes.If you love Italian cuisine, keep these five staples stocked in your pantry. In minutes, you'll be able to wipe-up an authentic Italian dish worthy to serve at the authentic Italian table.

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Quiche originally came from Germany, from the medieval kingdom of Lothringen. The French later renamed it Lorraine. The word quiche is German from Kuchen meaning cake. The original quiche Lorraine did not contain cheese or onions; these ingredients were added later.

Quiche Lorraine
Pastry
1-Cup Flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
2 to 3 Tablespoons cold water

Filling
8 slices of bacon, crispy cooked, then crumbled
4 large eggs
2 cups half and half
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Optional ingredients
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese or 1/2 cup Gruyere Cheese
1/3 cup finely chopped onions

In a medium bowl, mix together flour salt. Cut shortening in with pastry knife until pieces are about pea size. Sprinkle in cold water one tablespoon at a time until pastry comes together, more water can be used if needed. Shape pastry into a ball. On a lightly floured surface roll dough out to fit a 9-inch quiche dish or a pie plate may also be used.

Sprinkle bacon, cheese and onions (optional) on the piecrust. In a medium bowl beat eggs slightly, and remaining ingredients and mix well pour into piecrust. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes of until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let stand for five minutes before serving.

For Spinach Quiche frozen of fresh may be used. Make sure to squeeze all the water out of frozen spinach. Use a 1/2 if using frozen of 1 cup if using fresh chopped spinach  

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So, you have decided to go vegetarian and you are looking for some good recipes. With more and more people choosing a vegetarian lifestyle, ingredients and recipes are becoming more accessible. Grocery stores are stocking more items for a meat free diet and many restaurants now have vegetarian entrées to cater to their veggie only customers.

If you are looking for more good recipes, check out http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/ for this recipe as well as everything from appetizers to desserts for the vegetarian or vegan in your life.

Ingredients:

1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
3 tablespoons sliced black olives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet. Place spaghetti squash cut sides down on the prepared baking sheet, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a sharp knife can be inserted with only a little resistance. Remove squash from oven, and set aside to cool enough to be easily handled.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic, and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, and cook only until tomatoes are warm.

Use a large spoon to scoop the stringy pulp from the squash, and place in a medium bowl. Toss with the sauteed vegetables, feta cheese, olives, and basil. Serve warm.

This is a really great website for vegetarian and vegan meals. As more and more research comes out about nutrition and the vegetarian lifestyle, it makes sense to consider becoming at least a "part-time" vegetarian.

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Who doesn't like Chicken Chimichangas? Theses are one of my families favorite meals. The way we do them is use the frozen ones put them into a 13x9 pan, pour green sauce over them and cover with cheese and bake about an hour. These are to die for.

I was reading about Chicken Chimichangas at a website called Ohio Sports Fanatic. The author talks about his grandma's cooking because nothing goes with a good sports game than good food. This article actually gives you a recipe from scratch so to speak. You can check this out at www.ohiosportsfanatic.com as well as other articles of interest.

This is a nicely done website and if you are sports minded, you should definitely check it out.