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A few months ago I gave up sugar, and refined white flour. I was tired of carrying around the extra 10 pounds, and was determined to lose the extra weight. Although the first two weeks were torture, I am feeling much healthier, and have dropped the pounds. Having a bit of a sweet- tooth, I was interested in finding healthy alternatives to refined sugar. I came up with this easy recipe for tapioca pudding. If you prefer rice pudding, simply add two (2) cups of cooked rice at the end of the recipe. You may also substitute ¼ cup of honey for the sweeteners.
Crepes are delicious. Contrary to popular belief, they’re not that difficult to make. All you need to be successful in your crepe endeavors is a good recipe, patience, and a non-stick pan. Once you have practiced your crepe-making skills, the possibilities are endless. Simply pick a filling- sweet or savory, and let the fun begin. Here are a few helpful hints that will ensure success for you when making crepes.
Chicken Francaise is a poultry dish that can be found in most Italian eateries. It fresh, lemony sauce is the perfect accompaniment for tender sautéed chicken. I’ve made this dish many times over my career to rave reviews. This particular dish is easy to prepare, and can be served over rice, potatoes, and pasta.
I really enjoy brunch and breakfast foods. One of my favorite items to make is Eggs Benedict. If you’re not familar with this dish is consists of poached eggs, Canadian bacon, an English muffin, and most importantly, hollandaise sauce. Hollandaise sauce is an egg-butter emulsion with a hint of lemon and cayenne pepper. If you haven’t had it before, its time to give it a try.
People are constantly asking me what type of pots and pans to buy. It’s never an easy question to answer, but there are some suggestions that I can offer. First of all, try to stay away from aluminum- it’s an unfriendly cooking surface, and can contribute to the discoloration of sauces. Try to stick with stainless steel that’s at least 1/8 of an inch think. Next, look at the base of the handles- what type of fastener is used to connect the handle to the pot? If it is simply spot-welded, don’t buy it. Although these welds are for the most part effective, they can corrode and become unstable. Imagine yourself carrying 30 pounds of boiling water, only to have the handles fall off- not good. There should be some type of fastener that goes through the pot, and the handle like a rivet or screw, also stainless steel. Many top-end companies have started using copper with stainless steel in the fabrication of their cookware. Copper is an excellent heat conductor, but can also add significant cost to your purchase.
