Picking the Right Pasta Maker for your Family

Some of the best times I spend with my children are times in the kitchen.  Getting the opportunity to touch the creative genius in your children and see them get involved in what they are eating is a true culinary delight.  Finding the hidden gourmet inside of them has been eye opening. 

Our most recent but exciting purchase was a Pasta Maker for our home.   It is amazing the varieties of kitchen pasta makers that are out there.  All the shapes, sizes and colors are all the rage in today’s modern kitchen and can make comparing pasta makers a real task.

A Pasta Maker is not only a fun way to get the kids active in the kitchen, but also take control over the nutritional value of what is going into your children’s mouths.  Taking control of the pasta making process is just one more step you can take to add bolder new flavors and get even more out of your time in the kitchen with the family.

But how do you pick the right pasta maker for your home and family? Keep these things in mind when you compare pasta makers and you’re sure to have a pasta machine that is a picture perfect fit for your space, tastes, and cooking style.

Storage Ability and Countertop Space- If you’re like me, all you need is another item on your countertop. I’ve yet to meet a woman who believes her kitchen is too big and wishes she had less cabinet or countertop space.  Most kitchens come with limited space so thinking ahead to how much space you have is important when you compare pasta makers.  Convenience is key to making regular use of your new Pasta Maker.  The last thing we want is for this purchase to become another one of those items that you invest in but never used. 

Cooking Style is another consideration to keep in mind when comparing pasta makers.  Making pasta, even when using a homemade pasta maker machine or attachment, can be a family affair for added fun.  You need to take your cooking style into account when you pick your own pasta making tool or machine.   Keep in mind all the varieties of tools and accessories that can make for a fun Pasta Making experience for everyone involved. 

A motor driven pasta maker might be a waste of money if you rarely think of pulling out big tools when cooking.  If you tend to do a lot of hand mixing a manual cutting pasta machine might be a better fit and can still make for a fun and creative experience. 

Now that you know things that are important to consider so that you get the right pasta making machine to meet your pasta making needs it’s time to put those things to work and buy your homemade pasta maker today.

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Technorati Tags: family, family time, food, kitchen, kitchen aid, nutrition, pasta, pasta maker

Pepperoni Pizza Bread!

• 1 loaf frozen bread dough
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp oregano
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 pkg (3 oz) sliced pepperoni
• 2 tbsp margarine
• 9 sliced American cheese 

Preheat oven to 350

Grease jelly roll pan with margarine.  Let dough thaw and raise until double in size.  Roll out flat ( I just stretched it out into a rectangle on a cookie sheet that has been greased)Beat eggs and add oregano,  grated parmesan cheese and 2 tbsp melted margarine.  Mix well.  Spread 3/4 of egg mixture all over flattened dough.  Top with cheese slices and pepperoni.  Roll up like a jelly roll and seal edges and ends. 

Place on a greased pan and spread rest of egg mixture on top 

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until brown.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Technorati Tags: 30 minutes, pepperoni pizza, pizza bread

Score a “Touchdown” this Superbowl

with the perfect Football Finger Foods

Check out my top three Superbowl Snacks that Score Big

It’s Super Bowl time again! Weather you are having a few friends over for the game or heading out for a party, knowing what to bring is always a trick. I’m always keeping my eyes open for Finger Foods and Party Snacks that impress.  

My first pick is an Artichoke Dip with a little Football KICK.  I have served it at a few parties now and it has become one of my signature requests.  You can adjust the “heat” of the dip to your personal preference by the amount of jalapeno peppers used.

Artichoke, Jalapeño and Parmesan Dip

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
4 pickled jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1 (6-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drain, reserve marinade
2 teaspoons

Tabasco green jalapeño sauce
Kosher or coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1.   Use a food processor with metal blade to finely grate Parmesan cheese. Add the cream cheese, mixing well. Transfer cheese mixture to a mixing bowl.

Chop jalapeño peppers in processor; add drained artichoke hearts and process just until coarsely chopped. Add artichoke/jalapeño mixture and the jalapeño sauce to cheese mixture. Mix well. If needed, add small amount of additional marinade to obtain desired consistency. Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with a variety of crackers or chips.

Take a Hint from Rachel Ray

Baked Jalapeno Peppers

12 large jalapeño peppers

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

4 ounces Manchego cheese, grated

2 to 3 tablespoons green salad olives with pimientos, finely chopped

2 tablespoons chopped parsley or cilantro

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Slice off a lengthwise piece of each jalapeño then, using a small spoon or paring knife, scrape the seeds out of each pepper to make little jalapeño canoes. Chop the tops finely and add to a mixing bowl with the cream cheese, Manchego, green olives, parsley, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Use a small spoon to fill the canoes or transfer the mixture to a re-sealable plastic bag, snip off the end and squeeze the mixture into the hulls of your jalapeño canoes. Arrange the peppers on cookie sheet, transfer to the oven and roast for 15 minutes.

BANG BANG SHRIMP

1 lb shrimp, shelled and deveined (31-40 count work best)

½ cup mayonnaise

¼ cup Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

5-10 drops Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce (add more to your personal spicy taste)

Corn Starch to coat the shrimp in

Mix mayo and sauces for coating . .set aside

Coat shrimp in corn starch

Deep fry the shrimp until lightly brown (4-5 minutes)

Drain on paper towel, toss in a bowl w/ the sauce

Serve in a lettuce lined bowl, top w/ chopped scallions

Popularity: 33% [?]

Technorati Tags: Artichoke, artichoke dip, jalapeño peppers, snack, Snacks, Superbowl, superbowl snacks, Touchdown

Quick and Easy 15 Minute Meals

As we head into 2009 my top resolution is to KEEP IT SIMPLE.  This resolution includes meal time.  Spending less time in the kitchen and more time with my family.  Her are a few quick 15 minute meals that are sure to free up some time and hit the spot with your family.  Make meal time family time with quick, easy 15 minute meals like these.  Click Here  to see other great 15 minute meal ideas from Cambell’s Soup 

Mom’s Skillet Chicken and Rice in 15 minutes

SUBMITTED BY: Campbell‘s Kitchen 

“This hearty combination of sautéed chicken, garlic, mixed vegetables and rice simmers to goodness in a creamy sauce–perfect for a busy night when you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry.”

INGREDIENTS

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Chicken with Herbs Soup*
• 1 1/2 cups water**
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked instant white rice
• 2 cups frozen vegetable combination (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots)

DIRECTIONS

1.       Sprinkle chicken with garlic.

2.       Heat oil in skillet. Add chicken and cook until browned. Remove chicken.

3.       Add soup, water and pepper. Heat to a boil.

4.       Stir in rice and vegetables. Top with chicken. Cover and cook over low heat 5 minutes or until done.

FOOTNOTES

• Tip: *Or use 1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell’s® Cream of Chicken OR 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup.
• **For creamier rice, increase water to 1 2/3 cups.

Speedy Chicken Enchiladas in 15 minutes

“Sautéed chicken cubes are coated with a sauce featuring Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup and salsa, then rolled up in flour tortillas and topped with another delicious sauce made from salsa and Campbell’s® Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup.”

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cubed
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
• 1 cup Pace® Thick & Chunky Salsa
• 8 6-inch flour tortillas
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell’s® Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup

DIRECTIONS

1.       Cook chicken in nonstick skillet until browned and done, stirring often. Add chicken soup and 1/2 cup salsa. Heat through.

2.       Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla. Roll up tortilla around filling and place seam-side down in 2-quart microwave-safe baking dish.

3.       Mix cheese soup and remaining salsa and pour over enchiladas. Cover.

4.       Microwave on HIGH 5 minutes or until hot.

Popularity: 25% [?]

Technorati Tags: 15 minute meals, busy night, Campbell, cook time, DIRECTIONS, Easy, family, ideas, meal time

Everyone is seeing a hit to the pockets and purses these days with the increase in prices for food and fuel.  Eating Healthy can still be economical and it eating out less and make more meals at home can be the key.

Eating out may be easier but it creates an opportunity for you to indulge in foods that aren’t exactly on the healthy list. Take advantage of the healthy benefits of Home-cooked meals, it will help to save money and create a healthier diet for you and your family.

It’s easy to get started on your Home Cooked Meal kick. Pick out some favorite recipes, face it these days there are so many ways to find healthy recipes online you have no excuses. Now use some of the tips here to start thinking of healthier alternatives to substitute for standard ingredients in the recipe.  Use some of the suggestions below, and your boring cooking will have an added but healthier kick. Before you know it the family won’t be begging to go out to eat but they’ll be begging you for another helping. 

1. Whole grains.It’s easy to replace white-flour pastas and white rice with wheat pastas, brown rice, wild rice, bulgur, barley, or quinoa and your family won’t even notice. You can also replace half or more of the white flour in a recipe with whole-wheat flour what a healthy difference it will make.
2. Portions - smaller amounts. Often you can reduce the amounts of oil, sugar, and salt that a recipe calls for — and no one will know the difference. Don’t forget you can use other, healthier seasonings and extracts to add more flavor.
3. Low-fat. Choose lean cuts of meat, or go vegetarian alternatives – Tofu.
4. Low Fat Dairy products – slim and skim. When it comes to dairy products, choose low-fat versions of milk, cheeses, or yogurts.
5. Vegetables and Fruits. When a recipe calls for veggies or fruits don’t skimp in fact, don’t be afraid to add more. Even if a recipe doesn’t call for veggies, add them any way. Veggies can add the added nutrition you need as well as additional color for pazaz.
6. Substitutions. Did you know that you can sometimes use apple sauce as a replacement for butter or oil in recipes for baked goods? Egg whites instead of full eggs or wine, vinegar, or broth in place of oil for cooking.
7. The most important thing is to be creative and add some of your favorite’s recipes to create healthier meals.

For more information on tips like this or others on how to save money when shopping visit Hip and Healthy or Hip Home Maker.

Popularity: 32% [?]

Technorati Tags: Cooked, Eating, family, Home-cooked, Low-fat, Portions, recipe