The BP Monitor » Cooking Tips http://thebpmonitor.com How's Your Blood Pressure? Issues, support, and treatments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:30:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Primary Technique For Cooking Eggshttp://thebpmonitor.com/primary-technique-for-cooking-eggs/ http://thebpmonitor.com/primary-technique-for-cooking-eggs/#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:08:56 +0000 htnguy http://thebpmonitor.com/primary-technique-for-cooking-eggs/ Eggs are universally acclaimed as one of most useful cooking ingredients. They are easy to get hold of wherever you live and are widely used throughout the world. Even the worst cook can learn to prepare eggs using a few easy techniques. Possessing the electuary skills to make egg recipes like scrambled eggs, boiled eggs and poached eggs gives you an opportunity to modify them into thousands of uncomplicated, quick wholesome dishes. So let’s get weaving, here are a few elementary methods: - 1. How to Boil an Egg Boiled Eggs are nutritious and can make a fast and simple meal. For many people, a soft boiled egg with toast soldiers is the supreme comfort food. To soft boil and egg to dip toast in, first remove your eggs from the fridge and allow them to sit for a few minutes to take them up to room temperature. For more details login on to www.atkins-diets-recipes.com. Heat some water in a small pan and, when it is simmering, use a spoon to drop the eggs into the pan carefully. Simmer for just one minute then take them off the heat, set a lid on the pan and stand for 6-7 minutes. Experiment with the timing, it will depend on how you like your eggs. For hard boiled eggs, simmer the eggs in the pan, on the heat, for roughly 7 minutes and then promptly remove from the pan and put into cold water for a couple of minutes. Leave eggs to cool in a bowl of ice cold water. Hard boiled eggs are good for picnics or for mixing with mayonnaise to make egg sandwiches. 2. How to Make an Omelets An omelets is really simple to make and is wonderful served with a salad or fries. Beat two eggs in a bowl and add a little. Add a dash of milk or water. In an omelets pan (small frying pan), melt a knob of margarine or butter and coat the pan. Pour the eggs into the pan and swirl around so that they cover the pan evenly. Use a spatula to keep bringing in cooked bits from the side to let less cooked eggs run into gaps and cook evenly. Once you have a soft but firm circle of omelets you may also add grated cheese or chopped and cooked mushrooms to the center and fold the omelets over the filling to make a crescent shape. 3. How to Cook Scrambled Eggs Scrambled eggs on toast is delicious and is a good standby when you’re in a rush or are too tired to cook much. If you have got a microwave, and then these are really easy – simply beat 2-3 eggs together, season, add a tiny dash of milk and cook on high. Stir with a fork every ten seconds and stop cooking when they are at the perfect consistency for you. You can also scrambled eggs in a pan – Heat a knob of butter in a frying pan, beat the eggs in a bowl or jug, season and add a dash of milk. Once the butter is melted, pour the eggs into the pan and stir constantly with a wooden spoon. Cook until the egg mixture only has a bit of liquid left. Stir in a little butter and add cream if you want – delicious. For a special breakfast, chop up smoked salmon and mix into the scrambled egg. 4. How to Make Poached Eggs To poach eggs the easy way, you can purchase a special poaching pan which has round compartments into which you break your eggs and then they cook over the pan which is filled with boiling water. To poach eggs without a poacher, pour boiling water into a frying pan until it is about 2 ½ cm deep, set the pan on the cooker and, when the water is bubbling lightly (little bubbles under the surface), break an egg into the water. Simmer for 1 minute and then withdraw from the heat. You can also visit us at www.book-of-cookies.com. Leave for 10 minutes and then remove with a slotted spoon and drain. Serve on toast or with bacon, sausage and baked beans. These are the four basic, quickest and most nourishing ways to cook eggs but you can also fry an egg in oil. Simply heat oil in a frying pan, break an egg gently into the pan (gently, so you don’t break the yolk) and fry until done. Even though you may favor frying eggs, remember that poaching is far better than frying because it only uses water.

]]> http://thebpmonitor.com/primary-technique-for-cooking-eggs/feed/ 0 Here are Some Simple Recipes to Get You Started Using Herbs in Your Cookinghttp://thebpmonitor.com/here-are-some-simple-recipes-to-get-you-started-using-herbs-in-your-cooking/ http://thebpmonitor.com/here-are-some-simple-recipes-to-get-you-started-using-herbs-in-your-cooking/#comments Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:07:25 +0000 htnguy http://thebpmonitor.com/here-are-some-simple-recipes-to-get-you-started-using-herbs-in-your-cooking/ Herbs are fun to grow and easy to use. Herbs can be a frugal cook’s best friend because they can enhance even the simplest fare making it seem grand! Herbs are easy to grow–you can even grow them on your kitchen windowsill.
The addition of herbs can change completely the flavor of foods-from homemade breads to soups, stews and vegetables. And they can add variety and excitement to your diet.
A beginner should use herbs with care, adding a little at a time and adjusting to your own taste. Each herb has its own individual flavor and certain herbs also have well-known associations with particular foods. Basil is often paired with tomatoes, rosemary with
lamb, chives with cream cheese and cottage cheese.
Fresh herbs are wonderful as garnishes. Herb vinegars can be used in salad dressings, soups and marinades. You can also add fresh herbs to mayonnaise or butter for a different flavor.
Fresh herbs will keep in the refrigerator for several days. A good way to freeze herbs such as basil, oregano, and dill is to chop, place in ice cube trays, cover with water and freeze. Then just add to stews and sauces when needed.
Some easy herbs to grow are lemon balm, rosemary, oregano, dill, basil, parsley, peppermint, lavendar, sage. Of course, you can buy herbs to cook with at the supermarket, also.
Here are some simple recipes to get you started using herbs in your cooking.
Lemon Chive Dressing
1 clove garlic
dash of salt
Rind of 1 lemon, finely grated
and the juice
1 1/2 teaspoons mustard
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped chives
Put the garlic and salt in a bowl and crush together. Add lemon rind, juice and mustard, stirring until smooth. Slowly whisk in the oil. Fold in chives and season with black pepper, if desired.
This is a good dressing to pour over warm, cooked new potatoes. Add finely chopped green onions.
Mint Iced Tea
Wash 8 sprigs of fresh mint, 12 inches long (any mint, spearmint, peppermint, applemint will do). Place in blender with 4 cups water and liquefy. Let it set for about 1/2 hour and strain.
Herb Butter
1/2 cup butter
4 tablespoons fresh herbs or 2 teaspoons of dried herbs
Soften the butter to room temperature. Finely chop the fresh herbs. Blend herbs and butter well. Store in fridge.
Use to season vegetables, as a spread on bread, biscuits or baked potatoes. Anywhere you normally use butter.
Here’s something different: not really cooking, but a recipe that you might find fun!
Basil-Lemon Facial Mask
Pulverize a handful of fresh basil leaves. Peel 1/2 of an avocado and mash. Add avocado to basil in blender, along with 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon honey,Mix until smooth.
Apply to clean face and leave as long as desired. Rinse off with lukewarm water.
In short, you don’t have to be an herb specialist to learn to enjoy using herbs.
Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to cuisines, recipes, cooking tip, do please browse for more information at our websites.

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All there is to know about bamboo wind chimes
]]> http://thebpmonitor.com/here-are-some-simple-recipes-to-get-you-started-using-herbs-in-your-cooking/feed/ 0 How to Cook Low-carb Long Term Beyond the South Beach Diet?http://thebpmonitor.com/how-to-cook-low-carb-long-term-beyond-the-south-beach-diet/ http://thebpmonitor.com/how-to-cook-low-carb-long-term-beyond-the-south-beach-diet/#comments Sat, 06 Jun 2009 03:06:02 +0000 htnguy http://thebpmonitor.com/how-to-cook-low-carb-long-term-beyond-the-south-beach-diet/ The South Beach Diet is one of the most popular diets in decades. All over the world, people are taking off weight by stripping carbs and, in the process, learning to eat healthier meals. One of the true beauties of South Beach is that it teaches you a whole new way of eating for a healthier, happier lifestyle. Eating healthy the South Beach way requires an adjustment in your cooking styles, too, though. Once you learn to cook low-carb, you’ll find it easier to maintain your new weight and your new healthier lifestyle. Here are some tips to help you put it all together.1. Invest in a good cookbook.The third phase of the South Beach diet is a lifetime maintenance plan that lets you eat a wide variety of healthy foods. If your recipe repertoire was based on high-fat meals with creamy sauces and processed foods, you’ll need to build up a stock of new recipes. For more details visit us at www.chow-chows-secrets.com. The South Beach Diet book is a good start. It contains a lot of easy to cook recipes that will get you started on building a new repertoire of healthy meals. You’ll also find dozens of South Beach cookbooks on the market that will give you some ideas on the best ways to put your new-found food savvy to use.2. Think fresh!Processed foods are the very antithesis of healthy low-carb eating. Even processed meats are packed with fillers that add in carbs and calories without offering anything in the way of nutrition. Try to shop the outside aisles of the supermarket – fresh fruits and veggies, meats and dairy – and avoid all the filler meals in between.3. Learn simple cooking methods.Learning to cook the South Beach way is surprisingly simple – a lot simpler than the techniques you probably use for cooking now. Steaming, poaching, braising, roasting and grilling involve very little prep time. If a recipe calls for dredging in flour or dusting with breadcrumbs, throw it out. You’ll learn a whole new appreciation for real, whole foods when you cook them simply.4. Color your plate pretty.A healthy plate is full of vibrant, brilliant colors. When you prepare a plate for yourself, think in color. Deep green, dark orange and bright red vegetables are low in healthy carbohydrates, minerals and vegetables. White potatoes, rice and breads are not. Your best bet is to eat your veggies when they’re at their peak of color – before overcooking robs them of their minerals and vitamins.5. Spice it up!Spices are a great way to brighten up flavors in your foods. There’s a whole world of spices at your fingertips, and learning to use them can really wake up your plate and your palate. Learning about the spices used in various regional cuisines can help you turn a meal from bland to POW with just a few shakes of the spice bottle. Some spices and spice combinations to try are:•    Curry isn’t just for Indian food anymore. A sprinkle of curry (use a light hand!) can really wake up the flavor in a fresh fruit salad, especially when you add a dab of vanilla.•    Cinnamon is an unusual and delicious spice addition to chicken dishes. •    Lemon grass oil adds a tart edge to salads and vegetables. Just a dash added to the olive oil when you sauté chicken also brightens the flavor and really wakes up your taste buds.•    Rosemary gives everything an earthy, sharp flavor that is the perfect foil for poultry and pork.6. Add a little garnish to your life.Garnishes are more than just pretty things on your plate. Fresh herbs, slices of fruit and strips of raw vegetable are more than a treat for your eyes. They add a healthy balance to your diet as well. Choose edible garnishes – a slice of lemon can be squeezed over fish or chicken to brighten flavors, for instance.The most important things to remember about cooking low-carb for the long term are these:•    Skip the white foods. They’re almost always processed•    Cook simply. Cooking low carb is usually quick, easy and uncomplicated.•    Use olive oil for dressings and sautéing.•    Get colorful. The more color there is on your plate, the healthier your meal will be.

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