New Dietary Guidelines

So this past month they released the 2010 dietary guidelines...a little late it seems for 2010's guidelines, but oh well.  Since the guidelines are in a 112 page .pdf I don't think I will share the entire thing with you, however you can view this document for yourself at: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/DietaryGuidelines/2010/PolicyDoc/PolicyDoc.pdf

To keep myself on track with the dietary guidelines I am going to be cooking more from scratch, using fresh vegetables, fruit, grains, and cutting out salt, (there are so many other spices that you can replace salt with that adds much richer flavors to your dishes).  I think that while I am trying to stay on track, be healthy, and lose weight that my Salad Shooter will definitely be put to more use.  I think my pressure cooker will also be used more frequently, as it cooks in a way that allows the food to retain more of its nutrients than most other cooking methods. 

What are you doing to stay healthy this year?

Breakfast Griddle

Have you ever woke up in the morning and your stomach is starving for an old fashioned country breakfast? The special kind of breakfast only grandma would make for her grandchildren? We would always leave Granny’s with a full, satisfied belly. I can remember waking up on Saturday morning, no vacuum cleaner running at 8:00am or lights that would be flickering on and off with someone telling you its time to get up! I knew if I spent the night at Granny’s house I would not be bothered. She would let me sleep in as long as I wanted to; even tell noon if I chose to. When I was ready to wake up, Granny would always ask, “Honey what would you like for breakfast?” She gave me choices, an egg biscuit, waffles, or pancakes. Thinking back to those days, I never had a thought of how long it took Granny to make breakfast until I was older. Some mornings it seemed to take longer to fix breakfast. Especially if you are a working mother and you don’t have a whole lot of time to spare. If you are always digging in your cabinets to find two or three different pans to cook your breakfast meal in, wouldn’t it be easier to have just one griddle to cook all of your breakfast foods in? Doesn’t that make more sense and less time trying to dig for all those pans? I have been busy looking for the right appliance to cook all of my breakfast foods in and my research tells me the Presto griddle is the perfect solution, because there are so many to choose from. Whether you have a small or large family, there is at least one of these griddles that would work best for you and your family.

. 1. If you have a small family, then the Presto Liddle Griddle is perfect for a family of two which makes one or two servings.

2. If your family is medium size 3 or 4 family members you need to consider the Presto Cool Touch Tilt n Drain, this one is square which helps to holds more eggs, pancakes, bacon and sandwiches. Also has a cool touch base around the front and back sides which provides your family with added safety. With a master heat control you can maintain a steady cooking temperature automatically.

3. Next there’s a Presto Cool Touch Foldaway Griddle that has a 14-15 inch grilling surface and this one is also square to hold more eggs, pancakes etc. It folds up for compact storage.

4. Or if you are a sandwich Queen or King you would love the Big Cool touch Griddle that is 10 ½ by 20 ½ cooking surface ,which is not only great for cooking eggs, pancakes, or bacon but you can use it for making sandwiches.

5. Last there is the Presto Professional Griddle that has an extra large nonstick cooking surface, and is very easy to clean. There’s a slide out tray which catches your drippings and is less messy.

Always remember, if you are purchasing a Presto Griddle, please read your instruction manual thoroughly and get familiar with your new appliance.

Some Safety Tips to remember are: . · Read all instructions · Always remember to keep hot appliances out of reach around children · Do not immerse your control cord or plug in water · Do not use these appliance’s outdoors

All of these griddles are easy to clean and maintain, they conduct heat more evenly, easy to store, and you can cook two or three different foods all at the same time. No fuss and no messy pans to have to clean up. Now you can fix a down home country breakfast for your kids and grandchildren. I found the best selection and prices on Presto Griddles at www.pressurecooker-outlet.com

Pecan Nutcracker makes great Pie!

Valentine’s day at our place simply is not complete without homemade pecan pie for dessert.  What is even better than that?  Knowing those pecans were freshly cracked and shelled that day!  This seems like a lot of work especially when you have 9 people coming over, a casserole in the oven, a house to clean and a lot of other things to do.

I have found that the only way to get the job complete is the Duke Easy Pecan Nut Cracker.  It was even featured on the Martha Stewart Show!  Sometimes it is called the Reed Rocket Pecan Nut Cracker, but it is the same product.  I love my pecan nut cracker because it is easy to use, really affordable and effective.  I don't have to worry about my klutzy self squishing my fingers either. It is easily adjustable, but you can never completely close it.  The pecan is never crushed because you can adjust how much pressure you put on the lever.  This pecan cracker will eliminate your need for a nut pick, making the process of cracking pecans faster. You can use this nut cracker on most other nuts such as large English walnut or an almond.  It is made from a sturdy metal construction that comes already mounted to a hardwood board.  It is easy to assemble, just turn the handle clockwise until tight and it is ready for unlimited use.  It measures 16 inches in length including the handle so it can be easily stored away in a cabinet or drawer. 

I’ve included a homemade pecan pie recipe featuring freshly shelled pecans.  Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your family!

Ingredients:

1 (9 inch) pie shell, pre-baked 10-12 minutes

¾ cup white sugar

¾ cup light corn syrup

3 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 pinch salt

1 cup freshly chopped pecans

Pre-Baked Pie Crust:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a fork, prick pastry piecrust shell in several places. Place foil over pie crust, allowing the pie crust edges to be exposed.  Fill the crust with dried beans or rice to keep the pie pastry flat while baking.  Bake for 10-12 minutes, remove and cool.

Preparation:

1.         Combine sugar, corn syrup, eggs, vanilla and salt in a large bowl

2.         Add pecans and coat nuts well

3.         Pour pecan pie filling into pie shell

4.         Bake 30 minutes, check to see if piecrust is getting too brown, if so cover edges with foil.  Bake another 15 minutes

5.         Do not over bake. Remove when pie filling is firm around edges, slightly soft but set in the center

6.         Serve warm with vanilla ice cream