5 One Dish Suppers

Beef Stew
Beef stew is one of the easiest and crowd-pleasing one dish recipes. Who doesn't love meat, potatoes, and veggies cooked together in a savory broth? It's great for home lunches, packed lunches, dinner, and snacks in between. It's especially hardy after a long day in cold weather, and it couldn't be easier to make—simply throw the ingredients in a slow cooker and return several hours later to a ready meal!

Chicken Curry
Martha Stewart.com's recipe for Chicken Curry is sure to please. Using ingredients such as coconut milk and cashews, even the kiddos will like this one. Put all ingredients into a slow cooker, and dinner is done.

Chicken, Broccoli & Rice Casserole
Published in an Uncle Ben's supplementary cookbook is the easiest and most delicious recipe for a Chicken, Broccoli, Rice Casserole. In a casserole dish, simply add 2 cups hot water to Broccoli Au Gratin rice, add seasoning packet, and mix. Top with 4 frozen chicken breasts, and sprinkle with garlic. Cover with foil and cook at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. Add broccoli and cheese, and continue to bake covered for 10 minutes. Remove foil and let cheese brown, if desired. Definite crowd pleaser!

Pizza
Throw your favorite toppings on a pre-made pizza crust and pop it in the oven. Could dinner get any easier? If you're wanting a healthy supper, use lots of veggies and scrimp on the cheese. Add a side salad, and you're good to go.

Chili
Easy and versatile, this one-pot recipe can be altered to fit your current cravings. Use beef, chicken, sausage, turkey, beans, and/or veggies to create an easy and delicious dinner in an hour or less.

Common Food Label Lies

The Daily Green reports that reading food labels isn't as easy as people think. There are plenty of food label lies. Here are three of the top common misconceptions.

The Zero Trans Fat Swap
That package of potato chips states Trans Fat Free. Great, right? Not so fast. Many companies have simply reformulated their products, replacing trans fat with saturated fat. Health-wise, there is little difference. It is still bad for your heart.

Added Fiber
If a product claims the benefits of added fiber, beware. Most of this added fiber comes from purified powders, which have no added health benefits. For the real thing, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.

The Goodness of Whole Grains
And speaking of whole grains, be sure to check the ingredients before you trust the label's claim. Whole grains should be the first ingredient, not the third or fourth. In this case, there are no points for second place.

How-to Sharpen Knives

Keeping a sharp knife is essential to having skills in the kitchen. This You Tube Video will help you get your knives in top working order.

Easy Ways to Spruce Up Mac & Cheese

1. Use better cheese. Stronger cheeses such as Provolone, Pepper Jack, Muenster, and even Swiss, can add interesting elements to an otherwise mild dish.

2. Add veggies. Grated carrots, sweet potatoes, and green peas are great additions to Mac & Cheese.

3. Chopped lobster, crab meat, or shrimp can turn a pantry staple into a gourmet style meal.

4. Baked with seasoned bread crumbs on top. Hint: crushed croutons work well.

5. Add sliced hot dogs for a kid friendly version, or Italian sausage for adults. If you're feeling more adventurous, how about chorizo?

Other ingredients to try: garlic, bacon, chives, red pepper flakes, or broccoli.

Super Foods for a Super Brain

Red Wine
Red wine contains resveratrol, a compound which has been shown to reduce the risk of age related cognitive disease.


Apples
Apples raise the body’s levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that’s important to maintaining memory.




Avocado
Loaded with Vitamin E and healthy fats, avocados provide the brain with the nourishment necessary to function well.

Tips for Throwing a Successful Dinner Party

First, decide what type of dinner party you want to have. Casual, gourmet, and themed, are three common types of dinner parties. The food you serve will depend on what type of dinner party you decide on. Keep in mind, however, that cooking for large groups of people can be stressful. If you plan to cook, try to choose dishes that can be prepared beforehand, so you can mingle with your guests instead of slaving away in the kitchen the entire time.

Don't serve too much food. While multi-course meals can be fun, try to keep the food light and the portions small. You don't want your guests to overeat and leave early due to a stomachache.

Budget. Can you afford to feed steak, lobster, and fine wine to 10 people or only 4?

Decide who you will you invite. Take into consideration how many people can comfortably fit into the space, and the personalities of those you're considering. Send invitations, and send them early, preferably at least 3 weeks in advance. Put as much information into the invitations as possible. Date, time, location, proper attire, and any special instructions such as parking, should be given to potential guests. R.S.V.P.s are recommended, so you know how many you're cooking for. At the time of R.S.V.P. you can also ask your guests to include any special diet restrictions or allergies, so you can adjust or add to your meal accordingly.

Clever Uses for Stale Bread

Heal Wounds. Stale bread mixed with warm milk has been used for centuries as a poultice. Wrap the bread and milk mixture in a towel and apply to wound. Source: Green Yahoo.

Day old bread For The Birds? Literally. If you can't find a use for stale bread in your kitchen or home, throw it to the birds. Or the ducks.

Bring it Back to Life. Real Simple says rubbing an ice cube, or drizzling water, over the crust of unsliced bread until damp, then baking it at 370 degrees for 12 minutes, will bring it back to life.

Make Panzanella. Panzanella is a classic Italian salad that uses stale bread, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, fresh basil, and other ingredients.

Turn it Into Dessert. Bread pudding is a delicious way to use stale bread. Try an apple caramel bread pudding, or a rich chocolate.

5 Grilling Tips for Stand-Out Barbeques

1. Make sure your grill is properly heated. Too little heat will cause sticking, while too much heat will burn your food. A simple "3 Mississippi" test should indicate a properly heated grill. Hold your hand about 4 inches above the grill and count. If you have to pull your hand away before 3 Mississippi, your grill is too hot. If your hand isn't sufficiently warm by 3 Mississippi, keep heating.

2. Clean your grill before each use. Use a stiff wire brush to remove leftover food and grease. For harder to remove gunk, heat your grill for 5 minutes over high temperature, then scrape clean.

3. Lubricate your grill with a high temperature oil, such as peanut or canola. Lower flash point oils, such as olive oil, won't work.

4. Always make sure you have enough coals or propone before starting.

5. Use tongs instead of a fork to flip meat. Tongs don't pierce the flesh and let the juices run out.

Mercury in Fish: What You Need to Know

While fish is generally a healthy choice, some fish contain high levels of mercury and should only be eaten occasionally. Keep this handy list with you the next time you shop for seafood or eat at a restaurant.

Fish with Low Mercury Contamination
Wild Alaskan Salmon
Farmed Rainbow Trout
Albacore Tuna (U.S. and Canada)
Dungeness Crab
Mussels
Farmed Oysters
Farmed Clams
Catfish
Pacific Cod
Pacific Sardines
Farmed Shrimp (U.S.)

Fish with Low to Medium Levels of Mercury Contamination
Pacific Flounder
Wild Clams
Maine Lobster
King Crab
Sea Scallops (U.S. and Canada)
Wild Shrimp (U.S.)
Tilapia
Canned Tuna
Yellowtail Snapper
Swordfish (U.S.)

Fish with High Levels of Mercury Contamination
Chilean Sea Bass
Grouper
Farmed Atlantic Salmon
Shark
Imported Swordfish
Imported Tuna
Imported Mahimahi
Atlantic Halibut
Octopus
Orange Roughy
Rockfish
Red Snapper
Sturgeon
Tilapia (Asia)

Super Food Duos

Some foods not only taste better together, they complement each other nutritionally, as well. According to Spry Living, the following foods work wonders for your body when combined.

• Iron + Vitamin C. Iron rich foods such as spinach, clams, and other meat sources should be consumed with foods containing Vitamin C, such as oranges. The Vitamin C helps your body absorb the iron.

• Monounsaturated Fat + Vegetables. Monounsaturated fats are healthy fats found in such foods as avocado and olive oil. These fats help your body absorb the nutrients in vegetables.

• Apples + Grapes. Apples contain quercetin, a phtochemical that when combined with the catechin in red grapes, reduces a person's risk for stroke and heart attack.