The Many Ways to Use Pesto

Pesto is an easy sauce to make and can be used in many delicious ways.

Pesto is very easy to make with a food processor and so much better than store bought. A great way to serve pasta is with pesto. Toss with freshly cooked pasta, stir in some chicken or sautéed seafood and you have an instant, delicious dinner. Pesto is made with olive oil so it is healthy as well.

Pesto is traditionally a paste made from basil, garlic, pine nuts and olive oil. There are many varieties and pesto can be made with any herbs you like: parsley, cilantro, mint to name a few. I also like to keep a basic basil pesto around for an instant pasta sauce. The basil will turn black and fresh pesto can't be stored long in the refrigerator, but you can freeze it. It's best eaten fresh, but by freezing, I can have my homemade pesto available anytime all year round.

Tips for freezing: Try putting your pesto in an ice-cube tray and freezing. Once frozen, transfer to a air-tight freezer bag for storage. Your individual pesto cubes are perfect to top soups. You can also store the pesto in pre-measured amounts in freezer bags and thaw for a quick sauce for pasta.

Hint: Never microwave pesto - it destroys the flavor. Instead thaw in refrigerator or place the frozen bag in hot water. Cook your pasta then stir the pesto into the hot pasta, add a little pasta water as needed and serve.

Easy Pesto Recipe...

Can You Eat Pasta While Dieting?

Is Pasta ok to eat when trying to lose weight?

Many people who are trying to lose weight wonder is pasta healthy or fattening? Pasta, like many foods high in carbohydrates, often gets a bad reputation for being fattening; however, this does not have to be true.

Carbohydrates, though recently made out to be villains, are actually necessary to keep your body and mind running smoothly. When carbohydrates are broken down they provide a major source of glucose. Glucose is the primary source of energy for your body and the only source of energy for your brain. Many people who have tried to stick to very low-carb diets have suffered from low energy and bad moods. I know I would be in a bad mood if I never got to eat my favorite pastas!

Consuming too many carbohydrates can be fattening, but pasta itself is not fattening; cooked pasta has only about 200 calories per cup. Where you really get into trouble is with your pasta sauce. Pasta sauces that contain high calorie fatty meats, creams, cheese and other fattening ingredients can really make a pasta dish fattening. Tomato pasta sauces are usually not very fattening at all! Americans also have a tendency to eat too much pasta - portion control is important when controlling calories. Italians traditionally serve pasta as a side dish or as one course of a multi-course meal; not in the large mounds that are so common in the United States.

Along with being fattening, pasta has been criticized for being a simple carbohydrates and lumped into the same category as cake, pastries and white bread. The problem with all of these simple carbohydrates is that they spike your blood sugar resulting in excess insulin being secreted which encourages weight gain and a subsequent energy crash. Simple carbohydrates have a high Glycemic Index (GI) which is a number used to measure how quickly the body's blood sugar level rises after the ingestion of a food. The good news is that Pasta has a GI of 41, which is similar to pears and lower than many types of bread. And one easy way to lower the GI of pasta is to cook it like the Italians - "al dente".

Most pasta today is made from semolina flour obtained from durum wheat. This creates a firm dough which in turn also lowers the GI, while also providing a good source of nutrition. Homemade and dried pasta contain plenty of B vitamins, folic acid and iron. It's low in sodium and, despite a prevalent myth, pasta is not high in cholesterol even though it is usually made with eggs. It was once thought that egg consumption needed to be drastically reduced due to their high cholesterol content, but subsequent research has shown eggs are quite healthy in moderation and greatly contribute to the health benefits of pasta. For those on a strict diet, however, pasta can be made without eggs, while the flour and olive oil content still make this pasta healthy.

Another option is to use dried pasta. This pasta usually does not contain eggs or oil but is made from 100% semolina flour and is quite firm when cooked.  The firmness of this pasta helps lower the GI index to less than bread, potatoes and white rice while still providing vitamin B, fiber and iron. Dried pasta can be stored up to 3 years, but be sure not to store your pasta in glass containers as the sunlight depletes the vitamin B.

Is Pasta healthy in other ways too?

Yes, homemade pasta can be quite healthy. It is not difficult to learn how to make pasta and homemade Pasta can be made even more nutritious with the inclusion of whole wheat flour, spinach, garlic and herbs that add to the vitamin, mineral and fiber content of the pasta. Fiber is another nutrient often lost in modern diets, but fiber is necessary for digestive health, hormonal balance and the prevention of certain types of cancers.


There are many easy pasta recipes which make this nutritious food very convenient for modern busy cooks as well. When trying to eat healthier, you don't have to wonder "is pasta healthy" since there are many ways to prepare pasta that are. So go ahead and enjoy your pasta without guilt, just remember to go easy on the fattening meats and sauces and enjoy your pasta in moderation!

 

Olive Oil Cooking Tips

Olive oil is a great oil to use for cooking because of its amazing health benefits and distinctive flavor.

Olive oil has been used for centuries, but has become extremely popular recently due to studies which have proven just how healthy this oil is. Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat which has been shown to lower your bad cholesterol and blood pressure, while raising the good cholesterol and helps protect against strokes.

There are a few things you should know about olive oil to make sure you cook with it properly and everything turns out as delicious as planned. 

The main thing to keep in mind is that olive oil has a low smoke point. This means the oil will start to smoke at high temperatures. If you have ever over-heated olive oil in a pan, you know how it can fill your kitchen with smoke and will destroy the flavor of your food.

Here are some tips for cooking with olive oil:

Some types of olive oil are not the best choice for high heat cooking or frying because they cannot handle the high enough temperatures needed for this type of cooking; however, it is possible to saute with olive oil if you are careful and do not use high heat.

One way to compensate for the low smoke point is to combine olive oil with a high heat oil such as ghee (clarified butter) or canola oil for a healthier choice. This raises the smoke point while still allowing you to enjoy the health benefits and flavor of cooking with olive oil - extra virgin or virgin varieties.

Since olive oil has become popular lately, and is available in every grocery store, you may have noticed quite a variety to choose from. The flavor of the oil can vary depending upon where the olives were grown, so if you find you don't like the flavor of a particular brand, simply switch to another.

Each type of olive oil has its place in cooking and it's important to use the best oil for a particular dish.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil needs to be cooked with very carefully because it can easily lose its flavor with heat. Save your most expensive, high quality extra virgin olive oil for drizzling over cooked dishes just before serving. These oils are also great in salad dressings, marinades, or added to sauces when finished. As a healthy alternative to butter, drizzle it over slices of Italian bread or on baked or mashed potatoes. A little can also be drizzled onto cooked vegetables, fish or other meats right before serving.

Virgin Olive Oil is less expensive yet still has a great flavor and aroma, making it a better choice for cooking. Use it straight or blend it with canola or clarified butter (ghee) for high-heat cooking methods such as pan-frying, or broiling.

Olive Oil or Pure Olive Oil refers to the fact that no other types of oils are blended with the olive oil. Unlike extra virgin and virgin grades, this oil is obtained through a refining process, which eliminates most of the flavor. It can be more cost effective to use this oil for cooking rather than more expensive virgin or extra virgin varieties. The refining process also increases the smoke point to about 410ºF making this olive oil more suitable for high heat cooking and frying. Just don't expect this oil to have the flavor of the extra-virgin variety.

 Extra Light Olive oil is not a calorie reduced food and the "light" only refers to the color of the oil. The light or mild varieties are very popular with consumers who want the health benefits of olive oil without a strong olive taste.

As you can see there is an olive oil for everyone and no reason everyone can't enjoy the wonderful flavor and health benefits of olive oil. If you haven't tried cooking with olive oil yet, be sure to pick up a bottle on your next trip to the grocery store. Your heart will thank you and your food will taste great!

 Learn more about how to cook with olive oil.

Easy Italian Cooking in American Kitchens

Most of us have found some sort of Italian cuisine that has become a favorite for our families and ourselves. Unfortunately, far too many of us discount the possibility of bringing Italian cooking into our very own kitchens for fear that many of the recipes are far too difficult. The truth is that learning to cook Italian food just might make your home the favorite drop in dining spot for friends and family all over.

Believe it or not, most great Italian recipes have an easier version that can be made with very similar effects when it comes to flavor and aroma. Also, despite the commercials of old, all Italian cooking does not require an entire day of simmering in order to achieve great flavor. Though you do not have to let your friends and family in on that little secret. Be a martyr for flavor and they will love you even more. You do not have to let anyone in on your best-kept secrets when it comes to preparing these often simple dishes.

The biggest challenge that most Americans face when it comes to Italian cooking is basically learning a new set of essential ingredients. The cheese, meats, or grains that are used in their creation most often identify or define Italian cuisine. It's the combination of these primary ingredients that create some of the most distinctive flavors on earth. Learn about these ingredients. Identify the flavors and study the combinations of flavors and you should be able to not only follow many great Italian recipes but also to invent a few of your very own Italian inspired recipes.

The greatest thing when it comes to cooking Italian food is that most of these dishes are rather difficult to destroy. This of course does not indicate that it cannot be done, only that it isn't as simple as with some of the more delicate cuisines around the world. Italian food is durable and flavorful but for the most part not too terribly delicate when it comes to flavor. You can go a little heavy with some spice or cheese without completely ruining the dish in most instances. If you are anything like me, this is a regular occurrence when cooking and one of the reasons I enjoy cooking Italian food so much.

Another thing you should keep in mind when cooking Italian food is that nothing seems to bring out the flavor of Italian food better than a good bottle of wine to match. You will want to spend a little time researching and studying the science (though some will argue that this is truly an art form) that goes along with pairing a good bottle of wine with the right flavor combination when it comes to Italian cooking.

The most important thing for you to remember when cooking Italian food is not to take the cooking too seriously. Good Italians know that the enjoyment of the meal is far more important than the process of preparing the meal.

Top Money Saving Tips for your Grocery Bill

Money is tight today and everyone is looking for ways to save money. One big expense for most families is groceries. It is no secret the cost of foods has gone up quite a bit lately and requires a bit of strategy to keep your food bill from rising dramatically too.

One of the easiest ways to save money on food is to cook for yourself. This does not mean microwaving a TV dinner or heating a prepackaged meal. I am talking about putting together real ingredients into a home cooked meal. I know most people today feel they have too much to do already and preparing home cooked meals everyday may seem like an unrealistic goal, but there are ways for even the busiest cooks to make their own food. And for those of you who hate to cook, or think you can't cook, you would be surprised how quick and easily you can prepare real meals that your family will enjoy.

Here are my top Money Saving Tips for Grocery Shopping:

1. Always shop with a list. It is too easy to succumb to impulse buys without your list, and studies have actually shown people spend 50"% more when shopping without a list.
   
   
2. Don't buy more fresh produce than you actually need. You can break up large clumps of bananas, broccoli and other bulk produce items.
   
   
3. Remember anything that has been peeled, chopped, cut and packaged costs more than whole food you prepare yourself. Lettuce, vegetables and meat is more expensive pre-cut.
   
   
4. Buy cheese in bulk blocks and shred it yourself with a food processor.
   
   
5. Coupons can be a real saver but unfortunately their are few coupons for whole, fresh foods and produce. I get around this by shopping the sales. Check your Wednesday paper for grocery store coupons and plan your week's meals around the sales.
   
   
6. Know the best price for your staples so you know when a sale is really a good deal. Compare you local grocery stores and find the one that offers the best prices.
   
   
7. Buy generic or store brand items. These usually taste just as good only you don't have to pay for the expensive TV commercials.
   
   
8. Buy meat on sale. Meat that is near its expiration date will go on sale and many are afraid to buy this meat thinking it is bad, but you are fine if you cook it right away or freeze it. I have been doing this college and have never gotten sick.
   
   
9. Buy meat in bulk and freeze it for the month. This way you can plan meals around what you have in your freezer and avoid paying full price for your meat.
   
   
10. Invest in a freezer to store extra food and home prepared meals. If you can fit one of these in your basement or garage it will be well worth the investment.
    
    
11. You can also save money by investing in a vacuum sealer. There are many inexpensive models today that will pay for themselves in no time. Vacuum sealed meat will lasts for months. You can also seal meals and have your own frozen convenience foods ready for quick meals.
    
    
12. Be creative with leftovers and don't waste anything. A rotisserie chicken can be dinner one night and soup the next. Shred extra steak or chicken and toss with pasta for a quick, inexpensive meal.
    
    
13. Don't buy anything but food at your grocery store. Paper products, beauty supplies and household items are much less expensive and discount and warehouse stores, while grocery stores will mark up these items as the profit margins on food are fairly low.
    
    
14. Beat high food costs by growing your own food and herbs. Even a small vegetable garden can save you money on produce and fresh herbs are very expensive at the store. Herbs are extremely easy to grow and can be dried for use during the winter months as well. You can even grow herbs fresh indoors year round and save considerable money.
    
    
15. Buy produce when it's in season and you can find good prices. For off season vegetables, you can find good deals on frozen bags of vegetables which are actually very nutritious and can be kept on hand for quick meals.
    
    
16. If you eat a lot of bread and sandwiches you may want to invest in a bread machine. The price of bread, particularly healthy loaves, have gotten quite expensive and an inexpensive machine can pay for itself pretty soon. They make bread making very easy and fill your home with a wonderful aroma.
    
    
17. Plan your meals in advance and prepare and precook as much as you can. Many people have found "once a month" cooking a great money and time saver. You need to invest one day to shop and one day to cook and package all of the meals, but the rest of the month you can relax and not worry about meal planning or shopping. If cooking for a whole month seems too daunting try two weeks or even one week at a time. There are cookbooks that can help you with recipes and shopping guides.
    

I hope you find these money saving tips helpful and hopefully you will be inspired to try cooking some meals at home. Home cooked meals are tastier and healthier as well as being less expensive than takeout or prepackaged meals. Perhaps is families start eating healthier meals at home again, something good will come out of this recession.

Try some of these easy dinner recipes...