Yes, technically true, but oh so far away from being something to get excited about.

If you’re at a “normal” restaurant—you know, the kind that sells burgers, fried foods, chicken wings, steaks, and other carnivore culinary delights, then chances are the salads are going to be at best, an afterthought, and at worst, not even a thought at all. Iceberg lettuce, ranch dressing, and croutons just don’t cut it when it’s your main meal.

Salads can be really, really good though. You just have to make them good. I eat salads almost every day but they resemble nothing of the salads you get at most American-style restaurants.

You should opt out of iceberg lettuce entirely, for one thing. Not only is it basically tasteless, but it has no nutritional value anyway. I give it a C for its crunchiness factor, but in all other respects, it is a failure. Instead, try using baby spinach, my personal favorite, as well as romaine lettuce, green lettuce, or even raw kale.

The dressing is an important part of most salads but to you the truth, I think that’s only because most salads don’t contain a lot of flavor without it. I rarely use commercial dressing. Most of the time I simply add a tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt. My favorite dressings are ones made from raw nuts in a food processor, spiced with dill, basil, and lemon.

Here are some toppings I like to use in salads:

• Clementines
• Strawberries
• Raw almonds
• Raw sunflower seeds
• Raw pepito seeds
• Cauliflower
• Carrots
• Beets
• Goat cheese
• Basil
• Dill
• Occasionally mock meats.

And as mentioned, a simple light dressing can be made from olive oil and salt.

If only restaurants would make salads like these, I’d get a lot more excited about dining out for American food.

Visit Dreaming Life for a guide to finding the best carrot juicer and for more vegan, vegetarian, and raw food focused culinary blogging.

If you grow your own blueberry bushes in your backyard you will be guaranteed the best, freshest blueberries available for the period they are in season. But how can you have delicious blueberries year round? The best option is to freeze your own. Whether you grow them yourself or pick them from a “pick your own” farm, if you freeze berries you have hand picked you will know they are ripe and ready to eat.

What Not to Do

Don’t pile your blueberries into a container and stick them in the freezer, expecting to be able to defrost perfect berries later. They will clump together and not only will you have to defrost them all together, but they will most likely be bruised and even somewhat mashed.

Also, don’t freeze unwashed blueberries thinking you can wash them later. Defrosted blueberries are delicate and won’t stand up to rinsing.

So how do you freeze blueberries?

• First, unless they are organic berries, wash them very gently, then just as gently dry them on some paper towels. You must do this very gently to avoid brusing: laying them on paper towels and gently patting them with more paper towels over the top is the best way.
• Second, the best way to freeze them is laid out in a single, uncrowded layer on a baking sheet. Once they are frozen you can pack them in appropriate containers.

When using frozen blueberries, you can either add them still frozen to your recipe, such as blueberry crumble or blueberry muffins, or allow them to defrost in the fridge before stiring them through your yogurt or using them on your breakfast cereal. You can eat them still frozen (this is my five-year-old’s preference), or, you can try my favorite way of eating frozen blueberries: add them still frozen to your hot oatmeal, defrosting them, while quickly cooling your oatmeal enough to eat.

Kirsten McCulloch is an Australian freelance writer with a passion for living sustainably, from growing her own fruit trees (blueberries are on the agenda for next year), to making her own yogurt. She is also the editor of online magazine, Sustainable Suburbia.

Assemble the following ingredients:

2-4 ripe bananas
2 cups of self-rising flour
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of butter
1 egg

Directions:

1. Place the butter and sugar into a large bowl and mix together well.

2. Add flour and egg to the sugar mixture and blend.

3. Mash the bananas in a separate bowl or cut them into very thin slices. Blend the prepared bananas into the flour, egg and sugar mixture.

4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Centigrade.

5. Pour cake batter into any shape baking pan. Put the pan into the oven and set the timer for 45 minutes. Take a skewer or toothpick and stick into the middle of the cake. The cake is completely baked when the skewer comes out of the cake with no batter stuck to it.

The cake will last several days if stored properly. The best way to store a cake is in a plastic container with an airtight lid. Do not store the cake while it is still hot or warm because it will become soggy. When the cake is completely cool, place it in the container and keep it in a cool, dry place in the kitchen. Anytime you want a piece, simply pop the top and cut off a piece.

The cake may be frozen and consumed at a later date. It will be unpalatable straight from the freezer. Allow ample time for the cake to thaw out and it will be better. Another way to prepare this cake is to heat it up in the microwave and serve it warm.

Cooking is an activity that many people like, though lack the time for. It is a hobby for many, testing out new recipes or tweaking old ones. This is the kind of hobby that many new retirees may look to, because they now have the time to spend experimenting with different foods, or new cuisine.

A redone kitchen, or a large kitchen at least, is one of the most desired features of a new house. The truth is, apartment living just doesn’t come with a ton of space for cooking. Therefore, new homeowners are looking for more space for food prep and better stoves for cooking.

What cook doesn’t like items that make dinner easier? An electric grill or Rotisserie chicken cooker let cooks concentrate on spices, flavors, and wonderful side dishes without having to always focus on the protein part of the meal. On the other hand, fun appliances such as an ice cream maker can bring out creativity – like trying a recipe for ginger ice cream.

What’s a kitchen without a cookbook? Be careful, though, because many people collect cookbooks and you wouldn’t want to get them one that they already have. The best cookbook for a new cook is a basic cookbook such as the one by Betty Crocker. If your friends don’t already have one, this is a great idea. It will have lots of basic recipes, as well as reference information such as measurement conversions and information about cuts of meat.

A person who has been cooking for years probably has a pretty large cookbook collection. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t have room for one or two more. You will just need to use some more creativity. Go for a themed cookbook, such as things to do with pasta or soup. Or, look for a series of books by their favorite celebrity chef.

Cooking classes make another great option. You should be able to find classes on improving technique or on learning a new type of cooking or cuisine. To find classes check out community colleges, senior centers, or your library. Or, if baking is something they would like to try out, check with craft stores for cake decorating classes.

When you need housewarming gift ideas or retirement gift ideas, look to the kitchen. Kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, or cooking classes all make wonderful gifts.

Singha Beer

Singha is the most established beer brand of Thailand. It was available for sale as early as 1934. The beer is immensely popular among the local people as well as tourists. The bottle features the royal symbol of a lion and costs about 60 baht per 640 ml. The drink is extremely flavorful and serves well both for quenching thirst and complementing a seafood platter. Singha beer contains about six percent alcohol and you will feel contented after consuming the drink.

Archa Beer

Archa is one of the largest alcohol producing companies of Thailand. This beer came onto the market in the year 2004 and managed to win the gold medal in the Australian International Beer Awards in 2007. Archa beer is quite cheap when compared to the other brands. It costs around 35 baht per 640 ml bottle.

Chang Beer

Another popular beer among Thai people comes in the form of Chang beer, which means elephant beer. The bottle, which is most readily available in the 640 ml size, features two sporting elephants. But the drink is also available in cans and smaller bottles. The beverage costs 40 baht and has a sharp taste. The taste is quite acceptable for the reasonable price at which the drink is offered. But this beer should be consumed in moderation as the beverage tends to intensify hangovers.

Leo Beer

This beer has a unique taste and is the first of its kind in Thailand. The drink is slightly more expensive than the beers mentioned above. Leo beer is six percent in volume and has a crisp malty flavor that goes well with a moderately light pub lunch. The drink again comes most commonly in a measure of 640 ml and costs 50 baht per bottle. The drink is served in most hotels and restaurants and is also available in any food and beverage outlet in the country.

If you want to know more about Thailand, please visit here: Thailand rejser.

Non-stick woks are an essential piece of kitchen equipment for many food lovers and provide a quick and easy way of whipping up delicious stir fry recipes and western style cuisine in minutes. Woks are loved by many for their ability to cook up generous portions in a jiffy. However, if you are looking to slim down for summer, rest assured that your relationship with woks does not have to end.

Woks: Low Calorie Cooking Made Easy

If you have non-stick woks in your kitchen cupboard, you can create delicious meals that are low in calories with ease. If you are looking for something quick and convenient, there are a number of healthy meals you can create that won’t leave you feeling hungry. With non-stick woks, there is no need to add butter or oil to the pan. You can add all of your ingredients to the pan with little or no oil, making it a healthy option. However, if you are looking to make slimming meals it is essential that you take care in choosing the main ingredients for your dish. When making stir fry recipes or soups, opt for lean meat and vegetable based sauces.

Woks: Great Dishes for Summer

If you want to enhance your diet with healthy recipes, here are a few of our favorites:

• Chicken Stir Fry: This is one of the most popular stir fry dishes for those who are looking to shape up for summer.
• Soup: The dimensions of a wok make it perfect for cooking delicious soups.
• Curries: Try an alternative to take out with a homemade curry.

These are just a few of the possibilities when it comes to low calorie cooking with non-stick woks.

Looking for Non-Stick Woks?

If you are looking for high quality non stick woks to add to your collection of cookware, Pro Cook stock a superb selection. Whether you desire a non stick paella pan or a non stick gourmet wok, you can find all of this and more. Pro Cook stock a stunning range of cookware from woks to saucepans and utensils. Find out more information on woks here: http://www.procook.co.uk/shop/Cookware/Woks/ProCook-Professional-Anodised-Wok-%26-Glass-Lid/d32/sd223?code=2425.

1. Convenience: Cooking with a crock pot, or a slow cooker as it’s also known as, is about as close as you can get to “set it and forget it” technology. Just set the temperature to the desired level, add your ingredients, and walk away. Check the flavor profiles every few hours, and that’s about all there is to the process.
2. Versatility: There is no limit to the number of recipes that are available for this style of cooking. In fact, a quick Internet search will yield more results than you could possibly cook in a single year. Whenever you’re feeling creatively challenged with your home dining menu, just type something like “chicken crock pot recipes” into a search engine and then pick one that strikes your fancy.
3. Price: Crock pots are surprisingly affordable, especially when compared to other kitchen appliances. A quick visit to a site like Amazon will give you an idea of what’s available, and you’ll also be able to read plenty of product reviews before deciding on a make or model.
4. Portability: You can set the slow cooker anywhere on a counter space or table where there is even the most minimal room. You can even set it on the floor or a chair, making it the ideal appliance for college students and those living in bachelor pads.

   There are many brand names to choose from: Rival crock pots, Oster, Hamilton Beach, etc. The Rival crock pot is considered to be the original, but all brands will have their pros and cons.

   ]]> http://cookingwithchefdavid.com/4-reasons-people-prefer-using-their-crock-pots/feed/ 0 http://cookingwithchefdavid.com/clean-eating-spinach-and-zucchini-soup/ http://cookingwithchefdavid.com/clean-eating-spinach-and-zucchini-soup/#comments Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:49:58 +0000 Leigh Cutright http://cookingwithchefdavid.com/?p=15365 A lot of people have heard of the idea of clean eating but are hesitant to learn more about it or give it a try because they think it will be too difficult to follow or that their food choices would be limited.  The idea of clean eating involves eating foods in as close to their natural state as possible.  Although this sounds like it would seriously limit your food choices, actually nothing could be further from the truth.  You meals can include everything from sushi to a healthy pasta salad recipe.  There is a lot of variety around and with a little planning and time in the kitchen you are sure to never be bored.

   Since I’ve started eating clean, I’ve experimented with a lot of different recipes.  The soup that I am sharing with you today has become one of my favorites.  Healthy and delicious this recipe is fast to put together, giving you a clean eating meal in just 20 minutes.

   Clean Eating Spinach and Zucchini Soup

   Olive oil spray

   1 red onion, diced

   ½ jalapeno, seeded and diced

   1 zucchini cut into ½ inch pieces

   4 cloves garlic, minced

   2 cups vegetable broth

   1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

   4 ounces fresh spinach

   Juice of two lemons

   Zest of 1 lemon

   2 T chopped cilantro

   ½ tsp sea salt

   ¼ tsp fresh ground black pepper

   Directions

   Spray a large saucepan with olive oil spray and heat over medium heat.  Add onion and cook for 8 minutes.  Add jalapeno and zucchini and cook for another 8 minutes.  Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

   Add broth and two cups of water.  Bring to a boil.  Stir in beans and spinach and return to a boil.  Turn heat down and simmer for 5 minutes.

   Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest and chopped cilantro.  Season with salt and pepper.

   Nutritional Information Estimated from CalorieCount.com:  Serves 6 132 Calories per serving 1 g Fat, 22.3 grams carbohydrates, 9.8 grams protein

   ]]> http://cookingwithchefdavid.com/clean-eating-spinach-and-zucchini-soup/feed/ 0 http://cookingwithchefdavid.com/how-to-choose-the-perfect-barbecue-steak/ http://cookingwithchefdavid.com/how-to-choose-the-perfect-barbecue-steak/#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2011 05:37:47 +0000 Leigh Cutright http://cookingwithchefdavid.com/?p=15364 You’ve got to admit, there is certainly nothing better than a great steak that’s cooked in your outdoor kitchen just the way you like it. However, while the way a steak is cooked is very important, it all starts with choosing the right steak from the butcher or your local grocery store. There are a few things you should look for in order to make sure your steak is juicy, tender and delicious!

   Know the Different Grades of Steak

   Steak is available in a number of different cuts, such as the sirloin, rib eye and T-bone. However, there are also different grades of steak—prime, choice and select. While you may think that a lean steak will taste the best, you’d actually be wrong. The marbling or the way the fat runs through the steak, is the determining factor on the grade of the steak. Marbling is what gives the steak that rich, juicy flavor that most people love.

   The grade of prime is only given to 1-2.5% of all meat. The meat inspector assigns this grade and prime will cost you the most. However, it’s got the best marbling and therefore, the best flavor. It may not be the healthiest but it is definitely the tastiest! If you cannot afford the prime cut of steak or if it’s difficult to find in your store, then a choice grade steak will work quite wonderfully.

   Choice grade steak has marbling but not to the extent that a prime grade steak does. It is still very good and is less expensive than prime. Choice is only slightly more expensive than select and it’s worth the little extra to get this fine cut of steak.

   Select grade steak is the leanest steak. It is also the least expensive. However, it will usually be less juicy and less flavorful than the two grades above it. There’s just nothing worse than chewing and chewing through a less than tender piece of steak!

   Looks Are Important!

   A steak that is light cherry red is the best choice. Deep red meat has been exposed to oxygen and by all means, don’t ever buy grey meat. Look for packaging that has no tears or excessive moisture. The best way to buy steaks is through a local butcher. If this isn’t an option, then your local supermarket will have to do.

   Most butchers will tell you that their customers don’t ask for their advice very often. Steaks are expensive and you may want to put your butcher’s knowledge to work for you. Ask which steaks your butcher recommends and be prepared to take that advice. They know the meat, the cuts, and the grades. It’s your best bet for a terrific steak.

   A Final Thought or Two

   While the way you cook a steak on the bbq is obviously important, it’s even more important to start with the right grade of steak in the first place. If you are searching for the perfect steak for a special occasion, it’s time to reach for the prime grade. It’s not going to be the leanest cut, but you can guarantee it will far exceed your expectations in terms of flavor, tenderness, and quality.

   ]]> http://cookingwithchefdavid.com/how-to-choose-the-perfect-barbecue-steak/feed/ 0 http://cookingwithchefdavid.com/my-award-winning-potato-salad-recipe/ http://cookingwithchefdavid.com/my-award-winning-potato-salad-recipe/#comments Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:35:50 +0000 Leigh Cutright http://cookingwithchefdavid.com/?p=15347 Now let me get this straight right from the start: this potato salad recipe of mine has not won any actual awards—it’s just that I think it is good enough to do so. I do love potato salad but unfortunately for me it is a little bland. I know that’s how it is supposed to taste but I decided that it needed a little something so I spent an afternoon spicing it up a little and came up with a hot and spicy potato salad. Now my wife who doesn’t like anything remotely hot said it was delicious and you can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste buds. If, however, you make this yourself and then enter it into a competition and it does become an award-winning potato salad recipe I want full acknowledgement and any royalties that might come your way!

   Spicy Potato Salad Recipe

   Ingredients:

   • New potatoes Halved or quartered and washed
   • Salt and Pepper
   • 1 tsp of mustard
   • 1 tbsp of mayonnaise
   • 1 small onion finely chopped
   • 1 tsp of dill relish
   • 6 black olives
   • 6 green olives
   • 1 jalapeno pepper chopped finely

   Preperation:

   1. Boil the potatoes in a small pan until they go soft and then drain them into a sieve.
   2. Combine the relish, Jalapeno, onion and olives into a bowl and make sure they are mixed well.
   3. Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, dressing and salt and pepper in another bowl.
   4. Pour contents over potatoes and place in the fridge to cool.
   5. Serve.

   There you have it my award winning potato salad recipe. It is a little on the spicy side but like I said before you can tone it down by using less dill relish or less Jalapeno. Try half as it does make your mouth a little hot. My friends and family love this dish as will yours, and it goes down nicely on a hot summer’s day with a good BBQ and some bake chicken breast recipes too.

   ]]> http://cookingwithchefdavid.com/my-award-winning-potato-salad-recipe/feed/ 0