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cheese

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What’s the difference between calzone and stromboli?

If you didn’t grow up with Italian food, you might think there isn’t much of a difference between a calzone and a stromboli. After all, both involve pizza dough stuffed with meat and cheese, so how different can they really be, right? Wrong! While there can be some confusion if you don’t know the language of Italian-American food, there is a actually a big difference, and here’s why. Their origins Calzones and stromboli can be traced to entirely different origins. Calzones are 100%-certified Italian food—from Italy. The original idea and recipes came from 18th century Naples where locals developed a casual way of eating a pizza on the go. In fact, the plural of calzone, calzoni, translates to “pant leg” or “trouser,” reflective of the fact that the calzone’s original purpose was to serve as a “walk around pizza.” Ingredients and techniques vary throughout different regions in Italy, just as…

Cheesy Cauliflower Soup with a kick

Blistering cold winter nights are made just a bit better with warm comfort food. This week’s weather calls for a delicious Cheesy Cauliflower Soup. Cozy up on the couch with a big bowl tonight or whip some up this weekend and stay in with your favorite movies. This soup does not disappoint. What makes this soup so special is the surprise kick. People may ask you what your secret ingredient is—It’s just the right amount of cayenne pepper. It gives tons of flavor without bringing overwhelming heat. Making this soup is super simple. Just some steamed veggies, a simple sauce/broth, and a slow simmer will have this homemade meal on your table in under 35 minutes. Also try, Easy Tomato Basil and Gnocchi Soup. Cheesy Cauliflower Soup Ingredients 1 medium head of cauliflower, washed and broken into florets 1 medium-to-large onion, diced 14 ounces of chicken broth 1 chicken bouillon…

5 gifts the ‘crunchy mama’ would totally love

Crunchy. Granola. Earth Mama. These labels aren’t usually insults, rather, they evoke an image of someone who does things a little less conventionally for the health of his or her family. Sometimes people who get labeled as “crunchy” don’t even think of themselves that way! They’re just living their best life. Whether it’s an obsession with organic groceries (and hand creams, and clothes, and diapers, etc.) or a chicken coop in their backyard, they’re down to live life the most wholesome way they know how—and that’s by DIY with many of their own foods right at home. Shopping for someone in the crunchy camp can be difficult if you don’t know their personal rulebook. But you can bet they’ll actually use—and actually appreciate—any one of these great 5 DIY in the kitchen gadgets below. 1. Buttercup Homemade Butter Maker ($12.99) Just add fresh cream to the Buttercup Butter Maker by Chef’n,…

Cranberry baked brie pull-apart bread bowl appetizer

If you’re looking for an appetizer to share, cranberry brie an easy go to combo — that’s because it’s insanely delicious! Creamy, melted brie smothered in rich, tart cranberry sauce can turn any holiday event into something special. Bring this cranberry brie bowl to any party and watch it disappear. To serve the best recipe you possibly can, make sure you scoop up a quality bread bowl. A rustic loaf from a bakery, or at the very least your grocer’s bakery, should do the trick. Also, opt for triple cream brie if you can find it. It melts more consistently and stays creamy without separating. And for the cranberries, only a whole cranberry sauce will really work. Ocean Spray, and a few other brands, carry whole cranberry sauce in a can, so you don’t have to make your own—unless you want to! If you love this recipe, you’ll also love…

Easy Cheddar Biscuits

Having homemade biscuits with your dinner doesn’t have to meal a whole afternoon in the kitchen. These Easy Cheddar Biscuits can be thrown together and baked in as little as 20 minutes. Serve them warm with a little garlic parsley butter on top, and you’ll never go back to store-bought again. Easy Cheddar Biscuits These biscuits are as at home with weeknight chili as they are with Thanksgiving dinner. It’s always a good time for cheesy biscuits.  Ingredients 3 cups all-purpose flour 3 tsp baking powder 1 tbsp sugar 1 tsp salt 3/4 tsp cream of tartar 1 stick cold butter, cubed +  3 tbsp melted butter (for brushing on top)  1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1 clove garlic, finely minced ~1 cup milk 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp salt 2 tsp dried parsley Directions Preheat oven to 450ºF. In a large bowl, add flour, baking powder, sugar,…

The 9 best cheeses to use in mac and cheese

Instant mac and cheese might pass the test for as a college dorm room quick fix, but everyone knows that nothing beats the homemade stuff. At its best, the real deal — made from scratch — can truly transcend you to a carb-loving comfort food heaven. Whether it’s baked into a crunchy-topped casserole or scooped straight from the stove top, the creamiest mac and cheese starts with the right cheese. So what cheeses guarantee maximum creaminess? The main quality a cheese must have is meltability. It might seem obvious, but often times home cooks can lose sight of the end goal (And, admittedly, those fancy, sprawling cheese departments at the supermarket can have us wanting to experiment with all kinds of cheeses we don’t need). Plus, you want a cheese that isn’t going to separate into an oily, grainy mess. So stay on task and when you head to the…

10 foods that aren’t what you think they are

There’s nothing like watching a baseball game while snacking on a bag full of legumes, except perhaps, sitting down to dinner with some warm, crusty Italian bread dipped in soybean oil. Yes, what we eat isn’t always what we think we’re eating. Here are 10 foods that you’re probably not getting what you think you paid for. Maple Syrup Those images of flannel-clad men tapping a tree in the wilderness are pretty much the stuff of yesterday for most mass-produced syrup brands. If your bottle says “pancake syrup” or “imitation maple,” it’s likely just flavored maple (with fillers like corn syrup and other sugars) without containing much — if any — real maple. Stick with bottles that say “pure maple syrup” when you want to smother your homemade pancake stack with the real deal. Try these must-make Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes. Crab stick Ever wonder why crab stick is so inexpensive…

The very best way to reheat leftover pizza

Pizza is amazing. But you already knew that. What you might not know is the best way to bring back that crispy, cheesy, melty goodness once you’ve stowed it in the fridge overnight (or on the counter — no judgement here.) There are those, of course, who believe leftover pizza is best eaten cold. Yes, cold pizza can be a delicious option. But sometimes you want a warm meal to feed your soul. You want to resurrect the hot and greasy pizza and its gooey cheese you have such fond memories of from the night before. So what’s the best way to bring your pizza back to life? Well, anyone that’s ever been burnt by molten lava cheese can immediately rule out the microwave. Our go-to warmer of so many foods certainly fails the pizza test. You’ll walk away with a rubbery, wet sort of mess. But you do have…

Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe is a perfect weeknight dinner

Chicken Parmesan is a family favorite. It’s a classic dish that takes pan fried chicken breasts then tops them with tomato sauce and smothers them in cheese before baking. What comes out is deliciously golden brown and bubbly — what’s not to love? This chicken parmesan recipe — with its fresh mozzarella and homemade tomato sauce — will make you look like you spent hours in the kitchen, when really, you’ll have the prep work done in about 15 minutes. Serve chicken parm with fettuccini or other pasta or even rice or mashed potatoes for an easy weeknight dinner. If you’re whipping this up in the summer, don’t miss the opportunity to sprinkle on some delicious fresh basil. Easy chicken parmesan recipe Makes 6 servings Ingredients For the chicken: 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan (plus more for garnish) 2-3 large…

12 tips for makings the best pesto

Pesto is a simple and delicious summer staple. Without it, think of all the basil that would go to waste! But the trouble with this sauce it doesn’t always go so well. Here are 12 tips for how you can make your most perfect pesto. 1. Clean your greens Always, always, always be sure your basil is washed really well before you begin. You don’t want any gritty dirt in your pesto. Wash your basil using cold water — never warm. Warm water wilts greens. Use a salad spinner to get your leaves really dry or gently pat them between layers of kitchen towels to remove all of the moisture. 2. Make it a mix Don’t think you have to stick to just basil. You can add other leafy greens to give your basil a distinct flavor. Replace some of your basil with parsley instead for a lighter flavor, or try arugula…