Watermelon seeds are safe to eat and offer different health benefits. Learn about the health benefits they offer and how to best prepare these seeds.
Is it safe to eat watermelon seeds?
Human foods that you shouldn’t feed your dog, according to a veterinarian
Dedicated dog lovers consider their pets part of the family, so giving them an occasional table snack is just showing them we care, right? Not necessarily. Many of the healthy foods people enjoy such as fruits and vegetables can cause severe health problems for canine companions. If you’re a home cook, chances are your furry friend always has his nose in the kitchen waiting for food to fall, so it might not even be your fault. It’s best to know ahead of time what might pose problems in your kitchen. Picnic season throughout the spring and summer is one of the most common reasons veterinarians see dog patients with food-related issues. Extra food dropped outdoors and encounters with new guests or summer babysitters can lead to potential problems as well — not to mention weight gain. Veterinarian Dr. Stacie Grohmann, of Seven Field Veterinary Hospital offers some expert advice on common foods you might consider…
Chef attempts to make gourmet Cheetos
Bon Appétite recently released a video showing pastry chef Claire Saffitz’s attempt at recreating the Cheetos. While it may take you 3 minutes to eat a whole bag of the oh-so-additicting neon orange snack, it took Saffitz three days to make something recognizable. The final product was less “gourmet” Cheetos and more of just Cheetos made with natural ingredients. While the original processed Cheetos product has some questionable ingredients, Saffitz’s included everyday items like polenta, baking powder, egg whites, salt, spices, vegetable oil, cornstarch, sharp cheddar, powdered milk. Only tapioca maltodextrin raises an eyebrow. Upon further research this is how chefs convert high-fat liquids into powder — necessary for recreating the powdered cheese and getting it to stick. The official process reportedly only take Cheetos only 19 minutes, but is nearly impossible for a home chef. That is, unless you follow this video, get out your high-powered blender, dehydrated, fryer, oven, deep…
Fans will eat 1.35 billion wings on Super Bowl Sunday
The Super Bowl is supposed to be a day about football, but we really know it’s really an excuse to chow down. While what food you eat during the big game is largely determined by where you live, there’s one food that flies above all others nationwide: chicken wings. According to the National Chicken Council, more wings will be consumed this weekend than ever before on Super Bowl weekend. Fans will eat 1.35 billion wings on Feb. 4 as the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots battle for the Lombardi Trophy. That number is up 1.5 percent — 20 million wings — from last year. “There will be no wing shortage,” said Chicken Council spokesperson Tom Super. “Although we do anticipate an uptick in chicken cheesesteaks.” To visualize just how many wings that is, imagine 625 wings piled on every seat in all 32 NFL stadiums. Or better yet, lay them…
Grapefruit, avocado, capers, a flavorful salad for all seasons
Discounts can lead you to make some questionable choices. In one of those “I’m totally saving money” moments, I purchased an enormous jar of capers for two bucks at the market a few months ago. (It was 150 servings!) My love of the little briny flower buds is strong, but how many cups of capers can one person honestly eat? Since my excessive purchase, I’ve let them be my muse. You’d think a recipe like the one below would have started with the citrus at its center. But actually, it was the salty capers that lead me in. But no matter where you start in a recipe, it’s the final product that matters most. This recipe works all year round. Make it in the winter when citrus is in peak season. Or whip it up in summer when we have an endless appetite for all things fruity. The sour to semi-sweet grapefruit pairs perfectly with the smooth,…
20 recipes you can make in a muffin pan
It should be a rule that all kitchen tools and appliances should have to do double duty. There’s just not enough space for a tool that can only slice strawberries or cut hotdogs. If your muffin pan has only ever met blueberries, it’s definitely being underused. So take it beyond the muffin, and try these 20 delicious recipes that will help you justify owning that specialty pan. Bacon & Avocado Hash Brown Egg Cups Start the morning with these bite sized cups. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/2744449756654183/ Garlic Knots An easy appetizer for the Big Game and beyond. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/277745502001222303/ Buffalo Chicken Cups Wonton wrappers make an crispy cup for delicious contents. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/257197828700485103/ Mini Potato Gratin Stacks Great as a party for or even a fancy dinner. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/535998793136688346/ Make-Ahead Egg Muffins An easy breakfast on-the-go. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/44613852535996935/ Spinach, Tomato, Eggwhite Breakfast Bites A bite-sized breakfast that will let you stick to your New Year’s resolution. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/123778689738894492/ Crunchy Taco Cups Fun to top…
Brie, cranberry and pecan stuffed mushrooms holiday appetizer
You can never have too many simple and tasty appetizers up your sleeve. These delicious stuffed mushrooms are impressive at any gathering, but are easy enough to whip up for yourself on a weeknight. They’re warm, filling and have just the right about of sweetness, creaminess and crunchiness to satisfy your cravings. Brie, cranberry and pecan stuffed mushrooms Ingredients 12-18 large white mushrooms or mini Portobello mushrooms 1/4 cup dried low-sugar cranberries 4-6 ounces of creamy Brie, cut in small cubes 3 tbsp pecan pieces 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Fresh cracked black pepper Directions Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Wipe mushroom caps with a damp cloth or remove dirt or residue, then carefully remove the stem. Brush mushroom caps with olive oil and place on baking sheet. Sprinkle with pepper. Stuff each pepper with several cubes of brie, cranberries and…
15 holiday recipes to make with eggnog, beyond the glass
Make the holidays extra happy with these fun eggnog-inspired recipes. From oatmeal to fudge, you’ll love combining your favorite holiday flavors into these delicious sweet treats. Eggnog makes the perfect base flavor for cakes, pies, cookies, muffins and more, so celebrate the official ingredient of the season with one of these delicious desserts this year. See also molasses cookies with eggnog buttercream frosting. 1. Melt-in-your-mouth Eggnog cookies Your favorite eggnog in cookie form! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/246994360793667807/ 2. Eggnog Cranberry cheesecake Two holiday flavors unite to make Christmas miracles in the kitchen. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/371124825528219458/ 3. Eggnog Overnight Oats Make eggnog acceptable for breakfast. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/56787645280149816/ 4. Eggnog bread You had me at “rum glaze.” https://www.pinterest.com/pin/567735096761687109/ 5. Eggnog Biscotti Perfect for dunking in your coffee… or in your eggnog. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/25755029099580353/ 6. Eggnog Gooey Butter Bars Butter bars packed with creamy eggnog flavor. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/129056345552210786/ 7. Eggnog Rice pudding A decadent dessert option. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/176273772899388110/ 8. Eggnog Pancakes Light, fluffy and…
Cranberry, spinach pinwheels make a perfect holiday appetizer
These cranberry tortilla pinwheel wraps are a perfect holiday appetizer. They’re just bursting with festive color. Red cranberries pop against the creamy white cheese and dark green spinach. The flavor is a perfect blend of sweet and savory, and they’re filling, too. If you need to feed a lot of people, these will help you get there. For a little crunch, try them with the addition of walnuts, too! Cranberry, Spinach Pinwheels Serves 4 as an appetizer Ingredients 2 large spinach tortillas 1 package cream cheese (8 oz.), room temperature 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled 1 cup baby spinach leaves, loosely packed 3/4 cup dried low-sugar cranberries 1/4 cup green onion, thinly chopped 1/4 cup walnut pieces (optional) Directions Wilt spinach by zapping in the microwave for 10-20 seconds. Spinach will shrink in size and should be easy to stir with other ingredients. If spinach is still too fresh, microwave another 10-20 seconds. In…
Delightfully crispy apple cinnamon chips
Apple cinnamon chips take such little effort, I’m not entirely sure why I haven’t tried to make them before. I guess because I usually try to stay away from dehydrating foods. The thought of leaving my oven on for eight hours makes me (irrationally) nervous, but these take just about two hours. I can deal with that. And to maximize the oven’s energy, you can load up as many cookie sheets or baking dishes with apple slices as you can fit. I had a whole bag of apples left that were originally intended for more apple sauce, but I was feeling more creative than that. I washed and sliced up my mixed bag of apples, coated them with cinnamon and a hint of sugar, and popped them in the oven. These chips are a naturally healthy snack. For a completely guilt-free chip, leave off the sugar. Seriously. They’re tasty and sweet as-is. You’ll love them…