Cooking Tips For Housewives? The 111 Latest Answer

Set your timer a few minutes less than the desired time.

Not only do all ovens heat differently, but you’ll never really know how yours will handle a new protein or vegetable when you first start out. That’s all to say that you can always fix an undercooked situation – there’s nothing to do once you’re over.

Recipe: Easy Grilled Sweet Potatoes. When the sun is out and you’re thinking about grilling outside, don’t forget that these sweet potatoes can be a delicious addition to the summer plate. All you have to do is toss thick slices with a little oil and salt, and after just 10 minutes on the grill they’ll be sweet and tender with hints of smoke from the flames. You’ll need sambal oelek, lime juice, cilantro leaves, and more!

Nothing beats a home cooked meal, right? It just seems tastier and more satisfying. And let’s not forget that preparing meals at home saves money.

However, eating at home offers what is probably an even more important advantage: home-cooked meals tend to be healthier than meals at a restaurant.

Here are just five proofs why eating indoors is preferable to eating outdoors.

1. Cooking at home contributes to a healthier diet.

A study published earlier this year in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that people perform better on the Healthy Eating Index when they cook at home.

The study, by researchers from Oregon State University and the University of Washington, examined a week’s cooking and eating habits of more than 400 adults in the Seattle area, according to an Oregon state news release.

In households that cooked at home three times a week, the average score on the Healthy Eating Index was about 67. For those that cooked at home six times a week, the average score rose to about 74. The scores on the Index range from zero to 100. A score above 81 indicates good nutrition, 51 to 80 means the diet needs improvement, and 50 or less is considered poor.

2. Cooking at home reduces calorie consumption.

Those who frequently prepare their meals at home eat fewer carbohydrates, less sugar and less fat than those who cook infrequently or not at all at home, according to a study published in the journal Public Health Nutrition in 2014.

Examining four years of data from a National Health and Nutrition Survey, researchers discovered that the 8 percent of adults who cooked dinner once a week or never cooked dinner consumed 2,301 calories, 84 grams of fat and 135 grams of sugar on an average day consumed – anything above the ideal level. That’s according to a new publication from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Meanwhile, the nearly 50 percent of adults who cooked dinner six to seven times a week consumed 2,164 calories, 81 grams of fat and 119 grams of sugar on a typical day, according to the study. That’s still high, but better than the group that barely cooked at home.

3. Cooking at home saves money.

A 2013 Boston Globe experiment found that a home-cooked meal for two cost $11.84 per person, while the same meal at a chain restaurant cost more than double that — $23.84.

The blog Cheapism came to a similar conclusion in 2016. For a family of four, a homemade chicken meal, even after accounting for food waste, cost about $32 or less, the blog says, while a takeout meal with the same ingredients cost $1.50 an average of $46.90 and the dine-out Version totaled more than $50.

From 2014 to 2015, the amount of money Americans spent on groceries at home increased 1.1 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, over the same period, the amount of money Americans spent on eating out increased 7.9 percent. So there seems to be a disconnect between cost and convenience.

“Americans love to eat in restaurants. It’s either that, or they hate cooking, eating at home, and packing their own lunches for work, and will do almost anything to avoid all of it,” noted Time Magazine in 2016.

4. Cooking at home gives us more control.

When you prepare meals at home, you’re in control of the salt, fat, portion size and other components of breakfast, lunch and dinner, says Registered Dietitian and Holistic Nutritionist Meg Hagar. In contrast, some of that control can be lost when you eat out.

“Everyone can benefit from having more control over how our food is prepared and portioned, but eating from home can be especially helpful for anyone trying to lose weight, have food allergies, or are on a special diet due to medical conditions,” says Hagar says.

To make preparing food at home easier, Hagar recommends having plenty of plastic containers to store leftovers, investing in a slower cooker to reduce the stress of cooking at home, and packing a lunch box or bag so you don’t need to eat out during the working day.

Meal planning is key, she says. “Personally, I find that I really only eat out when it’s unexpected,” says Hagar.

5. Cooking at home is fun.

Registered Dietitian Lindsey Janeiro promotes cooking at home as a way to make the dining experience more fun, especially when it’s a shared experience.

Cooking with a partner, friend, or family member “is a great way to relieve stress, try something new, engage in conversation, laugh, and spark fun memories—all of which can contribute to health and well-being,” she says.

Bonus points: Research suggests that getting your entire family involved in the process of preparing dinner can encourage your kids to try new foods, according to Janeiro.

The restaurant is one of the most welcoming businesses in our society. You walk in, look at the menu, order your food and wait. Once your food arrives, sit down to eat or leave with your order. The process then repeats itself for the entire business day.

It might seem like a repetitive and often monotonous process, but the speed is worth noting. Restaurants need to act fast to maximize the guest experience. So how exactly do they manage to serve paying and eager customers so quickly?

Here’s the process why restaurants prepare food so quickly:

1. Restaurant menu

While it can be something that’s glossed over, the menu is critical in terms of speed. A restaurant that prides itself on quick service designs its menu in a very eye-catching way. Once a client’s eyes are on the design, information can be processed fairly quickly.

This is a psychological advantage that restaurants often use to expedite a customer’s request. By keeping easy-to-make orders at the forefront, guests generally look at those items first. If they wish to proceed, these items can be placed and prepared as soon as ordered.

2. Restaurant staff

In order for restaurants to be able to prepare food so quickly, your staff will play an important role. While getting food orders ready quickly is crucial, having the right staff on deck is just as important. That means restaurant owners need to be careful to hire and train competent staff. To train them effectively, owners take the time to learn about their strengths and weaknesses.

To speed up the process of ordering food, owners will try to emphasize strengths and work on disadvantages. Leadership is very important here, as is the ability to motivate employees in busy times. When the whole team works together seamlessly, orders can be placed in no time!

3. Restaurant Inventory

There are a lot of ways restaurants can reduce time spent on different areas. Storing and tracking inventory is very time consuming and can impact overall operations. Ensure all inventory is processed before the start of the day to reduce order placement time.

Also, you should make sure that all work places are organized so that the day goes by much more smoothly. For example, kitchens can get messy if things aren’t organized. When orders have been placed, time is of the essence. This means that you should have your entire stash organized and ready for the day ahead.

4. Order ingredients

Familiarizing your employees with handling dishes is one thing. Ensuring they know how to cook the actual food is a whole different task. To save time, try to prepare as many ingredients as possible before business hours. This helps with overall organization, much like stocking your inventory.

Orders that contain a lot of vegetables should also be prepared in advance. Chop and slice the produce beforehand so you can work on the more meticulous ingredients instead. Make sure your restaurant kitchen has all the necessary equipment for food preparation. Saving time when it comes to preparing ingredients can be a challenge at first. However, the benefits will come to light once the practice becomes normal!

5. Ready-To-Go Orders

If you run a smaller restaurant, you can offer your guests some take-out options. If that’s the case, make sure you have some ready meals on the menu. This way, you can reduce the total time it takes to prepare and serve the actual meal. Food such as sandwiches and salads can be prepared well in advance.

The best part is that these types of orders can be very popular if served properly. Always take the time to find out what your customers like best. If they are indeed a popular order, emphasize them more in your operations. The less time spent preparing food, the better for your efficiency.

6. Restaurant Communication

Above all, the ability to communicate effectively with your team is directly related to saving time. This means that all employees should know what their role is for the day. It can take time to get going and mistakes can also be made.

Human nature demands that small mistakes be made before they can be fixed. After all, everyone in your restaurant will know how things work. Once experienced, serving food can be accomplished in record time thanks to effective communication!

Running a restaurant can be a tough endeavor, especially when it’s your first time. However, serving food is at the heart of the business and requires firing on all cylinders. Customers will see how efficient your restaurant is once they receive their orders as soon as possible!

Quick and Easy Recipes: Is your to-do list smack in the middle of your food dreams? Well, we’ve always believed that good food isn’t about long hours in the kitchen. Our quick and easy recipes are perfect for days when you don’t feel like elaborate cooking, or to curb that premature hunger pang. Treat your senses to these terribly simple recipes and surprise everyone. From rich dips to crunchy bites and sinful sweets, our collection of quick and easy appetizers has something for every occasion.

Stick to these quick tips for quick meals; Stock your pantry with ingredients that make cooking a breeze. Easy and quick bites without compromising on flavors. We share with you some amazing recipes like French Toast, Yogurt Crunch Pudding, Chocolate 3 Minute Cake, Garlic Egg Fried Rice, etc., all of which are quick and easy to make.

Here are our top 13 quick and easy recipes that we think are must-try recipes.

Saucy bread and cheese sandwiches dipped in a herb-protein batter and pan-fried. A quick and healthy option for your on-the-go breakfast or late-night snack.

The Best Quick and Easy Recipes: Saucy bread and cheese sandwiches dipped in a herb-protein batter

spice is nice. Cauliflower florets cooked with an oriental touch. A quick portion for the unannounced guests! This delicious vegetarian recipe will help you stave off hunger pangs. It has a blend of spices that will ensure your taste buds are satisfied.

Best Quick and Easy Recipes: Chilli Gobhi makes for a quick helping for those unannounced guests

A fluffy pudding to round off a lazy Sunday afternoon well spent. Impress everyone with this no-fuss, fruity dessert. What could be nicer than a crispy and healthy dessert after a good meal? Nothing, we assure you, because this recipe will make you fall in love.

The Best Quick and Easy Recipes: A fluffy pudding to top off a lazy Sunday afternoon well spent

Fried pieces of paneer simmered in a milk-based sauce with lots of khada masalas. Serve with steamed rice. This recipe is packed with delicious flavors and will make you a meal in minutes!

The Best Quick and Easy Recipes: Fried paneer chunks simmered in a milk-based sauce with khada masalas

Yes, that’s not a typo! Quick, Easy, and No-Hassle Chocolate Chip Cookie Mug Cake in just 3 minutes! If you’re a cake lover, you’ll love this recipe as you can make it in no time.

Best Quick and Easy Recipes: Quick, Easy, and No-Hassle Chocolate Chip Cookie Mug Cake in just 3 minutes

An easy one-pot meal – fried egg rice with hints of garlic. Food for thought! If you have leftover rice stashed in the fridge, making Garlic Egg Fried Rice is for you. Do not think so? Try this recipe with minimal ingredients.

The Best Quick and Easy Recipes: An Easy One Pot Meal – Fried Egg Rice with Garlic Hints

Yummy little coconut treats to satisfy those sweet cravings! These heavenly sweet coconut balls are made with condensed milk and powdered milk. This is just what you need to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Best Quick and Easy Recipes These heavenly sweet coconut balls are made with evaporated milk

A quick mashup of chicken pieces with oriental flavors. If you’re a vegetarian, you can substitute some veggies or tofu for the chicken. This recipe makes a great pre-dinner snack or meal. It’s for someone who loves spicy!

Best Quick and Easy Recipes: A quick mashup of chicken pieces with oriental flavors

Effortlessly transform your leftover rotis into a whimsical Mexican wrap. Filled with crunchy vegetables and cheese, the wraps are fried in butter until crispy.

Best Quick and Easy Recipes: Effortlessly turn your leftover rotis into a whimsical Mexican wrap.

A quick appetizer for last minute dinners! Kebabs with spinach and peas. Only a little oil is used to fry these green beauties.

Best Quick and Easy Recipes: Matar Ke Kebabs is a quick appetizer for last minute dinners

Chili paneer is a popular Indochinese restaurant-style appetizer that’s great for dinner parties with friends and family. A flavorful, flavorful paneer recipe made with paneer, cornmeal, black pepper, maida, onion, green pepper and others and cooked to perfection.

Best Quick and Easy Recipes: Chili Paneer is a popular Indochinese restaurant style appetizer

Weekday mornings call for a simple, quick yet filling breakfast. So get your protein and carbs on with this quick classic egg recipe. An egg in the hole is a neat way to finish off your fried egg. All you need are slices of bread, eggs, salt, coriander leaves, etc. to prepare a perfect breakfast.

The typical breakfast of India is poha and we give it a slight twist by adding bread to the dish instead of poha. It’s a simple dish where pieces of bread are mixed into masalas and cooked like poha. A perfect and quick meal for children.

Best Quick and Easy Dishes: The signature breakfast of India is poha and we give it a light twist by adding bread

Vada Pao is one of the most popular dishes across India. Vada made with spices and potatoes between toasted pao bread. This dish is a filling meal that you can enjoy for a light lunch or brunch, or as an evening snack.

This crispy and flavorful poha and potato snack is a bookmark!

Enjoy the 13 easy and quick recipes and don’t worry about what to have for snacks!

Food can only satisfy you if it tempts your taste buds, right?

But such foods are usually very high in calories. That’s why most people are demotivated right from the start when they have to cut down on all the foods they actually like. If your taste buds are making it difficult for you to lose weight, then make these few interesting changes that will make you happily eat this bland food:

experiment

Healthy food is popular, so supermarkets near you have everything in stock. Thanks to separate brands, you will find a wide range of customizations of the same product. On your next visit to the supermarket, take some time to read labels and compare products. That way you would be more interested in noticing the change in taste as you eat. You can experiment and try new varieties of the same food each time so you don’t get bored.

Add some spices

Have you ever noticed that a small amount of oregano can completely change the flavor of your pasta? The dynamic remains the same; A good seasoning can add flavor to your bland food. You can use a variety of herbs and spices to add flavor to your food while still keeping calories under control. These herbs and spices also help in boosting your immunity, leaving you feeling fresh and energetic.

fruits for salvation

Fruit can make your breakfast cereal a delicious affair. Add a different fruit to your oatmeal each day for a flavor boost. It will also make the food look interesting and add a few extra nutrients to the bowl. You can also add fruits to your salad and make it look more colorful and healthier.

Boil it up

It is best if you eat your food fresh. Storing it in the refrigerator makes it unhealthy and also spoils the taste. Also, avoid packaged or frozen ready-made mixes that are available in the market. Buy fresh vegetables and cook them just before eating them. Also, cooking can be a good stress reliever. And isn’t it always exciting to eat what you have cooked yourself?

Always eating right is definitely a task, but you don’t have to be too hard on yourself. Give yourself a day off and eat what your heart tells you (but know when to stop). Keep adding interesting ingredients to your regular food and try cooking in unconventional ways just for fun. That way, you never get bored of healthy eating. (Health, MensXP.com)

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Today we are here with some basic cooking skills that every aspiring chef should know before jumping into the industry. These skills may seem simple; However, the perfection of these culinary techniques is what makes or breaks a dish.

No chef is born with a Michelin star; From Michel Roux to Gordon Ramsay, they all started with the basics. So here are our must-know cooking skills, which will take you from nervous beginner to confident chef first.

1. Knife Skills

When it comes to mastering the cutting skills, there are many technical aspects that only a trained chef would know. From proper knife grip to precise cutting, various techniques are required when handling a knife in a professional kitchen. This is the first and most important skill you will learn in culinary school, which will be one of the most tested skills during a job interview job test early in your career. Practice is key to mastering this skill; so now you know what to do in your free time at cooking school.

2. Craft the perfect stock

A good broth is the heart and soul of dishes like soups, stews and other broth-based preparations, taking them to the next level. While you are training to be a chef in school, stick making is something you will do on a daily basis. With this in mind, you should be ready to make the perfect pot of broth.

3. Mastery of the five mother sauces

Once you get into the kitchen, you will learn and prepare a variety of traditional and modern sauces for different cuisines. However, it is knowledge of the five French mother sauces that will prove essential to learn more. It may seem a little complicated to learn at first, but knowing how to prepare these five sauces is extremely important for a chef and once learned; It will increase your confidence in the kitchen.

4. Become an egg expert

Eggs aren’t that scary if you look at it from a layman’s point of view. However, if you work in a professional kitchen, eggs could be one of those intimidating little things that can go horribly wrong if you don’t understand the various techniques behind the not-so-similar methods of cooking an egg. When you become a chef, you don’t just boil an egg; They cook, poach and fry it. So make sure you learn the basics very well while you are in the school itself.

5. Meat, poultry and fish

When handling meat, poultry or fish in a professional kitchen, one should be aware of the safety measures. Every step in the safe handling, preparation and storage of this type of perishable food is essential to avoid any type of food contamination. As a budding chef, you should know how to check its freshness and doneness during cooking, how to clean it and also pack it properly for storage.

6. Vegetable hygiene

Handling fruit and vegetables is just as important as handling meat. With the amount of food that is prepared in a commercial kitchen, every single ingredient should be carefully handled before it is used in the cooking. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, their freshness should be checked carefully to ensure they are clean and undamaged to avoid any type of food poisoning.

7. Knead the dough

Whether you are a chef or a pastry chef, kneading dough is an unavoidable task in the kitchen. Whether flatbread or loaf of bread, the perfection of the end product lies in the kneading of the dough. It wouldn’t seem like a task as such, but remember, if the consistency of the dough goes wrong, the bread will definitely be ruined.

8. Stay safe in the kitchen

Last but not least; Take care as you rush through the busy kitchen atmosphere. A commercial kitchen is a fast-paced place. So if you are not careful enough, you can easily hurt yourself. This is mainly why you should have a better handle on the above skills to keep up with the pace and stay safe.

In order to get off to a good start in the culinary industry and advance a successful career, it is important to get the right foundations in place. So, enroll in a good cooking school like ICCA Dubai that will help you in your first steps to build a career in the world of culinary arts.

Start with our most shared recipes.

Taste of Home Cheeseburger Soup A local restaurant serves a similar cheeseburger soup, but wouldn’t tell me their recipe. So I developed my own and modified a recipe for potato soup. I was very pleased with the way this all-American treat turned out. – Joanie Shawhan, Madison, Wisconsin Get the recipe

Strawberry Pretzel Salad Need to bring a dish this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry and pretzel salad will quickly disappear with every potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan For the recipe Have a dish to bring this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry and pretzel salad will quickly disappear with every potluck. – Aldene Burp, Flint, Michigan

Italian Brunch Pie We always serve this impressive breakfast layered casserole with a salad of mixed leafy greens and tomato wedges. It is one of our most requested dishes and can be served hot or cold. —Danny Diamond, Farmington Hills, Michigan About the recipe We always serve this amazing breakfast casserole with a salad of mixed leafy greens and tomato wedges. It is one of our most requested dishes and can be served hot or cold. – Danny Diamond, Farmington Hills, Michigan

Creamy Coleslaw This is my favorite coleslaw recipe because a packet of shredded cabbage and carrots really cuts the prep time. This creamy coleslaw recipe is great for potlucks or to serve to your family on a busy weeknight. —Renee Endress, Galva, Illinois About the recipe This is my favorite coleslaw recipe because a packet of shredded cabbage and carrots really cuts the prep time. This creamy coleslaw recipe is great for potlucks or to serve to your family on a busy weeknight. —Renee Endress, Galva, Illinois

Chicken Chili with Kidney Beans My sister shared this recipe with me for Chicken Chili with Kidney Beans. I usually double it and add an extra can of beans, then serve with cheddar biscuits or warm tortillas. The jalapeno adds just enough warmth to notice but not too much for my kids. —Kristine Bowles, Albuquerque, New Mexico About the recipe My sister shared this chicken chili with kidney beans recipe with me. I usually double it and add an extra can of beans, then serve with cheddar biscuits or warm tortillas. The jalapeno adds just enough warmth to notice but not too much for my kids. – Kristine Bowles, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Amish Sugar Cookies These easy to make old fashioned Amish sugar cookies just melt in your mouth! I have passed this recipe on to many friends. After I gave it to my sister, she submitted the cookies to a local fair and won best show. —Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri Get the recipe These easy to make, old-fashioned Amish sugar cookies just melt in your mouth! I have passed this recipe on to many friends. After I gave it to my sister, she submitted the cookies to a local fair and won best show. – Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri

Grilled Huli Huli Chicken I got this grilled chicken recipe from a friend while I was living in Hawaii. It sizzles with the flavors of brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce. Huli means “turn” in Hawaiian. This sweet and savory glaze is also fantastic on pork chops. —Sharon Boling, San Diego, California About the recipe I got this grilled chicken recipe from a friend while I was living in Hawaii. It sizzles with the flavors of brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce. Means “turn” in Hawaiian. This sweet and savory glaze is also fantastic on pork chops. —Sharon Boling, San Diego, California

Peanut Butter Chocolate Dessert The desserts of my dreams have both chocolate and peanut butter in them. When I came up with this chocolate peanut butter dessert, it quickly became my all-time favorite. It’s a breeze to whip it together because it doesn’t require baking. My family loves this Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Lasagna! —Debbie Price, LaRue, Ohio About the recipe The desserts of my dreams contain both chocolate and peanut butter. When I came up with this chocolate peanut butter dessert, it quickly became my all-time favorite. It’s a breeze to whip it together because it doesn’t require baking. My family loves this Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Lasagna! – Debbie Price, LaRue, Ohio

Easy Taco Soup We first tried this chili-like taco soup recipe at a church dinner. What a warming dish for a cold day. And because it uses packaged condiments with multiple cans of veggies, it’s a breeze to prepare. —Glenda Taylor, Sand Springs, Oklahoma About the recipe We first tried this chili-like taco soup recipe at a church dinner. What a warming dish for a cold day. And because it uses packaged condiments with multiple cans of veggies, it’s a breeze to prepare. – Glenda Taylor, Sand Springs, Oklahoma

Scored Potatoes These well-seasoned baked potatoes are a fun alternative to plain baked potatoes. Since the potato halves are cut into sections, you can easily prepare the desired amount. — Barbara Wheeler, Sparks Glencoe, Maryland Get the recipe These well-seasoned baked potatoes are a fun alternative to plain baked potatoes. Since the potato halves are cut into sections, you can easily prepare the desired amount. – Barbara Wheeler, Sparks Glencoe, Maryland

Barbecue Pork and Penne Skillet I am the proud mother of wonderful and active children. Simple, delicious, and quick meals like this Pork Griddle are perfect for us to enjoy together after school, especially when I have a spare pulled pork. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana Go to Recipe I am the proud mother of wonderful and active children. Simple, delicious, and quick meals like this Pork Griddle are perfect for us to enjoy together after school, especially when I have a spare pulled pork. – Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana

Pumpkin Bread I stock my freezer for our harvest crew with homemade goodies like this deliciously flavorful easy pumpkin bread recipe. —Joyce Jackson, Bridgetown, Nova Scotia For the recipe I stock my freezer for our harvest crew with homemade goodies like this deliciously flavorful easy pumpkin bread recipe. —Joyce Jackson, Bridgetown, Nova Scotia

Taste of Home Bacon Macaroni Salad This enjoyable pasta salad is like eating a BLT in a bowl. Stuffed with crispy bacon, chopped tomatoes, celery and spring onions, the sensational salad is topped with a tangy mayonnaise and vinegar dressing. It’s a real crowd puller! —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana Get the recipe This delicious pasta salad is like eating a BLT in a bowl. Stuffed with crispy bacon, chopped tomatoes, celery and spring onions, the sensational salad is topped with a tangy mayonnaise and vinegar dressing. It’s a real crowd puller! – Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana

Bacon Cheeseburger Slider Bake I created this dish to fill two pans because those cheeseburger sliders go away fast. Simply cut the slider burger recipe in half if you only want to make one batch. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado Go to Recipe I created this dish to fill two pans because those cheeseburger sliders go away fast. Simply cut the slider burger recipe in half if you only want to make one batch. – Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

Beautiful Lemon Cheesecake Wait for the oohs and aahs when presenting this luxurious lemon cheesecake recipe. The lemon aroma gives it a bright, tangy taste. —Margaret Allen, Abingdon, Virginia About the recipe Wait for the oohs and aahs when you present this luxurious lemon cheesecake recipe. The lemon aroma gives it a bright, tangy taste. – Margaret Allen, Abingdon, Virginia

Egg Roll Noodle Bowl We love Asian spring rolls, but they can be tricky to make. Simplify everything with this deconstructed spring roll, made on the stovetop and served in a bowl. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas About the recipe We love Asian spring rolls, but they can be tricky to make. Simplify everything with this deconstructed spring roll, made on the stovetop and served in a bowl. – Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup This is my favorite tortellini soup recipe. It’s quick to make for a busy night and full of healthy, tasty ingredients. Originally it called for spicy chunks of sausage, but I’ve found turkey sausage or even ground turkey breast to be just as good. —Tracy Fasnacht, Irwin, Pennsylvania Go to Recipe This is my favorite tortellini soup recipe. It’s quick to make for a busy night and full of healthy, tasty ingredients. Originally it called for spicy chunks of sausage, but I’ve found turkey sausage or even ground turkey breast to be just as good. – Tracy Fasnacht, Irwin, Pennsylvania

Easy Homemade Bread If you want to learn how to bake bread, here’s a great place to start. This simple white bread bakes up deliciously golden brown. There’s nothing quite like the homemade aroma that wafts through my kitchen as it bakes. —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York On the recipe If you’re interested in learning how to bake bread, here’s a great place to start. This simple white bread bakes up deliciously golden brown. There’s nothing quite like the homemade aroma that wafts through my kitchen as it bakes. — Sandra Anderson, New York, New York

Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie I made this strawberry pie recipe instead of a pie for my mom’s birthday. Since it was mid-May in Oklahoma, the berries were absolutely perfect. It was a memorable occasion for the whole family. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama Go to recipe For my mom’s birthday, I made this strawberry shortcake recipe instead of a cake. Since it was mid-May in Oklahoma, the berries were absolutely perfect. It was a memorable occasion for the whole family. – Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama

Crustless Spinach Quiche I served this crustless quiche at a church lunch and laughed when a guy told me how much he didn’t like vegetables. A lot of people were surprised by how much they loved this veggie-stuffed quiche recipe — and he was one of them! —Melinda Calverley, Janesville, Wisconsin For the recipe I served this crustless quiche at a church lunch and laughed when a guy told me how much he didn’t like vegetables. A lot of people were surprised by how much they loved this veggie-stuffed quiche recipe — and he was one of them! – Melinda Calverley, Janesville, Wisconsin

Taste of Home Chicken Enchiladas with Cream of Chicken Soup A must have for every Mexican meal at my house, try these enchiladas as a main course or include as part of a buffet. —Cheryl Pomrenke, Coffeyville, Kansas About the recipe A must have for every Mexican meal at my house, try these enchiladas as a main course or as part of a buffet. – Cheryl Pomrenke, Coffeyville, Kansas

Mamaw Emily’s Strawberry Cake My husband loved his Mamaw’s strawberry cake recipe. He thought nobody could copy it. I made it and it’s just as delicious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky Go to Recipe My husband loved his mom’s strawberry shortcake recipe. He thought nobody could copy it. I made it and it’s just as delicious as he remembers. – Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky

Artichoke Lemon Pasta While sailing the Mediterranean we tried a lemony artichoke pasta. I developed my own version of this which our guests love. Try it with shrimp and Kalamata olives. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas About the recipe While sailing the Mediterranean, we tried a lemony artichoke pasta. I developed my own version of this which our guests love. Try it with shrimp and Kalamata olives. – Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

Slow Cooker Pot Roast I work full-time, so this slow cooker roast beef is my go-to when I want a hearty, homemade meal. It’s a comfort to walk in and smell that simmering pot roast that I know will fall apart tender and delicious. —Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New York About the recipe I work full-time, so this slow cooker roast beef is my go-to when I want a hearty, home-cooked meal. It’s a comfort to walk in and smell that simmering pot roast that I know will fall apart tender and delicious. – Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New York

Lemon Blueberry Bread Of all the quick breads we grew up with, this beautiful Lemon Blueberry Bread is the best! The citrus glaze gives a glossy finish and locks in moisture. —Julianne Johnson, Grove City, Minnesota Go to Recipe Of all the quick breads we grew up with, this lovely Lemon Blueberry Bread is the best! The citrus glaze gives a glossy finish and locks in moisture. – Julianne Johnson, Grove City, Minnesota

Taste of Home Mama’s Meatloaf Mama made the best meatloaf, and now I do too. When I first met my husband he didn’t like homemade meatloaf but this won him over. -Michelle Beran, Claflin, Kansas Go to recipe Mom made the best meatloaf and now I’m making it too. When I first met my husband he didn’t like homemade meatloaf but this won him over. –Michelle Beran, Claflin, Kansas

Homemade Potato Salad This homemade potato salad recipe doesn’t have many ingredients, so it’s not as colorful as many you’ll find these days. But Mama did it the way her mother did, and that’s how I still do it to this day. Give it a try and see if it’s not one of the tastiest potato salads you’ve ever eaten! —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York About the recipe This homemade potato salad recipe doesn’t have many ingredients, so it’s not as colorful as many you’ll find these days. But Mama did it the way her mother did, and that’s how I still do it to this day. Give it a try and see if it’s not one of the tastiest potato salads you’ve ever eaten! — Sandra Anderson, New York, New York

Coke-Cola Cake We live in Coca-Cola country, where everyone loves a chocolatey, moist sheet cake made with the legendary soft drink. Our rich version makes tradition proud. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia About the recipe We live in Coca-Cola country, where everyone loves a chocolatey, moist sheet cake made with the legendary soft drink. Our rich version makes tradition proud. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia

Fiesta Pinwheels Whenever I serve up this easy pinwheels recipe, they quickly disappear. When a friend at the office shared them with me, I knew right away that I would be taking her Mexican pinwheels home for the holidays. —Diane Martin, Brown Deer, Wisconsin Go to Recipe Whenever I serve up this easy pinwheel recipe to make ahead, they quickly disappear. When a friend at the office shared them with me, I knew right away that I would be taking her Mexican pinwheels home for the holidays. —Diane Martin, Brown Deer, Wisconsin

Favorite Skillet Lasagna Whole wheat pasta and zucchini spice up the diet in this delicious, family-friendly dinner. Topped with ricotta cheese dollops, it has an added touch of decadence. Nobody will believe this lighter. —Lorie Miner, Kamas, Utah About the recipe Whole wheat pasta and zucchini spice up the diet in this delicious, family-friendly dinner. Topped with ricotta cheese dollops, it has an added touch of decadence. Nobody will believe this lighter. —Lorie Miner, Kamas, Utah

Broadway Brownie Bars I named these dessert bars after Broadway because they’re a hit every time I serve them. I especially love making them as gifts for those with a sweet tooth! —Anne Frederick, New Hartford, NY For the recipe I named these dessert bars after Broadway because they’re a hit every time I serve them. I especially love making them as gifts for those with a sweet tooth! – Anne Frederick, New Hartford, New York

Never Fail Scalloped Potatoes Take the chill out of any blustery day and prepare something special with meaty appetizers. This is the best scalloped potato recipe ever and my family loves it when I serve it. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario Get the Recipe Keep cool on blustery days and prepare something special to accompany meaty main courses. This is the best scalloped potato recipe ever and my family loves it when I serve it. – Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

Chicken Quesadillas Leftover chicken gets a Mexican flair from cumin in this fun entree. The chicken quesadilla recipe has impressive looks and taste, but requires little prep. – Linda Wetzel, Woodland Park, Colorado Recipe Add cumin to give leftover chicken a Mexican flair in this fun entree. The chicken quesadilla recipe has impressive looks and taste, but requires little prep. – Linda Wetzel, Woodland Park, Colo

Coconut-Pecan German Chocolate Pie This German Chocolate Pecan Pie combines the ingredients everyone loves in their classic pie cousin. It’s so silky and smooth you won’t be able to put your fork down. —Anna Jones, Coppell, Texas Get the recipe This German Chocolate Pecan Cake combines the ingredients everyone loves in their classic cake cousin. It’s so silky and smooth you won’t be able to put your fork down. – Anna Jones, Coppell, Texas

Amish Breakfast Casserole We enjoyed some hearty breakfast casseroles while visiting an Amish inn. When I asked for a recipe, one of the ladies gave me the ingredients off the cuff. I modified it to create this quick and easy breakfast casserole that my family loves. —Beth Notaro, Kokomo, Indiana About the recipe We enjoyed some hearty casseroles for breakfast while visiting an Amish inn. When I asked for a recipe, one of the ladies gave me the ingredients off the cuff. I modified it to create this quick and easy breakfast casserole that my family loves. – Beth Notaro, Kokomo, Indiana

Skillet Mac & Cheese This creamy mac and cheese is so easy it’s almost too easy! Kids always go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas Get the recipe This creamy mac and cheese is so easy it’s almost too easy! Kids always go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas

Giant Cinnamon Roll This must-try cinnamon roll is all about the pillowy texture, sweet spices and homemade caramel drizzle. —Leah Rekau, Taste of Home Food Stylist Get the recipe This must-try cinnamon roll is all about the pillowy texture, sweet spices, and homemade caramel drizzle. —Leah Rekau, food stylist Taste of Home

Corn Pudding Cornbread mix and canned corn make this Southern corn pudding casserole a breeze. Now that’s real comfort food! -P Lauren Fay-Neri, Syracuse, New York Get the recipe A mix of cornbread and canned corn make this Southern cornpudding casserole a breeze. Now that’s real comfort food! -P Lauren Fay-Neri, Syracuse, New York

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna This recipe was inspired by my daughter’s favorite food – buffalo wings! It tastes like it’s from a restaurant. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina About the recipe This recipe was inspired by my daughter’s favorite food — buffalo wings! It tastes like it’s from a restaurant. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina

Sandy’s Chocolate Cake Years ago I drove 4 1/2 hours to a cake contest and held my entry on my lap the whole time. But it paid off. One bite and you’ll see why this velvety beauty won Best Chocolate Cake Recipe and won first prize. —Sandra Johnson, Tioga, Pennsylvania For the recipe Years ago I drove 4 1/2 hours to a pie contest and held my entry in my lap the whole time. But it paid off. One bite and you’ll see why this velvety beauty won Best Chocolate Cake Recipe and won first prize. – Sandra Johnson, Tioga, Pennsylvania

Baked Cod with Lemon and Parsley After trying a few baked cod recipes, this was the first fish recipe to get two thumbs up from my picky pure meat eaters. The tangy lemon gives the cod some zest. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho About the recipe After trying a few baked cod recipes, this was the first fish recipe to get two thumbs up from my picky pure meat eaters. The tangy lemon gives the cod some zest. – Trisha Kruse, Adler, Idaho

Buffalo Chicken Dip This is the best Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe! Whenever I bring Buffalo Dip to a tailgate or potluck, everyone asks for the recipe. —Peggy Foster, Florence, Kentucky Go to Recipe This is the BEST Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe! Whenever I bring Buffalo Dip to a tailgate or potluck, everyone asks for the recipe. —Peggy Foster, Florence, Kentucky

Raspberry Rhubarb Slab Pie Slab pie is a pastry that’s baked in a jelly roll pan and cut into sheets like a bar cookie — or a pie bar, if you will. My grandfather was a trained baker and used to serve his customers slab pie slices. Here’s my spin with rhubarb and gorgeous red raspberries. —Jeanne Ambrose, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Go to Recipe Slab Pie is a pastry that’s baked in a jelly roll pan and cut into sheets like a bar cookie—or a pie bar, if you will. My grandfather was a trained baker and used to serve his customers slab pie slices. Here’s my spin with rhubarb and gorgeous red raspberries. – Jeanne Ambrose, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cauliflower Soup This cheesy recipe is way tastier than any other cauliflower soup I’ve tried! We like it with hot pepper sauce for that little extra kick. —Debbie Ohlhausen, Chilliwack, British Columbia About the recipe This cheese recipe is way tastier than any other cauliflower soup I’ve tried! We like it with hot pepper sauce for that little extra kick. – Debbie Ohlhausen, Chilliwack, British Columbia

Taco Lasagna If you like food with a Southwestern flair, this could become a new favorite. Loaded with cheese, meat and beans, the layered casserole is prepared in no time. I never have any leftovers when I take this dish to potlucks. —Terri Keena, Tuscaloosa, Alabama Go to Recipe If you like food with a Southwestern flair, this could become a new favorite. Loaded with cheese, meat and beans, the layered casserole is prepared in no time. I never have any leftovers when I take this dish to potlucks. – Terri Keena, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Banana Pudding I haven’t seen my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I saw him arrive at the airport I just held him tight and burst into tears. When we got home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a real southern boy! It’s a dessert but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia About the recipe I haven’t seen my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I saw him arrive at the airport I just held him tight and burst into tears. When we got home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a real southern boy! It’s a dessert but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia

Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce There’s nothing like fresh salmon, and my mom bakes it just right so it almost melts in your mouth. The sour cream and dill sauce is seasoned subtly with horseradish so that it doesn’t overpower the delicate salmon flavor. —Susan Emery, Everett, Washington About the Recipe There’s nothing like fresh salmon, and my mom bakes it just right so it almost melts in your mouth. The sour cream and dill sauce is seasoned subtly with horseradish so that it doesn’t overpower the delicate salmon flavor. —Susan Emery, Everett, Wash

Taste of Home Easy Crab Cakes Ready-made crab meat makes these tender patties easier than other crab cake recipes. You can also shape the crab mixture into four thick patties instead of eight crab cakes. —Charlene Spelock, Apollo, Pa. Ready-made crabmeat makes these tender patties easier than other crab cake recipes. You can also shape the crab mixture into four thick patties instead of eight crab cakes. – Charlene Spelock, Apollo, Pennsylvania

Taste of Home Farmer’s Casserole Between family and friends, we have an average of 375 visitors per year! This casserole is convenient — you can put it together the night before, let the flavors mix, and then bake it in the morning. —Nancy Schmidt, Center, Colorado For the recipe With family and friends, we visit an average of 375 visitors a year! This casserole is convenient — you can put it together the night before, let the flavors mix, and then bake it in the morning. – Nancy Schmidt, Center, Colorado

Crispy Fried Chicken If you wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. This fried chicken recipe is always a picnic favorite and tastes great hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana For the recipe If you’ve been wanting to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. This fried chicken recipe is always a picnic favorite and tastes great hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! – Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana

Taste of Home Moist Chocolate Cake This coffee-infused chocolate cake recipe reminds me of my grandmother because it was one of her specialties. I often bake it for family gatherings and it always brings back fond memories. The cake is light and fluffy with a delicious chocolate flavor. This recipe is a keeper! —Patricia Kreitz, Richland, Pennsylvania About the recipe This chocolate cake recipe with coffee reminds me of my grandmother because it was one of her specialties. I often bake it for family gatherings and it always brings back fond memories. The cake is light and fluffy with a delicious chocolate flavor. This recipe is a keeper! — Patricia Kreitz, Richland, Pennsylvania

French Toast Casserole Topped with cinnamon and sugar, this overnight French Toast Casserole is my favorite way to make this breakfast favorite. Assembling this baked French toast the night before saves you time in the morning, and if you have a particularly hungry crowd, it’s easy to bake a few batches. —Sharyn Adams, Crawfordsville, Indiana About the recipe Topped with cinnamon and sugar, this overnight french toast casserole is my favorite way to make this breakfast favorite. Assembling this baked French toast the night before saves you time in the morning, and if you have a particularly hungry crowd, it’s easy to bake a few batches. – Sharyn Adams, Crawfordsville, Indiana

Award Winning New England Clam Chowder This is the best New England clam chowder recipe ever! Im pazifischen Nordwesten graben wir unsere eigenen Schwertmuscheln und ich mahle sie für die Suppe. Da diese nicht leicht erhältlich sind, sind die Dosenmuscheln durchaus akzeptabel. —Sandy Larson, Port Angeles, Washington Zum Rezept Dies ist das beste Rezept für Muschelsuppe aus New England, das es je gab! Im pazifischen Nordwesten graben wir unsere eigenen Schwertmuscheln und ich mahle sie für die Suppe. Da diese nicht leicht erhältlich sind, sind die Dosenmuscheln durchaus akzeptabel. – Sandy Larson, Port Angeles, Washington

Schäferfrühstück Meine Schwägerin hat dieses köstliche Frühstücksgericht immer gemacht, wenn wir campen waren und musste sich ein gutes Rezept einfallen lassen. Zum Rezept Meine Schwägerin hat dieses köstliche Frühstücksgericht immer gemacht, wenn wir campen waren und hochkommen mussten mit guten, einfachen Frühstücksideen Serviert mit Toast, Saft und Milch oder Kaffee ist es ein sicherer Hit bei den Frühstücksgästen! Eintopfgerichte wie dieser waren mir bei der Erziehung meiner neun Kinder eine große Hilfe. Jetzt habe ich dieses Rezept an sie weitergegeben. – Pauletta Bushnell, Albany, Oregon

Apple Pie Ich erinnere mich, dass ich eines Tages mürrisch nach Hause kam, weil wir ein Softballspiel verloren hatten. Großmutter schlug in ihrer Weisheit vor: „Vielleicht wird dir ein Stück von meinem hausgemachten Apfelkuchen helfen, dich besser zu fühlen.“ Ein Bissen, und Oma hatte Recht. Wenn Sie lernen möchten, wie man hausgemachte Apfelkuchenfüllung macht, ist dies wirklich das einzige Rezept, das Sie brauchen. —Maggie Greene, Granite Falls, Washington Zum Rezept Ich erinnere mich, dass ich eines Tages mürrisch nach Hause kam, weil wir ein Softballspiel verloren hatten. Großmutter schlug in ihrer Weisheit vor: „Vielleicht wird dir ein Stück von meinem hausgemachten Apfelkuchen helfen, dich besser zu fühlen.“ Ein Bissen, und Oma hatte Recht. Wenn Sie lernen möchten, wie man hausgemachte Apfelkuchenfüllung macht, ist dies wirklich das einzige Rezept, das Sie brauchen. – Maggie Greene, Granite Falls, Washington

Echte belgische Waffeln Bei einem Besuch bei den Verwandten meines Mannes in Europa erhielt ich dieses Rezept für belgische Waffeln. Diese hausgemachten Waffeln passen hervorragend zu jeder Art von Topping: Blaubeeren, Erdbeeren, Himbeeren, Bratäpfeln, Puderzucker oder Schlagsahne. —Rose Delemeester, St. Charles, Michigan Zum Rezept Bei einem Besuch bei den Verwandten meines Mannes in Europa erhielt ich dieses belgische Waffelrezept. Diese hausgemachten Waffeln passen hervorragend zu jeder Art von Topping: Blaubeeren, Erdbeeren, Himbeeren, Bratäpfeln, Puderzucker oder Schlagsahne. – Rose Delemeester, St. Charles, Michigan

Taste of Home Favorite Chicken Potpie Dies ist das beste Rezept für Chicken Potpie! Dieses Rezept ist randvoll mit Hähnchen, Kartoffeln, Erbsen und Mais und ergibt zwei goldene Pasteten, sodass Sie eine zum Abendessen servieren und die andere für einen arbeitsreichen Abend aufheben können. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, Kalifornien Gehe zum Rezept Dies ist das beste Hähnchen-Popie-Rezept! Dieses Rezept ist randvoll mit Hähnchen, Kartoffeln, Erbsen und Mais und ergibt zwei goldene Pasteten, sodass Sie eine zum Abendessen servieren und die andere für einen arbeitsreichen Abend aufheben können. – Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, Kalifornien

Lieblings-Bananen-Sahne-Torte Das Rezept für hausgemachte Bananen-Sahne-Torte ist die Spezialität meiner Mutter. Dieses verträumte Dessert hat einen wunderbaren Bananengeschmack, sieht hübsch aus und lässt sich auch leicht schneiden. – Jodi Grable, Springfield, Missouri Zum Rezept Das Rezept für hausgemachte Bananencremetorte ist die Spezialität meiner Mutter. Dieses verträumte Dessert hat einen wunderbaren Bananengeschmack, sieht hübsch aus und lässt sich auch leicht schneiden. – Jodi Grable, Springfield, Missouri

Italienische gefüllte Muscheln Ein lieber Freund hat dieses Rezept für gefüllte Muscheln zum ersten Mal mitgebracht. Jetzt nehme ich es zu anderen Freunden nach Hause und zu Potlucks, weil es immer ein großer Erfolg ist! —Beverly Austin, Fulton, Missouri Zum Rezept Ein lieber Freund hat dieses Rezept für gefüllte Muscheln zum ersten Mal mitgebracht. Jetzt nehme ich es zu anderen Freunden nach Hause und zu Potlucks, weil es immer ein großer Erfolg ist! – Beverly Austin, Fulton, Missouri

Chocolate Chip Cookie Delight Dies ist ein einfaches Schokoladen-Genuss-Rezept für jede Art von Potluck-Anlass, und die Pfanne kommt immer leer nach Hause. —Diane Windley, Grace, Idaho Zum Rezept Dies ist ein einfaches Rezept für Schokoladengenuss für jede Art von Potluck-Anlass, und die Pfanne kommt immer leer nach Hause. —Diane Windley, Grace, Idaho

Traditionelle Lasagne Meine Familie probierte dieses reichhaltige, hausgemachte Lasagne-Rezept zum ersten Mal am Weihnachtsabend bei einem Freund. Wir waren so beeindruckt, dass es auch zu unserer eigenen Urlaubstradition wurde. Ich bereite es auch zu anderen Zeiten des Jahres zu. Dieses klassische Lasagne-Rezept wird oft von den italienischen Schwiegereltern meiner Schwester nachgefragt – das empfinde ich als das größte Kompliment! —Lorri Foockle, Granville, Illinois Zum Rezept Meine Familie probierte dieses reichhaltige, hausgemachte Lasagne-Rezept zum ersten Mal am Weihnachtsabend bei einem Freund. Wir waren so beeindruckt, dass es auch zu unserer eigenen Urlaubstradition wurde. Ich bereite es auch zu anderen Zeiten des Jahres zu. Dieses klassische Lasagne-Rezept wird oft von den italienischen Schwiegereltern meiner Schwester nachgefragt – das empfinde ich als das größte Kompliment! – Lorri Foockle, Granville, Illinois

Shrimp Scampi This shrimp scampi recipe looks elegant enough to serve to company, but it’s easy to prepare. The bright flavors of lemon and herbs enhance the shrimp. Serve it over pasta and wait for the compliments. —Lori Packer, Omaha, Nebraska Go to Recipe This shrimp scampi recipe looks elegant enough to serve to company, but it’s easy to prepare. The bright flavors of lemon and herbs enhance the shrimp. Serve it over pasta and wait for the compliments. —Lori Packer, Omaha, Nebraska

Rhubarb Custard Bars Once I tried these rich, gooey bars, I just had to have the recipe so I could make them for my family and friends. The shortbreadlike crust and the rhubarb and custard layers inspire people to find rhubarb that they can use to fix a batch for themselves. —Shari Roach, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin Go to Recipe Once I tried these rich, gooey bars, I just had to have the recipe so I could make them for my family and friends. The shortbreadlike crust and the rhubarb and custard layers inspire people to find rhubarb that they can use to fix a batch for themselves. —Shari Roach, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sour Cream Cucumbers We have a tradition at our house to serve this creamy cucumber salad with the other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from the women at church. It’s especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are freshly picked from the garden. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio Go to Recipe We have a tradition at our house to serve this creamy cucumber salad with the other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from the women at church. It’s especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are freshly picked from the garden. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio

Don’t forget to read our cooking tips before stepping into the kitchen

Maybe you enjoy cooking and we are sure you can prepare the most delicious meals. But we’re sure there are a few basic cooking tips that you forget every now and then. Check out these 10 essential tips that will speed up your cooking and help you prepare a great meal.

1. Plan and organize your work area with all equipment and keep service utensils handy.

2. Stock your kitchen with sharp knives as they save time.

Use a sharp knife to save time

3. Have all the ingredients ready before you start cooking.

4. When cooking something, be sure to cover the pan or pressure cooker with a lid.

5. Pre-marinate the meat in time to make it tastier.

6. Always preheat the oven before baking anything.

7. Have boiling water ready in case you need to blanch and cook vegetables.

Marinate the meat for a long time to make it tasty

8. Start with items that require longer cooking times to save time.

9. Use the right cooking method for the right ingredients. Example – Boil tough meats, blanch green vegetables, sear steaks and meat to preserve the juice.

10. Clean your sink and deck while you cook.

Contributions by Executive Chef Girish Kumar, Courtyard by Marriott, Chennai

Image Courtesy: © Thinkstock Photos/Getty Images