FIRST KITCHEN BLOGS

Okay, I admit, I too have made many resolutions that I didn’t keep beyond January 15. However, this year I’ve decided to focus on only one, which should be pretty easy thanks to a few of my friends... Betty Crocker, Mark Bittman and of course the First Kitchen team.

My New Year resolution this year is to make at least four dinners a week at home (not counting frozen meals). To do this I have picked up copies of two basic cookbooks: The Classic Betty Crocker Cookbook- my mom’s all-time standby, How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman, and of course our First Kitchen DVD and website. All of these are great resources for beginner cooks. They provide simple yet yummy recipes for Breakfast to Desserts.  Another great on-line resource for simple healthy recipes is from

Green Moutain- a Woman's retreat for healthy weight mangement:

http://http//www.fitwoman.com/recipes.htm 

Here's a hint: Spend an hour the weekend before planning out your meals for the week and buy all the groceries ahead of time. This will make it easier to stick to your plans.

Now, if you are brand new to the kitchen and are thinking  “Yes but I don’t even know how to use a recipe”, I suggest your first purchase should be the First Kitchen DVD (www.firstkitchencooks.com) because you will find a ton of step-by-step information on how to get started in your kitchen, food safety and healthy alternatives to your favorite recipes. You can also check out the First Kitchen website (www.firstkitchencooks.com) for additional information as well as post your questions and thoughts on the blog or emails us at info@firstkitchencooks.com.

We’d love to share your ideas for quick meals to make.

Happy New Year and get cooking!

 

Be honest- how many of us made a resolution to eat healthier or lose weight?  Probably the same one we made last year, right?  But we don't have to give up on it mid-January.  There is a way we can make this a year-long reasonable change.  We can start cooking at home. 

It doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming. There are many simple but quick recipe ideas for making healthier meals in our own kitchen. Making it yourself will take the mystery out of what you are eating and help to save some dollars too.  One tasty dish is our chicken-penne-pasta.
Another time saving idea- You're at the store and don't remember what ingredients to get.  Just grab your mobile phone and and look up the recipe and ingredients on the our web site. How slick is that?!

Thanksgiving is coming up soon. I’m sure you’ll be going to Mom’s or Grandma’s for the traditional dinner.  Now that you’re a gown up, you too have to bring a dish to share. One thing about Thanksgiving, the menu is already decided for you -- except maybe that vegetable side dish.  So even if you aren’t an experienced chef, you can impress the family with this simple but healthy side dish. 

                                            

Holiday Green Beans

Makes 6 servings

4 cups fresh green beans (about 12 ounces)         

1 tablespoon olive oil

¼ cup chopped fresh cranberries

1 ½ teaspoons sugar

2 tablespoons orange juice

2 tablespoon chopped toasted pecans*

Steam green beans 5 to 7 minutes or microwave on high about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally; drain.  Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add cranberries, sugar and orange juice.  Cook, stirring gently, until cranberries are soft and liquid is syrupy. Stir in chopped nuts and toss mixture with green beans. Serve.

*To toast nuts, bake uncovered in an ungreased shallow pan at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Hint, hint:  While you’re with family, I’m sure there will be discussion about what to get for holiday gifts.  I great stocking stuffer idea for the novice cooks could be our First Kitchen DVD.

 

False, False, False- How often do we hear “It is too difficult and it costs too much to eat healthy”. 

Good news- studies of young women  have shown that the more meals we eat at home, the healthier our diet will be. And we know it certainly costs less to eat home than to eat out and it really doesn’t have to be time consuming- a little prior planning goes a long way! 

 

Have a good morning-

Warning: you may have to refrain from hitting the snooze button but it’s worth it!

For example, we used to go to the coffee shop every morning for coffee --- and a muffin.  Depending on the drink you order that adds up to over $5 a day, and that's just breakfast!  Now we make and take our coffee (if you like cream, buy a flavored kind at the store like French vanilla or hazelnut) and bring along a maybe a juice and cereal-to-go bar, or a yogurt or sometimes our own homemade muffin.  Yes, occasionally on the weekend we make our own muffins-you’d be surprised how easy they are - freeze them and grab one as we go out the door in the morning. 

 

Pack your lunch the night before-

Packing a lunch like a veggie wrap or an entrée salad made with the leftover chicken we grilled for dinner are couple of ideas for simple, healthy and low cost options. And the added bonus of bringing our lunch –it gives us time for a walk on our lunch break.  How healthy is that?  It feels good on your pocket book and your waistline… not to mention how great it is to get outside now that summer has finally arrived! 

 

We can help you learn to cook with our many healthy and low cost ideas and recipes on our First Kitchen DVD  but we’d love to hear your ideas for making healthy and money saving meals.