I have another great chicken recipe to share with my readers and fellow cooks. This one has a lot of flavor and will be a favorite at your house for your family. It's healthy and tastes great too. BRAZILIAN STYLE CHICKEN Ingredients 2 cans butter beans (15.5 oz each) 1 can coconut milk (13.5 oz) 2 tablespoons tomato paste 3 chopped garlic cloves 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger salt and pepper 1 green bell pepper-chopped 1 chopped medium size onion 4 medium size white potatoes-cut in chunks 4 teaspoons curry powder or shawarma seasoning 12 chicken legs 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro 1/8 cup basil …

Here's another easy and delicious chicken recipe for you and your family. Do you like butternut squash? It's easy to find at this time of year in any local supermarket. This type of squash has potassium, calcium and fiber, so it's healthy to eat. The flavor of squash is also mild and tasty. SQUASH AND PEPPER CHICKEN Ingredients 8-10 chicken thighs or 12 chicken legs 1 large green bell pepper-cut up in chunks 1 butternut squash-peeled and chopped (remove seeds) 1 cup orange juice 1 cup chopped cilantro olive oil spray 2 teaspoons ground cumin 3 crushed garlic cloves 1 teaspoon dried oregano …

Are you looking for an afterschool snack that you can make with your children?  Many kids enjoy cooking and baking at home. It's fun and everyone can enjoy the results of your cooperative efforts. Who doesn't like a warm cookie with a healthy glass of cold milk? We all have many comfort foods that we feel good about making and eating. Chocolate chip cookies are a favorite at my house and can be at yours too.  QUICK COOKIE STICKS Ingredients 1/2 cup granulated white sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup butter 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 egg 1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon…

It's back to school week after a long and busy summer for everyone. Our kids are getting involved in sports and other after school activities. Parents looking for easy weekday meals have come to look on Patch for great recipes. Here's a tasty chicken dish that your family will like and you can make it in a short amount of time.  Jelly Chicken Legs Ingredients 12 chicken legs 2 tablespoons of blueberry preserves 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon soy sauce 2 teaspoons mustard (any type but dijon) black pepper 1/2 cup chicken broth Directions  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Use a …

It's Labor Day weekend and everyone is enjoying a nice day off and a long weekend to end a busy summer. We are all having barbecues and end of summer parties at home or at the beach. I hope you have a relaxing weekend with your family. Here's an easy dessert recipe that you and your kids can make to go with your celebration and it includes ice cream, which we all love to eat.  Ice Cream Pie Ingredients 1 graham cracker pie shell 1 quart of ice cream (your favorite flavor) Some toppings for your pie (choose what you like): 1 cup chocolate chips 8 crushed peanut butter cups chocolate syrup-…

Everyone I know loves a nice bowl of soup on a cold day, but eating, or should I say drinking, a cup or bowl of it has been shown to make your body feel cooler on a hot summer day. It's also the perfect meal while you're hunkered down hiding from Hurricane Irene. Soup is great with a sandwich for lunch or paired with a chicken dish for a dinner meal. Here's an easy recipe for a delicious soup that you can make. My Tomato Soup Ingredients 1 cup water 1 teaspoon chicken stock or powder olive oil 2 crushed garlic cloves 1/8 cup fresh sage leaves 1  28 ounce can diced tomatoes 1  15 ounce can …

Are you looking for a flavorful side dish for your dinner meal? Do you want to make something easy to go with your roasted chicken or any other meat dish? I make a tasty bean side that your family will love. Beans compliment any dinner meal and this recipe is also great served as a meal with shredded cheese in tortillas. Tasty Flavorful Beans Ingredients 2 cans of beans (15.5 oz each)-any type-I like butter beans 1 large chopped onion 5 chopped garlic cloves 3/4 cup vegetable or chicken broth 1 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 jar of mild or medium …

"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!"  This familiar children's rant reminds me of summer days. We all like to cool off with a cold bowl of ice cream on a hot day. I also love to make and bake homemade brownies to go with ice cream. A warm brownie with a scoop or two of your favorite ice cream on top is a great treat for children and adults. Here's my brownie recipe and you can double it to make two large trays of rich chocolate brownies.   MY CHOCOLATE BROWNIES   Ingredients 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa (I like Hershey brand) 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2/3 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup…

Everyone I know loves to barbecue, especially in the summer months. My favorite grilling food is steaks hot off the barbecue. I also love to cook and make sunny side up eggs at home. My family enjoys both of these dishes, and when combined they make a great meal for dinner.  Add some fresh bread and you have an easy and yummy weeknight sandwich idea.    Steak and Eggs   Ingredients 1 minute steak grilled for each person 2 eggs cooked sunny side up for each person Worcestershire sauce 2 cloves crushed garlic salt black pepper vegetable oil spray 2 large fresh Italian breads or whatever type of…

We all love to make easy dinners in the summer and throughout the year. I have a quick sandwich night idea that my family enjoys and I know yours will too. It's healthy and requires minimal effort to put together.   Tuna and Egg Sandwiches   Ingredients  5 oz. can of tuna in olive oil hard boiled eggs (1-2 for each person eating) 10 oz. container of hummus (I like sun dried tomato and roasted red pepper flavors-but use whatever type you like). 2 tomatoes sliced thin olive oil salt black pepper toasted sliced bread   Directions 1. Put sliced tomatoes on a platter and drizzle with oil. 2. …

Do you like Mexican style dishes? This recipe has a lot of flavor and is low in fat, sodium and calories. Eating fish for dinner will help boost your memory and protect your heart. Fresh fish is delicious and easy to find in your local supermarket or you can go fishing and catch some yourself.    Fish Tacos   Ingredients 1 pound of skinless white fish (cod, sea bass, flounder, etc.) chili powder dried oregano ground cumin garlic powder 1 cup of chopped lettuce 2 diced avocados 1 chopped tomato 1/2 small sliced onion small bunch chopped cilantro 2 limes-juiced salt olive oil flour tortillas …

Salads are not only healthy and flavorful, but they also compliment any lunch or dinner meal. The vegetables contain vitamins and eating them helps prevent many diseases. You should include a salad with at least one meal every day. The summer months are the best time of year to get the freshest produce at local farms or in your neighborhood supermarket. Here's a great salad that can be made quickly any day.    Easy Summer Salad  Ingredients  1/2 of a head of lettuce-chopped 2 tomatoes-cut up small bunch of scallions-chopped or 1 small onion-chopped finely 1 lime or lemon-juiced salt and …

Have you thought about what to cook for your Independence Day celebration? We also call the holiday the 4th of July, for when our country declared its independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. This holiday is commonly celebrated with fireworks, parades, barbeques and picnics with friends or family. It's popular to make and eat red, white and blue foods this coming Monday too. You can find a lot of desserts in your local supermarket for the 4th of July or you can make your own. I have a few fun and easy ideas to make with your family.   1. You can make or buy an angel food cake or a …

Did you have a barbeque for your favorite dad last week? It is easy all summer long to cook on your grill for your loved ones. You just need some good ideas, meat and seasonings or a nice marinade. Here are two great ideas for steaks on the barbeque and an easy night for dinner.  You will need 2 pounds of steak for each marinade.   My Cousin's Favorite Marinade Ingredients 1/2 cup red wine 1/2 cup soy sauce 2 chopped garlic cloves 1 teaspoon ground ginger    Directions 1. Put steaks in a large baking tray 2. Blend ingredients in a bowl 3. Pour over steaks 4. Cover with plastic wrap 5. …

This is the best time of year to buy fresh salt water fish. You can also go fishing and catch them yourself. The fun part is cooking up what you caught or bought at the supermarket. Fish can be cooked in many ways. It is considered to be "brain food" and known to boost your memory when eaten frequently. Eating fish is also good for your heart and helps fight cancer. Here's a delicious fish recipe that I like to make: Fish with Coconut Sauce Ingredients  1 pound of flounder, sea bass or any other white fish olive oil 1 chopped onion 4 chopped garlic cloves 1 teaspoon vegetable bullion 1 …

Lemons are great for our skin and body. Eating them also protects your heart, fights cancer and controls blood pressure. The flavor of lemons are great in many dishes that you can make for your family. They are even tasty in a glass of water and are refreshing too. Here's a simple recipe for potatoes with lemon...   Easy Lemon Potatoes   Ingredients 12 medium white potatoes-peeled and cut in 1 inch chunks Olive oil 2 crushed garlic cloves 1 lemon-juiced Mrs. Dash table blend Salt Directions:  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees 2. Put cut potatoes in large baking pan 3. Drizzle 1/4 cup oil over …

Colorful salads add a fresh touch to any meal. They are prepared using vegetables so they are good for you. A new salad can be made everyday for healthful eating or can last two days if you make a large portion. This is the time of year to purchase lots of fresh produce or you can grow your own. Mandarin Orange Salad Ingredients 1 head of lettuce or mixed greens (chop head in pieces) 2 cucumbers (peeled and chopped or sliced) 1 small bunch scallions-chopped 2 or 3 chopped tomatoes 1 sweet pepper--cut up and remove stem and seeds 1 small can of mandarin oranges 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds (…

It's time for Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start to the upcoming summer. A lot of people spend time at the beach or in pools and take out their barbeque grills to use for outdoor cooking and enjoyment. Many people start to eat dinner meals outside. Here are a few grilling ideas for your family's next barbecue. Easy Grilled Chicken    Ingredients 3-4 pounds of chicken with bones (legs, thighs,breasts, etc-use your favorite parts)   Option #1 Spray pieces with non dairy butter spray and sprinkle with creole seasoning   Option #2 Marinate chicken overnight in 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce …

Tacos are quick to make for a weeknight dinner meal. This mexican style taco recipe is easy and flavorful. I use ground turkey because it is lower in fat than ground beef and healthier for you. It is also a wholesome alternative to packaged taco seasoning, which is very high in sodium.   Ground Turkey Tacos  Ingredients olive oil 1 chopped onion 4 crushed garlic cloves 2 long hot peppers--remove stems--leave whole for flavor (optional or use just one for extra flavor) 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder 2 pounds ground turkey 2 tablespoons tomato paste 3/4 teaspoon black …

Zucchini squash is a tasty vegetable found in supermarkets year round. A medium size squash has only 25 calories and a high water content (over 95 percent) which makes it a perfect food for people on a diet. It is also a good source of fiber, contains vitamin C and lutein, which are good for your eyesight. Here's a great dinner recipe to help your body function well.  Spicy Vegetable Soiree  Ingredients 3 zucchini--cut in chunks 1 onion--chopped 4 garlic cloves--chopped 4 medium size tomatoes--cut in chunks 8 oz. can tomato sauce Olive oil Salt, black pepper and oregano 2 long hot peppers--…