Cooking Archives - Foreign policy

8 Best Chicken Recipes For Your Family in 2020

Published on August 12, 2020

When it comes to preparing chicken, you cannot go wrong. Furthermore, you’ll find that there are tons of chicken recipes to experiment with. You can take an ordinary piece of chicken and turn it into something spectacular. You just need to think outside of the box, experiment, and choose the right recipes. As long as you do that, you’ll be able to prepare great chicken recipes that your family will love. Within this guide, you’re going to learn more about some of the top chicken recipes for your loved ones.

1. Lemon Garlic

First and foremost, you’ll want to try cooking lemon garlic chicken. You’ll be thrilled to know that you can cook this meal in a slow cooker so that is going to make things much easier for you. Furthermore, you can prepare 3 servings in just 25 minutes. While it is a delicious meal, you won’t have to sit over the stove for hours and hours trying to cook it. Depending on the ingredients you’ve used, this meal can contact as much as 400 calories per serving. If you use a slow cooker, you’ll likely take a few hours for the chicken to finish.

Nevertheless, this is one of the tastiest meals you could make with chicken.

2. Artichoke Chicken

If you want something unique, you should try preparing artichoke chicken. This recipe requires a few ingredients including artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, garlic pepper, and boneless chicken. You can get all of these items at your local grocery store. This recipe will take about 40 minutes to complete and the calorie count is right around 550. Nevertheless, this recipe can serve four people simultaneously. Be warned that Artichoke chicken is different so some people may not like it. Others will love it though.

3. Ranch Chicken

Some people want a quicker and easier recipe. If this is the case, you should try preparing ranch chicken. This is a good choice since it is very good and everyone will love it. Furthermore, it contains fewer calories than some of the others. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare Ranch Chicken and you can complete 4 servings. For this recipe, you need vegetable oil, ranch dressing, bread crumbs, and chicken. You can find the recipe online. Thankfully, it is isn’t tough to prepare. So, you can get it cooked up in a matter of hours.

4. Bourbon Chicken

Are you willing to challenge yourself in the kitchen? If so, you’ll want to experiment with bourbon chicken. It is easy to go wrong with this recipe but you can do it. Furthermore, you’ll need a lot of ingredients including ground ginger, soy sauce, onion, brown sugar, bourbon, garlic powder, and chicken. You can prepare as many servings as you want by increasing or decreasing the ingredients. Furthermore, you should know that a serving will contain roughly 300 calories.

Most people will love the taste of bourbon chicken so you won’t have to worry about your family members complaining. Learn how to prepare bourbon chicken and you’ll be able to choose anything.

5. Butter Chicken

You’ll agree that butter makes the majority of recipes much better. With that being said, you should try cooking butter chicken. This is one of the tougher recipes because it contains a lot of ingredients. Nevertheless, it’ll prove to be worth it. In just 35 minutes, you can have a delicious meal for 3 to 4 people. With this recipe, you’re going to need yogurt, lemon juice, Tumeric powder, ground cumin, ginger, garlic, ghee, Puree, sugar, and salt. This recipe will prove to be delicious so you know it is going to satisfy every member of your family.

Again, you’ll need a lot of ingredients. This makes the recipe tougher than some of the others but it’ll be worth it. Your family members won’t argue with this one.

6. Greek Chicken

Greek Chicken is a time-consuming recipe but it’ll satisfy everyone. Your loved ones will be begging for more. With this recipe, you can prepare it in 58 minutes and you’ll be able to serve 4 to 5 people at once. In most cases, the calories per serving will be 442. This recipe requires a handful of ingredients including white wine vinegar, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, Greek yogurt, salt, black pepper, garlic cloves, white wine vinegar, and chicken. You may also want some fresh oregano leaves. This recipe contains 40 grams of protein, 928 mg of sodium, and 193 mg of cholesterol.

This meal is a must for anyone who loves chicken. Try it once and it might become your favorite chicken recipe. You can grab up recipes like this one and tons of other from Corrie Cooks.

7. Miso Chicken

If you’re looking for an easier recipe, you’ll want to stick with Miso Chicken. With this one, you won’t need any ingredients whatsoever. And, it only takes 45 minutes to prepare 4 servings. With this recipe, you’ll need unsalted butter, white miso, honey, rice vinegar, black pepper, and skin-on. This recipe contains a lot of calories. For instance, you’ll have 864 calories per serving. It’ll also have 1,500 mg of sodium, 323 mg of cholesterol, and 54 grams of protein. This recipe is not going to disappoint.

This chicken is scrumptious and tasty. It is very fulfilling too. Just a few bites and you’ll feel full.

8. Chicken Curry

Finally, you should think about preparing chicken curry. This recipe is inexpensive and easy to prepare. It has 913 calories per serving and you can serve 4 or more people. The only downside is that it’ll take about an hour to prepare. You’re going to need a lot of ingredients including canola oil, medium potatoes, large carrots, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, onion, garlic, ginger, and more. You’ll also need coconut milk, fish sauce, water, and curry powder. With this recipe, the meal will have 52 grams of protein, 622 mg of sodium, 283 mg of cholesterol, and 5 grams of fiber. It is tasty and fulfilling making it a good choice for everyone.

If you love Indian food, chicken curry will prove to be one of your favorite recipes. You will be satisfied with this one.

Outdoor Grilling Made Easy

Published on June 2, 2020

House

Nothing spells summer fun like a fresh and delicious meal off of your outdoor grill. Whether it be gas or charcoal, these staples of outdoor cooking produce memorable, delectable, and satisfying meals for yourself, your family, and all of your friends to enjoy.

If you haven’t gotten yourself a feature-filled grill yet, you’re missing out on a lot. So take a peek at some of the amazing grill options at Outdoor Cooking Pros, and we’re pretty sure you’ll be purchasing one soon. It’s time to take your grilling to the next level, and we’ll help you with that.

We’ll be sharing grilling tips and ideas to make your outdoor grilling experience fun, successful, and a piece of cake… I mean steak!

Utensils

To be proficient at any art you must have the proper tools. Here are my basic four utensils that will give you the tools for a job well done.

Metal wired grill brush
Metal tongs
Metal spatula
Lightly saturated towel (with vegetable oil)

The metal wired grill brush is used to clean off the particles of food that stick to the grill while cooking. Just clean in one direction, going from the bottom of the grill to the top, away from yourself so as not to get particles in your eyes. Metal tongs are used to move the food on your grill around to different heat zones for proper temperatures, to flip the meat, and to make aesthetically pleasing diamond grill marks. A metal spatula is used to move the more delicate food items such as fish, burgers, veggie burgers, and some vegetables, like tomatoes. Use the vegetable oil-saturated towel for seasoning your grill.

Cleaning and Seasoning Your Grill

Seasoning your grill is a must. If you put meat on a hot unseasoned grill, it will stick to the surface making a huge mess, sometimes pulling the meat apart and ruining your well-planned meal. Lightly saturate a small hand towel in vegetable oil, then turn your grill on medium-high and close the lid.

When the grill is hot, take your metal tongs and grab your saturated towel. Rub the towel over the entire cooking surface then close the top letting the oil cook into your grill for about a minute. Open the lid again and repeat that process.

Season it again with the vegetable oil right before you put on whatever product you are grilling for a clean and efficient cooking process. Some particles of food will be left behind regardless of how well your surface is seasoned, so use your wire grill brush frequently, and always season again before putting on more food.

Heat Management

It is extremely easy to overcook or burn your product if you don’t keep your heat under control. Make half of your grill surface about medium heat, and the other half about medium-high. Steaks and other meats you want well done, cook on your hotter side, and the less well done and more delicate the product, cook on your cooler side.

Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil works amazingly for those food items that are more delicate, fragile, and fall apart easily. Wrap your cooking surface in aluminum foil before you turn your grill on and season with vegetable oil just like you do on your regular cooking surface. Flip and move your delicate product around the grill with your metal spatula to keep it from falling apart.

Covering

If you put the top of your grill down it is easy to overcook or burn the food. For meat items that are cooked medium well or well done, close the top until they are to the desired temperature. If the product is medium or medium-rare, only close the top for a minute at a time so as not to overcook. If the meat is rare, don’t even close the top, just cook it for about a minute and a half on each side and serve.

I hope you find these tips useful for your outdoor cooking experience. Happy Grilling!

Ten Unique Ways to Use Your Outdoor Grill

Hot dogs, hamburgers, and steaks taste wonderful when cooked on an outdoor grill, but they can get a little boring. So what do you do with your outdoor grill after you’ve gotten tired of all these classic grilled foods? Why you follow these tips, of course, and use your outdoor grill in ten new ways.

1. Cook a Whole Chicken

Did you know that you can use your outdoor grill to cook a whole chicken? It’s true. This allows you to enjoy the wonderful taste of a roasted chicken, without heating up your entire home. There are several wonderful recipes available online and don’t forget you can adapt Beer in the Rear Chicken recipes and use fruit juice and pop instead of beer.

2. Clear Up Oven Space at the Holidays

If you live in a warm climate, why not cook your turkey or ham on your outdoor grill? This is a wonderful way to use your outdoor grill, because it allows you to cook more food in your oven, without having to cook all day long.

3. Make Pizza

Yes, you really can use your outdoor grill to make pizza. The key is to place the pizza dough on the grill and allow it to cook for several minutes on one side, then flip, and add your toppings. Close the grill lid and allow the cheese to melt and the toppings to cook. You’ll have a delicious, homemade pizza in no time.

4. Keep Your Kitchen Cool

Summer is the worst time to cook indoors. The entire house gets filled with unbearable heat, causing you to crank up the air conditioner and increase your electricity bill. Luckily, you can keep your home cool by using your outdoor grill to prepare delicious meals.

5. Make Dessert

Many people forget that you can use your outdoor grill to make dessert. One of the best desserts prepared on an outdoor grill is grilled fruit. Simply place on pineapple or stone fruits, such as peaches, and grill until the sugars in the fruit caramelize. Then top with frozen yogurt and enjoy.

6. For Leaner Meats

Cooking on your outdoor grill really is healthy. An outdoor grill will allow fat to drip away from the meats you are cooking so that you are left with a leaner cut of meat. You must be aware that cooking meats with too much fat will cause flare-ups that may cause your food to burn.

7. For Parties

The perfect summer party revolves around a barbeque. This summer use your outdoor grill to throw the ultimate party. You can either stick to the old standbys or you could have a more gourmet barbeque including items like grilled goat cheese pizza and chicken burgers.

8. For Great Flavor

There’s one thing you’ll get from your outdoor grill, which you’ll never get from your stovetop, and that’s a smoky flavor. The smoky taste of grilled foods is what makes summer, summer. Just think back to your childhood, wasn’t a hot dog cooked on the grill better than the ones that came from the microwave?

9. Easy Cleanup

One of the best things about cooking on an outdoor grill is the fact that the cleanup is really easy. Plus if you serve your grilled food on paper plates, the cleanup will be even easier. Do you really need a better use than this one?

10. For Large Meals

Well, just in case you do need another use for your outdoor grill, remember that it’s great for large meals. With a large propane grill, you can cook your dessert, vegetables, meat, and heat up your bread all at once.

What Are People Experimenting with in Their Kitchens During the Lockdown?

Published on April 8, 2020

Coronavirus

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown some positive sides throughout the whole chaos, as many people have been taking the opportunity to explore what they can do with their newfound free time. Some have been brushing up on their skills, others are learning new things, and some are just taking the chance to catch up on a backlog of media. And for others, the kitchen is the main place of interest during these tough times. So what’s everyone doing, and what options do you have that you might want to consider?

Back to the Roots

In the current situation, there’s hardly a better time to give a chance to a more classic diet that brings you back to your roots, instead of continuing to stuff yourself full of processed foods on a regular basis. Surprisingly, many people are ignoring the fruits and veggies sections at stores, focusing primarily on disinfectants and toilet paper. So go crazy and try to integrate this type of food into your life as much as you can!

Nothing can top that feeling on making certain dishes just like your mom or grandma used to. Believe us, as soon as you take a bit, you will be immediately transported to the most precious time of your life –childhood. What’s more, provide your kids with the opportunity to enjoy the same meals or desserts that you did years ago.

Try Something Complicated

And if you’re the avid cook type, you might want to take the chance to try something new and complicated that you never thought would be in your scope. Even something like General Tso’s Chicken doesn’t have to be too complicated if you break it down into simple steps. There is no shortage of guides about these complex recipes out there – and more – so you should definitely see what you can whip up! There are lots of cooking communities online that can be very friendly to newcomers, so you should look around to see if you can join one.

Making Permanent Changes to Your Regime

This is also a good chance to think about making some more lasting changes to your current situation. There’s a lot that the average person can generally do to make themselves eat healthier and control their habits better. And it’s a good idea to start thinking about this right now. It can take some time to build up the right kinds of habits, and you should give yourself plenty of free room for failing comfortably. This is a good opportunity to make some permanent changes in your kitchen, and you should not let it go to waste. If you’re having trouble, remember that the internet is full of useful information on the subject. It might seem complicated at first, but as long as you’re persistent, this will have a very positive effect on your life in the long run.

Cook with your family

Many people would say that the only good thing about the quarantine is that is has forced people to slow down and spend more time doing things they enjoy with their families. We cannot really argue with that. Not only do you not have numerous work-related tasks that you need to complete every day, but your kids are out of school which means that you have a lot of time on your hand. So why not spend it doing something both fun and practical.

Do you have a favorite dish? Why not make it together with your kids? What is their favorite dessert that they don’t get to have too often? Have fun in the kitchen preparing it and then enjoy it together while watching your favorite family movie.

This is a perfect time for making new family memories. In 5 or 10 years the children won’t remember this pandemic, but instead, they are going to cherish memories of making their favorite cake or cookies and having a blast with their parents.

Maybe cooking is your new hobby

Surely you know that a lot of people out there find cooking relaxing. Many moms would say that they love it because not only is it the only time they can enjoy some peace and quiet but also because they have to opportunity to experiment or even create something completely new.

Yes, we have already mentioned that part about experimenting in the kitchen when it comes to preparing some complex meals, but why wouldn’t you try to make something of your own? Yes, we know, for many of us cooking seems like an impossible task, but when you actually think about it, if one was to try and use just a little bit of creativity, they can actually create something delicious.

You can read online to learn some basic rules about mixing different flavors, and you are ready to start. Start at the beginning and combine ingredients. The reality is that you can never know if you are on the right path until you finish the meal and taste it. Plus, some would even tell you that one can never go wrong. Who knows, maybe when this quarantine passes, you will become a top chef and starting cooking interesting meals every day. Put on your favorite playlist, unwind and forget about current events for at least an hour.

And in case you need inspiration

Bemorepanda has a lot of useful videos about what type of food to cook. You can also add your own video and share your experience with the rest of the community.

In the end, remember that this is temporary. And while many people are waiting for the situation to pass, others are doing interesting things with their lives. There’s a lot you can do there, especially on the culinary front. Don’t let this opportunity go to waste as we said above! It will take a while until you’re fully adjusted to those changes, but once you’re there, you’ll never want to look back in the future at all.

5 Rewarding Hobbies to Try In Your Lifetime

Published on March 23, 2019March 23, 2019

Entertainment

Life is too short to not take some risks in the places you visit, the activities you do and the way you live in general. There are tons of hobbies that you might never try if you don’t make it a part of your plan. There are some that are more rewarding than others and others that are just a great skill to have. One thing is certain: trying new things is great for your quality of life. You also never know what activity is going to become a new favorite. With that being said, here are some you shouldn’t let pass you by in your lifetime!

Any Water Sport You Can Try

Water sports are great for anyone, athletic or not. Water sports vary in so many ways that there is basically one for everyone. They are also popular for a reason. They are fun and can be spent in nature! Even if you don’t live by the ocean, this is what vacations can be for. Structure your next beach vacation around some custom surfing lessons that will leave you feeling accomplished!

There are opportunities to surf, wakeboard, paddle board, sail etc. You can find something for nearly all your friends or family by heading to the nearest beach. Water-related sports can be fulfilling to the entire family or group of friends with the right attitude.

Dance Like Nobody’s Watching

Dancing is something that a lot of people are scared to do in fear of embarrassment, which is what makes learning to dance incredibly rewarding. Feeling able to freely dance without fear of judgment is a beautiful feeling that shouldn’t go unnoticed. Take your chance to enroll in dance lessons. You might feel scared or second guess yourself, but remember that everyone has to start somewhere.

Yoga for the Mind, Soul and Body

Yoga is a hobby that can help nearly every aspect of your life, according to the yoga gurus who swear by it. It is good for you health wise. It also gives your mind a chance to relax and get in touch with the current moment. Yoga is also for anyone in any shape and in any point of life. It is never too late to pick up yoga. This is a hobby that is popular around the world for so many different reasons, might as well see for yourself.

Journaling Your Feelings and Thoughts

This is a rewarding hobby because it is an outlet for how you feel. The cost of entry is also low. All you need is a laptop to type on or a notebook to write on! Take wherever you are at in your life and turn it into something you can digest later in life or when you want to reflect.

Writing every day will make you better and better at working through thoughts and emotions. It also will make you a better writer. Once you figure out your writing style, you can work towards writing songs, books or poetry.

Gardening, Cooking and Other Therapeutic Hobbies

Gardening, cooking and other hobbies along these lines are useful and relaxing. There is something calming about making a new dish for family and friends. Also, watching plants grow that you planted and cared for feels rewarding. These are sustainable hobbies you will have for the rest of your life. They will benefit others around you as well!

There are so many hobbies in this world to try out. You really can’t go wrong with exploring any of these top-tier activities! They will bring fulfillment and joy to everyday life.

Best Smart Home Device Ideas on a Budget

Published on March 14, 2019March 14, 2019

House/Technology

Making your home smart is no longer a break-the-bank affair as the smart home industry matures. From Amazon Echo speakers to Alarm Relay residential monitoring, there are several budget-friendly options that don’t compromise on quality.

Top 6 Affordable Smart Home Device Suggestions

Whether you want to do the basics or are looking to add to an existing setup, there is something for you in this top 6 list.

1. Smart Speaker – Amazon Echo Dot (3rd generation) – $49.99

The 3rd generation model of the Amazon Echo Dot is a considerable improvement upon the previous model in terms of design and speaker quality. Indeed, the audio output is superior to its close competitor – the Google Home Mini. Using just your voice, you can control a wide range of devices (Alexa is compatible with more than 10,000 smart home devices). Features such as Whisper Mode, Shopping Lists, Flash Briefings and Alexa Calling make the Echo Dot all the more, a worthy budget buy.

2. Smart Color Changing Lighting – Lifx Mini Wifi Smart Bulb – Under $50

The Lifx Mini is sufficiently small to fit into the majority of fixtures to replace the conventional light bulb. The bulbs can be linked to virtually any smart-home ecosystem from Google Assistant and Alexa to Samsung Smart Things and Microsoft Cortana. The fact that the bulb doesn’t require a specific bridge device or dedicated hub is indeed a major cost advantage. The entry-level LIFX MINI White is just $23.51.

3. Smart Thermostat – Honeywell Wi-Fi Thermostat – $64

The Honeywell Wi-Fi thermostat is easy to install and program. Though a no-frills product in comparison to the Ecobee or Nest, it does its job of monitoring and managing the heating and cooling system. You can run the system using its touch screen or the Honeywell Total Connect comfort app with it connected to your domestic Wi-Fi network. The thermostat is compatible with a wide range of smart home systems which is a great perk for the price it is available at. One con worth mentioning though is that you need a C-wire.

4. Smart Cleaner – Roborock S5 Robotic Vacuum and Mop Cleaner – $546.99

Irrespective of whether you live in a large house or a studio apartment, the Roborock S5 delivers an amazing range of functionality for its low price. The cleaner utilizes a smart sensor navigation map to plan and execute the optimal route for cleaning around your home. Other noteworthy features are that it sweeps and mops in addition to just vacuuming, and its battery has a running time of 150 minutes. With its companion Mi Home App, you can save maps and do scheduled a cleaning. You can also set up a barrier and no-go-zones. The zoned clean-up feature enables you to position one or more boxes over the map and order the Roborock S5 to clean just those areas following which it returns to its dock.

5. Smart Plug – Kasa HS 107 (2-outlets) – $34.9

The HS 107 Kasa Smart Plug enables its user to control two devices individually or at the same time from anywhere with a single smart plug. Thus, it is suitable for controlling kitchen appliances, bedroom lamps, an iron, and so on. You can schedule the device to switch on or off if you’re not at home or even set a scene to manage many devices using just one button. Combining the smart plug with a smart home speaker such as Google Assistant or Alexa enables voice control.

6. Smart Cooking – Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano | Bluetooth | 750W – $98.99

The Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano with Bluetooth makes it possible to prepare a meal of restaurant quality at home and hands-free. All you have to do is attach the cooker to a pot, pour water and put in the food you wish to cook, in a glass jar or sealed bag. You just have to press a button to start cooking. The cooker’s timer and accurate temperature control enables you to relax for a while and leave the cooking to the smart device. To control the device from your Android or iPhone smart device, download the Anova app. The cooker’s Bluetooth connection makes it possible to control the device from an amazing maximum distance of 30 feet away.

So as you can see, you don’t need thousands of dollars to create your very own smart home. You can always upgrade to more advanced options in future as and when you feel the need.