The 'How to Cook' Blog

Chowder – The Basics – So Easy And So Good To Eat! By Sara Gray Chowder has been around for a long time and evolved from a simple fish stew to more creative ideas using vegetables and other types of meat. But no matter what you throw into your chowder, it’s always good to know how to make a basic chowder recipe. From there you can use your imagination and  [ Read More ]

My husband got me hooked on his sweet southern style cornbread many years ago, when I told him I didn’t like cornbread. He proceeded to make me the best cornbread I had ever tasted, and I’ve been requesting his cornbread ever since. A staple at our Holiday table, with chili, meatloaf, or just by itself…we even make it with breakfast! (Photo left: Cornbread Skillet – click on photo for more  [ Read More ]

We love our yams and sweet potatoes so much that not only do we always make the Scrumptious Sweet Potato Spoonbread on each Holiday occasion, my Southern husband needs his Candied Yams as well! Yes…we make both! ~ Kimberly Edwards . Type: Side Serve With: Holiday Feast Prep Time: ~ 10 min Cook Time: ~ 1 hr, 10 min Yield: Feeds ~ 8 people with 1/2 yam each Ingredients: If  [ Read More ]

Your Holiday turkey is simply NOT complete with out the Gravy! This Blue Ribbon Gravy is amazing and flavorful. The Perfect Compliment to your Amazing Turkey! ~ Kimberly Edwards Find the recipe here: The Most Delicious Traditional Holiday Turkey . Type: Sauce Serve Over: Turkey & Mashed Potatoes @ your Holiday Feast Prep Time: 5 min Cook Time: 15-20 min Yield: Enough gravy for 8-10 people, and leftovers from your  [ Read More ]

If you crave the turkey your mother made, and just have to have it this Thanksgiving, this is the turkey recipe for you! Also, find out how to keep your turkey breast moist, instead of dry and stringy! ~ Kimberly Edwards Type: Main Serve With: A feast of amazing side dishes for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Prep Time: ~ 20 min Cook Time: Depending on how big the turkey is: 10  [ Read More ]

Thanksgiving: Ever looked at those turnip or rutabaga in the grocery store and thought, “What in the world do I do with these?” I absolutely love turnip! I even loved them as a kid. It’s one of my very favorite vegetables, and it is an essential dish for the Thanksgiving feast! In fact, I always make extra for leftovers! There are many ways to make turnip, but with these root  [ Read More ]

Thanksgiving: That’s right people…It’s right around the corner! We need to make sure you Eat Deliciously this year, so let’s “beef up” your holiday recipe repertoire! I’m going to give you my signature dish for Holiday Meals: Okay, I really had to ponder over if I would give up my secret dish for the holidays. I had to share it…It’s too good not to share the love! I have been  [ Read More ]

The perfect sports-watching-day recipe! This is my hubby’s special, especially for football game days! We love this hearty dip that always hits the spot…except, he never makes enough!!! We hope you enjoy! ~ Kimberly Edwards Type: Appetizer Serve With: sour cream, salsa and tortilla chips Prep Time: 5 min Cook Time: ~ 20 min Yield: Appetizer for 4-5 people Ingredients: If you would like to buy me some new and  [ Read More ]

This drink was inspired by my new-found green tea cravings, and my love of lychee nuts… Refreshing and interesting to drink as an aperitif, while eating sushi, or all by itself… Have fun and I hope you enjoy it! ~ Kimberly Edwards Type: Beverage Prep Time: 5 min (Unless you have to make the green tea from scratch: ~ 20 min.) Yield: 1 tumbler/glass . Ingredients: If you would like  [ Read More ]

This is my signature chip dip recipe that I created when I was 10 yrs old. ( I’m a sucker for chips and dip.) I have been making it ever since, and everyone’s crazy for it! Especially perfect for eating during movies and sports games! Enjoy! ~ Kimberly Edwards Type: Appetizer Serve With: Regular potato chips (I especially like ruffled or ridgy chips.), or vegetables Prep Time: 5-10 min Yield:  [ Read More ]

How Did It All Happen? It all started with Leopold II of Belgium, in the year 1885, when he colonized Congo. It was a territory eighty-six times bigger than his home country. Leopold II was the very first leader to commit genocide during the 20th Century. The chocolate industry first took off during the 1880’s, supported by getting a hold of the Belgian Congo that aided an easy way in  [ Read More ]

A food allergy is a type of immunologic reaction from the intake of certain food protein. Recent studies show that there are about 12 million Americans, who suffer from food allergies. Shellfish, eggs, tree nuts, fish and peanuts are considered familiar causes of food allergies, especially for older people. Children usually suffer from food allergies to peanuts, milk and eggs. Currently, the only cure for people who are allergy-sensitive is  [ Read More ]

gone to the grocery store, chose your shopping cart out and within about 10 seconds from go, you wanted to take it back? Either it was wobbly, pulling to one side, or one wheel just would not turn? … Or do you just suffer through the annoyance because you figure they’re all alike? Well, all shopping carts are not created equally, and that goes for ecommerce software as well. If  [ Read More ]

I just love salmon cakes, tuna cakes, crab cakes, lobster cakes…the list goes on and on…This is a great and quick recipe for a quick lunch, appetizer, or for the main dish at dinnertime. Enjoy! ~ Kimberly Edwards Type: Main Serve With: Sour cream, chives and dill. Prep Time: 5-8 min Cook Time: 10 min Yield: 6 salmon cakes Ingredients: Instructions: 1. Heat frying pan to medium heat with canola  [ Read More ]

Hello to all! Okay, if you have ever drank a cup of green tea and thought, “I have no idea what everyone sees in this!”, then you are likely not making your green tea correctly. Green tea is chocked full of antioxidants that eliminate free radicals that promote cancer. It is also great for dieting. I drink green tea every single morning, now that I know how to make it.  [ Read More ]

I was in the mood for a “gorgeous” dinner tonight, and looked in our garden. It’s the end of summer and our garden has been better days, but we still have some stragglers: eggplant, tomato, green bean, green and red peppers, and great herbs. Voila! Instant dinner…Check it out, and enjoy the end of your summer! ~ Kimberly Edwards Type: Main Serve With: Your favorite wine! Prep Time: 5-10 min  [ Read More ]

Whether it’s Football or Baseball playoffs, this fall promises to be an exciting sports season. Some are crazy, fanatical sports nuts, and some are just in it for the tailgate parties. Either way, make it a season of tailgating to remember! There are a number of things to keep in mind when planning to tailgate. Here is a wonderful article that brings up some points you may not have thought  [ Read More ]

I love tailgating! My husband is from Texas…You know, the home of “Friday Night Lights“! Football is life in the great state of Texas, and you can guarantee to see us at at least 1 game every weekend…It is a real celebration…so why not tailgate? Tailgating is a great time for sports fans, and not-so-much sports fans alike to enjoy the game and each other! This is the ultimate in  [ Read More ]

Okay, I’m sure they’re not the only ones… I have been asked a number of times, “What the heck the fruit is to the right of the mangoes on the top of this page?” Well, the reddish-pink ones that have spiky flaps are dragonfruit or pithaya/pitaya. The yellow fruit with the spiky flaps are also dragonfruit, yellow ones, or yellow pithaya/pitaya. I have found a photo of a yellow dragonfruit  [ Read More ]

Who doesn’t love a rich custard topped with crunchy, caramelized brown sugar? * Caution: Be prepared to become absolutely addicted to these babies! Type: Dessert Serve With: Whip cream or ice cream, if desired Prep Time: 10 min Cook Time: 25-30 min Total Time: 3.25 – 4 hrs Yield: 4 – 5 ramekins Ingredients: Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 305 degrees F. If you would like to buy me some  [ Read More ]