The 'How to Cook' Blog

Happy Cinco de Mayo, firstly! You have found the BEST Cinco de Mayo recipe out there this year, hands down… These are probably my favorite cookies ever. They give you a spicy cinnamon flavor that rivals the best hot cinnamon hearts with the crunch of a cookie. They are easy to make, have exciting ingredients in them, they are ridiculously tasty, they are a great conversation piece, and are a  [ Read More ]

Potatoes are one of the most versatile vegetables, and that’s why it’s featured on so many tables each night for dinner. One of the easiest way to prepare them is to make homemade fries. Now, steak fries just refers to the cut of the fries…they are not wedges, but they are mostly flat, long and of a good size. This is a much healthier version of fries, as these are  [ Read More ]

I have a great cooking product for you today that will knock your socks off with flavor. These are Royal Command Fire Roasted Piquillo Peppers, and not only are they tasty, but you get a huge can of them. This allows you to get some really substantial recipes created out of them, not just use them for a garnish here and there. The reason I say this is because I  [ Read More ]

I am really excited to share this food product with you today, called PX Vinegar, which stands for Pedro Ximenez Vinegar. Pedro Ximenez is a variety of grape, and comes from Spain. This vinegar is reminiscent of a balsamic vinegar in many ways, as it is dark in color. It is bitter, sour and sweet with finishing hints of fig, to my palate. This particular vinegar is made in the  [ Read More ]

If you haven’t had the opportunity to try out smoked paprika powder, they are not all created alike. Some paprika has relatively no flavor, that you purchase from your grocer. Some is so spicy, you can hardly take it. If you’re looking for the perfect alternative for paprika, I suggest La Chinata Smoked Sweet Paprika Powder. Now, La Chinata paprika comes from Spain and there are 3 varieties: sweet, bitter  [ Read More ]

I seem to bake a lot of banana bread in our house. It’s tasty, it’s easy, it’s easy to switch up with different flavors, perfect for a snack, dessert or a breakfast item. I get a ton of requests for different banana breads through my Neighbourhood Chef menu, and this is one of them… Enjoy this bread with seasonal berries, or use frozen berries, if desired or necessary. Type: Bread  [ Read More ]

Looking for a new way to cook plain, boring fish? Well, here’s a bright new way to spruce up your mid-week repertoire and infuse some flavor into your life! Type: Sandwich Recipe Serve With: French fries or another great side. Prep Time: 8 mins Cook Time: 10 – 15 mins, depending on thickness of patties Yield: 2 burgers The ingredients & instructions are listed below the video for measurements &  [ Read More ]

I’m going to show you how to create your own, quick, tasty flavored mayonnaise, initially inspired because I made fish burgers. This Spicy Cilantro Lime Mayonnaise will be sure to please as a sandwich spread, and not just for fish (it was belligerent on steak subs too), as well as a chip dip, or a marinade…anything you would use your “regular” mayonnaise for. Type: Condiment Recipe Prep Time: 5 mins  [ Read More ]

Don’t think beans sound exciting?! Well, let me tell you… Beans are a staple in many cuisines from around the world. They are inexpensive and easy to use, if you know how to prepare them and cook them. Instead of buying canned beans, you can make your own at a fraction of the cost and without the preservatives and chemicals they add to keep them “fresh”. Beans are full of  [ Read More ]

This stellar recipe is from the February 2013 Edition of “Cooking Adventures with Kimberly” for Tonka Live Magazine. Need something quick to grab in the morning on the way out the door to have some great fun out on the lake in winter? (You know, or something similar to that…LOL) Are you just snooping around your kitchen for a snack? Well, this is a killer recipe that will get you  [ Read More ]

If you don’t know how to make an omelet, it is one of the most versatile breakfast recipes there is because you can vary the ingredients so much! Today, I’m showing you all How to Cook a Mushroom, Green Pepper, Ham & Cheese Omelet. Shout out goes to my girls from Alpha Beta Pie – This show is an episode of “Cooking Like Alpha Beta Pie with Kimberly Edwards”. This  [ Read More ]

This recipe for Apricot Honey Ham is really easy, really tasty and really inexpensive to create. Whether you are a starving college student, you’re looking for a new way to serve ham over the Holidays, or need a fast weeknight dinner, this is a great recipe to hold on to. Type: Main Dish Serve With: tasty side dishes Prep Time: 5 min Cook Time: 8-10 minutes per pound The ingredients  [ Read More ]

Well, the past few weeks have been hectic, to say the least. I am finding myself with less and less time to make breakfast and organize in the morning, not to mention that winter can knock it out of you, physically speaking. So, I am planning ahead and baking muffins that are quick to heat up with butter, and easy to pack or grab on the run. Perfect for helping  [ Read More ]

 A flavor explosion is what you’ll get when you cook this soup at home in less than 20 minutes… …That’s right! 20 minutes…full of flavor and not a long list of ingredients. The video is an episode of “Qualifirst Cooking with Kimberly“. Be sure to Subscribe today! Today, I’m using these amazing Royal Command Fire Roasted Piquillo Peppers that bring this soup to a level of yumminess you won’t soon  [ Read More ]

Trying to figure out a fabulous side dish for my Crusted Pork Tenderloin, and I remembered my amazing smoked paprika powder! This Thai scented rice was rocked by this spice, along with some gorgeous mushrooms to be a perfect accompaniment for this special loin. I served peas alongside this last night, but you may do what it is you like when it comes to mixing and matching… …I just want  [ Read More ]

Looking for a hearty, flavorful soup for this cold winter weather? Try this fiery blend of smoked paprika, piquillo peppers, chilies & tomatoes with the accent of a balsamic-style vinegar to top it all off. The video is an episode of “Qualifirst Cooking with Kimberly“. Be sure to Subscribe today! In this recipe, I am using some special ingredients that are kicking this soup to another level entirely. Firstly, the  [ Read More ]

This is a lovely recipe perfect for the Holidays as an iced tea, but can be heated up as a hot tea as well to enjoy fire-side. Now, the recipe calls a cranberry syrup, also called cordial. I have included the link to the recipe and the cooking video tutorial for How to Make Cranberry Cordial. Only the peels or “shells” of the lemons are used in this recipe, and not  [ Read More ]

This is an “old school”, easy recipe I want to share for Episode #3 of my new cooking show, “Cooking Adventures with Kimberly” for January’s Edition of Tonka Live Magazine. What could be more fun and childlike than making snow-cones? But when was the last time you actually had a REAL snow-cone? I mean, the kind made with real snow, not crushed ice! Well, I’m here today to encourage you  [ Read More ]

What could remind you of the Holidays more than cranberries do? Cranberry Cordial can be used to flavor beverages like your Homemade Lemonade or tea, sweeten desserts or add that “je ne sais quoi” to other dishes, or maybe even a fabulous homemade vinaigrette for a salad. This is such a simple recipe, and you’ll be able to double up and make Sugared Cranberries & Cranberry Sugar, in addition to  [ Read More ]

We all know I’m a tea lover, and I’m constantly switching up flavors at my house. Today, I’m going to show you a simple, yet ever-so-tasty recipe for How to Brew Lemon Oil Iced Tea. All you need are a few simple ingredients for something plainly delicious. Type: Tea Recipe Prep Time: 5 mins Brew Time: 5 mins Yield: 1 gallon The ingredients & instructions are listed below the video  [ Read More ]