The 'How to Cook' Blog

There are times when you’re just looking for a quick snack or meal without having to get in the kitchen to cook, especially when it becomes nice and warm outside. This is a recipe you can complete in 10 minutes without having to cook. I really enjoy making chicken salads and tuna salads with different, interesting ingredients that make them sing on your palate. Here’s a Lemon Poppyseed Garlic Chicken  [ Read More ]

This is Day Five of our One Month Grocery Shopping Strike! Along with our dinner of Crusted Pork Loin, we made what I like to call a “pre-spring” salad. It’s a great accompaniment for almost any meal, whether it’s soup, a side dish with meat or along with pasta. Type:  Salad Recipe Serve With: Balsmaic Vinaigrette, sprinkle with pepitas/pumpkin seeds, chili flakes Prep Time: 15 minutes Yield: 6 servings Ingredients:  [ Read More ]

Don’t let the name of the Niçoise salad scare you! Yes, it’s French. No, it’s not difficult to make. No, it’s not really fattening. Nicoise is just a combination of greens, tuna, green beans, new potatoes, tomatoes, black olives and eggs – traditionally. That’s all it means… Okay – now that’s out of the way – let’s get cooking and create this unbelievably tasty salad you’ll make over and over  [ Read More ]

Just because it’s creamy doesn’t mean it has to be fattening or unhealthy… Just because it’s healthy, doesn’t mean it has to be tasteless and no fun… I dare you to eat healthier and more deliciously – try this dressing on your next salad…You’ll be glad you did. ~ Kimberly Edwards Type: Sauce Recipe Serve With: Salad,on baked potatoes or as a dip – Perfect for Niçoise Salad Prep Time:  [ Read More ]

I’ve never had a Chipotle restaurant meal that I didn’t love. Their burritos are huge like FreeBirds, their salad bowls are my favorite, burrito bowls look amazing, etc. They have chicken, steak, ground beef, barbacoa and I believe one other type of meat to choose from. I always grab a salad bowl…they’re so filling even though it’s salad. They come with their signature Chipotle-Honey vinaigrette that’s superb. * Tip: Don’t  [ Read More ]

That’s right… It’s made from real rice and has a fabulous flavor, and has so many different uses in so many dishes I make. Take this Salmon Salad for instance… Salmon Salad with Tomatoes, Capers and Dill Vinaigrette 2/3 cup NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar Roasted Garlic or use the “Original” 2 cloves crushed garlic 1 1/2 tsp dried dill weed – Divided 1 tsp salt 4 salmon fillets ~ 5  [ Read More ]

This is the basic recipe I use to create all of my vinaigrettes, cold or hot, for sauces on pasta or to marinate meats like chicken breasts or marinating steaks. Simply change the flavors by using different vinegars, different oils, different sweeteners (honeys, jams, jellies) and different spices! ~ Kimberly Edwards Type: Salad Recipe Serve With: On top of salad, over pasta or to marinate meat Prep Time: 5 min  [ Read More ]

A healthy, unbelievably flavorful and different salad, quick and easy for a weekday night dinner or lunch! Absolutely fantastic! Type: Salad Serve With: Olive oil and balsamic vinegar Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 10 min Yield: 3 servings Ingredients:

This is always a favorite at a Holiday feast. Whether it’s served as a sweet side dish with dinner or as a part of dessert, it is ALWAYS sure to please! Mom’s rock! ~ Kimberly Edwards Type: Dessert Serve With: As a side dish with your Holiday feast, or as a dessert Prep Time: ~ 4 hrs – Mostly wait time until Jello cools and sets Yield: 1 Jello mold  [ Read More ]

Do you like Tabouli (Tabbouleh)? If you’ve never tried it, you must! If you like it already, and either don’t know how to make it or don’t feel like it, then try this awesome mix for it! Casbah Brand Tabouli – Garden Wheat Salad Mix is a fantastic product! We love this in our household and make it often. It has more bulgur (wheat) in it than the typical tabbouleh  [ Read More ]

Okay, you’re at the airport, and you are STARVING…What to do? Find the first restaurant you can that interests you, right? Well, I picked the Famous Famiglia Pizzeria in Terminal A of the Washington Dulles Airport… I probably should have had the “famous” pizza, but instead felt like pasta…I got penne with tomato sauce and a garden salad… Well, the penne with sauce was just that…penne with sauce…it was ok…it  [ Read More ]

This is the perfect recipe to use up all of those hard-boiled, colored eggs from Easter! My favorite way to eat egg salad sandwiches are when the eggs are still warm from being cooked! Yum! I even like egg salad for breakfast!!! I always try to add healthy ingredients whenever possible…flax seeds are great in this recipe! ~ Kimberly Edwards ;D Type: Salad Recipe Serve With: Bread of your choice  [ Read More ]

This is my go-to pasta salad in the summer-time, perfect for those hot afternoons and evenings! ~ Kimberly Edwards Type: Salad Serve With: Instead of using tuna, you may use any grilled fish or chicken breast. Prep Time: ~ 15 min Cook Time: ~ 12 min Yield: 5-6 people Ingredients: Instructions:

Just delicious and healthy for you! Great for your New Year’s Resolution! ~ Kimberly Edwards Type: Sandwich Recipe Prep Time: 10 min Yield: Enough for 4 sandwiches on bagels. Nutrition Facts: If you’re looking for a healthier version, use low-fat mayonnaise. Ingredients: 4 cups chicken – cooked meat 1 1/2 tbsp mayonnaise 2 tbsp plain yogurt – I prefer Balkan style. 1 stalk celery – very finely chopped 1/2 tsp  [ Read More ]

Yup…This is an awesome idea, especially since many people have a New Year’s Resolution of eating healthier and being more fit… * Please try to eat organic vegetables…Don’t fill your body with chemicals! *** Save Money and Make an Easy Salad Bar at Home By Monica Resinger One thing I like to do for dinner, that my family loves, is make a salad bar. It’s easy, inexpensive, fun, healthy and  [ Read More ]

Thanksgiving leftovers galore! I love leftovers, especially Thanksgiving leftovers… Check out this great information about your leftover turkey! *** Great Things to do With Your Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey By Colin Joss If you’ve slaved away for hours on a huge bird for Thanksgiving, there’s no reason that the extra meat has to go to waste. It’s inevitable-99% of the time, you’ll have leftover turkey after everyone’s had their fill. Although  [ Read More ]

Alright, I just know your Thanksgiving was amazing and stress-free right? Well, I hope so! * Tip: If anything did not go smoothly, and you know how you would change things to fix if for Christmas, Easter or next year’s Thanksgiving, write it down on a piece of paper and store it with your Thanksgiving recipes, so that it will be refreshed in your mind when you attempt another Holiday  [ Read More ]

I just love this! I crave it! This is an easy, fabulous, quick and tasty appetizer that you do not have to cook, and can make in less than 10 min. ~ Kimberly Edwards For many an age gone by, spinach and beets have always been a winning combination. Add the chevre and you have a masterpiece. Add the truffle oil, and now you have elegant splendor! Type: Appetizer Prep  [ Read More ]

Summer is coming to a close…It is truly the Sunset of Summer…Don’t you want to enjoy the last bit of summer barbecuing out on your deck or picnicking in the park with family and friends? Well, I certainly do, and I intend to. If you’re anything like me, you are trying to soak up every last ray of sunshine of the summer. I am even working outside, instead of at  [ Read More ]

Since we made Ice Cream yesterday, I thought we should talk about peaches today, since they go sooooo well on top of Ice Cream…what’s better than peaches n’ cream? Also, they are wonderfully in season right now! Being from Ontario, I am especially partial to our local peaches. They are some of the best in the WORLD! My Story: My mother’s side of the family immigrated from Russia to Vineland,  [ Read More ]