From Good to Great: 5 Tips for Delicious Meatloaf/Meatballs

I love a tasty meatball coated with marinara sauce or a flavorful slice of meatloaf on a Wednesday night after work. I am not alone because one of the most common questions I receive from home cooks is: What can I do for a better-tasting meatloaf??  Well, here are 5 tips to delicious, moist meatloaf […]

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Weekly Meal Options

Hello Happy Cookers! This is one of my most popular dishes on the weekly meals menu: Moist and smoky-sweet BBQ Turkey Meatloaf accompanied by Creamy Mashed Cauliflower and Peas/Carrots with Dill.    Easy to heat and eat – a perfect weeknight treat! (Cauliflower recipe follows)   Print Creamy Mashed Cauliflower Author: Chef Donna Recipe type: Side Dish Cuisine: American […]

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Whole Grains

I’m sure you’ve been hearing about whole grains, but what exactly is a “whole” grain and how can you prepare them in enticing ways? Well, let’s try to demystify a bit. A grain consists of three main parts (which are found inside an inedible layer called a hull. Each part has its own nutritional characteristic: […]

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Happy Cooker Tip – The Perfect Frittata

Friends of mine that have been to my house for brunch know that I love frittatas.  Frittatas take away the timing issue with cooking eggs for guests.  But this simplified omelet is great for a quick easy lunch or dinner as well.  Here are some tips to help you make the perfect frittata: Choose the […]

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Happy Cooker Tip – Understanding Food Label Terms: Sodium

Understanding Food Label Terms – Sodium Checking packaged food labels can help you maintain your diet of choice. Most of us are aware that most labels list ingredients in descending order by weight (not by amount), but don’t forget to check the serving size as well. And what about those tricky terms? Well labeling laws help to bring […]

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Brining Basics

I get many questions from home cooks about perking up chicken dishes. And a common question is how to keep the chicken, particularly the breasts, from drying out. For whole chickens, brining is an excellent method to yield a moist and flavorful finished bird. Here is an excellent article on brining basics from Cooks… Illustrated: […]

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