Ruth F, Author at falafelandcaviar.com Tue, 08 Mar 2022 08:47:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 Make Your Own Cold Brew Concentrate https://falafelandcaviar.com/make-your-own-cold-brew-concentrate/ Thu, 10 Mar 2022 06:10:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16165 If you’re a fan of big-batch cold brew coffee, you might be used to buying concentrate in big bottles from the store. Having a bottle of cold brew concentrate in your fridge is super convenient because it lasts a long time and you don’t need to worry about brewing—you simply water it down and drink. […]

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]]> If you’re a fan of big-batch cold brew coffee, you might be used to buying concentrate in big bottles from the store. Having a bottle of cold brew concentrate in your fridge is super convenient because it lasts a long time and you don’t need to worry about brewing—you simply water it down and drink. But store-bought cold brew can get expensive, and it doesn’t let you customize the coffee to your liking. Here’s how to make your own concentrate to push your coffee game to the next level with the same amount of daily convenience.

Ratio and Grind

Because this is cold brew concentrate, the ratio of coffee to water will be quite high. You can use anywhere from a 1:4 ground coffee to water to a 1:2 ratio if you want it really concentrated. Grind the beans relatively course, around how you’d grind for a French press. If you buy locally and can request grind size, ask for a French press or cold-brew-sized grind. If you are buying your coffee pre-ground, this method will still work fine, but you may find the coffee a bit silty and a bit bitter.

Method

There are many different methods to cold brew, but most of them are some variate of pouring the water over the ground beans and leaving in the fridge for 12-24 hours. The longer you can leave them, the stronger your brew will be (up to 24 hours). Once it’s been long enough, strain your coffee through a cheesecloth or coffee into a jar or bottle. For even simpler cleanup, brew the cold brew directly into a French press, and then simply pour into your jar or bottle. Your cold brew concentrate should last for around 2 weeks at least.

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]]> The Best Way to Make Chai at Home as the Weather Gets Cold https://falafelandcaviar.com/the-best-way-to-make-chai-at-home-as-the-weather-gets-cold/ Sat, 16 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16382 Masala chai, drunk daily in India, is one of the best drinks to make on cold days. It uses a similar spice profile to such fall favorites as pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice, with warm sweetness and even spicy if you’re feeling adventurous. Here’s how to make it easily at home, getting the […]

The post The Best Way to Make Chai at Home as the Weather Gets Cold appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Masala chai, drunk daily in India, is one of the best drinks to make on cold days. It uses a similar spice profile to such fall favorites as pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice, with warm sweetness and even spicy if you’re feeling adventurous. Here’s how to make it easily at home, getting the most out of your spices.

Ingredients:

  • Black tea
  • Milk
  • Sweetener
  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves 
  • Ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Allspice
  • Cardamom
  • Black pepper, coriander, and anise (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Start by putting your milk in a saucepan over low heat with all your spices. If you have whole spices, it’s better to you use them here so you won’t have any grittiness, but ground works just fine too. Let your milk heat up slowly, giving it lots of time to soak up flavor from the spices.
  2. Be sure not to let it boil, as it may burn. Once it’s beginning to simmer, add your tea and let it steep for around five minutes. If you prefer a thinner, less rich tea add boiling water along with the tea.
  3. Once it’s steeped for long enough, add your sweetener to taste, strain out the spices and tea, and serve.

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]]> These Banana “Sailboats” Are a Fun Snack to Make With Kids https://falafelandcaviar.com/these-banana-sailboats-are-a-fun-snack-to-make-with-kids/ Wed, 13 Oct 2021 12:13:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16418 Do you remember being a child, and how much fun it was to make your own snacks and express your creativity? Do you remember building things or telling stories as a child, again, expressing your creativity? To help pass those fun memories on to your own children, try out this fun snack you can make […]

The post These Banana “Sailboats” Are a Fun Snack to Make With Kids appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Do you remember being a child, and how much fun it was to make your own snacks and express your creativity? Do you remember building things or telling stories as a child, again, expressing your creativity? To help pass those fun memories on to your own children, try out this fun snack you can make with them.

The banana boat requires a boat, a mast, a sail, and a crew.

For these, you’ll need:

  • A banana (the boat)
  • Melon, cut into a triangle (the sail)
  • Chocolate chips (the crew)
  • A toothpick (the mast)
  • Peanut butter (to glue it together)

Instrauctions:

In technicality, this is very simply a snack of banana with peanut butter and chocolate chips. But we’re going to make it more than that by building a “boat” out of the ingredients.

Start by cutting a ridge through your banana long ways, so that you’re left with a fault line wide enough for a crew running down the banana. Next, fill the fault line with peanut butter. 

Now, attach the sail to the mast by skewering the triangular melon on the toothpick. Then stick the toothpick upright into the banana, thus giving your boat a mast and a sail.

Finally, add the chocolate chip crew. Encourage the kids to tell a story with these materials—who’s in the crew, where they put each of them, and why are they out at sea? This way kids have a little more than just a snack that they’ve created—they’ve created a story.

Finally, eat the boat!

The post These Banana “Sailboats” Are a Fun Snack to Make With Kids appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> 3 Chicken Dishes to Make in Your Instant Pot https://falafelandcaviar.com/3-chicken-dishes-to-make-in-your-instant-pot/ Fri, 01 Oct 2021 07:04:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16366 If you’ve got an instant pot, you know how useful they are for making a quick and easy meal. There are tons of recipes that will let you dump your ingredients in the pot and walk away. If you’re looking for a good recipe, it might be hard to narrow down. So here are some […]

The post 3 Chicken Dishes to Make in Your Instant Pot appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> If you’ve got an instant pot, you know how useful they are for making a quick and easy meal. There are tons of recipes that will let you dump your ingredients in the pot and walk away. If you’re looking for a good recipe, it might be hard to narrow down. So here are some to use when what you have on hand is chicken.

Shredded Chicken

As the base for lots of great dishes, shredded chicken is a delicious protein for any meal. This recipe is a super quick way to make shredded chicken with great flavor and tenderness. You can throw in whatever spices and herbs you like to flavor your chicken and some chicken stock, then cook for ten minutes.

Cream Cheese Chicken and Pasta

This super-rich, creamy, cheesy pasta is a hearty meal which is great for when you’re really hungry. The instant pot makes cooking the sauce much quicker and easier.

Chicken Korma

this delicious Indian chicken korma recipe does involve a bit of prep as you’ll have your pot on sauté mode first and need to cook up your onions, spices, and gravy. But then you can add the chicken and broth and cook under pressure for a much faster meal than you’d get in a regular pan, and totally worth the few extra steps.

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]]> What to Make With September Fruit https://falafelandcaviar.com/what-to-make-with-september-fruit/ Thu, 16 Sep 2021 08:01:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16256 Fall is rolling around, and you may be wondering what’s in season right now. It’s always best to use seasonal fruits when cooking because they will be fresher and riper than at other times of the year. Fruit is also cheaper when it’s in season because it is cheaper to grow and doesn’t need to […]

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]]> Fall is rolling around, and you may be wondering what’s in season right now. It’s always best to use seasonal fruits when cooking because they will be fresher and riper than at other times of the year. Fruit is also cheaper when it’s in season because it is cheaper to grow and doesn’t need to be shipped from far away. Here are some fruits that come ripe in September and a dish you can make with each.

Stone Fruit: Peach Cobbler

September heralds stone fruits like peaches, plums, and nectarines. These fruits make great on-the-go snacks because they can be eaten with one hand. A great dish to make with them is peach cobbler, which really hits the balanced notes of a summer/fall dish that September requires thanks to the bright juicy peach flavors combined with cinnamon and warm spices.

Blackberries and Blueberries: Blueberry Pancakes

These dark berries are delicious to pop in your mouth fresh by the handful, and are especially expensive when they’re not in season so it’s a good idea to take advantage when they’re available. One yummy and classic dish you can make is blueberry pancakes. If you like you can also cook down both of the berries with sugar for a syrup to pour on top as well.

Melon: Green Smoothies

Melons are a great snack for the warmer beginning of September, as they are juicy, bright, and refreshing. They come in big sizes so it’s easy to cut them up and have the slices for a snack throughout the week. Because they’re so sweet and juicy, melons are a common ingredient in green smoothies. They help take the edge off the “healthy” taste and add a special something as well.

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]]> 3 Meals That Will Give You Energy All Day https://falafelandcaviar.com/3-meals-that-will-give-you-energy-all-day/ Wed, 15 Sep 2021 08:02:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16297 In our busy lives, sometimes it feels like the thing we need most is enough energy to get everything done. That can be really hard to attain, but one way to help boost our energy levels is through our diet. The right combination of food will give us lots of energy, and avoiding certain foods […]

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]]> In our busy lives, sometimes it feels like the thing we need most is enough energy to get everything done. That can be really hard to attain, but one way to help boost our energy levels is through our diet. The right combination of food will give us lots of energy, and avoiding certain foods can help us avoid feeling sluggish. Here are a few meals you can eat early in the day that will give you a long energy boost.

Halloumi Bagel

A bagel or sandwich with grilled halloumi cheese and homemade jam or fresh fruit and some greens is a great way to start your day. Homemade jam has a lot of real fruit in it (as opposed to a storebought jar with lots of sugar and additives), but it’s even better to eat fresh fruit instead.

Jam has lots of extra sugar which could lead you toward a sugar crash, while fresh fruit will release sugar in your body more slowly for longer energy. The carbs from the bagel will leave you full for hours and the protein from the light halloumi will give you energy and nourishment without slowing you down.

Grilled Chicken and Greens

Because it is light and nutritious, a salad with leafy greens, chicken, and vegetables makes a great meal for any time of day. Since there are precious few carbs, you can avoid sluggishness while chicken is a great lean protein for lots of energy. Leafy greens, too, are rich in nutrients that can give you both energy and general health.

Baked Avocado With Egg

Eggs and avocado are two titans of sustained energy. Egg protein is digested more easily than that of many other foods and will help regulate your blood sugar as well. Meanwhile, the healthy fats and fiber in avocado release energy more slowly than a sugary alternative, so again your energy levels will be sustained. Baking the egg in the avocado will eliminate the need for bread, so you don’t need to worry about eating something that will make you more sluggish. However, if you’re someone who needs grain to feel full, try this awesome meal as avocado toast instead.

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]]> How to Store Your Dry Goods For Maximum Longevity https://falafelandcaviar.com/how-to-store-your-dry-goods-for-maximum-longevity/ Tue, 14 Sep 2021 06:05:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16302 When you’re stocking up on dry goods, there’s a bit more to consider than you might think when it comes to storage. The need to be careful with your storage will depend on how quickly you use your stock. But it’s always a good idea to have at least enough substantial stuff like lentils, beans, […]

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]]> When you’re stocking up on dry goods, there’s a bit more to consider than you might think when it comes to storage. The need to be careful with your storage will depend on how quickly you use your stock. But it’s always a good idea to have at least enough substantial stuff like lentils, beans, and rice in your pantry for a few extra meals at all times, in case you’re hungry and haven’t been to the store in a while. Here’s how to store your dry goods to make them last.

Environment

Things like oxygen, sunlight, and humidity can all contribute to the degradation of dry goods’ nutritional value, flavor, and of course, safety. So it’s important to store in a dark, cool, dry place like a closed pantry inside where sunlight won’t degrade the goods. It’s also important to keep your goods stored in the air, and watertight containers to keep oxygen from degrading them. More importantly, if water gets in there is a possibility for mold growth, so it’s very important to keep the air as dry as possible and your containers sealed.

Pests

Unfortunately, some pests are very persistent when it comes to getting into containers. If you’ve never seen any kind of pantry moth or rodent anywhere in your home, and you’re planning on using your dry goods quickly, then it’s probably okay to leave them in their original packaging until you open them. However, unfortunately, many pests such as mice and even some pantry moths can chew through plastic! So if you’ll be keeping your goods around for a long time, the best thing you can do is store them in sealable glass jars. Thick, hard plastic jars or Tupperware are also a good option, but glass is best.

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]]> Ways to Take Your Grilled Cheese to the Next Level https://falafelandcaviar.com/ways-to-take-your-grilled-cheese-to-the-next-level/ Thu, 09 Sep 2021 06:18:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16245 As one of the best comfort foods—delicious at any time of day for all ages, and eminently customizable—grilled cheese is comes close to being a perfect food. The classic grilled cheese is delicious, but there’s many ways to take things up a notch if you’re looking to get into the weeds culinarily. Here are just […]

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]]> As one of the best comfort foods—delicious at any time of day for all ages, and eminently customizable—grilled cheese is comes close to being a perfect food. The classic grilled cheese is delicious, but there’s many ways to take things up a notch if you’re looking to get into the weeds culinarily. Here are just a few suggestions.

Add Fruit

Most people know that fruit and cheese are a great combination. But when it comes to grilled cheese it can really make a big difference. Fresh fruit and melted or creamy cheese will give you that perfect combo of sweet and salty plus warm and cold. Another great option is to spread jam on your bread before you add the cheese, which adds just the right amount of sweetness.

Chocolate

Yes, you read that right. This will speak to the sweet and salty craving, but beyond that, dark chocolate can also add a wonderful bitterness and even a crunch to a brighter, creamier cheese like brie.

Chips

If you prefer to highlight the “junk food” side of grilled cheese, try adding a snack of your choice. This could be potato chips, cheetos, fritos, whatever you like. If you add tortilla chips you’ll even have something of a nacho situation! That crunch and melty cheese is the ultimate snack.

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]]> Make Your Pancakes Healthier With Yogurt https://falafelandcaviar.com/make-your-pancakes-healthier-with-yogurt/ Mon, 06 Sep 2021 10:43:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16164 Pancakes are a delicious way to start your day, but they aren’t the healthiest of breakfasts. There’s a lot of carbs and not much by way of nutrients and protein. Luckily, there are some good ways to add some nutrients. One way of doing this is to use yogurt instead of milk. Many people use […]

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]]> Pancakes are a delicious way to start your day, but they aren’t the healthiest of breakfasts. There’s a lot of carbs and not much by way of nutrients and protein. Luckily, there are some good ways to add some nutrients. One way of doing this is to use yogurt instead of milk. Many people use buttermilk to add some tanginess and extra fluff to their pancakes. Yogurt is very similar, but with more protein and with probiotics to boot. Here’s how to make yogurt pancakes.

In general, you can use your favorite pancake recipe and replace the milk or buttermilk with yogurt. You may want to add a bit of baking soda as well to complement the acidity of the yogurt in the cooking process. Yogurt will make your pancakes extra fluffy.

You’ll notice that the batter is thicker and smoother than regular pancake batter, and it may not bubble up when you cook the pancake, depending on the recipe. So when deciding whether to flip the pancakes, be sure to keep an eye on how cooked the edges are rather than waiting around for bubbles.

In addition to extra fluff, your pancakes will take on the taste of whatever yogurt you use. So a more acidic yogurt or a thick yogurt will add more tang, more density, or more acidity. This will still be delicious, and it still pairs great with maple syrup, fruit, or other pancake toppings. You may want to add a bit of extra sugar to the batter so that the sweetness can help temper the acidity of the yogurt.

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]]> Try This Refreshing and Simple Tomato Salad https://falafelandcaviar.com/try-this-refreshing-and-simple-tomato-salad/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 09:36:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16160 On a hot summer day, nothing hits the spot like some fresh fruit. But when you’re sick of sweetness and you don’t want to just eat raw vegetables, a salad is the next best thing. There’s lots of great options for salads, but you probably want something nice and refreshing, that’s just as juicy as […]

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]]> On a hot summer day, nothing hits the spot like some fresh fruit. But when you’re sick of sweetness and you don’t want to just eat raw vegetables, a salad is the next best thing. There’s lots of great options for salads, but you probably want something nice and refreshing, that’s just as juicy as fruit would be. For that craving, the perfect recipe is this easy tomato salad. It’s got a nice kick from garlic and juiciness from cherry tomatoes.

Ingredients

  • Bowlful of cherry tomatoes, rough-chopped
  • 3 or 4 cloves of garlic, finely minced
  • 1 bushel of parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • Lemon juice to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Make the Salad

Once you’ve prepared all the ingredients, you’ve already done the easy part! Just combine the tomatoes, parsley, and garlic in a bowl. Then dress the salad with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. If you want to spice things up a little more, try mixing in a tablespoon or two of balsamic vinegar. If you wish to add protein, you can also turn this into a twist on a caprese with some fresh mozzarella cheese. Serve as a side dish or as a snack. Enjoy!

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]]> ersion="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> Ruth F, Author at falafelandcaviar.com Tue, 08 Mar 2022 08:47:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 Make Your Own Cold Brew Concentrate https://falafelandcaviar.com/make-your-own-cold-brew-concentrate/ Thu, 10 Mar 2022 06:10:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16165 If you’re a fan of big-batch cold brew coffee, you might be used to buying concentrate in big bottles from the store. Having a bottle of cold brew concentrate in your fridge is super convenient because it lasts a long time and you don’t need to worry about brewing—you simply water it down and drink. […]

The post Make Your Own Cold Brew Concentrate appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> If you’re a fan of big-batch cold brew coffee, you might be used to buying concentrate in big bottles from the store. Having a bottle of cold brew concentrate in your fridge is super convenient because it lasts a long time and you don’t need to worry about brewing—you simply water it down and drink. But store-bought cold brew can get expensive, and it doesn’t let you customize the coffee to your liking. Here’s how to make your own concentrate to push your coffee game to the next level with the same amount of daily convenience.

Ratio and Grind

Because this is cold brew concentrate, the ratio of coffee to water will be quite high. You can use anywhere from a 1:4 ground coffee to water to a 1:2 ratio if you want it really concentrated. Grind the beans relatively course, around how you’d grind for a French press. If you buy locally and can request grind size, ask for a French press or cold-brew-sized grind. If you are buying your coffee pre-ground, this method will still work fine, but you may find the coffee a bit silty and a bit bitter.

Method

There are many different methods to cold brew, but most of them are some variate of pouring the water over the ground beans and leaving in the fridge for 12-24 hours. The longer you can leave them, the stronger your brew will be (up to 24 hours). Once it’s been long enough, strain your coffee through a cheesecloth or coffee into a jar or bottle. For even simpler cleanup, brew the cold brew directly into a French press, and then simply pour into your jar or bottle. Your cold brew concentrate should last for around 2 weeks at least.

The post Make Your Own Cold Brew Concentrate appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> The Best Way to Make Chai at Home as the Weather Gets Cold https://falafelandcaviar.com/the-best-way-to-make-chai-at-home-as-the-weather-gets-cold/ Sat, 16 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16382 Masala chai, drunk daily in India, is one of the best drinks to make on cold days. It uses a similar spice profile to such fall favorites as pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice, with warm sweetness and even spicy if you’re feeling adventurous. Here’s how to make it easily at home, getting the […]

The post The Best Way to Make Chai at Home as the Weather Gets Cold appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Masala chai, drunk daily in India, is one of the best drinks to make on cold days. It uses a similar spice profile to such fall favorites as pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice, with warm sweetness and even spicy if you’re feeling adventurous. Here’s how to make it easily at home, getting the most out of your spices.

Ingredients:

  • Black tea
  • Milk
  • Sweetener
  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves 
  • Ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Allspice
  • Cardamom
  • Black pepper, coriander, and anise (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Start by putting your milk in a saucepan over low heat with all your spices. If you have whole spices, it’s better to you use them here so you won’t have any grittiness, but ground works just fine too. Let your milk heat up slowly, giving it lots of time to soak up flavor from the spices.
  2. Be sure not to let it boil, as it may burn. Once it’s beginning to simmer, add your tea and let it steep for around five minutes. If you prefer a thinner, less rich tea add boiling water along with the tea.
  3. Once it’s steeped for long enough, add your sweetener to taste, strain out the spices and tea, and serve.

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]]> These Banana “Sailboats” Are a Fun Snack to Make With Kids https://falafelandcaviar.com/these-banana-sailboats-are-a-fun-snack-to-make-with-kids/ Wed, 13 Oct 2021 12:13:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16418 Do you remember being a child, and how much fun it was to make your own snacks and express your creativity? Do you remember building things or telling stories as a child, again, expressing your creativity? To help pass those fun memories on to your own children, try out this fun snack you can make […]

The post These Banana “Sailboats” Are a Fun Snack to Make With Kids appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Do you remember being a child, and how much fun it was to make your own snacks and express your creativity? Do you remember building things or telling stories as a child, again, expressing your creativity? To help pass those fun memories on to your own children, try out this fun snack you can make with them.

The banana boat requires a boat, a mast, a sail, and a crew.

For these, you’ll need:

  • A banana (the boat)
  • Melon, cut into a triangle (the sail)
  • Chocolate chips (the crew)
  • A toothpick (the mast)
  • Peanut butter (to glue it together)

Instrauctions:

In technicality, this is very simply a snack of banana with peanut butter and chocolate chips. But we’re going to make it more than that by building a “boat” out of the ingredients.

Start by cutting a ridge through your banana long ways, so that you’re left with a fault line wide enough for a crew running down the banana. Next, fill the fault line with peanut butter. 

Now, attach the sail to the mast by skewering the triangular melon on the toothpick. Then stick the toothpick upright into the banana, thus giving your boat a mast and a sail.

Finally, add the chocolate chip crew. Encourage the kids to tell a story with these materials—who’s in the crew, where they put each of them, and why are they out at sea? This way kids have a little more than just a snack that they’ve created—they’ve created a story.

Finally, eat the boat!

The post These Banana “Sailboats” Are a Fun Snack to Make With Kids appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> 3 Chicken Dishes to Make in Your Instant Pot https://falafelandcaviar.com/3-chicken-dishes-to-make-in-your-instant-pot/ Fri, 01 Oct 2021 07:04:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16366 If you’ve got an instant pot, you know how useful they are for making a quick and easy meal. There are tons of recipes that will let you dump your ingredients in the pot and walk away. If you’re looking for a good recipe, it might be hard to narrow down. So here are some […]

The post 3 Chicken Dishes to Make in Your Instant Pot appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> If you’ve got an instant pot, you know how useful they are for making a quick and easy meal. There are tons of recipes that will let you dump your ingredients in the pot and walk away. If you’re looking for a good recipe, it might be hard to narrow down. So here are some to use when what you have on hand is chicken.

Shredded Chicken

As the base for lots of great dishes, shredded chicken is a delicious protein for any meal. This recipe is a super quick way to make shredded chicken with great flavor and tenderness. You can throw in whatever spices and herbs you like to flavor your chicken and some chicken stock, then cook for ten minutes.

Cream Cheese Chicken and Pasta

This super-rich, creamy, cheesy pasta is a hearty meal which is great for when you’re really hungry. The instant pot makes cooking the sauce much quicker and easier.

Chicken Korma

this delicious Indian chicken korma recipe does involve a bit of prep as you’ll have your pot on sauté mode first and need to cook up your onions, spices, and gravy. But then you can add the chicken and broth and cook under pressure for a much faster meal than you’d get in a regular pan, and totally worth the few extra steps.

The post 3 Chicken Dishes to Make in Your Instant Pot appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> What to Make With September Fruit https://falafelandcaviar.com/what-to-make-with-september-fruit/ Thu, 16 Sep 2021 08:01:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16256 Fall is rolling around, and you may be wondering what’s in season right now. It’s always best to use seasonal fruits when cooking because they will be fresher and riper than at other times of the year. Fruit is also cheaper when it’s in season because it is cheaper to grow and doesn’t need to […]

The post What to Make With September Fruit appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Fall is rolling around, and you may be wondering what’s in season right now. It’s always best to use seasonal fruits when cooking because they will be fresher and riper than at other times of the year. Fruit is also cheaper when it’s in season because it is cheaper to grow and doesn’t need to be shipped from far away. Here are some fruits that come ripe in September and a dish you can make with each.

Stone Fruit: Peach Cobbler

September heralds stone fruits like peaches, plums, and nectarines. These fruits make great on-the-go snacks because they can be eaten with one hand. A great dish to make with them is peach cobbler, which really hits the balanced notes of a summer/fall dish that September requires thanks to the bright juicy peach flavors combined with cinnamon and warm spices.

Blackberries and Blueberries: Blueberry Pancakes

These dark berries are delicious to pop in your mouth fresh by the handful, and are especially expensive when they’re not in season so it’s a good idea to take advantage when they’re available. One yummy and classic dish you can make is blueberry pancakes. If you like you can also cook down both of the berries with sugar for a syrup to pour on top as well.

Melon: Green Smoothies

Melons are a great snack for the warmer beginning of September, as they are juicy, bright, and refreshing. They come in big sizes so it’s easy to cut them up and have the slices for a snack throughout the week. Because they’re so sweet and juicy, melons are a common ingredient in green smoothies. They help take the edge off the “healthy” taste and add a special something as well.

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]]> 3 Meals That Will Give You Energy All Day https://falafelandcaviar.com/3-meals-that-will-give-you-energy-all-day/ Wed, 15 Sep 2021 08:02:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16297 In our busy lives, sometimes it feels like the thing we need most is enough energy to get everything done. That can be really hard to attain, but one way to help boost our energy levels is through our diet. The right combination of food will give us lots of energy, and avoiding certain foods […]

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]]> In our busy lives, sometimes it feels like the thing we need most is enough energy to get everything done. That can be really hard to attain, but one way to help boost our energy levels is through our diet. The right combination of food will give us lots of energy, and avoiding certain foods can help us avoid feeling sluggish. Here are a few meals you can eat early in the day that will give you a long energy boost.

Halloumi Bagel

A bagel or sandwich with grilled halloumi cheese and homemade jam or fresh fruit and some greens is a great way to start your day. Homemade jam has a lot of real fruit in it (as opposed to a storebought jar with lots of sugar and additives), but it’s even better to eat fresh fruit instead.

Jam has lots of extra sugar which could lead you toward a sugar crash, while fresh fruit will release sugar in your body more slowly for longer energy. The carbs from the bagel will leave you full for hours and the protein from the light halloumi will give you energy and nourishment without slowing you down.

Grilled Chicken and Greens

Because it is light and nutritious, a salad with leafy greens, chicken, and vegetables makes a great meal for any time of day. Since there are precious few carbs, you can avoid sluggishness while chicken is a great lean protein for lots of energy. Leafy greens, too, are rich in nutrients that can give you both energy and general health.

Baked Avocado With Egg

Eggs and avocado are two titans of sustained energy. Egg protein is digested more easily than that of many other foods and will help regulate your blood sugar as well. Meanwhile, the healthy fats and fiber in avocado release energy more slowly than a sugary alternative, so again your energy levels will be sustained. Baking the egg in the avocado will eliminate the need for bread, so you don’t need to worry about eating something that will make you more sluggish. However, if you’re someone who needs grain to feel full, try this awesome meal as avocado toast instead.

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]]> How to Store Your Dry Goods For Maximum Longevity https://falafelandcaviar.com/how-to-store-your-dry-goods-for-maximum-longevity/ Tue, 14 Sep 2021 06:05:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16302 When you’re stocking up on dry goods, there’s a bit more to consider than you might think when it comes to storage. The need to be careful with your storage will depend on how quickly you use your stock. But it’s always a good idea to have at least enough substantial stuff like lentils, beans, […]

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]]> When you’re stocking up on dry goods, there’s a bit more to consider than you might think when it comes to storage. The need to be careful with your storage will depend on how quickly you use your stock. But it’s always a good idea to have at least enough substantial stuff like lentils, beans, and rice in your pantry for a few extra meals at all times, in case you’re hungry and haven’t been to the store in a while. Here’s how to store your dry goods to make them last.

Environment

Things like oxygen, sunlight, and humidity can all contribute to the degradation of dry goods’ nutritional value, flavor, and of course, safety. So it’s important to store in a dark, cool, dry place like a closed pantry inside where sunlight won’t degrade the goods. It’s also important to keep your goods stored in the air, and watertight containers to keep oxygen from degrading them. More importantly, if water gets in there is a possibility for mold growth, so it’s very important to keep the air as dry as possible and your containers sealed.

Pests

Unfortunately, some pests are very persistent when it comes to getting into containers. If you’ve never seen any kind of pantry moth or rodent anywhere in your home, and you’re planning on using your dry goods quickly, then it’s probably okay to leave them in their original packaging until you open them. However, unfortunately, many pests such as mice and even some pantry moths can chew through plastic! So if you’ll be keeping your goods around for a long time, the best thing you can do is store them in sealable glass jars. Thick, hard plastic jars or Tupperware are also a good option, but glass is best.

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]]> Ways to Take Your Grilled Cheese to the Next Level https://falafelandcaviar.com/ways-to-take-your-grilled-cheese-to-the-next-level/ Thu, 09 Sep 2021 06:18:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16245 As one of the best comfort foods—delicious at any time of day for all ages, and eminently customizable—grilled cheese is comes close to being a perfect food. The classic grilled cheese is delicious, but there’s many ways to take things up a notch if you’re looking to get into the weeds culinarily. Here are just […]

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]]> As one of the best comfort foods—delicious at any time of day for all ages, and eminently customizable—grilled cheese is comes close to being a perfect food. The classic grilled cheese is delicious, but there’s many ways to take things up a notch if you’re looking to get into the weeds culinarily. Here are just a few suggestions.

Add Fruit

Most people know that fruit and cheese are a great combination. But when it comes to grilled cheese it can really make a big difference. Fresh fruit and melted or creamy cheese will give you that perfect combo of sweet and salty plus warm and cold. Another great option is to spread jam on your bread before you add the cheese, which adds just the right amount of sweetness.

Chocolate

Yes, you read that right. This will speak to the sweet and salty craving, but beyond that, dark chocolate can also add a wonderful bitterness and even a crunch to a brighter, creamier cheese like brie.

Chips

If you prefer to highlight the “junk food” side of grilled cheese, try adding a snack of your choice. This could be potato chips, cheetos, fritos, whatever you like. If you add tortilla chips you’ll even have something of a nacho situation! That crunch and melty cheese is the ultimate snack.

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]]> Make Your Pancakes Healthier With Yogurt https://falafelandcaviar.com/make-your-pancakes-healthier-with-yogurt/ Mon, 06 Sep 2021 10:43:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16164 Pancakes are a delicious way to start your day, but they aren’t the healthiest of breakfasts. There’s a lot of carbs and not much by way of nutrients and protein. Luckily, there are some good ways to add some nutrients. One way of doing this is to use yogurt instead of milk. Many people use […]

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]]> Pancakes are a delicious way to start your day, but they aren’t the healthiest of breakfasts. There’s a lot of carbs and not much by way of nutrients and protein. Luckily, there are some good ways to add some nutrients. One way of doing this is to use yogurt instead of milk. Many people use buttermilk to add some tanginess and extra fluff to their pancakes. Yogurt is very similar, but with more protein and with probiotics to boot. Here’s how to make yogurt pancakes.

In general, you can use your favorite pancake recipe and replace the milk or buttermilk with yogurt. You may want to add a bit of baking soda as well to complement the acidity of the yogurt in the cooking process. Yogurt will make your pancakes extra fluffy.

You’ll notice that the batter is thicker and smoother than regular pancake batter, and it may not bubble up when you cook the pancake, depending on the recipe. So when deciding whether to flip the pancakes, be sure to keep an eye on how cooked the edges are rather than waiting around for bubbles.

In addition to extra fluff, your pancakes will take on the taste of whatever yogurt you use. So a more acidic yogurt or a thick yogurt will add more tang, more density, or more acidity. This will still be delicious, and it still pairs great with maple syrup, fruit, or other pancake toppings. You may want to add a bit of extra sugar to the batter so that the sweetness can help temper the acidity of the yogurt.

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]]> Try This Refreshing and Simple Tomato Salad https://falafelandcaviar.com/try-this-refreshing-and-simple-tomato-salad/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 09:36:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16160 On a hot summer day, nothing hits the spot like some fresh fruit. But when you’re sick of sweetness and you don’t want to just eat raw vegetables, a salad is the next best thing. There’s lots of great options for salads, but you probably want something nice and refreshing, that’s just as juicy as […]

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]]> On a hot summer day, nothing hits the spot like some fresh fruit. But when you’re sick of sweetness and you don’t want to just eat raw vegetables, a salad is the next best thing. There’s lots of great options for salads, but you probably want something nice and refreshing, that’s just as juicy as fruit would be. For that craving, the perfect recipe is this easy tomato salad. It’s got a nice kick from garlic and juiciness from cherry tomatoes.

Ingredients

  • Bowlful of cherry tomatoes, rough-chopped
  • 3 or 4 cloves of garlic, finely minced
  • 1 bushel of parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • Lemon juice to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Make the Salad

Once you’ve prepared all the ingredients, you’ve already done the easy part! Just combine the tomatoes, parsley, and garlic in a bowl. Then dress the salad with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. If you want to spice things up a little more, try mixing in a tablespoon or two of balsamic vinegar. If you wish to add protein, you can also turn this into a twist on a caprese with some fresh mozzarella cheese. Serve as a side dish or as a snack. Enjoy!

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