Oven Roasted Parmesan Crusted Skinless Chicken Breast

A quick and easy 40 minute weeknight baked chicken recipe. Crusty Parmesan taste with just the right amount of spice. And really a "for two" recipe since much of my cooking recently has been with a lot of leftovers.

Click to Read More and Get Recipe

Healthy Deep Dish Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza

Is there really a healthy or at least healthier pizza that it worth the work. Yep there is. I won't call this "Chicago Deep Pan Pizza" since I eliminated that layer of cheese at the bottom of the pan that I associate with Chicago pizza. But with one third of the calories and 94% less fat, this is a non-guilty treat.

Click to Read More and Get Recipe

Wifo Pot Roast - A Basic Comfort Food

One of our comfort foods has always be my wife's pot roast. I decided to try a pot roast but after several hours of research I decided to steal for her and use her technique. I'm calling this a technique more than a recipe. It is simple and basic.

Click to Read More and Get Recipe

How To Make Gravy - 101

Ahh gravy, the nectar of the gods according to one ATK episode I saw the other day. This seems to be hard for everyone (including me) except my wife. So I used my stealing of her pot roast recipe as an excuse to get a gravy lesson also. This is easy.

So this post is not a recipe but instructions about technique. Even if you don't use it, I will in the future so I'm posting it.

To start, read and understand the instructions BEFORE you start. You will not have time to read and do this at the same time.

Printable instructions without pictures

Required equipment: Tupperware Quick Shaker, stove top pan with large bottom, a large slotted spoon or whisk

First
You need fluid from your meat with some fat in it. Here we have about 2 cups worth of liquid from our pot roast. We wanted more gravy so we added a can of beef broth. You could add soup base or bullion for more flavor. Also add salt to taste.

Second
The liquid needs to be in a stove top safe pan. Now over HIGH heat, bring the liquid to a hard boil.Turn on two burners if the pan will cover them.

Third

While the liquid is heating combine about equal amounts of AP flour and COLD water in your Tupperware Quick Shaker. For this day it was 1/2 cup each. That amount should be adjusted down to make smaller amounts. Shake vigorously and continuously. Get it all mixed together and keep shaking to prevent lumps.

Forth

VIGOROUSLY STIRRING while pouring the flour mixture in

Once you have the flour mixed and the liquid is at a HARD BOIL, slowly add the flour mixture to the area of hardest boil SLOWLY while VIGOROUSLY stirring with a slotted spoon or whisk. Pay attention to the thickness and stop adding the flour mixture when you get most to the consistency you want. It will thicken a little with the cooking in the next step.

Fifth
Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes while still stirring continuously then remove from heat and serve immediately.

NOTES: The Tupperware Quick Shaker is almost mandatory in this technique. You can try whisking in a bowl but I don't think it will work as well. Can you say lumps. These are about $13 on Amazon, eBay, a Tupperware dealer or a mall kiosk near you. Google is your friend again.

12 Free iPhone / iPod Cooking Apps for 2011

After years of a Windows based phone/pda my wife and I have converted to the new Verizon iPhone 4's. What a wonderful toy this is. So after the a few apps I require for work, it was time for iPhone / iPod cooking apps.  I started out with what I think is a good selection of some of the best top rated freebies so I though I should share.


All the first group are free full versions and look great to me. The second group includes a few that are free but will cost to have a complete version or access. I will probably "pay up" soon but I'm suffering recipe overload for now.  I have not tested them other than a quick look and reading other reviews. The links are for your convince and will not credit me with anything... they are just free.

The Freebies
(in no order)

The Big Oven
With 170,000+ recipes and many awards, this appears to be a must on any foodies iPhone

Whole Foods Recipes
From the grocery chain that I can't go to (none are near) but a lot a wonderful recipe that include national information.

Woman's Day Cooking Assistant
Just what you would expect but looks very nice and complete.

Epicurious
This has always been one of my favorite sites online and now I have it with me at all times. I looks just as greats as their site always does.

Food Network Canada
Go north young man... it's free. I'm sure this is not the same or even close to the USA version of Food Network but it's free and the US version is a couple of bucks that  I will pony up after I get done with this but this looks very nice and complete. It can stand on it's own.

McCormick Recipe Finder
Over a thousand recipes from the spice company. I'm sure I can mine some gems from this load of what appears to be wonderful stuff.

Betty Crocker
Another of the "biggies" that is just what it sounds like. Over 9000 recipes.Think of 9000 recipes in a book. That should be at least several feet thick and it is yours free. They may not be the fanciest recipes but Crocker recipes always work.

uCook
I have never hear of this app but 60,000 recipes with links to coupons and local sales. A must try when I have time.

Spark Recipes
I wanted a "healthy" recipe app and this is it. I would say top in class from what I can tell so far. You can browse and search more than 190,000 recipes, plus save your favorites. They have nutritional info on all recipes and if you are very OCD they also offer a separate food and fitness tracker app.

Not Quite Free Apps

AllRecipes Dinner Spinner
I believe this version has all the recipes but lacks some bells and whistles that I wouldn't use anyways. I love their web site and here it is. But the "pro" version is only $2.99.

Cook's Illustrated 
I LOVE CI and this gives you online access to your CI web account. I believe it has some free things but I can't tell what because it integrates into my online account. It is about the only thing you will ever get from CI for free. Very nicely done and a wonderful extension to your account if your already have one.

Mark Bittman How to Cook Everything
I got the cookbook for Christmas and it looks great. I'm sure the complete version is worth $4.99 but this is a sampling for free. I just love Bittman stuff.

Final words:
Let me know if you have comments or recommendations. Just post a comment for all.

Quick 'n Easy Honey Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Another stand mixer recipe. What good is that KitchenAid stand mixer that sets on your counter? Yes, it impresses your friends and family but really when was the last time you cracked it open and fired it up. Well do it tonight and make this healthy dinner rolls.

Click to Read More and Get Recipe

Puerto Rican Chuletón Soup AKA Xmas Soup

Think of it as a Puerto Rican ham and bean soup. This has been somewhat a standard at our house for several years. We are the only ones calling it Christmas soup but I'm sticking with the name since that is when we usually make it.

Click to Read More and Get Recipe