Free Recipes | Easy & Healthy Cooking (2)

You don't need a barbecue grill to get the taste of smoky grilled vegetables. While the grill is best, roasting vegetables in a hot oven gets the job done, too. That way, you can leave the grill  free to prepare your proteins. Serve this asparagus with lightly barbecued chicken or pork.

Ingredients:

6 ...

Decorate the top of this Banana Custard Pie with curled chocolate or whipped topping. The banana extract will give this pie a vibrant banana taste, so if you want a lighter flavor, then it can be omitted.

Ingredients:

1 partially baked prepared chocolate pie crust
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. + 2 tsp. flour
1/8 ...

The sweet and tart flavors of fresh apricots make them a great choice for a salsa base. Serve this Southwestern Sunset Apricot Salsa as a side with grilled pork, fish, chicken, or even with tortilla chips for a snack.

Ingredients:

2 C apricots, diced small
1-1/2 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped fine
2 Tbsp. sweet onion, ...

Variation: To make mint brownie cupcakes, use chocolate-covered mint candy bars. Place two candy bars into the batter. The cupcakes may dip slightly in the middle due to the candy bars. Also, do not crush any candy bars and place them on top. Instead, use vanilla frosting with a little mint ...

The bottle gourd goes by many names -- calabash, opo squash, and long melon for starters -- and was used in early civilizations as a water canteen since its skin is thick and waterproof. This tradition continues in many cultures today.

If you have a bottle gourd and aren't sure ...

These burgers are a great addition to any picnic, and they only contain 3 grams of carbohydrates each. To keep this recipe low carb, skip the hamburger buns and use lettuce wraps or another low carb tortilla.

Ingredients:

4 slices bacon
1 onion, chopped
1 (6 oz.) can mushrooms, drained and chopped ...

Artichokes are native to the Mediterranean and contain zero fat, only 25 calories, and plenty of vitamin C, magnesium, and fiber. They are also the vegetable with the highest count of antioxidants per serving.

To serve these curry stuffed artichokes, pull off the artichoke petals and scoop out the couscous to ...

This twist on a grilled cheese sandwich is more of a "grown up" version of the recipe, but still brings back all the memories you had eating grilled cheese as a kid. It's also very tasty when made with roasted red peppers instead of asparagus. 

Ingredients:

1-1/2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 ...

This is an easy recipe to let your children create for any special occasion, or just on any day they want to make their own breakfast. You can use the ingredients below as a template, and remember to also ask them what flavors of yogurt and different fresh fruits they ...

This moist pound cake is perfect for that mid-morning snack. Add a cup of your favorite flavored coffee, and you have the perfect pick-me-up for the rest of your busy morning. You can also make this cake for dessert; top with assorted broiled fruit such as peaches, pears, or cherries. To ...

Any type of preserves can be used for these muffins; it doesn't have to be just apricot. The egg whites and skim milk make this recipe low in fat and cholesterol. If you'd like an even healthier recipe, use preserves that are low in sugar.

Ingredients:

2 C all-purpose ...

Everyone needs a sweet breakfast treat every now & then, and these blueberry fritters are a great way to experience a moment of indulgence without going overboard. One or two of these fritters will help ward off the cravings for those leftover slices of blueberry pie in the fridge.

Fresh blueberries are ...

Breadfruit is a produce staple in many tropical locations. In Hawaii, breadfruit is often a substitute for mashed taro root to make the sacred poi dish. It's also very popular in the Caribbean, especially in Jamaica where it is often fried and served as chips.

To make this recipe, make sure you have a ...

You don't have to be a vegetarian, vegan, or on a restrictive diet to enjoy these black bean patties. Even though they are high in protein, high in fiber, low in fat, and chock full of healthy veggies and fresh herbs, that doesn't mean that these patties skimp on taste. They are very ...

These Italian pork sausage stuffed apples are a great example of "sweet meets savory" and are delicious any time of year. Make sure to shop for large apples for this recipe. To prepare the apples, core them and scoop out a larger portion than you'd normally remove, since this recipe makes a ...

If you can't find Pickapeppa sauce, you can use any sweet, tangy sauce like a vinaigrette, Worchestershire sauce, or steak sauce. You could also try a sweet barbeque sauce or citrus salsa.

Ingredients:

2 avocados
Lime juice
1/2 C butter
1 small sweet onion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. flour
3 C milk, scalded
1 lb. lump crabmeat
1 tsp. ...

These healthy asparagus-avocado wraps taste fantastic when served in sun-dried tomato or spinach tortillas. If you can't find fresh tortillas with these flavors, then opt for whole wheat tortillas instead. All of these ingredients can be bought in organic varieties, too.

The filling can be served immediately, or you can refrigerate it ...

The more you can prepare your ingredients ahead of time, the easier it is to make the meal when dinnertime arrives. This recipe for Ham & Artichoke Fettuccini is no exception. The ham can be bought pre-cooked at the store along with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, chopped olives, and a jar ...

The apricot stuffing in this chicken cutlets recipe adds so much flavor and juiciness, especially when you take the time to tenderize the chicken breasts beforehand. Serve with couscous and stir-fried vegetables.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/4 C green onion, chopped, including tops
1/2 tsp. ground ginger, divided
1/2 C plain stuffing mix
2 ...

When you prepare the ingredients ahead of time, it makes this Curried Chicken Casserole very easy to make on the night you want to serve it for dinner. However, if appearance matters to you, then you'll want to plan extra time to prepare the apple slices, since prolonged exposure to air ...

Active/Total Time: 40 mins/1 hr 35 minsServes: 10 to 12There are a few differences between a torte and a tart. Tart pastries have shallow sides with either sweet or savory fillings. But a torte, as the one pictured here, has many layers filled into a higher crust. Sweet fillings like jam and buttercream are common.

This Raspberry Almond Torte builds ...

To easily measure your honey, run the measuring cup under hot water before adding the honey. This loosens it up and helps it pour much easier.

Don’t have any bittersweet chocolate squares on hand? Substitute 3 Tbsp. of unsweetened cocoa and 1 Tbsp. of melted butter for each square of bittersweet chocolate.

...

Active/Total Time: 20 mins/1 hrServes: 10 to 12Ingredients like maple syrup, yams, cinnamon, and nutmeg are often associated with the autumn season, carrying over into winter holiday cooking. But these flavors are just as good year-round, as seen in this recipe for Caramelized Maple Yams.

If you like your meals with more "kick" and less "spice," try adding cayenne pepper ...

Active/Total Time: 20 mins/35 minsServes: 4 to 6Both porcini and chanterelle mushrooms (and truffles for that matter) come from the mycorrhizal mushroom family. These kinds of mushrooms live off trees and other plants. They have access to more moisture and glucose, making them grow quicker and faster than other varieties. Often, these mushrooms can be quite rare since they ...

Active/Total Time: 1 hr/3 hrsServes: 6
This recipe for Braised Pork Shoulder may take a total of 3-4 hours, but the end result will quickly become a family favorite. The pork pieces are soft, tender, and covered in a creamy garlic and rosemary sauce.

You'll want some specific kitchen tools on hand to make this recipe. First, make sure ...

Active/Total Time: 20 mins/30 minsServes: 4This recipe for pan-fried cod fish is a great way to experience classical French cuisine and ingredients. The region of Provence is known for its fragrant herbs and fresh seafood, mixing flavors from all regions of the Mediterranean from Italy to northern Africa.

Most Provencal recipes start off with a base of olive oil ...

Active/Total Time: 35 mins/50 minsServes: 4 to 6
This authentic Italian recipe for chicken parmigiana is easy to make, even though preparing the ingredients before baking may take some time.

An important step to remember is to make sure each chicken breast is thinly and evenly sliced, then pounded flat. Also, keep the tomato sauce warm until you're ready ...

Active/Total Time: 25 mins/25 minsServes: 4 to 6Panzanella salad is an Italian dish originating in Florence. Its stand-out ingredients are very simple: day-old crusty bread, fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese.

Choosing ripe, flavorful tomatoes is the most important thing to remember when shopping for the ingredients. Your best bet is to find local produce -- meaning tomatoes that have ...

Active/Total Time: 40 mins/40 minsServes: 6 to 8A fresh BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato) sandwich paired with a bowl of warm tomato soup is just the thing for comfort food on a cold day. In this video, you'll see how to combine both of these foods into one dish.

Prepare the crostini first -- which is another term for toasted ...

Active/Total Time: 30 mins/2 hrs 30 minsServes: 4
This recipe for beef short ribs is extremely flavorful and adds a spicy kick with ancho chilies and chipotle peppers. Its braising sauce combines ingredients not often used together to make them rich, sweet and flavorful -- such as onion, cloves, maple syrup, strong coffee, and lime juice.

It's not a ...

Active/Total Time: 45 mins/1 hr 30 minsServes: 8 to 12Ganache is a smooth dessert frosting made from chocolate and cream. It is commonly used as a glaze, a pastry filling, and in this case, a creamy chocolate icing on top of a moist coffee & chocolate cake.

The kind of chocolate used in the ganache is a bittersweet variety ...

Active/Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins/1 hr 30 minsServes: 4Panang curry is very similar to a Thai red curry, yet the flavors represent a gamut of Southeast Asian influences, i.e. Malaysian and Indian. In this recipe, you'll be making the Panang curry from scratch by first grinding it into a paste, then adding it to a coconut milk mixture ...

Active/Total Time: 20 mins/20 minsServes: 3 to 4

This is a very simple yet flavorful recipe for pan-fried Italian chicken covered in a Marsala wine reduction sauce. The shallots and rich cooking stock add flavor without being overpowering. Mince the shallots and parsley the night before, and you'll be able to prepare this recipe in much less than 20 minutes.

To ...

Active/Total Time: 10 mins/10 minsServes: 4 to 8
This authentic Greek recipe for hummus uses fresh garlic, cooked or canned chickpeas, cumin, lemon, and olive oil. Another essential ingredient is tahini, or sesame paste.

If you eat hummus regularly, then using this recipe to make your own will save you a lot of money at the grocery store, since ...

Active/Total Time: 25 mins/45 minsServes: 4

Squid is a seafood that either needs to be cooked quickly or slowly; otherwise, it gets a rubbery texture. In this recipe, the calamari is quickly fried in peanut oil to make it nice and crispy.

Most of the time spent making this recipe will be for the prep work, so if all of that ...

Active/Total Time: 45 mins/1 hrServes: 4Simple yet elegant, the ingredients in this Salmon Salad Nicoise are inspired by the South of France. It is served with a homemade Dijon, red wine, and olive oil vinaigrette that can be made ahead of time. The leftover dressing can be stored for months and used in other recipes as you see fit.

This ...

Active/Total Time: 30 mins/4 hrsServes: 4 to 6At first, creme brulee seems like a daunting recipe to attempt. The perfect balance of ingredients, heating, baking, and caramelizing are all important steps to master. But it's not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, "creme brulee" literally translates to "burnt cream" -- so how hard can it be to ...

Active/Total Time: 30 mins/30 minsServes: 4 to 6This recipe for Thai Coconut Prawns is a quick and easy way to add a gourmet twist to your meal in a short amount of time. It's also very versatile for working around special dietary requirements. The recipe is already red meat free, dairy free, gluten free, and soy free. Substitute sesame ...

Active/Total Time: 40 mins/40 mins
Serves: 4
This steak recipe is all about the sauce. It's made from garlic, white white, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and melted cabozola cheese -- all simple Italian ingredients that make up an authentic Caprese dish.

Prep work may take a few extra minutes if you don't have a cheese knife or a garlic press, ...

Prep the chicken pieces beforehand, and this recipe for Southwestern Crock Pot Chili can't get any easier. It's recipes like these that make me so thankful for whoever invented the slow cooker. For taco seasoning mix, you can buy one from the store, or you can add the spices separately so ...

The workweek is full of busy days where you're not even sure what you're going to do for dinner. When that happens, set out this recipe for Crock Pot Spaghetti & Meatballs. It's comfort food at the ready. Add the ingredients (and there's not many of them), wait a few ...

Fresh herbs typically used in an Italian seasoning blend include rosemary, parsley, basil, oregano, and thyme. You can buy these herbs fresh and finely chop them before adding to the crock pot if you like. A lot of farmers' markets usually sell natural, fresh herbs, so check with your local providers ...

Pork chops and cherry pie filling really do taste amazing together, especially when their flavors come together in a crock pot. This recipe for Crock Pot Cherry Pork Chops is really easy to make, and it's a great starting point for recipe creativity. Try substituting spiced apple pie filling during the ...

This protein-heavy recipe is high in fiber as well. For a healthier meal, be on the lookout for sausages that are lean (lower in fat) and natural or organic. You can also substitute regular canned tomatoes instead of fire-roasted, but the latter will enhance the meal's flavor when interacting with the ...

This is one of the easiest recipes you'll come across. All the ingredients can be measured and prepped the night before, and it's not even all that much prep work to do. It's a breath of fresh air -- just add the ingredients, stir them a bit in the crock pot, ...

Browning the roast beforehand will give you a much richer flavor for both the meat and gravy. Homemade gravy just tastes better! Also, make sure you have a crock pot big enough to hold the roast you're wanting to cook. Nothing like buying a large roast on sale -- thinking you've ...

It doesn’t get any easier than this. The kids will love it, and you’ll love how it easy it is to throw together. Top each serving with a little sour cream and a sprinkle of green onions.

Ingredients:

1 C uncooked macaroni
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 (11.25 oz.) ...

Melons are the icing on the cake when it comes to summer fruits. Honeydew melons are often overlooked for the more popular cantaloupe or watermelon, even though they have an exceptional taste. When topped with this Ginger Lime Syrup, they are even tastier.

To quickly peel and cut a melon, cut a ...

These turnovers can be made in a number of different ways. Use pepperoni slices and leave out the pineapple. Use ham pieces in place of the Canadian bacon along with the pineapple tidbits. You can even crumble some cooked sausage and add mushrooms if you prefer. Any way you fill them, ...

Here's a refreshingly different take on an old favorite. If you are fixing these for the kids and they aren’t fond of spinach, use lettuce instead. For adults, the spinach gives these tasty sandwiches a little different but wonderful taste. Mayonnaise can be used in place of the salad dressing if you ...