Taco Bell Nutrition Information

We all are well aware about the Taco Bell, in fact most of us are the worshipers of this famous restaurant chains of America. The two things that describe Taco Bell the best are - their quick service and the delicious Mexican food that they have on offer! Taco Bell specializes in tacos, nachos, burritos, quesadillas and many other food recipes. This restaurant chain serves more than 2 million people per year through more than 5,800 restaurants. Taco Bell was founded by an ex-marine Glen Bell and it was initially named as "Bell's Drive-in". Later in the year 1991, Taco Bell established its first Taco Bell Express in San Francisco. Due to the huge variety and popularity of the Taco Bell food items, millions of its consumers are often inquisitive about the Taco Bell nutrition information. Well, here is an article that deals with the nutrition information of Taco Bell food items.

Taco Bell Breakfast Food Items
As per a survey conducted by the fast food nutrition websites, here is a brief chart about the Breakfast Taco Bell nutrition information. The nutrition facts are mentioned in grams, while the amount of cholesterol and sodium is counted in milligrams.

Taco Bell Breakfast Nutrition Facts
Food Items	Breakfast Cheese Quesadilla	Breakfast Quesadilla with Bacon	Breakfast Quesadilla with Sausage	Country Breakfast Burrito	Double Bacon & Egg Burrito	Fiesta Breakfast Burrito	Grande Breakfast Burrito	Hash Brown Nuggets
Serving Size	5.5 oz	6 oz	6 oz	4 oz	6.25 oz	3.5 oz	6.25 oz	3.5 oz
Calories	380	450	430	270	480	280	420	280
Calories from Fat	190	240	230	130	250	140	200	160
Total Fat	21	27	25	14	27	16	22	18
Saturated Fat	9	11	10	5	9	6	7	5
Cholesterol	280	290	285	195	400	25	205	0
Carbohydrates	33	33	33	26	39	25	43	29
Sodium	1010	1200	1090	690	1240	580	1050	570
Fiber	1	2	1	2	2	2	3	1
Sugars	1	1	1	1	2	1	2	0
Protein	15	19	17	8	18	9	13	2

Taco Bell Burritos
Here is a brief chart that explains this Mexican food nutrition facts. Remember that all the fats and carbohydrates are measured in grams (g).

Food Item	Serving Size	Calories	Total Fat	Carbohydrates
1/2 lb Cheesy Potato Burrito	248 g	530	25	57
1/2 lb Combo Burrito	241 g	450	18	52
1/2 lb Nacho Crunch Burrito	234 g	520	25	54
Bean Burrito	198 g	370	10	55
7-Layer Burrito	283 g	510	18	68
Burrito Supreme - Chicken	248 g	390	12	51
Cheesy Bean 'n Rice Burrito	227 g	480	21	60
Cheesy Double Beef Burrito	227 g	470	20	47
Chili Cheese Burrito	156 g	370	16	40
Fresco Bean Burrito	213 g	340	8	56
Grilled Chicken Burrito	177 g	430	18	48
Grilled Stuft Burrito - Steak	325 g	640	24	76

Taco Bell Chalupas
Here is a brief chart that explains the nutrition facts of the Taco Bell chalupas. Remember that the fats and carbohydrates are measured in grams (g).

Food Item	Serving Size	Calories	Total Fat	Carbohydrates
Bacon Club Chalupa	162 g	410	26	28
Chalupa Baja - Beef	153 g	450	18	31
Chalupa Nacho Cheese - Chicken	153 g	340	18	30
Chalupa Supreme - Steak	153 g	340	18	29

Taco Bell Gorditas
Here is a brief chart that explains the nutrition facts of the Taco Bell gorditas. Remember that the fats and carbohydrates are measured in grams (g).

Food Item	Serving Size	Calories	Total Fat	Carbohydrates
Cheesy Gordita Crunch	174 g	500	28	40
Gordita Baja - Beef	153 g	340	18	30
Gordita Nacho Cheese - Beef	153 g	290	14	31
Gordita Supreme - Beef	153 g	300	13	31

Taco Bell Tacos
Here is a brief chart that explains the nutrition facts of the Taco Bell tacos. Remember that the fats and carbohydrates are measured in grams (g).

Food Item	Serving Size	Calories	Total Fat	Carbohydrates
Chicken Soft Taco	99 g	190	6	20
Crispy Potato Soft Taco	106 g	260	13	31
Crunchy Taco	78 g	170	10	12
Double Decker Taco Supreme	191 g	360	15	41
Fresco Crunchy Taco	92 g	150	7	13
Grilled Steak Soft Taco	128 g	250	14	20
Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco	135 g	270	14	21
Soft Taco Supreme - Beef	135 g	240	11	24
Taco Supreme	113	200	12	15

Taco Bell Specialty Food Items
Here is a brief chart that explains the nutrition facts of various Taco Bell specialties. Remember that the fats and carbohydrates are measured in grams (g).

Food Item	Serving Size	Calories	Total Fat	Carbohydrates
Bacon Ranch Tortada	261 g	570	24	57
Cheese Quesadilla	142 g	470	26	40
Chicken Quesadilla	184 g	520	28	41
Cheese Roll-Up	64 g	200	10	19
Chili Cheese Burrito	156 g	370	16	40
Crunchwrap Supreme	254 g	540	21	71
Enchirito - Chicken	213 g	350	14	34
Express Taco Salad w/o Chips	447 g	660	34	67
Grilled Chicken Taquitos	128 g	320	11	37
Mexican Pizza	213 g	540	30	47
MexiMelt	128 g	280	14	23
Salsa Roja Tortada	268 g	480	14	60

Taco Bell Miscellaneous Food Items
Here is a brief chart that explains the nutrition facts of several other Taco Bell food items. Remember that the fats and carbohydrates are measured in grams (g.)

Food Item	Serving Size	Calories	Total Fat	Carbohydrates
Fresco Bean Burrito	213 g	340	8	56
Fresco Burrito Supreme - Chicken	241 g	340	8	50
Fresco Crunchy Taco	92 g	150	7	13
Fresco Grilled Steak Soft Taco	128 g	160	4.5	21
Fresco Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco	135 g	170	4	22
Bacon Ranch Tortada	261 g	570	24	57
Volcano Burrito	303 g	800	42	81
Caramel Apple Empanada	85 g	310	15	39
Triple-Layer Nachos	142 g	350	18	39
Zesty Dressing	43 g	200	20	3

These nutrition facts are worth considering for the weight watchers and people that are planning/trying to lose weight. So, I hope the article will be useful for you, every time that you visit the Taco Bell!

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Al Kabsa - Ancient Arabian Chicken and Fragrant Rice Recipe

Photo: Al Kabsa - Ancient Arabian Chicken and Fragrant Rice Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Al Kabsa - Ancient Arabian Chicken and Fragrant Rice Recipe. Enjoy the Middle Eastern Cuisine and learn how to make Al Kabsa - Ancient Arabian Chicken and Fragrant Rice.

This classic Arabian dish is Saudi Arabian in origin, and is believed to originate from the nomadic Bedouin tribes centuries ago. Arabic cuisine has its roots in tent cookery. Nomadic tribes could use only transportable foods such as rice and dates, or their nomadic stock like sheep and camels in their recipes. As the caravans journeyed throughout the Middle East, new seasonings and vegetables were discovered and added to the existing repertoire. Each new discovery was incorporated into the diet in quantities palatable to a particular tribe - a fact that many cooks believe is responsible for the anomalies found in some Arabic dishes today. You can use lamb (or camel !!) in this dish, but it is more usual to make it with chicken nowadays.
Total Time: Prep Time: Cook Time: 40 mins 20 mins 20 mins
 
Ingredients:

1 kg chicken piece 
500 g basmati rice 
2 dried limes, finely chopped 
250 g fresh tomatoes 
250 g onions, peeled and diced 
50 g garlic cloves, peeled and finely diced 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1 tablespoon fresh coriander, chopped 
50 ml olive oil 
2 tablespoons kabsa spice mix (OR use the following spices, 1 teaspoon cardamom seed, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon cumin) 

Accompanying sauce Ingredients 

250 g fresh tomatoes 
100 g fresh mint, leave 
5 g salt 
50 g green chili peppers 
water 

Directions: 

1 Slice the onion and garlic, cut the tomatoes in to wedges and chop the fresh coriander. 

2 Heat the oil in a casserole dish and add the onions, garlic - sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, then add chicken and cook for a further 5 minutes. Add the rice and sauté for about 3 minutes before adding the tomato, spices, salt and dried limes. 

3 Add water just enough to cover the rice mixture and bring to boil, turn the heat down and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. 

4 Remove from heat, stir in the sultanas and almonds, then leave for further 10 minutes with the lid on. 

5 Remove the lid, stir well and serve with the following sauce. 

6 Accompanying Sauce. 

7 Skin the tomatoes and mix all the ingredients together, season to taste. 

8 Serve the Kabsa with the tomato sauce and flatbreads. 

9 NB. If making up the Kabsa spice mixture fresh - grind all the spices together in a coffee grinder or a food processor/mixer, or with a pestle and mortar.

Source food.com 

More from the Lebanese Recipes Kitchen: 

 Kabsa Recipe 
Saudi Kabsa 
Kabsa or Kabseh 
Middle Eastern-style lamb shanks with saffron rice  
Lamb and Brown Rice Broth 
Chicken and Vegetables Rice 

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Negative Health Effects of Sugary Drinks

Drinks which have added sugar or sweeteners in them are known as sugary drinks. Sugary drinks which may include soda, sports drink, soft drinks, fruit punches, etc., have nowadays become a part of a regular diet for millions of people. How frequently do you have a soda or a sports drink or any other soft drink? If your answer is two or more per day, then you are four times more susceptible to having high levels of triglycerides than other people. Many people drink these drinks more than three times a day which is considered to be very unhealthy. Though this fact is known to all, the average consumption of these sugary drinks is constantly growing. There are many life-threatening diseases associated with the over-consumption of sugary drinks which we are going to discuss in the paragraphs given below.

Recommended Amount of Added Sugar Intake

A single bottle (20 ounce) of regular soda contains 16 teaspoons of sugar. According to the American Heart Association, the maximum amount of added sugar intake should not exceed 4.5 teaspoons/day, for the age group of 12 - 19 years. So from this, we can understand that even one bottle of soda consumed daily can drastically increase the amount of sugar in your body. One research also shows that on an average, a person consumes 100 pounds of sugar in a year by having soda on a regular basis.

Sugary Drinks and Health Issues

There are three major health effects of soft drinks or sugary drinks which are basically caused due to the over-consumption of these drinks. It has been shown in a research that people who have more than two bottles of sugary drinks in a day are more likely to have a high fatty acid content, which may cause many heart disease, diabetes, etc. Following are some of the common diseases which can be caused due to excessive sugary drinks consumption.

Heart Diseases
A study was conducted in the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center on 4,200 women and men aged between 45 to 85 years in the year 2002. At that time, none of them were suffering from any heart diseases. There were three followups of these participants in the span of five years. It was found that the women who drank more than two sugary drinks in a day were at a greater risk of getting heart diseases and diabetes as compared to the women having one per day. One of the lead researcher of this study, Dr. Christina Shay said: "These women also developed high triglycerides and women with normal blood glucose levels more frequently went from having a low risk to a high risk of developing diabetes over time." Dr. Shay added: "Most people assume that individuals who consume a lot of sugar-sweetened drinks become obese, which in turn, increases their risk for heart disease and diabetes. Although this does occur, this study showed that risk factors for heart disease and stroke developed even when the women didn't gain weight". The observations done in case of women was not observed in case of men. On this, Dr. Shay said "They have smaller bodies, less muscle mass and need fewer calories than men. It is possible that men need more sodas to see an effect." But the study proved the risk of having heart diseases because of excess consumption of sugary beverages. It also increases the risk of high blood pressure.

Diabetes
Intake of increased amount of sugar through the regular consumption of sugary drinks will no doubt take you to diabetic conditions. According to a study published in the journal Diabetes Care, people who drink more than two sugary beverages in a day are 25% more prone to develop type 2 diabetes than the people having only one. Apart from this, weight gain is also associated with sugary drinks because of the high calorie content of the drink, which in turn increases the chances of acquiring diabetes. In one of the researches, it has been found that cutting off even one can of soda per day from the child's diet has shown improvement in the insulin level.

Obesity
Weight gain is also one of the serious effects of sugary drinks. On an average, 1 can of a sugary drink, be it a regular soda or a fruit punch, contains 150 calories. So if you even drink one can daily, you could gain about 15 pounds in a year. Having sugary beverages in the daily diet has become very common among children which is one of the major reasons behind childhood obesity. It has been observed that one among every three children is likely to be overweight. Obesity problems are the root cause for many complicated diseases like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, etc. Sugary beverages may not show an overall weight gain, but it is associated with belly fat or abdominal obesity which is more harmful as it is formed deep inside and affects the blood pressure, insulin production, etc. In spite of drinking sugary drinks regularly, some people do not gain weight, but this doesn't mean they are not at risk of heart problems or diabetes.

Other Health Effects
Sugary beverages can also lead to accelerated aging. A high content of fructose is responsible for the occurrence of facial wrinkles which can be easily visible. These drinks can also increase the risk of dental cavity and problems related to bones. Bones need both calcium and phosphate, but these drinks contain only phosphate which can have harmful effects on bones, and may lead to osteoporosis or brittle bones. They may also cause some mental problems.

By now, you know what are the health effects of sugary drinks. You can replace the sugar content with artificial sweeteners or start having diet drinks. They may help you in preventing the problems of obesity and diabetes which will in turn help you in staying away from heart problems. But regular and excess usage of these diet drinks or artificial sweeteners may also cause some harmful health effects. So just try to cut down on your habit of having soda and other sugary beverages on a regular basis. Concentrate on other drinks like milk and try to have fresh unsweetened fruit juices.

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Finger Food Desserts

Coming up with perfect party food menu that your invitees will appreciate is really confusing. Eating desserts with hands is something more satisfying rather than serving formally with forks or spoons. So, why not try something new and serve delicious, sweet finger food desserts to complement your party food? Here are some ideas and recipes for you to choose from.

Finger Food Dessert Ideas

Bite sized foods are not limited as appetizers that you serve before the main course of the meal. But, you can also serve finger foods as desserts to end your party food serving with a sweet taste. They need not be something different from regular dessert recipes, the only thing is to serve them in bite sized pieces. Some delectable desserts that you will love to serve are mentioned below.

Chocolate Cheese Balls: Make crunchy, tasty chocolate cheese balls to impress your guests. Melt chocolate morsels first, and beat it with cream cheese until smooth. Add chocolate crumbs and fruit preserves, and chill the mixture in refrigerator. Prepare small balls (1 inch diameter) and coat them with chopped almonds.

Chocolate Truffles: For this dessert idea for party, all you need is buy your favorite chocolate brand, and cut it into small pieces. Warm same quantity of heavy cream and pour it over the chocolate pieces. Stir well until blended and keep in the refrigerator. Make small balls with an ice cream scooper and cover them with chocolate sprinkles.

Cake Pops: Cut a cake into pieces, add them in a large bowl and cover with sufficient cream cheese frosting for even coating. Using an ice cream scooper, make small ball and insert a lollipop stick in the center of each pieces. After chilling in the refrigerator, dip in melted chocolate before serving.

Chocolate Covered Fruits: Fruits covered with chocolate are easy finger food desserts, which look lovely. You will need fresh strawberries and chocolate chips. Melt the chocolate and keep a non-sticky cookie sheet ready. Hold strawberries in the leafy part and dip in chocolate to about half. Keep them on the cookie sheet and chill.

Finger Food Dessert Recipes

The logic for making your party a bast is decorate beautifully, serve good foods, organize fun games for invitees and enjoy yourself. And to get time for yourself, be sure to choose simple, yet delicious food recipes that need less time for preparation. Here are some easy recipes of the same for you.

Easy Truffle Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (2-ounce) packet Oreos
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 8 squares chocolate
• Cookie crumbs (for decoration)

Directions for Preparation

In a mixing bowl, crush Oreos until you get fine grains. Pour softened cream cheese and mix well. Using a teaspoon or ice cream scoop, make small balls out of the mixture. Melt chocolate squares and keep aside. Dip the balls in melted chocolate and roll in cookie crumbs. With this, your simple dessert recipe is done. Make sure that the chocolate is hardened well before serving.

Banana Pops Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• cup chopped nuts
• 8 lollipop sticks

Directions for Preparation

This is one of the best finger food desserts that you can prepare within a short time. As chilling requires 1-2 hours, you can prepare this yummy dessert ahead of the party. Cut bananas crosswise into half and insert one lollipop stick in each of the 8 pieces (from the cut side). Chill for 10 minutes to harden slightly. By the meantime, melt the chocolate and keep it ready along with the chopped nuts. Take out bananas, dip in chocolate and coat with chop nuts.

With these easy to make dessert ideas, you are also relieved from the regular duty of cleaning plates and forks after serving those sweet goodies. So, isn't serving finger food desserts interesting for you!

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Spanish Rice and Beans Recipe

Rice and beans are among the integral ingredients in some of the popular Spanish food recipes. In fact, the popular Spanish dish called Paella is made of rice, in combination with seafood, chicken or vegetables. Spanish rice and beans is one of the much-loved rice dishes of this region. Nowadays, this rice dish is offered by some restaurants that serve Spanish food. This dish can be prepared at home too.

How to Make Spanish Rice and Beans

There is a wide range of Spanish rice recipes, for you to choose from. If you want a really easy one, then, you need Spanish rice mix, black beans and some salsa. All you have to do is to prepare the rice as per the instructions on the package and mix it with cooked beans and salsa. For a single package (4 ounces) of Spanish rice mix, you require cup of salsa and 15 ounces of beans.

Recipe 1

Ingredients

• White rice (preferably Goya rice) - 450 grams
• Pink beans - 1 can
• Pepperoni - 225 grams
• Tomato sauce (Hunt's) - 1 can
• Chopped pepper - 1 tablespoon
• Chopped garlic - 1 tablespoon
• Chopped onions - 1 tablespoon
• Ground black pepper - teaspoon
• Salt - 1 tablespoon ( + )
• Cooking oil - cup
• Water - 2 quarts

Preparation Method

Start with cooking the beans in a pan, along with chopped pepper, onion, garlic and pepperoni. Add ground black pepper, salt ( tablespoon) and a cup of water to the beans and cook it over medium heat for around ten to twelve minutes. After that, add tomato sauce and another cup of water and cook further for at least fifteen minutes. Take a cooking pot and boil two quarts of water in it. You have to add the remaining half teaspoon salt and oil into the boiling water. Now, rinse the rice and put it in the pot with boiling water. Keep the pot covered and cook till there is no traces of water in the pot. Now, you can serve your Spanish rice and beans.

Recipe 2

Ingredients

• White rice (may use Basmati rice) - cup
• Chicken broth - 1 cups
• Cooked beans (black, pinto or kidney beans) - 1 cup
• Ground beef - 450 grams
• Butter - 1 tablespoon
• Large onions (diced) - 2 large
• Frozen corn - cup
• Frozen peas - cup
• Tomatoes (diced) - 2 large
• Green bell pepper (diced) - 1
• Chopped fresh cilantro - 1 tablespoon
• Shredded cheddar cheese - 150 grams
• Turmeric - teaspoon
• Chili pepper - 1 teaspoon
• Ground cumin - 2 teaspoons
• Lemon pepper - teaspoon
• Ground black pepper - 1 teaspoon
• Sugar - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - as per taste

How to Prepare

First of all, rinse the rice and keep aside. Place a saucepan over medium heat and melt the butter. Add some diced onion (of half an onion) and fry it for a few minutes. As the onion turns pink, add the rice and stir them for another minute. Once done, add the chicken broth and turmeric and stir them well. As the mixture boils, cover the pan and cook for around 20 to 25 minutes (over medium heat) or till the rice gets cooked. Meanwhile, you have to prepare the beans. Place a skillet over medium heat and brown the ground beef, along with the remaining diced onions. Once done, add the other ingredients, like bell pepper, tomatoes, corn, peas, cumin powder, chili powder, lemon pepper, ground black pepper and sugar. Cook for a few minutes. Remove a small amount of juice from the meat mixture and use it for coating the bottom of a baking dish. You may also use some butter for this purpose. Now, mix the cooked rice, meat mixture, beans and chopped cilantro in a large bowl. Add required amount of salt and combine well, before transferring the mixture to the baking dish. Spread the shredded cheese over the rice mixture and bake it for around half an hour in the oven that is preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you find this dish delectable, you may try other recipes too. This is one of those Spanish rice dishes that can be prepared in different variations. Spanish rice calories may also vary with the ingredients in different recipes. So, why wait? Gather the required ingredients and try these recipes.

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Chocolate Zaglione

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup heavy whipping cream

½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup marsala

8 large egg yolks

Pinch of salt

Strawberries, Raspberries and/or Berries 

Pound cake

DIRECTIONS 

In a small saucepan, bring cream to a simmer. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips. Stir until melted. Set aside.

Fill a double boiler with water to come 2 inches up the sides. In a large metal bowl, whisk sugar, egg yolks, marsala and salt to blend.

Set the bowl over the saucepan of simmering water. Do not let bowl touch water. 

Whisk the egg mixture constantly until it is thick and creamy, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.

Using a large rubber spatula, fold the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture.

Divide slices of pound cake and top with fruit. Spoon warm zabaglione over the top. Serve. 

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Weight Watchers Recipes with Points

Disclaimer: The team of Weight Watchers keeps updating the program, according to the requirements/feedback of their members. The program has been updated many times, the latest one being the Weight Watchers 360 program, which was unveiled on the 3rd of December, 2012. The program teaches members how to manage their food environment, claiming that we tend to eat what we see. It also guides people on ways to control their temptation, and to avoid pleasure eating. Weight Watchers has not increased their rates for this new approach, and all the meetings, eTools, and apps are included in the total fee.

The content in this article explains the Weight Watchers program in detail. The details of the current program are exclusively available to the paid members of Weight Watchers.

If you're like me, and involved in a perpetual effort to lose weight, you might go through the extreme highs and lows that I routinely go through - the days when you can be a model of healthy eating, complete with fruits and veggies and everything else the good doctor ordered, and the days that start with a slight mistake that snowballs into a cookie eating frenzy that just leaves you feeling sick, bloated and fat. I think it's a mistake that most of us make - the sudden denials and the equally sudden binges, because in the experienced unsuccessful dieter's book, every diet equals denial. First mistake. If you cannot make lifestyle changes, then being in a perpetual diet that you follow in fits and starts, with bizarre patterns of eating, will only compound an already difficult aim. Weight Watchers recipes encourage you to make healthy eating a lifestyle change, by giving you wholesome, filling meal options that you can slowly incorporate into your daily meal planning. With organization, support from other weight watchers and by setting yourself achievable goals, you're much more likely to lose that weight and more importantly, keep it off.

So what does the weight watchers system comprise? It simply assigns point values to portions of food. Foods high in fiber and low in fat have low point values, while the reverse applies to high fat low fiber foods. At the beginning of a program, you will be assigned a total number of points to aim for as a daily target, along with some recipes with points to start with, that will help bring you closer to your ideal weight. Should you join the program, there will be a customized target set for you, for a fee, and support meetings and groups will form part of the endeavor. There is also an online option if meets and groups are not your thing. Here are some recipes you can try out.

Chicken Fingers with Ranch Dressing - 4 Points

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• Skinned chicken breast, boneless - 8 oz
• Egg whites - cup
• Cornflakes - 1 cup
• Salt - 1 tsp
• Garlic Powder - 2 tsp
• Onion Powder - 2 tsp
• Paprika - 1 tsp
• Freshly ground black pepper - 2 tsp

For the Dressing:

• Low fat Mayo - 2 tbsp
• Low fat yogurt (plain) - 2tbsp
• Ranch dressing powder mix - 1 tsp

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 400F (220C, Gas mark 6) and spray a baking sheet with non stick oil. Cut the chicken breast into strips about inch wide.
2. Place cornflakes, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika in a food processor and whiz until you get a crumb like consistency.
3. In a small bowl, beat the egg whites, then dip the chicken strips first into this, and then into the crumb mixture; shake off any excess. Place individually on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
4. Place in the oven until the coating is golden brown and the chicken cooked through (20-25 minutes)
5. Meanwhile combine all the dressing ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate.
6. Serve the chicken strips hot, with the dressing on the side.

Cajun Chicken Kebabs - 5 Points

Ingredients

• Skinless chicken breasts, boneless - 12 oz
• Yellow squash - 1, medium-sized
• Zucchini - 1, medium-sized
• Garlic cloves, crushed - 2
• Thyme - tsp
• Oregano - tsp
• Cayenne pepper - tsp
• Paprika - 2 tsp
• Salt - tsp
• Fresh ground black pepper - tsp
• Olive oil - 1 tsp
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Kebab skewers - 4 nos.

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (180C, Gas mark 4). Spray a baking sheet with non stick cooking spray.
2. Slice the chicken breasts into 1 inch thick strips.
3. In a bowl, combine the garlic, peppers, paprika, thyme, oregano and salt.
4. Spray chicken strips with cooking spray, then toss in seasoning.
5. Cut zucchini and squash into 1 inch wide pieces and place in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste, toss in olive oil.
6. Thread the chicken, squash and zucchini onto skewers.
7. Place on the baking sheet and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the chicken juices run clear.
8. Serve immediately.

Italiano Chicken - 6 points

Ingredients

• Boneless chicken breasts - 8 oz
• Italian dressing (light) - cup
• Angel hair pasta - 5 oz
• Frozen mixed vegetables - 11 oz

Method

1. Bring a large pan of water to boil, and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Cut the chicken into thin strips, and combine with half of the dressing in a small bowl
3. In a non stick heavy bottomed pan, saut the dressing coated chicken over medium-high heat, for 2 minutes, or until golden brown in color.
4. To the pan, add the vegetables and remaining dressing. Cover and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stir frequently.
5. Place a portion of pasta on a plate and top with chicken, vegetable mixture.

Vegetable Soup - 0 Points

Ingredients

• Chopped tomatoes - 2 x 400 g tins
• Carrots - 8 chopped
• Onions - 2 large, chopped
• Courgettes - 4, chopped
• Vegetable stock cubes - 2, dissolved in 1 liter of water
• Salt and Pepper - to taste

Method

1. Put all ingredients into a pan, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Blend and serve.

These were some weight watchers recipes with points for you to get started. Remember that permanent weight loss will also involve a healthy lifestyle with light to moderate exercise 4 at least times a week. Begin by trying out a few of these recipes. Free yourself from the drudgery of crash diets and unhealthy eating habits, and welcome a new, happy, healthy life!

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What to Make for Dinner

Many times, it happens that you enter the kitchen to prepare the dinner. You have all the grocery and ingredients available with you and you are left wondering what to prepare for dinner. You are bored eating the same recipe you prepare 2-3 times a week and want to have something different. Struggling to find the answer to the question, you get bored and end up ordering food from outside. If you plan the dinner and follow some simple strategies, you can easily get rid of this question.

Weekly planning of the dinner has proved to be an effective solution to this problem for many. All you need to do is, decide your dinner a week before and do the preparations accordingly. Here are some simple dinner ideas for you.

Dinner Ideas to Make in a Jiffy

Dinner Idea 1 - Spanish Rice

Ingredients

• Rice - 1 cups
• Plain tomato sauce - 1 cup
• Garlic - 3 cloves
• Onion - 1, medium-sized
• Chicken broth - 2 cups
• Oil - 2 tablespoons
• Chopped parsley - 4 tablespoons

Procedure

Spanish rice is a very simple and easy dinner recipe. First chop the garlic cloves finely. Then take a medium-sized sauce pan and heat the oil over medium heat. Then put in chopped garlic and chopped onion into the sauce pan. Saut the mixture for about one to two minutes, until the mixture becomes soft. Then put in the rice and stir the mixture for a while. Stir until the rice turns golden brown in color. Then add the chicken broth and tomato sauce into the rice. Put in chopped parsley and stir the mixture and let it boil. When the rice starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the sauce pan. Simmer the rice for at least 20 minutes and your Spanish rice is ready.

Dinner Idea 2 - Baked Ziti

Ingredients

• Dry ziti pasta - 1 pound
• Onion - 1
• Lean ground beef - 1 pound
• Spaghetti sauce - 2 (26 ounce) jars
• Sour cream - 1 cups
• Mozzarella cheese (shredded) - 6 ounces
• Provolone cheese (sliced) - 6 ounces
• Parmesan cheese (grated) - 2 tablespoons
• Oil - 1 tablespoon

Procedure

This is the best make ahead dinner for Italian pasta lovers. Preheat the oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit. Put in some water in a large vessel and add some salt to it. Bring this water to boil and add the ziti pasta to it. Boil the pasta for about 8-10 minutes until the pasta turns firm enough to eat. Then take a large skillet, put oil and saut onion and ground beef in it. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer the mixture for about 15 minutes. Grease a 9 by 15 inch loaf pan and arrange the layers. The order of the layers goes like this, half of the ziti, provolone cheese, sour cream, half sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and in the end pour the remaining sauce mixture. Then grate Parmesan cheese over the mixture. Bake this mixture in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. You can serve this delicious pasta with tossed salad and onion rolls.

Dinner Idea 3 - Italian Zucchini

Ingredients

• Sugar - 1 teaspoon
• Zucchinis (sliced) - 2
• Olive oil - cup
• White onion (sliced into thin wedges) - 1 small
• Salt - 1 tablespoon
• Italian seasoning - tablespoon
• Diced tomatoes with juice - 1 (14.5 ounce) can

Procedure

One more simple and make ahead dinner recipe is Italian zucchini. First heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and then put in onion. Cook the mixture until onion cubes become soft. Then put in tomatoes, juice and zucchini. Add salt and Italian seasoning and cook the mixture until zucchini becomes tender. In the end add sugar and add seasonings according to taste required. Serve this recipe with rice.

So, still wondering what to make for dinner? Use the above given tips and plan your dinner recipes. You should decide the dinner recipe well before time and buy the ingredients in advance. This will save your time and also minimize your grocery trips. Make a list of favorites of your family members and decide the weekly dinner accordingly.

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Green Coffee Bean Extract

We are aware of scores of different anti-aging formulae. To add to the extensive list comes our friend, the green coffee bean extract. The usual coffee powder that we find is the coffee powder prepared after roasting green coffee beans. The extract is extracted from green coffee bean at 70 C for 2 hours using 70% ethanol. Green coffee bean extract is a light to dark yellowish brown hygroscopic powder, rich in several polyphenols called hydroxycinnamic acids, of which the two prominent acids are chlorogenic and caffeic acids.

Green coffee bean extract is touted for its anti-oxidant, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity properties. Let's have a look at the different ways in which this green coffee extract benefits the human body.

Anti-aging Benefits
The chlorogenic acids present in the green coffee bean is an antioxidant, which means it destroys the free radicals formed in the body, as a result of metabolism. These free radicals if left as they are, destroy cell membranes and conduce to symptoms of aging. By destroying these harmful free radicals, green coffee bean extract actually slows down the onset of aging. Test results also show that green coffee extract has double the rate of oxygen radicals absorbing capacity, as compared to grape seed or green tea extract.

Reduce Blood Pressure
Animal research reveals that chlorogenic acids present in the extract also help alleviate high blood pressure levels. Based on this finding, further research was conducted on humans. The one month experiment done on people with mild hypertension showed that consumption of green coffee extract supplements were seen to have their high blood pressure levels lowered. When taken at a dose of 185 mg, the extract was most effective in treating hypertension. Thus, this extract is helpful in treating hypertension.

Promotes Weight Loss
Scientist Hiroshi Shimoda and his team from Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Company (Japan) in their research on green coffee bean extract found that it promotes weight loss. This weight loss is due to two chemical compounds naturally present in the green coffee beans. Because these coffee beans are unroasted, they have not lost their natural chemicals, which are otherwise lost after roasting.

These natural chemicals are caffeine and chlorogenic acid, which together conduce to weight loss. The caffeine from the coffee releases fatty acids from stored body fat, while the chlorogenic acid assists the liver in processing the fatty acids more efficiently, thereby resulting in weight loss. Shimoda continues to state that; "If a human consumes one kilogram per day of food (2.2 pounds) containing 10 grams (.35 ounce) of green coffee bean extract for 14 days, the increase in body weight may be suppressed by 35 percent."

Boosts Metabolism
The extract boosts metabolism by altering the way in which glucose is absorbed in the body. The caffeic acids act as stimulants and boost the energy levels. Then again, since this green bean has not been boiled, it lacks cafestol, which is a diterpene, which would have otherwise increased levels of bad cholesterol or LDL.

This extract is safe and till today, there have been no reports of any adverse reactions to this extract. However, to be on the safer side, pregnant and breastfeeding women, young children and people with kidney and liver issues should refrain from taking this green coffee extract.

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Whole Wheat Bread Calories

Actually, even white bread is made from wheat. The difference is that the bran and the germ in wheat are removed to make white bread. But wheat bread utilizes all these healthy substances found in wheat that is, endosperm, bran and the wheat germ. Thus brown bread is also referred to as whole grain wheat bread. It is a known fact that whole wheat bread contains more fiber than white bread and that has many benefits. There are many such whole wheat bread benefits. Some of them I will be listing below, along with some information about its calorie content.

Calories in Whole Wheat Bread

Here are all the trustworthy figures referred from the United States' Department of Agriculture (USDA). The calories in wheat bread in different forms has been mentioned. The important thing about wheat bread is that it has a lot of fiber and that makes it very useful for weight loss. So these calories in whole wheat bread get burnt very easily. Along with these calories every slice of wheat bread also contains 9 percent proteins which is a very good amount. Also, the fat content in a wheat bread only about 17 percent per slice. Refer to the chart below to know the exact number calories in whole wheat bread.

Wheat Bread Type	Calories
1 slice wheat bread	128
1 slice, wheat bread crust removed	30
1 slice Toasted Wheat Bread, crust removed	30
1 slice Commercial Whole Wheat Bread	69
1 slice Multigrain Wheat Bread	70

Whole Wheat Bread Nutritional Facts

The first and the most important one of the whole wheat bread nutrition facts is that it contains a lot of soluble fiber because of which you feel full for a longer duration. This helps you in losing weight faster. Fiber also helps your digestive system thus effecting general good health. Fiber also fights cholesterol and keeps your heart healthier by avoiding cardiovascular diseases.

There are other benefits of wheat bread like reducing the possibility of colon cancer. It is due to the whole wheat bread nutritional value. So to avoid colon cancer and cardiovascular diseases eat a few slices of whole wheat bread every morning. Avoid eating it in the evenings or at night. Whole wheat bread also contains magnesium and phytochemicals that help many of our bodily activities. This further ensures that you are less prone to type 2 diabetes.

Magnesium also makes your bones more dense and prevents them from becoming weak especially in old age. So your bones will not become brittle or soft when you get old. Eating a few slices of wheat bread every morning for breakfast can also give you more energy than any other kind of breakfast. But these benefits and wheat bread nutrition facts are applicable for hundred percent whole wheat bread. Many commercially available breads contain only a small percentage of whole grains. So make sure that you check that percentage on the packing before buying the bread.

I hope you have got enough information on the nutrition provided by whole wheat bread, and its calorie content. Including whole wheat bread in your weight loss program is beneficial but that is not enough. You have to team it up with regular exercise and an overall balanced diet.

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How to Grill Ribs

Well prepared pork ribs that are tender yet succulent are among my favorite foods. However, this is one mouth-watering delicacy that does not come easy, and requires a fair amount of time and energy put in to achieve perfection. In fact, grilling ribs is almost an art. If you are a novice at grilling ribs, a few good instructions will keep you away from the usual pitfalls, and prevent you from going to bed hungry and dejected. To start with, for really great results overnight marination is recommended, or at least 12 hours, after which they must be cooked over a low heat grill for three to four hours.

While my favorite are pork ribs, you need to decide if you want beef or pork ribs. The former are long with a fair amount of meat on them. They are usually available in slabs of six or seven ribs. Pork spareribs are cut from the underbelly of the pig. They have lesser meat on them but have quite a bit of fat, which add much to the flavor.

Steps to Grill Ribs

Preparing the Ribs: The first step in how to grill pork ribs or beef ribs is to marinate the ribs. First, remove the silvery membrane that you can see along the bone-side of the ribs. To season the meat, you have several options. One is to use a combination of herbs or spices to flavor the ribs. A simple but flavorful for seasoning is salt, black pepper, sugar, paprika and garlic powder. Jab the ribs all over with a fork. Combine the spices and coat the ribs with them. Cover the ribs with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Marinade: Your next option is to season the ribs with a marinade. The good thing about marinades is that they don't just flavor the meat but, also tenderizes it. The best kind of marinades are the ones that are thin and sugar-free, for they can penetrate the meat the best. Jab the ribs all over with a fork. Place the ribs in a large food-safe plastic bag or in a deep bowl, and pour on the marinade over it. Seal the bag/cover the bowl and refrigerate it overnight.

Preparing the Grill: Grilling ribs on a gas grill is a good choice as, the gas grill heats up faster and is easier to clean. However, the charcoal grill has the advantage of lending the meat a smoky flavor. Get it ready by using a wire brush or aluminum foil to clean the grate of the grill. Then, brush the grate of the grill with vegetable oil and place an oven thermometer on the grill, close to where you will be placing the ribs. Whether you are using a gas or charcoal grill, heat it to a temperature between 200F and 225F.

Grilling: Once the grill has reached the mentioned temperature, place your ribs on the grate area opposite of the coals or the burner and close the lid. The trick of how to grill beef ribs or pork ribs to perfection is to cook it over low indirect heat for a long period of time. After about 45 minutes, check to see if the temperature is the same. To keep the ribs moist, keep brushing them with a sauce of your choice, such as barbecue sauce, while they are being cooked. Pull one of ribs of the grate after three hours of cooking, to check if it is done.

Visual indications that the meat is done is, if it is white or tan close to the bone and pinkish towards the surface. However, know that if the slab of meat is thick, then it can take up to 5 hours to cook. If you want a quick way for grilling ribs, you can braise the ribs for 30 minutes to an hour.

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Whole Wheat Rolls

Whole wheat rolls are a family favorite when it comes to packing for picnics and lunches. Combined with butter or jam, these fresh rolls just melt in your mouth. What's more, these rolls are not only easy to make but are also a good alternative to the white bread rolls. So if you want to impress everyone with your incredibly soft and moist rolls, then here is a collection of easy homemade recipes for you.

Simple Whole Wheat Rolls Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 cups whole wheat flour
• 3 packages active dry yeast
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 eggs
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• Butter

How to Make

Combine the flour with the yeast in a large mixing bowl and stir it well. Heat a heavy saucepan and pour in the milk and add sugar, salt and the butter to it. Set it to low heat settings and keep stirring the ingredients frequently till the temperature reaches 120 degree Fahrenheit. Now add in the yeast and flour mixture and beat in the eggs as well. Mix well and add the remaining flour to it one spoon at a time. Do this until the dough is to stiff to stir with the spoon. Now place this dough on a work surface on which some dough has been sprinkled. Add some more flour to the dough and knead till it is smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover and let it rise for around two hours. Divide the rolls into balls and place it on greased sheets. Cover with a soft cloth or the kitchen towel and let it rest for around half an hour. Now place the rolls in a preheated oven of around 400 degree F and bake for twenty minutes or till it is golden brown in color. Remove from the oven and brush the wheat bread with melted butter. Store it for around two to three days to cool.

Honey Whole Wheat Rolls Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• Additional melted butter

How to Make

Dissolve the yeast in a large bowl of warm water. Add the honey, eggs, flour, butter and the oats. Add a teaspoon of salt and mix till it is smooth. Now add the remaining all-purpose flour and knead it to form a soft, smooth dough for about eight minutes or so. Place the dough in a greased bowl and turn once to grease the top part of the dough. Cover it with a cheesecloth and place it in a warm place to let it rise for around an hour or so. Punch the dough down and form fifteen dough balls. Place it in a greased pan and cover it. Let it rise for forty five minutes before you place it in a preheated oven of around 375 F for 20 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Remove it and brush with butter.

Cheese Whole Wheat Rolls Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 c. whole wheat flour
• 2 packages of active dry yeast
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 2 c. cream style cottage cheese
• 1/2 c. water
• 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 2 tsp. salt

How to Make

Stir in the flour, yeast and soda in a large bowl. Now in a saucepan heat the water and add sugar, butter and salt. Take off heat and add the cheese and the beaten eggs. Beat the mixture using an electric mixer for around half a minute at low speed and then for three minutes at high speed. Now stir in the remaining all-purpose flour and make a stiff dough. Place it on a floured surface and knead the dough till it is smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let it rise to around double for an hour or so. Now punch down the dough and shape it into balls, Place it in muffin pans and let it rise. After half an hour place it in an oven and bake at 375 degree F for fifteen minutes or so.

While there are a number of quick bread, machine made rolls available in the market, the taste of the freshly baked rolls which are light, fluffy and a bit sweet are something that you can never forget. So use these simple recipes to make some of these fresh rolls and enjoy it with the entire family.

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Arabic Chicken With Lemon & Thyme Recipe

Photo: Arabic Chicken With Lemon & Thyme Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Arabic Chicken With Lemon & Thyme Recipe. Enjoy the Middle Eastern Cuisine and learn how to make Arabic Chicken With Lemon & Thyme.
 
Ingredients: 

Servings: 6 

2 (4 lb) broiler-fryer chickens, in pieces 
1/2-3/4 cup salad oil (I use half canola & half olive) 
2/3 cup lemon juice 
2 tablespoons thyme 
1 teaspoon garlic powder 

Directions: 

1 Mix all ingredients (but chicken) for marinade. 

2 Marinade chicken at least an hour (up to overnight). 

3 Place chicken in baking dish. 


4 Bake 1 hr at 350, then broil 15 min or until golden brown.

Source food.com 

More from the Lebanese Recipes Kitchen:

Marvelous Middle-Eastern Marinated Yogurt Lemon Chicken
The best marinated lamb kebabs
Lamb kebabs with minted yoghurt
Lamb kebab with sage
Chicken skewers with hommus
Spicy Beef Kebabs

Save and share Arabic Chicken With Lemon & Thyme Recipe

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Baharat Aka Middle East Mixed Spices - the Real Mix Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Baharat Aka Middle East Mixed Spices - the Real Mix Recipe. Enjoy the Middle Eastern Cuisine and learn how to make Baharat Aka Middle East Mixed Spices - the Real Mix.
 
Ingredients: 

Yield: 2 cups 

1/2 cup whole black peppercorn 
1/4 cup whole coriander seed 
1/4 cup cassia or 1/4 cup cinnamon bark 
1/4 cup whole cloves 
1/3 cup cumin seed 
2 teaspoons whole cardamom seeds 
4 whole whole nutmegs 
1/2 cup ground paprika 

Directions: 

1 Basically, just place all the spices except the paprika and nutmeg in a blender or adequate grinder and process until it becomes a powder. 

2 If necessary you can grind 1/2 cup at a time. 

3 Grate the nutmeg and blend this with the paprika into the spices. 

4 Store in an airtight jar. 

5 Generally in some areas, they lightly toast the spices in an oven to bring out more flavor. 

6 You can gain this also by putting the amount you're going to use, on a hot dry frypan and toast it for a few seconds before using. 

7 This not only makes the kitchen smell good, but brings out a richer flavor of any spice. 

8 *Note* You can also use ground spices, but using them whole is the authentic way. 

9 Four nutmegs come to about 1/4 cup ground. 

10 Be careful how much nutmeg you use; it's toxic in large doses.

Source food.com

More from the Lebanese Recipes Kitchen:

Lebanese Lentils (Mujadara) 
Lentil & lamb moussaka  
Spiced Chicken and Lentils  
Turkish lamb pizza with pumpkin & lentils  
Lebanese Lentils & Red Peppers  
Harira: Moroccan Chickpea Stew with Chicken and Lentils  

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Eggless Brownies

Brownies... Even thinking about them warms you up from within, with a smile automatically appearing on your face... There are very few things on earth that can cheer up both a child and an old man to an equal extent and brownies are definitely one of them. So, just because you are a vegan or a vegetarian who chooses to not to have eggs, you shouldn't allow anyone to keep you from eating brownies. Thankfully, there are some awesome homemade eggless brownie recipes available, that will help you make the best eggless brownies ever! Check them out.

Homemade Eggless Brownies
It is preferable that you refrain from using bananas as an egg substitute for any homemade brownies recipe, simply because they eclipse the taste of the other components of the dish, no matter what other ingredient you bother to add.

Non-dairy Eggless Brownies from Scratch
I am being a little presumptuous here in guessing that most vegans with a sweet tooth are going to love me for this recipe. Now to make 16 luscious eggless brownies from scratch, you will need,

• All-purpose flour, 2 cups
• Sugar, 2 cups
• Water, 1 cup
• Walnuts, cup (crudely slivered)
• Non-dairy margarine, cup
• Cocoa powder, 10 tbsp.
• Baking powder, 2 tsp.
• Vanilla extract, 1 tsp.
• Salt, tsp.

Procedure
Combine cup of flour and water and then pour it into a saucepan. Put this to heat on a medium flame and stir. Remove it from flame when this has relatively thickened and then allow it to cool. In the meantime, heat the margarine and add the cocoa to it when it has sufficiently melted. Now, run the rest of the flour and the baking powder through a sieve. Also, add the sugar, vanilla extract and salt to the thickened flour-water mixture and whisk all the ingredients together very well. Now pour this admixture into the dry flour-baking powder mix and throw in the walnuts. Now take a spatula and blend everything together thoroughly until you get a smooth, uniform mixture. Now, for putting this batter for brownies in the oven, set your oven to a temperature of 350 F and grease a 9"x13" baking pan with some vegetable oil. Pour the smooth batter into the pan and bake for like 25 minutes. After that remove the brownies from the oven, allow them to cool down to room temperature and with a sharp, broad knife slice them out into sumptuous rectangles. You can garnish with confectioner's sugar if you like it!

Coffee Flavored Eggless Brownies with Chocolate Chips
This recipe is basically for vegetarians with a vegan variation available as well! Now for this you must have:

• All-purpose flour, 1 cup
• Buttermilk, 1 cup (OR 1 cup of milk mixed with a tablespoon of white vinegar OR 2 tablespoons of yogurt and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice dissolved in a cupful of water)
• Icing sugar, cup
• Cocoa powder, cup
• Butter, 5 tbsp. (molten)
• Chocolate chips, 2 tbsp. (dusted with slight flour)
• Pecans or hazelnuts, 1 tbsp. (slivered)
• Instant coffee, 2 tsp. (mixed in a tablespoon of water)
• Baking soda, 1 tsp.
• Salt, tsp.

Procedure
Simply, grease an 11"x7" baking pan and set the temperature of the oven to 350 F for preheating. Now in a large mixing bowl run the flour, icing sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt through a sieve and then pour the buttermilk, molten butter and coffee solution into the bowl. Commingle well with a spatula and fold in the chocolate chips and nuts as you blend. Now pour this batter into the pan and bake for a full 20 - 25 minutes. Then remove from the oven and allow the entire dish to totally cool before you cut out separate cookies. Add a dollop of chocolate sauce to finish off this eggless brownies recipe in style. Now, for vegans to make this, substitute the butter with some vegetable oil and trade the buttermilk for a cup of soy milk with a 1 tablespoon of lemon juice dissolved in it. The best brownie recipe ever!!! However, remember to allow the pan to cool completely or it'll be difficult to remove the brownies from it.

Pumpkin Flavored Eggless Brownies
This Halloween recipe is perfect for a cozy eight-some, with two pieces to spare for each! Gather,

• Unsweetened chocolate, 3 oz.
• Unsweetened applesauce, cup
• Whole barley flour, cup
• Light brown sugar, cup (firmly packed)
• Pumpkin pure, cup
• Granulated sugar, cup
• Pecans, cup (slivered)
• Water, cup
• Unsweetened cocoa powder, cup
• Margarine, 2 tbsp.
• Vanilla extract, 2 tsp.
• Baking powder, tsp.
• Salt, tsp.

Procedure
Preheat oven to a warm 350 F and lubricate an 8" square baking pan with vegetable oil. Now place an aluminum foil over the pan with sufficient foil hanging from both the sides. Now, place the chocolate in a pan and stir till it completely melts. To this, add the applesauce, sugar, pure, cocoa powder, a cup of water and vanilla extract to the pan and whip the ingredients together to blend really well. Run the flour, salt and baking powder through a sieve directly over the chocolate concoction and mizzle the pecan slivers from top. Now mix with a spatula and then pour the admixture onto the 8" baking pan. Flatten the top with a spatula and then bake for approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Once the brownies become spongy and spring back on touching, remove from the oven and set aside for total cooling down. After 45 minutes, carefully lift the aluminum foil by holding onto the sides and place on a wire rack. After another 1 hours and cut out equal rectangles sans problems!

You may add white, semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips to these easy brownie recipes, if you like. To make these eggless brownies even more delectable, add a scoop of ice cream to it. Bliss!!!

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Homemade Tea

I remember the time when the only reason I used to enjoy reading English classics was for their very colorful and detailed description of afternoon teas and high teas. In all these classics, afternoon tea was often accompanied with dainty pastries, scones with cream and jams and tiny sandwiches. I loved the idea of enjoying an afternoon tea so much that I would purchase pastries and scones from the local delicatessen to recreate the same ambiance as described in the books. However I wanted to make the tea myself for recreating and enjoying an afternoon escapade. Tea is quite easy to make and there are many variations of the basic recipe. You can have tea piping hot or cold teas for those hot and sultry afternoons.

How to Make Tea

There are also many varieties of tea leaves that can be used like black tea, green tea, oolong tea, earl grey and white tea. Moreover there are many tea varieties that are made from a blend of different tea leaves. Flavored teas are also available that contains flavor as different and varied as chocolate, coffee, mint or brandy. Some of the most popular flavored teas are jasmine tea, lychee tea, orchid tea and mint tea. Teas are also classified according to place where they are cultivated and some of the most famous teas are Indian teas, Chinese teas, Japanese teas and Ceylon teas. The way the tea leaves are harvested, dried and processed and the climate where it is cultivated effects the flavor of the brew. So Indian teas taste quite different from a Ceylon or Japanese tea. There are regional variations in the taste for teas that are cultivated in the same country. So an Assam tea from India has a rich, strong, full-bodied, almost malty flavor whereas a Darjeeling tea is more subtle with a light and crisp flavor.

Easy Homemade Tea
Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon tea leaves
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Method

Boil the water in a kettle and pour around cup of tea into a teapot. Swish the water in the teapot and throw it out. Add 1 teaspoon of tea leaves into the teapot and pour the rest of the boiling water into the teapot. Cover the teapot with its lid and place a tea cozy over it. Allow the leaves to steep in the hot water for about 5 minutes. Pour out the tea into cups taking care to strain the leaves. Add a tablespoon of sugar in each cup and mix with a spoon. Your steaming cup of black tea is ready.

Homemade Moroccan Mint Tea
Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons green tea leaves
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 6 mint leaves

Method

Boil the water in a kettle and add the green tea leaves into the teapot. Crush the mint leaves and add it into the teapot along with the sugar. Pour out the boiling water into the teapot and cover with the lid. Allow the tea leaves to steep for about 5 minutes and then strain the tea. Your green mint tea is ready.

Homemade Green Tea
Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 5 teaspoon green tea leaves

Method

Fill a kettle with water and then heat it to 80 to 85 C. Take care not to boil the water as boiling water will ruin the flavor of green tea. Place the green tea leaves in the tea strainer and then place the tea strainer over a teacup. Pour the hot water through the strainer and keep the tea leaves soaked for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not let the green tea leaves soak for more than 2 minutes or the tea will have a burnt taste.

Homemade Herbal Tea
Ingredients

• teaspoon dried catnip
• teaspoon dried chamomile
• teaspoon lemongrass
• teaspoon lemon balm
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon tea leaves

Method

In a kettle, boil the water and in a teapot place the tea leaves, dried catsnip, dried chamomile, lemongrass and dried lemon balm. Pour the boiling water in the teapot and cover the teapot with a lid. Let the tea leaves steep for some time and then strain the liquid to pour it out in tea cups. Your tea is ready. You can add some natural sweetener like honey if you do not like the taste of herbal tea.

So, these were some tea recipes that you can prepare at home. Always use the best quality leaves to get the most wonderful brew and store tea leaves in air tight containers. Now that you know how to make tea, you can savor its great taste and wonderful aroma.

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Shrimp Appetizers

Food is a celebration in all parts of the world. When it is about celebrations, is it possible to leave out shrimp from these occasions? There are a number of ways of making shrimp-based dishes. They can made to be a part of appetizers, main course and dinner as well. However, to me the most tempting are the shrimp appetizers. A number of people consider shrimp entrees as a no-meat appetizer alternative. Shrimp appetizer recipes range from bacon wrapped to beer boiled to crunchy popcorn shrimp recipes. We will see some easy appetizers that are made with shrimp.

Easy Shrimp Appetizer Recipes

If you are planning a party, you can try out the shrimp appetizers that I have mentioned below.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
For Halloween, this is one recipe that you would want to serve your family and guests.
Ingredients

• Large Shrimp (shelled, de-veined), 48
• Dry White Wine, cup
• Lemon Peel (shredded), 1 teaspoon
• Garlic Chili Sauce, 1 teaspoons
• Salt, 1 teaspoon
• Bacon Strips (quartered half lengthwise and then again cross, flattened), 6
• Mayonnaise, cup
• Lemon Juice, 2 tablespoons
• Chili Garlic Sauce, 1 tablespoon
• Green Onion (finely chopped), 2

Method

• To marinate shrimp, combine them with wine, lemon peel, 1 teaspoons chili garlic sauce and salt and toss well. Keep it aside for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove shrimp and drain on paper towel and discard the marinade.
• Wrap each shrimp in a piece of bacon and secure bacon by skewering shrimp with a wooden toothpick.
• Preheat the broiler and position the rack such that it is at least 3 to 4 inches away from the heat.
• Place the shrimp in a single layer on an unheated rack of the broiler pan and broil turning twice, till the shrimp are opaque and bacon is cooked thoroughly and is crisp.
• While the shrimp is broiling, let's make the sauce to go with the bacon-wrapped shrimp.
• In a bowl, stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce, 1 teaspoon salt and the green onions.
• Cover the sauce and chill till serving time.
• Serve the shrimp with the sauce. It will make about 12 to 16 servings.

Coconut Fried Shrimp
This recipe gives us a tropical, coconut-coated shrimp with a sweet sauce. For a lot of people, this coconut shrimp recipe can also turn out to be the main course.

Ingredients

• Uncooled Jumbo Shrimp (shelled, de-veined), 1 pound
• All-Purpose Flour, cup
• Egg Whites (lightly beaten), 2
• Flaked Coconut, 1 cups
• Pineapple Preserves, 1 jar
• Frozen Non-Alcoholic Pina Colada Mix (thawed), 1 tablespoon
• Oil for Deep Frying

Method

• Starting with the tail of the shrimp, make a slit down to the inner curve of each shrimp and press lightly to flatten the shrimp.
• Place flour, egg white and coconut in three different bowls.
• Dip the shrimp in flour, followed by egg whites and last in the coconut.
• Use an electric skillet or deep fat fryer to fry the shrimp.
• Heat oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and fry the shrimp till they are golden brown in color on both the sides.
• In a bowl combine, pineapple preserves and pina colada mix and serve with fried shrimp.

Shrimp Dip
This is a cold shrimp appetizer and can become a favorite for parties or for a potluck. It is recommended to make this recipe one day in advance.

Ingredients

• Shrimp, 2 cans
• Onion (chopped fine), 1
• Worcestershire Sauce, 1 dash
• Cream Cheese, 11 ounce
• Mayonnaise, cup
• Ketchup, 2 tablespoons
• Dill Weed, 2 teaspoons

Method

• Let cream cheese rest at room temperature 24 hours so that it is soft.
• In a bowl, mash shrimp and onion along with Worcestershire sauce, cream cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup and dill weed together with a potato masher.
• Chill the dip in the refrigerator for a day and serve at the party.

A number of my friends have used these shrimp appetizers recipes and have given me positive feedback. I have personally used this recipe to serve the guests at parties and they have certainly liked them a lot. I hope you will like it as well. Bon Appetit!

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