At a loyal reader’s request, I am taking a look at Lycopene in our food and if it can benefit a healthy lifestyle. Subscriber, Renee G said, “LYCOPENE: I would love to know what foods have it, how the body uses it, and if there is research showing effects on skin cancer rates.” What is Lycopene? (Lie-co-peen) – is a chemical compound that gives some vegetables and fruits, their vibrant color. Found in watermelons, pink grapefruits, apricots, guava, papaya, and red oranges; and particularly high amounts in tomatoes and tomato products. In North America, 85% of dietary lycopene comes from tomato products such as tomato juice or paste. One…
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Effortless Chicken Thighs in a Creamy Sauce
Chicken thighs are more flavorful than the breast cut and covering the thighs with a creamy sauce makes them more delightful. However, after making this incredible creamy sauce and nestling chicken thighs in the sauce, I have started to change my tune. This dish is very good for a weeknight easy meal. I served it with simple yellow rice, mixed with some banana peppers that I froze back in the spring. After thawing the peppers, between two paper towels, I chopped them up and put them in the rice, at the same time I placed the rice on simmer. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT FREEZING SUMMER PEPPERS Freezing Summer…
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Homemade Tomato Sauce Without Sweating Over a Hot Stove
With the bounty of my home-grown tomatoes and Doug’s love for red pasta sauces; I have been searching for a tomato sauce, NOT requiring me to sweat over a hot stove all day long. So, imagine my elation when I discovered a recipe that I can use my home-grown tomatoes and the Crock-Pot! The Crock-Pot below can be programmed to start cooking while you are at work AND you can carry it to a dinner party! Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S Programmable Cook and Carry Oval Slow Cooker, 6-Quart Because this was a new recipe and it would just be my husband and myself dining, I cut this recipe in half for this…
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Grilled Steak Tips and Potatoes on Kebabs
Kebabs are an easy way to control portions and eat healthy because you will cook them on the grill. Something simple and expensive like steak tips and potatoes can become a luxurious meal. Usually, the trick is making simplicity taste like it was complicated. This America’s Test Kitchen recipe for the sour cream-chive sauce is fresh and taste like summer. This recipe calls for the meat TO MARINATE FOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS OR UP TO 24 HOURS. My recommendation is to prep the meat, placing it in the marinade before you start your workday. After the 8-9 hour workday, the meat will be perfect. Tricks I learned while…
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Simple Supper: One Pot Pasta with Spinach & Tomatoes
Easy pasta dinner with a few ingredients… My favorite go to meal when I have no idea what to make for dinner is PASTA. It is so easy to prepare and you only need a few ingredients to boost it up to an entree. Served with a slice of bread, this is a meal that was a crunch time touchdown that only took about 30 minutes from start to finish. Ingredients needed: 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil 1 cup of chopped onion 6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes – do not drain them 1 1/2 cups chicken stock – I use Swanson, unsalted…
