Holiday Side: Green Beans Casserole Recipe

Image via: Pop Sugar

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Total time: Preparation 20 minutes + Baking 50 minutes

Yields: 8 servings

Ingredients:

8 ounces sliced water chestnuts, drained

1 chopped small onion

4 and half ounces sliced mushrooms, drained

6 tablespoons butter, divided

¼ cup all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

½ cup chicken broth

1 teaspoon reduced sodium soy sauce

1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Pinch of salt

16 ounces frozen green beans, thawed

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup crushed fried onions

Directions:

Image via: Fresh and Natural Foods

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small skillet, sauté water chestnuts, mushrooms, and onion in 2 tablespoons butter for 4 to 5 minutes or until crisp tender. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt remaining butter, stir in all-purpose flour until smooth. Stir in milk, soy sauce, broth, pepper sauce, and salt. Bring to boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in cheese and green beans.
3. Spoon half of the bean mixture into greased 1 and half qt baking dish. Layer with chestnut mixture and remaining bean mixture.
4. Bake, uncovered for 45 minutes. Top with fried onions. Bake for 5 minutes or until heated through.

Rich, buttery, and comforting, this green beans casserole is certainly not something that we eat all the time, which makes it all the more special during the holidays. While making it from scratch may sound a little overwhelming, trust us, you will be very happy with results. So, which other holiday sides are you trying this season?

Most experts say the pairing of food and wine is an inexact science – more art than anything else – and yet there are rules to follow. At its core, pairing food with wine (or food with other types of alcohol, for that matter) is about attaining flavour balance. One should ask whether the food and drink complement one another with similar flavours, or whether the two provide a pleasing contrast.

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For a start, it will be useful some basic tips provided by The Oxford Companion to Wine, an authority in this field:

1) Sourness and saltiness in food suppress apparent bitterness in wine; 2) Astringency in wine is suppressed by foods that are acidic, salty or fatty and accentuated by food that is sweet or spicy; 3) Salty foods often make sweet wines taste sweeter; and 4) Bitter foods often make wine seem more bitter.

Pairing your favorite wines and foods

When it comes to finding balance, white wines are better paired with pork meat, such as a roast (something that also calls for fruit supplements such as apples or apricots), or fish. If you’re thinking buying a fresh, fruity white such as Germany’s Riesling, pork roast is the dish to go for. But an aspiring wine taster shouldn’t forget how a grape can also be at the core of different types of wine: in Riesling’s case, you’ll be delighted to find out how easily its semi-sweet and sweet varieties can be paired with your favourite desserts.

On the other hand, as previously mentioned, the opposite theory can also work: different tastes make for a pleasing pairing, such as when the crisp flavours of many white wines are paired with a rich, creamy dish. The contrast in these cases acts as break in between mouthfuls, with the wine cleaning the palate and preparing your taste buds for the most surprising dishes.

Matching regions with traditional foods

Another general rule of thumb that helps take some of the guesswork out of food-wine pairing is to match a wine from a particular region with traditional foods (including cheeses) from that region, as more often than not, the two will have a natural affinity. Take Spain, for instance: the local roasted or grilled meat dishes are a perfect match for dry and tawny wines such as Rioja, a Spanish classic.

Image Wit and Delight

For those thinking of something more rare and unique such as lobster or shellfish instead, Champagne is one of the most universal options. Favoured by most is the Bollinger Champagne, one of the last remaining independent Champagne houses, internationally acclaimed for its sophisticated taste. The dry sweetness of a Champagne like Bollinger goes perfectly with the ‘meaty’ taste of seafood like clams, mussels and lobster.
Generally speaking, there are many foods recommended for popular, more accessible wines. When it comes to lamb, sommelier favourites are Bordeaux, New World Chardonnay, Rioja, and Cru Beaujolais; while for chicken Côtes du Rhône, Trebbiano, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon are all good choices.  Finally, what better than a bottle of Chianti Classico to gi with your bolognaise pasta?

For more food and wine ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Do you love cake that has a fruitful twist? Take a look at Tres Leche Cake, soon to be your favorite. This is a healthy and delicious dessert for the whole family. There are only a few easy steps to follow and you will never go wrong with everything. So, get hold of the ingredient and prepare your kitchen for a sumptuous treat!

Thanks Martha Stewart for this yummy cake recipe.

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A Fruitful Delight – Tres Leches Cake

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled, plus more for baking dish
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 5 cups fresh fruit (optional), such as oranges or berries, for serving

Image via

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat eggs and 3/4 cup sugar on high until pale and thick, about 4 minutes. Add vanilla and beat to combine.
3. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture and beat to combine. With a rubber spatula, fold in melted butter until incorporated.
4. Transfer batter to dish and bake until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes, rotating dish halfway through.
5. In a medium bowl, whisk together milks. Poke warm cake all over with a wooden skewer or toothpick, then pour milk mixture over top and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
6. Whip cream and 1/4 cup sugar to medium peaks. To serve, spread whipped cream evenly over cooled cake. Top with fruit if desired.

The combined colors of sliced fruits on top of the whipped cream intensify the tempting appearance of the Tres Leches cake. This is an impressive dessert recipe that you can serve for weekend gathering or party.

For more dessert recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy Sunday! Every weekend my daughter and I talk about what we’d like to cook for a fun activity. From cookies and cakes, to making brunch, Sunday is the perfect day for getting in the kitchen. Recipes, especially ones you do with your family can be special.

Today I found this recipe at Better Recipes – and knew you would love it. Take a look at this one pan chocolate cake recipe that takes no time at all to whip up!

One Pan Chocolate Cake Recipe

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup cold water

1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Place flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in an 8-inch square  baking pan.  Stir to combine.  Pour water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla over flour mixture.  Stir carefully to combine well and smooth out batter.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Cool and frost cake with your favorite icing, or just dust with powdered sugar, if desired.  Makes one 8-inch square cake.

For more recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

So, what’s for dinner? Simple question that sometimes may be so hard to answer. But this recipe can help you out with this problem. The Chicken Fingers with Curried Ketchup can rejuvenate your body from the stress brought about by work or school activities. This is very easy to prepare and quick recipe to cook.

Chicken Fingers with Curried Ketchup Recipe

Thanks Food Network for this yummy recipe for Chicken Fingers with Curried Ketchup

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Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Kosher salt
• 2 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds), cut into 1-inch-wide strips
• 1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• Juice of 1 lime

Image via

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Set a rack on a baking sheet and mist with cooking spray. Whisk the eggs, mustard, 1 teaspoon curry powder, the cumin and 1 teaspoon salt in a shallow bowl. Mix the panko with 1/2 teaspoon curry powder in another bowl.
2. Dip the chicken strips in the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off, then coat with the panko. Place the chicken on the rack and mist all over with cooking spray. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, about 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, bring about 1 inch of water to a boil in a large pot with a steamer rack or basket in place. Add the broccoli, cover and steam until crisp-tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Mix the ketchup, lime juice and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon curry powder in a small bowl. Serve the chicken strips with the curried ketchup and broccoli.

This is a perfect recipe for the whole family. The ingredients are all available in your nearest supermarkets. It’s a crunchy and tasty dinner treat to seal the day. You may add some spice like chili powder if you want it hot and spicy. Go ahead and give your whole family a treat!

For more food recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

People say that an apple a day takes the doctor away. But this Apple Crumb Squares recipe can make them come close to you! This bite-size dessert tastes so great and very nutritious for your body. It is so easy to prepare and takes less than an hour to bake. Thank you Delish for this delicious Autumn Apple Crumb Squares Recipe.

Autumn Apple Crumb Squares Recipe

Image via: Italian Food Forever

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Ingredients

Crumb Topping

• 1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup(s) pecans or walnuts, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup(s) (1 stick) butter or margarine, slightly softened
• 1/2 cup(s) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon(s) vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon

Crust

• 3 cup(s) all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup(s) granulated sugar
• Salt
• 3/4 cup(s) (1 1/2 sticks) cold butter or margarine

Apple Filling

• 4 pound(s) green cooking apples such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and cut into 1⁄2-inch chunks
• 4 tablespoon(s) butter or margarine
• 3/4 cup(s) raisins or dried currants
• 1/2 cup(s) light or dark brown sugar, packed
• 3/4 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon(s) cornstarch
• 2 teaspoon(s) cornstarch, combined with above-mentioned cornstarch
• 3 tablespoon(s) fresh lemon juice

Image via: Family Circle

Directions

1. Prepare Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl, with fingertips, mix all topping ingredients until mixture comes together. Shape into a ball; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate to use later.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease sides of 15 1/2″ by 10 1/2″ jellyroll pan.
3. Prepare Crust: In large bowl, with fork, mix flour, granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. With pastry blender or 2 knives used scissors-fashion, blend butter into flour mixture until mixture resembles fine crumbs. With hand, press crumb mixture evenly into bottom of prepared pan.
4. Bake crust 20 to 24 minutes or until golden brown (crust may crack slightly).
5. Meanwhile, prepare Apple Filling: In nonstick 12-inch skillet, cook apples, butter, raisins, brown sugar, and cinnamon over medium heat 25 to 30 minutes or until apples are very tender and most liquid from apples evaporates, stirring occasionally. In cup, mix cornstarch and lemon juice. Stir lemon-juice mixture into apple mixture and cook, stirring, until mixture thickens. Remove skillet from heat.
6. Spread apple mixture over hot crust. Break Crumb Topping into chunks and scatter over apple mixture. Bake 40 minutes or until topping browns. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
7. To serve, cut lengthwise into 4 strips, then cut each strip crosswise into 6 squares.

This Apple Crumb Squares recipe is perfect for all occasions. You can start by serving this delicious dessert on weekends.

For more food recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Have you ever tasted a Thai recipe? Well, the Thai Corn Fritters can be something that you will surely love to eat. This home-style Thai recipe is seasoned with strips of kaffir lime leaves and curry paste that gives an authentic Thai flavor. This is a delicious snack or appetizer for people who don’t want to eat meat for whatever reason.

Thank you Serious Eats for the recipe!

Thai Corn Fritters Recipe

Image via

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Ingredients

• 4 ears of corn
• 1 quart vegetable oil for deep-frying
• 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup rice flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 3 kaffir lime leaves or 1/4 cup Thai basil leaves
• Store-bought or homemade Thai sweet chili sauce

Directions

1. Remove corn kernels from cobs. Heat oil to 300°F in a wok or Dutch oven. Line a large platter or cookie sheet with paper towel and keep it nearby.
2. Reserve half of corn kernels and place the other half in the blender or food processor along with red curry paste, egg, rice flour, baking powder, and salt; blend until smooth and transfer mixture to a bowl.
3. Stack up kaffir lime leaves (or basil leaves) and roll them up tightly into a roll. Slice the roll crosswise as finely as possible. Fold in kaffir lime leaf strips into corn batter along with reserved whole corn kernels.
4. Drop corn batter very gently into oil by the tablespoonful. Do not over-fill pot. Once the fritters float to the top, flip them around to make sure they’re browned evenly. Once they’re golden brown and then start to darken around the edges, fish them out onto the paper towel-lined platter with a slotted spoon. Repeat until all fritters are cooked.
5. Allow the fritters to cool slightly. Serve them with Thai sweet chili sauce.

Image via

You can also use frozen corn kernels in this recipe. All you have to do is to completely thaw and squeeze out the moisture. You can serve as much as 30 two-inch fritters in just 15 minutes.

For more food recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

The summer is winding down and your chance to take a vacation is narrowing as well. If you are planning your summer’s end vacation and are looking for an eco-friendly hotel, how do you go about finding one? Today’s post is from the archives, it will give friendly tips to help you locate hotels, as well as find amenities that you are used to in your own home for keeping the Earth safe and you and your family healthy.

Original Entry #246, August 16, 2010

When you and your family travel do you wish you could take your green living practices with you? The search is over; hotels around the world have been implementing eco-friendly environments, practices and maintenance rituals into their establishments. When searching for green hotels and while staying, use these helpful tips to know what services are offered. Don’t forget, you’re the guest, ask the hotel in advance what eco friendly practices and amenities they offer.

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BATHROOMS:

Feeling comfortable when you travel is to have the feeling of cleanliness and home comfort that you would provide for your own family. Green hotels often will have low flow water faucets and the option for towels to be laundered or not. Organic complimentary toiletry products like hair products, bubble bath, and soaps to name a few. Cleaning products used by housekeeping are eco-friendly, free of harmful chemicals, dyes and perfumes.

HOTEL ROOM:

A non-smoking environment and HEPA filtered air system could be standard amenities in a green hotel. There can be different levels of “green” standards depending on your locality and the demand for these establishments where you are traveling. In hotel rooms look for bed linen to have the option of being laundered on an alternate schedule, similar to bath towels. Bed sheets, furniture, and window treatments will often be made with organic and quickly renewable materials like seagrass, jute and bamboo.

GREEN PRACTICES:

Around the world eco-friendly hotels are using green principles and training their personnel in eco conscious living for your comfort and peace of mind. Here are a few ideas that some hotels have adopted: 1.) Recycled wire hangers from guests’ dry cleaning 2.) Giving phone books to only guest’s who request them, to save on paper. 3.) Recycling receptacles located in hotel for guests to recycle paper, newspapers, aluminum, cardboard, etc. 4.) Reclaimed water usage for watering plants and landscaping. 5.) Hybrid car parking discounts for reducing energy consumption – hotel rewards you for driving your hybrid car to the hotel!

HOTEL RESTAURANT:

When traveling and staying at hotels, the restaurant at the hotel is usually not weighed into the decision as to whether you will stay at the establishment. At green hotels this is the complete opposite in consideration factor. These hotels will boast about their organic menu, on-site grown herbs, and menu items catered to special diets and lifestyles. Many green hotels will use locally sourced foods and will change the menu frequently to reflect what local organic markets have in stock in the immediate region. Fresh, personalized, organic food and attention to green practices is what staying at an eco friendly hotel is about.

Every year green hotels are making a bigger presence in the world hospitality market. Look for these hotels under “green hotels” in your search engine query. There are several to choose from, and many belong to green hotel associations for easier locating and amenity finding.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

When you and your family travel do you wish you could take your green living practices with you? The search is over; hotels around the world have been implementing eco-friendly environments, practices and maintenance rituals into their establishments.  When searching for green hotels and while staying, use these helpful tips to know what services are offered. Don’t forget, you’re the guest, ask the hotel in advance what eco friendly practices and amenities they offer.

BATHROOMS:

Feeling comfortable when you travel is to have the feeling of cleanliness and home comfort that you would provide for your own family. Green hotels often will have low flow water faucets and the option for towels to be laundered or not.  Organic complimentary toiletry products like hair products, bubble bath, and soaps to name a few. Cleaning products used by housekeeping are eco-friendly, free of harmful chemicals, dyes and perfumes.

HOTEL ROOM:

A non-smoking environment and HEPA filtered air system could be standard amenities in a green hotel.  There can be different levels of “green” standards depending on your locality and the demand for these establishments where you are traveling.  In hotel rooms look for bed linen to have the option of being laundered on an alternate schedule, similar to bath towels.  Bed sheets, furniture, and window treatments will often be made with organic and quickly renewable materials like seagrass, jute and bamboo.

GREEN PRACTICES:

Around the world eco-friendly hotels are using green principles and training their personnel in eco conscious living for your comfort and peace of mind.  Here are a few ideas that some hotels have adopted:  1.) Recycled wire hangers from guests’ dry cleaning 2.) Giving phone books to only guest’s who request them, to save on paper. 3.) Recycling receptacles located in hotel for guests to recycle paper, newspapers, aluminum, cardboard, etc. 4.) Reclaimed water usage for watering plants and landscaping. 5.) Hybrid car parking discounts for reducing energy consumption – hotel rewards you for driving your hybrid car to the hotel!

HOTEL RESTAURANT:

When traveling and staying at hotels, the restaurant at the hotel is usually not weighed into the decision as to whether you will stay at the establishment.  At green hotels this is the complete opposite in consideration factor. These hotels will boast about their organic menu, on-site grown herbs, and menu items catered to special diets and lifestyles.  Many green hotels will use locally sourced foods and will change the menu frequently to reflect what local organic markets have in stock in the immediate region.  Fresh, personalized, organic food and attention to green practices is what staying at an eco friendly hotel is about.

Every year green hotels are making a bigger presence in the world hospitality market. Look for these hotels under “green hotels” in your search engine query. There are several to choose from, and many belong to green hotel associations for easier locating and amenity finding.

Freshome readers tell us if you have stayed at a green hotel and what your experience was.  Would you recommend it to a friend? We’d love to hear!

For more eco-friendly ideas on Stagetecture, click here.