Today, Khloe Rose and her friends bake up some pumpkin oatmeal dog treats. They’re fun to make and dog-approved! If you enjoy this video, please subscribe.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Dog Treats
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup flour
3 eggs
1 can pumpkin (15 oz)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 can cooked chicken (12.5 oz) or 1½ cooked leftover chicken
Preheat oven to 350℉.
Mix together rolled oats and flour. Add eggs, pumpkin and olive oil. Blend until well incorporated.
Break or shred chicken into small pieces and add to the dog treat mixture. Blend well, using hands if necessary.
Coat three silicone Three Little Pigs mold with cooking spray and place on a baking sheet. Fill each mold with the dog treat mixture, pressing firmly into the mold.
Bake for 18 – 20 minutes or until dry and cook through.
Yield: 36 dog treats
Hack: To see more videos from Khloe Rose and her friends, check out our YouTube channel! Don’t forget to like, subscribe and press that notification button so you won’t miss any new videos!
This chicken guacamole wrap sandwich is a cool and refreshing treat that’s low in calories. It’s also a great way to use leftover chicken and guacamole!
Place chicken breast(s) in a saucepan and cover with water. Add rosemary, salt, pepper, bay leaf, garlic, onion and lemon juice.
Cover the saucepan with a lid and put it on the stovetop over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and lower heat to medium-low. Simmer until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160℉, about 6-10 minutes, depending on the size of the breast(s).
Remove chicken from water and allow it to cool.* Cut it into thin slices.
Lay out a wrap on a flat surface. Line ¼ of chicken slices across the wrap, slightly off circle to allow room for rolling. Top with ¼ cup guacamole, several tomato slices and ¼ cup baby spinach leaves.
Roll the wrap to form the sandwich (see hack below) and serve immediately. Store any leftovers in the fridge and assemble wraps as needed.
*At this point, the chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 4 months.
Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Cook on medium-low heat until onions are caramelized, about 90 minutes.
Add wine and simmer until it for 10 minutes.
Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Stir flour into onions, turn heat to low and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add beef and chicken broth, turn heat to medium and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste.*
Ladle soup into heat-proof bowls. Top with croutons and Gruyere. Place bowls under the broiler until the cheese is melted and serve immediately.
*At this point, the soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days until ready to use. Alternatively, it can be cooled and frozen in serving-sized containers for up to 3 months.
Measure flour into a large mixing bowl. Add water, a little at a time, mixing continuously, until it forms a dough and no flour is left in the bottom of the bowl.
Knead dough 300 times, patting with water occasionally if it begins to feel dry. Cover and allow the dough to rest for 20 minutes.
Divide dough in half and roll each piece into 1” ropes. Slice each rope into 30 pieces and shape into flat circles.
Thin each circle by rolling with a pin from the outside edge toward the center, turning the circle in 45° increments with your other hand, using a lightly floured surface if necessary, until it measures 4”-5” across. This makes the wrapper thinner at the edges than in the middle, making it easier to neatly crimp the edges of the filled dumpling. It will also make the center of the wrapper stronger so it won’t leak during cooking.
Alternatively, you can roll the entire dough thinly (again using a lightly floured surface) and cut with a 5” round cutter.
Fill each wrapper with 1 tablespoon of Chinese dumpling filling. Wet the edge of the dumpling wrapper and press to close, making the entire edge is tightly sealed.** For more in-depth instruction on rolling and pleating dumplings, check out this video!
Fill a large pot with water and bring to a very gentle simmer. Add about 20 dumplings, making sure they are not crowded. Each time the water begins to boil more rapidly, add cold water to bring it back to a gentle simmer.
When dumplings float to the top, they’re done, 3-4 minutes.
If preferred, dumplings can be cooked in the air fryer for 6 minutes.
**Dumplings are often served at gatherings and are traditionally assembled jointly by the group or family that are going to eat them. Try experimenting with different shapes and have fun putting them together with your guests!
Corn on the cob is a classic summer food and close to many hearts. I like to pick mine up at a local farmstand so I know it’s as fresh as possible.
But what’s the best way to cook it? If you talk to 10 people, you’ll probably get 10 different answers but I’m here to tell you there’s more than one way to get it done and they all work great! No matter where you are or what cooking facilities you have available, there’s a way to cook your corn.
Here, for your cooking pleasure, is my list of the 15 best ways to cook corn on the cob. You’re welcome.
Perfect Boiled Sweet Corn
Perfect Boiled Sweet Corn
Put water in a large pan (enough to cover the corn). Add 1-2 tsp sugar and put it on the stovetop on high heat.
Remove husk and silk from the ears of corn. Trim or cut in half if needed to fit into the pan.
When the water comes to a boil, add corn on the cob. Cover and boil for 2 minutes. Turn off heat and let rest for 8-10 minutes, depending on taste. Remove with tongs and serve immediately.
Variation: Add one cup of milk, 1 stick of butter, 2 tbsp honey and 2 sliced jalapenos to the water before adding corn.
Roasted Corn in the Oven
Roasted Corn in the Oven
Easy baked corn on the cob
Preheat oven to 400℉. Place cobs, hucks and silk intact, on the oven rack and cook for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven with tongs and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Peel off husk and silk to serve.
Garlic butter corn on the cob
For each cob:
1 tbsp butter, room temperature
¼ tsp garlic minced
Pinch of salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 350℉. In a small bowl, mix butter, garlic, salt and pepper. Remove husks and silk from corn. Spread butter mixture over kernels, wrap individually in aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes, turning halfway through cooking. Remove from the oven. If desired, expose the top of the corn and broil on high for 3-4 minutes or until browned.
Variations:
Add ¼ tsp ground cumin, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper. ¼ tsp cilantro and ¼ tsp lime juice to butter mixture.
Add ¼ tsp brown sugar and ¼ tsp smoked paprika to the butter mixture
Add ¾ tsp hot sauce and 1 tsp feta cheese
Roasting Corn on the Grill
Roasting Corn on the Grill
Easy grilled corn on the cob
Heat the grill to high. Trim exposed silk from the end of the corn and place directly on the grill. Cook for 20 minutes, turning frequently. Remove from the grill with tongs and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Peel off husk and silk to serve.
Garlic butter corn on the cob
For each cob:
1 tbsp butter, room temperature
¼ tsp garlic minced
Pinch of salt and pepper
Heat the grill to high. In a small bowl, mix butter, garlic, salt and pepper. Remove husks and silk from corn. Spread butter mixture over kernels, wrap individually in aluminum foil and grill for 30 minutes, turning frequently. Remove from the grill and serve.
Variations:
Add ¼ tsp ground cumin, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper. ¼ tsp cilantro and ¼ tsp lime juice to butter mixture.
Add ¼ tsp brown sugar and ¼ tsp smoked paprika to the butter mixture
Add ¾ tsp hot sauce and 1 tsp Cotija or feta cheese to the butter mixture
Corn on the Cob: Cool Gadgets Edition
Corn on the Cob: Cool Gadgets Edition
In the Microwave
Place ears of unhusked corn in a single layer in the microwave. Cook on high for 3 minutes and check to see if it’s cooked sufficiently. Continue cooking at 1-minute intervals until done. Remove from the microwave using tongs and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Remove husk and silk to serve.
In the Air Fryer
Preheat air fryer to 380℉. Remove husks and silk from corn. Coat ears with cooking spray, sprinkle it with salt and pepper and place in the air fryer, cutting in half if needed to fit. Cook for 12-16 minutes, flipping once.
In the Instant Pot
Remove husks and silk from corn, if desired. Trim ears to fit in the pot, if necessary. Pour 1 cup cold water in the Instant Pot. Place a trivet in the pot, then place the ear of corn on the cob on the trivet.
With the venting knob in the venting position, close the lid, then turn the venting knob to the sealing position. Cook at high pressure for 2 minutes (3 minutes for unshucked corn), then immediately quick release. Open the lid carefully. Serve immediately.
Just One More Thing
Street Corn
Just one more thing. Not a cooking method but a classic recipe that begs to be served at your summer barbecue: Street Corn.
For one ear of corn:
Combine 2 tbsp Cotija or feta cheese, 1 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp sour cream (or Mexican crema), 1 tsp dried cilantro, ⅛ chile powder, and 1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp). Set aside.
Cook corn using one of the methods above. Grilling or air fryer is recommended to achieve the classic charing that street corn is known for, although corn cooked using another method can be put under the broiler for 3-4 minutes to achieve the desired effect.
Coat hot corn with cheese mixture and serve with additional chile powder and lime wedges.
Hack: To quickly soften cold butter, place the desired amount in a microwave-safe container. Microwave at 30% power for 10 seconds intervals until softened.
Hack: To effortlessly remove husk and silk from cooked corn, place the ear on a flat surface. Hold firmly, using a towel or pot holder to keep from burning your hands. Cut off the bottom (stem end) of the corn about one row of corn in from the stem and slid off the husk and silk.
Hack: When the corn on the cob is fully cooked the yellow color of the corn is more intense. The kernels are plumper and more tender. You can test it by pricking a kernel with the tip of a sharp knife. If it’s done, liquid will drip from the kernel.
I hope you’ve found this information to be useful and keep in mind they’ll all work whether you’re making a single cob or cooking for a crowd.
And, ok, I will ask. What’s your favorite way to cook corn?
Add dried beans to a blender or food processor. Pulse on low speed checking it regularly and scraping down sides as needed until it turns into a finely-ground gray flour. This is going to take a while so be patient! *
In a large mixing bowl, combine black bean flour and salt. Add oil and water. Stir to integrate.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a fork, spread thinly, making sure to not leave any holes in the batter.
Bake for 7 minutes and remove them from the oven. Flip chips over and bake for 11-14 minutes, until dry and crisp. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool.
*The more finely ground the beans are, the smoother the texture of the chip. For an even smoother texture, sift the flour through a mesh colander.
Hack: Substitute any red or white dried beans for the black beans.
Hack: Order the Pampered Chef Batter Mixer and Dispenser used in this video here!
Hack: To see more videos from Lily-Rose and her friends, check out ourYouTube channel! Don’t forget to like, subscribe and press that notification button so you won’t miss any new videos!
Grease bottom only of a loaf pan, 9x5x3 inches, or 2 loaf pans, 8½x4½x2 ½ inches.
Peel bananas and place in a blender cup. Add milk, butter, egg and vanilla. Blend until smooth. Add sugars and blend again until smooth.
Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add banana mixture and mix with a hand or stand mixer until well blended.
Pour mixture into loaf pan(s) and bake until the internal temperature reaches 200℉ or until a toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean, 55 – 65 minutes (55 – 60 minutes for 8” loaves).
Cool for 5 minutes. Loosen sides of the bread from the pan and turn onto a cooling rack.
Allow to cool completely before slicing.
8 servings, 475 calories per serving
Hack: Tightly wrap leftovers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Hack: To see more videos from Lily-Rose and her friends, check out ourYouTube channel! Don’t forget to like, subscribe and press that notification button so you won’t miss any new videos!
Flourless Oatmeal Bars
(Published by Pampered Chef)
1 can (15-16 oz or 398 mL) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 eggs
½ cup (125 mL) reduced-fat creamy peanut butter
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract
⅔ cup (150 mL) white chocolate morsels, divided
½ cup (125 mL) quick-cooking oats
⅓ cup (75 mL) dried cranberries
⅓ cup (75 mL) packed brown sugar
½ tsp (2 mL) baking soda
¼ tsp (1 mL) salt
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly spray the wells of a Brownie Pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Place chickpeas and eggs in the Manual Food Processor and process until they’re well blended.
Carefully remove the blade from the processor bowl, and transfer the chickpea mixture to the Classic Batter Bowl. Add the peanut butter and vanilla, then mix well with a Small Mix ‘N Scraper®. Add ⅓ cup (75 mL) of the morsels, oats, cranberries, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix until combined.
Using a Small Scoop, divide the mixture evenly into the wells of the pan. Gently spread the mixture with the back of the Scoop. Bake for 16–18 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the centers comes out clean.
Place the remaining ⅓-cup (75-mL) morsels in a 1-cup (250-mL) Prep Bowl and microwave on HIGH for 1 minute, stirring every 15 seconds or until melted. Transfer the morsels to a small resealable plastic bag (see cook’s tips).
Move the pan from the oven to the Stackable Cooling Rack, and let cool for 5 minutes. Trim a small corner off the bag, and drizzle chocolate evenly over the tops of the bars. Serve with Mini Nylon Serving Spatula.
12 servings
Calories 190, Total Fat 8 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Sodium 270 mg, Carbohydrate 25 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 16 g, Protein 6 g
Cook’s Tips:
To fill the plastic bag with melted chocolate, place a small resealable plastic bag over the rim oftheMini Measure-All® Cup with one corner pointing into the cup. Pour melted chocolate into the bag. Remove bag and twist top.
Hack: To see more videos from Lily-Rose and her friends, check out ourYouTube channel! Don’t forget to like, subscribe and press that notification button so you won’t miss any new videos!
If you’re using dried mushrooms, soak them for two hours before using them.
Cut the carrot into 1” matchsticks. Soak tomato in boiling water for 2 minutes and then drain and peel the skin off. Cut into small cubes. Cut the ginger and mushrooms into matchsticks. Thinly slice green onion and cube tofu.
In a small bowl, mix vinegar and Chinese vinegar.
Mix cornstarch with water in another small bowl. Add a few drops more water if needed to create a smooth slurry. Beat eggs in a third bowl.
Bring two cups of water to a simmer on the stovetop in a large saucepan. Add dried mushrooms, fresh mushrooms and carrots. Simmer for 2 minutes and remove vegetables from the water.
Place a large saute pan or wok on the stovetop over high heat and add 3 tbsp vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add ginger and cook until fragrant, 2-3 minutes. Add tomato and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Pour 4 cups of water into the saute pan and bring to boil. Add carrots and mushrooms. Cook for 5-6 minutes or to desired softness. Gently stir in tofu and allow to heat through.
Add vinegar and white pepper* then stir in cornstarch slurry and allow to thicken for 1-2 minutes. Add soy sauce and salt.
Turn heat to medium-high. Pour in eggs, slowly streaming the mixture over the surface of the soup and stir it gently to cook eggs.
Sprinkle green onion over the bottom of a large serving bowl or divide over 6 single-serving bowls. Add soup and serve immediately.
*The hot, spicy flavor of this soup comes from the white pepper so adjust the amount according to how spicy you want it. You’ll be able to add more before serving if you wish.
6 servings, 170 calories per serving
Hack: Pork or chicken can be used in place of tofu.
Hack: Soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen in serving-sized containers for up to 3 months.
Hack: Matchstick carrots can be found in the packaged section of the produce department. Freeze any leftover carrots for use in cooking.
Hack: Chop leftover green onions and freeze in a sealable freezer bag or container for future use. While they won’t retain the crispness that would make them suitable for salads or garnish, they will be fine for cooking.
Hack: Look (or ask the produce clerk) for loose items such as carrots and mushrooms so you will only have to buy what you need for a particular recipe. You can also shop the salad bar if you just need a small amount of an item that you don’t think you’ll use again before it “goes over”.
Hack: For more instructional videos for making traditional Chinese cuisine, visit Yuhong’s Country Kitchen on YouTube!
What is processed food? Are all processed foods bad? Can processed foods ever be healthy? Where do we draw the line? These are questions we ask ourselves every day.
Many people see processed foods as a bad thing but foods are neither good nor bad, black or white. Like everything else in life, there are shades of gray. And here’s the truth: Everything we eat is processed.
The key is to educate ourselves on what processed foods we can introduce into a healthy diet and which ones we should stay away from. It’s easier than you think.
What we typically think of as unprocessed foods are actually “processed” in the regard that they are slightly altered from their natural state for the sake of consumer convenience and/or the purpose of preservation. These include foods that are picked from the vine, cleaned, pasteurized, refrigerated, frozen and/or vacuum-sealed. Examples of this would be fresh or frozen whole produce, milk, fresh herbs and eggs.
Minimally processed foods have been manipulated in some way. They have had inedible/unwanted parts removed, been pressed, dried, ground, cooked, milled and/or packaged. This category includes meat cut by a butcher, seafood, bagged salads, roasted nuts, grains, legumes, oils and whole-grain flours.
Foods can be further processed when they are modified from their original state to become something else. This includes butter, sour cream, hummus, salt, sugar, pickled and fermented foods.
Now we move onto the next level of processed foods. These are foods processed in a factory and come to us canned, jarred or otherwise packaged. This is where we must begin to be vigilant.
Highly Processed Food
Highly Processed Food
Many highly processed foods appear to be healthy on the surface. Let’s take these granola bars, for example. The label shouts that it’s made with 100% WHOLE GRAINS! No high fructose corn syrup! No artificial flavors! No added color! 100 calories or less per serving!
But there’s a rude awakening when we look at the nutrition label.
Whole grains? They may be whole but there certainly aren’t many of ‘em in there…1 gram (or less, depending on the flavor) of fiber per serving
No high fructose corn syrup? That’s true, but each bar is chock-a-block full of other sugars: Cane sugar, brown sugar, invert sugar, corn syrup and corn syrup solids. At 7 grams per serving, that’s more than 25% of the recommended daily allowance for children. As for the high fructose corn syrup argument? Studies show that, although it’s metabolized differently from other sweeteners, all added sugars have the same metabolic effects on the body and can lead to the same health consequences.
But, it’s low in calories, right? Unfortunately, the nutrition label shows that there is no notable nutrition being added to your diet when you eat this bar. It’s empty calories. It’s adding nothing to your body except calories and sugar. (Yes, just like a candy bar). In my opinion, this is the most overlooked aspect of these highly processed foods.
When you swap out the granola bars for this homemade fruit nut granola, you’ll be gaining 3.5 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals per serving. And while there is honey added to the mix, it’s partially offset by the fiber and protein content and the added nutrition found in this natural sweetener.
Can You Judge A Book By Its Cover?
Can You Judge A Book By Its Cover?
So are there any highly processed foods that we can eat? How can we know which ones to choose? I’m here to tell you this: You, without a doubt, CAN judge a book by its cover.
Any food that’s considered processed must have a nutrition label, which lists ingredients as well as calories, fat, added sugars, fiber and nutritional values. It takes less than a minute to decide if any particular item should be added to your shopping cart.
Take a look at the ingredients. Everything you see there should be something that you can find in your own kitchen. If there are any ingredients you can’t pronounce, don’t know what it is or wouldn’t be able to buy it on the grocery store shelf, put that package right back and move on.
You should also keep in mind that less is more. Look for items with only a few simple ingredients. Just like you would make it at home.
Now look at the nutrition section and ask yourself these questions. How many servings are in this container? How many servings would you eat in one sitting? How much sodium, fat and sugar would you be ingesting in that one sitting? Is there any protein, fiber, vitamins or minerals that would nourish your body?
For more information on understanding this information, check out this article from the FDA.
How To Make Good Choices
How To Make Good Choices
Shelf-stable grocery items do have a valid place in every kitchen. Things like canned tuna, canned or dried fruits/vegetables and legumes remain edible for a long time, much longer than fresh. They also retain the same level of nutrition for their entire shelf life.
Dry pasta, whole grain flours, granulated sugar and rolled oats are convenient to use and have a long shelf life. Nuts, nut butter and dried meats need no preparation and can be eaten directly from the container.
Having said that, we cannot assume that all these products are created equal. In general, most “flavored” items such as honey roasted nuts and tuna packets have added sugar and/or sodium. So do many nut butters.
Do you know that a single serving size container of many flavored yogurts can contain (or even exceed) your RDA of sugar? Just as delicious (and much healthier) is unflavored yogurt with a few drops of honey and vanilla and/or fresh fruit.
I hate to be a nag but I’m going to say it again and ask you to take a few seconds to read those nutrition facts. I guarantee you’ll be surprised at what you see from one brand to the next!
It’s All About The Balance
It’s All About The Balance
You may wonder why I’m telling you this. I’m the one who’s always preaching about cooking fresh, whole foods, thinking ahead, saving leftovers, yada, yada, yada.
Right?
Because cooking from scratch is not always in the cards. I get busy, I get tired, my plans change. Sometimes I’m just too lazy to cook. Sometimes I want a shortcut and that’s ok.
It’s all about the balance in life so go ahead and make things easier by picking up a few cans or boxes. Just don’t forget to read those labels!
