Onions are a very good source of vitamin C, B6, biotin, chromium, calcium and dietary fibre. Foods-Healing-Power.com reports that onions contain good amounts of folic acid and vitamin B1, K and sulfur making onions good for the liver, brain and nervous system.
Featured kitchen item: Slow Cooker
Slow cookers, crock pots and dutch ovens (deep pots) are making a comeback according to EatingWell.com. They do all the work, save you time and create mouthwatering memories
Saving you work is not the only energy saver.
1. Cooking with a slow cooker can also be an economically smart choice, because you can use cheaper cuts of meat. Condensation acts as a self-baster and this makes tougher cuts of meat become easy-to-eat tender. You don't sacrifice taste. Vegetables cooked in a slow cooker absorb stocks and spices, giving them fuller flavors.
2. A slow cooker delivers healthy cooking and stretches the food budget with make-and-freeze foods with generous nutrient-rich ingredients.
3. One dish slow cooker meals feature less cooking clutter and easy clean up, too.
4. Slow cookers also save on the electric bill and the budget. Most slow cookers don't use much electricity and don't heat up the kitchen like the oven, which reduces HVAC use in the summer.
5. In addition to saving time, energy and money, slow-cooked dishes are ideal for making ahead and reheating, which saves time, energy and money on the food budget.
The high and low settings on the device allow you to adjust the temperature for the length of time you want the meal to cook. Although cooking on low is completely safe, if you're home during the process, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends cooking on high for an hour first to ensure the food is thoroughly cooked.
Featured One Dish Meal: Slow Cooker Mexi-Chicken Taco Bowl
8 Servings; leftovers freeze well for another meal
3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
Crushed tortilla chips
Shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Place onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer, and diced tomatoes in slow cooker (crock pot or stove pot). Add taco seasoning, stir. Lay chicken breasts on top of mixture, press down slightly until just covered. Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, cook for 5 hours.
Remove chicken breasts from sauce, cool; use two forks to shred or cut in small bite-size pieces. Return chicken to pot; cover, cook 2 hours.
Spoon into bowls, garnish with cheese, dollop of sour cream, crushed tortilla chips and Mock Mojito.
Featured Beverage: Mock Mojito
8 servings
8 fresh mint leaves
1 packet Crystal Light Lemonade Drink Mix (2 qt)
6 cups cold water
1 cup cold seltzer
1 cup cold diet carbonated lemon-lime soda
1/4 tsp rum extract
Put mint and drink mix in 3-qt pitcher. Use back of ladle spoon to crush mint to release flavor. Add remaining ingredients; stir until drink mix is dissolved. Serve over ice.
One-Dish Nutrition: 434 Calories; 42g Carbs; 66mg Cholesterol; 18g Fat; 9g Fiber; 2g Protein.
* Source: Food.com, EatingWell.com, Foods-Healing-Power.com
The right nutrient-rich food and drink make for healthy bodies, and the right kitchen utensils make cooking easier. Most kitchen cooks have the basics: Mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, whisk, peeler, kitchen shears, pans and skillets, thermometer, graters, tongs, can openers.
You want to add the slow cooker
with its many benefits to your kitchen. Beverages are important, too. The human body is made up of about 60 percent water. It's vital to drink plenty of water to nourish the body, joints, temperature, spinal cord and brain. It has no calories and is generally refreshing. It's difficult for many to drink an 8 ounce glass of water every hour, so try to drink a big drink in the morning, at lunch, before or after dinner and before bedtime.
Don't forget. You want to create meals with memories. friend.