How to cook pot roast

Pot roast has its originality claimed by the Americans and many believe it to be a Southern dish and the rest claim it to be of Northern origin. It is said to have been first prepared during the 1880-85's. But originality aside, it is allegedly claimed that the aroma of this delectable Grandma’s recipe has the power to make even the dead rise from their slumber. 

Once tasted, a person cannot forget the taste of the succulent meat or the flavor of the spices and the gravy. 

The traditional way of making pot roast might however die a slow death over a period because of the hectic lifestyle of the new age. The current generation seems to have lost the time and patience to appreciate slow cooking, but this is one recipe which will be a big loss to all, if it is lost.

Traditionally, pot roast is a brisket of meat (originally beef was used), slow cooked over a covered pot and served with its own gravy. But over the ages there have been many variations due to the difficulty in getting the meat and also because of the time factor. 

Some also prefer the oven or pressure cooker over the crock-pot or stove-pot used for slow cooking. The below recipe is a modification of several old recipes of pot roasts and uses the old slow cooking method.

How to make your own ground beef

Making your own home-made ground beef is a much better alternative than purchasing commercially packaged ones, both in terms of freshness as well as taste. Packaged ground beef would have most likely used discarded portions of meat and more fat in addition to having more risks of contamination. You also tend to spend more in buying ground beef commercially than making your own. When you ground the beef at home, you have the liberty of choosing the best meat without having the fear of being given unhygienic meat in the stores. The taste will also be far better than using packaged ground beef.

Contrary to how some might feel, making ground beef at home is not too much of a bother and you are most likely to have all the ingredients and equipment you require, right inside your kitchen.

Read on to find out how to grind beef without much hassle, including instructions on storage. Once you are done, you can dish up some nice yummy burgers or simply make a few meat balls in a jiffy.

Making a Pina Colada

Pina colada is a delightful cocktail which has the ability to transform your sunny terrace into a tropical paradise with just one sip. This coconut based drink is a marvel during the sweltering summer heat and a favorite at the beaches and outdoor summer parties. 

It has proudly occupied the position of the official drink of Puerto Rico since the 1978 and is simple enough to be made at home. So now you can sip and enjoy this delightful tropical cocktail sitting at your apartment and imagine yourself luxuriating in the beach.

Pina coladas are rum based cocktails prepared with coconut cream and blended pineapple extracts and ice. There are also various other flavors like strawberry, blue curacao etc. which can be added to the mix, depending on taste and preference. Malibu rum is also a popular replacement of the regular variety of rum. Pina colada without the rum is known as virgin colada which is popular in its own right, especially with the teetotalers.

Traditional dal tadka recipe

Image courtesy: Wikipidea

Dal (lentil) tadka is a traditional Indian staple dish which uses different variety of lentils mixed together or one single lentil for preparing a thick soup like. Tadka is a way of cooking lentils and other dishes where whole spices and herbs are first added to hot oil and then the Dal and other ingredients are mixed. This method of cooking adds a unique flavor to the dish and makes it delightful to taste. Dal tadka is a very popular staple dish in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It can be consumed with steamed white rice or Indian bread. The lentils used in this recipe are full of proteins, dietary fibers and iron and the spices and herbs add flavor as well as healthy nutrients to the dish.

How to make dill pickles

Pickles are a delight to the taste buds and can add flavor to enhance the taste of even the blandest of meals. Pickles, when prepared with freshly picked ingredients, will maintain a glorified place in your kitchen shelves. 

The history of pickles seems to be so old that it is almost untraceable. But the origin of the main ingredient of pickles which is cucumber, can be traced back to India. Evidently, pickling seems to have been started by our fore-fathers almost 4000 years back to preserve food like vegetables and meat. Cucumber pickles were supposedly first preserved and eaten around 2030 BC. Throughout history, there have been mentions about the benefits of cucumber and pickled cucumbers, right from the Bible to scholars and historians. In addition to being praised for their excellent taste, they have been acclaimed to have many medicinal properties as well.

Whatever the history might be, the delight of pickles cannot be denied by anybody in the modern times as well. Pickles still remain a favorite of every household and likely to remain so for many more generations to come. 

The below recipe gives you an easy and uncomplicated way of preparing home-made pickles which is much tastier and healthier; than the packaged variety bought from the super-market.

Delicious fruit cobbler recipe

Cobbler is an American dessert quite similar to pie but much easier to make. It is said to have been brought to America by the early British settlers; who came up with different variations of their own traditional puddings; due to the lack of availability of ingredients. This innovation gave us many delectable desserts which would have otherwise never been invented. 

Cobbler makes a wholesome dessert, especially when there are seasonal fruits available. This scrumptious dessert can be quite a mouthful. The funny sounding name of this dessert is owed to its “cobbler” like shape. It is a thick-crust pie with a fruit filling especially good with just ripe fruits like berries, apples, peaches etc. 

The crust is usually made up of biscuit or can have a pastry topping.

The below recipe uses freshly picked fruits and gives 6-8 eight servings.

Duck roast with red wine

Although we love to order duck when we eat out, but cooking duck at home seems like a daunting task. In reality it is not an insurmountable task to cook duck in our own modest kitchens. So next time you throw a dinner party at home you can display your culinary skills by cooking duck.  

Duck meat is considered as “white” meat and is packed with essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, iron, zinc etc.and hence it is considered to be a much healthy alternative to pork or beef. It also has its own distinct aroma and flavor and goes well with both fruits as well as vegetables. The natural dark red color of duck meat will add an attractive and appetizing look to your dinner table.

There are various ways to cook duck but roasted duck is one of the most preferred recipes for a home cooked meal. This is a perfectly roasted dish with carefully chosen duck pieces and infused with herbs and spices which will give out a wonderful aroma to tantalize all your senses.

Easy Baked chicken and rice recipe

Preparing chicken and rice together is an old family tradition in many houses and which has been going on since olden days and continuing in the modern times as well. This dish holds a special place in the dining table during festivals and family gatherings, because it is economical as well as filling. It takes very less effort to prepare and you can easily leave the dish inside the oven and finish the rest of your chores. You'll have all the time to mingle with your guests and also prepare a dish which everyone will devour with relish. Make sure you have made extras for second helpings.

Chicken and rice can be cooked in a pot but baking makes the dish much more healthier and retains the nutrients as well. The below recipe serves four.

Delicious caramel pudding recipe

Caramel pudding is a yummy dessert much loved by adults and children alike, and it is not very difficult to whip up. It makes a wonderfully cooling dessert during the hot summers and is the perfect snack for your hungry children in the hot evenings. Whether you want to impress your guests with your culinary skills or simply want to make your child’s favorite dessert, caramel pudding is a perfect choice. 

The milk and eggs used in the recipe makes it very healthy and full of essential nutrients like protein and calcium, among other Vitamins.

If you are preparing this for your kids for the first time, make sure to keep extras because there is going to be demand for extra helpings.

Fresh Macaroni Salad recipe

Macaroni salad is a popular American recipe and is a rage during picnics and outdoor parties. It is a hot favorite with both children and adults and the salad provides a welcome change from the traditional cheese and macaroni dishes. 

Image: Eat. Drink. Love

This scrumptious meal is delicious, as well as packed with nutrients, because of the healthy vegetables and eggs used in the recipe. You can either enjoy it as a wholesome meal by adding garlic breads and mayonnaise or as a side dish. It is also a great snack on the hot summer days with a cool drink. 

Although different kinds of macaroni are used for making this dish, but it goes best with elbow ones. The below recipe will serve four.

Strawberry daiquiri cocktail recipe

Daiquiris are not only famous for quenching your thirst and refreshing the taste buds; but its history is equally enchanting to the ears. Daiquiri is supposed to have been originated in Cuba, in an island called Santiago; where a group of miners accidentally stumbled across the recipe while trying to make up for the lack of gin. In fact the name daiquiri was given in honor of the beach and the mine where these engineers used to work. Accident or not, daiquiri lovers have no complaint about the discovery at all.

Daiquiri is an old favorite with the ladies and well loved for its mixed, tangy and fruity flavor. Although originally a rum based drink, it was a sailor’s choice in the past and prepared by just pouring rum straight into a tall glass filled with crushed ice and sugar. Lime juice was then poured from top. But later traditional rum was replaced with other alternatives like white rum, vodka, liqueur etc. Various ingredients starting from melons, apples, bananas, peaches, berries to oranges are used to make this heady cocktail.

The below recipe uses fresh strawberries which will give a delectably sweet and tangy taste to the brew. The alcohol base used is vodka instead of rum which makes it a preferred choice for ladies who love vodka.

Ingredients:

Cosmopolitan cocktail recipe in a jiffy!

This cocktail drink has gained its popularity through the various chick flicks and popular TV serials where the ladies get together for a good dosage of gossip over glasses of Cosmopolitan. Carrie Bradshaw from the popular TV series, “Sex and the City” was one such character who made this drink a hot favorite among ladies.

There are varied claims to the originality of Cosmopolitan, but the internationally known version was first created in the 1980's by Toby Cecchini in Manhattan. 

Easy Mojito recipe

Among all the fancy and extravagant cocktails out there, Mojito occupies a special place with its simplicity and delectable taste.

Many men might tell you that cocktails are beneath their dignity, but Mojito is one drink which even men don’t hesitate to order.

It is popularly considered to be of Cuban origin, even though its name is said to be derived from the African word, “Mojo” which means “to place a spell”. The Cubans however like to stake claim to the origin. History has it that Cuba was where the drink was first prepared by slaves working in sugarcane fields as early as the 1800's.

The Cuban Mojito recipe was prepared with spearmint but the later versions use normal mint leaves. 

Below is a simple recipe you can shake up at home to be enjoyed in the hot summer sun.

Make a martini at home

We have all seen the inimitable James Bond demanding this drink in all the Bond movies. The “shaken, not stirred” line has been used by many Martini drinkers. Thought it gained popularity in the 1900s, it was slowly replaced by other ‘hip’ drinks in the coming decades. Luckily for Martini lovers, this drink gained its status back in the mid 90's.

The consensus of the superior version seems to be divided among the ardent supporters of both varieties. But it doesn't matter if the drink is stirred or shaken, both are equally good.

The difference between the two is that the shaken version of Martini will contain tiny specks of ice while the stirred form will retain its clarity.

Given below are some simple ways to prepare a Martini, both shaken and stirred.