Ever since I started drinking (and loving) virgin mojitos about a year ago, my husband and I have been on the quest to perfect our virgin mojito-making skills at home.

We tried them with sugar. We tried simple syrup. With mint and without. Real limes and RealLime.

Some have been too fizzy, some too sweet, some too strong, and some, well, some so terrible that they were immediately poured down the drain.

We tried almost every recipe we came across, too, and nothing seemed to replicate the delicious virgin mojito of my dreams.

Until now, that is. (And we owe our friends Paul & Beverly dearly for teaching is how to make the perfect virgin mojito at home!)

Without further ado, here’s the recipe for DIY Virgin Mojitos–get your blender ready!

Ingredients:
Water
Ice
Mint
Limes
Baker’s Sugar (very fine sugar)
Club Soda

Directions:

Blend one cup of baker’s sugar, two cups of water and two limes cut into quarters (skin and all) on high for about 30 seconds.

Strain mixture (to remove large lime chunks) into a pitcher.

Add ice to glasses (fill to the top), and then pour club soda into 1/3 of glass. Top with blended mixture, and, if you desire, add plenty of crushed mint leaves.

These are addictive, so don’t say I didn’t warn you!

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Here are some cooking games you can try at your next girl’s night out or even a couple’s dinner so that you all get to eat homemade food while having fun at the same time.

Cooking in Reverse

This is a popular cooking game as instead of cooking something from a list of ingredients provided to you, you actually have to write down the ingredients from the dish served. You can obviously tell the main things like whether it is chicken with broccoli served with noodles.  But the sauces and seasonings used and how everything was put together can be a challenge. Depending on the skill and interest level of your friends, you can take it up a notch by even asking them to provide the quantity of the ingredients used and giving a prize to the person who ends up being closes to the original recipe.

Mixing Courses

Mixing courses is a fun cooking game because it lets you really think out of the box. It basically means finding innovative ways to serve breakfast staples at dinner and salads instead of dessert. How you whip up pancakes and waffles as a dinner entrée and how you can make your dessert the first thing on the table and a salad the last is up to you. That is what the cooking game is all about. It even gets people thinking of creative ways of incorporating cereal on pizza and orange juice with filet mignon.

Blind Tasting

This is a very old but still popular cooking game and is very simple. You basically blindfold the testers and ask them to guess what they are sampling. Always be sure of allergies anyone may have as you wouldn’t want to ruin your party with someone being rushed to the emergency room as they were allergic to strawberries, peanuts or shellfish. Also, some people may have religious or other dietary restriction such a being a vegetarian so always be sure you know your gests likes and preferences. You could add a fun twist to this by getting a blindfolded friend chew on a jalapeno or some other spicy thing and see him clench his teeth!

The possibilities are endless when you have fun food and friends in the equation. Have fun!

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Whether it is the famous thanksgiving holiday or any other time that you are considering making turkey, the turkey cooking time is very important. This is because you wouldn’t want the turkey to be overcooked and dried out. Similarly an undercooked turkey is not a great idea as while steak can be consumed rare, poultry should never be eaten until it is well done to prevent the spread of disease.

Variables

Turkey cooking time varies as it depends on a lot of factors. The biggest thing is the size of the turkey and then whether it was frozen or fresh, the method of cooking (such as roasting or frying) and the dish unused to cook it in and other such considerations.

There are several websites and cookbooks that provide you with a good enough guideline for turkey cooking time. If all fails you ca ask a trusted friend, mother or mother in law as they would be more acquainted with your recipe, the type of oven you have, the marinating techniques and the like as compared to a website that has standard times based upon weight.

Another alternative is to call the turkey hotline several manufacturers have started and ask an expert as to what they think is the best turkey cooking time. Because there are so many variables it is always best to check the internal temperature of the turkey with a cooking thermometer than to just set the timer and forget bout it.

Guideline

However, to get you started, here are some guidelines you can keep in mind so that your guests are not left waiting at the table. The general rule is that if your turkey weighs in the range of 10 and 20 pounds roasting for around five hours should be enough. The best way to know that your meal isn’t dried out is to check if an internal temperature of 165 degrees has been reached. If the bird is bigger, say in the range of 20 and 30 pounds, then around six hours should be enough time for roasting.

If the turkey is the main course, and it usually will be, it is even more important for it to be perfect as even if you mess up the appetizer, you can skip it and if your dessert flops, you can run out for some ice cream. However, if your turkey cooking time gets messed up, the only alternative will be to order pizza!

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Anyone who enjoys the taste of charbroiled foods should know that there is a way to get that delicious flavor in your food right at home. Outdoor fireplace cooking is how, and this is a style of cooking that has become incredibly popular, especially over the past few years in particular.

Buying the Fireplace

Obviously the first step to outdoor fireplace cooking is going to be purchasing the fireplace if you do not already have one. There are a few things you are going to want to consider here. If you are looking for warmth then you may want to get an outdoor fireplace that resembles a traditional campfire because these devices allow many people to gather around and use it for heat.

If you are more concerned with appearance then be prepared to spend a bit more money, because for the really luxurious models the price tag can get quite high. Some of the magnificent outdoor fireplaces are fairly large and so you will also need to consider the size factor, and how much room you have to spare on your patio or wherever you are planning to put the fireplace.

Cooking

Now that you are ready to start outdoor fireplace cooking, you will want to come up with some great outdoor fireplace cooking recipes. One of the quickest and simplest outdoor recipes you can make is Eggs on a Raft. The only ingredients required for this recipe are bread, butter, salt, pepper, eggs, and a frying pan.

You simply take a slice of the bread and cut out a circle about two inches in diameter, then toast it slowly and lightly on both sides. You can use a kebob or forked stick to toast the bread, and after it is lightly browned you want to melt some butter in the frying pan, put the toast in the pan and wait until it begins to sizzle. The egg should now be broken and put into the hole so that the yoke will stay put. Once the egg begins to cook you want to sprinkle some salt and pepper and after it is cooked to how you like it, you can take it off and serve.

Another great recipe for outdoor fireplace cooking is French toast. This is another very simple recipe and all you need is milk, salt, pepper, sugar, butter, and syrup or jam. Break the eggs into a bowl, and then you add about a cup of milk, as well as the salt, pepper, and sugar. Then you want to beat this mixture with a fork, wet the slices of bread in it, and put them in a hot frying pan to cook until browned.

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Outdoor cooking is very popular, and there are a few different reasons for this. For one, outdoor cooking allows large groups of people to come together and enjoy themselves, and so it is a great means of entertaining. Also, the food that is cooked here has a much different taste than the more conventional oven cooked food, and really offers a unique charbroiled flavor.

There is something really special about outdoor cooking although it does involve quite a bit of skill and innovation. With a little practice and some effort however, anyone can become a talented outdoor chef and learn to cook for their friends and family.

Getting Started

Anyone interested in cooking outdoors will first have to get the necessary equipment. The first and most important piece of equipment here is going to be what they will cook in. The two most popular options here are the outdoor fireplace and the outdoor brick oven. Both of these help to deliver the tastes and aromas that you are looking for and both have models that range from affordable to high priced.

It really depends on the type of outdoor cooking that you are planning on doing. If you are an experienced chef who is planning to cook regularly then it will be more worth it for you to spend a bit more money and get a high quality oven. If you are just a beginner and are not sure how often you will be using it, then the best idea, at least for now, will be for you to stick to a lesser priced model.

A grill may also be a useful tool here and will be a good purchase to make for cooking in the outdoors. This is because there may be certain foods, namely vegetables and legumes that will have to be grilled as opposed to cooked.

Recipes

Coming up with recipes for your outdoor cooking is one of the most fun parts. A good idea is to select a couple dozen recipes that you like and then make a little cookbook out of these so that you can use them in the future.

Bread is especially delicious when cooked in an outdoor oven or fireplace, as is pizza and most pasta dishes. The options are really endless here, and if you are serving for an event of some sort the best idea will be to ask around and find out what foods everyone likes so that you can create a menu that is going to satisfy everyone’s tastes.

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It comes around every year and yet, no one is ever really prepared for the hassle and stress that seems to come along with cooking thanksgiving turkey. In fact, there are women who have been in charge of cooking the thanksgiving turkey for 20 years and yet still, without fail, they get stressed and always seem to be running to the store for the last minute things they forget to buy.

You would think that after so many times, that most people would have it down pat but it may not be cause of a lack in cooking skills but rather something else. Most of the time the person who in charge of cooking thanksgiving turkey is more stressed about making everyone’s holiday picture perfect, than his or her abilities in the kitchen.

The best thing to do is to start preparing for this event a couple weeks in advance and go over your list of things to buy over and over again to make sure that there are not any last minutes items that are needed when all of the stores are closing down. Cooking thanksgiving turkey does not have to be stressful at all as long as you have everything that you need, you allow yourself plenty of time to prepare things, and you follow the directions completely. When all of that is done, cooking thanksgiving turkey will be a breeze.

How to Cook

For those who have been cooking thanksgiving turkey for many years, knowing how to cook it is not a problem they are going to have unless they are in search of a new recipe. But for those who have only been cooking thanksgiving turkey for a couple of years, or maybe this is even their first time, seeking advice early on is the best thing to do. There are many different techniques that are used when cooking thanksgiving turkey so you may want to turn to an elder in your family line to see how they used to prepare theirs.

But for those where that is simply not an option, doing a little bit of research on the Internet will open up an entire world of recipes for cooking thanksgiving turkey. Often times, these different recipes were tried by others just like you and then they come back on and rate the recipe or give ideas on what could be better. As long as you give yourself enough time to start searching for the best recipes on cooking thanksgiving turkey, you should not have any problem at all.

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The First Step

The first thing you should do if you are going to be cooking for a crowd is determining just how many mouths you are going to be feeding. Count and then count again, and then add on to this a bit just to make sure that you will have enough, especially in case some people are extra hungry.

Recipes

You will then have to come up with some large quantity recipes. Keep in mind that many of the standard recipes can be multiplied in order to feed larger crowds, whereas some are meant to be prepared for a smaller number of people. Also remember that not all ingredients need to be multiplied. If the recipe calls for fat for sautéing for instance you will not need to multiply this, and rather just use exactly what is called for in the original recipe.

Preparation

The preparation process is incredibly important when cooking for a crowd. First you should make a list of all the dishes that you are planning to prepare, and even make a menu if you can so that the guests will be aware of what to expect. Some of the kitchen work can be done ahead of time in order to save you time when the day actually comes, and this includes chopping vegetables, and making stews and sandwiches.

The presentation is going to be very important here so make sure that you have enough dishes and silverware and that it all matches or at least goes with a certain theme. You really want to tie everything in together and not only the dishes but the food as well. Each different course should be separate and have its own look and taste but they should all tie in together in some way.

Cooking for a crowd can really be quite an enjoyable experience as long as you take the time to prepare and follow the right steps to make sure that you make enough food and that your guests are pleased.

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(ARA) – Food, fans and fun all go together during the big game. When you get together with your favorite sports enthusiasts, it’s likely you’ll be surrounded by traditional tailgating fare which is often unhealthy. Whether its hot dogs, nachos or fried appetizers, fan foods tend to be high in calories and fat content.

Tailgating and sports parties are great times to get together with friends and try some new recipes. Instead of surrounding yourself with junk food, try some alternatives that are equally delicious and better for your body. You might be surprised by how much everyone enjoys the variety of foods. Here are some tips to help the host and guests eat healthier during game time:

For the Host:
Sometimes during the big game the coach needs to change plays because it is the best line of attack. This is also true for the host of the party. With easy cooking strategies you can please the team without all the extra calories.

* Huddle Around the Barbeque: Skip the deep fried items and grill. Grilling foods is a heart healthy way to prepare meats and vegetables that tastes great. Create a barbecue using skinned turkey or chicken breasts and a bottle of low-fat barbecue sauce. Perhaps even offer veggie hot dogs and veggie burgers.

* Sacking the Chips: Instead of typical fried potato chips, make your own with Weight Watchers Whole Wheat pitas. Slice eight triangles and spread on a cookie sheet. Drizzle olive oil, salt and bake 15 minutes or until toasted. To get the crunch of chips without the calories, try using vegetables. Fresh bell pepper, celery and carrots satisfy the crunch sports fans desire. Make dips with low-fat Weight Watchers Vanilla Yogurt instead of sour cream and mayonnaise.

* One Hot Play: Make a healthier chili using the leanest ground beef or ground turkey available. Include a variety of beans, corn and chopped tomatoes. Not only will it add color and flavor to your chili, but nutrients as well.

* Sweet Attack: Look for low calorie sweets at your local grocery store. One example is the new portion-controlled Weight Watchers Caramel Snack Cakes that are just 90 calories, have 3 grams of dietary fiber and just 3 total grams of fat. They are a sensible food option and help satisfy the need for a “sweet treat” without sacrificing taste. Serve either wrapped in a basket or unwrapped on a tray.

* Skewer the Opponent: Try making Hawaiian-style kabobs with fresh fruit. Simply slice your favorite fruits such as pineapple, oranges and strawberries and skewer. Fruits are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber, but remember canned fruits lose nutrients. The whole team will enjoy this fun presentation.

For the Guest:
You’re a team player, but with all the traditional game foods, it’s hard to stick to your own personal health strategy. Here are some tips for guests so they can enjoy the food and fun without worry.

* Team Prep: Not sure what’s in those mushrooms? The ingredients can be the difference of hundreds of calories. A polite, “That looks great, what’s in it?” will get you the information you need to make wise food choices.

* A Good Defense: Take a step back from the food offerings and look at everything before digging in. If you can’t resist potato skins, have them, but don’t waste calories on foods that you don’t absolutely love. If you want many different foods, consider taking smaller portions of each and cutting items like burgers and brats in half.

* Game Time: At half time or before the game even starts, initiate a game of touch football or another backyard game. You’ll have fun and burn off some extra calories.

* Proper Hydration for the Win: Drinking too much can make you susceptible to overeating. So keep your intake to one or two drinks and keep it light by alternating alcoholic beverages with diet soda or water. When you do drink, choose something like a wine, a champagne spritzer or light beer.

* Be a Team Player: Offer to make some healthy snacks. That way you know you always have something good to eat and your host will appreciate your contribution.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Hands-on Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Yields: 5 cups
Serves: 4

3 cups popped corn (plain air-popped corn or plain microwave popcorn)
2 cups Weight Watchers Vanilla Puffed Wheat
1 cup mini salted pretzels
1/4 cup raw pecans
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste (optional)

1) Preheat oven to 300 F. Coat a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2) Combine popcorn, Weight Watchers Vanilla Puffed Wheat, pretzels, and pecans in a large bowl. Mix well and spread mixture evenly across the baking pan. In a separate small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and oregano. Mix well and sprinkle spices across popcorn mixture.
3) Generously spray nonstick cooking spray over seasoned snack mixture, making sure all pieces are covered. Using a wooden spoon or your fingers, carefully toss to coat. Make sure seasonings are evenly distributed. Bake for 10 minutes. Transfer snack mix back to large bowl. Toss and serve immediately.

Put an extra kick into this snack mix by adding a few pinches of cayenne pepper, paprika, or 1/8 teaspoon of dried crushed red pepper flakes.

Per serving: 150 Cal, 6 g Fat, 1 g Sat Fat, 0 g Trans Fat, 0 mg Chol, 135 mg Sod, 22 g Carb, 4 g Fib, 4 g Prot, 19 mg Calc. POINTS value: 3.

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