Practically every month, thousands of chocolate lovers flock to major cities and little towns all over the world that celebrate special chocolate festivals. This is really a true testament to people’s undying love for these decadent pieces of pleasure. The chocolates that we love happen to be born many, many years ago. The festivals feature specialty chocolates and in these festivals gather hundreds of well known chocolate makers to showcase how they concoct their best chocolate recipes in front of thousands of chocoholics.

It is a one day fun-filled festival where there are lots of games, shows by well-known artists, cooking demos, historical exhibits, chocolate consuming contests, and other activities apart from the chance to taste some of the best chocolates ever.

Here are five excellent chocolate festivals that you have to see in your lifetime.

1. Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival This event which occurs every fall is home to Domingo Ghirardelli and the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company that was incorporated back in 1952. It’s still celebrated in San Francisco where the company was born, held every year in the actually famous Ghirardelli Square. Activities consist of exhibitions, car exhibits, talent exhibits, cooking demonstrations, cooking contests, etc. It is free to join the festivities but they charge minimal costs on individuals chocolate lovers who just cannot resist chocolate tasting. Proceeds of this occasion will go to charity.

2. Salon Du Chocolat Festival Visited by vacationers and natives alike, Salon Du Chocolat is nevertheless celebrated annually in Versailles, France. Open to local and international chocolatiers, the festival isn’t at all about chocolate tasting. It’s more of geared towards holding numerous events like symposia, talent exhibits, cooking demonstrations and a lot more. This year it will open on October 14 till the18th.

3. Eurochocolate Celebrated in Perugia, Italy, this yearly occasion is wherever hundreds of European chocolatiers meet. Known as one of the most important chocolate festivals in the world, it gathers leaders of the chocolate industry to talk about reforms on running manufacturing companies. Of course, you will find countless chocolates available for tasting, partnered with wine, cheese along with other meals that are surprisingly so chocolaty. For ten days, site visitors will enjoy an array of activities that they might wish to enjoy for example cooking demonstrations, expositions, laboratories, cooking classes, banquets and many more!

4. Cioccolato of Turin Turin- the largest producer of chocolates in all of Italy, is home to Cioccolato, an yearly festival featuring Italian chocolatiers. This event is very well-liked to about 700,000 visitors which are said to consume around 66,000 pounds of chocolates. The festivities which last 10 days feature chocolate and wine tasting, tea parties, cooking demonstrations, games and many others. Said to be the birthplace of the chocolate bar, Turin hosts tourists from all over the world who are very eager to sample these precious delicacies. Chocolate lovers get to watch extravagant productions staged by chocolate manufacturers and listen to lectures about chocolates’ delightful stories as well as their history.

5. Chocolate Lovers Festival in Virgina

Old Town Fairfax is home to Chocolate Lovers’ Festivals, a two-day occasion that surrounds supporters with vast choices of delicious chocolate in many forms. You will find bake sales, cooking demos, lectures, craft exhibits, cooking contests, chocolate eating contests, storytelling, theatrical exhibits and many more.

They are just 5 of the so many well-known and well-celebrated festivals all over the world. There are many other people that feature thousands of famous and local chocolatiers. That’s why whenever you travel, ask regardless of whether the location you are visiting may have their own festivals to celebrate and also you may just get lucky! It’s not everyday that chocolate lovers get to feast their eyes and hearts out on one thing they most adore, the chocolates! So, if you are a true chocolate lover, and couldn’t stop eating these fancy treats, pack up your bags and join the festivities celebrating the greatest indulgence the world has even known!

Lastly, you got to check out the site for True Chocoholic that will show you how to appreciate and understand about chocolate. Finally, I got a chance to learn more and taste more, to understand why chocolate is such a wonderful experience.

“Chocolat”, the comedy released in 2000 based on the novel by Joanne Harris was crystal clear when he stated that every individual includes a different chocolate match. Chocolate lovers all over the world would agree to this. Love and passion for chocolates is relative. One’s interest for a chocolate may differ from an additional person’s. See adore for chocolates is dependent on a person’s taste and his taste alone!

Even though the true measure of the chocolate lover is which they would consume anything that is chocolate, there is more than a hundred percent opportunity that they’ve a preferred brand or kind. So, with all of the chocolates in the world and nations claiming to become the best in producing them, who truly requires the hat?

Wherever it Began

The background of the chocolate goes back again to the times of the Aztecs once they discovered that the beads inside the pods of the cocoa tree could be squashed and processed to create a dark, bitter liquid which they mixed with spices. The resulting frothy mixture allegedly gave power to their gods and leaders. Even then, they knew the cocoa tree to become of some substance they could use in the future. If only they could discover better signifies to process xocolat, the word they used to call the drink.

Only the Aztec leaders were allowed to drink and simply because the beans had been revered so much, it became a currency. When the Spanish conquerors went back again to Spain, they tried to introduce the beans to the majesties. Regrettably, they couldn’t find a lot use for them just yet. But after some major trials and errors, they realized that when mixed with spices for example cinnamon, nutmeg and some sugar, the sweet result is even a lot more tantalizing. From then on, it grew popularity and for a although, it became Spain’s best kept solution. It took about a hundred years before the rest of Europe discovered about the solution and when it did, it spread like wildfire amongst the nobilities simply because they’re the only ones who can afford the expensive beans. Soon, European nations started their own methods of improving chocolate production.

A Triple Treat

The battle for finding an ideal chocolate formula has seeped into the European countries. Spain, surprisingly, took a step back and watched while France, Belgium and Switzerland took turns in making chocolate background. Even the Americas joined the clamor after the industrial revolution and the consecutive wars. Nevertheless, the fact remains that chocolate lovers know France, Belgium and Switzerland to become creators of the finest chocolates in the world!

The French are known for their liberal yet art-loving lives, their sense of fashion, culinary prowess along with a distinct way of life. French chocolates however, are surprisingly not generally known to be one of their expertise. French morsels are frequently embellished with edible ornaments, hand-painted and carved painstakingly, almost like a work of fine art and what’s nice is it’s as delicious as it looks! The dark chocolates are subtle in flavor and it’s neither as sweet nor bitter as any other kind. The flavor merely lingers in the mouth.

With regards to building what we now know as mass created chocolates, the Swiss takes the front row seats. Chocolate was introduced to Switzerland when Zurich mayor, Heinrich Escher, imported cocoa beans and consumed it in banquets. It was banned thereafter due to its alleged aphrodisiac benefits. But no one can stop the Swiss from becoming the makers of chocolate as we recognize them today. So, what’s your vote?

Lastly, you got to check out the site for True Chocoholic that will show you how to appreciate and understand about chocolate. Finally, I got a chance to learn more and taste more, to understand why chocolate is such a wonderful experience.

Despite the ongoing recession we have these days, a brave projection of the 2011 sales for American chocolates reached about $18 million. Apparently, the dwindling marketplace has not affected the appetite of consumers when it comes to these delicate sweets. Chocolate lovers owe it to the background of chocolates. Chocolates have been pre-recorded and its recognition was in no way once questioned. In fact, if the numbers are correct, people are finding more methods to take advantage of chocolate other than satisfy fantastic craving for the tempting.

Food for the Gods

Thank God for chocolates! Like a chocolate lover, my curiosity was piqued when I had a bite of the macadamia chocolates that I really love! Since then I knew that chocolates have originated from the Amazon had been the very first cocoas had been found in 2000 BC. Largely used through the Maya Culture, the word chocolate came from xocoatl meaning bitter water. The Mayas love for cocoa was imprinted in background thru the wood carvings found dating all of the way back to about 300AD, showing pictures of cocoa pods. The Mayan territory expanded in 600AD and they took their cocoa with them to the northern parts of South America until their wanderings took them to the Guatemalan shores. This area became birthing soil to big cocoa plantations wherever the pods are frequently presented as holy matters in rituals. They think cocoa to be food exclusive for the consumption of gods.

Dark Waters in Gold Goblets

The hot xocoatl, a dark drink that is sweet to the taste, was regarded by Aztecs and Mayans to be a health sustaining drink and used it for many medicinal purposes. They also believed that drinking the dark juice or eating the fruits would bring them wisdom. Even then, the natives considered in xocoatl’s nourishing powers. Their leaders drank gallons of dark chocolate dyed in red. Those were served in gold goblets.

The Bean Pay Ups

Because of its popularity and importance, the cocoa beans even became a form of currency among Mayans and Aztecs. They used cocoa beans to sell, trade and purchase commodities throughout the earlier times.

In 1492, Columbus presented King Ferdinand and his Queen with cocoas upon his return but very little attention was given to them as well as on his journey in search for spices in India, Columbus didn’t realize the great potential of the chocolate. Otherwise, he could are already the one who discovered and announced the immense possible of such sweets.

And so more and more people have begun using the sweet chocolates as an important currency signifying wealth depending on the vastness of plantations owned. In fact, an explorer by the name of Hernando de Oviedo y Valdez claimed to have bought slaves and prostitutes using cocoa pods.

And in 1519, some parts of Mexico had been eventually conquered by Hernando Cortez who was fascinated by xocoatl a lot more for its currency value than its taste. At that time, the taste of the chocolates was a small bit bitter sweet and spicy. Leaning further that cultivating the cocoa tree is certainly a excellent business, he established multiple plantations thereby cultivating money for Spain.

Truly, I can in no way imagine a world without these sweet fanciful delicacies in my life. Like a chocolate lover, I’ve usually had the yearning to discover new kinds of chocolates every day if possible. Might they be regular or ordinary chocolates, gourmet chocolates or home-made but exceptionally delectable chocolates, my adore and passion for them will always be there!

Lastly, you got to check out the site for True Chocoholic that will show you how to appreciate and understand about chocolate. Finally, I got a chance to learn more and taste more, to understand why chocolate is such a wonderful experience.

Chocolates have turn out to be one of the most well-liked confectioneries ever created and sold. Chocolate enthusiasts, young and old, rich and poor, have discovered themselves being hooked having a confessing indulgence for it. In spite of of the popularity chocolates have accomplished, you will find still questions and arguments which are becoming raised about its influence on the human health.

Black and White Chocolates

Chocolates have two faces under its name. One is white and the other is black, but of course, these variants represent benefits one can get from the other. Black chocolate, otherwise known as dark chocolate comprises sugar, cocoa mass and butter. On the other hand, white chocolate or milk chocolate has flavorings, vegetable fats and some milk solids. But whether white or black, dark or milk chocolate, chocolates nevertheless fascinate and give pleasure to anyone who eats it.

Debating Nutritional Value of Chocolates

For over the years, chocolates have made its method to becoming the preferred “confectionery” of all time. But in spite of the alluring images chocolates have created, debate and arguments happen to be raised and produced on wherever chocolates should be placed. This is because as we know, chocolates still remain in the ‘junk’ category. Both proponents of every side have their positions as to what chocolate can do. But for ordinary chocolate lovers, chocolates will still be chocolates.

But digging deep into it, lovers or non-lovers of chocolate should and must get a glimpse of these problems. Whichever side includes a heavier and a lot more relevant proof, should be taken into a much better consideration. Every bite leaves a soothing feeling that is difficult to define, but renders a powerful desire to encounter.

Chocolates as Aphrodisiac

Aside from the sensation and delight it provides, chocolate also makes itself an aphrodisiac agent. As an energy booster, studies show that, it provides an adequate reserve of power, particularly when they’ve greater glucose content in them. Food industries have created chocolate an integral part of the global marketplace, and therefore, chocolates still stay best sellers in the market today since 600 AD, even from the time of the Mayans.

Chocolates and Weight Problems

Though the chocolate world has obtained valuable commendation, they also share a “veto” image just like any other item. These are the days when obesity has become a major word of mouth to every citizen close to the globe. Being overweight has not just turn out to be an normal irregularity of body mass, but also is regarded as one of the critical causes of chronic illnesses. Medical practitioners have spent time carrying out research to determine the root trigger of this issue. From the long record of elements that could trigger obesity, chocolates are found included in the list.

Obesity-Chocolate Link

An independent study in the UK predicted that occurrences of obesity may rise to more than 50% through the year 2020. Statistics, lawmakers & the medical world have proposed that confectioners should not be sold anymore in the pharmacies as becoming practiced in many corners of the world. Aside from being linked to obesity, chocolates are also suspected to be one causative factor triggering diabetes. This proposition is still under consideration due to the vast studies which are still in progress to prove the same.

Positive Reports on Chocolates

On the other hand, good reports on chocolates are continue to being circulated and made. Studies also show that dark chocolates consumed moderately, can bestow cardiovascular benefits due to the presence of “flavanol” which plays a main role in the circulatory system. This increases the content of high density lipoprotein (HDL), a lot more popularly known as the good cholesterol; therefore preventing the occurrence of cardiovascular related diseases.

The choice is ours and we are the ones who should decide if chocolates can someday be cheaper than therapy which never requires an appointment. Although a record of contradicting propositions follows, chocolates will continue to remain the most intimate confectionary close to a man’s heart. And with the abounding chocolates in the marketplace, making us crave for every bite, chocolates will forever be a delight for chocolate enthusiasts like me! Now the battle is choosing between chocolates and obesity!

Lastly, you got to check out the site for True Chocoholic that will show you how to appreciate and understand about chocolate. Finally, I got a chance to learn more and taste more, to understand why chocolate is such a wonderful experience.

Salon Du Chocolat, Chocolate Lovers’ Festival, Eurochocolate, Chocolate Rush, Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival, these are just some of the best chocolate fests celebrated all over the world. And they are generally attended by hundreds of thousands of chocolate lovers like me. They flock to these events to view and taste wonderful delights from world-renowned chocolatiers and take pleasure in chocolate inspired activities.

The joy and fun you will encounter is doubled whenever you attend this festival of merriment in the organization of your chocolate loving friends. You will surely get crazy having loads of chocolates of different types and sizes. Now, you do not necessarily have to spend a great deal of money to go to these festivals why not think of having a chocolate party in your location? You are able to be an expert party planner to make this happen, all you require is a little help and some flickers of ingenuity!

Start with the Menu

Don’t force a sit down, four course meal. Do it just like you’d on a normal barbecue Sunday. Serve grilled chicken, pork chops, pasta, and mashed potatoes, anything you are familiar with! Now, the easy chicken pieces and pork chops could be made magical by adding chocolate inspired sauces like mole, a Mexican, chili-chocolate essential. Round it up with chocolate deserts for example chocolate cakes, pastries and do not leave behind to serve a pile of different types of chocolates. Make sure to have tons of them simply because you will be using them on games and other activities, anyway! You do not have to buy individuals costly gourmet chocolates, just grab the regular ones, your favorite manufacturers – unless the gourmet chocolates are truly what you are going for.

If you would like to serve fondue, then prepare fondue matches like marshmallows, pretzels and fruits. Research on wines that would go well with chocolates and keep the idea for the party! And last of all, max out on a variety of drinks that could help clean your guests’ palates.

Stage the Grandeur

Consider out your best linens. If you’ve chocolate designed-linens, that could be great! You are able to line two or 3 tables with them. One table will be for eating and the other for chocolate and wine tasting. It may also be a location wherever you can show desserts that fellow choco lovers may want to indulge in anytime they wish to while in the party.

Decorate your party location by incorporating chocolate brown colors in your style. Set the sound system and make sure you have great joyful music to match the ambiance. And finally, make sure that your programme is ready along with the materials which you would require in games or activities.

Make the Chocolate Party Fun

Here’s a list of things which you can do at your chocolate party apart from chocolate and wine tasting. You might select one or couple of of them, a minimum of whatever is possible and could very easily be done without having to spend so much.

1. Game – Who Can Eat The Most Chocolates? 2. Chocolate Painting – wherever you use chocolates and your hands to draw pictures 3. Stage an exhibit on the history of chocolates, print images and put them on display so everyone could have a appear and understand although getting fun 4. Choc Poker – Use chocolate pieces as chips. Your guest may consider home what ever chocolates they are able to win. 5. Bake-off Challenge – Who Can Make The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie? 6. Special cooking demonstration – understand a brand new chocolate recipe and share it with close friends

It’s so simple, right? You don’t have to wait for a unique occasion to throw a chocolate party! Being a chocolate lover is reason enough. But if you would like to make your birthday, Thanksgiving, reunion or any get together fancier let the chocolate lover in you come out and allow your loved ones encounter a feast that was originally made for gods and kings!

Lastly, you got to check out the site for True Chocoholic that will show you how to appreciate and understand about chocolate. Finally, I got a chance to learn more and taste more, to understand why chocolate is such a wonderful experience.

Lots of us are looking for new recipe options that will give us something new in our lives, taste great, and still be healthier than restaurant fare or processed foods. Much of the time, this involves focusing on high protein foods that are low in fat, particularly saturated fat. That is why so many people are cooking with chicken. It is a great choice for anyone trying to eat more healthily, since chicken is mostly made up of lean protein.

Choosing healthy recipes featuring chicken can help you cut down your blood cholesterol levels and lose weight, but you do not have to give up on great taste. Chicken is incredibly versatile and works well in most types of food and with most cooking methods. It is a great choice, regardless of your preferences.

Salads with grilled chicken are becoming a popular choice, as are Mexican foods using chicken, wraps, Asian inspired chicken recipes and more. Of course, the choice of chicken will also affect the taste and health of the food. Inexpensive, mass produced chicken is often raised with a serious dependence on hormones and antibiotics, and the diet of these animals may not be desirable. Plus, there are ethical concerns about the cage rearing of animals.

One alternative that will still allow you to enjoy great, low fat foods that are high in protein is organic or free range chicken. Be sure to know what each label means. However, these chickens have generally been raised according to certain standards, which improve the health and well being of the animal and the quality of the meat they produce. While it is more expensive, chicken recipes made with organic or other specialty chicken meat are worth the extra cost in terms of flavor and healthiness.

You may find that this meat contains less fat and more muscle. If you are still concerned about an excess of fat, it is easy to trim off. You can even remove the skin to further reduce fat, resulting in a truly low fat meal that does not sacrifice much in the way of taste.

Just remember to observe the correct procedures when you are handling chicken for any purpose. Never allow raw chicken to remain at room temperature. Instead, refrigerate it at all times, and use it within two or three days. Cooked chicken can be out for two hours or so, but must be refrigerated afterwards. Frozen chicken will keep in a cold freezer for up to a year.

Chicken should always be washed in cold water, and a clean cutting board and knife should be used in all cases. Once the chicken has been prepared, anything that touched the raw meat needs to be cleaned immediately. If you handle your meat correctly, the danger of contamination is significantly less.

The good news is that preparing chicken safely and deliciously is not hard at all, and there are plenty of healthy cooking options out there. Be willing to spend some time thinking about the ways to cook chicken or look on the Internet to see what recipes are available, for healthier, better tasting meals.

Check out our chicken fajitas and chicken quesadilla recipe taste Mexico.

When you might be invited to some housewarming party, the best gift might just be a house materials gift basket. This really is a lot of fun to assemble and personalize to your friend or relative. If it truly is for somebody you do not know extremely well just go with what you necessary for your kitchen’s inside the beginning. There are lots of things that you simply purchase for this kind of present basket that everybody will need over a everyday basis in their home if they use that room at all.

It is recommended to stick to basics when you’re assembling a home supplies present basket especially in the event you aren’t aware of what the recipient’s colour scheme is for the home. Select items that will fit into any theme. This can be truly not that tough to do, either.

Each and every cook requirements a lot of various spoons. Wooden sets are offered in various sizes as are plastic. If your spending budget can handle it, stainless steel spoons and serving utensils are great. Several good wire whisks and spatulas are often appreciated. Add some cute cookie cutters and molds. Recipe books with easy to abide by recipes are a “can’t miss” item for any kitchen area supplies gift basket, particularly when you choose them appropriate towards the life-style with the recipient.

Things like coffee mugs are also a wonderful thought. You’ll be able to even make them special by decorating them in some way or personalizing them. To cushion some in the much more delicate things, look at getting a set of potholders with matching dish towels.

These might be used to protect the mugs from acquiring chipped or damaged in some way. A thing else that can also perform like a cushion inside your house supplies gift basket isn’t an item that every person thinks of nowadays: an apron. This apron might be of any style and is usually chosen to fit the character with the wearer.

Other items that could be thrown in are such things like a cooking thermometer, timer, smaller cutting board, cheese slicer, corn cob holders, grater, and potato peeler. Once anything is assembled inside the basket, you’ll be quite proud of how ingenious you’ve been.

There’s lots of knowledge throughout the internet dealing with kitchen supplies such as the most recent papers by Jackson Tuckett dealing with delonghi espresso cappuccino maker and how to use a stovetop espresso maker.

Nothing says fall quite like apple crisp, the warm cinnamon scent and sweet apples as much a part of autumn for many of us as red leaves and cold weather.  Or, presumably, it reminds you of high school refrectories, where a really sad and soggy version of apple crisp is a common staple of dinner time. 

Apple crisp, or apple crumble if you’re from the United Kingdom, appears like the sort of old time dish that’s been handed down for generations.  You can pretty easily imagine the travellers eating it at the first Thanksgiving.  Despite this antique feel, apple crisp has a surprisingly brief account. 

Apple crisp doesn’t make an appearance in cookbooks until 1924, so its creation doubtless only goes back a few decades before.  This is a record of a bit more than a century, making it a fairly up to date addition to the american menu.  The dish became speedily and enormously well-liked by one or two years of appearing in cookbooks, as newspapers and personal recommendation spread the apple crisp recipe. 

A benefit of apple crisp is that it’s substantially simpler to make than apple pie, another fall fave.  Instead of needing to be in a position to create a crust for a pie and then get it baked exactly right a surprisingly tricky task, apple crisp only requires that you be in a position to layer the ingredients in an acceptable pan. 

At its most basic, apple crisp is simply a dessert consisting of baked apple covered by a crisp crust.  Sometimes, the crust is also covered in brown sugar and cinnamon to add an extra level of sweetness to the top, as well as the brown sugar that’s normal with the baked apples. 

More specifically, you’re going to find cooked apples, butter, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and frequently oats, brown sugar, ginger, and / or nutmeg.  There are about as many different recipes for apple crisp as there are folks that eat it, and even veteran bakers seldom make it the exact same way twice. 

There are tons of variants possible from the selection of sugars to using oats to including other fruits.  Peaches are a fairly common addition to apple crisp, and it isn’t at all uncommon to find stuff like raspberry or blueberry crisp on the menu. 

Rhubarb is a popular ingredient, because it provides a tart taste that contrasts with the sweetness of the pie.  For a similar reason, you want to consider your choice of apples, the most simple ingredient in the dish, when you make a decision to make your apple crisp. 

An apple, of course, isn’t just an apple.  They come in dozens of varieties, with a massive range of sizes, tastes and textures.  Apples can range from reasonably sour to terribly sweet, and ensuring to get the right sweetness is crucial so that you will know how much sugar to use. 

similarly, apples can have a variety of textures, from crisp to almost floury, and it’s urgent to grasp the feel of your apples before baked them so that you get an apple crisp that basically tastes good and has an agreeable mouth feel.

Try my favorite Apple Crisp recipe: Click Here

Famous restaurant recipes are made available to you, you just need to know how to find them. That means that you can prepare your favorite foods from your favorite eating place, in your home. This helps to reduce the price down extremely, which can also help you to cut down on your expenses. (more…)

Food is always a big part of holiday celebrations. During the holidays, it can often be difficult to make wholesome meals for the family. Fortunately, with a little planning, you can make meals for the family that will be both healthy and tasty. Although not for breakfast, below are a few wholesome healthy recipes and holiday meal ideas for the family.

1. Smoked Turkey Breast with Collard Greens: Ingredients include: 1.5 pounds collard greens, pound smoked turkey breast, cup chicken broth, minced onion, tsp. red pepper flakes, tsp. minced celery, and tsp. ground black pepper. Place the cut up pieces of collard greens and turkey in a pot. Cover them with water and cook on medium heat, covered, for 20 minutes. Add the onion, celery, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, onion, red pepper flakes, and black pepper, and cook on medium heat for approximately an hour.

2. Peppercorn Honey Mustard Pork Roast: Ingredients include: 1- pound pork loin roast, 1 orange, a 12-oz package of cranberries, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp. honey mustard, 2 tbsp. crushed peppercorns, 1/2 tsp. 1 tsp. minced thyme, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Chop up orange and cranberries. Place in saucepan and blend in honey. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Cool. Place the pork around the roast in a roast cooking pot. Mix the honey mixture and other ingredients in a bowl. Baste the roast and pork with the sauce. Cook at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove and baste the meat. Cook for another 20 minutes. Let it sit for about 15 minutes and then serve.

3. Honey Mustard Glazed Turkey: Ingredients include: 5 pound turkey breast , 1/4 cup apricot preserves, 1 tbsp. honey-style mustard. Place turkey breast in roast pan. Bake for 2 hours at 325 degrees. In a bowl, blend the mustard and apricot preserves. Baste the glaze over the turkey breast and cook for another 20 min. Remove and serve.

4. Rib Eye Roast with Gravy, Potatoes, and Mushrooms: 1 tbsp minced rosemary, 2 minced garlic gloves, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp ground black pepper, one 4-pound rib eye roast, 4 pounds small potatoes (cut in small portions), 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 pound chopped white mushrooms, 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 can beef broth, and 1 tbsp tomato paste. In a bowl, mix rosemary, garlic, and salt and pepper. Baste the roast. Cook for 40 minutes at 350F (175C). Add potatoes to the roast pan. Cook for another 20 minutes. Put mushrooms in the roast pan, swirl, and cook for another 40 minutes. Mix butter and flour together in a bowl. Remove roast and vegetables from oven. Remove food from the pan. Add beef broth to the pan juices, boil, and cook for 2 minutes. Reduce the heat and mix in flour mixture and tomato paste, and blend. Pour the gravy in a bowl. Slice beef and serve with gravy, potatoes and gravy.

The holidays do not have to be a time of eating unhealthy foods. Careful meal planning and healthy preparation will give your family plenty of wholesome meals to eat over the holidays.

Eating healthy isn’t always easy. Help your family eat healthier by including nutritious delicious eggs to your diet. Healthy recipes with eggs can be found online.