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Holiday Tip: Giving Your Home a Holiday Aroma

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I believe it’s true to say, most people, love the smells and aromas that are accompanied with the holiday season. Whether it be the aroma of pies or food cooking in the kitchen. My problem was that I soon missed the fragrant aromas after the Christmas dinner and dessert was had. The lovely fragrances always makes me think of great past holiday memories.

One year I hosted a party at my home, after Christmas and was only serving appetizers. Therefore, there was no pleasant holiday aroma present. So here is what I did to create a holiday aroma:

I filled a large pot 1/2 way with water and simply added certain spices that I already had in my pantry. Such spices like 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla and 1 tablespoon of nutmeg were added to the water. I stirred the mixture vigorously using a whisk. I then let it simmer on my stove on the lowest possible setting, hours before the party. I made sure to add water as the water evaporates as it steams. As I greeted my guests, all of them gave me compliments at the aroma emanating in my home. Now, I even use that recipe to create a holiday aroma in different combinations anytime during the year, whether I have company or not.

Happy Holidays!!!

Posted by Eve

Eve’s Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe

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As an adult, I now am fond of all different types of curries. One curry, in particular enticed my taste buds, so much that I tweaked a recipe to enjoy with chicken thighs. It has a spicy kick and a hearty feel. Here it is!!!

Ingredients

2 Lbs Chicken Thighs
3 Tablespoons of Jamaican Curry Powder
2 Large White Potatoes Diced
3 Cups of Water
1 Medium Yellow Onion Diced
3 Fresh Sprigs of Thyme
3 Large Garlic Cloves Finely Diced
1 Scotch Bonnet Pepper Whole (do not chop or cut, its insanely hot) 1 Can of Butter Beans Drained
2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
2 Tablespoons Oil

Instructions

Clean chicken thighs ( leave skin attached )
In a large bowl add all ingredients EXCEPT oil, butter beans, water and scotch bonnet pepper.
Add chicken thighs to bowl, gently stir and allow chicken to marinate for at least an hour
After chicken marinates, put oil into a large, deep cooking pot on medium high heat Allow oil to heat 1-2 minutes
Take chicken thighs and place in pot and sear chicken on both sides (approximately 3 minutes on both sides) Add water, scotch bonnet and remaining marinade to the pot with the chicken
Allow to simmer on medium low heat for 45 minutes to an hour to fully cook chicken and blend flavors ( this allows mixture to reduce and thicken ) Stir gently every 10 minutes or so
Add butter beans 30 minutes into cooking process

Best served over rice!!

Posted by Eve

Tips for How to Select and Prepare Avocados

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I grew up eating avocados, on a regular basis. I find that avocados have a light refreshing taste and can add flavor to most any meal. I was amazed to find out, how many people have never tried avocados. I believe the reason is because many do not know how to prepare or pick them. So, I decided to give some ideas on how to quickly and simply select and prepare avocados.

There are two main types of avocados, one is called a Dominican avocado and the other is called Haas avocados. The Dominican avocado (shown in picture) is large, bright green and has smooth skin. The Haas avocado is much smaller in size, is a dark color and has wrinkly skin.

Avocados are good for you — they are high in vitamin K, C and folate. Try to add at least one to your diet each week.

My tip on how to pick an avocado is easy. Simply, pick it up in your hand and squeeze gently with your thumb. Now, if it has no give and is rock hard it is not ready to be consumed, yet. You want it to feel soft but not mushy.

As for preparing the avocado, you just need a sharp knife and a large spoon. Cut it in half and twist it open. One side will have a non edible pit that needs to be removed. To remove the pit, strike the pit safely and firmly with the knife and give it a twist. The pit should be stuck on the knife, discard the pit. Now, place your spoon, starting at the top and scoop out the ” meat ” of the avocado. You can either cut it into long slices or cut it into chunks.

Avocado pairs well with salads of all kinds and sandwiches as well as Mexican and Spanish foods.

Posted by Eve

Homemade Spanish Stew

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As far back as I can remember, I have enjoyed a hearty stew during the cold winter months. I like to make a homemade Spanish stew that consists of Spanish spices and some ethnic vegetables. This is a filling stew that can be enjoyed for either lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

2 Lbs Chicken Thighs
1 Yellow Plantain
2 Large Potatoes
1 Medium Yuca
1 Large Corn On The Cob
2 Packs Of Sazon ( I use Sazon Goya made with Coriander & Annatto )

Some ingredients that go in homemade Spanish stew. Flickr credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/runlevel0/6297898421
Some ingredients that go in homemade Spanish stew.

1 1/2 Tablespoons of Adobo ( I use Goya brand Adobo )
1 Chicken Bouillon Cube
2 Medium Onions
1 Large Red Pepper
4 Cloves Of Garlic
1 Bush Of Fresh Cilantro
1 8 oz Can Of Tomato Sauce
3 Tablespoons Of Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Of Cumin

Instructions

Place a large stew pot on the stove

Clean your chicken thighs (leave skin on, it adds flavor, discard skin after stew is completed) Add 6 cups of water to the pot ( enough to cover the chicken ) Add the chicken bouillon

Boil chicken on high until chicken is cooked

While chicken is cooking you can now make the Sofrito. Sofrito is a secret ingredient to a lot of Latin Caribbean dishes. It is a sauce made of tomatoes, onion, peppers, garlic, and herbs.

Sofrito Instructions
In a large food processor place:
Onions ( cut into quarters )
Peppers ( cut into quarters)
Garlic ( remove peel )
Tomato Sauce
Sazon
Adobo
Cumin
Olive oil
Cilantro ( make sure to rinse cilantro under cold water )
Blend ingredients together at a high speed & set aside.

Peel and cut the:
Yuca ( cut into 1/2 inch slices )
Potatoes ( cut into large cubes )
Corn On The Cob ( cut into 1/2 inch slices )
Yellow Plantain ( cut into 1/2 slices )

Now, add all of your Sofrito mixture to the pot with chicken (make sure chicken is thoroughly cooked ) Add your yuca, potatoes, corn and plantain to pot.
Stir ingredients gently.
Place on lid and heat on medium low for 30-45 minutes to allow ingredients to simmer ( stir occasionally ) or until potatoes and yuca are fork tender.

Serve your homemade Spanish stew in a large bowl with a sprinkle of fresh lime juice on top.

* You can also use pork neck bones or pork short ribs, instead of or with the chicken thighs. * I enjoy fresh cubed slices of avocado as a garnish.

ENJOY!!!

Posted by Eve

Healthy Snack Ideas for the Holidays

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The holidays are here and so are the dinner parties full of all kinds of fantastic foods. With that being said, so are all of the extra calories. However, you can still enjoy your favorite holiday foods, if you substitute some healthy snack ideas for meals. That way you can feel more relaxed while indulging at your next holiday party.

Here are some low calorie snacks to make. I suggest that you have a balanced breakfast and eat these healthy snacks during the day before going to your holiday gatherings.

Baked Cinnamon Apple

Preheat oven 350*
Core the apple ( I Recommend Using Red Delicious Type Apples ) Peel the skin from around the top of apple
Fill the core with raisins
Generously, sprinkle apple with cinnamon
Drizzle honey on top of the apple
Cover the core with a pat of butter
Place apple in a bowl and add 2 tablespoons of water to the bowl Place bowl on a cookie sheet
Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes until apple is soft
Allow apple to cool for 5 minutes before eating

Cucumber Slices With Sea Salt

Wash and dry cucumber
Cut into 1/4 inch slices
Sprinkle with sea salt

Celery Sticks With Hummus

Wash and peel celery
Fill the center of the stalk with store bought hummus
(health food stores has a great selection of hummus)
Cut into edible pieces.

Enjoy these simple healthy snack ideas and Happy Holidays !!!!

Posted by Eve

How To Make Cleaning Ceiling Fans Quick & Easy

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Most of us have ceiling fans in our home, but rarely pay them any mind. If you have ever attempted to clean the fan blades after a long while, you’ll soon realize that it can be very time consuming. So, I have found a way to make cleaning ceiling fans quick and easy.

Ceiling Fan Photo Credit: Flickr; https://www.flickr.com/photos/ubidesperarenescio/2247632650
Cleaning ceiling fans made easy.

Instructions:
– Fill a bowl 1/2 way with warm water
– Add three drops of dish detergent to the bowl
– Dip a clean cloth into the bowl
– Squeeze excess water out of cloth ( cloth should be damp ) – Clean the blades on both top & bottom
– Allow blades to dry
– Discard dirty water

Next…
– Take a dry clean cloth
– Generously spray the cloth with the furniture polish
– Wipe the blades with the cloth on top and bottom ( reapply furniture polish often )

By applying furniture polish to the blades will prevent the dust from sticking to the blades. Therefore, cleaning ceiling fans is as easy as a quick wipe to remove the dust!!!

Posted by Eve