Sugar Cookies…here’s the perfect recipe!

Posted by Sheri on Feb 1, 2012 in Meal Essence Community | 0 comments

Iced Sugar Cookies can be made months ahead or at the last minute but be sure to make Iced Sugar Cookies.  It is the #1 cookies choice for MealEssence Fans.  So remember, it’s never to late to add this cookie to your list.

After years of searching – I believe this is the best Sugar Cookie Recipe!  Sugar Cookies are not to be taken lightly – especially at Christmas.  You will want to save this recipe for every holiday cut out…Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, or birthdays.

The secret to a good Sugar Cookie Recipe is structure on the outside and soft on the inside.  Lots of cookies taste good that fall apart when you’re decorating – but this recipe handles well when icing and decorating and it also stores well in the freezer so that you can decorate as you go.  While sugar cookies can be iced and then frozen, I recommend icing them just a day or two before serving.  I also find that icing a frozen cookie is easier – so I remove them from the freezer a few at a time, icing and decorating them before they thaw completely.

If you’ve never tried making Iced/Decorated Sugar Cookies for the holidays this is the one to try.  With only six ingredients that most of us keep on hand and three simple steps you will please everyone on your Christmas list this year!

I will be posting pictures of this years decorated cookies and more tips for making Sugar Cookies!

February Holidays and Food Ideas

Posted by Sheri on Jan 29, 2012 in Meal Essence Community, Tips & Tricks | 0 comments

February will be here soon and there are many wonderful “February holidays and food ideas to share!  I like February because it represents the beginning of the end – the end of winter that is.  So, let’s celebrate February.

Holiday’s are a great way to teach our families about historical events and people, as well as traditions that we hold near and dear.  So, let’s cook our way through this February as we celebrate, Groundhog’s Day (Feb. 2), Super Bowl Sunday (February 6), Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) and President’s Day (Feb. 21, 2011).  By the time we finish this very short month (28 days this year), we will be ready for spring.  So many holidays, so little time!

I will share recipes and ideas for February cooking with “in season” foods that are cheaper to buy and easy to prepare.  Fresh ideas that will inspire greatness in your kitchen and mine!

Nutrition and Family Dinners

Posted by Sheri on Jan 20, 2012 in Meal Essence Community, Nutritional News | 0 comments

I recently read several articles tying the childhood obesity rate to regular family dinners.  Studies have shown that more family dinners equal less obesity.  You may be thinking that family meals do not guarantee nutrition and that is a valid concern.  However, when you plan – you do eat better.  Meals that are created on the fly are typically less healthy.  Meals that are pre-made, canned, frozen, typically have hidden fat.

The study also showed that children that eat regular family meals eat more fruits and vegetables.  With so many working parents, many children often return from a day at school to an empty house and head for the fridge.  They snack in an unsupervised environment – often sitting while watching television or playing video games.

This is just one more reason to use MealEssence.com.  MealEssence.com helps busy parents plan meals so that everyday dinner is served.  It’s not a decision that is made at the end of a long day with no preparation and planning or the necessary ingredients.  Since our family began using Mealessence.com we have practically eliminated snack foods.  We eat healthy nutritious meals that don’t require lots of snacking.  Additionally we are able to add healthy snack foods to our shopping list and avoid impulse purchases which may lead to less healthy eating.

Make a decision to eat dinner regularly with your family.  Plan 5 meals this week,  Monday – Friday, plan to eat dinner at the table with your family!  For more information about childhood obesity and family meals check out this article, http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/do-it-yourself/sns-health-family-kids-doc-dinners-obesity,0,6221559.story

Warm up this month with Soups, Stews and Chilis

Posted by Sheri on Jan 7, 2012 in Eat Smart, Meal Essence Community, Recipe of the Week | 0 comments

January is a great month for Soups, Stews and Chilis, while the “weather outside is frightful.”  Be sure to browse the MealEssence.com database for our list of delicious soup and stew recipes for hearty one-dish meals that can be served with as little as a slice of crusty bread or side salad.

Blueberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Posted by Sheri on Nov 14, 2011 in Meal Essence Community, Recipe of the Week | 0 comments

My daughter claims that the best pancake you will ever eat is a Blueberry Chocolate Chip Pancake.  I didn’t see that combo coming… but I do like chocolate covered blueberries, so decided to try them out.

Beginning with a few key ingredients, fresh blueberries, chocolate chips, Jiffy baking mix (Bisquick could be substituted), buttermilk, I made my batter in minutes.

I followed the pancake recipe on the box which was Jiffy mix and milk, however, I substituted buttermilk because I had some leftover from a cake I baked this week.  I did end up adding more milk than it called for because they were way to dry to pour.