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Storing Fresh Coconut – How to Purchase, Open and Use Coconut Meat

A single coconut will give you 3 or 4 cups cups of fresh, flaked coconut.  But now you have the problem of storing fresh coconut. How do you keep that delightful, flaky bit of goodness in a state that will stay edible for as long as possible? This tutorial shows tips for storing fresh coconut …

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Shallots vs Onions – What is the Difference? and How to Use Them

This guide to shallots vs onions will answer not only this question but will also show how shallots are different from other onion types. There are many onion varieties so it’s easy to get confused about them. A common question that I get asked is “are shallots and onions the same?” Shallots are somewhat of a trendy vegetable …

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Vegetable Steaming Times – 4 Ways to Steam Veggies

A steamer basket is a great way to cook a single vegetable or several of them at once by cooking them over boiling water. But to do this correctly, you need to have a good idea of vegetable steaming times. One of the joys of summer is cooking fresh vegetables from my vegetable garden.  The …

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Onion Varieties – Types of Onions and How to Use Them

There are dozens of onion varieties and as many uses for the different types of onions.  How many types of onions are you familiar with? Most of us are familiar with the common yellow onion that is so prevalent in grocery stores.  You may also have eaten red onions or white onions, but there are …

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Easy Crustless Bacon Quiche – Broccoli Cheddar Quiche Recipe

This easy crustless bacon quiche is brimming with flavor. It is ready to cook in just minutes and is sure to become one of your family’s favorite breakfast recipes. However, when it comes to counting calories, a quiche is not often thought of as a diet-friendly choice. Many of the calories in a quiche comes …

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List of Perennial Herbs and How to Use Them in Cooking

Growing herbs can be expensive, particularly if the plants that you choose are annuals that will only grow for one year. Try choosing from this list of perennial herbs instead. They will give long lasting value, year after year. Hands down, the best value for your dollar is a perennial plant.  I’ve noticed that many …

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25+ Food Replacements – Get the Skinny on These Heart Healthy Food Substitutes

I am always looking for ways to make my favorite recipes healthier without sacrificing their flavor. Heart healthy food substitutes are one of the first steps in managing heart disease and improving overall general health. January is the time of the year for resolutions and many make a plan to eat in a more healthy …

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Growing Chives – How to Plant, Grow and Harvest Fresh Chives

Growing chives is very easy to do. These tips will show you how to plant, grow and harvest this tasty herb. Chives are a perennial herb found throughout the world. They are a very versatile herb that can be grown in herb garden beds, in patio containers and flower pots. This popular herb is a …

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Healthy Kitchen Swaps – Food Swaps for Weight Loss Success

There are many healthy kitchen swaps that you can use all year round for weight loss success. Implementing these food swaps will make sure that those extra pounds won’t find themselves on your thighs and rear next year.  For many of us, the start of the year means making a New Year’s resolution to lose …

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One Pot Beef Curry and Vegetables – Easy Thai Curry Recipe

This delicious one pot beef curry recipe is big on flavor but low on calories. It truly is one of the easiest curries that you can make, but don’t let that fool you.  The flavor is amazing!  This Thai curry is a gluten free and easy to make meal that will delight your family. I …

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Vertical Onion Garden – Fun Kid’s Gardening Project

This Vertical Onion Garden is a fun project that the kids will just love.  They will enjoy helping you put it together and watching as the onions start to sprout and grow out the sides of the bottle that you have set up for a container.   Growing food from scraps and pieces is a …

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Crock Pot Recipes – Ideas for Cooking with a Slow Cooker

Most busy homemakers love easy recipes, and you truly can’t get much easier than crock pot recipes. If you asked me (and many cooks) the question: “What is one cooking appliance that you cannot do without,” my guess is that the most popular answer would be “My crock pot, of course!”  Crock pots, also commonly …

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11 Food and Drink Substitutes for Weight Loss and Health

Are you thinking more about your overall health and fitness? These 11 food and drink substitutes help me with my weight loss, and also have other beneficial effects for my general health. I had a scare late last year that had me in the hospital for a few weeks worrying about my heart and my …

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Chicken Cheese Panini Sandwich – Slimmed Down Lunch Delight

This slimmed down chicken cheese panini sandwich is my first attempt at using a panini press, and it turned out great. My daughter bought me a panini pan for Christmas.  She and I often have mum-daughter dates at Panera Bread and I always choose a half panini sandwich and bowl of soup. Jess knew that …

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My Mum’s Butterscotch pie with a Torched Meringue Topping

One of my fondest holiday memories, for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, is my mum’s butterscotch pie. Our whole family looks forward to it for the holidays. The pie is rich and creamy, sweet and mum use to make batches of them every year. My mother had to make extras, or there would be none left …

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Southern Chicken Pot Pie with a Cotton Country Corn Bread Topping

This Southern country pot pie with a  corn bread crust is full of flavor and very easy to put together. Mmmm…mmmmm.  Southern cooking. What is not to like! When I think of Southern food, I think of hearty dishes cooked with a lot of love (and a bit of butter!)  Time to celebrate Southern cooking …

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20 Surprising Uses for A Cheese Grater

Cheese graters are so versatile too. I’ve put together a list of 20 surprising uses for a cheese grater or microplane. I have about 10 graters in my kitchen. All of them are useful in some ways, and can be used for much more than just grating cheese.  A cheese grater is not just for cheese. See …

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Make Your Own DIY Poultry Seasoning plus FREE Spice Jar Label

Poultry seasoning is a delicious dried spice mix that really brings out the flavor of chicken and turkey. Don’t you just love it when you are all set to make one of your favorite recipes and discover that you are out of a single ingredient?  I had that happen to me tonight as I was …

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S’more in a Jar Party Favor – Recipe in a Jar Gifts – Free Label

Are you looking for a party favor gift for your favorite gal pals? This s’more in a jar project is the perfect project for you!  We love making recipe in a jar gifts on the Gardening Cook. They are easy and fun to create and very personalized for the recipient. Today we’ll be incorporating everyone’s …

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