By Edward Chen

Cholesterol is a major problem of the heart. When it forms in the blood, the blood vessels get clogged because it creates too much plaque. As such, the blood doesn’t get to travel freely to the different parts of the body. If that happens, there would be shortage of oxygen in the organs and they would malfunction. Eventually, the whole body system would fail. And so to keep that from occurring, the heart overworks itself. It works doubly hard each day that after some time, it would develop certain diseases. This is why heart ailments are very common to people aged 50 years old and above. Younger individuals are very much encouraged to look for low cholesterol recipes and prepare those for themselves and their families for a stronger heart.

Actually, it is quite easy to make your own low cholesterol recipes. All you really have to do is to use all food items that have low cholesterol content in your meals. Of course, you also have to use the cooking techniques that don’t require the use of oil during preparation. The simpler the meal, the better it is. Vegetables, fish, and wholegrain are food items that are low in cholesterol. If you can use these as the main ingredient of your meals, then you can create your own low cholesterol recipes.

For those who have no idea where to start, here are good suggestions of low cholesterol recipes that you can adopt:

1. Meaty Cabbage Stew
Boil lean ground beef along with kidney beans, pinto beans, coleslaw mix, and diced tomatoes. Add tomato juice. Let it simmer for a while. Add some seasoning to taste. Serve hot.

This is a very simple low cholesterol recipe for people on the go. With minimal preparation time, you can make a healthy vegetable stew with a delicious, meaty taste. Just be sure you use extra lean beef in this recipe so you’ll get minimal fats and cholesterol.

2. Special Tuna Salad
Open a can of tuna in brine or oil. Drain. Flake the meat in small sizes. Add pickles and dried cranberries for a sweet and sour tart taste. Put pepper, vinegar, and seasoning. Toss in a salad bowl until all ingredients are mixed well.

This recipe is perfect for lunch or dinner. You can eat it as is or your can use it as a sandwich filling. Just make sure you use rye bread. Tuna, along with other oily fish like salmon, are good sources of Omega-3 fatty acids that are good for the heart. Fish make a good alternative to red meat and poultry as it can reduce cholesterol level in the blood.

3. Steamed Fish Delight
Steam a good serving of salmon. Boil a small pack of tomato sauce in a sauce pan. Add seasoning and pepper to taste. When the fish is done, put in a platter. Pour over the prepared tomato sauce. Put some parsley on the side for garnishing.

This recipe is a good twist to the traditional steamed fish with mayonnaise meal. Mayonnaise is made with eggs, which are high in cholesterol. It is best that it is removed from your diet, or at least limit its intake. Fish are healthy meats. Tomato sauce can also help the functions of the heart because studies show that it produces Omega-3 when heated. This recipe is best for dinner or for lunch.

4. Vegetable Shake
Cut carrots, tomatoes, and a small amount of ginger into cubes. Put in a blender. Squeeze a lemon into it. Blend well. You can also add green chili and peanuts if desired. Put a small amount of honey to taste.

This low cholesterol recipe is good for snacks or breakfast. A vegetable shake is a good substitute for protein shake that is usually prepared for building muscles. If protein shakes can build muscles, this vegetable shake will surely lower down your cholesterol level in no time.

These are good examples of low cholesterol recipes that you can easily prepare. These recipes require minimal preparation time so they can be enjoyed even by the busiest individuals. Keep in mind that cholesterol is primarily obtained from the food that you eat. In order to lead a healthy lifestyle, you have to start eating right. These food items would surely help you lower down your cholesterol level until it goes back to normal.

To find more information about cholesterol, head on to http://www.normalcholesterollevelonline.com where you can also find information on how to lower triglycerides and foods high in cholesterol.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Edward_Chen

By Norm Butler

Don’t know what kind of shrimp recipe to make? There are a few quick and easy stir fry recipes that you can easily whip up in an average of only twenty five minutes. This dish is very popular for parties or a large group of people.

The ingredients needed for this shrimp stir-fry are 2 cups water, 1-pound shrimp, ¼-teaspoon ginger, ¼-teaspoon cayenne pepper. One clove minced garlic clove, 1-tablespoon sesame seeds, and ¼-tablespoon black pepper. 2-tablespoon sesame oil, one sliced red pepper, three chopped onions, 3-tablespoon teriyaki sauce, ½-pound peas, 1/8 cup chicken broth, ¼-cup cornstarch, and ¼-teaspoon salt.

Take water in a saucepan, add some salt to the water, and boil it. After few minutes add rice to the water, cover the container, and allow the rice to boil for few minutes. Then add the ginger, garlic, pepper, and sesame seeds to the rice. Store the contents of the saucepan in a container and store it in the refrigerator.

Now in a skillet add sesame oil, bell pepper, onions, and sauté the contents for 2-3 minutes. Add the shrimp, teriyaki sauce, peas, and sauté the contents for 2-3 minutes.

Add the chicken broth and cornstarch to the skillet. Stir the contents for few minutes. Sprinkle the contents over the rice and serve it.

This shrimp stir fry recipe does take longer than some of the other shrimp dishes, however it is one of the best tasting meals. It is not recommended as a meal for two unless you have a large appetite or are prepared to have leftovers since this type of dish is filling.

For more great shrimp recipes that are quick and easy visit: http://ShrimpRecipe.org

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Norm_Butler

By Linda Carol Wilson

It really isn’t hard to get a quick and healthy meal on the table in a matter of minutes. You can feed your family an inexpensive, nutritious meal in about a half hour. Here are a couple of chicken entrees to get you started. Try the Quick and Easy Chicken Parmesan that is table ready in a matter of minutes. If you prefer mushrooms, try the Sauteed Chicken with Mushrooms. Both of these recipes are also perfect for diabetics.

QUICK FIX CHICKEN PARMESAN

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place chicken in an oblong baking dish. Bake, covered, for 15 minutes at 425 degrees; drain. In a 2-qt saucepan, combine the tomatoes, cornstarch, basil, oregano and the pepper sauce, if using. Cook the tomato mixture, stirring constantly, until thickened. Pour the hot sauce over the chicken and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top. Return chicken to oven the bake, uncovered, for 5 more minutes. Garnish with parsley sprigs, if desired.

SAUTEED CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOMS

Pound each chicken breast to 1/4-inch thickness. Mix flour, salt, and pepper together in a shallow bowl. Coat chicken well with the flour mixture and set in refrigerator while preparing the onions and mushrooms.

Heat the butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the garlic, onions, and mushrooms and saute for about 3 minutes. Remove vegetables with a slotted spoon. Get chicken from the refrigerator and add to the skillet. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes each side. Add broth and soup to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. Return the mushroom mixture to the skillet and reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Serve immediately while hot.

*You may substitute 1 cup canned mushrooms that have been drained.

Serve this chicken dish with some hot buttered noodles or rice.

Enjoy!

For more Quick and Easy Recipes visit http://grandmasquickfixrecipes.blogspot.com

For diabetic recipes and information go to http://diabeticenjoyingfood.squarespace.com

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Linda_Carol_Wilson

By David Urmann

Breakfast is considered as the most significant meal of the day. There are many breakfast recipes you can cook such as cocoa crepes, sweet potato pancakes, Belgian waffles, homemade yogurt and much more.

Breakfast should be heavy and strong in protein. Listed below are some famous and nutritious recipes for breakfast:

Scrambled Egg Muffins

Breakfast Casserole

Sausage Squares

Breakfast Sandwiches

As additional suggestions, when making peanut butter waffle, toast a bran waffle or whole grain. Top it with two tablespoons of peanut butter.

Make a banana split by slicing the banana in the middle and top portion. Add vanilla yogurt. Add fresh pineapple or fresh strawberries, if desired. Top with two tablespoon of sugar free chocolate syrup.

Try a healthy pizza breakfast or make Huevo Rancheros. Slice a hard-boiled egg and cover it into a whole-wheat tortilla, adding a slice of bacon or ham.

For more information on Breakfast Recipes and Toaster Oven Breakfast Recipes please visit our website.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Urmann

By Barry Marks

A low carb recipe is a great way to practice healthy eating lifestyle and diet. A low carb dish is not necessarily for those who are on a diet or want to lose their weight. A low carb lifestyle can and should be adopted by all. The advantages of a low carb balanced diet is that it has all the necessary nutrients minus the unhealthy fats. A low carb meal can be had from a choice of almost any kind of dish.

Any dish you wish can be converted into low carb by modifying a few ingredients. For example milk can be replaced by low-fat milk, yoghurt can be replaced by low-fat yoghurt, sugar can be replaced by sugar free pills, and so and so forth. And you can replace lot of daily food items you consume such as instead of white bread, go for whole wheat bread. Instead of white rice, go for brown rice when making chinese dishes.

There are many more ingredients that you can replace and reduce the fat level, sugar level and carb level of the dish thereby reducing the calories you consume and at the same time increasing the nutrients you consume. A little knowledge on what to avoid and what to eat will go a long way.

Another essential thing one should realize is there’s no such thing as low carb junk food. Junk food is junk food, be it high in carbs or low. It doesn’t do much good to your body and your health. So it is wise to reduce or remove junk food entirely from one’s meals.

So be knowledgeable about what you eat and be wise. Be healthy!

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Barry_Marks

By Donna Monday

There are two good reasons to make a healthy recipe smoothie: 1) They taste great; and 2) They are filled with lots of fruit that have health benefits for your body. Here’s a sample of popular smoothie recipes that can be a positive addition to your daily diet.

Orange Julius Smoothie – This is a delicious drink made with orange juice, milk, and vanilla extract. The Orange Julius franchise is responsible for creating this popular smoothie, and if you can find an Orange Julius location in your town, you’ll be in for a real treat.

Strawberry Orange Smoothie – Made with fresh or frozen strawberries, orange juice and honey. A wonderful sunkissed drink to help you wake up in the mornings.

Chocolate Banana Smoothie – Made with a ripe banana, chocolate syrup and milk. A healthier way to get your chocolate fix!

Classic Blueberry Smoothie – Made with fresh or frozen blueberries, frozen juice and yogurt. Blueberries have lots of antioxidants, so you can enjoy this knowing you’re helping your body stay strong and healthy.

Tropical Five Fruit Smoothie – Made with banana, kiwi, mango, papaya and orange juice. Escape to the tropics with this exotic blend of flavors. Mangoes are packed with vitamins. A great energy recipe smoothie.

Creamsicle Smoothie – Made with fresh cantaloupe melon, orange juice, vanilla extract and honey. This yummy drink will remind you of the ice cream version you enjoyed on lazy summer days as a child.

Berry Brainstorm Smoothie – Made with frozen strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, juice and yogurt. The official drink of superheroes and people who need extra brain power to accomplish amazing tasks. A great frozen fruit smoothie recipe.

Pina Colada Smoothie – Made with pineapple, banana, coconut and milk. A tasty slimmed-down version of the popular alcoholic drink. The real pina colada has 644 calories—ouch!

Cherry Vanilla Smoothie – Made with frozen cherries, raspberries, vanilla yogurt and milk. If you love cherries drenched in creamy vanilla, this is your smoothie.

Creamy Coffee Smoothie – Made with instant coffee, sugar and heavy cream. Okay, maybe it’s a little heavy on the calorie side, but this is a great way to add variety to your daily java routine.

Donna Monday You can find all of the above smoothie recipes and more by visiting this site and clicking on the Milkshake-n-Smoothie link. http://www.best-free-cooking-recipes.com

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Donna_Monday

By Donna Monday

Is there any drink more fun and refreshing than an ice cold milkshake? I don’t think so. Milkshakes are a part of American food culture and have spread all over the world. Here’s my list of the best milkshake recipe you can find anywhere.

Classic Vanilla Milkshake – Made with vanilla ice cream and vanilla extract. The original “plain” milkshake is still a crowd pleasing favorite. Adding a maraschino cherry on top makes it a little more special.

Old Fashioned Chocolate Milkshake – Made with chocolate or vanilla ice cream (depends on how intense you want the chocolate flavor), milk and chocolate syrup. This is always the second most favorite milkshake flavor. It’s so easy to make and delicious to drink!

I Love Strawberries Milkshake – Made with strawberry ice cream, milk, fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Yum! Makes me ravenous for one just thinking about it.

Purple Cow Milkshake – Made with grape juice, banana and milk. Purple cows are cool (and very rare). This milkshake is a real treat for kids and kids at heart.

Chunky Monkey Milkshake – Made with vanilla ice cream, chocolate chips, banana and instant coffee. This milkshake may cause you to spontaneously get up and do the chunky monkey dance.

Cherry Vanilla Milkshake – Made with vanilla ice cream, maraschino cherries, milk and chocolate syrup. A chocolate covered cherry in your glass.

Shamrock Milkshake – Made with vanilla ice cream, low fat milk, mint extract and green food coloring. Pretty simple milkshake that you can enjoy at home, even though a certain well-known burger place doesn’t make them any more.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake – Made with creamy peanut butter, milk and chocolate syrup. A nice alternative to a peanut butter sandwich.

Caramel Latte Milkshake – Made with coffee ice cream, milk and caramel syrup. Just as good or better than any drink at your local coffee or donut shop, plus, you can make this at home anytime you’re in the mood to treat yourself with something extra special.

Whoppers Malt Milkshake – Made with vanilla ice cream, chocolate malt syrup and whipped topping. This is the easiest way to make a milkshake that has that old fashioned malt taste.

Donna Monday You can find all of the above milkshake recipes and more by visiting this site and clicking on the Milkshake-n-Smoothie link. http://www.best-free-cooking-recipes.com

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Donna_Monday

By Donna Monday

Put out a plate of homemade brownies and that plate will soon be empty. It doesn’t matter if it’s a plain chocolate brownie or a gourmet brownie – eating brownies just makes us feel good. Here’s a selection of great brownie recipes for your enjoyment.

Frosted Fudge Brownies – Made with unsweetened baking chocolate, vanilla, chopped pecans and topped with homemade fudge frosting. Nobody can resist these deep, rich chocolaty treats.

Best Blondie Brownies – Made with bananas, brown sugar, vanilla and chocolate chips. A delicious version on the favorite blonde brownie with a blend of banana and chocolate flavors.

Classic White Chocolate Brownies – Made with white chocolate, semisweet chocolate, unsalted butter, sugar and vanilla. Chunks of your favorite baking chocolate surrounded by a melt-in-your mouth white chocolate brownie.

Classic White Chocolate Brownies – Made with white chocolate, semisweet chocolate, unsalted butter, sugar and vanilla. Chunks of your favorite baking chocolate surrounded by a melt-in-your mouth white chocolate brownie.

Best Turtle Brownies – Made with German chocolate cake mix, evaporated milk, semisweet chocolate chips, walnuts and caramels. These brownies are packed with an irresistible mixture of flavors.

Classic Peanut Butter Brownies – Made with creamy peanut butter, cocoa, flour, sugar and vanilla. The perfect brownie for peanut butter lovers everywhere.

Caramel Fudge Brownies – Made with caramel candies, unsweetened chocolate, unsalted butter, sugar and vanilla. Chewy caramel is swirled throughout these oh so good brownies.

Brownie’s in a Jar – Made with white sugar, cocoa powder, flour and pecans. Put some homemade goodness into a jar and give it as a gift. When they get home, the recipient can enjoy homemade brownies anytime and think of you fondly.

Candy Bar Brownies – Made with graham crackers, roasted peanuts, unsweetened chocolate and topped with peanut butter frosting. This recipe turns a favorite candy bar flavor into a warm mini cake.

Banana Split Brownies – Made with banana, cocoa powder, flour, butter, eggs and topped with strawberry cream cheese frosting. It’s got that ice cream sundae flavor. Go ahead and eat one with a bowl of your favorite ice cream.

Applesauce Brownies – Made with applesauce, unsweetened chocolate, sugar, vanilla and pecans. Cozy up on the couch and enjoy this good old-fashioned treat.

Donna Monday You can find all of the above brownie recipes and more by visiting this site and clicking on the Best Brownie Recipes link. http://www.best-free-cooking-recipes.com

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Donna_Monday

By Sylvia Blach

Chinese food is a delicious way to expand your personal recipe book, particularly if you love to use simple, fresh ingredients with short cooking time. These top ten dishes are famous all over the world, and are must-haves in your collection of Chinese recipes.

Fried Rice - A popular item in Chinese restaurants, fried rice is the ultimate Chinese food, and can be one of the most flexible in your cookbook because you can use leftover rice and ingredients to make it. Of course, you can use fresh ingredients but it’s recommended to use rice that has been kept in the fridge overnight for best results. Ingredients usually involved in making fried rice are eggs, spring onions, diced meat of either beef, chicken or pork, ham, prawns and vegetables such as bean sprouts, peas, celery, corn and carrots. There are many types of fried rice but the more famous ones are the Yong Chow and Fukien fried rice.

Kung Pao Chicken - Kung Pao chicken or Kung Po chicken is a Chinese dish from Szechuan cuisine and is considered to be a delicacy. The recipe for this savory dish commonly calls for diced chicken that is pre-marinated and quickly stir-fried with unsalted roasted peanuts, red bell peppers, sherry or rice wine, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, and chili peppers. Alternatively, you can use shrimp, scallops, beef or pork in place of the chicken.

Moo Shu Pork - This is a dish of northern Chinese origin and a favorite of many. Ingredients in a Mushu pork recipe usually involve green cabbage, carrots, wood ear mushrooms, bean sprouts, scallions, scrambled eggs and day lily buds. Bell peppers, snow pea pods, celery, onions, Shiitake mushrooms and bok choy are sometimes used. The vegetables are cut into long and thin strips before cooking, with the exception for bean sprouts and day lily buds. Fried Mushu pork is then wrapped in moo shu pancakes that is brushed with hoisin sauce and eaten by hand. Moo shu pancakes are thin wrappers made of flour that is easily available in supermarkets and steamed right before eating.

General Tso’s Chicken - General Tso’s chicken is a Hunan cuisine that tastes spicy and sweet and very popular in Chinese restaurants in Canada and America where it’s often marked as a “chef’s specialty”. General Tso’s Chicken recipe commonly calls for battered chicken deep-fried and marinated with ginger, garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine or sherry, sugar, scallions, and hot chili peppers.

Spring Rolls - Spring rolls make fabulous snacks and appetizers. They are similar to egg rolls, but are slightly different to its cousin. Springs rolls are have less filling than egg rolls, is smaller in size and its skin is thinner. To make a spring roll, minced meat and thinly cut strips of vegetables are rolled and sealed in a square or circular rice paper. It is then deep fried till crispy and golden brown. Serve this crowd pleaser piping hot.

Chinese Dumplings - Chinese dumplings are a fabulous addition to your home cooked foods, and can be made simply and quickly using just a couple of ingredients. The key to making an excellent dumpling is to ensure that all of your ingredients are finely minced, so that each of the dumplings are steamed in the same amount of time.

Beef and Broccoli - The key to cooking up a delicious Beef and Broccoli dish at home is to make an excellent sauce made up of oyster sauce, light soy sauce, thick soy sauce and cornstarch solution. Marinade the beef before stir frying with sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch solution, soy sauce and sugar.

Sweet and Sour Pork - This savory-sweet highly popular Chinese dish is of Cantonese origin. It is a good dish to prepare when you are planning on having guests, who will be wildly impressed with your cooking skill. As with other Chinese food recipes, the key to making a great Sweet and Sour Pork dish is in the sauce made of sugar, ketchup, white vinegar, and soy sauce. Its ingredients include pork, pineapple, bell pepper and onion cut into bite size pieces.

Chow Mein - In American Chinese cuisine, Chow Mein is a stir-fried dish consisting of noodles, meat such usually chicken, shrimp, beef and pork, cabbage and other vegetables.

Chop Suey - Chop suey or “za sui” or “shap sui” literally means ‘mixed pieces’ is an American-Chinese dish usually made up of leftover meats and vegetables stir fried quickly in a sauce thickened with starch. It is a great dish when you need to use up the last of yesterday’s chicken or pork roast and can incorporate meats of any kind such as fish, chicken, shrimp, pork or beef and various vegetables from celery to bean sprouts and cabbage. Chop Suey is often eaten with rice.

Chinese Food Recipes is an online recipe and cooking website offering plenty of free Chinese recipes and Asian recipes.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sylvia_Blach

By Linda Carol Wilson

In today’s society, it is often hard to find time to get the family together around the table for a home-cooked meal. Yet the health professionals tell us we Americans need to eat a lot less fast food. And the psycologists tell us we need to spend more time together as a family around the dinner table. So what’s a busy family to do? Make time to eat a home-cooked meal, together as a family, at least three times a week. Get the children to set the table. It’s a good learning experience for them, they learn to feel like an important part of the family, it saves mom and dad some time, the family experiences together time, etc. And remember, this is just a family dinner. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. So what if the placemats and napkins don’t match…let the kids have some fun and feel important. Make gentle suggestions and never be critical.

Following is an easy menu that can be made quickly, especially when everyone helps out and works together. And it won’t break the bank with the skyrocketing grocery prices of today. Give it a try this week.

SALISBURY STEAKS WITH ONIONS

Preheat broiler. Line broiler pan with foil and spray with a non-stick cooking spray. Combine beef, egg, bread crumbs, salt, garlic, pepper and Worcestershire sauce in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Shape into 4 patties. Place patties on prepared broiler pan and broil, turning once, until no longer pink in the center; approximately 10 minutes. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Seperate onions into rings and add to skillet. Saute about 4 minutes or until translucent. Sprinkle in flour and cook, stirring continually, about 2 minutes. Gradually stir in broth and cook, stirring continually until broth thickens; about 2-3 minutes. Stir in parsley. Pour onion gravy over the cooked patties and serve immediately.

Note: Want to sneak in a vegetable? Grate a carrot into the beef mixture before forming patties.

Make this 7-layer salad the night before and refrigerate. When you get home from work, soccer games, music lessons or whatever, your salad is ready and waiting.

7 LAYER SALAD

In a clear salad bowl, layer the following ingredients in this order: lettuce, bell pepper, onion, frozen peas and eggs. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the Ranch Dressing mix, mayonnaise and yogurt. Add atop the layers in bowl. Add cheese and bacon. Cover tightly with a lid or aluminum foil, plastic wrap, etc. Refrigerate overnight before serving.

ZUCCHINI AND YELLOW SQUASH SAUTE

Scrub zucchini and yellow squash; cut into 1/4-inch slices. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 30-45 seconds. Add the zucchini and yellow squash to skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender–about 5-6 minutes. Stir in the tomato and oregano. Simmer 1-2 minutes longer. Add salt and pepper, if desired.

For dessert, here is a quick and easy recipe for parfaits.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE PARFAIT

In a large bowl, combine skim milk, pudding mix, nonfat dry milk and 3/4 teaspoon orange peel. Mix at low speed until just blended, 1 to 2 minutes. Using a separate, clean, chilled bowl and chilled beaters, beat evaporated skim milk until soft peaks form. Fold into thickened pudding mixture. Spoon into dessert glasses and sprinkle with grated orange peel. Top with sugar-free whipped topping if desired, reserving the topping grated orange peel to go on top of the whipped topping.

Note: This recipe, without the topping, has 13 g protein and 26 g carbs

For more of Linda’s recipes and diabetic information go to http://diabeticenjoyingfood.squarespace.com

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Linda_Carol_Wilson