Black Friday Brunch

Black Friday Brunch

By Meka A Harley

Some of my girlfriends have started a new Thanksgiving tradition within the past few years. Each year after the guests have gone, all clean up is done, and the Thanksgiving leftovers put away, after their kids and husbands have gone to bed, they all meet in a central location, climb into a minivan and make their yearly pilgrimage. At midnight they join hundreds of other faithful shoppers at the outlet mall to take advantage of the Black Friday sales.

Each year they invite me to go with them. Each year I say "no." Don't get me wrong, I love a good sale and it sounds like fun and all. Scoring dirt cheap electronics and children's clothing for as little as 99 cents sounds like a dream. Standing out in the cold past my bedtime and fighting with several hundred other people to score said dirt cheap merchandise does not. I much prefer to spend Black Friday at home in the warmth of my bed. If I need to score a Black Friday deal or two, I can do so with just a few clicks of the mouse when I am fully awake.

Still, hearing their stories is quite intriguing to me and it all sounds like so much fun. So this year I have decided to do something different. No, I am still not going to the Black Friday sales. Instead I am planning a Black Friday after party at my house. Typically at the end of their shopping adventure my friends stop at a nearby diner for breakfast before heading home. But this year the breakfast stop will be at my house.

Since my friends will have been up all night, the goal is to keep the menu as simple as possible. Simplicity allows them to come unwind and connect around a good meal in a relaxed atmosphere with friends. And as a Black Friday non-participant it allows me to share in their adventure in some way without actually going to the stores.

One of the easiest main courses to prepare for such an event is breakfast casserole. The breakfast casserole recipe I am using can be assembled the night before and baked in the morning so it is hot and ready by the time my tired friends arrive, and they can still make it home in a timely manner if they so choose. My hash brown casserole has been a winner over the years at a variety of functions and is very easy to make. It is also a wonderful dish for a Christmas breakfast. Here's how to make it.

Ingredients

1 (32) ounce package of hash browns

2 tablespoons of cooking oil

1 �-2 pounds of ground breakfast sausage (I use turkey sausage)

1 small onion chopped

1 small bell pepper chopped

10 large eggs

1 cup of milk (I use 1%)

1 8 ounce package of low fat cream cheese

� teaspoon of ground dry mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups of shredded cheese (I use 2% cheddar)

Directions

1. In a medium mixing bowl thoroughly mix the hash browns with one tablespoon of cooking oil (this can be done by hand)

2. Coat a 9X13 inch baking pain with cooking spray

3. Press the hash browns evenly along the surface of baking pan at about the thickness of a pie crust.

4. Place the hash brown crust in the oven under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until it starts to brown

5. Remove the pan from the oven and set aside

6. In a medium skillet saut� the chopped onion and bell pepper on medium high in a tablespoon of oil until the onion becomes translucent

7. Add the sausage to the same pan and cook until it is no longer pink

8. Remove the pan from the stove and set aside.

9. Place the eggs milk, cream cheese and spices in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth

10. Spread the sausage, onion, and green pepper mixture evenly on the hash brown crust

11. Pour the egg mixture over the sausage mixture

12. Distribute the cheddar cheese on top of the casserole, cover with foil and refrigerate overnight

13. In the morning bake the casserole uncovered at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.

14. Let it set for about 10-15 minutes before serving.

RecipesOnADime.com

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Chicago Food Tours

Chicago Food Tours

By Rich Mastriani

Chicago is known as the 2nd city, not because it is 2nd to New York but because the great Chicago fire of 1871 burned most of the city to the ground over a couple of days. The city was basically in ruins and was rebuilt, hence the nickname the 2nd city. While this city is known as the 2nd city food usually comes first. Like New York, Chicago is a melting pot of cultural diversity with neighborhoods and tons of history in many different ethnic backgrounds. While you may know Chicago for its legendary deep dish pizza there are many other authentic foods in Chicago. If you are visiting Chicago this fall, I would highly recommend taking a Chicago Food Tour sometime between a Bear game and a walk along the Chicago River. Here are the Top 3 food tours that I would recommend:

Chinatown Food Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour

A city without a Chinatown wouldn't be a city at all. Chinatown has the most extensive food delicacies available for your tasting. You may have some trouble with a language barrier around but use your tastebuds to get past it while you appreciate different ethnic foods in this area of Chicago. The tour is $60 for an adult/ $35 for a child. The tour departs at 10:30am and goes until the early afternoon and is available April through November. You learn of the meeting location when you purchase a ticket.

Bucktown/Wicker Park Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tours

Make sure you bring your most comfortable walking shoes and an extra hole in your belt loop as you walk thru the super hip neighborhoods of Bucktown and Wicker Park. This tour is narrated and visits six establishments that offer amazing food samples from family owned specialty restaurants to famous Chicago food stops. Along this tour you will taste everything from pastries to hot dogs. After the tour you will be able to walk around these neighborhoods and enjoy the art filled streets. This tour is available April through November and starts at 11:30am until the early afternoon. It costs $45 for adults and $15 for a child. There is room for 14 people to tour and the exact meeting location is available upon ticket purchase.

Near North Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tours

The Near North Food Tour allows you to taste food from seven different locations in the Gold Coast, Old Town, and Lincoln Park Neighborhoods. Expect to east foods from several different cultural food staples that include Pizzerias, Jewish Del's, Chinese and Indian restaurants. The tour leaves at 11am daily, everyday, March through November. The tickets are $45 for adults and $15 for a child.

If this article made you hungry and you want to fly to Chicago, find your Cheap Flights to Chicago

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Money, Sex and Food

Money, Sex and Food

By Judy R Demick

Awwww...you're in love and you can't wait to live together. Playing house will be so much fun. You can make meals together. On Sunday mornings you'll take turns fixing each other breakfast in bed.

Wait a minute until I catch my breath and wipe away the tears. I haven't laughed so hard in years.

I'm going to be sexist, but I can't help it. Here's what's going to happen. The first month or two, he's going to make bacon, eggs, and hash browns, covered with ketchup. He will probably mush it all together. You will think he's so cute and you will make a mental note to work out 30 minutes longer to rid yourself of those nasty calories. He worked so hard and you can't let him down.

Fast forward a few months. You come downstairs and he's making his famous breakfast. All you can see is the grease all over the pans and counter. There's probably some on the ceiling too. It's going to take you hours to clean this mess up since he certainly isn't going to do it. And you know what? Those breakfasts of his just make you feel sluggish, fat, and bloated. As a matter of fact, lover boy is getting a little paunchy around the middle.

I have to be fair so let's see this from the other side. The love of your life comes downstairs for one of your gourmet, healthy, spinach quiches. He smiles. He resists grabbing the ketchup. He cleans his plate. He expresses his appreciation for your efforts to keep both of you fit and cholesterol free. He's happy because you love him and haven't bolted out the door yet.

Wait, wait....time passes. He struggles out of bed, looks in the kitchen, sees evidence of egg whites and a green vegetable and panics. There must be meat this morning. Must have meat. What to do? "Honey, I'm so sorry, you've gone to so much work for us, but I promised Jerry that I would stop by his place to help him fix his shower. I'll be gone just a few minutes. You can put mine in the trash fridge. Love ya!" Gotta get to McDonald's before they stop serving breakfast. Ummmmm, Egg McMuffin.

This is the cold, hard truth. He wants to eat like this. He wants a tub of something covered in mayonnaise, and he wants to eat it out of the container.

And she, even though she may occasionally sneak a spoonful of ice cream out of the carton, is thinking of 14 healthy ways to fix carrots. She may even be signing up for "Cooking Light" magazine. I see a "Summer Lemon-Vegetable Risotto" in your future. Did ya know? Only 395 calories a serving.

And you thought most relationships broke up over sex or money. Well, you can add food to the mix.

Not all relationships end up like Romeo and Juliet, but if they had just gone out for pizza, things might have turned out better.

Many years ago, I thought I had met the love of my life. Everything was great, if you didn't count all of the times he hit on my roommates, but the final straw was food. I opened his refrigerator and there sat a package of tongue. An organ meat. Something that should never be eaten. Then he boiled it. I saw it in the pot....boiling. It looked like a horror movie, and then he sliced it for sandwiches. How could this ever work? It didn't. Maybe it wasn't the tongue that did it, but it certainly pushed me over the edge.

Then there's the "That's not how my mother makes it.," which is guaranteed to end up badly. Or, when it's his turn to cook for the family he orders out, which is against the rules. If you work hard to make healthy meals after working all day, then so should he.

The ex would stick his nose in the casserole, and I mean "in" the casserole, eye it suspiciously, poke at it, and finally, take a tentative bite. No comments. Just slurping. That was a relationship builder.

My darling hubby came into our relationship with four meals he liked and expected to be rotated throughout the week...pork chops (always with asparagus and rice), hamburgers, chili and spaghetti. I came into our relationship with a love of reading recipes and never making the same thing twice. We've worked it out. I do most of the cooking and occasionally I let him make one of his four specialties.

It's all worked out pretty good. He's learned that he likes lots of different foods. Duh...Do you think this was part of his plan? Do you think he knew that if he only fixed four things, it would force me into doing the majority of the cooking?

Just when I thought I knew about relationships. I wonder what would happen if I bought a tongue?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judy_R_Demick


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Monique's Sexy Recipes - Mustard Glazed Beef Steak Salad

Mustard Glazed Beef Steak Salad


Ingredients

PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
1 pound boneless New York strip beef steaks
2 tablespoons Gulden's® Spicy Brown Mustard
1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1 pkg (9 oz each) torn mixed salad greens
12 cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half
1/2 cup light Italian dressing
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
4 slices (3/4 inch thick) French bread


1.Preheat broiler. Spray rack of broiler pan with cooking spray. Place steaks on rack.
2.Spread half of mustard over top of steaks. Broil 4 inches from heat 10 minutes or until browned. Turn steaks; spread with remaining mustard and sprinkle with pepper. Broil 5 minutes more or until medium done (160°F). Remove from broiler. Cover with foil; let stand 5 minutes.
3.Divide salad greens between 4 shallow salad bowls. Top with tomatoes and drizzle with dressing. Cut steaks diagonally across grain into thin slices. Top salads with steak; sprinkle with cheese. Serve with bread slice.




Monique
ShesDaily.com


Disclosure: the above recipes is for informational purposes only. Recipe adapted by readyseteat.com - Image source google. Image reflects actual recipe.

Wine Tips - Some helpful and valuable ways to enjoy Fine Wine - Drinks

Author: KurttNillsen

You have to have in no way imagined within your wildest dreams that drinking wine can enhance your well being? Wine is made from the fermentation of grapes and has been utilized for ages as an accompaniment to food and even as a cooking ingredient in several recipes.

People today in several parts of the world use wine as a compulsory drink along with lunch and dinner. Numerous researches on wine were going on for years and many remarkable medicinal properties of wine have been discovered. That is why wine is considered a medium to beneficial health along with a terrific approach to enjoy life.

You are able to now purchase wines at various on the internet wine stores for instance grandwinecellar.com etc that give a few of the most exquisite wines from all over the world. Various attractive provides on discount wines are also available and you are able to get a wine of your option at quite affordable rates. Wine is also a part of most occasions and celebrations with the choice of employing red wine or white wine to match the various food items. It can be also an incredibly well-liked gift item that could be given on special occasions to honor an individual special.

The well being benefits of wine are innumerable. Those with poor digestion can enhance their digestive problem by consuming moderate amounts of wine every day. Apart from sugar wine contains several necessary minerals and vitamins that are important to maintain the body in very good shape. Wine supplies calories therefore you'll be able to feel energetic immediately after drinking a glass of wine.

Red wine has a lot of noteworthy positive aspects like it reduces the risk of heart attacks, and even prevents blood from clotting. It is an identified truth by now that red wine contains anti-oxidants that assist the body to fight off free-radicals which harm the body cell. Anti-oxidants also avoid cancer and heart attacks. Red wine may also fight off herpes and lessen coughs and colds. White wine is equally beneficial and lowers cholesterol levels and also keeps the body healthy and warm. Specially folks staying in cold countries benefit immensely from drinking wine.

These days as a result of a variety of on the internet gift sites you are able to purchase renowned brands such as Dom Perignon, Brut Imperial etc. Moreover you are able to acquire wine by the case and avail appealing case deal provides which will provide you with the fantastic chance of finding a 50% discount on selected case deals. On the web wine shops have stock of distinct flavors of wines, champagnes etc that may leave you speechless. So drink your method to very good wellness and take pleasure in a glass of wine everyday.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/wine-tips-some-helpful-and-valuable-ways-to-enjoy-fine-wine-drinks-4415769.html

About the Author

Want more tips on making homemade wine? Know more information on how to store wine properly before you buy wine gifts.

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Easy Ways To Spruce Up A Fresh Garden Salad

Author: Roberto Sedycias

Salads are an amazing invention and idea, but often they are underrepresented in the food world. People often find them to be boring meals as they can be bland and seem just like a step up from grass. But, with these tips you can transform your ordinary salad into something that will have you and your guests raving about it. There are many ways to spruce up a salad and make it stand alone in its greatness and delicious taste.

First, decide if you want something with a dressing base or with a vinegar base. This will significantly alter what kind of things you put in the salad. We' ll start with the vinegar based salads. For these, romaine lettuce, baby tomatoes, red onions, cucumber thinly sliced, shredded carrots, and radishes make for a great combination. After mixing all of these things together, add about two tablespoons of vinegar, then half a lemon' s juice, and some sea salt, and mix thoroughly. You will have a tangy and tasty salad in no time.

For a thicker dressing, substitute the vinegar and lemon juice for some vinaigrette dressings instead. Red balsamic or fresh basil can be excellent ways to saturate your salad items and make them taste fresh. Add some crunchy croutons and you have a tasty and delightful salad instantly. If you want a ranch dressing salad or any kind that is dressed with something thick and creamy, milk based dressings, Thousand Island, Ranch, or Spicy Ranch, you can add a layer of shredded cheese atop it for an even richer taste and flavor. Sprinkle black pepper over the entire dish and you have a delicious salad that people will rave about for a long time.

Salads can actually serve as meals, too. If you grill some chicken and cut them into thin slices, you can throw them into a salad and cover the entire thing with some ranch dressing or Italian dressing and have a complete meal right then and there. Add some apple slices and baby carrots and you will have an exotic twist. Add mandarin oranges and you will have a Hawaiian chicken salad in no time.

There are many options available for what you put in a salad. If you put oranges, apples, chicken, walnuts, lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese, you will have a delicious lunch meal that is both fresh and delicious. If you like something with an exotic flavor, then mixing romaine lettuce with baby tomatoes, mushrooms, chicken slices, spinach leaves, and goat cheese, topped with basil sprigs make for an excellent meal.

And of course, you cannot forget a fruit salad. Though not a traditional salad, exactly, it is still one that can be a lot of fun to prepare and eat. Mix mangoes, bananas, apples, cherries, pears, melons, cantaloupe, honeydew, and grapes and then drizzle some citric glaze over it as well as some pure cane sugar and enjoy a sweet and syrupy dish.

Nothing complements a salad better than a delicious bowl of soup to match. If you have a thin but hearty tomato soup, it will go excellently with a grilled chicken and ranch dressing salad. With your Hawaiian mandarin orange salad, have a bowl of sweet coconut soup with mint leaves on top. Soups can complement the crunch salad with their own smoothness.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/salads-articles/easy-ways-to-spruce-up-a-fresh-garden-salad-3529081.html

About the Author

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br/

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Top 3 Food and Wine Honeymoon Destinations

Top 3 Food and Wine Honeymoon Destinations

Author: Meghan Burton

Honeymoons are all about relaxation, and what better way to relax than enjoying some of the world's best food and wine in a few gorgeous locations around the globe? If your passion is a fantastic meal out, followed by the perfect local wine, then you'll love these three destinations, and you might well find yourself choosing them when the time comes for you to go on honeymoon.

1. Australia – Also a great honeymoon destination for a wide variety of other reasons, Australia is a great place to go for foodies. Not only will you get to taste some of the strangest things available, like kangaroo and snake meat, you'll have a fantastic selection of great local wines. Australia is the fourth largest wine producer in the world and some of the wines they're shipping are truly fantastic. Since the introduction of wine grapes to Australia in the 1820s these wines have staked their place in some of the world's top restaurants and gained global renown. Where better to enjoy them than at the source, where they'll be cheaper than anywhere else?

2. New Zealand – Australia's kiwi neighbour is a surprisingly choice destination for your Food and Wine honeymoon. If possible, New Zealand's wine regions are even more renowned than Australia's, and you'll be able to visit many of the wineries where the magic happens. Not much is better for a wine connoisseur than a trip through a vineyard and a cool glass of wine at the end. Plus, New Zealand's capital, Wellington, is a great "foodie" destination, with more cafes per mile than even New York City. If you choose to head on a gourmet walking tour, you may even find yourself roasting your own coffee beans for your own hot coffee. You'll also have the opportunity to chat with baristas and chefs while sampling some of the city's best food. New Zealand itself is a wonderful destination for a honeymoon; there is so much to do and the land itself is absolutely gorgeous. You may be familiar with the scenery from a number of films, most notably The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which should give you a good idea of the splendour of the country.

3. South Africa – Again appearing primarily on the wine scene, South Africa has also become a great place to enjoy a good meal and the ideal paired wine. The best places for vineyards are Franschoek and Stellenbosch, where you'll find not only wonderful wine but amazing restaurants designed to take complete advantage of the diversity of said wines. You'll also find tiny gourmet B&Bs scattered throughout the region with delicious, freshly made local food available. Even the safari lodges can have incredible food – often it's local and may be a bit exotic for you, but it's certainly not what you'll experience at home. The best reason for choosing South Africa is obviously that you can do so much else. A three day stop to indulge in food & wine can easily be supplemented by a week in Mauritius or the Maldives and a few days on safari as well. You can do everything, which is unquestionably one of the best aspects of honeymooning in Africa.

So, if your passions run to food and wine as well as each other, check out these three destinations for the perfect honeymoon.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/top-3-food-and-wine-honeymoon-destinations-3670675.html

About the Author

Meghan Burton recommends The Turquoise Holiday Company for luxury honeymoons and holidays.

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Chocolate - What's Not to Love?

Author: Cathy H. Jones

For centuries, chocolate has been linked to love, romance and aphrodisiacs. Certainly these associations were not coined without particular reasons. The love of chocolate that people have always shown has made scientists wonder what exactly is behind this small piece of dark brown food that makes it so addictive. The centuries long chocolate love affair may have well started in South America. Here the Cacao Tree, which is where chocolate is from, was at some time worshipped by the people. They devoted themselves in prayer and adoration for what they considered a divine tree and known to be the food of gods.

Since they considered emperors to be close to a Godly person, emperors were the first ones to take the Cacao from the Cacao tree. They then found great use for it as something that enhances sexual abilities. Of course this discovery could be what started the extreme fondness for chocolate! As people learned about the effects of Cacao, now commonly known as chocolate, the wide spread demand for it boomed and it is now seen as a symbol of love. For scientists, there is much more behind chocolate that has caused chocolate to appeal so strongly to so many people. So of course they are determined to find out what that is.

After years of trying to unlock the secrets behind the love of chocolates, they finally came up with a concrete analysis behind it. As they observed the effects that chocolate has on human behavior, they found out that they contain substances called Serotonin and Phenyl-ethylamine. These two substances have great effects on stimulating a person's mood. We are aware that as the mood rises, it causes an increase in blood pressure. This, leading to an increased heart rate will cause the same euphoric, passionate and lust feelings you feel when in love.

Aside from these effects, chocolate can also increase your energy as well as stamina. Women however, are known to be more vulnerable to the effects of Phenyl-ethylamine and Serotonin compared to men. This gives us a concrete reason as to why women are considered to be more your stereotypical chocolate lover instead of compared to men.

So the next time you receive a box of chocolate and decide to indulge in the luscious and creamy feeling with every bite, try to see where the love of chocolate in your life comes from. Or, you can just enjoy the simple pleasure of a delicious treat!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/chocolate-articles/chocolate-whats-not-to-love-3293506.html

About the Author

Cathy is a true chocoholic! She enjoys anything made of chocolate. She also loves to spend time with her family, enjoying a great cup of cocoa made with her hot cocoa machine. She really enjoys her Keurig hot beverage maker and the great cocoa you can make with hot chocolate K cups, they are great for a perfect cup of cocoa every time!

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The above publication is for entertainment purposes only and it is courtesy of articlebase.com. Image source google.

FootBall Fans: Tailgate Parties on a Budget with Coupon Mom

Football Fans if you love to throw tailgate parties and don't want to crunch your budget, then you should check out this video.
Coupon Mom gives tips and shows tricks on how to save. Actually she shows how to throw a tailgate party on or about a $100 budget.
Coupon Mom says:" You mustn't give up on quality to save" see for yourself.........







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Disclosure: the above publication is for entertainment purposes only. Courtesy of couponmom.com

Giveaway - Meal Planning is Relishly Easy

Meal planning just got a million percent easier. And cheaper.Until we can all afford our own personal chefs, the next best thing is easily Relish!, a truly cool meal-planning service for busy parents. http://www.relishrelish.com/.

This easy to use (really), mom-run website helps you prepare healthy, creative meals every week! You pick from a ton of excellent tested recipes, a very cleverly organized grocery list is automatically created, then all you do is hit the store for five days worth of home-cooked meals--not one of which takes more than 30 minutes to prepare.You'll find a whole lot to choose from including freezer meals, vegetarian menus, super-quick and slow cooker recipes. And you’ll find tons of kid’s faves that don't include the word "nugget.

"For subscriptions at $7 a month, you'll end up with five complete dinners for a family of four running you less than $95. Between the money savings and the anxiety savings, you’re coming out way ahead.

Relish Giveaway

Enter to Win a 1 Year Subscription to Relish valued at $58.80

US Residents Only

Giveaway October 27 - November 7 2009

How to Enter