Raines Realm

With everything that has to be done to prepare for the holidays, struggling to think of what to cook shouldn't be one of them. Here's a list of 10 dinner ideas to take the guesswork out of your evenings. Easy Broccoli Quiche Garli Roasted Chicken Breasts Quinoa and Black Bean Crockpot Chili Pork Chops and Sauerkraut Potato Soup Shrimp and Grits Hamburger Steaks Chicken Enchilada Casserole Crockpot Barbeque Meatballs Quinoa Stuffed Butternut Squash Hopefully these ideas help your holidays run a little smoother! Do you have a go-to recipe for when you're stuck in a rut? Don't forget to subscribe to receive all of the relevant news when it comes to food.

There have been claims that Apple Cider Vinegar can do everything from burn fat to repair split ends. I don't know about the hair care part, but I notice that I do feel better when I ingest it on a regular basis. This vinegar is created by fermentation. Its imperative that you get an apple cider vinegar with "the mother" of you're using it for health reasons and the companies that have it clearly labeled are the best bets. Or better yet, make your own with this easy Apple Cider Vinegar recipe . The "mother" is full of beneficial bacteria even though it looks like something out of a mad scientist's experiment, you have been warned... Realistic expectations for benefits of using this vinegar include faster digestion of carbs, lowering blood sugar levels, and lowering cholesterol. Here  is an interesting article that goes into more detail. To take ACV, try mixing it into a dressing or using it in marinades. It can be taken diluted in a shot glas...

Sweet breads are amazing, although you should never get them confused with sweetbreads, totally different ball game. One of the great things about breads like this is that they freeze well. You can make a batch or two ahead of time for when you need it and its a great way to take some of the stress out of planning teas and brunches. I always keep some in my freezer for just such occasions. This is a mild orange bread so it pairs well with a lot of things. You can serve it with butter and fruit spreads if you like, but it doesn't need them. This means that it can stand alone as part of a variety of finger foods, (such as for afternoon tea), or it can play a supporting role as a dinner bread, or perhaps even dessert. Orange Bread Recipe 1 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour 1 tsp Baking Soda 1/2 tsp Baking Powder A Pinch of Salt 3/4 cup Sugar 1/3 cup Oil, such as Olive Oil 1 cup Orange Juice Directions ( Step-by-step video ) 1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease pan(s). 2. ...

This mid-morning break is an often overlooked retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily routine. Perhaps, it's time to reclaim elevenses and with them a bit of our sanity. The earliest recorded use of the term elevenses dates back to the early 18th century. It is not a full meal, but rather a morning snack break at, you guessed it, 11 o'clock. Elevenses are not to be confused with afternoon teas, as the latter is a light meal traditionally held between 2 and 4 o'clock. You can find more information on teas here:  http://alacuisinellc.blogspot.com/2016/11/afternoon-tea-and-high-tea-whats.html?m=1   Elevenses are a 20-30 minute break, for the sole purpose of recharging your batteries. Tea or coffee is customarily paired with simple cookies and enjoyed as a brief hiatus from the demands of the workday morning. Its a time to relax and reset, to enjoy a moment guilt-free. Elevenses are replaced by brunch on the weekends when there is more time to socialize and en...

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or even a babysitter, we all try to do the best we can for the children in our care. Let's think about meal times for a minute. I have seen many instances of a child being told to "clean their plates" before they can leave the table. Seems harmless, right? I mean, everyone wants to make sure their child is getting enough to eat. Well, there's several issues with this situation. First, it's programming the child to mindlessly eat the food in front of them as if it's a task. This takes the joy out of eating. It robs children of the experience of taste . If children are taught that meals are just a chore to get through, they do not learn to appreciate the different flavors and textures, not to mention aromas of the foods in front of them. They can't develop a healthy admiration for the process of cooking and the culinary adventures that cooking produces. The other grave issue with this ...

Though the terms have become interchangeable, Afternoon Tea and High Tea are very different things. So, for those of us who do not hail from the UK, here's some clarification. Afternoon tea, also known as Low Tea, is the occasion that most of us are familiar with. Generally held between two and four in the afternoon, this tea is the dainty, snacking affair that boasts elegance in every aspect. Historically, Afternoon Tea utilized delicate china tea cups and saucers. One would find spreads of sweet cakes, tea sandwiches, and scones. Clotted cream and fruit spreads were customary as well. Also known as Low Tea because it was typically enjoyed at low tables in parlors. High Tea is pretty much the opposite of Afternoon Tea. Aptly named because it was originally enjoyed at high dinner tables, it cannot be described as particularly elegant or dainty . Enjoyed sometime between five and seven in the evening, a stronger tea was enjoyed out of heavy mugs. The fare was t...

Its not enough for food to taste good and fill you up. If it's not increasing your health or protecting you from illness, you're doing it wrong. The functional food trend has been on the rise for a few years now. The ingredients change, but the ideals remain the same. One of the hottest functioning food ingredients, (for the moment), is Tumeric. There was a time that this mildly aromatic spice was primarily associated with curries and it wasn't a common kitchen staple. But, oh how times have changed! The earliest known use of Tumeric is thought to be around 2500 BC. Pots uncovered near New Delhi were analyzed and showed tumeric residue. Before it's medicinal properties were discovered, it was originally used as an orange dye. A fact that a few of my dish towels can attest to, I'm afraid. Health benefits boasted by Tumeric include reducing inflammation, dramatically increasing antioxidant levels, improving brain function, lowering risk of heart disease, figh...