Popular Toppings Used in Salad Bars: A Guide to Help You Choose Better

Are you a fitness freak who believes in eating healthy and good? Surely the perilous effects of obesity have left modern people with little option but to change their eating habits. Be it in fear or will, the scenario of food industry has surely gone for a massive change where more and more people try to eat fresh and organic food items.

With this new trend of the age, there can be no denying that the notion of salad bar is rapidly growing in popularity in different parts of the world. Prepared with a variety of vegetables, fruits and other fresh food items, a bowl of salad is always the best appetizer that not only keeps your health happy but also takes care of your hunger anytime and anywhere.

It's a known fact the every individual nurtures a different eating habit. That goes true even when preparing salads as it is observed that every people has his own choice of salad toppings. In salad bar, it is therefore important that there is a wide array of salad toppings available so that customers can pick the items of their choice and enjoy a hearty time savoring on a bowl of tasty and lip smacking salads.

Know the basics of salad toppings

Think of salad and you are bound to think of lettuce leaves… The attractive green leaves with its bushy ends do make for a must have that not only helps you add a dash of creative imagination in your salad preparation but also adds to the nutrient value. While previously salad bars conventionally used iceberg lettuce, now a day things have gone for a change with varied types such as red lettuce being tried out to add color, brightness and attractiveness to the salad. Not only lettuce, salad bars of today also use baby spinach mix as another commonly used salad topping item.

Vegetable Variation

No salad is complete without a generous serving of vegetables that makes the prime ingredient of the dish. Considered as nature's best gift to mankind, vegetables come available in a riot of colors and nutrition quotient. Toss in as much vegetables you want and make your bowl an attractive play of hues. Some popularly available salad topping at Salad Bar includes beets, mushrooms, onion, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, tomato, cucumbers, green olives etc.

Cheese: From feta to grated

Cheese is another product that goes invariably with salad. But previously only a handful of salad bars used to have only a small section for cheese, modern day outlets offer a much bigger and varied cheese section. Check out the cheese section of salad bar and you can easily avail your choice of cheese ranging from feta cheese, Swiss cheese, cottage cheese to grated cheese.

A Healthy Salad Recipe

You support the new movement about ‘green is better'? Now a day, with people becoming more and more health conscious, eating fresh and organic is the craze that is making it big in the industry of food and restaurant. If you also support this new move and has plans to invest in franchise green is better campaign, gear up to add some more healthy food items in your restaurant menu so that it allows your customers to enjoy a variety of delicacies without gaining calories anymore. Here in this article we bring for you the recipe of a yummy and delectable salad that you can consider adding to your franchise green is better restaurant: 

Taco Salad Ingredients:

• Crushed garlic

• Chicken/ turkey sliced

• Chopped cilantro

• Low fat sour cream

• Canola oil

• Lettuce leaves

•Grated cheese

• Chopped and diced tomatoes

• Rinsed kidney beans

• Salsa

• Chopped onion

• Cumin seeds

• Chili powder

Preparation Method: 

Take a bowl and add salsa and the cream together.Keep it aside for later use.

Now heat oil in a pan and add the onions, garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the chicken or turkey in it and cook again till tender for around 5 minutes. Toss in the tomatoes, beans, chili powder and cumin all together and stir and cook till the seeds starts breaking into pops.

Remove from heat and now add the salsa and cream mixture in it. Toss in lettuce in the bowl and mix well. Add grated cheese and serve.

Intake of nutrition in this meal of Taco salad: Fat, Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, Sodium, Carbohydrate, Dietary Fiber, Sugars, Protein, Calcium.

Chicken Wellington Recipe (diabetics Can Enjoy It, Too!)

Most of us today are watching our budgets and groceries are one of the areas where prices have risen quite a lot.  Yet we still want to feed our families healthy, nutrious meals and entertain our friends with festive dishes.  Here is a chicken meal that will fill the bill.  It is economical to make, goes from prep to table in an hour, and makes quite an impressive presentation.  And best of all, it is delicious.  Try it and I'm sure it will find a permanent home in your recipe files.

CHICKEN WELLINGTON
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter, softened, divided
1 tsp dried crushed rosemary
1/2 tsp rubbed sage
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 pkgs (15 oz ea) refrigerated pie pastry
1 egg, lightly beaten
Sauce:
1 1/4 tsp chicken bouillon granules
1 1/4 cups hot water
2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp chicken broth

Flatten chicken to 1/4-inch thickness.  In a large shillet, cook chicken in oil and 1 tablespoon butter for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until juices run clear.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the rosemary, sage, salt, pepper and remaining butter.  Unroll pastry sheets and cut each into a 9-in square.  Place a chicken breast half on each square.  Spread the butter mixture over the chicken.  Fold the pastry over the chicken cutting off any excess pastry.  Pinch the seams to seal.  Place on a greased baking sheet; brush with the egg.  Bake at 450 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes or until a golden brown color.  Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Meanwhile, make sauce.  Dissolve bouillon in hot water.  In a small saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour until smooth.  Gradually stir in bouillon and broth.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Serve over the chicken.
Enjoy!

Organic Baby Food

Child health experts try to develop constantly something new to help the parents to keep their child healthy. One thing you will find out every where now children are influencing by Fast Food Makers and Restaurants. So, it is the challenge for child health experts to provide solution to their parents for their toddler, make the food for child that should be tastier and healthier simultaneously. I think the one good example come on this type of food i.e. Kellogg's Chocos. It provides nutrition to child with chocolate taste.
Now the child health experts influence the parents to use organic baby food. It is good for baby and keeps them healthy. Babies have sensitive digestive system. Organic baby food keeps them healthy and especially reduces the risk of being exposed to harmful substances.
Are you interested to know the benefits of organic baby food?

1. Better quality
Do you know the main thing give confidence to parents and influence them i.e. there are cert ain regulations have to follow by farmers or companies who grown organic good. Regulatory ensure that food quality is better overall and the nutrients in the organic fruit and vegetables are provided in more natural way in comparison of other non organic produce.

Non organic food stuff generally have high salt or sugar content, this is cause of health issues in your baby from a young age.

2. Control

You can control easily and provided to feed your baby organic food. In many jars you will find that it is clearly labelled outside what kind of ingredients or content mix in it but in others non organic food there is not clearly mention.

By this you can assure that what you have been feeding to your baby is quality and health food.

3. Storage

It seems hard to purchase large number of raw vegetables and fruits then store them for long time. These are quick usable item unless it fetor quickly, so the solution comes in a face of organic baby food that's ensures the food will stay good for a long time. You can store your organic baby food by the number of ways, such as in jars on the shelf is easier way.

You should always try to give the food to your baby that is best for him and organic food provides quality as well best food for your baby. Now at this time you have organic solution to far away health problems from your baby. Provide him organic food as much as possible.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake: Perfect Desserts for Parties

During a birthday party how can you blow your candles without a cake? Blowing candles on cakes during birthday parties has been part of some of your traditions and a cake is a dessert that has been part of most culture.

It has been years now that cakes like coffee cakes are traditionally served on all special occasions and gatherings. Until now, it has been part of the way of life for some people. When you are planning to host a party, one of the very first concerns on your list is the cake. When we think of the possible choices for the cake, sour cream coffee cakes emerge as the best and most delicious option since they are a delicacy with many specialties.

What is wonderful about this type of coffee cakes is that they can be stored for months in your freezer. It is their sour cream ingredient that makes magic about their taste. They do not contain harmful ingredients. If you have specially ordered them from bakeries or cafes, they can give you the assurance that they has no preservatives or food coloring. The only thing is that coffee cakes are available in such a wide range that selecting and choosing from the best of them can be a tough one. There is a long list of coffee cakes which also includes apple cream coffee cake, walnut coffee cake and a lot more.

Try the traditional cinnamon walnut coffee cake. It is very yummy that it can create a unique and amazing image of sensible host. What makes it special is that it looks appetizing with its brown shade and with golden yellow traces. Eggs, bourbon vanilla that is pure, cinnamon, walnut and sour cream are what make up its ingredients. If you are planning a large and extravagant party, you always have it orders for a large size wherein everybody could get to taste this delicious coffee cake. This kind of coffee cake can be stored up to four months.

Cinnamon Streusel butter and Sour cream coffee cakes are other great options for any special gatherings and occasions. It is generally made with real butter, walnuts, cinnamon (high end), and brown sugar and of course sour cream. This sour cream coffee cake can be served for up to 16 people. It is a coffee cake you would want to have for your party. Cinnamon streusel butter and Sour Cream coffee cake is very free from any artificial flavoring, preservatives, trans fats and coloring that you would not want in your dish especially cakes. It needs to be chilled before slicing so that it won't crumble.

There are actually many choices for you to choose from. Serve any of them with an excellent cup of coffee. Any occasion would be worth it if you have prepared cakes for desserts. Guests and loved ones would surely keep coming back for your coffee cake.

Yummy Chocolate Cookie Recipe for Diabetics and Others

We diabetics love sweets, too, and thanks to some of the newer sugar substitutions and ways of combining ingredients, we are able to enjoy some very tasty sweets.  The recipe in this article is fine for diabetics and so tasty others will enjoy them, too.  These Chewy Chocolate Chunk and Cherry Cookies are okay for the diabetic's lunchbox, great for the young diabetic after school treat, a great homemade gift for diabetics, etc.  See the note at the end of the recipe for other options.  As with all foods, diabetics must control portions.  One or two of these cookies a day, is all you should consume.
CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHUNK AND CHERRY COOKIES
1/4 cup soft vegetable oil spread
2 tbsp + 2 tsp Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
1/3 cup Splenda Granular
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup egg substitute or 1 egg
2 tbsp cocoa baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
4 oz dark chocolate, chopped
2 oz white baking chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup dried tart cherries, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixer bowl on medium to high-speed, beat the vegetable oil spread. Add the Splenda Brown Sugar Blend, Splenda Granular, baking soda and salt. Beat until the mixture is well mixed, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
Beat in the egg, cocoa powder, and vanilla until combined. Beat in the flour. Using a wooden spoon or large plastic spoon, stir in the oats and flaxseed. Stir in 3/4 of the chopped dark chocolate and 2 tablespoons of the chopped white chocolate along with 1/3 cup of the chopped cherries.
Drop the mixture by rounded teaspoonfuls 2-inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Top with the remaining chocolates and cherries. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are set. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 1 minute. Remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
To store cookies, layer them between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container at room temperature. Will keep for 5 days or a month in the freezer.
Yield: About 28 cookies.
Per cookie: 84 cal, 4 g (2 g sat)fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 53 mg sodium, 14 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein (If you use egg substitute, that lowers the calories to 70 and the carbs to 10 grams).
Note: For those who cannot have the dried cherries, substitute chopped peanuts.  You can also make these cookies even more diabetic friendly by using 1/3 cup all-purpose flour and 1/3 cup whole-wheat flour.
Enjoy!

Pasta Dies: Make Different Pasta Dishes at Home

Pasta dies have been a favorite item in almost every kitchen. It is merely because of its ease of preparing different shapes and sizes of pasta with no difficulty. With these custom-made dies, it has actually made the whole process of making pasta easier.

To prepare pasta at home, you simply have to prepare dough, mix ingredients in the dough and adjust its texture to produce consistent shape. Once it is ready, there is only one step left to get your noodles ready to cook which is to run the dough over pasta die carefully. The process of using it is very simple and is therefore liked by making cooks worldwide.

Such pasta dies are equipped to prepare any type of style, design, thinness and shape to give you the best experience in cooking pasta at home. You also have flexibility to create different shapes of animals, fishes, sports equipment and other items that are appealing for children.

Here under are few of its advantages which make it a sure-shot deal for everyone to own at least few types of pasta dies:

1.It occupies very little space in kitchen so it is easy to handle and manage even in a congested kitchen space.
2.Different types of pasta can be made with the same dough at the same time with no difficulty
3.You can increase nutritious value of pasta by adding the essential ingredients into dough
4.There is no technical knowledge required to use pasta die
5.Custom-made pasta die gives you flexibility to prepare cartoon-shaped pasta for your kids

You must be mesmerized after knowing its benefits for making home-made pasta. Are you looking for a reliable place to buy few dies for your use? If yes, then you don't have to worry about it as it is now easily available in machine shops. You can view their wide range of products and can make a decision that best suits your needs.

So,your little investment in such dies will be fruitful not only for today but also for many years to come.  You simply have to take care of regular maintenance that will ensure smooth functioning of these dies for a long time.

If you are tired of eating ready-made pasta outside or spending dollars on buying packed pasta then this investment will give you the freedom to prepare bowl of pasta at home in no time.