Avoid Green Ring on Hard-Cooked Egg Yolks

Hard-cooked eggs in the shell can be refrigerated up to 1 week, a boon for busy cooks!

Step-by-step cooking instructions, recipes, larger version of video: American Egg Board Website

Latest USDA figures show cholesterol in a single egg has decreased 14% to 185 mg. "... evidence suggests that consumption of one egg per day is not associated with risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke in healthy adults," (Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010).

Mash Sweet Potatoes Quickly with Potato Ricer

Sweet potatoes often make the top 20 list of nutritious foods.

Here's how to use an inexpensive potato ricer to quickly mash microwaved sweet potatoes.

No need to peel them first! Includes an easy, low-calorie recipe idea!

2 (Or More) Cooks Are Better Than 1!

Cooking goes faster and/or can be more fun when done with friends or family. Kids who are picky eaters may eat better when they help prepare a meal.

Practical Tips for cooking with inexperienced and experienced cooks. Includes sample recipes.

Use Whole Grain Stamp to Find Whole Grain Foods

The Whole Grain Stamp, though not mandatory, is found on many  grain products that contain at least half a serving (8 grams) of whole grains per serving. Many foods with the Stamp contain more whole grains. Inside the Stamp is a declaration of the grams of whole grains per serving for that particular food. More information on use...

(Image Courtesy Oldways and the Whole Grains Council, wholegrainscouncil.org)

Rice Bowls: Quick, Easy, 1-2-3!
(9 Brown Rice Recipe Ideas)

Rice Bowls, an idea from the USA Rice Federation, are a great way to add vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains to meals.

They are an easy, one-dish meal and also a great way to "recycle" leftovers into another delicious meal. Made with brown rice, they also help you meet the 2010 Dietary Guidelines to make half your grains, whole grains.

 (Image: Screenshot from USA Rice Federation website)

Make-ahead Mexican Rollups
(can be frozen)

This recipe from Iowa State University Extension Spend Smart, Eat Smart program is fast, inexpensive, and freezes well. It includes a Spanish translation.

(Image: Screenshot of recipe from the Iowa State University Extension website)

Organizing Your Recipe Collection

Perhaps you have a drawer full of recipes you've clipped from magazines, newspapers, etc. But it takes forever to sort through them when you want to try something new, and you usually go back to your tried and true recipes. Here are some suggestions for getting them organized.

Kitchen Short Cuts

Easy Ways to Add Seafood to Family Meals

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 recommend eating 2 servings of seafood weekly.

This short video from the National Fisheries Institute gives easy tips and recipes for adding seafood to meals. Additional recipes and tips are at this website link.

(Image: Screenshot of seafood video from the National Fisheries Institute)

A Simple Solution to Avoid Scratching Nonstick Skillets during Storage

Using nylon or wooden utensils is recommended for nonstick skillets, fry pans and sauté pans to avoid scratching them. What precautions can you take to avoid chips and scratches when stacking them in your cupboard?

The simplest solution is to place inexpensive paper plates between them. In fact, the least expensive paper plates -- which are flexible -- work better than  more expensive rigid plates.

Make the Most of Your Melon Baller

Melon ballers can save time in more ways than scooping out melons balls. Use for:

• Coring apples and pears.
• Scooping the inner membrane from peppers
• Removing the seeds and surrounding pulp from vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes and winter squash
• Scraping the last layer of pulp from your Jack-o-lantern
• Scooping out the insides of potatoes for twice-baked potatoes

Add Uncooked Pasta to Soups

If you just want to add a handful or two of pasta to soups, there is no need to cook it first.

Just toss dry pasta into the soup and stir to distribute throughout soup. Simmer soup an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until the pasta is cooked. Make sure there is enough liquid so the pasta will be covered. Stir soup occasionally while pasta is cooking.

NOTE: If your family doesn't or won't eat a 100% whole grain pasta, try one of the pastas that are about half whole grains. They may not even know the difference!