Author: Carma Spence

Carma Spence has been experimenting in the kitchen since she was four years old and loves trying out new recipe ideas. She is the author of Bonkers for Bundt Cakes and Your Perfect Pie, as well as author and contributor to several more non-food-related books. With Carma's Cookery, she is taking her passion for empowering people and blending it with her passion for cooking, gift-giving and entertaining.

Healthy Living

How to Get More Healthy Protein Into Your Cooking

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date March 19, 2022

If you feel that your diet is not as healthy as it could be and that it’s time to make some changes, you’re in the right place. One of the things that lots of people are trying to do for the benefit of their health is to reduce things like fatty meats and carbs in their diet and instead eat more healthy protein sources. That makes sense, and here are some tips for how to do it.

What Is a Healthy Protein?

The Nutrition Source, an online publication of the Harvard School of Public Health, “Protein is an essential macronutrient, but not all food sources of protein are created equal.” They recommend getting protein from plants when possible, such as legumes (beans and peas), nuts, seeds, and whole grains. And, when eating animal proteins, favor poultry, seafood, and eggs, over dairy, red meat, and processed meats. To learn more about how the “packaging” of your protein matters, read their article on protein.

And now for some practical suggestions.

Eat a High Protein Breakfast

Consider the way in which you start the day. Breakfast is an ideal opportunity to get more protein into your diet if you’re not currently eating a protein-filled breakfast each morning. For example, you could eat eggs with wholegrain toast. Or you could have berries and yogurt. There are so many suitable options. I start the day with a nutrition-packed smoothie that starts my day with 39 grams of protein.

Add High Protein Vegetables Like Kale and Spinach

If you want to add something to the things that you’re already cooking on a regular basis, simply use vegetables that are higher in protein than others. A couple of good examples of high protein vegetables are kale and spinach, but broccoli is a good option as well. You can add them as a side to your dishes or use them to replace other aspects of the dish that are less good for you.

Make Some Simple Swaps

There are ways to swap out unhealthier proteins for healthy options and it’s something more of us should do. For example, you could replace a fatty cut of beef with:

lean chicken
lean lamb from Superior Farms Denver, or
fish that’s packed with omega-3 fatty acids.

Those kinds of changes can be highly beneficial. It makes the transition a lot easier when you’re taking small steps and using simple swaps, so be sure to make the most of that.

Eat More Beans

Eating more beans and finding great recipes that contain beans is a good way to get more healthy protein into your diet. Things like kidney beans, pinto beans, and lentils are all really good options worth considering. You can incorporate them into a chili bowl or a burrito for example. There are so many great options, even if you’re not someone who usually loves beans.

Here are some bean-based recipes you can try out:

Consider Shakes with Protein Powder

If your reason for wanting to add more protein to your diet is to improve your workouts and to build muscle mass, you should think about making the most of protein powders. Although this is not the reason why protein powders are my favorite, go-to source. They are just plain easy. I don’t have to think about my breakfast and lunch anymore. I have a few simple recipes I follow and I know I’m getting my daily protein needs handled.

Protein powders can be used to make shakes that you have before or after your workout. They are a good way to get more protein into your system when working out. They come in all kinds of different flavors, so there are plenty of options. My go-to flavor is vanilla because then you can any flavor to it.

I’ve also added protein powder to cooked breakfast cereals such as oatmeal and cream of wheat, adding both protein and sweetness at the same time. Yum!

In case you were wondering, these are the two protein powders I use. I’ve tried a lot of them and these are two I’ve landed on for nutritional value, flavor, and texture.

Pure Protein 100% Whey – If you like your smoothies thick and creamy, this protein powder does the trick. Some whey proteins upset my digestive tract, but I’ve been using this one for several years now with no problems.
Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder – I’ve tried a lot of plant-based protein powders and have not liked any of them until I came upon Orgain. It tastes great. However, it doesn’t make your smoothies thick and creamy.

As you can see, there are plenty of realistic and sustainable changes you can make to your diet if you want to get more healthy protein into it. Each of the ideas discussed above will serve you well and benefit your health in the long run if you’re able to implement them and stick to them.

Tags plant-based protein, protein

Creative Cookery

4 Alternatives to Ordinary Pasta

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date March 18, 2022

If you’re like most people, you probably love pasta. It’s a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. However, if you’re getting a bit bored of the same old ordinary pasta you always use, or you want to try something healthier with fewer carbs, there are plenty of exciting alternatives available. In this post, I will share four of the best substitutes for pasta. So whether you’re looking for something new to add to your menu or you’re just curious about what else is out there, read on for some great suggestions!

Orzo

What do you get if you cross rice and pasta? Orzo! If you’re looking for a low-carb alternative then this isn’t the best option because it’s made with the same dough as ordinary pasta. However, Orzo is excellent if you want to use pasta in innovative ways. It’s the same dough as pasta but it is in the shape of small grains. It’s great for salads and soups, and it can also be used in place of rice in stir-fries if you like. Check out this greek orzo salad recipe, for example. Introducing orzo into your repertoire is a great way to change the way that you use pasta and keep things more interesting.

Rice Noodles

If you’re looking for a truly healthy alternative to pasta then rice noodles are the way to go. They’re made from rice flour and water, so they’re gluten-free, low in calories, and have a very low glycemic index. This means that they won’t cause spikes in your blood sugar levels like some other carbs can. Rice noodles are perfect for stir-fries, soups, and salads. They cook quickly and absorb the flavors of whatever they’re cooked with, making them a versatile and delicious option. They pair perfectly with these delicious Asian Turkey Meatballs.

Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash is a winter squash, much like a pumpkin or acorn squash, but its meat has the consistency of — you guessed it — spaghetti. Thus, its name. You can bake it, roast it, cook it in a slow cooker or instapot, and then serve it with pasta sauce. It is low-calorie and a good source of fiber. It is cholesterol-free, gluten-free, low in saturated fat and sodium, fat-free, and a good source of vitamins C, several B vitamins, manganese, and potassium. Give it try!

Spiralized Vegetables

Want to make some spaghetti but want to avoid the carbs? Spiralized vegetables are the perfect solution. You can use a spiralizer to turn all sorts of vegetables into noodles, from zucchini to sweet potatoes. Spiralized veggies make a great base for all your favorite pasta sauces, and they’re also delicious when stir-fried with some protein. If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious alternative to pasta, give spiralized veggies a try.

There are plenty of exciting alternatives to pasta available, so if you’re looking for something new to try then be sure to check out some of the options listed above. Whether you’re looking for a healthier option or just want to change things up a bit, there’s sure to be an alternative that suits your needs.

Tags alternative ingredients, Pasta

The Business of Food

6 Tips for Starting Your Own Food Blog

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date March 17, 2022

If you are as passionate about food as I am, you might have thought about starting your own food blog where you can get creative and share your passion with others. If that is the case, here are some tips to help you get started.

1. Choose a niche

First of all, you should choose a niche. This just means that you should choose a particular topic for your blog to focus on, This could be Indian food, BBQ, cake decorating, or even restaurant reviews – it doesn’t matter as long as you’re passionate about it and you think you can create lots of content in that niche.

Of course, you could state a more general food blog, but having a niche makes it easier for you to pick up readers because there will be not quite so much competition for you to go up against.

For example, the niche topic I’ve selected is “Kitchen Creativity,” so I focus my content on how my readers can embrace their creativity in the kitchen.

2. Buy a domain and find a web host

Once you know what your niche is, you need to think of a catchy name for your blog and buy the corresponding domain. You will also need to find a good hosting partner in 2022. A web host is responsible for keeping your blog online so you need to choose one that has a good reputation.

3. Install WordPress and select a theme

WordPress is the easiest, most versatile blogging platform available today. And, it’s free! Now that we’ve got that out of the way, how do you make your WordPress site look pretty? You use something called a theme.

Choose an attractive theme for your blog that reflects the kind of content you are planning to post. For example, if your food blog is focused on cake-baking, a theme that has lots of pastel colors that invoke images of cupcake icing would be ideal, or if you are setting up a BBQing website, a theme that looks a bit meatier would be better.

There is a bit more to this step — because it is all about branding. If you want more information about that topic, you’ll have to check out my other blog.

4. Write your content

Now, of course, the most important step in starting your own food blog is creating your content. It is important that any content you create is 100 percent unique – you can use Copyscape tools to check that this is the case.

You also need to create content that is interesting, readable, and has something to say. For example, you could write guideposts on how to perfect your cake batter or how to perfectly balance the spices in a curry, or you could create your own recipes or write down your best kitchen tips.

If your content is useful, valuable, and written in an entering way, it will gain traction.

5. Take amazing photos

Of course, when it comes to food blogs, the images are every bit as important as the written content. So, invest in a good camera – most smartphones have pretty good cameras these days – and take pictures of the food you cook in the best possible lighting.

6. Publish and promote

All that remains is to publish your content and promote it as widely as you can on social media.

I hope this has given you an idea of what it takes to start your own food blog. As you can see, it is not as tough as you might have thought, and it can be a great way to share your love of food with like-minded people. So, what are you waiting for?

Tags food blog

Creative Cookery

How to Fall in Love with Cooking

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date March 8, 2022

Some people view cooking as something that they have to do. But the lucky person views it as something that they get to do. If you need to do something, it’s always better to find ways to make yourself fall in love with the activity. If you can do that, then it won’t feel like a chore at all. It’ll be something that you get excited to do. So wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could fall in love with cooking?

When it comes to cooking, there are plenty of things you can do that’ll help you to become passionate about the activity. But perhaps the best approach is to simply make delicious meals. If you love your creations, then you’ll love being in the kitchen.

In this post, I’ll share some handy tips that anyone can use to ensure their meals are seriously tasty so that it will be easier to fall in love with cooking

Superior Ingredients

There can be a significant difference between two meals that, on the face of it, look exactly the same. If one has been made with basic ingredients, it’ll taste good. If the meal has been made with the best ingredients available, then it’ll taste great. That’s a big upgrade, and all you’ll have done is spent a bit more time sourcing high-end ingredients to use. Note that better ingredients don’t necessarily have to cost much more. But even if they do, on some occasions, it’s better to invest — they’ll help to make a big impression at a dinner party, for instance.

Here are a few tips on how to spot a superior ingredient:

It is fresh: This is especially true with produce and spices.
It has few preservatives: This is true of most foods.
It is authentic to the culture that created it: Why buy Italian seasoning that’s “Made in China.” Buy Chinese spices from China!
The color is vibrant: Fresh vegetables are brighter in color than those that are less fresh.

For more tips, check out this article on how to choose ingredients like a pro.

When your ingredients are better, it is a whole lot easier to enjoy your food and fall in love with cooking. In fact, you might find yourself seeking out new ingredients to experiment and get creative with!

Look Fresh and Inviting

Ingredients are important, but in reality, they don’t paint the full picture. A lot of the flavor of a meal comes from what’s added to the core ingredients, such as the sauces and so forth. When it comes to sauces, people tend to pick whatever’s easiest, which nearly always means whatever they can get in a jar from the store. But most sauces don’t require advanced skills to make at home. Take pesto, for example. You can buy it from the store. Or you read up on homemade pesto from lecremedelacrumb.com and make it yourself. I’ll let you figure out which one will taste better!

In addition to sauces, play around with garnishes, as well as how you create your meal combinations. For example, do you like your steak better with broccoli or asparagus? Or perhaps something else altogether! Falling in love with cooking is part science — getting the techniques right — and part artistry — creating your own personal flare.

Fall in Love with Cooking the Same Meals

Remember the first time you tried to do anything? You probably weren’t too good. Most people are not “naturals” at anything. You get good by doing the same things over and over. Oddly, this is an approach that most people don’t take when it comes to cooking. If you’ve found a meal that you like, then it’s worthwhile making it on a regular basis. You’ll find that, over time, you iron out all the kinks and eventually get to create the perfect incarnation of the dish. Practice makes perfect!

Part of your love affair with cooking can come from becoming masterful at preparing a single dish, single technique, single style, or even single cuisine. And mastery only comes after repetition.

Get Inspiration from Others

If you are looking for inspiration on which meals or recipes you want to try next then it might be worthwhile grabbing some cookbooks and having a look through those. You can find my cookbooks on Amazon, and cookbooks I’ve reviewed here on this blog.

Not all cookbooks (or even the recipes found within) will appeal to you but you might find something that looks tasty. Give it a try!

You could also follow blogs (like this one) or other social media online (including my Facebook page). These are great for surprising you with yummy new recipes that you might not have tried yet. Following someone like Manal Jishi, who hopes to bring out her own cookbook, will give you all the inspiration you need in the kitchen.

Get Feedback

Finally, you can step up the quality of your meals by getting feedback from friends, family, and anyone else to whom you serve your food. They might just tell you something that will really make a massive difference. As always, it’s best not to take constructive criticism personally — it’s there to help you to improve your meals, after all. And always keep in mind that you don’t have to take their advice. If the feedback is “add celery” and you don’t like celery, ignore it.

Align Your Cooking with Your Values

Cooking doesn’t have to be just about creating delicious meals. It can also be an expression of who you are and what you believe in. For example, I don’t cook with veal unless I can find a no-cruelty source. By choosing to cook with ingredients that reflect our ethical and environmental values, we contribute to a larger movement of mindful living.

For instance, using products from suppliers like Superior Farms, known for their dedication to sustainable practices, aligns with a commitment to animal welfare and ecological responsibility. When you cook with love and intention, using ethically sourced ingredients, not only does your food taste better, but it also carries the essence of your values.

Every dish becomes a witness to your respect for nature and the well-being of its creatures, enhancing the cooking experience by imbuing it with deeper meaning and connection.

This is your kitchen and your love affair with cooking. You get to express your Kitchen Creativity your way!

Tags cooking tips

Cooking Techniques

6 Ways Rookies Cook Steak Incorrectly

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date February 4, 2022

How do you like your steak cooked? Medium? Medium-rare? It’s not so bad when someone else asks you this question, but when you are the one doing the asking, the pressure is on. Steak is a type of meat that most people love, and serving it will definitely wow your guests. But it does need to be cooked correctly. Read on to discover some of the mistakes that you could be making when set out to cook steak.

You sliced into it straight away.
This is one of the biggest mistakes people make when cooking steak. It can be very tempting to cook your steak as soon as it leaves the pan so you can check it is the color you want it to be in the middle. However, if you do this, all of the flavourful juices will spill onto the plate, and the meat will be dry. You simply must leave it to rest for five minutes minimum.
You don’t use a meat thermometer.
The easiest way to tell whether a steak is cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Ideal temperatures are 165 °F for well done, 155 °F for medium, and 140 °F for medium-rare.
You don’t let the pan get hot enough.
In order to achieve the caramelized, crisp crust you want your steak to have, you need a cooking surface that is screaming hot. Nothing less will do.
You don’t blot your steak before cooking it.
Before you cook your steak, you need to take a paper towel and blot the meat dry on either side. The wetter your steak’s surface is, the more likely it will be to steam when you put it on the pan, which is never a good idea. Instead, get rid of the residual moisture beforehand so that your steak can get nice and crispy once it hits the pan.
You don’t season your steak.
Steak does not need a lot of dressing up. After all, it is delicious in its own right. However, it does need a bit of seasoning. Before cooking, you should sprinkle some fresh cracked pepper and salt on both sides of your steak. It is good to do this around thirty minutes before you intend to cook, as this will allow the seasoning to absorb into the steak.
You bought the lean steak.
There is a time and a place for cuts like chuck roast, or other lean cuts from your local butcher. They are great for casseroles and alike, but not good when you just want to eat a cut of steak on its own.

Are you guilty of making any of the errors that have been mentioned above? If so, take note of the tips that have been provided so that you get your steak right the next time you cook it. From seasoning in advance, to getting your pan hot, a few small changes can make a massive difference. Enjoy!

Healthy Living

7 Great Ways to Get Kids to Eat More Fruit

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date February 3, 2022

Eating healthy is often difficult for kids and parents alike. Kids can be picky and hesitant to try new foods. Parents may find it challenging to get their kids to eat more fruit, as well as vegetables. But by making some simple tweaks, you’ll be able to introduce your kids to the benefits of eating more fruit! Here are seven ways that will show just how easy it is.

Make Fruit Fun

Kids are more likely to try something new if they’re having fun. So, instead of approaching your child with a stern tone and demanding that they eat their fruit, take the opportunity to have some fun! Suggest experimenting with different colors of fruit or taking turns picking out fruits at the store. You can even make up your own game like “guess what color it is,” or “can you find something that is the same shape as a banana?”

Get Sneaky and Blend It Into Other Foods

The easiest way to get your kids to eat fruits and vegetables is to blend them into the food they already like. For instance, if your child enjoys smoothies, you can add fruit or vegetables to their favorite drink. This strategy also works well with soups, sauces, oatmeal, and ice cream.

While this doesn’t combat their dislike of trying fruits and veggies, it will ensure they still eat them even if they don’t know it.

Get Kids to Eat More Fruit by Giving Them Options

Offer your child a variety of fruit and vegetables. You can also offer them two different options and let them choose which one they want. If they’re unsure about what to try, ask them which option they like the best.

Why not try a chart to encourage them to try new fruits or track what they are eating each day. Much in the same way, you have a reward chart for good behavior. Talk to them about their choices and see what they have tried by adding it to a chart each day. Use stickers or pictures to make it more fun for them.

Make It Messy

Some kids love to get their hands dirty. This is a great way to make eating fruit more fun for them. Cut up the fruit and let them scoop it up with their hands or use a spoon. Making a mess around the kitchen may not be ideal for you, but this will be a great memory for your child!

For younger kids, encourage messy play and let them eat from clean surfaces while doing so. Chances are if they don’t feel forced to eat it, touch it and play with it, the more inclined to try it they will be.

Get Them Involved in the Preparation

Kids love to help and feel like they’re participating – so get them involved in preparation! This is a great way to teach them about the food they’re eating and, at the same time, make it more enticing. If your child is old enough, involve them in the grocery shopping process and create more complex recipes such as a homemade compote recipe. Let your child pick out the fruit or vegetable that they will eat for dinner. You can even let them do some of the prep work for dinner. If you have a younger child, involve them in putting fruit and vegetables on their plate and tell them what each item is.

Get Kids to Eat More Fruit by Being Creative

It can be a challenge to get kids to try a portion of new food. Sometimes the only way to do it is by being creative. Try cutting up their favorite fruit and creating a fruit stir fry, a sweet fruit pizza with chocolate or yogurt spread, or fruit sushi for them to try. Kids will love the fun presentation of these dishes!

Keep Fruit in Sight All the Time

One of the first rules of thumb for getting kids to eat more fruit is to keep fruit in sight all the time. This not only includes what you serve at dinner but also what’s on the breakfast table and in their lunchboxes. Stocking your pantry with healthy snacks is a great start. You can also fill up the fridge with fruit that’s easy for kids to grab when they come home from school or before bedtime.

When it comes to introducing more fruit to your child’s diet or different fruits, the key is to not force them into eating it if they are hesitant; this will only make them more determined not to try it. Instead, get creative with how you approach it and allow them to take the first step themselves by satisfying their curiosity.

Tags fussy eaters, kids

Recipes

White Wine Blondies

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date January 22, 2022

Today is National Blondies Brownie Day, so I thought I’d share this simple blondies recipe with you! It’s simplicity makes it easy to experiment with, as well.

White Wine Blondies

Blondies with a white wine twist.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword baking, brownies, cookies

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 25

Total Time 50

Servings 16

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/4 cup sweet white wine, such as Gewürztraminer
1-1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white chocolate baking chips
1/2 cup pecan halves, optional

Glaze (Optional)

1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons sweet white wine, such as Gewürztraminer

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment, letting ends extend up sides.
In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes.
1/2 cup unsalted butter,, 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
Beat in egg and wine. Note: The batter may appear curdled.
1 large egg,, 1/4 cup sweet white wine,
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
1-1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring to mix.
Fold in the baking chips and, if desired, pecans.
1/2 cup white chocolate baking chips, 1/2 cup pecan halves,
Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake until the edges are brown and the center is set (be sure not to over bake!), about 25-30 minutes.
Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
While the blondes are cooling, combine the glaze ingredients.
1 cup powdered sugar, 2 Tablespoons sweet white wine,
After the blondies are completely cooled (wait for it!), drizzle the glaze over the blondies.
To remove the blondies from the pan, lifting with the parchment. Then cut into bars. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Information for White Wine Blondies

With Glaze

Calories/ Serving = 224
Carbs/Serving = 29 g
Protein/Serving = 2 g
Fat/Serving 11 g

Without the Glaze

Calories/ Serving = 193
Carbs/Serving = 21 g
Protein/Serving = 2 g
Fat/Serving 11 g

Choosing the Best White Wine for this Blondies Recipe

Tip #1: Select a wine that you like, whose flavor you enjoy. There is a false belief that if a wine doesn’t taste so good you can simply cook with it. However, when you cook or bake with wine, the flavors are quite often enhanced or intensified. So, if you didn’t like the wine well enough to drink it, you’re probably are not going to like having it in your blondie either.

Tip #2: Select a fruity and sweet wine. This is a dessert, and so you want a wine that will enhance its dessertiness. A dry wine won’t do that. I like Gewürztraminer, but Reisling is also a good choice. Other options include Moscato, Sauternes, and Tokaji.

If you want to flex your creativity, here are some experiments you can try:

Switch to a rose or champagne instead of white wine. The champagne can be fresh and still bubbly — or it can be a day old and flat, it will still bake well
Use different kinds of nuts, such as almonds or hazelnuts. Or use a mix! Select those you like. Mix and match. Have fun.
Instead of white chocolate chips, use butterscotch or peanut butter chips.
Instead of nuts or chips, use dried fruits such as dried cranberries, dried blueberries, or dried apricots (chopped up, of course!).

If you like this recipe, you might also like this Brookie recipe!

Tags blondie, brownie, Cookies