Category: Food News

Taco Cabana’s Latest Innovations: A Sneak Peek at New Menu Offerings

Taco Cabana unveils exciting new street food fest menu offerings and giveaway opportunities. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Attention Taco Cabana fans: there’s some new menu additions on the way.

Tex-Mex innovator Taco Cabana (TC) is thrilled to announce the debut of its enticing new Street Food Fest offerings, available beginning on Wednesday, July 3 in all Texas locations. The fusion of flavors available this Summer at Taco Cabana is sure to erupt the taste buds of each guest. (Taco Cabana, 2024)

Included in the new lineup are Cheetos® Flamin’ Hot® Taco, Al Pastor Tortas and Street Tacos, Brisket Loaded Fries and Nachos, Caramel Iced Coffee, and MTN DEW MAJOR MELON Rum Punch. 

“The possibilities for delicious and fun innovation are truly endless at Taco Cabana. We’re devoted to giving our guests delicious offerings that they love and trying out new things to let them discover more! This will be a memorable Taco Cabana Summer that guests can enjoy with loved ones or solo.” – Ulyses Camacho, President and COO of Taco Cabana

In an iconic collaboration with Cheetos® and Mountain Dew, Taco Cabana is pleased to introduce the all new Cheetos® Flamin’ Hot® Taco and MTN DEW MAJOR MELON Rum Punch. The Cheetos® Flamin’ Hot® Taco is made with a fresh flour tortilla, and filled with ground beef, Cheetos Flamin’ Hot snacks, shredded lettuce, and Cheetos® Flamin’ Hot® infused sauce. The frozen MTN DEW MAJOR MELON Rum Punch is made with Bacardi Rum and Mountain Dew Major Melon. This daring new duo creates a flavor harmony that will light up the market with excitement.

Additionally, Al Pastor Street Tacos and Al Pastor Tortas will be added to Taco Cabana’s menu. Taco Cabana’s al pastor recipe includes diced pork marinated in a combination of dried chilies and spices. Each serving features three street tacos with corn tortillas and pork al pastor, topped with cilantro and onions. They will be available as plates and combos. Plates include rice, choice of beans, shredded lettuce, guacamole and two tortillas. Combos include a 20 oz. drink plus small chips and queso. The torta is made with a toasted bolillo bun, layered with pork al pastor, fresh refried beans, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo and a side of salsa ranch. 

Due to popular customer demand for all the recent brisket additions on the menu, Taco Cabana is also adding Brisket Loaded Fries to its menu, in addition to Nachos. The loaded fries are seasoned and topped with queso, smoked brisket, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo. The nachos are served with refried beans, queso, sour cream, guacamole, and topped with delicious smoked brisket. 

Just in time to beat the Texas summer heat, Taco Cabana is excited to introduce a refreshing new beverage: Caramel Iced Coffee. Perfect for starting your day or enjoying an afternoon pick-me-up, this delicious drink is crafted to keep you cool and energized all summer long. 

The fun doesn’t stop with the new Street Food Fest menu items because Taco Cabana is also introducing Taco Tuesdays for MY TC! Reward Members. Members will get double points every Tuesday when purchasing a taco plus a Pepsi drink. After purchase, members are automatically entered for a chance to win a Grand Prize weekend adventure at Kalahari Resorts, plus other weekly prizes like FREE taco combos for a year and a Summer Beach Bundle. The bundle will include Sunglasses, a Waterproof Phone Case, an Insulated Bottle, Duffle Bag, Bluetooth Speaker, Beach Towel, Backpack Cooler and Racket Ball Set for a Beach Game. 

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly-made flour tortillas, and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of January 1, 2024, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Dole kicks off a year of health and hunger relief initiatives

Dole is presenting sponsor of the ‘Get Fit for No Kid Hungry’ initiative targeting national fitness and wellness influencers in January 2024. Photo: Google

Dole Food Company has started a busy year of health, wellness, and hunger-relief initiatives by extending its partnership with No Kid Hungry, a campaign of Share Our Strength, committed to ending hunger and poverty, for a third consecutive year in 2024. The company’s alliance with the national nonprofit began in summer 2020 in response to the impact of COVID-19 when schools closed and millions more U.S. children were left facing hunger. (Dole Food Company, 2024)

Dole’s ongoing work with No Kid Hungry includes nutrition education, fundraising support, and at-retail initiatives to help the thirteen million kids in the U.S. who are living with hunger to have access to three healthy meals a day.

The produce leader is also the presenting sponsor of Get Fit for No Kid Hungry, an influencer-based health and wellness fundraising initiative designed to rally the nation’s top fitness and nutrition experts to host health-related livestream classes and web-based instruction throughout January. In addition to sponsoring the program, Dole is encouraging its own partner bloggers and influencers to inspire their followers to get fit and give back in the New Year by donating to No Kid Hungry.

The renewed collaborations with No Kid Hungry are part of a milestone year for Dole that will include virtual health and wellness workshops, new brand ambassadors, dozens of new, produce-based recipes and local and national celebrations marking the 125th anniversary of DOLE® Bananas.

“We’ve been honored to work alongside No Kid Hungry over the past three years in their quest to ensure that every child in the U.S. gets the healthy food they need to thrive. While we’ve made some great strides together, there is still much work to do to fulfill both organizations’ goals of addressing hunger and food insecurity for children.” – William Goldfield, Dole Food Company’s director of corporate communications

“Access to healthy food unlocks so much opportunity for our nation’s kids. When kids have access to three meals a day, they can dream big and have a bright future. That’s why we’re so incredibly grateful to Dole and our other Get Fit partners, as well as the many fitness, health and wellness experts hosting ‘Get Fit for No Kid Hungry’ livestream classes this January to help raise awareness and funds to connect kids to the food they need. Together, we can get fit, give back and make sure kids across the country have access to the fuel they need to grow up healthy and strong.” – Carla Warner, senior director of Revenue Innovation at Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign

Active in the health and wellness blogger and influencer space since 2009, Dole recruited several Get Fit for No Kid Hungry influencers participating in the 2022 and 2023 programs. The company is encouraging its millions of social media followers, employees, customers, Dole Nutrition News e-newsletter subscribers, growers, retailers and other industry partners to contribute to the effort.

Dole plc

Dole plc, is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education.

No Kid Hungry

No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids in the United States live with hunger. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty.

Taco Cabana celebrates National Tequila Day

Taco Cabana celebrates National Tequila Day with $6.99 Double Crunch Pizza and Margarita bundle deal. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Starting Friday, July 21, 2023 through Monday, July 24, 2023, in celebration of National Tequila Day (July 24, 2023), Taco Cabana will offer a special bundle deal including any flavor of its popular Double Crunch Pizza and any flavor of its signature frozen margaritas for just $6.99 at all Texas Taco Cabana locations. TC guests can choose from Double Crunch Pizza flavors like Ground Beef, Shredded Chicken or Ghost Pepper Ground Beef and pair it with one of TC’s refreshing margarita flavors – perfect for the sizzling summer season. (Taco Cabana, 2023)

The offer is valid for Friday, July 21, 2023 through Monday, July 24, 2023 only during standard hours of operation at all participating Texas Taco Cabana locations. It does not include TC’s Triple Crunch Pizza.

The Double Crunch Pizza and margarita bundle is available through curbside pick-up, drive-thru, in-restaurant, and via mobile order through the My TC! App.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of July 10, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

 

Useful guide to becoming a better cook

Assorted spices on brown wooden table beside red and white textile. Photo: Engin Akyurt/Pexels, used with permission.

If you want to become a better cook, then you are already taking a positive step towards making happier and healthier meals for your family. Take a look below to find out more.

Collect Skills

Home cooks should try and develop a repertoire of tried-and-tested recipes. It’s important to collect skills as well. When you have mastered everything, you can then apply them to several different recipes.  You should ideally know how to make an omelet, a steak, and a simple pan sauce. Other skills you need to master include making classic gravy and short crust pastry. If you can do this, then the world is your oyster when it comes to your cooking journey.

Emulate Professional Chefs

If you want to become a better cook at home, then you need to try and emulate the professionals. You can usually tell if someone is a good cook or not by simply looking at their kitchen. Everything should have a place and ingredients should be stacked, labelled and finally, organized. Your kitchen should be free from clutter, and you should also have a time plan for when you’re cooking. Not taking the time to read the recipe from start to end is a major mistake. You need to know in advance if you need to be leaving something overnight, so keep that in mind.

Invest in your Equipment

If you have a budget, then spend the whole thing on some new knives. Knives should be comfortable, and they should also have a good weight. Store them in a knife block and never put them in the dishwasher. You should have a large cook’s knife for meal prep and a paring knife for things that require greater control. This is especially the case when it comes to cutting up smaller ingredients. A serrated knife is great if you intend to cut up bread and cake too. If you haven’t got one already, then make sure that you invest in a sharpening steel. This will help you to keep your blades nice and sharp.

Choose Gadgets Wisely

If you go to a professional kitchen, then you won’t find gimmicky gadgets. You will find labor saving appliances, such as spice grinders, food processors, mandolins, and meat thermometers. Micro graters are also great to have. If you want to experiment with cutting gadgets then these fall salad recipes are great, as you can practice cutting up different vegetables with ease.

Taste Everything

You need to taste everything again and again. Sometimes a sprinkling of chili flakes ruins a dish, but other times it saves it. Take care when using salted butter in your recipes as it is very difficult to over season this way. Most chefs will use unsalted butter for this very reason. If you are cooking using a white sauce then white pepper seasons the dish while stopping it from having large black lumps, like you’d get with black pepper. You’ll pick up little tricks as you go, so make sure that you keep this in mind.

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Taco Cabana launches limited time Southwest Ranchero menu items and Breakfast Cabana Bowls

Taco Cabana’s ‘Gigante’ Breakfast Cabana Bowls are available during breakfast hours only. Photo: Taco Cabana

Arriving just in time for summer, Taco Cabana invites guests to enjoy its newest offerings, including the tasty Southwest Ranchero Cabana Bowl® and quesadilla, as well as three all-new “Gigante” Breakfast Cabana Bowls® and a country sausage breakfast taco. Launched on June 21, 2023, these menu items will be available at all Texas Taco Cabana locations while supplies last. (Taco Cabana, 2023)

TC’s latest culinary innovation – the new “Gigante” Breakfast Cabana Bowls® – served three different ways with the guests’ choice of new, deliciously seasoned country sausage and egg, chorizo and egg, or all egg served in a signature TC crispy tortilla shell. Each bowl includes seasoned potatoes, refried beans, queso and pico de gallo and will be available for $4.99 each. Those looking for extra flavor and crunch can add two strips of crispy bacon for $1.59.

A seasoned country sausage breakfast taco will also be introduced to the TC menu for $2.19. The “Gigante Breakfast Cabana Bowls®” and country sausage breakfast taco will be available for purchase during breakfast hours only.

TC’s new Southwest Ranchero offerings are a must-try this summer season. The Southwest Ranchero quesadilla consists of two TC flour tortillas filled with grilled Chicken Fajita, ranchero salsa made with black beans and roasted corn, melted Jack & Cheddar cheeses, pico de gallo and served with a side of sour cream and fresh guacamole and is available in two sizes: small for $6.99 and large for $10.99. The Southwest Ranchero Cabana Bowl® is filled with grilled Chicken Fajita, ranchero salsa made with black beans and roasted corn, rice, refried beans, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and sour cream in a crispy tortilla shell available for $8.39.

TC’s new Southwest Ranchero menu items, country sausage breakfast taco and “Gigante” Breakfast Cabana Bowls® can be ordered in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, via the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App or online while supplies last.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of June 8, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

“Great-tasting bowls have long been part of our TC menu. We invite everyone to TC to try our bowl variety. We’re proud of our continued culinary innovation and the introduction of these new bowl options and flavors across all of our TC dayparts – breakfast, lunch and dinner. The new seasoned country sausage breakfast taco and ‘Gigante’ Breakfast Cabana Bowl® also provide our guests an additional protein choice for breakfast. Guests have told us that they’re looking for new breakfast options and they’ll be amazed at not only the tastes, but the size of the new breakfast bowls, filled to the tortilla shell rim for just $4.99 each. We call them ‘Gigante’ for a reason.” – Ulyses Camacho, Taco Cabana President and COO

Diversifying your plate: tips for introducing new foods to your diet

Woman in purple eating. Photo: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels, used with permission.

We often stick to the tried and tested when it comes to our dietary habits. However, opening up your taste buds to new flavors not only broadens your culinary horizons but gives you a range of health benefits. Here are five strategies to break the monotony and introduce new foods to your diet effectively.

Start Small: Embrace Baby Steps

Introducing new foods into your diet can feel like a culinary adventure. To make this journey smooth and enjoyable, it’s essential to start with small servings. Our palate sometimes needs time to adjust to unfamiliar flavors and small portions can make this adjustment period more manageable.

Imagine you’ve stumbled across a tantalizing lamb burgers recipe, and you’re eager to give it a try. Go all-in and prepare a full meal around this new dish; or you could consider starting with just a mini burger or two, pairing them with familiar side dishes. This step-by-step approach allows your taste buds to familiarize themselves with the new flavors gradually, enhancing your chances of developing a liking for the new food.

Pair With Favorites: Use The Trojan Horse Method

Pairing new foods with your all-time favorites can be a smart way to experiment. This technique not only enhances the flavor profile of your dishes but also makes the unfamiliar, more familiar.

You might love your grilled chicken and use it regularly in your salads. So, when introducing a new vegetable like kale, pair it with your grilled chicken salad. The familiar taste of chicken can help mask the bitterness of kale, aiding your taste buds to get accustomed to it.

Explore Cultural Dishes: The World Is Your Oyster

Every culture has a unique culinary repertoire that can open a whole new world of flavors. Exploring international cuisines not only widens your food choices but also exposes you to a range of nutritious options.

Japanese cuisine, for example, is known for its use of seafood and fermented foods that are excellent for gut health. On the other hand, Mediterranean cuisine utilizes a plethora of fresh vegetables, legumes, and olive oil, which are renowned for heart health. So why not try a traditional Greek moussaka or an Indian lentil curry and bring the world to your kitchen?

Engage Your Senses: Make Eating A Mindful Activity

Mindful eating is a powerful strategy to accept new foods. Paying attention to the colors, smells, and textures of your food can enhance your overall eating experience.

Think of it as a sensory exploration. Say, for a new fruit like dragon fruit, observe its vibrant color, feel its leathery skin, smell its fresh aroma, and then take a bite. This sensory engagement can make the unfamiliar food more appealing and enjoyable.

Be Patient: Accept That It’s A Process

The journey of diversifying your plate is a gradual process. It’s completely natural to not like a new food the first time you try it. Research suggests it may take up to 15 times of trying a new food before you develop a liking for it. So, don’t give up on the first try.

Remember, every step you take towards introducing new foods to your diet is a victory. And over time, your palate will grow to appreciate the variety, leading to a more nourishing and satisfying eating experience.

To sum it up, introducing new foods to your diet doesn’t need to be a daunting task. By following these tips, you can gradually expand your culinary landscape, making your meals not just healthier, but also more interesting and enjoyable.

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Tips for improving your cooking skills

Assorted spices on brown wooden table beside red and white textile. Photo: Engin Akyurt/Pexels, used with permission.

Unless you’ve got millions of dollars in the bank, you’ll need to know how to prepare meals. It would be nice if you could eat at restaurants or have your own private chef, but for the vast majority of us, that’s just not possible. To keep your finances in check and to eat well, you’ll need to cook at home on most nights. 

And this chore can be difficult, or straightforward and enjoyable, depending on the extent of your cooking skills. If you know how to cook, then you’ll be in a good position to eat well on most nights. Don’t think your current cooking skills are up to standard? Fear not — there are plenty of ways to improve, as we’ll see below. 

Do It Regularly

You can’t expect to get good at something if you only do it once in a blue moon. Cooking is a skill like anything else: the more you do it, the better you’ll get at it. We all go through periods when we eat out more, or just use the microwave to prepare our meals. But at some point, you’ll need to commit to making your meals — it’s the only way to get better at it. Over time, you’ll find that you’ve actually gotten pretty good at it. 

New Recipes

You won’t improve your cooking skills if you’re making the same couple of dishes over and over again. That approach might make you good at making those specific dishes, but you probably couldn’t call yourself a good cook. A person who’s good in the kitchen can make a wide range of dishes. Not that the new recipes you add to your repertoire have to be overly challenging. They just need to be different. This easy instant pot Chinese pepper steak recipe, for instance, will allow you to bring a touch of Asian flavor to your cooking. It might be easy to make, but it’ll certainly be a big hit with your family.

Critically Taste Your Creations

You can’t know how good your meals are if you’re just passively consuming them. You’ll only know how to improve if you’re tasting your dishes critically. That is to say, you’re eating them consciously, and really thinking about the taste. Did you add too much salt? Could you have used more salt? By developing your sense of taste, you’ll be able to figure out how good your current dishes are, and where you need to improve. 

Find Better Ingredients

This is perhaps the easiest way to improve the quality of your dishes. The quality of your ingredients will have a direct impact on the final product. After all, you can’t expect low-quality ingredients to produce an outstanding meal. Only the best ingredients will do that. There’s a misconception that better ingredients have to cost more, but that’s not always the case — you can get excellent deals on produce from a farmer’s market, for instance. It’s worth reading the ingredients list of the items you buy to ensure that it really is a quality ingredient. 

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Fun ways to spend those long summer evenings

Food on brown wooden table with chairs and plates. Photo: Pexels

The sun hasn’t quite gone down yet, the sky is peachy orange or pale pink, and the air has a certain haze to it. That’s right, the season of long summer evenings is in full swing. And finding ways to spend time when it’s seemingly forever light outside is all part of the charm. But if you’re already out of ideas for this year, we’ve got a couple of suggestions for you down below. Use this time wisely – it’ll be winter again before you know it.

Spend Time in the ‘Pool’
Lucky enough to have a pool, or a hot tub? If not, don’t worry. Even if you don’t have one, you can buy a small paddling pool and spend some time luxuriating in the warm outside air and the weightless feeling around you.

Set it up in a flat, private space, wear your favorite swimwear items, pour yourself a yummy drink, and then spend a good half hour out there watching the sun go down. The water will help to keep you cool, and as that elusive evening breeze moves in, you’ll be able to truly cool off from the day behind you.

Host a Proper Streaming Night
Whether you’ve got a new box set to binge or you want to watch a bunch of horror movies back to back, this idea will align neatly with your plans. Why not host a big streaming night for your friends to come along to? Make up a creamy crack dip with bacon and cheese, make sure there are plenty of dipping chips available on plates (with a few raw vegetables for a healthy option!), and buy some special drinks for the occasion too.

Take the Cinema Outside
Tired of evenings indoors? If you’ve got the garden space, you can invest in a projector and a screen to show it all on. Wait until it’s a bit darker outside, put up an awning or gazebo to sit under and keep the screen safe, and set up some fairy or candle lights. Once you’ve done this, invite a couple people around for an outdoor cinema night. Put on your favorite movies, or have a theme night featuring the best animated classics, and watch late into the night while it’s warm and cozy outside.

Go Adventuring with a Pet
If you’ve got a dog, or even a cat, take them out in those later evening hours while there’s still a bit of sunlight. A late one down the dog park or through your neighborhood, your pet by your side with a few treats in your pocket – it can be magical. And it’s good to get a bit of late day exercise; it can help you cool off, give you a healthy outlet from heat frustrations, and it’ll help you meet other lovely pet owners looking to do the same thing.

Long summer evenings don’t have to be boring, or overbearing with the heat! Make it fun with ideas like these.

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Time saving recipes you are sure to love

These recipes include something for everyone. Photo: Google

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, finding the time to cook wholesome meals can seem like an impossible task. Yet, with a few tricks up your sleeve and a repertoire of quick, delicious recipes, you can create meals that save time and satisfy your palate. To prove the point, here are some time-saving recipes that you are sure to love, including a comforting slow cooker beef stroganoff.

1. Slow cooker beef stroganoff
The slow cooker is a boon for anyone looking for time-saving recipes. This beef stroganoff recipe, is perfect for a stress-free dinner. With ingredients like stew meat, fresh mushrooms, Italian seasoning, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic, cream cheese, sour cream, and pasta, you’re all set for a hearty meal. And best of all, you don’t need to do much more than add the ingredients to the slow cooker and turn it on, adding pasta or rice later on. It’s so simple, creamy, and delicious, you will soon be adding it to your regular rotation.

Photo: Pixabay

2. Quick vegetable stir-fry
Vegetable stir-fry is another time-saving recipe, ready in 20 minutes. It’s versatile, healthy, and can be tailored to suit your taste buds. Grab a variety of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and snap peas. Sauté these in a pan with olive oil, minced garlic, and ginger. Add your favorite stir-fry sauce and toss everything until well-coated and cooked. Serve this over steamed rice or noodles for a quick, balanced meal.

Photo: Pexels

3. Sheet pan salmon and asparagus
Sheet pan meals save time on preparation and clean-up. One delightful combination includes salmon fillets and asparagus. Preheat your oven and line a baking sheet with foil. Place your salmon fillets and asparagus on to the sheet pan. Drizzle with a big glug of olive oil and a light sprinkle of whatever seasonings you prefer. Roast in the oven until the fish is cooked through and the asparagus is tender. It’s a high-protein, low-carb meal that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook.

Photo: Pexels

4. Pasta Primavera
Pasta Primavera, brimming with fresh summer vegetables, is a delightful, time-saving recipe that’s perfect for busy evenings. It’s versatile, vibrant, and ready in just 20 minutes. You’ll need pasta of your choice, summer vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, salt, and pepper. Then it’s just a matter of boiling your pasta as you heat olive oil in a large pan, and sauté minced garlic until it’s fragrant. Add in your chopped vegetables, and cook them until they’re tender yet crisp. Sprinkle with salt and pepper for seasoning.

Once the pasta is cooked, simply drain it, but keep some of the pasta water. Combine the cooked pasta with the vegetables in the pan, tossing them together. If needed, add some of the reserved pasta water to moisten the dish. Top with grated parmesan and a few basil leaves and you will have a deliciously satisfying dish to enjoy.

Photo: Pexels

These time-saving recipes prove that cooking doesn’t need to be time-consuming or complicated to yield delicious results. So, what are you waiting for? Time to hit the kitchen.

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How to master the art of a home cooked meal

Cooking your meals at home is good for your health and your wallet. Photo: Alyson McPhee, used with permission.

There are so many reasons why cooking your meals at home is a good idea. While ordering takeout is easier, convenient, and often tastes great, it is not good for your health or your wallet. Because of this, more and more people are trying to get into cooking as a hobby and a way to feed themselves.

Unfortunately, cooking is not always easy, especially if you do not know where to start. This is where this article comes into the picture. With this advice, you can save money, improve your health, and learn how to make some delicious meals. 

Saving Money

With the recent rise in the cost of living, everything is expensive. You might reason that takeout is not much more expensive than buying groceries, but this is just a sign that you are buying groceries wrong. 

The first mistake people make is to neglect to write a list. This makes you more likely to forget something you need, so you end up having to go back to the grocery store, where you might pick up a bunch of other groceries. Write a list and plan what you will buy, ideally based on specific recipes. 

Writing a list also prevents you from buying food you do not need. Shopping when you are hungry leads to buying junk food and other unneeded items, which can lead to waste. Pay attention to prices as you buy, specifically the price per weight, which will tell you what provides better value for money.

The Right Recipes

If you are not familiar with cooking, then recipes are your friend. Ideally, you want to start with simple, delicious, and quick recipes so that you can get started on your cooking journey. Consider the nutritional value of the meals you cook as well.

For example, try some delicious brown sugar pork chops. You’ll love how simple yet tasty they are. Because they are packed with flavor, you can pair them with some steamed or sauteed vegetables for a quick, healthy, and easy meal.

Once you build a collection of recipes that you have learned, you naturally get a grasp of the basics of cooking. You learn how to hold and use a knife properly, as well as the best way to brown meat and create a sauce. You also grow more confident in your skills, which allows you to experiment or try more complicated dishes.

Cooking Classes

One way that you can improve your skills and grow in confidence is to find some local cooking classes. These will teach you specific techniques and tips that will boost your cooking ability, and give you some great ideas for meals. 

Cooking classes are also an excellent way to make new friends and connections. You can find classes geared towards your age group and your peers, or go for a mixed group. You never know who you might meet and what ideas you might pick up.

Learning how to cook is a good way to help yourself grow as a person and pick up some practical skills.

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