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  • National Pecan Day

    Pecan

    The versatile and delicious pecan

    Pecan is a versatile and delicious nut originally from North America; it has a uniquely smooth taste which makes it popular nut to use in many recipes from entrees to desserts.  April 14th is National Pecan Day, and is the perfect opportunity to try out those new recipes, especially if you feel like trying something new.

    Not only is the pecan nut a great addition to many dishes, it also has many health benefits such as:

    • High in Antioxidants – Full of Vitamin E and other antioxidants, the pecan can help prevent cancer and heart disease as well as helping your body’s natural defences.
    • Lots of Minerals – Pecans contain many vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium. The right types of vitamins and minerals in your body help organs function etc.
    • Good Source of Fibre and Protein – Protein and fibre are vital for muscle growth and digestive health so that your system can properly utilise all food you digest.
    • Increases Metabolism – Nuts are a great way of helping you lose weight as they can speed up your metabolic rate and can also make you feel fuller for longer, preventing you from eating unhealthy snacks.

    Pecans taste similar to walnuts, and although they can be a little bitter when not fully ripened, these lovely nuts are used in many dishes including the famous pecan pie. Pecans bring out the flavours of many meals which is why they make a great addition to puddings and savoury dishes alike.

    The traditional Pecan pie

    Used in salads, stuffing, pies, cookies and as garnishes, pecans are amazingly versatile and can be a great source of nutrition too. A traditional Pecan Pie is so simple to make, and is a great way to start your love of pecans this National Pecan Day.

    You will need:

    • 6 egg yolks
    • 1 sweet pie shell
    • 1/3 cup golden syrup
    • 1/3 cup brown sugar
    • 1/3 cup cream
    • 1/3 cup maple syrup
    • 2 ½ cups pecans
    • 3 tbsp melted butter

    Preheat oven to 180C. Evenly spread pecans across baking tray and roast for 5-10 minutes. Whilst the pecans are roasting, mix the sugar, syrups and yolks together then whisk well. Add the cream and melted butter and then whisk the mixture again. Stir in the roasted pecans and pour the whole mixture into the pie shell. Place in the oven until golden (between 25 and 35 minutes) and allow to cool before serving.

    If you want to try a savoury pecan recipe, you will love Pecan crusted Pork Pinwheels, Wild rice and Pecan salad or Candied Pecan bacon. All you need for the bacon recipe is ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup chopped pecans, 1 tbsp plain flour, 1 lb lean sliced bacon. Preheat oven to 350F and mix the pecans, sugar and flour on a plate lightly cover the bacon in the mixture and bake each on a broiler until slightly crisp – a perfect afternoon snack with drinks!

    Find more Pecan recipes on Recipebridge.

  • Following My Cheese

    Following My Cheese

    Did you know where your favorite cheese came from?

    We loved this infographic about cheese and where different cheese varieties are derived from, from the site, visual.ly.

    Unless we are lactose intolerant, we all love one or the other variety of cheese. Some of the best cheese producing countries include Spain, Italy and of course France. Most food chefs swear by Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, which is a saltier cheese with a granular texture, often shredded or shaved over food. Mozzerella is one of the most popular fresh cheeses finding it’s way in everyday meal. What are some of your favorite cheeses?

    Different Flavors of Cheese

    Cheeses are often served as appetizers or condiments or garnish to main dishes. However, an array of dishes are cooked with cheeses too, giving them a rich and comforting flavor.

    Browse RecipeBridge with Cheese recipes to cook tonight!

  • Eye Pleasing Colorful Bell Peppers

    Bell Peppers

    Sweet and Tangy Bell Peppers

    Bell peppers come in a rainbow of colors from green to red to orange. These tangy, yet sweet vegetables add crunch to many recipes, and are delicious cooked too. While the green and purple peppers have a slightly bitter flavor, the red, orange and yellows are sweeter and almost fruity. Capsaicin or the heat element is found in very small quantities in these, so these are a much milder form of peppers.

    Bell peppers are a very rich source of carotenoids and Vitamin C. As they ripen their anti oxidant properties also increase, making them a very beneficial vegetable. Their scientific name is Capsicum annuum. And in many parts of the world bell peppers are actually referred to as capsicums. Paprika is a dried powdered form of bell pepper which is a commonly used spice.

    Here’s our pick of bell pepper or capsicum recipes for you to enjoy:

    Share your favorite recipes with bell peppers with us!

    As always, we love to hear from you. Find more bell pepper recipes on Recipebridge and post your favorite ones with bell peppers on our Facebook page or Tweet us!

  • Recipebridge on Pinterest

    Recipebridge on Pinterest

    Scrap booking recipes with Pinterest

    If you have ever made wedding scrapbooks or folders of your favourite recipes, then you will love Pinterest. Pinterest is a virtual pin board where you can collect and organise images and ideas of the things that you like.

    Pinterest is an online community where users can select images etc to “pin” as a way of expressing their interests to the rest of the community. Each user can have several pin boards, and each one can have several “pins” on it to show an array of interests. For example, someone might have a pin board which features wedding plan ideas, another board which features living room decor ideas, and another which features their favourite recipes…This is where Recipe Bridge comes in!

    Recipebridge on Pinterest

    Recipebridge is on Pinterest so that the Pinterest community can connect with other food enthusiasts and experts and share their love of food and new recipes.  Either “like” the recipes that you find or pin them onto your own personal pin boards and let people know what you are interested in. The great thing about the pins, are that you can simply browse other people’s pin boards and if you find something you like, you can re-pin it to your own board. Check out the people that have already “pinned” Recipebridge: http://pinterest.com/source/recipebridge.com/

    Recipebridge is always willing to share as many recipes as we can with the online community. What you do with them is up to you. You might want to just pin them to your virtual board to save as a meal for later in the week. On the other hand, when browsing you might find food or drink recipes that are ideal for special occasions. These can be pinned to separate boards as you go, and you will soon have a great collection of images and ideas to make the most of this new online tool.

    If you like the sound of Recipebridge on Pinterest then have a look at our page: Recipebridge’s Pinterest page.

     

  • Introducing Just Coffee

    Just Coffee

    Just Coffee for you

    For all you coffee lovers out there, we have just launched a new site that is perfect for you – ‘Just Coffee’! The site is totally dedicated to all things coffee related and features all the latest and most fascinating coffee videos from across the web; all in one place. Videos featured might include how to make the perfect cup of coffee, recipes, or even recipes for foods that will perfectly complement the coffee tastes. New coffee videos are added every few days or so and they are a great opportunity for you to learn about different types of coffee, brands that might appeal to you or new blends which you are sure to love. If you want to educate yourself about coffee, or just love the stuff, then Just Coffee is the ideal site for you.

    Just Coffee has all the secrets to making the perfect cup of coffee

    Find your favorite videos, recipes and more on Just Coffee.

  • Easter Food Traditions Around the World

    Easter candy

    Easter egg hunt or Easter bunny?

    With Christians making up about one third of the world’s population, it is no wonder that Easter is widely celebrated around the globe. However, Easter is also celebrated by plenty non-Christians and it is this time of year which is a great time to start celebrating spring too! Different traditions come hand in hand with the Easter holidays, so if you want to celebrate like so many other people out there, read on…

    American Easter Traditions

    Easter parades are a big thing in America, and although not as popular as they once were, these processions of people are still a chance for people to dress up in fashionable and colourful clothes. There is traditionally a parade held on Fifth Avenue in New York City, but there are others elsewhere too of a more informal type. Rolling eggs is a big Easter activity for children, and painting eggs and going on egg hunts is also a huge tradition in America and other places in the world.

    Australian Easter Traditions

    The Sydney Royal Easter show is a huge Easter event in Australia, which celebrates Australian heritage and many rural aspects of the island. Taking in place in the autumn rather than the spring, the Easter period in Australia is a huge build up to the winter months. Although the Easter bunny is a huge symbol of Easter in many cultures, it isn’t very welcome in Australia. The rabbit is seen as a “crop destroyer” down under, so it has been replaced with an endangered species of bandicoot – the Bilby. Chocolate bilbies still let the Aussies get a chocolate fix – but ensure a totally rabbit-free Australia!

    Greek Easter Traditions

    Celebrated even more than Christmas, Greek celebrations of Easter are very different to America and Australia. The Greek Orthodox faith that dominates Greece views Easter as not just as the traditional Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Greek Easters are very sacred occasions where traditional foods such as Eater breads and simple dishes are made so as to focus on worship. Church bells ring continuously on Holy Friday, flags are hung at half mast, eggs are painted red, and flowers are taken to church by women and children. Lambs are eaten on Easter Sunday, and the day is packed full of festivities.

    French Easter Traditions

    Lamb is also prepared in France as the main Easter Sunday meal, and similarly to the American traditions, the French also roll eggs down hills and have eggs scattered around households ready for Easter egg hunts. In mourning for Jesus’ crucifixion, church bells are not rung from Good Friday until Easter morning. Also, instead of the traditional Easter bunny, the French also have an alternative animal to represent the time of year, as April fool’s Day is on the 1st April, paper fish are stuck to as many people’s backs as you can get away with!

    Find Easter recipes on Recipebridge.

  • 4 Easter Brunch Menus You Can Put Together In Minutes

    Easter meal

    Easter Brunch or Lunch

    A mid-morning meal makes sense on Easter Sunday, mainly because it is a time to spend with friends and family, so if you are expecting guests this Easter weekend, why not prepare a meal with lots of variety for your visitors?

    The most important thing to remember about the Easter brunch is that it isn’t just a quick bowl of cereal – it should be treated with just as much attention and given just as much detail as the Easter Sunday dinner with roast lamb. The vital components of an Easter brunch are: The appetizer, main course, dessert and accompanying drink.

    Planning your Easter brunch is all about timing and how you set it out. Dining outside on Easter morning after church can be a great way of spending social time with friends and family, however, if there weather is a little too cold or indeed rainy, then an indoor brunch is definitely a better option.

    Putting together Easter menu

    Menu one:

    Appetizer – Fruit and Cheese Platter

    Main – Spicy Sausage and Vegetable Frittata

    Dessert – No Bake Bonnet Cookies

    Drink – Punch

    Menu two:

    Appetizer – Mini Sandwiches

    Main – Corn and Grits Casserole

    Dessert – Cream of Coconut Cake

    Drink – Blush Sangria

    Menu three:

    Appetizer – Corn and Cheddar Cornbread

    Main – Potato Gruyere Gratin

    Dessert – Apricot Scones

    Drink – Pomegranate Punch

    Menu four:

    Appetizer – Crabmeat Salad Nests

    Main – Onion and Cheese Tart

    Dessert – Double Berry Tart

    Drink – Citrus Champagne

    Find these and more Easter recipes on Recipebridge.

  • Hot Cross Buns to Sweeten Your Day

    Hot Cross Buns

    Celebrating hot cross buns on the National Hot Cross Bun Day

    Hot cross buns are English sweet, doughy rolls (sometimes containing currants) with a “cross” shape etched into the top of the dough using a knife or piped on with icing or pastry. Once, these lovely buns were only eaten on Good Friday, but now they are associated with the whole of the Easter period and consumed by many on a regular basis!

    The cross is said to symbolise Jesus’ crucifixion and the bread is also said to be symbolic of the ‘Body of Christ’. In England, hot cross buns are traditionally eaten to mark the day of the crucifixion, it was a traditional street cry of bakers that used to sell these buns on the streets of London in the 18th century which was later developed into an English Nursery Rhyme.

    The first reference to the “hot cross bun” was in Poor Robin’s Almanac (a satirical written series) in 1733. Although some say the buns were created to by pagans to worship the sun, Queen Elizabeth I passed a law that only allowed these spiced buns to be eaten at funerals, Good Friday and Christmas Day.

    Interesting Trivia on a hot cross bun

    The Oldest Bun

    The oldest hot cross bun in the world is said to have been baked in 1821 on the date of Napoleon’s death, and another still exists in Suffolk that was made in 1899.

    A Widow’s Story

    On the site of The Widow’s Son pub in East London, there used to stand a house where a widow lived. The widow’s son was in the navy and asked her to bake him hot cross buns for his arrival on Good Friday. The son never returned, and as a tribute, the widow baked another bun in memory of her son every year and hung them from the beams in the house. This is a tradition that has been continued into the present day by the pub owners and the Navy as a mark of respect.

    World’s Largest

    The largest hot cross bun in the world was created in 2011 and was made up the equivalent of 2300 individual buns and used a whopping 115kg bun mix, 2kg sugar for the glaze, and 23kg of mixed fruit. How did they find an oven big enough??

    Traditional hot cross bun recipes involve using dried fruits and syrup as a glaze for the top, however, newer and more exciting recipes are beginning to surface around the Easter period, so if you want to try something a little different, why not try Earl Grey and Mandarin? Or dates and cranberries? Or even cinnamon and raisin? The possibilities are endless!

    Home made hot cross buns

    Find many recipes of hot cross buns on Recipebridge.

    As always, we love to hear from you. Post your favorite recipes or trivia on hot cross buns on our Facebook page or Tweet us!

  • A Bloody Mary Bar for Easter Sunday

    Bloody Mary

    Bloody Mary’s for your Easter Brunch

    The Bloody Mary cocktail was said to have been created in 1921 by the American bartender Ferdinand Petiot, and since then it has soared in popularity and is known as the perfect brunch or afternoon drink. The main components are vodka, tomato juice and usually a dash of Tabasco sauce. However, over the years, curiosity has got the better of us and many variations on the popular cocktail have surfaced and with Fresh Tomato Day on April 6th, what better way to celebrate than with this famous tomato based drink?

    The different types of Bloody Marys out there today can contain different combinations of various ingredients. For example, some Bloody Marys are made with gin, beer or tequila instead of vodka, and other flavourings and garnishes are added to each concoction to give them a unique flavour e.g. celery, Worcestershire sauce, olives, cayenne pepper or even pickles!

    Gin

    By using gin in your Bloody Mary, you can add a different depth of flavour to the cocktail. If you enjoy the taste of tomatoes, then gin is a great option for you as it really accentuates the fruity flavour and brings out the tingly spices too!

    Vodka

    For a more traditional approach, opt for vodka in your Bloody Mary. It perfectly complements the strained tomato juice and spices and has a considerable kick – perfect for a morning pick me up!

    Beer

    Mix you Mary with beer instead of vodka for a tasty Michelada. The ice contrasts fantastically with the heat of the hot sauce and coarse salt and the lightness of the beer means that it is easier to drink than the strong vodka tastes.

    Tequila

    Still a spicy flavour, the Bloody Maria is made with tequila adding an even more creative alternative to the cocktail recipe. Pickles complement the tequila flavours beautifully and taste great once they have been soaking in the tequila-tomato mixture!

    Punch

    Ideal for sharing with others, Bloody Mary punch can be made with sweeter cherry tomatoes or pre-strained tomato juice. Pour the mixture into a pitcher and make sure you have plenty of ice to hand to contrast with the spicy Tabasco flavours.

    How do you like your Bloody Mary?

    Find many recipes of Bloody Mary with the different ingredient combination on Recipebridge.

    As always, we love to hear from you. Post your favorite tips for mixing Bloody Mary on our Facebook page or Tweet us!

  • Easter Treats and Cookies

    Easter treats and cookies

    Easter treats for your Easter baskets and spring celebrations

    Around the Easter holidays, you will notice plenty of Easter treats including cookies, macaroons, cupcakes and bunny shaped candies hitting the shelves. With so many sweet treats out there with lots of Easter frosting to match the occasion, it is hard to resist, but if you want to make any of your own Easter creations, then look no further – with just a few simple ingredients and easy baking methods you too can have your very own sweet treats right in your own kitchen. And you even get the satisfaction of saying “I baked that myself!”

    Easter Cookies

    Rabbit shaped gingerbreads of buttery biscuits are great traditional cookies to serve around the Easter period. Baking them yourself and leaving them plain, ready for your kids to decorate with writing icing is a great way of adding to the colour and flavour of the cookies…and a great way to keep the kids quiet for an hour!

    Find recipes for Easter cookies on Recipebridge.

    Easter Cupcakes

    A great base for decoration, cupcakes are the ideal confectionery treat to bake at Easter because they are just so versatile. A simple cupcake recipe is so simple, and a great thing to do with children or as a Sunday afternoon activity on your own. Simple cupcakes taste great and can be decorated with Easter themed icing to make it as seasonal and as colourful as you like.

    Find Easter cupcake recipes on Recipebridge.

    Easter Cake Pops

    With small blobs of cake dipped in candy coating or melted chocolate at the end of a stick, Easter cake pops are a great way to show off your creative side this Easter. Like a bit size cake and a bit like a lollipop, cake pops are beginning to show themselves at many food-dominated holidays, but Eater is the prefect time to experiement with your decoration – get lots of decorative extras and you can start making bunnies, eggs, chicks and anything else Easter-themed that you can think of!

    Find cake pops recipes on Recipebridge.

    Easter Candies

    Candy corns are a huge phenomenon at Easter, and although they are mainly associated with Chirstmas or Halloween, Easter candy corns are a great table decoration and sweet treat to offer guests at Easter – especially if they are the perfect Easter colours. Mix your palettes of colours at Easter and stick to plenty of pastel shades such as pinks, blues, greens and yellows and you’ll want to keep making more and more!

    Find more Easter candies recipes on Recipebridge.

    What are your favorite Easter treats?

    As always, we love to hear from you. Post your favorite Easter treats on our Facebook page or Tweet us!