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The Perfect Oatmeal
The heart healthy oatmeal

Made from ground oats, oatmeal is often referred to as “porridge oats” and can be used in many foods including breakfast cereals. In its most natural form oatmeal is gluten free, however, if the grain is grown in the same field where previous gluten-containing grains once were harvested, there is the risk that some oatmeal cereal grains could contain gluten.

The grains that oatmeal can come in are:
- Crushed oats
- Ground oats
- Rolled oats
- Steel cut oats
National Oatmeal Month is in January, and it is a time where we can truly celebrate this wonderfully versatile and nutritious grain. Oatmeal is mainly celebrated because it is wonderfully healthy and one of its main health benefits is that it can lower cholesterol. A good source of fibre and B vitamins, oatmeal is also known to reduce hypertension, stabilise blood sugar levels and promote a healthy heart.

Although oatmeal’s origins are a little uncertain, it is said to have come from the Near East (i.e. near Turkey) and is not only popular in those areas but has also gained great popularity around the world too, featuring in an abundance of recipes.

Find variations to the traditional Oatmeal in some of these recipes:
Share your favorite oatmeal recipes with us!

As always, we love to hear from you. Find more oatmeal recipes on Recipebridge and post your favorite ones on our Facebook page or Tweet us!
February 22, 2012
Healthy Salads
Salads for a healthy start

Salads can come in many forms, and can be leafy or just a combination of lots of fresh vegetables. No matter how you like your salad, one thing is for sure – it is one of the healthiest meals you can eat. Whether you are eating it as a sandwich filling, as a side dish or as an entree, it is time to try some new recipes and get you really excited about salad!

You might think that a basic salad’s main components are lettuce leaves, tomatoes and cucumber. Although these can make a great basis for several salads, in general salads can have many different vegetables which make them special and delicious.

Leafy salads can contain lettuce, rocket, spinach, and maybe watercress. These salads can be very green in colour meaning that they are full of chlorophyll which makes them low in calories and highly nutritious. Adding protein such as meat or fish to a salad can not only boost its nutrition levels, but it can also add flavour and make the salad more filling. Similarly, adding grains such as rich, qunioa or couscous can also make the salad a lot more filling and the grains can help make the dish a slow-burning and low fat meal for anyone who wants to lose weight.

Find easy recipes for salads on Recipebridge

Check some of our favorite salad recipes:
Find more salad recipes on Recipebridge. What are your favorite recipes for salads?
February 20, 2012
Packing a Healthy Lunch
Healthy Lunch on the go

When it comes to a packed lunch, it is easy enough to grab some readily prepared food from a local supermarket or fast food outlet. However, these quick and convenient meals are often high in saturated fat and sugar, so if you want to ensure that you are getting the right nutrients in your midday meal, then listen up and change your eating habits for good.

The essential parts of a healthy lunch are:
- protein
- starch
- fruit
- vegetables
- dairy
Protein foods can include fish, meat, eggs or beans and can make up the filling of a sandwich. The starch comes from pasta, rice, potatoes or bread and is a great energy source – make sure that if you do have bread try and stick to wholemeal.

A salad (either in a separate pot or as an additional sandwich filler) is another essential part of a healthy lunch and can play a great part in making you feel fuller for longer as well. Fruit or dried fruit is a much healthier alternative to chocolate or sweets and the natural sugar in these foods can also give you the energy to keep going through the afternoon.

Don’t let yourself get bored of healthy lunches – there is enough variety of healthy foods out there to help you keep your meal times as healthy and as interesting as possible. At the start of each week, plan your lunches so that you can get the right kind of variety in your lunchbox for every day you aren’t at home. A treat (i.e. a small piece of cake or a little chocolate is fine as an occasional treat, but make sure that portions are small and that these treats don’t become a regular occurrence!)

Variety of lunch options to fuel your afternoon

Small portions of different cuisines are a great way for mixing up your healthy lunch times. Couscous for example is a beautiful traditional Moroccan dish which is a staple food in many countries as it is a healthy grain. It is low in fat and high in protein, making it a great addition to any packed lunch.

Check out Recipebridge’s variety of healthy lunch recipes such as protein based salads including chicken salad, or the tuna caper green salad. The meat and fish in each dish provide a great protein content and with plenty of seasoning, these are some of the tastiest salads you will ever try!

For even more variety, you could even try a healthy lunch made with quinoa. All you will need is quinoa, stock, a mixture of vegetables and a little olive oil and you will end up with a beautifully filling and truly tasty, healthy lunch.

Ultimately, planning ahead to create your healthy lunch can not only make you healthier, it can also stop you going to the nearest fast food outlet too and therefore can save you money! Find a plethora of healthy lunch recipes on Recipebridge.
February 17, 2012
Cozy Valentine Drinks to Share

Show stopping Valentine drinks

If you have paid for an expensive meal out for you and your partner on Valentine’s Day, a fun (and cheap) idea is to starting serving some different drinks to woo them even more! Whether they are very boozy or alcohol free, you are sure to impress by showing off your creative skills by making some beautifully seductive Valentine drinks.

Classic Cocktails

When it comes to serving up a truly romantic beverage, nothing is more impressive than the champagne cocktail. All you need is 1 cube white sugar, 20ml cognac, 2 dashes of bitters and champagne. Place the sugar cube on a spoon and soak the cube in the bitters. Drop the sugar cube in the champagne flute and add the cognac, then top up with champagne. Repeat with each glass.

Another classic cocktail recipe is the Strawberry Daiquiri. All you need for one glass of daiquiri is: 4 strawberries, 2 teaspoons white sugar, 1 tablespoon strawberry liqueur, 35ml white rum and 25ml lime juice. All ingredients should be mashed together in a cocktail shaker and then shaken well. For a smooth texture, strain the mixture into a martini glass.

Contemporary Twists

For a new edge on the old fashioned cocktail, you might want to focus on adding aphrodisiac ingredients to your cocktails this Valentine’s Day. Cocktails that contain either liqueurs, wines, chocolates or coffee have been said to enhance to libido.

If you want to try these aphrodisiac drinks, then why not try the Blushing Geisha – a perfectly romantic cocktail. TY KU liqueur is the main libido-inducing ingredient in this sweet creation. All you need is 2oz TY KU liqueur, 2oz rose nectar, and 1 oz pomegranate juice. Mix all ingredients together and pour into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

Non-Alcoholic Valentine drinks

Remember that not all people drink alcohol – and knowing that your loved one is going tee-total for a few months is worth remembering! This also means that even if you are driving, you can still take part in the cocktail fun. To make the Berry Sweetheart mocktail, place ice cubes in a tall glass. In a separate glass, mix the honey and juice together and pour them into your ice-filled glass. Add a glazed cheery for garnish if you wish.

If you or your partner would prefer something a little more sharp to the taste, try the Reno Cocktail. For just one glass of this mocktail you will need: 2oz grapefruit juice, 1oz lime juice, ½ oz grenadine, and 1 teaspoon fine sugar. Shake ingredients well and strain into an ice-filled cocktail glass.

Find recipes for Valentine mocktails on Recipebridge.

Even if you would rather cuddle up in front of a roaring fire with a mug of hot chocolate this Valentine’s Day, make it a romantic occasion; after all, Valentine’s Day only comes round once a year! Find recipes for Valentine drinks on Recipebridge.

February 14, 2012
Seductive Dark Chocolate for Valentine’s Day

Indulge with Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is seductive, healthy and scrumptious. Unlike its relatives Milk and White, dark chocolate has a very distinctive, slightly bitter yet exceedingly rich flavour. Scientific research has shown that dark chocolate is packed full of nutrients and antioxidants and has also been known to slow down the aging of your muscles. As with everything in life, dark chocolate needs to be consumed in moderation…but it’s always nice to hear that something so indulgent can have so many health benefits too!

Chocolate Fondue

Dark chocolate has been known to ease pain and help make you happier – and what better way to try it than as a fondue? A chocolate fondue is basically melted chocolate either placed in a pot or flowing out of a chocolate fountain – an ideal place for people to socialise whilst dipping in fruit or marshmallows.

Find chocolate fondue recipes on Recipebridge.

Chocolate Covered Fruit

Most people have heard of chocolate covered strawberries, but when it comes to experimenting with other fruits, bananas, apples and mangos are also very popular choices. The richness of the dark chocolate perfectly complements the sweet flavours of the fruit, making it a truly delicious and ever so slightly indulgent treat.

Find recipes for chocolate covered treats on Recipebridge.

Chocolate Treats

Chocolate treats can come in a variety of forms including cookies, cakes, buttons, fudge, truffles, muffins and much more! IF you are looking for a small dark chocolate fix, why not have it hot and in a mug? Dark hot chocolate is an extremely decadent treat but a healthier option than regular hot chocolate!

Find recipes for chocolate treats on Recipebridge.

Chocolate Desserts

As part of a dark chocolate themed Valentine’s Day dinner, a rich dessert is essential. The chocolatier the better when it comes to Valentine’s Day, and the bittersweet tastes of rich chocolate puddings served with a blob of vanilla ice cream is the perfect way to finish off a romantic meal.

Find recipes for chocolate desserts on Recipebridge.

You can find more recipes with dark chocolate on Recipebridge to indulge your loved ones this Valentine’s day.

February 13, 2012
3 Million Recipes

Just in time for Valentine’s Day and in the quest to cook something for your valentine, RecipeBridge the leading recipe search engine has just indexed its 3 millionth recipe.

Since being acquired in June 2011 by the team at Gourmet Ads, we’ve engineered a dedicated recipe search robot that comprehensively indexes recipes from right around the internet. Recipes are in all types of formats on the internet, but we thing we’ve created a way to index them and compare them against each other, providing the best recipes at the top of the results.

The good news is, we’re only getting started. In our mission to index every recipe that’s published on the internet, helping people find the best recipe to cook. You can keep track of how many recipes we’ve indexed on the homepage of RecipeBridge.

In the coming weeks we’ll be adding two new great features to the site, so stay tuned to RecipeBridge blog for announcements.

So if you’re a site owner and your recipes are not included in RecipeBridge, then submit your site here http://www.recipebridge.com/submit

February 13, 2012
Decadent Valentine Cookies and Treats

Whip up some special Valentine Cookies this season

Valentine cookies play a massive part in the Valentine’s Day festivities and it with this in mind that so many people either buy or bake cookies and other sweet treats for their loved ones. A great way of impressing your other half on Valentine’s Day is by whipping up some Valentine’s cookies and treats and making them feel truly special. Cookies, macaroons, cupcakes, and heart shaped candies are just some of the lovely sweet treats that you can send to your beaux this February 14^th.

Cookies

Valentine’s Day is about sharing the love –s o why not personalise your cookies? Either bake your favourite person their favourite chocolate chip cookies, bake some beautifully spicy gingerbread people (maybe make them hold hands, or is that a bit much?), or just create some heart shaped cookies and get creative with the pink icing or personalised frosting.

Find Valentine cookies recipes on Recipebridge.

Meringue and Macaroons

Often confused with one another, meringues and macaroons can look similar but are totally different treats altogether. A meringue cookie is crisp throughout but has a slightly crumbly texture when bitten into, whereas macaroons are quite hard but with a slightly chewier texture. Whether it is small cakes or meringue-style cookies that you want to create, these little confections are a beautifully light treat for your lover.

Find macaroon recipes on Recipebridge.

Candies

Heart shaped candies and truffles are the perfect gift to give your Valentine this February 14^th. If you’re not feeling particularly adventurous, buying “Lovehearts” aka “Sweethearts” with little messages inscribed on them such as “Be Mine” and “I Love U” is the easy option. Homemade Valentine’s candies can be anything from truffles, to nuts, to fudge, to chocolate drops. Whatever you choose to make, this is a great way of sharing the love.

Find candy recipes here.

Cupcakes

If you are a bit of a baking novice but want to make an effort for your loved one on Valentine’s Day, Valentine’s cookies and treats are the perfect way to show you care. Cupcakes are easy to bake and are also great fun to decorate. A simple and sweet cupcake recipe with pink or red icing on top brings out the valentine’s theme even more, and using writing icing to put special messages on your cupcakes makes them even more special.

Find cupcake recipes on Recipebridge.

Cake Pops

If you like lollipops and cakes, then you will love cake pops. These sweet treats are small pieces or cake coated in either chocolate or icing and then placed on a lollipop stick. There is something extremely reminsicsent of childhood about eating things off a stick, so if you want to appeal to your loved one’s inner child, these little things are the perfect solution.

Find cake pop recipes here.

You can find a plethora of recipes for Valentine cookies and treats on Recipebridge.

February 11, 2012
Is Honey an Aphrodisiac?

Honey-the nectar of Aphrodite!

We all have heard that oysters, vanilla and strawberries are types of aphrodisiacs, but what about honey? Honey is the sweet substance made by bees using the nectar from flowers and there are hundreds if not thousands of types of honey in the world. The type of honey mainly depends on from which flowers the bees collect their nectar! The commercialisation of honey means that each blend can be made during the packing process to give it a more rounded flavour.

Also known as “the nectar of Aphrodite” (the Greek goddess of love and beauty), honey is known to be one of the most seductive foods in the world thanks to its sweet flavour and smooth texture. In Ancient Egypt, honey was considered a cure for impotence and many people drunk mead (a honey based drink) on their honeymoons to increase sexual desire.

Honey has a high content of vitamin B and amino acids; these are said to promote stamina and also increase energy, making them the ideal libido booster! Not only this, but honey also has some amazing health benefits too. Honey is a great natural carbohydrate and also a great source of natural sugars. This means that it is not only great for increasing endurance; it is also great for providing a constant level of sustained energy. Honey is also great for building up your immune system and can even make you feel better if you fall ill. It has been known to cure sore throats, burns, cuts and even insomnia!

Honey is an immensely versatile ingredient

Honey is amazingly versatile and can be used in many recipes from sweet to savoury, usually as a marinade ingredient or topping. Honey and Soy Chicken Wings is a great way to mix both the sweetness of honey and the salty flavours of the chicken and the soy sauce.

If you are looking for a sweeter alternative, and want to use honey in a dessert, you should try Honey Almond Ice Cream with Blackberry Sauce. The honey can be used to give the ice cream a distinct flavour as well as add a little sweetness and thickness to the fruity sauce.

Honey can also be used on roast lamb, pork, chicken or prawns and gives each dish its own unique flavour. If you want to make your boring old vegetables taste a bit different as well, try Honey and Lemon Glazed carrots – they are beautifully sweet and can add much more depth to any standard dish.

Honey can be used in yoghurts, spread on toast, as a sweetening ingredient for waffles or simply as a cordial in drinks. Whatever you end up using honey for, you are sure to enjoy its smoothness and its unique taste.

Find recipes with honey on Recipebridge.

February 10, 2012
Ways to Cook Lobster
Lobster is one of the healthiest proteins to eat!

As lobsters live and are therefore caught in salt waters, it therefore makes sense that they should be cooked in salty water too. This means that the meat can stay tender and also retain its delicious flavour. Boiling, steaming and grilling your lobster are the most common ways of cooking this delicious crustacean. Lobster is considered a food delicacy and is usually one of the highest priced items on many restaurant menus. They are mostly caught in certain areas of North America and lobster fishing is also popular in New Zealand too.

If you are boiling a lobster, it is best to keep them alive until you come to boil them. When they are cooked fresh like this, they taste best which is why you will often see lobster tanks in restaurants! Using one tablespoon of salt per litre, bring the water to the boil and drop the lobster in head first. They only take between 10 and 15 minutes to cook fully. Boiling is the most common way to cook a lobster but the best way of telling it is properly cooked is to check the shell – if the entire shell has turned a bright red colour, it is perfectly cooked.

Ways to cook lobster
Find more lobster recipes on Recipebridge. What are your favorite lobster recipes?
February 8, 2012
Putting Together a Cheese Platter

Creating a stunning cheese platter for your next gathering

If you are having a gathering of friends or are hosting a dinner party, then having the perfect cheese platter to offer your guests is crucial. Components you will need to consider to make your cheese platter suitable for guests are; the right dishes, cheese knives, mix of cheeses, and garnishes.

Dishes and Knives

Make sure that you have enough plates for each guest – even if not everyone opts for cheese, it’s always nice to know that they could! Also, make sure there is a suitable knife for each cheese. Many cheese knives are odd shapes, with metal curves at the end of the blade, or where the blade is a lot thinner than regular chopping knives. Make sure your cutlery is sharp to make the cheese-cutting experience as problem free as possible.

Types of Cheese

Variety is good, but try not to overwhelm your guests. Five types of cheese is definitely enough. Make sure that the varieties of cheeses that you choose have a mixture of textures; this will invariably mean that they each have a different strength of flavour too. A creamy, soft type cheese such as Brie, a firm cheddar cheese and hard cheese such as Gouda are three great ones. Arrange them in terms of strength and maybe add a blue cheese to the mix just so you can help your guests experience different strengths of flavour.

How Much to Buy?

If you are serving a cheese platter as a main course, aim for between two and three ounces of cheese per guest. If it is being served as a dessert, aim for between one and one and a half ounces of cheese per guest.

Extra Touches to your cheese platter

To accompany your variety of cheeses, you will inevitably need some suitable garnishes to compliment your food. Fruity bread or a selection of crackers are great for placing different cheeses on and can make the platter seem more appealing. If you want to add colour to your platter as well as flavour, then wine jellies, a few small bunches of grapes, or a few slices of apple, olives, honey, chutney and nuts can bring out the flavour of the cheese and make the platter more visually appealing too. Pick a nice port or wine to go with your cheeses and you’ll keep your guests very happy.

What to Do with Leftovers

Make a macaroni and cheese dish, make a cheese sauce to pour over a steak, make some cheesy rice, make cheese sandwiches, make cheese soup, or make cheese soufflé – whatever you like. If you have so much cheese leftover you will know to buy less next time, but in the mean time you can enjoy your leftovers in any form that you want!

Find recipes for a cheese platter and its accompaniments on Recipebridge.

February 6, 2012