Weight Watchers Pumpkin Cupcakes

Ingredients :

Serves:24  Yield: 24

1 (18 ounce) box spice cake mix
1 cup water
15 ounces canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions :

Preheat oven to 350. Line 24 cupcake pans. Mix all ingredients in bowl and pour into the liners. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool on coolings rack. They are very moist cupcakes

Source : www.food.com

Cooking Tips : 

Basic Steps On How To Become A Good Cook

Eating is, of course, one of the survival necessities of human beings. But plain "survival" foods can lead to boredom in the kitchen. Being able to cook a culinary masterpiece is often more rewarding than actually eating it. The following tips will help you improve your cooking abilities.

Freezing meat slightly before cutting it will help you to get a nice, even thin slice. This works great when you are cutting steak thin for philly's or if you need to cut pancetta into thin slices or strips. Do not freeze it solid; freeze it just enough that it is slightly firm.

For stir fry with an authentic Chinese touch, try using their velveting technique! Prepare a mixture of corn starch, egg whites, seasonings and sherry and set your pork, chicken or shrimp in it for about half an hour. Then, blanch it in hot oil or boiling water for shiny, tender and delicious restaurant quality stir fry.

If you are making a sandwich and adding mayonnaise, make sure that you spread the mayo from corner to corner to give you the ultimate coverage and a delicious taste in every bite. Each and every bite that you take should be outstanding, as spreading mayo will achieve this goal when you eat sandwiches.

If you are cooking for someone special, do not try a recipe that you have never tried before. Because you are trying to impress this person, you want to make sure you make a satisfying meal. Try something you are very familiar with, and make sure you have all the ingredients you need to make it.

Brownies made for a bake sale are much more enticing when potential buyers can see what goodies are in them. To accomplish this task, when the pan of brownies has about eight minutes left of baking time, remove the pan from the oven, cover the top with a layer of miniature marshmallows and then sprinkle chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, nuts, caramel chunks and anything else you like to add to your brownies on top of the marshmallows. Put the pan back into the oven for the final few minutes of baking to allow the marshmallows to soften and toast and give time for the chips to melt. When the pan comes out, you will have an irresistible pan of brownies that look as good as they taste.

One important tip to remember when cooking dishes focuses on the size of the dish being prepared. The smaller the dish is that you are cooking, the higher the baking temperature and less time needed to cook the dish. Smaller dishes generally take only a few minutes at high temperatures to fully cook.

Cooking hamburgers seems to be easy, but there are some tricks to learn. Make a hole in the center of the patty before you put it on the grill. The hole prevents the meat from rising in the middle so you won't have an uncooked middle with burnt edges any more. The whole will completely disappear during cooking so no one will notice your trick.

When you are going to purchase beef, make sure that the package does not have too much liquid in it. An excessive amount of liquid may indicate that the beef was not stored properly or that it is no longer good. Make sure you always check the expiration date as well.

No matter what kind of cheese you may have in your refrigerator, be sure that air cannot enter it by wrapping it tightly. Air contributes to mold growth on cheese. If your cheese does happen to have a little bit of mold on it, you can still use it by just cutting off the part with mold.

Does your family love roasted vegetables? They taste wonderful but can get dried out and too crispy when roasted in the oven or on a grill. A little known secret is that vegetables will roast well in their own juices when placed in a crock pot. Hard root veggies like carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, garlic and more, will roast to perfection when placed in the crockpot for 6-8 hours (depending on quantity) on low heat. You can add a little bit of salt and seasoning and a tablespoon or two of olive oil if you like, but they also roast perfectly well just in their own juices. Your vegetables will turn out delicious and healthy!

When applying seasoning to meat and fish, always remember to season evenly and thoroughly. Shake or grind the shaker as if the seasoning is snow falling from the sky. Doing so will allow the meat to be evenly coated with spices and seasoning and prevent clumps or over seasoning.

Make homemade stock to create tastier dishes. If you cook large quantities, you could store the leftovers in resealable bags inside your freezer. You should always have access to stock when you are cooking other dishes. An enormous benefit of cooking your own soup stock or broth is that you know and control the ingredients in the stock.

Rinse your chopped red onions gently in cold water to reduce the bite and sharpness that are inherent in onions. This will give you more flexibility with the types of items you can use your onions in without overpowering the flavors of your dish. You can also use this technique to keep the texture of an onion without the overwhelming flavor.

It is important to test the heat of oil before using it to pan fry your food. Pouring the oil into the pan and then sprinkling it with water should give you a series of cracks or sparkles. If it does not, then the pan isn't currently up to frying or heating capacity and dumping the food in it will act closer to an oil sponge than a frying pan.

If you appreciate good food, you should enjoy cooking too. Take these suggestions, and include little touches of them in your cooking. Your skills in the kitchen will get better, and you will be the one that people look forward to seeing when you show up at an event with a platter of something yummy.

Regain Control Of Your Kitchen With These Cooking Tips

Cooking is a vital skill that everyone should have. But it doesn't always come easily to everyone. So below are a few tips that've been accumulated to help you become a better cook. With these tips, you won't have to worry about producing a meal that nobody wants to eat again.

Ensure that you properly maintain your cooking utensils on a regular basis. A chef's knife, for example, is of no use to you when blunt so ensure that these are sharpened on a regular basis. When purchasing a chef's knife look for one with a long and wide blade as this will give you better control and chopping speed.

To successfully cook a meal you should always follow the recipe. This will assure you use the correct amount of each ingredient. Cooking is a science and each ingredient has its job. Leaving out an ingredient, putting too much of something, or cooking for too long can turn your dish into a disaster.

When cooking stock, make it in a large quantity and store it in smaller bags in the freezer. Stock has a long freezer life and can be useful in so many recipes. Making a larger batch is no more difficult than making a small batch. You'll save yourself time later by having a freezer store to turn to.

Make sure that when you are making your pasta, not to use oil in the water upon cooking. This will reduce the risk that the pasta will stick to the sauce, which can ruin the quality of your meal. Avoid oil in water when you are cooking pasta for maximum results.

These are only a fraction of the tips that're out there to help you become a better cook. Hopefully you've learned some valuable information and are on your way to becoming a great cook. Even if you're only cooking for yourself, it's always nice to be able to make a good tasting meal!

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Box Carrot Cake Mix
• 15 oz canned Pumpkin
• 1/2 c water

** Optional: Add in raisins, chopped walnuts and/or 1 c shredded carrots with an additional 1/2 c water or possibly 1/2 c mini chocolate chips to add to the flavor of these E-Z cupcakes

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees or according to your box directions.

2.  Combine cake mix, pumpkin and water.  Beat for 2 minutes.

3.  Line 2 muffin pans with liners and fill each cup about 1/2-2/3 full.

4.  Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the cupcakes are cooked through and spring back to touch.

5.  Allow to cool and frost.

** Frost with Homemade Whipped Cream, your favorite frosting or enjoy plain.

Makes 24 cupcakes, 2 Points+ Each

WHIPPED FROSTING

• 1/2 pint Heavy Whipping Cream (sometimes you just have to!)
• 3 Tbsp Powdered Sugar
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

Beat whipping cream, sugar and vanilla until fluffy ~ about 1-2 minutes.  Do NOT overbeat or you will end up with cream cheese.

1 Tbsp = 1 points+.

** Since you saved a little on the cake mix (omitting the oil, eggs, etc), you can indulge a little in REAL whipped frosting.  However, if you choose, you can use Fat Free Cool Whip ~ 2 Tbsp is 0 points+

Cooking Tips :

Immediately Improve Your Cooking With These Tips

Delicious food can be many things. Apply the tips that are provided here so you can elevate your cooking to a new level.

Make sure that you defrost your vegetables before you put them in the microwave if you are planning to cook them this way. This will allow you to achieve the best texture, while not sacrificing the taste of your vegetables. After cooking, add your vegetables to a main plate as a side dish.

Check what you have at home and bring any new recipes with you when you go to the store. When you have the recipe with you, you'll have a handy list of what you need to buy. If you don't check what you already have, you may ending up buying more than you need. If you don't bring the recipe, you may forget something that you won't be able to cook without!

When you are cooking a dish that requires it to be sauteed, add oil around the edges of the pan rather than directly on the food. This gives the oil a chance to heat up before it reaches the cooking food that is in the center of the pan. Hot oil will give you improved results and makes your dish taste better.

Write out a list for all of the ingredients that you will need for a recipe before you go to the grocery store. This way, you will not forget anything. Many people forget one or two important ingredients for the recipe, which causes them to not be able to make the meal.

Wooden skewers should be soaked in plain water before each use for an absolute minimum of thirty minutes. This will prevent them from burning while you are cooking. Double up on the skewers per kebab to ensure that nothing falls off of them.

Roast nuts briefly in the oven and then sprinkle some flour on them before using in a cake to prevent them from migrating to the bottom of the pan. Applying heat and coating lightly with flour keeps them in position in the cake batter and reduces the likelihood the nuts will settle before the cake is done baking.

New spices should be purchased every six months. Spices do not last forever. They will eventually lose their flavor. If you buy a certain spice and you know that you are not going to use it all before it goes bad, give half to a friend or family member.

Use fresh carrots often in your cooking. They are versatile and easy to obtain. Carrots are very rich in vitamins and minerals that can help to keep you healthy. One of the best ways to sneak there goodness into your recipes is to use carrots in place of sugar.

When you are making homemade soups that contain meat, they tend to have a lot of fat that needs to be skimmed from the top. One quick solution to that problem is dropping in a couple of ice cubes. As the ice melts, the fat will stiffen around it and you will be able to remove it with ease.

It sounds kind of funny, but to be a better cook, one should make sure they have a large enough kitchen. Some kitchens, simply put, are not large enough to accommodate a good cook. The more space you have, the more free you'll feel. The more free, then the less confined, cluttered, and un-inventive you will feel.

If you are making a recipe that contains pasta in a sauce, avoid it being too soggy by cooking the pasta few minutes less in water. Finish cooking it with the sauce. It will be the perfect consistency and not be the mushy starchy mess we all hate when eating pasta!

Get your children to eat their veggies by including them in unexpected foods. Pumpkin is great in pancakes and muffins, and pureed carrots or butternut squash pair well with tomato-based pasta sauces. Grated zucchini takes on the flavor of nearly anything in which it is used, even chocolate or spice cake.

Use nonstick cookware when you want to cook healthier. Nonstick pans have a coating on them that makes food easily slide out, even with no oil. This is great for when you are trying to control the fat in your diet. If you do use oil, you will have to use far less. What's more, nonstick pans are so easy to clean!

The secret to a great mole sauce is the cocoa powder. Take a cue from Mexican mole and try using a bit of cocoa powder in your typical Italian pasta sauces, as well. A touch of cocoa powder imparts a "been simmering for days" Flavor and complexity, while not being too overpowering.

Consider mixing flavored butter for a simple method of adding some additional flavor to your corn or rolls. First, bring some butter to room temperature, or soften it using a microwave. Then you want to add some sauce, herbs or spices to give the butter that extra kick. Try this trick with barbeque sauce or honey, as well.

It is important to keep your waffles and pancakes warm until they are ready to serve. Warm the oven so that it reaches 300 degrees. While you are cooking, put what is already finished on an oven-safe plate, and stick them in oven to stay warm.

If you do not want to be eating greasy gravy for dinner the best thing to do is make sure you skim as much fat as you can off the top while you are cooking the gravy. Or you can wait until it is cooked and do it then if you forget.

There are different kinds of potatoes, and recipes are usually designed for one particular type. There are three different classifications of potatoes, all-purpose, mealy, or waxy. If mashed potatoes are on the menu for you, try using ones with a mealy texture. Russet potatoes are considered mealy. When looking for a good potato that works in almost any dish, the Yukon Gold variety is a good choice. If you are looking for potatoes to boil or steam, then you should choose a potato that is considered waxy. The most popular waxy potatoes are red potatoes or white potatoes.

Food is amazingly powerful; it provides the roots for all life. Now that you have learned several techniques from this article, put them into practice to woo your family with home cooked meals.


Useful Cooking Tips For The Ambitious Cook

Cooking is a skill that is very difficult to master. The tips in the article will help learn to cook delicious meals in no time.

Make sure that you never give up when you are cooking, as it is going to take a lot of practice and failures before you get it right. If you burn something, keep trying. You will only become a great cook if you maintain your persistence.

Cook your pasta for one minute less than the box recommends. Look at the cook time on your box of pasta and subtract a minute. If you are including the pasta in a dish, it will cook the rest of the way when you are cooking it with the sauce.

Always add oil to the side of the pan when sautéing. If you find that you need more oil in your pan while you are cooking, never put it right in the middle. Add it to the side of your pan. That way, it will be sufficiently heated by the time it reaches the food.

The best thing that you can do when you are making hamburgers is to engage in trial and error. Instead of guessing that the meat is cooked well, make a small patty and taste it yourself. This will allow you to adjust your level of seasoning and cook your burger more if it needs it.

Do not be afraid to experiment. There is no rule that says you need to follow a recipe exactly. If you do not care for an ingredient, leave it out. If you think a different ingredient would taste better, substitute it. If you think the dish is missing a little something, add it.

Cooking a roast? Leave the bone in! By leaving the bone in, heat moves to the inside of the meat faster, speeding up the cooking process. This will, also, allow the entire roast to cook more evenly throughout the cut of meat - by leaving it in rather than removing it.

When you broil a steak, heat your broiler to the appropriate temperature before putting the steak in. The result will be a seared steak on the outside, with a very juicy inside. The broiling process should also be quick, but will vary depending on how well done you want your steak to be. Over cooking can lead to a dried out end result.

If you would like to bake a berry desert in the winter (when most berries are out of season), use frozen berries as a delicious and more eco-friendly alternative to fresh ones! Thaw your frozen berries for 45 minutes, drain the excess, then use as you normally would when making a berry pie or cobbler.

Do you have a difficult time figuring out how long you should grill your meats? You can purchase a meat thermometer to ensure that the inside of your grilled meat is cooked to satisfaction. For meat that is more than 1.5 inches thick, close the lid of the grill to decrease the amount of time that the meat takes to cook.

Write out a list for all of the ingredients that you will need for a recipe before you go to the grocery store. This way, you will not forget anything. Many people forget one or two important ingredients for the recipe, which causes them to not be able to make the meal.

When frying eggs a healthy option you should use is nonstick cooking spray. The spray will keep the eggs from sticking to the pan without the use of margarine or butter. The eggs will not stick to the pan, and they can easily be cooked to any liking. After cooking the eggs, the pan should be easy to clean, and the eggs should be delicious.

If you and your significant other love cooking, then consider taking a cooking class for couples! Couples cooking classes can help you explore new cuisines, enjoy each other's company and also learn more about working together in the kitchen. A well-kept secret is that the guys enjoy these classes as much as the ladies "
 and it often leads to the fellows taking a greater role in cooking at home.

Prepare as much of the food as you can the night before. The cooking process will go much smoother when you can concentrate on the more difficult parts of cooking instead of worrying about the mundane tasks. Many dressings and vegetables, for example, will stay in the refrigerator quite well.

Avoid overcooking pasta when you boil it. Overcooked pasta loses some of its important health benefits, as well as its flavor. When you overcook pasta, the noodles absorb too much water and become swollen and limp. It is better to slightly under-cook it to retain the best texture and flavor.

Invest in a good roll of parchment paper. When you are baking, line your pans with it and you will save yourself much time and mess. The baked goods slide right off of the paper and all your pan needs is a simple rinse in some hot soapy water!

When sauteing food, don't put too much oil in the pan. The moisture from the large pool of oil will douse the food you planned to saute and make a greasy, limp mess. This should be done at a lower temperature, too.

It is a good idea to cook your green vegetables in boiling hot water. If you place the veggies in cold water and wait for it to come to a boil you will lose a lot of the green color because the chlorophyll in them will leech into the water.

Store your cooking spices in a cool dry place. This will ensure the longevity and potency of the flavors in your herbs and spices. A dark cabinet away from the stove is the ideal storage place. Spices kept in bright, hot environments usually fail to maintain their flavor long before any expiration date comes.


By applying what you've learned from this article, you can quickly improve your cooking skills. When you have this knowledge, the next thing you have to do is get into your kitchen and start creating meals. The people in your life will be amazed at the quality of the dishes you can now serve.