rice

If you love the Cajun combination of red beans and rice but don't always have the time to make it, turn to a Southwestern version that's as easy on the effort as it is on the palate. While you boil basmati with the earthy essence of cumin, marry leftover black beans with chipotles in adobo, peppers, and cilantro. The result: a wholesome dinner that's full of flavor, in less time than it takes to place and pick up an order. For the recipe, read on.

In my search to find exemplary strawberry dishes, I encountered bushels of dessert recipes for tarts, shortcakes, and everything in between. Yet it was when I stumbled upon an unconventional use for the garden strawberry that I found myself most intrigued. One of the most interesting recipes, for an unorthodox risotto, takes the strawberry in a savory direction similar to that of strawberry spaghetti, calling for other ingredients such as chicken stock, parmigiano-reggiano, and pepper. Not feeling like salt with your strawberries? Well, it's impossible to forget that they make a fine addition to a sweet rice pudding as well. Make one — or both — when you read more.

If you are in need of a filling and delicious vegetarian dinner, look no further than this simple, but special, rice and tofu dish. It combines silken tofu strips with crisp tender carrots and bursting tomatoes. A light and acidic sauce of fresh lemon juice and balsamic vinegar coat the veggies and provide a robust flavor. It's served on a bed of wild rice and sprinkled with a shower of parsley.


Think of the recipe as a guide. Feel free to substitute in other vegetables like asparagus or broccolini. Get the uncomplicated recipe now.

Although you can purchase teriyaki sauce from the store, it's quite simple to make and requires only a few everyday ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. This recipe whips together the popular takeout sauce and uses it to glaze roasted chicken.

The resulting dish is sticky, sweet, and finger-licking good. If scallions aren't your preferred vegetable, substitute in another seasonal veggie like broccoli rabe or asparagus. Serve on a bed of rice and you've got a meal that's satisfying to both kids and adults alike. The recipe when you read more

Monday nights are hectic already, so the last thing you need is a complicated dinner or a sink full of dirty dishes to add to the grind. Keep things effortless by making a simplified version of the New Orleans favorite, shrimp jambalaya. It's a meal that comes together in just one pot, and, with dynamic ingredients like leftover andouille sausage and succulent shrimp, this dish practically cooks itself. If you're looking to save a little bit more time (and money), defrost frozen bags of peeled and deveined shrimp the night before to make the dish in lightning speed. For a Monday night meal that's an explosion of flavors, read more.

After falling in love with a Cuban-inspired crockpot chicken, tonight I'm cooking along the same vein with a beef and pepper braise that conjures up images of dinner in Havana.

I'll serve the fork-tender flank steak and bell pepper medley over steamed white rice, avocado, and my favorite herb, cilantro. Ready to make your own one-pot Latin meal? Then keep reading.

While I've watched his television shows countless times, before the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, I had never seen Emeril Lagasse live. I wasn't disappointed: his demonstration was packed and the energetic chef was absolutely fabulous! He made Brazilian fish stew and talked about the importance of tasting your food while cooking. He also recommends seasoning everything with salt and pepper, including the individual vegetables in a salad. Lagasse served the stew with plain white rice and spent a lot of time discussing this sometimes overlooked side dish. To see his technique for cooking the best pot of rice ever, read more

I've got a penchant for risotto and Party has a debilitating weakness for chips, so we were definitely intrigued when we received a box of Risotto Chips ($3.49), a new creation released last month by New York Style (the brand behind those irresistible Bagel Crisps). They proclaimed to be all natural, gluten-free, and full of flavor. Were they all that and more? Keep reading to find out.

After reading the progress reports from the Get Fit For 2010 community group and contest, I noticed one big trend: injuries. They happen to the best of us; if you lead an active life, chances are high you will suffer some bumps, bruises, and strains along the way.

If you happen to sprain your ankle or strain your hamstring, immediate first aid can help you heal faster. No matter if you injured a joint or a muscle you should follow the R.I.C.E. protocol for 48 hours after your injury.

• Rest: Take a break for a day or two to let the injured area rest and recover. Your body needs time to heal the injury. Let pain be your guide as to what daily activities are fine. Once you can go about your usual daily routine without pain, slowly ease yourself back into training. Try the elliptical before going gangbusters on the treadmill.
• Ice: Apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables, wrapped in a towel) to the injured area for 15-20 minutes every few hours. Ice helps reduce swelling and inflammation by slowing blood flow to the injury; it also lessens the pain by numbing it a bit.
• Compression: Between ice treatments, wrap an elastic bandage around the affected part to apply pressure and reduce swelling. Compression can also help provide support to a weak joint. It should be fairly tight, but make sure it doesn't press nerves or cut off blood circulation — if the end of the limb turns blue, that's too tight! It's also too tight if you feel throbbing in the bandaged area. For the same reason, don't wear the bandage at night.
• Elevation: Let gravity do the work — try to keep the injured limb raised above the level of the heart to prevent fluids from pooling in the inflamed tissues. For an injured leg, prop it up above the hips when lying down. Injured arms can be held up in a sling.

If two days post-injury your pain has increased or the swelling has not subsided, it's best to see a doctor or a sports injury specialist. A medical professional can properly diagnose the injury and recommend the correct form of treatment and rehab to get you back in action sooner than later.