Best Chocolate Shops in Ankeny

If you’re having a craving for rich and creamy chocolate you’re not alone.  Did you know Americans consume 3 billion pounds of chocolate a year?  Or that 71% of Americans prefer milk chocolate?  These are just a few facts about chocolate but the good news is eating it in moderation can be beneficial to your health by fighting bad cholesterol.

There are several shops in the Ankeny area that offer home made, delicious chocolates in a variety of flavors and fillings.  The makers are artisans, bringing old world traditions to the Des Moines area.  The closest shop to Ashbrooke is Stam on Delaware Street.  The recipes are Dutch with a light creaminess to each bite.  If you happen to be in Des Moines, visit Suzette Candies on Ingersoll Avenue or Chocolate Storybook on Grand Avenue.

Go ahead, enjoy your chocolate treat and remember, a few pieces of chocolate each month make your life sweeter and longer!

Crispy Cornmeal Dusted Fried Chicken

Everyone enjoys hot, crispy fried chicken from time but have you ever tried making it with cornmeal instead of flour?  I’d never prepared it any other way than the deep fried, coated in flour mixture I learned from my mother.  However when I stumbled across this recipe in the LA Times, I decided to change things up.

I was pleasantly surprised how the cornmeal, orange zest and maple syrup create a tasty summer time dish.  It’s perfect for a picnic and you can prepare them ahead of time.   If you prefer,  shorten your prep time by using hen pieces rather than a whole hen.   But if you’re interested in picking some fried chicken up instead of preparing it yourself, I suggest Something Good Restaurant on 6th Avenue in Des Moines.   She’s been cooking for over 20 years and has perfected the art of fried chicken.

Old Fashioned Cherry Cobbler

I was at the market the other day and noticed the cherries had arrived.  They were bursting with a sweet, tart flavor perfect for an old fashioned cherry cobbler.  I bought up what I needed, knowing exactly which recipe from 101 Cookbooks I would use for the weekend party dessert.

It has a homemade crust with a juicy filling that everyone loves, especially when it’s served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  I use less sugar in the filling but sprinkle some on the crust for an added sweet, crunchy topping.  Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Recipe Friday: Turkey Sandwich

Recipe Friday is back with a hearty grilled turkey, bacon and swiss sandwich!

Grilled Turkey, Bacon and Swiss Sandwich:

8 slices bacon
3 tablespoons butter, softened
8 slices whole-grain bread
6 tablespoons finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil
8 slices Swiss cheese (1 oz each)
12 oz oven-roasted turkey breast slices

Directions:

1. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook bacon until crips; drain on paper towels.
2. Meanwhile, spread butter on one side of each slice. Spread rounded tablespoons of the tomatoes on unbuttered side of 4 of the bread slices. Top each with one slice of the cheese, turkey, bacon, the second slice of cheese and the remaining bread slice, buttered side up.
3. Heat griddle or 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. In hot skillet, cook sandwiches 3 minutes or until cheese is slightly melted and bread is browned. Turn sadwiches over; cook 3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and sandwich is a golden brown.

Did you know that turkey is a very good source of protein and selenium? Selenium helps to build function of the immune system.

Find more great recipes at Pillsbury!

Happy Eating!

10 Best Mexican Restaurants to Consider for Cinco de Mayo!

What to do and where to go? Those are the questions to consider when it comes to making plans for Cinco de Mayo – a time to be festive and give way to celebration!

Did you know?
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Metromix has listed 10 of the best and most popular Mexican restaurants in the area to consider for the holiday. Here are 5 of the 10:

• Monterrey Mexican Restaurant
• El Bait Shop
• El Aguila Real Mexican
• El Patio Mexican Restaurant
• Tacos Mariana’s

The wide range of unique eating establishments and the attractive historic architecture and lively nightlife make Des Moines an appealing city for people searching for affordable but quality places to eat.

Do you agree and feel the prices are reasonable?

Bringing Farm Foods to Your Table

As the local food movement takes off, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is becoming more popular. One type of CSA is a farm with members who pay for a share and receive produce and other items (meat, eggs, honey, etc.) in return.

Some of these farms require members to work the land alongside the farmer; others only ask that members pick up their boxes of goodies on a certain day and time.

Knowing a food’s source is becoming more important as issues, such as food-borne illness, become more widespread. Also, as gas prices increase, so do food prices. (The average vegetable travels 1,500 miles from farm to table.) Knowing, then, how food is grown and by whom can alleviate both food safety and cost concerns.

Not only does buying locally help consumers, but it also helps farmers. Community-supported farms provide farmers with a reliable income. They can then spend more time growing their products, rather than figuring out how to sell them.

Of course, the partnership between consumers and farmers means members share some of the farmers’ risks. After all, farmers encounter countless setbacks during the growing season. Any of these problems can affect the amount of food CSA members receive.

If you decide to join a CSA farm, learn what to expect. Check out the advice offered at www.LocalHarvest.org.

Will you become a member?

Recipe Friday: Cheese Burgers!

Are there any benefits to having red meat as part of a healthy diet?

Meat contains a great deal of the major nutrients that are vital to life. Eating red meat on a regular basis benefits you in many ways. Meat is a good source of protein.

If you are a vegetarian, you have to think about your diet a little more to ensure you get enough protein.

With all of the known benefits of eating meat, some people are still hesitant to make the switch from vegetarian meals to ones that include lean meat.

So whatever you choose to eat, make sure you are getting a sensible amount of vitamins and nutrients.

Happy Eating!

Grilled Cheese Burgers

Friday’s Recipe: Colleen’s Slow Cooker Jambalaya

Ingredients

* 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cut into 1 inch cubes
* 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
* 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 1 large green bell pepper, chopped
* 1 cup chopped celery
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 2 teaspoons dried oregano
* 2 teaspoons dried parsley
* 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
* 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1 pound frozen cooked shrimp without tails

Directions…

Open Table…Party of?

Where did you go out to eat for Valentine’s Day? Tell me about where you went. This weekend, we took in a matinee, drinks at a local lounge, and dinner at a local French bistro.

Have you ever heard of OpenTable.com? I think it is a great way to find the kind of restaurant you are looking for when you decide you want to go out to eat and you can make reservations at the same time. You can also earn Dining Rewards.

Dining out is often thought of as a treat so don’t deny yourself the pleasure of doing so while finding great ways to save and great places to eat.

Where will you choose to go? Be sure to let me know.

Noodle Zoo.

This weekend, I just wasn’t in the mood to cook. My friends and I decided to try out the ‘’Noodle Zoo’’ on North Ankeny Blvd. Don’t let the name fool you, this place only offers five different types of noodles, each one sounded great but I decided to go for one of their sandwiches. I really love sun-dried tomatoes so I tried the Sun-dried Tomato Chicken Grill, the havarti melted just perfectly on the sandwich. All and all it was a very nice lunch for under 10 dollars. If you don’t feel like going in, it also offers delivery options.

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