Always have good food

On a typical weekend, we are more than happy to dress up and hit the town to take a break from our everyday routine. After all, the opportunity to have some great time with friends we haven’t seen all week sounds nothing but great, especially when the reunion involves some delicious food to boot.

However, there are those weekends when we are so exhausted by the week that we just need to wind ourselves down and take some much-needed rest. Our friends can come over to hang out at our place, so that solves one problem from that fear of missing out right there.

But by not going out, we still pass up on the other great aspect of a weekend outing: the opportunity to have high-end food; since on most of these lazy hangouts at home, we end up having food that we have been eating all week. And for gastronomes, that is a weekend wasted sinfully.

Fortunately, you can resolve that problem by following a few choice tips.

Find Food Delivery Services That Get High End Cuisine to Your Doorstep

Gone are the days of thinking that the one special dish you like from that prime restaurant can’t just be delivered due to their policy. Thanks to people who love food just as much as you do, ordering that special plate of grub right from your couch has never been easier.

There are a few choice services that make food delivery possible even from restaurants that don’t usually deliver or ones that would require you to fetch a menu and order through phone. All that you need to do is make up your mind on exactly what kind of food you want from the restaurants in your area, and services such as Barrow takeaways can have it delivered right at your doorstep.

Bring Out That Inner Chef By Making a Day Out of Cooking

While cooking elaborate meals on a lazy day sounds like a task, if you are comfortable around a stove, then it would not prove to be a difficult feat to achieve even on your day off.

You don’t have to cook a seven-course meal in order for it to be good, but you may need to put in just a little effort into the process. To make it possible, you can try various recipes from sites such as Food Network and find something that strikes the perfect balance between effort and deliciousness.

Plan Ahead for a Lazy Weekend

Another option that you can go with is to plan for a “lazy weekend” beforehand. This would allow you to get your affairs in order and plan your meal for the two days that you want to be nothing but relaxing for yourself.

You can precook your meals throughout the week and save them for the weekend. If you make the right selection of ingredients and dishes – such as fried chicken that you could cook beforehand and have later – then you may just be having an amazing meal on the said weekend with only five minutes of your time dedicated to the process.

By following these few tips, you can make your weekend as relaxing as possible. Just remember: no matter how slow of a day you’re planning to have, ensure to eat well and make that inner foodie proud.

After all, if you don’t treat yourself on the weekend, when will you find the time to do so?

Any of the next cooking methods can be sure to result in some juicy, tender and moist chicken breasts. Anyone interested in getting to know how to cook frozen chicken breast should read on and find out exactly how. Ensure to follow these instructions armed with a meat thermometer and you will successfully carry through with the recipes for your home electric smoker. Any of the following cooking methods can be used in conjunction with other ingredients and especially seasonings. Some favorite ingredients include thyme sprigs especially the fresh ones and thinly sliced lemons.

Let’s start off with the brining cooking method which is a favorite due to its ability to draw in water into the chicken flesh and enhancing the flavor. Take up a large bowl and mix some 2 tablespoons of sugar, 3 tablespoons of salt and 4 cups of water. Ensure that the salt and sugar dissolve completely by stirring up the mixture.

Take chicken breasts that have been thawed and immerse them into the mixture and then cover it up and refrigerate for an hour. After the lapse of the one hour, have the chicken out of the brine and rinse it thoroughly with cold running water before preparing it using any of the following methods. Frozen chicken breasts can also be brined in much the same way like that of the normal chicken.

Simply mix the chicken breasts that are frozen and the brine solution and refrigerate them overnight so that the chicken gets to thaw. Ensure to cover the mixture well with some lid as it thaws out. Have the chicken rinsed well and patted well with some paper towels before you start cooking it. Let’s begin with the baking in parchment method.

This method is a type of moist heat cooking method which leaves for a good error margin and which has the chicken breasts cooking really well without necessitating rearrangement. The oven has to be preheated to a high of 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Have your work surface spread with heavy duty foil or parchment and then bring over the well thawed chicken breasts and have them arranged on it.

Put some bay leaves, spices, herbs and lemon slicing on top. Fold the foil well together and then crimp it up to hold some steam inside ensuring that the chicken is in a single layer with some expansion room. Have the chicken bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for some 30 to 35 minutes or 50 to 55 minutes which will be dictated by the type of chicken and add some more time if you are cooking more than four breasts.

You can also decide to use the crock pot, microwave, pressure cooker, saut? them, poach them or just steam them. Poaching the chicken breasts will require you to have a skillet and then add some 2 cups of chicken broth or water before boiling them for some 10-14 minutes. You can also decide to poach with the oven where you will need to pour some boiling water on the chicken, have it bake in the oven at 400 degrees F for 35 minutes. Garnish using some good chicken salad recipe.

How are dinner trends changing in Britain?

It’s undeniable that the time we spend having our dinner has changed over time — with less people sitting around the table with their families and more venturing out to local restaurants. In 2017, just over 20% of British families sit down to dinner together just once or twice a week, and one in five have their ‘family meals’ whilst sitting in front of the television.

With figures like these, and the price of eating out becoming more affordable and more of a social activity, it comes as no surprise that eating out has become a popular social activity. The question remains, which is more popular: eating in or eating out? Designer and manufacturer of bespoke kitchens, Harvey Jones, investigates:

People eating out

According to a study released by Business Insider; millennials are the group of people that eat out the most. Over half of millennials, 53%, are said to eat out at least once a week, with The Independent also revealing that 16-24 year olds spend more on food than any other age group.

Social media is said to be the main cause of these increased statistics; with apps like Instagram revolutionising the food and drinks sector. 87% of 18-29-year-olds actively use social media platforms — with Instagram averaging over 500 million active monthly users. It has now become the norm to snap your food before eating it, and making sure you have an Instagram worthy snap has become hugely popular. For the younger generation, have you even been out for food without taking a photo and Instagramming it?

As a platform that prioritises visuals, Instagram has become a portfolio of epic food pics which has influenced our decisions on where to eat. According to research by Zizzi, 18-35-year-olds spend five whole days a year browsing food images on Instagram, and 30% would avoid a restaurant if their Instagram presence was weak — and if their food photos are poor. Some Millennials will only eat at a restaurant if they know they can snap a great food shot.

People eating in

Although restaurants are becoming more competitive and affordable; eating at home is still a lucrative choice for families. For families with young children, spending time together is vital for their development and building relationships in the family. Eating dinner together around the table is a time that can be taken advantage of for this, and is said to encourage healthier food choices. In fact, a survey found that 9-14 year olds that frequently eat dinner with their families consumed more fruit and vegetables, as well as less soda and fried foods, whilst figures show that homemade meals can contain as much as 60% fewer calories than meals outside the home.

If you’re looking to be slightly healthier, eating at home is probably the best choice. Studies show that when we are presented with more food, we feel the need to eat more. Restaurant portions are continuously expanding, and by eating at home you can control your portion sizes.

According to 71% of teenagers that eat their dinner at home, the best part about it is catching up with other family members. Social meal times are a great opportunity to get the family together for some quality bonding time. It’s important to make time to spend with your family to ensure healthier relationships between family members.

Not only has social media played a big part in our eating habits, but the rise of cooking TV shows too. We have become a nation obsessed with cooking programmes, which in turn, has contributed to a change in our cooking and kitchen habits. From The Great British Bake Off and Celebrity Master Chef, to Saturday Kitchen and Come Dine With Me, baking and cooking have become ‘cool’ hobbies to have and these cookery programmes help boost our skills.

What do the costs look like?

You probably won’t be surprised to hear that 2017 was the highest year of spending for eating out.  However, on the contrary, the rise of informal dining, chain restaurants and pop up restaurants are making eating out more affordable. But how does the price of eating out compare with eating in?

Research from Horizons has suggested that the average three-course meal costs £28.59; excluding drinks and any tips! However, the average price can vary significantly when broken down by region. For instance, central London prices are likely to be significantly higher than prices in the North East. If you were to eat out five times a week, you would expect to pay on average £142.95 per person.

However, eating at home will cost families £85.50 a week; based on a home with 2.4 people.  However, figures for supermarket produce are getting lower, too. Supermarkets now offer an array of money-saving recipes, often partnered with celebrity chefs. Families can no longer claim home cooking is too expensive for a family of four.

With this, supermarkets find themselves being more competitive to acquire most customers. Some supermarkets offer ‘feed four for under £10’ offers which restaurants simply can’t compete with. These money-saving recipes encourage families to utilise their kitchens to their full potential and cook homemade meals instead of eating out or choosing ready meals and takeaways.

Sources

http://uk.businessinsider.com/millennials-dining-habits-are-different-2015-3?r=US&IR=T

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/16-to-24-year-olds-spend-more-on-food-than-any-other-age-group-says-research-a6678596.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/millenials-restaurant-how-choose-instagram-social-media-where-eat-a7677786.html

https://www.dineindulge.co.uk/news/the-cost-of-eating-out/

https://www.valuepenguin.co.uk/average-uk-household-cost-food

When you are busy it can be hard to know what to eat. This is especially true if you are busy working at the computer and need to eat. Some foods are great for snacking on when you’re on the go, but these can often be unhealthy and if you get bored of sandwiches, you might want to consider other options. Check out these other ideas for handy foods that are easy to eat on the move and can also benefit your health.

There are many times when you need to grab something to eat and don’t have the convenience of a table. For example, when you’re at work and need to eat something while sitting at your computer or when out shopping with no table to hand. It can also be handy to eat a quick snack when busy at home, such as using the computer to play your favourite video games, or searching OnlineBingo.co.uk for the latest casino and bingo offers.

Finger Foods

Foods for snacking on the move include finger foods, such as crisps, biscuits and of course the usual sandwiches. But there are many other options for snack foods which can be healthier, including wraps, crackers, cheese, olives, fruit, plain popcorn, slices of apple, carrot sticks, and bread and hummus. All of these can be eaten with just a fork or even your fingers using one hand.

Muesli and Berries

For something more interesting, try a bowl of muesli with some berries, dried fruit and a handful of nuts added for extra taste and health benefits, such as important vitamins and minerals. You can use this opportunity to try to make your recommended 5 portions of fruit a day. If you have the time to pre-prepare your meal for a long gaming session or other desk-based activity, you have more options.

Pitta Bread Snacks

Some great ideas for preparing useful foods include cutting pitta bread into small squares and baking them in the oven for ten minutes to crisp them up. This makes them easier to eat with one hand and also dries out the grease, so they will be cleaner for eating at the computer. You can then add a topping of your choice, such as cheese, guacamole, spread or hummus.

Frozen Fruit

Another great choice is a bowl of mixed nuts and dried fruit, along with a few chunks of dark chocolate for added taste. Another fantastic option for snack food while at the computer includes a frozen fruit bowl. Choose grapes, strawberries and blueberries, which can all be frozen for extra interest and coolness in every bite. Simply freeze the fruit pieces an hour before your computer session and serve them in a bowl for a clean and hassle-free snack that is super healthy.

All of these options give you something tasty and healthy to eat while you are busy at the computer, whether you are working, online shopping, writing emails or playing games. By having a healthy snack food close at hand you can keep hunger pangs at bay, which will help your concentration levels and performance.

It can be tough sticking to a low-calorie diet, especially when many “diet foods” don’t taste very good. Pre-packaged diet meals especially are known to be lacking in the flavor department, as well as lacking in nutrition. If you want to lose weight and improve your overall health without sacrificing delicious food, you’re in luck. There are many flavorful and highly enjoyable meals that you can make at home that are both low in calories and high in taste. Below are some of my favorite low-cal, easy-to-prepare and fun-to-eat dishes that make it easy to stick to any diet.

Spinach Lasagna

What you need:

• 16 ounces low-fat cottage cheese
• 10 ounces spinach
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 9 uncooked lasagna noodles
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup water

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
• Combine cottage cheese, spinach, Parmasean cheese, mozzarella cheese, pepper, oregano and salt into a mixing dish. Stir until well-combined.
• Spray a 9x13in pan with cooking spray.
• Place 3 lasagna noodles onto the bottom of the pan. Using a rubber spatula, spread the cheese mixture on top of the layer of noodles.
• Spread marinara sauce over the cheese mixture.
• Continue layering noodles, cheese mixture and sauce until all 9 noodles are in the pan and covered with cheese and marinara sauce.
• Pour 1 cup of water into the dish, slowly so that the water fills all of the gaps. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the oven for one hour.
• Let stand ten minutes before serving.

Low-Cal Brownies

What you need:

• ½ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• ½ cup skim milk
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ½ cup oats
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
• Grease 8x8in baking tin
• Combine all ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth
• Pour and bake for approximately 15 minutes
• Let stand five minutes before enjoying

Crispy Oven Fries

What you need:

• 1 ¼ pounds potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch fries
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• 4 teaspoons oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ¾ teaspoon salt

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
• Spray baking sheet with non-stick spray
• Combine potatoes, salt and sugar into a bowl of cold water. Let soak for 15 minutes. Drain and then blot dry.
• Toss the potatoes with oil and paprika in a separate bowl.
• Bake for up to 40 minutes, flipping fries periodically so that they brown evenly.

If you do not regularly have access to some of the ingredients here, or your preferred brand of ingredients, online grocery shopping will bridge the gap between you and your flavor preferences. Through the ease of online ordering and home delivery, you can order your groceries online to be delivered right to your front door.