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Beans are known as poor man’s meat and they’ve nourished the world since the beginning of time. Dried beans, also known as legumes, are packed with nutrients. They are also advantageous because once dried, beans are almost imperishable; therefore they have a long shelf life.

There are many types of beans: black beans, great northern beans, lima beans, kidney beans, navy beans, pinto beans, mung beans, fava (or broad) beans, garbanzo beans (or chick peas), cannelloni beans and black eyed peas. Nutritionally speaking they are all powerhouses of energy, vitamins and minerals. They are good sources of protein, iron, phosphorus and potassium. Most are also fat-free, and unless canned, low in sodium. They are also a very good source of fiber. They even offer a small amount of calcium (about 40-80 milligrams per cup).

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Artichokes with Lemon Butter

The elegant artichoke stands on its own as a self-contained snack or appetizer. Each part has its own character, from the earthy bits of meat on the outer leaves to the dense heart at the bottom. Enjoy this recipe that takes advantage of the hidden versatility of the artichoke.

4 whole artichokes (preferably pointed-leaf, not globe artichokes)

4 lemons, divided

2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds

2 tablespoons salt

1 stick salted butter, cut in 8 pieces

Instructions:

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Coffee is a big money maker in the world and has changed the way that people approach life all over the world. There billions of people who use coffee for various reasons, but mostly either for a pick me up or because they really do enjoy the taste of the coffee. You will find that the legends that are about the coffee plant goes clear back to 500 BC where it was discovered in Ethiopia. It was then brought to Arabia and that is where coffee got it’s name.

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When it comes to enjoying the luxury of chocolate, could there be anything more decadent that a chocolate fountain? Rivers of smooth and creamy chocolate plunging over the sides of a fountain, tantalizing us with its rich aroma and velvety color. It’s the stuff of dreams - a chocolate fantasy of which Willy Wonka himself would be proud.

But while a chocolate fountain seems like it would be too good to be true, it is in fact real. Used for special occasions such as parties or weddings, the most common chocolate fountain is a tabletop device that keeps chocolate at a high enough temperature to keep it liquid. While some models will actually melt the chocolate for you, others require you to melt and add the chocolate yourself.

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Red velvet cake has been around for many centuries.

This cake is most popular in the southern United States and is often a staple at many southern family dinner tables, church suppers or even family reunions.

It has a rich and sweet chocolate flavoring. This cake is perfect for special occasions, parties, or even an afternoon snack. For most people, the bright red color immediately attracts the attention. That’s what makes this cake so different from all of the others.

That undeniable red color issue is traditionally brought on by adding a hint of red food coloring (however some people even look to beets for this bold look, Gross!).

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Kulfi is an indigenous (India based) frozen milk product. The method of manufacture of Kulfi varies very widely. The conventional method of kulfi making consists of boiling of milk, addition of sugar, concentration of milk to 2:1 level and addition of khoa, malai, flavour etc. to the concentrated cooled milk.

The kulfi mix is then filled into metallic cones and the top of the cone is covered with a lid. The mixture in the moulds is frozen in large earthen vessels containing ice-salt mixture in the ratio of 1:1.

Recipe for kulfi / Method of manufacture

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Barney the purple dinosaur is a kid’s classic, though his popularity does tend to drop off drastically as kids get older. Barney and his troupe of friends are of course very easy to find with themed party items, and favors. If your buying all of your party supplies for a Barney themed party at the right stores, then it’s more a matter of knowing what not to buy rather than what to buy. Just don’t go to over board, and remember that if it makes noise you have to listen to it. If all else fails, the color purple, rainbows, and dinosaurs will all work well.

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Lemon Meringue Pie is one of the classic southern recipes that should be made at home. It is easy to make and the flavor of the homemade version far out shines the store bought or frozen variety. The lemon meringue pie recipe consists of 3 parts: the pie shell, the custard, and the meringue.

This recipe uses a pre-baked pie shell to make it easy, however you can make your own if you prefer. Use a pastry shell, not a graham or cookie crust so that the meringue will seal properly.

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In terms of cookery, it’s unfortunate that herbs seem to have become the poor relations to spices as an addition to food. This may be because herbs are ubiquitous. They are in our gardens and all around us in the environment and they tend to have subtle flavours that gently enhance the flavours of food. In comparison, spices are far more brash. They have a tradition of being expensive and give a certain ‘oomph’ to food. Just think of chillies and black pepper. But is this comparison accurate? Do we really have to denigrate herbs as much as we seem to?

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With the temptation of fast food, processed meals, and eating out, it’s difficult to spend time to prepare good, healthy, home-cooked meals. If you’re like many, the last thing you want to do after coming home from work is prepare a gourmet dinner. By using your crock pot and spending 5-10 minutes each morning, you can come home to delicious home-cooked meals without hours of preparation right before dinnertime. Below are three quick and easy chicken crock pot recipes you’re sure to enjoy, and each with 7 ingredients or less!

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