Rice pudding is a dessert that is prepared in almost every area of the world. The recipe can vary regionally even in a single country. How to make rice pudding depends on the method you feel is the most convenient. Rice pudding has different type of preparation based on preparation method and number of ingredients used. Rice pudding can be boiled or baked.

To know how to make rice pudding from scratch, read on the following list of ingredients and method of preparation

You will need a one and half cup of water, 3/4^th cup of rice. You can either use long grain or medium-sized grain of white or brown rice. A pinch of salt is optional in this case. 5 tablespoons of butter. ¾ cup of sugar, although, the quantity of sugar depends on if you are adding any flavor enhancers in the pudding. You will need 4 cups of milk. If you wish to make the rice pudding extra creamier use 2 eggs. Vanilla extract, cinnamon and nutmeg are optional. Balance out the quantity sugar if you are using these flavor enhancers.

Method of preparation

• In a microwave-safe container, add rice, water and salt and microwave it for five to seven minutes until the mixture starts to boil. Set it aside for 10 minutes and microwave it again for the next five minutes or until the rice has become tender.
• In another container, mix butter sugar and milk and microwave high for 10 minutes. While the mixture is getting microwaved, beat 2 eggs. To prevent the eggs from curdling, add a small amount hot mixture, and beat them well again. Return the mixture in the large container to blend the mixture better. Microwave it uncovered for 2 minutes, or until the bubbles around the edge start to form.
• If you are going to use flavor enhancers like vanilla flavor, cinnamon or nutmeg, mix the latter 2 in two teaspoons of vanilla extract and add it to the mixture. Add the mixture as it cools down and gets thickened. Serve the rice pudding warm or chilled.
• Use a microwave popper to cook the rice pudding and make sure that the container is big as you would not want the mixture to pour out of the container as it boils in the microwave
• If you are wondering how to make rice pudding without milk, use condensed milk but make sure that you have precooked rice. This is because if you try to make rice tender in the mixture, the pudding will turn lumpy and chewy due to condensed milk.

When it comes to comfort food, everybody likes to try something new every once a while. Old fashioned recipes have their own taste. They are simple and focus less on the presentation and more on taste that makes them more appetizing. There are restaurants across the countries that are known for their old-fashioned recipes.

If you are searching for restaurants that serve comfort foods the old-fashioned way, then here is a list of restaurants that you should definitely give a try.

• Bluebird diner, Iowa city, Iowa
  Bluebird Diner from Iowa is known for their cross cultural collision. If you are at or around Iowa, pay a visit to the restaurant as they are known for their old fashioned recipes of chilli verde, smoked pork, over-easy eggs, hash browns and parmesan polenta. Bluebird Diner includes the name of local partners they used to get their food.
• The Breakfast club Georgia
  This restaurant has been known to serve omelets outside Savanah since 1976. The restaurant is known for omelets with spinach and grilled mushrooms, garlic, parmesan cheese and is served with grits and bacon with a side of their homemade bread. It is notoriously famous for its long line, but it is worth the wait because the restaurant is by the beach and is known for its breakfast recipes.

• Blue Benn
  The Blue Benn diner was shipped from Jersey to Bennington and was assembled on its current spot in the year 1948. It has been the same way since then. Their old school jukebox and 25 for 2 songs will warp you back in time. Blue Benn is known for its mixed berry pancakes, and pastry Cline Crooning.
• Brent’s Drugs
  Brent’s have undergone a number of renovations since its setup in 1946. The restaurant’s soda-fountain and retro diner theme will surely give you the nostalgia of the 60’s. Brent’s drugs is famous for serving its old fashioned recipes of French toast sandwich, grilled bacon, and pimento cheese sandwich.
• Diner Grill
  Diner Grill is made from an old rail road dining car. Without any tables and frills, the diner contains a big counter and a griddle. The Diner is known for serving their burgers at breakneck speed. Their most famous dish is known as the slinger, it is a pile of hash browns, burger patties, eggs and cheese. Diner Grill at Chicago is one of those diners that has been endorsed by 3-Michelin star staff.

Old fashioned recipes of comfort foods have withstood the test of time. They are still being shared and enjoyed today. Comfort food represents a homely feeling. It represents the belief of heart and soul that one puts in cooking. Here are some old-fashioned recipes that are worth a try:

Cornbread salad
Let us start with a salad dish. The southern cornbread salad is of the simplest old-fashioned recipe one can prepare for social gatherings or simply for dinner.

It has some of the simplest ingredients that you can find in your kitchen and refrigerator. You need a cornbread (cut into 1 inch equal cubes. Cut them and spread them on a tray on a large baking sheet.

Dry them out for at least 4 hours. Chop dices of tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, jalapenos and cabbage leaves in equal parts and take equal amount of corn kernels and kidney beans.

Use a large trifle dish or a glass bowl and form a layer of cornbread cubes at the bottom. Start layering the diced vegetables alternating with the layers of kidney beans and corn kernels. Top the final layer with shredded cheese of your choice and salad dressing.

Mac and cheese
One of the most popular old-fashioned recipe is the homemade macaroni and cheese. It is a perfect cheesy casserole that you can find across the country. It is one of the simplest recipe that you can find around. Cook macaroni as mentioned in the package and drain the water. Grease a baking tray and set it aside. Preheat the oven at 350 degree Fahrenheit.

Add cheddar cheese to the pan first and then the rest to the saucepan while the macaroni is still hot. Finally add American cheese and mix it together lightly.

Spread this macaroni mixture in the greased baking dish. Mix milk eggs and sour cream together in a separate bowl, and add butter. Pour the mixture over macaroni and bake it until it turns golden brown and budding (approximately for 40 minutes).

Old fashioned recipe of oatmeal cake
One can never go wrong with an oatmeal cake. Easy to prepare, a dessert that can be relished by everyone. Preheat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit and grease and flour a baking tray. Place the oats in a bowl, add equivalent hot water to it, and set it aside for the oats to absorb the water. Mix sugar, butter and blend well until it becomes creamy.

In a separate bowl, add eggs, vanilla extract, and sift together flour and baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add half a mixture of oats into the butter and sugar mix and mix well. Add the other half of oatmeal mixture and flour and mix well.

Once everything is combined, pour it on a baking tray bake it in an oven at 350 degrees at 25 minutes. Your oatmeal cake is ready once you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean.

There are self-declared chefs who will stop at nothing until they have tried every new recipe in the cook book. If you are one such cooking-enthusiast, then you must be familiar with the art of canning. Canning is the process where people preserve seasonal food items with the help of mouthwatering recipes and turn them into their favorite pickle or spaghetti sauce. What makes it more appealing is the fact that these canning recipes are free. You can avail of free canning recipes on the Internet and hone your culinary skills.

Here are some of the popular free canning recipes that will definitely tickle your taste buds.

• Strawberry honey jam- Nobody can resist a generous spread of strawberry honey jam on their plain bread for their breakfast. You will need 6 to 7lbs of fresh strawberries, 2 small apples, raw honey, and ½ tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice. Blending every ingredient in the right way would give you the delicious strawberry honey jam you crave for. It can be canned using bath water for around 10 minutes. It is advisable to keep let it cool overnight.
• Homemade canned spaghetti sauce– If you have your own tiny garden with ripe tomatoes, this free canning recipe is the one for you. Instead of letting the tomatoes rot, use it to make your own canned spaghetti sauce that will last for a long time. Tomatoes, green peppers, canola oil, onions, sugar, salt, garlic cloves, oregano, dried basil leaves, bay leaves, crushed red pepper, lemon juice, etc. go into the making of this canned recipe.
• Bread and Butter Pickles– Pickles can transform the most boring dish into something delicious. This is the perfect canning recipe for those who haven’t tried pickling before. You will need cucumbers, onions, salt, ice, cider vinegar, turmeric, celery seeds, mustard seeds. When you blend these ingredients perfectly, your bread and butter pickle will be ready to consume. Pickling involves using ingredients that preserve the food for a long time, so ensure that all the ingredients mentioned are used accordingly.
• The wonderful salsa- Who doesn’t love salsa sauce to spice up their food! Instead of using the salsa sauce from the store, one can make it at home with the help of the free canned recipes on the Internet. All you need is tomatoes, onions, green peppers, canning salt, cumin, garlic cloves, vinegar, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Mix these ingredients and boil it for 10 minutes. Seal it in a jar and cook the mixture in a hot water bath for another 10 minutes. Voila! Your salsa sauce is ready.

If your garden is full of ripe tomatoes, or if you are fond of the strawberries that accompany winter, they can be canned in the form of jams, pickles, and sauces that can last over the year. Canning is what preserves your favorite food and allows it to last longer. There are a lot of free canning recipes on the Internet that will introduce you to innovative ways of making pickles and jams.

If you are new to the entire process of canning, it is advisable to start your journey with canning recipes that are easy to make. Here are some of the free canning recipes that are quite simple.

• Pickled Peaches– Who would have thought that sweet peaches would make for amazing pickles? This simple free canning recipe requires only five ingredients- soft peaches, sugar, white vinegar, stick cinnamon, whole cloves. Boil these ingredients on a slow flame for 10 to 15 minutes till you can slice a fork through the peaches easily. Allow it to cool down, and fill it in an air-tight jar. Add a cinnamon stick to it and ensure that there’s no space for air to get in. And, your pickled peaches are ready.
• Dill Pickles– You can avail of a plethora of free canning recipes for making dill pickles on the Internet since it is quite easy to make. You will need cucumbers, fresh dill, clove garlic, dill seeds, peppercorns, horseradish, and pickle master. Mix all these ingredients in a jar and pour the hot pickle master over it. Allow it to cool and refrigerate it. This pickle will last for around 2 months if you keep it refrigerated.
• English Pickled Onions– Pickled Onions taste great with your fries and burger, and it is quite easy to make. The ingredients for this canning recipe includes onions, salt, malt vinegar, granulated sugar, bay leaves, pickling spices, etc. Sprinkle the onions with salt and add them to a jar. Mix vinegar, bay leaves, pickling spices, sugar in a pan and heat it for 10 minutes. Add this concoction to the jar with onions and seal it tightly. Store it in a cool place for 3 to 4 weeks before consuming it.
• Pickled Asparagus- For this free canning recipe, you will need asparagus, garlic, sea salt, red pepper flakes, organic dill, organic dried oregano, mustard seeds, and black peppercorns. Fill the jar with each of these ingredients except the asparagus, and pour vinegar into it after heating it slightly. Cut the bottom stem of asparagus and fit as many as you can in the jar. Heat it in the boiling water bath, and later, allow it to cool. Store it in a cool place for 2 to 3 weeks, and then, it’s ready for consuming.

Is the onset of spring making you want to sip on an iced beverage? Then there is undoubtedly nothing better than a delicious cup of iced coffee. A perfect blend, iced-coffee can amazingly serve your craving for coffee and dessert as well. We bet, the idea of one can make you squeal.
So what are waiting for? Craving a quick iced coffee but don’t want to splurge dollars on that fancy iced coffee? We have you covered. You don’t need to bring out the chef in you and merely follow these simple ideas. Viola, you’ll be rewarded with the tastiest iced coffee.

Iced coffee date – If you love your mornings and cannot kick-start your day without a cup of iced coffee, here is a healthy and delicious coffee variant. Prepare your usual coffee with some ice, milk and coffee and few chopped dates. This is a naturally sweetened iced coffee is a great energiser and is yummy too.

Chocolate iced coffee – Can’t live without chocolate? Most people can not. Chocolate is magical ingredient that can taste good in anything. So throw in some coffee with milk and ice, add in an ounce of chocolate flakes or powder and enjoy your chocolaty iced coffee.

Coconut iced coffee – Want to rock your morning the healthy way, iced coffee with coconut water is the way to go. All you have to do is brew some coffee with water and then add in your fresh coconut water. Drop in some ice cubes and enjoy this refreshing iced tea.

Ice-cream iced coffee – Well, this sounds like the best iced coffee variant right. Blend a mixture of milk, ice and coffee concentrate together. Pour it into a glass and add a generous dollop of ice-cream over. Although this iced coffee idea is high on calories, it is great for your cheat days.

Almond iced coffee – Almonds come with a whole lot of goodness. Substitute usual milk and add in some almond milk to a mix of iced tea and coffee. This beverage is high in protein and equally tasty. Don’t forget to garnish with a drizzle some crushed almonds.

Classic iced coffee – Want to stay awake all night, try this classic iced coffee. Brew fresh coffee and pour it over a few ice cubes. This cold beverage will keep you wide-eyed with its high caffeine concentration.

Cookie and cream iced coffee – Blend in some cream, coffee and ice cubes together. Throw in some crushed cookies and enjoy the of cookie adding crush to your iced drink. The tastiest, this one is irresistible.

Hope you enjoyed your iced coffee till your heart’s content.

Who does not love the idea of sipping a quick iced coffee? Well, the mention of the name itself is sure to make one salivate. For many, coffee acts as the kick-start energizer in the morning and beginning the day without a coffee break is unimaginable. While most elders prefer hot coffee, kids and youngsters can’t get enough of the iced variant. Just not refreshing, an iced coffee is also amazingly yummy.
Be it winter or spring, it is always iced coffee season. But where did this deliciously tasty and chilled drink come from? Let’s take you through the evolution of this godly drink, while you sip on your yummy iced coffee.

There is no dearth of myths that are connected to the origins of iced coffee. While being mysterious, they are super fun too. Coffee has been around for centuries but the evolution of iced coffee can be traced to the 1600’s in Japan. Since the Japanese have been known to be the first people to brew cold tea, it only stands as good reason that they may have been the first to experiment with iced-coffee aswell. It is speculated that Japanese may have picked this up from the Dutch who made coffee concentrate for easy transportation.

So how has this iced coffee trend expanded so widely in the US? People have always loved coffee for obvious reasons and having it in an iced form only makes it more irresistible. Moreover, several cafes can produce this coffee faster as brewing is quick and requires minimum labor. Iced Coffee is now also a part of popular culture and is now coming to be seen as an art-form. Brewers are coming up with creative ideas to serve this drink.

Different countries in the world have different variations and quick iced coffee ideas that are popular in that state. In a Japan, iced coffee stay very true to its name and freshly brewed coffee is merely poured over cubes of ice. This accentuates the flavor of the coffee and brings out the roasted flavor with every sip. On the other hand, an iced coffee is more like a sugary and creamy mix with a dash of crushed ice and coffee. This kind of quick iced coffee idea is becoming highly popular and loved for its quick way of preparation.

It is no surprise, that iced coffee is concentrated with way more caffeine and if you want to stay up through the night, iced coffee is the way to go. Don’t stop slurping!