A cheese plate is a great appetizer for your Easter meal. We show you how to create a balanced and delicious cheese plate.
Photo: Jennifer Davick1. Start Soft
Try Belle Chevre's Greek Kiss, which comes wrapped in grape leaves for a dramatic presentation ($7.50 for 4 ounces).
2. Add Something Creamy
Belle Chevre's Fromage Blanc ($8 for 8 ounces) spreads easily on crackers.
3. Add Something Hard
An aged goat cheese or Manchego is a great option.
4. Toss In a Conversation Starter
Belle Chevre's julep-inspiredSouthern Belle is dressed with mint, bourbon pecans, and sugar ($7.50 for 4 ounces).
5. Add Edible Accents
Bread, crackers, fruits, nuts, and honey are good additions for any cheese plate.
Article by Donna Florio
More Easter Recipes from Southern Living
Classic Main Dishes for Easter
Delightful Spring Desserts
Perfect Easter Sides
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Although some may argue there is only one way to drink tea-sweet and iced-here are some refreshing must-try iced tea variations.
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Ingredients
1 (16-oz.) package frozen blueberries
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
4 cups water
3 family-size tea bags
3/4 cup sugar
Preparation
Bring 1 (16-oz.) package frozen blueberries and 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and pour through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl, using back of a spoon to squeeze out juice. Discard solids. Wipe saucepan clean.
Bring 4 cups water to a boil in same saucepan; add 3 family-size tea bags, and let stand 5 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags. Stir in 3/4 cup sugar and blueberry juice mixture. Pour into a pitcher; cover and chill 1 hour. Serve over ice.
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Chinese snowball is one of spring's showiest shrubs. White flower clusters 6 to 8 inches across festoon its branches in late spring. The plant gets big-12 to 20 feet tall and wide. Though it looks like a hydrangea, it's actually a viburnum. Make sure you plant this in a prominent spot where it will have room to grow.
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To keep yourThis lightened version of Key lime pie has less than 4 grams of fat per serving and is quick and easy because of the ready-made cracker crust and frozen whipped topping.
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Ingredients
1 (14-oz.) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons grated lime rind (about 2 limes)
1 (6-oz.) reduced-fat ready-made graham cracker crust
1 (8-oz.) container fat-free whipped topping, thawed
Garnishes: lime wedges, lime curls
Preparation
1. Process first 4 ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour mixture into piecrust.
2. Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden. Let pie cool completely, and top with whipped topping. Garnish, if desired.
Nutritional Information (per slice)
Calories: 290 (12 % from fat)
Fat: 3.7g (sat 0.5, mono 0.0g, poly 0.0g)
Protein: 7.4 g
Carbohydrate: 55.1 g
Fiber: 0.1g
Cholesterol: 3mg
Iron: 0.4mg8 secrets to bake pound cakes like a pro
By Southern Living | Shine Food – Mon, Apr 4, 2011 3:46 PM EDTNothing beats the rich, buttery flavor of a homemade pound cake. Use our 8 simple tips and you'll soon be an expert on this tasty treat.
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1. Prep before you start.
Carefully read through the entire recipe, and prepare any special ingredients, such as chopped fruits or toasted nuts, before starting to mix the batter. We like to pre-measure our ingredients and assemble then in the order listed. That way, if interrupted, we're less likely to make a mistake.
2. Use name-brand ingredients.
Store brands of sugar are often more finely ground than name brands, yielding more sugar per cup, which can cause the cake to fall. Store brands of butter may contain more liquid fat or flours more hard wheat, making the cake heavy.
3. Be accurate.
Measure your ingredients carefully. Extra sugar or leavening causes a cake to fall; extra flour makes it dry. Also,Go ahead and indulge in that latte-it actually might be good for you! Find out why.
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1) It may reduce your chance of developing diabetes.
People who drink three to four cups of coffee each day are 25% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. (Go easy on adding sugar or any flavored syrups, which raise blood sugar and add calories.)
2) It helps reduce muscle soreness after workouts.
A recent study showed that a dose of caffeine equal to that found in two cups of coffee reduced muscle-soreness by nearly half.
3) It's a great source of antioxidants.
Antioxidants help protect your body from heart disease, stroke, and a slew of other diseases.
4) It's a brain booster.
Coffee increases short-term recall, plus people who drink three to five cups of coffee each day are 65% less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
5) It may reduce your risk for developing some cancers.
CoffeeSmall changes can have a big impact-even if it's switching some furniture around or displaying artwork in a different way. Use these tips to have your home looking like new in a flash.
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Get creative-buy a random assortement of frames in different shapes and sizes, or all the same frames and mats for a polished look. Don't be afraid to add a pop of color with your matting.
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One of the easiest things you can do to freshen up your home is to add fresh flowers, branches, and even leaves from your own yard. It's inexpensive and fun!Whip up the perfect omelet for breakfast or supper. Grab your blender and nonstick skillet, and we'll show you how in 3 easy steps.
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In 3 easy steps you can have perfect omelets like this Spinach-and-Cheese Omelet.
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Step 1: Blend and Pour
Step 1: Blend and Pour
First, process 2 large eggs and 2 Tbsp. water in a blender until blended Melt 1 Tbsp. butter in an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat; add 1 cup coarsely chopped spinach and 1/3 cup chopped tomatoes, and sauté 1 minute or until spinach is wilted. Add 1/8 tsp. salt and egg mixture to skillet.
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Step 2: Lift and Tilt
Step 2: Lift and Tilt
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Step 3: Fold and Serve
Sprinkle omelet with 1/3 cup (1 1/2 oz.) shredded Swiss cheese and 1/8 tsp. pepper. FoldThe secret to a healthy grilled cheese
By Southern Living | Shine Food – Wed, Mar 23, 2011 8:33 PM EDTA grilled cheese that's healthy? It can't be true! It is when you use goat cheese. It's also delicious in appetizers, or for a snack just for you.
Why Goat Cheese is Good for You- Goat cheese has about 80 calories and 6 grams of fat per ounce, compared to cow's milk cheese, which has 100 calories and 10 grams of fat.
- It's high in calcium, which strengthens bones and can help prevent breast cancer.
- People who are lactose intolerant can often enjoy goat cheese because it's easy to digest.
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