Hamburger Stew

Carrot roots should be firm, smooth, relatively straight and bright in color. The deeper the orange color, the more beta carotene is in the carrot. Avoid carrots that are excessively cracked as well as those that are limp or rubbery. 

Crunchy Turkey Casserole

Olives were more than likely first domesticated in the Mediterranean basin some 6,000 years ago. It is thought that oil from the olive was one of several attributes that likely made the bitter fruit attractive enough to result in its domestication. However, the production of olive oil, the deliberate pressing of oil out of olives, is currently documented no earlier than 2500 BC.

Debo’s Crazy Chipotle Taco Casserole

In 1932, C.E. Doolin walked into a San Antonio cafe and purchased a bag of corn chips. Little did he dream this savory chip would become one of the nation's most popular snacks.

Pigs in Ponchos (tortilla wrap franks)

Today, the company we know as Mission Foods had its beginnings in 1949, Don Roberto Gonzalez and his father formed the company GRUMA S.A. in Monterrey, Mexico, and revolutionized the corn flour and tortilla industries.

Ham and Potato Soup

Over time, many different types of plants across the world have been referred to by the common name "wild celery." Most of these plants, although not all of them, belong to the same family (Apiaceae/Umbellerifereae) as the Pascal celery found in United States markets. You'll find Australian celery, Vietnamese celery, Indian celery, Maori celery, and water celery all being referred to as "wild celery" in various cultures.

Smoked Sausage and Cheddar Potato Packets

Did you know grilling and barbecuing is not the same thing?

Red Raspberry Ice Cream

Raspberries belong to the rose family of plants, which houses some of the world's most beloved fruits including apples, apricots, blackberries, cherries, loquats, peaches, pears, plums, and strawberries. Almonds also belong to this diverse family of plants. Among United States consumers, raspberries are the third most popular berry and follow right after strawberries and blueberries.

Potato Wedges

While potatoes are often conveniently packaged in a plastic bag, it is usually better to buy them individually from a bulk display. Not only will this allow you to better inspect the potatoes for signs of decay or damage, but many times, the plastic bags are not perforated and cause a buildup of moisture that can negatively affect the potatoes.

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Many researchers believe that the potato’s arrival in northern Europe spelled an end to famine there. Corn, another American crop, played a similar but smaller role in southern Europe. More than that, as the historian William H. McNeill has argued, the potato led to empire, “By feeding rapidly growing populations, permitted a handful of European nations to assert dominion over most of the world between 1750 and 1950.” The potato, in other words, fueled the rise of the West.

Skillet Lasagna

By the 1300's dried pasta was very popular for its nutrition and long shelf life, making it ideal for long ship voyages. Pasta made it around the globe during the voyages of discovery a century later. By that time different shapes of pasta have appeared and new technology made pasta easier to make. 

Barbecue Style Pork Chops

Worcestershire sauce has roots in India, but was actually created by accident in its namesake town of Worcester, England in 1835. Lord Marcus Sandy had returned home to England to retire after successfully governing Bengal, India for many years. He so missed his favorite Indian sauce that he commissioned drug store owners John Lea and William Perrins to come up with a reasonable facsimile.

Chicken Stir Fry

For common mushrooms, choose those with a firm texture and even color with tightly closed caps. If the gills are showing, it's an indication of age, and they are probably past their prime, and should be avoided. Discolored, broken, wrinkle and damaged mushrooms with soft spots should be avoided.

Sauteed Shrimp

Fresh shrimp should have firm bodies that are still attached to their shells. They should be free of black spots on their shell since this indicates that the flesh has begun to break down. In addition, the shells should not appear yellow or gritty as this may be indicative that sodium bisulfate or another chemical has been used to bleach the shells.