Recipe: Over 30 Easy Steps to Make Meals Better with Milk

OVER 30 EASY STEPS TO MAKE MEALS BETTER WITH MILK

BENEFIT FROM A BREAKFAST BONUS

- Stir up a bowl of oatmeal or other hot breakfast cereal made with milk instead water. Whether you choose the instant old-fashioned variety, lust substitute milk for the water and follow the package instructions for quantities and cooking times.

- Make fluffier scrambled eggs and omelets with milk. Whisk about 2 tablespoons of milk into each beaten raw egg.

- Skip the fat and empty calories of nondairy creamers and add calcium to your coffee by using a shot of milk instead. Or enjoy gourmet coffee drinks such as cappuccino, caffe latte or mocha java - they're all loaded with milk.

- Mix instant breakfast powder with fat free or lowfat milk for quick, on-the-go nourishment.

- Top a bowl of granola with a cup of milk and microwave until steaming for a warm, hearty breakfast.

- Cook couscous in milk instead of water for an interesting alternative to hot breakfast cereal. Add a cinnamon stick during cooking for extra flavor and sprinkle brown sugar before cooking.

- Spike Soups and Side Dishes. Use milk instead of water when preparing canned or packaged soups. Just follow the label directions to make a richer and more satisfying bowl of soup with milk. Best choices: tomato, chowders and "cream- type" soups like mushroom, potato and broccoli-cheese.

SPIKE SOUPS AND SIDE DISHES

- Use milk instead of water when preparing instant mashed potatoes to get a boost of calcium. Add milk to other packaged potato products such as scalloped and au gratin potatoes.

- Boil peeled and quartered Idaho potatoes in milk until tender for extra- satisfying mashed potatoes from scratch. Drain and set aside milk from potatoes. Season potatoes to taste with salt, pepper and butter (if desired); then beat in hot reserved milk until moist and smooth.

- Microwave processed cheese and milk together for a quick cheese sauce for baked potatoes, steamed broccoli or cauliflower.

- Replace half the broth with milk when preparing stuffing from a mix.

- Cook couscous in milk instead of water. Try some of the flavored instant mixes instead of rice for dinner.

- Use milk instead of water when cooking rice or preparing boxed instant rice dishes like Rice Pilaf and Herb Rice. Follow package directions for cooking in the microwave or on top of the stove.

MILKING YOUR ENTREE OPTIONS

- Substitute milk for half of the broth or other liquid when making risotto. Stir the rice often to avoid scalding.

- Dip chops, fish or chicken in seasoned milk instead of beaten egg before coating with bread crumbs and baking.

- Add milk instead of water to canned cream 0f mushroom and cheese soups for quick calcium-rich sauces for chicken, fish, vegetables and baked potatoes.

- Poach fish fillets or boneless chicken breasts in hot milk. Flavor milk with fresh herbs like dill, tarragon and thyme, or simmer with garlic cloves and chunks of onion.

BOOSTING BAKED GOODS

- Add milk instead of water when preparing boxed muffin and quick bread mixes, pancakes and waffles.

- Substitute cold milk for water when making pizza dough, pie crusts and when mixing dough in your bread machine.

- Dissolve yeast in milk instead of cold water when making yeast breads. Brush the tops of loaves with milk before baking to create a shiny, browning effect.

Together with the test kitchens at Martha Stewart Living, she created these tips that incorporate milk in some surprising ways.

- Make polenta with milk for extra creaminess. It makes a wonderful side dish with any savory or sharply flavored vegetable.

- Puree roasted plum tomatoes seasoned with basil and milk to make a quick bowl of tomato-basil bisque.

- Combine milk with your favorite canned beans and frozen vegetables for a quick, warming stew.

- Cook whole fresh or frozen ears of corn in lightly salted milk instead of water for sweeter, more flavorful corn- on-the-cob.

- Soak chicken overnight in milk and spices. Drain, dredge in seasoned flour and fry or pan saut until golden for the most tender fried chicken.

DRINK IT UP

- Heat a cup of milk in the microwave or on top of the stove and use in place of water when making instant hot cocoa and specialty coffee drinks like packaged cappuccino mixes.

- Heat equal parts of milk and water in the microwave or on top of the stove and brew loose tea or tea bags for satisfying and warming cup of tea. Sweeten with a little honey, if desired.

- Cook dried fruit like apricots, cherries or cranberries in hot milk for 15 minutes. Let stand to cool; then pur e in a blender for a fruit drink with an explosion of flavor.

- Enjoy a tempting fat free milk shake from your blender with fat free milk, your favorite fruit and a few ice cubes. For extra thickness, as well as calcium, make the ice cubes with milk instead of water.

START WITH A MUG OF MILK IN THE MICROWAVE- Pour milk into a nonmetal cup or mug and microwave on HIGH (100% power) about 1 1/2 minutes or just till steaming hot. Stir in...

1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee crystals
1 envelope instant cocoa mix
1 envelope cappuccino mix
1 envelope instant soup mix
1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
1 tablespoon honey and a dash of cinnamon

SWEET ENDINGS WITH EXTRA PUNCH

- Combine ice cubes made from sweetened, freshly brewed coffee with milk and a dash of cinnamon in the blender for a delicious coffee granita frappe.

- Thin fruit preserves with tat tree or lowfat milk to make a lowfat sauce for ice cream or frozen yogurt.

- Melt dark chocolate morsels and fat free milk in a fondue pot or double boiler, then dip in fruit slices and wedges of angel food cake.

- Make a quick "creme anglaise" type topping for cake and fresh fruity thinning down vanilla pudding with milk while it is still hot in a saucepan on the stove.

- Freeze milk in a bowl until small ice crystals begin to form on top. Then whip and use instead of whipped cream or nondairy frozen topping.

COOKING TIPS

- Substitute 1 cup of hot milk for boiling water by pouring milk in a microwave-safe measuring cup and microwaving on HIGH (100% power) about 1 1/2 minutes or just till steaming hot.

- Use 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar plus milk to equal 1 cup if a recipe calls for a cup of buttermilk.

- Keep some long-life (no refrigeration required milk cartons in your cupboard so you'll have plenty on hand for cooking if you run out of milk in your refrigerator.

From: Recipelink.com
Source: Recipe pamphlet: Make it Better with Milk - Got Milk?, National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board, 1998