Reasons folktales and stories are effective

Understanding culture

Engaging and memorable

Tips for learning English using folktales and stories

Choose the right folktales

Use multiple formats

Analyze structure

Practice storytelling

Make use of visual aids

Think of the moral lessons

Examples of folktales effective for learning English

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

The Gingerbread Man

The Fisherman and His Wife

Beauty and the Beast

Importance of English in customer service

English for call center

Choose topic carefully

Know the audience

Grab the readers' attention

Use empathy

Use urgency and repetition

Know modes of persuasive writing

Use strong and emotive words

Ask questions

1. General Comparison Between Fiction and Non-Fiction Literature

There is no doubt that reading makes it easy to learn English and it's true for both fiction and non-fiction. Fiction embodies made-up stories, imaginative characters and they are meant to entertain, motivate, or spark ideas or concepts. On the contrary, non-fiction derives from real events, facts and actual information and aims to educate or provide information. Each of these varieties – non-fiction, fiction and history is approached differently in reading in order to maximally benefit from what each genre can offer.

Fiction In General: Why It Was Written and How To Read It

To put it simply, fiction encompasses all the novel or short stories or even dramas all in the imagining sphere. A story that fiction proposes, takes the reader to places unknown and introduces them to interesting people dealing with common and sometimes deep-rooted themes of love, bravery and a good old classic conflict. It is designed with the sole purpose of allowing the reader to experience feelings and emotions backed with perspective changes designed to grow some form of sympathy within the reader.

Key Elements of Fiction

1. Characters: Fictional stories often revolve around characters—people, animals, or even fantastical beings. A fiction tale depends on characters to be created, their actions, thoughts and even emotions. In order to be fully involved, determining a character's motivation becomes an essential component.



2. Seting: It includes time and location which the story develops. It can be based on reality or can be based on imagination, giving the readers a background that is helpful in visualizing a scene.



3. Ploy: A plot is a storyline that describes the events of a narration. Every plot has a conflict, which creates suspense, and an ending that allows the tension to be brought to closure.



4. Theme: Themes are the basic issues or ideas such as love or friendship or even courage or personal growth. These are frequently exposed in works that are fictional, as other components of human nature.

Writing Strategies to Adopt in Reading Fiction

1. See the Whole Picture: By and large, the plot and the progression of the characters matter more than different elements in fiction. This is character development, resolution of different issues, and what the story doesn't particularly cite but tries to portray.



2. Imagine Settings: In most cases, portraying stories and impersonating characters naturally makes fiction more entertaining and enhances understanding as well. Children are trying to picturize the scene, from the reactions to the actors to the surrounding.



3. Empathize with Characters: It is often said to focus on the central figures of the tale and attempt to feel how they feel and what they want to achieve and access the barriers in order to proceed. This also allows understanding of varying angles and entirely different views in the process making the character, and thus the story more interesting.



4. Consider Tone and Style: Fiction is littered with explicit language, metaphors as well as coded language. Though tone allows the reader to know what the writer intended e.g. whether there is sarcasm, comedy, or suspense, it is also crucial to how the words were said.



5. Pause to Synthesize: As the story unfolds in a fictional tale it is usually very thick with hidden details hence thick use of pauses is needed especially after major spotlight events or after key speech. Ponder what you sense or what may possibly come afterward.

Practice Exercise: Fiction Reading – An Assignment

Pick a short story and read it from the beginning up to the first few pages. Binder together the main characters, the setting and any identified themes as a rough version when reading. Be rusted with your imagination by recording your emotions and driving clips about where the story is going. Then, once again like in the beginning, the story is placed in between and the notes are compared.

Gaining New Insights in Non-Fiction: Goals and Strategies

Clear facts and events enthused pieces engage the readers' attention, understanding or comprehension. News items, biographies, articles and scientific pieces fall under this category. Reading non-fiction offers the reader a perspective and understanding of everything from the past, the world as it is now, including technology and when appropriately applied, self-help literature.

Key Elements of Non-Fiction

1. The logical reasoning and challenge of verifiable information-sourced from real-life events: The educational texts or non-fiction genre of reading is made up of facts, events and situations, for which there is need to focus on all the aspects of chronology to ensure that accuracy is maintained.



2. A dispassionate or impersonal approach to the subject matter stated: Non-fiction comprises a large body of literature, which is written in a mere objective style in order to serve its purpose of just informing the readers of certain facts. Any better or even worse opinions that are provided in the paper are normally expressed on such topics that the writer has previously researched and/or has evidence supporting those assumptions.



3. Use of logic: Headings, sub-headings and bulleted lists, which makes comprehending the information easier, are standard features of non-fictional works. Such ordering of ideas allows the readers to be able to tuck away vital information without much hassle.



4. In matters of intent: Non-fiction has different faces: it can be instructional, persuasive, or explanatory in nature. Knowing the intent of the author's writing offers one a chance to question all the materials presented.

Strategies for Reading Non-Fiction

1. Identify the oversimplified central idea: The title or abstract is a good place to start if you have an oversimplified version of the main idea. Again, when one is aware about what is being discussed, one is able to pay attention to that information only and understands better.



2. Search for extra evidence: Many non-fiction materials contain details, data, or examples that include the evidence regarding the main idea. Note such facts as they are the ones that explain and expand the subject.



3. Mark down the significant points for later reference: Reading non-fiction can be overwhelming with loads of information; therefore, it is wise to make notes of things of importance if you were taking that reading for a purpose. Such methods enhance learning and make provision for review easy.



4. Summarizing Information: When you finish reading a portion, try to explain it in your own words. This encourages you to verify how much you have learned and integrates fresh knowledge into your memory.



5. Ask Questions and Evaluate Sources: Assess the author's claim and the status of the source. This is an important ability in non-fiction so that you can become a selective reader in the context.

Practice Exercise: Non-Fiction Reading Interview

Pick a non-fiction article on a subject matter of your choosing and limit yourself to four paragraphs. Use the first paragraph to establish the topic sentence and read over the rest to get the supporting points. Briefly explain what the article focused on. Lastly, identify any new vocabulary and search for their definitions.

The distinction of Fiction and Non-Fiction

Benefits of Reading Fiction and Non-Fiction

Got it, I know the differences so Is there any other benefit to either reading fiction or let's say non-fiction? Well if you read fiction, you are more likely able to increase your creative abilities, compassion and recognition on the ability to see through different people's eyes. Having complex filled stories with characters and conflicts makes one think how behaved and felt human.

In view of the foregoing, it follows that non-fiction helps the reader to get more awareness and understanding of the word. Of course. It's essential to advance one's understanding of accuracy and especially on words that come from specific subjects whether those be science, history or social problems.

Tips for English Learners

Is it an easy work approaching fiction and non-fiction in another language? Definitely not as it requires time and effort. Here are some suggestions to help you utilise each style as best as you can.

1. Read a Variety of Texts: Read various other Тexts to get text that is creative half the time and half the time is factual.



2. Choose Simple Texts First: Use stories and articles which are shorter and easier to read. Gradually increase the complexity level as you get more used to it.



3. Focus on Vocabulary in Context: Instead of looking up every unfamiliar word, try to understand concepts from words contextualised by the text. This promotes natural and contextual learning.



4. Sitting Back Can Help: After reading, you may consider what you have learnt or felt. In terms of fiction, you may recall what emotions or themes were prominent and in non-fiction, this should concern knowledge acquisition or new insights.



5. Practice Makes Perfect: It is said that by frequent reading one gets accustomed to various patterns and forms in the English language which makes reading an effortless task in the future.

The said article offers a well balanced discussion of fiction as well as non fiction which would be beneficial to English learners by helping them understand how to read such texts employing appropriate strategies.

It is easy to understand why English is one of the hardest languages to master due to the sounds that do not exist in Indian languages and other tongues for that matter, particularly "TH", "R" and "L" In order to make these sounds, you have to move your tongue and mouth in a specific and sometimes difficult way. Once you are able to learn how to pronounce these sounds, you will be able to pronounce words more clearly and fluently, thus bringing your spoken English to a more natural level.

As such hence, following the alphabetical order of linguistics, Let's take a close look at each of these sounds, their pronunciations in detail and some work outs for you to try them out.

Focusing on the Workouts of the "TH" Sound

If cared for well, mastering "TH" can sound quite lightly as its pronunciation involves the tongue being extended in two forms, a voiceless known in the words "thank" and "think" and a voiced known in the words "this, and they". The problem with saying "TH" is that it is extremely tongue intensive and very complicated, hence mixing them can result in disastrous verbal communication with english native speakers

The "TH" that voice at the Start (e.g., then any of the three pronouns: this, they, and tell)

Pronouncing this particular sound involves lots of vibration in the throat which turns out to be a rather complicated task, if you don't know the steps to make the sound. Here is a simpler guide to pronouncing it.

1. Put the tip of your tongue between your upper and lower teeth so it sticks a little out.


2. Then put the tip of your tongue on your upper teeth lightly


3. Voice the sound when you bring it closer to your throat and push air out. In fact, without making any sounds during such a process, you should feel slight vibrations if you place your fingers on your throat.

Practice Words: this, they, them, that

Common Mistake: Other English learners tend to replace voiced TH with a d sound, stating dis instead of this. In this case, to avoid such a process, you have to perform the voice TH sound by placing your tongue between the teeth so that you feel a slight vibration when making a sound.

Voiceless "TH" Sound (e.g. think, thank)

The voiceless TH sound is without the use of vocal cords. Here's the correct method:

1. Place the tip of your tongue as you did with TH, except this time it is a voiced sound.


2. Push air out of your mouth and do not vibrate your vocal cords, instead let the air flow along the tip of your tongue.

Practice Words: think, thank, both, path

Common Mistake: There are some people that do not pronounce voiceless TH, rather they say the letter "s" or "t" making the word think, turn to sink or tink. Making sure the tongue is placed between the teeth during the pronunciation helps in this case.

Exercise: Create a web of voiced and voiceless 'TH' sounds including minimal pairs including They-Think and This-Thank. So , it's necessary to be slow in each pair and make tongue and airflow focus.

Getting Hold of 'R'

For those whose language doesn't have some pronounced sounds, such as the letter 'R', it can be quite problematic. Even more so, English speaking R does not require the tongue to touch any area of the mouth.

English Sound 'R'

In English speaking the letter 'R' revolves around the very particular use of 'rolled' tongue a little more than other letters. However be diligent to ensure it does not sit on top of the mouth.

1. Slightly cupping your tongue, drive the edge of it towards the back of your mouth.


2. Avoid letting the tip of tongue touch any part of the mouth. The tongue should be positioned away from the roof but still close.


3. Purse your lips slightly as you begin to say the sound, keep the mouth relaxed as well.

Practice Words: red, right, run, road

Common Mistake: Many learners tend to pronounce 'r' using a rolled tone, similar to how Italians or Spanish speakers do, or they say an 'r' eliminating the use of the tongue. But it should be clear that in English whenever 'r' is pronounced it is neither rolled nor touches the roof of the mouth.

Practicing of 'R' in Context

When 'r' comes in between two vowels or at the end of the word, it is likely that the sound gets suppressed, because those two vowels already make a potent combination.

Exercise: First begin with the pure form of the sound then heed in its articulation within words or sentences. Ensure the tongue does not deviate from its stance.

Example Sentence: Run along the road.

This combines R at the start, in the middle and even at the end of the word making it possible to practice R in all potential forms in a single sentence.

Gaining Skills in Pronunciation of 'L'

As much as the 'l' sound need encodes a different way of pronouncing it when compared to the pronunciation of 'r' in English, that is the most common problem with the language. And the same goes for those who do not have direct Rémy consonance differentiations, such as the Japanese.

Sound Production for "L"

While producing the "L" sound in English pronunciation, the tip of the tongue is needed against the mouth at a particular location.

1. Position the tip of the tongue on the upper gum line directly behind one's front teeth.


2. Allow the sound pronunciation to be accompanied by the airflow which passes through the sides of one's tongue in the speech sound production.

Words for Practice: look, like, love, light

Common Mistakes: Lateralization of the "L" sound into "R" or shifting the location of producing "L" deeper into the mouth cavity. In order to avoid this, ensure that the specific location of "L" sound is being produced which is the upper frontal tooth.

'L' Sound Assimilation in Words

It must be pointed that there are geographical and phonetic variations of the "L" sound also in terms of the location's of its articulation within the word. This may be softer or weaker at the end of a word, but be stronger if it comes at the start of a word.

Exercise: Practicing sentence where the "L" sound comes more towards the beginning or towards the middle of a word such as repeat after me I like to look at the lake which allows the sound to be easily pronounced.

How To Eliminate the Confusion Between R And L

R and L are sounds that speakers become accustomed to over time. However, L and R aren't phonemes in various other languages. Because of this, pronouncing L and R correctly whilst being able to distinguish the two separately is key for clarity. To the aim of decreasing the pronunciation inaccuracy of these phonemes, it is paramount to first practice pronouncing each one sound then to practice contrasting the two sounds using minimal pairs such as sit and set and using sentences that callback to each sound in practice.

Exercise: Repeat words which have R and L at least very close to each other such as 'light, lead, and fly' as compared to 'right, read, and fry'. For every sound in that minimal pair, repeat it slowly with a singular focus on placement of the tongue.

Example Sentence: The red light is on the right.

The activity for those trying to learn how pronounce R and L separately and without blending the two phonemes would be to repeat this phrase and doing so consistently and ensuring there is focus on correct pronunciation.

Putting Everything Together And Understanding The Key Points To Practicing L, R And TH Phonemes

When trying to maximize eloquence in speech it is necessary to learn how to pronounce L, R and TH sounds in multiple situations. There are plenty of strategies that can be deployed to make the pronouncing these sounds easier and more natural.

Shadowing Practice

Shadow pronouncing the sounds is effective as it aides the learner in grasping how to properly pronounce more complex sounds.

1. Pick an audio recording with a native speaker emphasizing great pronunciation, while also ensuring it isn't too long.


2. Listen to the clip and repeat as you read, pronouncing the sounds "TH", "R" and "L" properly.


3. Record yourself and listen as you pronounce similar words from an English speaker to check your work.

Minimal Pair Drills

Minimal pairs are pairs of words that differ in only one sound, such as lead vs. read or think vs. sink. Practicing minimal pairs improves your accuracy with sounds by developing an ear to note very slight changes.

1. Minimal pairs incorporating "TH", "R" and "L" should be selected.


2. As you articulate each word, concentrate on how the mouth and tongue must be positioned for that particular sound, and go through each word gradually.


3. As you get more adept, do not forget to steadily increase your pace.

Self-Recording and Analysis

Recording one's self provides a perspective that allows for assessing one as an outsider which aids in noticing minor adjustments plus it in the first place is a mechanism for self-assessing progress.

1. Record yourself reciting, in an audible voice, the paragraphs and sentences with the "TH", "R" and "L" sounds.


2. Do a play-back of what you recorded. Note down, together with your attempt, the sound differences with the illustration of a native speaker's pronunciation. Such sounds should be pronounced clearer.


3. Once again, through those sounds, re-do, emphasizing perfection on sound.

Consistently practicing these techniques will allow you to develop muscle memory for the correct tongue and mouth positions, allowing these sounds to come more naturally with time.

We tend to feel hungry in between meals. It is not healthy to buy snacks from the store every time. Knowing how to make some quick snacks at home can be very helpful. Here are some easy snack recipes that you can try.

1. Cottage cheese snack jar

You can easily create this cheese jar by mixing cottage cheese with cubes of peaches or other fruits. You can add some cinnamon and vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.

2. Cucumber salmon bites

Who says you can only serve salmon at meal times? You can also have salmon as a snack. Just be creative and make this snack. You can put a small slice of sandwich over sticky rice. You can top it with herms and cream cheese.

3. Yogurt with blackberries and honey

This is a very yummy snack-time dish. Mixing plain yogurt with berries and honey improves the taste of yogurt many times. It is a super healthy food as well.

4. Boiled egg with sauce

It's probably the easiest to make, yet will keep you healthy. Boil an egg in water. When cool peel off the skin. Cut the egg vertically in half. Then add some sauce and herbs.

5. Tortilla pinwheels

The tortilla is made with tortilla flour, cream, jalapeno pepper, onion, and lime juice. Make the cheese filling and chill. Wrap it up with a tortilla.

6. Caramel-coated popcorn

This snack is ideal when you are watching a movie at home or having a good time with your friends. To make this you need to bring sugar and water to boil. Then place popcorn on a baking tray along with the caramel sauce and put it inside the oven. Your popcorn will be ready within a short time.

7. Savory cookies

These delicious cookies are packed with butter, cheese, and herbs. You can quickly make the batter and put it in the oven for a quick snack before dinner.

8. Cauliflower wings

Take out the cauliflower florets and boil them with some salt. Fry these with a batter mixture and enjoy this healthy snack with your choice of sauce.

9. Chicken strip fry

Cut chicken breast into thin slices. Add seasonings and fry. Make sure they are crispy and cooked. You can have it with chili sauce or sour cream. Coleslaw will be a wonderful addition to this snack.

10. Cheese straws

These are super addictive snacks that you can't get rid of. These are made from green onions, cheddar cheese, and sesame seeds. You can have them with or without sauce.

11. Roasted chickpeas

Chickpeas are very energetic. You can roast chickpeas with some seasoning and enjoy a handful of them during your snack time. You won't realize that you just ate all in the bowl.

12. Strawberry shortcakes

You can bake this super yummy shortcake with a few ingredients. White chocolate along with rice krispies make a wonderful blend. The fresh fruit gives this dish another dimension.

13. Fig bar

The soft cake with fig jam inside will melt in your mouth. It's a very nutritious classic snack that has a burst of flavors of spices and zesty orange.

14. Homemade cheese crackers

You can make these delicious crackers easily at home. You can customize it with your choice of cheese and herbs. You can also two or more cheeses for an enhanced flavor.

15. Avocado hummus

Hummus is full of nutrition and will give you energy. Avocado is also a very healthy food and the combo is a good snack dish. Drizzle some hot sauce over it and enjoy!

16. Cherry-almond granola bar

It is a very nutritious snack that can replace any big meal. It has fiber and vitamins. You can put some chocolate over it and enjoy eating every bite of it.

17. Mini yogurt cheesecake

This mouthwatering dish requires no explanation; the name says it all. You can make the crust from crackers. Then mix yogurt and cream cheese to fill out the top. Bake it and then refrigerate it.

18. Jalapeno poppers

It is a very interesting snack that is made using minced meat, cheese, and herbs. You cut the jalapenos in half and stuff them with these ingredients for a meaty and cheesy experience.

These snacks are healthy and tasty. It takes very little time to make these at home. You can use fresh ingredients and make healthy snacks instead of ordering from the fast food shop all the time.

If you are looking for a 10-minute dessert, then you should give pumpkin mousse a try. This creamy and nutritious dessert will impress any food lover. Even someone who has an aversion to pumpkin will love it. The best part of making this super easy and quick dessert is that you need only two ingredients.

This dessert has everything you can ask for. It's creamy and feels very fancy. You don't need cooking and can make it using only two ingredients.

Ingredients

● Pumpkin pie filling – 1 can or 3 cups/ Pumpkin puree

● Whipping cream – 1.5 cups, cold

For garnishes:

● Prepared whipped cream – ¼ cup

● Pumpkin seeds – 1 tablespoon

● Ground cinnamon – for dusting

Method

1. Place the pumpkin pie filling in a fine-mesh strainer. Put a bowl underneath so that the excess water can drain off.

2. Transfer the pumpkin pie filling to a clean bowl.

3. Whip the whipping cream in a bowl with a stand mixer or hand-held electric mixer. Put the beater attachment and beat till stiff peaks develop.

4. Add a few spoons of whipped cream to the pumpkin pie filling. Gently mix it. The pumpkin mixture will loosen up.

5. Add the pumpkin pie filling to the whipped cream and use a spatula to gently mix the mixture.

6. Put the mouse in individual bowls or one large dish. Tap the dish to remove any bubbles so that the top of your mousse looks smooth.

7. Keep in the fridge for at least an hour. You can also store it overnight.

8. Roast the pumpkin seeds.

9. Sprinkle dust of cinnamon put pumpkin seeds on top and serve.

Homemade pumpkin puree

Many people don't like using the canned pumpkin. In such a case, you can make the pumpkin puree from scratch. For this, you need to preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Wash the pumpkins properly and dry them off with a kitchen towel. Cut the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds from a stingy pulp. Place the pumpkins in a roasting pan by brushing their skin with vegetable oil. Bake the pumpkin until it becomes soft. Cool it down and put the pulp in the food processor. Don't include the skin. Blend it to make the best puree.

Variations

● Add rum or brandy to the mixture.

● Pour maple syrup on top to make the mousse sweeter.

● Add some vanilla extract to get the vanilla flavor.

● Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt and crushed biscuits on top.

● You can mix Greek yogurt, cream cheese, or evaporated milk to the pumpkin pie filling or pumpkin puree to make the mousse creamier.

Serving techniques

Though pumpkin mousse is a simple dish, the way you present it can make it look like a very fancy one. Pumpkin is a very nice color. So, stacking it with white whipped cream and crunchy toppings can make it look extraordinary. You can sprinkle pumpkin seed, cinnamon, nutmeg, crushed almonds or marshmallows. You can either serve it in a large serving dish or small individual bowls. In both cases, choose one that is made of glass and transparent. As you are layering up the mousse, the layers will be evident from the sides of the transparent serving dish or bowl.

Tips

● Don't overwhip the whipping cream.

● Use pumpkin puree if you can't find pumpkin pie filling.

Health benefits of pumpkin

● It contains vitamin K, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and iron.

● Improves vision.

● Reduces risk of cancer.

● Gives an immunity boost.

● You will feel fuller for a long time.

Topping ideas

● Chopped pecans

● Mini chocolate chips

● Shredded coconuts

● Dried cranberries

If you are craving for a nice sweet dish then you can make this yummy 2-ingredient pumpkin pie. Vary the sweetness of the mousse according to your taste preference. Include interesting toppings to make it more attractive.

Do you know that salmon is a superfood full of omega-3 fatty acids? So any meal you prepare with salmon is bound to be healthy. Salmon is a delicious fish as well and very easy to cook. Even if you just fry salmon with some basic seasonings, it will taste amazing. So, imagine how it will taste when you cook with the yummy teriyaki sauce. Here we are going to look at the recipe for sheet pan salmon teriyaki.

Ingredients

For Vegetables

● Broccoli florets – 2 cups, small pieces

● Mini sweet rainbow peppers – 10, seeded and halved

● Sesame oil – 1 tablespoon

● Salt and ground black pepper – to taste

For salmon

● Wild salmon filets – 2

● Sesame oil – 1 teaspoon

● Garlic clove -1, grated

● Ginger – ½ teaspoon, grated

● Soy sauce – 2 tablespoons

● Rice vinegar – 1 teaspoon

● Brown sugar – 1 teaspoon

For garnish

● Toasted sesame seeds – ½ teaspoon

● Scallion – 1, chopped

Cooking method

1. Take out a sheet pan and cover it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Spray some olive oil.

2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

3. You will marinate the salmon with teriyaki sauce. To make the sauce, mix garlic, ginger, sesame oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, and vinegar in a bowl.

4. Wash the salmon properly. Take a large ziplock bag and put the salmon in it. Add half of the marinade and shake it by sealing it so that the salmon is well-covered with the marinade.

5. Keep it aside for 10 minutes. If you have the time, marinate for half an hour.

6. Wash and cut the broccoli florets. Put it in a bowl and add salt, pepper, and sesame oil. Place it on the sheet pan you have prepared and roast for 10 minutes in the oven.

7. Take out the veggies from the oven and push them to one side of the pan. Place salmon in the empty area of the sheet pan.

8. Bake for about 10 minutes more so that the salmon is cooked thoroughly.

9. Put a skillet over your stove and pour the leftover marinade. Simmer it till a thick solution forms. Do this in low heat. You will have the teriyaki sauce ready. One way to test whether your teriyaki sauce has the right consistency is to check if it covers the back of a spoon. The teriyaki sauce will give a glossy appearance to your salmon.

10. Take out the salmon and brush over the thick sauce you made over it. Sprinkle sesame seeds and scallions.

11. Serve hot with the vegetables.

Tips

● Don't overcook salmon as it will become dry and it won't taste good. You can use a cooking thermometer and insert it at the center of the fish. If the temperature is between 130 to 135 degrees F then your salmon is ready. Alternatively, you can insert a knife into the thick part of the fish. If the inside looks translucent and pale pink then the salmon is cooked right.

● After taking out the salmon from the oven, let it rest for some time as it will be still cooking internally due to the heat preserved. So, if the center of the fish is undercooked, it will be properly cooked within that time. The texture of the fish will look silky too.

● Buy center-cut salmon

Variations

● You can use bell peppers instead of mini peppers

● You can use a combination of cauliflower and broccoli.

● You can add extra veggies like beans and asparagus.

● To make it spicier add sriracha to the marinade.

Health benefits of salmon

● Promotes heart health

● Supports bone health

● Good for hair and skin

● Improved brain function

● Lowers chance of certain cancers and Alzheimer's disease

It is a perfect dish for any celebration. Your guests will love this new recipe for salmon. The combination of the sweetness of teriyaki sauce and the saltiness of salmon gives a unique flavor and taste to this amazing dish.

Macaroni and cheese is a favorite childhood dish for many. Even after you become an adult the craving for this fun and tasty dish still remains. You can find macaroni and cheese from various brands in the market. They are easy to cook in the oven too. However, if you can make them from scratch at home, the level of satisfaction will be different. Macaroni and cheese will turn out to be tastier too.

The little golden macaroni looks very attractive. The powdered cheese that the box contains melts nicely when heated. But imagine having your homemade macaroni with freshly grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese. I am sure you can't wait for it to melt in your mouth. So, let's try making our favorite mac and cheese at home.

Ingredients

• Elbow macaroni – ½ cup


• Butter – ½ cup


• All-purpose flour – ½ cup


• Salt – ½ teaspoon


• Milk – 4 cups


• Cheddar cheese – 1 pound, shredded


• Butter – ¼ cup, melted


• Buttery round crackers – 1 sleeve, crushed

Method

• Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C


• Put a pot on the stovetop. Add water and salt. Bring it to a boil.


• Pour the elbow macaroni into the water and cook. Stir occasionally. When it becomes tender, take it out of the stove. Drain it well.


• Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and salt. Cook for 2 minutes. Add milk and simmer.


• Make sure to stir constantly till the mixture thickens. Turn the flame off.


• Add cheddar cheese and wait for it to melt. Add macaroni and stir.

Pour the content into a baking dish. Add butter and crushed crackers. Bake till the macaroni mixture turns golden brown. It will take approximately 45 minutes.

Storing

You can store macaroni and cheese in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Make sure you put them in an airtight container. When you take it out for reheating, splash some milk over it so that it doesn't get dry. You can either heat it over your stove or in the microwave. You won't find any difference in taste.

How healthy is macaroni and cheese?

It is a high-calorie food that gives you a lot of energy. If you eat it in moderate amounts then it is good for your health. You can reduce the amount of cheese if you have high blood pressure.

How to make macaroni and cheese a healthier choice?

You can replace butter with olive oil. Parmesan cheese has fewer calories than cheddar cheese, so you can use that. Add herbs and spices instead of adding more cream and butter. You can add veggies like carrots and broccoli. You can also add slices of cooked chicken to add more nutrition to your body.

Variations

• Macaroni cheese lasagne


• Macaroni cheese with fish


• Macaroni cheese with bacon


• Green bean mac n' cheese


• Mac n'cheese with smoked haddock

Macaroni and cheese is a very simple dish. You can make it rich by adding more ingredients like meat, fish, veggies, and herbs. If you have one bowl of mac n' cheese stuffed with these healthy ingredients you won't feel hungry throughout the day and get a lot of energy to work. Cooking it is quite easy. So, you can prepare it after coming home from work. It's a wonderful dish that every member of your family will enjoy. So, try this recipe today and surprise your loved ones.

Macaroni and cheese is a favorite childhood dish for many. Even after you become an adult the craving for this fun and tasty dish still remains. You can find macaroni and cheese from various brands in the market. They are easy to cook in the oven too. However, if you can make them from scratch at home, the level of satisfaction will be different. Macaroni and cheese will turn out to be tastier too.

The little golden macaroni looks very attractive. The powdered cheese that the box contains melts nicely when heated. But imagine having your homemade macaroni with freshly grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese. I am sure you can't wait for it to melt in your mouth. So, let's try making our favorite mac and cheese at home.

Ingredients

• Elbow macaroni – ½ cup


• Butter – ½ cup


• All-purpose flour – ½ cup


• Salt – ½ teaspoon


• Milk – 4 cups


• Cheddar cheese – 1 pound, shredded


• Butter – ¼ cup, melted


• Buttery round crackers – 1 sleeve, crushed

Method

• Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C


• Put a pot on the stovetop. Add water and salt. Bring it to a boil.


• Pour the elbow macaroni into the water and cook. Stir occasionally. When it becomes tender, take it out of the stove. Drain it well.


• Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and salt. Cook for 2 minutes. Add milk and simmer.


• Make sure to stir constantly till the mixture thickens. Turn the flame off.


• Add cheddar cheese and wait for it to melt. Add macaroni and stir.

Pour the content into a baking dish. Add butter and crushed crackers. Bake till the macaroni mixture turns golden brown. It will take approximately 45 minutes.

Storing

You can store macaroni and cheese in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Make sure you put them in an airtight container. When you take it out for reheating, splash some milk over it so that it doesn't get dry. You can either heat it over your stove or in the microwave. You won't find any difference in taste.

How healthy is macaroni and cheese?

It is a high-calorie food that gives you a lot of energy. If you eat it in moderate amounts then it is good for your health. You can reduce the amount of cheese if you have high blood pressure.

How to make macaroni and cheese a healthier choice?

You can replace butter with olive oil. Parmesan cheese has fewer calories than cheddar cheese, so you can use that. Add herbs and spices instead of adding more cream and butter. You can add veggies like carrots and broccoli. You can also add slices of cooked chicken to add more nutrition to your body.

Variations

• Macaroni cheese lasagne


• Macaroni cheese with fish


• Macaroni cheese with bacon


• Green bean mac n' cheese


• Mac n'cheese with smoked haddock

Macaroni and cheese is a very simple dish. You can make it rich by adding more ingredients like meat, fish, veggies, and herbs. If you have one bowl of mac n' cheese stuffed with these healthy ingredients you won't feel hungry throughout the day and get a lot of energy to work. Cooking it is quite easy. So, you can prepare it after coming home from work. It's a wonderful dish that every member of your family will enjoy. So, try this recipe today and surprise your loved ones.

If you have kids then you must learn how to make the best pancake. It's not only a nice treat for the little ones, but for you as well because it's super easy and quick to make. It is one of the rare dishes that need only a few ingredients. The toughest part is to ensure that it's soft and fluffy. If you follow this recipe then you won't have to worry about it. Every time you are guaranteed to make pancakes that are super soft.

Tips for making fluffy pancakes

You have to work on the batter carefully. Getting the right consistency is the key. If the batter is too thick it may be undercooked inside. If the batter is runny, the shape of the pancake will be distorted. One way to test whether your batter consistency is right or not is to take a spoon and lift it above the bowl slowly. It will be thick but run slowly from the spoon. Here are some tips to make the pancakes fluffy.

• Make sure that there are no lumps. So, use a whisk to smoothen it.


• Don't overmix the batter. That way you will lose the fluffiness of the pancakes.


• Don't use baking powder that is too old.


• You can use buttermilk instead of milk. You can make buttermilk at home by putting 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon into milk and resting for 10 minutes.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour – 2 cups


• Egg – 1


• Granulated sugar -1/4 cup


• Baking powder – 4 teaspoons


• Baking soda – ½ teaspoons


• Salt – ½ teaspoon


• Butter – ¼ cup


• Milk – 1.75 cups


• Add-ins like chopped berries, chocolate chips, or nuts (optional) – ½ cup


• Toppings (optional)

Method

1. Take a large bowl and mix all the dry ingredients together which includes flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt.


2. Create a well in the center to add the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla. Before pouring the butter make sure it's not hot.


3. Mix the wet ingredients using a wire whisk.


4. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ones and fold them with a spatula. Keep folding in a clockwise direction till almost no lump exists. Include the add-ins.


5. Your butter must be creamy and thick. If the batter is too thick, add extra milk with a tablespoon to get the right consistency.


6. You need a non-stick pan to make the pancakes. Put it on medium heat, and once it's hot lower the heat. Let the pan be there for 2 minutes. Then grease it with butter.


7. Pour the batter using a ¼ cup-sized measuring cup. Pour it from the middle in a circular motion to get the perfect shape.


8. Let the pancakes cook properly. One way to know whether it's time to flip it is that you will notice bubbles forming on the top. This indicates that the pancake has browned underneath.


9. Flip the pancake with a spatula by slowly putting it underneath the pancake. Use your wrist to flip rather than your whole arm. Repeat the procedure with the remaining batter.


10. Serve the hot pancakes with your desired toppings like honey, maple syrup, frozen yogurt, caramel sauce, ice cream, or fruit.

Serving tips

You can serve something savory with pancakes. Fruit salad or sausage will also go well. As many people like to have pancakes for breakfast, you can have scrambled or poached eggs with them too.

Storing

You can store pancakes in the fridge by putting them in an airtight container. You can keep them in the best condition for up to 2 months. If you stack them there is a chance they might stick together. So, first, place the pancakes on a baking sheet and freeze them for half an hour. Then put them inside freezer-safe bags. When stacking ensure you put a parchment paper in between them so that they don't stick to one another. Before eating, reheat the pancakes for 30 minutes in the microwave. Alternatively, you can bake them for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. In such a case, cover the pancakes with aluminum foil so that they don't get brown.

If you want you can make the batter the night before and keep it in the refrigerator covered. However, you might not get the fluffiness you expected. It is better to put the batter on the pan right away after preparing it. Enjoy making this pancake on weekend mornings.