As a self-proclaimed foodie, I always am looking for new recipes and ideas. A decade ago, I did this by collecting cookbooks. However, in the past ten years the first place I search for recipe is the Internet. Recently, I came across a Website that will be my first place to search when I am uncertain as to what to make, Cooking Junkies.

There are more excellent features than I can mention in this article. However, I will share my two favorite features about this site. The first thing that I like about this site is the way recipes are organized. I can choose to find a recipe by looking in a specific category, such as Side Dishes. However, if I want to find something specific, I can use the search feature.

The second feature that I love about this Website is that I can submit recipes. As I love to cook, I also love to share my recipes with others. At Cooking Junkies, I can do just this. Who knows? My recipe could become this site’s Dish of the Day or Dish of the Month!

Beyond these features, there is plenty more to like. You can ask the expert a question, learn about cooking utensils, or just chat about general topics. As Cooking Junkies is a forum, you will need to register to participate, but that is very simple. It took all of 30 seconds, and I was a member.

When you need a new recipe, give Cooking Junkies a try.

For my most recent birthday, 2 of my children got me a present I always wanted - a good countertop deep fryer. With the help of my soon-to-be-wife they made the selection of an Emeril LaGasse/T-fal Deep Fryer.

One of the first items that I decided to make was Beer Battered Onion Rings. I have to admit that I am a sucker for anything deep fried, and my kids are no different. So, although they are not the biggest fans of onions, the prospects of some grilled burgers and deep-fried anything sounded good to them!

Deep-Fried, Beer-Battered Onion Rings

4 large sweet onions, sliced into rings

1/2 cup dark beer

1/2 cup seltzer water or club soda

1 egg white

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

1 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon mustard powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 cup of milk

Directions:

Pour beer and seltzer water or soda into the bowl of a blender or food processor (I use the Magic Bullet) . Sprinkle in pepper, mustard, salt and onion powder. Pulse until combined. Add flour last, and process only until mixed. The batter should be slightly lumpy, about the consistency of pancake batter.

Whisk egg white until frothy in a shallow bowl. Gently stir in contents of food processor, mixing until combined.

Soak the sliced onions in a small amount of milk for 10 minutes. Drain and lightly sprinkle with onion powder, then dip in batter.

Cook them in oil that is 450 degrees for 8 minutes. Place on paper towel to remove excess grease, and salt.

With my handy dandy deep fryer I was able to fry all of the onion rings in two batches.

They were enjoyed with ketchup and honey mustard dipping sauces by my family.

Sometimes it’s hard to get our kids to eat all those healthy vegetables. A few months ago I came across a recipe for pizza in a vegetarian cookbook. Whether you’re a meat eater or not, vegetarian cookbooks are a great resource for finding new ways to eat vegetables. I decided to use up some of the veggies in my fridge and make a pizza.

I ended up making two pizzas: one with cheese, pepperoni, and olives, and one with the vegetables. I knew from past experience that if I presented my kids with just the “weird” pizza, they all might suddenly come down with some stomach illness, which would prevent them from eating any strange healthy-looking food. My children are more adventurous in trying new foods, if they also have something familiar to eat.

After some strange looks from my kids, a couple of comments about how broccoli and pizza really don’t go together–and after the pepperoni pizza was gone, my kids tried the veggie pizza. They actually liked it!

Since then, we have made many different variations of the veggie pizza. I make a whole-wheat pizza crust and brush it with olive oil. Some members of my family like the pizza with pizza sauce, but I kind of like it with just olive oil. I usually add some spices on top of the crust, such as garlic and oregano. Then we top it with a variety of vegetables. Here are some of our favorites:

Onions

Tomatoes

Broccoli

Summer squash

Mushrooms

Bell peppers

Cauliflower

Sometimes we top the veggie pizza with cheese and sometimes we leave it just the way it is: bristling with vegetables.

A veggie pizza is a great way to use up all those leftover vegetables in your fridge. It is also a yummy way to eat them!