Balance Fall Comfort Foods with a Lighter Bite

Cucumber and Tomato Salad

• 3          medium or large cucumbers
• 2-3       vine tomatoes
• 1/2       cup chopped red onion (optional)

• 1/3       cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2       cup olive oil
• 1/4       cup sugar
• 1          tablespoon onion powder
• 1          tablespoon garlic powder
• 1          tablespoon fresh minced dill
• 1          tablespoon mayo
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 1/4       cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Peel and slice cucumbers. Deseed, if desired. Coarsely chop into bite-size pieces. Slice and chop tomatoes. Place cucumbers and tomatoes in large bowl with chopped onions, if desired.
2. To make dressing: In separate bowl, mix apple cider vinegar, olive oil, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, dill and mayo. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour over cucumber mixture and mix well.
3. Top with shredded Parmesan cheese and serve.

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

How to Naturally Sweeten Your Thanksgiving Feast

Honey-Roasted Turkey Breast

• 1          full turkey breast (6-7 pounds), bone in, skin on, fully thawed
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper

• 1/2       cup Busy Bee Raw Honey
• 1/2       cup orange juice
• 2          teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 3          tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1          teaspoon kosher salt
• 1          teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3          sprigs fresh thyme
• 1          clove garlic, peeled and crushed

1. Preheat oven to 500 F.
2. Season turkey liberally on both sides with salt and pepper; let sit at room temperature 1 hour in large roasting pan with roasting rack.
3. To make glaze: In medium saucepan over high heat, combine honey, orange juice, mustard, vinegar, salt, pepper, thyme and garlic.
4. Bring to boil then reduce heat to medium and simmer 15 minutes, or until reduced by two-thirds.
5. Remove from heat and set aside.
6. Place roasting pan in center of oven and reduce temperature to 350 F.
7. After 45 minutes, brush on layer of glaze. Cook 10 minutes.
8. Brush on another layer of glaze. Cook 10 minutes.
9. Brush on one more layer of glaze, cooking until internal temperature of turkey registers 165 F.
10. Remove from oven and let rest 30 minutes.
11. Cut meat from bone, slice and drizzle with remaining glaze before serving.

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

STM Daily News is a multifaceted podcast that explores a wide range of topics, from life and consumer issues to the latest in food and beverage trends. Our discussions dive into the realms of science, covering everything from space and Earth to nature, artificial intelligence, and astronomy. We also celebrate the amateur sports scene, highlighting local athletes and events, including our special segment on senior Pickleball, where we report on the latest happenings in this exciting community. With our diverse content, STM Daily News aims to inform, entertain, and engage listeners, providing a comprehensive look at the issues that matter most in our daily lives. https://stories-this-moment.castos.com/

Last Updated on November 10, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Learning to Cook Starts Here: Easy Chicken Alfredo for Beginners

If you’ve ever stared at your stove wondering “Where do I even start?”, you’re not alone. Cooking doesn’t have to be intimidating, expensive, or complicated. In fact, the more you cook, the more confidence you’ll build — and the more money you’ll save.

You don’t need fancy gadgets or culinary school training. You just need a few basic ingredients, a little time, and a willingness to learn. Let’s start with something simple, comforting, and delicious: Chicken Alfredo made with a jar of sauce and a handful of easy-to-find ingredients.

This recipe will teach you essential kitchen skills — boiling pasta, cooking chicken, and combining everything into a hearty meal that tastes like restaurant comfort food (without the $20 plate price tag).

🧂 What You’ll Need:

• 1 lb (about 2 medium) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 8 ounces fettuccine or any pasta you like
• 1 jar (14–16 oz) Alfredo sauce
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional but adds extra flavor)
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt — this makes your pasta taste better.

Add the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions (usually around 8–10 minutes).

Once it’s tender but not mushy, drain it and set it aside.

📝 Tip: Don’t toss the pasta water down the drain too quickly! A small splash of it can help loosen your sauce later.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Pat your chicken dry with a paper towel — this helps it brown instead of steam.

Season both sides with salt and pepper.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil or butter.

When the pan is hot, lay the chicken in gently (you should hear a sizzle).

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Cook for about 5–7 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through.

Remove from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes, then slice it into strips or cubes.

📝 Tip: Cutting into the chicken right away makes the juices run out — letting it rest keeps it juicy!

Step 3: Warm the Sauce

In the same skillet, pour in your jar of Alfredo sauce.

Turn the heat to medium-low and stir until warm.

If it seems too thick, add a splash of milk or cream.

📝 Bonus Tip: You can add minced garlic or a small handful of shredded cheese to make your sauce taste more “homemade.”

Step 4: Combine and Serve

Add your cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the pan of Alfredo sauce.

Stir everything together until coated evenly and heated through.

Top with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley if you have it.

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Congratulations — you just made Chicken Alfredo from start to finish!

💡 Cooking Confidence Tip:

Cooking at home is one of the best ways to save money. A single restaurant plate of Chicken Alfredo can cost $15–$20. Making it yourself? Around $3–$4 per serving.

The more often you cook, the less you’ll rely on takeout — and soon you’ll be tweaking recipes, experimenting with flavors, and eventually creating your own dishes from scratch.

🥦 Make It Your Own:

Once you’re comfortable with this recipe, try adding your own twist:

• Add steamed broccoli or sautéed mushrooms for extra veggies.
• Use shrimp or tofu instead of chicken.
• Mix in spinach or red pepper flakes for color and flavor.

🍴 Final Thoughts:

Cooking isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. Start simple, learn the basics, and grow from there.

Today, you made Chicken Alfredo. Tomorrow, you might be making your own homemade sauce. And one day, you’ll look back and realize: You taught yourself how to cook.

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

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