You're more likely to see me with my trusty iPad or iPhone than a crinkled-up recipe. That's why I'm always on the lookout for great cooking Apps that make cooking easier or just pretty damned fun. Here are 4 new Apps that fit that description:
Ever stood with the pantry or refrigerator door open and said to yourself "What can I cook with this stuff?" Well, wonder no more. With AllRecipes.com Dinner Spinner (iPhone), choose your meal type (breakfast, lunch, main course, snack, etc.), enter ingredients you have on hand and the time you want to spend, and dinner is suggested. The App provides great recipes and instructions based on your specifications. Vegetarian? Non-dairy? Yep, it can do that...and more...and now, you can, too!
Where Can I Get It?
The iPhone App Store
What's It Cost?
FREE!
USDA Food Database
Is there anything less sexy than a food database sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture? Nah, probably not. But if you're a calorie counter and health-conscious cook, the USDA Food Database App (Android) lets you select a food item and serving size and gives you the nutritional information (fat, carbs, protein, etc.) for that item. The App has the nutritional information for over 7,500 different foods, organized into categories for quick searching.
Where Can I Get It?
The App store on your Android device
What's It Cost?
FREE!
8500+ Drink & Cocktail Recipes
You've had a hard day slaving over your digital kitchen. Now it's time to chillax with a cocktail. Use the 8500+ Drink & Cocktail Recipes (iPhone) to pick a new drink or choose one for you based on the ingredients you have handy (Notice a trend here? It's kinda like Dinner Spinner, but with alcohol - maybe they should rename it "Drink Spinner"?).
Where Can I Get It?
The iPhone App Store
What's It Cost?
FREE!
Gilt Taste
Ever since the invention of the iPad there's been a competition to develop technology that can keep a cook's messy hands off the touch-screen. Well, this new App has combined great recipes with a touch-free interface that really works.
Using the iPad's built-in camera, which tracks your hand movements, you can turn the pages of the recipe without touching the tablet. Lift your hand in front of the screen, brush it from right to left (just like you're turning the page of a book), and the screen turns the page to the next step. Wave your hand from left to right, and it goes back to the last step.
The ingredient list stays on the screen to remind you how many tomatoes to add or how much garlic you need. And once you've completed a step you can proceed without stopping to wash your hands. Right now it's only available on 140 recipes, but more are coming soon.
Gilt Taste Hands-Free Cooking App
Where Can I Get It?
The iPad App Store
What's It Cost?
FREE!
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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