Potato Recipes for Dinner

Potatoes are one tuberous vegetable that is loved by children and adults. You can boil, bake, barbecue and fry potatoes. Whatever the form, potatoes are loved by people all over the world. Here are a few potato dishes for your dinner.

Potato and Leek Gratin

 3 pounds small potatoes

2 tbsp unsalted butter, plus some more for buttering dish

8-10 medium leeks washed and chopped into 1-inch pieces.

5 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup milk

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Potato-Chive Pancake

1 bag of frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed

1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Coarse salt and ground pepper

3 tablespoons olive oil

Method

Remove the excess moisture from the potatoes by pressing them between paper towels. In a medium sized bowl combine potatoes, chives, salt and pepper and toss to combine.

In a medium nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium. Add potato mixture; press with a heatproof spatula to flatten and form into one even pancake. Cook until underside is golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Slide pancake onto a plate; invert onto a second plate. Slide pancake (browned side up) back into skillet. Continue to cook until underside is golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more. Slice into wedges before serving.

Potato Salad with Blue Cheese, Bacon, and Chives

1 1/2 pounds potatoes

3 tablespoons coarse salt

1 1/2 ounces Danish blue cheese, plus more for garnish

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 tsp red-wine vinegar

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tbp minced fresh chives,

8 bacon strips, cooked until crisp and crumbled

Method

Place potatoes and the salt in a medium saucepan. Cover with water, and bring to a simmer. Cook potatoes for 12 minutes. Drain, and let cool slightly. Halve potatoes.

Mix blue cheese, buttermilk, vinegar, and mustard in a bowl until well combined.

Combine potatoes, dressing, chives, and almost all of the bacon in a large bowl.

Next arrange the sautéd leeks over the potatoes and over it the remaining potatoes. Pour the remaining milk and cream over the potatoes. Sprinkle some salt. Bake until the potatoes are soft and tender or the top of gratin is golden brown. Garnish with parsley.

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Car Loans for Poor Credit Score

When buying a car, having a bad credit history and low credit score often creates problems. Lending institutions are wary of giving car loans to those with poor credit score. Bad credit has become a bane to the society these days. It is a fact that to get an auto loan with favorable terms and condition you need to have a good credit score. However, if you have a poor credit score, it would be an opportunity to improve your credit ratings before you apply for a loan. Else be ready to pay high rate of interest and a huge down payment.

Car Loans for People with Bad Credit

In reality if you have a bad financial past, it may be difficult to get approval for a car loan. But that does not mean that you cannot avail of auto loans. If you have a stable income and you are on the path of improving your credit score, then the best available option is to apply for bad credit car loans.
For this you will need to speak with a reputed car agent. This will give you an idea about the various options available. When you go to meet your car dealer, remember to carry your financial documents such as bank statements, pay slips, etc. which would give the dealer a clear idea of your financial situation, and the amount you would be able to pay each month.
Now you need to understand that the interest rates of poor credit score car loan are bound to be high. But it is worth pointing out that as your credit scores improve due to regular repayments of your previous loans and the current loans, you can apply for refinancing your car loans. Here you need to pay only a lower rate of interest.
When you are applying for a poor credit score car loan, you would have to pay a huge amount in terms of down payment, because then the lender will not lose much amount if you default on your repayments. Not only that the repayment term is shorter for a person with very bad credit score, and this period ranges from 24 to 48 months.
Loan Options Available for People with Bad Credit

If you have a bad credit history and still want to opt for car loans with longer payment durations, moderate interest rate and lesser down payment, then you need get a co-signer or a guarantor to sign the financial document. When there is a co-signee with a good credit, you are giving the bank a guarantee that their money is not lost and at the same time it gives you an opportunity to improve your credit ratings. The co-signee can be your spouse or parents.
Another option is to apply for a secured loan. Here you would have to provide collateral as a security.
There are several options for car loans with bad credit, but you need to remember to make payments on time to avail the benefits at a later stage. Read the terms and conditions before you sign on the dotted line.
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What to Look for When Buying a Used Cell Phone

A used cell phone can be great value for money, only if picked carefully. You should understand that the electronic market for gadgets such as cell phones and its accessories is very dynamic, with newer models being replaced with older ones very frequently. The primary reason why people opt for used or pre-owned phones is because the latest models with upgraded features are very expensive and may not suit everybody’s pocket. However, when you are purchasing a pre-owned cell phone, there are several things that you need to keep in mind. Here we look at the major aspects that you need to scrutinize.

• Aspects Related to Service

Here are three main aspects that you need to check – The compatibility with your carrier, locked-unlocked Phone and coverage. Before you pick up the used cell phone you need to check with your carrier representative if their service is compatible with Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA).Another aspect that you need to check up with the seller of the cell phone is whether, the subscriber is bound to use the service of the service provider only or whether you can switch to other service providers. On the other hand, an unlocked phone can be used with any service provider. Coverage is another point that you need to look out for in a used cell phone. Certain models may not be compatible with a wireless carrier in a specific geographic region.

• With continuous usage, the cell phone is subjected to wear and tear. You have to look out for the cracks or scratches on the screen. If there is a lot of wear and tear, avoid buying the phone. 

• You should also check the other features such as Bluetooth and camera. Check the quality of the pictures clicked using this camera. If you’re planning to transfer data using Bluetooth, then it is wise to check the functioning of the Bluetooth. 

• The life of the battery should be tested. If you feel the battery has to be replaced, then it is advisable to ask for a brief warranty period from the seller so that you can test the battery later. 

• Last but not the least, check the sound reception and call quality of the incoming calls. You should also plug in those earphones and listen to the sound quality.

It is always better to buy a refurbished phone which is sent back to the manufacturer due to some technical defects.
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Summer Recipes for Kids

Summer is the time when the kids are at home and when the mothers have to rack their brains to feed them with sumptuous food. The growing up kids are always hungry and pine for good and delicious food. Here are a few recipes that you can make for your kids to satiate their hunger and keep their energy going this summer.

Fresh Peach Cobbler
Ingredients

1.  1/4 cup sugar
2. 6 large peaches, cut in thin slices
3. 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
4. 1 tsp cornstarch

Biscuit Topping

1. 1/2 cup sugar
2. 1 cup flour
3. 1/2 tsp salt
4. 3/8 cup butter, cut into pieces
5. 1 tsp baking powder
6. 1/4 cup boiling water

Directions
Preheat the oven to 190 degree Celsius. In a baking dish, mix the sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch and peaches. In bowl, sieve flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Rub in the butter to make the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Now blend well with boiling water to make a batter like consistency. Pour this into a baking dish and top with peaches. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or till the top is golden brown.

Margarita Chicken
The chicken is wonderful served hot off the grill, but it also tastes great cold or at room temperature. Serve it  sliced and tossed into a salad of mixed baby lettuces. This dish is liked by both kids and adults and is great dish for summer entertaining.
Ingredients

1.  2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2.  Fresh lime juice, from about 4 limes
3. Zest from one lime
4. 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
5. 2 cloves garlic, mashed
6. 1 teaspoon chili powder
7. Salt and pepper as per your taste
8. 1/4 cup olive oil

Directions
Place all ingredients in a large zip top plastic bag. Squish to combine. Add chicken, seal bag, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for one hour or overnight.Coat grill pan with cooking spray. Heat pan to medium-high. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side, turning breast a quarter turn after two minutes if cross hatch marks are desired. Serve immediately with a mayonnaise dip or salad.

Chicken and Salad Wraps
A very easy dish that you can fix up in a jiffy with left over chicken. You can also fill your picnic basket with this summer recipe when you take kids out for a field trip.
Ingredients

1. 200g shaved chicken breast
2. 4 wholegrain wraps
3. 1 large carrot, peeled, grated
4. 60g baby spinach
5. 2 teaspoons lemon juice
6. 1 tablespoon whole-egg mayonnaise

Directions
In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, avocado and lemon juice. On your chopping board, place one of the wraps, spread the avocado mixture. Next top it with the shredded chicken, carrot and spinach. Season with salt and pepper.Gently roll the wrap to enclose the filling. Cut into three pieces. Repeat the same procedure with the remaining wraps.
This would make a great lunch time snack for kids during summer season.
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Numerous Advantages of Online Auction Sites

This is a method of trading where you can sell your products/services by taking bids from people who wish to buy and then selling your products/services to the highest bidder. The winning bidder is determined as participant with highest bid and he has to follow the other factors as per rules of the auction. In an online auction, the participants bid for goods and services remotely over the Internet. Here the bidder will have to follow the rules and regulations of the set by the auctioning sites. There are many online auction sites that facilitate Internet auctions that allow the bidders to take part in auctions without leaving the comfort of their homes/offices. The online auction websites usually charge a commission from the sellers. There are many auction sites such as Everyday Yard Sale, that allow the auctioning of various items including cell phones, cars, boats, books, crockery, antiques, collectibles and sports equipment. Here we take a look at the advantages of online auctions.

Benefits of Online Auction Sites

In this era of e-commerce, auction has taken an altogether different form. You can even buy a house, without leaving your doorstep of your current home, while lounging on your wicker rocker in your boxer shorts! The comfort and anonymity that an online auction offers cannot be compared to physical auction. There are a plethora of benefits which many online websites offers to you as a seller or buyer.

Advantages for Sellers

Online auction sites offer a myriad of benefits to sellers which make auctioning an easy and pleasurable event and experience.

• Global reach – Sellers can showcase their products and services globally, They are no longer restricted to the bidders in their area or local community. This means global audience and good profit.

• Right pricing for products/services – Many of the bidding sites offer a base price for every goods/services. It is known as reserve. This is to ensure that bidder starts bidding from this base price onwards and seller gets the right price for his goods/services.

• Proper Disposal of Inventory- The inventory can be shipped out, only when there is a successful bid. Thus, there is no question of storage of goods until sale. This minimizes losses due to damaged goods. Besides, sellers do not have to pay for storage facilities.

• Reliable Transactions- Online auctioning is not only  fast but also reliable. However, it is worth mentioning that the reliability of the online bidding and auctioning depends on the reputation of the concerned website.

Advantages for Bidders

• No Time Barrier- The biggest perk of online auctioning is that time is not barrier. While you have to bid during a stipulated time period only, there is really no restriction on when you can bid. The online bidding sites run around the clock, therefore you can bid anytime you want.

• No Geographical Barrier- Thanks to the power of the Internet, you can bid for rare and valuable items/services around the world. Beside, these days, there are no shipping hassles.

• Transactions are fast -Online auctions are completed within a matter of few weeks. Typically, there is only a lapse of three weeks from the listing of an item to its actual sale.

There are risks involved in online auctioning. However the benefits outweigh the risks involved. You can avoid the risks if you choose a reputable and authentic website.
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Water Melon Recipes To Beat Summer Heat

Water is a summer fruit and is available between mid June to late August. It is considered as a classic summer road stand fruit.  It is worth pointing out that seasonality plays a vital role in water melon recipes because ripe watermelon offers the sweetest flavor. Here are a few easy to make water melon recipes that will help cool down the heat this summer.

Water Melon Cooler

Ingredients
1 can frozen limeade concentrate
8 cups fresh watermelon cubes
1 1/2 cups ginger ale
1/3 cup water

Method
Freeze the water melon cubes in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag for 8 hrs or over-night. Allow it to stand for 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature.In blender, smoothly blend the all the ingredients. Pour the mixture into a glass pitcher and serve immediately.

Watermelon Summer Salad
1 1/2 quarts seeded, cubed watermelon
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup pitted black olive halves
3/4 cup halved, thinly sliced red onion
1 cup chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
In a bowl, place the sliced onions and pour some lime juice over it to mellow the flavor of raw onion. Allow it to stand for 10 minutes.
In a salad bowl, combine watermelon cubes, feta cheese, onions with the lime juice, mint and black/green olives. Drizzle the olive all and toss to blend. You can chill it before serving or serve at room temperature.

Watermelon Sorbet
You can make refreshing sorbet from this fruit, using just water and sugar. You can use this simple syrup base of pineapple, lemon, orange, strawberry, cantaloupe, cherry or raspberry.

Ingredients
4 cups seeded, chopped watermelon
3 cups water
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup lime juice

Method
Boil water and sugar over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool. In a processor, blend the sugar syrup and watermelon into a smooth paste and stir in the lime juice. Cover and chill for a couple of hours.Now pour the mixture into the freezer container of ice-cream maker and freeze as per the instructions of the manufacturer.

Credit cards for Bad Credits

“We tend to think of money problems as a character flaw,” says Geoff Williams, co-author of “Living Well with Bad Credit.”


Bad credit can make you ineligible for the very best credit cards. The best credit cards are the ones which offer low rate of interest and high limits. But even if you have bad credit, it is possible to secure a credit card. Before we delve into the subject you should know what credit score is.


What is Credit Score?

A credit score is a three-digit number between 300 and 850 derived from an analysis of your credit report. Lower scores denote higher risk, resulting in either a decline from creditors or much less favorable terms. There are three major credit bureaus- TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.

Prepaid Credit Cards

Basically, a prepaid card is a Master Card or Visa that the user preloads with cash. You can obtain a credit card without credit or with bad credit, which is called the prepaid card. Just like a regular card, you can use this card anywhere where Master Card or Visa Card is accepted. However problem with the prepaid cards is that they do not report to credit reporting agencies. This can hamper your credit report and history

Secured Credit Cards
Another popular method of obtaining a credit card with poor credit is by applying for a secured credit card. Secured cards are issued by most major banks. The cardholder is required to open a bank account or Certificate of Deposit with the bank, generally for an amount between $350 and $10,000. The concerned bank then issues a credit card with a credit line matching the deposit. Hence the term secured. Here the card is secured by the deposit. Therefore if the bill is not paid on time, the concerned bank will use the deposit to clear the bill. An advantage of secured credit cards is that, the credit history will be reported to the three bureaus. This will help you to repair the credit score.
Establishing a good credit history is vital. If you have had a poor credit report in the past, there are still options for obtaining a credit card. However, it is always better to maintain a good credit report.

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