Startcooking and Chiquita have teamed up to show you that there are no limits to what you can do with apples and grapes. Fruit bites can be a lot of fun and they are also great sources of phytonutrients and vitamins. Enjoy!

Recipe: Chicken Salad with Wild Rice serves 6 1 package of long grain and wild rice - (Near East preferred) cooked according to directions on the package3 cups of chicken - cooked and cut into chunks3 green onions - chopped1 red bell pepper - diced 1/3 cup of your favorite vinaigrette dressing 1 lemon - juiced2 medium avocados - chopped 1/2 cup of pecans Mix together cooked rice, cooked chicken, chopped scallions, and diced red pepper and salad dressing. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Before serving, peel and chop avocados. Pour the lemon juice over the avocados to coat.Add just the avocados to the salad.Serve on lettuce leaves and garnish with pecans.

Recipe: Potato Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette serves 6 2 pounds of new potatoes 3 teaspoons of salt - divided1 clove of garlic - crushed 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper 2 teaspoons of grainy mustard 1 lemon zest 1/4 cup of lemon juice 1/4 cup of olive oil 1/3 cup of green onions - chopped Place the small, new potatoes, whole, in a saucepan with enough boiling water just to cover them. Add 2 teaspoons of the salt, bring to a boil and then simmer them for about 12- 15 minutes or until tender.Meanwhile make the vinaigrette. Crush the garlic and add the remaining teaspoon of the salt, and the black pepper. With the back of a spoon, mash the salt and garlic together. Remove the zest from one lemon and add it to the bowl. Gradually whisk in the fresh lemon juice and olive oil. Set aside.Chop the green onion and set aside until ready to serve.When the potatoes are cooked, drain them in a colander and spill them out onto a cutting board. Cut potatoes in half (or bite size). Put the potatoes into a large flat dish and pour on the vinaigrette dressing while they are still hot. Gently toss them around in the dressing and let them sit for a few minutes in order to absorb the dressing. Put the potatoes into a decorative serving dish and scatter the green onions and on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.Adapted From: Delia Smith

Recipe: Tomato Sauce Recipe serves 6 1 medium onion - minced1 carrot - minced1 clove of garlic - thinly sliced2 tablespoons of fresh basil - chopped4 tablespoons of olive oil 2 cans of diced tomatoes (14 oz cans)1 tablespoon of tomato paste 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar 1/3 cup of dry red wine (or white wine) - optional In a medium saucepan heat the olive oil over very low heat.Add the minced garlic and stir over a very low heat for about a minute.Add the diced carrots, onions and fresh basil. (Or instead of the basil, you could use thyme and oregano or marjoram or a good pinch of dried mixed herbs)Cook over a low heat, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables have softened and are lightly colored.Add the canned tomatoes, tomato paste and the sugar and give it a good stir, then add the wine if you are using it. Bring the pot to a boil, stirring regularly, and then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook the sauce uncovered for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.Add some salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy!Adapted From: Jon Sacker

Recipe: Guy Kawasaki's Famous Teriyaki Sauce serves 8 1 cup of sugar 1 cup of soy sauce 1/2 orange 2 jalapeno peppers - seeds removed5 green onions - chopped 1/3 cup of ginger (approx ½ hand-size or so) - peeled and chopped Blend everything in a blender/food processor.Puree until smooth.This recipe will make 3 cups of sauce which is enough to marinate 2 and 1/2 pounds of chicken or tri-tip steak.************To marinate chicken or steak, place it in a glass bowl or plastic bag. Cover with the marinade and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Remove the chicken or steak from the marinade and pat dry. You can cook the chicken or steak on an outdoor barbeque or on a grill pan on the stovetop.Put the remaining marinade in a medium size pan and boil for 15 minutes. (If the marinade gets too thick, add 2-3 Tablespoons of water and continue boiling.)Strain the marinade through a fine sieve and drizzle on top of cooked chicken or steak.Adapted From: Guy Kawasaki

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies serves 6 1 1/8 cups of flour (185 grams)1 teaspoon of baking soda 1/2 teaspoon of salt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter (113.4 grams)6 tablespoons of light brown sugar 6 tablespoons of white sugar 1 teaspoon of vanilla 1 large egg 6 ounces of chocolate chips - semi-sweet 1/2 cup of nuts - optional In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.In a small bowl large egg with vanilla and set aside. In a large bowl, blend together softened butter, white sugar and brown sugar until creamy. Mix in the egg and vanilla and blend well. Gradually add the flour mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips (and nuts). Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. Cut the cookie dough into 12 even cubes. Roll each cube into a ball and place on a 14 by 15 inch cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 17-19 minutes or until golden. Let the cookies rest 2-3 minutes before removing from the tray onto a cooling rack.Makes 12 cookies.

Learn how to use and sharpen kitchen knives with this Tips and Techniques video. Three good kitchen knives are what you need to start cooking.

Recipe: Fried Rice serves 3 2 cups of cold white rice 1 cup of frozen peas - defrosted2 eggs - beaten1 small yellow onion - diced2 green onions - chopped 1/4 cup of oyster sauce 2 tablespoons of soy sauce 2 tablespoons of canola, peanut or vegetable oil On medium temperature, heat 1 Tablespoon of the oil in a large frying pan. Add beaten eggs and cook until dry. Remove from pan and cut into ribbons. Set aside. Increase the heat to medium high and add one more Tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add diced yellow onion and cook for one minute. Add rice and cook until heated. Add sauces, peas, and green onion. Stir until everything is hot. Add cooked egg and serve. Optional cooked extras: diced shrimp, chicken, pork, or ham

Garlic is often the essential ingredient that is required to make a great recipe. Slice, mince, or crush garlic cloves with this startcooking.com Tips and Techniques video.

Recipe: Omelet with Cheese serves 1 2 eggs 1 pinch of salt 2 tablespoons of water 1 teaspoon of oil 1/3 cup of cheese - shredded1 tablespoon of chives - minced Blend together eggs, water and salt. Add oil to a 6 inch sloped sided non-stick fry pan. Heat oil, on medium for one minute; add egg mixture and cook. As the eggs begin to set, with a spatula, lift the edges and let the raw mixture run to the bottom of the pan.When the top is no longer runny, but still moist, sprinkle the cheese on of the omeletWith a spatula, flip the omelet in half. The cheese will take about 20 seconds to melt.Slide the omelet onto your plate.Garnish with chives and black pepper.

Learn how to cut onions with Tips and Techniques at startcooking.com. Chop, dice, and mince while watching this video and then start working on your favorite recipe. Enjoy!

Recipe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich (video) serves 1 2 slices of bread 2 slices of cheese 1 tablespoon of butter - softened Spread the softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. Lay one slice of bread, butter side down, in a non-stick frying pan. Put two slices of cheese on the bread. Now cover it with the other slice of bread with the buttered side up.Turn the stove on medium heat and place the pan on the stove.After about 2-3 minutes it should be ready to flip.The second side will take a lot less time to turn golden brown because the pan is already heated up.Slice the grilled cheese on a cutting board with one swift downward motion slice through the sandwich.

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Pancakes serves 2 3/4 cup of white flour 1 1/2 tablespoons of white sugar 3/4 teaspoon of baking powder 1/4 teaspoon of salt 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter - Melted 7/8 cup of milk 1 large egg 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil 4 tablespoons of chocolate chips In a medium size bowl whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder and the salt.In another bowl mix together the: melted butter, milk, egg, and vanilla, (wet ingredients).Add these wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk together until just combined.Pre-heat large non-stick frying pan for 3-4 minutes on medium heat and add 1 teaspoon of Vegetable oil. Using a cup measuring cup, scoop out the batter and pour it into the frying pan. Repeat so there are three pancakes in the pan.Sprinkle on about 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips on each pancake. Cook the pancakes until bubbles appear on the surface and start to pop. Flip the pancakes and cook until golden brown on the flip side.Repeat with remaining batter.Makes six 4-inch pancakesEnjoy!

Separating the yolk of an egg from the white can be a messy operation. This Tips and Techniques video will provide you with the essential tips to crack and separate an egg. Enjoy!

Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Brownies serves 8 14 tablespoons of butter 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa 1 1/4 cups of sugar 3 large eggs 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract 1/2 cup of flour 1 pinch of salt 1 cup of walnuts - chopped Place the oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degreesLine an 8 inch by 8 inch by 2 inch pan with tin foil. Spray foil with cooking spray.Cut butter into pieces. Place the butter into a large microwave safe bowl and melt it in microwave.With a whisk, blend in unsweetened cocoa. Add sugar and mix well.In another bowl lightly beat together eggs and vanilla extract. Add egg mixture to the cocoa mixture and blend together.Mix in flour and salt.Fold in walnuts.Pour into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes. To test for doness insert a wooden toothpick into the center of the brownies; it should have some moist crumbs attached to it. Do not over bake.Remove brownies from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack. Flip the brownies onto a wire rack and peel away the foil. Flip brownies onto cutting board to cut.Wrap in plastic wrap and store in an air tight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.These brownies freeze beautifully!

Knowing how to measure ingredients is an important aspect of cooking. This Tips and Techniques video really goes back to the basics and shows you how to use measuring spoons and cups. This is a skill you will need whether you are baking or cooking a meal.

Recipe: Beef stew serves 8 3 pounds of stew beef - cut into 1 and 1/2 inch cubes1 large onion - diced4 tomatoes - cut into wedges 1/2 pound of baby carrots 1 red pepper - cut into 1/2 inch strips1 pound of small mushrooms - cleaned2 small turnips - cut into chunks2 tablespoons of instant tapioca 1/2 cup of dry bread crumbs 2 cups of red wine 1 teaspoon of salt 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper 1/2 pound of frozen small pearl onions Put all the ingredients except the pearl onions in a Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid. Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 3 1/2 hours. Don’t peek! Add the pearl onions after the stew is removed from the oven.Serve with crusty bread.Adapted from: Fete Accomplie, Washington, DC

Recipe: Rudolf’s Christmas Cookies serves 10 3/4 cup of raisins 3/4 cup of sliced almonds 3/4 cup of shredded coconuts 2 cups of crushed cornflakes 3/4 cup of sweetened condensed milk 1/2 cup of candied cherries 6 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate 6 ounces of white chocolate Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking tray with non-stick tin foil.In a large bowl mix together: raisins, almonds, coconut, cornflakes, and sweetened condensed milk. Make cookies by placing a scant ¼ of a cup the mixture onto the foil lined oven trays.Cut the candied cherries in half and put ½ of a cherry on each cookie. Bake the cookies for 14-15 minutes or until light golden.Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes before removing from them from the tray.Put the dark chocolate into a small bowl and melt it in the microwave.With a knife, spread the chocolate into a thin layer on the bottom of the cookie. Let the bottom chocolate completely harden before flipping them overPut the white chocolate chips into a small baggie. Set the baggie of chocolate chips into a bowl of hot water to melt.Snip the corner of the baggie. Squeeze the chocolate into a funnel shape and drizzle it on the top of each cookie. (If any cherry has fallen off, use the melted chocolate as glue to reposition the cherry!)Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator.Makes 20 cookiesAdapted from: Nestle

Recipe: Meatloaf serves 8 1 packet/envelope of onion soup mix 2 pounds of ground beef (or meat loaf mix) 3/4 cup of dry bread crumbs 2 eggs 3/4 cup of water 2/3 cup of ketchup - divided Preheat oven to 350 degreesIn a large bowl combine soup mix, ground beef, bread crumbs, eggs, water, and only 1/3 cup of the ketchup. (Save the remaining 1/3 cup of ketchup for the toping.)In a 9 X 13 inch baking pan shape into loafSpread the remaining ketchup over the top of the meatloafBake 1 hour and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.

Juicing a lemon does not need to be difficult. This new Tips and Techniques video shows you how to juice a lemon. And while we are there, why not learn how to zest a lemon? Enjoy!

Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup serves 4 3 1/4 pounds of butternut squash - peeled and cut into chunks1 large onion - chopped2 cloves of garlic - chopped3 tablespoons of butter 1 teaspoon of cinnamon 3 1/2 cups of chicken stock (or vegetable stock)2 tablespoons of maple syrup 1/4 teaspoon of salt 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper In a large pot melt the butter on medium temperature and add the onions. Cook the onions for about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and the cinnamon and cook for another 30 seconds. Add the squash and cover with 3-4 cups of stockBring pot to a boil then turn down the heat and simmer for about 25 minutes or until the squash is tender.Puree the vegetables in small batches. Put puree in separate pot. Stir in the maple syrup. Add cooking stock according to desired thickness; season with salt and pepper.

Healthy and low in calories, baked potatoes are easy to prepare if you have the right techniques. With this quick microwave recipe, you'll have your baked potato ready in no time! Watch the video and let us know what you think. Enjoy!

Recipe: Grilled Chicken - Indoors! serves 4 5 ounces of boneless chicken breasts 3/4 teaspoon of salt 1 tablespoon of brown sugar (or white sugar) 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder In a small bowl mix together the salt, sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder.Rub the spice mixture over both sides of the chicken.Add chicken to preheated grill pan and cook on each side 4-5 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken.Makes 4-5oz. servings

Are you still cooking pasta in the microwave? Learn the 6 important rules for any pasta recipe with this quick Tips and Techniques video -- you'll have everything you need for your pasta dish in no time. Enjoy!

"Today's chicken salad is easy to prepare. It tastes great by itself or in sandwiches. Follow the instructions for the recipe and you'll have yourself a great, light meal in no time. Enjoy!"

Recipe: Chicken Salad with Wild Rice serves 6 1 package of long grain and wild rice - (Near East preferred) cooked according to directions on the package3 cups of chicken - cooked and cut into chunks3 green onions - chopped1 red bell pepper - diced 1/3 cup of your favorite vinaigrette dressing 1 lemon - juiced2 medium avocados - chopped 1/2 cup of pecans Mix together cooked rice, cooked chicken, chopped scallions, and diced red pepper and salad dressing. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Before serving, peel and chop avocados. Pour the lemon juice over the avocados to coat.Add just the avocados to the salad.Serve on lettuce leaves and garnish with pecans.

"Before making any of your favorite rice dishes, you'll need the basics of cooking white rice. This is what this video provides. It prepares you for any recipe that includes white rice. Enjoy!"

Before making any of your favorite rice dishes, you'll need the basics of cooking white rice. This is what this video provides. It prepares you for any recipe that includes white rice. Enjoy!

Before making any of your favorite rice dishes, you'll need the basics of cooking white rice. This is what this video provides. It prepares you for any recipe that includes white rice. Enjoy!