Silver Chips Online

That night has come again - Back-to-School Night. You and your parents have switched places so that they can discover the teachers and learning material you interact with on a daily basis. Chances are you are home alone, possibly with other siblings, daunted by the fact that your parents have bequeathed to you the responsibility of preparing the last meal of the day. It may be tempting to open a container of Cup Noodles, but keep in mind there are more interesting alternatives that are just as easy to whip up! Here are three simple and tasty recipes you can turn to this Thursday.

Although fall brings in beautiful foliage and the excitement of upcoming holidays, the days are starting to become cooler and the winds more brisk. So it's hard not to fantasize about the end of winter and the start of spring – when the weather will be warmer and the sun will shine brightly. What better way is there to feel the nice weather than through spring rolls, a traditional snack from the eastern hemisphere? These warm spring rolls will make any heart melt and yearn for the beautiful spring season. Plus, unlike deep-fried spring rolls, these little numbers are baked and healthy!

Soon every child will be visiting houses in various costumes, hunting for candy with shouts of: "Trick or treat!" But there is something eerier than candy that people can offer neighboring children: human body parts - the edible version that is. Getting people to eat these treats is the real trick.

There's a reason why hummus rhymes with "YUMmus." Best served as a pita bread dip, this delectable Middle Eastern staple means "chickpeas" in Arabic, after the main ingredient of the dish. Our version is a simplified side dish with an aftertaste that kicks. And cooking skills? What are those? All this recipe asks for is a food processor and an open mind.

With the holiday season arriving, how can anyone resist stuffing their faces into the delicious pies, cakes and sweets that accompany the festive times? Well, homemade cheesecake provides the mouth-watering solution for those holiday cravings! With a homemade crust and creamy topping, this expensive-looking cheesecake is sure to impress friends and family. So here's to a traditional homemade cheesecake that will be a delightful gift, desert or even main course for the upcoming holidays.

Fall is here, and winter seems just around the corner! The temperature is getting colder and visions of sunscreen and short-shorts are fading quickly. Though this time may be sad for some, autumn also brings beautiful scenery and food-filled festivities. Nothing hits the spot quite like the Thanksgiving classic, pumpkin pie, but if you're looking for something a little less caloric (but not by much, folks) with the same pumpkin punch, look no further than these delectable treats. A pumpkin-chocolate chip cookie hybrid, these squares of joy will warm your belly and make you forget that there are still eight more months left of school.

After a long day of classes, tests, and walking home in the soon-to-be blazing heat, nothing quenches your thirst for hydration and flavor better than a simple smoothie. Though vendors may make them out to be complicated mixtures requiring exotic fruits and exact measurements, you can make a satisfying smoothie with fresh, canned or frozen fruits you can easily find at home. Save yourself the buyer's remorse with one of these quick and easy smoothie recipes, and once you get the hang of it, feel free to get creative!

School is almost over, but many Blazers still have exams to sit through before welcoming the heat and sunshine. Days of lounging by the pool and freedom from homework and tests are within reach. Fortunately, study breaks are the perfect opportunity to whip up a virgin Pina Colada and daydream about sandy beaches. Composed of only four ingredients, this recipe is easy to make and delicious to drink.

Ah, warm weather. It instills a pleasant sensation of happiness in everyone, especially students ready for the summer. It also implants a desire for cool, creamy ice cream that epitomizes the perfect summer dessert. Soon people everywhere will be searching for a respite from the summer heat, and Silver Spring has no shortage of venues for ice cream.

Our story begins with our humble food editor visibly salivating while watching a Japanese dubbed version of "Iron Chef." He remembers that he won't be eating for another hour. He looks out the window with sad eyes and remembers that winter is coming. People are closing up their barbecue sets, the leaves are coming down in droves of red, green, yellow and brown, the air is cold and heavy snows are taking their sweet time getting to Montgomery County. He looked back at the tube eyeing a succulent burger with a look of carnal desire, remembering that a wise man once said that vegetarians taste delicious. With this revelation, he frantically begged his peers to find the best local burgers and review them for the greater good of the Blair community, if not the world.

The word Mediterranean conjures up images of sunny days, a light sea breeze and complete relaxation. Named after the "Levantine" region that comprises modern day Turkey, Greece, Lebanon and Israel, Levante's restaurant describes itself as a fusion of various Mediterranean cuisines on its website. But with its menu of fried appetizers and boring entrees often loaded with burdensome sauces and chunks of meat, Levante's is anything but light and airy.