America's Most Wanted Recipes - An Honest Review

By Chef Pablo

If you've visited recipe websites, you've probably seen ads for Ron Douglas' cookbook, Americas Most Wanted Recipes. I decided it's time I gave my honest review of the book. The things I like, didn't like and whether you should spend your hard earned money on it.

Do I Need a Cookbook?

Cookbooks are a thing of the past! I know that's a pretty bold statement and probably a bit of an exaggeration, but think about it, how often do you look up a recipe in a cookbook rather than on your computer? If you're like me, you store most of your favorite recipes online or in a database on your computer. It makes it easier to find and even adjust the quantity of your recipes. Sure, there are some old favorites I still have in book form, but they're slowly moving over to the virtual world.

One of the drawbacks to online recipes is the hit or miss nature of them. You may find 10 great recipes in a row and then all of sudden you get one where you wonder how anyone could possibly find it appetizing. It's like eating a bad sunflower seed. It takes about ten more seeds to cover the memory of the one bad one. Some recipe sites will offer a review by other users, but even that doesn't guarantee you'll like it.

Imagine if you had over 45,000 friends who are willing to try out everything you cook and tell you if they like it or not. Better yet, imagine if they're willing to cook it and recommend changes to the recipe. Run any recipe through this process and it's going to come out better than it went in. Of course, there's always going to be differences in taste, but the basics must be good. That's what Ron Douglas does with his recipes before including them in his book. He runs past the 45,000 members of his website and you can bet they're brutally honest. That's a good thing.

Will I Like The Recipes?

There are certain restaurant recipes everyone is looking for online and you can almost always find them. When you get to the more obscure recipes, they can be a little more difficult to find, much less a good version of it. But, what if these recipes were so obscure I'd never even care to make them? That wasn't the case. I found recipes from IHOP, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth Chris Steakhouse and more. Those Lettuce Wraps everyone raves about at PF Changs were in there as well as the Boston Market Macaroni and Cheese even my mom can't top. I was convinced, these are definitely going to be recipes I'm going to use.

Was It Easy to Purchase?

When you first click on a link to go to Ron Douglas website, you may be a little disappointed. There's no fancy graphics or Madison avenue design. In fact, I felt a little turned off by it because I felt like I was being SOLD something rather than TOLD about something. There are all these testimonials and yellow highlighted sentences. Even the pictures of the book looked a little off to me. If it's a digital book, why do people try to make it look like a real book? I did find a list of the recipes included and I clicked on the purchase button. I was very surprised with how well things went from there. I even had the book on my computer within seconds.

I'm sure you've made purchases before and been turned off by the constant "up selling" they do before you finish the transaction. They'll tell you about an added feature if you just pay $10 more. I hate that! Just give me what I bought and let me go on my way. I was thrilled to have to deal with that on Ron Douglas' site. I wanted his book and that's what he gave me. Actually, he gave me both volumes of the book AND threw in some extra books about grilling, southern food, holiday cooking and even one for people with diabetes. It was a nice touch to have those things thrown in at no additional cost.

The Bad Stuff

Was there anything I didn't like? Well, yes, there are a couple of recipes I thought needed a bit more explanation. Should I cook the lasagna noodles before hand? How thick should this patty be before I cook it? I could have guessed and probably been OK, but instead, I went over to Ron's website forum and found the answers among the 45,000 other users. It's like a community of people just like me who love to cook. A lifetime membership to the website is included when you purchase the book.

My Recommendation

All in all, I highly recommend the book. Give it a try and I'm sure you'll be very happy. I'm a pretty tough customer to please with stuff like this. If, for some reason you get the book, review it and aren't happy, you have 60 days to ask for a refund. All orders are processed through a third-party company called Clickbank. They'll make sure you get your refund if you request one.

Over 700 recipes and membership to an exclusive community of other folks just like you for less than the price of a typical meal at one of these restaurants. I'd say that's a bargain.

About the Author:

Chef Pablo has a love and passion for food and cooking. One of his favorite specialties are restaurant recipes. At his website you'll find Cheesecake Factory recipes as well as others like Outback Steakhouse, Red Lobster, Olive Garden and more.

Modern Diet Delivery Service Benefits

By Rachael Evans

If you are not yet familiar with the new term 'diet delivery', it is a fairly new development in the weight loss market that supplies a chef, dietition and a personal shopper in one package, all designed with one goal in mind, to help you lose those added pounds. You can receive valuable help from a diet delivery service, even specifically designed programs to your specifications, because they understand how difficult it can be to stick to a plan.

All the meals that are prepared, are low in fat and calories, but all are nutritionally balanced. Your daily meal will be prepared by an expert chef, who understands your nutritional needs while you are trying to lose weight. Your only requirement, once the food has been delivered to your door, is to decide when throughout the day you will enjoy it. Are you starting to see why having your meals delivered to you every day could be the best thing you ever did to finally start to lose weight?

A lot of smaller food services can usually tailor a diet to your personal needs, rather than the bigger, more corporate services who have set menus. What this means is, if you wanted to cut certain sugars or foods from your diet, or there are particular foods you want in your diet, you can certainly request these variations within your diet plan. You can also make requests for completely different meals if you become bored with the plan and substitute other foods which will still be inline with your calorie intake. It is all a painless process that will help you become slim, make your life easier and your food will be tastier!

There is the concern of cost when you join a diet delivery service. They can run anywhere from $30 a day on up. Some plans include five meals per day delivered before 6am, while others only include three meals. You also have to remember that sometimes delivery charges are not included in your daily meals price. You should prepare yourself to be completely committed to the diet program you join or else it is wasted money down the drain.

Using some form of diet delivery service has proven to be a beneficial method for those tough dieters, as well as for folks that lead a life where cooking is impossible. Youll find that many of the diet delivery companies only provide service to certain areas. The bigger corporate businesses deliver more regionally. If youve got the money, and a wish to commit yourself to losing weight, then using a diet delivery service could be just the ticket for you.

About the Author:

All Diet Food Delivery Services Are Not The Same! visit http://www.purepackage.com For An Amazing Offer!

Hawaiian Foods that Please

By charlie reese

It is not surprising that tourists flock to the islands that make up Hawaii. The friendly people, beach life and sunshine are attractive features. Visitors want to eat well too and Hawaiian food never disappoints. Seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables are plentiful and the cuisine is known for its fusion due to the different ethnic groups that have emigrated here. There are many influences, such as American, Polynesian, Filipino, Portuguese and Chinese.

The Plate Lunch is a common inclusion on the menu and is a traditional dish comprising of white rice, American style Macaroni Salad and a meat entre with Asian or American ingredients. Islanders have a sweet tooth and enjoy Poi, a Polynesian staple, prepared from the Taro plant. The local pineapple industry contributes greatly to the economy. Other favorite staples are coconut, breadfruit, passion fruit, papaya, mango bread and Portuguese Sweet Bread. Sometimes, the local people like their Hawaiian food to be cooked in an Imu, which is a traditional earth oven.

Eating out is all part of the experience on the islands. The first ever restaurant was opened by a Portuguese man in the capital, Honolulu in 1849. If visitors want to eat like the locals, they could choose Spam. This immensely popular food was introduced by US servicemen during World War II. It's usually fried and accompanied by rice, or deep-fried or stir-fried with cabbage. It can also be mashed in tofu or served with Baked Macaroni and Cheese. If served at breakfast time, it's eaten with fried eggs. Another popular meat dish is strips of beef, marinated in sauce.

Fish is an important part of the diet and contributes to the healthy element in Hawaiian food. Tuna is the most versatile and is grilled or sauted. It is also eaten raw as Sashimi in the Japanese style. Other common catches are Red Snapper, Pink Snapper, Pacific Blue Marlin, Swordfish, and the Wahoo.

To flavor the food, Hawaiians favor the Japanese sauce, Teriyaki or Wasabi, a kind of Japanese horseradish. The Chinese influence can be seen in the common usage of Chinese Five Spice Powder and Soy Sauce. There are plenty of desserts to choose from in Hawaiian food, including Kulolo, made from taro corms and coconut. A chocolate cake, known as Chantilly Cakes, is also popular.

Drinks to accompany the food are often in the form of some kind of fruit juice whilst rum is the most popular alcohol cocktail. Hawaii does, however, have a growing wine and micro brewing beer industry.

About the Author:

Charlie Reese likes cooking and giving today's taurus love horoscope on his weekly romance horoscopes website daily.

Discovering the Function of Espresso Machines

By Candice Faye

In the always changing and varying inventions and creations projected to ameliorate the savor and the entire coffee making experience, the fame of coffee is very apparent. And for more than the last forty years, coffee makers have actually advanced at a marvelous grade, and the alternative accessible nowadays is astounding.

Looking back, there were a lot of processes that contributed in the success of coffee in the market. We need to mention percolator, filter process, espresso maker, and plunger.

Percolator

Percolator dominated the 1960s. In the case of coffee-brewing, the solvent is water, the soluble constituents are the chemical compounds that give coffee its taste, aroma and color, and the permeable substance is the coffee grounds. As known, there are two types of percolator. First type cycles the boiling brew through the grounds making use of gravity till needed required strength is attained while second type forces boiling water under pressure into a separate chamber through the grounds.

Filter Process

In the 1970s, the most dominant was the filter process. Compared to the percolator, this immensely ameliorated the savor of the resulting drink and was a more low-budget option. Few spoons of coffee grounds were arranged on filter paper and barely off the boil water slowly passed across them and by the paper, dropping into a glass jug under. Evolutions in this certain process enclosed prepared coffee and filter paper sachets in different forms, and adaptations to the filter machines to secure the smooth dissemination of water all over the grounds.

It is believed that the process has continued to dominate the market till 1980s.

Espresso Maker

The nineties in the United States saw the coming of the espresso maker. The stylish potent dark liquid just because of being a favorite in European communities turned to be a favorite after dinner treat. This then paved the way to the introduction of some assorted machines intended to create the perfect espresso. The primary principle is akin to the percolator. The pressurized warm water coerced through the coffee grinds and upwards into a container.

Bringing forth an identifiable flavor, espresso is created from a fine ground dark roast. The addition of frothy warm milk entailed advance expansion of the coffee maker industry and caused availability of coffee to be in a broader assortment of savors. Use of frothy warm milk created either a cappuccino or latte.

Plunger

The plunger on the other hand is a plain coffee making process that graced a lot of dining tables in Europe. It has been also known as press pot, coffee press, and French press. It is consists of a narrow cylindrical jug made of glass or clear plastic with a lid and a "plunger" which has a fine wire or nylon mesh serving as a filter. In the plunger, coffee is brewed by placing the coffee and water together and then depressing the plunger to trap the coffee grinds typically found at the bottom part of the jug itself. Ever since its launch, plunger has been popular because it is portable and easy to use.

Nowadays, coffee makers on the market ensure a fashionable add-on to your kitchen or dining area. However, its still your choice how to achieve perfect brew. If still unsure what process or machine will give you a perfect one, be patient and keep on searching. For sure, therell be one certain machine that will bring forth perfect coffee right to your taste buds. Never make purchases right away.

About the Author:

This author specializes in writing articles on Espresso Machine and Cheap Espresso Machines among other similar subjects.

Chocolates: More than Indulgence for Valentine's Day

By Art Barron

Chocolate is a very powerful entity. There's so much life-changing energy packed into a small piece, bon-bon, or bar. The movie, Chocolat, showed how a whole village was transformed by this sweet treat. Chocolate can save a failing relationship, make an ordinary night a time for seduction and romance, or even make that grumpy someone in your life smile.

Armed with chocolate, you can literally make your partner melt in your arms, if you know what you're doing. That's why chocolate is the perfect Valentine's Day gift.

But have you ever wondered why? What does chocolate have that causes it to become so sought-after and so special?

Chocolate has always been symbolic for romance. Chocolate communicates attraction, appreciation and sincere affection. In fact, ancient cultures like the Aztecs considered chocolates as a love potion, and this is a belief that even us in this day and age subscribe to, with but few variations. This is evidenced by the way chocolate remained part of many courting rituals; even across borders and across the decades.

In the old days, the process of making chocolates from cacao seeds was tedious, and the product - chocolate - was worth offering to gods in rituals. Applying that gesture to these modern times may not be as inconvenient as it was before, but the thought of being given this exquisite luxury never fails to bring joy and show value to the recipient.

Chocolate seduces. Let's get off the pretenses here, and talk the nitty-gritty! Valentine's Day is perfect for that "special" time with your mate, and chocolate is said to be the best aphrodisiac.

Chocolate is so tempting and delicious. It's something you know you shouldn't indulge in, but can't help it. The rich taste, the sweet explosion on your tongue, and that little guilty feeling of indulgence is the perfect mood-setter for any couple who really wants to get into the spirit of the occasion.

Interestingly, the connection between sex and chocolate has already been proven scientifically. Studies show that our brains produce the same chemical euphoria-inducing when having sex as when we're eating chocolate. This means that chocolate is really designed to give us that happy, romantic and pleasurable feeling. A perfect mood setter!

Chocolate is meant to be shared by lovers. Valentines Day is also about making an emotional connection; it would be a shame if you don't take advantage of the opportunities chocolate provides to bond with your partner.

There are so many things you can do with your partner that involves chocolate. Take a trip to a specialty shop and pick out chocolates for each other. Wouldn't it be fun to know which ones appeal to your partner and which ones don't? Wouldn't if be even more interesting to know why she likes certain kinds?

Why not feed each other little, bite-sized pieces of chocolate? To make your selection extra special, you can request a specific chocolate recipe. Chocolates can get messy, so use your imagination!

Chocolate is good for you. Since the overall message of Valentine's is love, then chocolate is the best messenger for this particular message!

Plenty of myths abound regarding the ill effects of chocolates to one's health. Too much sugar, too much carbs, tooth decay waiting to happen. But the fact is, chocolate is rich in antioxidants that prevent heart disease and manage blood pressure. Dark chocolate in particular has been known to significantly lessen your bad cholesterol. You know what they say; a healthy heart makes a healthy relationship.

About the Author:

Understanding all there is to know about gourmet chocolate is not always easy. Luckily you can get everything you need right here at Lindt dark chocolate lindor truffles

No Problems Grilling Outdoors with Brinkmann Gas Grills

By Mike Pit

Outdoor cooking is something many people look forward to each summer. But there are always obstacles to a good time with friends and family. For example, you can't control bad weather but you do have control over the grill you buy; you want one that works. Don't feel bad if the weather turns on you, just make sure you don't buy a grill that stops working in the middle of an important occasion.

But if you have grilling equipment that is malfunctioning that is not good at all. Grills have a bad habit of breaking right in the middle of you cooking on them. It would be embarrassing to have equipment in disrepair when trying to entertain your friends or family, and show them how you can grill. To keep these kinds of moments from happening, you should research thoroughly which grilling equipment best fits your style of grilling. This can be baffling at first but is in the end worth the effort.

Sifting through the various grill manufacturers and their different lines and styles can be a daunting task. You need to find the one that is best for your outdoor cooking needs. Many devoted grillers choose one of the Brinkmann grill styles.

For about 30 years this company has been making a name for itself as far as outdoor cooking and grilling goes. They have a vast selection of products that are made to take the often times rough outdoor conditions. With the outdoor grilling and cooking Brinkmann Grill has made great advances in its products that they offer. For a business to be successful for 30 years is amazing and its success is because it has always had products that helps outdoor cooking and grilling be as uncomplicated as possible.

The equipment for outdoor grilling has to durable enough to stand up against numerous outdoor conditions some of which are under our control and some aren't. Brinkmann Grills offer you several choices in grills including:

* Camping Stoves

* Charcoal Grills

* Gas Grills

* Trailer Grills with Griddles

Having a broad selection of quality options for consumers like you is what's kept them in business so long.

If you're like most, you're looking for a gas grill, which happens to be one of their best selling product. With their experience, there's little chance that they will not have something that meets your particular cooking needs. Just remember that the needier you are, the more you're going to pay. Having said that, Brinkmann Grills come with standard features, like temperature gauges, that you won't have to pay extra for. You'll soon be cooking up a storm for your friends without having to worry about any bumps in the road.

About the Author:

Mike Pit is a weekend griller just like you, and just like you has had a couple of "oops" moments.. To help others learn from these mistakes, he's created The Gas Grill Review. Here, he's determined to help people like you find the best gas grill for their needs through personal articles and consumer review pages created by everyday ordinary grill users like you.

Is Batter Chicken Better Chicken?

By KC Kudra

While many people enjoy their chicken unbattered, a great many more love to dip their chicken in a batter of some sort. It does not matter if the chicken is in whole pieces, wings only or cut up breast slices for chicken strips or nuggets, chicken batter is popular around the world. There are almost as many recipes for chicken batter as there are chickens!

Different Types of Batter

Batter can be made with corn meal, wheat flour, rice flour, or graham flour. Ethnic chicken recipes often use different flours. Each region will have their own special blend of spices and herbs as well, giving the fried chicken a flavor that will be recognizable from that corner of the world.

Indian chicken may be coated with a batter made of graham flour, cinnamon, cumin, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, curds, and red chili powder. The batter is used on boiled chicken meat, and then fried until the surface is crisp. A wonderful Asian recipe uses a rice flour batter on marinated chicken. Marinate the pieces in soy sauce; five spice powder, sesame oil, garlic, and onion overnight. The next day, dip the chicken in a batter made of water, baking powder, salt and rice flour. The light colored batter is almost translucent.

There are some cooks who will use nothing but beer batter. The yeast in the beer makes a light batter with a tangy accent. Another way to impart a tang to your chicken is to soak it in buttermilk before dusting it lightly with seasoned flour. Let the chicken sit for a few minutes and the mixture will turn to batter right on the chicken.

There are many ways to get that crunch on your chicken. Crushed cornflakes, breadcrumbs, or crushed crackers are used by many home cooks. Others prefer wet batters that turn crisp in the hot oil. Japanese Panko breadcrumbs make a light, crispy surface. For those cooks who like a light batter, tempura is a good choice.

For diners who prefer a southern fried chicken recipe, there are many to be found in cookbooks or online. While some are a simple combination of flour, salt, and pepper mixed with milk, others include many fresh or dried herbs or spices.

Cooking Your Chicken

There is an ongoing debate on whether it is best to deep fry battered chicken, cook it in a cast iron skillet or use a pressure cooker. There are cooks who are devoted to their own preferences, each sure that their method is the very best. The deep-frying camp will try to convince you with the quick cooking time and lack of spatter. The cast iron camp will wax eloquent about even heating and the perfect crisp to the skin. The pressure cooker camp are not truly frying their chicken... they must brown it first, then cook it in the pressure cooker for about 15 minutes to get juicy chicken. You must be cautious with a pressure cooker... do not open it until all the pressure has been removed.

With all these batter choices, you will be busy for several years trying new recipes. Enjoy the flavors of battered chicken; there are so many different ones to try!

About the Author:

Everybody loves the taste of fried chicken and home cooked fried chicken is especially good. If you want to discover pan-fried chicken recipes, deep-fried chicken recipes or oven fried chicken recipes, in addition to finding some more brilliant chicken cookery tips, have a look at SouthernFriedChickenRecipe.com

What's so great about a Kitchen Aid Mixer?

By Kay Riter

Do you spend a lot of time in the kitchen? If so, chances are, you use some kind of stand or hand mixer. Is it a Kitchen Aid mixer? I wouldn't think I'd have to convince you to buy a kitchen aid, but I guess I do. If you've never heard of Kitchen Aid, they are top quality in stand mixers and in other appliances. If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, if would be worth your weight in gold to get yourself one of these amazing machines.

Why do you need a Kitchen Aid Stand mixer? First of all, a mixer is an invaluable tool in the kitchen, especially for bakers. Mixing can get really tiresome and using a mixer will cut that out, plus it will probably do a better job mixing than you ever could.

If you buy a Kitchen Aid stand mixer, you will get three basic attachments: a mixing paddle, a dough hook, and a whisk. Even with just the basic attachments you get all sorts of mixing, whipping, and kneading needs filled. You can take care of hundreds of dishes, cakes, and cookies with just these basic attachments.

What makes this mixer different from all the others? They have available so many other different attachments and they all do so much more than just mixing. You can make pasta, strain or grind foods, juice citrus fruits, and make ice cream, just to name a few.

What's great about using attachments is that you don't have to buy more machines which are often more expensive and bulky than the attachments. Do you want to make your own ice cream? Just buy the ice cream bowl attachment, hook it up to your Kitchen Aid Mixer, and you are ready to make your own ice cream. You dont have to buy a big bulky machine, and you don't have to add ice because it's a freezer bowl.

Is this not enough for you? How about the fact that the quality is so much better. When you buy a basic mixer, you'll be lucky if it lasts you a few years because they are so cheaply made.

Kitchen Aid will last for a lifetime, and if something bad does happen, they have a lifetime guarantee, so you are taken care of. The initial price is higher than other mixers, but considering you won't have to keep buying a new one every few years, you will save money in the long run.

Don't wait any longer. You won't regret your decision to buy one of these machines. Once you start churning out amazing quality and tasty cookies, cakes, ice cream, and more, you'll be happy with your decision.

About the Author:

If you want to find one of your very own kitchen aid stand mixers or other kitchen aid appliances, visit these links. Find more information and the lowest prices.

How to Make the Best Tasting Stew Recipes

By KC Kudra

Stews are very popular, especially when the weather is cool, and you want something warming and tasty. A stew is a combination of solid foods, usually meat, or fish with vegetables that have been simmered or cooked slowly in a liquid sauce to allow the flavors to combine well. The sauce is served as well as its contents.

Popular ingredients to use in stew recipes include chicken, seafood, meat, potatoes, fish, beans, fruit, and carrots. You can use bouillon, water, beer, or wine in the stew liquid and seasonings give the dish more flavor.

What is the Difference between Stew and Soup?

Stewing is often used for cheap, tough meat cuts because stewing is the only way to make them tender. A stew has larger pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables than a soup and there is more of those and less liquid than you would get in a soup.

Soup can contain small chunky or be a pureed liquid with no bits in. It is served as an appetizer whereas a stew is a main dish. Soups are served in deep bowls whereas a chunky stew can be served on a plate.

Making Your Stew Rich and Flavorful

There is a limit to how flavorful a combination of meat, vegetables and water can be, which is why it is useful to know how to make your stew recipes flavorful.

You can use different combinations of meat; fish, herbs, vegetables, and spices in stew recipes because the dish is so versatile. It is a good idea to season the meat with salt and pepper and sear it in a hot pan before adding it to the liquid.

You can roll the raw meat in flour too for a thicker stew. Make sure the meat chunks are browned all over before adding them to the stew liquid, so they retain their juices. This applies to chicken stew as well as beef stew or any other kind of meat you are going to use.

The next step in making an exciting stew is to saut some vegetables in the pan, then add water, wine, juice, broth or whichever liquid you are using and scrape the bottom of the pan to incorporate any stuck on bits into the liquid. Put the meat back into the pan and cook slowly.

You should check the stew now and then to see if it needs more liquid, more seasoning, or a stir. When it is cooked, you can add some parsley, crumbled bacon, cider, or lemon juice to liven up the flavor. You can serve it with some warm bread on the side for mopping up the tasty juices.

Stew is a lot of fun to make and it is also very easy. Whether you want to make a green chile chicken stew or an authentic Irish stew, as long as you bear the above tips in mind your stew should come out great.

About the Author:

Want a delicious chicken soup recipe why not try our chicken noodle soup recipe or one of the dozens of our other tasty soup recipes.

Healthy Heart Recipes

By Dr. Bill

Yesterday I was on the phone with my friend Jack, who wanted to know when I was going to be back in New York. Unfortunately for me it's going to be much too soon. By Wednesday morning I should be on the road headed back to the cold spring weather in Long Island.

However, the good news is Jack gave me some heart healthy recipes which I think you'll enjoy. Jack knows how to "throw down", something that's important to people on the Food Network.

You'll want to hit the old Print key on this one - I've eaten more than a couple meals at Jack's and I've never had anything that wasn't top notch.

Cucumbers are something we seem to have year round, so here's a great recipe with them.

Cucumber Salad - Serves Two

1 English Cucumber (the long ones) diced, and peeled, large 1/4 cup green bell pepper, small diced, 1/4 cup red bell pepper, small diced, 1/4 cup red onion, small diced, 1 tsp jalapeno pepper, small diced, 1/2 cup plain white vinegar, 1 Tbsp good olive oil, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, Black pepper, Sea salt

Peel the cucumber, and slice it in half the long way. Then slice in half the same way again. Dice the cucumber in 1/2 inch pieces and put in a bowl. Dice the onions and peppers, and add them to the bowl. Dice the jalapeno, add to the bowl, then wash yourself to make sure you aren't carrying any juice from the jalapeno. Mix the olive oil, vinegar, and sugar together. Pour this over the cucumbers, onions, and peppers. Season with black pepper and sea salt.

It can be served room temperature or cold, immediately or after sitting for an hour.

It works as a snack, or with something grilled.

This recipe can be made into a dinner salad with just a few more heart healthy ingredients. I'll have to ask Jack for the rest of the story.

Studies have shown the mediterranean diet is helpful to heart health, as well as olive oil.

Now I don't think either of us is going to move to Europe any time soon, but we can still learn some eating habits in the comfort of our homes.

Just make sure you're getting the omega 3 fatty acids that you need every day. Your joints will feel better, your heart will run smoother, and your brain will function like a well oiled machine.

About the Author:

To get your needed omega 3 fatty acids, Dr. Bill recommends this kind of enteric coated fish oil that he uses personally every day.

Throw a Brunch

By Patrick Cater

Are you looking for an interesting way to celebrate a birthday or just to get together with old friends? Why not throw a brunch? It is a great way to get people together for a party and socialize.

Your first course of action is to decide on a theme. Obviously it's going to be breakfast food, but try to be more specific. Will it be quick and easy with donuts and bagels, or will you go all out with eggs and the works. Remember that the fancier your brunch is the more work it will be and the more expensive it will be.

For example, if you had a party with eggs, bacon, and sausage and you are expecting a lot of guests, it will cost a lot more than if you had donuts and rolls. Try to understand that some foods are much more expensive then others, so pick according to how many people will be there. You should decide this ahead of time.

If you are going to do a quick lunch or a more detailed lunch you are going to need specifics either way. What kind of food will you need? Be specific about what kinds and how much. Don't forget beverages, plates, napkins, utensils, etc. Make up a grocery list with specific items and amounts.

If you are thinking about making a pancake brunch, think about what different varieties you will make and what kind of toppings you will have available. This is a great brunch that you can be creative with. The more choices and variety you have available the more fun it will be.

It's better to have extra food than it is to not have enough. This doesn't mean you should let people get away without an RSVP. Make sure you know how many people will be attending and you will make it much easier for yourself. Be as accurate as possible so that you don't waste food.

Now that you have food taken care of, think about decorations. You could just have pretty tablecloths and plates or you can add in centerpieces for the tables and flowers around the room. Decorations can make it look that much more festive.

Make a date and ask for help if you need it. For a large crowd you will need some help. If you are worried about paying for it all or setting it up all yourself, ask other people to bring something. Finally, make sure and your guests all have fun!

About the Author:

Learn how to make pancakes and get great pancake recipes to get your brunch started.

Fresh Maine Lobster Prices Can't be Beat!

By Shannon Linnen

You might have seen the articles recently that trumpet the dropping prices of seafood. But where are those drops in the prices you've been paying at the grocery store. It is true that wholesale prices have been dropping for many luxury items, like lobster, but the farther away from the coast you get, the less likely you are to see any benefit from these reductions. There are ways to help get yourself these great new discounts. All you'll need to do is shop directly online. You can have fresh Maine lobsters delivered to your door by tomorrow, at a great price.

Fresh Maine lobster is usually one of the biggest indulgences that you can give yourself. Succulent and rich, these lobsters are trapped fresh of the coast of Maine daily by seasoned and experienced fisherman. These are some of the freshest lobsters you can find, and until recently, they were probably out of your price range. But because of falling demand, the price has recently gone to an all time low, making these amazing delicacies available to the rest of us.

So what will you be able to do with all of this fresh Maine lobster that's now available? There are many different recipes that you can try, with lobster at such a low price per pound. There are many traditional favorites that you may enjoy, like lobster bisque. This is a great cold weather treat to warm up your loved ones! You could also invite over your friends and family for fresh steamed lobsters. Imagine their surprise when dinner is a whole one pound lobster for everyone to crack into.

You can also share many less traditional dishes with your family, now that the price of fresh Maine lobster has dropped so low. There are many great breakfast dishes you can make that will seem worthy of room service at a five star hotel. You could try a lobster omelet, pairing it with a fresh French cheese. Why not try a lobster benedict, which is sure to delight and surprise your guests. You can also try many surprising dinner dishes for your guests, like lobster and cous cous, or lobster on a pizza!

So now that you're convinced, where's the best place to find these great lobster deals. If you're serious about freshness and savings, online is the way to go. It seems counterintuitive, but when you get your lobster from the grocery store, you pay their markup and that of their supplier. Also, your lobster is likely to be old. When you order online, you know that you're getting quality fresh Maine lobster direct from the fisherman, and that it will be delivered promptly to ensure it's still fresh.

So the next time you'd like a fresh Maine lobster, order one! With low prices and easy online ordering, there's no reason to deny your cravings. Enjoy these prices while they last and order some fresh lobster today! You'll be happy you did.

About the Author:

Find out more info about live lobster shipping at this website about: live lobster shipping. As well as live lobsters from maine info.

How To Handle Long Cooking Recipes

By Dianne Logan

If you are a beginner who is just trying out new recipes every day in the kitchen, then you must be getting flummoxed now and then when a recipe simply does not perform the way it should or when you actually forget to carry out certain important steps in spite of going through the recipe twice or more. It is true that cooking recipes can often be complicated, but long cooking recipes are generally detailed and simple, provided you get the hang of handling them. Some tips and tricks that will help you handle all kinds of cooking recipes and turn cooking into a successful and enjoyable affair for you are listed here.

Start With Simple Recipes: You might argue that this is besides the point when all you want to know is handle long recipes, but you need to remember that just like in every other discipline, with cooking too, we need to go one step at a time. Jumping too high up will often have you landing flat on your face. So if you just started cooking tomorrow, then do not start making lasagna that requires three homemade sauces, four cheeses and two types of meat. Start with plain old pasta! As you get the hang of smaller, simpler recipes, you will easily be able to handle long and complicated ones naturally within some time.

Go Through The Recipes A Number Of Times: Just reading through a recipe once, specially a new one is a recipe for disaster! In order to get a recipe right, you will actually need to go through it at least two to three times in order to understand the steps properly. And of course, you will also need to keep going through it time and again while cooking.

Assemble All The Ingredients Before You Start: You might have seen your parents assembling their ingredients after they put the pot on the stove, but even though it looks really easy to do, it can be tough for a newbie. If you do not want to mess up your recipe, go through the list of ingredients and assemble them before you start cooking. If you are using vegetables or meats, make sure that they are chopped in the right way and that the meat is washed and duly prepared to be tossed into the pan before you put the pan on the fire.

Use The Right Proportions: We often see chefs on TV and in real life tossing in ingredients by the fistful only to deliver gourmet delicacies within minutes and the carefully listed proportions in a recipe start feeling redundant. Trust me, they are not. Most beginners have a long way to go before they can start doing this, because experienced cooks do not ignore the proportions given in a recipe, but rather they know how much a fistful is due to years of experience. So whenever you try out a recipe, try and do justice to it by using all the ingredients in the exact amounts provided. Of course you can scale it all if you are cooking for a larger or smaller number of people, but following proportions is mandatory if you want your recipes to turn out well.

About the Author:

Learn useful Tips about Cooking. Make a note of mouth watering Cooking Recipes at TalkingCooking

Your Many Choices of Knife Sets

By Moses Harun

In any good knife set, there are all sorts of various makes of knives that will make up the set. These can be common knives, ones that work for specialized tasks, or even more professional kitchen duties. These are all great knives to look out for, such as Wusthof Knife Sets.

A utility knife can found in knife sets. This is a style of knife that may be employed for general purposes. This knife is engineered for quite a few different tasks, including chopping ingredients. The tiniest and less demanding kinds of utility knives are those that are meant for slicing food when gathered around the table and can be used by anyone.

A boning knife may be utilized in a number of instances. A boning knife is perfect for removing meat from bones during preparation. This works especially well for poultry, fish and meat items that still have bones. This knife is close to six inches long.

A carving knife is one of the most usual kinds of knives that can be included in knife sets. This knife is a bigger knife that is used for cutting larger chunks of meat that are already prepared. This is often used for turkey. Many sets will offer a carving fork that can be used in conjunction with the carving knife.

Kitchen shears are often found in knife sets. These shears are ones that are heavy duty types of scissors that are used for cutting tough areas of food. This is often employed for tighter foods that need to be separated.

A bread knife is often found in a set, also. This is a knife that is nearly always smaller and not as sharp in intensity as other knives. This style of knife is intended only for cutting bread. This can be about eight inches long.

The majority of knife sets will even feature table knives in them. These knives are made to be used like regular knives that are used at the eating table, but these will appear that will be close to other styles of knives that are included in the set that they came from. A good set will include four to six of these knives, such as in the Wusthof Knife Set.

These kinds of knives are all good knives to choose when looking for a knife set. These knives range from tougher ones created to help with cutting tougher foods to ones that are intended for softer foods. Many sets will also offer some table knives, too. With each of these styles of knives, you can see why knife sets are great gift ideas - for yourself or someone else.

About the Author:

Moses Harun is involved with a project that helps visitors make smart decision when shopping for knives. One of the highest rated knives reviewed on his site is the Wusthof Knife Set.

Food Tips - Natural Gas Grills

By Doris Mahrer

Summertime would not be complete without at least one outdoor barbeque. Once upon a time, there was a very limited array of foods that you could cook on your grill Today, modern conveniences allow you to cook pretty much any type of food on your grill. The easiest grill to use is by far the natural gas grill. Natural gas grills are designed to hook directly into your home?s natural gas line, eliminating the need to wage the fuel source. This cuts out all trips to the grocery store for more charcoal or propane.

Another advantage when using a natural gas grills is the ability to control the temperature in which you are cooking. Natural gas grills have burner controls which allow you to produce different temperatures for the different cooking areas on your grill. This allows you to cook your meat on one side while keeping your side dished warm on the other.

Natural gas grills have the ability to come with many different types of cooking surfaces. These different cooking surfaces include a BBQ surface, a flat grill, and a ribbed grill. Some grills even offer these types of surfaces as none stick, which allow you to cook a whole array of foods that you would not be able to cook on a grill otherwise. Some gas grills even contain a Wok type surface for cooking pasta and rise dishes.

Natural gas grills are by far the easiest type of grill to clean. With other grills such as charcoal and smoker grills, you have to remove the wood and charcoal briquettes each time. Natural grills only have to be wiped down. Some natural gas grills even have a none stick feature. Natural gas grills are not portable as you will need to be able to hook them up to your natural gas line, so weight should not be that big of an issue when you go to purchase your first grill. Instead, you should look at the surface area available.

Broilmaster- One of the most popular brands of natural gas grills is the Broilmasters. This company has been around for a long time and prides itself on creating great grills, even in its companies early years. If you are looking for a reliable name, Broilmaster would be the way to go. One of the most popular Broilmaster grills is the Super Premium Series, which puts out 40,000 BTU?s of cooking power, and has a cooking surface area of over 695 square inches.

Brinkman- These simple natural gas grills put out a lot of power, and can be purchased for much less then it?s competition. The Brinkmans, like the Broilmasters, are built of solid construction and meant to last a long time. Typical power output is around 45,000 BTU?s. Smaller units can range from 12,000 to 15,00 BTU?s. Lynx natural gas grills were specially designed for cooking higher end meats such as steaks and ribs. This grill have a patent design that is suppose to lock in flavor and juices.

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Go here for information on Food ? Food Tips More Food and Recipies Infos : Food and Recipies

My Favorite French Food

By Charlie Reese

The French are certainly famous for their cooking. In America, when you visit a French restaurant, chances are that almost every dish on the menu has achieved fame in the culinary world. Dining at a good French restaurant is a delight in just about anyone's book.

If you go to France, it's a whole different story. Unless you're very wealthy, you can't be dining at such landmark restaurants as La Tour d'Argent and Taillevent. However, either walking or using the excellent Metro system, you can discover many reasonably priced restaurants which cater to Parisians and offer famous French dishes not often found in American French restaurants.

Architecturally speaking, these restaurants and bistros are often housed in buildings dating back to at least the 1600s. Wrought iron detailing, hand painted ceilings, stone walls and charming tables with fresh flowers, ah yes. Certainly a nice atmosphere in which to get down with some famous French food for your evening repast!

There is nothing quite like Beef Bourguignon prepared by a French cook. This famous French food staple is truly a classic. The sauce is a fabulous experience on the palate. I conducted considerable research, with an eye to obtaining the secret of this delectable French dish. In addition to being a master of sauce making, the preparation of the mushrooms and the specific brandy used may be clues. Recreating these famous French foods is not as easy as one might suppose.

Pistou may not jump to mind as a famous French food, but it certainly is in France. It's a seasonal soup, served only in early fall, when the fresh ingredients it includes are at their peak. There is no such thing as pistou without basil, an essential ingredient. When you see Pistou advertised on the lunch menu board outside a bistro, you'd better get right to it. Arrive too late, and it's sure to be gone.

Here in America, when we get croissants, they're usually in a box in the freezer section of the supermarket. In Paris, this would be a scandal. Anywhere you go in The City of Lights, you're never further than two blocks from a bakery. The bakers begin their baking around 3am each day. Baked goods are produced twice daily. This is why the chocolate croissant got on my short list of famous French food items. Heavenly with a cup of coffee for breakfast.

Much as I love French cuisine, escargot (snails) will never pass my lips. Just a thing of mine. Nonetheless, escargot is one beloved and famous French food. Escargot does have an interesting history. During the French revolution, poor people had no choice if they wanted to eat. Reportedly, the garlic butter sauce was invented to drown out any objections from your palate.

About the Author:

Charlie Reese enjoys french food and giving a daily horoscope on his daily horoscope website daily.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Chicken Stew History

By KC Kudra

Many people regularly enjoy chicken stew because it is a tasty, warming meal. Chicken stew recipes are easy to make and there are many varieties of this dish. Chicken stew has a very interesting history and it has been enjoyed around the world for a long time.

A stew is two or more different foods simmered together in a liquid. Hungarian goulash, beef stroganoff, coq au vin, and beef bourguignon are all stews.

The oldest cookbook ever found, the "Apicius de re Coquinaria", contains stew recipes, although these are fish and lamb stews rather than chicken stews. The identity of the author is unknown although there were three Romans with that name between 1 BC and 2 AD and the book is believed to date from that era.

You can actually go back even further because primitive tribes used to boil foods together, which is what a stew essentially is. Amazonian tribes uses turtle shells as pans and would boil the turtle entrails with some other ingredients. Other cultures used large shells, such as clamshells, instead of pans. Archeological evidence points to this type of cookery going back seven or eight thousand years. The invention of pottery, about ten thousand years ago, made cooking stews easier.

Chicken has been domesticated for thousands of years and chicken stew recipes have been enjoyed throughout history too. Different cultures have different types of chicken stews. Examples include spicy Indian curry chicken stew and the chicken in black bean sauce, which is favored in Cuba.

Different Kinds of Chicken Stew Recipes

One very tasty chicken stew is called chicken booyah. This is a cross between a soup and a stew and is popular in northeast Wisconsin. In 1853, the first Belgian immigrants arrived in Wisconsin and they spoke a language called Walloon. It is believed that the word booyah comes from the word bouillon and the non-French speaking Belgian just wrote down how the word bouillon sounded to him phonetically.

What is Southern Chicken Stew?

You might have tried southern chicken stew, which is a traditional North Carolina dish. This stew contains a parboiled whole chicken in a milk or cream based broth, butter, salt, and pepper, amongst other ingredients. Southern chicken stew varies in color from white to yellow, depending how much butter has been used. It varies from thin in consistency to creamy and thick. It is common to serve saltine crackers with this dish.

Southern chicken stew is often served in the coolest months of the year and the phrase "chicken stew" can refer to the gathering itself rather than the food. A chicken stew recipe is usually thought of as a comfort food because these recipes are cheap to make, enjoyed by nearly everybody and they are warming and flavorful. This is a common dish served at social gatherings such as church fellowships, family reunions, and community fundraisers.

At such events, the chicken stew will be prepared in a large cast iron or stainless steel cooking pot and might be made outside over an open fire. You might get grilled cheese sandwiches, rice, or coleslaw served on the side.

About the Author:

Our international stew cover such wonderful recipes as Jamaican brown stew chicken. Also find easy and traditional chicken soup and stew recipes at the site that is all chicken soup, stew and cooking information.

Good Cake Decorating Supplies Can Make Your Job Easier

By Rebecca Wincup

Are you passionate about creating stunning works of art with cake decoration? Are you longing to put your talent to work by starting your own cake decorating business? If so, you will need to find a good source for your cake decorating supplies. You will be happy to know that you have a lot of choices.

This is a good thing because, when setting up a business, it is good to have more than one source for your supplies. Competition will produce quality and price awareness. You will want to do business with several vendors so that you will always have a backup in case of emergency. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, or you may find yourself with nothing for baking! Get to know a number of cake decorating supplies providers so you will never be at a loss for resources.

A very definite advantage of this method of getting to know cake decorating supplies providers is the opportunity to sample their wares. You might be tempted to just choose the cheapest supplier and have done with it. This is especially tempting at first when funds are very limited. But this sort of strategy can backfire. Don't start out using inferior ingredients in your products. This will simply cause you to produce an inferior product. That will not help your business at all.

So, from the outset, establish a relationship with several vendors. Place orders with at least two or three. When your receive the cake decorating supplies, decide whether or not they meet your standards. In this way you will know which vendors are able to deliver high quality cake decorating supplies.

After determining which suppliers provide the best quality, consider price. Make a list of the ones that have the best supplies. Then use the one of those that also has the best prices. Remember that there are supply companies that require a minimum order. This is an important consideration when you are new to the game. Don't put a lot of money into your inventory when you haven't sold much yet.

You may want to put those vendors on the back burner until you get well under way. Just stay with vendors who will allow you to make small orders and order only as much as you will need. By using several vendors for small orders, you will be able to further compare them in terms of customer service and speed of delivery. Once your business is established and you are familiar with a few vendors, you can begin making bulk orders.

One way to determine whether or not you want to use a company is to see if they will send you a sample of their cake decorating supplies. Do this by going online and making inquiries of several companies. This will give you the opportunity to determine the quality of cake decorating supplies from several sources as well as the level of their customer service. Having done this, you will be able to make an educated decision regarding which suppliers you want to use.

About the Author:

Looking for cake decorating ideas ? Click http://bakingcakedecorating.com to find more information on baking cake decorating supplies

Easy Soup Recipes

By Charlie Reese

Though winter is the time when most crave an amazing bowl of soup, there are plenty of varieties that work well when the weather is hot outside. No matter what time of the year you would like to have some, you dont want to make anything that might be too difficult to make.

There are many easy soup recipes that are out there, and many can be done well even if you think you cant boil water without burning it. What you have to look for is directions that are simple, and ingredients that you like. That along with easy prep is all you need to make some great tasting soups.

You can find easy soup recipes online, or you can find a cookbook. You can even find the cookbook online if you want. There are some books out there dedicated to the home chef that wants to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and there are some for those that have no desire to do that, or even the time to do that. That will narrow down the cookbooks you want to buy when looking. There are even a few that are full of nothing but easy recipes for soup, so those might be your very best choice.

If you are looking for easy soup recipes, think about the tools that you have in your kitchen. Do you have a crock pot? Those are great for making soups and stews that can cook all day long and be ready just in time for dinner. Find easy soup recipes made just for the crock pot, and pick out some that have all ingredients that you find tasteful. You can get some of your stuff already prepared as well. That would mean you can buy already peeled baby carrots, or cubed meat from your grocery store. Even seasoning can be very simple.

When throwing together the things for easy soup recipes, there may be days when you simply dont have the time, but you think something easy would be great for dinner. You can find pre-made soup kits in your local store. Some are in the soup aisle, and some are in the frozen section. You may not think these would make a great soup, but they can have a very homemade taste to them and will work well in a pinch. You can even get one of these that you like, and turn it into your own easy recipes for soup by adding a few more things on your own.

About the Author:

Charlie Reese likes cooking and giving psychic readings on his free psychic website weekly.

Easy Recipe For Homemade Gravy

By Masil Nosacki

When preparing my first homemade dinner, I had the crock pot roast and potatoes cooked and ready to serve but then came the problem, no gravy. This was my first homemade meal and I didn't know how to make gravy. I didn't even have a homemade gravy recipe.

I ended up using a gravy packet from the store but it wasn't the same. Down the road I did learn my mom's easy recipe for homemade gravy.

The only problem with my mom's recipe for homemade gravy, not enough directions. She simply added some flour, stir until boiling and strain any lumps. I didn't have her skill for creating meals from memory.

I tried to prepare my mom's directions for the gravy but it wasn't working. I wanted a detailed recipe for making homemade gravy that involved the use of my measuring cups or measuring spoons as I did understand the basics of measuring ingredients.

After years of lumpy gravy that tasted more like flour than anything, I was able to find the detailed recipe I needed. (Thanks to the world wide web being bigger and better and FREE!) So to those of you that need the exact recipe on how to make gravy, here is my easy recipe for making gravy.

1. Step 1 - After cooking the meat (roast, chicken, turkey or whatever it is) remove the meat and use a ladle or strainer and transfer the cooking liquid into a measuring cup ( I use a glass 4-cup one). Let the cooking liquid stand for about 5 minutes. You will see the fat raise to the top, skim that off and toss it, the fat that is. Take note of amount left in the measuring cup once the fat has been removed.

* Now pour the liquid into a pan and start cooking over medium heat. In a seperate dish, I like the plastic ones with a lid that attaches, mix 2 tbsp. flour and 1/4 cup of cold water for each cup of liquid you poured into the pan. (refer to the last part of step one)Stir or shake until it's smooth - we don't want lumps.

* Bring the liquid in the saucepan to a boil and stir in flour mixture until thickened. It usually takes about 1 minute.

If you have a big family and need lot's of gravy, simply add canned broth to the original cooking liquid in the glass measuring cup then follow as directed. This is such an easy recipe for homemade gravy.

(Hot water can also be used in place of the canned broth but you will need to add seasoning like salt and pepper. If not it will taste like homemade flour gravy - trust me it's not good!)

About the Author:

This recipe for Homemade Gravy was brought to you by Cheap Meals your free online resource for creating cheap meals using quick easy dinner recipes.

How to Make Delicious Pancakes

By Christine L. Paulson

A lot of people skip breakfast. I don't know if it's because they don't have time or because they hate breakfast, but even these very people still love pancakes. Everyone loves pancakes because they taste so good. What would you say if I gave you easy instructions on how to make delicious pancakes everyone will love? Well, that is exactly what I'm going to do.

You first need a recipe. Look for basic plain recipe or you can go nuts and get something creative like chocolate chip or sour cream pancakes. Look on the net or in your favorite cookbook for a basic recipe.

Now its time to start your pancakes. Beforehand, measure out the dry ingredients. Use the correct measuring cups and spoons, and be as precise as possible. If you have too much of an ingredient or too little, especially with baking powder, it might mess it up. If the flour is supposed to be sifted, sift it to avoid lumps. Combine all the ingredients together well with a spoon.

Now measure out and mix all the wet ingredients. If the recipe asks you to melt the butter, mix all the other wet ingredients first and then quickly add in the butter. Beat the ingredients thoroughly to combine them well.

Now mix together the wet and dry ingredients. Mix them thoroughly but do not over-beat it. If you beat it too much the pancakes will become tough. It's okay if there are a few lumps, but just make sure there aren't too many.

Heat a griddle or pan to medium high heat and lightly grease with butter, vegetable oil, or nonstick spray. With a ladle or measuring cup, pour about cups of batter onto the pan to make pancakes (that are/spaced) about 2 inches apart. Let them cook for about a minute. Little bubbles should start to form across the pancakes. This will tell you its time to flip. Cook for another minute on the other side.

When they are finished the pancakes should be a nice and golden brown on each side. Serve them war with syrup and butter or use another topping such as berries and whipped cream.

About the Author:

Find simple pancake recipes or use foolproof pancake mixes to make delicious pancakes that everyone will love.

Quick Healthy Meals in Parchment

By KC Kudra

If you have never tried cooking in parchment packets, also known as papillotes, you have to give it a try. The food retains its moistness and the natural sugars in the food are enhanced by the steam cooking that takes place within the pouch. They are fun, too. During cooking, the packets puff up like little pillows. Diners do not know what is inside until they open the packets, releasing a waft of delicious aroma.

While parchment paper is the traditional paper used for this method of cooking, you can also try brown lunch bags in a pinch. To make a pouch, fold a large sheet of parchment in half. Cut along the fold, making a large Valentine heart. Make enough so there is one pouch per person. Open the heart. Position your food in the center of one half of the heart. Add your salt and pepper, vegetables and any sauce or marinade the recipe calls for. Top it off with lemon slices or herbs. Seal up your packets by folding the empty half of the paper over the food. Beginning at the top of the heart, make small folds towards the food. Continue making the folds along the entire edge, folding the last one over a few times to make sure it stays. Put the finished packets on a baking sheet and bake according to your recipe.

Parchment Cooking is more than Just Fun

Besides the obvious benefits of easy clean up and the fun of opening up your meal like a present, cooking in parchment packets is also healthy for you. The steaming of the food in the packets is a low fat way to cook. You do not need to add a lot of oil or butter to cook your food. It is also a wonderful way to deal with delicate foods like sole and flounder.

You can find the parchment paper at the grocery store along with waxed paper and foil. If your store does not carry parchment, foil will work for packets too.

What Can I Make?

Parchment packets are so versatile you can cook just about anything in them. Fish works well, and chicken and pork also does well. Almost an entire meal can be prepared in a packet. Just use layers for your meat, sauce, and vegetables to get a wonderful entre. Pasta can even be cooked to perfection!

Make side dishes of vegetables and herbs, an entre of tilapia and lemon, or try some quick easy chicken recipes. Make delicious ethnic recipes like ramen, pasta, or TexMex.

When you use parchment, you want to prepare your vegetables in small, even pieces. By slicing them thinly or using a julienne technique, they will cook quickly and evenly. You may want to try carrots, mushrooms, shallots, celery, or zucchini. Add some aromatic herbs for full flavor.

Use a baking sheet to hold your packets and bake in a 400-degree oven for about ten minutes. Dinner will be ready in a flash!

About the Author:

Chicken is a magic food whether in a simple chicken Marsala or a chicken spaghetti recipes

Kitchen Aid is Know for Quality

By Kay Riter

How often do you cook? If you cook at all, you are part of the many people that cook their own food. For all these people, frustration ensues when they come across and appliance or other cookware that isn't up to snuff.

Have you every experienced faulty cookware? Have you used a food processor that barely processed the foods you needed or even maybe had a blown out motor? Don't you hate stirring with a spoon that snapped in minutes, or at least, wouldn't you hate it if it did happen. If you're going to cook, you'll end up using kitchen cookware and appliances. Faulty cookware can cause a lot of frustration in the kitchen.

To avoid this frustration, you need top quality kitchen tools and appliances. To get this quality, you need to shop Kitchen Aid, know for performance and long lasting quality.

Kitchen Aid is top quality because it is built to last and performs at the top for every use. Their appliances are sturdy and built tough. They will last years and years, even a lifetime. The performance never dwindles. You get what you paid for each and every use.

Other brand appliances burn out or break within a few years of use. Having to replace these appliances every few years can be expensive. Getting a Kitchen Aid is a one time purchase.

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixers can stand up to anything because of their amazing durability. They can whip up the most delicate egg and knead the toughest dough. The hand mixers are tough too which is often not the case with other cheaply made hand mixers.

Kitchen Aid Also offers coffee makers that can brew for you the perfect cup of coffee. They also have a coffee grinder to pair up with it that can freshly grind your favorite beans. If you want more you can get a great food processor that can chop slice, puree, and do just about anything with your foods, and toasters with two or four slots. They have even more than just appliances including bakeware and cookware such as pans, cooking utensils, and cutlery.

Kitchen Aid offers the best quality for you whether your buying a new set of spoons or completely renovating your kitchen appliances. Look no further for the best quality in kitchen ware.

About the Author:

To get more kitchen aid review and more information, you've found it. You can get all sorts of kitchen appliances and kitchen aid attachmentsat the best quality. Stop buying cheap kitchen ware that will give up after a few years. Get the best quality!

Unique Baby Gifts Can Lead to Fun & Sweet Baby Shower Themes

By Edie Mindell

Although the classic "Its a Girl" and "Its a Boy" themes are lovely classics, there is so much more you can do with a baby shower. There are various sweet baby shower themes that will make your shower shine and stand apart from the rest. Themes like "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," "Noahs Ark," and "Candy Land," will make your shower unique and unforgettable. This article will provide some basic baby shower themes from which you can get ideas from, and adapt them to your needs.

"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is a beautiful nursery rhyme inspired theme that will fill the room with sweet vibes and tenderness. This theme is also easy to assemble at any location, whether it be a house, a restaurant, a banquet hall, or a hotel. Finding basic star- shaped decorations will definitely not be a problem, and making them is not difficult at all. For example, for centerpieces, you can fill star-shaped baskets or containers with baby-themed items, flowers, candy and confetti. For a special touch, you can also throw shiny star-shaped confetti on the tables.

Have nursery rhymes playing as background music, and decorate the room space with quotes from the poem, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." You can also buy pre-packaged cookie dough and use moon and star-shaped cookie cutters. For a little something extra, decorate the cookies with sprinkles. Another great idea is to buy white chocolate chips and moon and star candy molds, melt the chocolate, and fill the molds in with the melted chocolate. Put these in little star-shaped decorative boxes and give to the guests as party favors. "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is very versatile, and there are countless ideas that you can use for this theme.

The theme, "Noahs Ark" makes an adorable setting for your shower. For this idea, purchase or design your own ark mural and post on the wall. Make sure it is big and top-notch quality, because this will make a great background for taking pictures. For each table, use different animals for centerpieces. You can buy different types of stuffed animals like bunnies, giraffes, elephants, and bears, and use these as a foundation for your centerpieces. Decorate cute baskets, fill them up with candy and baby items, and place the stuffed animals inside of the baskets (a different animal in each basket). Make little animal-shaped chocolates, and hand out Noahs Ark themed invitations.

Candy Land makes a fun theme, for men, women, and children of all ages. For invitations, send out candy in personalized wrappers. You can have candy wrappers customized in several websites online, or you can use a candy wrapper template, also found online, and make them yourself. Buy big, colorful, and yummy candy, and use them to design centerpieces. Use Candy Land board games as the base of your centerpieces and decorate with more candy! Purchase or make your own candy posters, and place them all over the room. Remember to use a lot of confetti, decorative party strings, and colors!

About the Author:

For the very best prices and selection of baby shower gifts online, there is no better place you will find than http://www.simplyuniquebabygifts.com for baby gifts online. You will love the baby gift coupons advertised here.

You Can Cook Caribbean Food At Home

By Melissa Walker-Jones

The beauty of the Caribbean is reflected in it's food. Everyone who has ever been to the Caribbean knows and loves the cuisine of the Islands. The history that is built into the world of Caribbean food, offers a combination of flavours, textures and aromas that delight the senses and tickle the palette.

If you have already been introduced to Caribbean food, then you are someone who knows how delicious it is, however perhaps you have not yet realized how easy it is to cook Caribbean recipes at home in your very own kitchen.

It doesn't really matter where or how, all that matters is that you enjoy the food that you are eating and that through the enjoyment of the authentic dishes you are getting a little slice of Caribbean life to make your world that little bit better.

The islands of the Caribbean have seen many immigrants of the centuries. South American indians who first inhabited the islands, Taino, Arawak and Caribs, eat from the fruits and vegetables indigenous to the islands. However with arrival of Europeans who in turn brought enslaved Africans, the fusion of styles, ingredients and methods of cooking lay the foundations of the types of Caribbean recipes that we enjoy today.

Their ingenuity, combining the meat and vegetables with spices and herbs, slow cooking cuts that others didn't want brought new flavours, and fantastic stews were born during this time. As slavery ended and Colonizers went to China and India to obtain indentured laborers. The Asian workers brought with them their cooking styles and added it to the melting pot that is Caribbean cooking.

As a home cook, you may enjoy trying new styles of cooking or experimenting with new recipes. Caribbean food and cooking authentic Island recipes is not beyond your grasp. If you combine the freshest and best ingredients that you can, you will find success in your endeavors.

One aspect of Caribbean cooking that is prevalent, especially with mean dishes is marinading. Meats are covered in herbs and spices, commonly referred to as seasoning and left to marinade for at least 2-3 hours before cooking. Many people leave their meats to marinade overnight in a refrigerator. This helps the meat to tenderize, as well as infusing it with the flavors of the spices and herbs, giving each dish it's authentic flavor. You can always tell when you're not eating authentic Caribbean food at a restaurant as the meat will be flavoursome on the surface but those flavours diminish as you bite deeper.

Unless you are frying the meat, it is usual for Caribbean meat to be slow cooked. This allows the seasonings to further penetrate the meat and for a good gravy base to develop. Steaming, boiling, stir frying are all techniques used in Caribbean cooking when it comes to vegetables. You may try roasting veg as well. Jamaicans, Barbadians and Trinidadians all enjoy eating roasted Yams, Corn and Breadfruit.

I hope this article has given you a little taste of the Caribbean and has even, possibly got you in the mood to try out some Caribbean recipes for yourself. As said before, Caribbean food is really a fusion style of cooking. The inhabitants of the Islands took what was available to them and created dishes that are still with us today.

About the Author:

If you want to know more about Caribbean Food check out Melissa's website for more Island recipes, hints and tips You are welcome to reprint this article - but get your own unique content version here.

Organic Gardening - Advice For First Time Growers

By Susan Honeywell

Putting the decision to grow herbs and vegetables organically into practice may look like an overwhelming task, but you will quickly see that growing without artificial fertilizers or pesticides is very rewarding, and also easier than it may seem at first glance.

If you already eat some organic herbs and vegetables, you will surely appreciate the better taste, the health benefits and also the lack of harmful residual substances. Imagine how great it would be if you had an organic garden that would furnish you wit a plentiful supply!

Te first thing that you should do, as it will take a little while for this to be ready, is to separate your kitchen waste from the rest and build a compost heap. This can also be done indoors. Compost will prove a great boon as it is the best natural fertilizer for an organic garden and its vegetables and herbs.

Your home-made compost will also fulfill a secondary purpose: it will help your organic garden to retain moisture, and as a result you will need to water your edible plants less often. Put all your kitchen waste and also any garden cuttings you may have onto the compost heap, but avoid great quantity of fish and meat remains.

The second step will be to get organic seeds so that you can start to grow vegetable and herbs in your organic garden. Don't take any seeds, the vast majority are industrially and not organically grown.

If you can't find them in your local area, there are plenty of places where to get them online. Online usually mean more choices and flexibility as well as the convenience of home delivery, so we recommend this method to make sure that you are starting with organic vegetable and herbal gardening the best way.

Once you have the organic seeds, don't plant them outdoors right away but let them sprout inside the house, using organic soil in small pots. There isn't much that can go wrong at this stage, but avoid giving your seedlings them too much water or they will drown.

Once your little plants have grown two leaves, you should repot them into biodegradable pots and later bury these in your garden. You can of course also go for an indoor window garden for your herbs. These make additions to windowsills and beautify the house.

Vigorous, organic soil is fundamental for organic vegetable and herbal gardening. Like compost, good organic soil will not only grow healthier plants that taste better, but will also act as a natural pest controller. If you've had a non-organic garden before, it may take some time to clean the chemical laden soil, or you can dig it all out and start anew with organic soil.

Fill your windowsill pots with organic soil, or put a layer of at least six centimeters in your outdoors organic garden as topsoil. Ass compost and you will be on the right track to grow delicious and healthy organic herbs and vegetables.

About the Author:

OrganicHerbalGardening.com has the answers to all the questions that you were afraid to ask about organic gardening! Check out the site to make sure that you are in the know about herbal gardening.

Prepare Scrumptious Dishes with Simple Tofu Recipes!

By Doug Schlette

Tofus versatility is what makes it a popular food item. It can be added to any dish of your choice or prepare a new one with it. Tofu can be used in soups, desserts, main dishes, side dishes, salads, breakfast and many more. There are a number of simple tofu recipes for each of these categories. Not only because its versatile and helps in preparation of delicious dishes, tofu is healthy as well. It is made from soy food which itself offers numerous health benefits. Soy food is known to reduce high blood pressure, helps breast cancer patients, improves the cardiovascular system and many more.

Tofu offers almost zero calories, zero amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol but at the same time it is rich in iron. It might also contain high amount of magnesium and calcium depending on the type of coagulant used when it is manufactured.

One can successfully purchase tofu from the market or alternatively, prepare it at home. It is not very difficult to prepare tofu. Also, tofu is easily available in the market. Two types of tofu are available in the market: firm tofu and soft tofu. Firm tofu is generally said to be used for deep-frying, soups and stews while soft tofu is used in making desserts, creamed soup and other variety of dishes.

Getting simple tofu recipes is not very difficult. Tofu recipes are easily available over the internet. All you have to do is search the internet and get simple tofu recipes. Alternatively, one can also get a cookbook containing simple tofu recipes from a nearby bookstore. Just follow the directions given in the recipe and prepare a delicious tofu dish. Ensure perfection by following useful tips along with the recipe.

Here are some tips for you so that you can also make perfect tofu dishes. These tips are given below: a. For firming tofu, place it in freezer for one night and next day thaw it out before squeezing water out of it completely. b. When you are cooking tofu, move it from time to time in the oil or else it will stick to the bottom. For moving tofu around use a long spoon so as to avoid burning your hand if oil drops splash out. c. Generally, a cooked tofu rises to the top of the oil d. Always make sure that the tofu is fully cooked or else it will become hard from the outside while uncooked from the inside. The outside will look as if about to burst. e. When the tofu is cooked, get rid of excess oil by placing it on paper towel.

Given below is a simple tofu recipe. The ingredients required are 4 pieces of firm tofu, salt (as per requirement), oil for deep frying, 1 cup of finely shredded cucumber, 1 cup of sprout beans.

Cut the tofu in triangular shape and then dry them with paper towel. After this rub the surface with salt. Now deep fry the tofu in hot oil till tofu are deep brown and edges crispy. Dry them on a paper towel. Now cut tofu horizontally to insert filling.

For filling, first blanch bean sprouts. Using cold water rinse the beans. Then mix with cucumber and fill the tofu. Your dish is ready. Serve tofu with chili sauce.

About the Author:

Doug Schlette loves cooking and provides you with some good advice on cooking and following simple tofu recipes. Take a look at his other cooking articles at http://simpledinnerrecipes.com.

What Does Chicken Recipes Mean?

By Deniss Durrell

You can find many different chicken recipes on AllRecipes.com. There are several advantages to create a free account at this amazing web site . If you enjoy experimenting with different recipes, then this web site has a lot to offer.

One of the best things about this site is that you can create your personal "recipe box" in a virtual world. If you want to gather a lot of chicken recipes, you can make It so! In addition to make this virtual "box", you can further organize the unit into directories that show what type of recipe it is. If you love to put any little notes to the recipe, you can do so! This makes a great way to keep track of all those delicious chicken recipes that you recognize and like!

There are many different people in the virtual community of this website that specialize in chicken recipes. These individuals can post pictures along with the recipes that they submit. This means, if you are looking for a particular dish, you can get a view of what it should look like once it is done.

In the same respect, you can post your own chicken recipes at AllRecipes.com! Is there a special dish that your grandmother made and passed down to you that you would like others to experience?

Would you mind to write reviews that give your thoughts associated with a special recipe? You can make all of this! searching, sharing, and reviewing chicken recipes at AllRecipes.com is an exciting time !

About the Author:

About author: ChickenRecipe-s.com. Are you looking for a one stop location for all of your chicken recipes? Then, I highly suggest AllRecipes.com. In this review, you will discover why this recipe website is among the best on the internet today!

Looking for a Healthy Meal? Try Fresh Lobster!

By Shannon Linnen

If like many of us, you're on what can seem like a perpetual diet, it can be difficult to stay healthy. One of the hardest things is finding a protein that you like that isn't bad for you. No one wants to eat tofu every day, and red meat has been out for years. You can only eat so much chicken, and now even fish is becoming unsafe, with high levels of mercury. Where is a dieter to turn when all they really want is to spice things up? Surprisingly, and deliciously, you can turn to fresh lobster.

Lobster has gotten a bad rap for years as being something that's indulgent and bad for you. While it's true that lobster does have a great indulgent taste, it just isn't true that it's bad for you. In fact, at about 90 calories for a three and a half ounce serving, lobster is an incredibly good for you way to get your protein, better than steak or even chicken? I know it seems hard to believe, but it's true. You can eat fresh lobster as part of a healthy and balanced diet.

It may be hard to swallow that lobster is good for you, when all of the information you've seen in the past is that it's unhealthy. But the fresh lobster meat itself has always been healthy, it's simply the way that it's been prepared that hasn't fit a dieters lifestyle. By dipping fresh lobster in butter, the calorie and fat count of course goes up. And there is a lot of fat in a creamy soup like a lobster bisque. But when prepared, a lobster is steamed, meaning the meat itself is free from oils and fats.

Lobster is healthy for many reasons, but did you know that fresh lobster meat is a great source of omega three fatty acids. This is something you may have been hearing more about lately. Omega three's are naturally found in many types of shellfish and other fish. They are thought by doctors to help promote and improve your heart health, so much so that they're now being added to many other foods. Fresh lobster is a great way to get them naturally. It's also a great source of protein to keep your energy high.

Are you stuck for how you can enjoy lobster in a healthy way that will complement it? Here are some simple ideas. For a quick snack, try a few pieces on some rye bread. The strong flavors play off each other nicely. You can also add texture and flavor to a vegetable filled salad with some chunks of lobster. It's an easy and low calorie way to get some protein. Feeding the family? Prepare whole wheat pasta with olive oil, and add some pieces of lobster. It's elegant and good for you.

Are you ready to ditch the chicken and bring in the fresh lobster? I know I am! Fresh lobster is a great and healthy alternative to boring, tired old menus, so spice up your dinner tonight!

About the Author:

Get the information about buy live lobsters at this website about: buy live lobsters. As well as live lobster tail info.

How to Sharpen 17 Home Tools

By Daniel Godson

How do you sharpen a pair of side cutters.. a circle saw blade... a center punch... a scraper?

Good questions, when you consider the wide range of sharpening techniques called for by these tools. And fairly representative of the many kinds of edges a handyman often finds dull.

Look into any Handyman's Corner and you find recommendations for general sharpening techniques - the simplest and quickest way to shape and sharpen a cutting tool. Here, now, is a roundup of sharpening methods for some specific tools. Some of them are not cutting tools as such. But they all have edges which wear dull - and they all perform better when you keep em shipshape and sharp.

#1. Remember frequent touch-ups are better than long-delayed major sharpenings and always maintain the bevels your tools' edges had when new.

#2. "Gum" your blade if it has been sharpened till it's teeth are short. Count the number of strokes in each gullet with rattail file, to keep depth uniform. Round piece of wood backing up blade prevents file "screech. A sharp eye and a steady hand are required to sharpen a circle saw blade.

All teeth even is rule No. 1 in saw sharpening. Joint teeth to identical height by lowering blade, then raising it slowly while it is running, until teeth just touch sharpening stone held on the table over the saw slot.

Set the teeth with an inexpensive pistol-grip device that uses a special attachment for circular saw blades. Adjust the tool so that the amount of set is not too great. Never set your hollow-ground blades.

The amount to file is indicated by tiny spot of light on each tooth, resulting from the "jointing. File parallel to the original bevel angle until you see this little bright spot disappear.

#3. When sharpening a knife such as a RAT Knives Izula, remember that the edge will last longer if not honed too thin.

#4. Hone knife edge wedge-shaped for easy cutting, long use without dulling. Stroke one way, then rotate knife for backstroke. Avoid grinding. Thin blades overheat easily

#5. Sharpening inside curve knives calls for slip." Select curve of rounded slip stone that best lits curve youre honing. Careful slip work retains shape of tool.

A sweeping curve from heel to tip is the proper movement for sharping a sickle. Use a long, slim scythestone to avoid cutting yourself.

#6. Rotary mower blades should he filed at the same angle as the original edge when it gets knicked. Razor sharpness dulls soon and is not needed, because the speed of blade insures a clean cutting action.

#7. Auger bits bore clean and fast only when sharp. Use a slim taper file or specially made tools for bits. Do the lip first, then the inside of the spur. Never sharpen the outside curve because it will cause bits to bind.

#8. Always sharpen a twist drill slowly and carefully using a twisting motion across the face of the wheel. Follow the fluting on the bit to help guide movement its' movement on the tool rest. The heel of the cutting face must be lower than the lip.

Keep in mind that a bench grinder can be delicate or a hard-fisted metal mover.

#9. Very small tools are hard to hold up to the grinding wheel. Make a simple jig using a slot in end of piece of hardwood, and a thumbscrew to hold the blade tightly. Use the jig as you usually do on the tool rest.

#10. Single-bit axes should have their battered head ground smooth. Grind the edge well back on the flat so it won't become too thick. The best ax edge is rounded so it won't stick in wood.

#11. You can flatten a punch face by twisting it against a bench grinder wheel. Reshape the end lightly against the wheel's side. Also, center and prick punches can be turned on the side of the wheel to restore their original point angle.

#12. Chisels dull very quickly. Therefore, they should be touched up often. You can do so by twisting the butt of the chisel against the bench grinder's wheel to remove any burr. A nice even bevel along the exterior perimeter of the butt reduces brooming" when you pound on it hard.

For a more delicate touch, remember that stones cut slowly and let you sharpen accurately.

#13. Easy-cutting scissors demand the proper bevel for shear cut. Fortunately, the bevel is easy to maintain with a stone since the free half of the scissors helps guide the angle. Stroke in a forward movement only on a fine side sharpening stone. Rat Knives which many people everyday need more attention in the sharpening process.

#14. Some tools such as cutting pliers are too hard to be sharpened with a file. Use a hard stone to sharpen them. For best results, clamp the pliers in a vise to easily control the sharpening angle. Be sure to keep the edges parallel to each other.

Other Tools are Best Sharpened with Hand Files.

For example, a flat cut of file is ideal for edges that are beveled, but not sharp. Stroke across the edge going away from you. Use the full length of file in a diagonal stroke along the tool's entire cutting edge.

#15. Screwdriver tips must be square and flat. File them when they becomes rounded. Carefully carry the stroke up the side of the driver so that the taper doesn't increase and cause the screwdriver to slip out of a screw slot easily.

#16. A scraper blade will give a perfectly flat cut when filed at a slight bevel across the edge. Lock it low in a vise to prevent vibration or chatter. Each stroke should run across the full width of the blade.

#17. Grass clippers take the same shear-cut bevel as tin snips, scissors, etc. Stroke them smoothly across the heel of the edge to its' tip. Never file the flat face of any shear cutting tool.

About the Author:

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