Thursday, December 31, 2009

Which Kitchen Knives Should I Buy

By Jeremy Pabloccis

For anyone who has ever had difficulty in trimming a piece of meat or finding matching steak knives for dinner guests, they will all say the same thing: you need good kitchen knives - plain and simple. However, the people who complain the loudest are usually the ones who do the least about solving the problem. Why? Most people have no idea where to start when it comes to selecting decent kitchen knives.

When Martha Stewart decided to redo her Connecticut home, one of the most important design changes in her new kitchen was the addition of custom made drawers where she could keep her uber-expensive cutlery. Not content with just throwing them in a drawer, she had drawers designed that were padded, temperature controlled, and large enough so that each knife (and she has lots!) had room to lie flat without touching another one.

Of course, for those of us who just don't seem to have the necessary 1,000 sf of space needed to treat our knives like crown jewels, there are options.

Martha probably spent on her knives what we spend on new living room furniture. And of course her knives will outlast our living room furniture. In an event, we don't really need that kind of quality; we just need something to get the job done, and done well. We just need to figure out what the "job" is before heading to the store and buying something only because it's on sale this week.

A decent set of knives can be found for around $100. A superb set of knives is going to set you back a few thousand dollars. If you tend to cook fairly simple meals, or maybe you are a vegetarian, you will need to decide how you plan on using the knives before selecting which ones to buy.

You certainly don't want to be spending money for knives that will just collect dust. If your hobby is baking, find a set that can help you slice almonds, dice ginger and quarter apricots. If cook old fashioned home cooking is your preference, get a set that handle meats, vegetables and fish.

If you do cook a lot of meat, you may very well need that industrial size butcher blade but if you use a food processor to cut up veggies, you might be able to get away with only one paring knife and one chopping blade.

Without this strength added, you can easily break off the blade just doing something simple like chopping an onion. Watch some Japanese chefs - their style dictates that they literally bang their knives onto the chopping blocks for effect. If they weren't using excellent quality knives with forged one piece tangs, their blades were be coming off in mid air!

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Tips for Remodeling and Modernizing Your Kitchen

By Sue Tandor

If your kitchen is out-dated and you are considering a remodel, the best place to start is deciding a budget and how you will spend it. Some people opt for an extreme route that involves removing a wall to create a larger kitchen with an open, more modern feel. Generally speaking, though, you probably will make some small changes to improve and modernize the look and functionality of your kitchen. Below are some remodeling suggestions:

1) Kitchen granite counter tops are now what is "in" as practically no new home is being built without granite. There are several reasons for this, the most obvious one being that granite comes in all sorts of colors and looks absolutely great. Another reason is that granite is one of the best surfaces you can get for cleanliness. Granite can be made very smooth on top and this leaves no minute nooks and crannies for germs to gather as they might do in other counter top materials. Installing a granite counter top in your old kitchen is one of the best ways to make an immediate impact for the better.

2) Your kitchen sink can be as fancy as you want it to be. Since the kitchen sink gets the most use of any sink in the house, you want to be sure yours will wear well and not chip. Another classic look for kitchen sinks is stainless steel, and you'll see these stainless sinks in many new homes, too. The most important thing is that the sink style you choose blends in well with your kitchen design.

3) Islands are one of the more common installations during an upgrade. If you are lucky enough to have a kitchen large enough for an island, be sure to consider a variety of designs so that you choose an island that suits your style and function. Some homeowners prefer to install the sink or range in the island itself. Of course, you have the option to install a plain island to provide extra counter space. The most important thing to consider before getting an island is whether your kitchen is large enough to house it.

4) Flat screen televisions are everywhere now that the prices on them have gone down substantially. One of the places people are interested in having one of those flat screens is in the kitchen. When you look for kitchen TVs, you have the option of getting one that was specifically made for the kitchen or one that wasn't. Usually the ones that are made for the kitchen attach under the cabinets and are of the small variety. These kitchen TV's flip up and down so you can hide it when it is not in use. If you want a regular bigger TV, you will most likely have to mount it on the wall somewhere in the kitchen.

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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Take Grilling To A New Level Of Flavor With Barbeque Woodchips

By Ashley King

Take some advice from the experts: use barbeque woodchips to add zing to your grilling. If you're a master barbeque chef, then you likely know the advantages of woodchips. But plenty of folks don't have a clue why this product is so popular. Woodchips are small bits of wood used in your charcoal or gas grill. If you are not using a wood fire to cook your food, then the only way you are going to get real smoke flavor is by adding wood to your flame.

Woodchips take your outdoor cooking to a whole new height. Whether you have a barbeque that's gas, electric or charcoal, you can add BBQ chips to get authentic barbeque flavor. A standard way to add them to your barbeque is with a smoker box that can be put directly in the grill to add that special wood smoke taste. Make sure you read the directions for your grill before trying this.

When you use BBQ chips, be careful to keep them smoldering relatively slowly. Otherwise, the resultant intense smoke will mess up your food with an acrid flavor. If you soak them in water for around 15 minutes before you use them, you will delay their burn and make them smoke more. Before you use them, however, let the wood "drip dry" for several minutes before you put them in your fire. You want the wood moist, not sopping wet. When utilizing a small smoker in your grill, you don't necessarily have to soak your wood first. Although soaked wood burns longer, if you're cooking a steak you might not need them to burn for that long.

Smoking chips are available in a wide range of flavors that cater to all preferences. You can try appealing flavors such as cabernet, hickory or mesquite. The stores that sell woodchips will have flavor guides to enable you to wade your way through the new world of woodchips. As a rule, the lighter the meat, the milder the wood you will need to use. However, it also does not hurt to be daring and try something strong like mesquite with chicken; simply begin with fewer chips than you'd typically use.

Alder woodchips have a mild flavor and are suggested for use with seafood and pork. The flavorful fruitwoods go best with veal, poultry and pork. These types of wood include cherry or apple. Hickory or maple woodchips are strongly flavored and should be utilized with beef, poultry and pork. Beef, duck and lamb complement the strong-tasting mesquite, and oak, another strong flavor, is good with beef and ham.

But keep in mind that barbecuing is all about the meat. Your fancy woodchips will simply be going to waste on a substandard piece of meat that no amount of grilling expertise can rescue. Make sure your meat or chicken is fresh and from a trustworthy butcher.

If you want to grill a great piece of meat, then try making use of BBQ woodchips to improve the flavor and aroma that goes along with barbeque.

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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Is The Atkins Grapefruit Diet Genuine?

By Joy Mitchell

The Atkins Grapefruit diet is a diet plan, not endorsed by the company of Dr. Atkins, that plays on the fame of the grapefruit diet and the Atkins diet name. A closer look into this diet shows that it may not be all it claims to be.

First of all, it's very difficult to find information on the Atkins grapefruit diet plan. Smart people know that when someone is perpetrating a deception, or a con, they will often gloss over facts. This is what the Atkins grapefruit diet seems to do in an attempt to get people to associate it with two supposedly effective diets.

So, is the Atkins Grapefruit Diet part of the Atkins Diet or endorsed by the firm of the late Dr. Atkins? The answer is a resounding 'no', not only is there no mention of the Atkins Grapefruit Diet on the Atkins website, but there is no fruit of at all mentioned in the list of permitted foods in the Atkins diet Induction phase.

The induction phase includes the following foods:

Fish of any kinds; any fowl such as turkey and chicken; any shellfish; any meat such as beef or pork; eggs cooked in any style, including fried; cheese; vegetables; herbs and spices; fats and oils; low carbohydrate beverages, including diet sodas.

Do you notice anything? No fruit is on that list. Later phases of the Atkins diet do include limited quantities of fruits such as cantaloupe, strawberries and even lemon juice, and the pre-maintenance and maintenance phases even specifically allow limited quantities of grapefruit. But when compared to the amount of Grapefruit recommended on the Atkins Grapefruit Diet, again there is a disagreement.

The Atkins Grapefruit Diet advocates a cup of grapefruit juice or a cup of grapefruit sections, with 8 and 18 carbs respectively. Even the most generous phases of the Atkins diet recommends limiting grapefruit intake to below 8 carbs per day. That's a direct contradiction of one diet with the other.

Most reasonable people would take a look at the Atkins website itself the moment they heard about the Atkins Grapefruit Diet. When they found no mention of that diet on the site, a red light would go off and an alarm bell would ring.

Generally speaking, you should remember this: any diet that relies too heavily on one food, such as grapefruit on a grapefruit diet, is unhealthy for any but extremely short periods. The Atkins Grapefruit Diet is not associated with the Atkins diet, and may disrupt with the results of the Atkins diet in its early phases.

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Sunday, December 27, 2009

Details About The Accepted Tiger Rice Cooker-Find Out The Truth

By Robert Nichols

If you relish succulent healthy food, but do not prefer to pay too much time in the kitchen then I recommend that you have a look at the nice vary of Tiger Rice Cookers. They are renowned for producing prefect rice which will be enjoyed all day long.

I've got extremely enjoyed using my Tiger JNP 1800 that I bought last Christmas as the standard is just superb. Yes it might not be low-cost, however it's well worth the difference in value in comparison to my old rice cooker the one that I ended up giving away once solely a few months.

When I withdrawn my previous rice maker, I used to be having some bother finding a substitute. Luckily there were folks who had used the Tiger models and were in a position to suggest it to me. It absolutely was one that would work my budget, while it had been still a touch expensive. Expensive or not, I am glad I bought it. Sensible rice should be fluffy and light, and so way the Tiger Rice Warmer/Cooker has not let me down.

The Tiger Rice warmer and cooker that I've got gets about 3 days of use per week, and I favor the fact that I will place rice in it before work, and it finishes cooking fifteen minutes later. I no longer have to lay our a fortune of time preparing for lunch within the morning.

When time is brief, you'll realize that the Tiger Rice Cooker can be relied upon to stay the rice heat, and even keep it tasting smart even when it is left alone for the whole day. This means that making ready dinner is a cinch once you return home from work!

This is often a tool that was created by the Tiger Corporation in the country of Japan, and ever since it's creation, the line of Tiger Rice Cookers have accumulated a name that is truly like no other. I've got an acquaintance who has owned a Tiger Rice Cooker for the past eight years. She was the one who recommended that I obtain one, actually.

When you get yourself the Tiger Rice Cooker, you will probably pay regarding $100-$200, that is not a dangerous price. Yes there are cheaper ones, but in my experience they made higher dog food than anything. If you want to shell out a small amount a lot of money, you can get one with additional rice capacity.

If you want an amazing rice hotter and cooker that can be with you for a very very long time, that's non-stick, and of course can build fantastic tasting rice that will keep warm all day long, then Tiger Rice Cookers are what I totally recommend.

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My Recipe For Fantastic Cooking

By Sam Jones

I know that just about everyone has some kind of favorite food they love to eat! Some people like pizza. Some like mashed potatoes with grilled chicken. Others like hamburgers. My grandmother's recipe for chicken pot pie happens to be the very best food I have ever eaten.

My grandma took a whole chicken and covered it with water in her cast iron pot. I always knew what she was doing when that happened. She added onions, and chopped garlic with fresh rosemary, salt, pepper and turmeric. She would then set the pot on the stove, cover it and let it boil.

Those cookies were to die for! Oh boy, what could be more scrumptious? I had never tasted anything so good in my life! Momma even liked them and she never liked sweets anyway. She just baked things for us because we liked them.

That year momma made cookies for my whole class! She shared them with family and friends and everyone just loved them. My dad would steal some to take to work and he told my mother that the men loved her cookies too! I think she felt good that so many people like her baking!

One evening, unannounced, they both came to my door virtually at the same time. Before I could stop it, the damage had begun. The recipe for catastrophe was in the making. The jealousy was flaring.

Grandma is gone now. But, I remember her every time I make this dish for my family. I see my daughter's eyes glow just from the mention of this food. She is just like I was. It is an easy recipe and will stand the test of time. I miss grandma but, her legacy, and food, lives on.

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How In The World Do Water Filters Work?

By Peter Abertoning

In our times there are so many people so concerned about their health. And some of these people are concerned about the health effects of drinking our water. If this describes you then you need to learn more about modern water filtration systems.

How does a water filter work and what does it do? Here's some of the basics about the water filtration process. Things that you should be aware of before you buy a water filter.

There's a wide range of different chemicals and toxins that can be found in our water and different types of filter will filter out different types of contaminant.

There are many many different contaminants. Some can make your water taste bad, like chlorine, and can even cause your skin to dry out from showering. And there are many nasty chemicals found in water in small quantities that are known to cause cancer.

Its important to know that there are two different methods of water filtration. Physical filtration is the first method. It works by straining the water, using a tiny piece of textile membrane or gauze.

And then there is chemical filtration that removes various contaminants by chemical methods.

Activated carbon filters are known to be one of the most effective types of water filtration. They are also known to be one of the most popular types of water filters to have in the house.

AC or activated carbon filters are effective but how do they work? They work by the use of some form of carbon, normally charcoal, absorbing the impurities in the water.

Some of the other different types of water filtration systems out there include reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation. All of these water filter systems are known to be useful for removing certain impurities.

The type of impurities that are found in the water that you have in your home dictate the type of water filter that you need.

AC water filters can remove a wide range of impurities found in water like chlorine and pesticides but there are also some contaminants that they cannot absorb. For example an AC filter will not remove flouride, sodium and nitrates. But they deal with the vast range of different impurities that are found in our drinking water and for this reason they are by far the most popular of water filters.

So for this reason it is now possible to get 2 stage water filters. One stage is an activated carbon water filter and there is a second stage of water filtration that also removed those impurities that are not removed by the AC stage of filtration. These are now by far the best water filters that can be found with modern technology.

There's quite some science behind how water filters work and any more than this will blind you with science unnecessarily. Suffice to say that no water filter removes every single contaminant, but that if you want the best water filter then consider a 2 stage activated carbon water filter. They are the best water filters that modern technology can produce. There is no doubt though that there are nasty chemicals and toxins in our water that you ought to remove before you drink it.

For water that has a good taste, a 2 stage AC home water filtration system is the right choice for you.

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Saturday, December 26, 2009

George Foreman Outdoor Grill

By Jimmy Bartlett

Like grilling outside? You will want to look at getting an outdoor grilling set. There are many different outdoor grills you can choose. One of the more flexible outdoor grill sets is the George foreman indoor outdoor grill.

George Foreman has made a name with itself for quality electric grill products. The indoor and outdoor grill is no exception to this. This is a two piece grill set - a large electric grill and a base which to rest it on. You can remove the electric grill part for indoor tabletop grilling or you can leave it on the base for outdoor grilling.

Electric grills are the newest fad in kitchen appliances. They basically attempt to replicate the charcoal or gas grill experience. It's true that you can't really ever replace charcoal grilling with electric grilling - the meat just doesn't taste the same - but electric grills are easy to clean, portable, and still cook delicious food. The best thing about electric grilling George Foreman style is that there is a special fat catcher to catch the fat from the mean.

The George Foreman line of electric grills are famous for their fat-reducing cooking. What this means is that each grill is slanted at an angle and grease and fat is drained from the meat and caught in some sort of pan. This means that you can eat healthier meat. In our experience this can sometimes dry out things like chicken breast if you are not careful with your cooking times though.

One thing this grill does well is function as an indoor and outdoor grill. Because the grill comes with a large base, you can plump this grill set down on the deck or grass for some outdoor grilling.

If the weather is not cooperating or you don't want to cook outside, you can move the electric grill part inside your house. It's big, but it cans still fit on your counter.

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Friday, December 25, 2009

Daydreaming of Becoming a Pastry Chef? Learn This

By Frank Froggatt

Have you thought of attending a pastry chef school?Maybe you are just astoundingly good at making pastries and goodies and all of your acquaintances rave regarding them. Your kids have come home with a note from the school asking you to take over the bake sale. Your friends and family always want to have you over to their house for the holidays as long as you bring your delicacies, as they can never get enough they talk about them for years to come. The food network is your favorite channel and you watch it more often than not, and you know without a doubt that you can make better food and delicacies than any of the contestants or hosts. Shouldn't you do something about this?Going to a pastry chef school will help to set you on the right path to eventually going into business for yourself or landing a high-end job at a fancy restaurant.

Being extremely good at cooking and preparing pastries is a step in the right direction, but in order to move into the field of food and catering for individuals, you're going to want to have somewhat of a background in knowing what it takes to be successful in the business. Whatever city you live in, if there is any type of college in the area then chances are they offer some sort of pastry training. These places are excellent institutes to get your foot in the door. Don't hesitate to contact them and find out what they have to offer. Perhaps you're a have a little bit of training in a community college and you're ready for some world-class instruction in making pastries and running a restaurant. If this is the case then there are some world-class culinary art institutes that can fulfill your dreams in places like New York, Chicago, and Portland.

Another incredibly great place that you might want to look into getting yourself a culinary education is the culinary Institute of America. Many of the chefs who have graduated from the school have become widely popular on their own TV shows and thereby attaining international acclaim. The culinary Institute of America has three different locations that you can study, the main one being in New York at Hyde Park, and the other ones based in California and San Antonio Texas. The prime one for pastry chefs is the school in Greystone California.The whole purpose of the culinary Institute of America is to bring excellence to culinary education and preparation, and they are a nonprofit organization.

There are quite a few different things you need to factor in when you are looking at culinary institutes. Do you want to own your own bakery or pastry shop, or do you want to be a baker, or do you want to be a pastry chef in a high-end restaurant? Do you have any special types of foods that you are incredibly good at working with? I ask this because there are are lots of different culinary institutes which manage the use of this special areas mainly. Other culinary institutes offer classes based on the kinds of Baking you will be doing.

You'll find that going to a culinary school will give you all of the abilities you need to survive in a restaurant or other food service venue. Pastries to chef schools will teach you everything you need to know in order to run a successful business in this field, including all of the different styles of baking that you need to know, business management, customer relations, and baking skills.

Being incredibly good at baking pastries and desserts is an actual art form, and it is got over a lifetime of trial and error. If you have the love of baking, or if there are a certain styles that you to get better at, and perhaps make a career of, then considering going to a pastry chef school, or any culinary arts school is a great place to start.

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Modern Recipes For Special Meal Ideas

By Paul Smith

Recipes are available in many different places and there are plenty of resources you can use. Search engines are great for very specific types and you will find many different ways to prepare chicken or create that perfect cupcake. You can find information from professionals as well as the home cook as anyone can post a recipe. The trouble will be searching through the many results.

There are also many websites that are devoted strictly to cooking and recipes. Many times these websites will contain choices from popular cooking magazines and TV shows as well as form the everyday cook.

There are also many magazines that provide all different options for meals and dishes. There are gourmet magazines, quick meal magazines, specific types of cuisine magazines and much more. If you want to browse through the different magazines you should visit your local library and browse through the many options. Also most magazines will have their own website.

There are also many cooking magazines that contain different choices and each magazine will have several different categories. You can also find magazines devoted to low fat cooking, cooking for diabetes, 5 minute meals and much more. Many times magazines will have their own websites so you can browse through the site before getting a subscription.

You also can create your own original creations. This may take some trial and error or it may be best to alter a preexisting recipe that you want to change. Many individuals that have been cooking for a long time may find that the next challenge includes creating their own different dishes and meals in the kitchen.

Interestingly most people turn to the internet when they have no idea what to do with that package of chicken for dinner. Some of the benefits include thousands of choices, options from everyday cooks besides professionals and free access.

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Long Island New York's Best Burgers

By L.J. James

When it comes to food, I am no gourmet expert. I do however know what I like. Now there are many foods that I love and really like but when it comes down to it one of my Favorite foods has to be Hamburgers!

Now I have been all over and while I have been to some really great Burger Joints in Upstate NY and a few other states, I have spent allot of my life on Long Island in New York. There are many great places to eat here on Long Island but when it comes to Hamburgers I have two favorite places.

The first is "All American Hamburger Drive" in 4286 Merrick Rd Massapequa, NY 11758 this place has been around as long as I can remember. As a kid growing up every trip home from Jones Beach always ended with a stop at this old fashion Burger Joint. Their is always a line outside of All American but the wait is worth it. They have two Burgers I love Their Quarter pounder with Cheese and their Double Double which is a double Burger with double cheese. I have been trying to figure out which one I like better for years. I have had fun trying but have not figured it out yet, If I ever Figure it out I will let you all know ! All American also has some of the best Fries, Onion Rings, Knishes and Milk Shakes I have ever had!

Now where All American Hamburger Drive In sells a fast food style Burger and I love them, There is also another Style Burger which I love too and that is the Bar Burger! Their are many really great places on Long Island that sell some really Great Bar Burgers but as the old saying goes when it comes to the best "their can be only one"!

My Favorite Long Island Bar Burger I have had so far has got to be from the "Triangle Pub" 381 Old Montauk Hwy Eastport, NY 11941 I have been to this place a bunch of times over the years and their Burgers are always Great! Now I can only speak about their large Burgers (Never got one of the small ones). The Triangle Pub is known by many across Long Island for its Giant Burgers and Giant Glasses of Ice Cold Beer! There is not much to say about the place as I have never had anything there beside the Beer and large Burger meal. The people are friendly, The service is good, The Location is Nice and the Giant Burger and Beer Combo with French fries or onion rings is incredible. I love stopping by either for dinner or lunch !

Like I said before I am not a food expert I just know what I like. I have not eaten every where on Long Island so if you know of a place that you think serves better Burgers then the two I have just told you about then let me know what they are called and where they are located and I will be there!

I also really Like Chicken Wings!!! L.J. James www.americanbikerx.com

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Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Importance Of Range Hoods In The Kitchen

By Sam Blandford

Range hoods are a necessity in any kitchen by helping to remove pollutants from the kitchen air and so are important for safety and comfort. If a kitchen range is set up correctly, it enhances your cooking experience by releasing any hot air or cooking odors to the outside in addition to retaining grease-free kitchen surfaces.

Their complexity varies from simple ductless systems to types with lights, timers and surfaces that are easy to clean. There are numerous styles available as well as materials such as copper or wood.

Your home's present ventilation system is a crucial aspect to take into consideration while picking your kitchen's appropriate range hood. Next would be the size, location, and the quality of the range hood that you are looking for. Some range hoods offer great charcoal filtration others have more cost efficient have fans built in to push hot air towards your ceilings.

The two main types of hoods around are the vented and non-vented (recirculating) ones. A vented hood needs a connection to an exhaust duct and outside world and so is a little more complicated to install. A non vented type - simply cleans the air and pushes it back into the kitchen. These are the simplest types but still very effective.

Slimline hood designs are available which are concealed under cabinets which slide out when in use. One more kitchen hood type could be utilized as a microwave shelf with its venting fans below.

There are also updraft and downdraft hoods. Updraft systems pull the air through a filter and then push it along ductwork and vent it to the outside. With downdraft systems, they are usually located on the stove top near the burners. They pull the air through a filter and into the ductwork.

The hood or vent should be at least as wide as the range top and if you are designing a kitchen range hood you should select the ventilator unit first. The range hood should be designed to permit enough room for the ventilator and ductwork required to vent to the outside.

Because kitchen range hoods collect grease and filter smoke from the air, the range hoods should be cleaned frequently and any exposed portions, including the blades and internal filters may be cleaned with sponges and soapy water and wiped dry. Nonetheless, on no occasion should you ever use coarse clothing or pads to clean out the hood. You could wipe the unprotected metal down with a combination of water and ammonia, if need be. You could take off the metal mesh filters and immerse them in a cleaning solution for several minutes; then sponge, rinse out, and dry it off prior to putting it back into the hood.

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Fresh, Home Made Pasta Is Still Great Made By Hand Or With A Pasta Machine

By Gerri Lauder

Ever make fresh pasta at home before? No? You don't know how easy it really is. You find it hard to be satisfied with packaged pasta from a store after tasting fresh pasta. Pasta ingredients are very inexpensive and easy to assemble. Flour, water, oil and eggs are the only things needed. Is that simple or what?

Combine the ingredients and kneed the dough until it takes on a dull shine. You then use your pasta maker or rolling pin to create a sheet of dough. There are many pasta machine manufactures so your choice of pasta maker is quite large.

I use an Atlas pasta machine that I have had for years and use quite often. The dough takes about five minutes to make and requires half an hour to rest before you flatten through your pasta maker or rolling pin. I then put the pasta through my Atlas pasta machine, cutting it to the right shape.

The next step is to put the pasta for about 5 minutes into salted water at a roiling boil and cook. That's all there is to it. There is very little work involved. You will be the star of your kitchen when your family and friends taste your fresh pasta.

My Atlas pasta machine is still my best choice although I have tried other pasta machines. It is made in Italy and is very rugged and easy to clean. Italians making a pasta maker, what a stretch? With it's built in clamp, it can be mounted to any surface making it easy to operate where you need it. I like to use the manual model but you can buy an electric machine if you want.

There are many differt cutting attachments you can purchase to make other styles of pasta after flattening to your desired thickness. Ravioli or tortellini can be made this way allowing you to add your favorite filling. I use a cutter to make angel hair pasta and soon will buy more cutters in order to do linguine and other pastas.

Make a great impression with your friends and family by treating them to home made pasta. With it's incredible texture and taste they will be truly surprised. Don't even mention how easy it is to make. Home made pasta will be a gift you can share often.

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Shopping For Gourmet Food Gift Baskets

By Tabatha Mitchell

It used to be pretty common to give out gift baskets full of foods. Have you ever gotten one of those cheese logs? How about a cheese wheel, specifically the ones wrapped in red wax? Or how about even the processed sausages?Or my all-time favorite, the pre-processed sausages. These gift baskets were common during the holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, anytime that someone wanted to show how much they cared about someone. They didn't say much, but when they did talk they said "I only care about you as much as this piece of dehydrated beef jerky disguised as 'dinner sausage'".

These days there are still these kinds of gift baskets, but they are a little bit more original than the cheese and sausage combination that we have all come to know and despise. Specifically, these new baskets are gourmet food gift baskets, and luckily they do come in a wide range of varieties. You can order them with fresh food this time around! Fruits, cheeses and crackers that weren't around when the first Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly line. Gourmet coffees, available ground or whole bean. Wines, alcoholic drink mixers, and teas. You can pick and choose your way to a successful basket in no time.

When ordering these gourmet food gift baskets online, one of the most important things to look for is the delivery date. You want to make sure you give enough time for the preparation of the basket, availability of the products you want, and delivery time. In other words, don't shop for a customized basket a day before you need it shipped to your mother 1500 miles away.

Of course, you can always go with pre-made baskets which come in several themes. You can find them themed to match just about any holiday or special occasion that you want. But don't worry about poor quality: really good gift basket companies stand by their products and most of them, even pre-made, are very fresh and delicious.

Some companies allow you to choose a pre-made basket and have a list of items ready to swap in or out of your gourmet food gift basket at your choice. There are also companies that even make the basket itself very important, and not just a plain basket. Metal tin baskets with sport team logos that come filled with game-time snacks can be re-used for popcorn or other snacks once the original contents have been all eaten. The styling and individuality in each basket makes giving them so much fun.

There are even true gourmet food gift baskets available -- featuring ingredients and recipes from some of the world's top chefs -- that are great for any cooking enthusiasts. These types of baskets do not come with pre-made foods, but rather the ingredients and instructions to get the recipient really into the cooking mood.

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Be Smart And Choose Organic Foods

By Lee Reid

Anyone aware of the amount of chemicals included in highly processed food is aware of the importance and the benefits of organic foods in the first place. By the difference between organic and conventional food, we don't necessarily imply that between an organic and a non-organic apple. We should actually stress out the health benefits of organic foods first and foremost.

Lots of consumers suffering from some form of chronic illness or even cancer, choose organic foods as safer and more health oriented than conventional products. Even if the nutritional value is not that different between the two trends, the use of chemicals, hormones and pesticides in the production of non-organic foods has an impact on the positive qualities of the product in the first place. Lots of consumer analysis do not insist on the difference in nutrients value, there are studies however that indicate superior characteristics and more benefits of organic foods in the first place.

It seems that among the benefits of organic foods we ought to include more vitamin C, higher levels of trace minerals and plenty of anti-oxidant nutrients. A report issued by the US Department of Agriculture shows that a significant decline has been registered in the level of minerals of the non-organic crops since 1940. The present-day extensive storage and the intense processing of the crops further lowers the quality of conventional foods.

Surprising benefits of organic foods include the higher content of dry matter. To make this clear, we have to consider the fact that the use of the artificial fertilizers causes the fruits or vegetables to retain more water and thus swell. Thus, a non-organic apple gives less food than an organic one. Nevertheless, besides the different amounts of nutrients, more advantages of organic food can be identified.

First of all, virtually no pesticide residues can be traced in organic products. Even if conventional food producers claim that no health threat can be identified for pesticides, one doesn't have to be all knowledgeable to realize that the ingestion of anything chemical can't be healthy and positive for the body in terms of effects. The benefits of organic foods are much insisted on at present, with more and more consumers choosing them instead of conventional foods. Gradually this high popularity will definitely trigger a reorientation of the market and even a redefinition of the standards that characterize organic food in the first place.

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Hiring Little Rock Catering for Christmas Party

By Barry Taylor

Christmas is here in Little Rock and what a joyous time to spend with your friends and family. If you're planning a big party this season, it could mean high stress if you don't have a plan to deal with it.

No matter where you live, Christmas couldn't be a better time to hire a catering company to take care of your guests and give you a break from the monumental task of preparing food for a throng of guests. Let's face it, with decorating, shopping, wrapping, traffic, and God knows what else, you deserve to take some of the stress away.

Many Catering Companies have vast experience in providing great seasonal choices and many will work with you to create the perfect menu. They should give you plenty of ideas, and you could scale your food to fit your event.

No matter what the format, casual or formal, a great caterer gets paid to come up with great food choices for any themed event you are wanting to host. Don't be afraid to ask for specific dishes for the holidays if you've served something every year and you want to keep with the tradition. As long as it's not a very complicated dish, you should have no problems requesting it.

So give yourself a big break, hiring a catering company will be an amazing stress reliever and provide your guests more time to enjoy your presence and you can escape some of the holiday craziness.

You must admit, very one loves a great party around the holidays! Certainly if there is good food, good folks, and plenty whiskey eggnog to go around the room more than twice!

The holidays are before us here in Little Rock, catering may be the much needed relief for you to truly enjoy the season!

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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Pulled Pork Crockpot Recipes - Southern Style Sandwiches

By Susanne Myers

There seems to be no end to this debate; Memphis style, Southern style, North Carolina style, or South Carolina style. Even Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Florida have gotten into the game! We're talking here, of course about the vast array of pulled pork crockpot recipes that make these claims.

What most everyone can agree on is that no one agrees which style of sandwich truly belongs to which region. Comparing hundreds of pulled pork crockpot recipes doesn't help much either. For every barbecue sauce on the market there is at least one recipe. For every variation of dry rubs you can find, there are that many more methods and ingredients for cooking a pulled pork sandwich. Here are just a few common methods for cooking and serving this sandwich that seems to be everyone's hometown original!

Vinegar - Whether you use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or red wine vinegar, the idea is the same. In order to make a barbecue sauce you need the sweet and sour combination. You'll find many recipes that claim to be official Memphis style pulled pork because they always use vinegar in their sauce. However, just about any pulled pork sandwich that has homemade barbecue sauce will have vinegar as an ingredient.

Brown Sugar - Many dry rubs contain brown sugar to give the sweet flavor to the whole sweet-sour balance that a pulled pork sandwich should have. A simple concoction of brown sugar, vinegar, and a pinch of any hot sauce or seasoning is often found in barbecue places in Florida and Alabama. Whether this simple recipe originated there we'll never know. Although, I can't say I've ever seen a pulled pork sandwich seasoned like this in Memphis.

Dry Rub - This may be one of the oldest "new" seasoning techniques around. Memphis can lay claim to this in some of the recipes you'll read, but you'll find dry rubs firmly entrenched all over the South. Although dry rubs have been around for ages, the new focus may be on the availability of prepackaged rubs. The labels on the bottles are just as confusing, claiming to be "The Best Of..." one place or another and containing identical ingredients. It doesn't matter, really. To season pork with a dry rub you really need a standard list of ingredients which include paprika, cayenne, cumin, and lots of freshly ground black pepper.

Condiments - There are several standard condiments found on most every table serving pulled pork sandwiches. A bottle of barbecue sauce is a must. Then, some people like a little red hot sauce, mustard, and salt and pepper. I have yet to see a bottle of ketchup! That just seems wrong... and it probably is. Memphis holds the honor in most people's opinion of being the cole slaw condiment originator. If you get a "slap of slaw" on top, you're probably enjoying a real Memphis pulled pork sandwich.

Cooking Method - Of course, using your slowcooker to make a batch of pulled pork may be quite a departure from the method your parents and their parents before them used. The most noted methods to prepare the pork include grilling, smoking, oven roasting, and braising. Different methods are claimed as original by different regions and there is no one, simple answer to this. If you go to Memphis you'll see a lot of smoky pits with big hunks of pork sizzling away on the grill, but you'll also see that same method in a lot of other places, so it's hard to pin down.

Is it time to dismiss the debate that was caused by looking through some pulled pork crockpot recipes? Probably. If you are a native son or daughter of South Carolina, or Florida, or Alabama, or anywhere in the South, and your PawPaw has been making the same recipe for pulled pork sandwiches since you can remember, then that recipe belongs to you and it is an original to your region. Don't let anything distract you from your mission. Claim your family's recipe as any good native would... stake your claim and make your recipe yours!

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Discover Some Of the Finest Ways To Employ A Rice Cooker For Cooking The Best Rice

By Robert Nichols

There are typically 3 types of rice cooker cooking processes which will be found: simple heat transfer, fuzzy logic and induction heating.

Easy Heat Transfer

This can be the strategy used in typical rice cookers, where the warmth is provided by the heating plate in the bottom of the pan and is conducted to the contents of the pan via traditional heat conduction. When the cooker is switched on, the heater starts and the contents of the pan heat up until the water in the pan is boiling. At now, the temperature of the pan will stay steady as long as there is water within the pan.

Fuzzy logic

'Fuzzy logic' is that the term given to rice cookers that have microprocessor controls that are programmed to watch things like the speed of the increase of the temperature and create changes to the cooking time and the heat supplied to the pan, so as to permit each for external factors, like if the rice is being cooked on a colder day than normal, when a very little additional heat and time might be needed, as well as internal factors like completely different types of rice.

An extra advantage is that these usually supply a a lot of bigger range of control to the user, allowing then to not solely select a greater range of programs covering the different forms of things to cook, but also enable them the flexibility to pick their own preferences and modify how the rice turns out - a little wetter or dryer, for instance.

Induction heating

Induction heating is that the type of heating found within the high-of-the-range rice cooker and heaters and refers to the way that, instead of having a heating plate that supplies heat which the pan then conducts, with this technique the pan itself is created to get heat! This is often done by generating a magnetic field inside the rice cooker, that reacts with the inner cooking pan via induction to produce heat inside the inner pan materials. There are a variety of benefits to the present technique, that embrace the means that the heat is better spread around the whole of the inner cooking pan, which means that the rice cooks more evenly and the manner that the temperature will be quickly and finely adjusted by adjusting the strength of the magnetic field that's inflicting the inner pan to come up with the heat. Another advantage is that these are normally the easiest to scrub, as the heat will be much additional accurately controlled in these models!

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Learn Why Conveyor Pizza Oven Are Best For Home Prepared Pizza When Done Correct

By Robert Nichols

The right pizza is the one whose base is correctly done; that's it's consistently heated from all sides and no portion is either uncooked or overdone. At 1st, the perfect pizza was an art however currently it's technology. Conveyor Pizza Ovens are style to bake excellent pizzas. In this sort of pizza oven, the pizza pie is equally heated from all sides manufacturing a crisp light brown correctly done pizza base.

In a very conveyor pizza oven, you put the uncooked pizza at one finish from where it enters a tunnel and when passing in the tunnel gradually at a predetermined time and speed, it comes out from the other finish as a cooked pizza. The pizza takes 5-8 minutes to cook and also the controlled airflow and quickness makes certain that the pizza is baked with the identical consistency throughout out.

Conveyor pizza ovens are largely utilized in pizza parlors where they are produced at a mass scale during a short span of time. There is no hassle of frequent checking of pizzas. Secondly 2 or additional pizzas can be baked simultaneously relying upon the length of the conveyor belt. The conveyor pizza ovens only want to be preheated for fifteen-20 minutes. They then maintain the temperature throughout the time they're in use. They additionally have the power to rapidly relax when shut off.

The conveyor pizza ovens are best for busy pizza places or for those where there's a rush throughout lunch/dinner hours. Conveyor pizza ovens have several disadvantages too. The biggest one being cleaning of the oven. Create positive that the conveyor pizza oven you purchase comes with panels or doors that can be removed therefore that the oven will be completely cleaned from inside. Otherwise you've got to disassemble it so as to wash it up that may be a problem if you fail to reassemble it properly. There is additionally a possibility of losing a part in the process. Another disadvantage may be that a fault within the conveyor belt will lead to the finish off of the oven.

Conveyor Pizza Oven is an upscale but a smart investment for restaurants.

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Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Stress Free Cooking Checklist

By David Wheater

Creating a meal that pleases your family or friends can be an exhausting experience. And then you have to clear it all away afterwards too! Preparation and planning, as with other tasks, are perhaps the the most important aspects.

Utilize these simple suggestions to help organize your dinner. You might be surprised to see that a meal can be prepared and cleaned away so quickly and effortlessly.

1. Plan ahead. The more you do so the easier it'll be when the times comes to perform.

2. Organize your kitchen. Always having kept certain items in certain places doesn't mean that you should continue to do so. Give to others things that no longer get used and move the items that you most often use to places where they are more easily accessed.

3. Keep a plastic grocery bag on the counter where you cook. All the garbage will end up in there without a second thought. Then make one trip to the garbage can when you're done.

4. Put your ingredients away straight after you finish with them. Spend some time cleaning up while you cook, and you will be amazed at how improved the state of your kitchen is when you're done.

5. Buy in bulk where possible. Have dry goods on hand that you know you will use regularly in order to minimize the likelihood of last minute grocery store trips.

6. Wash a dish or two early. There will always be some dishes to clean after the meal is done, but if you can clean at least of few of the dishes used in the preparation while you're simmering or in between stirs, then you'll be cutting down the workload later on.

7. Set the table as early as possible. If this is done an hour or so earlier it is one less thing competing for your attention whilst you're cooking.

8. Delegate tasks to others. Ensure that family members know beforehand what their job is i.e. doing the dishes, clearing their plates etc.

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Tips About Premium Connoisseur Peaberry Coffee

By Jacob McCool

Have you ever thought can a coffee be too perfect for drinking? Can you really feel that you can get any such coffee? You would certainly like the chocolate flavor but is there any variety of coffee which gives the genuine chocolate flavor. This is certainly a big question and you will certainly have to think otherwise. The above is a very good product and you will certainly have the upper hand if you want to select it for anyone. He will definitely praise the product.

Let me tell you one thing that the above brand is certainly the best. You will find this coffee cultivated in the Central America which is a high mountainous region and it can be grown above 4000 to 7000 feet above the sea level. The plantation provides the unique microclimate and you will also see the ideal growing mixture of the soil, wet season, sunlight strength as well as the temperature. In all, it provides the perfect atmosphere for growing the coffee. The herbicide as well as the pesticide is not used and the weeds are detached through the natural process.

The picking of the coffee beans certainly is a quite painstaking job. The time comes when the coffee is ripped and at that time around 600 employees work together to complete the task. They work harder to accomplish the task and are paid well. More than 30,000 man hours are dedicated during the collection process. The coffee produced is termed as the naturally complete coffee. With little bit of difference, it certainly gets superior taste.

This is certainly one of the best coffee drinking experiences and you will surely enjoy the taste. The cost of one pound of coffee is around $16.79 and if you want to taste it then you can order right now.

Now let me give details about Peaberry. You should know that Peaberry is also known as the caracole. You will be astonished to know that it is a fault and it does occur due to the insect which damages the flower, tree stress as well as the cherries which come out from the tip of the plant. Some of the fruits mature with just the single fused beans. You will find one oval solo bean which is called the Peaberry. It is also called the type 2.

These are certainly the good quality coffee beans and you will definitely like it.

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Monday, December 21, 2009

Tandoori Chicken Is The Most Delicious Metabolism Friendly Food

By Amit Patel

Finding foods we can truly enjoy that satisfy our hunger and are low in calories is definitely important. Avoiding fast foods, sweets and sugary sodas is important if we wish to stay at a manageable weight and keep our metabolism running properly. There is so much temptation to make unhealthy eating choices and so few delicious healthy alternatives. My favorite low fat food I actually enjoy is tandoori chicken.

Tandoori chicken is cooked at high temperatures in a tandoor oven. Tandoor ovens are made of clay and can cook with extreme heats up to 900 degrees F. The tandoor oven produces a very unique and special flavor, which is attributed to the juices of the chicken dropping down on the hot coals. This creates a delicious flavored smoke that will make your taste buds very happy. Tandoori food is often considered the culinary pride of the people of India and the reasons for this are obvious. It is truly delicious!

Tandoori Chicken is a glorious dish and perfect to serve at any dinner party. It is without a doubt my favorite dish and it is good for you and your weight management goals as well. When preparing spicy and succulent tandoori chicken you can be proud in knowing you are eating a healthy food that will nourish you and satisfy your appetite too. The main key to delicious tandoori chicken is not to over-grill it. If you are using a tandoor, be sure to keep a close eye on your chicken as it cooks.

Every successful tandoori chicken dish is marinated in a special spicy yogurt. In a large bowl, add 1 cup of yogurt and your tandoori chicken spice. To make traditional tandoori chicken, you want to season your yogurt marinade with tandoori masala spices. The spices will make the food hot and spicy, and in the United States a milder less spicy marinade is often used.

Once your marinade is ready, you will need to rinse and clean your chicken pieces. Fork the chicken pieces as this will help the marinade absorb into the chicken. Place in the plastic bag, and pour in the marinade. Ideally, you will want to let the chicken marinade overnight, but letting it sit for 4 hours should produce a delicious flavor in your tandoori chicken. The chicken simply gets better if it has the opportunity to marinate overnight. Cover the bowl you use with saran wrap or aluminum foil before putting in the refrigerator.

When you make the flavorful and succulent tandoori chicken be sure to make enough so that you have some left over. With this left over tandoori chicken you can create amazing low calorie snacks or meals. Try reheating your tandoori chicken and enjoying it over whole grain rice or vegetables. Make a sandwich with whole wheat bread and lettuce. You can do so much with left over tandoori chicken and it is all healthy and low in fat!

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Finding The Best Kitchen Knives

By Jeremy Pabloccis

Choosing perfect kitchen knives can be difficult. There are thousands of selections of knives made from a multitude of materials. The abundance makes if difficult to tell on first glance what the reason is for the range of prices are for the knives. When a person decides to take cooking seriously and add a set of excellent knives to their cooking tool kit there are a few steps you can take to make sure that you are getting perfect knives.

The materials that knives are made from affect the quality of a knife. But, the way they are made can directly affect your cooking experience. Knives are forged or stamped. The prices of all types of knives vary, but you will find that forged knives are usually more expensive. This is because they have several features that make them very durable, distinct, and lasting additions to your kitchen.

Forged blade knives are set apart from stamped blade knives in many ways. They are thicker than stamped knives and are carefully balances between the blade and handle of the knife. They are hand forged and hammered so each knife is unique.

The bolster is that little silver part where the blade meets the handle. This piece adds strength to the knife and balances the blade. Most chef and specialty knives where quality and durability is required are made from forged blade knives. The knives are available in many sizes and are usually selected for the fit and comfort they offer to the person using them. These knives make fine, controlled chopping extremely easy.

When you see thinner knives they are stamped blade knives. These knives are normally unbalanced and the bolster on the knife does not serve the purpose of adding strength or balance to the knife. The handle of the knife will feel heavier than the blade of the knife.

The blades of the stamped knife is very thin which makes it easier to sharpen. These knives are cut from a sheet of metal and usually screwed into the knife handle. The blades are ground, tempered, polished, and sharpened before being attached to the knife handle.

Finding a long lasting knife that feels comfortable when you hold it and continues to perform with quality indefinitely will depend on the metal and type of knife that you select. Choosing a high grade stainless steel or ceramic knife will give you the kind of durability you are seeking.

When low carbon stainless steel knives are used they do not have the lifespan that knives of higher quality have. The knives get dull, stain, bend, and break after a short period of time. They are not made to be the lasting pieces of vital equipment that you will add to your kitchen when you purchase a fine set of kitchen knives. When you are deciding on a forged set of knives or a stamped set of knives it will be helpful to hold the knives to get a feel for the weight and feel of the knife. A knife should fit comfortably in the hand and feel completely balanced.

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Sunday, December 20, 2009

What The Heck In The World Are Melitta Coffee Pods, And How Are They Different From Other Coffee Pods?

By Cathleen Perkins

Just like any other pods, Melitta coffee pods are just coffee grounds with small filters wrapped around them, designed for use in coffee pod brewers. There are a lot of different companies that produce coffee pods, and Melitta is one. Melitta also differentiates their pods a bit by calling them "javapods" instead of using the traditional name of "coffee pod".

Do Many People Use Melitta Coffee Pods?

Melitta coffee pods are pretty popular, and only the Senseo coffee pod is moreso. There is a big gap between them, though, with Senseo coffee pods being searched more than five times as often as Melitta. Number three is Tassimo coffee pods, which aren't actually coffee pods, but T-Discs, which are only usable in Tassimo brewers. It would be fairly reasonable to say that lots of people use Melitta coffee pods.

Can I Use Melitta Coffee Pods In My Pod Coffee Brewer?

The only answer to that is "probably". There are some weirdos out there, but for the most part, most pods can fit into most pod coffee makers, with some exceptions. Melitta labels their javapods as "Universal", which means that a coffee pod machine would have to be particularly odd for them not to fit. That being said, if you have ever had a pod not fit your pod coffee maker, then you'll probably want to stick with what currently works for you. Don't worry about the javapods name as far as fitting goes; it's just a name that Melitta uses to separate themselves from the pack. There are Melitta coffee pod machines on the market, but Melitta doesn't make them, just licenses the name for use. So, considering everything, there's no reason a Melitta pod wouldn't work in pretty much every brewer.

Is There Any Reason Why I Should Choose Melitta Coffee Pods?

Melitta does advertise some advantages for their pods. For one, while they fit almost any coffee pod brewer, Melitta's pods actually have more coffee packed in there. This will give you a much richer flavor and stronger brew, which is something that a lot of people look for, though there are those of us who don't need any more caffeine than they're already getting. Melitta is not the brand to try if you want something new, but are trying to reduce your intake of caffeine. Melitta also ensures freshness by sealing each coffee pod separately in tin-foil, which is great for those who don't go through their pods very quickly.

Most Companies That Make Coffee Pods Make Other Pods, Too. Does Melitta?

Since coffee pod machines are perfectly capable of brewing just about anything with a filter, pod makers in general offer things other than coffee as well. Melitta makes a couple of tea blends, but not much else except coffee. Of course, just like their coffee, their tea pods should easily fit just about anything that can brew coffee pods.

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Nine Gems Vegetable - Navratan Korma Recipe

By Lloyd Pinto

Navratan Korma is a traditional Indian recipe made from nine different kinds of vegetables and it is a very popular dish in Northern India. Navratan literally means Nine Gems in Hindi.

While most Indian recipes are hot and spicy, this recipe is not very spicy due to use of certain dry fruits such as raisins and nuts.

Ingredients 3 cups - Boiled vegetables (potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, green peas, french beans, capsicum, ) 175 gms - paneer( Fried pieces) 3 Cups Tomato puree 2 - Onion puree 1 1/2 tsp -Ginger paste 1 1/2 tsp - Garlic paste 1 tsp - Turmeric Powder 1 1/2 tsp - Red chilli powder 1 tsp - Coriander powder 2 tsp - Garam Masala Powder 2 tbsp - Cream 1 cup - Milk / water 1/4 cup - Dry fruits (cashew nuts, raisins) Coriander or Cilantro leaves 6 tbsp - Vegetable oil 1 tbsp - Ghee Salt To Taste

Method:

Heat the ghee in the frying pan and add the dry fruits to it and fry this mixture for about a minute on medium heat. After you finish frying, keep this separate. Then heat oil in a frying pan. Fry the onions and the ginger-garlic paste till they are lightly golden brown.

Add salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala, coriander powder and fry for 2-3 minutes.Add tomato puree and dry fruits. Stir well and cook the mixture for 3-5 minutes.Add milk. Bring it to boil. Then bring to medium heat and cook until the gravy becomes thick.

Add paneer to the gravy and stir well.Then add all the vegetables to the above gravy and cook for about 6 minutes.Add cream and chopped coriander leaves on the navaratan korma to decorate .

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Take Your Pick Pancake Recipe

By Andrew Cook

My favorite food is pancakes. They are good anytime of the day not just for breakfast. My basic pancake recipe is a mix of eggs, baking powder, sugar, and flour. I mix them up in my food processor. The difference in your pancake recipe is what you add. I add blue berries to the batter but I like to process them in the food processor. I do not like lumps in my pancakes. But if you do that will work also.

You can do it either way. If you like whole berrys in your pancake then simply mix the blue berrys rather than process them. In the autumn I like pumpkin pancakes. I simply mix canned pumpkin into the batter and process it. Do not use pumpkin pie mix. Use plain canned pumpkin.

I sometimes make sweet potato pancakes. You can buy sweet potato in the can with its own liquid. You can add a little of the juice from the can but not too much or else the batter will be too watery.

You can also place strawberries in the batter and process them so they are ground up. Strawberries are too large and will not cook well in the pancake unless they are processed in the batter.

I cook pancakes on a griddle I have brushed cooking oil over. I heat the griddle and then test it with a few drops of batter. When the drops cook the griddle is hot enough to start cooking after I have scrapped aside the test batter.

I pour about a six inch circle. My dad taught me to wait until the bubbles that form over the pancake pop before I turn it. If you like your pancakes well done follow this advice. I like my pancakes a little more tender. I flip them when the bubbles have formed but before they have all popped. Cook the pancake for about another 40 seconds and transfer them to you plate. If you like them cooked well then leave them on the griddle a few more seconds.

Transfer the pancake to your plate and cover to keep warm. I like two pancakes on my plate. I also like my syrup warm. I pour my syrup into a bowl and place it near the stove top flame so it warms up. I also place some butter into the syrup so it melts into the syrup. Use real maple syrup on your pancakes. If you read the ingredients of the most syrup you buy in the grocery store, especially the generic or store brand, you will find it is all corn syrup with food coloring or caramel coloring.

Be fair to yourself and your pancakes. Get real maple syrup. You may have to to to a specialty store or shop on the internet. But do what you have to do to top your pancake recipe with real maple syrup. May you enjoy your next plate of pancakes. I think I will cook some up right now.

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Cheap Kitchens And The Test Of Daily Strains

By Andrew Johnson

Cheap kitchens that look like a million bucks despite the rigors that we put them through can be had when you use a little creativity and a bit of thought. We challenge our homes all the time to stand up to some of the more intense aspects of daily life, and we can see that wear and tear on our rooms within a short period of time. You can start by redoing your cabinets for very little money, especially if you're willing to think about color and coatings.

Kitchen cabinets go through more abuse than most of us realize. Through cooking, the dog that shakes off on his way through, the wayward child with a crayon, and the guest that chain smokes your cabinets can easily develop a layer of grease and grimes that can rival any bathroom. Cabinets that can be painted and repainted are great money savers over the stained or varnished cabinets.

Cabinets that are painted can look very nice, fresh, and new. With a clean paint and a good selection of color options you can create a fresh look that is completely anew when it comes to the appearance of your entire kitchen. Of course, you can easily repaint in order to change the look of your kitchen regularly. When it comes to remaking a kitchen you can just as easily recreate the floor as well.

Be careful with your selection of flooring materials and you will be able to deliver on your need to create special looks for less. If you stray from carpeted floors and natural hardwood flooring (floating wood floors not included) you can upgrade and update as needed with very little effort or money.

To help save money and keep cheap kitchen alive and well for a long time, the quality of the initial work should come into consideration. Cabinets, counters, and floors that sag can be hazardous to the look of your kitchen. If you're handy, you can usually replace these things by yourself but without the ability to build and restore, you're going to need to hire a professional.

Investing now in reduced energy appliances can save you a fortune in the long run. While it might not seem as viable in the immediate scenario, the earlier you invest in energy efficient appliances the sooner you will watch your energy bill dwindle.

Developing cheap kitchens that pass muster is not difficult with preplanning, good choices, and materials and craftsmanship that stands up to tests of longevity. When you pull it all together the appearance of your kitchen can be highly improved and very comfortable for you. There is nothing quite like being able to update the look of your kitchen for just a little bit of money instead of living with a kitchen that you do not approve of.

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Let The Personal Chef Atlanta Do The Cooking

By Mike Balkovic

You might find this interesting if you like to cook or if you like to eat or if you like doing both. If you have ever thought about working as a chef but you did not want to work at a hotel or a restaurant you might look at the personal chef Atlanta. Even in tough times people still have to eat.

People who do not like to cook go to the restaurant or they buy and heat frozen meals. One is very expensive, the other is very boring. And both might not be very healthy also.

But today there is another option. People can use the personal chef option and have great tasting meals delivered to their homes. These are companies that take advantage of people's need for good meals and the fact that many people cannot or choose not to cook for themselves. There are senior citizens for example who simply do not want to go grocery shopping or they would rather not cook for themselves.

These are seniors you have enough money in their retirement accounts; own their homes outright. They just would rather not cook for themselves. There are also those who have to follow a strict diet because of doctor's orders. Some might need special meal preparation because of a malady like diabetes. There are also families where both parents work and are too busy to cook everyday for their spouse and children.

The personal chef company can help all these people with their meal preparation service. And these companies need help with preparing the meals. You can perhaps work with one of these companies if you enjoy cooking for others. As long as you have basic cooking abilities you may be able to qualify for a chef. You can work from your own kitchen and on your own schedule.

This would not be like working as a restaurant or hotel chef. You will not have to go through the demands and the stress that comes from that kind of job. You can take the work you can easily handle. Many companies also provide courses in food preparation. These are not food cooking classes however.

These cooking certificate programs are only meant to bring you to a level that particular company needs you to be at in order to provide the quality of cooking their clientele expect. You might have one particular dish you want to prepare on an ongoing basis. If for instance you have a specialty like lasagna you can prepare this on an ongoing basis and be the companies source for lasagna meals for those clients looking for that particular meal that evening.

If you are not looking to hire on as a chef but you do need someone to cook for you on a regular basis or perhaps only on specific days of the week you can contact a personal chef company and arrange for your meals to be prepared and delivered to your home. The prices are reasonable and you will see how much sense it makes compared to going out and spending a lot of money at the restaurant or trying to live off frozen meals.

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KitchenAid Toaster Oven

By Henry Jeon

One of the most used appliances in the kitchen is the toaster oven. You can reheat leftovers in it or cook an entire meal. You do not have to heat up the kitchen by using the stove, and this saves you electricity. I am going to show you the convenience of the KitchenAid toaster oven. You can cook any food you want in this little toaster oven, and use it for toast.

This toaster oven comes in two different models. The first is a counter top model number KCO1005OB it is a half a cubic foot large and has the capability to toast six slices of bread. It comes in an onyx black, which is gorgeous in any kitchen. It is made out of stainless steel and has a tempered glass door, and a nonstick coating to make cleaning a breeze.

Toaster oven model KCP1005ER is also a counter top appliance and comes in a beautiful red color. For those of you who are busy even when you are home, this oven will broil and bake, and will keep the food warm for you. The size is the same as the first model toaster oven.

KitchenAid makes a toaster oven that you can put under the cabinet. This is wonderful for someone who lives in a single wide mobile home or a tiny apartment. Since the oven will be at eye level you can see what is cooking. Not only that but you can save your counter top area for other things instead of a medium sized appliance.

One thing you will be glad to know is that this toaster oven being manufactured in the United States and not overseas. Each of the models I told you about, they all have a year warranty with them. You can purchase these in an appliance store or a big membership department store. You may want to do some research online to compare the prices and then make your purchase.

If you are a family on the go, and just have no time to cook a large meal, then go ahead and use your toaster oven. You can bake or heat up foods in a hurry. You can place a couple of small dishes inside this oven at a time to heat. If each family member wants something different they can heat what they want to eat, and it only takes a short amount of time.

You really like the fact that this toaster oven is capable of saving electricity. When you use this oven it you do not have to wait for it to preheat, there for you save that electricity you would have used waiting for the preheat to be finished. You save energy and the preheat time. This time could better be spent doing something else. You should also pat yourself on the back for helping save precious electricity.

Now I have given you two different descriptions of the similar toaster oven models. Both have the same features, and are the same size. This oven is perfect for everyone that needs to heat food quickly. The only thing left to do is go to different stores and check online to see how much these will cost. Once in a while you can find these on sale and sometimes you can save quite a bit of money.

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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Italian Cheeses Are Some Of The Best

By Luigi DeMarco

Italian cheeses are known worldwide as some of the best you can get. In America we love our pizza and our sandwiches, but they wouldn't be the same without the Italians and their cheeses. In fact, although most of us are quite familiar with three or four of the most common types of cheese they make, the fact is, there are about 400 varieties of cheeses they make.

From Sicily to Tuscany the Italians make some of the best parmigiano and provolone in the world. Their Mozzarella is a household name. And again, these don't even scratch the surface of the number of cheeses they actually make. They use goat's milk, sheep's milk, buffalo milk, and cow in their processes. All their cheeses have great texture and fragrance, and are good for both shredding and cooking.

The Italians really take pride in the quality of their cheeses. One way to tell if it's quality, if you happen to be shopping for cheese, is to check for it's classification. This can be PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) or IGT (Protected Geographic Indication). This is their stamp of quality assurance, and it's the same one used for wine.

Italian cheeses are some of the best because of the perfecting of their technique. If you begin to study these cheeses, you're almost sure to hear about their famous 'Bel Paese'. The word itself means 'beautiful country' in Italian. And this cheese is one of the most famous and popular ones to ever come out of Italy. It's place of origin was in Milan, in 'Melzo'. But now it's made for the most part in Lombardy. It's cow's milk cheese intended for table use, but cooks up just as well.

Yes, the Italians and their passion for cheese making is known worldwide. They would hike up into the Alpine mountains, where they'd refine their cheese production methods. Then when they came down, the world welcomed them with open arms. Up there in the old days, back on the mountains, they'd use caves for keeping their cheese cool. The concept of refrigeration was still fairly new.

They still use many of the old methods and tools today. Their cutting boards, wooden shelves, oils, water, salt, and miniature hammers are still the basic tools for production. Their cheese still are made with the three common ingredients of milk, some rennet, and some salt. They would interchange milks to produce different types of cheeses.

Anytime you think about making cheese, it all begins with the milk. Cheese is simply the coagulation of milk. Ricotta is derived from cream and milk whey. But the four main sources of milk in Italy are the buffalo, the cow, the goat, and the sheep. But were you to want something even different from that, cheeses can be made from the milk of camels, reindeer, and even yaks.

Italian cheeses are some of the best by far, and it comes from a long tradition of cheese making. They take great pride in their work. So many people go through life eating and enjoying this great craftsmanship, without ever learning anything about it. It's a shame, because it really is an interesting study. Anyone who wants to learn more about the Italians and their cheese, can go online and find tons of information to enlighten them. Next time you eat that pizza, think 'Italian.

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Why The Pantry Is Very Important

By Mike Jones

What do you have in the pantry? I have a lot of things. I keep my broom and dust pan in there as well as a few cleaning supplies on the bottom shelf, this way if they leak they will not ruin my food.

When I first moved into my home someone had left some tape and even a plunger in my pantry. Since my pantry is in my kitchen I prefer to have kitchen items in it. I would put dishes in mine if I needed to and I would put pickled things in mine. Right now I have my canned goods and boxed dinners.

In my pantry I also have things such as cereal and crackers. I have my potatoes and my sugar in there as well. This is more convenient because I can reach everything in my kitchen and I do not have to go somewhere else to get it.

Mine is close enough to my living room that I can store anything I want in it. I choose to store things that can be eaten because I do not have a whole lot of room in my cabinets for anything other than my dishes.

The pantry can hold anything that you choose you want to put in it because after all it is yours, that is, if you are lucky enough to have one in your home. Pantries can be a number of different sizes and can have many shelves in them and some of them only have a few shelves.

As long as you are happy with what you put in the pantry then you should not worry about what other people think because some people think it is silly to put anything other than food in your pantry but I think you should be able to put whatever you want in it and not have to worry about what other people think about it or say about it.

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Sugar Cookies; A Favorite Cookie Jar Treat In Many Shapes

By Mike Shaw

Sugar cookies have been a favorite of children and adults for years. The simplicity of taste and ease of making them enables them to be made even by those who are not expert cooks. Sugar cookies are also very versatile. They can be made round or in different shapes. They can be sprinkled with plain or colored sugar. They can be decorated with colored icings and decorated with chocolate chips and candied fruits. No matter how you serve them everyone will want more.

The sugar cookie has been around for quite some time. It is most often related to the Pennsylvania Dutch who immigrated to America and started to make their favorite cookie flavored with sugar. It caught on and soon the recipe was being shared all through the United States. It was so popular that in 2001 in became the state cookie for Pennsylvania.

Of course the sugar cookie was around a long time before the Dutch came to Pennsylvania but in a different form. It used to be that a baker would put a small cake in the oven to test the temperature and in the seventh century this was happening. It was a shame to let these little sugar cakes go in the trash so someone got the idea to sell them. French called them gimblettes and the Italians called them cimbellines.

The texture of some cookies is airy and light and they raise very high while in the oven. They have a bit of crunch on the edges but are very soft and light. Still other cookies are dense and crisp. Recipes are different and you can find the one you remember as a child.

In many recipes you roll the dough flat and use cookie cutters to cut it into different shapes. These type are favorites for many different holidays. They can be made into hearts on St. Valentines Day. They can be cut out in bunny or egg shape for Easter. Pumpkins can be cut out for Halloween. Cut out turkey cookies to celebrate Thanksgiving. The most popular are made a Christmas in various shapes including Christmas trees and Santa.

The following Soft Sugar Cookie recipe is made with confectioners' sugar instead of granulated sugar. They come out soft and fluffy. Do not try to use cookie cutters with this recipe because the cookie is to soft to make them that way.

Turn your oven on to 350 degrees F. With an electric mixer cream 1 half pound of butter that has been softened and add 1 cup powdered sugar slowly. Include 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring mixing it in well. In a separate bowl mix 2 cups of flour and 1 half teaspoon baking soda. Combine and gradually add to the egg mixture. Take a teaspoonful of dough and roll it into a 1 inch ball. Place on a cookie sheet that has been greased 2 inches apart. Using the tines of a fork press each ball down so it flattens. Leave in the oven for 6 minutes then let the cookies stay on the sheets for 5 more minutes. Take them off the sheet and place them on a rack to cool. If you desire you can sprinkle the top of the cookies with a little granulated sugar before baking.

The next recipe is a sugar cookie that is rolled flat and cut with cookie cutters. Using a large bowl take 1 and one half cups flour and sift it with two teaspoons of baking powder and 1 half teaspoon salt and place aside for later. In a bowl for the electric mixer place one cup butter and gradually add 1 and one half cups of granulated sugar. Beat until the mixture gets light and fluffy. In a small bowl beat 2 eggs. Add to the mixer with 1 tablespoon of milk and one teaspoon of vanilla. Slowly add 1 and a half additional flour until incorporated. The dough should not be stiff, but smooth so if it starts to stiffen stop adding the flour. Roll the entire bowl of dough into a ball and place it in wax paper to be placed in the refrigerator for a whole hour. Take out of the refrigerator and roll to about one fourth of an inch thick and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Sprinkle them with sugar or leave them alone to be decorated with colored icing after cooking. Put the shapes on non stick sprayed cookie sheets and bake in a 400 degree F oven for about 10 minutes or until the edges become lightly brown. Leave them on the cookie sheets for about 2 minutes then remove to a cooling rack.

Sugar cookies are good any time of the year, not just during the holiday. Whip up a batch for your family and watch as they gobble them up as fast as you can make them.

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