Thursday, July 2, 2009

It Is Advisable To Boil Ribs Before Grilling

By Ferdinand Emy

First, there is often a concern that when you boil ribs before grilling that you will boil out some of the flavor.

Do keep in mind that it is not considered legal to boil ribs before grilling in some grilling competitions, so it is important to always check the rules for any grilling competition. There is surely nothing better than great ribs fresh off the grill. Another option would be to par-boil ribs before grilling. If you choose to do this you need to ensure that you use plenty of seasoning in the water to aid infuse the ribs with flavor before you put them on the grill. One of the problems that many people have with preparing ribs is preparing them so that they are tasty and will also be so tender they will fall off of the bone.

If you do boil ribs before grilling and it turns out later that this was against the rules, you could be disqualified from the competition. One of the most reliable ways to ensure that your ribs turn out great is to boil ribs before grilling. Of course, if you are only grilling for friends and family members, then there should be no restrictions on how you prepare your ribs and you can use any method that you like to obtain great tasting results! First, you might consider boiling the ribs in barbecue sauce before grilling. There are a couple of options.

No matter if you believe in a wet rub or a dry rub, it is crucial to ensure you know how to prepare your ribs so that they come out tasting great. There are many different ways to prepare ribs and regardless of which part of the country you are from, you probably have a method for preparing ribs that you believe to be the best. There are a few tips to keep in mind when you boil ribs before grilling in order to make sure that you have the best results with your ribs. While this is a valid concern you can take some steps when you boil ribs before grilling in order to make sure that this does not happen. This will really help to infuse the ribs with great flavor.

When you boil ribs before grilling, you are able to provide your ribs with a head start on the cooking and also have the opportunity to give them even more taste and flavor.

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Get Cooled Down This Summer with a Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine

By Arthur Smith

It's the hottest time of the year! That's common knowledge. It is high time to get away from the heat and cool down. For you to do that, you seek for help from some frozen delicacies. There's no better cold refreshment than ice cream.

Talking about ice cream, there is a new one that is getting popular in ads- soft ice cream. So, the traditional one is hard? To find out more about soft ice cream, let us explore the machine through which it is made-soft serve ice cream machine. Read on and know its features.

Soft serve is a kind of ice cream, yogurt, custard and the like which are not hard frozen. To achieve this, there are soft serve machines that add air to the ice cream, adding to its volume up to 45%. If 25% of air is added to one gallon of ice cream, that means 1.25 gallons of ice cream. The combination of higher temperature and more air creates creamier consistency to the mix. Because of air, soft serve machines will minimize the use of ingredients.

The machines are not only cool; they too have cool features. This type of machine is self-contained units that churn, mix, and freeze soft ice cream, which it can dispense too. Some of these machines have LED displays which you can use to set time and monitor the finished product. Once done, this machine will adapt to the mix found in it. The machine has a low mix light which will tell you when to refill the mix hopper. Other machines also have an audible signal which will allow you to add another mix.

A great soft serve machine will have a safety feature that will protect you from any compressor burnout. The compressor goes in a cycle for every 10 minutes to keep the ice cream cold. A great function is also that of protecting the compressor from hot refrigerant gas that may make the ice cream freeze solidly.

When choosing soft serve machines, the capacity must be ensured depending on the desired volume of ice cream to be produced in every setting. Usually, machines are measured in volumes. Machines with high volume can produce ice cream suited for 7 servings, medium for 4-5 servings, and low volume for 2-3 servings.

The small soft serve ice cream machines can use up 115 volts while the large ones 208-230 volts.

Once the mix has turned into soft ice cream, it is now ready to be served in a cone or bowl. It can also be matched in root beers or banana split desserts. Whatever is your choice, walk under the sun and get cool down with soft ice cream. Happy eating.

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The Great Thirst Of Mediterranean Food Seasoning

By Ferdinand Emy

As in any type of cooking in Mediterranean cuisine people use seasoning, Mediterranean seasoning in reality. Apparently, the food of the areas surrounding the Mediterranean sea is the Mediterranean cuisine. The fact is that the Mediterranean cuisine contains foods from varied cultures. Given the geography of the Mediterranean, these nation-states have influenced each other in time and the cooking process evolved into sharing common principles. Mediterranean cuisine is characterized by flexibility, a wide range of ingredients and many regional variations. The area has tended to favour the rearing of goats and sheep.

Although presently much of the fish is shipped from the outside since the fisheries of the Mediterranean sea are no longer what they used to be, fish dishes are still very common. Seafood is still prominent in many of the standard Mediterranean dish recipes. It is quite clear that certain kinds of fruits and meats or vegetables, which is the case in Mediterranean cuisine, ask for specific and typical seasoning, and in this case Mediterranean seasoning. Mediterranean foods and dishes include barbecue or grilled meats, pita bread, hummus and falafel which normally demand for special seasonings which are to be found in the area of Mediterranean seasoning apparently.

Speaking of Mediterranean seasoning you must know that olive oil, though not necessarily a condiment, is created in the Mediterranean countries " Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Italy and Spain, as well as others. An important ingredient in Mediterranean seasoning is represented by garlic, which is utilized a lot throughout Mediterranean cuisine. Both the olive oil and the garlic employed in Mediterranean seasoning and cuisine in general, add to the peculiar taste of food. Besides, it is unanimously believed that the ingredients in this kind of cooking and in Mediterranean seasoning, and we have in mind particularly the olive oil, are a major contributor to the longevity and good health state of the Mediterranean people.

You will no doubt need Mediterranean seasoning if you are interested in making Mediterranean dishes, or you will not achieve real Mediterranean food. You may easily purchase several commodities which are labeled Mediterranean seasoning from stores around the country, however, my suggestion is for you to try to make your own Mediterranean seasoning because it is not challenging at all.

To obtain a good Mediterranean seasoning you only require the right ingredients and a true Mediterranean seasoning recipe, like the one below. I call this combo Mediterranean seasoning. It doesn't matter how much you use " just mix the ingredients in the following proportions in a bowl, whisk, and pour into a shaker. Place it in a container and then put in the refrigerator, there it is when you require to apply it for a cursory dusting on a grilled meat, or for a marinade:one part cinammon, 1 part coriander, one part cumin, one part dried mint, and then one part Italian seasoning or oregano; Besides, put 1 part onion powder and 1 part garlic powder.

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Wednesday, July 1, 2009

How To Improve Kitchen Safety

By Mike Stevens

One of the most regularly used rooms in the house, by all members of the family, is the kitchen. Unfortunately it can often be one of the most dangerous rooms in the house too. It contains unattended machines and gadgets such as fridges, washing machines and cookers and also has the added danger of water near electrical items. It is an important room, however, as it is a family meeting place and somewhere where family members gather to eat food.

In a lot of countries, local governments set out strict guidelines with regards to the design of a kitchen. These have to be adhered to, to meet health and safety standards. Many countries also insist on the installation of fire extinguishers and blankets within the kitchen area. It is important to take these factors into account along with any other local government guidelines.

Most of the accidents that happen in the kitchen could be attributed to the following:

The person whom is using the kitchen or whom initially designed the kitchen can be responsible for negligence. In particular, inappropriate use or mishandling of equipment such as toasters, oven grills and mixers can cause danger. Also the kitchen contains many appliances which may develop a fault and cause danger to the user.

Disorganization within the kitchen is a common cause danger. Poor methods of food storage and hygiene, bad drainage systems and ineffective kitchen waste management can all present a risk of acquired infections.

Observing the following can help in alleviating some of these risks:

Always make sure all electrical gadgets in the kitchen are serviced regularly. Keep high levels of hygiene in the way the food is handled, stored and prepared. Improve air quality by maintaining good ventilation, such as installing a range hood. Keep all kitchen tools away from children and handle with care. It is advisable to turn off any electrical appliances that are not in use, which will also have the added benefit of saving you money.

It is important not to leave any combustible materials near heat sources and be careful if wearing loose clothing that could catch alight. Any fires or naked flames should never be left unattended. Having easily accessible exits and installing fire blankets and fire extinguishers will improve safety. Also, young children or infirm elderly people should always be supervised whilst in the kitchen.

Safety measures in the kitchen are relatively simple to put in place. The main contributing factors to accidents arising from the kitchen are often negligence and ignorance. It may a little extra investment in additional equipment like a fire blanket and involve frequent servicing. This small investment is priceless though when you consider it is to the benefit of the safety of your whole family.

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The Best Kind Of Waffle Makers

By Frank M. Wong

Everyone has those fond memories of waking up on a cold morning to the smell of freshly made waffles. The mere thought makes you want to rush out and buy a waffle iron, but which waffle makers are the best? Is there even a difference? This guide will answer those questions.

There are many different types and brands of waffle makers on the market. Each one offers special features and options. Trying to sort through all of the choices can be overwhelming. Picking the right one does not have to be a hassle. You just need to understand the basic functions of each kind.

Common types of waffle makers

Waffle makers all have the same basic function which is to make hot fresh waffles with minimal effort from you. They do differ in some ways such as the number, type, and size of waffles that they produce. You will be better able to choose the right one for your family if you understand what each kind entails.

Belgian waffles: This maker will enable you to produce those thick and tasty Belgian waffles that you get in restaurant topped with sweet berries and whipped cream. The pockets are extra deep and there are usually four wells so that you can turn out a whole plate of waffles in only a small amount of time.

Belgian flip waffle maker: You will feel just like a professional with this waffle maker. It offers deeper wells than the regular Belgian waffle maker and sits on a stand that allows you to turn the waffle maker as it cooks. This process will make the waffles extra fluffy. This too makes 4 square waffles.

Standard: These are the regular waffles that you are most familiar with. They usually make one at a time and are very quick to use. If you live on your own then you may want one of these.

Pizzelle Maker: You will love the light and delicate pizzelle wafers that this maker turns out. If you make a lot of desserts this maker will suit the purpose quite nicely.

Stove top maker: You can use the burners of your stove to heat this maker up. You merely have to fill it with batter and set it on the stove flipping the entire unit over half way through cooking.

Waffle cones in minutes: Within a minimal amount of time you can make fresh waffle cones just like the ones you get from your local ice cream shop. These cones are great when they are filled with your favorite ice cream.

No matter which one of these high quality waffle makers you choose it will produce great tasting waffles in a short time. It is a winning situation.

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Cortlands - A Great Baking Apple

By Cherie Carb

I always wondered how to choose a great baking apple. I mean, what really should I look for? Well a great baking apple has two important characteristics: a tough outer skin and a mixed taste. What is a mixed taste? It is sweet and tart.

A great apple available in the fall is the Cortland apple. It is a perfect baking apple as it possesses the tough skin as well as the sweet and tart taste.

It is a cross breed apple from New York. It was developed in 1898 at a New York State Agricultural Experiment Station.

The name of the Cortland Apple came from the county in New York, Cortland County, which gets it's name from Mr. Pierre Van Cortlandt.

Mr. Cortlandt was the president of the convention that wrote the 1st New York State constitution. He also was the first lieutenant governor as well.

Cortland Apples are a juicy apple, which is another reason for it to be a great baking apple. It possesses a sweet taste with a bit of tart in there. The inside of the apple is a white where as some apples are more toward yellow.

Cortland Apples are great for baking of course, but also great served on a plate with cheese and crackers. They are great as garnishes. These apples tend not to color quickly which makes them a favorite as well.

Picking a great apple can be a bit confusing to some but it is not really. Just place the apple in your palm. Do not squish it with your thumb but feel for firmness and if it feels heavy.

At the grocer, make sure your apple's skin does not wrinkle too, as it may have been kept in storage too long or not have been cold storage at all.

To store your Cortlands, keep them as cool as possible. Best place is in the frig. Apples will not freeze unless temps are below 28 degrees F.

And if you are worried about them browning, do not fret! Take your slices or what have you, rub a bit of lemon juice all over and they will be great for awhile.

Make sure to visit your local orchard to see what great apples they have. It is fun and a great thing to do with the kids. And it is the best way to taste a fresh apple anytime.

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Kyocera Ceramic Knife - 3 Reasons Why All Chef's Will Appreciate Their Qualities

By Tony Worrell

It is once again fashionable to cook. Our television screens are full of cookery programs, and we are being encourged to return to the kitchen and to start eating more healthily.

If you are looking to save money - cooking is a good way to start, pre-prepared foods are often much more expensive than the food you would cook yourself and they are also less filling.

So if you are looking for the perfect gift for a budding chef - what should you choose? Here I have detailed three reasons why the Kyocera ceramic knife would be a successful present.

The Strengths Of The Kyocera Ceramic Knife

1. Kyocera ceramic knives, unlike the more usual stainless steel or carbon steel knives, do not rust. It is made from a material which is easy to clean and is non corrosive.

The material which the ceramic knife is made from is stable, non-corrosive, does not stain, is impervious to heat and best of all - it is easy to clean.

The Knife's Sharpness

2. When purchased the Kyocera knife will be very sharp and will not need to be sharpened for a couple of years, hence alleviating the frustration of blunt knives.

The blade is made from a material which is harder than steel but weighs less, so great for developing good knife skills.

The Ceramic Knife's Antibacterial Qualities

3. The ceramic knife is naturally antibacterial so it is suitable for even the busiest kitchen. This antibacterial quality, along with the sharpness makes it perfect for all food types.As soon as a budding chef uses a Kyocera ceramic knife they will realize why it is the choice of top restaurant chefs.

So if you are looking for a gift, this is a choice which is guaranteed to please and to continue to please for years to come.

The Kyocera ceramic knives are available in differing sizes, so there is certainly a suitable knife for every chef.

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