Cooking for 2

Whether or not you are cooking for 2 out of a sense of love or requirement you'll find that there are many resources online and off when it comes to finding the ideal combos for those superb twosomes. One thing to remember however is that when cooking for 2, it is frequently best if 2 are doing the cooking. This gives cooking a chance to become a communication event instead of a chore. Regardless of the proven fact that there are a lot of resources and recipes available to those that are cooking for 2 there are also equal occasions to take conventional recipes that are designed to feed 4 and make them a chance to stretch your food bucks further. By cooking standard meals for 4 and feeding a portion you have managed to cook 2 meals for the time investment of one. It's a fair deal for most particularly those that don't relish the idea of cooking at all, a lot less of cooking for 2. Young couples and older couples alike often find that it is less complicated and just about as cheap to hit the junk food or other casual dining establishments than it is to prepare a pleasant healthy meal for two at home.

The most important thing they regularly forget is that cooking for 2 can be an engaging way to bring a little love into the evening when done right naturally.

Cooking is a skill that most of the people can not remember as it is also a required act unless you need to live on sushi and raw vegetables. Even in these scenarios however there's generally some amount of preparation that is concerned in the middle. Food is pretty and can be fantastically organized if you're of the mind to do so. This suggests that you can spend a great amount of time not only making new and savoury foods, but also visually appealing food mixes too. When cooking for 2 you'll have the most opportunity for experimentation when it comes to nutrition as any other time in your life.

You've got the option of trying great new cuisines and the understanding that if you don't like the food, you aren't wasting multiple servings. You can attempt to mix'n'match flavours and textures. You can make artistic endeavors on your plate or go for the guts, gore, and eyeballs galore. Cooking for 2 opens doors that are not always available when cooking for bigger crowds with more limiting tastes. Cooking for 2 is an excellent way to get your better half concerned in the cooking process also.

When cooking for 2 you can discover the numerous good things that you both enjoy and those that are not so appealing to one or the other of you. Ensure that when you're cooking for two that you invite an open and truthful dialog about the things that you like and detest about the meals being prepared. This may help you discover things to add to your usual menu as well as stuff to avoid making part of your dinner revolution. Maybe the best thing about cooking for 2 is the indisputable fact that you are able to afford to enjoy special day cuisine more frequently when you're only feeding 2 than when you're feeding bigger crowds. Bring on the steaks and lobster tail.

Find out how to make shrimp scampi and Fillet Mignon.

Take the time, when cooking for 2, to prepare those dishes that you adore most. Of course, it is truly living when you live to eat instead of when you dine to live. Cooking for 2 is so very much more than a clich. It's a neat way to explore the culinary universe while exposing your palates to some amazing surprises on the way. The Net, bookstores, and libraries are crammed with books about cooking for 2. Milk the chance to just do that and you will be dazzled at the arena of tastes you have invited into your kitchen.

Preparing Food for a New Years Eve Party

Preparing food for a New Years Eve party can be a great deal of fun or it can be a great deal of stress. It can even be a combination for the two. Those who are experienced at throwing parties may be able to plan a menu for their New Years Eve party and execute their plan with ease while still enjoying the party. However, those who do not have a great deal of experience hosting parties may have difficulty planning a menu and may feel a great deal of stress on the day of the party. In either case, it is wise to begin planning the food for your New Years Eve party in advance to ensure your guests enjoy the food at the party. This article will offer some tips for preparing food for a New Years Eve party.


Whether you are an accomplished chef or a novice cook, preparing food for a New Years Eve party can be quite a challenge. One of the first decisions you will have to make is what kind of food you will like to prepare for your guests. You may opt for offering a sit down dinner early in the evening and light snacks and desserts afterwards. Likewise you may opt to offer a dinner buffet early in the evening and snacks and desserts throughout the remainder of the evening. Alternately you may choose to skip dinner because the party will likely start late in the evening and simply offer an assortment of sweet and savory appetizers throughout the evening. Once you have selected one of these options you can make other decisions such as what types of foods to offer and how much food to prepare.



Regardless of the types of foods you decide to offer, you will also have to make decisions regarding the preparation of the food. The simplest, but also likely the most expensive, preparation option is to have the party catered. In this case you pay a caterer to prepare and deliver all of the food. They will also likely provide the methods for keeping the foods hot or cold if necessary. This is an excellent option for hosts who do not want to spend a great deal of time preparing food for the party and who do not want to have a great deal of responsibility related to food preparation on the evening of the party.

Another option for preparing food for your New Years Eve party is to prepare all of the food ahead of time. With a little research you will surely find a large number of recipes for items which can be prepared ahead of time. These recipes can include items which can be served chilled, room temperature or hot. For items which should be served hot, you will only have to worry about reheating the food on the night of the party. Preparing the majority of the food ahead of time is a great idea and will really help to enable the host to enjoy the festivities on the evening of the party.

Still another less popular option is to prepare all of the food during the party. This helps to ensure the food is all fresh and is served at the appropriate temperature but it is also a great deal of work for the host. The host will not likely have a great deal of time to socialize with the guests because she will likely spend a great deal of time busy with food preparation.

When planning a New Years Eve party, you can also consider hosting a potluck event. This greatly simplifies the food preparation process for the host. If you opt for a potluck, it is important for the host of the party to coordinate with the guests to determine who will bring what to the party. This is important because you do not want everyone to bring a dessert. Likewise you don’t want everyone to bring an entrée either. Ideally a couple of people will prepare entrees and the remainder of guests will bring side dishes, salads and desserts to the party.

Stainless Steel Flatware

When you are getting flatware for your house it is smartest to choose stainless steel flatware. You can track down cheaper flatware almost anywhere, but you will not be getting the quality you get with stainless steel flatware. When you buy stainless steel flatware you are getting flatware that will go on you for years and years. You probably will not have to replace it often, if ever. Stainless steel flatware freshens more smoothly than other kinds of flatware. It is for sure to hold its shine for decades in the future.

There are different grades of stainless steel flatware. The bigger grade you buy the better quality you receive. A selection the grades that stainless steel flatware is sold in are 18/0, 18/5, and 18/10. The 18/0 and the 18/5 are made up of multiple selections of metal, and while they are well put together they will move if you push hard enough. The 18/10 stainless steel flatware is the best you can receive. It is created out of one big piece of metal and will not contort at all if you push. The 18/10 generally comes with a lifetime guarantee. 

When you pick your flatware be positive that you test out a few pieces to be certain that they fit strongly in your hand before buying anything. You do not want to be stuck with something that feels poor to you. Select a simple pattern. You will soon become bored of any mark that is too full of activity. Flatware is not something folks need to replace often, so be certain you like everything about what you are purchasing.

The BBQ – The Ute – Vegemite – True Blue Aussie Icons

Need a BBQ for your home? Then you need an Australian made BBQ from Lifestyle BBQs. If you love everything about Australia then it is important to support local industry. The BBQ is a common Australian icon, which unfortunately we cannot claim as our own invention. But the BBQ has been accepted as our own over the generations and at Lifestyle BBQ’s their BBQ’s are proudly Australian made.

Other famous Australian icons that are Australian made, and often common sites when a BBQ is in progress, include:

THE UTE was designed by Lewis Brandt at Ford Motor Company in Victoria, 1934. The ute is very popular amongst famers and tradesmen and is ideal for transporting food and drink to and from a BBQ. They also provide extra seating at a BBQ.

THE HILLS HOIST rotary washing line is another common sight in many Australian backyards and was designed originally by Gilbert Toyne in 1912. In 1945 Lance Hill further developed it and named it the Hills Hoist. A great invention for the drying of clothes but also great for creating additional shade at a BBQ by simply throwing a tarp over the top of it.

AEROGARD INSECT REPELLANT was invented by Australian entomologist Dr Doug Waterhouse in 1963 and is a must have summer item for most Australians who are bitten by insects during summer. The most common place to find aerogard is at a BBQ as insects are attracted to the food and people. BBQ goers DON’t FORGET THE AEROGARD this Summer.



VEGEMITE may not be an icon you initially associate with a BBQ but is an Australian invented icon that can not be overlooked. Dr Cyril Callister was the inventor of this black, thick paste made from brewers yeast waste, which was then launched to the masses by Fred Walker in 1923. Vegemite is one of the richest sources of vitamin B which makes it perfect for incorporating into your BBQ cooking. Why not try some of these Vegemite inspired BBQ recipes at your next BBQ – Vegemite and rosemary lamb cutlets, vegemite and beer marinated steaks, vegemite Asian prawn skewers or vegemite and honey chicken drumettes.

THE WINE CASK may not be the most sophisticated Aussie invention but it is a popular one, especially at an Australian BBQ. It was invented by Thomas Angove in 1965 and then Penfolds Wines added the very familiar dispensing tap. The wine cask is almost is well known around to world and is an innovative Australian icon. The wine cask is not only great for holding wine but can also be used as a pillow and/or floaty, as many Australian’s would know.

THE AUSTRALIAN CRAWL, today most commonly known as freestyle, was first adopted in the early 1900’s in Sydney. It became world known around 1912 when swimmer Fanny Durack, who most possibly invented the version we know today, won an Olympic gold medal in swimming. She was not only the first woman to win a gold medal but also broke the men’s swimming records. The Australian Crawl is a common sight at pool side BBQ’s across Australia as children, and adults, compete against each other.

Gas Grill Smoker

There's nothing like the smell of freshly smoked barbeque wafting through the air to get your neighbors talking. Almost everyone is under the impression that you have to spend hundreds of dollars on a top-of-the line grill smoker to get that great smoked flavor in your barbeque. Truth is, it costs less than $50 to convert your existing grill to one of the best smokers on the block.

With the invention of Sam's Smoker Pro, you can turn your existing gas grill into a super smoker, allowing you to smoke anything from brisket to ribs just like the pros. Sam's Smoker Pro is easy to install and comes with its own special installation and removal tool.

Why spend hundreds of dollars on an expensive gas grill smoker when you can re-fit your existing grill with Sam's Smoker Pro? All you have to do is place the smoker box directly onto the heat source, fill with wood chips (soaked or dry), replace the grill grate on top as you would when using the grill as normal, and you're ready to place your meat on the grill and slow smoke it to perfection.

Sam's Smoker Pro comes in three package models, from the basic, which includes the smoker box, installation and removal tool, instruction booklet with recipes, and a starter pack of wood chips; to the deluxe package model, which includes everything in the basic package as well as additional wood chips in various flavors such as apple, peach, cherry, hickory maple and pear.

If you've been looking for a gas grill smoker but cannot justify the price when you have a perfectly good grill already on your patio, then it's worth it to check out Sam's Smoker Pro. It's the next most logical step in upgrading your gas grill.

The Ultimate BBQ Chicken Pizza

Chicken:
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/4 C. Olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. salt
1/2 t. fresh ground pepper

Carmelized Onion:
3 large vidalia onions, sliced thinly
1/2 stick butter

BBQ Sauce:
1/2C. ketchup
1/4 C.molasses
1/4 C. soy sauce
1 t. ground ginger
1 t. granulated garlic powder
1 t. granulated onion powder
1 t. chipotle pepper powder
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 t. liquid smoke, hickory seasoning

8 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

1 recipe pizza dough prepared and risen or 1 fresh, store bought pizza dough. 2T. olive oil


Chicken:
In a gallon zip style plastic bag, marinate chicken breasts in oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Let stand for 20 minutes. Grill about 5 minutes on each side or until chicken is no longer pink inside. Remove and cut into bite sized pieces. Set aside.

Carmelized Onion:
Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium low heat. Cook onions in butter until very soft and deep golden brown(carmelized). Turn down heat if onions brown too much, they should stay more golden than brown. Set aside.

BBQ Sauce:
Mix all ingredients in a medium sized bowl.

Dough: spread olive oil on large smooth work surface. Stretch and shape dough to a very large oval(+/- 12x18inches). turn over on work surface to coat both sides with olive oil.

With grill preheated on medium, fold pizza dough in half the long way then in half again the short way.(This helps to carry it to the grill). Carefully and quicklylay down the dough and unfold it onto the grill surface. Close the lid for 2-3 minutes.

Open the lid and prick any bubbles on the dough's surface with a fork. With tongs, flip dough over. Cook until lightly browned. Remove from grill. Turn grill down to low.

Pizza:
Spread cooked dough with BBQ sauce. Dollop on spoonsful of the carmelized onions, gently spreading them out as evenly as possible. Sprinkle with grilled chicken pieces then goat cheese.

Return pizza to grill and close lid for about 4-5 minutes until goat cheese is soft and the pizza is warm throughout. Slice with pizza cutter.

Zingy Sweet Barbecue Chicken Wings

You can cook the chicken wings on your grill, in your smoker or if it's too cold to fire up your grill , you could bake these and finish them off with a quick broil to give them that nice charred flavor.

Ingredients

6 large chicken wings
1/2 tsp Chinese wine
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 Tbsp light soy sauce
2 Tbsp dark soy sauce
2 Tbsp oyster sauce
2 Tbsp honey
Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients and marinate the chicken wings for 6 hours, up to 3 days. I find a ziplock bag really handy for this purpose--just squeeze out all the air and massage the marinate into the chicken wings. Flip around once or twice before cooking.

2. Grill it on your barbeque until golden brown and cooked or bake at 425 F for about 20-25 mins and finish with a 2-3 minute broil for added color.

Tips:

Plan on about five wings per pound, depending on size. Four to six wings per person makes an adequate serving. Keep in mind that the dummettes will take a little longer to cook than the double-bone joint and plan accordingly. Raw wings may be frozen up to nine months. Cooked wings may be frozen up to one month.

If you are watching your fat intake and must avoid the skin, some markets carry skinless drummettes, both fresh and frozen. Try baking them and dredging in a hot sauce, but you'll also want to forego the traditional butter that is mixed in with the hot sauce.

Char-grilled BBQ Chicken Wings

Here's a delicious grilled chicken wings recipe that you can cook up now that you've decided to bring the grill out of storage.

For this recipe, the wings should be prepared and marinated the night before barbecuing.

Ingredients:

12 chicken wings
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon ground ginger
pinch chili powder

Directions:

Rinse chicken wings under running cold water then pat your wings dry with paper towels and set aside.

In a nonmetallic bowl large enough to hold chicken wings in a single layer, mix together soy sauce, honey, tomato sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and chili powder. Marinade is formed. Set aside 1/4 cup of marinade for basting during cooking.

Add chicken wings to remaining marinade and turn wings to coat thoroughly. Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and marinate overnight in the refrigerator.

When you ready to grill, remove wings from marinade.

Grilled chicken wings on a rack about 6 inches above medium hot coals for 35-40 minutes. Turn wings often and brush with the 1/4 cup of marinade you set aside until wings are browned.

Once wings are done brush with your favorite barbecue sauce and enjoy.

Chicken Hygiene Tips:

When handling raw chicken, you must keep everything that comes into contact with it clean. Raw chicken should be rinsed and patted dry with paper towels before cooking; cutting boards and knives must be washed in hot sudsy water after using and hands must be scrubbed thoroughly before and after handling.

Why? Raw chicken can harbor harmful salmonella bacteria. If bacteria are transferred to work surfaces, utensils, or hands, they could contaminate other foods, as well as the cooked chicken, and cause food poisoning. With careful handling and proper cooking, this is easily prevented.

What Everybody Ought to Know About Indian Beverages By David H. Urmann

India is famous for their tasty, refreshing, cheap and easy to make drinks. They have developed a wide array of interesting drinks that reflective of their culture.

Beverages are flavored drinks for human consumption. It can be any drink prepared in different ways in order to satisfy a quenching thirst. Since alcoholic drinks are not good, especially in many ethnic cultures in India, Indiansdeveloped a multitude of non-alcoholic beverages. Here are some of the famous Indian beverages:
Tea
Tea or Chai is a North Indian beverage made from leaves, twigs or buds of a tea bush called Camellia Sinensis. Indian tea processing procedures includes fermentation, heating and drying. Herbs, flowers, fruits and other spices are being added as an added appeal.

Chai is known throughout many countries. It comes in different flavors and strengths. Some of the Indian teas are the Darheeling Tea, Assam Tea and Nilgri Tea. Most people use tea as a natural hair conditioner, skin vitalizer and a cure for arthritis. To make an Indian tea, it’s helpful to understand the basics.

Basic tea ingredients:
• plain or non-flavored Tea (loose leaf tea or tea bags)
• 2% Whole or skimmed milk
• Sugar
• Spices (optional)
• Hot or cold water
• Tea press or squeezer (for tea bags)
• Tea strainer (for loose leaf)
• Cup and saucer

Masala tea or Garam Chai is the most popular Indian beverage. Spices include ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, black peppercorn, cloves, Saunf (fennel seeds) and Khus-khus.

How to make a Masala Chai
Ingredients:
• 4 single tea bags or 3 teaspoons of un-perfumed black loose tea
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• 6 tsp. sugar
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1/4th tsp. of Masala Tea mixture (a pinch of Cardamom powder and
2 in. piece of fresh ginger)

Method:
o Boil 1 ½ cups water and add the Masala tea mixture.
o Boil again for 1 minute. Add milk and sugar and simmer.
o Throw tea bags or leaves and let it set for 2 minutes.
o Strain the tea.

Coffee
Coffee is made from roasted seeds of a cocoa plant. It is served either hot or cold. It is a black beverage that is common in India. Indian coffee has its own varieties which includes the following:
1. Moonsooned coffee
2. Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold
3. Robusta Caapi Royale
4. Orange coffee
5. Choco-coffee Shake.

o Monsooned coffee - Moonsooned coffee has a unique natural element. It has a moonsooned flavor (mellow taste) with a golden appearance.

o Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold - This is premium quality coffee that exhibits a full aroma, good acidity and fine flavor. These very large blush green beans grown in the Mysore region.

o Robusta Kaapi Royale - This coffee is bold, gray to bluish colored beans from Robusta Parchment AB. It is grown from the regions of:
• Mysore
• Wynad
• Pulneys
• Coorg
• Shevaroys
• and Barbabudans

Robusta Kaapi Royale gives a soft, full bodied and mellow flavor.

Coffee preparation includes the following:
• 1 ½ cups milk
• ½ cup water
• ¼ teaspoon Cardamom powder
• 3 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. coffee

Mix together sugar and coffee. Add a few drops of water to make it fluffy. Add another two to three drops of water to get a creamy color. Add one teaspoon of coffee. Boil milk and pour in cups with a pinch of chocolate powder on top.

Orange coffee is a mixture of hot chocolate and strong coffee. Orange slices are placed into the cup with a garnish of whipped cream and cinnamon.

Other Indian traditional beverages are Lassi, Chach, Sharbat, Thandai, Shikanjami and Kanj.

India’s popularity extends to its various types of refreshing drinks, all reminiscent of their deeply-rooted culture. They are fond of non-alcoholic drinks due to health issues.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=319895&ca=Food

Gourmet Food As a Last Minute Gift Idea By Jay Gaulard

Are you looking for that last minute gift idea that will make the recipient love you forever? If you are, just close your eyes and tell yourself, 'This is not as hard as I'm making it.' The reason why you want to do this is because it really isn't as hard as you're making it. As a matter of fact, gourmet food is going to help you make them really want to be on your Christmas list year ever year. But don't buy a gourmet food item just because it says 'gourmet food' on the label. You can actually go to your local department store and find plenty of $2 and $3 items that say 'gourmet food' on the label, but the question is whether or not the food is really gourmet. It may just be a way to make it sound fancy because it may be considered gourmet according to the manufacturer's standards.

So what you need to do is go on the Internet and look up real gourmet food. Now this doesn't mean you have to pay $50 for 2 ounces of something. Gourmet food is affordable. However, this is not that gourmet food that comes from the gift section of the department store that is bland. This is an entirely different ballgame.

True quality

Yes, it can be quite confusing when you're looking for gourmet food. You may find that a lot of it is manufactured in foreign countries. You may deal with foreign language labels and incredible price tags. This isn't going to go too well because, when buying gourmet food for someone as a gift, you want to make sure that what you're buying is something that is of true quality and contains class.

So when surfing the Internet for the perfect gourmet food item, make sure you look closely. You should be able to tell the difference between something that is of a high quality and something that isn't. You will find that you will learn about the product, which will help you determine what sort of class it has. The more information provided to you in the form of reviews and ratings, the better the decision you're going to make.

When the website consists of reviews and ratings of their own that have been written by others, this shows that they stand by the product. They're being honest about the product. When consumers are allowed to submit a review on the website, this allows individuals like you to make an informed decision. You're not making a blind purchase like many individuals make even when they have the item in front of them on a store shelf.

Types of gourmet food

If you're wondering what types of gourmet food you can buy as a gift, the list goes on and on. Here is a rundown of some items that you may want to consider. Even for those individuals who are hard to buy for, you will more than likely find that gourmet food that will make their holiday. So here are some items for you to consider:

Hot chocolate - Hot chocolate is a hot item during the holidays. Most everyone loves it. In the gourmet food sector, you may find that hot chocolate mixed with other flavors such as cinnamon.

You've probably had gourmet coffee or tea at some point in your life. Afterward you probably wondered, 'Where can I get that from?' There are too many times that we taste something that is wonderful and then never taste it again. It is just a matter of knowing where to purchase those things.

Chocolate - Gourmet chocolate speaks for itself. There is nothing like it because there are many ingredients not used in your commercial chocolate, giving gourmet chocolate a unique flavor.

Breads - There are so many different variations of bread. You can have it plain or you can have it with fruit and nuts. When buying this as a gift, ensure you buy some for yourself. You're definitely going to be in for a treat.

Candy - You can buy gourmet gum, hard candy, breath mints, and so much more. You've probably tasted gourmet candy at some point and realized that it has quite the unique flavor to it.

Cookies and desserts - Cookies and desserts are very popular gourmet items and they are very popular as gifts, so this is something else to consider.

There are so many gourmet food items. If you're not quite sure what to get, just think about what it is the person you're buying the gift for likes. If they are not a picky person, then go with your best judgment. You just might be surprised how successful you are at picking out the perfect gourmet food item for that person. Then again, you may find that food is not right for them at all. You may find that gourmet food accessories make for great gifts.

Gourmet food accessories

You can purchase gourmet food accessories as well. You can purchase the cookbooks that teach you how to make some delicious dishes. You can also look into buying water filtration systems for a person who may live in an area that doesn't exactly have clean water. You may even look into giving the coffee lover a fantastic home brewing system and buying them some gourmet coffee to go with it.

You have so many possibilities when it comes to gourmet food and gourmet food items. For the hard to buy individual, you'll find that it isn't so difficult after all. And to avoid battling the large crowds during the Christmas shopping season you can make sure you make the Internet your stop to shop. You're going to find everything that you need to make your Christmas shopping a success. Just make sure you don't drive yourself crazy with all of the excellent choices that you will come across. That can actually become more difficult than trying to buy something for that hard to buy for individual. So good luck this Christmas season and, most importantly, have fun.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=328741&ca=Food

Food Savings - Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half

Today, I read a government report stating "a middle-income family with a child born last year will spend about $221,000 raising that child through age 17." Housing was the biggest expense followed by food. Why they stopped at 17, I don't know...the child is still in high school at that age and the parents are still looking at college tuition! With that kind of expense looming, how can you cut costs? As soon as someone brings up the topic of saving money, you know the "B" word is not far behind - budget. OK, I said it! And the first step in creating a budget is finding out where the money is going now. So, for one month, collect all of your receipts from all of your meals. Even two weeks worth of receipts will be revealing. Not only will you find out how much money you are spending on food, you will also discover where you are spending your money.

Don't believe what I say about which food is cheaper, your receipts will tell the story. A part of this exercise is to not only look at the total bill, but also what VALUE you gained. What did you get for that $30 at the drive through - 1 meal for 3 people? What about the $30 at the grocery store - probably2 or 3 meals for 3 people. Once you know where you are spending your money, you can make changes that will affect your "bottom line." My first suggestion is to start cooking at home. I know, you..."don't have time", but "convenience foods" are ultimately not doing you or your family any favors. We all know that fast food is not cheap, it's not slimming, and it's not healthy, it's just fast, fried fat. Cooking at home with your family increases your "quality time" together. Perfume your home with aromas from the kitchen. Isn't that what makes a "house", a "home"? You can also control what you eat, and that is who we are, right?

What is the Future of Organic Foods?

The organic food craze has gotten a solid footing and has spread across the world like an errant wildfire. While more people are switching to healthier, organic versions of their favorite fruits, vegetables, meats and other products, does this mean that traditional food and farming will become a thing of the past? Will organic food be as popular in ten or twenty years as it is today or will the organic food craze fade away, leaving people to revert back to traditional food? Chances are high that traditional agriculture is here to stay as it is much more profitable than organic agriculture and it has worked well for more than 300 years. Since commercial fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides increase yields and decrease losses, they increase profits; therefore, as long as farmers work the land using traditional methods and means, commercial farming will exist. At some point in the future, people might be forced to choose between the easy option and the environmentally friendly option. However, as the world's population increases, the need for larger amounts of food increases, too. Were we only employing organic farming methods, we would quickly run out of space for crops. Will the organic food craze fade into the background and join the myriad of other health food fads gone by the wayside? Since organic agriculture has been around for many years and continues to gain mainstream acceptance and popularity, the answer is a solid 'no'. Once, not so long ago, you had to look everywhere to find organic produce.

Now, some of the world's largest supermarket chains stock a large variety of organic products. Organic agriculture will likely become more common and popular as people become more aware of the negative environmental and physical effects of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, hormones and other chemicals. In developing countries, studies have shown that families that employ organic agricultural actually make more money than traditional farmers in the same areas and have a higher standard of living. As organic food and product consumers raise their children on organic products, they are creating an automatic market share, ensuring that the future of organic foods is bright. If children are not exposed to traditional foods and products they will not use them, instead opting for their organic counterparts. The organic agriculture industry will continue to grow as the trend toward buying local sustains itself, as happens periodically and as local businesses continue to support each others' industries. Organic agriculture may not be able to take over the world and solve every environmental and dietary problem but it is and will continue to impact the world. As people continue to be concerned for their family's safety and that of the world around them, it is a safe assumption that the future of organic foods is a bright one.

cooking Tips

•
•For cut vegetables make sure pieces are of equal size for equal cooking.
•If you are cooking an assortment of vegetables, arrange large or tougher vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, broccoli etc.) toward the outside of the plate and small or tender ones (peas, mushrooms, capsicum etc.) in the center so they finish cooking at the same time.
•Never pile food one on top of the other. In a microwave food always cooks evenly when spaced apart.
•Turning is necessary to ensure even distribution of microwaves through the food. Especially food such as large potatoes and cauliflower need to be turned over during cooking.
•Round dishes give more even cooking results than squares or rectangles.
•Ring shaped dishes are infact the best for cooking foods which cannot be stirred during microwave cooking. Improvise a ring shaped bowl by placing a small round bowl in the center of a large round dish.
•An omelet is best cooked at 50% (medium). If cooked at 100% (high) the edges may be done before the center and become leathery by the time the whole omelet is done.
•Food continues to cook when removed from the microwave cooker, by the heat generated within it. So always take into account standing time. Large or dense vegetables and fruit need standing time rather than more microwave time.
•If the food has been cooked with a cover leave it covered for the standing time. If it was cooked uncovered add a loose covering of foil to retain the heat.
•A cover holds in the steam to tenderize the food, keep it moist and shorten cooking time.
•A tight cover is ideal for foods that have little or no added water, like when steaming vegetables. Use a dish with a tight lid or cover with cling film.
•For foods cooked in liquid, or which create a great deal of juice, make a gap in the cling film cover by rolling back one edge. This allows excess moisture to escape. Or use special microwave lids, which have slits in them.
•Cover the dish with tissue paper while preparing "temper" or frying seeds like cumin, mustard etc. The tissue paper retains the seeds while allowing the moisture to escape.
•While reheating patties, kachori or mathri, place absorbent kitchen paper underneath to prevent them from turning soggy. Absorbent paper stops fat splattering and absorbs excess moisture.
•Not all cling films are micro-safe. If you are going to use cling film in the microwave be sure that it is marked as micro-safe.
•Use a fork to pierce or prick whole vegetables, like potatoes and squash, which are cooked in their skins to allow excess steam to escape. If this is not done steam will build up inside, causing the skin to burst.
•Avoid using alcohol in puddings, which have to be microcooked, since it may catch fire.
•Season vegetables with salt after cooking them in microwave. Salting before hand could leave brown spots.
•You cannot fry in the microwave, as cooking fat in large quantities is dangerous.
•When cooking rice in the microwave don't add all the water at one go, as it will boil over.
•Milk based foods tend to boil over so use a larger and deeper container.
•Keep half a glass of water next to the dish while cooking too small a quantity of food.
•Increase microwave time in the same ratio as the amount of food to be cooked.
•Always start off with the shortest cooking time listed in the recipe, this way vegetables will not be overcooked. You can always cook it for some more time if required.
•Melting chocolate in a microwave is so simple-it does away with the need for a double boiler. Microwave it at 50% (medium) for 2 ½ minutes.
•Warming oranges for 1-2 minutes produces more juice when squeezed.
•Microwave is very useful for steaming green leafy vegetables like spinach.
•Clarify butter by heating cream (approx. 250 gm) on Micro 60 for 16 minutes.
•Increase shelf life of Sooji, Dalia, Idli rawa and other nuts and pulses by microwaving them on Micro high for 2-3 minutes (approx. 500 gm) This helps remove the moisture from these food items thus increasing their shelf life, especially in damp weather conditions.
•It is much easier to make sauces for Continental food in the Microwave, doing away with the endless stirring. Remember to cook the sauces on medium or medium low.
•To effortlessly remove a coconut from its shell, heat it on Micro high for 3 to 4 minutes.
•Blanch almonds by microwaving them with water for 3 minutes.
•'Boil' potatoes in a jiffy. Microwave them in a polythene bag. For 4 potatoes microwave for 5 minutes.
•Sterilize jars for storing homemade jams and pickles.
•'Cook' your dishcloth in the microwave oven for 60 seconds to eliminate disease-causing microorganisms.
•Use less water as there is less evaporation in the microwave.
•Start with 2/3rd of the water given in the conventional recipe, than add more if required.
•Cook on Micro High for about 5 minutes to bring to a boil and then simmer on lower power.
For steaming
•Remember to cover
Baking
•Don't cover
•Remember there will be no browning, so to get a better look try using cocoa in the recipe.
•Don't beat too much otherwise the cake will collapse in the microwave.
•Infact a cake in the microwave rises higher than in a conventional oven.
•Add an extra 2 tbsp (approx.) of milk as the batter should be thinner than the ordinary batter. It should be of a pouring consistency.
•Use powdered sugar otherwise the sugar will burn.
•Use round dishes.
•Fill dishes only half.
•Cakes require standing time.
•Microwave cakes taste best if eaten after a few hours.

Healthy cooking tips

Good nutrition is not a matter of selecting the "right" foods to eat. It's also important to prepare these foods in ways that will maintain their nutritional benefits. Careful decisions about cooking techniques can have a profound effect on the nutrient content of the foods they prepare. These cooking strategies and ingredient substitution ideas can help retain and, in some cases, improve, the nutritional value of your most popular dishes. They can also help you meet the American Institute for Cancer Research's recommendations for lower cancer risk and better overall health:

Cut the salt in half in your favorite recipes. Most of the time this will not produce a noticeable taste modify. Consider replacing part of the salt with an herb or spice, flavored vinegar, citrus juice or peel. Garlic or onion power (not garlic or onion salt) work well in meats, soups, and sauces. Make your own mix of garlic, onion, paprika, and parsley flakes.

Use veggie spray or non-stick pans for grilling or stir-frying.

Pick methods of cooking that will retain flavor, color, and nutrients. Steam instead of boiling vegetables. Avoid cooking at high temperatures (except for speedy stir-frying) and long cooking times. Both extended heat and liquid can destroy or leach out valuable nutrients.

Add vegetables whenever possible to ensure your five-a-day intake. Experiment with more veggie variety in salads, try new vegetable mixes, include some shredded vegetables in casseroles, and add different vegetables to soups and stews. Use chopped red or yellow peppers to "pep" up the flavor. Try vegetable salsas and fruit chutneys as accompaniments to meat or poultry in place of heavy gravies or sauces.

Cutlery Knife Set : 3 Tips For Chefs

A cutlery knife set is a great addition to any kitchen, professional chefs can't do without a good knife set. Of course serious home chefs also need one and start enjoying even more their passion for cooking. There are few reasons why you would want to get yourself one of these sharp tools you can rely on for years, and here are some.

Something Special.

Knives that are forged from one piece of stee, that have excellent ergonmics and design, those used by Professional, are certainly special. Not the usual knives you use, but better tools to make you feel a better cook. If professional chefs use higher standard tools, there must be a good reason.

Something sharp.

"I want a real knife", that means one that really cuts. Of course a knife is worthless if it doesn't cut, or not as well as you would like. A professional quality cutlery knife set is not going to disapoint you. They are usualy made for restaurant chefs, and no doubt serious home chefs know too that they can improve their cooking with the sharpest tools.

Something more.
You already have knives, but your kitchen is lacking of good knives that you can always rely on and that will ensure you a more enjoyable cuisine experience.

Plus a cutlery knife set is a very nice gift too. If someone you know is always in the kitchen preparing some awesome meals, he or she needs great knives too. Though it would be a super gift for someone else, it may be something you were condiering purchasing yourself. The most recognized brands (Wusthof, Henckels, Shun, Masahiro, etc.) have knife sets for everyone in every size and every budget. You can find a set with just 2 knives as well as a 20 and more knife block set !

If you were wondering about a special, sharp and more enjoyable way to cook, then a cutlery knife set is a smart thought.

Honey Graham Crackers

The superior or the stuff in a cheesecake is crusty. Digestive biscuit, cookies, or a pastry crapper be utilised for this purpose. Cheesecakes crapper also be topped with fruit sauces if fresh mallow is the key fixings in hot the cake. Cheesecakes crapper be categorised into two types * Baked cheesecake * No-bake cheesecake Baked cheesecake Egg is the important fixings in tempered type of cheesecake. This block has a heavy and flush property and has to be refrigerated before serving. Plenty of toiletries mallow is utilised to heat a traditional cheesecake. Health conscious people need no individual worry as low-fat, fat-free ingredients crapper be utilised to heat toothsome low-fat cheesecakes. Low-calorie cheesecakes are prefabricated from low-fat mallow and light whipped toiletries toppings. Plenty of recipes are acquirable to heat cheesecakes and with a combining of prudent flavors, you crapper come up with tasteful cheesecakes. You crapper choose to add: * nuts * fruits/tropical fruits * candies * berry/cherry topping * drink syrup/chips/shavings * pumpkin * candy canes * spearmint leaves The crust that is utilised to heat the cheesecake plays a alive role in imparting the amend taste to the cake. Commonly utilised crusts are: * honey graham crackers * bark graham crackers * drink graham crackers * crust crapper be prefabricated from broken cookies too * for low-fat cheesecakes, crust crapper be prefabricated from flavourer wafers or birdlike crackers * Readymade drink crusts are also acquirable in the market. Popular varieties of tempered cheesecakes American style: American cheesecakes are primarily prefabricated from toiletries cheese, foodstuff and foodstuff yolks. The New York call cheesecake is also popular as the Jewish cheesecake and is tempered in a 13 to 15cm tall outflow pan. Cottage cheese, lemon, chocolate, or nevus crapper be additional as variants in the basic recipe. Sour toiletries call cheesecake is as popular as the New York cheesecake. This version of cheesecake uses toiletries mallow but does not ingest heavy cream. Most of the factories concoct cheesecakes in this method as this crapper be frozen for individual periods without messing up the texture of the cheesecake. Canadian cheesecakes: Vancouver call cheesecakes, as they are referred to, are light and are prefabricated without a crust. Vanilla and drink flavors are predominantly utilised in hot cheesecakes; they are served after cold them for a while. Greek cheesecakes: Mizithra mallow and Mascarpone mallow are utilised to heat this call of cheesecakes. French cheesecakes: Cheesecakes are light and gelatin is utilised as the binding ingredient. These cheesecakes create their savor from Neufchatel mallow (variety of toiletries cheese). Swedish cheesecake: They are prefabricated from curdled milk. The concentrate is curdled by adding rennet. After the concentrate curdles, it is tempered and served warm. Swedish cheesecakes crapper also be prefabricated from cottage cheese; these cakes are served with whipped cream, cover cream, or jam. Japanese cheesecake: The important ingredients are foodstuff and callus starch; they have a fleecy and silky texture. German call cheesecake: Quark mallow is utilised to heat German call cheesecake; Germany is rattling popular for its distinct flavors of cheesecakes. Belgian/Dutch cheesecakes: Belgian/Dutch call cheesecakes are traditionally flavored using vine chocolate. Italian cheesecakes: Mascarpone or ricotta mallow is utilised for baking. Sugar is utilised instead of honey, cereal flakes and flavourer extract is utilised to heat this cake. Bay leaves are not used; at times diminutive pieces of candied fruits are added. romish cheesecakes combining ricotta-like mallow and honey with flour and are shaped into loaves. Few recipes ingest bay leaves, as these leaves act as a preservative. No-bake cheesecake This cake, as the name suggests needs no cooking and is rattling ultimate to make. This block has a fluffy appearance and is lighter in consistency. This block has to be refrigerated before serving. Pre-mixes are acquirable in the mart to prepare these types of cheesecakes. * Add some marge or butter to the graham pyrotechnic variety and distribute it on a pie pan. * Add concentrate to the stuff variety to resemble a pudding. * Pour this variety into the pie crust. * Refrigerate it until finished (the cheesecake has to be firm). Popular varieties of no-bake cheesecakes British/ Australia/Asian cheesecake: Cheesecakes are not tempered or cooked but are served as cold desserts in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. Cheesecakes in these countries are prefabricated from a combination of broken digestive biscuits and butter. The variety is then put into a dish and distribute evenly at the bottom layer of the cake. The superior or the stuff is prefabricated from a combination of cheese, sugar, milk, and gelatin (optional).

The superior or the stuff in a cheesecake is crusty. Digestive biscuit, cookies, or a pastry crapper be utilised for this purpose. Cheesecakes crapper also be topped with fruit sauces if fresh mallow is the key fixings in hot the cake. Cheesecakes crapper be categorised into two types



* Baked cheesecake

* No-bake cheesecake





Baked cheesecake



Egg is the important fixings in tempered type of cheesecake. This block has a heavy and flush property and has to be refrigerated before serving. Plenty of toiletries mallow is utilised to heat a traditional cheesecake. Health conscious people need no individual worry as low-fat, fat-free ingredients crapper be utilised to heat toothsome low-fat cheesecakes. Low-calorie cheesecakes are prefabricated from low-fat mallow and light whipped toiletries toppings.



Plenty of recipes are acquirable to heat cheesecakes and with a combining of prudent flavors, you crapper come up with tasteful cheesecakes. You crapper choose to add:



* nuts

* fruits/tropical fruits

* candies

* berry/cherry topping

* drink syrup/chips/shavings

* pumpkin

* candy canes

* spearmint leaves





The crust that is utilised to heat the cheesecake plays a alive role in imparting the amend taste to the cake. Commonly utilised crusts are:





* honey graham crackers

* bark graham crackers

* drink graham crackers

* crust crapper be prefabricated from broken cookies too

* for low-fat cheesecakes, crust crapper be prefabricated from flavourer wafers or birdlike crackers

* Readymade drink crusts are also acquirable in the market.





Popular varieties of tempered cheesecakes



American style:



American cheesecakes are primarily prefabricated from toiletries cheese, foodstuff and foodstuff yolks. The New York call cheesecake is also popular as the Jewish cheesecake and is tempered in a 13 to 15cm tall outflow pan. Cottage cheese, lemon, chocolate, or nevus crapper be additional as variants in the basic recipe. Sour toiletries call cheesecake is as popular as the New York cheesecake. This version of cheesecake uses toiletries mallow but does not ingest heavy cream. Most of the factories concoct cheesecakes in this method as this crapper be frozen for individual periods without messing up the texture of the cheesecake.



Canadian cheesecakes:



Vancouver call cheesecakes, as they are referred to, are light and are prefabricated without a crust. Vanilla and drink flavors are predominantly utilised in hot cheesecakes; they are served after cold them for a while.



Greek cheesecakes:



Mizithra mallow and Mascarpone mallow are utilised to heat this call of cheesecakes.



French cheesecakes:



Cheesecakes are light and gelatin is utilised as the binding ingredient. These cheesecakes create their savor from Neufchatel mallow (variety of toiletries cheese).



Swedish cheesecake:



They are prefabricated from curdled milk. The concentrate is curdled by adding rennet. After the concentrate curdles, it is tempered and served warm. Swedish cheesecakes crapper also be prefabricated from cottage cheese; these cakes are served with whipped cream, cover cream, or jam.



Japanese cheesecake:



The important ingredients are foodstuff and callus starch; they have a fleecy and silky texture.



German call cheesecake:



Quark mallow is utilised to heat German call cheesecake; Germany is rattling popular for its distinct flavors of cheesecakes.



Belgian/Dutch cheesecakes:



Belgian/Dutch call cheesecakes are traditionally flavored using vine chocolate.



Italian cheesecakes:



Mascarpone or ricotta mallow is utilised for baking. Sugar is utilised instead of honey, cereal flakes and flavourer extract is utilised to heat this cake. Bay leaves are not used; at times diminutive pieces of candied fruits are added. romish cheesecakes combining ricotta-like mallow and honey with flour and are shaped into loaves. Few recipes ingest bay leaves, as these leaves act as a preservative.



No-bake cheesecake



This cake, as the name suggests needs no cooking and is rattling ultimate to make. This block has a fluffy appearance and is lighter in consistency. This block has to be refrigerated before serving. Pre-mixes are acquirable in the mart to prepare these types of cheesecakes.



* Add some marge or butter to the graham pyrotechnic variety and distribute it on a pie pan.

* Add concentrate to the stuff variety to resemble a pudding.

* Pour this variety into the pie crust.

* Refrigerate it until finished (the cheesecake has to be firm).





Popular varieties of no-bake cheesecakes



British/ Australia/Asian cheesecake:



Cheesecakes are not tempered or cooked but are served as cold desserts in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. Cheesecakes in these countries are prefabricated from a combination of broken digestive biscuits and butter. The variety is then put into a dish and distribute evenly at the bottom layer of the cake. The superior or the stuff is prefabricated from a combination of cheese, sugar, milk, and gelatin (optional).

Correct Stemware For Serving Wine By Sarah Martin

There are in the world of American connoisseurs and wine snobs a dozen cardinal rules of ostentatious wine service. Silly or otherwise, correct stemware is one of the first and foremost “rules” when it comes to properly serving fine wine.

As for correct stemware, it is suggested that you first get rid of those pretty wineglasses you received as a wedding gift. They may look lovely displayed on a shelf, but, with certain exceptions, they are worse than useless for drinking wine. Why? Because the wine-ignorant manufacturers make them in thimble sizes that don't hold enough wine for more than a taste.

When you serve a guest the skimpy two-ounce portion of Tempranillo (http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Tempranillo/) that the average one of these baubles holds, he empties it at a single sip and waits, thirsty and embarrassed, for you to pour some more. In Europe you are served table wine in respectable stemmed bowls that hold seven, eight, or even nine ounces. Rarely are they poured more than two-thirds full; the head space allows the wine to send forth its fragrance, which is part of its flavor.

You will do better to serve table wine in your water goblets than in the tiny so-called wineglasses. If the water glass seems too big, pour it only half full. At a dinner in your home, four ounces of table wine is a decent serving; the average guest will have a second glass. Your old-fashioned cocktail glasses, or even your highball glasses, are equally acceptable.

Or buy some of the sensible wineglasses which a few manufacturers are at last beginning to place on the market in response to the urgent pleas of vintners. The best ones are plain in design, to let the wine’s color show through; they are tulip-shaped—narrower at the top than at the widest part of the bowl-thereby concentrating the wine's bouquet to delight your olfactory sense. A fine glass of Pinot Noir (http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Pinot%20Noir/) will practically illuminate a red glow from a glass such as this.

They measure seven or eight ounces to their brim, providing a four-ounce serving when half full, and are sturdy enough to survive ordinary dishwashing. They can be used for all kinds of wine, pouring only a third of a glass when serving Sherry. The thimbles in your set of stemware will do for cordials; or, if they can hold at least two ounces without spilling onto the tablecloth, are also suitable for serving Sherry, Port, and other dessert wines.

Whoever first inflicted on American householders the several different grotesquely shaped, various-sized and colored glasses that are sold as complete sets for the separate serving of Claret, Barbera, Rhine wine, Sauterne, Sherry, and Port, must have copied them out of some rare old book treasured only by glassware hobbyists.

In medieval Europe, it is true; every ancient winegrowing district originally developed its own distinctive wineglass. For example, the old Rhine wine glasses were colored green to hide the fact that early Rhine wines were often cloudy and brown. Such relics of past centuries are no excuse for bamboozling the average American shopper into buying ridiculous glassware.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=321875&ca=Food

Learn About Wine Connoisseurs and Consumption By Daniel Millions

Wine has been around for thousands of years, and has been produced through the simple fermentation of grapes. Many adults like to drink wine with their dinner, as not only does it have an enjoyable taste, the fact that there is alcohol present makes wine a relaxing and fun beverage. Wine enthusiasts who want to collect and specialize in wines must amass a vast amount of knowledge. In fact, there are even adult education classes that focus solely on wine, and even include wine tasting.

The grape is not the only fruit that can be used to make wine. Other fruits, such as apples, can be fermented to produce wine. When a fruit besides the grape is utilizing, that fruit's name is usually implemented in to the title of the wine. For example, if wine was created from an apple, it would be called apple wine. Wine without a preceding descriptor is assumed to be grape wine, as that is the most common type.

While many people avoid alcohol because of its detrimental health effects, research has revealed that the moderate consumption of alcohol can yield several health benefits. The most beneficial form of alcohol has been found to be red wine. This is because red grapes are packed with antioxidants, and those stick around during the transformation from grapes to wine. The primary benefit of regular red wine consumption is cardiovascular protection. This means a lower risk of stroke and heart attack. Antioxidants improve cardio health by decreasing bad cholesterol, increasing good cholesterol, and reducing blood clotting (which is the ultimate reason that heart attacks and strokes occur).

Wine contains a special antioxidant called resveratrol, which has incredible, positive health effects. It has anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties, and has even been shown to extend the lives of certain species. Resveratrol also facilitates nerve production. Due to the chemical's properties, it has been theorized that the antioxidant is effective in preventing diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's.

If you are purely interested in health, then you should choose a red wine with the most antioxidants. The less sweet the wine, the more antioxidants it has, so that is the type of wine you should secure. Avoid white wine altogether, as while it does have some benefits, they pail in comparison to that of red wine.

Wine is a somewhat expensive commodity, which has led many people to begin brewing their own wine. The process of creating homemade wine is fun, not as expensive as one would think, and the final product can be as high a quality as the best wine on the market. You can find plenty of guides on exactly how to create wine on the Internet, but make sure to invest time in to identifying the best one. Not many materials are needed for this activity.

All you need is a large bucket, a hydrometer, a few wine-enhancing chemicals, an air tight mechanism, and of course either grapes or grape juice. There are vineyards that will sell fresh grapes and grape juice, and although taking this route is the most expensive, the final expenses still fall short of the cost of buying pre-bottled wine.

Whether you choose to make your own wine or buy it, it is important to store the product in a wine rack. A wine rack maintains the wine at a forty five degree angle, which is necessary to keep the seal strong and effective.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=292420&ca=Food