Fresh Ingredients Make a Difference!

The markets around my home will also have fresh cut meats, fish, seafood and veggies. I have impressed more people with my home cooked recipes,....

Fresh Ingredients Make a Difference!

Have you ever had a dish that someone made that was kind of bland or tasted like it came out of a can? Well it probably did! A lot of people will take as many short cuts as possible to make their recipes cook up quickly. We do that so easily because of the way things are sold in the supermarkets these days. You can get just about everything in a can, including tomatoes, potatoes, greens and carrots. You can even get herbs and lettuce in a bag, almost the same as canned, because of preservatives added to keep them as fresh as possible in that bag.

The best place to shop for those fresh ingredients for your special recipes is a farmers market or a whole foods type place. You will find the freshest of ingredients around and lots of them. My favorites are cilantro, chives and dill.

You can usually find fresh ground herbs too, like oregano, thyme, and basil. These can be used in so many Italian recipes and as well as some French recipes. If you make vegetarian recipes, you can really spice them up with fresh herbs and spices.

The markets around my home will also have fresh cut meats, fish, seafood and veggies. I have impressed more people with my home cooked recipes, when I use fresh ingredients. When you are searching the web for special recipes you might want to visit gourmandia.com for a huge selection of recipes to use your fresh bought ingredients. Your friends will think you have gone to school to become a chef, once they taste your home cooked recipes.

By Deb Brown
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Significant Constituent For Baking

Significant Constituent For Baking--baking powder, soda, cream, sugar, eggs and yeast make up the backbone of baking recipes. Flour provides the form of your baked good...

Significant Constituent For Baking

Baking requires a wide variety of ingredients and asks the chef to use them in many ways. Despite this variety, there are a number of ingredients that will show up consistently from recipe to recipe. A few of these staples of baking are flour, eggs, sugar and yeast. Beyond these regular ingredients, apples, cranberries, lemons, pure vanilla, and chocolate are other ingredients that are used frequently. Each of these foods has specific guidelines for use which make it easier for chefs to use them to their greatest potential.

Flour, baking powder, soda, cream, sugar, eggs and yeast make up the backbone of baking recipes. Flour provides the form of your baked good. The type of flour used will define taste, texture and structure of your final product. The reason this all works is because flour contains protein. When the protein mixes with water and heat it responds chemically and gives your baking project its strength. Baking powder and baking soda works similarly to yeast by providing a leavening force for your dish. The primary difference is that baking powder and soda create a chemical reaction that makes the dough rise, while yeast is a living organism that feeds on the dough which creates the same effect as baking powder and soda. Cream is technically the fat that rises to the top of whole milk. It is often whipped and is used in a variety of ways. In baking, sugar does more then just act as flavoring. It also adds tenderness and texture, among other things, to your final product. Like flour, eggs act as a structural element in baking. Eggs can provide leavening, texture, richness and other various characteristics to your baked good and are often used in the batter. Butter also fits beside these other regular ingredients. Aside from these basic items, a wide variety of fruits and nuts are used regularly while baking.

Apples are used frequently in recipes, but be sure to choose a type of apple that fits the flavor you want in your dish, and make sure that it is properly ripened. Good baking apples are firm, smooth, and will give off a fresh smell. Blueberries are another fruit that is used a lot. Look for blueberries that are firm and plump. It is also important to look for berries that are dark with a white dusting. This dusting is important and naturally generated. This dust is a sure sign of freshness. Be sure to avoid berries that are soft, moldy, or crushed. Cranberries are also a popular choice, but almost never raw. When raw they are extremely tart. These berries should be firm, smooth skinned and a shiny red color. Lemons also consistently used. When choosing lemons, they should be bright yellow without any green spots or blemishes. An important task when using lemons is to wash the outer skin. Insecticides are often used on lemons, and do not go well in your baked good. Be sure to wash the rind thoroughly. Peaches, raspberries, pumpkins, strawberries and rhubarb also find their way into many recipes. These fruits follow similar rules of freshness to the already mentioned ingredients, and should be purchased carefully. Nuts can be found in a wide variety of ways, and are generally pre-packaged in the store. Be sure to look closely at what your recipe is asking for before you begin to search for a product.

Two final popular ingredients are vanilla and chocolate. Pure vanilla is a very expensive spice, but it is worth the money when it comes to making a high quality desert. This spice comes in a few forms, primarily extract, beans or powdered. It can also come mixed with sugar. Chocolate is used in a few forms as well. Most recipes will call for semi-sweet or unsweetened varieties. These two ingredients are used often and should be kept readily in your spice rack.

Many ingredients are used regularly in baking, and having a grasp of how these items are used is important. It is also crucial to recognize the freshness and quality of the products you will use. Having a good grasp of these basic ingredients will ensure a high quality snack for your enjoyment.

By Shanta K Singh
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

3 Steps For Simple Vegetarian Recipes

Vegetarian recipes are easy to find. As a matter of fact, you can have no recipes at all...vegetarian diet without risking health problems.,Majority of veggie cuisines are just simple vegetarian recipes....

3 Steps For Simple Vegetarian Recipes

GriffinFor the newly reformed individuals who are trying to have a healthier lifestyle through vegetarian diet,

Here are some tips for you to follow in looking for simple vegetarian recipes.

1.Vegetarian recipes are easy to find. As a matter of fact, you can have no recipes at all. The main rule on vegan diet is to eliminate meat products in the ingredients. How hard can that be? If you haven't adapted the total vegetarian diet or at least the vegetarian with dairy products diet, then you can first try the vegetarian diet with chicken or fish. Just make sure not to include the skin of the chicken in your recipe. And stick with the breast part only.

2.If you want to follow the total vegetarian diet immediately, then you must visit a dietician to help you out. This is not an option anymore, consulting a doctor here is mandatory. A body that has been eating meat for the longest time cannot immediately switch into a total vegetarian diet without risking health problems. Meat products have their own benefits in the human body. You just can't take vitamins and minerals with vegetables and disregard your protein need. The dietician will help you outline the veggies that will supply protein in your body as substitutes to meat products.

3.Majority of veggie cuisines are just simple vegetarian recipes. The instructions for vegetarian recipes are easy to follow and not complicated at all. In no time, you'll be an expert on preparing simple vegetarian recipes.

As you can see becoming vegetarian can be very simple with some very simple vegetarian recipes. If you want to find even more information about Vegetarian Cooking then you can take a look at this site: http://www.vegetarian-cooking.net You will find plenty of information to help you on your way to a healthy vegetarian diet.

By Sandy
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Thanksgiving Dinner - Stress Free

decide how you want your Thanksgiving dinner to be set-up. Do you want buffet-style? With this set-up you would need a fairly large place to set the food....

Thanksgiving Dinner - Stress Free

Hosting a Thanksgiving dinner can be quite stressful. The holiday season is already upon us and it seems we are busy even before the day gets here. First Thanksgiving, then Christmas, with New Years Day to follow. First, calm down.

Here are some tips to relieve some of the stress so you too can enjoy the day with your guests.

First, decide how you want your Thanksgiving dinner to be set-up. Do you want buffet-style? With this set-up you would need a fairly large place to set the food. Your guest would then serve themselves and sit where you have provided. This is a very casual dinner and works well with a large guest list. Another way to serve your holiday meal would be pot-luck style. This way is much less stressful on the host as each of your guests would be bring a dish and usually a dessert. The host usually provides the main dishes such as the turkey, stuffing and gravy. So a sample way to work this would be to let each guest know what items to bring such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls and such. Make sure your specific though so you do not end up having tons of greens beans! And yet another way to serve Thanksgiving dinner would be a more formal dinner setting at the table. This is my favorite and is a more intimate setting. To have a formal setting you would need a large table and smaller guest list. What we do at our home is set up two tables next to each other. One for the adults, and one for the kids. The kids can chat amongst their selves and the adults can visit with each other without everyone being separated. So deciding now what kind of Thanksgiving dinner style you want lets you plan accordingly.

The second thing you should do is start you baking now. Most baked goods freeze quite well. You could make and freeze pies, nut breads, unfrosted cakes and cookies. You can freeze fruit pies uncooked, wrapped in plastic wrap then cover in foil. To bake, place frozen pie in center oven at 375 degrees for about 1 1/2 hours or until bubbly and golden brown. To freeze nut breads, you will need to bake as usual and let cool completely. Wrap cooled bread in freezer bread according to size of loaf. To thaw just place on counter for about an hour, then slice as usual. To freeze unfrosted cakes, cool cake layers completely and wrap separately in parchment paper and then in foil. Let thaw on counter completely before frosting. Cookies freeze very well. Just bake according to recipes and cool completely. Store cookies in freezer bags or freezer containers such as lock-n-locks. Just thaw on counter until ready to display and eat. Doing this now will certainly help take a load off.

Plan your guest list. This may seem simple, but as you think about who you want over at your home, your list can grow to impossible numbers! Do you have a large family? If so, you may not be able to have many friends over. This is where you need to decide who you want to spend the day with. Traditions also play a part in this. Maybe you have the same people year after year, such as Grandma and Grandpa. If so, this will be easy because you already know. Ok, you now have your guest list ready.

Start your grocery shopping early! Don't wait until the week of Thanksgiving to buy what you need. Not only are you risking empty shelves, but it is expensive to buy at the last minute. There are great sales starting around Halloween for baking supplies and such. Stock up now. If stuffing mix is on sale when you are at the market for milk, pick it up. You are going to need it anyway. You can also get cranberries cheap way before the big day. Cranberries freeze well too. As you buy items you know you will need, mark them down so when you get the rest of what you need, you do not over buy items. Turkeys also are on sale sometimes weeks before. You can get great deals like $5 turkeys limit 1. When you see this, go back again and pick up another to freeze!

Plan your cooking day. This will most likely be the day or two before. Decide what you have left to do and prep as much as you can. Mix up the stuffing for the bird and put into bowl and store in fridge. Also, you can make your rolls ahead. Cook up those cranberries. They will be much better the next day anyway after setting. You can also make your molded salads the day before as they also will need setting up. This is when you will defrost all those baked goods you froze the weeks prior to now. So if you need to frost the cake, now is the time. You can also bake up those pies you froze. Doing as much as you can on this day will help you to have more time with friends and family.

And Finally Thanksgiving Day! Your turkey is in the oven. When your guests start to arrive you need to enlist help. You may want to do it all and get all the glory for the hard work you have put in, but it is much better to let others help out and enjoy your day. Delegate tasks such as setting the table, organizing serving dishes and setting out appetizers for your guests to enjoy while the meal is being prepared. Snacking is an important part to hosting a party. This is a must when entertaining. So set out the appetizer trays and mingle with your guests because you have planned for this day and you will now enjoy it too!

A sample Thanksgiving meal menu:

Roasted Turkey with Herbs
Cider Crusted Baked Ham
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan topping
Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Pan gravy
Cranberries with Grand Marnier Sauce (YUM!)
Molded Raspberry/Cranberry Salad
Homemade Rolls with Honey Butter
Green Bean Casserole (kids love this)
Bread Stuffing with Italian Sausage,Pecans,Raisins and Apples
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie
Pecan Pie

Stephanie Maggio is the owner and chef of Maggio's Personal Chef Service. She does full personal cheffing and in-home catering. Stephanie has been cooking for 15 years and is a proud member of the Personal Chef's Network.
By Stephanie Maggio
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

How to Make Boiled Or Steamed Rice the Perfect Way

How to Make Boiled Or Steamed Rice the Perfect Way

Many people have tried their hand at making boiled rice. Steamed rice is pretty simple to make. But it surprises me when someone brings it up in a social conversation, as to how to make rice that wasn't sticky or overcooked or undercooked.

We are aiming to make simply nice, fragrant, separate rice that's perfectly cooked. All you need is rice, water, and a thick heavy-gauge pan with a tight-fitting lid. Try to get a pan with glass lid. That way you don't have to lift the lid off the pan to see how it is doing.

What you need is Basmati Rice - 1 cup and water - 1.5 cups

I personally prefer basmati over long grain rice as I love the taste of basmati, but that is my choice. You can use long grain rice, if you like.

Wash off the starch from the rice by rinsing it with water. Rinse till the water becomes clear. Now soak the rice for 20 minutes. This makes the rice grain softer.

I prefer the thick flat bottomed pans, other pans in my experience make the rice stick to the bottom. Put the rice in the pan, add 1.5 cups of water. Leave it on simmer for 20 minutes, with the glass lid on. Now the important thing is not to remove the lid to have a sneak peek on its progress. If you are using a glass lid pan, then you do not have to keep lifting the lid.

I personally add a pinch of salt, it makes the rice softer and tastier. To make each grain of rice separate, I add a drop of ghee or oil. Also, adding a single clove or a single black cardamom, gives it a heady aroma.

Remember, to present the dish well. Eating is all about how the dish, looks, smells and taste!

Abhishek dabbles in cooking every Sunday and these are some tips learnt from Bed Breakfast Delhi. This Delhi guesthouse is near Delhi Airport Hotels
By Abhishek Arora
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Cooking Copy Cat Restaurant Recipes the Right Way

There are a number of copy cat recipe books available and in fact if you scroll down to the bottom of this article you will see a few recommended resources....

Cooking Copy Cat Restaurant Recipes the Right Way

Who wouldn't like to eat out at their favorite restaurant every single day? I know I would, but for me, and I'm sure most of you, that's just not practical. Restaurant's are simply too expensive, and let's face it... in this economy, who can afford it. There is a very practical solution however and that's cooking your own copycat restaurant recipes at home. Copy Cat restaurant recipes are available in a number of places on the internet and they're a lot easier than you might think to make yourself, regardless of how experienced you are as a cook.

The first step in cooking good copy cat restaurant recipes is finding the right recipe. Many of the recipes you'll be looking for are top secret restaurant recipes and they are often very guarded secrets by the chefs and even corporations that created or own them. There are a number of copy cat recipe books available and in fact if you scroll down to the bottom of this article you will see a few recommended resources. But first you need to know how to cook your copy cat recipes to get them tasting like they do in a restaurant.

Ingredients and equipment make an enormous difference when it comes to making copy cat restaurant recipes at home. Often restaurants don't use the healthiest of ingredients, such as MSG, and high amounts of fat. Here is where you need to make a decision. I of course recommend modifying it to lean healthier, however if you are looking to make an exact recipe clone, this is something you will need to be aware of. The next thing is equipment. A commercial kitchen uses equipment that often gives them a lot more control then the equipment we use at home does. The type of pan you use, whether or not you use an electric stove, a gas flame, or even a wood fire grill, depending on the recipe, are all going to effect your copy cat restaurant recipes a good deal.

By Paul S. Hudson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

But Why Should Pasta Be Cooked Al Dente?

They know that it 'should be' cooked al dente, ---the pasta into glucose - or lowers the glycemic index of the pasta. Lower glycemic indexes have health benefits according to most studies....

But Why Should Pasta Be Cooked Al Dente?

"With no outlet for my feelings, I stared at the phone in my hand until I remembered the spaghetti. Back in the kitchen, I turned off the gas and poured the contents of the pot into a colander. Thanks to the phone call, the spaghetti was a little softer than al dente, but it had not been dealt a mortal blow. I started eating-and thinking." The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle Haruki Murakami

Haruki Murakami's narrator is typical of most non-Italians when it comes to cooking pasta. They know that it 'should be' cooked al dente, but they're not going to lose a lot of sleep over it. Al dente is, according to - amongst other - Lidia Bastianich, the famous Italian media cook in America, one of the most difficult concepts in Italian cooking to get across. It is, though, one of the most fundamental.

Why do we say al dente?

There are a number of theories to this, but the most widely accepted and most sensible is simply that the pasta is tested, to see if it's ready, by biting into it. It should not be uncooked, nor should it be soft - so there should be a slight resistance to the teeth - al dente in Italian.

But why should pasta be cooked al dente?

There are a number of good reasons, apart from simple tradition. Firstly, pasta nearly always interacts with a sauce, and when cooked al dente it 'takes on' the sauce more efficiently.

The second reason, according to generations of Italian grandmothers, is that the pasta is more easily digested when it's cooked al dente. There is a certain amount of truth to this, although it might be better to say that the pasta is better digested when cooked al dente, because in actual fact it slows the breaking down of the carbohydrates in the pasta into glucose - or lowers the glycemic index of the pasta. Lower glycemic indexes have health benefits according to most studies.


Franita C. is an Italian housewife living in Bologna, who is a regular contributor to http://www.italian-regional-recipes.com, an Italian food blog with recipes, tips, notes and articles on great Italian cooking.
By Franita C.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Homemade Stuffing Made Easy

Hardly. In fact, you can use common ingredients you probably already have to make a stuffing that's just as good as the ones you make from commercial mixes....

Homemade Stuffing Made Easy

What exactly is in those boxes of instant stuffing mix? Secret ingredients that only large food companies are allowed to buy? Are they cooked in some special way that we can't hope to imitate in our home kitchens?


Hardly. In fact, you can use common ingredients you probably already have to make a stuffing that's just as good as the ones you make from commercial mixes.

You'll need:

* Bread - two slices for each person

* A few teaspoons of butter, margarine, or oil

* A little clear soup, such as chicken bouillon

* A pinch or two of dried thyme

* A sprinkling of your favorite seasoning - we like Club House Garlic Plus

* Optional - one onion and three sticks of celery for every two people

Stale bread is good for this, unless, of course, it's started to go moldy. If it's not stale, put it in the toaster for a short time, just until it starts to get crisp, not browned. You can use bread straight out of the freezer. You can trim off the crusts, but you don't have to. Either way, cut each slice into about 16 squares.

If you're using the onions and celery (I recommend you do, but your kids might not like them), chop them into very small, thin pieces. Melt the butter and fry them in it until they're just softened. Then add the bread squares.

If you're not using the vegetables, just put the bread squares in the melted butter. Once they're in there, stir to keep them moving. Put in the thyme and other seasoning now.

When the bread begins to brown, put in a little of your clear soup. It's impossible to say how much - every batch of stuffing is different. Just add it, little by little, until the stuffing holds together.

Bouillon or other soups made from dried mixes are good for this. You should make them with a little less water than the package directions say. Canned or homemade broth can also be used, though I haven't tried these. You might have to add a little salt to them.

Taste to see if there's anything else you want to add. Then the stuffing is ready to go into your turkey. If there's too much for the turkey, just put it into a baking dish, cover it, and cook it along with the turkey for about 45 minutes.

This is fresh, homemade, and as tasty as anything you can make from a stuffing mix.

Jane Wangersky is an ESL teacher and the author of Thanksgiving for Beginners. To get her free eBooklet, 50 Questions and Answers About Thanksgiving, visit her site, Thanksgiving Tips for ESL Learners.
By Jane Wangersky
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Try These Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes This Year

The menu is usually the same. Turkey, sometimes ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls or bread, pumpkin pie and apple pie, and a variety of other trimmings adorn the holiday table....

Try These Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes This Year

Thanksgiving is a time of food. It's a celebration of the Pilgrim's early successes in America, won through hard work to tame the land in what was for them a new world. The menu is usually the same. Turkey, sometimes ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls or bread, pumpkin pie and apple pie, and a variety of other trimmings adorn the holiday table. Families gather not only to celebrate the historic event, but just to catch up with everyone's lives. The food may be similar, but Thanksgiving dinner recipes have as much variety as the colors of the leaves on the November trees.

How about this recipe for a delicious appetizer? Move the pumpkin from dessert to the start of the meal as a savory Pumpkin soup. Heat a tablespoon each of oil and butter over medium heat. Add three sliced leeks (only the white) and saute until the leeks are soft. Add 15 ounces of pumpkin puree, a pinch of cloves, one tablespoon of ground cinnamon, one teaspoon of ground ginger, and a pinch of salt. Stir that until well mixed, then pour in 32 ounces of vegetable broth. Stir in one quarter cup of brown sugar. Bring it to a low boil then let it simmer for 10 minutes. If desired pour a tsp or so of cream or half and half into the bowl before adding soup and a dash of cinnamon. That sounds good.

For the main course try frying the turkey instead of broiling it. Don't worry, fried turkey isn't greasy. The oil is so hot it sears the skin, thus the oil can't penetrate it. For this task a big oil pot and propane burner are used. Turkey fryers can be found in stores like Walmart. A meat thermometer is also needed, along with a deep fry thermometer to check the oil for the correct temperature. Make sure to fry outside in a clear area. Heat the oil to between 325 degrees and 350 degrees F. The turkey takes about three minutes per pound to fry to about 170 degrees F in the breast. It's common to inject spices into the turkey during frying, but the dressing is usually not fried along with the turkey.

For some other soup ideas try curried pumpkin apple soup, butternut squash soup, or pumpkin and sausage soup. But there are other good appetizers for the meal. Try something different like cheese wrapped asparagus. Use two cheeses, one spread and one sliced. One idea is swiss cheese slices with a softer blue cheese spread. Spread the soft cheese on the slices, wrap it around a few asparagus spears, then cook in a 230 degree C oven for about 15 minutes, or until the asparagus is soft. Sure wrapping cheese around asparagus turns a pretty healthy food into something a little more fattening. But Thanksgiving isn't a time for a diet. Live a little!

Many more delicious Thanksgiving dinner recipes are available on the Internet.

Want to learn more about Meal Planning? Visit http://mealplanningguide.com for meal planning ideas, meal plans and recipes.
By Jude C Wright
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Choosing a BBQ That's Best For YOU

Choosing a BBQ--Charcoal BBQ,Gas BBQ,Smoker BBQ,maller charcoal BBQs could be bought quite inexpensively....Personally, I like a big BBQ since it gives me more options. Also - I like charcoal...

Choosing a BBQ That's Best For YOU

BBQ's...Gone are the days when you only had a couple of options when it came to choosing your first BBQ. Nowadays, you could very easily be overwhelmed by the huge variety and selection of BBQ grills available. You will find a number of varieties...and a number of options within each variety.
So... what's out there, and what are the pros and cons?

Charcoal BBQ

* Charcoal BBQs are the most popular of all grills.

* They come in all sizes and shapes and are small enough for people who live in apartments or smaller homes.

* You will need to get the charcoal burning, so some kind of lighter fluid, fire lighters or some other means of getting the fire going will be required.

* You will get your hands a bit messy handling the charcoal.

* Wood is often used as a starter - especially if more time is available - as it ultimately turns to charcoal anyway.

* Note: make sure you buy charcoal... not coal used in Winter fireplaces.

* It's fun building a fire from scratch, lighting it, and watching your creation go up in flames... eagerly waiting in anticipation for the right time to start cooking.

Gas BBQ

* Gas BBQs often use propane gas to cook the food.

* Gas has the advantage of cooking meats in a shorter period of time while still retaining some of that grilled flavour.

* No handling charcoal. Gas is cleaner burning and quick starting. You could be cooking within 10 minutes of lighting.

* Gas BBQs are generally more expensive to buy.

* The heat is controllable.

* Look for a gas bbq where the gas elements are not prone to rusting.

Smoker BBQ

* Smoker BBQs are slow cooking... slowly smoking the meat, giving it a greater smoked flavour.

* Wood chips are often use. Different woods give different flavours.

* Some charcoal BBQs can be used as 'smokers'.

Space

* Consider your available space - both for when cooking, and storing. Sometimes this will be the same space.

Budget

* Depending on the make and the available features, BBQs could be really cheap or extremely expensive. Smaller charcoal BBQs could be bought quite inexpensively.

* Note: Stay away from disposable BBQ's though... I don't like them for tons of reasons. Top two? Bad for environment. Not good for cooking! You can get cheap 'mobile' BBQ's quite easily anyway.
Needs (or wants)

* Personally, I like a big BBQ since it gives me more options. Also - I like charcoal. But, that's personal preference... I just like to build a proper fire with wood or charcoal, light it... and do the 'MAN' thing. Otherwise, gas is great too!! Just make sure you've got gas in reserves so you don't run out.

* You can find out more BBQ info on The Blazing BBQ.

Shaun Lawton LOVES to BBQ. He is from South Africa and thus generally refers to a BBQ as a Braai! For more BBQ, Barbeque, Barbecue, Braai, outdoor cooking information, please visit The Blazing BBQ Website at http://www.theblazingbbq.com The site offers thoughts, tips, how to's, recipes and other exciting BBQ related bits and pieces.
By Shaun Lawton
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Gas Barbecues; A Party Starters Guide

there are 3 main types of barbecue, this is based on fuel type and they are charcoal, gas and wood. Each gives a full set of advantages and disadvantages which need to be considered for cooking events....

Gas Barbecues; A Party Starters Guide

This article outlines some basic safety and cooking tips for ensuring your summer barbecues party goes with a swing. You will find details on fuel types, manufactures and preparation techniques.

Barbecues are a great summer hit and although the summer isn’t quite on us, this is the perfect time to prepare. Buying all your equipment just out of season will not only save you money, but make sure you are prepared when we get the sudden spell of sunshine or day without the traditional British summer rain. Barbecues are a traditional way of cooking food in many countries and each has it’s own spin on exactly what to cook and how, even the name is argued over. It is seen as barbecues, barbeque, BBQ, bar-b-que and barbie.

Whatever you want to call it there are 3 main types of barbecue, this is based on fuel type and they are charcoal, gas and wood. Each gives a full set of advantages and disadvantages which need to be considered for cooking events.

Gas Barbecues

The main fuel type on the market today is gas barbecues. Gas barbecues have the massive advantage of being fantastically convenient. They are easy to set up (just attach the gas bottle) and cook things at a consistent temperature and rate. This enables following recipes easier and preparing food for a specific time, especially after practice with your grill. Gas grills are also very easy to light and many come with inbuilt ignition spark switches. Other advantages of gas grills include the lack of pollutants that affects both the taste of the meat as well as the air around the barbecue, creating a cleaner and more relaxed atmosphere. A large criticism levelled at gas barbecues is that they lack the ‘authentic’ smoke flavour of wooden or charcoal barbecues; this however can be remedied by adding a small, perforated metal box (called a smoker box). This can contain some wooden chips that slowly burn to offer the same unique taste as a wood barbecue. Many of the highest range of barbecues have this feature built in and they may even feature a special burner dedicated to the job.

Gas barbecues cook food at a steady rate but produce a “wet” heat, meaning that water is one of the by products of combustion. Some people believe that this affects the flavour of the food and negates the point of the bbq experience. On the plus side this wet heat does make some foods retain water and prevents them drying out. Because gas is easy and predictable it is ideal for larger parties as you can just add food cook it, and serve.

Charcoal Barbecue

Charcoal barbecues are a little more traditional than their gas counterparts. They are harder to light and usually involve a bag of process charcoal briquettes or a large lump of natural charcoal. Lighting techniques can involve aid such as a chimney starter or soaking the briquettes in a denatured alcohol (or other non petroleum based fuel) to prevent unwanted chemical flavouring of the meat. You may also choose to use an electric iron to heat the coals. Once ready you may choose to add some water soaked wood chips for flavour. Cooking on charcoal is much handier than gas for portable cooking but not as easy as it takes longer and lighting problems can occur for beginners. Charcoal barbecues are regarded as the most traditional (especially in England) by many and are the only thing that counts as a “real BBQ”. While time consuming they can often give spectacular results although I would not recommend them for large parties.

Wood Barbecues

Wood fuel barbecues are not as readily available to buy as their charcoal and gas counterparts. Although you can easily choose a nice wood for a specific flavour they can leave a tar type residue on your food. They can also offer lighting difficulty but no serious challenge for an experienced barbecue user. Woods recommended to use are mesquite, hickory, maple, pecan, apple, and oak. Woods to avoid include conifers. Wood types have completely different burn constancies and heat levels, it is best to experiment first or combine your chosen wood with charcoal to optimise your effect.

Brands

Outback BBQ: Outback gas barbecues/grill products have been on sale in the UK since 1997. They have reached world wide fame as a quality product and although not established as long as some companies, they have a firm grasp on the market and a very strong reputation for reliable and attractive gas barbecues. They have a very large product range and some fantastic accessories such as condiments trays, thermometers and smoker boxes. Outback also have a dedicated UK office meaning the products available are deigned specifically with the UK market in mind. Many online retailers stock the Outback range but only www.flaminbarbecues.co.uk stock the UK exclusive range, a specially designed, specially priced stainless steel bbq and trolley set.

BillyOh: BillyOh are a UK based retail brand that stock a wide variety of garden living accessories from benches to barbecues to sheds. There barbecues include both gas and charcoal and have a wide price range. While not as well established as Outback they are extremely high quality and are rapidly raising through the ranks of garden accessory retailers. The great thing about BillyOh is that it offers such a wide range of products you can build you entire garden party, from tables and chairs to patio heaters from its range. They are an excellent choice for the new home owner or first time who needs the full kit to begin their barbecue party adventures.

Lifestyle: Lifestyle are large brand that focuses on outdoor heating and eating products. They are well established and often offer a more elegant choice of product than their counterparts. While sometimes slightly more expensive if their products are the things your looking for you can guarantee they will be good quality and reliable.

Tips & Advice

While fun and simple on the surface, barbecuing can be a tricky business, your often cooking for a group of friends and family and giving them food poisoning because of inexperience is the last thing you want.

One of the most important factors in hosting barbecues is remaining in control of the situation. This means paying attention to the fire at all times and never distract yourself performing too many other tasks or drinking heavily. Alcohol seriously impairs judgment and the effects could be anything from food poisoning, a ruined meal or death. Please remember to stay sober and stay safe when hosting a barbecue; you can always have a drink later once the food is done.

A great way to ensure the cleanliness of your barbecue is too give it a good ten minute ‘burn off’ before use. After, simply wipe it down with vegetable oil to ensure that your food doesn’t stick to the grill. If you notice a yellow tipped creeping flame, usually with a smoke trial you may have a blockage. This more commonly occurs on gas barbecues and is usually caused by dust, cobwebs or grease blocking a jet. Cleaning the barbecue will rectify this just make sure it’s cooled down enough first.

A great accessory for cooking side dishes such as beans or dipping sauces are the foil trays you often receive from Chinese takeaways. These can be purchased from most supermarkets and keep the food warm as well as being disposable after wards.

Light Citronella candles around your garden to keep away unwanted insects, not only are they effective they are also relatively cheap these days. Lavender is also a good alternative. If you have fussy neighbours you may want to mask the smell of cooking by tying some rosemary, sage or mint to the outside of your bbq, as they warm up they will give off lovely aroma.

I hope that this article gives you a good idea on what is on the market and what you may want from a barbecue, and I hope your next barbecue party, whether it be your first or fifty first, goes down with a storm.

Author: Peter Farmer
Article Source: www.article99.com

Camping Recipe

Camping provides a great escape from the weekday routine...Camping recipes are great way to have delicious**Family Camping**Dutch Oven Camping Recipes**Campfire Cooking...

Camping Recipe

Camping provides a great escape from the weekday routine and you can enhance your camping experience with innovative camping recipes for the whole family. A camping recipe can be as easy or as complicated as you want and there's no reason to fear camp cooking. Just plan ahead with your camp recipe and you'll enjoy your outdoor adventure.

Camping provides a great escape from the weekday routine. You can enhance your camping experience with innovative camping recipe. A camping recipe can be as easy or as complicated as you want and with a little planning there's certainly no reason to fear camping cooking.

Start your day off with a hearty breakfast that's easy to make. A breakfast that’s satisfying and easy to make is pancakes. You can speed things up while camping by using a pancake mix, however, if you like to make your own pancakes from scratch then pre-measure your dry ingredients, for example flour, baking powder, sugar and salt, and seal the ingredients into a ziplock bag. At your campsite you can easily add your wet ingredients and have a hearty pancake breakfast on the table in no time. An easy camping recipe for breakfast will allow you to enjoy a satisfying meal that will fuel you for your day outdoors while being easy and quick to prepare so that you don't miss out on fun time.

Camping recipes are great way to have delicious and nutritious meals while camping. Many camping and outdoors websites have camping recipe ideas and also have areas where you can share your favorite camping recipe with other campers.

Family Camping

If you’re camping with your friends or family, make sure that you get everyone to participate in the preparation of meals. Camping recipes don't have to be restricted to meat-filled classics, and there are many vegetarian camping recipes for kids and the whole family to make and enjoy. Fun camp cooking recipes are an especially great activity for family camp outs. On a family camping trip, fun camp cooking recipes can be tried at the end of a day while you are enjoying the campfire. Camping dessert recipes are also fun and easy for kids to make, and the whole family enjoys eating them. Have a favorite family camping recipe that the kids love to cook. Blend your family's favorite tastes into camping meals they will savor.

Dutch Oven Camping Recipes

Cooking on camping trips can be the most enjoyable part of the experience, especially if you are not too keen on spending the entire day hiking or playing cards.

Dutch oven campfire cooking is one of the best ways to make meals on camping trips. A large and deep Dutch oven will have room for many serving sizes so that you can feed an entire family. Dutch oven camping recipes are great for breakfast – not just dinner – since all ingredients can be cooked in the Dutch oven. Easy Dutch oven camping recipes for delicious meals around the campfire are available at many websites. Shallow Dutch ovens can also be used to cook breakfasts on a smaller scale. And don’t forget that you can bake fresh bread in your Dutch over although a handing camping tip is to take along pita bread instead of regular bread, as it will hold up longer.

Campfire Cooking

All you need is a campfire, and you will have a hot meal in minutes. Everyone seems to work up a huge appetite while camping, so you’ll want to be able to easily whip up some quick and tasty camping dinner recipes to satisfy everyone's hunger. Campfire dinner recipes can be as simple as old favorites like macaroni and cheese or more exotic pasta dishes. Any grill recipe will usually work well over the campfire and the kids will enjoy cooking their own hot dogs over the campfire.

Everyone can partake in campfire favorites such as smores, or try a new campfire dessert recipe that is both simple and fun to prepare.

Do you have a favorite camping recipe? Share your favorite camping recipe with your fellow campers. Camping websites can quickly give you a choice of easy camping recipes for breakfast lunch and dinner to browse and add to your camp cooking menu or just give you ideas for your own.

Author: Alison Stevens
Article Source: www.article99.com

Using Your Slow Cooker Effectively

I love my slow cooker. While the kids are eating breakfast, and I’m enjoying my morning coffee, handing my husband his lunch and kissing him goodbye,Temperature and Time,Tougher, less tender, cuts of meat work..Fresh, raw vegetables, such as potatoes and carrots tend to take longer to cook than meats, Breads and Cakes..Dairy Products***

Using Your Slow Cooker Effectively

Moms, take advantage of your slow cooker with these useful tips on how to make the most of this practical and convenient invention.

I tend to have the most energy in the morning, and my ability to do five things at once during these early hours, is why I love my slow cooker. While the kids are eating breakfast, and I’m enjoying my morning coffee, handing my husband his lunch and kissing him goodbye, I add a few ingredients to the slow cooker and walk away feeling confident that there will be a healthy dinner on the table at five o’clock.

However, as convenient and simple as slow cookers are, there are a few tips that will help you avoid the morning rush. If you are more of a night owl, most ingredients can be prepared the night before and put in the fridge till morning. Pasta and rice are the exception to this rule. Be sure to read your slow cooker recipes carefully and note when these ingredients are meant to be added.

Temperature and Time

Most slow cookers only use two settings, High and Low. I tend to cook all of my meals on low, since it is practically impossible to overcook foods at this temperature. One tips when cooking on low is to refrain from taking the lid off to often, since it causes the recipe to not only lose moisture, but also heat (creating a longer cooking time).
Most slow cooker recipes will give you an approximate cooking time. It is important to remember that approximate is just that, and cooking times aren’t set in stone. Depending on your slow cookers size and temperature settings cooking times will vary.

Meats

Tougher, less tender, cuts of meat work really well in a slow cooker, since longer cooking time and increased moisture works to break down the meat. The other benefit of cooking meat over a long duration is that there is less shrinkage. Most meat should be defrosted before adding to the slow cooker, although there are exceptions, roasts can be added frozen but will need longer cooking times. As well, when you are cooking with ground beef, it is best to brown the meet before adding it to the slow cooker.

Vegetables

Fresh, raw vegetables, such as potatoes and carrots tend to take longer to cook than meats, so they should be thinly sliced or cut into smaller pieces and placed at the bottom of the slow cooker. Canned or frozen vegetables don’t take as long and can be added on top of the meats you are cooking.

Breads and Cakes

I was surprised to that slow cookers can successfully bake breads and cakes. However, the appearance does tend to be somewhat different then using a conventional oven. Because some moisture is held onto in a slow cooker, cakes and breads tend to have large air holes and a coarser consistency. You can also use your slow cooker to warm dinner roles, but be sure to wrap them in foil wrap.

Dairy Products

Dairy products tend not to tolerate high temperatures for very long. When possible, add any dairy products during the last hour of cooking. Hard cheese is especially temperamental to long periods of heat, so use processed cheese when feasible.

Have fun with your slow cooker. There are literally thousands of creative and delicious slow cooker recipes available. You can serve a nutritious and mouth-watering home cooked meal every night with little preparation and plenty of extra time to spend on your other responsibilities. What an amazing and handy invention!

Author: Chantel Seabrook
Article Source: www.article99.com

The Dangers of Butter Flavoring

The Dangers of Butter Flavoring

The chemical in butter flavoring, diacetyl, emits toxic fumes that can cause a respiratory disease in both consumers of popcorn and workers in the flavoring industry.

Recent news has reported cases of respiratory disease in workers that have been linked to the chemicals in butter flavoring for popcorn, but research shows knowledge of this linkage isn't "new."

Harmful for the workers

A May 7th article in the Washington Post reports that 44-year-old Irma Ortiz was diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans, a very rare and life-threatening disease. Her job in the food-flavoring industry is what landed her in a whole group full of workers with this lung-obstructing disease.

While news of another victim has turned up in the media as of late, news of the linkage between the chemical used in the butter flavoring, diacetyl and this life-threatening lung disease has been around for almost 7 years. In 2001, academic studies have proved diacetyl's harmful effects, according to the Washington Post, and since then major popcorn companies have paid out over $100 million in lawsuits over this issue. However, there seems to be no known regulation for the use of diacetyl. Washington Post reported in May that the Occupational Safety and Health administration is still deciding on standards for workers who handle this chemical.

In the meantime, affected workers and their families have not been quiet. There have been movements set up to fight against what they label as "popcorn worker's lung." In fact a Web site called ButterFlavoringLungInjury.com claims that the problem has been going on since 1992.

Harmful for the consumers

Recent research conducted by Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center claims that the fumes from microwaving a bag of popcorn at home can be just as harmful as working in the facilities with the fumes. They warn against going near the bag when it is still steaming, as the vapor form of the diacetyl is what's harmful. Diacetyl is used as a flavoring agent and produces the butter-flavored smell of popcorn, and breathing in these fumes (and smelling probably includes breathing through your nose) is what can cause this life-threatening lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans.

But, a recent article in the Boston Globe claims that due to the recent uproar, these major popcorn companies like Orville Redenbacher, Pop Secret, Jolly Time, and Act II have decided to halt the use of diacetyl in their products. They are looking for alternatives to butter flavoring but suggest that consumers try regular popcorn or other flavors without butter.

Author: Hillary Marshak
Article Source: www.article99.com

Christmas Dinner Made Memorable

Christmas meals and decorate the dining room with festive frivolity., Christmas cookies are an absolute must. Plum pudding is a Victorian Christmas tradition, and peanut butter fudge, chocolate fudge, fruit pies, fruitcake...

Christmas Dinner Made Memorable

Eating is an important part of our Christmas holiday traditions. If you're planning a festive feast, what menu items are must-haves on your holiday table? Read on to make sure you have all the tasty food basics covered.

Christmas dinner. Is any other meal of the entire year, save the requisite Thanksgiving feast, more anticipated? In industrialized nations, food has evolved from being simple sustenance. It's now a celebration; eating is an important part of our social fabric. Gathering around a bountiful table with friends and family is part of what makes the holiday season so special.

No wonder we dutifully plan our Christmas meals and decorate the dining room with festive frivolity. We hang mistletoe in the doorway and slowly but surely migrate to the kitchen well before the cook is ready for our presence. The smell of warm Christmas cookies and glazed ham is difficult to resist! So, if you're planning the perfect Yuletide feast, what items are menu must-haves?

Start with a honey glazed ham. While turkey and roast beef are popular options as well, leave the turkey to Thanksgiving and the roast beef to Arby's. Ham is the Christmas entree of choice.
When it comes to side dishes, the choices are overwhelming, but a feast shouldn't be any other way. Scalloped potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes and baked sweet potatoes are all succulent options. Green beans are a necessity, as are homemade yeast rolls, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce.

For lunch, consider keeping a pot of chili on the stove that your family and visitors can eat throughout the day. This will keep them both warm and out of your other dishes as you put the finishing touches on your ham!

For dessert, Christmas cookies are an absolute must. Plum pudding is a Victorian Christmas tradition, and peanut butter fudge, chocolate fudge, fruit pies, fruitcake and persimmon pudding are staples in various parts of the U.S. as well.

Of course, don't forget the eggnog, peppermint flavored hot chocolate and hot apple cider, because no all-day Christmas celebration is complete without them!
If you're the cook in the household, don't forget to take time to enjoy the day yourself. To avoid missing all the fun, make some dishes the day before to ease your burden on Christmas. All the desserts can be made ahead of time (don't forget: the cookies must be made early ... what will Santa snack on when he drops in to deliver gifts in the middle of the night if there are no cookies and milk out for him?).

Many of the vegetables can be made ahead as well. In a press release from Purdue University, chef instructor Carl A. Behnke recommends blanching fresh vegetables the day before the meal. Then, on Christmas day, he advises to saute them or microwave them immediately before the meal.

If you don't have a stash of Yuletide recipes handy there are many great resources on the Web. Simply visit Google and type in "Christmas recipes" and you'll have more than you need at your fingertips!

Author: Jeremy White
Article Source: www.article99.com

Delicious Chicken Spaghetti Recipes

Methods of chicken spaghetti recipe**Boil chicken with onion, celery, butter, salt, and pepper until chicken is done.,Take chicken out of broth and remove from bone, ....

Delicious Chicken Spaghetti Recipes

Looking for delicious chicken spaghetti recipes? There you have it!
I love these recipes. I used chicken breast. I also like to make it with angel hair spaghetti. It is absolutely yummy and very easy to make. I like to sprinkle crushed pepper on top. My family loves this, even my oh-so-picky 5 years old! I use the cream of chicken with herbs soup, we like the extra kick.


Ingredients of chicken spaghetti recipe #1:

1 chicken
1 cup onion, chopped
2-3 stalks celery, chopped
1 cup bell peppers, chopped
½ cup butter
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can mushroom soup
1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
16 ounce spaghetti
2 cups Velveeta cheese or parmesan cheese, for topping

Methods of chicken spaghetti recipe #1:

1. Boil chicken with onion, celery, butter, salt, and pepper until chicken is done.

2. Take chicken out of broth and remove from bone, while spaghetti is cooking in broth until done.

3. Put debunked chicken back in with spaghetti and broth.

4. Add cans of cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup.

5. Add the tomato sauce.

6. Add Velveeta cheese to taste.

7. Serve hot

Notes:

You don't have use celery if you don't like it. No problem!
Maybe you want one more chicken spaghetti recipe.

Ingredients of chicken spaghetti recipe #2 (Makes 4 servings):

1/4 Cup soy sauce
2 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoon sesame oil
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1 Garlic clove -- minced
1 Teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1/4 Teaspoon black pepper
1/4 Teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 Skinless, Boneless chicken breast halves
1 Green Pepper cut into strips
1 Cup shredded red cabbage
2 Celery ribs, sliced -- optional
1/4 Cup sliced green onions
1 Package vermicelli or angel hair pasta -- 8Oz

Directions of chicken spaghetti recipe #2:

1. Combine soy sauce, water, brown sugar, sesame oil, vinegar, cornstarch, garlic, ginger and both peppers. Place in a dish.

2. Cut chicken into 1/2-inch strips; add to marinade. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Toward end of marinating time, bring salted water to boiling for cooking pasta.

3. Remove dish from refrigerator. Sautee until chicken is tender and sauce is thickened. Stir in bell pepper, cabbage, celery and green onions. Cook until vegetables are crisp tender. Add pasta to boiling water and follow package directions. Drain. Spoon chicken mixture over top.

Author: Deedee Purneim
Article Source: www.article99.com