Sunday, May 30, 2010

A Few Tips To Make A Fiery Mexican Hot Sauce

By Winky Pepperbottom

For hundreds of years, a staple at the dinner table has been hot sauce. Just about anyone can enjoy the sauces as the condiment is made from any pepper on the planet. Discovering your favorite hot sauce can be a very tasty journey as no two peppers make the same tasting sauce. Once a favorite is found, however, it can be cheaply and easily made so you can keep your addiction an inexpensive one.

The most crucial factor of creating hot sauce is the peppers that are used. Every type of hot pepper will create a different result. For those who like more mild sauces, Jalapenos and Poblanos can be used. More risky eaters will love the heat that Habanero and Serrano's provide.

The rest of the ingredients can be gathered after the peppers that will be used have been chosen. One to two and a half pounds of the chosen peppers will be needed, depending on how mild or hot you wish your sauce to be. You'll also need an onion, tomato sauce, and crushed red peppers. For taste, garlic and vinegar will be needed as well.

To begin, dice the onion into dime sized pieces. You'll be blending them in a bit, so they don't have to be minuscule. Mince an entire clove of garlic and set the two ingredients aside for now.

It is now time to mix the onions and garlic into the tomato sauce. Chop the peppers into smaller pieces and add them to mixture as well. Remember that the quantity of peppers is directly correlated to the hot sauce's intensity. It's also a good idea to wear rubber gloves while handling them to prevent getting any on your skin or in your eyes. Add the chopped peppers to your tomato sauce concoction.

In a large blender, blend the ingredients until there are no visible lumps. Put the mixture into a metal cooking pot and heat on the stove until its contents begin to boil. After pouring in the vinegar, remove the metal pot from the stove and stir it thoroughly.

The sauce will need to be stored in an airtight bottle or jar. You can purchase new jars from a department store or use rinsed out condiment bottles. You can enjoy and easily store your hot sauce after it has been bottled. Anything goes great with hot sauce. Everything from mashed potatoes to scrambled eggs can benefit from the right sauce.

Remember to keep your personal tolerance to heat in mind when choosing peppers to use for the sauce. You can find out which peppers are right for you and which are just too hot by doing your homework ahead of time. Before cooking, sample various kinds of peppers so you'll know how much heat you can stand. Don't go overboard with the Habanero's even if you enjoy their spicy taste. And lastly, to keep it from accidentally leaking out or getting dried out, keep your newly made sauce properly stored.

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Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Pecorino - A Unique Italian Cheese

By Janos Vulman

Pecorino is one of the best known Italian cheese. They made it from ewe's milk. Pecora means sheep in Italian language. Following our guide you will know much better of it than ever before.

World wide known Italian cheese is Pecorino. It comes from ewe's milk. This is the most favorite way to get a fine cheese.

There are four kind of Pecorinos. Generally place of origin and producing make the different between them.

Pecorino Romano: It comes from Island of Sardinia but Tuscan producers make it well. To tell the truth: quite well.

Pecorino Sardo: same organic and origin like the previous one

Pecorino Toscano: origin from Tuscan

Siciliano: from the magical Sicily

Most of them are hard and aged. Young one, Ricotta Pecorino is soft and white. Aged ones are very famous in cooking because of their sharper flavor.

Pecorino Sardo is the next one which is aged and has sharper flavor. It has ancient style and it contains minimum 40 percent of butterfat. Its color is pale with little fine holes and mild aroma. You can start to eat immediately. Rich in well known Omega-3 fatty acids so it is healthy that's why you have to try it for your eating habits.

Generally the more mature this Italian cheese are harder but crumbly in texture and it has nutty flavor. Especially in South Italy farmers give additional ingredients to Pecorino like red chili flakes, black peppercorns, walnut or even rucola.

This marvelous cheese is very good for finishing a meal, like pasta and can be paired with pears or walnuts.

Mostly these cheeses - while their color is from light yellow to purple - a bit salty that's why can be sprinkle a tablespoon of olive oil.

Pair with red wines, whole grain bread. Pastas for it:Pesto Sauce and Linguini. Dolcetto is a unique choice.Italian Pasta in herb sauce. Wine pairing with La Spinetta Barbera d'Asti Ca Di Pian from 2005. Enjoy!

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The Gourmet Cookie Gift Basket-5 Persuasive Reasons To Give One

By Keven McDonald

Gourmet cookie gift baskets are extremely popular. The number of cookie baskets that are given as gifts increases every year and there is no sign that these numbers will slow down in the foreseeable future. There are many reasons why gourmet cookies are the first choice for holiday, birthday, wedding, anniversary, graduation and sympathy gifts. However, there are five major considerations discussed in this article that consistently motivate people to send custom-baked cookies on special occasions.

1. Unique. A gift of delicious gourmet cookies stands out from the ordinary. If you want to make an uncommon statement to a friend, a colleague or loved one a gourmet cookie basket shows that some thought and feeling went into the selection. You will also avoid the embarrassment of choosing a gift that several other people will give to the same person.

2. Affordable. Don't be fooled by the word "gourmet". Gourmet cookie baskets are budget friendly. The truth is, they are most always significantly lower priced than the standard gift items seen at the local retailer. Basket prices vary but primarily are dependent on:

*The quantity and assortment of cookies in the basket.

*The total number of baskets in the order. If your order consists of a large number of baskets you can expect a discount in price.

*Custom orders. These are where you want the cookie shop to create a special theme for your basket. Most shops have a large number of holiday and occasion theme baskets ready to go. But when you want a unique motif, a company logo for example, the shop will have to do some extra work. Naturally, you'll pay a little extra for this and these are generally only available for large orders.

*Shipping and sales tax (if applicable).

The lesson here is that there's a cookie gift that fits your finances.

3. Flexible. Cookie gift baskets can be found in an unlimited range of designs, themes and sizes so you're very likely to come across one that's just right. The more popular baskets include favorites like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, macadamia, shortbread and many others. Some baskets even embellish the cookies with candy, brownies or other mouth-watering delights. But be aware; many shops currently carry diabetic and sugar-free cookies for anyone with special health demands. Such versatility is specifically why cookie gifts continue to climb in popularity.

4. Convenient. Due to the internet it's easy to shop for gourmet cookies from the comfort of your own home or place of work. You can leisurely tour an online cookie merchant day or night when the mood strikes you. You don't have to rush all across town cursing traffic and dealing with the herd at the stores. Moreover, the online stores will have a greater variety of baskets than your hometown cookie shop which improves your prospects of finding just the right gift.

5. Packaged and Delivered. Internet cookie shops handle all of the packing and shipping details. You don't have to waste time looking for the right packing box or stand in slow lines at the post office. Usually there are a few shipping options to choose from so your gift arrives on time. Bear in mind that gourmet cookies are newly baked so you should keep shipping time to a minimum to ensure freshness upon arrival. It doesn't matter whether you wish to send the cookie basket across town or across the country, the online shop will do it all for you.

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Friday, May 28, 2010

Secret Of Valrhona Chocolate

By Janos Vulman

In 1922 a French pastry chef, Monsieur Guironnet found a company in the small town of Tain L'Hermitage. From this time we have known Valrhona chocolate. Follow us to get knowledge from this excellent confectionery. Let's see how can be so successful this chocolate in the world.

If you have ever tried Valrhona you know what we are talking about. One of my best friend told me one time. I bought an average chocolate in a city shop after I ate a Valrhona. It was like a durable bread. That's the different! With understanding that good chocolate is the beans, cocoa buyers for Valrhona travel the world sourcing plantations in the same sense winemakers source the best vineyards. Valrhona produces vintage chocolate made from beans of a single year's harvest from a specific plantation, primarily the Grand Crus which is grown in South America, the Caribbean and the Oceania.

While Bean Criollo come from Venezuela, Island of Trinidad (North-east corner of South America) produce Trinitario bean. Considered Valrhona is one of the foremost chocolate makers in the world. They focuses mainly on high-grade luxury chocolate marketed for professional as well as for private consumption.

Valrhona chocolate has long been recognized as a rich and flavorful French confectionery. In the plant they make it with beautiful packaging and lasting flavor make this a marvelous treat. (Gran Couva, Ampamakia - Madagascar, Palmira)

You made a mistake, or you just love your partner or your family: surprise them with a perfect Valrhona.

Its ingredients: Minimum 40% cocoa (in the milk chocolate) sugar, cocoa butter, natural vanilla extract and soy lecithin emulsifier. They offer even 100% cocoa powder as well.

Very much a rounded, balanced chocolate with excellent stability of aroma. The aroma is beautifully intoxicating. Many restaurants in the world use for their chocolate based "poems" Valrhona. Some of them has Michelin grade.

A certain long-lingering acidity unfolds to reveal fruity aromas while sensations of fresh plants mix with chocolaty flavors to produce a refined subtlety.

I would suggest for wine pairing this chocolate:

Brassfield Round Mountain Zinfandel from 2005. It contains black cherry, blackberry and vanilla flavors.

With vanilla fruit Chateau Ladouys St. Estephe Cabernet Sauvignon from 2005.

Its fruity feeling brings out cocoa long lasting tastes: A. Mano Puglia Primitivo from 2006.

Enjoy!

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Thursday, May 27, 2010

Olive Oil Health Benefits You Never Heard About

By Bob Italiano

Olive oil has been used for a number of things for many centuries, primarily being used and produced in the Mediterranean. However, as time goes by, more people are starting to see the many health benefits that the oil manages to provide, turning it into a booming industry. Although the oil is mostly made in parts of the Mediterranean, it is also created in parts of Southern Europe, North Africa and the Near East.

Many people use the oil for things such as cooking, soaps, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fuel and oil for lamps. However, some are also seeing the benefits gained when using it externally such as with the skin and hair. Overall, many tend to embrace to health benefits gained due to high contents of monounsaturated fatty acids and its ability to work against heart disease.

This oil is also great when it comes to the digestive system, since it is often known to digest easily versus other oils that it may be used for cooking. It also promotes healthy bile secretions, which can help to fight against digestive tract problems such as gallstone formations or likewise.

It's also possible to consume this oil directly, making it a staple ingredient within the kitchens of many. This is because the oil is freshly-produced from the fruit when pressed, and it is often used for various dipping methods and even on pasta to keep it from sticking.

Some researchers claim that the oil is great when it comes to the prevention of colon cancer. Several studies have shown that subjects who were on a regular diet of olive-based oils proved to have fewer signs of colon cancer versus that of other oils, and it can even compare in regards to health benefits to that of fish oil.

There are several different types, or grades, of olive oil that are available: extra virgin, virgin, pure, and extra light. These grades are based on the ways that the oil is processed, as well as the amount of filtering and pressing of the olives during production. The processing of the oil may vary on the type of flavor that the oil might have, as well as its overall health benefits.

Out of these grades of oil, extra virgin and virgin oil are often the least processed of the four grades. Extra virgin oil is generally the one that many claim to be the best due to the little processing involved, with very little being compromised since it's often only pressed or crushed once. Virgin oil is generally produced from a second pressing or crushing of the olives.

With pure and extra light oils, there is generally some processing or refining involved, as well as several pressings, compromising some of the oil and the overall flavor. Pure oil generally goes through a mild processing through the use of filtering or refining, while extra light goes through a significant amount of processing and can sometimes be cut with different kinds of vegetable-base oils. With that said, if you're looking for the most beneficial form of oil, then many suggest trying extra virgin olive oil.

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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Where Did Pizza First Begin?

By Danny Green

One of the favorite foods in this country is that of pizza. Many people enjoy this food but far fewer are familiar with what the origins of pizza really are. Here we will look into this a bit further.

The Italians were not the first to invent the pizza. When we look back in time we find that the people that lived in middle east areas of the world were the ones that were really responsible for the beginnings of the pizza. In particular we can find that the Greek people were among the first to eat a version of flat breads that incorporated the use of oils, spices and cheese to enhance them.

In Italy pizza took on the more familiar appearance that we know. It was created by a baker during the late 1800's. The story goes that a pizza was made in order to impress some royalty that was coming into town. It was designed in a way that would represent the colors of Italy with the sauce, cheese and spices symbolizing the 3 colors of the country. The success that this was lead to it being copied by others so they too could have it.

When the 1900's hit the pizza had found its way to America. This was due to the Italian immigrants that came to the country and decided to take up permanent residence in cities like New York and Chicago. People found that they could locate pizza in areas that had a high number of Italian residents in it. Over time small establishments took it upon themselves to add this fare to their menus so even more people came to enjoy it. American soldiers also helped increase the popularity of this food as they had often seen it while they were serving on the Italian fronts during the war.

Americans love this as much as the national pastime. They all seem to forget about how these things all come to be in existence. They think of only the things they are sure of and never think to dig further into the history to find out the actual origins of things. Those that have made millions of dollars over the years should be giving thanks to those that are responsible for originating the pizza.

A huge amount of things can be found on the internet about the origins of pizza and many other treats we all enjoy feasting upon. Spending some time looking into them can provide you with some very interesting reading material.

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Monday, May 24, 2010

Gourmet Food Baskets Are Thoughtful Alternative Gifts

By Robert Stephens

Gift giving is making a comeback, with more thought going into personalized gifts. The gift of food in beautiful gourmet food baskets is one way to show that though and care went into the selection of the gift.

A gourmet food basket can also be a quick solution to a forgotten birthday or other important anniversary, as many florists or caterers supply a service to pack a gourmet basket for you. Your basket can be as expensive or as cheap as your budget allows. Creativity and careful thought as to the contents are more important than the cost.

A couple of pointers for the perfect, delectable gourmet gift basket:

Choose your container carefully

Gourmet baskets do not have to be baskets, although a beautifully plaited bamboo or cane basket certainly adds to the charm. Simple boxes covered with interesting wrapping paper or cellophane, stacked and tied with ribbons, also make a lovely alternative.

A stacked gift of various sized covered boxes with different gourmet food products in each can be a lovely surprise packet of discovery.

Your choice of product to go into the basket will depend on the size of your container. Choose products of various sizes and different heights to create an appealing contrast.

Thematic choices

If you wished, you could choose to go with a theme: regional, based on the type of products used in the basket, the interests of the recipient, the occasion, even the colors used in the collection and decoration of the gift.

A French basket may contain a baguette, a bottle of delectable French wine coupled with cheeses like camembert, chevre or brie, some lovely meats like saucisson sec and a sweet like madelines and Dijon mustard. The options are endless.

For the enthusiastic cook, ingredients for their favorite recipes, spices, oils and vinegar would be a welcome gift! Coffee and chocolate make for lovely partners in a gourmet food basket.

Theme options are limited only by your creativity, and the person the gift is meant for!

Final touches

you could use double-sided mirror tape and shrink-wrap to keep your products in place.

Packaging your products in peanuts or other nuts could be fun! Using wood shavings is a cheaper alternative, but make sure that your foodstuffs are wrapped well, since fumigation or treatment of the wood may have taken place before sawing or shaving.

Finally, for a beautiful, thoughtful gift, add a pretty ribbon, raffia or scarf!

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If You Haven't Tried The Mojitos, You Absolutely Need To!

By Shea Suzer

Anyone who has been to South Florida knows that it is not hard to find quality dining anywhere you choose to visit in the area. Burritos are definitely a popular item, and one in particular. The mojito burrito is quite possibly the best thing that I have ever tasted. Everyone that I have talked to about it agrees. It's really incredible with its wide variety of tastes and textures. It is really something to look forward to and I sincerely suggest trying it on your next visit. I cannot wait to introduce more people to this incredible mojito burrito!

What starts it off is the variety of different meats that you are available to. Just to name some of them, you may choose steak, chicken, and pork. South Florida really knows how to do it with taste, as all of these are individually delicious. I myself often go with the chicken, and I can tell you if this is what you end up choosing, you will not regret it! It really is an essential main ingredient to start off the mojito burrito. However, I can promise you, it only gets better from here.

Another important main ingredient in the tasty mojito is your choice of rice. There is either brown or yellow, and both are so delicious that it is hard for one to decide. I once even had a burrito with both, and that was definitely a good choice. A friend of mine ordered yellow and was raving about it for literally days afterwards!

After these first two main ingredients comes the veggies. If you are a vegetarian, you will have skipped right over the meat, of course. This if fine because there are several choices for topping off the burrito. The first, and it is really a must have, is lettuce. It cools down the mojito (bringing to mind the drink), and provides the eater with an essential green. On top of this, it gives the mojito an unforgettable crunch that makes all the difference,

After the lettuce, there are several more types of veggies that you have the choice of. One of these is tomatoes. If you are a fan of tomatoes, then this is really the burrito for you. Even if you are not, you can opt to not include them, because there are many more choices after that!

Something that I often hear reported about the mojito is the amazing addition of one of South Florida's favorite sauces. This is the chipotle sauce, which I am also a rabid fan of. The chipotle sauce really brings all the ingredients together in a subtle and delicious manner, and the Healthy Burritos is perfected.

In my experience of South Florida Dining, I have tried what I believe to be some of the best. I really have not tasted one that I didn't like! Everyone who has tried one says the same thing; you have to try one yourself!

Often when traveling, it is hard to find a good local restaurant to dine in. Thankfully, this is not the case here in South Florida. Being a hot tourist location, this is definitely an advantage. My relatives are flying in from Chicago next week, and I cannot wait to introduce them to the beauty that is the mojito. I know they will enjoy it as much as myself and everyone else that has tried it.

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Sunday, May 23, 2010

BBQ Ranch Wrap Packs In The Flavor!

By Shea Suzer

It isn't every day that one tries a burrito as incredible as the bbq ranch burrito. Only in South Florida can one experience the true variety of taste and quality that the sunshine state has to offer. The one-of-a-kind locally grown ingredients are always first rate! How can anything compare to something as delicious as this burrito? It is hard to say. I challenge you to find a better tasting burrito than this one. Having just one bite of the BBQ ranch burrito will convince you that I am right. Just listen to anyone else who has tried it!

You are first presented with a choice of proteins. You can skip meat and go vegetarian if you would like, substituting with beans and guacamole. If you choose to go the meat route you can load up your burrito with chicken, steak, pork, or chicken breast. Chicken breast is a delicious and smart choice for someone watching their weight!

In addition to this essential main ingredient comes a tough choice of black or brown beans. The choice is difficult because of the tastiness of both. Either way, you will be satisfied. You also have the option of adding black bean hummus, which is a favorite of all fans of South Florida burritos.

An incredibly delicious addition to the BBQ ranch burrito is cheese. In South Florida, you will not have to look to far to find a variety of different cheeses. There is parmesan, cheddar, american, and swiss. The most widely talked about with the BBQ ranch burrito is the cheddar. It really agrees with the burrito with its sharp texture and taste.

Another really amazing addition to the BBQ ranch burrito is corn! This vegetable is only one of many that make this burrito one of the best burritos I've ever had. This locally grown corn is really some of the best I've ever had and everyone I've talked to strongly recommends it.

Other vegetables bring a lot to the table in the sense of flavor as well. South Florida's locally grown tomatoes and green onions are some of the best I've ever tried! A healthy choice like this really hits the spot and makes the BBQ ranch burrito that much better.

Given away in the name, the final essential ingredients to the BBQ ranch burrito is BBQ and ranch sauce. When you taste these two independently strong flavors mix with each other, you will finally know what I am talking about. This Pork Wraps will literally blow you away! It is hard to name a better combination.

I sometimes find myself asking, how does Wellington Cuisine do it? How can they continue to come up with such delicious burritos? It may remain a mystery, but my friends and I will never stop trying to figure it out!

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The Perfect Wedding Banquet Hall

By James Keyes

The perfect wedding needs the perfect venue and what better place than an elegant and exquisite banquet hall? If you are planning a wedding and have decided not to engage the services of a professional wedding planner, then you most certainly have a lot to think of and plan: you will have to choose caterers, florists, music, photographers and most importantly - the right venue.

If the bride and the groom come from small families and don't have thousands of friends, then a smaller venue should be just fine, but for large and lavish wedding, a grand banquet hall is the ideal place. Another great advantage of most banquet halls is that they often are located away from residential areas and are surrounded by big open space or have adjacent gardens, where the wedding ceremony can be held.

A banquet hall is perfect for wedding receptions as well since it is usually very spacious and the bridal table can be placed in a way that allows it to be seen from everywhere. When planning wedding reception, the first thing to consider, of course, is the number of the guests - once you have the final guest list and have found a few places that are large enough to accommodate the wedding, it is always advisable to visit the location. No matter how many pictures you might have seen, or how many friends have recommended it to you, only personal "inspection" will convince you that it is the right place for the event that you are planning.

If you feel that you have found a banquet hall that is spacious, reasonably priced and just perfect for the wedding, then it is time to work out all the details. Sitting all the guests and finding place for the cake, the gift table and the card table is something else that has to be taken care of. Then, it is time to think about the music - whether you have decided to hire a DJ or prefer live music, you have to make sure that there is enough space for all the necessary equipment and that there is a large enough dance floor for the guests.

Choosing the food isn't an easy task either - traditionally sit down dinners are served at weddings, but buffet spreads or receptions with only cocktails, coffee and cake are also common. Always take into account the vegetarians, the vegans and the people that eat certain food due to their religious beliefs; don't forget the kids either and make sure that there are enough sweets or other fun food for them.

Always reserve a banquet hall long in advance - the most popular venues are booked months and even years ahead and you don't want to sift through dozens of venues, just to find out that the perfect one is not available at the wedding date. Organizing wedding ceremony or reception, regardless if it is small or large, requires a lot of energy, determination and careful planning, but with some help from friends, family and professional planners you can turn a memorable wedding day into an unforgettable event.

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Saturday, May 22, 2010

Candy Gift Basket, An Alternative For Words

By Robert Stephens

Sorry is not enough to turn that frown upside down. It is not easy to explain oneself when one is lost for words. Action may speak louder than words however emotions are hard to show when one is not ready to forgive. Melt that heart of ice with a unique gift idea that can make your partner feel special. Say it with a candy gift basket to brighten up the day.

Kids and kids-at-heart have always loved candies and chocolates. Undoubtedly it is a comfort food for most of us. It turns our gloomy disposition into a bright sunny day without spending too much. These sweet treats can make anyone smile without exerting too much effort.

Candy gift baskets can be an inexpensive alternative to those expensive bouquet of roses or weekend getaways. This simple gift can make anyone feel extra special. One can surely find or make a perfect package for any occasion. It may require time to find the suitable material but undoubtedly it is readily available in the market.

Nowadays, one does not have an excuse in finding a suitable idea for this project. There are many online candy shops that showcase a wide array of suggestions depending on preference or occasion. Surely one can find a unique gift idea for that special someone.

According to statistics, chocolates tops this list. Scientifically studies show that certain components of chocolates can elevate that gloomy spirit. The aroma alone can trigger the release of happy hormones in our body.

This gift idea is simple to make. However if one is lost for an idea or they do not much time to spend searching for those items the internet would be the best resource. There many candy shops online that presents unique and inexpensive ideas that your love one would enjoy. It does not matter if would cost you a few dimes. What matters is the thought and sincerity that comes with the gift.

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Friday, May 21, 2010

Bread 101 And Beyond

By Sierra Summers

Bread can come in diverse flavors, types and dimensions. However, they are typically all the same. You have to know more about the different kinds to learn the many ways of making them. The more you recognize the features and characteristics of dough, the better the quality of your products. Discover more about bread and see how much more you can add to create your own special taste and design.

What is Bread?

Bread is a basic food prepared by cooking water and dough of flour and potentially other ingredients. Doughs are generally baked in the Western world and several other countries. In other cuisines, bread is fried, steamed or baked on a hot skillet. It can be unleavened or leavened too.

Salt, leavening agents and fat like baking soda and yeast are basic ingredients. Bread may also have other ingredients like egg, sugar, milk, spice, fruit like raisins, nuts like walnuts, vegetables like onion and seeds like poppy seeds. Bread is among the oldest prepared foods in the world, dating back hundreds of years. Leavened bread can also be traced back to prehistoric periods.

More About Bread

Fresh bread is acquired for its quality, aroma, taste and texture. It is important to maintain its freshness to keep the food appetizing. Bread that has dried or stiffened past its ideal state is known to be stale. Recent bread is usually wrapped in plastic or paper film. It may also be stored in a container like a breadbox to keep it from drying. Bread kept in moist and warm environments is prone to mold growth. Bread that is kept at low temperatures like being placed inside a refrigerator can grow molds slower compared to bread kept at room temperature. This will turn stale immediately because of retrogradation.

The crumb is described by culinary experts and bakers as the soft inside part of the bread. This should not be mistaken with small pieces of bread that usually fall off called crumbs. The outside hard part of the bread is known as the crust.

Serving Bread

Bread can be served regardless of temperature. As soon as it is baked, it can eventually be toasted. Bread is usually eaten using your hands or a knife and fork. It can be eaten independently or together with other food and sauces like gravy, olive oil and sardines. It is also best served as a sandwich with cheese, vegetables or meat contained in between.

About the Crust

The crust of the bread is created from exposed dough during the cooking procedure. It is browned and hardened from caramelization of the proteins and sugars using the intense heat at the surface of the bread. The nature of the bread crust is different, based on the kind of bread and the manner of baking. Commercial bread is baked using jets the steam towards the bread directly to make a nice crust. Some bread crusts are unpalatable, especially among children. Crusts always have a different color compared to the rest of the bread.

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Sunday, May 16, 2010

Learning About The Origins Of Pizza

By Bob Greenway

We all know what pizza is now but how many of us really know what the true origins of this food are. Not as many as we think i am pretty sure of that. Let's take a look into the things that we overlook when it comes to the origins of pizza.

The Italians were not the first to invent the pizza. When we look back in time we find that the people that lived in middle east areas of the world were the ones that were really responsible for the beginnings of the pizza. In particular we can find that the Greek people were among the first to eat a version of flat breads that incorporated the use of oils, spices and cheese to enhance them.

In Italy pizza took on the more familiar appearance that we know. It was created by a baker during the late 1800's. The story goes that a pizza was made in order to impress some royalty that was coming into town. It was designed in a way that would represent the colors of Italy with the sauce, cheese and spices symbolizing the 3 colors of the country. The success that this was lead to it being copied by others so they too could have it.

By the time that the 1900's rolled around it had found its way over to some of the cities in the United States due to the immigrants that landed in the country. People could find this delicacy in areas that had a high number of Italian people within them, particularly New York and Chicago. Soon small venues adopted these items and incorporated them into the menus for their customers to enjoy. It increased in popularity even more with the exposure that it had with American soldiers as they had seen it when they were serving in the Italian areas during the war.

Nowadays we see that this is one of the most popular foods in the nation. Those that enjoy it seem to forget about the true beginnings that this delicacy. It is generally only associated with the Italian aspects and not the true beginnings that it had. Those that have made millions and millions of dollars should be very thankful that it did come along the way it did or they would not be in the position that they are in now.

A huge amount of things can be found on the internet about the origins of pizza and many other treats we all enjoy feasting upon. Spending some time looking into them can provide you with some very interesting reading material.

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Friday, May 14, 2010

Excellent Summer Salads With Fresh Chosen Vegetables

By Steven J. Voss

Simple summer salads are the way in which to go, now that the winter blues are fading into the distance and salad days are here. The most beneficial salads are light, bright and simple to prepare.

After all who wants to devote hours slaving away from the kitchen when friends are around for lunch, the garden is in bloom along with the wine is chilled and prepared to pour. But prior to you starting to cook you conserve a good deal of energy by buying the proper elements for a simple salad. That way you never have to have the heavy bottled sauces and dressings to create an awesome flavor

Do you really want to take a beautiful crisp summer time salad and soak it inside a mixture of fat, sugar, salt and chemicals? If you begin off with great foods and don't do too a lot to it you do not will need all these powerful tastes as you nevertheless have good foods.

All you need to have is to combine it perfectly so that the flavors work collectively, have a wonderful crunchy texture and include a tiny light dressing to set it all off, and let the taste buds do the rest Freshness is, as in all cooking, the way in which to a very good salad. Really don't take on what the supermarkets give you. Even though it is simpler to decide on up the ready packed tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, bell peppers etc.

To make certain you receive the most effective, take a minute or two and select over the vegetables, pick what's firm ripe and all set to make use of. Exactly the same of course applies with meat and fish. There is certainly a purpose why supermarkets prepackage, and it's not usually convenience. So opt for perfectly, cook swiftly and basically and your close friends would not have finished the wine by the time you get there! Get pleasure from a minor bit of summer now with this simple poached chicken salad.

Effortless poached chicken salad

Materials:

four chicken breasts (skinless)

one finely sliced red onion

one entire fifty percent onion

four great ripe tomatoes sliced thickly

250 grams/4ozs salad leaves mixed

4ozs raisins soaked in hot water for ten minutes

one 50 percent lemon

a couple of fresh or dry bay leaves

1-teaspoon peppercorns black

one little French, stick loaf or comparable sliced into 1/2 slices

For that dressing:

1/4 cup olive oil

1clove garlic crushed

1/2 dessert spoon Dijon or other mild mustard

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

To generate the dressing, whisk the vinegar and mustard with each other using the garlic, gradually include the olive oil even though whisking and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Bring a pan of drinking water towards the boil with all the bay leaves, 1/2 white onion, lemon and peppercorns.

Carefully add the chicken and simmer gently until cooked, if your unsure it can be worth investing a few dollars in the meat thermometer. The temperature ought to be at the very least 75 celcius/167 Fahrenheit, put the sliced bread on a baking tray and drizzle using the olive oil and season with salt.

Bake inside a medium oven until crisp but soft in the middle. Mix the leaves jointly with the onions and raisins. Turn in the salad dressing and place into four good-sized bowls. Location slices of tomato and bread close to the edge. Slice the warm chicken at an angle and place attractively on top off the salad. Sit back, get pleasure from and get somebody else to accomplish the washing up.

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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

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Thursday, May 6, 2010

Herbal Remedies From the Kitchen

Your home is like a small clinic. There are home remedies inside your cabinet which you can use whenever you sustain a small injury or get sick.

To prove a point, you can treat a sunburn using lavender oil or Aloe Vera leaves. Never use lanolin because it will just make matters worse.

If you are stung by a bee, don't panic. Go to the kitchen and apply some ice. If the you done have ice, try using meat from the freezer.

A lot of people will tell you that exercising is good for you but if you overdo it, you can have muscle strain. When this happens, get some ice cubes and put it in a bag. This must be applied for 20 minute on then 20 minutes off until the pain subsides.

If you have trouble sleeping, chances are you already have insomnia. A good home remedy for this is drinking chamomile or lemongrass tea. Mix the herbs in warm water and drink.

Kids will be kids. Don't blame them if they don't like to take a bath. But they could get head lice, be ready to help them by using mayonnaise or Vaseline. Once this is rubbed on the hair, cover it up using a shower cap and leave it on for about 2 hours, then wash.

Hair loss is hereditary, this happens as we age. Is there a home remedy for it? The answer is yes. By applying refined coconut oil mixed with lime water or lime juice to the hair. You can try castor oil as it assists in the growth of the hair.

Another remedy is a paste of liquorice that is made by crushing the pieces in milk with a pinch of saffron. This should be applied on the bald patches before going to bed.

The kitchen packs a lot of home remedies that can help take care of minor problems. You should stock up on these items so they are readily available when needed.