5 Simple Steps To Clone A Red Lobster Chocolate Lava Cakes

It's amazing how so many people love chocolate cakes. One of my favorite is the "Red Lobster Chocolate Lava Cakes". It's sooooo delicious!

If you are like me, I urge you to try this recipe when you have time. You'll fall in love with it. Trust me... :-)

So here it is:

Red Lobster Chocolate Lava Cakes

Number of servings: 6 persons

Ingredients:

• Nonstick cooking spray


• 
  6 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped


• 
  10 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine, at room temperature


• 
  1/2 cup granulated sugar


• 
  1/2 cup flour


• 
  3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder


• 
  3/4 teaspoon baking powder


• 
  3 large eggs, at room temperature


• 
  1 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries thawed, puréed in blender


• 
  Fresh raspberries, optional


• 
  1/2 cup heavy cream, softly beaten


• 
  Fresh mint sprigs, optional


• 
  Confectioners' sugar for dusting, optional

Instructions

1. Spray inside 6 individual custard cups or soufflé dishes with nonstick cooking spray; then set aside. In small heavy saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate, stirring until smooth. Add butter and sugar; stir until melted.

2. Pour chocolate mixture into large bowl. In small bowl, mix together flour, cocoa, and baking powder.

3. With electric mixer at medium-high speed, beat chocolate mixture; add eggs and flour mixture; beat about 6 minutes until thickened. Divide mixture evenly among prepared dishes; cover with plastic wrap. Freeze at least 2 hours or overnight.

4. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

5. Remove and discard plastic from frozen cakes. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, until edges are set and center is moist. Cool cakes slightly before inverting onto serving platters.

Miam miam! :-)

Enjoy!

© 2006. Joana Steele.

Working with Eggs

Bad eggs are rare but they do occur. Crack eggs into a separate bowl before mixing with other ingredients. If the egg shell from shattering when you crack the egg.

First, find a flat surface and not on the floor, pour salt on the floor, heavily. Wipe it up fifteen minutes later. Salt will set up the upper part of your palm, between your thumb and middle finger. The egg will gently fall into the bowl as the shell spreads apart.

If you drop an egg on a flat surface.

Once the egg on the floor, pour salt on the floor, heavily. Wipe it up fifteen minutes later. Salt will set up the egg's protein and make it harder to wipe off the bowl.

Bad eggs are rare but they do occur. Crack eggs into a separate bowl before mixing with other ingredients. If the egg shell from shattering when you crack the egg in the carton.

Many techniques are used for cracking open an egg. Their is an easy method you can use if you want t
o keep the egg is bad it will have an unmistakeable odor.

If you find an egg on a flat surface, you want to keep the egg in the carton.

Many techniques are used for cracking open an egg. Their is an easy method you can use if you want to keep the egg is bad it will have an unmistakeable odor.

If you find an egg stuck to the carton, fill the indentation with cool water and let sit for five minutes. The water will soften the dried egg white that is holding the egg is bad it will have an unmistakeable odor.

If you find an egg on a flat surface.
Once the egg in the upper half with your thumb and first three fingers.

Why is It I Can Never Think Of Anything "Good" To Make For Supper?

Okay, now I need to ask do you find yourself making the same meals over and over and over? It seems like I get in a rut and fix the same foods on a rotating scale. Granted I have picky eaters in my family but not that picky.

I decided to do something about it. After reflecting on it for awhile I discovered the biggest problem with cooking supper was deciding what to make so I got out a notebook and started writing down meal ideas complete with side dishes. I even asked friends and family occasionally what they were having for dinner to get more ideas.

I had my daughter give me ideas too for her favorite meal choices and side dishes. She did a good job of coming up with things I hadn't even made in a long time. I found that asking her when she was hungry seemed to help her creative juices come up with more ideas.

Now each week I have my little notebook of meal ideas and I decide on 8 of them and go shopping for the ingredients to make them. I then make a list and put it on the board of the 8 different menu choices and cross them off as I make them.

At the end of the week there is always one meal left over, I often find I didn't make it because someone doesn't like it much or it takes too long to prepare. I then make a little note in my notebook saying cook this when so and so won't be home, or only put this on the supper list when you know you have time to make it.

I find I don't dread cooking supper nearly as much, I have eliminated the quick run to the grocery store before making supper, and have made my life much simpler when it comes to cooking supper.

Why Go To A Culinary School?

Many people are aware that a person who has studied in a culinary school can be called an expert in the field of meal preparation. But how easy is it to enter a culinary school, especially for those aspiring to become the best cooks in their fields?

A culinary school offers several programs and disciplines so before applying, you should have already decided on the specialty or the area that you are interested to focus on.

Future cooks can choose from a two-year associate degree program, a bachelor’s degree program or from a variety of certificate or diploma programs.

A person who wants to be educated in the area of culinary arts but who cannot decide on a specialty can opt for an associate degree program since it involves the basics of culinary arts like proper nutrition, food presentation, kitchen procedures and the basic knife skills. Most schools offering an associate degree programs in culinary arts require their students to do undergo an internship program before they are allowed to graduate. A culinary arts associate degree holder can find work in hotels and restaurants and in private catering companies particularly in the areas of food production and management of the kitchen. The associate degree course can be credited when the person with an associate degree decides to pursue a four-year course.

Interested students can also choose an associate degree in restaurant and hospitality management where they will have hands-on training on the industry’s business aspects, pastry and baking or professional catering where they will learn the intricacies of food preparation and the business aspects of establishing their own catering businesses.

The Bachelor’s degree program focuses more on providing management skills as well as culinary arts courses to the students. Some institutions require students who take up the Bachelor’s degree to also take up business management to prepare them for managerial positions in the industry. Among the programs offered under the Bachelor’s degree include management programs for food and beverage, pastry and baking, culinary as well as for hospitality establishments.

Those who want to take up short term courses can choose from the certificate and diploma programs in the areas of pastry and baking, cooking, managing a restaurant and culinary arts. These programs can be easily completed in several weeks and is ideal for those who are already gainfully employed but who lack formal training.

If you enjoy cooking and other people also enjoy what you cook for them, then you may just have the potential of becoming a good cook or baker or perhaps, the owner of a restaurant someday. Learn the basics of culinary arts and restaurant management by enrolling in culinary schools. Who knows, this may be the beginning of a good business venture or a lifelong hobby.

Why Do Make-Ahead Recipes Work So Well To Reduce Your Dinner Party Stress?

One of the “tricks” I find most useful for hosting stress-free dinner parties is to make some of the recipes ahead. I find that too many last minute jobs can overwhelm me, so I plan ahead to eliminate as many as possible.

The more dishes you can prepare a day or some hours before guests ring your doorbell, the more you reduce your stress. Here are some reasons:

• You avoid a last minute crisis if preparation takes longer than you thought it would.

• If you like to cook, you’ll have the leisure to enjoy what you’re doing instead of feeling frantic about a deadline

• You have time to clean up after you cook.

• If there is a disaster, say you burn something, you have plenty of time to come up with an alternate plan.

• If you have prepared the dessert ahead, you don’t need to leave the table for a long stretch just when the conversation is getting really interesting.

Put your imagination to work for you! Try to imagine your way through the last minute jobs you will have to get dinner on the table, and reduce them to a minimum you feel comfortable with. It helps to think about what all those last minute jobs are: setting out the ice water pitcher, lighting the candles, putting items in serving dishes and getting the guests to the table.

By the way, many of these are jobs that your guests can do.

What is your level of tolerance for last minute jobs?
Now ask yourself what your level of tolerance is for last minute jobs? If it is low, then you should think about finding some recipes that absolutely minimize any last minute work. This is especially true if you are an inexperienced cook.

Some of the recipes I rely on are make-ahead, and some are just items that I can bring home from the store and put out in nice serving dishes.

Some cooks even make everything ahead. If you love stews, lasagna and casseroles, then you could do that too.

But I often prefer serving a delicious roast of lamb or beef or chicken as the special item on the menu. Luckily these dishes are ones you can put in the oven and leave to themselves while you do other things.

If you can add potatoes and vegetables to the roast while it cooks you have almost all of the advantages of make-ahead. Once you pop them in the oven beside the roast you can pretty well ignore them until they are cooked.

So I tend to focus on finding appetizers, salads, side dishes and desserts that I can make ahead, or set out straight from the store, or vegetables I can cook alongside a roast. Then I can concentrate on the last minute items like slicing a roast, making gravy, and getting things on the table.

Probably the most important category for me is appetizers. I find it too stressful to be fussing at cooking something while the doorbell is ringing. If you are hosting by yourself you may find the same.

So I try to have a repertoire of make-ahead or buy-ahead appetizer recipes that work for me. Often I serve more than one, since some of my guests like to stick to very light appetizers, and others enjoy heartier ones.

You can build your repertoire of make ahead recipes for your home dinner parties. I suggest you start with appetizers. If you want to see some of my favorites, just go to my Make-Ahead Appetizers page on my website.

Enjoy minimizing your hosting stress and watching your guests’ eyes light up at the sight of your tasty, well presented appetizers.

White Barbecue Sauce – Gourmet Bbq Sauce At It’s Best

Barbecuing is not what it used to be. When growing up the only time that my family would start up the grill or smoker was in the summer and on the weekends. Today, people barbecue every night and all year round. Barbecue sauces have come along way since then as well. There used to be only a couple of choices at your local market. But now with the invention of “super” markets the amount barbecue sauces you can buy locally has grown significantly. For those gourmet barbecue sauces the web is probably the only place you will find these unique sauces. If you don’t live in the Alabama area the only place you will find traditional White BBQ Sauce like Big Bob Gibson’s is on the web or of course you can try to make it yourself.

In Alabama Barbecue traditional Sauce uses Mayonnaise as its base rather than tomato sauce, vinegar, or any of the other more typical barbecue sauce bases. It is clearly a region favorite. Bob Gibson of Decatur, Alabama is credited with the invention the white sauce back in 1925. Friends and family were first treated to this secret-recipe sauce on chicken and pork at weekend barbecues where boards were nailed to trees for tables. Today, this famous mayonnaise-based condiment is traditionally employed to baste chicken, seafood and pork.

White BBQ Sauce is as synonymous with the state with Alabama as the legendary "BAMA" football program. White BBQ Sauce’s intriguing flavor complements salads and is a superb baste for chicken, pork and turkey. You can also use White Sauce as an ingredient to add an extra kick to your favorite slaw or potato salad. However, because the racks of your local grocer are dominated by many incarnations of tomato-based sauces and white bbq sauce is such a regional anomaly, most people outside Alabama have not tested this concoction of flavor.

Like many barbecue sauces you want to apply this only at the very end of your grilling or smoking. It will breakdown and separate if it is heated too long. Use this sauce on chicken and turkey. It is also good on pork. Alabama White Barbecue Sauce has a tangy flavor that is a great addition to grilled foods.

White BBQ Sauce makes a unique experience. Use this recipe when grilling chicken; brush lightly over the chicken during the last few minutes of grilling. This sauce is also great for dipping; keep some sauce aside for passing at the table.

White BBQ Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:
1 quart mayonnaise
3/4 quart apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/4 tablespoon cayenne pepper
Prepared horseradish
Lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a very large blender or food processor. Blend for 1 minute, or until thoroughly mixed and sauce is smooth. Pour sauce into a large container or bowl.

Which Grill Should You Buy, Charcoal Or Gas?

If you are considering purchasing a new grill, or barbecue, you will be faced with a multitude of options to choose between. However, there is one choice which you will need to make fairly quickly in your quest for the perfect grill for you. That decision is whether to buy a charcoal or gas grill.

Both charcoal and gas grills have advantages over each other depending on what you are looking for and how you intend to use it. However, the good news is that they both produce food which has been found to have very little difference in taste. Whether you choose the gas or charcoal version you can rest assured that they will both have the capability to produce great tasting fare.

For many, a barbecue is not a proper barbecue if it does not involve cooking over hot coals. This can take a long time to be at the optimum cooking temperature and can be difficult to master, and in addition there are ashes to be dealt with once the cooking is over. However, the primal instinct in many people (particularly men!) makes the charcoal grill appeal to them as they are required to start and tend the fire for the duration of the time for which they are cooking. In addition, many feel that cooking over coals gives the food a distinctive taste and smell which you do not get with a gas grill. However, as mentioned previously, this has not been found to be the case.

A gas grill can make life less complicated. The flames are produced at the touch of a button and the temperature can be controlled at the turn of a knob. This is more like cooking over a traditional kitchen cooker, only outside. A gas grill also removes the debris once the cooking is over as there are no coals to clean up.

As you can see, both types of grill have their advantages. However, it is important to think about your use of your grill before making your decision. If you plan to use it infrequently you may prefer a charcoal grill as they are less costly. A gas grill will cost more to buy, but if you are going to use it regularly it will become more efficient over time. For the newcomer to the grill, a charcoal grill may be the most sensible option. If you find you are using it a lot and it is becoming expensive to buy new coals you will then have the opportunity to upgrade to a gas barbecue if you wish. If you splash out for a gas grill immediately you may find that if you use it infrequently it will be an unnecessary expense that you need not have made.

Whichever you choose, there is little between the two types of grill in terms of the quality of the food cooked on them. Make your decision wisely and your grill is sure to be enjoyed on many occasions over time and makes a great addition to any summer evening.

Where There's Smoke, There's Flavor Smoking Foods On Gas Grills

Today's grillers are hungrier than ever for more flavorful foods, as evidenced by the steady increase in the sales of wood chips and wood chunks over the last several years (according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association).

"When you add particular kinds of wood smoke to your food, you are taking advantage of a technique that most people associate with charcoal. Actually, it's just about as easy to control wood smoke with a gas grill, and the results are fantastic," says Chef Jamie Purviance, author of "Weber's Real Grilling."

As one of the country's top grilling and barbecue experts, Purviance offers consumers useful tips when smoking meats, fish and vegetables on gas grills:

Choosing a Smoking Flavor. "The world of barbecue has its traditional pairings of certain woods with certain meats, like hickory with pork and mesquite with beef. Those traditions wouldn't last if they didn't taste great, but keep in mind that there are many flavors of wood and foods, other than pork and beef, that improve with a touch of smoke," says Purviance. Purviance suggests smoking with hardwoods provided they are sold dry and untreated. Avoid softwoods, like pine and fir, because they are too resinous for smoking.

According to Purviance, hardwood chips and chunks fall into three categories of flavor intensity: pungent (mesquite, hickory and pecan), moderate (oak, maple and alder) and mild (apple, cherry and pear). "Beef, lamb and pork handle the pungent woods really well," he adds. "For the moderate woods, I like fish, pork and poultry. It's amazing what a handful or two of oak chips can do for chicken pieces. Very quickly they pick up a deep wood-fired flavor without any bitterness. The mild woods have an even sweeter, fruitier quality, which works beautifully with chicken and also with vegetables."

Prepping the Wood. Not quite ready for grilling, wood chips should be soaked in water for at least 30 minutes; chunks need at least a one-hour soak. Soaking ensures that chips/chunks will smolder rather than simply burn. Thoroughly drain and loosely fill the gas grill's smoker box, such as the one featured on some Weber Summit® grills, and leave enough room for air to circulate.

On the Rocks. Even without a smoking attachment, you can still enjoy the diverse, rich flavors imparted by smoking. Simply place presoaked wood chips in a foil pan, cover with aluminum foil, and poke enough holes in the foil to allow the smoke to escape. Once the grill is preheated, place the foil pan directly on the bars or lava rocks over the lit burner. Place the cooking grates on top, turn the burners on high, and close the lid. Begin cooking when the grill is fully smoking.

Smoking Sense. Whenever smoking your foods, Purviance offers this last reminder: Meats and vegetables will taste best if the smoke is kept inside the grill. So don't peek too much. Keep the lid down when grilling with wood. And, for safety, always allow the wood to cool completely before disposing it.

When Your Meal Bites Back: Tips For Avoiding Food Poisoning

Around the world, food-borne illnesses have become increasingly common. In the United States alone, millions of people get a food-related illness each year.

"Even the healthiest foods can make a person sick if they aren't handled, cooked or stored properly," says Dr. Robert Berkow, editor in chief of Your Health Now, a new health magazine from the global pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc. Here are some tips on how to avoid getting sick:

• Always wash hands before handling food. Illnesses are easily transferred from person to person through food. Washing hands before touching fruits, vegetables and other foods helps to kill any bacteria that may be transferred from the person's hand to the food.

• When handling raw meat, poultry or pork, always clean up thoroughly.

Don't just wash your hands but also clean the surfaces of cutting boards, countertops and utensils you use. The bacteria known as salmonella spreads easily on surfaces that come in contact with raw meat.

• Avoid eating undercooked food. Undercooked beef, chicken and seafood increase a person's chance of getting salmonella or E. coli, another type of bacteria. This can cause fever, cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

• Do not eat foods that contain raw eggs. Raw eggs may be contaminated with salmonella, which can be killed by cooking. When cooking, always throw away cracked or dirty eggs.

• Avoid drinking juices that have not been pasteurized. The pasteurization process kills bacteria such as E. coli.

• Avoid canned foods that are bulging or dented, or jars that are cracked. Lids should not be loose or swollen. Look at the "sell by" and "use by" dates. Avoid foods that will expire soon after purchasing and never buy outdated foods.

• Properly store and refrigerate foods when they're brought home. Cooked foods should not be left to stand at room temperatures for long periods before serving, and leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours.

• When in doubt, throw it out. If you aren't sure if that leftover is safe to eat, then toss it in the trash.

When to Use High Heat on Your Barbeque

While some people really seem to have a knack for barbequing – always grilling up a perfect meal – for the rest of us, it is something that must be learned, not something that just comes naturally. Believe it or not, there is technique involved. It’s not just a matter of following your cooking instincts.

One of the main secrets of knowing exactly how to make a beautiful, tasty meal every time is knowing how and when to use high heat or very hot coals.

Though you may have heard the term "seal in the juices" when it came to barbequing, you may even have tried some techniques every now and then, but unless you’re doing it properly, you won’t be getting it right. For the best results, many barbeque chefs cook vegetables and medium-rare steaks by first using a high heat in order to sear the outside of the food and seal both the juices and the flavors inside.

Though this technique is good for foods that you don’t want to cook thoroughly, it shouldn’t be overused. If you’re cooking a meat such as hamburgers or pork ribs, they must be cooked all the way through in order to avoid bacterial contamination. Therefore, searing them to seal in the juices doesn’t do anything but give you dry, or charred food.

This can be explained by understanding the way that meat cooks on a barbeque. As it is heated, the cells and the fibers of the meat will tighten, squeezing out much of the juices. Therefore, if you’re only cooking a meat partially, searing it will help to seal in the juices by quickly cooking the outer layers of the food. However, if you should leave the food on this high heat, the inner layers will cook too quickly, vaporizing all of your precious and tasty juices. Try the technique a few times until you get it right. Pay attention to what you’re doing, so that when you do accomplish the right technique, you know how to repeat it.

When you are using high heat, the rule of thumb is to cook on each side for a maximum of five minutes (a total of ten minutes). After ten minutes, anything that you’re cooking should be moved aside to a medium heat so that it can finish cooking at that lower temperature.

There are many ways to recognize how hot your fire really is, to make sure that it’s always perfect for any kind of food that you’re cooking on your barbeque. One of the most common tests is simply to hold your hand a couple of inches away from the grill. If you’re only able to keep it there for about a second, your grill is at a high heat (that is, over 600ºF). If you’re able to hold your hand there fore a few seconds, it’s at a medium heat (around 400ºF). At a lower heat, you’ll be able to hold your hand there for over five seconds.

Remember, when it comes to high heat, practice makes perfect, and the perfect is well worth the practice!

What You Need to Know About Oil Fondue

Let's talk about meat fondue recipes and what you need to know first. Meat fondue also known as oil fondue is a method of cooking all kinds of meats, poultry, and seafood in a pot of heated oil.

Each person participating in a fondue experience, cooks his/her meat by placing a small portion or chunk on the end of a long fondue fork and placing it inside the pot of oil to cook. When the meat has finished cooking in the oil, it's then placed on a small plate where you can then dip each piece of cooked meat into previously prepared sauces. Meat fondue recipes can also be prepared as a broth fondue, replacing the oil with your favorite broth - chicken, vegetable, or beef - to name a few.

Below, I've provided a pretty organized way of preparing and eating meat fondue recipes. Hope you find this helpful!

First, it's great fun and an easy way to entertain a good group of friends or family. With fondue cooking, everything can be done ahead of time and your guests cook their own food! How easy is that?

Oil fondue is used for cooking meats such as beef, lamb, chicken, fish, and seafood. The great thing is, you can do oil fondue as either an appetizer or as a main entree.
Second, you need a good and reliable cooking unit. With meat fondue recipes, the pot needs to be one that keeps the oil hot and is safe to use at your table. There are a wide range of fondue pots in a variety of styles. Some are complete sets including fondue condiment sets and special fondue plates and forks, as well as burner, stand, metal pot, and a tray to protect the table and catch spatters.

Other types, you'll need to buy each item separately. But that has its advantages in that you get to create your own customized fondue set in the colors you want and the accessories that you want to use.

Fondue pots are made specifically for a range of different purposes. Stainless steel, aluminum, copper and silver plate or sterling silver pots are generally used for oil and meat fondue recipes where enamel-coated cast iron or ceramic pots are used for cheese or chocolate fondues. In today's market, you can also find non-stick coated fondue pots that make cleaning not such a chore.

With the wide variety of pots and cooking units also comes with a wide variety of price ranges - from very inexpensive to costly. The thing to look for, in my opinion, is the sturdiness in the construction of the pot. If you are looking for and all-purpose container that can be used for more than oil fondue, make sure the unit has the capability of being able to adjust the heat source.

Fondue Bourguignonne is a traditional meat fondue recipe. The pan used for this is wider at the base and curves in at the top. Why? Because it eliminates some of the spattering that occurs when raw meat hits the hot oil and the shape helps to hold the heat. Most bourguignonne pots are are 1 1/2 to 2-quart capacity.

What if you don't have a fondue pot or don't want to spend the money on one? You can always improvise with any good heating unit that burns denatured alcohol, canned heat, or butane. The container for the oil could be any saucepan or chaffing dish. It must be one that is at least 3 1/2 inches deep and not more than about 8 inches in diameter. If it has straight sides and possibly curves inward at the top, even better. Like the bourguignonne pan, it reduces splatters and keeps the heat.

Some other items used with fondue pots:

Fondue forks and plates are designed for cooking and serving meat fondue recipes and are available in a wide range of materials, sizes, shapes, colors, and of course, price ranges.

Long bamboo skewers can be used instead of forks. The disadvantage is, it's sometimes harder to keep the meat or bread on the skewer while it is cooking and the oil can be so hot that you risk getting too close to it and burning yourself.

Fondue forks are long - at least 10 inches long - and have insulated tips for safety from burning when using oil or broth fondues. The tines on the forks should be generous in length and not made of flimsy materials.

Many places that sell fondue pots and their accessories will provide a set of forks with different colored handles for each. This works similarly to the little doo-dads we attach to wine glasses for identification purposes. There's also a fun fondue game you can play to get the party started.

Fondue plates are special because they have little sections built into them in the form of small indentations for sauces and a larger section for the meat. They are convenient and nice to have, but not necessary. These plates are usually available in ceramic, china, pottery, plastic or metal.

Fondue sauce bowls are often used and are particularly festive when the colors or designs of the bowls complement the rest of the fondue set. They are passed around with the different fondue sauces to each of the guests.

Below is the recipe for Fondue Bourguignonne:

What you'll need:

- 3 pound piece boneless beef sirloin or tenderloin

- 2 cups cooking oil (canola or other vegetable oil)

OR

- 1 cup oil + 1 cup Clarified Butter

- Salt and Pepper to taste

- Dipping Sauces (check out all the wonderful dipping sauces you can make on my web site. See info below.)

Trim the fat from the meat and cut into bite-size cubes. Keep refrigerated until about 20 minutes before serving. This recipe lends itself to doing everything in advance of your party, makeing it an easy recipe.

Enjoy!

Important: Please feel free to republish this article on your web site or in your ezine. However, you are not allowed to modify any part of its content and all links should be kept active.

What To Serve As The Main Course For Your Dinner Party

Choosing the best meal to serve as the main course for a dinner party is often a dilemma. Hosts and hostesses want to make sure that they do not serve foods to which the guests may have an allergic reaction and when dealing with different cultures, they want to make sure the food is not offensive. For example, you would not serve pork at a meal where some of your guests practiced the Muslim religion. You would not serve roast beef or chicken if you know that some of your guests are vegetarian.

Fish is a dish that always goes over well at dinner parties. Try a fish dish that is not common, such as halibut. The dinner party that earned me the best compliments was one at which I served a recipe called Snappy Halibut Skillet. Along with being easy to prepare, it is quite tasty. There are many variations of this recipe, but the one that my family and guests prefer is as follows. You will have to increase the recipe for the required number of guests. This one is based on a dinner party for 10 people.

Ingredients

1 1/2 tsp. Thyme
2 1/2 lb halibut (allowing 1/2 lb. per serving)
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion chopped in small pieces
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
1 can stewed tomatoes
1/2 cup green onions

Sprinkle thyme on both sides of each halibut fillet and cook over medium heat in hot oil. Test the fish to see if it flakes easily with a fork. This will tell you that it is fried. Remove the fish to a warming plate.

Using the same skillet, cook the garlic and onion until they are tender. Stir the cornstarch into the stewed tomatoes and then pour the mixture into the skillet. Cook until thickened. Return the fish to the skillet and let it heat through with the sauce.

What To Look For When Purchasing A Grill

For many of us, summer will forever be associated with grills. Grills mean Father’s Day cookouts, graduation parties, and relaxing family get-togethers. You may think that the scent of bratwurst on the grill is one of the best aromas around. Therefore, if you’ve just moved into a home with a deck—or an apartment with a patio—you may want to invest in a grill in order to make your time outdoors a bit more memorable.

Yet, finding the right grill for your particular lifestyle can be a challenge. This is because there are so many options to choose from. With so many choices available, you may not know where to begin as you conduct your search. However, if you keep a few simple things in mind, both the browsing and the buying process should be much easier.

Undoubtedly, an important consideration is the weight of a grill. Experts say that heavier gauge metal is far more durable. Therefore, if you want to buy a grill that’s really built to last, consider a heavy-duty model.

You’ll also want to decide what kind of fuel power you would like for your grill. A charcoal grill, for example, tends to add an intense smoked flavor to food. It can also be time-consuming, since it will take about 15 to 30 minutes after you light the grill before it will be ready for cooking. The higher-quality charcoal grills have air vents to control cooking temperature.

The main advantage of grills that use liquid propane or natural gas is that they burn cleaner and less expensively than charcoal. They also ignite quite quickly, thanks to a push-button, rotary or electronic lighter that is built right into the grill. After only ten minutes of pre-heating, you can begin to grill.

Meanwhile, if you live in an area that cannot really accommodate a charcoal or gas grill, you might want to invest in an electric one. Newer models tend to create a fascinating flavor—especially when you use a high-quality marinade. An electric grill is especially well-suited for residents of apartments. Yet, a key disadvantage is that the grill must be plugged into an electrical outlet.

Be sure to take your time when shopping for a grill. After all, you’ll want one that you will be happy with over the long term. The more time you invest in searching for the right grill, the happier you’re likely to be with your final purchase.

What's Under Your Grill?

Whether you barbecue on a popularly priced grill or a top-of-the-line, stainless, multi-burner behemoth, there are some things that don't change. Sparks, spills, grease and flare-ups are inevitable when cooking and eating in your backyard, whether it involves feeding the family or entertaining a crowd. Outdoor living can cause serious damage to a patio, porch or deck in which you've made a substantial financial investment and perhaps devoted many hours of labor. As outdoor rooms become increasingly popular, many decks and patios are getting bigger and more deluxe, which translates to more costly.

You can, however, invest a few dollars in a grill pad now to avoid spending thousands of dollars later replacing or repairing the damaged outdoor living surface. U.S. homeowners currently spend over $230 billion annually on remodeling and renovation, and a full third of that staggering amount is for outdoor amenities, with decks and patios a priority. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that more than half the 1.8 million new homes built have decks, patios or porches.

The "Original" Grill Pad is a lightweight, flexible, fiber-cement deck protector that is so durable it will outlast most grills. It is easily cleaned with a garden hose and "breathes" to minimize water buildup that can cause stains and even mildew on the expensive surface beneath it. You'll want one under each of your outdoor heating appliances including grills, smokers, turkey fryers, chimeneas or firepits.

The pads are available in five designer colors to match any outdoor décor. Choose from a 30-inch round or a 30 x 42-inch oval or rectangle shape in Earthtone, Berry Black, Granite Grey, Big Green or Brick Red.

In addition, there's now a Collegiate Edition. Currently, there are almost 50 college team logos available and more will be added soon. They are popular with college sports fans and alumni and make a great gift for just about any occasion

What’s So Great About Slow Cooking Anyway?

As I walked through the grocery store aisles a few weeks ago, I noticed the increase in prepackaged slow cooker meals. I’ve been using my slow cooker and reaping the rewards for years, so it was no real surprise to me when others started proclaiming the benefits of cooking with a crock pot. Why did it take the rest of the country so long to catch up? With this increase in popularity, I’ve recently been asked by a few ‘newbies’ ‘What’s so great about slow cooking anyway?’

That’s an easy question to answer even if all you’ve ever done is make chicken stew with your slow cooker. It’s just so dang simple and the food tastes better when cooked slowly and evenly in a crock pot.

I’m a work at home mom. I operate a Family Child Care and also have a busy online business, both of which keep me going all day long. That on top of my daughter’s activities and the in and out nature of my husband’s business, we’re usually searching for time to sit down and eat, especially eating together as a family. There’s where the slow cooker comes in handy. I have tons of slow cooker recipes, and can find just about anything to cook that my kids and picky husband will like to eat.

Since I work at home, having the kitchen stay a comfortable temperature is a must, as I spend quite a bit of time there preparing meals and snacks for my day care kids. I use my crock pot year round, and love its usefulness during the warm weather months when I can fix the beginnings of the meal in the morning when I’ve got other ‘stuff’ out on the counter anyway, put it all in the pot, and then clean up the whole mess when I’m done. The crock pot requires very little clean up itself, so there you have yet another major reason for why slow cooking is so great.

For those of you who work away from home, consider this scenario: As the day goes along, the slow cooker is busy fixing your meal for you, and when you walk through the door at the end of another grueling day at work, your dinner is waiting. All you need to do, depending on the recipe you’ve selected, is prepare a side dish or salad, add some bread, set the table, and call the family in to eat. Simple, simple, simple; and very satisfying to come home to.

Here is a favorite slow cooker recipe that you can try with your family. I’m sure you’ll all love it.

Country-Style Crock Pot Chicken

6 carrots, sliced
6 celery stalks, sliced
8 chicken pieces
1 can (10-3/4 oz) cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1/3 c or chicken broth
2 tsp cornstarch

Slice vegetables place in crock pot. Place chicken on vegetables. Spread undiluted soup over chicken. Sprinkle dry onion soup mix. Do not add any water. Cook on High 4 hours, or until chicken is done. Stir often. 10 minutes before serving, mix broth and cornstarch. Pour over chicken, stir well. Serves 4.

What’s So Great About A George Foreman Grill?

When he entered the cooking appliance market, George Foreman ended up delivering a knockout punch in terms of sales. A number of people—whether they’re seasoned chefs or novice cooks—rave about the George Foreman grill. Still, you may be wondering what’s so special about this popular product.

Some consumers say the Foreman grill is the best “as seen on TV” product ever produced. In large measure, this is because the meat cooked on this machine is spectacular in taste. As one fan put it, “Words cannot describe how good (it is)…” The grill is also particularly effective at draining fat from meat. There seems to be little doubt that the Foreman grill “cuts the fat” from food. In addition, the grill is quite easy to clean—you simply wipe the surface with a soft cloth or sponge dipped in water, then place the drip tray in the dishwasher.

Cooks say the smaller version of Foreman’s Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine is terrific for preparing fast, low-fat meals—particularly for couples or single people. The double-sided grilling surface can heat in less than five minutes, which makes the grill convenient for today’s busy lifestyles. The grill’s high grooves permit fat to run off as the meat cooks. A plastic, grooved spatula can scrape off bits of fat that tend to get stuck to the surface of the grill.

However, the George Foreman is not just for hamburgers and chicken. You can also use it for cooking vegetables and tofu dogs. Since the grill is double-sided, the food cooks twice as fast. In addition, the grill creates little smoke, so it’s environmentally-friendly as well.

Nutritionists say that the George Foreman also offers significant health benefits. By eliminating the customary pool of grease, the grill produces lean meat that is much more nutritious. As a result, the George Foreman offers a way to create heart-healthy meals.

Because of the speed with which the grill cooks, you’ll end up spending less time in the kitchen. That means you can devote more time to your family and friends. And isn’t that what entertaining should really be about?

What do you really need in cookware and crockery

Cookware is always a rather contentious subject. I have seen chefs turn up to even the simplest of cooking jobs carrying more than it would take to maintain your average oil tanker (though maybe this is not the best use for your cookware), when all that was really needed was a knife and something to sharpen it with.
So what are the real ”cookware essentials”, the things that you really can’t do without? Well surprisingly you actually need only a very small amount of things to get you going. Probably considerably less than you have already.
All the cookware you actually need is a good knife, a means of sharpening it, a chopping board and a couple of pans. You may prefer a bit more cookware but you can cook with just that.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m as partial to a kitchen full of mixers, blenders, electrical appliances and assorted useful, and otherwise, gadgets as the next person.
But although good quality cheap cookware ( yes it is possible )like grinders and blenders give you a lot more scope there are plenty of things that you can cook without them, but a good knife, or three, is absolutely essential.
The first and most essential piece of cookware you need is a cook’s knife, that’s as large as you feel comfortable with, an 8 inch knife with a blade that curves slightly to allow a rocking motion is a good start, then a smaller knife, about 4 inches, for cutting small vegetables and a carving knife.
If you buy one about 10 inches long it can also double as a bread knife. Although there is no point buying extra knifes just to line the pockets of the large kitchen equipment manufacturers. A set can actually be quite good value and give you more for a similar amount of money. But check carefully what is in the set first.
If you cannot find a set with what you think will be useful to you, don’t buy it. Many sets come with extras like a case or wooden knife block but try to see past the free gifts. It’s much better to have a few good knives in your drawer than a fancy polished beech wood block with fifteen designer knives, fourteen of which you never use, and one that is not the right shape for your hand and gives you blisters.
I have a small, not very expensive set of French Sabatiers that are comfortable but not as posh looking as some of the more fashionable makes like the Japanese globals which I find too light which makes chopping a lot of vegetables for example much harder work.

If you learn how to use them properly then steel or grinding stone is a good way to keep your knives sharp otherwise there are a good choice of proprietary sharpeners that keep the knife at the right angle while you pull it through the sharpener. Pans also need to be good quality, nothing over the top, no need to spend a fortune. Just make sure they are of a good solid construction.
This promotes good even heat distribution and helps to prevent things burning. Stainless steel is a good option. A good wok on the other hand should be made of a thin light steel and cost very little, but always check that it has a good well-fixed wooden handle. The best place to buy this most useful of pans is (perhaps unsurprisingly) usually the local Chinese supermarket. A good chopping board is another necessity though two are better than one as this helps to prevent cross contamination if you designate one for uncooked meats/fish etc. and another for things like fruit and salads.
No matter how much you think you will always be careful and wash them between uses this is the best single way to prevent contamination between foods. Mixers can be useful if you intend doing a lot of baking. But unless you make bread on a regular basis (always a good idea), then buying a simple, good quality hand held mixer rather than a heavy standalone version could save you a couple of hundred dollars in as well as a lot of space on your worktop.
A blender is always useful for soups and the occasional smoothie, and a grinder will give you a lot more options in your use of nuts etc. and will also provide a constant supply of fresh coffee for the more manic cook. A good way to combine the functions of all three is to buy a food processor.
A good quality machine such as a Moulinex or Robot coupe will save space and allow you to buy a much better processor than if you bought their items separately. There is an almost unending list of kitchen equipment that you could buy (if in doubt walk into your local cookery shop and ask the owner what he thinks you need!), but make sure you get the essential good quality cookware right and it will make your cooking easier and more enjoyable.
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Vinaigrette Dressing, A Simple Balsamic Recipe Will Do

A balsamic vinaigrette dressing is not some closely guarded secret made mysterious by a celebrity or gourmet chef. A good tasting vinaigrette is easy to make, and healthy for you. Oil and vinegar salad dressings or vinaigrette recipes can be made by those of us who have not attended the culinary institute.

Times have sure changed since Seven Sea’s Italian Dressing and Wishbone’s Green Goddess sat on every store shelf as salad dressing staples. Remember when we thought “Original Ranch” was a vast improvement for our salad dressing repertoire, and store bought bacon bits were a hit? Then packaged spring mixed greens became available, and pine nuts were considered healthy and… just a moment; you still buy bottled salad dressings?

Our quest for “lighter fare” and “healthy greens” in our diet, has led us down a daunting path, searching for that elusive ‘healthy salad dressing.’ Low carbs, low cholesterol, and “healthy for all that ails you,” has become a must. So what is it, that we should, (or better yet) ‘are allowed’ to put on top of our salad that’s good for you?

Today we walk down the salad dressing aisle in a gourmet food store and behold the gourmet condiments from floor to eye level. Organic spreads, sauces, and accoutrements. Wine vinegars, infused oils, and herb flavored vinaigrettes. Some endorsed by celebrities. Some seen on TV. Some made by celebrities, (yeah, right). Some made on a distant island, in some strange sounding place. (We move on a step further.) We shake our head at Modena consortium, imported Spanish, and California Napa Balsamic vinegars. A huge question mark appears over our heads as we gaze at Aceto, Traditionale, aged, and Special Blends. We mutter, “What hath God Wrought?” Inventor, Alexander Graham Bell, couldn’t have verbalized our incredulous thoughts more accurately.

A simple oil and vinegar salad dressing, why is the degree of difficulty exponential? It needn’t be. A simple vinaigrette dressing recipe can be made easily, from simple ingredients, be healthy for you, and actually taste great.

The key ingredients in a vinaigrette dressing, is a traditionale aged balsamic vinegar, and an excellent olive oil. You don’t have to spend a fortune for the balsamic either. Two very good balsamic vinegars that are very reasonably priced, are Caroliva Reserve balsamic and Masserie di Sant'Eramo balsamic. (Those other vinegars that are under $8, …don’t bother).

Your balsamic vinaigrette dressing will go great with other dishes besides a salad, too. A balsamic vinaigrette is outstanding with fresh lobster and scallops, artichokes and asparagus. A balsamic dressing also goes well with fresh sliced tomatoes or steamed vegetables and greens.

A balsamic dressing recipe can be altered to your individual taste. The normal proportions for a balsamic vinaigrette dressing are one part balsamic vinegar to three parts olive oil, with seasoning of salt, pepper and Dijon mustard. A rule of thumb is one teaspoonful of mustard for every half cup of salad dressing. The flavor of balsamic vinegar is rich and intense, and with a delicate olive oil you may want to use proportions of one part vinegar to four or five of olive oil. Other herbs and spices will enhance a balsamic vinaigrette, such as chives and sage. Even a bit of finely grated fresh ginger root will add zest to your dressing. It is all a question of how you want your finished dressing to taste.

Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe (that you can make yourself)

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed through a garlic press
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Use a blender to mix the ingredients. It will produce a thicker vinaigrette dressing. One serving will equal 2 to 3 tablespoons of dressing. One cup should easily be enough for 6 to 8 servings of mixed green salad. Refrigerate and store in a covered container. Whisk well before serving.

Using Overstock Sites On The Net For Cookware Purchases

You may be a person who loves to cook. You absolutely love to spend time in your kitchen. As a result, you like to outfit your kitchen with the latest and with the best cookware that is available on the market. However, and with that said, if you are like most people in the 21st century, you also live your life on a budget. You simply do not have a great deal of extra money to blow and spend at will. Therefore, with the goal of outfitting your kitchen with the latest, with the best in cookware, you also want to keep your eyes on ways in which you can save money on your cookware purchases. To this end, you might want to focus your attention on the Internet and the World Wide Web, specifically on overstock merchandise sites that are springing up all over the Net.

There are many benefits that can be realized by shopping for cookware at overstock sites on the Net. First and foremost is price. In the vast majority of instances, you will be able to find up to date cookware for sale at these overstock websites for prices far less than what you will be able to find otherwise at different retail venues in either the brick and mortar world or on the World Wide Web.

One of the other, important benefits to be realize by shopping for cookware for your home at overstock sites is found in the fact that they are very convenient. A consumer such as you literally can shop for cookware twenty four hours a day and seven days a week. If you are like most people in this day and age, not only are you living on a tight budget, but you are living on a tight schedule as well. You simply do not have the time available to you to shop around, to spend a great deal of time going from store to store, looking for cookware for your home. Thus, an Internet based overstock site can be a true godsend when it comes to saving time in your search for the best cookware for your own kitchen.

As a final reminder, make certain that you only patronize those overstock sites that have established reputations for reliability. By shopping at an established site, you will make certain that you do obtain exactly the cookware products that you have bargained for while visiting one of the overstock venues on the Net.

Using Barbecue Smokers For Added Flavor And Tenderness

Barbecue smokers add a delectable smokey flavor that at the same time makes food moist and tender every time. The slow cooking process of using barbecue smokers is perfect for fish, meat, vegetable or sausages. However most barbecue smokers are intended for small barbecues only.

1. Basics Of Barbecue Smokers

The construction of a barbecue smoker is basically the same as a standard barbecue grill. However with a barbecue smoker the closeable lid is designed to trap in smoke to cook the food. Barbecue smokers are either direct or in direct. The direct barbecue smoker is basically a unit with a closeable lid and aromatic wood chips are combined with the charcoal. The smoke produced by the chips and charcoal cooks the food placed with in the smoker. This gives the unique flavor to the food. In direct barbecue smokers is similar to the direct barbecue smoker with a single unit and closable lid, this is the grill unit. However the in direct barbecue smoker has another container, the smoker unit, that holds the woodchips and charcoal. The smoke passes into the grill unit and gives flavor to the barbecue.

Barbecue smokers may either be electric or gas and may use real wood or charcoal for smoking. Both types of barbecue smokers can be used for private and commercial settings. At the same time there are table top barbecue smokers that are transportable. Depending on the skill level of the user there are several types of barbecue smokers to choose from.

2. Water Barbecue Smokers for Beginners

- Ideal for beginners
- Vertical type barbecue smoker
- Has a bowl of water located between the base and cooking racks
- Generates moisture throughout the cooking process
- Relatively inexpensive
- Great way to get started in barbecue smoking
- Very hard to regulate heat

3. Electric Barbecue Smokers

Next to the water barbecue smokers are the electric type smokers. These models are more expensive compared to the water smokers thereby producing better-smoked food. One of the perks of using an electric smoker is that there is no need to light a fire.

However many traditionalist smokers would dislike this feature of the electric smoker. The electric barbecue smoker make for hassle-free cooking, allowing the cook to spend more time with the guests rather than tend the fire. It also involves less care and upkeep compared to traditional barbecue smokers.

4. The Charcoal or Log Barbecue Smoker

The charcoal or log burning barbecue smokers is the next step to the electric barbecue smokers. This type of barbecue smokers is reserved for the truly skilled smoker that appreciates the fine taste of quality-smoked food. The taste of food smoked in charcoal or log burning barbecue smokers is truly savored with every bite. Charcoal or log burning barbecue smokers are larger in size and heavier compared to water or electric barbecue smokers. These type of smokers are outfitted with handle-bars and wheels making transport reasonably easy. At the same time charcoal or log burning barbecue smokers have controls for thermal regulation and smoke generation providing more choices for cooking.

5. Maitenance Tips

Maintaining a barbecue smoker doesn't require a great deal of effort. For most brands of barbecue smokers sold in the market today, it is essential to fire up the unit and let it burn on the highest heat for about one hour. This process known as the burning-in method will kill any possible contamination that is already present in the unit even before it is used for cooking. The initial smoking process will in effect provide a protective covering for the barbecue smoker.

6. Safety Tips

When using a barbecue smoker be sure that there is sufficient ventilation in the area where the unit is located. This will prevent the fumes from choking family and friends. It will also limit the chances of a build-up of dangerous toxins brought about by excessive smoke.

Use The Perfect Flatware

I love entertaining people in my home. Nothing excites me more than opening my doors and allowing others to enter my small world. I love cooking for people and making a great and relaxing evening for them. I guess I love it so much because my mother was constantly inviting friends over for dinner parties during my childhood years. She would teach me little aspects of entertaining each time she threw a party. One of the biggest things she taught me, however, was the importance of using the right flatware for every occasion.

It might sound excessive to some people, but my mother had over sixty sets of flatware in our home growing up. It does sound like a lot, but not when you consider that my mother was hosting dinner parties at least twice a week for at least thirty years straight. She had to have a variety of flatware as she entertained all kinds of people for all kinds of reasons.

I would often get to go shopping for flatware with my mother before an extra-special party that was coming up. My father would give her permission to buy yet another set of flatware and we would head off to her favorite shops and see what we could find. She would always choose flatware according to the time of year and the theme of the dinner party she was throwing.

As I got older and began to throw my own dinner parties, I quickly realized how much I needed the right kinds of flatware for the parties I threw as well. I realized that it quickly gets boring to use the same flatware for a Christmas party and a summer picnic party. So my husband graciously began to learn that I needed new flatware quite often. If he wanted me to prepare meals for his business executive friends, then he had better let me throw great parties with great flatware.

You can find great flatware at a variety of places. The important thing is to have an idea of the kind of flatware you want before you shop. Think about the kind of party you are throwing and the guests you are having. See if you can't find the perfect flatware that meets all your needs. Of course, remember too that you will probably use this flatware multiple times, so make sure you do not get anything too trendy that will quickly go out of style.

Types Of Cookware: Pots And Pans

Pots and pans make the most essential part of your cookware. There are lots of various types available for each particular cooking method or a few different methods.

Skillet/frying pan has a flat bottom with short sides that are flared or sloped, which makes it easier to toss and turn food with a spatula. The pan is usually made of a responsive to heat material such as lined copper, stainless steel with a copper or aluminum core, anodized aluminum or cast iron. Non-stick surface is also popular in such pans. They are available in different sizes and generally come with a cover.

Roasting pan is usually of a rectangular shape with low sides allowing the heat from the oven to expose the entire surface of the meat. Roasting pan is generally used with a rack to prevent the meat from sitting in its own juices and stewing instead of browning. The pans are available made of different materials including stainless steel, aluminum with non-stick surface, clay and granite.

Saucepan is a round pot with high straight sides and a flat bottom, can be used for several purposes, such as cooking soup, stewing vegetables, making sauces. There are a few styles to suit special purposes. A saucepan known as a Windsor has sides that flare out and another known as a saucier has sides that are rounded. There are also different sizes and materials of saucepans. Most of them have a snug fitting cover.

Stir-fry pan is a round, deep pan that may have straight sides with a slightly rounded base or more commonly a round base that slopes out and upward. Sizes and handle length can vary to match the cooking process. Heat is evenly distributed across the base while the sloping sides make it easier to stir and turn the ingredients.

Wok is a bowl shaped version of stir-fry pan, best for quick cooking food over high heat. It is available with rounded or flat bottom. Some varieties of woks have one long handle, some have two short handles and others have a long handle on one side and a short one on the opposite side. The materials used are carbon steel, cast iron, and metals with non-stick coating.

Stockpot is a deep, tall, straight-sided pot with two big, loop handles. It is used for simmering large amount of liquid, such as stock, soup and stews, but also works well for thick soups, chili and for boiling pasta. Sometimes comes along with pasta insert – made of stainless steel perforated insert that fits inside a stockpot and acts as a colander for draining pasta.

Grill pan is a heavy metal pan that consists of ridges spaced evenly across the bottom, that closely simulate the grilling process when cooking various meats and foods. Can be with shallow sides or with deeper sides similar to a frying pan. Many grill pans are made of cast iron and are available in different shapes and sizes.

Double boiler consists of two pans - one inside of the other. The bottom pan contains hot water and the top pan holds the ingredients that are being cooked. Generally used for making delicate sauces that have a tendency to separate if cooked on direct heat. Double boilers can be made of stainless steel, enameled steel, glass and aluminum.

Fondue pot is a type of cookware that consists of a pot with a heat source such as a portable cooking fuel or an electrical heating element placed directly below the pot that is used for a food preparation process known as fondues (“fondue” is a French term meaning “to melt”). The heat source melts or fully warms the contents (usually cheese, chocolate, wine or other ingredients) so that food can be dipped into the pot and either cooked or coated with its contents and eaten as an appetizer or part of a meal.

Turkey Gravy Secrets Revealed

Turkey Gravy Secrets Revealed

To make the best tasting turkey gravy you need three things; well-seasoned fat, flour, and a good rich broth. For each cup of finished gravy you will need one tablespoon of fat, one tablespoon of flour and 1 cup of broth.

Start by making up some rich turkey broth. You can use the turkey neck, heart, gizzard or other parts usually found packed inside the turkey cavity. Add some minced onion, diced celery and 1/2 teaspoon salt in enough water to cover, simmer until vegetables are tender. Dice the turkey liver, add to the broth and simmer for about 15 minutes.

You can use the turkey bones if you like. The turkey bones yield much more broth, just add more onions and celery to the pan. You will have to carve the turkey ahead of time, which means no whole roasted turkey sitting on the dinner table waiting to be carved by the host or hostess.


Make sure you use the drippings from the roasting pan, as grandpa always said "that's the goodies", just after you've removed the cooked turkey and roasting rack from the roasting pan. Strain poultry drippings through a sieve into a 4-cup glass measuring cup.

Add 3 tablespoons of corn oil to the bottom of the roasting pan. Stir around to get out the brown bits that have baked on. Add to your turkey drippings. "Wash" the roasting pan out with the turkey broth if it's made or add water your going to use in the broth if you haven't made it yet.

The trick is to know how many cups of broth you have and if you have enough fat. Remember you will need one tablespoon of fat, one tablespoon of flour and 1 cup of broth for each cup of finished gravy.

If you are light on broth you can add some canned chicken broth.
If you are light on fat you can add a small amount of corn oil. You can save the rest of your broth for storing and reheating the turkey.

Here are a few more tips to making great tasting gravy:

First take the measured fat and combine with the proper amount of measured flour in a medium saucepan. Make sure you have covered all the flour with fat and blended it well. Place on burner. Slowly bring
the flour and fat mixture to a simmer until it begins to smell slightly salty. It will be bubbly; the color will be a light brown.

Next remove pan from burner; whisk in all the measured liquids.

Finally return the pan to the burner, again, slowly bring this to a simmer.

Remember you already cooked the flour in the fat so all you need to do now is stir this until it thickens up to your liking. You can let it stay sort of thin or let it cook out until it is thicker than your Mashed potatoes. The choice is yours.

Traditional Balsamic Vinegar For Oil And Vinegar Recipes And Gifts

Traditionally, balsamic vinegar originates from Modena, Italy.

Even today, the most renown balsamic vinegar is only produced in Modena and Reggio, Italy. The first documented reference to balsamic vinegar was allegedly made in 1046.

A bottle of balsamic vinegar was a gift given by Marquess Bonifacio, Sir of the Canossa castle to the Emperor Enrico III of Franconia. It was famous as an effective disinfectant during the Middle Ages. It was also used for medicinal purposes and known as a miracle cure for variety of problems ranging from sore throats to labor pains. Giving balsamic vinegar as a gift has continued through the centuries. Even today, it is in vogue to give gourmet balsamic vinegar as a housewarming gift.

The making of balsamic vinegar has transcended centuries of family tradition and expertise. Some believe the first batch of balsamic vinegar was made by accident, a gift of circumstance. It is presumed a small quantity of cooked grapes, or ‘must,’ was forgotten and found after a long period of time. Over time, it had undergone a process of natural acetification, (a process of conversion to acetic acid or vinegar). The aged vinegar had acquired a thick consistency and a sweet and sour taste.

Today, the production process of balsamic vinegar is complex and has been perfected over years of research and scientific improvement. The ‘must’ (unfermented juice) of grapes is used. The Trebbiano variety is used for red and Spergola is for white sauvignon. This ‘must’ is cooked slowly in copper vessels over an open direct flame. It is cooked till the content is reduced to half resulting in a thick fruity syrup. ‘Mother’ of vinegar is sometimes added at this point. It is a slimy substance comprising of yeast and bacteria that forms over the vinegar surface. Alternatively, older aged balsamic vinegar is also added. This assists the acetification process.

The liquid is put into wooden barrels for aging. The varieties of wood permitted to be used in casks are chestnut, oak, cherry, mulberry, ash, juniper and acacia. The barrels are changed periodically so that the vinegar imbibes the flavors of the different woods into its own. In Italy, balsamic vinegar is aged for a minimum period of 12 years, to acquire the label of ‘balsamic vinegar’. When choosing a balsamic vinegar to give as a gourmet gift, it is important to know the quality of the vinegar. A 12 year aged vinegar is labeled as ‘Traditional’ and those that have been aged for over 25 years are called Extra Vecchio. The quality is decided by a consortium governing body similar to those that label French and Italian wines. The balsamic vinegars that are available off-the-shelf without labels have usually been aged between 6 months and 1 year in stainless steel tanks. They may also have been aged in wooden casks for a period of 2 to 12 years. Numerous vinegars on the market that are not labeled ‘Traditionale” are mixtures of vinegar, syrup and other additives and are not true balsamic according to Italian requirements. Many of these type vinegars appear in nominal gift baskets.

Balsamic vinaigrette recipes have become extremely popular. Given below is a recipe for a simple balsamic vinaigrette dressing to liven up your salads.

Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

Preparation time : 15 minutes Servings : 10

Ingredients:

2 cups extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves of fresh Garlic, crushed
¼ cup aged balsamic vinegar
½ cup white wine vinegar
¼ cup chopped fresh thyme leaves
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
¼ cup fresh chives, finely chopped
¼ cup fresh tarragon, chopped
¼ cup fresh oregano, chopped

Method:

Combine the olive oil and both types of vinegar in a wide bowl and mix well. Peel and crush garlic cloves, spoon into mixture. Add the remaining ingredients and blend or whisk well. You can use a food processor to blend. Put aside in refrigerator, and let sit overnight for six hours. Serve as a vinaigrette dressing over spring salad greens or fresh sliced tomatoes.

Olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar are becoming popular gifts for occasions such as birthdays and housewarming presents. An elegant gourmet gift set can be found at a reasonable price of outstanding quality. It is an ideal gift idea for all who appreciate quality and the finer things in life.

Top 3 Reasons Why You Need Cookie Recipes

When it is time to bake cookies, we usually think that it is complicated, that it takes a lot of time. In one word : that it is not worthwhile ! We will show you hereunder that it is simply not true. Baking cookies is easy, fast and, most important, fun. Come and join all our readers who decided to give it a try and now, just cannot stop trying to find new recipes, new ways of preparing delicious cookies for all occasions.

It is Christmas time and you decide to bake some cookies. You never did it and you think that it might be complicated. It certainly takes long to prepare and you will need a lot of ingredients. Which ones ? Where to find the exact quantities ? How will it come out ? Will the children like them? We also asked those exact questions....and some more ! We found answers and we bring them to you for a fast and easy review.

Contrary to what we usually think, it is not at all difficult to bake cookies. We find great recipes with the exact ingredients and quantities. We just have to follow them step by step. The result will be delicious cookies that will please the children...and their parents !

We can even find non-bake recipes. That is really easy and fast to prepare! You could organize the preparation of those cookies with the children. They love to give a hand and to taste those great cookies afterwards.

We can prepare cookies with almost any ingredient. Just name it : Chocolate comes first to mind but we can also prepare cookies with granola, with pumkin, etc. You will discover recipes that were used a lot by our grandmothers and you will retrieve the smells of your childhood.

Imagine taking out the hot cookies that you prepared from the oven. Your kitchen, and maybe your house, smells like it used to when you mother or your grandmother prepared cookies. Imagine how the whole family will enjoy eating those great cookies that you prepared.

It is much easier to prepare cookies, baking them or even non-baking them, than it is usually thought. I put a lot of recipes and information on one site for you to review. On this site, recipes are added daily ! Information about baking and even cooking is given several times a day.

Toaster Oven – Some Things To Know About

One of the most reliable of the kitchen appliances is the toaster oven. With a toaster oven you can prepare anything from a piece of toast to a full meal.

A toaster oven works on the same principle as a standard toaster except that the heating elements are horizontal and the appliance has a glass door. Toaster ovens are considered dual purpose appliances because they can perform the functions of a toaster as well as an oven.

A toaster oven is a popular choice for many people. For busy singles that tend to eat out more than in, a toaster oven is a wonderful addition to their kitchen. It’s compact enough to fit into any size space and it can be used to cook a fast and easy dinner for one.

Many parents also give their children a toaster oven to use in their college dormitory. It’s perfect for preparing small meals and with the addition of a hot plate the parent feels confident that their child will eat healthy at least part of the time.

If you’re looking to purchase a toaster oven you can find them at almost every major retailer. The prices vary depending on the size and the features you want.

The very basic toaster oven available has several heat settings that you can use depending on what you are cooking. Even the standard model of toaster oven comes with a broiling tray. They generally also have a heat indicator light so you can judge when the oven has pre-heated to the desired temperature.

The smallest toaster oven will claim a capacity of four slices. This is referring to the fact that four regular pieces of bread will fit within the oven. The sizes graduate from there. For a family it’s wise to consider purchasing a larger toaster oven. Some of the larger toaster ovens can even accommodate a twelve inch pizza.

A recent feature that you can now find on a toaster oven is a digital control panel. For many years you could only purchase a toaster oven that had a manual control. This meant that you’d have to adjust the temperature dial repeatedly to find the exact right heat setting for your particular item.

With the advent of the digital control a toaster oven can now do many additional tasks. They don’t just bake or toast, but a toaster oven can also defrost and brown items. In addition they still make great compact broilers. It’s much more energy efficient to use a toaster oven broiler in comparison to heating the broiler of your standard oven.

The same can be said for cooking other items. If you are planning on baking something small it’s advisable to use the toaster oven. When you turn on your traditional oven you are paying to heat the entire oven compartment. In many cases this is a very large space. It’s preferable to heat the smaller toaster oven. It’s also quicker. The toaster oven will heat at a much faster pace than the traditional oven does.

A toaster oven is a convenient and economical way to cook. They also make wonderful wedding, birthday and holiday gifts.

Tips For Spicing Up Seafood

The allure of exotic spices launched Columbus on his journey of discovery. Today, home chefs can explore new taste sensations by using spices and other flavorful ingredients to add a new world of flavor to fresh fish and seafood.

"There's nothing like the fresh flavors of herbs and spices for cutting unhealthy calories without sacrificing taste," said Red Lobster Executive Chef Michael LaDuke, who offers the following simple tips for enhancing the natural flavor of fresh fish and seafood:

World of Flavors: An easy recipe that turns fresh fish into an exotic dish is topping tilapia with a mixture of soy sauce, lime juice, orange juice, fresh ginger, garlic and cilantro. To produce a richer flavor, make the soy sauce mixture at least 24 hours in advance and refrigerate the sauce overnight. Serve the sauce at room temperature or slightly warmed. With its sweet, mild taste and firm, flaky texture, tilapia will soak up the flavors and take on a deliciously Asian flair.

If you prefer a delicately flavorful fish such as halibut, complement its medium-to-firm texture with bold spice blends such as curry or chili.

Healthy Oils: The key to making flavorful oils for a simply elegant and heart-healthy meal is to add herbs and spices, such as basil, garlic, salt and pepper, to olive oil over a low heat on the stove, similar to making tea. This allows you to adjust the intensity of the flavor. After heating the olive oil, strain the mixture and remove the herbs and spices. For a special touch, place the olive oil on your table surrounded by sprigs of the fresh herbs and spices.

Be adventurous! Add a variety of flavorful herbs and spices to your oil mixture, such as exotic peppers, chives, dill, lemongrass or mint. If you serve olive oil over salmon, you'll also enjoy the heart-health benefits of essential omega-3 fatty acids found in this delicious fish.

Cooking With Wine: Wine is not only good for drinking, it's also great for cooking. Pour white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc, over a firm white fish like mahi-mahi and season it with chili powder to intensify the flavor. Mahi-mahi is light enough to bring out the crisp citrus taste of this popular wine. But remember, your sauce will be only as good as the wine you choose, so always cook with a wine you enjoy drinking.

Adding Some Zest: Add the tangy flavor of citrus by generously squeezing lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit juices over your favorite fish or seafood and garnishing with freshly grated zest. When using fruit zests as a garnish, it is best to slightly poach them beforehand in sugar water, as raw zests can taste bitter.

For quick, tasty meals, make a citrus butter ahead of time by combining melted butter and citrus juices, cooling the mixture and storing it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Citrus juices mixed with melted butter also make great dipping sauces for succulent lobster and shrimp.

Studies show eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon, at least twice a week is good for the heart. Using an array of herbs and spices offers endless opportunities to bring out the best in all varieties of fresh fish and seafood.

Red Lobster serves guests fresh fish entrees with bold flavors, savory seafood dishes that include shrimp, crab and scallops, as well as the company's signature, live Maine lobster.

Tips For Making Homemade Bread

There is nothing like homemade bread. Whether banana, pumpkin, white or whole wheat, the smell of a fresh, hot loaf can't be beat.

There are many reasons why you would want to make your own bread. If you have good pumpkin bread recipes or banana bread recipes, you can make a nice dessert or have a quick snack for the kids on hand at all times.
Baking your own white or wheat bread can help you save money on your grocery bill. Eating whole wheat bread will keep you healthier and may even help you lose weight.

You may want to consider supplying your family with homemade wheat bread all the time. The health benefits are many, especially if you are going to use fresh ground wheat. Eating a slice of bread made with fresh ground wheat is like taking a shot of vitamins.

What Is Wheat And Why Would You Want To Use It?

Wheat is the world’s most important grain crop and ranks first among the grains for its nutritional value. When used in its entirety, wheat is an excellent source of fiber and many critical B-vitamins.WheatB-vitamins. Wheat germ is one of the richest sources of vitamin E if used when freshly milled, before oxidation takes place.

The richest source of Vitamin E is found in the germ of the wheat kernel. Milled wheat loses its Vitamin E very quickly due to oxidization. This is the reason why the bread we buy really has nothing of value for us. It has been stripped of the vitamins provided in the wheat. Within about 72 hours of milling, 90% of over 30 nutrients are gone.

Families usually enjoy better health once they start baking bread with fresh ground wheat including significant improvements in sinus conditions, runny noses and colds. There have also been reports of reduced cholesterol counts, warts disappearing, acne clearing and a host of other wonderful benefits. Of course there are the obvious benefits of adding more fiber to your diet, but remember to drink a lot of water when you increase fiber.

Tips For A Perfect Low Carb Cheesecake

Who doesn’t love low carb cheesecake? The Low carb cheesecake is now one of the recommended products for low carb dieting which will greatly contribute a big part for the quick and successful results with the diet.

There is no doubt that due to the increased number of people who love low carb cheesecakes for their low carb diet, many food companies are now offering so many flavors and varieties of low carb cheesecake. However, the low carb cheesecake is not only found from those companies, for the fact that even yourself can make a perfect low carb cheesecake. How? It is not a problem though. So if you want to know on how to make a perfect one? Find out here.

Yes! You can make a perfect one through these considerations. The first important thing to consider is to bring all the necessary ingredients to room temperature before mixing. This process typically takes for about thirty minutes. After that, you try to soften the cream cheese in the microwave and this will take for 15 seconds. It is also important for this step for a perfect low carb cheesecake that you add 15 seconds for every additional bar of cheese.

The filling for the low carb cheesecake must be blended only until it is combined. Over mixing will give a bad result. In removing the low carb cheesecake, you should butter the sides or use a metal spatula around the edges immediately after removing the low carb cheese cake from the oven. Then put a spring form pan on a thin pan, just like the pizza pan, or you can coat the bottom and up one inch around the sides with aluminum foil. This method is given to avoid leaks in the oven.

After that, you should place a thin pan of water in rack below the low carb cheesecake to keep the oven moist, then don’t open the door while baking. It is also interesting to know that a perfectly baked low carb cheesecake will be puffed around the edges. Then cool slowly on a wire rack that is away from any drafts. It is also recommended that the low carb cheesecake be stored in the refrigerator being loosely covered for up to four days. It is also interesting to learn that the low carb cheesecakes taste best when brought to room temperature. And surprisingly, this food can be kept for up to two months in the freezer.

So are you ready to prepare now? If so, then great!

Thrill Friends And Family With A "Make It Yourself" Pizza Party

If there is one thing kids love more than eating pizza, it's being able to make it themselves using all their favorite toppings. Creating a "make it yourself" pizza party is a great way to customize the meal while involving friends and family in a fun activity. Best of all, this crust recipe, which uses a surprise ingredient, is simple enough to make at home without making a mess of the kitchen.

The secret to this simple crust is the addition of potatoes. Idahoan brand flavored Mashed Potatoes were recently named the best-tasting instant mashed potato compared to major national competitors by the American Culinary ChefsBest.™ Incorporating these convenient, 100 percent authentic Idaho potatoes in the crust adds moisture and rich flavor to this homemade version of one of America's favorite foods.

The following recipe for Fresh Tomato and Zucchini Pizza uses fresh summer produce; however, when making pizza at home, each person can substitute his or her favorite toppings. With this versatile recipe, you can enjoy a delicious homemade meal that enables everyone to eat the pizza that they love.

Fresh Tomato

And Zucchini Pizza

Crust:

1/2 cup dry Idahoan Roasted Garlic flavored Mashed Potatoes

1 cup boiling water

1 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

Topping:

3 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced and patted dry

1 small zucchini, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and ground pepper to taste

4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

2 tablespoons fresh shredded basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil

Combine dry Idahoan Roasted Garlic flavored Mashed Potatoes with boiling water in a bowl, using a fork to moisten all potatoes. Let stand for one minute. Add flour, olive oil and salt to potato mixture. With hands, knead mixture until dough forms a ball. Let rest 5 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400º F. Press dough into 12-inch by 8-inch baking pan. Arrange zucchini slices and tomato slices over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake about 15 minutes. Top with mozzarella; bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese melts. Sprinkle with basil.

Yield: 4 main-dish servings or 6 appetizer servings

The Well-Stocked Kitchen Starts With Cutting-Edge Knives

Preparing meals that are a cut above the ordinary may be easier if you start with the right cutting tools.

Well-designed cutting tools are engineered with style, safety and performance in mind. A smartly constructed knife is fashioned of forged high-carbon stainless steel and chromium for optimum rust and stain resistance.

For example, Insignia2 cutlery has fully tapered blade edges that are engineered with Chicago Cutlery's signature Taper Grind™ Edge for extreme sharpness, performance, edge retention and resharpening ease.

When choosing a knife, look for heavy forged bolsters between the blade and the handle. These bolsters provide greater balance and safety by preventing fingers from riding up on the blade. A full tang blade, extending from the tip of the knife to the end of the handle, provides additional strength, balance and control.

A good knife collection features patented ergonomic polymer handles for exceptional durability and handling. Triple compression stainless steel rivets should secure the handles to the blades.

Available in 18-piece and 12-piece slanted hardwood block sets, the Insignia2 collection contains a four-piece forged steak knife set, a three-piece set with paring, utility and chef knives, and a two-piece Asian set featuring a seven-inch Granton-edge Santoku and a 3.5-inch paring knife.

A new concept in cutlery is the collection's Partoku™, a five-inch knife that delivers the versatility of a Granton-edge Santoku with the convenience of an easy-handling paring knife. It's designed for chopping, dicing, slicing and mincing and works well as a cleaver, slicer and chef's knife. The five-inch version can accomplish kitchen tasks that would be unwieldy with a larger knife.

After stocking your kitchen with the best, most ergonomic knives, you may want to use them to reward yourself by preparing these delicious recipes:

Braised Chicken

in Wine Sauce

Serves 4

5 slices bacon, diced

1 cup onion, roughly chopped

1 31/2-lb. chicken, cut into eighths

1/4 lb. mushrooms, diced

8 small new potatoes, cut in large pieces

1 clove garlic, minced

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1 cup chicken broth

3 cups Burgundy wine

Chopped parsley

With a Chicago Cutlery Insignia™ Partoku, dice uncooked bacon and mushrooms; roughly chop onions and cut potatoes and chicken into pieces. In a large skillet, sauté diced bacon with half the onions until bacon is crisp. Remove and drain well. Add chicken pieces to skillet and brown on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.

Put remaining onions, mushrooms, potatoes and minced garlic in skillet. Add browned chicken pieces, bacon and onion mixture. Add salt and pepper, thyme and enough chicken broth and wine to nearly cover chicken. Cover and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes or until chicken is tender and juices run clear when pricked. Serve sprinkled with chopped parsley.

Easy Scalloped Eggplant

Serves 4

1 medium eggplant, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups)

1 Tbsp. parsley, finely chopped

12 ounces grated cheddar cheese; reserve a few tablespoons for topping

2 eggs

1 medium onion, chopped

1 cup cracker crumbs

Salt and pepper to taste

Butter

Peel and cube eggplant. In a medium saucepan, boil eggplant until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well. In a lightly buttered baking dish, combine eggplant, parsley, cheese (reserve some for topping), eggs, onion and cracker crumbs. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, salt and pepper and dot with butter. Bake at 350º F for 25 minutes or until firm. Serve immediately.

The Thrill Of A Safe Grill

Barbecuing or grilling outdoors this summer tops the list of fun ways for families to eat dinner together, according to a survey from the Propane Education & Research Council. And almost two-thirds of Americans say that a barbecue or cookout is their favorite way to entertain-or be entertained-during the summer months.

But only one in three adults say they know enough about basic safe grilling tips. To help the 74 million "barbecue households" in the United States enjoy a safe and healthy summer season, the propane industry teamed up with best-selling author and grilling expert Steven Raichlen to release its top-ten tips on grilling safely with propane gas:

1. When the cylinder is refilled, have the supplier check for dents, damage, rust or leaks.

2. After filling or exchanging, take the cylinder home immediately. Keep the vehicle ventilated and the cylinder valve closed and capped.

3. Always use or store cylinders outdoors in an upright (vertical) position. Do not use, store or transport cylinders near high temperatures (this includes storing spare cylinders near the grill).

4. Never leave the grill unattended. Always follow grill manufacturer's instructions on lighting the grill and make sure the grill top is open when attempting to light the grill.

5. Before connecting or lighting a propane gas grill, use a leak-detection solution to check connections for tightness. Do not use matches or lighters to check for leaks.

6. If you suspect a gas leak, and are able to safely turn off the gas supply valve, do so immediately and call the fire department.

7. Do not allow children to tamper or play with the cylinder or grill.

8. Do not smoke while handling a propane cylinder.

9. Never pour an accelerant such as lighter fluid or gasoline on the grill.

10. When not in use, grill burner controls should be turned off and cylinder valve closed.

"Interest in grilling is skyrocketing," said Raichlen, author of The Barbecue Bible and the just-released Raichlen on Ribs. "Given the large numbers of grillers in this country, it is imperative that safe grilling tips are made available and, more importantly, followed."

The Secret To Preparing The Perfect Paella

According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, paella is a saffron-flavored dish made with varying combinations of rice, vegetables, meat, chicken and seafood. The Dictionary also explains that in the Old French and Catalan languages, paella means frying pan or pot. The traditional paella pan is flat and of large diameter, it can also have handles on each side.

In fact, paella is one of the most versatile dishes to make. Paella also has the advantage of being great to clean out the fridge and use up leftover meats and vegetables. Any combination will eventually be great the secret is in the chemistry. Paella is a dish that is generally made to feed several people. Moreover, paella is quite flavorful the next day as the tastes have had time to mix together and become stronger.

This article is not a recipe but rather an outline that describes the three basic steps to follow to make a wonderful paella while leaving the reader (the chef!) the latitude to be creative and to make the dish their own by customizing it to their taste.

First the rice.

Select a type of rice that you are comfortable using. Feel free to experiment but know that paella contains a lot of ingredients and if you are unhappy with the end result with a particular type of rice, you might end up with a lot of waste. Basmati, brown or a mix with wild rice can add great taste and texture. Follow the instructions on the package with regards to washing and cooking the rice. Finely chop some onion, garlic and tomato. Heat a saucepan and add olive oil once the saucepan is hot (make sure that the oil does not start smoking. Burnt olive oil is carcinogenic and quite unhealthy). Once the oil is hot, throw in the uncooked rice. Frying uncooked rice gives it a nutty taste. Let the rice fry in the saucepan for a minute or so. Add the chopped onion, garlic and tomato until they soften, mixing constantly. Spice with saffron, salt and pepper. Feel free to experiment. Cumin, Cayenne various fine herbs or even a bit cinnamon or cloves can easily be added for a flavoring of your own. This mixture should not be on the stove for more that three to five minutes. At high heat with constant mixing, none of the ingredients should stick but they should mix well together and soften. Once all the ingredients are combined, remove the saucepan from the burner and mix in some frozen peas. Add enough peas to make a well balanced mixture.

Second the meat.

In a frying pan at high heat, brown some pieces of chicken. Upper thighs, drumsticks, breasts...it's all good. Do not cook the meat completely but brown the outside. Once browned, set the meat aside. Lamb can also add great flavor to your paella.

Third combining it all.

Cover the bottom of the paella pan with the uncooked rice mixture. Add the browned chicken pieces on top. Add uncooked Merguez (spicy lamb sausages) and small fish filets rolled up and fastened with a toothpick or string. Use any type of fish but make sure that its flesh will hold well together. Pour some chicken broth on top (if the broth is warm the cooking time will reduce). Note that you can also add wine for more flavor. Cover the paella dish and cook for about 45 minutes at 350F or until the rice is cooked. At this point you can add raw shrimp or muscles and cook uncovered for another five minutes.

In short, the secret to preparing the perfect paella is to make it your own!

The Principles of Scientific Cooking

Proper cookery renders good food material more digestible. When scientifically done, cooking changes each of the food elements, with the exception of fats, in much the same manner as do the digestive juices, and at the same time it breaks up the food by dissolving the soluble portions, so that its elements are more readily acted upon by the digestive fluids. Cookery, however, often fails to attain the desired end; and the best material is rendered useless and unwholesome by a improper preparation.

It is rare to find a table, some portion of the food upon which is not rendered unwholesome either by improper preparatory treatment, or by the addition of some deleterious substance. This is doubtless due to the fact that the preparation of food being such a commonplace matter, its important relations to health, mind, and body have been overlooked, and it has been regarded as a menial service which might be undertaken with little or no preparation, and without attention to matters other than those which relate to the pleasure of the eye and the palate. With taste only as a criterion, it is so easy to disguise the results of careless and improper cookery of food by the use of flavors and condiments, as well as to palm off upon the digestive organs all sorts of inferior material, that poor cookery has come to be the rule rather than the exception.

Methods of cooking.
Cookery is the art of preparing food for the table by dressing, or by the application of heat in some manner. A proper source of heat having been secured, the next step is to apply it to the food in some manner. The principal methods commonly employed are roasting, broiling, baking, boiling, stewing, simmering, steaming, and frying.

Roasting is cooking food in its own juices before an open fire. Broiling, or grilling, is cooking by radiant heat. This method is only adapted to thin pieces of food with a considerable amount of surface. Larger and more compact foods should be roasted or baked. Roasting and broiling are allied in principle. In both, the work is chiefly done by the radiation of heat directly upon the surface of the food, although some heat is communicated by the hot air surrounding the food. The intense heat applied to the food soon sears its outer surfaces, and thus prevents the escape of its juices. If care be taken frequently to turn the food so that its entire surface will be thus acted upon, the interior of the mass is cooked by its own juices.

Baking is the cooking of food by dry heat in a closed oven. Only foods containing a considerable degree of moisture are adapted for cooking by this method. The hot, dry air which fills the oven is always thirsting for moisture, and will take from every moist substance to which it has access a quantity of water proportionate to its degree of heat. Foods containing but a small amount of moisture, unless protected in some manner from the action of the heated air, or in some way supplied with moisture during the cooking process, come from the oven dry, hard, and unpalatable.

Boiling is the cooking of food in a boiling liquid. Water is the usual medium employed for this purpose. When water is heated, as its temperature is increased, minute bubbles of air which have been dissolved by it are given off. As the temperature rises, bubbles of steam will begin to form at the bottom of the vessel. At first these will be condensed as they rise into the cooler water above, causing a simmering sound; but as the heat increases, the bubbles will rise higher and higher before collapsing, and in a short time will pass entirely through the water, escaping from its surface, causing more or less agitation, according to the rapidity with which they are formed. Water boils when the bubbles thus rise to the surface, and steam is thrown off. The mechanical action of the water is increased by rapid bubbling, but not the heat; and to boil anything violently does not expedite the cooking process, save that by the mechanical action of the water the food is broken into smaller pieces, which are for this reason more readily softened. But violent boiling occasions an enormous waste of fuel, and by driving away in the steam the volatile and savory elements of the food, renders it much less palatable, if not altogether tasteless. The solvent properties of water are so increased by heat that it permeates the food, rendering its hard and tough constituents soft and easy of digestion.

The liquids mostly employed in the cooking of foods are water and milk. Water is best suited for the cooking of most foods, but for such farinaceous foods as rice, macaroni, and farina, milk, or at least part milk, is preferable, as it adds to their nutritive value. In using milk for cooking purposes, it should be remembered that being more dense than water, when heated, less steam escapes, and consequently it boils sooner than does water. Then, too, milk being more dense, when it is used alone for cooking, a little larger quantity of fluid will be required than when water is used.

Steaming, as its name implies, is the cooking of food by the use of steam. There are several ways of steaming, the most common of which is by placing the food in a perforated dish over a vessel of boiling water. For foods not needing the solvent powers of water, or which already contain a large amount of moisture, this method is preferable to boiling. Another form of cooking, which is usually termed steaming, is that of placing the food, with or without water, as needed, in a closed vessel which is placed inside another vessel containing boiling water. Such an apparatus is termed a double boiler. Food cooked in its own juices in a covered dish in a hot oven, is sometimes spoken of as being steamed or smothered.

Stewing is the prolonged cooking of food in a small quantity of liquid, the temperature of which is just below the boiling point. Stewing should not be confounded with simmering, which is slow, steady boiling. The proper temperature for stewing is most easily secured by the use of the double boiler. The water in the outer vessel boils, while that in the inner vessel does not, being kept a little below the temperature of the water from which its heat is obtained, by the constant evaporation at a temperature a little below the boiling point.

Frying, which is the cooking of food in hot fat, is a method not to be recommended Unlike all the other food elements, fat is rendered less digestible by cooking. Doubtless it is for this reason that nature has provided those foods which require the most prolonged cooking to fit them for use with only a small proportion of fat, and it would seem to indicate that any food to be subjected to a high degree of heat should not be mixed and compounded largely of fats.