Archive for the ‘Food’ Category
How to Maintain Food Storage Properly
Most of us are used to just heating left-over foods in the microwave to come up with an instant snack or meal. This makes food preparation more quick and convenient for us. You dont have to worry about getting home late and prolonging your familys hunger. In only a few minutes, you already have dinner. But are you sure that the food your keeping are still safe to eat?
It is very important to learn how to keep our food safe for us to eat. Here are some tips for safer food storage for your family:
For cold storage, store food in the refrigerator but make sure that its temperature is maintained at 41 F or below. Next, do not overstock you fridge. Let the air circulate freely to chill foods quickly. It is also very important to label food with their expiry dates especially if you have kids in your household.
Store frozen foods in moisture-proof containers to maintain food quality and to prevent cross-contamination. For left-over and for those which are removed from their original containers place them on air-tight containers to preserve its quality. Lastly, store chemicals like medicines in a separate area and make sure that kids wont be able to reach it.
For dry storage, which mostly consists of canned goods, flour, sugar, rice, and cereals, a temperature of 75 F is recommended. Maintain these items in room temperature. Always keep your dry food storage area clean. Maintain a cleaning schedule for shelves for food storage. This will ensure that your food is free from insects and rodents.
Check your shelves for items are near expiration or that already expired to avoid any poisoning. Store these food items away from your cleaning products, make sure that cabinets for your chemicals are far from your food storage to avoid any contamination and make sure its out of the reach of your children.
Keeping food storage is one thing to ensure the overall safety and health of your family so you better practice extreme caution in preparing and maintaining them. Follow these tips and you are well on your way towards survival and good health.
Tags: disaster preparedness, Food, food storage, making long-term food storage
Texas Eats
Whatever enticements bring you to the great land of Texas, I can guarantee you one thing, the food is what will keep you there. The South has perfected their own unique standard of cuisine, and the Lone Star State is saturated with it. The delicacies and delights found here are quite lacking anywhere else in the world.
It’s easy to spell fun in Texas — BBQ. Despite the population, the biggest cities and the smallest towns all have their own barbecue establishment of some kind. Each self proclaiming themselves, no doubt, to be “The Best Barbecue in Texas!” With only slight variations, you can easily expect an atmosphere of brushed steel, wood planks, hickory smoke, and country music.
But since you are only there for the food, you should know that there exists any choice of beef, pork, or chicken. No matter where you go for your experience, you can expect the variation of a spicy kick, a sweet honey glaze, or a classic hickory smoked saturation to fit your preference. When I first came to Texas, it came as quite a surprise to find at even the most elegant of events a banquet arrayed in barbecue.
The barbecue succeeds due to the excess of Texas’ most precious asset of beef. Driving through the state it is not rare to see land roaming for miles with the most beautiful livestock. The great land spanning these acres feeds the most delicious animals in the state.
If you don’t prefer to have your animals barbecued, surely you couldn’t resist a melting piece of tender steak in your mouth. Fine Texas Steakhouses are hard to miss around the state as well. I would suggest a medium grill to your choice of cut in order to achieve the most tender and yet sufficiently cooked dinner delight.
Texas also has a lucky connection so close to the border which has given birth to a fascinating genre of food that only exists here as TexMex. The further south you travel, perhaps to San Antonio at least, the hispanic culture has authentically romanticized the food here. Warm tortillas, fresh salsa, and explosive flavors lull us away in this perfect union of Mexican style food made by the Texan grown culture.
All the acres of land that makes Texas proud gives fruit to unending varieties of succulent produce. Undoubtedly my favorite is, the peach. You can’t find a better peach cobbler than in the South, for good reason.
Peaches thrive in this climate and humidity. In our own backyard we grow a large fruitful peach tree that satisfies our craving for juicy sweet peaches with each summer season. Everyone in our community also looks forward to this season for my family to bring over paper bags full of peaches to share.
The land and humidity here in Texas are not always so unbearable. They bring forth the great fruits of quite enjoyable eating. Livestock, fruits, and vegetables all have a happy home grown in Texas. Any traveller will gorge with substantial delight in any of the unique culinary creations that all Texans should be proud of.
Tags: barbecue, bbq, beef, chicken, culinary, dining, eating, Food, livestock, Peaches, pork, produce, steak, Texas
How Different Is Ginger Beer From Ginger Ale?
Ever since the year 1700, Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale have long been popular beverages enjoyed by many. Both were first brewed during the colonial times and were named “Small Beers”. This name, small beers, came about because these drinks contained about 2 to 10% alcohol content as a result of the fermentation process. These alcohol levels were considered small as compared to the amount that most beers and other liquors contained during those times.
Fast forward to today, and this is all very different. None of the commercial brands of ginger beer or ginger ale sold in America contain alcohol anymore. Theyre sold and enjoyed as sodas now. In other countries however, Ginger Beer may still have some alcohol content to it.
Since ginger root has been considered as a medicinal herb that eases nausea and sore throats, Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale are often consumed for the purpose of giving ease to these health problems. Both beverages are also credited as great mixers for different alcoholic drinks. The very famous National Drink of Bermuda called Dark N’ Stormy is made by mixing Ginger Beer with Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, or when mixed with vodka it will result in what is called Moscow Mule.
So What is the Difference Then?
Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale do have a lot in common, but the fact still is these two beverages are quite different. The very big difference between these two falls in the content of ginger that each have. Ginger Beer has a spicier bite since it contains a higher amount of ginger compared to Ginger Ale.
When it comes to additional ingredients, the contents in Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale are also different. Ginger Ale contains more sweeteners to it and has a higher carbonation level. There is a noticeable difference in the appearance of both drinks with the liquid in Ginger Beer being cloudier when compared to Ginger Ale. And although each beverage has some fruit flavorings in it such as lime, lemon and even pineapple, both differ when it comes to the amounts of fruit juice flavorings each has.
On the production side there is not much difference when it comes to the process on how both of these beverages are made. Since everything is now more commercial and they have been branded as sodas due to use of carbonated water and syrups, Ginger Beers and Ginger Ales are now produced on a large scale to provide the demand. However, some small beverage companies have stayed true to the old fashioned Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale recipes and production processes. Some are still made in small batches without any artificial flavorings, colors or high fructose corn syrup that sodas normally have.
Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale are the kind of beverages that have numerous flavor profiles. The difference in recipes and tastes of these beverages makes it fun to sample as many as you can. Eventually you will find that one brand that suits your style best.
Egyptian Soup Cures for General Health Problems
Soup is one of the oldest foods on earth. Across the world, soups have are used to cure or nourish people suffering from various ailments. Egypt is no exception, and the various soups listed here have been prepared with loving care by Egyptian mothers and wives for thousands of years.
*Soups Reputed to be Aphrodisiacs – It is customary to feed these soups to a bridegroom for the entire week prior to the nuptials!
- Pigeon Soup is prepared the same way as a basic chicken soup. This recipe will feed two: 3 onions, salt and pepper, mastic and cardamom seeds, 1/2 cup of hulled wheat as well as two pigeons. Put the bird and whole onions together, in boiling water. Tie the seeds into a muslin bag. Lower the heat and allow the birds to cook until the meat is tender. Once you’ve removed the pigeons along with the muslin bag, mix the hulled grain into the soup and boil for an additional ten minutes. Before you add the boiled pigeons to the broth, all skin and bones need to be removed.
- Lamb, Beef or Camel Shank Soup; the shanks should be cooked in boiling water until tender enough to de-bone. The shanks can be removed from the pot, pull off the meat and put it in a bowl to keep it from getting cold. Set aside cup of the shank broth and cool. Boil remainder of broth. Allow butter or ghee to melt in a different kettle, then mix in flour and keep stirring until it’s mixed well and is golden in appearance. Lightly beat the two egg yolks with a fork. Next, mix the egg into the flour and butter mixture, stirring continuously, and combine the 1/2 cup of shank broth that has cooled down. When making this stew return the flame to low and slowly add the remaining hot broth stirring the whole time. it is beneficial to add the broth after the meat boils. Keep from boiling. Flavor with salt and pepper and add as much lemon as you prefer. For those who don’t have money to buy lamb or beef, the shanks from a camel can be substitute but they will require a much longer cooking time.
* A simple recipe that will aid an upset tummy or runny stools is to boil water, salt and onions together to make a simple onion and water broth. The salt of course helps against dehydration and onion is said to have disinfectant properties. If the soup was planned for a baby, they can drink it from a baby bottle, once the cooked onion has been taken out.
- Boiled Rice and Lemon Broth; this broth is frequently given as a remedy for diarrhea as well. Boil cup of rice in 1 cups of water, add salt. Once you remove it from the heat source, combine juice from two to three lemons. The lemon is a disinfectant and can kill some of the bacteria at the root of the problem, the salt keeps you hydrated if you are suffering from diarrhea and the rice is an easy to digest complex noncarbohydrate food.
* For regaining strength after a bout of serious illness:
- Egyptian Bean, Vegetable and Lemon Soup; this is a simple and nutritious soup that is often served to people who are just beginning to eat solid food after recovering from illness. Saute onion chopped, in a tiny bit of olive oil. Add a teaspoon of crushed cumin seeds, a bay leaf or two, a large chopped carrot and cook on medium heat until the onion is golden. Add chopped fresh tomatoes, a cup of pre-soaked dried and skinned broad fava beans and 1 liters of boiled water, reduce heat and simmer until both the carrots and the beans are cooked. Salt and pepper should be added according to your preferences. Remove from heat and add the juice from two to three lemons. If the person is too weak to chew, the soup may be pureed.
Keep in mind that lemons from Egypt are far tinier than the bigger European and American fruits.
Tags: Delicious Soups, Egyption Soups, Food, Healing Soups, Healthy Soups, Soups
Indian Monsooned Malabar Coffee
Special monsoon coffee from India is a truly unique coffee with a story to tell And like most good stories it all started by accident.
Before Steam engines, the coffee was transported by sail ship. While the beans where in transit they started to soak up the moisture in the air. After many months at sea the beans would swell and dull in colour By the time these coffee beans reached their destination they had acquired a mellow taste and unique aroma and so India’s monsooned coffee was born.
I’m glad to say transport has moved on since those days but India still produces the famous monsoon coffee. The production of the beans has changed a bit, but they still offer a unique coffee with a wonderfully mellow taste and aroma. Nature also lends a hand in the form of the monsoon season.
This coffee can now take anything up to 16 months to produce, once the coffee beans have been harvested. They are stored in warehouses until the monsoons arrive. When the rain falls and the winds howl the side of these great warehouses are opened and the winds and rain blows through the warehouse allowing the beans to mingle with the moisture laden air.
The coffee beans are raked and turned mostly by hand. This whole process allows the beans to swell with moisture and they begin to take on a very pale colour. The monsooning of the beans also reduces the acidity found in normal beans making a truly unique cup of coffee.
Though coffee is widely produced throughout Indian. there is only one true place where a monsooned coffee can be produced and that is Malabar. the major factor which makes the malabar region perfecr is the high humidity of the area. Probably the most famous of all these is the moonsoon malabar coffee.
A history of monsoon malabar coffee
In days gone by coffee was transported to Europe on Wooden ships, a dangerous journey that would take 6 months to complete. And for that length of time the beans would sit in the ships hold in damp and humid conditions. Because the beans spent so long in these unpleasant environments they would eventually lose their original characteristics and instead take on some completely new ones. The swelling of the bean and the dulling of the colour being the most obvious.
Europe grew to love the unique taste and aromas associated with this Indian coffee, but as time passed transport began to improve, steamships were introduced and the sail boat became obsolete, this caused a number of problems for the beans. They simply did not have the time required to see the changes that everybody loved so much.
Europe didn’t like this new taste and insisted on having the original back. This left the coffee producers in India with a dilemma, how could the replicate the environment that gave the beans their unique characteristics. They found the answer in Malabar where the conditions were perfect to replicate the conditions found on the long sea voyages. Monsoon Malabar coffee is now more popular than ever with 3000 tons being produced each year. It has become hugely popular throughout the world and this is reflected in the price it fetches in the open markets.
Tags: beverages, coffee, Food, Indian Coffee, monsoon malabar
Good Cooking Starts With Fresh Ingredients
Individuals get bored when having the same thing repeatedly for more than two days. This is why imaginative cooking has a eminent thing to say in world’s gastronomy.
All mothers know how it feels when kids don’t want to eat vital foods.
Getting knowledge how to cook delicious courses is easy. The most challenging part is selecting the right ingredients from the market in order to get everything fresh.
For your security the best way to get the food components is to buy them from supermarkets, and not from unauthorized sources. For instance, you can buy canned mushrooms, but they won’t taste the same as fresh ones.
Vitamin D is key for our health. Out of all fruits and vegetables, mushrooms are the ones that contain it is big quantities. Vegetarians should open well their eyes and ears, as they are very easily prone to dis-balanced nutrition.
There are so many books of expand recipes, that one can give great range of meals, all based on mushrooms. An imperative tip in catering is to cut all akin veggies in equal parts. This will make certain that all pieces will be ready in the same time.
The first step in cooking veggies is chopping them. This is tough and it requires a lot of tolerance The mushrooms have those blades, where the spores grow, which can gather dirt and small insects. You have to use a lot of fresh in a row water to get rid of all that stuff and get hold of clean mushrooms, ready to be safe to eat.
If there are pieces of dirt or living creatures among the blades, they will get out and you’ll acquire clean mushrooms which are ready to be fit to be eaten. If mushrooms are big, cut them in pieces. minor ones can be cooked as they are.
Cook everything as much as needed for getting a soft texture. Consuming raw vegetables can cause intestinal disorders. There are some restaurants which offer salads containing raw mushrooms, but I’m not sure that is a good idea. Likewise cookery kills part of the toxins, so do it well.
For example, you can use the grill to make vegetable skewers, which are very appreciated by vegans all over the world. If you want, you can add some tofu cheese, as it’s very good when grilled.
Tags: cooking, Food, food recipes, kitchen, mushrooms, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian
Specialty Italian Meat Makes for Great Finger Food Recipes
Are you tired of serving and eating the same old finger food recipes? Instead of getting crafty with finger food recipes, most people think to serve the trusty favorites like chips and salsa, pretzel dips or a cheese ball of some sort. Well maybe its time to get those creative juices flowing in the kitchen. Volpi Foods, one of Americas oldest and most prestigious manufacturer of hand-crafted Italian meat products, would like to help you in the kitchen so that your next get-together will be one your friends wont soon forget!
One of the most popular types of cuisine is Italian, don’t you agree? When Italian dishes come to mind, you probably think of lasagna, noodles, pasta and pizza. However, there are many wonderful Italian meat dishes and finger foods that are an exceptional addition to your menu. No longer do you have to serve only those heavy pastas and Italian dishes for your entre; you can get creative with various Italian meat selections that make for wonderful appetizers and finger foods.
Even being short on time, theres no reason to rely on store bought dips and platters. How about serving an antipasto dish as a unique before the meal treat? Decadently arranged, these Italian meat dishes are one of a kind. For this recipe to wow your guests, we recommend mozzarella and provolone cheese with Volpis Milano Salami, pre-sliced prosciutto and coppa. Simply roll up the meats and cut cheeses into square bites, and arrange nicely on your dish. For an even quicker appetizer, try Volpis Rotola, which is made of thinly sliced prosciutto rolled in mozzarella cheese. Just slice and serve! Talk about a mouth-watering treat that is unique!
How about we suggest another great finger food recipe? Volpis easy antipasticks! These skewers make for a delicious pairing your guests will want to taste as soon as they say hello. Use Volpini sliced salami, mozzarella cheese, green and black olives, grape tomatoes, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. For preparation, place olives and tomatoes in a bowl and season with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Cut cheese in small cubes. In this order, place slice of salami, cheese, salami, tomato, salami and olive on toothpick. How about a savory wine pairing? Try a crisp Pinot Grigio or a robust Chianti Classico.
We invite you to take a more creative approach with finger food recipes for your next get-together. Sometimes, a really great and nicely presented appetizer is all that is needed! Not only are these suggested finger food ideas Italian meat delicacies, they are very easy to make. With appetizers like these, how about leaving the chip dips for the kids.
Tags: appetizers, finger food recipes, Food, italian cuisine, italian food, italian meat, proscuitto, recipes, rotola, salami, volpi
What People Around The World Eat For Breakfast
Throughout the world, ‘breakfast’ is an important cultural tradition associated with the start of a new day. Because ‘breakfast’ is such an important meal, many countries have developed their own unique culinary delights to begin each day.
Breakfast in America: Eggs, English muffins, toast, cereal, tea, coffee, milk, bacon or sausage, hash browns, and fruit and fruit juice.
Breakfast in Canada: Pancakes and Canadian maple syrup, Canadian bacon, eggs, English muffins, toast, cereal, tea, coffee, milk, hash browns, and fruit and fruit juice.
Breakfast in the United Kingdom: Tea and coffee, toast, bacon, sausage, grilled kidneys, eggs, grilled tomato and mushrooms, oatmeal or cold cereal, smoked fish, buns, crumpets, and brown bread with butter, honey, jam, or marmalade.
Breakfast in Russia: Hot tea, breads such as black bread, sausage, fried eggs, cucumber pickles, finger sandwiches made with ham and cheese, lox on whole-wheat bread, Kasha (cereal) and tvorog (soft curd cheese) are all popular breakfast foods.
Breakfast in Australia: Eggs, toast with butter and jam, cereal with milk, and tea or coffee. Spaghetti or baked beans and bacon on top of toast is also a popular morning meal
Breakfast in China: Mainly rice with a bit of vegetables and meat.
Breakfast in Central America: A variety of egg dishes, chorizo and other sausages, tortillas, pan dulce (sweet bread), fresh fruit and fruit juices, and fried plantains. Chocolate beverages are popular for breakfast. Refried beans, fried rice and tortillas are also part of the meal.
Breakfast in South America: South Americans enjoy a light breakfast. Foods can include coffee with milk, pan dulce, Medialunas, (small croissants) and tea or yerba mate.
Breakfast in Turkey: Turkish breakfasts can include: tea, coffee, bread, softened butter and honey, su bregi (noodle pastry filled with soft white cheese and parsley,) boiled eggs, black olives, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
Breakfast in Israel: Western breakfasts are popular as well as yogurt, herring, cucumbers, tomatoes, and fruits.
Breakfast in France: Coffee with milk, espresso, hot chocolate with tartines, slices of baguette with jam, black bread; scrambled eggs with mushrooms and tomatoes.
Breakfast in the Netherlands: Poached eggs with ham placed on toast with cheese or bread and butter.
Breakfast in Germany: Bread rolls or toast with butter, honey, or jam, ham or sausage, soft boiled eggs, and coffee.
Breakfast in Switzerland: Sliced meats, cheese, yogurt, prepared fruit, butter, croissants, and breads and rolls.
Breakfast in Greece: Bread, cheese, fruit, and coffee
Breakfast in Italy: Brioche (type of croissant) and a cappuccino or coffee.
Breakfast in Belgium: Bread with coffee or tea, fruit juice, cereals, soft boiled eggs, currant loaves, croissants, sandwiches, and almond paste cakes.
Breakfast in Sweden: Bread with margarine and cheese, smoked ham, or turkey, yogurt with muesli and banana, and cereal.
Breakfast in Ireland: Fried meats, fried bread, white and black puddings, and Irish soda bread.
Breakfast in Scotland: Oatcakes, scones, and Arbroath smokies (small haddock) porridge, and brown bread and butter.
Breakfast in India: Foods vary from region to region. Popular meals can include eggs with spices, potatoes, and onions, coffee, fruits and yogurt, appam (thin rice pancakes filled with spiced meat or potatoes and vegetables), idi-appam (rice noodles with sweet coconut milk or a meat curry), idli (small steamed cakes made with rice and split peas) and puttu (crushed rice and coconut steamed and served with bananas and milk). The Hindi breakfast dish khichri is made with rice, lentils, and spices.
Breakfast is a ritual practiced around the world. The unique cultural differences make breakfast an important and delicious culinary tradition.
Wine Snobs…Got A Clue?
Do you take the glass and swish the contents around after the Sommelier pours a small amount of wine in your glass, and then set your nose over the glass rim acting as if you know what the heck you are checking for?
That was a mouthful I know, and a bit embarrassing from an English grammarian view point, but not as embarrassing as it will be if some one dares asks you, if you know what you’re doing when you’re performing this snobbish ritual.
This type of display is best left to the wine aficionados in wine tasting clubs. Other than that, this ritual has long since become passe’ in our modern world. Even if a Sommelier presents you with a bottle of wine for your approval, do not perform what I call the Wine Snob Dance. Just do not do it.
It’s quite alright to tell the server at your table that you are sure the wine selected will be fine. In fact the server will probably be thankful you didn’t force him or her to observe this painful act. Let them open and pour the wine and move on to more important things.
While you manage to restrain yourself, realize that the larger the group the more likely you will experience a wine snob performing the wine swish, swallow and glowing attributes of the wine selection. For they just can’t refrain from describing the chocolate and berry nose, satiny finish and the slight taste of tannin. Just know they most likely don’t really have a clue, it’s all just made up crap.
It’s utterly amazing to watch someone who knows as much about wine as you do, spout off with these grandiose labels and attributes for an average wine. Many times for even less than an average wine. I can guarantee you there is no shortage of these quasi wine aficionados.
What is acceptable now a days, is to just select a wine type that you like. Regardless of the situation or even the food that is being served. It’s all about enjoying the experience of drinking wine. Your taste is just as good as anybody else’s and your opinion just as valid. After all, do you really care if there is a hint of Watermelon or the delicate scent of Rose emanating from your wine glass.
A money saving tip: When dining out, call the restaurant ahead of time and ask if you can bring your own wine and if the restaurant can just charge corkage. This is a policy that a lot of restaurants have or are familiar with and are willing to provide you. It can mean the difference between buying a $12 bottle at a store and paying $25 to $40 for the same wine at the restaurant.
Regardless of the steps you take to enjoy your nite out or special gathering, do just that….enjoy yourself and let the wine snobs do their thing and look ridiculous. It will be a much more pleasant experience without going through a dog and pony show over the wine being served.
Tags: Food, growing grapes, Homemade wine, wine, wine making
