Nutty Beef Casserole: NEW! Trailer Park Cooking Show

Easy Tips for Healthy Cooking

We all know we should be eating healthier. But it's not just changing our eating habits in restaurants that needs to be done. We can also change how we cook our food at home. Healthy cooking at home doesn't need to be bland or boring! In fact, you may find some of these tips will add more flavor to your dishes!

The first thing to do is choose leaner cuts of meat. The obvious choices for low fat cooking are chicken and fish, but other meats can be lower in fat as well. When shopping for red meat, the words 'sirloin' and 'round' are cuts which are naturally lower in fat. Check the meat and choose the one with the least amount of marbling and trim off any excess fat before cooking. Look for ground beef that is 95% lean. Pork is also another great lean meat.

The problem most people have with lean meats is that they will dry out easily when cooking. To avoid this, try a marinade. Marinades aren't just for flavor (although that is a great benefit!). Using acidic liquids will actually help break down the tougher connective tissue in the meat. Try one of the many low fat marinades available in your grocery store, or make up your own with ingredients such as balsamic or red wine vinegar, herbs and spices. Depending on the size of the meat portion, you can marinade from 20 minutes to several hours. A great marinade for chicken is yogurt. Mix fat free yogurt with some lemon juice, salt, pepper and any other spices you like and coat your chicken breasts. Yogurt marinades are best after 8 hours or overnight.

Tired of bland vegetables? Try sautéing your vegetables in a little chicken broth (or vegetable broth) instead of oil. Then sprinkle on herbs. Even just a sprinkling of chopped chives can add a zesty new taste to your vegetables. Another great option is roasting vegetables. This works wonderfully with root vegetables or other very firm ones such as cauliflower and squashes. Simply cut the vegetables into large chunks, spray with cooking spray and toss on seasoning. Curry powders, cajun blends or Italian seasonings are great. Roast in a 450 degree oven until the vegetables are tender. You can also place the vegetable pieces on a skewer and roast on your grill!

You don't have to give up dessert when eating healthily, either! Fruit makes a wonderful dessert, or even a side dish with your regular meal. Try a bowl of mixed berries topped with a low fat or fat free vanilla yogurt. Or sauté bananas in a non-stick skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Sprinkle on cinnamon and a touch of vanilla extract. Serve with frozen yogurt. Even kids will think they are getting an indulgent treat!

Have a favorite recipe that isn't so healthy? You can try modifying it. Remove any skin from meats, use half the amount of oil asked for in cooking. For baked goods, substitute applesauce for oil - your cakes will still be moist and flavorful! In recipes asking for cream, try using evaporated skim milk. With these substitutions, many times you won't even notice the difference.

Cooking With A Gas Grill

Cooking foods with a gas grill has exploded in popularity over the years. 60%-80% of all grilling is done over a gas grill. This is due in part because there are so many advantages in cooking with a gas grill over using a charcoal grill. Let's take a closer look at why the gas grill is so popular with the backyard chef.

1. Gas grills are very convenient to use. Most all of them use propane to heat with and they are very simple to start. It's as easy as turning on the propane and pushing the starter button on the grill. This is probably the single biggest convenience of all in cooking with a gas grill.

With charcoal grilling you have to dump in a bag of charcoal, pour lighter fluid all over it and then light them. You will need to constantly check to see if they are burning and it will take 20-30 minutes before the grill is even ready to begin cooking.

2. Gas grills have built in thermometers to assist you in cooking your foods properly. You will know exactly how hot your flame is. Most all charcoal grills lack this important feature.

3. With a gas grill you can cook several different types of food at various temperatures, all at the same time. This is because most every gas grill has separate burner controls so one side of the grill can be hotter than the other side. That makes cooking meats and vegetables so convenient. Some gas grills even have a pot warmer that you can use to heat foods in a pan, such as baked beans, or soup.

4. Another huge advantage of cooking with a gas grill is the weather. You can literally cook with a gas grill year round, even in cold weather climates with snow outside.

5. Gas grills are also much easier to clean than charcoal grills. There are no messy charcoal ashes to dispose of. A gas grill will cool off much faster than charcoal. It will allow you to be able to clean after you are finished eating your meal. You can simply remove a grill section after cooking and scrub it down. It's very quick and easy, with very little mess.

6. One big safety point to keep in mind is that propane is highly flammable. You must follow all the safety instructions when handling propane tanks. Be sure to always inspect the fuel lines and look for any cracks, or leaks. A cracked line or leak could possibly lead to a fire, or even an explosion.

Gas grills are very safe to use as long as you use common sense and follow the precautions. If you see any potential problems, check them out and get them fixed. Be sure to only use propane tanks that are approved for grilling use. Never try to use a homemade tank.

10 minute cooking school Sin city breakfast tacos

Cooking - Tips For Better Barbequing

Having a backyard barbeque with friends and family is one of life's great pleasures. Whether you own a gas grill or charcoal grill, barbequed foods taste great. To help make your cooking experience even more enjoyable, I've listed some tips that all backyard chefs should be aware of.

• Before firing up the grill and cooking on it, be sure to spray the grill with a non-stick spray. The last thing you want to have happen is for your chicken to stick to the grill and tear all apart when attempting to turn it over. Another benefit of using a non-stick spray is that it makes clean up so much easier.

• Before you cook your foods on the grill, make sure the grill is properly heated. You want your food cooked throughout. If you are going to be cooking on a gas grill, let it heat up for at least 5 minutes before putting the food on it. For charcoal grills, wait until all of the coals have turned gray before cooking. This usually takes approximately 20-30 minutes.

• Set out your meats on the kitchen counter for 15-20 minutes prior to putting them on the grill. You want the meat to be at room temperature. This allows the meat to cook evenly throughout. One important note though, never leave the meat sitting out for 45 minutes or longer. It can easily spoil.

• When turning your meats over on the grill, never use a fork. Why? If you stick a fork in the meat you're barbequing, you will be letting all the juices run out. Be sure to use a spatula, or a pair of barbeque tongs. You may also want to wear a glove to keep from getting your hand burned.

• If you are going to be basting your foods with a favorite barbeque sauce, wait until the food is nearly cooked before applying. Never apply a sauce when first cooking your meats on the grill. It can make your food dry out completely. You may want to baste your meats an hour or so before cooking them on the grill. This will help seal in the flavors during grilling.

• Are you cooking kabobs on the grill? Make sure you leave some space between each food item on the kabob. This will help everything cook evenly. Another tip is to evenly space out a piece of meat, then a vegetable, etc. This allows the different flavors to spread throughout the kabob. Before removing your kabob from the grill, cut open a piece of meat to be sure it has cooked completely. You sure don't want to be eating any uncooked meat.

• After your cooking is complete on the grill, you're going to want to clean it up. The best way is to use a grill scraper. Clean up the grilling surface and wipe everything down. Be careful that you don't burn yourself while cleaning up.

Backyard barbequing is a lot of fun. After using some of these tips and experimenting on your own, you'll discover how to cook some great tasting foods on your grill. Before you know it you're going to be a barbeque king!

Cooking Nutria

RV Cooking Show - Tucson's Greatest Guacamole

Retard Cooking Show

Cooking - Stocks

A vital ingredient in many sauces, soups and other foods is a stock. And no store bought stock can compare with a stock that is a home made one. To make a stock instead of having to use tender young ingredients it is best to use meat from older animals and mature vegetables. These are then simmered slowly for a long time to extract every ounce of flavor.

Some people, those that are purists, may insist on using only fish for a fish stock or beef stock in a beef stew but today we rarely have the luxury of such precision in our pantries.

Chicken and Vegetable stocks are the easiest to prepare and are the mildest in flavor and have become one of the most popular stocks to use in just about anything including fish soup and beef stew.

Flavor, body and clarity are the characteristics of a good stock and of the three flavor is the most important. To get a good flavor you need to use a high proportion of ingredients to water. The most flavorful stock is achieved by just covering the bones, shell, or vegetables with water. Additional water can be added should the water evaporate to below ingredient level before cooking is completed.

Cooking times for stocks varies. To get raw beef bones to give up all their richness and flavor will take at least 8 hours but chicken bones will only require half that time and vegetables require no more than an hour to cook. It must be remembered that simmering the stock past the recommended cooking time can produce an unpleasant bitter taste.

Once all the flavors and goodness have been extracted from the meat bones and vegetables the stock should be strained. To check, retrieve a meaty bone from the simmering stick and if the meat still has some flavor leave the stock to simmer for a while longer. Should the meat be tasteless and the bone joints are falling apart then the stock is ready for straining.

In a stock meat adds flavor whilst the bones add body. Bones from joints such as the knuckles or shoulder contain gelatin, which gives a stock body and a rich smooth texture. It is good to use bones with some meat on, this way you get the best of both worlds. By description a stock is made with more bones than meat and a broth is made from meat.

A clear stock tastes clean and fresh but a cloudy stock will seem greasy. To achieve a clear stock start with cold water. Allow the water to come to the slightest simmer then carefully skim any impurities, froth or fat that rise to the surface. By doing this you not only bring out the most flavor from the ingredients but also draw out impurities in the meat and bones that would otherwise cloud the stock. A stock should never be allowed to boil, as these impurities in the form of scum that forms on the surface will be incorporated into the liquid.

Pork n Beans Dip: Trailer Park Cooking Show

Cooking - Liver

All liver is a great source of iron and B vitamins and should be a regular part of a healthy diet and if cooked correctly liver can be delicious. Although liver does have bad press and many people will not even consider trying it. Sometimes it calls for the cook to be somewhat inventive to get people to try liver. There are many recipes to choose from and it is worth the experimentation.

The best liver is the liver from young animals as it is mildest and tenderest. Calf's liver is delicate and delicious but fairly expensive. Real calf's liver is paler in color than the redder more mature baby beef liver. For a mild flavored liver choose the palest that you can find. The darker the color the stronger the flavor.

Take care when choosing liver as sometimes baby beef liver is labeled calf's liver in the supermarket or grocery store. To ensure purchasing true calf's liver buy from a butchers or a reputable gourmet supermarket.

Baby beef liver is stronger in flavor than calf's liver but is very good and preferable to actual beef liver. Liver from beef is dark red and the color corresponds to the strength of flavor. Beef liver is readily available but many believe it is too strong for simple preparations.

Some cooks after buying beef liver soak it in milk or a flavorful spicy marinade such as a white wine marinade before cooking to soften the intense flavor. After marinating throw the liquid away and pat the liver dry before cooking.

A lovely tender well-flavored liver is lamb liver but this is generally quite difficult to find.

Also hard to find is pigs liver, which is strong in, taste but extremely tender. Again for pig's liver it can be soaked or marinated like the beef liver.

When choosing liver it should be impeccably fresh with no slimy or dry patches and should have a clear scent.

Should you find yourself preparing a whole liver first wipe it with a damp cloth, then with a sharp knife remove any exposed veins, ducts or connective tissue. With your fingers peel away the thin outer membrane without tearing into the liver itself. You then just slice on the diagonal to the desired thickness your recipe calls for.

Of course presliced liver can be purchased and is actually more commonly available than whole livers. If the butcher has not done so remove the outer membrane on the slices.

Before cooking make 1/8th inch cuts at 1-inch intervals around the outside of the liver slice. The reason for this is because liver has a tendency to shrink and curl when it is cooked and these cuts will help to prevent that from happening.

The liver is now ready for cooking. Liver should be cooked until it is pink but firm in the center. If liver is overcooked or cooked on excessively high heat it will toughen.

4 Hero - Cooking Up Yah Brain

Cooking Healthy Meals

Most of us want to eat healthier meals. Many people believe this means you have to eat foul tasting foods, but that's not the case anymore. With so many cookbooks and tips available today, any home cook can begin preparing more healthy foods in a short amount of time. Let's take a look at how you can start eating healthier today.

The key to healthier cooking is in choosing the right foods to prepare. You can always use your favorite recipe and modify it with more healthy ingredients without giving up on the taste. Simply look at where you can take out the fats and reduce the calories.

For those of you who are not cooking inclined, you can even use restaurant foods and simply alter some of the ingredients. Add some more healthy dressings, sauces and other seasonings. Remove some of the fatty cheeses.

Cooking healthier foods doesn't mean always eating raw vegetables. Cooking healthier foods involves combining a mix of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants into your foods. It makes no difference how they are prepared.

Cut Down On Fat

Be sure to use reduced fat dairy products and always buy lean meats when cooking any kind of meat dishes. When buying hamburger you will be better off with extra lean instead of regular hamburger meat. Cooking foods like fish will give you the good dietary fats your body needs. The same can be said with eating nuts, olives and other seeds.

When cooking foods in a skillet, don't overdue it with the oil. If you must use cooking oil, try using olive oil. You can also apply oil with a brush, or use a cooking spray to help prevent you from going crazy with the oil. This keeps the fat in the oil from soaking into your food.

You will hear some cooking experts tell you to substitute other types of liquids for oil. Perhaps using water and even fruit juices to reduce the fat. Another tip to help reduce the fats in your diet is to use vinegar and salsa, instead of butter or cream on your foods.

Vegetables

Raw vegetables such as carrots contain vital nutrients that are necessary for your body to maintain proper health. Cooking your vegetables will not eliminate these vitamins and minerals if cooked properly. Don't boil or fry your vegetables too long. You want the vitamins and minerals to stay locked in. Try to never soak your vegetables in water. Many types of vegetables will release their minerals when soaked for too long.

Everything in life will work better when done in moderation. Healthy cooking is no different. Experiment and figure out what you want to take out of your diet and what you want to keep in. It will require a little patience and homework. Educate yourself more in this area. Learn what fats you need to eliminate from your daily cooking. Your body is the only one you'll ever have. Treat it right and it will treat you better in return.

Esmee Denters on Life & Cooking (Subtitled, May 27)

Getting Children Cooking

Get little ones involved in the kitchen especially when it comes to cooking healthy recipes. Once you get your kids in the kitchen helping you make nutritous food, it is almost guaranteed that they eill consume what they help prepare.

Kids of all ages can be brought into the kitchen to assist with making a meal. Even when they are barely old enough to talk, allowing them to get close enough to the cooking excitement, they appreciate the excitement of dinner preparation.

You can impress and delight you little ones by having them assist you prepare the family meals. We sometimes forget how vital time is with our little ones. They love listening to you tell them about the time you put peas in your socks so you wouldn't have to eat them.

Relating funny stories and explaining nutritional values during dinner time will make a lasting impression on your little ones. While you delight them with your wit, give them pieces of food to try.

Let them wash and chop vegetables. The time spent making food at a young age will benefit the entire family.

1) If little ones are of the age where they have developed their motor skills, they will be delighted to run the veggie slicer or cut the tops off the carrots for you.

2) Allow the kids combine together the dry ingredients for muffins, cupcakes, etc. Let the kids stir the egg mixture and stir it together. They can even spoon the batter into the pan.

Once the meal is done, they will consume it and brag to the other members of the family about their accomplishment.

Allowing children to participate in the kitchen, gives them a sense of empowerment. In some ways they feel more in control over the foods they eat. Feeling more in control, kids will consume what they help to make.

A favorite family dish is vegetables with pasta. The little ones can slice up the vegetables, cut up the sprigs of dill, and help stir the pot with your supervision.

Veggies with Pasta

This dish is a favorite little one friendly yummy recipe. It provides some family time in the kitchen and gets kids to eat their vegetables.

Although this pasta recipe started as only pasta and carrots that cook at the same rate, you might want to test the cooking time for the other vegetables that we added. Some alternatives on the recipe may include different rates of cooking for other vegetables like broccoli, snow peas, sugar snaps, etc. separately, and then combine with pasta after both are cooked.

Ingredients:
*8 ounces of pasta
*One 10- ounce package of pre-peeled baby carrots
*2- small zucchinis cut up into bite sized pieces
*1 cup of fresh broccoli tops
*3 sprigs fresh dill
*2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
*Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Fill a large pot 2/3 full with water and set over high heat to boil.
2) Place the carrots, zucchini, and broccoli and pasta in a plastic pitcher.
3) When the water boils transfer the pasta carrots, zucchini and broccoli to the pot
4). Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon, approximately 8 minutes.
5) Test the pasta - it should be slightly chewy but not hard or stiff,
the vegetables & carrots will be done also.
6) Drain the combination into a colander--

While cooking let the little ones use scissors to snip the fresh dill and place in a bowl.

7) Place the pasta and vegetables back in the pot,
8) Melt the butter over the pasta and vegetables
9) Add the dill.
10) Add salt and pepper to taste.
11) Mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon and serve immediately.

Cooking with the Emperor: Pop-Tarts

Tips For Healthy Cooking With Kids

Cooking is one of the most enjoyable activities that parents can do with their kids. Every child should experience the fun of creating healthy meals in the kitchen and it should not be a place reserved just for mom.

Healthy cooking with kids is beneficial to both parents and kids. Children can learn essential living skills such as how to cook and how to be organized. They can also apply the knowledge that they have learned in school; for example addition and subtraction in math. Moms can ask simple questions such as, "If we are serving one muffin per guest and we have five guests, how many muffins should we bake?" This type of question is fun for kids and they get to use math in a real world way. As the kids get older they can learn about ratio, weight, and even science in the kitchen.

When kids are given simple tasks like spreading jam on bread using a blunt knife, it lets them practice using their eyes and hand and helps improve their motor skills and coordination. By completing each task, the kids will gain more confidence and they will become independent because they know they can do anything if they put their mind to it.

Parents who practice healthy cooking with their kids are spending quality time with them while doing something fun. This is a great opportunity for parents to communicate and interact more with their children, thus strengthening the family relationship. Encourage the kids to ask questions during the cooking activity so they can understand better the process of cooking.

After the kids have completed their tasks; such as cutting vegetables or peeling potatoes, remember to compliment them for doing their jobs well. We adults love compliments and kids feel the same way too. This will definitely boost their confidence.

Children are more likely to eat what they have prepared or cooked. This is a chance for parents to introduce new food to their children who are picky eaters. If they do not like their greens, let them pick a salad recipe and prepare it. Give them options to add things like dried cranberries, mandarin oranges, small goldfish crackers, etc. Make fun, colorful desserts together such as berries with yogurt.

Your kids will be so proud of the food they've prepared so keep that in mind when you eat it, even if it looks a little "funny." Parents can also encourage their children's inner chef to prepare their own lunch box for school. Steer them in the direction of interesting ways to prepare healthy food when they're young and they may learn to love their veggies. In other words, they can learn healthy eating habits through learning how to cook healthy food.

Parents cooking with their kids can be a weekly activity. By having our kids help us in the kitchen, they will learn some of the necessary skills to succeed in life and who knows, they may become the best chefs in the world.

Re: Summer Cooking Guru Challenge!!

Southern Cooking Techniques

You can find hundreds of recipes for Southern Cooking on the internet, but what they fail to tell you is the techniques needed to turn those recipes into real southern dishes.

On the subject of Southern recipes, I'm sorry to say that what is often represented as a Southern recipe, is not. For instance, when you see a recipe for Southern cornbread that includes sugar, that is NOT Southern. I lived all my life in the South and traveled the world but have never met a Southerner that puts sugar in cornbread. We call that "Yankee" cornbread. That is cake, not cornbread.

Back to the subject at hand, assuming you have real Southern recipes, you can still wind up with a dish that is not truly Southern if you do not employ Southern cooking techniques. You may produce something that is good but the technique makes it more than good, it makes it special.

Cooking Method:

Southerners fry more of their dishes than any other people I know. Therefore, for the most part, Southern cooking is not low fat. However, you can lessen the fat content with the choice of cooking oil you use. If this is a concern, don't use animal fats, lard or saturated oils. I generally use corn or safflower oil. Believe it or not, with dishes that do not require high temperatures, I use olive oil. The point here is to just be prepared to fry a lot with Southern cooking.

Cookware:

Traditional Southern cooking calls for cast iron. You should obtain an 8 and 10 inch skillet and medium pot for your cookware. Cast iron is inexpensive and can frequently be found at thrift stores for two or three dollars, if you have one near you.

The cast iron retains heat a long time and burns fingers readily. But it transfers heat like no other material. You must “cure” or “season” your cast iron before using or you will have a problem with sticking and rust. While the manufacturers instructions for curing are inadequate, they will do. Never use anything but cast iron for cornbread and never cook anything but cornbread in your “cornbread skillet”. For most recipes, you will want to heat the cast iron (like pre-heating the oven) before you add the ingredients.

Regular Milk vs. Buttermilk:

In most situations, when a recipe calls for milk, in Southern cooking, you would use buttermilk. You should always use buttermilk for your cornbread and biscuits. It provides a unique flavor that screams ”Southern”. Here's a tip: if you do not keep buttermilk on hand (I don't), you can make your own by adding about a spoon of white vinegar to a cup of regular milk. Stir and let sit about a minute. You will have a substitute buttermilk for cooking purposes (I do not recommend drinking....although I have never tried it).

Cooking Time:

Many Southern dishes (mostly vegetables) are cooked much longer than you would find in restaurants or homes in other parts of the country. Specifically, green beans, okra, turnip greens, mustard and collards. Vegetables cooked Southern style are NOT bright colored and crunchy (like Chinese stir fry). They are tender and flavorful. An exception to the "crunchy" observation is fried okra. Okra is cooked until nearly burned. It is coated with cornmeal and is, indeed, crunchy. On the other hand, other vegetables such as green beans are cooked around two hours until they are tender and dark green in color.

Seasoning:

This is one of the most important techniques that distinguishes Southern cooking from other styles. Spicy (hot) flavors are seldom used except for cajun cooking, which is a style of cooking all it's own. Onion, bacon and salt are used extensively for seasoning. All greens, black eyed peas, green beans, most anything cooked by boiling in water, is seasoned with salt, a chunk of onion and a slice of bacon (or bacon drippings).

While not a technique, it is important to combine certain foods to produce a traditional Southern meal. Combinations of the following are typical. Fried chicken, fried pork chops, greens (turnip, mustard, collards), black eyed peas, fried okra, cornbread and green beans. So, for a real Southern treat, get an authenic Southern recipe, follow these techniques and watch your family ask for more.

Cooking Mama Trailer (DS)

Summer Cooking Guru Challenge!!

Seaweed Soup - Cooking With Algae

Algae can be useful in many different situations. Algae are for instance used as food for humans as well as for live stock, and it is also included in various health products and cosmetics. Seaweed is predominately gulped down in South-East Asia, especially in China, Japan, and Korea, but it is becoming more and more popular outside this range for each year that passes.

If you want to include more algae in your diet you can for instance try red algae from the genus Porphyra. In Asian cuisine, this alga is commonly referred to as nori. It is not commonly eaten fresh; it is instead harvested, dried and pressed into thin sheets. These sheets are then used in all sorts of dishes, from sushi and soups to sauces and condiments. The two most commonly used species of red algae are Porphyra yezoensis and Porphyra tenera.

Do you think that you have never eaten algae? I think you have! As a matter of fact, the next time you gulp down some ice cream or pour syrup over your desert you might be eating brown algae. Alginic acid, a popular stabilizer for emulsions and suspensions, is derived from brown algae. In addition to the food industry, it is also appreciated by paint producers.

Brown algae are not the only type of algae that can be used to stabilize food. Red algae are used to make the products Agar and Carrageenan which works wonders when you need to stabilize food products such as puddings and canned meat. Agar is also used by scientists who need to grow bacteria, fungi and cell structures on a nutritious gel, while Carrageenan is a popular addition to shampoos.

Wish to try some mouth-watering algae dishes in your own kitchen? Here is a recipe for Seaweed Soup.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of ground pork
• 2 quarts of water
• 1 cube of chicken bouillon
• 1 (8 ounce) can of sliced water chestnuts
• 3 sheets of nori (dry seaweed)
• 1 egg
• Salt to taste
• 4 green onions
• 3/4 teaspoon of sesame oil

What to do:

1.) Cook the ground pork over medium heat until browned. Use a large saucepan because you will be adding more ingredients.
2.) Drain off excess fat.
3.) Add water and bring it to a boil.
4.) Reduce the heat down to medium again and leave the dish to simmer without a lid on for roughly 15 minutes.
5.) Stir in the bouillon cube and make sure that it dissolves completely.
6.) Add the chestnuts.
7.) Break the nori into peaces and add to the saucepan.
8.) Beat the egg in a separate bowl.
9.) Stir in the egg.
10.) Add salt to taste.
11.) Chop the green onions.
12.) Remove the saucepan from the heat before adding the onions.
13.) Stir in sesame oil.
14.) Bon appetite!

Solar Cooking in Somalia

Cooking With Chocolate - Chocolate For Savoury and Sweet Dishes

Chocolate is a fascinating substance that comprises a whole range of both raw and processed foods derived from the seeds of the South American cocoa tree Theobroma cacao.

Archaeological evidence suggests that it has been cultivated for three millennia in Central America and Mexico, with its earliest documented use around 1100 BCE. The majority of the Mesoamerican peoples made chocolate beverages, including the Maya and Aztecs, who made it into a beverage known as xocol
Nahuatl word literally meaning 'bitter water'.

Chocolate itself is produced as a by-product of the fermentation of cocoa beans. Subsequently the beans are dried, cleaned, and roasted, and the shell is removed to produce cacao nibs. The nibs are then ground and liquefied, resulting in pure chocolate in fluid form: chocolate liquor. The liquor can be further processed into two components: cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Chocolate is produced by the mixing of cocoa solids and cocoa butter in varying portions.

Everything from raw cocoa nibs to various forms of processed chocolate can be used in cookery and chocolate, because of its bittering qualities can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes, as the recipes below show.

Chocolate Nemesis Cake

Ingredients:
675g good dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
10 whole eggs
575g caster sugar
450g unsalted butter softened

Method:
Using an electric whisk, beat the eggs with a third of the sugar until the volume quadruples - this will take at least 10mins. Meanwhile heat the remaining sugar in a small pan with 250ml water until the sugar has completely dissolved to a syrup.

Place the chocolate and butter in the hot syrup and stir to combine. Remove from the heat once molten and allow to cool slightly. Add the warm syrup to the eggs and continue to beat, rather more gently, until completely combined (about 20 seconds). Line a greased 30 by 5cm cake tin with baking paper and pour in the batter. Place this in a casserole dish and add almost enough water to come up to the top of the tin. Place in an oven pre-heated to 160°C and bake for 30 minutes, or until set. The top should be springy when you place the flat of your hand on it.

Allow to cool completely in the tin before turning out onto a wire rack.

Mole Poblano

Ingredients:
3 ancho chillies
3 pasilla chillies
3 mulato chillies
1 onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
30g almonds, toasted
30g sesame seeds, toasted
1 tsp coriander, ground
6 large, ripe, tomatoes, blanched, peeled, de-seeded and chopped
60g raisins
60g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa content)
150ml chicken stock
1 tsp ground cinnamon
lard for frying
1.8kg chicken pieces
black pepper, to taste

Method:
De-stem and de-seed the chillies then toast in a dry frying pan for a few minutes, stirring frequently. Transfer to the chicken stock and allow to re-hydrate for 20 minutes. After this time remove the chillies from the stock and place in a blender along with the onion, garlic, almonds, sesame seeds, spices and a few twists of black pepper and render to a smooth paste.

Melt the chocolate in a bain-marie (double boiler) then add a little lard to a frying pan and use this to fry the raisins until they puff up. Remove and set aside then add a little more lard to the pan. Fry the chilli paste in the lard for a few minutes then stir-in the chicken stock then add the tomatoes and raisins. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes, our until the sauce begins to thicken then add the chocolate.

Meanwhile fry the chicken in a large frying pan until browned on all sides. Transfer to an oven-proof dish (or a casserole dish), cover with the sauce and place in an oven pre-heated to 180°C and bake for about 35 minutes.

Moon TV - Speed cooking 2

An Opening to Sugar Free Cooking

Obtaining and maintaining slim figures, managing blood sugar levels, controlling nerve pain and preventing dental problems are just a few of the reasons why many today are searching for ways to remove sugar from their diet. Although controlling one's sweet tooth can be one of the most daunting tasks even the most stringent of dieters face, it is an extremely effective for weight loss. There are many advantages to a sugar-free diet, still why is it so difficult to stay off of sugar?

Many of us grew up enjoying classic desserts ranging from milk and cookies to apple pie. Cakes accompany many of life's greatest milestones. It is as if sugar based food is a staple not only of our diets, but our lives as well. Can anybody imagine a birthday party or wedding without a hulking mass of flour, egg and finely processed sugar? Many frustrated dieters feel that they can not participate in the celebration if they do not participate in the eating.

We face similar trials in the day to day aspects of our lives. For more results visit at www.classic-dessert-collection.com.The smells of baked goods waft out at us whenever a bakery is passed. We are taunted by cookie jars on the counter and easy bake brownies on the grocery store shelves. There seems to be no escape. Sugar substitutes are helpful, but they cannot solve the problem entirely. How does one truly get by on sugar free cooking?

Trying to get rid of anything sweet is a short road to cravings and binges. Not to mention extra pounds. Instead, attempt to find natural alternatives for your sweet tooth. Many fruits and vegetables will do wonders to replace even the hardest foods to ignore. Try baking apples or pears; add in a little cinnamon, raisins and cream to create a delightful delicacy. Strawberries, peaches, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries all go very well with cream and various spices.

Okay, so there is still the Achilles heel of dieters to deal with, chocolate. This delight is probably the most difficult sugar filled product to get rid of. There is a simple solution though. Don't get rid of it. Instead melt down sugar free baking chocolate and use it as a dipping sauce for sweet fruits such as cherries and strawberries. Other chocolate covered delights such as pretzels and sunflower seeds can be made with baking chocolate as well. Use sugar free varieties of peanut butter to supplement the flavor. The slightly less sweet taste might take some getting used to, but once you adapt the cravings should go away.

Another challenging sugar product to remove is found in beverages. If you want to see more than login on www.chef-123.com. Getting rid of soda and sugar filled juices can be difficult. If the lack of carbonated drinks is a problem try mixing a sugar free juice with soda water to supplement your cravings. This area is one in which sugar substitutes can be a tremendous benefit. The products mentioned earlier are frequently found in diet sodas, and can often provide flavor comparable to that of regular sugar products.

If the already mentioned alternatives are not enough to quench your sweetened desires, then perhaps more drastic measures should be taken. Recipes that use natural syrups, created from fruits and other various sources provide a way to make many favorites without using any processed sweeteners. There are plenty of recipes that include natural products, and can be found using a basic search online. You may need to invest in a few books to really dive into sugar free foods, but the benefits are well worth it.

Desserts and snacks are manageable without sugar, but breakfast can be tricky. Sugar free alternatives can be found for almost any product. But it is easy to become dependant on these items. For example, one can easily find sugar free yogurt. These products taste good and are convenient. It can be very tempting to simply grab a yogurt and call that breakfast. It simply is not enough. Carbohydrates and a small amount of protein are also essential first thing in the morning. Yogurt is a wonderful source of calcium and simple carbohydrates, however, to receive the day long energy complex carbohydrates provide one will need a bread product of some sort. Granola with no sugar added can be a great option. Try mixing the yogurt and granola if the taste of either food is not enough on its own. To get some protein eat a hard boiled egg, or even a small amount of breakfast meat. Either way, make sure to get balance, and not just settle for a simple sugarless solution.

There are many reasons to move to a sugar free diet, health benefits among them. However, there are still risks. A food that is sugar free is not inherently good for you. These foods are generally better for you then sugar filled alternatives, but it does not mean they are healthy. It can be deceiving at times because there is a perception that eating healthier foods will lead to a healthier lifestyle. While this holds true overall, moderation still needs to be practiced. Dietary rules should still be adhered to. Be sure to find a balance in food types as too much of any good thing can create problems

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Cooking - Crockpots Save Time and Money

The two main advantages of crockpot cooking are that they:

* Save Time
* Save Money

Time-Saver

Crockpot cooking for me is synonymous with time-saver. We each have different phases of life and this season is definitely my crockpot phase -- maybe out of desperation. No matter what stage we're in though, crockpot cooking can always be a benefit.

Here's a scenario: It's five o'clock and you've finally finished helping with the homework with two of your children, and then your third child returns from piano -- ready to start homework -- and has a question about algebra. Soccer practice starts in exactly one hour. And not to mention that you've got three loads of laundry spewed across your bed and ready to be folded. The phone rings -- a reminder to bring snacks to soccer practice, it's your turn. The kids are hungry, hubby will be home in thirty minutes. Do you make that call? "Honey, could you bring home In & Out again, the usual?" Or do you simply whip up a salad to go with your chicken cacciatore that's been cooking slowly and succulently in your crockpot all day. This truly is my life and I'm working towards the latter scenario becoming a more prevalent one.

Perhaps you remember crockpots back when you were a kid -- along with Barry Manilow, mood rings, and banana seats -- all popular in the 1970's. Crockpots are now making a comeback, and for Vegas supporters, so is Barry Manilow. The essential ingredient here is not that we're all going retro but rather that life is busy and we're seeking time-management helps that work. Five o'clock can be the busiest, so preparing food the night before and putting it in containers overnight or chopping and dicing earlier in the day can be the most convenient and healthy solution.

Money-Saver

This type of cooking saves money on many levels. As I mentioned earlier, if you're organized and have your pizza in a pot cooking all day -- you won't be tempted to call Dominos at five pm. Eating out does get expensive, especially for an entire family and if it becomes a habit. Cooking in the crock is a longer process than in the oven or on the grill and because of this meats are really tender, even with cheaper cuts of meat. Therefore it really has the potential of reducing our grocery bills.

In the summertime it's hot -- especially where I'm living in the desert -- so any excuse not to heat up the house is a good one. Energy bills are definitely affected.

There are numerous crockpot cookbooks out there with healthy and tasty family-friendly recipes. Incorporating crockpots back into our lives can be one of the first and simplest of many steps in achieving organization and balance in our lives.

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Crockpot Cooking's 10 Essential Tips

If you're new to crockpot cooking and have decided you want to give it a try -- whether it's to save time, money, or just to add some variety to your cooking methods -- then you may want to read up on the essential crockpot cooking tips.

1. For meat dishes, defrost meat completely -- especially if you're using roasts. Why? The center of the meat may encourage bacterial growth if it remains cool long enough. You can thaw food overnight in the refrigerator or use the microwave just before adding to the crockpot.
2. You may need to cut and trim the meat before you place it into the crock. It's best that roasts and other large cuts fit into the crockpot, but if not, trimming is better than stuffing! If taste and health are important, get rid of extra fat and skin also. This will decrease the fat content and take away any oily flavor. If veggies are part of the recipe, cutting meats and vegetables the same size will ensure even cooking.
3. Before adding anything, spray your crockpot with cooking oil as it will make cleaning much easier.
4. If your recipe is a mixture of meat and root vegetables -- such as potatoes, carrots and onions -- put vegetables in the bottom of the pot and then place the meat on top of the vegetables. This will enable more even cooking as these root vegetables usually cook more slowly than meat. Now if you use vegetables to garnish and to add some color to your dish -- such as red or green peppers, herbs or tomatoes -- then these would be added on top when the cooking is almost complete.
5. Now that you've decided how to layer and if to layer, you're ready to fill the crock. Most crockpots are about 1/2 to 2/3rds full for all recipes. Check the guidelines that come with your crockpot as it will give you a recommended capacity level.
6. If you're adapting one of your recipes from the oven to the crock, you may have to reduce the amount of liquid in a recipe. Crockpots retain their moisture much better than other cooking methods.
7. Crockpot recipes usually take about 7-9 hours on the low setting. So plan accordingly. Temperatures can range from about 170-300 degrees.
8. Do not remove the lid while the food is cooking, unless it's specifically required -- such as adding garnish or dairy products at the end. If you do, the heat will escape which will reduce the temperature and add about another 20 minutes to the cooking time. General rule: One peek and add 20 more minutes to wait, two peeks and 40 more minutes to wait etc...
9. Add any dairy products -- creams, cheeses -- during the last hour of cooking. And if these are used to thicken sauces at the end of cooking, you may want to turn up the heat setting.
10. Buy a crockpot cooking book! This may be the best tip as you'll be given recipes with step by step guides. The more you follow the specific crock recipes, the easier it will be to adapt your own.

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Cooking Schools in Tuscany

Situated in northwest Italy, the city of Tuscany is considered an important seat of art and learning. Apart from its famed wines, steak and olive oil, the picturesque landscapes of Tuscany boasts of innumerable castles and an endless countryside. These schools in Tuscany are popular with tourists, as they prove to be a perfect blend of travel and cuisine. In order to find a cooking school in Tuscany, people may opt to consult tour operators or directly contact the establishments via the Internet or telephone.

It is advisable to make reservations in advance to guarantee a smooth trip. These holiday options are considered to be complete and they offer the authentic Italian taste. The trips are well-planned activities that allow the tourists to experience the true essence of Tuscany, rather than visit otherwise commercial landmarks and hotels. They comprise of detailed itineraries that include visits to cultural and historical sites, apart from stopovers at olive oil, vinegar and local wine makers. The tourists are allowed to spend adequate time in such places, to be able to enjoy the experience. The tourists may even engage in local activities and acquire the local recipes.

A cooking school experience in Tuscany is available in various packages. This includes weeklong tours, premier tours and custom made tours. The cooking lessons are conducted at restaurants, homes, inns, hotels and wineries. People may opt to travel alone or in groups, to be part of quality cooking workshops. The culinary skills revolve around famous Tuscany wines, cheese and meat. It is important to carry an adequate amount of money when traveling overseas. People should be attentive towards their visa terms and carry all the relevant travel documents. Travelers also need to enquire about the availability of English speaking staff, in case they are not conversant with Italian.

Cooking Healthy With Oil

There are several oils for healthy cooking. One of the best is olive oil. It has a high smoke point and does not break down quickly as some other types of oils do. When cooking with olive oil it will not lose its health benefits so it is a good oil to use in salad dressings and for cooking with. Extra virgin olive is the best in terms of nutritional value and health benefits. It is good for your heart too.

There are different types of olive oil extra virgin is the best and the least processed from the first pressing of olives. The next type is virgin olive oil which is from the second pressing of olives. Pure olive oil goes through processing and refining and extra light undergoes the most processing of all of the kinds.

When looking for a healthy oil to cook with look at the type of fats it has. Mono saturated fats reduce the level of what is known as bad cholesterol. The oils that have a high level of this fat are olive oil, canola oil and peanut oil. Poly unsaturated fats with omega 3 and 6 are considered healthy fats too. These oils are corn, soybean, safflower, and grape seed. Other good choices for cooking are walnut and flax seed oil. If you are going to do cooking that requires high heat choose peanut or sunflower oil for searing and frying. Oils that are good for baking, sautéing and stir frying are grape seed, safflower or sunflower oil.

Olive oil is rich in vitamins like E which is a powerful anti oxidant. Store the oil in a bottle made of dark glass or a stainless steel container. The container should be air tight because the oil reacts with air and becomes rancid. Olive oil has many uses like drizzling it on salad and bread, using it to make homemade condiments, brushing it on meat and poultry, adding it to soup and stews, on potatoes and vegetables. The flavor is very good.

Instead of sautéing your vegetables you might want to steam them then add olive oil or another cooking oil for flavor. Broiling, grilling, roasting, and baking meat brushed with oil is healthier than frying and sautéing. You can buy a brush and put your favorite oil in a small dish then brush it on meats, fish and poultry quickly just before cooking. You can drizzle oil on vegetables, rice and pasta dishes.

Canola oil is another healthy oil for cooking. It is easy to find on most supermarket shelves. It is low in saturated fats produced from canola plants not rapeseed plants. Store canola oil in a cool dark place when not using it. It is good for frying as the flavor does not overpower the food fried. It goes well in salad dressings and mixes well with other ingredients. It does not separate so the salad dressing or sauce remains consistent. It is healthy oil to be used in baking. Instead of using butter on bread pour your favorite healthy oil on it. When you bake substitute oil for butter you reduce fat about 25 percent.

Improve Your Health, Home and Cooking Skills

Health and cooking skills. What does mean to have a good Health? What do we make for having a good health? First thing in mind is eating good food and make some sports. Food means have a diet or choose fresh meals...drink natural juices and natural water. Eating meat, fresh vegetables and fruits ... everything you want. Or take a vegetarian stile! It's up to you! Cooked by your own recipes or other. How we make the choose? What is good for us? Sometimes is good to visit a nutritionist or read more from e-books first. The nutritional supplements are good for us? Maybe yes. Regarding the sports, what sports we choose? When was the last time you went in a gym classroom or in a bodybuilding center?... Many of people will say "Sorry...I don't find the time for doing that..". But in there home they made any gymnastic exercises, or aerobic, or fitness? Or some of them had an organized room for bodybuilding? Give some answers to these questions and get you general answer about your health and how good is your breakfast and dinner...You can also look in the mirror and take a deep look at yourself, specially in your eyes and tell yourself the truth. And what do you want to do for improving this situation, in case it is not so good?

Home. The place where you live, how important do you think it is? This is the place where you breath, eat, rest, study, play, listen to the music, develop your hobbies... It is a clean place? Do you have a house cleaner? Or do your cleaning by yourself? In that case let's say that you enjoy a little time a sport house... That's something good for your shapes! Do you have plants, flowers in your home? Do you like to design your room by your own inspiration? Do you have a positive ambient in your whole home? What about a garden in Your backyard, or a pool for swimming? Do you know that gardening is relaxing?...

Friendship and love. When you have a good health, a clean and beautiful house with plants, flowers... you have a beautiful smile on your face, you become a magnet for people who desire to be your friend! They want to share friendship and love with you! So, smile them, embrace them and let them be your friend. They will want to share there stories, lifestyle, deep feelings with you.

Work and travel. When you have a good health, a beautiful home, many friends, and you are happy, the daily job became to you something not so heavy, you will hate no more working because you have an open mind and you can manage easily the job tasks. When the holidays arrived, you will take a travel wherever you like to go, because you have friends all over the world! If not, you can meet me and my friends on my forum.

Pancakes II: Pancakes for your face

Cooking Substitutions - This For That, Getting Creative With Your Recipes

Have you ever felt like making something home made and when you started you found you did not have an ingredient or two? Cooking substitutes are common not only is a case like this but when you feel you like a certain recipe but want to change it a bit because you are tired of the same old thing. I very often substitute certain items for others because I am short of something or, in order to experiment with a recipe. It makes me feel like a science fiction professor when I do this but I have come up with some interesting foods. Some were good and some not so good. My family and friends are quick to point out the latter.

When preparing a cake from a box the container directions tell you how much oil to use. Instead of oil use apple sauce. Purchase a four pack of apple sauce (5 oz. each) and use in place of the amount of oil the directions specify. One container of apple sauce from the four pack in place of the oil. This will make your cake a little lower in calories and very moist. Another variation is an envelope of pudding such as Jello Instant Pudding in place of the same amount of flour i.e. 3 oz of pudding in place of 3 oz of flour. Use puddings such as lemon or banana and your cake will automatically become either a lemon care or a banana cake. Some people that I have given this recipe to have neglected to use the pudding to flour ratio and used the entire envelope of pudding which did not harm the recipe at all. They are not harmful to the cake but change the flavor slightly and make the cake more interesting. Cooking substitutes are common today because cooks are looking for more interesting foods to serve their families.

When making a spice cake it usually calls for buttermilk. Well, how many of us have buttermilk readily available in our refrigerators? You can quickly make your own. To make one cup of buttermilk use one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar and add enough whole milk to make one cup. Let this mixture stand for about five minutes and you have a buttermilk substitute. Another way to make a buttermilk substitute is to use one cup of whole milk plus 1-3/4 teaspoons of cream of tartar. Another way to make a buttermilk substitute is to use one cup of whole milk and one cup of plain yogurt. The latter is the easiest because in today's refrigerator there is generally at least one cup of plain yogurt. These are the easiest of the cooking substitutes.

Now we get into the more difficult ones. Although they do not appear to be difficult when you read the proportions and ingredients, they will change the recipe somewhat and you will have to continually taste to be sure the flavor is what you are looking for. For instance: if you need a substitute for one cup of whole milk you can us ½ cup of evaporated milk with ½ cup of water. I don't know about you, but no matter what you do with canned milk it still tastes like canned milk. Another variation here is one cup of water to ½ cup of powdered non fat dry milk. To make a light cream: use one tablespoon of melted sweet butter to enough milk to make one cup. I remember my mother making butter and milk to drink when you had a cold. It tasted awful. You got rid of the cold in order not to have to drink any more of that concoction. I hope these cooking substitutes are helpful. Cook and enjoy.

Chiyo-chans cooking song (JAP) (ENG SUB)

Crock Pot Cooking Tips For Everyone

One of the least used and yet most versatile tools in the average kitchen is the slow cooker. With just a few crock pot cooking tips you can turn this dust collector into one of the most useful items in your kitchen

This is some of the best crock pot cooking tips obtainable out there.

Buying roasts and other big cuts of meat that will go into in your crock pot easily is important. If the cut wont fit it into the container, trimming the piece down works better than attempting to stuff it further. This is one of the most significant tips on using crock pots that people will learn to appreciate.

Before cooking, you must get rid of the skin and cut away any extra fat from the poultry and other meats. This will assist to lessen the quantity of fat in the completed serving of food as well eliminate any oily flavor.

Some of the best crock pot cooking tips involve using vegetables. Fresh root vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, and onions, should be placed in the bottom of the pot, under the meat, for more even cooking. These types of vegetables tend to cook more slowly than meat.

This is another neat trick you can use. You can pace the process of thickening the sauces near the end of cooking time by turning up the heat setting. Tasting the liquid to ensure that it has had enough time to flavor is advisable. Leave it on low heat and let it sit a little bit longer until you start to taste the flavor that you want.

Another important point to remember is seasoning in crock pot cooking. Periodically seasoning and tasting prior to taking away the dish is important. This is because crock pots, after sitting for some time, will tend to sometimes water down the flavors. Being resourceful with your seasonings is a good practice. Adding seasoned salt, garlic powder, seasoned pepper, and complementary herbs and spices is also an excellent way to complete the cooking.

Another important thing to remember is that in slow cooked foods, the dish will tend to lose its color. Utilizing certain garnish such as chopped fresh parsley, chives, tomatoes, and red or green peppers when the cooking is nearing completion, helps by adding color to the dish.

Buying a cookbook that has been written especially for crock pot cooking is amongst the best ways to learn to use your slow cooker more effectively. Not only do they offer delicious recipes but also lots of crock pot cooking tips that can help you use your slow cooker with ease and you can find these types of books either online or offline. The slow cooker can really earn its keep once you know how to put it to work, in today's busy world of working families.

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Cooking Grills

Quite a number of people love cooking. Not only do these people love cooking, they also enjoy showing off their culinary prowess to others. Rather they are also love to show off their culinary skills to their friends and relatives to make them envious. The best way to achieve this is to show off the same using the latest cooking grill available in the market. There are quite a number of cooking grills available in the market. It depends on your personal choice to select the type of cooking grill you shall be comfortable with. Some people believe in what others recommend. They cannot make up their own mind. They buy makes of cooking grills as has been suggested by their relative and friends.

Those who follow traditional methods still use charcoal grills and are comfortable with them.
Charcoal grills, no doubt are advantageous over different types of cooking grills. Foods cooked in the same tend to be tastier. Only a connoisseur can make out the difference in foods cooked using propane grills and food cooked using charcoal grills. It has been noticed that there are some people who repose more faith in the words of their friends. Also, there are some people who are interested in just showing off. Turning on an electric cooking grill is easy task but it is not the same with charcoal grills. Just watch carefully when a charcoal grill is being prepared and you will be amazed to see the amount of meticulous work that goes into it. Charcoal pellets have to be dumped on the receiver of the grill and lighter fluid has to be poured on it.

Once this part is done, the charcoal pellets have to be set alight by applying fire to it. Compare this with lighting a propane grill and you'll find the difference. One already has the gas connection ready and attached with the propane-cooking grill. Turn on the main lever to permit the gas to flow. Now turn the knob of the burner to the on position and apply fire to it to set it alight. Modern propane cooking grills integrate the lighter with the knob. Turning the knob to `on' flashes the gas flowing from the burner, setting it alight. We have mentioned two types of grill above, but there is a third one too.

This grill is powered by electric and is known as an electric grill. Since it runs on electric, there is no question of burners and over here one will find plates instead. These plates are constructed of metal or fiber and a coil is attached to the bottom of the plate. When electricity passes through these coils made out of resistance wire, it cannot flow properly because of the resistance offered by the wire and this converts the electric energy to heat energy that heats up the plate. Electric grills and propane grills come with integrated thermometers. These thermometers are quite handy and allow the user to set the correct temperature required for cooking a particular dish.

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Grilling Fish Recipes - Delicious Cooking Ideas

Grilling fish recipes should be a staple in everyone's cookbook. The health benefits of eating fish are endless. Fish is low in bad fat, high in good fat like- omega 3 fatty acids, and high in protein.

Leading health experts are advising for people to eat one or two serves weekly. There is evidence eating regular servings of fish can reduce the risk and/or lessen the symptoms of diseases like:

Childhood asthma
Prostate cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Depression
Dementia
Arthritis
Autoimmune diseases
Obesity

Of course, these are just a few of the diseases. However, the key to a good fish diet is to avoid fish with high mercury content. Instead, look for the high omega 3 fatty acid fish , with low mercury content. Here are a few high omega 3 fatty acid fish:

Atlantic Salmon
Lake Trout
Mackerel
Herring
Albacore Tuna

Fad diets come and go; often leaving the dieter with more weight than what they started with. Research has proven that a healthy diet should be a lifestyle change, not a temporary restraint from certain foods. Drinking only water and eating only broccoli may make a person loose weight, but how long is it sustainable? Adding grilling fish recipes to a diet, for a couple of days a week, is a life style change that is sustainable.

Not only is fish good for you, but the low cooking time and ease in preparation, make it a fast and easy meal for working families.

Grilled fish isn't as boring as it may seem. Nearly every species of fish will have a different taste and texture. For example, Salmon and Trout taste nothing alike. Likewise, grilled fish is very versatile. It can be served with pretty much any sauce: pesto, lemon, béchamel, butter, tomato, garlic, etc..

These are a few idea for ways to grill your fish.

Wrap the fish in aluminum foil and place on the grill.
Place the fish directly over grill heat.
Soak a brown paper bag in olive oil, and tightly seal fish in the bag.
Place bricks over hot coals, place fish on bricks, place another brick on top of the fish.

A simple Google search for "grilling fish recipes," will give you hundreds of ideas that will give you a wide variety in you fish menu. Here is one to get you started:

Blackened Cajun Kicking Fish

You will need:
1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon blackened fish seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
1 garlic clove or 1 tsp of garlic powder
1 lemon
4 fillets or 1 ½ pounds of trout
2 Tbsp of olive oil

Cut lemon in half; squeeze one half and cut the other half into circular slices.
Mince garlic.
Combine dry ingredients, lemon juice, and garlic in a small bowl.
Roll both sides of fish in the mixture.
Allow to sit for 10- 20 minutes.
Get the grill ready while fish is marinating; brush the grill with olive oil, and heat coals to 400 degrees.
Grill fish for 7 to 10 minutes on each side. The fish is done when it flakes easily.
Garnish with lemon slices.

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Outdoor Cooking - Heighten Your Taste Buds

Eating and cooking are two different things but co-exist with each other. Cooking is a discipline that not everyone enjoys doing. People sometimes do not want that feeling of confinement in the kitchen and cooking for customers. For some, they would rather eat and enjoy the food even though they did not prepare it. For outdoor cooking, it is the same thing. Someone loves to prepare the food while others would rather devour it as soon as it is plated and served.

One great thing about cooking outside is that you can enjoy nature and the clean air. In addition, you do not feel any pressure that you get from customers anxiously waiting for your concoction. You can just enjoy the moment or the occasion with your family and friends. Being yourself is something you must do often so that you can recharge before you get back to work. Passing on family recipes during a reunion is something most individuals look forward too. With little or no alterations at all, people are able to enjoy and savor the taste of their family food heirloom. Only the family knows about it and seldom does other know.

Outdoor cooking is also synonymous for food experiments. Because you only need to mind the stove or the griller, you can create as much smoke as you like without setting off the fire alarm. In addition, the smoke easily vanishes because you are cooking in an open space. This also means that more and more people feel hungry once they smell what you are cooking. That smell is enough for you to wait patiently for the food, which they will be serving in several minutes. If your food is exceptionally taste, people will ask you how you cooked it.

When this happens, your creation is a success. When people eat something different and appease their taste, they will try to copy it or perhaps make their own version of it. That is the magic of food. When people like what they are eating, expect them to return to you and have another order of it. Not everyone is an adventurous eater so try to have some classic meals on stand-by just in case. However, if you want to set your recipes in a new perspective, try to make dishes that are fresh, new and unique. Many individuals love trying out the latest foods available.

Remember this, whether you are having an outdoor cooking or a kitchen cooking, make the meals from your heart. They say that whatever the cook is feeling, it transfers to the food that he is preparing. It is never wrong to follow superstitions since you would not lose anything. Nevertheless, if you do, make sure that what you are following is not much outrageous unlike the others. Some recipes may seem to be out-of-this-world but still is popular all throughout food enthusiasts all over the world. Food, aside from love, is a language that everyone knows and understands.

Kids Cooking Schools

Since kids form an integral part of any family, they too are being taught culinary skills. Equipping them with such knowledge is beneficial for any family since kids can now cook up their favorite delicacies and moreover for kids it's pure fun, cooking.

This being the case, one can find an increasing number of kids cooking schools that are in all cities. From toddlers to teens, they teach techniques, broaden the plate and give these kids the confidence to experiment with their own dishes. Going to a cooking school does not necessarily mean that your kid is going to be a chef. It could be for a pure and different kind of learning experience.

Most of the kids cooking classes can arm your kids with the necessary skills to cook up anything form mini-quiches to baked doughnuts with sprinkles. Another great advantage with kids cooking is that a child is able to learn other things too, apart from cooking. For instance a kid could learn measuring, counting, nutrition, science and even team skills at such a young age. Most of the kids schools sessions run up to at the most fourteen to sixteen weeks.

A good kids cooking school would pay individual attention to every student. Kids also should be allowed to hands-on experience. They just love the entire experience since, for them, it is fun while learning. There are some kids cooking schools which teach even specialty food items. There are some kids cooking schools which teach cooking only cucumber rolls or even only sushi.

There are numerous restaurants too which offer culinary classes for kids. One gets to work with seasoned pros at these restaurants. Mere observation could lead to great learning at these places, since kids pick up skills faster. One can also find tutors who can come to your home and teach your kids to cook. One can find such instructors through a simple search on the internet.

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The Effect of Cooking and Drying Vitamin-Rich Foods

Since vitamins are so essential in food, the effect of cooking and drying upon the vitamin content of a food needs to be considered. There has been some difference of opinion regarding this matter. Indeed, the question of whether or not vitamins of all vitamin-rich foods are destroyed by cooking and drying has not been determined. It is thought, however, that fat-soluble A may be destroyed in part by cooking at boiling temperature and that prolonged cooking may almost entirely destroy it. Fat-soluble B is thought to be little affected by ordinary home cooking processes. But when foods containing it are heated above boiling temperature, as in commercial canning and cooking in the pressure cooker, the vitamin is believed to be partially or completely destroyed. Whether or not the water-soluble B vitamin present in foods is destroyed by cooking them in water to which baking soda or any alkaline is added has not been definitely determined.

Water-soluble C is decidedly affected by heat. Vegetables cooked for even twenty minutes at boiling temperature lose much of their usefulness in preventing scurvy. It is thought, however, that very young carrots cooked for a short time, and canned tomatoes, contain water-soluble C. Drying also destroys to a great extent the anti-scorbutic effect of foods containing water-soluble C. Most dried vegetables and fruits have been found valueless in checking scurvy.

Since there is no question about the vitamin content of uncooked vegetables, the use of salads containing lettuce and raw vegetables such as cabbage and carrots should find favor. Spinach is a valuable food not only because it contains vitamins, but because it is rich in iron. Young beet tops so often discarded contain too much valuable material to be wasted.

Even though scurvy is extremely rare today, other diseases and maladies can be avoided by just adding salads to your diet on a regular basis to get the full gamut of vitamins that are destroyed when cooking or drying vegetables.

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Chinese Cooking Schools

Chinese cuisine has always been a worldwide favorite. No wonder Chinese cooking schools are in great demand. If a Chinese cooking school is what you are looking for, then you have plenty of choices. You can find them in most of the major cities. A simple search on the Internet could do the work for you.

You can even check out your city's Parks and Recreation Department. This department offers many evening or weekend courses, particularly during spring and fall. There are also many local colleges or trade schools that can help you cook up a Chinese diet. Catering companies, professional Chinese cooking schools or cookbook stores also offer courses. A non-professional can choose from a host of weekend or evening classes on Chinese cooking. A local food publication can also give you a fair idea about finding the right Chinese cooking school. One can also find do-it-yourself Chinese recipes in these books, too.

While a lengthier course gives you plenty of time to learn and fine-tune your skills, a short duration course is ideally suited for someone to pick up a few tips. They are also suitable for individuals with tight schedules and cannot commit to many sessions in a week.

Chinese cooking is an ancient form of cooking. This being the case, it is always better if you were to try it hands on. Just in case you don't feel comfortable doing so, you can try buying a Chinese cooking video and try out the delicacies.

With Chinese cooking being a traditional affair, one can find that most of the Chinese cooking schools offer a very homely atmosphere. The classes are usually small. A good Chinese cooking school would also encourage you to ask questions and have a closer look at what the instructor is preparing.

Indian Vegetarian Food and Cooking

When people talk about being vegetarian, many usually think that they do not have many recipes to choose from. Furthermore, being vegetarian in several countries like United States would only require them to eat raw or uncooked vegetables.

However, that is not the case for vegetarian Indian recipes. Vegetable lovers will find delight in eating the delectable Indian food recipes without the need to have the same old, boring, and dull taste that they have with the typical vegetarian cuisines. The vegetarian Indian Food has a wide array of choices when it comes to flavor. You can still taste that mouth-watering zest even if there is no chicken, lamb, or any kind of meat used in the main ingredients.

Generally, Hindus are vegetarian by nature. This is because they believe that by saving the lives of the animals, they will get to cleanse their souls. Because of this, they have integrated several ways (and spices) to enjoy Indian cooking with vegetables so that they can still have a tasty and healthy meal at the same time.

Most of the Indian cooking recipes for the vegetarians not only have vegetables but lentils, fruits, beans, legumes, and sprouts as well. Vegetarian Indian cuisines are considered the healthiest since the vegetables and the fruits that they use have low or even zero calorie. Moreover, they only use oils that are low in fat when cooking. No wonder why there are still Indians who can live up to 90 years old or more.

In a vegetarian Indian cuisine, one of the most served foods is the Chapati. Even non-vegetarians also eat Chapati especially as an appetizer. Chapati is a flat and baked wheat bread that is served with lentils or dahl and other vegetables of your choice.

But if you want a meal that is heavier in your stomach, then it is a must that you eat rice instead. The Tava Pulao or the Griddle Fried Rice is the choice of many vegetarians in India who have a big appetite. This is considered as the most famous street food in the country and also served in fine-dining restaurants as well. The Tava Pulao is made not only from rice but served with mixed vegetables too. All of the ingredients are cooked in one big pan. As a result, it creates one well-blended flavor and rice, vegetables, and spices.

A Little About Indian Food Cooking

Indian cuisine is considered as one of the most exotic yet tasteful cuisines in the whole world. If you are up for something different, then Indian foods are a must-try. The flavors are so rich and the spices are so intense. No wonder why all kinds of people, whether you are brought up in a Western or Eastern culture, are so into Indian cuisines.

Unfortunately, instead of making their own Indian food recipes at home, they would rather order it in some restaurant serving Indian cuisine. Why? More often than not, they usually thought that in order to create the best tasting Indian cooking recipes, one must have all the local spices from India. Aside from that, many people also thought that in order to unleash the real Indian flavor and aroma of the food, it would take them so many hours to prepare for the ingredients which can be quite a tough work.

But the truth of the matter is, Indian cooking is as easy as your cooking your favorite Italian recipes. You do not have to be an expert in the kitchen or hardcore Indian food enthusiast. The ingredients as well as the spices that you will need in order to create the delectable Indian recipes are actually within your reach. You can always find an alternative to the exotic Indian zest while you get the same oomph at the same time.

To create the Indian food recipes right in your home, make sure that you have the basic ingredients that are essential in Indian cooking. One of the main basic ingredients in an Indian cuisine is the red onion. Make sure that you always have an onion in your kitchen that would add that zest in your Indian recipes. Aside from that, you must also include the three important G's when cooking Indian foods. This includes the Ginger, the Garlic, and the Green chillies. You may also include coriander leaves, popularly known as the cilantro leaves. These are the basic ingredients that allow you to start your way having your own Indian cuisine.

But of course, the stronger the spices are, the more Indian your cuisine will be. To easily get that Indian zest, don't forget to include fresh red chilli as well as chilli powder. There are also those who use garam masala to create authentic Indian recipes as well. It is a combination of various spices such as cumin seeds, black pepper, coriander seeds, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.

Kitchen diaries

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Cooking With Gourmet Spices

Cooking with gourmet spices is both a traditional and ever trendy way of sprucing up those mediocre meals among Americans today. New restaurants often blend both traditional and experimental cooking approaches with spices in order to bring attention and praise to the restaurant. There are always many opening in almost every city each and every day. There are countless web sites on the Internet, and countless books as well that are dedicated to the subject of cooking with gourmet spices and herbs.

It is quite enviable to have the talent and ability to create culinary masterpieces, and those who know how are often quite popular when it comes to the planning of the menu for those special occasions which include one or more meals. Often just the right blend of spices will turn an ordinary recipe into a smash hit with your family or guests at meal time. Luckily, you do not have to wait for only special occasions to put your talents to work though. Even snack time can be made more exciting with a little imagination and creativity.

There are some professional chefs who have spent years in culinary schools in order to master the use of gourmet spices. There are also those lucky folks who just have a special knack for cooking, and the ability to match the right spice with the right dish, in just the right amount just seems to come naturally to these folks.

There are many gourmet cooking utensils that can help to transform the average everyday cook into an envied gourmet. However, it is possible to create marvelous dishes with only the bare essentials. Quality meals which look and taste fantastic can be created with the most common utensils and dishes found in most kitchens today.

Spices and herbs are a wonderful way to avoid using plain unwanted salts, butters or oils on the foods you use in your cooking. Try steaming your fresh vegetables and then adding lemon juice and your favorite herbs for a natural flavor. Remember, it is ok to be experimental with your recipes. This may also lead to unexpected discoveries in the field of flavor! Try to braise your fresh carrots in low fat chicken broth for added flavor, and then add a pinch of fresh cinnamon. This simple side dish goes great with beef or pork roast dishes.

10 minute cooking school: Puerco Pibil

Cooking Outdoor Utensils - Planning to Cook Outdoors

Cooking is something almost everyone encounters in his or her life but not everyone can cook. It makes the people healthy and alive because food is what the body needs. Of course when preparing and cooking the meal itself, you need a handy cooking outdoor utensil to make things easier. Just imagine doing it all manually, you will surely have hard time and it will take up too much time. There are electric appliances that do the work for you so you just dump everything in the pan when it is ready.

For some, the kitchen is their haven. They can be whoever they want to be in this place. They can experiment creating mouth-watering dishes to feed for their family, friends and relatives. For individuals who can really cook, it is nice to have a friendly showdown once in a while just like in Iron Chef. That adrenaline rush just keeps you going until the dish is finally over. Nevertheless, what to cook is hard to do since you do not know what ingredient you will use. In addition, pressure with the time limit is sinking in so fast that whatever you will prepare needs to be finished before time runs out.

Cooking outdoors and indoors does not have much difference. The only major difference is the venue and the stove. However, the ingredients and your trusty cooking outdoor utensil are the same ones you use when you decide to cook outdoors. At least you do not need to worry about the exhaust since all the smoke is gone as soon as it appears. The air carries it off thus making you able to breathe fresh air and still enjoy cooking while exchanging stories with your family and friends. Cooking outdoors is fun especially for a reunion.

When you are outside, you do not feel crowded since people are able to walk around freely and unrestraint. Unlike when inside the home, you are concerned about the stains on cloths, breaking of priceless pieces, dirt and filth on the rugs and the like. When compared to cooking outside, there may be some trash but you clean them instantly. You can even put a big garbage bag on one side so that people will know that their trash goes there. It makes cleaning up more efficient and less time consuming. Cleaning is something that must be a group effort too since you all contributed to the mess there is.

Overall, that memory of being able to cook for your friends and family alongside your cooking outdoor utensil is an accomplishment already. At least you know that when these people go back to their homes, you know that they have smiles in their faces and large bellies. Make them enjoy the event itself and try to start a conversation to keep it going rather than waiting for each other to speak up first. Nevertheless, having some quiet time is okay too since everyone needs peace sometimes but not all the time.

Cooking With Love: Alice's Kitchen

Cooking Bar-b-que BBQ Pork Roast

Chinese Cooking Preparation Tips, Techniques and Styles

Chinese food continue as one of the most popular styles of food on the planet. Wherever you go on in America or the rest of the world you can find a Chinese restaurant. A hallmark of Chinese cooking is to buy everything fresh. Whether it's vegetables, seafood or grains fresh comes to mind when it comes to Chinese foods.

As opposed to the Western cultures fast food state-of-mind, authentic Chinese cooking demands selecting the freshest live seafood, beef, chicken, fruits and vegetables from local markets and suppliers.

Here's some of the more popular Chinese Food Cuisines

1. Cantonese Food

Cantonese style food is mild and subtle, including sauces. The purpose is to avoid overpowering or drowning out the taste of the freshness of the ingredients of the food. Examples of the top Cantonese dishes include crispy chicken, roast suckling pig and whole steamed fish, to name a few.

2. Sichuan (Szechuan) Food

One of staple ingredients of Sichuan (or Szechuan) style of cooking are red peppercorns and chili peppers. Why? Because they are known to help to stimulate the taste buds of the diner. This style of food has the distinction reputation offering a delayed spicy taste that builds slowly and gradually on the tongue and mouth. One of the more popular dishes is stir fried green beans and Szechuan bee.

3. Mandarin Food

Peking duck considered the most popular style of Mandarin food. Mandarin food emphasizes more beef and noodles, instead of rice or seafood like other Chinese cooking.

Chinese Cooking Techniques

1. Stir-Frying

Considered one of the healthiest forms of cooking because of the small amount of oil and quick cooking techniques. Stir-frying helps to preserve the foods color, texture, and taste in addition to its nutritional values

When stir-frying, the food should stay in motion. For example, spread it, turn it, toss it. By doing this you help the meat, chicken or vegetable stay juicy and flavorful, as well as keep the food from burning.

Make sure you have everything ready before starting. Stir-frying requires you to slice the meats and vegetables, fish, chicken or other foods thin enough to quickly cook through.

2. Deep-Frying

Many of the most popular Chinese dishes require deep frying to add the crunchiness that made them popular favorites. Deep frying requires making sure the cooking oil covers the food. The must have the right temperature before placing the food in it, usually 350-400 degrees depending on the food items thickness and texture. The most popular types of oil use for deep frying Chinese foods is peanut or sesame oil.

3. Steaming

Chinese food steaming involves cooking all sorts of different foods, meats, fish, chicken and vegetables and more. To achieve the best food results the water should have a constant boil. The advantages of steaming helps to preserve not only the nutritional values, but the flavor of food.

As the cost of food continues to rise, the efficiency of Chinese cooking grows more appealing to more people. The added nutritional value of Asian cooking methods increases the importance learning how to prepare different cuts of meats, vegetables and poultry.