Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Best New Jersey Pizza & Where You Can Find It


New Jersey is fortunate to be among the few states with an abundance of excellent Pizza restaurants. With a large Italian population and bordered by New York on the northeast and Philadelphia on the south west, both cities with large Italian populations, New Jersey lies in the heart of what is affectionately known as the "Pizza Belt”.

Contrary to popular opinion, pizza was not Italian in origin, but it was the Italians who gave it the name “pizza”, improved upon it, and introduced it in the United States. Pizza was invented by the Greeks around several hundred years B.C. who were the early pioneers and skilled bakers, settling in Southern Italy around the Naples Region.

Pizza was introduced in the United States towards the end of the nineteenth century, along with a wave of largely southern Italian immigrants who operated Italian bakeries and grocery stores. At this time, pizza was primarily found in the cities with large concentration of Italian immigrants like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.

It wasn't until the end of WW II that pizza in the United States became popular as soldiers returned from assignments in the Naples region of Italy with an acquired taste for pizza.

The Crust is the Foundation of good Pizza

The crust is the foundation of a pizza and is largely where the care goes into. Good pizza has a crust that is soft, chewy and doughy on the inside and crusty on the outside with a bread-like tastiness to it. The type of crust is one of the main things that separate the different styles of pizza. The cheese should be fresh made and with either fresh crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce. No oil is to be added to a pizza as the yellow oil like drippings should come from the fresh cheese. The toppings complement the pizza and should contain fresh, quality ingredients as well.

Unfortunately the popularity of a pizza restaurant is usually not based on the quality or the authenticity of Italian pizza, but more on the taste and preferences of the patrons.

Types of Pizza Popular in New Jersey

Authentic Neapolitan

Normally cooked in a wood-fired or brick oven, good Neapolitan pizza has a light, crisp, bubbly, chewy crust with a puffy lip or end crust that is slightly charred. Authentic Naples pizza is baked in an oven at 1,000 degrees for one minute to produce the perfect crust. Crushed tomatoes and fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil are used.

Authentic Tuscan

Tuscan pizza, while still considered a thin crusted pizza, has a thicker crust, more bread like, than Neapolitan pizza. The pizza is saucier, and usually has a combination of cheeses with a meat garnish, and fresh herbs like oregano, basil and parsley. New York Neapolitan

New York Neapolitan is basically an Americanized style of Neapolitan pizza and differs by being slightly larger and thinner, more crisp and charred, and served with more cheese and sauce. Baked with a lower oven temperature than the true Neapolitan Pizza to 600 degrees and cooked for 2-3 minutes to produce a more crispy charred crust that suits American taste.

New York Style

New York style pizza is thicker both in body and crust with a similar soft, crisp, chewy crust on the outside with a bread-like tastiness to it, generally with no more than two toppings to maintain the crusts crispiness. It can be found with an abundance of yellow oily trails from the fresh Grande mozzarella cheese. The regular or standard New York style pizza comes with no toppings, just cheese.

Sicilian Style
A rectangular pizza with a thick crust and its toppings baked directly into the crust, and usually has a strong presence of garlic.

The Best Pizza Restaurants in New Jersey

Northern New Jersey

Amano, Ridgewood, NJ -Serves thin crusted pizza with close to authentic Neapolitan style, with soft, chewy, crispy, and tasty crust.
La Casa Bianca, Whitehouse Station, NJ - While they serve up a menu of creative dishes of Italian and continental cuisine, all at a reasonable price, it is their brick oven Tuscan pizza that stands out.

Central New Jersey

De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies, Trenton, NJ - When in Trenton, pizzas are called "Tomato Pies“ and whatever you call them, De Lorenzo’s in Trenton is an institution and is one of the best places in Central New Jersey for pizza and is as close to it comes to authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Conte's Bar, Princeton, NJ - This tavern style restaurant is ideal if you are looking for a place to join a group of friends or family for some good pizza and a beer.

Southern New Jersey

Tacconelli's Pizzeria, Maple Shade, NJ - They are a spin off of the original Tacconelli's in Philadelphia, and serve thin crust pizza that is chewy, crunchy, and bread like tasty, with fresh cheese, sauces, and toppings.
Tony's Baltimore Grille, Atlantic City, NJ - This Atlantic City long time favorite with the locals, is like going into a time warp. They are noted for their great pizza, traditional Italian dishes, at a very low price.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Growing Your Own Herbs


What is a herb?

Herbs are the leafy, green part of aromatic plants grown for culinary use. Herbs have become a cooking necessity. Cooks have options. Dried herbs can be purchased at your local market. In today’s world everyone is health conscious and would rather cook with fresh herbs. The beauty with herbs is that they can be grown indoors or outdoors. Where you choose to grow your plant is a personal choice. What ever your choice remember herbs need moisture and light.

Starting from seeds:

Any small container will do. Make sure there are holes at the bottom of container for drainage. Your plant needs good drainage. Add your soil. I fertilize the soil before adding the seeds. Nutrients leak out of the soil . Place the seeds about ¼ of an inch from the top soil. Water well and cover with a plastic lid or clear plastic wrap. When I see healthy sprouts I remove the plastic cover. Two of the most important things to remember is during your seedling stage keep the soil moist at all times. Secondly, place in a sunny location in your home.

If you are planting directly outside choose a place only for your herbs. It maybe alongside other vegetables or flowers but seedlings must have full sunlight. Your outdoor seedlings need regular watering as well as fertilizer. If I am planting indoors or outdoor I like to use organic compost and manure to ensure healthy and flourishing plants. Never use any fertilizer that is not labeled for use on edible plants

Planting and Growing Herbs Tips:

Annual herbs are easy to start and inexpensive.

Harvest to the plant’s full flavor

Limit pesticides to a minimum. I like to mix liquid soap and water and spray my plants for pests. If this does not kill your pests check for non-toxic pesticides or pesticides used for edibles.

Designing Ideas:

Seasoning herbs do not have to be limited for seasoning but can be used as ornamental plants
The curly variety of Parsley makes a great edging plant. Bay laurel is a tall herb and can be potted and used at central points. Tri-color sage looks great in containers.
Mint and oregano tend to spread think about a hanging plant.

Trimming:

Once herbs are grown they have to be pruned. Since your will be using the herb for cooking there should not be a problem. If the herbs are not pruned they will grow tall and lanky. For a full healthy plant trim and prune.

Herbs and Pairing:

Bay: Used in soups and stews. Substitute: Thyme

Basil: Vegetables great with tomatoes. Substitutes: Marjoram, Mint,

Chives: Good with salads and Cold Plates. Substitutes: Scallions & Green Onions

Cilantro: Salsa, Asian & Caribbean Foods. Substitutes: Flat-leaf Parsley Spicy Basils

Dill: Fish, Chicken, Eggs, Salads, Beans, Carrots, Cucumbers, Cabbage, Potatoes,
Pickles & Sour Cream or Yogurt Dips. Substitute: Caraway

Lemon Grass: Thai Dishes, Chicken, Beef, Curry sometimes combined with coconut milk.
Substitute: Lemon Zest

Lemon Verbana: Fish, Poultry, Marinades, Salad Dressings, Jams, Sauces, Teas
Substitute: Lemon Grass & Lemon Zest

Mint: Lamb, Eggplant, Desserts Teas, Salads, Vegetables, Fruits. Substitute: Spicy Basils

Oregano: Beef, Chicken, Pasta, Tomatoes. Substitute: Marjoram, Mint, Basil

Sage: Poultry, Beans, Stuffing, Pasta. Substitute: Thyme, Summer Savory

Tarragon: Chicken, Eggs, Fish Substitute: Anise, Fennel


(ArticlesBase ID #1242955)

Monday, September 28, 2009

Amazing Rival Slow Cooker Cooking Tips - Don't Cook Nother Meal Till You Read This Article


The truth is, there is really nothing easier to cook in than a crock pot. There are only two temperature settings, low and high. Having such easy setting it now only depends on how long you want to cool your food since it will depend your settings. This rival slow cooker is can make for a perfect meal if your a person that is a stay at home mom or dad.

This is also a great way for a bachelor to cook themselves a decent meal without too much effort. That's way this makes Rival Slow Cooker very convenient when using. Make sure that you get a Rival Slow Cooker that has a removal ceramic dish. Since you will be using a lot it would be for easy cleaning when finish cooking your meal.Another great feature would be that you can also use this product to marinate your meats overnite before your ready to cook the next day.

Also you can use the removable dish as dish to server when setting up for dinner. You can also use this ceramic Rival Slow Cooker to store your food that wasn't finished during your meal.When you are using a Rival Slow Cooker to cook a meal, you do not want to use expensive cuts of meat. The slow cooking process will allow all the meat to tenderize so more expensive tender cuts tend to turn into mush if they spend too much time in the cooker. As you can see using the Rival Slow Cooker makes for easy cooking and has many features which makes cooking for the family very simple
(ArticlesBase ID #1243561)

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Deep fry cooking method is fast and easy


Lots of people like the foods made in fastfood, which is deep fried. Deep-frying is actually easy though, when you know how it is completed, & a deep fryer is the cleanest, safest way of deep-frying your food.

How a Deep Fryer Works

It is important to read the deep fryer instructions carefully because different fryers work in different ways. You will also require to have the correct oil to cook with because oils require different cooking times & the results vary depending, which oil you use.

Pour the oil in to the deep fryer, keeping it well below the indicated max fill line. If there is no max fill line, check the instructions. For more details www.breakfasts-recipes.com You will require oil so your food is immersed but do not fill it right up because your food will displace a quantity of the oil.

If the oil is too hot, the food will be cooked on the outside & still partially raw inside. If the oil is not hot , the food will soak it up & come out soggy.

There will be a temperature control on the machine, either a button or a knob. Some fryers let you know when the oil has reached the right temperature but if your machine does not have this feature, you will require to use a thermostat or drop a cube of crustless white bread in to the fryer. If it turns golden brown after five minute, the oil is at the right temperature for deep-frying.

Put the food in to the fryer, using a slotted spoons or tongs if there is no basket in the fryer. Do not put too much food in at seven times because this cooking method is fast & cooking in batches is fast & easy.

If you are frying frozen food, try to brush off as plenty of ice crystals as you can because they can cause spattering when they come in to contact with the hot oil. For more details www.chef-123.com .Close the deep fryer lid if there is five, while the food cooks. Keep an eye on the clock to time your cooking & then remove the cooked food with the basket, slotted spoon, or tongs. The excess grease can be absorbed after drying in towel.
(ArticlesBase ID #1243577)

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Healthy Eating


Fruits, goldmine of vitamins, minerals and fibre are ideal to consume at least 4-5 servings in a day. Since they are in the natural form, account for largest part of water and 100% bad cholesterol free, it's much easier for the body to process and absorb the vitamins and minerals from the fresh fruit.

Apple – Round fruit with lots of fibre, vitamins A, C, E and folate. Available in green, red or yellow skin when ripe. Apples reduce the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer. They also help with heart disease, weight loss and controlling cholesterol.

Bananas – Long thick skinned fruit yellow in colour when ripe. Good source of fibre, potassium, vitamins A, C, B6, E & folate. Unripe or green bananas are used in cooking.

Cherries – small round fruit with a seed, red or black in colour when ripened. Cherries always have to be ripe to eat. Cherries contain anthocyanins that reduce pain & inflammation.

Figs – Eaten either dried or fresh, figs contain vitamin A, C, folate and niacin. A small sweet fruit full of small seeds.

Kiwi – A rich source of vitamins A, C, E, B - complex, calcium, iron and folic acid, kiwi is a small oval fruit with thin brown skin, soft green flesh and black seeds. The skin is a good source of flavonoid antioxidants.

Lime – Lime or lemon is the most cultivated citrus fruit with green to yellow colour loaded with vitamins A, C and folate. Juice of lime is good for detoxification and has antioxidant properties.

Peach - Round juicy fruit with a yellowish red skin & flesh having a taste of acidic tang and sweetness contains a rough stone. Always to be picked and eaten ripe.

Orange - A round thick-skinned juicy edible fruit that is a reddish-yellow colour when ripe with sweet to sour flavour. Peeled and eaten fresh or squeezed to make juice. Contain vitamin C, flavanoids, provides pectin and rich in sodium when ripened in sunshine.

Plum - soft round smooth-skinned fruit with sweet flesh and a flattish pointed stone. It is high in carbohydrates, low in fat and calories. An excellent source of vitamin A, C, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, fibre and free of sodium and cholesterol.

Papaya - A melon like fruit with yellow- orange flesh with dozens of small black seeds enclosed in skin that ranges in colour from green to orange. Either round, pear-shaped, or long like a banana. Rich in vitamins A, B, C, and D; calcium, phosphorous and iron. It is high in digestive properties and has a direct tonic effect on the stomach.

Pear - A sweet juicy yellow or green fruit with a rounded shape narrow towards the stalk. Best eaten at room temperature, pear contains kalium and riboflavine. It is good for skin and contains plenty of fibres.

Strawberry - A triangular shaped red colour fruit. It is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C and fibre. It has high content of sodium and iron. It helps in whitening of the teeth. Used to relieve rheumatism.

Watermelon - a type of melon with smooth exterior rind and juicy sweet red interior flesh. Extraordinarily refreshing to drink as juice or eaten when ripe and fresh. Valuable for minerals, vitamins and sugar with useful amount of fibre and iron.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Cheese Making: Top 3 Grounds Why Create Your Own Cheese


Cheese Making : Cheese is one of the most consumed milk products. The iron and calcium content of the nutrient is impeccable for bone development. No question then that a diverseness of cheese is gettable in the market, almost of them as an fixings for fixing dishes. Notwithstanding, for most people, cheese is foremost taken as it is: for snack or to follow bread or just for munching something when there is nil safer to do.

Main Component

Cheese is essentially the conservation of milk. Its development is retraced backwards to the roving herdsmen of the Middle East who stored their supply of milk on vessels that are made from the stomach of goats and sheep. Because of the lactic acid held in in the linings of the containers, wild bacteria combines with milk, stimulating it to ferment and coagulate. The normally expended milk in making cheese is milk from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo.

The development and Popularity of Home-based Cheese Making

Chess getting used to be the peculiarity of those who have the required accomplishments and equipments for the work. But with the emergence in recent times of ready-to-use chess producing equipments, the tendency has been towards home-based chess affecting. This is primarily for internal usance, although several enterprisers do make chess getting as a sideline.

Benefits of Cheese Making

As a hobby, chess getting is play and repaying. For some people, it is a spare-time activity that involves up almost of their time, but unlike any insignificant sidelines, this one passes multiplex profits such as:

▪ A generator of income. Modest occupation cheese makers can translate their pursuit into a practicable seed of income for the family by making and selling cheese in the vicinity or selling them to the local store. In such an instance, respectable investment funds may be needed for overhead expenses. But because the cheese was made at home, people ordinarily believe such product as all and fit to their orientations. An added gain of cheese making as an economic action is that one can become the provider for the needs on cheese of the local bakery or pastry shop, cornering their needs for cheese to use on their products.

▪ A affordable and tested reservoir of noteworthy nutrients for the family. When one is participating in cheese readying at home, the family, especially the kids, are sure to delight the prepared provision and availableness of cheese. Moreover, because it was made at home, one is dependable on the choice as well as the ingredients utilized in making the product.

▪ Benefiting others. An additive profit of cheese preparing is that when sold in the local market, other spheres are bound to gain from it such as the manufacturers for the wrappers and for the packaging of the cheese. Neighbors will for certain treasure the cheap price of the cheese they can buy.

Your Source of Cheese Making Supplies

If you are waiting for the greatest share on cheese making provisions to patronize your home need of the food as well as to provide your local market, get in reach with The Grape and Granary. You can ascertain the wanted stuffs for your new sideline that can turn your family's source of income.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Use Smaller Microwaves For Snacks


Smaller microwaves are great to have around the house for your kids to make snack foods. You too can enjoy having a smaller microwave in the family room to create delicious snacks, pop corn or reheat foods for a light lunch. The use of these microwaves is endless today as the manufacturers have created many things that can be used inside for just about any age.

Special Snacks

Now you can buy mini brownies, cakes, cookies that you can add a little bit of water and in about 30 seconds bake the snack, frost it and you have a great snack. You can also buy things like ravioli's, spaghetti, soups, macaroni with cheese and you have a neat little lunch. Then of course there are hot drinks that you can now create. You can get packaged café, apple ciders, etc. and you have your own coffee shop with all the trims in about thirty seconds. The little microwave can become the family snack shop and it is easy to use. It is also safe to use because it will not start until the door is closed and if you open the door it will stop. There are a lot less burn accidents with children who use a microwave to prepare snacks or lunch foods.

Care of a microwave

It is very easy to take care of your smaller microwave because you only need to wipe the inside with a damp cloth and it is cleaned. You can wash the rotating tray by hand or place it in your dish washer. The care of a microwave is fast and easy making it much more desirable than the kitchen stove. You do not need any heavy cleaning detergents or smelly cleaners. You can clean your microwave in seconds.

You're going to find that there are a lot of smaller microwaves on the market. You're not going to want to be too cheap with these items, because you're obviously going to get what you pay for. It's going to be a good idea if you look at what features you want, as well as creating a budget. By knowing how much you want to spend, this will give you a better idea on what's going to work for you.

Yes, you can get a nice microwave for less than $100, and it will function quite well, but I will only recommend that you get a microwave that's small for a place like an office, or a dorm room. If you get anything that's bigger for a space like that, you're going to find that it's going to take up way too much space for your comfort.

Try some of the tips mentioned above, and when you're on the hunt for the perfect microwave, you'll find that there's a lot, but if you do your homework right, I can assure you that you'll be able to find the perfect microwave that fits the room you're looking to put it in, I can promise you that much!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Choosing Tableware for your Restaurant

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT: Much of the valuable first impressions that diners get about your establishment comes from your food presentation style and tabletop settings. Food presentation is key to the operational concept. Tableware anchors the aesthetics of the presentation and becomes the canvas for stylish dishes. The dining experience is more than just eating; it is a visual experience as well. The style of presentation and choice of tableware contributes to overall perception of the meals and your entire establishment.

SIZES AND SHAPES: There are ways to create a personality for your table that help you stand out with the variety of new shapes and sizes available. Adding extra touches in the various pieces you use can liven up the presentation. Using unique shapes can take your establishment to the next level. Even the simple square shape can inspire the chef as it provides a lot of space for the imagination, and room for varied creativity.

COLOUR: White plates are always in vogue with chefs. They provide a clean bright canvas to present beautiful food without distracting from it. Colours and patterns may go out of fashion, but white is always classic and sophisticated. With white, your pieces are almost guaranteed to never go out of style and will always be in stock. In this sense, white is very economical because it is easier to replace when breaks occur. Colour can be used however - but consider using colour and decorative items mainly for unique show pieces or special seasonal dishes, instead of heavy use.

USAGE: For tableware that gets heavily used throughout the day, certain shapes and durable commercial materials are best to avoid breaks, chips and scratches. Classic round shapes and shapes with reinforced edges usually have least breakage, while other shapes, particulary unique shapes and pieces that don't easily stack may be more prone to chipping and damage. Pieces that have uneven sides or delicate forms may be more suited for special presentation or showpieces rather than for heavy use.

ADAPTABILITY: When considering shapes and sizes of tableware, look also for pieces that possess the adaptability for presenting different menu items. Not only does this provide creative ways of presenting dishes, it is also very economical. Pasta bowls can also be used as salad bowls, martini glasses can be used traditionally or for more creative presentation of entrees and side dishes. Investing in good tableware is important so it is always best to make an intelligent and adaptable buy.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Reviews and Tips on Flavored Coffee Beans


Flavored coffee beans are either made organically or otherwise. Although it is up to you to decide which is better, most people these days would go for organic flavored coffee. Not only is it healthier, it is also environment friendly.

Flavored coffee beans are fast becoming in demand. More and more people who have tried cups of this type of coffee are not only drawn to its wonderful taste, aroma and flavor, they are also becoming environmentally conscious. This is since most flavored coffee beans are organically made as well as mixed with organic flavorings.

In fact, chocolate-covered coffee beans are fast becoming the craze. Its popularity indicates how many people are lured into its amazing flavor and taste. Hence, there are important things to consider when making or buying chocolate covered coffee beans.

First is the quality of coffee beans. Having the best chocolate covered coffee entails patience and determination because you will be starting from scratch. You also need to choose the appropriate coffee beans for the task. Do not expect high quality tasting coffee if the coffee beans you have chosen are otherwise. If you are uncertain about the type of coffee bean for this, you can test each type of coffee bean available, combine it with the chocolate and choose which can promote the best taste.

For chocolate covered coffee beans, the most appropriate is milk chocolate. If this is not available, you can experiment and test amongst the other types of chocolates available. Other types of chocolate include dark chocolate and bitter chocolate among others. Just like with the coffee beans, you can get the best quality by using the best type.

With the best chocolate and beans, you can now cook it. Since a lot would depend on your cooking method, you need to be extra careful. Make sure that the chocolate's temperature is just enough. Vigilance is needed so that you will not overcook and burn it, particularly if you are using a microwave. You only need to make the chocolate soft so you can easily roll it over the coffee beans. Thus, the appropriate temperature should be achieved so that you will not encounter the risk of burning your fingers or hands when rolling the beans on the soft chocolate.

Since making organic flavored coffee is very simple, you can even do it at home. All you need are some organic coffee of the highest quality. Coffee quality is vital because no matter how great the flavor can be, it will not mask the bean quality. However, if you utilize inferior coffee, it will compromise results.

Once the coffee beans are roasted, add some vanilla or cinnamon flavoring. These are the two highly in demand flavors in the market. Make sure that the vanilla or cinnamon is also organic. This is in order to maintain your coffee's organic status.

Although it is up to you to have flavored coffee or otherwise, many believe it is best to buy organic coffee as well as other organic farm products. Hence, organic coffee is not only healthier; its cultivation process also promotes environmental sustainability, an issue very critical at this age.

Organic farmers are now proving that you can also get quantity and high quality crops by growing them organically. Thus, organic coffee is a superb example that having organic crops are far better for the environment as well as for consumption.

Every day, as people become aware of problems pertaining to nature, they are also beginning to discover the benefits of going organic. At present, many people are lured into the amazing taste and flavor of organic flavored coffee which is why it is grown in no less than 30 countries apart from the US.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Food Recruitment Made Easy


Food manufacturing companies are increasingly operating on a global scale to maximize profits and reach a large consumer base. This has opened up an opportunity and challenge for both recruiters and employers. The main challenge here is to get hold of the right candidate for food manufacturing jobs or food jobs for the companies.

The opportunity here lies in picking up trained candidates who have the skill set that match the employer's requirement. Basically choosing someone from the local food industry means that you have access to a candidate with indispensable local knowledge. As a new company moving in to the unknown territory, the insight of a skilled and smart candidate who has specialized in his area of interest will allow you access to a huge knowledge base.

For example if you hire a procurement manager who has local FMCG experience in the new country that you are setting up your subsidiary in, he'll automatically have a supplier chain and know which company is reputable enough and reliable enough to manage the production of high quality packaging and deliver it on time. By tapping into the local knowledge base you can effectively establish a new network in the shortest possible time.

Getting the Right Candidate For The Right Job

When it comes to food recruitment, you can find a large number of candidates who have the right experience and credentials to match the job challenges. A good idea is to list your job openings through reputable recruitment companies on an online portal. FMCG job portals are favored by industry specialists who look at effective means of conducting their job search. This means that a person who is interested in a career in the food industry will be the only one who accesses this portal. In return you will get access to potential employees who actually have any experience or want to be part of the food industry.

Points To Ponder When Listing Of Food Job

The food industry is highly competitive and while it may be charming to work for a multinational food manufacturer, more and more candidates opt for local companies. The main reason for this is that the local companies are looking for experienced candidates who can drive sales and establish a strong distribution network. Local companies aim to compete with larger budget multi-nationals and end up being better paymasters by offering a wholesome compensation package.

A career oriented production planner or quality assurance manager will look at a company provides a challenging environment to help them plan production with the right resources as well as a company that adheres to its quality policy and follow stringent measures before delivering the product into the market. When it comes to food production and food manufacturing, as a recruiter you must be aware that gaining experience in this monotonous area of specialization is more important to the candidate than simply working for a big name.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

How to Find a Good Selection of Beer Making Supplies


Although there are many people who seek supplies to create their own wine, root beer or other beverages we will stick to beer making supplies only in this article. There are places where they have so called home brew shops but they are not as common in the country side or even in small cities. in fact you are in luck when you have such a shop near by. For most people however it is a reality to buy their beer making supplies online. And when I am really honest, the best supplies can be found online.

Fresh ingredients, recipes and advice online

Many of the sources for beer making supplies online provide links to special brands like Coopers but they often also offer recipes and advice information on how to achieve good results brewing your own beer. The supplies and ingredients you buy online are often much more fresh and provide a bigger assortment of beer packs and beer kits then home brew stores in your neighborhood. They are able to do so because the do not have to keep a stock. Most of the time they sell straight from the provider. They are in fact resellers or affiliates.

Most first time home brewers, prefer beer kits that are available from a few manufacturers. They contain nearly everything that will be required to make a first batch of excellent beer. They also provide beer packages you can use in the beer kits of many different types of beer. But for the more adventurous brewers there are also beer making supplies online for working with different recipes and coming up with stronger versions beer.

Beer brewing has been done at home for thousands of years and became extremely popular in the United States during the prohibition and today is undergoing a resurgence in popularity. There are many websites selling beer making supplies online, but just a few manufacturers, we prefer Coopers because they are also a great brewery and the products they sell for home brewing are the same as what they use to brew on a large scale.

The Right Beer Making Supplies And Equipment Make The Process Easier

When you start with home brewing you probably start with reading online stories about brewing and when your anything like me you get scared of by the tales of early stills blowing up under pressure. Or ruined carpets and so on. While in fact if done properly, using the right beer making supplies and brewing equipment, there should be little worry about blowing up the house when brewing a keg of beer. In fact the process is not difficult at all, when you consider that home brew is the principal of turning sugar into alcohol through controlled fermentation. Other than the starter kit, a fermentor and a siphon tube can get anyone started brewing your own beer. The kits make it easy to test the home brewer's desire to brew their own without having a buy a lot of expensive equipment. Start with a beer kit and with proper beer making supplies and your first batch will be a great tasting beer.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Types of beer !


Any fermented beverage brewed with a cereal grain is called a beer. It can be divided into two broad categories based on the brewing process used – lager and ale.

•Lager – A lager, roughly analogous to white wine, is generally lighter in colour, body and taste. You'll also hear beer types talk of Pilsner and bock styles, which are included in the lager family. Lagers are bottom fermenting beers.
•Ales – Darker and more robust, typically with a more complex flavour profile, which, for the sake of discussion, we'll consider the equivalent of red wine. Stouts and wheat beers are members of this family. Ales are top fermenting beers.
These two categories are not clear cut and there are quite a few drinks that lie in the twilight zone. The general distinction between different beers is made on the basis of the percentage of alcohol present in them. Alcohol content in different beers is referred to as ABV (Alcohol By Volume). It varies from zero percent for light, non-alcoholic beer to up to eight percent for strong stouts.

In the past few years, non-alcoholic beers have become quite popular in Australia and around the world. One of the most popular ultra light beers in Europe is Schlossgold, originating in Austria, which tastes so beautifully fresh and has the quality of a full-strength beer. Whilst the beer does contain 0.4 percent of alcohol, it is not liquor and is considered a non-alcoholic drink by most of the authorities. Therefore, Schlossgold non-alcoholic beer is a potential product for all retailers, small or large, without a liquor licence. You can also drink and drive with Schlossgold. It is currently available in Woolworth’s supermarkets in NSW, QLD and VIC and in clubs.

Konrad Beverages is a Sydney-based company that represents various international drinks and brands in Australia. Apart from representing Schlossgold low alcohol beer, they also sell a power drink called ‘Powerking’ from Holland, which is available in three flavours (Classic, Cranberry and Sugar Free) and a natural mineral water from Slovakia. The range contains a first in Australia; the natural mountain mineral waters are mixed with herbs and flowers. There are seven different flavours: Dandelion, Sage, Wild Thyme, Lemon Balm, Sparkling, Low and Still Mineral Waters. To know more about both Konrad Beverages and Schlossgold, please log on to their website at

Friday, September 18, 2009

Recipes That Set the Mood For a Romantic Italian Dinner


One needs to be very creative and effortful to setup a romantic dinner. Your partner will surely love an Italian theme. Here are a few tips on how to pull it off successfully.

There are no strict rules on planning a romantic night with your partner. You can make your night as passionate and memorable as ever. Being creative is the key factor to this. And it depends largely on what the two of you prefer. You know each other best. For a romantic dinner for two, here are a few easy and sure fire tips you can consider:

Researching Important Data about your Partner
Start with listing down the type of food your partner really loves to eat. These are the best foods to prepare. You could try a little ingenuity and create twists to the usual recipes to make the event more memorable.
Once you have listed down the type of food he loves, narrow it down to even the tiniest detail. For example, if your partner loves grilled meat, is it chicken, pork or beef? Does your partner prefer his grilled meat well done or medium rare? What are the side dishes he usually prefers? What sauce is appealing to him? Start from the appetizer to the dessert and the type of wine.

Next, plan the decorations, setups and the logistics. This pertains to even the placemats or napkins you will use that will match the theme and food you will prepare. It will create the perfect atmosphere you wish to achieve, and will show how much you took the time and effort for this dinner. It will reflect just how much you know your partner.

Themes you can consider would be Italian, Oriental, Mexican, East Indian, French or Seafood. After you have chosen the perfect theme, you can go ahead and look for the right trinkets, placemats, napkins, cutlery and the like that matches your theme.

Creating the Mood
This is actually a crucial part of your romantic night together. Again, you need to list down the tiniest details like the favorite CD or song of your partner. It is best that you play something sentimental. This will surely set the mood.

Try to dim the lights and use scented candles to enhance a romantic ambiance. Use the favorite scent of your partner.

Decorate your house or garden by filling the room with your partner's favorite flowers. Color can surely add a great deal to the romantic atmosphere. Deep red is a good color for the flowers.

Along certain parts of the floor, scatter some rose petals, especially around your dinner table. You can also be as creative as making a rose petal pathway from the door to your dinner table.

You can drape fabric on some areas of the room for more elegance. You can also use this to hide unromantic sections of the room.

Preparing and Serving Dinner
Italian is one of the most popular themes used because many of us like Italian cuisines. Here are simple Italian recipes you can prepare and serve on your romantic dinner with your partner:

You could try Bresaolo con Rucola for the appetizer. Bresaola pertains to seasoned and salted beef aged for 2 to 3 months and then air dried. It is produced from a valley in the Alps along the Lombardy region of northern Italy called Valtellina. Its color is brilliant uniform red with a few thin and white streaks of fat.

Cut it very thinly to be moist and tender. Since it is very lean, it is mostly recommended to people who are dieting but it is a superb ingredient for refined and modern cooking.

Ingredients are a fistful of fresh arugula, 7 ounces of finely sliced Italian Bresaola, 4 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1 cup of finely sliced Italian Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

Place the Bresaola either on a large-sized plate or on 4 small plates. Make sure you overlap the slices to completelt cover the plate. Add the arugula and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the slices with salt, olive oil and pepper. Serve.

Your main dish could be Italian Meat Loaf called Polpettone. This can be made on the stove instead of using the oven.

Ingredients are 10 ounces ground pork, 10 ounces lean ground beef, ½ small white onion, 1 egg, 1/3 cup freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, a pinch of fresh ground pepper, 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil, whole milk and 1 teaspoon salt.

Use a 9- to 10-inch frying pan, heat some oil and butter. Cut the onion into big pieces and cook in low heat, occasionally mixing it. In a large bowl, combine the Parmesan, meat, pepper, salt and egg. Remove the onions from the heat after 5 to 10 minutes of cooking time but leave the butter and oil in the pan.

Put the meat mixture into the pan. Press it down using a spoon. Cook the meat mixture in Medium heat until it becomes golden brown. Turn it and brown the other side as well. When the 2nd side turns brown, add some milk until the meat is covered completely.

Lower the heat to minimum, covering and allowing it to simmer for an hour. Then, take off the lid. If there is still too much liquid, allow simmering again for another 15 minutes or so but leave it uncovered. Serve with mashed potatoes.

Chocolate Balls or also called Palline di Cioccolato can be served for dessert.

Ingredients are 1 cup Hazel nuts (shelled), 3 ½ ounces unsweetened chocolate, ¾ cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon cold Espresso coffee, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and 3 tablespoons unsweetened Cocoa.
Grate the chocolate in a bowl. Put the hazel nuts inside the food processor and blend thoroughly. Mix the nuts with the chocolate, coffee, sugar and butter. Prepare a plate and put the cocoa. Roll the mixture into balls that measures approximately 1 inch, using your hands. Place the balls on the cocoa. When all the balls are ready, gently roll them on the cocoa.

Put them on a serving dish. Keep them inside the fridge until you are ready to serve them. You can use instant coffee as an alternative to Espresso. Almonds can be used instead of hazel nuts.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Is Coffee Good For Children?

If I ask you to sit back and analyze how many cups of coffee do you have in a day most of you might come up with a figure of 3 or more; A cup with breakfast, another during the morning commute, a few lattes at the office, and an espresso after dinner…… Children tend to copy what their elders do and it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you if one day your child asks you for his/her cup of coffee to give you company.

Should you fulfill his/her desire? What age is appropriate for letting your children start having coffee? These are some questions which might come to the minds of many inquisitive parents who are concerned about the well being of their children. Well, here is some help regarding the same.

1.Children who consume more than recommended amount of caffeine are 60% more likely to become obese.
2.It contains empty calories, that is, calories which have no nutrients. If your kid fills up his/her stomach with these calories then his/her input of other important nutrients like vitamins and minerals is hindered thus leading to nutritional deficiencies. For example if your kid is substituting caffeine for milk, then he is actually cutting down on calcium which is needed to make bones and teeth strong. It is also known to retard growth in children. Studies show that 5mg of calcium is lost for every 6 ounces of coffee consumed.
3.As caffeine is diuretic, it flushes out a lot of water (in form of urine) from the body leading to dehydration. Kids need to drink plenty of water to keep them hydrated and not get dehydrated by drinking coffee or other caffeinated drinks.
4.It can aggravate heart problems and nervous disorders and if your child gets addicted to coffee then this might put his/her life at risk.
5.It contains compounds which combine with iron and make it difficult to be absorbed by the body. This might lead to iron deficiency in some cases.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

This Is The Cooks’ Haven


One of the first cooking techniques that historians and archeologists believe is cooking food by means of an open fire. Thus, roasting is believed to be in existence as early as the Stone Age. In Asia, it is through bamboo tubes that served as food container while the food is being cooked. Shells of turtles and mollusks are also used in some areas. With regards to heating water, the stomach of animals is used in heating water.

The first Americans on the other hand used cooking baskets in preparing their food. The basket contains food to be roasted and wood coals and it will be covered with clay. When the clay hardens because of the coals’ heat, the clay now becomes a roasting pan itself. It can be noticed that that technique is still used in today’s world. But it was the advent of pottery that really revolutionized the cookware being used. And today, a variety of cookware can now be seen in the market. The responsibility of choosing which one you would be using when you cook your own dishes now lies on your shoulders.

Cookware nowadays is made from different materials. There are some made with metals, aluminum, copper, cast iron, carbon steel and stainless steel. Some are even coated so as to provide the best cooking experience there is. One of the most famous cook wares at present is the non-stick wok which has polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that minimizes the chances of the food being cooked from sticking to the pan.

One of the best specialty stores in the country that offers quality cookware is Cook’s Warehouse. From its humble beginning in Amsterdam Avenue way back in 1995, the store is now proud to open a bigger and much more spacious specialty store in Ansley Mall. According to Mary S. Moore, the humble owner, her store started with only two employees but now, she has 48 associates in three locations spread out in the state. The other three stores are located in Midtown, Decatur and Brookhaven.

The Cook’s Warehouse new home is a 6, 500-square-foot and is set to open this fall. This new complex will house a much larger store and a cooking school facility for cooking enthusiasts.

The store has many products to offer. They have kitchen accessories, bakeware, cookware, cutting boards, knives and shears and gadgets. The store also has picnic and grilling products, green products, small appliances like bosch mixers and bosch bread mixer, wine and products for your bar and gift ideas. Drive by this store and enjoy what you may call the cooking heaven.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Buy Italian Wines : The Most Tasty Wine One Can Have


Buy Italian Wines

Buying Italian wines online can be a grand idea, counting the price cut's you tend to find at stores such as Nick's wine corner, as online stores can be a little more pliable with their charge per units, today that is simply adequate as long as you are generating the substantial deal. Nick's wine corner has a tremendous ambit of Italian wine to choose from, and there are galore variant Italian wine families to browse through as well. Italian wines are rather favorite, and you will be able to get numerous well acknowledged tags at Nick's wine corner, having said that, there are numerous others as well, since Nick's wine corner features over one thousand wine pronounces at a time. The more such options you have the more bona fide of you will be when it amounts to conveying home the flawless Italian brew.

If you like Italian reds, then you are in for a treat; Nick's wine corner has got in concert a special option of exquisite Italian red wines, so you do not have to do the sifting out yourself. Try the 2001 Masi Valpolicella Classico Superiore Serego Alighieri 650 Anniversario wine. This is an Italian wine that shows innovative character, and is a intimately put together blend. You will experience no troubles with this super beautiful sweet-smelling Italian red wine, uniting the smells of plum and its mineral character highly intimately. This particularized Italian red finishes with a more or less dry feel, and has united fine amounts of tannins to give it an broad medium bodied flow. This is a wine you will appreciate if you are into well balanced Italian red wines.

Other authoritative Italian red wine you should view at Nick's wine corner is the 2001 Tommaso Bussola Amarone ClassicoTB, with its phenomenal blend of three satisfactory Italian grapes, providing you will a impulsive and clear Italian combine you will soundly love. This is an unrestrained wine with a tremendous wallop, all the same you will incur that its structure is tremendously well centered, and it does not loosens at any point, a very well appraised feat indeed. This 2001 vintage Italian wine has had its fair fortune to ripe, and the tannins have softened up rather nicely, establishing this a superb option at Nick's wine corner in the Italian red wine section. This label has gained a pile of recognition and it is not without making brilliant wines such as this one that they have been able to do so, defiantly a fine Italian wine and mark.

So you have to remember that kind is not a trouble when you are shopping for Italian wines online, especially if you do it from well furnished online stores such as Nick's wine corner. What you have to search for while purchasing Italian wines online is the character, and price that is claimed in the dealing. The fundamental focus should be in try to gain the unexcelled for a rational price, and not half a fate, unless it is truly commendable it, and there are lot of fine Italian wines that are precisely that.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Having 10 Cup Coffee Maker

Getting a fruit dehydrator could be a good call for you and your family. You are going to have a lot of alternative uses for it, and it'll have many benefits. It can also be neat to use and can be a great hobby. Be sure to appraise the fruit dehydrator that you set up on buying for several different elements so you understand what will be the best fit.

First of all you need to consider the advantages of purchasing a fruit dehydrator. You are going to be ready to save yourself a lot of money over the long haul. Rather than buying costly dried fruit you can create your own for the price you buy regular, fresh fruit. The difference in prices is large and will quickly make up for the price of the unit itself.

Another benefit to purchasing a fruit dehydrator is that you're going to be ready to have more control over the final result. All too commonly dehydrated fruit that you buy at the store is crammed with unhealthy ingredients such as over the top salt or sugar. That ruins the point of the fruit or vegetable to start with, so making your own can be much healthier.

As mentioned, employing a fruit dehydrator can be a great activity for you and your folks. You may be ready to have fun together and bond as you experiment with different things and build your own delicious and healthy snacks. It's an fantastic way to spend more time together as a family and to try new things together.

Now when selecting a fruit dehydrator you've got to consider several different factors. The first of which is how enormous the unit is going to be. More particularly, you need to know the total usable area or drying area. This may figure out how much fruit you can dessicate at once .

Another consideration is whether you buy a vertical air fruit dehydrator or a horizontal air flow model. With a horizontal air flow model, all of the rows of any item you are dehydrating will receive the same heat and conditions. With a vertical air flow model, the rows at the bottom will be receiving more heat and more power, so you could need to change out the trays in the middle of the process.

The upside to this is that you have plan accordingly and put different items on different rows of your fruit dehydrator, you'll be able to dehydrate them all at the same time depending on what sorts of temperatures and times they require.

A fruit dehydrator will be a great purchase for you and your family. It's a way to share some time at the same time and have fun, as well as save cash. You will also be ready to get arty and make your own good for your health snacks. Consider the size of the fruit dehydrator with the direction of air flow to discover a perfect combination.

Before you
buy fruit dehydrator,
Make sure to confirm John Watersexcellent articles at his.

fruit dehydrator blog

John Waters was born in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, in 1955. Despite the best efforts of a number of local schools, he remained uneducated in any acceptable sense. He was employed in a range of jobs after leaving school, including railway clerk, showband roadie, petrol pump attendant and mailcar driver. He began part-time work as a a journalist in 1981, with Hot Press, Ireland’s leading rock ‘n’ roll magazine. He became a full-time writer for Hot Press in 1984, when he moved to Dublin. As a journalist, magazine editor and columnist, he has specialised in raising unpopular issues of public importance, most recently the issue of the hidden mistreatment of men in Irish society, particularly in relation to their right to legally protected relationships with their children. He has published a number of books and written several plays for stage and radio.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Sweet Tea

Sweet tea is a form of iced tea in which sugar or some other form of sweetener is added to the hot water before, while, or after brewing the tea but before the beverage is cooled or chilled and served. Adding sweetener to hot water allows for supersaturation of the solution, enabling the tea to hold more dissolved sweetener than under colder temperatures. Many restaurants have dispensers that dispense hot or warm sweet tea, and customers pour it over a full cup of ice to make iced tea. This especially sweet variation of tea enjoys most of its popularity in the Southern United States, though bottled iced teas labeled "Southern Style" or "Extra-sweet Southern Style" appear in refrigerated cases throughout the country. Sweet tea is often flavored with mint leaves in a popular variant of sweet tea known as sun tea, which is brewed by leaving loose tea or tea bags in water for several hours.

Most restaurants in the region, including fast-food and other national chains, offer a customer the choice of sweet tea or unsweetened iced tea (Usually referred to as "tea" and "unsweet tea", respectively.). It is a signature drink of the region to the point where the Southern use of the word "tea" is largely used to refer specifically to cold sweet tea and not to hot or unsweetened varieties. In 2003, supposedly as an April Fool's joke, the Georgia House introduced a bill making it a misdemeanor to sell iced tea in a restaurant that did not also offer sweet iced tea on the menu. The bill never went to a vote.

An important part of the tradition of sweet tea in the South is the fact that it can be made in large quantities quickly and inexpensively. It is usually consumed daily as a staple drink.

The oldest known recipe for sweet ice tea was published in 1879 in a community cookbook called Housekeeping in Old Virginia by Marion Cabell Tyree, who was born in Texas. The recipe called for green tea. In fact, most sweet tea consumed during this period was green tea. However, during World War II, the major sources of green tea were cut off from the United States, leaving them with tea almost exclusively from British-controlled India which produced black tea. Americans came out of the war drinking predominantly black tea.[2]

In 2008 Firefly Distillery based in South Carolina released Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, which has become quite popular in the American South along with some other areas of the United States.

The Sweet Tea Queens are a group of women based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA, dedicated to the pursuit of fun. The Boss Sweet Tea Queen, Carolyn, leads a group of about ten area women. They all wear matching costumes and accessories, consisting of a green sequin "beauty queen" dress, tiara, boots, sunglasses and accessories. The queens come from all walks of life; a number of them are notable business and organizational leaders.

The Sweet Tea Queens are a chapter of the Sweet Potato Queens [1], which is based in Jackson, Mississippi. Each chapter assumes its own theme and designs its own costumes. Some of the chapters participate in parades and fundraisers in their local communities. The Sweet Potato Queens concept has been explained and made popular by a series of books by Jill Conner Browne of Jackson, who came up with the idea in 1982. It involves a belief in a sisterhood that promotes self esteem and positive thinking, appealing to mostly middle-aged middle-class women. In 2005, almost ten thousand women dressed up in costumes and came to Jackson for their St Patrick's Day parade, proceeds from which benefited a children's hospital in the area.

The Sweet Tea Queens are a very active chapter that has repeatedly appeared at festivals and events to raise funds for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. The Sweet Tea Queens have their own professional float to ferry them through local parades, featuring the queens dancing to music that emanates from an on-board sound system. When they appear on behalf of charity organizations at fundraising events, they often staff a booth or run a contest. In addition, the queens often make appearances at area malls. Among the parades on the queens' regular schedule are the Cowpens, South Carolina Mighty Moo parade, the Gaffney, South Carolina Peach Festival, Hendersonville, North Carolina's King Apple parade, and a number of upstate South Carolina Christmas parades.

In addition to the group of queens, several of the STQ's husbands and boyfriends are associated with the chapter by attending meetings and assisting with other chapter functions.

Having been compared to other groups like the Red Hat Society and the YaYa Sisterhood, the Sweet Tea Queens see themselves as "belles gone bad." In their "regular lives," they are teachers, nurses and business leaders. But when they put on the green sequins, these mothers and wives become disco-dancing "showgirls" for a few hours and have more fun than many do in a lifetime.

They have appeared in feature articles in the Spartanburg Herald Journal, South Carolina Magazine, Travel and Leisure, Belle magazine and others. They have also been guests on WSPA-FM's morning show a number of times as well as being featured in Episode eight of Charter Cable's Talk Of The Town show.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Cooking For Pleasure With A Slow Cooker...

The Slow Cooker is a great invention and is perfect for busy families who want to come home to a hot, hearty meal after work without having to spend time preparing it. It's worth getting up a bit earlier to prepare some meat and vegetables to throw into your slow cooker to cook while you're at work.
There are so many recipes that can be prepared in your slow cooker – casseroles and stews, soups, puddings, mulled wine, curry and chilli. Some people even use two slow cookers and have their main meal cooking in one and their side dish or dessert cooking in the other.

Slow cookers are available in different sizes – mini for cooking for one up to large for cooking for large families or for entertaining.

If you have got a slow cooker gathering dust on a shelf or in a cupboard, grab it, clean it and get searching for some recipes.

Using a slow cooker will give you many benefits:-

1.Using a slow cooker uses less electricity than cooking in a standard electric oven.

2.You can use cheaper cuts of meat because the slow cooking tenderises the meat.

3.In summer, using a slow cooker will prevent your kitchen getting overly hot.

4.It saves you the time and energy of cooking a meal at the end of the day when you are tired.

5.No effort apart from initial preparation – The food does not need stirring, it can be left happily for 7-10 hours.

6.Natural juices and flavours are retained rather than boiling away.

7.Easy clean up – just one pot and your plates and cutlery.

8.A slow cooker is ideal for entertaining with minimum effort.

9.The food doesn't dry out but is kept nice and moist.

10.The low temperature and slow cooking makes your slow cooker ideal for cooking puddings like egg custard.

Tips for Using Your Slow Cooker

• Preheat the slow cooker before adding ingredients.

• Brown meat before adding to the slow cooker and make sure any liquids are boiling.

• Leave it alone – lifting the lid can add 15-20 minutes onto the cooking time.

Friday, September 11, 2009

How to Make Italian Ham Panini

Italy is one of the best places in the world to produce the finest cuisines and fantastic dishes, not to forget the good wine, of course. Remember spaghetti and pizza treats that no one could resist? Well, Italy has definitely become very well known for that, but there is more to Italian foods than these things. And what about those enticing Italian sandwiches called Panini such as Ham Panini or Turkey Panini?

Panino, or Panini in plural form, is a famous sandwich made of a small loaf of bread that is cut horizontally, stuffed with your choice of meat products, cheese, herbs and spices, vegetables, and other ingredients. Panini sandwiches vary: some would have it served without the sauce or topping, as their tradition dictates; some would prefer to add sauce to fit in with their local taste. In whatever style you want your Panini to be, keep in mind though that the best way to cook Panini is to cook it in a Panini grill or press.

To help you get started here's a sample recipe for the Italian Ham Panini, which is good if you have ham leftovers in your fridge.

You will need to prepare the following ingredients:

-Thinly-sliced ham; leftovers are good
-Italian loaf bread
-Fresh mozzarella
-Provolone cheese
-Fresh basil leaves, or fresh spinach, rinse and pat dry
-Extra virgin olive oil
-Red wine vinegar
-Salt and pepper

Then follow the steps below:

1-Cut the Italian loaf in half. On each side of the cut bread, place thin slices of mozzarella to keep in tact the bread halves together when placed in Panini press.

2-Put a topping of fresh spinach, or fresh basil leaves, on the mozzarella.

3-Sprinkle it with a good amount of vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper to get the best flavor from it.

4-Next, layer it with provolone cheese.

5-Then top it with thinly-sliced ham. Shower some more salt and pepper.

6-Put together the two halves of bread and close it up.

7-Lastly, brush some olive oil before putting it on the grill.

8-Let it grill until the cheese is seen to melt.

9-Remove it from the grill. Let it cool for a few minutes until it's not too hot to hold anymore. Slice it into your desired cuts.

10-Then serve and enjoy your Panini!

Panini sandwiches are not only healthy and delicious treats for everyone; it is the most preferred food-to-go these days by busy bodies. While they can easily be prepared at home and brought to the office, they can also easily be ordered from your favorite restaurant; this option is more expensive of course.

While some people question the calories and fat found in Panini sandwiches, there is nothing to worry about if you make your own, because you control the ingredients. To resolve this issue, always opt for low-fat or low-calories ingredients to fill up that Ham Panini sandwich.

Sabrina Rocca
Author: Easy Panini Recipes
Visit http://www.easypaninirecipes.com and sign up for a FREE newsletter and receive a copy of "Cooking Mastery" as well as panini recipes and tips. Easy Panini Recipes contains over 50 easy to follow, step-by-step panini recipes that will make anyone look like a gourmet chef!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

A Review of Stainless Steel Pressure Cookers


Trying to make a decision about which of the numerous stainless steel pressure cookers on the market today will best meet your cooking objectives actually can prove to be a challenging task. The fact is that weighing balancing the pros and cons of different brands of pressure cookers can not only be time consuming but, at times, even confusing. Therefore, take a moment to consider these basic reviews of three of the major stainless steel pressure cookers that are available to you today.
The Hawkins steel pressure cooker lines are some of the most affordable and cook-friendly appliances on the market today. If you are a person who loves cooking and truly enjoys spending time in the kitchen, a Hawkins pressure cooker is an excellent choice. Hawkins provides consumers a wide selection of different types and sizes of pressure cookers – certainly one to fit the needs of nearly any person seeking this type of handy piece of cookware. Perhaps the only downside to a Hawkins products rests in the fact that a good number of the cookers it retails today are made from aluminum as opposed to the more substantial and convenient stainless steel.

The Presto steel pressure cooker is ideal for a person new to cooking with these types of appliances. In addition, the Presto line is perfect for the family on the go. While Presto's pressure cookers do not come with a bunch of bells and whistles, these appliances offer you the basics of what you need to craft and create wonderful meals. Moreover, the Presto line of pressure cookers also are some of the most reasonably priced being sold in the brick and mortar world and on the Net today.

If you want to invest a bit more in this type of appliance, you will want to take a look at the Innova steel pressure cooker. The Innova appliance comes complete with some additional tools and attachments that can be helpful to an individual who wants to make the most of a pressure cooker. On the downside, at this time you will not be able to find different options beyond the 10 quart variation from Innova. However, the 10 quart size pressure cooker is perfectly suited for many different tasks and needs.

Armed with these essential stainless steel pressure cooker reviews you will be in a better position of determining which of these appliances makes the most sense for you. You will be able to select a cooker that will serve your needs not only today but into the future as well.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Want to Take Cake Decorating Lessons Online? Finding the Best Cake Decorating Course is Key!

If you have been thinking that you might want to take some cake decorating lessons, you are certainly not alone. With the rise of all of these new TV shows that are centered around such talented people creating these amazing cakes, there are a lot of people looking for the right cake decorating course.
However, before you go to the store and buy that new cake decorating set, you really need to first find the right lessons.

Remember being a kid and baking your first cake? How did it look? If you were like most kids, it probably was not even edible! However, with practice you get better and better.

Finding the right cake decorating course is not hard, but you have to know what to look for in the classes. For example, if you decide to take onsite classes, you will have to spend time away from your family while you attend classes.

Onsite classes also tend to be more expensive than online classes. In addition, you cannot take onsite classes at your own pace. There are other students to consider, so if you get confused or lost in class then it will be hard to catch up.

The perk of taking online cake decorating lessons is that you are able to repeat the lessons over and over until you get it right. You can practice as much as you want and need. This will save you from being embarrassed as many people are in a class situation when they do not understand something.

If, by chance, you are wanting to start your own cake decorating business, an online class is great because you can become an expert at the techniques by practicing them at home. Plus, you will have reference materials for your business!

Your new hobby (or business) hinges on finding the best cake decorating lessons that you can afford.

If you want to take cake decorating lessons, then you need to not only learn how to create the cakes, but you also need the basic supplies. The most necessary supplies to get your started are listed on this website: CAKE DECORATING TOOLS.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Experience the Pleasure of Home Cooking

Eating Fast food like pizzas, burgers, and soft drinks as a daily meal is a common phenomenon for many people who lead a hectic lifestyle and do not have time for proper home cooked food. But now, emphasis is being laid on avoiding fast food and switching to Home Cooking and wholesome, healthy food.

Fast food is not only costly but is also unhealthy if consumed daily. Most fast foods have a high percentage of cholesterol and calories than our body requires. It is very easy to gain weight with a regular diet of fast foods like burgers, pizzas, and soft drinks, and which ultimately leads to diseases and serious conditions like heart attacks, and high blood pressure.

First of all Home cooking allows you to eat healthy food. Eating out, especially fast food, frequently can do harm to your health. You will gain weight, or in the long run these foods will harm your health such as leading to high blood pressure. The food might look tempting and taste delicious but one has no idea as to what ingredients are being used or if the ingredients used are healthy enough for your body? This is where Home Cooking is an advantage. Not only can you prepare delicious food, but also include healthy ingredients and know and understand what is being added to the food. Next is the cost factor. Fast foods and eating out is expensive as compared to home cooking. One can prepare a variety of food dishes at home and within budget. If by chance, you cook more than required for the family, the leftovers can be refrigerated and used for dinner or the next meal. Eventually, you will save money.

Preparing a variety of dishes is possible in Home Cooking as well. Even if you are not an expert in cooking, you can still do so with the help of recipes. You can easily get recipes for preparing delectable dishes at home. From starters to main course dishes, desserts, and chocolates, you can prepare any item with hundreds of available recipes. All these Recipes contain step-by-step instructions on how to prepare a particular dish, so preparing a variety of dishes and keeping yourself and others happy is possible. From desserts to snacks to main dishes recipes, win the heart of your family and guests with home cooking. There are recipes for all types of food items like Vegetarian Recipes, Vegan Recipes, recipes for meat and egg based dishes, etc.

Once in a while, you can host a special dinner night, maybe a Veg Recipes night. Cooking is not only about preparing food and eating but one can also have fun. Prepare a special meal for the family or have a BBQ night. Involve your spouse or other family members in cooking and have a great time. This will also help create unforgettable memories as well as bring your family close. It is also a special way of spending time together once in a while since most of us are busy in our lives.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Eat Healthy to Stay Healthy - Easy Recipes For Home Cooking




Fast food as a daily meal is common amongst many of us following a hectic daily lifestyle. A few decades ago, daily life was not as hectic and people preferred home cooking and home cooked food to eating out. But today, the modern world has become a hectic place with both, men and women working to earn more and lead a better life.

This has forced families, including children; to depend more on fast food like burgers, pizzas, and soft drinks, rather than wholesome home cooked food made in different styles with Recipes from different countries.Nowadays, emphasis is being made on quitting fast food and switching to healthy homemade food. Fast food is not only costlier but may also lead to higher cholesterol and blood pressure levels and in turn to heart attacks. Eating fast food on a regular basis in place of a healthy home cooked food can lead to many other health issues. Some women dislike cooking, while others may not know about the different styles of cooking and the thousands of Free Recipes for different dishes, available online and in books, which can be made with hundreds of different ingredients, herbs, and spices.

You must have heard of 'Eat healthy Stay healthy', and if you want to lead a healthy life, you have to eat healthy food. This is possible with Home Cooking as cooking at home has its own pleasures and allows you to maintain a healthy diet, prepare a variety of dishes, try out new and Easy Recipes from different countries, a great way to spend some time with your family at lunch and dinner, and much more. Cooking at home ensures that your family gets proper nutrition to lead a healthy life. Fast food may look enticing, but it lacks the proper nutrients in proper proportions. Dining in restaurants on a daily basis, along with the family, is not something that an average family can afford.

Even if fast foods like pizzas and burgers may be cooked properly, eating these foods on a daily or regular basis, leads to health issues, as they do not provide all nutrients required to lead a healthy life. Most fast foods contain chemicals and other ingredients, which may be harmful for a person's health. Rapid weight gain is one of the major results of daily consumption of fast food. That is why doctors encourage home cooking and eating wholesome home cooked food. In many countries of the east and Middle East, eating home cooked food is normal and food can be cooked in hundred different ways with the thousands of recipes that have been handed down through generations. There are hundreds of home cooking recipes for vegetarian and meat dishes and most of these are prepared with different herbs and spices.

Variety is the spice of life and cooking a variety of dishes at home is easy enough with many Easy Recipes available for free. All it needs is the will to cook at home and ensure that your family gets proper nutrition and stays healthy. Even if you are not experienced or an expert in cooking, you can still start with the easier home cooking recipes and then go on to the more difficult and time consuming dishes. You can also throw a party for family and friends and surprise them with your cooking prowess and prepare everything from starters, appetizers, soups, main course dishes, and desserts, with the Free Recipes available. Most of the ingredients are available in supermarkets and you may not have to look too far for supplies. But some of the more exotic dishes may require exotic herbs and spices not available in your neighborhood. The important thing is to make a start at home cooking and wean your family and children away from fast food.

Thursday, September 3, 2009