Crab Cake Recipe Ideas

Eating cakes made of minced meat dates back to ancient times. In more recent history, settlers were likely shown the best places to find crabs by the Native Americans, and it was undoubtedly not long after that time that the first crab cake was made. The earliest recorded crab cake recipe in print is the Baltimore Crab Cake, which showed up in 1930 in Crosby Gaige's New York World's Fair Cook Book. Since then, the recipe has been modified and altered by many chefs, leaving us with the multitude of recipes that is readily available today.

A simple recipe calls for mixing white bread, milk, egg, mayonnaise and spices together and heating the mixture in oil in a pan on top of the stove. More advanced recipes call for blending a complex list of ingredients, such as lemon juice, Dijon mustard and panko breadcrumbs, and call for first frying the crab cakes, and then browning them under the broiler.

Seasonings can be changed to meet the chef's particular tastes, although traditional Maryland recipes call for Old Bay Seasoning. An assortment of vegetables like onion, bell peppers or mushrooms can be added as desired, as can other optional ingredients such as spicy breadcrumbs and cheese. When seasoning, cooks should take care. The flavor of the meat is mild, and additional ingredients should enhance the delicate taste of the crab, not overpower it.

Crab cakes can be served on a bun with tomato, lettuce and pickles, or can be plated and finished with any number of toppings or dipping sauces. Mild or hot salsa can be placed on crab cakes, or it can be combined with yogurt, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice and cayenne pepper to make a creamy yet spicy sauce. A light sauce made with lemon zest, lemon juice, mayonnaise, buttermilk, garlic and dill is a great complement to the crabby flavor of the cakes. Rémoulade sauce combines mayonnaise, hot sauce and mustard to create a tasty dipping sauce with a slight kick. A high-quality cocktail sauce or tartar sauce also works well as a condiment.

The cakes can be as large as a hamburger or as small as a walnut. The larger-sized cakes are generally served as main courses, while the smaller sized make great appetizers or hors d'oeuvres. Their delicate, decadent taste makes them perfect for any occasion at any time of the day.

Enjoy both classic favorites and exciting new crab cake recipe creations with our complete collection of the best taste-tested dishes. Whether you are celebrating a landmark occasion, or simply a special meal, you can create a memorable experience by creating from our delicious selection of crab cake recipes.

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The History of Pizza, Spice Packets and All

Pizza is one of those staples that we all enjoy. How many people do you know that tell you they don't like pizza? Not many. With all those great pizza spices, the gooey cheese and the delicious sauce, it's hard to not enjoy a slice. But where did pizza come from? There's a few different arguments about who invented the pie first but the idea seems to go further back than most people can imagine.

There are accounts going as far back as Ancient Greece of people placing various spices, like onion and garlic, onto flat bread to give it more of an appeal. But the first time tomato was ever added was in the late 18th century in Naples. People often put tomato on their flat bread. Naples actually used it to boost their tourism, luring people there to try their pizza, advertising it as a local specialty. The Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba is often credited as the first ever pizzeria.

We know that there are lots of different versions of pizzas today; various toppings, pizza spices and cheeses combined create different styles. But for "purists", there are only two types that are considered to be true pizza; Margherita and Marinara. The Marinara was the first incarnation, with tomato, oregano, garlic and olive oil. You can see where two of our now common pizza spices came from, they were being used at the very start. Margherita consists of mozzarella cheese and fresh basil and tomato sauce. This type of pizza is pretty common on most pizzerias today, though everyone has their own spin on it.

The pizza came to the United States with Italian immigrants in the 19th century. Some of the first places it hit were New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Philadelphia. This made sense due to the influx of Italian immigrants in these large cities. Pizza was first sold on the streets of Italian neighborhoods before starting to appear in their own pizzerias.

The popularity of pizza didn't strike across the country until after World War II. Troops stationed in Italy discovered the pizzerias and brought their appreciation for the good food back home. When word really got around, others were opening pizzerias. Chicago style deep-dish pizza came out in 1943 when the first Pizzeria Uno opened and the first Pizza Hut opened in 1958. These brands have stood the test of time and many know them well today.

Now, we have many different variations in pizza as well as many different places to go. From big brand delivery companies to the small, privately owned pizzeria that harkens back to Italy, it's hard to walk a few blocks in any city without walking by a place that serves a slice. Now you can appreciate the origins of that next, spice covered, delicious slice.

About the Author

www.PizzaPacket.com is your source for packaged spices and pizza spice packets in a variety of fun flavors, including parmesan, crushed red pepper, oregano and garlic.

The Best Diet Foods

If you are fat, you want to plan your diet consciously. And, if you seriously wish to follow this plan, you have to forsake that calorie charged food you have been having until date. To be on the right track, you need to follow a thoroughly planned diet. In this diet plan, you need to incorporate food that isn't only low in calories but also triggers weight loss.

When it is about losing weight, nothing will help you more than greens and lettuces. Before you start with your meal, serve yourself with a generous portion of these greens. They add quantity to your meal without supplying you with far too much of calories. It is suggested that you go for plants that are dark green in color as they are high on minerals and vitamins too, besides fiber.

Another not very common but superb vegetable for weight management is Zucchini. This plant has low carbs and calories. This vegetable can be eaten with salads and can also be an ingredient in stir fry dishes. It may also be sauted in olive oil and eaten with sprinkled pepper and salt. If you'd like an alternate way, you can try Caralluma Burn Appetite Suppressant ; it will help you in losing weight quickly.

Adding salmon to your diet can be a smart idea when you are trying to lose weight. This fish contains omega 3 trans-acids, which are excellent for your heart system. In addition, omega Three trans-acids are also favourable for those who are handling the problem of high cholesterol. Salmon is also high on protein, which is again good for weight reduction.

You have to have unknown that tomatoes are good if you want to shed pounds. They do not have any carbs and fat in any way. Tomatoes can be added to any food item. You may grind them into a sauce or eat them raw in salads. Tomatoes aren't good for weight management, they have other benefits too. These can be used as a facial mask to eliminate acne. Nevertheless an everlasting solution like an anti-acne product by the Exposed Skin Care System would be best.

Losing pounds can be tough if you have got a sweet tooth. But you can indulge in some healthy sweetness with blueberries. They're high on anti-oxidating agents and help you to lose weight. You can use them as a pudding or serve them in salads.

Thus, you do not have to starve yourself to achieve your ideal weight. Instead, you can simply incorporate the foods noted above into your daily diet and chomp your way to slim new you.

About the Author

I am a yoga trainer who has been teaching various yoga poses for more than 10 years now.

Here are a few more ways to know about Caralluma Burn Appetite Suppressant and High Cholesterol.

How to Make Palantine Snowballs

If you ever traveled to Germany you will know that the country is divided in different regions. Most of the time the dialect is so different from region to region that even some Germans are having problems understanding the meaning of some words. And just as it is with the dialects it also is with the food. Different regions, different food and different ways of fixing it. I want to tell you about a specialty from the region where I come from which is called Palatinate. There people like to eat hearty food. Nothing fancy but still delicious. One of the foods I want to introduce to you is the so called Snowballs.

This is what the people in Palatinate call one kind of Knoedel. (Loosely translated dumpling). It is called Snowball because it's consistency is like freshly fallen snow.

To prepare them you need:

12 to 15 potatoes

1 onion

some parsley

125 g butter

4 eggs

1 table spoon flour

salt and pepper

nutmeg and some marjoram

a little butter

2 table spoons bread crumbs

You boil the potatoes the day before and peel them. Than you need to mash all the potatoes.

The parsley and the real small cut onion are going to be smothered in butter for about 5 minutes.

Mix the onions and parsley under the mashed potatoes when done. Little by little you add the eggs and the flour. After everything is mixed up real good you start spicing it up with salt, pepper, nutmeg and marjoram. A pot with water goes on the stove. Bring it to a boil.

Now you need to wet your hands and start rolling medium size balls with the mash you just prepared. Drop each of them into the boiling water and let it cook for about 15 minutes. Make sure the water is not bubbling or the snowballs will fall apart. While they are cooking you take a little pan and melt the butter and brown the bread crumbs in it. After the 15 minutes you can take the snowballs out. Make sure they are completely drained. Put them in a nice bowl and pour the browned bread crumbs over the snowballs. Serve immediately. Best with roast or goulash and gravy and some red wine.

Guten Appetit.

Tina Jennings loves to write and has been passionate about providing great articles to people around the world. You can also check out her latest website on Cheap motorcycle batteries at http://www.cheapmotorcyclebatteries.com.

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Vitalicious 100 Calorie Snacks

Have you ever heard of a company called Vitalicious? Let me tell you all, not just dieters, but those looking for nutritious snacks, Vitalicious has one for you!

Vitalicious sent me a variety pack to review and I was overwhelmed with their generosity. I did not know where to start and my husband and daughter were quick to choose something.

My first taste of their products was the VitaTops Fudge Peanut Butter Chip as seen above! These are made to be toasted but I couldn't wait! I got ready to take a taste expecting it to taste like other diet foods that just taste like flavored sawdust! Boy were my thoughts wrong! After one bite I was hooked. The Chocolately flavor was really good along with the taste of peanut butter from the chips. I have been avoiding chocolate and I am a chocoholic and now I don't have to! I also have to tell you these are not little small bite sized items but are BIG full sized chunks of flavor!

My husband immediately grabbed the Apple Crumb VitaTops and wouldn't share those with me so they must have been good. I have tried many of the flavors and am in love with Vitalicious!

You may also have read about Vitalicious in the media as this article where Jennifer Hudson mentions her favorite Vitalicious snack, and you can go on their website and see her indulging!

Vitalicious snacks are 100 calories, 4-10 gms Fiber, 3-5 gms protein, low fat, trans-fat free, low sodium. no cholesterol, 15 Vitamins and Minerals! All Vitalicious snacks are Kosher and have no additives or preservatives. I had to immediately put mine in the freezer so they would last. Without freezing, because of the lack of preservatives they need to be refrigerated and will last 5 days. In the freezer they will retain their freshness for up to nine months!

I am in love with Vitalicious snacks and will be a new customer as soon as I finish up the wonderful sample pack they sent me. Not only are these tasty morsels low calorie, they are good for you. I love taking a frozen one in my purse and if I feel like a snack it is there and thawed! These really are the perfect snack, not only for me or my kids, but I would think they would be great for diabetics to snack on is well. If you see Vitalicious, I recommend that you try them and give them a chance. If you don't like them let me know and I will give you my address to ship them to!

Joan Penfold http://joansproductreviewsandgiveaways.blogspot.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joan_Penfold

The Social Vegetarian

Lifestyle changes are the most difficult ones to make and one of the biggest lifestyle alterations that anyone can make voluntarily is to become a vegetarian. Frequently people find it easier to become part of a support group when attempting lifestyle alterations; think of Alcoholics Anonymous, Weight Watchers or giving up smoking. Joining a support group can help the novice vegetarian too.

The advantages of being a member of such a support group are many, yet some of them are encouragement, advice and friendship. You may not require the friendship, but you may like to socialize with other vegetarians so that you can see how they deal with eating out and basically simply fitting into a society designed by and for meat-eaters.

However, whether you intend giving up your old friends or not, you may find yourself gravitating away from them after a while quite naturally. Remember the old expression: 'Birds of a feather flock together'? This is quite standard.

You will have problems substituting something else for meat; you will become worried that your diet is lacking in some nutrient; you will be wondering which restaurants serve truly vegetarian food and lots more.

Your newly found support group friends will become a great source of encouragement and advice in this sphere. You may not like the concept of a 'vegetarian support group', but you could just as easily join a vegetarian dining club or vegetarian cookery group, the impact will work out the same - you will learn and you will make new friends.

If you have difficulty locating such a group by the standard methods of your local Yellow Pages and an Internet search, try going to the local community centre, where there may be yoga classes - a couple of the attendees will be vegetarians that you can ask. Or go to you local health food shop and ask there Likewise you could enquire at a martial arts club or a Hindu Indian restaurant. If all else fails, you could begin your own club.

If you organize your own club, find a sympathetic bar or restaurant that will cook your meal suggestions for that night at a reasonable cost. After a time, I am sure you could build up a nice little club of twenty people and the landlord might let you have your own room to dine in once a month like the Masons.

If you think that this is too much in the early days, you could simply set up a blog. A blog is an interactive web site, where you and others can post relevant knowledge. If you keep the name of the blog relevant to your town and vegetarianism, you ought to find that other people looking as you once did will find you, whereas you found no one. Once you have built up a circle of local, on line vegetarian sympathizers, you could suggest meeting once a month in the flesh and take the dining idea from there. An advertisement in the local paper would help too.

About the Author

Owen Jones, the author of this piece writes on several subjects, and is currently concerned with quick vegetarian recipes. If you would like to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our site at Vegetarian Sandwich Recipes.

How to Make Vietnamese Caramelized Catfish - Ca Kho To

This is a classic southern Vietnamese "kho" dish. "Kho" is a type of dish that is braised in a thick, mildly sweet reddish-brown-colored sauce containing caramelized sugar and fish sauce. Catfish steaks are simmering in the sauce for an hour, absorbing a deep savory flavor tinged with sweetness.

For a great result, buy a whole fresh catfish at a local Vietnamese or Chinese grocery market, then ask the fishmonger to clean the fish and cut it into 3/4 inch slices for you. Use the center cut slices for this dish and the head, tail pieces you can use to make Fish stock. This dish is served over rice, for a best taste, combine a small piece of fish, some rice and a bit of sauce on each bite you eat.

Recipe for Vietnamese Caramelized Catfish - Ca Kho To:
Ingredients:
1 1/2 - 2 lb whole catfish
2 clove garlic, ground
3 shallots, diced
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp Asian fish sauce
1 bird's eye chili, sliced
1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
2 scallion, sliced

Place the catfish flat on a board. Using a cleaver or large knife, remove the tail, fins, and head from the fish. Cut the fish from the tail into 3/4 inch sections.

Put the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, add the garlic and shallots to the oil, and fry until garlic turns golden brown. Strain the oil through a fine metal sieve into a small clay pot, discarding the garlic and shallots.

Add the sugar and 1 tbsp of water to the clay pot over medium heat. Cook for about 5 mins to make a rich, dark caramel, then add the fish. Seal the fish on all sides in the caramel, then add the salt, fish sauce and 3 tbsp of water and bring to a boil. Decrease the heat slightly and continue to cook the fish for about 5 mins, or until cooked through. Garnish this dish with the scallion, chili and black pepper.

Serves 4

Enjoy!

To learn more about Vietnamese recipes and cooking skills, please visit http://www.vietfoodrecipes.com. This site is updated regularly, so come back often and remember to sign up for the 'VietChef Corner' Newsletter to have our recipes and useful articles delivered directly to your mailbox.

To meet the author, please visit http://www.vietfoodrecipes.com and select 'About Me' page on the top.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lena_Ho

Breakfast and Brunch Casseroles

Breakfast and brunch casseroles are a convenient, time-saving, and cost-effective way to feed a crowd. Many of the breakfast and brunch casseroles can be prepared up to twelve hours ahead of time and can be simply placed in the oven for about an hour to bake. This is the perfect dish if you want to host a breakfast or brunch. It is an easy way to feed guests, since you can interact with them instead of working hard in the kitchen. It is also a great family tradition; you can serve these casseroles every weekend. Breakfast and brunch casseroles are also a nice treat to bring into the office. Co-workers will line up for a hot breakfast versus the usual bagel or doughnut offerings from others.

For those with a busy schedule, breakfast casseroles take just a few minutes to prepare. The bottom layer is typically bread or potatoes, although there are variations on this. The middle layer can be made up of a breakfast meat of your choosing such as bacon, sausage, or ham. This layer is usually combined with an egg mixture and vegetables. The casserole can then be topped off with cheese. These layers back together in the oven, becoming a fluffy and delicious "egg pie."

Ingredients can be added or omitted depending on your taste; some people skip the meat and load up on the veggies instead. The veggies used can be frozen or fresh, although many cooks swear by chopping fresh onions for a zestier taste. Try featuring veggies that are in season as the main ingredient, like in a zucchini casserole.

Recipes for sweet breakfast and brunch casseroles pair well with a traditional casserole for a larger meal. For example, a sweet casserole can be made by combining French toast, blueberries, and pecans. A sweet casserole is often topped with syrup or whipped cream.

The recipes can easily be doubled or tripled depending on how big of a crowd you need to feed. While these dishes are normally served at breakfast or brunch, they can make a fun dinner. You can also use these recipes to create a unique date night. These are excellent treats for holidays too. Whatever the occasion, you are sure to find favorite recipes that can be used for years to come.

About the Author

Casseroles are true comfort food. We have put together a collection of delicious casserole recipes that will satisfy the hearty appetite; and that can be served for holidays, special occasions and everyday dining. Find the perfect casserole recipe from our growing selection of appetizers, side dishes, and entrees.

Yummy Cheesecake Dessert

There are some things that you can have any old time when you want dessert. Pies, cakes, cupcakes, and donuts are everywhere. If you are smart, you know that having these a lot is not good for your health, but if you are in good health there is no reason why you can't indulge once in a while. If you really want something that is so sinful you may wonder if you can ever stop eating it, look for some great cheesecake dessert items. There is the traditional, and then are even more decadent items you can try.

Cheesecake dessert starts with simple cheesecake. You can make this out of a box from the grocery store and it does not taste very bad. In fact, it is down right good in most cases. However, if you really want something that is going to make your tongue sing, you want to get a baked cheesecake. You can find these in most stores in the dessert case, if they have one, or you can find some that you can order online. Some of the best cheesecake dessert companies in the world can deliver to your home, so see what is out there on the Internet.

Don't think that regular cheesecake dessert is the only one that you are going to love. People have experimented with this dessert and come up with all kinds of neat changes that are also so good you won't want to put down your fork. The next to try would be the chocolate cheesecake dessert. This has the taste of cheesecake with a cocoa taste. Some put cocoa in the entire cake, and some will layer chocolate and regular cheesecake so that you can have the best of both worlds. If you are a chocolate lover, this is one dessert you have to try.

Some go even further with a cheesecake dessert idea. They take the chocolate and the white, and put a layer of different items in the middle. One of the ones that you may like to try would be one that has caramel in between. Some add nuts to this as well. The caramel can be soft or it can be something more like toffee. Whatever the case, this cheesecake dessert is even more sinful that the others. This is not something that you want to have all the time, but it is a hit at any special occasion. Some even prefer something like this to a traditional birthday cake.

The only drawback to cheesecake dessert items is that it is awful when you run out. You may think that these are diet busters, but they do not have to be. There are sugar free, low fat, and even low carb versions of many different cheesecake dessert items. If you want something out of this world that won't break your dieting plans, see if you can find one that fits in with what you can eat, and enjoy small portions. You'd be surprised how great these diet items are today. You can even have them shipped to you if you can't find them around town.

Read more about me at: car seat covers shock collars for dogs Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dewayne_Weiss

Few Juice Recipes for Kids

In today's busy life, the most common problem will all the parents are that whether their kids are receiving the appropriate nutrition or not. Almost every kids does not like to eat fruits and vegetables and therefore they do not get the essential proteins and vitamins. If you are also experiencing the same situation, then you can experiment in your everyday cooking.

One of the best ways to nourish your kids with all the essential nutrients is to include juices in their everyday diet. Juice will provide your kids with numerous health benefits. The juices made from fruits like acai, noni and mangosteen consists of numerous vitamins and other nutrients. These type of juices help them in sustaining their physical or mental well-being. The following write-up will give you some healthy juice recipes which can become your kid's favorite.

Apple Strawberry Delight:

The ingredients required are 5-6 apples plus one cup fresh or frozen strawberries.

Cut the apples into sections and put them in the blender. Add the strawberries and blend them. Enjoy the drink.

Watermelon Kick:

The ingredients required are 1/2 watermelon (without rind), 5 oranges, 1 lemon and 1/2 pineapple.

Peel the oranges, pineapple and lemon. Cut all the fruits into sections and juice them properly.

Tomato Juice:

For this, you will need 3 cups chopped tomatoes, 1 stalk celery, 1 cucumber, 3 drops stevia, 1/2 tsp sea salt, pepper and cayenne pepper.

Blend the tomatoes, celery and cucumber in the blender. If you like sweet, you can add few drops of stevia. Add salt, pepper and cayenne pepper to taste. Your tomato juice is ready to drink.

Spinach Juice:

For this, you will need 1 bunch of spinach, 2apples and 1/2 lemon.

Place all the ingredients in the juicer and juice them. You can add lemon depending on your kid's taste. Your child will love the drink..

These juice recipes are very simple to make. So just give a try to these recipes and see a big smile on your kid's face..

We have lot of information on food and wine too. Please look at our wine portal at wine tasting and US Wines

About the Author

In today's busy schedule, the most common problem will all the parents are that whether their kids are receiving the appropriate nutrition or not. Kids always run away from the healthy fruits and vegetables and thus becomes difficult to offer them balanced nutrition. If you are also experiencing the same situation, then you can experiment in your everyday cooking.

Benefits Of Organic Food In The Modern Era

More and more people are getting aware of the benefits of organically manufactured and cultivated food and as a result, they tend to appreciate and follow organic diet. Its better taste is not the major aspect behind its widespread acceptability, rather people are more interested in the fact that the organic food is devoid of toxins that are harmful to our health. In view of this increase in awareness, there has been a constant increase in the number of people who prefer to have environment friendly food and it is going to be the norm of the day in the near future.

Our normal food contains hormones, preservatives, and additives which make them hazardous not only to the consumers but also to the environment. Widespread use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture is a major factor in making our food unhealthy.

People have access to all sort of information in this era of information explosion. Our generation is extremely lucky since it is not at all a daunting task to know what is good for us. With the help of various media, now we know the risk of taking detrimental food that contains toxins. Another factor contributed to the reputation of organically devoloped food is that many organizations and companies start promoting such food. A few years before, it was not available in the market and therefore it was impractical to turn to organic food even if someone wanted to avoid unsafe food.

Knowing the growth in demand of organic food, many people and even multinational companies have ventured in the process of production and sale of such commodities. The only drawback of organic food is its high pricing compared to its counterpart. However, when we take the benefits of organic food into consideration, the price difference is undoubtedly ignorable. Just think of the harmful effect of organic food on our vital organs and the subsequent problems that we may encounter in the future which will lead to psychological trauma and financial loss.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harikumar_Kavitha

How To Save Time, Eat Better, And Have More Fun

In today's hectic world it often seems that we spend a lot of time doing things that we need to do and not enough time doing things that we want to do. A handful of little tricks can make life more enjoyable, help you to take care of some of the things you need to do, and give you the time to do more of the things you want to do.

For example, a lot of us don't even know what we're going to eat for dinner tonight - or feed our family - until the late afternoon. And then, either we may have to settle for what's in the refrigerator and freezer, or take the time to go out shopping.

You can save a lot of time by taking just a few minutes every weekend to plan ahead. Here's how.

On Saturday morning sit down with a bunch of your favorite cookbooks, cooking magazines, and a pen and paper. Think about what you already have in your fridge and what you and your family would like to eat. Look through the recipes in the cookbooks and magazines and put together a shopping list while planning your menus.

Make a note about which recipes you're going to use and where to find them. Pick up what you need at the supermarket, health food store, etc. And put the list of menus on your refrigerator so you can see it when you get home.

You've just saved a lot of time by thinking ahead, shopping, finding recipes, etc. And you and your family will love the meals that you've come up with.

Now, if you're not crazy about cooking, maybe it's time for an attitude adjustment. Did you know that it's actually harder to be a bad cook than to be a good cook? This is especially true if you are using quality ingredients.

So, why not take a class or spend some time with people you know who are good cooks so you can catch a couple of tricks here and there - and become a good cook in the process?

Now, when you are cooking, figure out how much you need to feed your family one meal. But, instead of cooking only one meal, why not cook four or five meals and freeze them? Soups, stews, and chili, amongst other dishes, will freeze very well and taste delicious when heated.

Talking about soup - it makes a great, healthy, delicious, and filling dinner. And it's quick and easy to make.

If you have low-salt chicken soup stock in your cupboard or homemade chicken stock in your freezer you can use about one quart as a base. Then just add a bunch of chopped vegetables such as green beans, corn, spinach, zucchini, carrots, and peas.

Add some legumes such as chickpeas, lentils and butterbeans for protein, and you have a low calorie delicious meal. Top it off with a salad and some whole grain bread with a bit of olive oil to dip it in and you will enjoy a filling, satisfying, healthy meal that has lots of fiber and micronutrients.

Now that you have more time to enjoy life, if the weather is right you may want to relax with your friends and family on your patio or in your backyard.

About the Author

And to find a wide variety of Polywood outdoor furniture go to http://www.adirondackauthority.com/poly-wood.html

Grilling The Perfect Steak - Steak Marinades and Steak Toppings

Here's my two cents on grilling the perfect steak: USE THIS MARINADE. This is a recipe for steak marinade that also made me famous: It is one of my best steak marinades.

BEST STEAK MARINADE
1/2 cup canola oil
1/3 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
3 TBS fresh garlic, minced
3 TBS dried basil
1-1/2 TBS parsley, dried
1 TBS fresh ground black pepper
1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce, optional

Place the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend on high for 30 seconds. Pour marinade over steak and refrigerate OVERNIGHT. Discard marinade the next day and grill the steaks. Perfection at it's finest.

The best steak topping!

MUSHROOM SPREAD

3 TBS butter
1 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 small onion, chopped
1-1/2 TBS flour
1 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
sea salt to taste
freshly ground pepper to taste
1/3 cup parmesan cheese

Melt the butter in a skillet and add the mushrooms and onion; fry until tender. Sprinkle with flour, reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes. Now add the garlic powder, lemon juice and then season with salt and pepper. Place in a baking dish and top with parmesan cheese. Put in the refrigerator overnight for best flavor. When ready to serve, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve with crusty French bread or garlic pita chips.

STEAK BUTTER

1-1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
4 garlic cloves

Combine in a food processor or blender. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Place on a hot grilled steak before serving. (My mouth is watering right now)

Enjoy!

Tips on Grilling The Perfect Steak at http://www.misshomemade.com/grillingtheperfectsteak.html

Raschell Celleste
http://www.misshomemade.com

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A Look At Traditional Scottish Foods

A whirl of culture set against the backdrop of ancient history makes Scotland a fascinating country to visit, especially for foodies.

Boasting a rich, cultural experience that's more than just bagpipes and highland cows, Scotland is an interesting country to visit at any time of year. A visit to this exciting island will be of particular interest to foodies of all persuasions however, who will have their taste buds tantalized at every turn thanks to a host of traditional Scottish foods.

So where to start? Perhaps the most famous of all Scottish foods on the menu, the haggis is a traditional delicacy whose origin in steeped in myth and fact. An oval shaped bag - sometimes made from sheep's stomach - forms the haggis' iconic silhouette whilst a melee of carrots, oats, mince meat and pulses makes for a delicious filling. In recent years, a vegetarian version of the haggis has also been made available but still fits its original purpose - to act as a nutritious meal for anyone weathering the highlands or even the rat race!

While haggis is a popular mains dish, that's not to say the people of Scotland don't have a sweet tooth too. Naturally, shortbread proves both popular and iconic amongst foodies of all ages. A butter and flour based biscuit which is covered in a sprinkling of sugar, shortbread is the ideal accompaniment to a cup of tea or as a mid afternoon pick-me-up. Available in a range of shapes such as 'finger', 'petticoat' and 'wheel', shortbread is now exported right across the globe but remains synonymous with Scotland.

Alongside shortbread, oats have long played a leading role in the traditional Scots diet. Needless to say, oatcakes - a light, biscuit cooked with rolled or milled oats - remains popular. Today oatcakes still serve a range of purposes including use as a side dish, lunch box filler or even the base for up-market canapés. Viewed as a delicious and natural high energy food, Scottish oatcakes are just as much at home in the lunch packs of busy, city dwellers as they are on the windswept crofts of Scotland's highlands and islands.

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The Benefits Of An Oat-Rich Diet

Oats have long been part of the human diet but what are the benefits of eating them?

Oats have been part of the human food chain since 1BC where they first appeared in literature and ancient records. From this point onwards oats have become a familiar dietary staple as well as a popular animal feed with 95% of commercially farmed oats grown for livestock use. Today, oats don't just make for a filling, healthy meal but als been scientifically proven to reduce the risk of getting cancer. In particular, the presence of lignanso boast plenty of health benefits as well.

For starters, oats have - phytoestrogen compounds - have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer and conditions linked to hormones. Furthermore, increased intake of oats - a natural source of fibre - is thought to strip away cancer causing carcinogens which can line the digestive tract and intestines.

As well as fighting cancer, oats are also great for the heart and blood. Proven to reduce the levels of cholesterol in the blood, oats can help reduce the risks of heart disease, strokes and heart attack. Eating approximately half a cup of oats a day is recommended to reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. Moreover, the level of antioxidants in oats has also be discovered to reduce cholesterol's ability to cling to the inside of the heart and pulmonary systems; further reducing the risk of heart attack.

Oats aren't just great for the body but also great for the mind too. Green oats in particular, have been shown to reverse symptoms of tiredness, poor concentration and irritability. Oats ability to improve blood flow - particularly to the brain - is thought to be an easy way for people to improve cognitive activity at any age.

So how can one ensure they are getting enough oats into their diet? The answer is simple - diversity. Oats come in so many different shapes, sizes and food stuffs that it's becoming easier and easier to obtain an oat-rich diet without feeling as if you have to go out of your way. Porridge, for example, is a classic breakfast staple but one that can be modernized so as to include porridge oats in early morning muffins, smoothies or energy bars. Oats also serve as a healthy alternative to snacking with oat biscuits and oatcakes a low-fat, natural alternative to crisps and chocolate which are often high in fat and salt.

Looking to get a health and energy kick from a natural food stuff? Look no further than oats the next time you feel those hunger pangs.

Appetizer and Dessert Soups

Soup is among the simplest of recipes to prepare and is a common side dish or entree during the cold winter months. However, even some of the most creative cooks do not realize that soups can function quite well as appetizers and even as desserts.

Soup as an appetizer is an excellent way to begin a meal. Served in smaller quantities, either using the standard soup bowl or using miniature bowls specifically engineered for appetizer soups, a meal can become much more memorable by teasing the palate with a well-flavored soup. When choosing a soup to complement the meal at hand, one should consider the entree. By and large, heartier meals are best served with lighter soups and broths. For example, French onion soup is an excellent accompaniment to steaks and roasts. However, if the entree is to be pasta or fish, a more substantial soup is appropriate. Consider cream-based soups or chowders to start meals, making sure to serve quantities that don't overwhelm what is to come. Of course, the side dishes that are to be served with the entree must be considered as well. Balance is the key. It would be ill-advised to serve a carrot soup if steamed carrots are to be served alongside the main dish.

Soup can also make a superb and memorable dessert. Dessert soups are as easy to make as they are delicious and can provide a brilliant alternative to the standard fruit cup or cake that is often offered at the end of a meal. Dessert soups that feature fruit are usually served chilled, and are best served after a warm, substantial main course. Because these soups are often chilled, they can also be employed year-round, even during the hottest days of summer. Of course, not all dessert soups are fruit based. Some decadent soups, such as chocolate cinnamon, are found at the most highly rated restaurants in the world, and for good reason. These soups warm the body and spirit and can be fabulously created in a home kitchen for a pleasing dessert that won't soon be forgotten.

Though soup is not often thought of as an appetizer or dessert, the results of employing soup in these manners can become a mainstay in the home as home chefs and guests alike find the enjoyment that soup can bring.

Soup is true comfort food. We have put together a collection of delicious soup recipes that will satisfy the hearty appetite; and that can be served for holidays, special occasions and everyday dining. Find the perfect potato soup recipe from our growing selection of the world's finest soups.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Lingle

4 Unusual Chicken Crockpot Recipes - Combinations That Will Wow Your Friends and Family

Ah yes, there is nothing more satisfying than coming home from work to find a chicken crockpot recipe slowly cooking away. It fills the room with gorgeous smells and if you are anything like me you absolutely love and simply wouldn't be without your crockpot. The reason for this is simple, it can save you both money and time. You see as far as I am concerned the great thing about a crockpot is that you can throw in some meat and some vegetables and 4-8 hours later out comes a terrific tasting meal.

Chicken really lends itself to being cooked in a crockpot and the great thing is that it goes with so many different flavor combinations and ingredients. The other awesome thing about chicken is its versatility. This means that you can really get creative with it. So with this in mind here are some different things that you can do with the humble chicken and your crockpot, that you may or may not have heard of.

1. Try chicken and fruit combo's - Believe it or not, chicken works really well with fruit, particularly apricots, peaches and pineapple. If you can add a little spice into the mix to make it fruity and zingy at the same time, it will be a match made in heaven.

2. Chicken and Cola - Coke and chicken I hear you say, but actually Cola really does work with chicken! If you add some onions, peppers and ketchup, it makes an awesome sticky sauce that will not only keep the chicken succulent and moist, but will give the dish a lovely sweet sticky flavor

3. Fish and chicken - It is a well known fact.. chicken just loves fish. Try adding shrimp or salt fish with chili peppers, spices, rice, chicken and stock to make an Asian/Thai influenced steamed rice dish. Or alternatively try adding some clams and stock with your rice and chicken to make an awesome jambalaya

4. Chicken and Blue cheese - This is a great flavor combo. The saltiness of the blue cheese works really well against the moistness of the chicken. Try crumbling blue cheese into a sauce of white wine, mustard and cream (or crème fraiche if you're feeling really healthy) and watch as it slowly melts down to create a totally unctuous sauce that is simply divine.

Hopefully this has given you some useful hints and tips when it comes to flavor combo's as these are just four combinations that on the surface, seem a little strange, but in reality really do work. However, don't stop there! Instead it might be really fun to invent some of your own.

Of course if you are not the creative type then stick to the more established recipes such as chicken and gravy or chicken and herb dumplings. Or if you are really health conscious, then there are even some really good healthy chicken recipes out there. Above all have some fun with your slow cooking and be inventive. There are no end of seriously good chicken crockpot recipes available to you. So it is just a case of trying a few out and seeing which ones your family will adore.

To learn more about Chicken Crockpot Recipes, download my 10 day e-learning course here: "Popular Restaurant Recipes"

Patrick Edwards is the owner of www.restaurantrecipesonline.com where he provides premium Restaurant recipes and tips.

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Easy Tips For Cake Icing

Here are few steps for you for how to do cake icing to make the cake more tempting. First you need to ensure that the cake is cool. You can try running if the cake is still warm To cool the cake either keep it in the fridge or keep at room temperature. Get some icing sugar or confectionery. Do not use the normal sugar because this may not fulfill the actual requirement. Take the icing sugar in one bowl. Boil the water and pour it on icing sugar. Until the consistency is got mix it well. Try to stir well and add some water if it is thick. Keep stirring until it comes to the perfect consistency. You can color and flavor now. According to your preferences and taste ad vanilla or any other extract. Just add that with the cake and spread it. Then decorate either by adding more colored icing or with other items. Just place it in fridge to get dried,.

Cupcake is made using the molds of different shapes and sizes. Different types of cup cakes can be easily done with the different combination of ingredients and the cake is usually named with the ingredient added in it. The cupcakes are very easy to make by using oven at home. Many like making cupcake in different color, sizes with more of decorations on it. Some of the cupcakes include watermelon chocolate ice cream cupcake, cherry bomb cupcake, almond orange cupcake, cream cheese frosting, gluten free chili chocolate cupcake, Vanilla bean cupcake and many more. The cupcakes are so well designed so that children gets more attracted. The cup cakes are made in make attractive designs like trash cans, fire place designs, alarm clocks, clocks, wedding rings, air balloons, tree house, mushroom, helmets and many more designs. Different color patterns are used for making the design creatively.

Using themes for making and decorating the cupcakes are very interesting and they are also very imaginative and creative. It is possible to make the cup cake at home easily for any happy occasions like get together party, birthday party and many more. You can make the cupcake by selecting a theme related to the occasion in order to make it more interesting and matching the event. You can also get the kit for making the cupcakes from the shops. The cupcake kit will include the cupcake mix, sprinkles, wood spoon, frosting, paper hat, paper liners, instructions and some recipes. This will help in making the cupcake easily even for the beginners. Cupcake tins are often used for making cupcake which is more comfortable and convenient too. The cupcake tin not only helps to bake the cake but it can also be used for storing the cake fresh for long.

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Find more info on Cake Decorating and Cake Icing.

Creative Foods of Love on Valentine’s Day

February is the most romantic month of the year where love fills the air. The joy of heartfelt memories and loving bond of togetherness is worth to reminisce. What makes it more thrilling are the inspired works of love that can make the celebration hard to forget. This forthcoming hearts day, indulge yourself into a blissful, appetite-filling craft that will melt your lover's heart away.

Kindle your kitchen creativity with these simple, heartwarming food ideas you can lovingly prepare on Valentine's Day. Bon appétit!

Heart-Shaped Goodies

When it comes to Valentine's Day, red is the official color. The same goes with the heart as the most favored shape of all. Nothing beats the sweetness of creative heart-shaped goodies! From the wide assortment of home-baked cookies and breads, which you can skillfully make your own. Add some bits of chocolate chips or colorful sprinkles to make it more delightful. Hearts cut from fresh loaf of bread is perfectly stuffed with peanut butter or any fruit jam combinations. By using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, you can easily mold these delectable goodies handily.

You can also surprise your loved one with a heart-shaped pizza! Make it more personal by baking your own pizza dough at home. Once the heart pieces are done, spice it up with your favorite meat, cheese and vegetables. An awesome treat to make his/her heart beat! Or better yet, prepare a consoling breakfast with heart-shaped pancakes, served with a drizzle of maple syrup and topped with berries or melted cheese. Certainly a warm morning delight!

Loving Sweet Treats

Chocolate is popular in the season of love. It serves as the ideal sweet gift to be given especially to ladies. Out of the usual chocolate bars and its fancy flavors, you can create a more romantic treat by making a special chocolate fondue! Use skewered slices of fruits like strawberries or bananas, marshmallows and other type of pastries as complementary foods to dip on the melted chocolate. Pudding is another lovable choice to make. Aside from its filling attribute, you can freely select on the wide-ranging recipes on hand which makes an ideal after meal dessert.
Fruit desserts are also great as Valentine sweets. In tropical countries like the Philippines, different fruits are available year-round. Pick what is ideal for your desired mix. A choice of two or three fruit combinations, jazz up with some cream and milk, can create a simple medley.

Enticing Savory Meals

Cooking a nice meal surely wins somebody's heart. In fact, it embodies the loving effort of planning and food preparation. Cooking a special meal on Valentine's Day is definitely an adorable alternative to spend the night together to avoid dining on a crowded restaurant. Salmon dishes would be a great food to serve. Aside from being a rich source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, this hearty fish is very versatile and easy to cook. It goes perfectly on a grill, on salads, and pasta mixes. Grilled dishes are excellent choices too! Whether you preferred meat or seafood, it would be an impressive dinner with a bottle of wine. Casseroles are savory options that will bring pleasure to the appetite. Made from savory mixes of meat like chicken or fish, vegetables and starchy binders, this meal can be prepared easily with the aid of your slow cooker.

Intimate Flavorsome Drinks

Cocktail drinks are great to complement your love foods. Fruits like strawberries and pineapples are simple Valentine punches you can blend with milk and ice. Or if you want an intimate love flavor, you can experiment your cocktail drinks by adding slight amount of champagne on it. You can also try some fruits like watermelon, banana, apples or peaches to make amazing chilled smoothies. With these ideal drinks, you can definitely enjoy your meal with a toast of love!

Spending the couples' day need not to be expensive. Simple acts of love will surely find its way to your beloved's heart. Have a great Valentine's date!

About the Author

Want to know what professionals use for their kitchen small appliances needs? Visit http://www.breville.com.ph now!

Slow Carb Burgers

A few years back, the Center for Disease Control or CDC released a study that showed that apparently fast foods are the main reason of obesity. The alarming increase in the numbers of obesity among American children was said to be caused by the fast food culture of the present society. The response of the fast food chains was quick. They introduced healthy foods in their menu. Now, big food chains such as McDonald's, Wendy's, Whooper King and others serve the famous slow carb burgers. But you cannot go to a fast food each time you want to eat a healthy burger. So it's good to create one which you can aptly call "my slow carb burger."

Preparing your my slow carb burger is actually not different from the traditional burger that you love. The difference lies in the ingredients that are used. It is called low carb because the carbohydrate content of the burger is remarkably lower than the ordinary ones. Carbohydrate is responsible for the extra pounds in the body because they are difficult to digest hence the formation of calories and fats. On the other hand slow carb is friendlier for the stomach. The low carb is easy to digest and it can make you feel full for a long time.

Meaning you will not get hungry easily so you will tend to eat less also. That is why for people who are serious with their diet and really want to lose all those unwanted calories, they turn to low carb instead.

First in your my low carb burger is the bread that will be used. Ideally a wheat bread must be used instead of the white buns that are normally used for burgers. Wheat breads are not only a low carb food but have more fibres and nutrients than the white ones. They are thus healthier. Instead of meat fat incorporated with the lean meat to make it more flavourful, use lean meat exclusively and add spices instead to brink out its flavours. Spices are known also to help lose weight. Lastly, you can use an olive oil or a vegetable oil instead of the normal cooking oil.

Want to stay healthy and physically fit? Follow these low-carbohydrate diet plan, and enjoy the benefits of staying healthy and feeling young at all times.

The benefits of this awesome low-carb diet program are worth the time and effort.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shen_Torres

Make Your Very Own Whipped Cream

Whipped cream, when used with desserts and fresh fruits make luscious treats. Many think that because the homemade whip cream recipe uses only three ingredients, anyone can make it for everyone to enjoy. However, it takes proficiency and practice to make it, for a difference in measuring any one of the ingredients can result to thin and watery whipped cream. What you want to achieve is a thick consistency in your finished product, which can be a bit tough especially if you have never attempted making your own. For this, when you want to add some on your dessert, make sure to follow the required amount of ingredients and learn the correct execution so as to surprise everyone at the dinner table. When you concoct your own whipped cream, you can do it the traditional way or you can use a couple of kitchen utensils known as dispensers and nitrogen oxide chargers. Here are a couple of homemade whip cream recipes that you might want to consider as toppings for pies, holiday desserts, hot chocolates, and fresh fruits.

For your ingredients, you need 1 cup heavy cream, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar. Before its usage, chill a glass bowl in the fridge. After around 15 to 20 minutes, take the chilled glass bowl, add the heavy cream and vanilla extract in, and whisk the liquids properly. If you have an electric mixer, you can also use it in whisking the ingredients. Keep the electric mixer on low speed. Once you find that the mixture is getting thicker, lift the beater and check for a "lazy curve" shape formed on it. Then, sift the confectioners' sugar in. Keep beating the cream until everything turns into a soft paste. Do not overbeat the cream. Cover the bowl and chill it in the fridge before serving.

Variations

To add variation to the taste of your recipe, you can mix 1 ½ tablespoon rum/bourbon with the regular homemade whipped cream. For a minty taste, try adding ½ teaspoon fresh mint extract and a tablespoon of mint paste with your homemade whipped cream. Holiday desserts will definitely be more delectable with mint favored homemade whipped cream. Another flavor that you might want to whip up is chai. Add half teaspoon chai extract to your basic recipe. This is best to use with pumpkin and apple pies. Do not forget to garnish your pies with some cinnamon sprinkles.

With Gelatin

Did you know that you could include gelatin in your whip cream recipe? For this, you will need

1 teaspoon gelatin, 3 tablespoons boiling water, 3 tablespoons sugar, 3 tablespoons oil, 2 teaspoons cold water, ½ cup ice water, and ½ cup nonfat dry milk. In a bowl, add the gelatin and cold water. Then, add 3 tablespoons boiling water to soften the gelatin. To make sure that the gelatin dissolves properly, keep stirring the mixture. When done, set aside the bowl to let it cool. Meanwhile, in a chilled glass bowl, pour nonfat dry milk and ice water. Whisk and beat both ingredients until you achieve a thick consistency. While beating, add sugar, then oil, then the softened gelatin. Put the bowl inside the freezer for at least 20 minutes then transfer it in the refrigerator. Your homemade whipped cream is ready for use.

The thing is you can add any kind of flavoring to the original recipe to create a unique dessert. If you prefer a quick and easy way to make your own cream, you can whip your own recipe using a cream dispenser and some chargers. A whipped cream charger is a steel cylinder filled with nitrous oxide. To create your recipe, add the ingredients to your whipped cream dispenser then place it into the holder on your cream dispenser. This will create a hole in the charger and release N2O into the charger with your ingredients. Then, remove the charger and put back on the dispenser's cap. Shake the dispenser to mix your ingredients and release your very own whipped cream by squeezing the handle on your dispenser.

Have fun in creating your recipe!

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For more tips and information about cream dispenser please visit: soda chargers

The Greatest Salad Dressing Is the Vinegar Dressing

Vinegar dressing is called vinaigrettes. The pure flavoured vinegar is used in generating a vinaigrette which is the white vinegar is not the most effective kind of vinegar for generating a dressing. You might use the white wine vinegar. The types and flavours of especially produced vinegars which consists of sherry, balsamic or raspberry are as varied since it can be.

In case you want you possibly can use fruity vinaigrettes cider vinegar which is produced of apples is much superior option, one of essentially the most incredible vinegars you are able to utilize the balsamic vinegar sweet, aged and dark in specifically produced wooden casks.

The most popularly employed dressing may be the balsamic vinegar dressing. It can be a variety of salad dressing delivers the awesome tasting using the grapes.

In quite a few scenarios, this can dependant on the action from dressing that you have, you may probably or perhaps not have to have to append some sugar or sweetness to the dressing to create the taste which you could be trying to find. When salad is serve using a very low class industrial vinegar dressing essentially have this difficulty in providing the flavour. Flavouring which contains olive oil or garlic is required to produce the flavour of vinegar as soon as serve.

In relation to generating the excellent oil and vinegar dressing recipe from individuals in the Mediterranean are the one who're professionals in generating dressing. Mainly because of its pleasing taste and its health rewards it's one in the typical but essentially the most exceptional recognized special treats that's given that for the awesome taste and is also especially healthy.

One of probably the most preferred sort of oil made use of in dressing is olive oil. This kind of oil is extracted by crushing and pressing the olives. Perfect for salad dressing is virgin oil. Vinegar dressing is used to include flavour within your dishes and salad dressing and is employed by a great many chefs to improve the taste of supper or salad.

You may utilise a red wine vinegar dressing or an oil and vinegar dressing recipe. Each of them are very enjoyable and it will make your salad very good.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Chon

Quick Cooking Tips and Techniques

There is nothing like a good cooking tip when working in your kitchen. Here is just a small list I have put together for you. I think you will enjoy them... Happy Cooking!

· Use a shaker container to mix flour and cold water before adding as a thickener.

· Smell of onion or garlic on hands just rinse hands in cold water, rub with salt or baking powder, rinse again and then wash with soap and water.

· Sprinkle sliced fruits with lemon juice to keep them from browning

· Keep brown sugar soft by placing a slice of bread in the container and cover tightly.

· Dry, granulated honey, just place honey container in a pan of heated water.

· If your rice came out sticky just rinse rice thoroughly with warm water to wash out the excess starch and separate grains.

· For crispier fries, fry twice. First fry until golden in 340 degree oil, then drain and let cool at room temperature. Just before serving, fry in 375-degree oil until golden brown.

· Keep leftover cookies softer by adding 2 slices of bread to the cookie jar.

· If you're sautéing onions, make sure you add the salt after the onions have started to turn brown, or else you will slow down the caramelization process.

· To keep celery fresher longer wrap it in aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator.

· If you have added too much salt in a recipe it can be fixed by adding a few slices of raw potato. It will absorb the excess salt from whatever dish you're making.

· When grilling, play around with different flavor wood chips such as: hickory, mesquite, alder, or fruitwood. That will add another whole dimension to the flavor of the product you're cooking.

· Make sure that if you're making kebabs with wooden skewers to be put on the grill that you soak the skewers in water overnight so that they don't burn up when placed on the grill.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samantha_Seville

How to Make Meat/Poultry Gravy

Although it is fairly simple to make, many home cooks have a difficult time making flavorful, smooth gravy. With a little practice, you can turn out homemade gravies in as little as 10 minutes. It is the perfect touch to complete your dinner. Besides, who doesn't like gravy?

When you bake a roast, turkey or chicken, there should be juice in the bottom of the baking pan. Pan juice is the most important ingredient in meat/poultry-based gravy.

After you have removed your meat from the pan, pour the pan juice into a saucepan.

Here is what you will need-

· 2 tablespoons flour
· 1 cup cold water
· 1 to 1½ cups of meat juice from baking pan
· Salt and pepper to taste

Making the Gravy

Tip: When mixing the cold water and flour, use a shaker container to mix. Shake for at least 30 seconds to thoroughly mix. It is important that you use cold water. Hot water will cause the flour to lump.

Do not turn the heat under the pot just yet. I found if you mix the juice and the flour mixture first, then add the heat you are less likely to get lumps.

Add the flour mixture very slowly stirring continuously. Put saucepan on stove and use med heat. Bring to a boil then simmer for 2 minutes. This helps take away the raw flour taste.

Add salt and pepper.

Not so hard, right? Well here is a little tip I use myself.

Turkey Gravy
Using juice for making gravy is really simple, but what happens when you don't have the time to wait for the drippings?

Turkey is usually for a large dinner plan. To help cut down the last minute rush of trying to get everything ready to serve, you can use the neck and giblets (pieces in pouch) before hand to make the gravy.

All you need to do is simmer them in a saucepan of water for an hour, then strain the juice. You can do this ahead of time and let it cool. Then, follow the steps in the meat-broth recipe.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samantha_Seville

Traditional Southern White Gravy

If you love those Southern breakfasts why not learn to make the traditional country breakfast gravy that is used for biscuits, steaks, French fries and virtually everything else? Biscuits and gravy have been a staple in the diet of many individuals and families in the South. Some people call it Sawmill gravy, White gravy or simply Cream gravy.

True southern gravy is a pan gravy, usually made with grease, fat or lard.

Breakfast gravy gets its rich, creamy texture from whole milk, which replaces the water or broth in traditional meat-based gravy.

Here's what you will need:

· 4 tablespoons flour
· 5 tablespoons meat drippings (bacon grease, sausage grease or pan drippings)
· 2 cups whole milk (not skim or 2 percent)
· Salt and pepper

Put the meat drippings in a saucepan over low heat. Mix the flour gradually into the meat drippings. Cook until the flour mix is tan in color (this also gets rid of the raw taste of the flour), add the milk slowly. Make sure you constantly stir the mixture. Simmer the gravy stirring continually until it thickens to a creamy consistency. If it gets too thick, just add more milk a little at a time but be careful not to make it too thin.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Tip 1: If you want richer gravy you can substitute the milk with light cream or half-and-half.

Tip 2: Freeze small amounts of the bacon grease, sausage grease or pan drippings for future use.

Happy Home Recipe

4 cups of love
2 cups of loyalty
3 cups of forgiveness
1 cup of friendship
5 spoons of hope
2 spoons of tenderness
4 quarts of faith
1 barrel of laughter

"Take love and loyalty, mix thoroughly with faith. Blend it with tenderness, kindness and understanding. Add friendship and hope, sprinkle abundantly with laughter. Bake it with sunshine. Serve daily with generous helpings."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samantha_Seville