Blueberry Bushes In Winter

The blueberry bush is a winter-hardy plant.

The distinctive bright purple-blue color of the blueberry stands out in the fruit aisle and the cereal bowl. This versatile fruit is known for possessing healthful properties that may work to fight high cholesterol, glaucoma, memory loss, cancer and urinary tract infections. The blueberry bush is hardy and can survive even the harshest winters with just a little extra care.

Types

There are four main types of cultivated blueberries. The rabbiteye and southern highbush varieties are recommended for areas with milder, shorter winter seasons. The highbush does well in a harsher winter with temperatures that reach as low as -20F, and the half-high blueberry is recommended for the harshest winter conditions where temperatures can be as low as -35F to -45F. Cross-pollination of more than one blueberry cultivar will yield a larger crop and growing season.

Pruning

Blueberry bushes should be pruned during the dormant winter season. Pruning will reduce the amount of blueberries produced but the berries will be larger. Regular pruning can also increase the productive life of the blueberry bush, help shape the spacing of the berries on the bush and shift the growing season of the crop. Pruning to balance the number of flower buds on newer, small shoots and those on larger-diameter shoots will increase the length of the growing season and will mitigate a complete loss due to cold weather conditions.

Cultivation

To decrease potential winter freeze damage, avoid cultivation in the early spring and later winter. Cultivated soil does not hold heat as well as uncultivated soil. It holds less heat due to the higher amount of air versus water in the soil.

Moisture

Moist soil will absorb more daytime heat and the subsequent release of the heat to the surface will help prevent frost damage to the blueberry plants. A soil irrigation system can be used to maintain the appropriate amount of moisture during periods predicting frost. Avoid overwatering because it may lead to root damage.

Tags: blueberry bush, growing season, season Pruning

What Is The Effect Of Too Much Rennet In Cheese Making

Too much rennet can make cheese too firm

Rennet is an essential component of cheese making. It is an enzyme found in the stomach of sheep and cows, and is used to curdle the proteins in milk so it coagulates and transforms into cheese. The milk acidifies and the curds and whey are separated, leaving you with cheese. This method is the basis for all cheese making. Care needs to be taken to add the adequate amount of rennet, as too much can spoil the texture and flavor of the cheese.

Taste

Too much rennet can cause the cheese to taste bitter. The more you age it the more bitter it will taste. While this doesn't pose any problems to your health it means the cheese will have a very unpleasant flavor.

Smell

If your cheese has a very strong, unpleasant smell it could be down to the amount of rennet you've used. This won't harm your health but it will have a negative effect on your refrigerator and won't be particularly appetizing.

Texture

If you add too much rennet this can cause the curd to coagulate too quickly, resulting in cheese that is too firm. When you attempt to cut the cheese it will tear apart. It won't be ideal in terms of presentation, but it will still be perfectly edible. Also bear in mind that after six to nine months rennet doesn't coagulate as well as fresh rennet.

Lactose

The cheese might retain too much whey if there is too much rennet. Whey is full of lactose, and therefore large amounts are unsuitable for those suffering from lactose intolerance.

Tags: much rennet, amount rennet, cheese making, cheese will, will have, your health

Select Clams And Mussels

Clams and mussels are delicious and a cinch to prepare at home. While these can be found frozen, the taste and texture are nearly always better when they are fresh. When purchasing fresh, unshelled clams and mussels, it is extremely important to select only the freshest specimens. Unshelled clams and mussels must be alive when purchase and sometimes it may be difficult to tell if that is the case particularly when the shells are closed. There are a few things you should look for and a few things you should avoid.

Instructions

1. Make sure the clams or mussels are cool. They should either be in a refrigerated case or on ice.

2. Inspect the shell. If the shells of the clams or mussels are slightly open, tap them lightly. They should slowly close. If they do not close when tapped, they may not be alive and should be avoided.

3. Slide the two halves of the shell together in any clam or mussel whose shell is closed. If the two halves slide slightly when you put pressure on them then the mussel or clam is probably not living and should be avoided. Living mussels and clams will clamp the two halves of the shell down so tightly they will not move.

4. Smell the clam or mussel. It should have a slight odor and smell fresh. Any clam or mussel that smells strongly or of ammonia should be avoided.

Tags: clam mussel, clams mussels, should avoided, halves shell, They should, things should

Find Good Food Carts

Just because a food cart advertises a gourmet burger does not guarantee safety or quality.

The stigma that once surrounded food carts has finally been lifted. People are passing up fast food joints in favor of a burrito or burger from their favorite food truck. The battle to overcome the negative connotations of food carts has been long, a hard fight waged by vendors who are making superior products. But not all vendors have proved their mettle in the food cart scene. It is important that consumers be able to differentiate between good food carts and sub-par carts.

Instructions

1. Read reviews from local and national publications. For example, "The Wall Street Journal" published an article in June 2009 that listed the best food carts in the country. The carts hailed from big cities like Los Angeles, Austin, Manhattan, and Washington D.C. On a smaller scale, "The Oregonian" published a review of a Portland food cart called PBJ's.

2. Look for health inspection stickers on the cart to ensure that the vendors are following safety procedures. In July 2010, the Sacramento Business Journal reported that a bright green sticker affixed to a cart in Sacramento County means that the cart and its contents have been inspected by the health department.

3. Look for the cart with a big crowd of smiling customers, suggests Andrew Zimmern, the host of a television show called "Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Foods." Avoid the carts that have no customers.

4. Ask friends, family members, and acquaintances which food cart they like best and why. An article from "The Austin Chronicle" stated that positive word of mouth is the best indicator of food cart excellence.

Tags: food cart, food carts, Andrew Zimmern

Substitute Blueberries For Strawberries

Select plump and fragrant fresh blueberries as a substitute for strawberries.

Strawberries make a delightful and healthy addition to a wide variety of foods such as salads, juices, desserts and pastries. If you happen to run out of strawberries or do not enjoy adding strawberries to recipes, you can substitute them with blueberries instead. Blueberries are equally succulent, flavorful and nutritious, and add an intense, purple tinge to foods.

Instructions

1. Replace strawberries with an equal quantity of fresh or frozen blueberries in recipes for salads, smoothies, cakes, muffins and other pastries.

2. Use frozen blueberries without thawing while baking pies, tarts, cakes and muffins. This will keep the blueberries firm and prevent them from turning mushy in the baked food.

3. Add 1 tsp. of lemon zest or lemon juice when substituting strawberries with fresh or frozen blueberries in muffins and cakes. Alternately, if your recipe requires orange zest, replace it with an equal quantity of lemon zest.

Tags: frozen blueberries, cakes muffins, equal quantity, fresh frozen, fresh frozen blueberries, lemon zest, strawberries with

Buy Cutco Knives

Cutco knives can be ordered directly from the company's website.

Cutco has built a name for itself as a provider of quality knife sets, but these knives can be somewhat difficult to purchase in stores. Their lifetime guarantees, along with their patented blades, have made them more in demand than ever. Visiting the Cutco website will not only provide you with the option to order a catalog directly from the company but also put you in contact with a salesperson who can make your purchase go smoothly.

Instructions

1. Visit the Cutco website for various ways to place an order for its products (see Resources).

2. Call Cutco toll-free at the number found on the website to place an order for its knife products directly if you already know which knives you would like to purchase. You will be routed to a live agent, who can take your order and payment over the phone.

3. Click on the "Request a catalog" link on the Cutco website. You will be directed to a page where you will be asked for your name, address, e-mail address and telephone number. Click "Submit" to fulfill your request for a catalog, as well as a user guide for instructions on properly use the products.

4. Click the "See us at Fairs & Shows" link on the website to view a list of upcoming shows and demonstration showcases around the country. You will be able to see the Cutco products at these shows before you purchase.

5. Click on the "Email a request for more information" to be directed to a page where you can request a representative to perform a demonstration in your home or for more information about sales and product specifics. Fill out the form, which asks for your customer ID (if applicable), your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and additional comments concerning your request. Click "Submit" to send the request for review.

6. Click the "Download an order form to mail or fax" link to be routed to the form for placing an order by mail or by sending the company a fax. Fill out the form completely, including the product numbers from Cutco's catalog, and send it to the address or fax number listed on the form to complete your order.

Tags: Cutco website, address telephone, address telephone number, Click Submit, Cutco website will, directed page

Use A Chafing Dish

Though rarely used, a chafing dish can bring a touch of elegance to home entertainment. It's the perfect way to keep the shrimp cocktail warm, or serve an entree for a buffet-style dinner. Read on to learn how easy it is to use a chafing dish.

Instructions

1. Prepare your buffet. A chafing dish is frequently used on such an occasion to keep food warm. It can also be used for slow even cooking or to flambe, as it was in the Edwardian times.

2. Fill the fuel vessel first before you begin to cook, and light with care. It's embarrassing to admit to your guests that you lost a duel with a chafing dish.

3. Add near-boiling water to the chafing pan. This will save time, as you won't need the flame to heat it from room temperature.

4. Adjust the wick, if there is one, so that the water stays just below boiling.

5. Set the pan over the water bath once the water has reached the appropriate temperature. Begin your favorite recipe or add the foods to be kept warm.

Tags: chafing dish

Cook An Easter Dinner For Two

Traditional Easter dinners often feature a baked ham as the main course of the meal, but even a small ham is probably too much food for only two people. You can still enjoy your Easter ham by cooking ham steaks. These slices of ham heat up quickly and set off a quick and easy Easter dinner for two when paired with sweet potatoes, rolls and fresh, steamed green beans.

Instructions

1. Set the oven to 350 degrees. Drain the can of crushed pineapple and the canned sweet potatoes by pouring the liquid out of the cans.

2. Lay two sheets of aluminum foil approximately twice as large as the ham steaks on the counter. Place one ham slice in the center of each piece of foil.

3. Place half of the crushed pineapple and half of the sweet potatoes onto each ham steak. Sprinkle brown sugar over the top of the sweet potatoes.

4. Wrap the ham steaks tightly in the aluminum foil so that they are completely covered with foil and place them on a baking sheet. Bake the foil-wrapped ham steaks for 30 minutes.

5. Remove the ham steaks from the oven and open the foil packets. Top each meal with one-half of a cup of miniature marshmallows and place them in the oven for an additional 10 minutes with the packets open to slightly brown the marshmallows.

6. Pour approximately three inches of water into a pot. Place a steamer basket inside the pot and place it on the stove. Turn the burner on and bring the water to a boil.

7. Place two brown-and-serve rolls onto a baking sheet and bake them for approximately 15 minutes or according to the package directions. You can purchase these rolls in the refrigerator or freezer section of most grocery stores--the rolls are partially baked.

8. Snap the ends off of 2 cups of fresh green beans and place the beans in the steamer basket. Allow them to steam for approximately seven minutes or until tender.

9. Carefully open the foil packets and slide each piece of ham along with the sweet potatoes, pineapple and marshmallow onto a dinner plate. Serve with the steamed green beans and dinner rolls.

Tags: sweet potatoes, green beans, aluminum foil, baking sheet, crushed pineapple, each piece, foil packets

String Marshmallows For A Halloween Game

Marshmallows aren't just for toasting.

The chilly autumn months may find you longing for a night spent staying warm by the bonfire roasting marshmallows. Toasting marshmallows over a fire isn't the only way you can enjoy the white puffy treats during the fall months. String marshmallows on thread for an entertaining game to play at your Halloween party.

Instructions

1. Measure and cut a 32-inch long piece of thread for each person who will be playing the game.

2. Pull one end of the thread through the eye of the needle.

3. Push the needle through the center of one of the marshmallows until the tip of the needle comes out the other side of the marshmallow.

4. Pull the tip of the needle through the center of the marshmallow. String nine more marshmallows on the string. Repeat with the rest of the strings.

5. Adjust the position of the marshmallows on the string so they are 2 inches apart, and the end marshmallows are 2 inches in from the ends of the string.

Tags: marshmallows string, needle through, needle through center, through center

Make Lavash Bread

Lavash bread is a traditional flatbread served in the Middle East and can be used to make a sandwich or wrap. It's a lightly baked bread that can be served with dips, as an appetizer or enjoyed as a healthy snack. Here's make (8 pieces of) lavash bread.

Instructions

1. Prepare the bowl. Coat the inside of a metal mixing bowl with oil, and set aside.

2. Prepare the yeast. Mix the yeast, water, and sugar in a large mixing bowl.

3. Make the dough. Slowly add the flour 1/2 cup at a time to the yeast mixture. Add the salt and sesame seeds and knead for at 10 to 15 minutes by hand. Dough will become firm and have a stretchy consistency.

4. Let the dough rise. Shape the dough into a ball and place in oiled bowl. Cover with a dishcloth, and let rise in a warm area for 45 minutes until dough doubles in size.

5. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Prepare baking sheet. Lightly oil a 12x15 baking sheet and set aside.

7. Separate dough into eight equal-sized pieces. Roll each one out onto the baking sheet to resemble large strips.

8. Create holes in the dough. Lightly puncture the surface of the dough 1/2" apart.

9. Bake bread for 6 to 8 minutes until top is lightly brown.

10. Remove bread from oven and let cool on wire rack.

11. Serve warm, and enjoy!

Tags: baking sheet, dough into, minutes until, mixing bowl

Make A Tuna Casserole

If you have a can of tuna in your cupboard, you can mix it with other ingredients to make tasty, economical casseroles, some with an ethnic flair. Use your imagination and see what delectable combinations you can come up with.

Instructions

1. Create a classic American casserole by mixing a can of tuna with a 1/2 lb. curly noodles, 1 can of cheddar cheese soup, 1 cup crushed butter crackers, 1 cup frozen peas and 2 tbsp. melted butter. Bake the casserole at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.

2. Make an Italian tuna casserole. Put a small package of orzo in a bowl with a can of drained tuna. Add a small package of frozen spinach and 1/2 cup melted mozzarella cheese mixed with 1/4 cup milk. Top the casserole with some sliced olives and 2 tbsp. of melted butter. Cook it in a 375-degree oven for 40 minutes.

3. Mix a Greek casserole. Begin with a cup of rotini pasta and a can of tuna. Add a cup of chopped olives, 1 cup white sauce, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese and 1 cup frozen asparagus spears. Top the casserole with bread crumbs and melted butter and cook in a 400-degree oven for about 25 minutes.

4. Cook a Chinese casserole. Add 1 can of frozen baby corn and 1 cup green beans to a can of drained tuna. Stir in 2 tbsp. soy sauce and a cup of chicken broth. Top your casserole with crispy rice noodles and bake it at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes.

5. Sizzle some Cajun casserole by pouring a box of Cajun rice into a bowl with a can of tuna. Add a small chopped onion, 1/4 cup of chopped celery, 1/4 cup of chopped green pepper, 2 tsp. of hot sauce, with the seasoning packet from the rice. Add 2 3/4 cups of boiling water. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover the pot and simmer for about 15 minutes

Tags: about minutes, casserole with, melted butter, bowl with, drained tuna, minutes Make, small package

Mix Cucumbers With Water And Vinegar

Cucumbers are generally a vegetable for warm seasons. They grow on vines in gardens or in pots, and are available in varieties good for both slicing and pickling. A cucumber is ready to be eaten when it is firm, green and crisp. Cucumbers are a low-calorie snack. They can be added to sandwiches, pickled or made into a salad with water and vinegar.

Instructions

Basic

1. Peel two to three cucumbers. Slice and place in large ceramic bowl.

2. Peel sweet Vidalia onion and then dice. Add to bowl.

3. Pour in 1-1/2 cups each of white vinegar and water.

4. Add 1 tsp. sea salt and 1 tbsp. red pepper.

5. Stir ingredients together and refrigerate for a day or two.

Options

6. Dice cucumbers instead of slicing. This will give a different texture to the salad.

7. Add olives or diced peppers to change the taste.

8. Sprinkle mint or basil instead of the red pepper.

9. Add 1 tsp. of sugar to sweeten the mixture.

10. Use apple cider vinegar in place of white vinegar.

Tags: white vinegar

Make A Coconut Key Lime Pie

This twist on the traditional key lime pie recipe tastes like summer in a pie! This pie should serve eight (unless you're very hungry!). You can choose between making your pie crust from scratch or purchasing a ready-made graham cracker crust.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Empty two cans of sweetened condensed milk (this can be fat-free, reduced-fat, or regular sweetened condensed milk) into a mixing bowl.

3. Add three egg yolks (for ultimate fluffiness, beat these eggs before adding them to the mixture).

4. Add one teaspoon of coconut extract (more if you would like a strong coconut flavor).

5. Empty lime juice into mixture and blend well. If key lime juice is available, purchase that for the best key lime juice option.

6. Blend well, using a handheld or electric mixer.

7. Before pouring mixture into bowl, spread shredded coconut over crust.

8. Pour mixture into crust.

9. Cook for 10 minutes. Cool in refrigerator and serve, or top with whipped topping.

Tags: lime juice, condensed milk, mixture into, sweetened condensed, sweetened condensed milk

Buy Beef Stock Online

Buy Beef Stock Online

The convenience of online shopping has expanded to almost every aspect of our consumer lives. Cars, tools, movies and even pets can be purchased online; however, items as basic as certain groceries are still relatively difficult to obtain via computer. Buying beef stock online can be more difficult than it may seem, but with this guide you will able to do it and even have the stock delivered to your door.

Instructions

1. Determine how much beef stock you require. All recipes say how much beef stock is needed, so use a recipe to plan your shopping.

2. Go to a reliable website that sells beef stock. Three such websites are Vons.com, Albertsons.com and Amazon.com. All of these sites sell groceries, and more specifically beef stock; however, Albertsons only sells items for in-store pickup and does not deliver.

3. Select the brand of beef stock you would like to purchase. Swanson has a reputation for making high-quality stocks, but there are many other choices that are also very good.

4. Purchase the amount of beef stock you need. This can usually be done when selecting the item; however, some websites will require you to proceed to the checkout before you can select the amount you would like to purchase.

5. Arrange for shipping, and purchase the item. Amazon.com allows you to select from a number of different shipping options, whereas Vons.com has only two options for delivery: either a two-hour window or a four-hour window when the goods will be delivered. The groceries will then be brought to your home within the time frame you chose. You must be home at the time to receive the delivery.

Tags: beef stock, beef stock, like purchase, much beef, much beef stock, Stock Online, would like

Healthy Cheap & Fast Dinner Ideas

Lime Cilantro Shrimp is Healthy, Cheap and Fast for Dinner

Cheap and fast dinner ideas do not have to compromise on being healthy. There are many dinner ideas that take less than 20 minutes and are not only fast but healthy and cheap. Buy produce when it is on sale or frozen for the best deals and stock up on a few dinner staples like whole wheat pasta and cheese so that you don't have any excuses not to eat healthy.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Homemade pizza can be healthy, cheap and just as fast as take-out pizza. Using a lean protein source like chicken as the main ingredient and pairing it with a whole wheat crust is a very healthy alternative to take-out.

Spread tomato sauce on a pre-made whole wheat pizza crust or make your own dough for pennies in a bread machine. Add Monterey jack cheese and cooked chicken strips on top. Then drop about six to nine teaspoons worth of BBQ sauce on it if you want a BBQ chicken pizza. Bake according to the pizza crust directions or until cheese is bubbly. Serve with a side salad for a healthy side dish.

Veggie Wrap

A trio of vegetables and cheese are rolled up and melted into a warm tortilla for this healthy, cheap and fast dinner idea. Heat up a nonstick pan over medium heat. While pan is heating, layer Monterey Jack cheese, chopped zucchini, a few slices of tomatoes and fresh spinach on a tortilla. Roll the tortilla up and cook until cheese is melted. Cut the veggie wrap into two and serve with a side of coleslaw, if you wish.

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Spice up the typical spaghetti night with chicken pesto pasta instead. Pesto has a unique flavor and can give your taste buds a surprise. Boil your choice of whole wheat pasta as directed. While pasta is boiling, heat up 4 tablespoons of pesto over low heat. Drain cooked pasta and toss with pesto and pre-cooked chicken strips. You can serve this healthy, cheap and fast dinner with salad and a whole wheat roll.

Lime Cilantro Shrimp

This dish gives shrimp a little bit of flair. The lime gives the shrimp a citrus kick and AllRecipes.com suggests using lemon instead of lime. Sauté shrimp for a couple of minutes and then turn and add two teaspoons of lime juice and chopped cilantro. Serve over a bed of rice.

Tags: whole wheat, fast dinner, healthy cheap, cheap fast, Cheap Fast, Cheap Fast Dinner, cheap fast dinner

Make Salmon Sushi With Mango Meat

Sushi has gone from an exotic food only found at upscale Japanese restaurants to an everyday treat that even kids enjoy. As any sushi aficionado knows, there are as many variety of sushi as there are types of sushi and fish in the sea. Try a delicious type of sushi by making salmon and mango sushi rolls with these directions.

Instructions

1. Cook some sushi rice according to the directions on the package. Be sure to use sushi rice, not long-grained American rice, that does not get sticky. Fresh cooked sushi rice works best when rolling sushi. Cool the rice completely before using.

2. Decide on which type of smoked salmon to use. There are many levels of smoked salmon quality. Norwegian type smoked salmon is a good choice.

3. Skin and cut a fresh mango into long strips.

4. Lay out a sushi-rolling mat. Place a piece of seaweed on the mat.

5. Spread a thin layer of sushi rice over 3/4 of the seaweed with a wooden spoon. Wet the spoon while applying rice to keep it from sticking.

6. Grab the seaweed and flip it over on the mat.

7. Place a slice of salmon and a strip of mango on top of the seaweed.

8. Roll the sushi with the mat according to instructions provided with the mat.

9. Let the salmon mango sushi roll rest for a few minutes, and then cut it with a wet knife.

Tags: sushi rice, smoked salmon, mango sushi, salmon mango, salmon mango sushi

Buy A Vintage Champagne

Vintage does not always mean old. A declared vintage for champagne means that it was a great production year for the vineyard. Many excellent vintage champagnes exist, but the trick is knowing the good years from the bad.

Instructions

1. Recognize non-vintage champagne. Non-vintage champagne is made from several different harvest years and cannot be sold until the blend is at least 15 months old. No vintage date is printed on the label. Often, a simple NV is printed on the label to indicate non-vintage champagne.

2. Familiarize yourself with vintage champagne. Vintage champagne is made from a single harvest year and cannot be sold until it is at least 39 months old. Champagne vintages are declared only for outstanding harvest years.

3. Discover Prestige Cuve?es. Vintage champagnes that are labeled Prestige Cuve?es are specially crafted, hand selected champagnes. This type of champagne is matured for five to seven years before being sold. The most popular Prestige Cuve?e is Moet and Chandon Dom Perignon.

4. Obtain a list of the great recent vintage years. They are: 1971, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1981,1982, 1985, 1988 1989, 1990, 1995 1996, 1997, 2000 and 2004.

5. Know when vintage champagne has passed its prime. Generally, any vintage champagne bottled before 1971 has passed its prime or optimum drinking age.

Tags: Prestige Cuve, vintage champagne, cannot sold, cannot sold until, champagne made, champagne made from

Buy A Spice Grinder

If you're a gourmet cook, or just want to have sea salt and fresh peppercorns ground at each meal, you need a spice grinder. Spice grinders come in a variety of shapes and styles, each one with a little different twist.

Instructions

1. Decide what you want to use the grinder for. Some heavy duty spice grinders can accommodate firmer items, such as nuts, without a problem, while others are best for delicate operations.

2. Choose whether electric is best or a hand grinder. There are a variety of spice grinders on the market to choose from. The electric ones are the fastest and easiest on the muscles. However, if you're grinding spices at the table when you serve, you'll want a hand grinder.

3. Find the spice grinder that is the best fit in your price range. Some spice grinders will range over $150 dollars and others around $10. The more expensive ones are usually multipurpose and can grind a variety of items.

4. Match your decor. If the spice grinder is to be on the table when you serve guests, matching the room decor can be an elegant touch. Early American furnishings and exquisite china demands a little different grinder than ultra modern furnishings.

5. Check to see if it will store easily. If it's an electric model, see if the cord can be hidden or wound. Also see if the product disassembles for easier storage.

Tags: hand grinder, little different, spice grinder, spice grinders, table when

Drizzle A Light Sauce On Grilled Chicken

Cook up your own light sauces to drizzle on grilled chicken at home.

Plate up a delicious meal and drizzle grilled chicken with delectable sauces using a low-cost alternative to pastry bags. There are plenty of simple tips and tricks you can use in your kitchen to cut cost and live a little more green. Whip up your favorite sauce with lemon, butter and herbs or even drizzle a simple barbecue sauce for a tasty meal that looks like it was plated in a four star restaurant.

Instructions

1. Arrange grilled chicken and sides on a plate.

2. Spoon or pour the light sauce you have created into a plastic zipper bag. Hold the bag, so that all the sauce gathers in one corner over a large mixing bowl. Cut a small sliver of the corner off that the sauce is gathered in, or puncture the bag with a knife for a thinner drizzle.

3. Transfer the bag over the grilled chicken, lightly squeeze and drizzle sauce as you like. Pour excess sauce into a gravy boat for added drizzle throughout your meal.

Tags: grilled chicken, drizzle grilled, drizzle grilled chicken, that sauce

Cook Carne Asada Beef

Carne asada tacos.

Carne asada, or "grilled beef" in Spanish, hails from northern Mexico. This dish has its roots in cowboy cooking; Mexico's northern states are prime cattle country. The modern spicy version of carne asada evolved from the simpler grilled meat meant to fill ranch hands' bellies. Like barbecue, the term "carne asada" can apply to the marinated meat itself and to the festive atmosphere in which it's served. Host your own carne asada party or enjoy the dish as a simple but healthy home-cooked meal.

Instructions

1. Seed and mince the jalapeno pepper, placing the pieces into the mixing bowl. Chop the pepper into small pieces if you prefer a hotter carne asada; leave it in large chunks for a milder marinade. Finely chopped peppers release more capsaicin and therefore have more heat.

2. Chop the onions and garlic into rough pieces. Precision doesn't matter as they're flavoring agents for the marinade, not part of the finished product. Add them to the jalapeno pepper.

3. Add the cumin, cilantro, cinnamon, oregano and sugar to the chopped vegetables, then squeeze the juice of both limes over the mixture. Leave the salt and pepper out of the marinade for now; they'll find their way into the carne asada later. If the limes don't produce enough juice to cover the diced ingredients, add vinegar or water. Add the oil to the mixture to finish the marinade.

4. Place the marinade and the whole raw skirt steak or flank steak in the plastic bag, pressing out excess air to maximize contact between the marinade and the meat. Seal the bag and let the meat marinate in the refrigerator between two and eight hours.

5. Set the grill at its highest heat setting about twenty minutes before cooking the meat. If you're using charcoal, move the grate as close to the coals as possible. Carne asada must cook quickly and at high heat to develop its characteristic exterior sear. For stove-top cooking, heat the cast-iron skillet on high heat about ten minutes before you intend to start cooking.

6. Mix salt and pepper with a few pinches of cumin as your cooking surface heats. Sprinkle this mixture on the meat just before it hits the grill or pan and again after you turn the meat.

7. Cook the steak for a few minutes on each side until it reaches your desired doneness. Grill or pan-sear the steak until it's well done for traditional carne asada or pull it from the heat sooner for a more Americanized version.

8. Rest the steak undisturbed on the cutting board for five minutes. Slice it on the bias and across the grain of the meat for tender pieces.

9. Soft flour tortillas are a traditional accompaniment to carne asada.

Serve carne asada with warm flour or corn tortillas if desired. Pico de gallo, thinly sliced avocado, diced raw onion and lime wedges traditionally accompany carne asada, while sour cream, shredded cheese and lettuce are more northerly additions to the table.

Tags: carne asada, Carne asada, high heat, jalapeno pepper, minutes before, salt pepper

Brunch Appetizer Ideas

Brunch Appetizer Ideas

When considering spend your afternoon, a friendly brunch shared with friends, family and even co-workers can punch up your day. Whether you choose to relax outdoors on the patio and choose your menu items off a buffet table, or prepare each individual plate yourself and serve guests, various food choices await you. Recipes don't need to be extravagant, contain numerous ingredients or take a long time to prepare. The main thing to remember when sharing food with friends is that everyone get a chance to reconnect and build new friendships while dining.

Spinach Cheese Squares

Spinach Cheese Squares are light, healthy and easy to prepare. Eggs, cottage cheese, chopped green onions, shredded cheese, butter, flour, salt, minced garlic, ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese and frozen spinach leaves are all necessary ingredients. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and use a nine inch square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray to cook. It takes minutes to prepare and approximately 45 to 55 minutes to bake. This recipe makes thirty small squares for serving.

Whatscookingamerica.net/Appetizers/SpinachCheeseSquares.htm

Almond Chicken Salad

Almond Chicken Salad is easy to prepare, light and requires few ingredients. Lemon juice, mayonnaise, salt, celery, slivered almonds and diced chicken are the primary ingredients. Choose a large mixing or salad bowl and combine lemon juice, mayonnaise and salt and then blend well. Toss with chicken, celery and almonds. Serve over a bed of lettuce or on a slice of bread. Turkey can be substituted for chicken. Preparation time takes approximately 45 minutes and this recipe makes six servings.

Mealsmatter.org/recipes/-meals/recipe/62514

Bloody Mary Soup

Bloody Mary Soup offers a fun twist on a traditional brunch drink. Tomato paste, butter, onion, celery, sugar, tomato juice, salt, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, lemon juice and vodka are all main ingredients for this recipe. Supply sour cream on the side or as garnish. Melt the butter and fry the onions and celery until brown. Stir in the tomato paste, sugar and garlic. Add the tomato juice and simmer for ten minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and liquidize in the blender. This dish may be served hot or cold.

Ifood.tv/recipe/bloody_mary_soup

Tags: Almond Chicken, Almond Chicken Salad, Appetizer Ideas, approximately minutes, Bloody Mary

Alexandria Egypt Restaurants

Egyptian cuisine

Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt and largest seaport in the country. Situated on the Mediterranean Sea, it's an excellent place to find restaurants that cater to seafood lovers. The Christina Restaurant and Seagull Seafood Restaurant located in the Agami District in Alexandria are two such examples of popular eateries. In downtown Alexandria, the Athineos Restaurant has been offering Greek and seafood cuisine since 1900.

Christina Restaurant

Diners will enjoy the French food at Christina, which is particularly noted for its fish and shrimp cuisine. A popular restaurant in the Agami district in Alexandria, it stays open all year while other restaurants in the resort area are only open during the summmer. Eating at the restaurant is a memorable dining experience as well as a pricey one.

Christina

1B Champs Elysees Bianki

St. No. 1 Nokara

Agami, Alexandria

Egypt

(203) 43-32-014

christinarestaurant.com

Seagull Seafood Restaurant

Foodies will savor the seafood cuisine at the Seagull Seafood Restaurant, also located in the Agami district in Alexandria, Egypt. Like Christina, the legendary restaurant stays open year-round. Local fresh seafood is served directly from the Mediterranean Sea as the restaurant has its own fleet who makes daily catches for the restaurant. The restaurant is also renowned as being a spot where Napoleon lived after ordering his troops to land there in 1798.

Seagull Seafood Restaurant

Marina Alamein

Km 95 - Gate N.2

El Alamein, Egypt

(2046) 406-1015

seagullegypt.com

Athineos Restaurant

Travelers can relish their visit to Alexandria even more by visiting the Athineos Restaurant in downtown Alexandria, a well-known Greek restaurant that has played host to businessmen and international politicians since 1900. The restaurant serves Greek and seafood cuisine in an atmosphere that is warmed by Greek music and a friendly staff. Visitors can stop by and enjoy a coffee in the afternoon or stay for dinner and choose from among an array of Greek and seafood dishes to satisfy their appetite.

Athineos Restaurant

21 Saad Zaghloul Square

Ramel Station - Downtown

Alexandria, Egypt

(203) 48-60-421

athineos.4t.com

Tags: Alexandria Egypt, Athineos Restaurant, Seafood Restaurant, Seagull Seafood, Seagull Seafood Restaurant, Greek seafood, seafood cuisine

Weight Watchers Snacks

About Weight Watchers Snacks

Weight Watchers is a dietary program that aims to help people lose weight and keep the weight off. Part of doing this is creating healthy habits that an individual will implement into daily life. One of the hardest habits to break for many overweight people is snacking. Some people snack when they're bored, hungry, upset, excited or feeling any range of emotions. By providing perfectly portioned snacks and nutritional advice on make smart food choices, Weight Watchers aims to break the bad habit of snacking for reasons other than hunger.

Function

Weight Watchers snacks are meant to curb cravings between meals. Not only does Weight Watchers recommend smart snacks for in between meals, such as popcorn or guacamole in the properly portioned amounts, but it also provides its own line of snack packs that taking a lot of the guess work, pre-planning and stress out of snacking. Though Weight Watchers provides many different kinds of snacks, the Weight Watchers program emphasizes that any snacks an individual eats, whether it be their snack packs or another snack, be nutritious and filling. Weight Watchers believes that if you eat filling snacks that are full of protein, good fats, fiber and nutrients, you will feel fuller, staving off the urge to continue snacking.

Features

Most Weight Watchers snacks come in small, single-portion servings. They may be sold individually, or in a six- or 12-pack, though the servings will usually, be divided into portioned packages. Weight Watchers also utilizes the Points system, which allows an individual to eat a certain amount of food--or points--a day. Snacks also have a point value, which helps individuals to calculate how many points that snack will use of their daily budget. Most Weight Watchers snacks contain one to three points, depending upon the serving size and type of food.

Geography

Most of the Weight Watchers snacks are purchased at the actual Weight Watchers facilities, usually during group meetings or weigh-ins. You don't have to be a member or signed up for any meetings to purchase the snacks from the facilities. There are a select amount of snacks that are available at most major grocery store chains, however. These usually consists of small cookie or cracker packs, as well as single-portion ice cream bars and desserts.

Types

Many of the Weight Watchers snacks focus on dieters' two main cravings: sugar and salt. They provide different cracker packs that range from salty to cheesy tasting, and many snack cake packs that come in a variety of flavors, such as brownie, carrot cake, lemon, oatmeal raisin and angel food cake.

Considerations

Because Weight Watchers knows that most of its dieters will not subsist on Weight Watchers brand food alone, there are websites that allow participants to determine how many points everyday foods are worth. This even applies to many popular restaurants. For example, at HealthDiscovery.net (see Resources below) an individual who wants to snack on some Ben & Jerry's ice cream can look up one serving of Cherry Garcia ice cream and find out that it will cost her three points.

Tags: Weight Watchers, Weight Watchers snacks, Most Weight, Most Weight Watchers, packs that, between meals

Buy Honey Mustard In Packets

Mustard for your corndogs

Honey mustard, a combination of mustard, honey, vinegar and possibly mayonnaise and spices, is difficult to find in individual packets. Yellow mustard is everywhere; Dijon mustard is easy to find, but honey mustard is elusive.

Instawares

Instawares.com offers a case of 100 Honey Mustard Cups, each containing 1 ounce. These are tiny plastic tubs with a foil seal lid. The company offers free shipping on orders over $75 as of September 2010.

Minimus

Minimus.biz, "the world leader in all things travel-sized and Individual-sized," lists several varieties of honey mustard products. One is Chelten House Organic Honey Mustard Dressing, offered in 1.5 ounce single serving packets.

Minimus also lists two varieties of Hellmann's mustard dressings in 1.5 ounce packets: Honey Mustard dressing, and Honey Dijon dressing, Fat Free. You can order any quantity of packets from Minimus, and domestic shipping is free on orders over $20 as of September 2010.

Custom Packaging

If you must have packets of honey mustard, and the varieties listed here don't fit your need, you might consider Shotmizer unit-dose packaging for your own honey mustard recipe as of September 2010. Shotmizer will package your honey mustard in invidual packets. You can even print your own message on the packet.

Tags: honey mustard, September 2010, Honey Mustard, orders over, orders over September

Trap Armadillos

Trap Armadillos

Armadillos can be a real problem if they get invade your landscaped yard or garden. Because these animals root around in the ground to find their food, they can destroy a yard in no time flat. Not to mention the fact that they can carry rabies and potentially be a danger to small children and family pets. There are humane ways to trap armadillos. In fact, you can be rid of these unsightly creatures in a fairly short period of time.

Instructions

1. Contact your state Fish and Game Agency. Learn whether trapping an armadillo is legal or not. In many states, it is illegal to trap an armadillo in one location and then set it free in another. Your state may have rules requiring you to euthanize the armadillo after it has been trapped.

2. Choose an appropriate live trap. Purchase a trap that is appropriate for larger animals. An armadillo will avoid a trap he can easily see.

3. Watch from a porch or other safe location to determine its path. Also, be on the look out for where its burrow are located.

4. Do not place bait inside a live trap. Armadillos will rarely enter a trap because of bait that has been laid out.

5. Place the trap in the path that the armadillo usually travels. Locate the creature's burrows and then capture it by placing the trap directly in front of the burrow.

6. Line the bottom of the live trap with a soft thick coating of soft black dirt. The more dark and inviting the inside of your live trap is, the more likely the armadillo will venture inside it.

7. Lay wooden boards, fencing, rocks, or concrete blocks down on the ground to form a blockade and directional path along the route the armadillo usually takes. The idea is to corral it, and force it to walk into the trap. Armadillos have poor eye sight and are not exceedingly smart, so if you can direct them along their normal path to the trap, they will enter.

8. Relocate or euthanize the armadillo according to local laws. Visit the resource below for more information on armadillos and their habits.

Tags: live trap, armadillo usually, armadillo will, euthanize armadillo, trap Armadillos

Ways To Eat Cheese Curds

Mix cheese curds into a fresh salad.

Cheese curds, which are formed from soured milk, have a mild flavor and firm texture. When you bite into an extremely fresh curd that is generally 12 hours old or less, you will hear a distinctive squeaking sound against your teeth. Salty cheese curds are popular in the upper Midwestern states, such as Wisconsin and Minnesota, but you can find them in supermarkets and specialty cheese shops all over the country. Serve the curds fresh or battered and fried as a rich treat.

Fruit and Cheese Salad

The tart crunch of apples complements soft, salty cheese curds. To make the salad, combine fresh, sliced apples, shredded Swiss cheese and fresh cheese curds. Stir in chopped celery, walnuts and halved grapes. Top the sweet and savory salad with a dollop of plain or lemon-flavored yogurt.

Cheesy Vegetable Soup

Creamy, melted cheese curds will add richness to traditional vegetable soup. Make your favorite vegetable soup recipe, using ingredients, such as vegetable broth, diced carrots, celery and onion, beans and fresh parsley. Make a creamy sauce with milk, corn starch and butter, and slowly melt in the cheese curds. Add the cheese sauce to the vegetable broth mixture to create a smooth soup.

Pasta Salad with Cheese

Make pasta salad even tastier with the addition of cheese curds. Make a traditional pasta salad by combining cooked elbow noodles, mayonnaise, diced celery, tomatoes and green pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Cut the cheese curds in half and mix them into the pasta salad. You can also add a second cheese, such as shredded mozzarella, to make the salad extra cheesy.

Fried Cheese Curds

Make cheese curds even more decadent by deep-frying them. Dip fresh cheese curds into a batter made with egg, flour, milk or beer, salt and baking powder. Fry the battered curds in a deep fryer or a large pot filled with vegetable oil until they are golden brown and crispy. Drain the fried curds on paper towels and serve them with ranch dressing for dipping.

Tags: cheese curds, cheese curds, Cheese Curds, cheese curds into, curds into, fresh cheese

Freeze Honey

Anyone that has had an open bottle of honey in their pantry, knows that over time, the honey looses not just its color (as it ages, honey darkens) but the flavor also gradually starts to change. Because honey is expensive, many people want to know if their are any alternative ways to store honey. Never put honey in the refrigerator. Not only does refrigeration cause the honey to change flavor, but the honey will also granulate until you are forced to throw it away. The best thing you can do when you need to store honey for a long period of time is to freeze it.

Instructions

1. Divide the honey into small, single portion amounts. Since the whole idea of freezing honey is to make it last as long as possible, freezing the entire bottle and having to thaw all of it each time you want to use it is pointless.

2. Make sure the honey is frozen in a sealed container. This will prevent the honey from tipping over and leaking all over your freezer. Many people recommend using glass containers to freeze your honey as plastic ones can subtly affect the flavor of the honey.

3. Place a label that has the date you froze the honey neatly printed on it. Knowing exactly when you froze the honey will let you know which container of honey you will have to use first.

4. Don't remove the honey from the freezer until you are ready to use it. Give the honey plenty of time to thaw.

Tags: honey will, flavor honey, froze honey, honey from, store honey

Stock A Home Bar With Mixers

Mixers are an essential part of any home bar. In addition to providing a variety of flavors, they add the fizz to the Gin Fizz and the red color to the Bloody Mary.

Instructions

1. Keep clear cola and ginger ale on hand for mixers.

2. Stock regular and diet colas as a mixer for heavier drinks.

3. Keep a variety of waters and sodas on hand such as club soda, also called soda water or seltzer water, which contains sodium bicarbonate; spring water; and tonic water, which is bubbly and flavored with fruit extracts, sugar and quinine.

4. Stock coffee for hot drinks such as Irish coffee.

5. Keep light and heavy whipping cream on hand.

6. Make sour mix, used in many drinks, by combining lemon juice and a little sugar.

7. Store cans or bottles of fruit juices such as cranberry and pineapple, which are difficult to make fresh.

8. Use fresh-squeezed lemon, lime, and orange juice, if possible.

9. Stock tomato juice if you plan to make Bloody Marys.

Tags: water which

Build Diagonal Shelves Like A Wine Storage System

An used section of any cabinet can house do-it-yourself diagional wine shelves.

Do you have an unused, square-shaped cabinet -- or section of a cabinet -- in your kitchen or dining room? Are you looking for a spot to store those extra wine bottles? Maybe you are just need an evening project. Whatever the reason you choose to make diagonal wine shelves, you will find it a simple, inexpensive task. With just a couple of boards and some paint, you can turn an unused cabinet into a functional wine rack. Not long after you start, you'll find yourself with a glass in hand, enjoying one of those bottles of wine!

Instructions

1. Measure the cabinet's depth -- available space between shelves, or between cabinet top and bottom -- as well as the diagonal length from corner to corner.

2. Cut the 1 by 12 board into two equal lengths that will fit the available space diagonally.

3. In the middle of the long side of the board, cut a notch 1 inch wide and as deep as half the board's width. Do so on each board.

4. Place the notches into one another, making an X shape from the two pieces of board.

5. Paint or stain the boards a matching or coordinating color.

6. Slide your new diagonal wine holder into the cabinet.

Tags: available space, diagonal wine, section cabinet, wine shelves

Premium Bourbon Whiskey

Premium bourbon whiskey labels have been gained popularity as part of a growing interest in fine whiskey. Indeed, this rising interest in high quality whiskey in is directly responsible so many premium bourbon labels on the market. While the craft of bourbon-making is not quite as advanced as that of scotch-making, it is catching up quickly. Premium bourbon whiskeys are uniquely American, and stand up very well among the finest premium liquors in the world.

Identification

Premium bourbons are similar to mass-market bourbons in specific ways. This is because the standards for bourbon whiskeys are set by law. These standards require that the alcohol must be made from a mixture that contains at least 51% corn, it cannot be distilled to higher than 160 proof, and it must be aged in new charred oak barrels for at least two years. Bourbon whiskey does not necessarily need to be made in Kentucky, although most of it is. The limestone groundwater of Kentucky lends quality to the taste of Kentucky-made bourbon, and this is not generally found elsewhere.

Types

There are two basic types of premium bourbon: single barrel and small batch. Both terms are descriptive. A small batch bourbon is literally drawn from a small batch, which reflects the greater craft that has gone into making it. However, small batches are blended, just as mass-market bourbon is. Single barrel means that the whiskey has been bottled from the contents of just one barrel, and is not blended. Examples of premium bourbon labels include Black Maple Hill, Booker's, Basil Hayden, and Elijah Craig.

Benefits

The care and aging that goes into a premium bourbon produces a superior product, albeit at greater cost. For example, aging a whiskey longer means greater evaporation from the barrels, which in turn means less final product. Arguably all the premium bourbon labels are superior to even the best mass-market bourbon, such as Maker's Mark.

Features

A premium bourbon shares certain characteristics with its mass market cousins, due to the legal standards for making bourbon. They all share an amber-caramel color, charcoal smoky flavor, and thick sweetness. Premium bourbons, however, are more complex and not as harsh, reflecting the greater care that goes into distilling them, and the greater time spent aging them. Even a bourbon known for its fire and bite like Knob Creek is smoother both on the palate and going down than a mass market like Wild Turkey. Fire and harshness are not the same.

Considerations

While there is nothing saying a single barrel bourbon must necessarily be drawn from a small batch, this is invariably the case. Both are typically aged longer than is the case with mass-market bourbon.

Tags: small batch, bourbon labels, mass-market bourbon, premium bourbon labels, bourbon whiskeys, drawn from

Make A Big Boy Slim Jim

Recreate a hometown favorite with the Big Boy Slim Jim.

If you grew up near a Big Boy restaurant, the odds are good that you've tried a Slim Jim sandwich. This fancy version of a ham and cheese sandwich has been a perennial favorite for decades. If you don't live near a Big Boy, replicate the sandwich at home. Add some thick-cut french fries and a shake too big to fit the glass and it's just like being at a Big Boy.

Instructions

1. Cut a sub bun in half horizontally. Butter the interior surface of both bun halves. Heat a heavy frying pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Place the bun halves on the hot surface, butter side down. Cook the buns for about two minutes or until they are golden brown inside.

2. Remove the bun halves from the pan and set them on a plate. Layer the ingredients on the bottom half. Start with thinly sliced ham, then add three slices of Swiss cheese. Top the cheese with some shreds of lettuce and finish up with four thin slices of ripe tomato.

3. Spread Thousand Island dressing on the toasted surface of the top bun half. Place the bun top on the sandwich.

4. Set the sandwich onto the surface of the hot griddle or pan. Set a clean, heavy pan lid directly on top of the sandwich to squash it down slightly while it grills. Cook the sandwich until the Swiss cheese is melted.

5. Remove the sandwich from the pan and set it on a plate. Cut the sandwich in half using a diagonal cut. Garnish the sandwich with a pickle spear on the side.

Tags: Swiss cheese

Serve Chinese Pot Stickers

All of your cooking is complete and you have finished your Chinese pot stickers. The only thing left is to figure out serve both the pot stickers and the sauce. Learn plate your pot stickers and serve your guests up a gastronomic delight.

Instructions

1. Grab your tasty Chinese pot stickers and the serving plate. To correctly plate them, the flat, golden brown side must be showing at the top. So you basically have to set them upside down on the plate.

2. Arrange them so that they display nicely on the plate. Depending on the shape and size of your plate, you can arrange them in a circle, a star pattern or just randomly.

3. Take the sauce and pour it lightly over the pot stickers. You may need to get a spoon and scoop out some of the pepper, garlic and ginger and sprinkle it over the pot stickers, since those three ingredients sink to the bottom of the sauce.

4. For an extra garnish, you can take some sliced green onions and sprinkle them over the top of the pot stickers and sauce. You don't have to add a lot, but just enough to make it look nice.

5. Put the rest of the sauce in a separate bowl for guests that may want to dip their pot sticker or add more sauce to their plate. Feel free to also add a sprinkling of sliced green onion to the top of the sauce, as well.

Tags: over stickers, sliced green, stickers sauce

Ideas On Feeding A Large Crowd

Barbecue grills can hold a lot of food.

Hosting an event where many people attend often means providing a lot of food to eat. While it is a lot of work to prepare food for a crowd, ways exist to minimize the effort. Prepare some food ahead of time and enjoy yourself at the event. The choices are many for putting together a theme and dishes to feed a large crowd, but the primary concern should be serving easy-to-plate and -eat food, avoiding food like soup, which is easy to spill, or intricate food to prepare like souffl s.

Taco Bar

Mexican food is a good way to feed many people and is relatively easy to prepare and serve. Cooking the meat and freezing ahead of the gathering frees up time before the party for cleaning or running necessary errands. The meat for a taco bar can include finely-crumbled, seasoned ground beef, diced, cooked chicken or shredded pork shoulder. Vegetables like diced tomatoes, onions, scallions, black olives and lettuce are easy to prepare a day ahead of time. Shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, along with mild to hot salsas top the tacos, which can be flat in the form of tostada shells or folded as a bona fide taco shell.

Potato Bar

Almost everyone likes and can eat baked potatoes, which are easy to prepare in the oven. The potatoes can be baked shortly before the party or served as twice-baked potatoes, which can be prepared ahead of the event and frozen. Easy meat to serve with a potato bar could include bacon, ham, turkey, meatballs in gravy, or chicken. Vegetables to serve with a potato bar include corn off the cob, peas, cooked carrots and broccoli mixed with red peppers. Some people enjoy dinner rolls with a meat and potatoes meal; serving butter, jellies and jams may please your guests as well.

Sandwiches

Sometimes it's a good idea to let your guests choose what they want by providing the basic ingredients for them to create their own. A buffet loaded with sandwich makings including rolls or bread, cold cuts, cooked and shredded meats in barbecue sauces, and a variety of sliced cheese. Vegetables like lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onions, pickles and olives add to the diversity of food. Other condiments traditionally served with sandwiches include butter, mayonnaise and mustard. Fresh fruit salads, melon slices or bowls of berries make a light finish as dessert.

Barbecues

Barbecues are classic ways to serve a large crowd when the weather is warm and dry. Hot dogs, hamburgers, varieties of chips, pasta salads, buns for the meat and cheese slices are easy to put on the table. You can assign someone to the grill to prepare the meat. Prepare salads a day or two ahead of time and dish up the condiments like pickles, olives and onion slices. Baked beans are simple to prepare ahead of time, refrigerate and serve in a slow cooker or cold. Fruit is a good dessert for a barbecue, as are cakes and cookies.

One Dish Meals

Casseroles combine starches, protein and vegetables in one dish that is easy to serve. These dishes can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen for easy heating later. Lasagna is universally popular and, paired with garlic bread and salad, creates a filling meal. Scalloped potatoes and ham are also a kind of casserole that can include cheese and onions and, paired with salads, fills out the meal.

Tags: ahead time, easy prepare, before party, large crowd, many people

Ingredients For Brisket Rub

A smoker, used to cook meats like brisket.

Brisket is a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of beef or veal. Due to the amount of connective tissue in the cut, the meat should be cooked slowly to tenderize the tough tissue. One popular way to prepare brisket is by coating the meat in a spice rub and slow-cooking it. Rubs help to form a crust, which helps to keep the juices inside of meats during the slow cooking process to prevent it from overcooking. Brisket can easily become dry and tough, so applying a spice rub helps ensure that the meat stays moist and juicy. Rubs are mixtures of herbs and spices that are applied to raw meat to add flavors. They adhere to the meat's natural moisture and are a fast, fat-free way to add flavor.

Types of Preparations

The method of using a rub and slow cooking tenderizes the meat and ensures that the flavors in the rub permeate deeply into it. Another popular preparation of brisket is a slow braise, similar to the method used to cook a pot roast. Brisket is enjoyed in many different forms. The two most popular preparations in the United States are the traditional Jewish method, and the barbecue method. Each of the two preparations uses a unique blend of spices and techniques.

Barbeque Brisket

In the barbecue preparation, the brisket is covered in a spicy rub and then either placed over indirect heat on a gas or charcoal grill or smoked in a smoker. Brisket is most popularly prepared in a smoker, following the Texas style of barbecue. Barbecue rubs usually incorporate spices such as dried peppers, cumin, paprika and garlic powder. One example of a traditional barbecue brisket spice rub recipe is listed in the References section.

Jewish Brisket

Brisket is commonly served at Jewish holidays, including Passover, as a main dish. Unlike the barbecue preparation, Jewish brisket is more commonly braised, using a liquid like wine, in an oven. The meat is often coated in a spice rub, and the rub for a Jewish-style brisket includes ingredients such as salt, pepper, thyme and basil. For an example of a traditional Jewish-style brisket preparation, see the References section.

Rub the Right Way

While different preparations of brisket require different types of spice rubs, there are some rules you can always follow to get the most out of your spice rubs. Drying the meat before you begin working with it will ensure that the rub adheres without getting too wet. Additionally, cooking the meat over indirect heat means that the herbs and spices on the outside of the brisket will form a crisp crust instead of becoming burned.

Tags: barbecue preparation, ensure that, example traditional, herbs spices, indirect heat

Make A Spinach Apple And Walnut Salad

Eating healthy and understanding the types of food you ingest into your body will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle full of energy and vitality. Eating properly can also have anti-aging effects to help you stay younger looking. Various foods have intrinsic health properties that help compensate for certain nutritional deficiencies if you have been diagnosed with a particular medical condition. Increasing the daily intake of these types of foods can help you to fight the condition and maintain your body's optimal nutritional status.

In this article I will show you make a spinach, apple and walnut salad with ingredients that have shown to help fight depression, chronic fatigue and many other conditions prevalent in our society.

Instructions

1. Take a couple of golden delicious apples or organic apples purchased from the local farmers market. Core and cut the apples into large diced pieces. Retain the skin of the apple since it contains many healthy properties including a source of fiber to help digestion.

2. Wash the baby green spinach in cool running water to remove dirt and pesticides and other potentially carcinogenic or toxic residues. Prepare the spinach by removing the long stems and bruised leaves. Lightly pat dry the washed clean spinach and place in the fridge to keep cool.

3. Toss the chopped apple pieces into a bowl of freshly squeezed lemon juice. This will help to prevent the apples from turning yellow. Make the dressing by whisking together the remaining juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt and ground pepper to taste.

4. Remove the spinach from the fridge and toss it with the apples and dressing. Divide between four bowls. Cut up the goat cheese (feta cheese) and chop up the toasted almonds. Toss equal amounts of cheese and almonds over each bowl of spinach and apple.

Tags: help fight, spinach apple, will help, your body

Bottle Your Own Hot Sauce From Pickled Jalapenos

Pickled jalapeños can create a spicy, homemade hot sauce.

Jalapeños are one of the most popular means of spicing up dishes. Used in a variety of recipes, the hot peppers were originally used in South American cooking but have long become a favorite in North American cuisines as well. Creating a hot sauce with the peppers can be done while they are fresh, though they also add an extra element of flavor when pickled. Bottling the hot sauce, also called canning, is a way of keeping the sauce for a long time.

Instructions

1. Place the sliced pickled jalapeños, white vinegar, water, garlic, cayenne, white onion, lime and pickling salt in the large pot.

2. Bring the ingredients to a boil and turn it down to a simmer. Cook for eight to 10 minutes.

3. Cool the pot for 10 minutes.

4. Pour the cooked ingredients in to the blender. Blend the mixture until smooth.

5. Pour the hot sauce in to the jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.

6. Place the lids on the top of the bottles and screw on the screw cap.

7. Fill up the canning pot with water and bring it to a boil on the stove.

8. Place the canning jars in the hot water bath, ensuring it continues to boil, with at least 2 inches of headspace.

9. Process the jars for 15 minutes.

10. Remove the jars from the water using the tongs. Place them on a clean cloth.

11. Cool the jar for 24 hours. Tighten the lids slightly after they have cooled.

Tags:

Vegetarian Antipasto Ideas

A colorful vegetarian antipasto plate will excite the senses.

Antipasto traditionally is served as an appetizer during an Italian meal. The name comes from the Italian word "anti," which means before, and "pasto," which means food. More than just a first course, it is a colorful spread meant to inspire the palate. The ingredients that make up an antipasto dish often depend on who is preparing it. If you are looking for ways to appeal to vegetarians, there are traditional and modern plays on this classic dish.

Breads

Breads are a vegetarian-friendly addition to any antipasto plate. Look for thick-crusted breads with soft, spongy insides, perfect for dipping in warm, seasoned oils. You also can make creamy spreads featuring olives, pimentos or fresh herbs to serve with the bread. Cut a variety of breads into small pieces for diners to share and taste.

Olives

No antipasto plate would be complete with olives. Alone or as part of a dish, they add a refreshing salty and savory flavor that excites the taste buds. Serve pickled green and black olives stacked on a toothpick in the center of a piece of baked bread or sauteed in butter or wine. Along with olives, pepperoncinis and banana peppers will add color and bursts of flavor to the spread.

Fruits and Vegetables

Seared vegetables are a favorite for this dish. Choose vegetables favored by Mediterranean cuisine, including eggplant, artichokes, zucchini, squash, green pepper, carrots, fennel, broccoli, cauliflower and onion. These can be served alone or atop slices of toasted Italian bread and seasoned with oils. For fruit, grilled figs and tomato seasoned with balsamic vinegar or wine can offer a rich burst of flavor to eat alone or with bread.

Cheeses

Italian food often includes rich and robust cheeses as topping, as part of a spread or as a standalone food bite. Cubes of mozzarella, soft and spongy, often are served alone. Mozzarella can also be shredded and baked onto bread with tomato and fresh herbs to make bruschetta. Other favorite cheeses for antipasto are Parmesan, feta, goat cheese and baked ricotta.

Dipping Sauces and Oils

Combinations of olive oil and freshly chopped herbs are both vegetarian-friendly and delicious. These are perfect for seasoning and as a dip for breads and vegetables. Some antipasto dishes recommend using Worcestershire sauce for seasoning vegetables and developing sauces. However this ingredient is not vegetarian-friendly. It contains anchovies, which contributes to the briny flavor. Instead of Worcestershire, choose a combination of fresh garlic, soy sauce and lemon juice. Pickled olives and sun-dried tomatoes also will help mirror the briny quality of this traditional sauce.

Vegan Options

Vegans are strict vegetarians who avoid all animal products, including cheeses. In many grocery stores, soy or nut-based artificial cheeses are available, which can be substituted for traditional cheeses on an antipasto plate. However, they can be difficult to find and not as flavorful. Instead, you can instead use chunks of pan-seared tofu, seasoned with olive oil, nutritional yeast or chopped pistachio or cashews to create a rich flavor and beautiful color to an antipasto dish. Many Italian breads also use egg wash or dairy products in their loaves, which is not vegan-friendly. Look for breads that do not include these ingredients.

Tags: antipasto plate, seasoned with, antipasto dish, cheeses antipasto, fresh herbs

Best Low Carb Foods

Whatever your reason for going on a low carbohydrate (carb) diet, there are many delicious choices available that have great taste as well as high nutritional value. If you choose the right items you can have a meal that does not raise your blood sugar and may help you lose weight. You can also snack smart as there are many great snacks to choose from in this category. Most food items with fewer than ten carbs per serving would be considered low carb.

Vegetables

There are many delicious vegetables that you can eat if you are on a diet. Although there are not many vegetables with zero carbs, many only have one to two carbs per serving, which makes them a great choice. Cucumbers and pickles fall into this category, especially when compared to potatoes and corn, and can be eaten by dieters and diabetics alike. Cabbage is a great choice and can be eaten cooked or raw with salad. Avocado in guacamole and bok choy, which is often seen in Asian-inspired dishes, are perfect for losing weight while on the Atkins diet.

Fruits

Although most fruits are high in carbs, there are some choices that will work with a low carb diet. Small amounts of lemon or lime can be used in salads and unsweetened tea. Raspberries, cranberries and rhubarb are some other fruits that are considered low in carbs. Apricots, when fresh, are a great choice as well, but often contain excess sugar if dried.

Meats

Almost all meats are low in carbs and can be eaten as a main course for a meal or for snacking. Due to the fact that they are protein rich, they lack the carbs that break down into sugars in the body. Some of the healthier meat choices include turkey, chicken and salmon, which are low in fat as well and can be eaten liberally on a diabetic diet.

Cheese and Eggs

Cheese and eggs contain few carbs, so their inclusion in this type of diet is paramount. They are perfect for the diabetic looking to control sugar intake as well as the dieter looking to lose weight. Eggs are a great source of protein and when used to make omelets with mushrooms and cheese, can be a great great breakfast. You can also use cheese on salads and lower carb vegetables for side dishes with your meat entrées. Cheese is a very versatile food that can be used in many dishes when you're on a low carb diet.

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Make Stir Fry Sauce

This is so easy that you are not going to believe you ever paid for stir fry sauce at a supermarket, and you never will again! I make this sauce in advance, because it is almost like a salad dressing, and I store it in a cruet in the fridge. Just shake it up and use it to make a quick veggie or meat stir fry any night of the week!

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl or dressing cruet, I personally use my Good Seasons shaker, start with the Soy Sauce.

2. Whisk in the sesame oil first and then the other ingredients.

3. If you are using the shaker, just put it all in and give it a good shake! I know that most recipes call for the corn starch to be added separately, or for it to be diluted in warm water, but I assure you that this sauce will thicken you stir fry very well.

4. Store this for up to 3-4 weeks in your fridge. Just make sure you label it, because it really looks a lot like salad dressing, and it would not be very good on a salad, in my opinion!

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Basic Ingredients In Wine Making

If you love wine but it's too expensive to buy at the liquor store, you can make it at home by adding a few basic ingredients to a simple recipe using fresh fruit that has been seeded, peeled and crushed, or 100% grape juice. Save money with wine making and have plenty to go around for your most lavish dinner parties.

Instructions

1. Start the wine making process by separating fruit or juice into parts and adding them to quart-size bottles.

2. Add sugar to each bottle and shake vigorously.

3. Pour warm water and add yeast and sugar into a glass container and mix until completely dissolved. Cover ingredients and place in a dark corner for 1 to 2 hours to allow a thick foam to materialize.

4. Mix a portion of the foam to each of the bottles and shake until completely blended.

5. Secure jars with three napkins and a rubber band or a cork that provides an airtight seal. Place bottles in a dark 70-degree room for about 9 to 12 days.

6. Transfer fermented liquid to new bottles at least 3 or 4 times over several days, taste-testing as you go along.

7. Add potassium sorbate to each bottle, secure with cork or napkins and place them in a 60-degree room until wine is clear and ready to drink.

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