Bridal Shower Food Made Simple with Italian Appetizers
By Meat Lover | July 2, 2009
Bridal showers should be stress-free and enjoyable for the bride, but that doesn’t mean that her hostesses can’t have a good time too. It is possible to plan a bridal shower that doesn’t require much effort but appears elegant and elaborate.
One way to do this is to simplify the bridal shower food. Rather than providing a full meal for guests, why not have a variety of Italian appetizers? They are filling, offer guests variation in food choices, and they are easy to eat, since they don’t require sitting down with a fork and knife. Paired with an assortment of wines and arranged on nice serving dishes, these Italian appetizers can make a stylish and tasty statement.
One particularly popular appetizer is bruschetta. Thanks to Volpi Foods, America’s oldest and most prestigious manufacturer of authentic Italian meat products, there’s a way to make bruschetta simpler and even more delicious. Volpi produces Italian traditional rotola, which is thinly sliced prosciutto hand-rolled in whole milk mozzarella. Volpi’s Basil Rotola, which has fresh basil leaves rolled in the layers of mozzarella and prosciutto, is the key to a crowd-pleasing bruschetta recipe.
First, pre-heat the broiler on low. Take one loaf of French bread, and cut vertical slices about one half inch thick. Arrange the slices on a cookie sheet and place in the broiler until lightly toasted. After the bread is toasted, spread a thin layer of basil pesto on top of each slice. Cut one package of Volpi Basil Rotola into thin slices, and place one slice onto each piece of bread. To make them into mini pizzas, add the pesto and rotola slices to the bread slices before toasting them to let the mozzarella melt a bit.
Volpi Rotola provides a modern twist on the Italian traditional bruschetta recipe, while saving time in the kitchen and making an exciting addition to any party menu. The basil, garlic and pine nuts in the pesto bring so much flavor to the already flavorful rotola. And, no bridal shower is complete without good drinks. Pair the bruschetta with dry sparkling wine or Pinot Grigio.
You can even slice and serve Volpi Rotola as an Italian appetizer in itself. Plus, it comes in other variations such as Sun Dried Tomato, Hot Salami and Hot Capocolla. Simply arrange the slices with olives and crackers for a delicious antipasto platter.
There’s no need to hire an expensive caterer or spend hours in the kitchen preparing elaborate bridal shower food. Thrill your guests - and the bride - with simple Italian appetizers that turn bridal shower food from ordinary to extraordinary.
Topics: Meat Cooking Tips | No Comments »
Shrimp and Egg High Cholesterol?
By Meat Lover | July 1, 2009
I love shrimp! I like eggs! I begged and pleaded, don’t take them away from me. All these years the nutritional gurus have been informing us they are high in cholesterol and if you eat these 2 foods you’ll have a heart attack! Now, well conducted studies indicate that low-fat shrimp and eggs, substituted for fatty foods, do not raise blood cholesterol and are not a major contributor to coronary disease. A study published in the Yank Book of Clinical Nutrition says despite all that cholesterol, shrimp is completely good for you.
This is no longer a health concern, because shrimp is low-fat with a rich content of highly unsaturated greasy acids, which lead to the formation of high-density lipids, frequently known as “good cholesterol”. Consuming shrimp may lower blood cholesterol levels.
So, here’s a great shrimp dish I make quite regularly. The first recipe came out of an old Weight Watcher Cookbook, but as always ( something I learned from my Gramps ) I typically chuck in a few extras to make it taste better and substitute some ingredients, but it is still healthy cooking. I lost forty lbs. On these recipes even with additions. Here’s a tip I want to pass on about fish. I soak it in milk before cooking ; it appears to take away any bad fishy taste.
Shrimp in Spicy Mustard Sauce
12 oz. Shrimp, peeled, deveined
2/3 cup fat free ½ & ½, or substitute evaporated skim, regular skim or low-fat milk or soy milk
2 spoons Dijon Mustard
spoon curry powder
¼ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 spoon black pepper
1 spoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon chicken bullion powder or one cube
1 spoon olive oil
½ onion, minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
Parsley
Parmesan Cheese ( optional )
1. Shell & devein shrimp and set aside.
2. In 1-cup liquid measure combine milk, mustard and seasonings, set aside ( if you are using milk instead of the fat free ½ & ½ , mix some of the milk with a large spoon of cornstarch and add to sauce at end to thicken.)
3. In a pan, heat oil over medium-high heat ; add shrimp, onion and garlic, stir consistently till shrimp just turns pink, 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Pour milk mixture into skillet and cook, stirring continually, till mix comes to the boil. Reduce heat to low, (add cornstarch mixture if using ) let boil till barely thickened, one or 2 minutes.
5. Using a slotted spoon, remove shrimp to serving platter; set aside.
6. Increase heat to medium-high; continue cooking sauce until mixture is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Pour sauce over shrimp and sprinkle with parsley and parmesan.
Makes 2 servings
This is great served over noodles or rice. Hope you enjoy your shrimp!
Do you enjoy cooking and learning more about food? If yes, you may also visit cooking101.org to learn more about the many different kinds of recipes and cooking ideas that will be useful next time you are in the kitchen. Also, you might want to check out boiled egg recipe.
Topics: General Food and drink | No Comments »
11 Places Where Travellers Go for Learn Italian Cuisine
By Meat Lover | June 30, 2009
Italy is not only one of the most powerful and influential economies in the world. Italy is also a major player in music, theatre, arts, design, fashion and of course – Cuisine. There are different Italian restaurants that are providing gastronomic delight to its customers.
Italian food is one of the most popular and tastiest food in the world. That is why many culinary students would like to master cooking Italian recipes. Similar to learn language, learn Italian cuisine can reach immense heights and success through immersing or washing oneself in the country’s culture.
Italian food also evolved through various influences by neighbouring regions, conquerors, high profile chefs, and political upheavals. With all these influences, Italian food was formed into what is known today as one of the premiere cuisines in the world.
Ingredients are not the same in the entire Italian food selection. There are some regional dishes that became national and spread across the country in the present day. Cheese and wine are important players in Italian cuisine, there are many variations and they may play different roles in each region. Coffee, and more specifically espresso, has become highly important to the cultural food of Italy.
Italian meals usually have no fewer than 3-4 courses. Aside from immediate sustenance, meals are seen as tie to spend with family and friends. Daily meals are much loner compared with other daily meals in other cultures. Family feasts and holiday celebrations tend to last for a long time.
Traditional Italian cooking is mainly reserved for special events like weddings or holiday feasts. Everyday meals would include first and second course, the side dish and coffee. Modern Italian cuisine includes single courses (all-in-one courses), providing carbohydrates and proteins at the same time like pasta and legumes.
Meal structures in Italian cuisine includes the aperitivo which serves as the appetizer before the large meal or antipasto which are also appetizers that can be hot or cold. Primo is the first course offered which is usually the most filling meal. Primo dishes would include pasta, risotto or polenta.
The seconda (second course) is the main dish. It is traditionally pork and chicken. Fish prepared are those which are caught locally. The contorno is the side dish that may be a salad or cooked vegetables.
Dessert may be formaggio e frutta (cheese and fruits) or dolce (cakes and cookies). Coffee is also offered in every meal. While digestive or liqueur is also offered after the meal.
For travellers and locals alike that would like to dine out, each establishment has a defined role and they traditionally sticks to it. These are the following dishes establishments common in Italy:
• Agriturismo - Working farms that often offer accommodations and meals. Bar/Caffé - Locations which serve coffee, soft drinks, juice and alcohol. Hours are from 6am to 10pm.
• Birreria - A bar that offers beer found in central and northern regions of Italy.
• Frasca/Locanda - Friulian wine producers that often open for the evening and many stay open late offering cuisinealong with their wines.
• Osteria - Focused on simple cuisine of the local region, usually only having a verbal menu.
• Paninoteca - Sandwich specialty shop open during the day.
• Pizzeria - Wood fired pizzas are a specialty of Italy.
• Polentaria - A regional establishment seen in limited number in the northern part of Italy above Emilia-Romagna.
• Ristorante - Often offers upscale cuisine and printed menus.
• Spaghetteria - Originating in Napoli, offering pasta dishes and other main courses.
• Tavola Calda - Literally “hot table”, offers pre-made regional dishes ordered from a queue, often served on a tray.
• Trattoria - A dining establishment often family run with inexpensive prices and an informal atmosphere.
Learning and eating Italian food is truly a gastronomic delight. Mangiare bene!
Please visit: http://1st-LearningItalian.com where you can get your FREE Report on “Beginner’s Guide to Learning Italian”, Beginners Italian Videos, Study Italian Resources, and discover more on Italian Courses. Good Luck!
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Easy and Healthy Meal With Egg Salad Suprises
By Meat Lover | June 30, 2009
Everyone loves eggs. We ordinarily meet them at breakfast table either scrambled or fried. However, these are essentially mouth watering salad staples too. Egg salad recipes are doubtless one of the best salads to make. Not only can it be served as is, but it can also be used as a sandwich filling.
Below you may find recipes compiled from different sources. You may want to try one or 2 at home. Don’t worry if you don’t get to close them, these salads can still make it to tomorrows sandwich. Now, enough said. Gab your things and let’s start whisking.
CHUNKY EGG SALAD
serves 4
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup minced onion
1/2 teaspoon Worchestershire sauce or
1 spoon of prepared mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
6 hard-cooked eggs
1 cup thin cut celery
2 Tablespoons minced green pepper or red or green hamburger relish
sliced tomatoes or whole a medium mayo and next five ingredients until well mixed. Cut eggs into chunks or dice, as you prefer. Add eggs, celery, add green pepper or relish to mayonnaise mix. Mix well. Cover and cool until well chilled.
To Serve : Spoon mixture on tomato slices or into whole tomato. If using full tomato, either cut off top and spoon out some of the middle, set on shredded lettuce and loosely fill with egg salad, or cut tomato into 8 wedges but don’t cut all the way down, so that the tomato wedges will stay connected.
Garden Egg Salad Bowl
Makes four servings
6 tbsp. Mayonnaise
1 tsp. Prepared mustard
1/4 tsp. lemon pepper seasoning
1/8 tsp. Salt
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup thinly cut cauliflower
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup cubed celery
1/2 cup quartered and sliced zucchini
2 tsp. dried chives
3 hard boiled eggs, roughly chopped
Spinach leaves
Paprika
4 oz. Cut julienne Swiss cheese
Tomato wedges
Pimiento-stuffed olives
In a mid sized bowl, stir together mayo, mustard, lemon-pepper seasoning and salt. Whisk in peas, cauliflower, mushrooms, celery, zucchini and chives. Gently stir in eggs.
Line salad bowls with spinach. Spoon in egg salad. Sprinkle with paprika. Garnish with Swiss cheese, tomato and olives.
Note: If desired, egg salad can be spooned into a tomato cup and placed on a bed of spinach.
Do you like to cook? If so, visit cooking101.org and get easy recipes you can use everyday to make delicious meals for the entire family and you might also want to take a look at deviled eggs recipe.
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Beef can be a Healthy Option
By Meat Lover | June 30, 2009
We are constantly being told what we should eat, what we should not eat or how often we should not or should be eating it and with the hundreds of diet regimes (backed by famous faces with fabulous physiques) it’s a wonder how we mere mortals know how to feed ourselves at all!
One food topic that brings much confusion is eating red meat. It could be that because it is so tasty we struggle with this one. There aren’t many mouths that don’t water with the mere mention of a juicy steak. But the varying recommendations that we read in magazines, on the world wide web and on the television about eating beef means it has become a guilty pleasure with the health conscious to the ordinary person on the street may choose to avoid it at all costs or spend hours working it off at the gym.
“Eating beef on a daily basis is bad for you and it sits in your stomach rotting long after you have eaten it. Red meat contributes to heart disease and is full of unhealthy fats.”
Sound familiar?
Let me suggest to you that eating red meat can be a healthy option and you could actually eat a nice steak daily if you like. Getting the right balance with complimentary foods and eating in moderation is the key to a health diet. It isn’t eating red meat that is the problem; it’s the quality of that beef and what you eat with it.
Avoid: Red meats that are processed and contain additives E.g. Burgers, frozen meats, SPAM (yuk!), etc
Instead: Choose fresh cuts of organic beef from cattle that is pasture-raised
Avoid: Eating bread with beef For example, Hamburgers
Instead: Always eat fresh salad or vegetables with your beef or steak. These contain enzymes which break down fatty deposits.
Preparing a healthy Steak meal is simple:
- Purchase some organic steaks from a trusted retailer
- Fry/Grill in the meats juices to how you like it
- Add a large portion of any of the following fat busting foods: Brussel Sprouts, Asparagus, Carrots, Cabbage, Beets, Celery, Cucumber, Garlic Horseradish, Lettuce, Radishes, Tomatos.
If you want to keep it healthy but add more flavor to your steak? During cooking, just add crushed or chopped garlic, crushed peppercorns, rosemary, mixed herbs or other herbs and spices. Alternatively, marinade the steak beforehand cooking using your own mix of herbs and natural yoghurt. Yum!
Other Resources:
“Beef…from Farm to Table” (USDA website)
Topics: Main Course | No Comments »
Cooking School For Good Cooking
By Meat Lover | June 30, 2009
Cooking may seem hard to do and it actually is, to the novice. But once you learn the various techniques, you will find out that cooking is actually a breeze. There are processes and techniques that will help you prepare a mean dish for your family and you can learn all this from a good cooking school.
There are many cooking schools out there that have a wide range of lessons that they offer… for kids, for moms, for hobbyists, or anybody who just want to cook a good meal. With so many to choose from, it might be a little hard to select which is a good choice. So
Some basic things to notice if you want to look for a good cooking school.
1. price range Unless you have a lot of money stashed away in the bank, the tuition fee will figure a lot in the kind of cooking school you want to enroll in and the kind of program that you wish to take. For those who have the budget, a full program is recommended as this will teach you all you need to know at a fraction of the cost when you combined all the other short courses. However, if you do not have the money to spend, look for a class that you like that is within your price range and then ask for a discount should you decide to take the class after that.
2. Materials Some cooking class will already be providing the materials for you while some will ask you to buy your own. Clear this up with the cooking school you are eyeing before enrolling because this will figure a lot in your budget.
3. Lessons and range This will really depend on just what you want to learn and how much experience in cooking you have. Lessons can range from something simple as broiling and grilling to something as complicated as baking an elaborate cake complete with the decorations. It is actually all up to you. One advice that you should heed is to always determine first what you want to learn about and to make sure that you have all the other skills You see, some classes and programs have pre-requisite lessons that you have to first accomplish before you can take it up. For instance, you cannot bake a cake if you do not yet know how to fry, boil and heat food properly.
4. Important factor in finding a cooking school is the place where you will take class. Is the school at your neighborhood or do you have to drive there in the morning. This is especially important with people who have a lot in their plate like cooking for family members or classes in school. Ideally, it should be along the way fro
your work or from your home.
5. Student:teacher ratio You cannot learn much if you are 20 in the class and there is only one teacher. You need a class that is smaller in size so that the teacher can help you individually with the lesson. Asking a question is easy when you are few in the group. The ratio of student teacher matters and this means that you
are much closer to your teacher when she explains.
Topics: Meat Cooking Tips | No Comments »
Learn In Growing Concord Grapes Right In Your own Garden
By Meat Lover | June 30, 2009
When you want to have a little of a relaxing time together with your friends or you just would like to settle in for a quiet evening at home, it helps you to relax sipping on your favorite red wine that you get from your usual liquor store but do you know that you can have your own bottle of wine without getting to that store again? Yes, there is a way and the only way is learn how to grow grape vines right in your own backyard. So, if it’s wine you want then go for the healthiest and it is right within your reach. Imagine, what would neighbors say if they know you have your own red wine and you might even have a good fortune selling it to them, don’t you think?
So, what’s the basic step in order to learn how to do this? Firstly, your main mission here is to supply your family with the best nutritious and delicious grapes in town and you don’t have to rush to a health or grocery store to buy grapes and honestly speaking, if you really want organic foods like grapes, there is nothing healthier and more natural that the ones you have grown by yourself, is that right? And maybe, you would like to learn how to make red wine out of your own produce, so, how about it? First, you need to learn the art of growing concord grapes. This type of grape is the one commonly used to make red wine and it’s not really that hard to learn how to grow them in your own backyard.
In reality, there are some schools that can teach many wine-making lessons that can be done mostly at home but you don’t have to compromise your important obligations just to learn those things. You can even learn grape vine growing with the help of book guide that can download on a specific site and then, use it to learn the right methods of growing grapes and actually making them to red wine right in your own home or anywhere and anytime you like.
Topics: General Food and drink | No Comments »
When to Use Outside Catering
By Meat Lover | June 30, 2009
There are many advantages in using an outside catering firm for your event, no matter how big or small. It’s important to differentiate between catering out of doors and inside in venues that might not normally include facilities for the preparation of food.Both would be prefect cases for using an outside catering firm.
Obviously, if your venue is out of doors and you plan a relaxed summer garden party barbecue for few friends, pigging out with a hearty Hog Roast or hosting a lavish themed wedding or civil partnership reception for hundreds of guests in a marquee, then you don’t really have much option but to use outside catering. The same applies if your desired venue is indoors, but may not have any kitchen or food preparation facilities at all. That could be anything from a village hall, a romantic castle, a conference room or a boat.
True, at some venues like hotels you can access the catering services they provide, whether the event uses their indoor facilities or is hosted in their gardens or grounds.These services may also be supplied at an all-inclusive rate if you intend booking accommodation at the same place.
Generally though, you are limited to the menu options they present. That situation is further complicated if your guests have a variety of dietary requirements and preferences. Those menu options, especially for larger groups, tend to be somewhat unimaginative and there is certainly no possibility of you creating a menu tailored to exactly what you want.
Outside catering firms, at least the best ones, are specialists and will have a blend of experience, planning and attention to detail to ensure a successful occasion every time, no matter where it’s held. If you’re looking for an event with a highly personal touch, outside catering can provide a complete private food and drink service.
They can create bespoke menus to your exact specification and budget, using seasonal and local produce if you desire. Many outside catering firms employ Masterchefs with tremendous culinary experience who can devise inspiring food and drink to accompany fine wines and convivial cocktails.Perhaps more importantly, outside catering firms have people who even take care of the washing up!
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Knowledge About Origin And Features Of The Sodastream Machine
By Meat Lover | June 30, 2009
Soda water or club soda has come a long way from when it was previously used as digestion aid. Flavors, sweeteners and colors have been added to it for enhancing the taste of the drink. A large number of people love the flavour of soda. Some prefer it over plain drinking water and spend enough money purchasing these drinks every day. Whould you like the idea of making your own carbonated drink at home ?
Carbonation is the process of dissolving pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2)into water to make sparkling water, club soda or seltzer. This makes water clear and gives a fizzy taste. If you are searching for flavor then you must add some exciting fruit flavors sold at all freight free.com. These are just added flavors. There are no artificial sweeteners and no sugar in them, which makes it ideal for someone who is trying to lose weight.
SodaStream is a brand of home carbonation system invented by Guy Gilbey in 1903 in London. Later on it became famous in Australia, New Zealand and Germany. The equipment consists of a machine, a carbon dioxide canister and one or more reusable bottles. With a push of the button pressurized CO2 from inside the canister is forced into the bottle fixed on canister which produces sparkling water.
In the UK, the SodaStream machinewas first sold to the upper classes, including the royal household. In the 1920s flavored concentrates for example cherry ciderette and sasparilla were introduced to prepare soft drinks. Commercial models and those for the house were prepared in 1955 and became famous in 70s and 80s. However lot of people thought that commercial brew was more sparkling than homemade brew.
MilkStream an offshoot of the same company was used for preparing milkshakes. Ice cream and syrup are mixed together in a large glass and inserted into the machine to produce a palatable drink.
SODASTREAM
SodaStream was later bought out by Soda Club, an Israeli company that was formerly the sole distributor for SodaStreamin Israel. As of 2007, the brand has been reestablished in a number of countries including the United States and Canada. It still markets its drinks under the SodaStream label, but has begun to address the health needs of the public, by manufacturing a number of diet concentrates which can be used for sparkling water as well as for sodas.
Due to its beautiful design and its easy instructions the Soda Club machine has had rave reviews from the people. The soda club machine allows you to make the drink as fizzy as per your need. Per liter costs nearly 50 cents for the machine and reusable bottles including sodamix flavors. Now, how is that for a deal?
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Poppy Seeds and All Its Goodness
By Meat Lover | June 29, 2009
Most probably, you are interested in poppy seeds, hence you clicked on this page. Whatever you have in mind for going to this page, you will surely find out more about this great seed that is a popular ingredient of many sumptuous foods.
Many of us may have eaten a lot of poppy seeds, but the important information related to poppy seeds is known only to food enthusiasts and those whose job are in line with cooking. Only food enthusiasts and people who work as chefs or cook know the important information related to poppy seeds. If you want to be one of the few who know the facts, read on and find out.
Poppy plants are mostly found in Asian regions where the general climate provides for the best temperature for the plants to grow. Poppy seeds, which are found at the head of poppy plants, are small dried seeds that taste like nuts.
Today, poppy seeds are most popular as food ingredient, however during the ancient times, they were known for their medicinal properties. Hippocrates brought these seeds in Greece that were prescribed for patients suffering from insomnia. It is found out that poppy seeds are effective cure for coughs, earaches, toothaches, inflammation, fever, dysentery and the list goes on. Because of these benefits, poppy pods are cultivated in many parts of the globe.
Most of the time, poppy seeds are used in baking and are used as condiments or baked in or sprinkled on our favorite pastries. Most of the time, they are sprinkled in cakes, bread or rolls. Aside from its nutty taste, poppies are very enticing to eat because of the nutrients each seed contains. Each seed contains linoeic acid, oleic acid, and unsaturated fatty acids. In addition to nutritional value, poppy seeds’ extracted oil can be used in cooking and soap making.
Aside from being a great health food, poppy seeds represent symbols. The seeds are used in rituals, as amulets against bad luck and as charms to attract love, money and luck. Red poppy seeds are also a symbol for fallen warriors.
Documents can attest for the health benefits of poppy seeds but studies show that these seeds bear negative effects if precautions are not taken. Aside from nutrients, poppy seeds contain alkaloids such as morphine and codeine which are addictive. Health experts prohibit consumers from eating the unripe seeds and recommend the ripe ones instead. Unripe seeds contain a lot of alkaloids, hence can pose danger to physical and mental health.
Getting acquainted with all this information is significant as poppy seeds are loaded with opposing benefits that can destroy or improve our health.
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