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Posts Tagged ‘cooking’

Your Contemporary Kitchen – The Intelligent Design For Your Modern Family

December 4th, 2009

So many architects today love designing super modern homes. And with a modern home comes a contemporary kitchen with it’s smooth and sleek look. It’s actually wonderful to see how kitchens evolve with home design.

So today more than ever, a modern kitchen would look something like this:

Less is more. That’s the new slogan. The less clutter you have in the kitchen the more space you have. Yes and it’s space they want to create. We all know that a plain old stitched together kitchen is uninviting. We have our dishwasher sticking out like a sore thumb and our fridge takes up an entire one wall. On top of this, your work space is virtually non existent. They say this is why we are not productive in the kitchen and see it only as a dreary place to throw together a quick meal. Hence the minimalistic kitchen was born!

So it goes without saying, storage units that will compliment a kitchen like this, also have smooth surfaces made from either wood or stainless steel. The cabinets, fridge, dishwasher and recycle facilities are recessed and flows naturally with the main sleek look. You will not find any door knobs or handles, and only need to gently push a door and it will pop open effortlessly.

You cannot have too many colors in this kitchen, but if you do want some color, place a transparent glass vase somewhere that will catch the eye immediately. Here even your flowers should have a minimalist look. Choose long stemmed ones and only concentrate on one color at a time.

A smooth and sleek kitchen also has to have ultra modern lighting. You could accentuate the entire room by installing lighting in different shades of pastels. Here your lighting would be recessed and no wall lamps or structures can protrude. Take care to have a bright light on the surfaces used most for food preparation.

Flooring is important. It is very acceptable nowadays to have a plain concrete floor treated with a strong and durable varnish and accentuated with a sparsely used one-dimensional pattern. Should your kitchen be small, break through a wall and let your kitchen breath. Take this same look into the next room and you will be surprise at the new found space you have in your kitchen.

A contemporary kitchen design has the busy executive in mind. It provides a room with low maintenance and high practicalities. It has that minimalist look which helps when you need to think about your next business proposal and not be distracted by superfluous objects that are really only dust magnets.

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in kitchen design. If you want more information about varieties of contemporary kitchen or are searching for a reputable kitchen online retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com

Matthew Kerridge Food and Drink , , , , , , , ,

Soups to Cook and Love

November 13th, 2009

If you’re short on ideas for an appetizer, you might want to consider making a soup at home. It’s light, it warms the body, and the right ones are absolutely delicious. I have a whole cabinet full of recipes and I’d like to share some ideas with you.

Depending on what it’s in it, a good soup can vary in both consistency and taste. I’ve been cooking soups for years now, and I’m going to share a few ideas with you if you’re bored at home with the same old soups. There are plenty of ideas that you’ve probably never even thought about.

1. Apple and roasted butternut squash soup. This is a great one, as you’ve probably already had and enjoyed a nice butternut squash soup. However, the apples add some kick to this, and the two go really well together.

If you like cream of broccoli soup, I can tell you that it goes even better with cheese. Not just ordinary melted cheese, but a bread accent that’s flavored with cheese. Croutons are the best natural fit here, and the melted cheese inside the hot soup really makes it interesting.

If you’re a fan of potatoes, try throwing a nugget into the middle of a cream of potato soup. Not only does it add to the flavor, but it gives your soup a great texture, as the warm potato will really enhance the overall experience.

4. Pumpkin soup. A great option for the fall holiday, and a tasty treat as well. Add some spices into this one for an extra touch. It can be served both hot and cold, and I’d suggest sprinkling in a bit of pepper or other seasoning to give it an extra kick.

5. Ham and cheddar cheese soup. This is an original recipe that consists of a cheddar cheese brother, with bits of ham. The ham is best served boiled, which should probably go without saying if it’s inside the soup.

Well, I hope I’ve inspired you in one way or another. Most importantly, have some fun and always test the limits.

This writer also covers chimney sweep brushes and fireplace damper issues.

Patricia Cox Recipes , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Best Happy Hours in Cleveland

October 12th, 2009
by Dennis Gartland

Lolita is one of Michael Symon’s (of the food network) first restraints. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is only $2 and there are several dishes for only $5. I went with my sister and we ordered the mac and cheese and The Lolita Burger. I have to say it is the best mac and chesse I have ever had. 5-6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to close Tuesday through Thursday; 5-6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. to close Saturday. 4-6:30 p.m. Sunday

Lincoln Park Pub – This is a Tremont staple. Very down to earth. Tacos $1.25; Mexican beers, $2.25; margaritas, $3.25 Taco Tuesdays, 3 p.m.-midnight. The Tacos are made on homemade taco shells. If you like very hot food try the morning after tacos.

Momocho has very good and unique food. From 5-6:30 pm daily they have 1/2 off taquitos and margaritas plus a great deal on Tecate. Happy Hour is only at the bar, but it has a very nice patio.

Blind Pig – Pizza and wings for $5; 23-ounce beers $2.50, 4-9p.m. daily. The pizzas are pretty big for $5, big enough for two people at least. The beer special includes imports. They have the nicest set of TVs downtown.

Light Bistro -4:30-7 p.m. daily, Cocktails starting at $3. Food plates are $5. This is one of the Best Restaurants in Ohio. It is nice to be able to stop in for an after hour bite, but it seams a better idea to go for dinner.

Sunset Lounge 4 – 7 p.m. daily, discounted drinks, half-off sushi and other appetizers. The sushi here is very good. The atmosphere is also good.

The Flying Fig – Happy Hour: Tuesday – Friday between 5PM and 7:30PM The Fig provides wine-oriented cuisine utilizing the finest ingredients available, sourced locally whenever possible. Beers start at $2

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Dennis Gartland Food and Drink , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Getting Started with the Basics of Cooking

October 11th, 2009
by Esterah Shergold

If you are ready to start cooking and need to learn some cooking basics, you’ve come to the right place. If you are able to do simple math, follow directions, and have a bit of common sense, you will be able to learn to cook. There’s no reason you wouldn’t be able to whip up a decent meal on your first try.

For basic cooking you will need some pots, pans, and utensils. Every cook needs these items. While there is some equipment that goes for thousands of dollars, you can start with the basics. No matter what type of cookware you choose, make sure it has non-stick surfaces. This includes any cookie sheets and baking pans you choose. This makes clean-up and use much easier. Remember, the better the quality of the cookware, the easier the food will come off the surface.

Cooking also require utensils like measuring cups, and spoons, knives, and whisks. It may also be a good idea to buy a basic mixing bowl set, metal is easier to clean and maintain. You will need to also buy plastic and metal spatulas, larger spoons and forks. You will also need two basic can openers, one that removes the inner lid for draining things like tuna, but also the safe one that removes the whole top with now rough edges.

Cooking 101 also includes basic staples that you will need every day, in many common cooking situations. You will need basic spices, like salt a pepper, but also things like Oregano, Cinnamon, Garlic, as well as others. You can find many basic sets at kitchen supply stores, or even with some mass marketing retailers.

You will need some sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder, light brown sugar and some powdered cocoa. You can find websites that provide detailed lists needed for cooking basics. You can also find recipes that you can try on many websites, but remember to start of small. You can also order some great cook books that will be helpful for years to come.

Many people find cooking charts to be very helpful. They include the cooking times and temperatures for different cuts of meat, fish, and poultry. There are useful as a quick reference when learning the cooking basics. There are also charts that give detailed measurement explanations that include weight and volume that are very useful. You will be able to find these online and instantly download them for free. Proper measurement is critical to the taste and quality of the food you prepare.

It’s really helpful to get a binder so all your cooking basics information will be organized in one place. You can include information and recipes from a variety of sources like friends, family, websites, magazines, and newspapers. This is something you could pass down to your kids if it’s well taken care of.

You can find these tips for cooking basics as well as many more online. You can find them at your library or in a retail store. Most community colleges offer classes on cooking basics on up to advanced courses. Who knows, if you really fall in love with cooking you may even want to take advantage of the career opportunities in the culinary field.

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Esterah Shergold Food and Drink , , , , , , , ,

Cook Outback Steakhouse Recipes in Your Own Home

October 10th, 2009
by Bill Lane

Outback Steakhouse recipes have their own unique flare. I want to share with you how you can have the great taste of Outback Steakhouse in your own home.

“Hey mate, I would love to start with an order of Kookaburra wings and a Fosters followed up with some Coconut Shrimp for the main course. ” If that don’t get your taste buds going, not sure what will. Outback’s recipes have a certain flare and signature you don’t find just anywhere. But eating at Outback 2 or 3 times a week is not an option for most people. What is an Aussie to do?

Well, luckily you can have the same great taste of Outback Steakhouse recipes in your very own home. And I am not talking about two or three generic recipes. I’m talking over 25 mouth-watering, taste like the real thing recipes. Here is a list of just a few of the Outback Steakhouse recipes I am talking about:

-Outback Steakhouse Queensland Chicken and Shrimp

-Outback Steakhouse Bushelman’s Bread

-Outback Steakhouse Sauteed Mushrooms

- Outback Steakhouse Bloomin’ Onion

-Outback Steakhouse Mac a roo’ N cheese

When I first started looking for Outback Steakhouse recipes, I tried several that I found online for free. Well, now I know why they were free. They were not even close to producing a taste like Outback Steakhouse. So I broke down and spent a little bit to buy this cookbook and was I ever surprised. I’m now the Aussie chef spending a third of what I spent eating out.

Outback Steakhouse recipes produce really good food in the restaurant, but produce really great food when it’s in your own home. Give it a try today mate. And Outback Steakhouse recipes are not the only one’s included. Applebees, Chilis, Olive Garden and TGI Fridays are some others just to name a few.

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Bill Lane Recipes , , , ,

Cooking Starts with Your Cookware Set

October 10th, 2009
by Hannah Jaceneer

Implementing the use of cookware sets in the kitchen is very common among those that enjoy creating various types of dishes. These unique collections of pieces collaborate to provide a type of improvement in the kitchen in which they will be used. While there are inexpensive sets available on the market, it is a given that a little bit of money will be required in order to acquire the pieces that will allow you the opportunity to create artistic and delicious dishes in your kitchen. Here, you will learn about common pieces that are included in cookware sets and the functionality of each.

There are distinct advantages to buying a cookware set. The biggest draw is that you save a large amount of money by buying a set as opposed to “per piece”. When purchasing individual pieces that are included in a collection, often the price quickly exceeds the price of a collection. Not only will your total cost be lower, but by purchasing a set you will have many of the pieces included that allow the ability to create numerous unique dishes in the kitchen. And many times, people don’t even know they need a particular piece until after they’ve already started making a dish.

One of the pieces you may find included in cookware sets is a Braiser pan. This pan may be round or oval shaped, typically with a glass lid in a dome shape. This pan will generally be a heavy piece, with handles are designed to stay cool even though the pan is made to be used with intense heat. One of the advantages of this pan is that it can be used from stovetop to oven. Those who make dishes in cooking sets want the tight fitting lids, and on a Braiser pan this is especially important to keep the liquids inside the pan for cooking.

The Saucepan is another piece that is often included in cooking sets. This is a basic pot that is round and usually has sides that are steep. The bottom of the pan is normally flat. The lid is usually a typical aluminum or glass lid that assists in retaining heat. Individuals typically use this type of pot in order to create a variety of sauces and/or gravy. Many will also use this pan in order to create tasty soups, as well as to prepare vegetables and vegetable based soups and sauces. There are different levels of evaporation with each type of Saucepan on the market today.

When you are considering cookware sets, the saut? pan may be the single important piece of cookware. This versatile pan is used to create a wide range of dishes. While it resembles a basic frying pan, by examining the sides you will see the distinct difference that makes it a saut? pan. These pans are short and straight instead of curved.

The Stockpot is another popular cooking piece included in cooking sets. This is a tall pot that does not have much width to it. The sides are often straight and it comes with a handle on either side. If there is a need to simmer a variety of liquids, this is the type of piece that you should seek out when shopping for cookware sets. Common liquids prepared in this type of pot include chili and soups. However, it can be used to successfully prepare pasta too – especially if a pasta insert is used.

Shopping for cookware sets, you may be delighted with discovering not only these pieces, but some of the more specialized pieces that may be included with some sets. These may include roasting and paella pans, an omelet pan, woks or sauteuse pans. Learning how to get the full use out of these pieces will help you get the full benefit of your cookware. Quality cookware sets are an investment that help make your creative endeavors in the kitchen a success.

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Hannah Jaceneer Food and Drink , , , , , , , ,

Basic Tips For Good Steak

October 6th, 2009
by K.C. Kudra

A good steak meal could mean many different things, but people are still asking how to cook the perfect steak. For every person, that is going to be a little different, but these tips can be a big help for anyone who wants to make their meat better. Let us take a look at some of the basic techniques that will help you make great steak.

Step one is thinking about the cut of meat you will be using. Good beef that is produced in a humane way is getting more popular for its greater tenderness and flavor. Even traditionally tough cuts of meat from quality producers may be better than the better cuts from a large commercial producer.

The good news is that it is getting a lot easier to find a good steak, so do not be afraid of asking for it. For many people, grass fed and finished beef is tastier and has a stronger flavor, making it preferable. Just remember that beef from these producers is not as reliable or consistent as beef from the big factory farms.

Once you know you have the right meat, it is time to look at your heat source. Charcoal grilling is a popular option, and one of the most traditional, but a grill pan over an electric or gas stove, a broiler, or learning how to cook a steak on a gas grill are also great options. Just make sure you are using high heat.

Now, you will need to prepare your steak. Do not brush your grate or pan with oil, lightly oil the steak. That keeps smoke down. Next, season your steak lightly. Just salt and pepper will do it, though there are lots of marinade options out there for those who would like to get a little fancier with their beef.

When the steak goes on the hot surface, it needs to sizzle. If it does not, your pan or grating is not hot enough. Leave a steak where you have placed it for several minutes, since it will need to be undisturbed for a while to cook most of the way. Avoid overcooking meat, however. Turn a rare steak three to four minutes into the cooking process, before that telltale red juices form on the upper surface. Turn a medium rare steak when you first see those juices and a medium well one when the juices begin to run together.

How long should you cook the other side of the steak? Two minutes less than the first side is a good standard rule that will prevent overcooking. Test the steak with an instant read thermometer, not a fork or knife, to keep the juices in.

After cooking, it is time to rest your steak. Place it fat side down, at 90 degrees to the pan you cooked it in. Do that by taking the pan away from the heat source and propping the steak up to keep it from sweating. Do not be tempted not to rest the steak, or you will lose the juices. Wait half the time you took cooking and you will have a great piece of meat.

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K.C. Kudra Recipes , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Three Reasons Why You Should Own A Panini Maker

October 5th, 2009
by Chef Ichibanda

Tired of same old soggy lunch meat sandwich? If you’re like me, I’m sick of eating the same boring, square, barely passable meal. Then I found the Panini which is a delicious, crispy, healthy sandwich. There are so many reasons to get your own Panini maker and start making your own delicious creations.

Panini is actually Italian and is not a grilled sandwich in Italy. Everywhere else a Panini is grilled to delicious perfection. The word in its singular form is panino and Panini is plural. Well just continue to call it a Panini; I guess Ill just have to eat two.

A Panini press or maker is a electricity powered sandwich cooker. Its similar in design to a waffle iron in that it has two hot sides that grill the sandwich to delicious perfection. They come in several sizes too depending on your needs. If you serve many or just yourself there is a Panini maker that’s just right for you.

If you’re watching your caloric intake then paninis make for a great nutritious meal. Utilizing vegetables, lean meats such as chicken or turkey, and whole grain bread will allow you to construct the perfect dieters meal without the diet taste. Why is will it taste so good? Well the panini press or maker will heat the sandwich through and through making the wonderful, and healthy, juices of the meat and veggies mix together. You won’t believe how wonderful it tastes.

Speedy meals: After you plug your Panini maker in you’re ready to make a quick and delicious meal. Just brush a little butter or oil on the bread to get that crispy crust. The process is so fast. Just pop in the fillings and the panini is done in minutes from start to finish. There’s no reason to wait for such great taste.

The great thing about paninis is you can make the same sandwich you always eat but it will taste entirely different. Try out all different kinds of fillings to make the perfect sandwich. If you like apple turnovers or tasty fruit desserts then you’re in luck. The panini maker can make delicious desserts as well. Just pop in your favorite fruit or sweet filling and you have yourself a crispy dessert.

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Chef Ichibanda Food and Drink , , , , , , , , ,

Staying Healthy And Eating Vegetables

September 30th, 2009
by Holly Hanson

The new trend lately is getting healthy and feeling good about yourself. When it comes right down to it the best way to do that is going to be through exercise and healthy eating. It is not a healthy idea to think that diet pills and supplements will solve all over your problems. These pills hold no magic at all and will only take up your hard earned money. Eating vegetables and living a healthy life is what will actually make a difference in your life.

The internet and the world are full of ways to get healthy and stay in shape by eating right. The truth is most of us would rather grab a bag of salty chips than a bag of fresh vegetables. The food pyramid tells you that you must eat a certain amount of veggies, fruits, grains, etc. At the very top of the pyramid you will see that a minimal amount of sugar should be eaten.

Natural sweeteners are flowing throughout all kinds of fruits and vegetables. The sweet taste that you find when you bit into an apple is a taste that is very healthy for us to enjoy. Why not put down the fatty bag of chips and choose a light salad before dinner or lunch? Making choices like these will help you get in shape and stay that way.

A great benefit to eating vegetables is the fact that you can grab them and go. People love to be able to get their food on the run. You can grab a bag of chips or a fast food meal in less than 10 minutes. Grocery stores are now providing pre-cut fruits and vegetables. You can grab these for a snack or even lunch. This just goes to show you that choosing healthy choices can be quick and easy as well.

Keeping yourself regular is incredibly important. If you do not eat the right foods, you may find that you are a lot more constipated than most. This is because you are not getting enough fiber in your diet. Eating the right amount of vegetables everyday is going to help you stay regular and stay healthy.

You should also compare the amount of money that you save on vegetables and healthy food. People each year spend thousands of dollars on fast food and it just makes them look and feel gross. Instead, put the money you save towards a new treadmill or a membership to the gym!

For the most part you can look at vegetables as a natural way to detoxify your body. There are various antioxidants that have been proven to keep your body up and running. Your immune system will be incredibly strong and you will wake up every morning feel refreshed and ready for the day!

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Holly Hanson Health , , , ,

Making Ice Cream Using An Electric Ice Cream Maker – Tips To Make It Great

September 30th, 2009
by Mia Kane

My friends are always asking me is it cheaper to make your own ice cream or buy it. As well as lots of other benefits, yes it can also be cheaper. That’s up to you.

Except for rare occasions, my ice cream is nearly always cheaper than If I had bought it. As I say unless I put some really expensive liquor into it (at the request of a family member). I make a lot of ice cream, so I do need to keep the cost down. Tinned fruit and frozen fruit goes a long way in helping me with cost.

Seasonal fruit is cheaper. So I buy it at its cheapest and freeze it. Crush it and mush it up if it makes it easier to store in your freezer. I also go out picking with the kids if I can, blackberries and blueberries.

But I do find frozen and tinned fruit work really great. Remember you can buy fruit in season when it’s really cheap and freeze it yourself. Here are some other tips for making sure you get great ice cream.

1. Ice cream should never be re frozen once it has truly thawed out. It will look terrible as the texture changes, and you run the risk of getting food poisoning.

2. Sometimes I make my ice cream manually, especially when I want to entertain the kids for an afternoon. I get them involved and helping. Mostly though I use an electric ice cream maker, when you make ice cream several times a week, the hands on approach of manual making can be laborious and time consuming.

3. Remember, your home made version will not (fortunately) have preservatives or additives in it like you are used to with commercial ones. This means it won’t last as long so try to eat within 10 days to a couple of weeks.

4. It’s best not to serve your ice cream too cold. It can give you brain freeze, but also takes away from the flavor because it’s just too cold to taste properly. Take out of the freezer for about 10 minutes before you dive in.

5. I keep and freeze all left over chocolate sweets and biscuits. They come in really handy, when looking for something to add to the mixture or just crumble over before serving.

6. Blueberries must not go into the ice cream. When they freeze they go rock hard and could take out a tooth. So if you want to put them in, crush them first or just serve them on the side.

Home made ice cream tastes great, and you know exactly what goes into it. Involving the children if you have them is good fun and starts getting them interested in how things are made. They love to bring it around to their friends houses to show off. All around great value for money.

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Mia Kane Food and Drink , , , , , , ,