Slow Cooker Style Chili With Chicken (or Beef), Tempeh and Dark Beer

Just a word about one of the “special” ingredients, tempeh…..

In case you don’t know what it is, tempeh (pronounced tem-pay) is a chunky and nicely textured cake of fermented soybeans that originates from Indonesia. The fermentation process the soybeans undergo en route to becoming tempeh actually make them more nutritious and more digestible (and also eliminates those enzyme inhibitors anti-soy enthusiasts are always griping so much about.) Tempeh is also surprisingly yummy and super versatile!! You can do all sorts of exciting things with it including grilling, roasting, marinating, pan searing, etc. However, when you mix tempeh with ground beef it pretty much takes on the flavor of the meat you are cooking and just blends right in. And because the protein in tempeh is far more digestible than what you would ingest through animal protein (thanks to tempeh’s fermentation process), combining tempeh with other meats greatly aids in overall digestion. Oh yes, and tempeh is also very, very, very rich in tummy-filling, waist- slimming fiber (about 11 grams of fiber per 16 grams of carbs).

Where to buy tempeh?

Luckily tempeh is becoming much more mainstream these days and many supermarkets now carry it (and of course you can find it at pretty much any natural foods stores). Look for tempeh in the refrigerated section of whatever store you buy it from.

I always love hearing feedback. So, if you try this recipe and like it (or don’t!) or if you make any changes please let me know. Happy Healthy Eating!!

Ingredients (Serves:

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large Spanish onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon unrefined sea salt, plus more to taste
1 pound lean organic pastured white meat ground chicken (or grass-fed ground beef or ground ostrich)
3 tablespoons white whole-wheat flour
1 (8-ounce) package tempeh, crumbled
3/4 cup yellow raisins (optional)
2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes with juices
2 (14.5-ounce) cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 packed tablespoons chopped canned chipotle peppers (seeds removed) in adobo sauce
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup canned pumpkin (optional)
1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers marinated in oil, drained and patted dry
1 (12-ounce) bottle dark beer
11/2 cups shredded low-fat organic extra sharp cheddar cheese
6 scallions, finely chopped

Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add onion and garlic, and saute 5-6 minutes, until onions are soft. Season the onion and garlic lightly with salt. Add the ground chicken (beef) and saute, breaking meat up with a spoon, until the meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and stir until well blended. Stir in the crumbled tempeh. Season again with salt to taste.

Transfer the onion, meat, and tempeh mixture to a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in the raisins, tomatoes, pinto beans, and chipotle peppers.

Place the chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, pumpkin, red peppers, and beer in a blender and pure until smooth. Add the beer pure to the slow cooker. Place the cover on the slow cooker and cook the chili on low heat for 5-6 hours. Allow the chili to cool 15 minutes before serving. Season with salt. To serve, ladle the chili into deep bowls and top with shredded cheese and scallions.

Serving Suggestions: For a complete meal try serving with corn bread muffins and a spinach salad topped with avocado, sundried tomatoes, lime juice, flax oil, shaved almonds and chopped Kalmata olives.

Food Fight

What is the food best helicopter to buy?

I would buy a food chopper to cut food dehydrator. He the hope of buying a food chopper old on ebay. I have to look Oster and Rival food chopper and the information I get is about the meat grinder. Does anyone know anything about the table attached to? Thanks in advance for your information.

Does this mean that a food processor? When a machine think food chopper I think of those little cheap plastic gadgets, such as the Chop Slap (no offense). If we are talking about a food processor, then assistant Cooking is the way forward … Less expensive than Cusineart and just as tough.

French Pastry Making Tips

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Food Fight

Green Tea Health Benefits - How This Drink Can Help You

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The World of Chef Knives

Those who love to cook food know the importance of good quality knife in kitchen. A chef knife is a valuable tool in every kitchen. They are versatile and can be used for any job. It’s a humble transformation of butcher knife and also known as French Knife. It has become as one of the most general cutting tool of the kitchen now. It was developed to cut slice and beef. Nowadays, a Japanese upgraded version of chef knife named as Santoku is also famous among Western cooks. Santoku Knife can cut fish, vegetables and boneless meats such as chicken with equal excellence and precision. This knife is actually a sheep’s foot sharp blade with a strong handle. Another extension of these knives is steak knives which are used to cut steak and poultry meats. These knives sets are considered as popular gifts during holiday seasons and can do three tasks such as mincing, chopping and dicing.

These knives are of high quality, sharp and versatile. The two most important factors while buying them are the consideration of your requirements and budget. If the length or sharpness of your knife’s blade is not what you need, it can make your meal preparation seem a life long exercise. Generally they are affordable but branded knife could be costlier because their cutting quality and durability is much more than the ordinary. The cost of Chef knives depends on the bolster, tang and handle. The quality of these manufacturing elements not only creates variation in the costs but also in the life of knives. The handle of knife should be comfortable and shouldn’t have hard corner handles. Hard corners are uncomfortable and produce calluses on hands. Generally they are made of wood, steel, plastic or rubber. Rubber handles have an easy grip and are comfortable.

Knives Blade should be of stainless steel. Carbon steel blades are easy to sharpen, have better sharpness and more comfortable level on hands than stainless steel. Ideally the lengths of blade are 6 inches, 8 and 10 inches. 8 inches blades are more versatile and can be used for all cutting purposes. For more clear cuts and smaller pieces, 6 inches blades are better.

Food Fight

Is Tava Tea Safe?

If you are wondering whether or not Tava Tea is safe to drink as a weight loss remedy, you should know that not only is it safe and effective, it is also very good for you! It is a blend of three of the finest tea leaves available anywhere in the world, Sencha, Wuyi Cliff Oolong and Pu-erh, and they have been used for their healthful benefits for many thousands of years across the Orient.

They are known to cleanse the system of toxins which makes Tava Tea an amazing liver restorative as well as an effective weight loss agent. Those same antioxidants also provide for clearer, more radiant, younger looking skin.

There have been no reports of anyone having suffered any serious side effects or adverse reactions from drinking it that was brewed and consumed as directed. Quite the contrary, people are reporting that they are losing an amazing amount of weight without significantly altering their lifestyle or eating habits and they are also saying they look and feel better than they have in years. They are more energetic and find that they have better mental clarity.

Diabetics should check with their physicians first because this tea does affect glucose and insulin in the blood, and people with cardiovascular issues should understand that tea naturally contains caffeine. Pregnant and lactating mothers should also consult with their doctors prior to drinking Tava Tea since safety for use in children has not been established. Losing weight can be a tough thing to do, but drinking tea has been known for a long time to increase metabolism and boost healing properties in the body.

Food Fight

Cook it Slow - Using a Slow Cooker

Ever have one of the days when you came home wishing your dinner was ready and waiting for you? Slow cookers can help make that wish come true. A slow cooker, or crock pot could turn out to be one of your best kitchen helpers.

You may think slow cookers are old and outdated but today’s modern crock pots have some upgraded features. Crock pots come in variety of sizes and shapes making it easy to find one that is right for your family size or the types of meals you’ll want to prepare. Extra features include programmable timers, latches for safely transporting, as well as removable crocks for easier clean up and storing.

Turning meals into quick work takes just a few simple steps:

• First, you’ll want to find recipes that are designed for a crock pot or slow cooker. Lots of recipe websites will have sections dedicated to slow cookers. Have some frozen chicken you don’t know what to do with? A simple search will yield numerous options. Then you may want to make a few alterations based on portioning or taste. You will be amazed at the variety of things you can cook in your crock pot.

Next is the preparation. You can do this the night before or the morning of. Sometimes you can even prepare your ingredients for freezer storage saving you even more time. Preparation usually involves chopping veggies, preparing any meats with seasoning, skinning or chunking, and adding water, sauce, etc.

A slow cooker is just that. It is designed to cook all day. You may want to invest in a slow cooker with a timer. These models allow you to set the cooking time, with the unit switching to a warm setting when cooking is complete. No more worrying about your dinner being overcooked. Your home will smell wonderful and there is no waiting to eat.

The crock pot can be a great time saving tool. By preparing your meal in the crock pot you can come home to a great meal no matter what your day involved.

Your slow cooker can really help out if you are on a budget as well. You can buy inexpensive cuts of meat and turn them into delicious meals. Meats that are usually tough, practically melt like butter after slow cooking. Simply add a side or two and your done! You can also make large meals to freeze for later use thus saving you even more money.

You may think slow cooking is not for you. Once you discover the array of recipes that are out there and the money and time you can save, you might just wonder how you ever lived without one.

Food Fight

What is the difference between cat food and dog food?

Obviously the cat food has different nutrients from food for dogs but if my cats eat dog food and my dog eats cat food, will harm any of them? Is there really much difference?

Eating foods other occasionally used to make any harm.Dont encourage or leave, because as you mentioned their nutritional needs are not the same, a steady diet of food cats to a dog, or vice versa, would not be healthy at all, but if your dog occasionally sneaks a little cat food, have nothing to worry about.

5 Tea Sorts and Their Health Benefits

There are some well known types of teas – Black, White, Oolong, Green, Pu Erh. And each of these tea has its own unique set of properties and benefits for overall health and weight loss. Which benefits are those exactly? Read the description for each of 5 tea sorts.

Tea Sorts

Teas in all their forms are easy for the organism to process and are excellent for those people who are on a body cleanse or who have delicate digestive systems. Tea contains virtually zero calories unless you add milk and sugar, so it is a great solution to decrease your calorie consumption as an alternative for more fattening beverages such as coffee. It is enjoyed by many as one of the more pleasant and convenient aids for weight loss. Tea is the most commonly consumed drink worldwide on a par with water. With so many various tea sorts such as Green, Black, White, Oolong Wuyi (Wu Long) and Pu Erh, how beneficial are they to our overall health?

White Tea

White Tea is said to contain a high level of natural antioxidants that are linked with helping to lower the risk of heart disorders and cancer. It also helps to decrease the amount of harmful toxins in the body. It is an uplifting tea, ideal for those who need a pep up or if they are feeling run down. Traditional Chinese Medicine claim that White tea has a cooling effect, particularly a blend called Silver Needle which is commonly used to treat dental disorders, fevers, inflammation, and skin problems.

Black Tea

Black Tea is not as plentiful in health properties compared to other teas although it still has health benefits of its own. It contains very high levels of the antioxidants Thearubigins and Theaflavins. As well as having the same benefits as general antioxidants do, studies show that these elements work as strong anti-clastogenics which help prevent breakage and breakdown of cells. It is thought to help with circulatory problems as it increases warmth in the body.

Green Tea

Green Tea also contains a high level of natural antioxidants. One of its main antioxidant compounds Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has been researched closely for its health benefits and results have shown it is highly effective in losing weight and lowering cholesterol levels. EGCG at its highest concentration is found in the very young, new unopened buds of tips of the plant. Similarly to White Tea it also is thought to have a cooling effect and is widely used to treat inflammations.

Pu Erh Tea

Pu Erh Tea is well established for its weight loss benefits. It works alongside the metabolism and helps to breakdown the fat deposits in the body. It is considered to be one of the most helpful of tea varieties in its many amazing properties, such as decreasing blood lipid content, lowering plaque build up in the arteries and helping to aid normal digestion. It is rumoured it decreases the effects of a hangover if consumed before and after alcohol drinking!

Oolong Tea

Oolong Tea (Wu Long) contains the very highest concentration of Polyphenols. Polyphenols are believed to help destroy free radicals in the body which we get regular exposure from though pollutants in the environment, chemicals in meals and even those that occur naturally in the organism. Oolong is said to be warming, aid digestion, be very cleansing of impurities and help for headaches relief.

Food Fight

Junk Food People - I've Gotten You These Healthy Tips!

I had been asked to post some tips for healthy cooking, which was an article I wanted to write about because they are many easy tips that you can try/do at home in your kitchen. What you can do is to write them out on a paper and attach them to your fridge or somewhere in the kitchen so you’ll keep practice them till they are registered in your head.

One of the first tips is that if you are a big time salt favourite, it’s time to hide the salt shaker out of your site as sodium then is found in pre packages that we buy from nearby supermarkets. Instead of salt try to use natural spices & herbs which they don’t contain sodium but are flavorful. Try to control seasoning (salt & pepper) in meats, vegetables as nowadays you find (low sodium veggies) etc… Another tip is that canned foods are mainly preserved in brines so before you used them try to wash them to reduce the amount of saltiness. Try these tips and start using cooking spray which contains less fats.

Best cooking methods for Healthy cooking are;

Stir-fry – Use a wok to cook vegetables, poultry and seafood in vegetable stock, wine or a small amount of oil. Avoid high-sodium seasonings like teriyaki and soy sauce.

Microwave – This is a good alternative because it’s fast and doesn’t add fat or calories.

Roast – Put a rack in the pan so the meat or poultry doesn’t sit in its own fat drippings. Instead of basting the meat with pan drippings, use fat-free liquids like wine, tomato juice or lemon juice. When making gravy from the drippings, use a gravy strainer or skim ladle to remove the fat.

Grill or broil – Always use a rack so fat drips away from the food.

Bake – Bake foods in covered cookware with a little extra liquid.

Poach – Cook chicken or fish by immersing it in simmering liquid.

Saute – A pan made with nonstick metal or coated with a nonstick surface is a terrific investment, because it lets you use little or no oil without having food stick. You also can use a nonstick vegetable spray, a small amount of broth or wine, or a tiny bit of oil rubbed onto the pan with a paper towel. When necessary, use liquid vegetable oils that have no more than 2 g of saturated fat per tablespoon.

Steam – Steam vegetables in a basket over simmering water. They will retain more flavor and won’t need any salt.

Make favorite recipes healthier by substituting ingredients to cut down on the content of fat (particularly saturated fat). You and your family probably won’t even notice a difference in taste.

Food Fight

The Benefits of Online Bakeries

The right kosher friendly baker can certainly make a difference to your daily bread. This is the kind of bakery wherein you will find all possible natural products baked to perfection without an iota of preservatives added to it. That is what you get when you buy at the online bakery set up exclusively for the most natural of bakery products be it challahs, cookies, loaves of freshly baked bread straight out of the hot oven and anything to do with baked products.

Enjoy the wonderful benefits that a first time round online bread bakery will fetch you. When you log in for the first time, and sign up you get a discount coupon that you can redeem on your buys either in person or at the online bread bakery.

Round the year, there are several exclusive deals and newsletters which you will be privy to once you sign up for the newsletter and you will receive this all throughout the year. The bakery uses the method of hand grinding the wheat in a wheat mill the old traditional way. This gives you the added health benefits of eating the roughage as well as the wheat and the entire vitamin Bs and others needed are got in your daily dose of bread. When you come to the online bakeries, you have a vast variety of products to choose from. No longer will you be guilt ridden when you eat these most scrumptious of melt in the mouth macaroons, challah or loaf of bread as they are all made from handpicked natural ingredients. If you are worried about the amount of sugar going into your body you needn’t be as honey is used as a natural sweetener in these bakes.

The best thing about this online bakery is that you can order all of these goodies, freshly baked and straight out of a hot oven and have them delivered right at your doorstep. You needn’t worry if you are not in that side of the town to get your daily dose of no preservative laden, not laced with harmful white sugar bread.

These loaves of bread are the best in taste and delicious right down to the last crumb. You will love the melt in your mouth, soft and fresh pastries, challahs and cookies along with other specific bakery products too.

When you log on to the online bakery you will find the section choc a block full of the most delicious and mouth watering of products. It is so easy to order from the online bakery section. Browse the products, select what your heart desires and complete the checkout. Yes, shopping for your best challahs and macaroons no longer involves travelling long distances, waiting in queues and jostling through the crowds to get the bakers’ best.

Once you have witnessed the convenience of the online bakery experience, you are certainly not going to go back to the older shopping method.

Food Fight

The Glamorous Art of Pruning Part 1

So much goes into making a good bottle of wine. Besides the requisite rows of polished stainless tanks and candle-lit chestnut-hooped barrels, there is the furrowed brow of the philosophical winemaker and the vast, imposing backdrop of the arched and pillared winery itself. Surely there is little significance, and certainly less glamor, out in the muddy, dormant vineyard in winter?

Winemakers joke about the most important tool of their trade. For some it is their nose, for some a mop, and now, perhaps, it is even the ubiquitous Blackberry, iPhone, or the like. For me, just ahead of my bicycle, it is a pair of pruning shears. Mine are standard-issue Felco no. 2. I don’t use them as frequently or as vigorously as I used to, but they accompany me on critical trips to the vineyard.

Pruning is not glamorous. It is done in unpleasant weather, all day long, quite monotonously. It is not highly-paid work, and rarely garners public attention like a pressing or a bottling might. Yet the well-executed art of the pruner lays the foundation for the production of all high-quality wines.

Left to its own devices, a grapevine will produce a tangle of shoots, in the hope that one or two will find their way to the top of a tree and produce some fruit there which may prove attractive to a passing bird, thereby assuring the continuity of the species. In brief, the goal of pruning (and subsequent vine management) is to fool the vine into thinking that every one of its grape clusters is so ideally positioned, and therefore to pack every berry with maximum flavor for the fortunate bird. Pruning is also the first, and most important, step in controlling yield, helping assure that the vine’s limited resources are allocated to only as much fruit as can confidently achieve ripeness.

All pruning methods are some adaptation of either cane or spur pruning, two words which capture the somewhat punitive nature of the task. Whether one is employing one of the many common variations on the theme, including guyot, bi-lateral cordon, lyre, Scott Henry, or simple head-pruning, one is still making use of either a cane, or a spur to achieve the above goals of fruit-positioning and crop limitation. The obvious difference is that the spur pruning method makes use of several short sections of last-year’s growth to provide this year’s fruiting wood, while the cane pruning method employs one or two longer canes per vine. Thus, while both vines may have been pruned to, say, twenty buds per vine, the cane-pruned vine achieves this with two ten-bud canes, while the spur pruned vine achieves it with ten two-bud spurs.

Why should this matter? Pruning style is usually determined by varietal, region, and the preferences of the vineyard manager. Certain varietals may bear fruit more consistently when cane pruned, especially those varietals which do not have very fruitful basal buds, the first bud on the shoot, which is always one of the two or three buds left on a spur. Other varietals perform better when spur pruned, and would yield inconsistently on a cane. Vineyards in cooler regions tend to lean more towards cane pruning, since it is a type of pruning that provides a degree of insurance against wild swings in crop load by not relying solely on the fruitfulness of the first two or three buds on a shoot. Those first few buds are the first to form, and therefore are the most likely to have developed during cold weather, a challenge which can restrict their tendency to bear fruit.

The cane vs. spur decision is also frequently a matter of logistics. Spur pruning of any sort is generally easier to teach and practice, and requires less subjective decision-making on the part of the person wielding the shears. This can be a relief to the vineyard manager looking for absolute consistency in the vineyard, where the varying pruning styles of individual workers does not have any real impact on the shape of the vines from row to row.

Cane pruning is often considered more of an art. The pruner must look at the vine as a whole, select a new fruiting cane of adequate girth, length, and position, make a cut to improve or maintain the desired shape of the vine, then take the added step of planning for the following year by leaving a renewal spur in a location that won’t interfere with the shoots growing from the fruiting cane, and that will maintain a low vine head. A skilled pruner enjoys the challenges of cane pruning, but when it is done badly it can create a lot of extra work in the vineyard.

In part two I will explore how two neighboring vineyards employ different pruning tactics, and why.

Gus Janeway

Food Fight

Garden Tips and Seasonal Recipe For May

May Garden Tips and Seasonal Recipe

TASKS FOR MAY

o Keep hoeing weeds

o Put straw around strawberry plants.

o Monitor weather for frosts and heavy rain (both can cause damage to young tender plants).

o Don’t forget to harden off plants before planting out

o Mulch soil to retain moisture. If ground is very dry irrigate before mulching.

SOW OUTDOORS…

Beetroot, cabbages (autumn), calabrese (main crop), carrots, cauliflowers (autumn/winter), chicory, courgettes, French beans, lettuce, marrows, peas, pumpkins, radish, runner beans, spring onions, Swedes, sweetcorn, Swiss chard, squash.

PLANT OUT

Leeks, transplant any seedlings brought on in a green house

WHAT YOU COULD BE EATING THIS MONTH…

Asparagus, cabbages (spring), rhubarb, lettuce, radish, rocket, borage.

CREATIVE KITCHEN

This a lovely simple dish served ideally as a starter or perfect for a light lunch with dressed baby leaf salad

Cold Herb Omelette Pancake with Asparagus and Soured Cream

16-24 spears of English asparagus, trimmed and peeled
Salt

For the omelette “pancakes”:

4 large eggs
Salt and freshly ground white pepper
1 tbsp finely chopped herbs (tarragon, chervil, parsley and chives)
2 tbsp double cream
Butter

For the sour cream dressing:

tsp English mustard powder
Pinch of caster sugar
Squeeze of lemon juice
4 tbsp soured cream
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 tbsp snipped chives

Fill a large pot with water, add plenty of salt and bring to a rolling boil. Drop in the asparagus, return to the boil and cook them until just tender. Drain and refresh under cold running water. Lay out on a tea towel to dry.

To make the omelette pancakes, beat together the eggs with seasoning and herbs and then stir in the cream. Melt a tiny amount of butter in a small frying pan (non-stick for ease) over a moderate heat, add 2 tbsp of egg mixture and gently swirl it around the pan in one thin layer. Allow it to set for several seconds, flip it over, count to 5 and slide it onto sheets of kitchen paper. Continue until you have 8 omelettes. Set aside until needed.

To make the dressing, simply fold the ingredients together in a small bowl. Spread the dressing evenly over the 8 omelettes and place the asparagus spears in the middle of each. Roll up the omelettes quite tightly and press gently together with the tips of your fingers. Serve 2 per person, together with offering s of thinly sliced brown bread and butter handed at table.

Food Fight

!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>? FOOD

What is your fav food and why?

I love lobster. I find it easy to prepare and easy to digest. In addition, I like making meatloaf and really enjoy cold meatloaf sandwich with mustard the next day. Turkey is a great and versatile, and I can have leftovers all week. Turkey fried rice, hot turkey sandwiches, sandwiches to name a few. Sometimes I'm in the mood for cabbage rolls in tomato sauce.

Chocolate - Eat it, Gift it, Decorate With It

Chocolate is truly a gift from the Gods. You can eat it, gift it, and decorate with it. These little roasted cocoa beans are amazingly versatile, good for your health, and always make you smile. Its uses seem to be endless.

To process the beans they pick them, ferment them, roast them, and then grind them up, creating a paste (chocolate liquor). Then it is hardened into blocks of bitter chocolate (used in baking), or treated by pressing out some of the cocoa butter, dried, and smashed into a cocoa powder. To make the good stuff we love to eat, more cocoa butter is added as well as sugar, for dark chocolate, and milk solids to turn it into milk chocolate.

There are too many ways to eat it to even begin to list them all. Used in cooking it can be a mole sauce, as a dessert, dip fresh fruit in it, dried figs and apricots, or bake zillions of delicious cakes, cookies, muffins, and tortes. Drink it hot when it is chilly outside, pop marshmallows in it for fun, or drink it cold. Snack on candy bars, bonbons, or mixed chocolates that contain fruit, nuts, caramel…

Chocolate makes a wonderful gift, for people of all ages. Wrap it up with a red bow and you have proclaimed your love to a sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. Molded into the shape of a bunny, a chicken, or an egg, and popped into their Easter baskets, it delights your children. Stuff it into their Christmas stockings for a treat after opening presents.

Have you been invited to dinner at a friend’s house? You don’t want to bring them wine, she is allergic to flowers, so what do you do? Bring a box of chocolates; perhaps those wonderful minty after dinner chocolates! You and your friends are having a get together “girlie” talk. Nothing will make the problems go away as easily as a box of good chocolates.

But that isn’t all. Chocolate is full of antioxidants, which help to prevent cancer. It also releases the endorphins in the brain, easing your stress and anxiety, and making you feel happier. Yes, it is high in saturated fats, but two thirds of the fat is not the bad kind. Dark chocolate is better for you than the milk chocolate.

We really need to thank the Aztecs and the Mayans for introducing us to the versatile world of chocolate. We eat it, gift it, and yes, even decorate with it. At Christmas you hang chocolate Santas, angels, and bells from your Christmas tree. Who can entertain without a candy dish filled with chocolates artfully placed on an end table? Holiday centerpieces with molded chocolate shapes can make your theme pop…and you can eat them later!

Food Fight

Eating Habits When it Comes to Healthy Dessert Recipes

Most people decide most of the things in life because of their habits. And if you ask me, what habit is – it is the things that you have experienced and that thing about which you are not very consciously aware most of the times. But when it comes to eating habits, the impact of habits is very subjective and depends from person to person. A person might like something for once and then might start hating it the next time or vice versa. It completely depends on the person’s attitude and mind set at that particular time.

However, the most common possibilities are – you might like a particular dish and you might not have eaten it from a long time. And after some years you taste the same dish and you may not like it. Similarly, you might have hated a vegetable for many years and suddenly after few years you taste it and you like the taste. You might not have tried eating it frequently because of the memory that was stored in your mind about the vegetable. So after tasting it and liking it you might just create a new habit that is to like the vegetable. So a habit can either sustain itself or create a new habit.

The same happens with desserts, most people like to eat desserts that are rich in sugar and calories because of their habit. When they had started eating these desserts, they would not have thought about how much calorie it contains and how bad a lot of sugar is for health, but because of this habit they tend to eat the same kind of desserts and invite diseases for themselves. Similarly in the other case a person who is familiar with healthy dessert recipes will not want to eat a normal dessert because of his habit. He might just ask before eating any desserts if it is a healthy dessert recipe or not. This is the effect of habits on eating habits. Hence to keep yourself fit and fine create a new habit of trying only healthy dessert recipes.

Food Fight

Making Pasta at Home

Pasta is basically a part of Italian cuisine which is now found in almost every nook and corner of the world. This food is made from dough of wheat with vegetable extract or eggs as additive ingredients sometimes. It is dried when made without egg and otherwise it is termed as fresh pasta. It is generally hard when uncooked and is cooked by boiling it. This mouth watering dish is generally served with sauce and is of various types depending upon its shape like spaghetti, macaroni, fusilli and lasagne meaning thin rods, tubes or cylinders, swirls and sheets respectively.

Though you will get the pasta from a store near you, but making it at home is really rewarding. By preparing pasta at home, you can give your family a healthy treat of taste and can also go for different flavours and shapes which you will not find at the store. Things you need to have are the wheat flour, eggs (vegetable stew if want to make them dry) and salt, according to the taste.

First of all you take flour and egg on the surface and blend both the things with salt till you get smooth dough. Water can be added if necessary. To avoid tearing of dough, do not forget the kneading step. After this make two parts of it and roll the dough over the surface with the help of the rolling pin. There are many pasta making machines available in the market, but for the better results go for the rolling pins. You need to roll it so that it may not stick to the surface. Always try to make the strip as thin as possible. This is done because when you boil and cook it, it becomes almost double of its size.

After you have made the thin sheets of your dough you can give it the desired shape like rolling then into tubes etc. or you can even make them stuffed. Now place them out for drying by stretching them over the supports. Now you can cook it with salted boil water. Since you have used eggs, you have to cook it at the most three times. You can also make the dry pasta by making use of the durum wheat flour and vegetable extract and it is prepared commercially. Though making pasta by hand demands much labour but it is worth making that effort.

If you want to make your pasta more colourful then you can add chocolates, vegetables and many other items according to your taste and interest. But you should keep in mind that adding vegetables to the dough will make it less elastic and more difficult to roll into the thin sheets. You can make your pasta along with cheese, black pepper and other various ingredients to enjoy this delicious treat with your family and friends. The love and affection you will serve your family by making it with your hands will have no match with the ones sold at the stores.

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Make Healthy Chicken Salad an All Day Meal

The salad gets its name from the French word salade and from the Latin word salata meaning salty. This word was used for the first time in the English language in the 14th century. It is said by food historians that the Romans and Greek ate a lot of green leafy vegetables, mixed with dressings and the Babylonians used vinegar and olive oil to dress their veggies. However, eating salad was popularized by the United States in the late 19th century and spread all over the world by the early 20th century. Be it a normal green salad, potato salad or a healthy chicken salad, these gained so much attention that it even started being on the shelves of supermarkets.

These multi-faceted foods can be made using different varieties of ingredients. You can serve it hot or cold, and at any point of the meal. Another advantage is that healthy salads prepared with care are lowfat and will help you work towards your weight loss goals. Salads can be consumed at any time throughout the day – breakfast, lunch or dinner. So try out these delicious recipes and enjoy a hearty meal!

Breakfast is a very important meal of the day. You should always eat a filling breakfast. It is of utmost importance if you are on a weight loss program. Having a nutritious salad will lower your urge to gorge in between meals, and you will feel good. Take a big salad bowl and add half cup of fat-free yogurt, egg less mayo and some minced onion. Grate one fourth cup of lowfat cheese and put the same into this bowl. Now tear one head of iceberg lettuce, slice I large piece of tomato and take out the whites of 2-3 hard boiled eggs. Finally mix all these in the dish and refrigerate for about an hour before having your fill!

Lunch or the mid-day meal is equally important for children and adults. We often skip lunch while at work, but it is very harmful for your health in the long run. So ensure that you always keep yourself and your family well fed during this time of the day. Make this yummy and healthy chicken salad with apple cubes as it is quick and easy to prepare. The ingredients for this salad are – two cups of cubed skinless chicken breast, one medium apple (keep it unpeeled), one tablespoon lemon juice, one celery stalk, thinly sliced, one fourth cup of raisins, and lowfat yogurt, lastly one teaspoon curry powder. Put the chicken, apple, raisins and celery into a bowl. Whisk the lemon juice, yogurt and curry powder in a cup and pour it all over the chicken. Toss it well and you have your tangy lunch ready to munch on.

Dinner should always be the lightest meal of the day. Therefore a healthy chicken salad is the best recipe to enjoy in the night. Take some croutons, iceberg lettuce and some sauted chicken breast pieces. Add this into a salad dish. Now pour in some lemon juice, salt and ground pepper to the salad. It will definitely be a crunchy delight for your taste buds.

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Quaker Oats Coupons As a Cost Effective Option

Quaker oats coupons are printable food coupons which are available online and can be used as a money saving option especially while buying food stuffs during this recessionary period. As an organization, Quaker has been supplying wholesome oats to the world for the last 130 years and has proved tenacious in its determination to promote the inclusion of oats as a power-packed and healthy food in the diet of people all over the world. Quaker oats was established in 1901 when several American grain pioneers like Ferdinand Schumacher, John Stuart, George Douglas and Henry Parsons Crowell joined hands to form a company which not only specialized in manufacturing oats but also snack bars, cereals, rice snacks and breakfast cookies.

Quaker Oats coupons can be availed through many websites and are popular due to their money saving nature. Hence, all it requires is a quick search on the internet which would not only yield a number of different food coupons over a short period of time but also the various ways in which these coupons can be acquired. Since coupons are available on many products apart from Oats, one can save on a lot of expenditure as regards the purchase of food stuffs.

Oats coupons are easily available on the internet from where they can be simply printed and used for acquiring a discount at any store which sells Quaker Oats. Since these coupons are printable, the user needs to download the coupons from the respective websites and then print them on the normal paper to be used at the local grocery store. In an era when coupon campaigns seem to be the latest trend among retailers, it is but natural that an alert consumer should not only be aware of such offerings but find an alternative to take advantage of them as well.

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Taste What Keurig K-Cups Have to Offer

People, as far as North America is concerned, have been captured by the unique single-cup coffee brewing systems and proprietary K-Cups in making their perfect cup of coffee. Keurig, a privately held company that markets best single-cup coffee makers and brewing systems for the office and the home, has merged with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. which acquired the remaining 65% of Keurig, Inc. last 2006 and currently owns 100% of its shares.

Keurig’s differentiating features is its brand distinction. It leads single-cup brewing both in the home and office extending about 200 varieties of K-Cups, Keurig is quickly establishing leadership in at home sales. Keurig K-Cups and brewers are currently sold in over 10,000 retail locations including Macy’s, Filene’s, Bloomingdale’s, Dillard’s, Marshall Fields, Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Linens ‘N Things and Bonton.

The company’s partnerships include Green Mountain, Diedrich, Gloria Jean’s, Timothy’s, Van Houtte, Newman’s Own Organics, Tully’s, Caribou, Coffee People, Emeril’s, Bigelow, Twinings, and Celestial Seasonings. Single-origin coffees from Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Colombia, Brazil, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Sumatra Along with exquisite custom blends, Fair Trade and organic varieties, and flavored coffees like Hazelnut, Chocolate Almond, or French Vanilla decaf and the finest 100% Arabica beans are carefully selected and prepared by the gourmet partners.

To build on the excitement of energy drinks, Green Mountain Coffee introduced 2 new K-Cup varieties recently. The revv and revv Pulse K-Cup portion packs. These are energy drinks packed with 100% Arabica coffee, while revv Pulse gives add-ons on ginseng and guarana to boost up performance.

Research showed that people love to take their coffee on the go using travel mug on a regular basis. That is why Green Mountain has launched last March 17, 2010 a new Travel Mug K-Cup portion pack that brews the largest brew size, with coffee varieties of Green Mountain Coffee Breakfast Blend, Green Mountain Coffee French Toast, and Donut House Extra Bold.

You have always wanted to improve the quality of your coffee. You just didn’t realize how easy it was going to be to do it. Consumers will benefit from the quality coffee experience and convenience provided by Keurig’s Single-Cup Brewing technology. To operate the machine, select a K-Cup portion pack of your favorite coffees or teas and places it in the brewer and then adds one cup of water and pushes the brew button. The coffee or tea should be ready in less than a minute. K-cups are minbrewers that eliminate the hassle of grinding beans, measuring coffee, handling filters and messy cleanup while brewing a gourmet cup of coffee or tea.

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Tips For Cooking the Best Crockpot Chicken Meal

Get to know tips to cook a crockpot chicken dish.

Chicken, is one of the most popular poultry item, consumed in every household. You can cook this in a hassle free manner by using a crockpot. The moist interior of this slow cooker lets the meat cook thoroughly and retains all its delicious flavors. Crockpot is a good appliance when you are planning to cook a leisurely meal for your family. You can start your crockpot chicken recipe overnight or early in the morning as it takes a long time (between 6 to 10 hours) to make.

However if you want to simmer that perfect crockpot dish, you have to keep in mind few techniques and tips that are very important. Every appliance has its own characteristic and you need to understand this before using it. This will help your meals turn out to be exactly how you planned it. So, let us discuss these tips for cooking the best crockpot chicken.

Firstly, you should not cook skinless portions of chicken in the crockpot. The skin will help retain the heat and juices inside the chicken while it is being cooked. If the skin is removed then the chicken will become dry and hard. Secondly, you should let the ingredients simmer in the pot for the required amount of time. Lifting off the lid time and again during the process will make the heat and moisture escape. This sets back the cooking time by about 20-30 minutes. Also, since the crockpot uses a low setting to cook, the loss in heat could spoil the dish.

The temperature that you keep the dish at is of utmost importance. The low temperature setting varies between 170 to 200 degrees F and the high setting around 300 degrees F. Whenever you are cooking a crockpot chicken make sure that the heating level goes at least up to 170 degrees, as at this point, any harmful bacteria that is there in the meat will be killed and the dish will be safe for you to eat.

It is ideal to use the leg and thigh portions for cooking a crockpot chicken recipe. These portions come cheap and are very low on any fat. It will serve best as the fat brings about an unpleasant texture in the whole thing. You also need to realize the importance of layering. The layering in a crockpot recipe is the pattern in which you add the ingredients to the pot. Since the vegetables take longer to cook than the chicken, they should be added first. This is to ensure that the vegetables are completely immersed in the liquid, which in turn helps it to cook better. So, when you are making French stew with chicken, add the vegetables first and then the meat pieces.

If you follow all the above tips while cooking your crockpot chicken meal, you will definitely have a finger licking audience for the same. These recipes are very good for your diet and can be combined with different varieties of side dishes like fish fry or grilled prawns, etc. If you want to make this for dinner, then add a rice course with some starters and sugar free dessert (incase anybody in your family has diabetes) to have a complete course!

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Why They Say Chocolate Has Health Benefits

Does chocolate have health benefits at all? Few studies and researches made not too long ago suggested it has. In fact, a lot of chemicals containing chocolate were found to be beneficial to the people’s health. So, it does contradict the old myth and half-truths surrounding the saying that anything that looks and tastes good is bad.

The health benefits are particularly true to cocoa, dark chocolate, and minimally-processed chocolate foods. Aside from the copper and magnesium, which aids in regulating blood pressure and heartbeat, they contain flavonoids, the ones that you also found in high-antioxidant green tea. As you probably know it already, antioxidants are good for the health as they accomplish a number of health benefits, such as the following:

- Improve circulation
- Lower blood pressure
- Stimulate kidneys, improve digestion
- Can help patients with poor appetite, kidney stones, and anemia
- Improve endothelial functions
- Guard against free radicals and other destructive molecules, which are known to trigger stroke and heart disease.
- Lower heart disease-related deaths

Flavonoids have two different kinds, the epicatechins and catechin. The catechin has been found to be rich in minimally processed chocolate foods and cocoa. This is known to aid in preventing heart disease illnesses and possibly cancer problems. It is also aid to boosting an individual’s immune system, this one also was recently discovered by the experts. Catechins can be found triple in amount in chocolates as compared to those found in teas.

But despite the discovered health benefits of chocolate, you have to be cautious at what type and amount of chocolate food you consume. As anything excessive can be bad to health, and that applies to chocolate too. Eating high quantities of chocolate can still cause weight and eventually trigger illness especially if you consume the less healthy type of chocolate.

In order to avoid the unpleasant consequences, you have to choose the right type of chocolate when consuming as not all kinds are good. For example, highly-processed chocolate food kind such as those in candy and bar forms have high calories, sugar, and fat contents, therefore, must be avoided at all cost. Healthy kinds are dark chocolate, cocoa, and any other minimally-processed chocolate food.

This is in relation to studies demonstrating possible effects by eating chocolates done by the experts to groups of participants. In a particular study, half of the group ate dark chocolate while the other white chocolate. One ones who ate white chocolate, showed no change in blood pressure, while the other who ate dark chocolate, significantly lowered their systolic blood pressure.

At another conducted Pennsylvania State University study,a different group of participants received low fat diet, except that the half got high-carb snack and the other consumed low fat chocolate bar for a certain length of time. The two split groups didn’t show difference in levels of bad or LDL cholesterol afterwards. However, those that ate chocolate bars did show increase in triglycerides, a type of heart-risk blood fat, and good or HDL cholesterol.

From these studies, it showed how chocolate can actually be a good diet food. However, note that the participants were only fed in minimal quantities of chocolates, therefore it is still not advised to consume this sweet treat more than what is required for you to take. Also, remember to avoid chocolate foods that are high in artificial flavorings, with dairy products, and sugars. Remember this: the less that it is processed, the more that health benefits you will get from chocolate.

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How to Make Apple Pie

There are dozens of ways to make an apple pie. Of course, this isn’t much help if you’re looking for a recipe to use right now. So what I’m going to offer in this article are some questions you should ask yourself before your go searching for that recipe. That way, you’ll be able to find the one that is just right for your needs.

Do you want a shallow or deep-dish pumpkin pie?

The answer to this question will help you determine not only the style of pie that will work best, but also how many apples you’ll need.

What kind of crust are you hankering for?

Do you want a traditional pastry crust? What about a crumb crust made out of shortbread or gingerbread cookies?

Will you want a covered or open-faced pie?

Because the apples in your pie can get dried out if you don’t put a cover on them, you may need to make a wetter sauce for an open-faced pie. If you choose covered, what kind of cover do you want? Full pastry? Latticed pastry? Or something more akin to a cobbler, made with crumbs, brown sugar and butter?

What type of filling do you prefer?

Do you want purest filling that is nothing but apples and sauce? Or do you want to get adventurous with flavor? Maybe you’d like to try a pumpkin-apple pie? What about a pear and apple pie? Custard and apple pie? Caramel apple pie? There is no limit to the combinations you can create… except that of your imagination.

How will you garnish your pie?

Depending on the flavors you’ve blended, you should select a garnish that not only looks nice but compliments the pie’s flavor mix. Garnishes can range from whipped topping or ice cream to toasted nuts or even mint leaves.

Once you’ve made all these decisions, finding the apple pie recipe you crave should be a whole lot easier.

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Thinking About Pasta Making at Home?

Fresh pasta is delectable and making one’s own pasta at home is satisfying as well as relatively easy, and many individuals are deciding to make their own personal pasta due to the much better flavor as compared with shop acquired varieties. The only piece of equipment you really need is a pasta making machine (obviously, you may use a rolling pin, but unless you’re an expert the final results won’t be nearly so good). A lot of machines are meant to roll and cut the pasta dough, though there are some designs available on the market that may mix and knead the dough also. Pasta makers can be found in two basic types: manual and also automatic.

Hand powered pasta making machines are nearly always considerably less expensive than the automatic type, be prepared to spend between 30 and 120 dollars. The trade off of course is definitely the increased work you must put in. Regardless of this, many people truly find the steps involved in personally rolling the dough fulfilling. If you do not anticipate preparing pasta very often, then a manual unit may be a good choice. Look for a model with a sturdy clamp enabling you to solidly anchor it to the kitchen table top. The unit ought to come with a good variety of cutters, a flat lasagna roller and allow not less than 6 unique thickness configurations. A stainless steel product is generally the best purchase than a chrome plated one.

The majority of automatic pasta makers are basically the exact same to manual ones, with an additional motor; you simply feed the pasta to the machine and it rolls as well as cuts it on your behalf. Frequently these devices have 2 or higher speed configurations and may be used in manual mode as well. Just like manual machines, look for a stainless steel product which has a good variety of attachments.

The preceding machines tend to be effective at making numerous pasta styles, such as spaghetti, lasagna, fettuccine, etc. If you need to cook some alternative pasta types, then there are specialist machines that you can purchase. For instance, ravioli, gnocchi and cavetelle makers.

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How to Make Quick and Easy Seafood Entree Salads

When you need a quick and easy entree salad, if you enjoy seafood, give these recipes a try. The Tuna Stuffed Peppers are simple to make, make a pretty presentation, and are great for a quick, light lunch. The Angel Hair Shrimp Salad combines two favorites, pasta and shrimp, into a great entree salad that is perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

QUICK AND EASY TUNA STUFFED PEPPERS

2 to 3 bell peppers, depending on size
1 can (12-oz) chunk light tuna, drained
2 tbsp light mayonnaise
2 tbsp Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup finely diced celery
Lemon slices for garnish, if desired

Cut peppers in half from the top to bottom; remove seeds and veins. In a small bowl, combine the tuna, mayonnaise, Italian salad dressing, and the diced celery. Divide the tuna mixture evenly among the pepper halves. Garnish with a lemon slice, if desired.

ANGEL HAIR SHRIMP SALAD

2 1/2 cups cooked angel hair pasta (approx. 5-oz uncooked)
3/4 cup chopped plum tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
1/3 cup chopped green onions
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped pitted black olives
1 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp dried oregano
3/4 lb cooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

In a large salad bowl, combine the angel hair pasta, tomato, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, green onions, lemon juice, olives, olive oil, thyme, black pepper, oregano, shrimp, and garlic. Sprinkle with the cheese and fresh parsley.

Yield: 5 servings of 2 cups each.

Enjoy!

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How much food you give your adult cat?

My cat is 1 year old, he is a male and weighs 12.2 pounds. It looks a bit overweight because has a gut that hangs down around his waist. I want to lose weight but do not know what portions of food to feed. Currently I feed him a half a can of wet food and 1 / 2 cup of dry food every day, divided into four meals. Am I overfeeding? How much should I be feeding him? The size I can give is 5.5 ounces

There is no such thing as dry "diet" cat food. Dry foods are full of carbohydrates that make your cat fat. You can not make a dry food without carbs, so no dry diet food. The proper amount to feed your cat per day should be about 5.5 ounces of moisture (The high-quality grain free canned or Raw Meat / Bones / Organ) food. The calories in that amount of food is sufficient for most "normal" sized cats. Of course a high-energy cat will need more food to keep it healthy, and a lazy cat will need less food to avoid obesity. Without But 5.5 ounces of wet food per day is a good place to start. Here is a fantastic site that will help you learn about feline nutrition! http://www.catinfo.org

Home Made Drinks For Weight Loss

There are several drinks, which are available in the market that can help you in losing weight at a faster pace. Do you know it is possible to lose weight by having certain home made drinks? Here’s how:

Chocolate Milk:

After your workouts, prepare a tumbler of chocolate skim milk. You need good amount of protein along with calories. To repair your muscle cells, you should drink skimmed milk. The coco beans present in chocolate have several antioxidants that help you repair cells in the muscles. Skimmed milk contains very low fat, and thus keeps essential nutrients in refined taste.

Fruit smoothies:
Fruit smoothies will help you lose weight. Fruits are main source of antioxidants as well as vitamins. You should choose fruits which have more water content. By consuming these kinds of fruits, you will feel fuller. To blend the fruits, you need mixer, skimmed milk, yogurt without fat, ice pieces or chilled water. You must drink this smoothie early morning or after workout. Prepare fruits smoothies as a substitute to a calorific dessert.

Ice chilled water:

Ice chilled water is not so expensive drink. It helps you to lose weight. Just 200 calories per day, and you can burn the fat fast. Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water everyday. DO you know that the ice destroys more calories?

To keep your body temperature normal, you must drink plenty of water. By drinking water, metabolism rate also increases by twenty-five percent within half an hour. Before taking meal, you should drink a glass full of water so that your stomach remains full. This way, you can avoid overeating, and thus start losing excessive weight.

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Kare-Kare - The Philippine Dish of Ox Tripe and Tail With Peanut Sauce

This heavenly Philippine dish consists of ox tripe, ox tail, eggplant, and banana blossoms. Stewed in a decadent peanut sauce, this delicacy is better paired with bagoong, or pork and shrimp paste. The bagoong is customarily served to give the flavor a boost.

As far as the nutrients are concerned, kare-kare’s tripe, tail, and peanuts are all rich in protein. The peanuts are also rich in niacin and the vegetables are excellent sources of ascorbic acid and folic acid.

The only problem with kare-kare is the sodium content. The bagoong is very high in sodium and the beef tripe is a deadly source of cholesterol and fats.

The dish is cooked in 3 parts: the meat, the vegetables, and the sauce.

Meat: 1/4 cup cooking oil, 25 g garlic, 25 g onions, atsuete juice, 500 g ox tripe, 500 g ox tail, 1/4 tsp salt

Vegetables: 1/4 cup cooking oil, 100 g garlic, 100 g onions, 12 tsp atsuete juice, 2 kilos banana heart, 1 tail string beans, 1 kilo eggplant, 500 pechay, 8 tsp salt. 8 cups water

How to cook: Add cooking oil, garlic, and onions until brown, and then add atsuete juice. Add string beans, banana heart, eggplant, and pechay and water. Allow to simmer for a few minutes and season with salt.

Sauce

Ingredients: 3.5 cup soup stock, 3 cups all purpose flour, 3 cups atsuete juice, bottle of peanut butter, 300 g whole peanuts, salt

How to Make Sauce: Brown the flour and mix with atsuete juice, whisking with wire whisk. Add peanuts, peanut butter, soup stock, and salt, and allow to boil vigorously. Remove the bubbles on top and redcue fire in low. Stir until you attain the right consistency. Serve with bagoong.

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Meat Lovers' Paradise

Although a lot of health promotion methods advocate us to be vegetarian, I still persist that cooking meat can make people pleasant and happy in a greater degree. Speaking of this, a feeling of slobbering is coming. Today, I want to introduce you an Australian dried meat slice shop, which is an old brand in Australia. The name of the shop is Victor Churchill Butcher.

You will be attracted by the unique handle before you enter the shop, the shape of which is a sausage. This is the coolest handle that I have seen. What I want to say is that if people take delight in talking about a shop, then that shop must have its own distinguishing feature or quality.

The shop was open in 1876 and it offers high-quality meat to some top restaurants in Australia, China and Singapore, which makes Victor Churchill Butcher so famous around the world. Recently, they planned to rebuild a store located in the Queen Street of Sydney and made it the coolest meat shop in the world. So they invited Dreamtime Australia Design, a professional restaurant design company to assist them. We can enjoy the final image and effect together.

Jerky is the absolute the leading role here and people pay their attention to it all. Even though you are the thief Carmen, it is still difficult for you to get it. Besides, their weekly recommended products are all different. Advanced baking equipments allow the shop to have a all-wave “sauna”. Certainly, the taste of their products is superb.

In a word, if you have the chance, please have a try in that shop. It is really worth your taste.

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How to Learn Easy Wine Making

You can easily make wine at home with the various foods which you have around the kitchen. There is a need to go through the recipes, follow the instructions and easy wine making tips to make wine at home. To start with, you will need to make a decision on a recipe to generate your wine. Wine can be made of almost any crop and many other things, such as dandelions, sugar or even fruit juice or canister fruits with no preservatives.

Recipes are plenteous on the internet and at your local library or bookstore. Your recipe will give you directions for set up of the crop or other provisions for fermentation. However in general, you can calculate on needing juice, honey, and maybe even mushrooms.

The yeast should be the ordinary wine makers’ mold, and not the type that we generally use for cooking. Keep away from brewers’ yeast, also, as this is for making alcoholic drinks slightly stronger than wine. Many formulas also call for other spices or components, so follow the writing cautiously!

Keep in mind that the produce used to create wine should be clean.

The fruit base will need to be taken out from crushed or chop up fruit. The majority of fruit recipes will ask for honey at this point. Cane sugar is frequently paramount for the creation of wine. Combine and cook the ingredients that the formula calls for in hygienic containers, and put in wine yeast when the instructions say to.

The juice form is often simple and basic to work with, but it does come in a broken up form that needs to be sorted, too. Some recipes may also call for a mushroom nutrient to help perfect the taste. It may all seem strange if you are new to the art of wine making but this is indeed a super easy wine making method.

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Finding the Right Smoothie Recipes

Choosing the right recipes for smoothies for you depends very much upon your own personal preferences. Everyone has their own favorite fruit, it is just a case of combining the right ones to give you the flavor that you want. Then there is the liquid base – some fruit are better suited to a fruit juice base, whereas others work better with a dairy base.

Sometimes it is matter of trial and error, but in fact most soft fruits work well in smoothies. Some harder fruit, such as apples, can work if you chop it very finely prior to adding it to the mixture, and even then the result can be a little lumpy. A great addition for when you are looking for an instant chilled smoothie is to use some frozen fruit. There is no need to defrost it, just add it straight to the mixture.

You should avoid adding sugar to your smoothies as this will only add to the calorie count. For most smoothie recipes there will be no need for sweetening due to the natural sugars that are in the fruit. If you really do need to sweeten your smoothie then you could add a little honey. Whilst honey contains the same amount of calories as sugar, you need less of it and does have other beneficial properties.

Here is an example of a smoothie recipe – a Raspberry, Pineapple and Banana Smoothie. Firstly, you will need the following ingredients:

2 Bananas, cut into pieces
240ml/8fl.oz Pineapple Juice
120ml/4fl.oz. Natural Yogurt (preferably low fat)
175g/6oz Raspberries
4 Ice Cubes, crushed

All you need to do is combine all the ingredients above and use a blender to blend to a smooth liquid. If you find that the resulting mixture is too thin then simply add more fruit. If it is too thick then add more pineapple juice. Personally, I like this smoothie for breakfast.

Whilst there are many commercially made smoothies available, home-made smoothies are so much better tasting and actually much better for you.

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Crockpot Recipes For Your Fire Pit

It’s late fall and the crisp air fills your mind with thoughts of vibrant colored leaves gently floating to the ground and the faint smell of wood smoke floating through the air. You start craving comforting foods, hearty soups and wrapping up in your favorite sweater. There is no better time to take a break and enjoy gathering around the fire pit in the back yard, sitting with your family and friends, and enjoying the clean, fresh air, a satisfying dinner, and a welcoming fire.

With everyone’s busy lifestyle lately, it seems hard to fit in such a comforting, relaxing moment into your schedule; but really it’s not. For any cook of any ability or style, the crock pot can be a great way to cut your time in the kitchen and extend your time with family and friends; put something in the crock pot before you leave for work in the morning and by that evening when you get home, dinner is waiting for you.

It doesn’t take much time at all to make a great meal in a one of these little miracles of the kitchen. Most recipes are so simple they require very few ingredients and no time at all to start enjoying. For instance, before leaving the house for the day, try placing a three to four pound beef roast in the crock pot with a 12 ounce can of your favorite dark soda and an envelope of dry onion soup mix. Add a couple of your favorite spices like pepper or garlic, turn the crock pot on low, and by the time your gathering starts around the fire pit in the back yard, you have dinner ready to go for pulled meat sandwiches. Add some chips and pick up some deli-style potato salad for sides and no fuss, no muss, all enjoyment. Don’t forget to top off the evening with a round of S’mores!

Not only are crock pots a great way to make dinners, but desserts are also a wonderful way to utilize them. Everything from cobblers to bread puddings and cakes; yes, even a cake! And it doesn’t stop there, either. Once you get the basics of crock pot cooking down, anything is possible; appetizers, dips, stews, roast chicken, desserts, it’s all possible with just a little preparation and planning, leaving you more worry free time to spend with the ones you love.

McDonalds Food – The Truth

Food ……………………….?

What should I look for a snack … a cinomin (however they spell it) or a brownie?

Some of carrot and celery … healthier.

The Weight Loss and Health Benefits of Japanese Green Tea

Japanese Green Tea was a big part of my 170 pound weight loss and has been essential for me in my long term maintenance of my new body. Here’s how I got started:

In June of 2005, I slipped and fell in my bathroom, hitting my face hard on the tile floor. I was shocked when I saw the photos of myself a few days later – not because of the big black eye and bruised face, but because of the size of my body! I looked like a huge blimp! I had to weigh close to 300 pounds, if not more. It was my major wake-up call and I knew I had to do something fast. I had known I was fat, but I didn’t realize I was THAT FAT.

I was led to Japanese green tea by my inner guidance, it seemed to be showing up every where, so I started reading a lot of websites about weight loss and green tea and decided to give it a try – the only thing I had to lose was over 150 pounds. I did some research and was impressed with the quality of green teas that were carried by a particular company so I placed my first order. Even Lipton sells green tea these days, but I needed the REAL THING, straight from Japan, something with all the properties and benefits still present in the tea, and definitely not some inferior or highly processed product. I had a long road ahead of me and wanted to be sure I had the full strength weight loss aid to do it right.

On August 15, 2005, I drank my first cup. Being obese and yo-yo dieting can effect your body in many negative ways. While I have not heard scientific claims regarding this, and I am certainly no scientist, I am 100 percent sure that the green tea regulated my menstrual cycle for the first time in many years, and I am convinced that it has positively affected my metabolism as well. A high quality green tea, when made correctly, is delicious. It nourishes my body in so many ways – I do not feel hungry all the time and I am satisfied with much less food. It has helped me in so many other ways and I felt the difference immediately. There is a lot of scientific evidence out there, but I think the proof is in the results and I can wholeheartedly stand behind the weight loss and health benefits of Japanese green tea. Besides my own inner guidance and using my thoughts to become thin, it is the closest thing to a magic pill I have found.

I started out using the tea bags, which work great. I usually drink 2 cups in the morning and then again in the afternoons. I like it hot the best and think it does the most for your body that way, but it is also refreshing cold on hot days. If I skip a day or two, I find my body craving it! I will also sometimes add Organic Goji Berries to my green tea for a sweeter flavor and a real nutritional punch.

There are a lot of different choices out there, but I highly recommend real Japanese green tea, like the Uji teas as I have found them to be the best tasting and most effective. This is not a time to sell yourself short and look for the cheap quick fix, like name brand green teas from grocery stores or green tea pills and supplements. I can only recommend the REAL STUFF, direct from Japan, because that is what worked for me.

Now, almost five years later, I still drink my green tea almost daily and take care to make sure I never run out!

Besides weight loss, below are other health issues for which drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful:

• cancer

rheumatoid arthritis

high cholesterol levels

high blood pressure

cardiovascular disease

lowers blood sugar

infections

impaired immune function

helps stabilize diabetes

it makes your skin healthier and prettier

assists in weight loss

slows the aging process

deters food poisoning

aids in digestion

encourages bowel regularity

provides you with a mild stimulating effect without causing sleepless nights

prevents tooth decay and fights plaque

As you can see, green tea is extremely beneficial in so many ways. I can whole heartedly recommend it for weight loss from my own personal experience. Use your inner guidance and see what YOUR body says about drinking green tea.

McDonalds Food – The Truth

How to Get the Perfect Tea For You

Since time immemorial this beverage has been used as a health giving drink. Recently, studies have shown that it has medicinal properties. One cup has enough antioxidants than eight apples. In addition, it is also known to have elements that fight cancer. Both white and green varieties have high antioxidants that fight out with elements that are known to cause cancer. The antioxidants are known to fight radicals that fight different types of cancer. In addition, taking it is also known to prevent heart diseases. Taking it can be a preventative or curative way of keeping these medical conditions at bay.

There are various guidelines that you can use to buy tea and get the best variety. You should inquire at your local grocery store for bagged and loose variety. In addition, you can visit a special tea shop that specializes in every variety. They have a wide variety of the beverage and their prices are usually cheaper. The next step is to inquire about the preference of your local area. This can be a little bit difficult because the best variety comes from different parts of the world. In addition, most places have a variety that is only specific to their area. You can also get to understand where specific varieties from tea shop online. The biggest exporters include Sri Lanka, China and India. In addition, Japan is also famous for its Green variety. However, there are different types of varieties from various countries all over the world available in tea shops.

The next step is to learn about the different varieties available. The different varieties include white, black and green variety. There are also some types of hybrid varieties that are ranked in a different category. Studies show that caffeine is higher in black variety but however not available all the times. Furthermore, black variety has high texture and quite rich in malt. Black variety also has an earthy taste. Green variety has a fragrance and some kind of nutty taste. Moreover, it is also milder. Green variety has some kind of floral taste. However, some varieties have a mix between black and green taste.

White variety is smooth and delicate. In addition, it has lighter color and texture. Every variety is available in different degree of concentration. The best way of getting the best variety is to mix the different varieties that are available. You can usually distinguish each variety from its texture and taste. In that regard, it is easy to differentiate it and choose the best. When you realize that you have a preference for green variety, you can mix different leaves and flavors. With the different variety available, you will surely be spoiled for choice if you seek tea shop online. In addition, if you are not sure of the variety that you prefer, ensure that you buy tea in small samples.

Food Fight

What food category is an adjustment in the protein shake?

I have to analyze food intake classmates and compare the food pyramid and have protein shakes down. Does that fit all the food pyramid? Like what?

Do not leave in w / meat like that other guy said. More likely is that whey protein is MILK and if w. DAIRY obviously milk mixed well.

A Pan to Roast Your Food - Cooking the Simple Way

Roasting is a method of cooking that uses dry and arid heat whether you use an oven or an open flame. Roasting actually causes Mallard browning, of the food surface. When the food is caramelized, it creates and enhances food flavor. Most probably, meat is one of the main foods to be roasted in a roasting pan. For roasting your food, a roasting pan is needed to ensure that your food is well heated and preserved. Roasting is the most preferred method of cooking for most lambs and poultries. Some vegetables like potatoes, cauliflower and peppers are roasted as well.

Choosing the best pan can be a difficult choice for you. You have to keep in mind, the size and depth of the pan. First of all, there should be enough for your cooking needs and so food would not touch the sides of the pan while you are cooking it. The pan should be enough big for air to pass and heating purposes. To make sure that your pan would fit in the oven easily, always do your homework first by measuring the angles and internal dimensions of the oven.

Even consider the handles of this type of thing in mind because handles might take a little extra room space. Deepness of the pan should also be well thought-out in mind; a taller roasting pan can even preserve and heat large vegetables, but again keeping the oven size in mind. The handles which are wrapped up on the sizes are the strongest due to their full control when the roasting pan is extremely hot. Riveted handles are secure too.

All Clad roasting pans are one of the largest selling pans in the market due to its extra hot features. Cleaning is the most important point while choosing a roasting pan. This is very easy to clean due to its stainless steel body structure. This includes a stainless steel interior and exterior tough body. It can guarantee you fast and even heating.

Cooking can now be simpler due to its low flared sides. The cook top stays much cooler due to its engrossed handles. You can use this a roasting pan in electric and gas cook tops due to its steel structure. All Clad roasting pan is even worth for your money due to its lifetime warranty. A lifetime warranty can assure you that whenever you feel that your kitchen pan is in trouble, you can get them replaced. Mostly, All Clad roasting pan is made in China but it’s always assembled in the USA. It is so beautiful and elegant that you’ll love cooking and will love your kitchen.

It even features wide sloped sides to hold generous cuts of meat. But make sure you take a good care of your pan by allowing pan to cool down before washing it away and even make it dishwasher safe.

Food Fight

What kind of food or recipe you know yourself?

What kind of food or recipe you can do yourself? Some people say that you know how make food, but when I asked how she just said all they do is buy the supermarket frozen food, placing them in the microwave and eat.Do you think that "doing" food? Do not you think they are too dumb?

They only heat the food. None of this is done at home. Actually I'ma pretty good cook and baker. I'm still learning and do not say everything I cook it perfect the first time, but it is less worthy most of the time. Cooking and baking is my dream, but do not expect everyone else who likes a lot so if you want to microwave meals all the time, they can. Just hope they do not see real kitchen. I love making pie spaghetti, sloppy Joes, chicken and noodles, vegetable lasagna, pizza, Stromboli, submarines meatballs (homemade meatballs, homemade salsa), taco soup, quiche, pancakes, french toast, black bean soup, Zuppa Tuscana soup, curried chicken, shrimp, lemon glass, cheese parmesan crusted tilapia, chicken and rice casserole, enchiladas muffins, pies, chicken or turkey, rice burritos, tacos, and of course cookies and brownies!