Archive for December, 2009

Beef Recipes for All Seasons



Author : Patrick Carpen

There is never a bad time for beef! Whether you want a nice hardy meal to get you through the cold weather months, or if you want a nice steak to grill up on a sunny evening, this article has a recipe to suit! Read on to learn some excellent recipes for each season of the year I hope you enjoy them!

Spring – Orange Beef Stir Fry with Broccoli

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs beef sirloin, thinly sliced
8 broccoli florets, lightly steamed or blanched
2 tbsp frozen orange juice concentrate
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tsp orange zest
3 tbsp grated fresh ginger
1 tsp salt
1 cup long grain rice
2 cups water
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 t tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp peanut oil for frying

Directions:
In a bowl, blend together the orange juice, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and salt Set mixture aside Pour the water and rice into a medium-sized sauce pan and bring to a boil Reduce heat to a medium-low setting and cover Allow the rice to simmer for about 20 minutes Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over a medium-high heat Toss the beef in the cornstarch Ensure it has an even coating, then fry in the oil in small batches until golden brown Set the beef aside Using about 1 tablespoon of oil, fry the orange zest, garlic, and ginger until it becomes fragrant Add the soy sauce/orange juice mixture to the wok/skillet and bring the mixture to a boil Cook (while stirring constantly) until the mixture thickens This usually takes about 5 minutes Add the beef and heat through Make sure all beef pieces are thoroughly coated Serve the beef over steamed rice with broccoli

Summer – Steak with Bloody Mary Sauce

Ingredients:
4 (6-oz) boneless beef sirloin steaks
1 tbsp orange juice from concentrate
1 1/2 cups extra spicy Bloody Mary mix
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp celery seed
2 tsp chopped garlic
16 pitted green olives
3 tbsp cold butter (unsalted)
4 tsp cracked black pepper

Directions:
Mix together the celery seed and cracked pepper Brush the steaks with olive oil on both sides, then sprinkle with some of the celery seed and cracked pepper mixture Cook the steaks on a grill set to a medium heat In a sauce pan, bring the Bloody Mary mix and orange juice from concentrate to a boil Reduce the heat to medium and allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes Puree the olives, butter, and garlic together until smooth To serve, slice each steak into about 5 even slices Poor a bit of the Bloody Mary mixture into the center of the plate, then arrange the steak slices on top Add a bit of the olive butter on top of the steak slices or to the side

Autumn – Country Fried Steak

Ingredients:
4 (4-oz) cube steaks
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1/4 cup lard
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Directions:
Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper onto the steaks, then set aside In a shallow bowl, mix together the flour and 1 teaspoon of pepper Dip each steak into the flour, then dip into the beaten egg Coat them in the flour mixture again Heat the lard in a skillet of a medium-high heat and fry each steak until golden brown Drain the excess grease with paper towels Top with white pepper gravy

Winter – Oven Stew

Ingredients:
3/4 pound boneless stewing beef
2 tbsp flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut
2 medium carrots, cut into 1-in pieces
1 can condensed tomato soup
3/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 tsp dried basil
1 1/4 cups water

Directions:
Add the flour, salt, and pepper into a large Ziploc bag Add the beef (a bit at a time) and shake to coat well Using a Dutch oven, brown the meat in oil, then add the soup, water, basil, and onion Cover and bake for an hour at 350 degrees F Add the chopped potatoes and carrot slices, then bake for an additional hour (or until all of the ingredients are tender)

If you’re looking for recipes, take a look at the Platinum Recipes Collection.
The Platinum Recipes Collection is the Internet’s Most Comprehensive Recipes Collection.

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Barbecue Island A Utopian Experience



Author : Peter Finch

Man is romantic and adventurous by nature Today, most have a very hectic lifestyle As a result of that people do not get the time to realize their adventurous part As life does not give them the leisure do go away on even a short holiday every now and then, they have to discover romance and adventure in their surroundings only And having a barbecue island in their own backyard is an excellent method to reclaim the lost romance and adventure

A barbecue island is a prized possession, a source of admiration and envy and an instrument of utility, all at the same time After all you have to admit that the wafting aroma of slowly grilled marshmallows is one of the most heavenly ones

The problem lies in the fact that most of the people think the barbecue island to be too complex a matter for them to handle But the truth is just the polar opposite of the above mentioned idea It is very easy to prepare and does not require too much of an investment in terms of money

The barbecue island can be easily built by using steel studs and backer board tiles The fuel can be provided by propane gas tanks Only care should be taken that your barbecue island is not located near inflammable or combustible material

The advantage that your barbecue islands provide you with is that they allow you the freedom of personalizing the whole contraption by adding many other components The accessories of barbecue islands are numerous and are easily available in the market, so you can personalize your barbecue island, according to your needs whenever you want

A diverse variety of coated cutting boards are available in the market which you can procure to enhance the utilitarian factor of your barbecue island These boards are usually designed in a very ingenuous manner They are built with accompanying drawers into which they can be inserted, so that the boards themselves do not become an eyesore when they are not in use

Similarly cooler drawers and ice chests are also available which can be added to the barbecue islands to make them user friendly and convenient while making them more attractive in the department of styling and looks Imagine how comfortable it will be for you if you can get your glass of chilled beer right from the barbecue island, and do not repeatedly have to go to the refrigerator for that

But one factor that you will have to take care of, if you indeed have a barbecue island, is the cleaning of the barbecue island, especially the metal grill Most think that whenever it is turned on it burns away all the remnants that had resulted from its previous use While this is true to some extent, for getting the best out of your island it is advisable that you clean it thoroughly once in a while

So get ready for your night under the sky with your very own barbecue island!

Ex Hotel General Manager and culinary expert, Peter Finch, hosts a site dedicated to one of his favorite forms of cookery – barbecue. If you are looking for information on barbecues? or advice on barbecue recipes or barbecue island, visit us now. BestBarbecues.co.uk is a goldmine for information on barbecues.

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Let Your Equipment Do The Hard Work



Author : Anna Stenning

If you have ever had the pleasure of working in a busy bar or pub you will definitely appreciate the benefits of having the best bar equipment to help you with your job, especially during busy periods where demand for refreshment often leaves little time to cater for anything else

Commercial bar equipment including glass washers, ice makers, commercial blenders even down to ice buckets are all items of equipment which aid the smooth running of a bar by saving time and wasted effort

Time is of paramount importance when you have a bar packed full of thirsty customers waiting to be served, every customer is essential to the income of the establishment and therefore providing a prompt, friendly service reflects the efficiency and builds the reputation of the premises

Half the battle of running a successful bar is having the right time saving appliances, requiring low maintenance in order to keep them up and running Examples of these appliances could include commercial blenders, perfect especially in the summer months, when demand for long, ice cold refreshing beverages or slightly more exotic drinks rises They can help you whip out a round of summer drinks in a matter of seconds, simply add the ingredients, crushed ice and whizz up, pour into glasses and serve, the commercial blender is an easy item to use and maintain, being easily dismantled for cleaning purposes, with easy assembly afterwards ready for the next use

Another example of time saving appliances and probably the most essential of bar equipment is the glass washer Glass washers are easily loaded holding up to thirty pint glasses in one cycle, (obviously sizes of glasses differ accommodating smaller glasses allows the machine to cater for more) A cycle in glass washer takes approximately two minutes, and leaves glasses spotless, scratch free and free of greasy marks and lipstick If done by hand this one cycle would take a person more than five minutes, without interruptions, in order to achieve the same level of cleanliness Additional to this glass washers are supplied with two baskets so whilst one is being used, the other can be being topped up ready for the next load

Commercial ice makers reduce the time taken to produce ice in bulk loads, long gone are the days of filling ice making trays, waiting long hours for the ice to solidify in order make enough ice to meet demand, nowadays ice makers can churn out ice in all shapes and sizes to cater for all levels of requirement, from cubes to flaked ice, they even come with ice buckets to store the ice once it’s made

These time saving gadgets not only make life behind the bar easier and less demanding, it also frees up time for the more mundane chores such as cleaning, the hygiene and cleanliness of any catering or bar establishment surely plays a big role in keeping customers contented As much as a customer wouldn’t like to have a drink created in a dirty commercial blender or drink from a dirty glass there are still the bars and floors to clean

If your business is only just up and coming, then choosing to lease bar equipment rather than buying outright might be the sensible thing for you, It provides the perfect opportunity to judge what size equipment you require, also to see how busy your business will be, whether the equipment you’ve chosen meets demand and the ability to update your appliances at the end of a leased term

Having good bar equipment, like commercial blenders, ice makers and glass washers, which are low maintenance, easily cleaned, time saving gadgets could just be one of the perfect ingredients to meeting customer satisfaction, providing its combined with friendly staff and a good atmosphere!

Anna Stenning researches how having time saving bar equipment such as commercial blenders and glass washers helps to run a more efficient bar which focuses solely on customer needs.

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Why Organic Food Is Better For You



Author : Ronnie Wilson

If you are like many other individuals, there is a good chance that you have heard that organic foods are healthier to eat This may have caught your attention If you are uncertain about making the switch to organic foods, you may be looking for reasons why you should One of the most common questions asked is why organic foods are better? For a number of answers to that question, please continue reading on

When it comes to organic foods, it is important to know that not just anyone can make organic foods There are strict standards Foods and organic food companies that are certified by the Quality Assurance International group (QAI) must undergo rigorous tests and meet very high standards When this is done, all foods should be stamped with a Certified Organic by QAI sticker or label This certification helps to give many comfort in knowing that the foods that they eat are truly healthy

Another one of the many reasons why organic food is better for you is because it usually tastes better This means that you and other eaters are more likely to eat more organic foods, as well as stick with organic foods or start a fully organic diet These steps can help to improve your health This is mostly due in part because vegetables and fruits are grown without the assistance of pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals Clean soil, which is required when growing organic foods, is likely to produce better results, which should mean better tasting food

It has also been said that organic foods can help to lower the risk of cancer Although some pesticides that farmers use are considered safe by many, there are still a number of risks, including a risk of cancer This is alarming, but it is also something that many individuals are not aware of Although the EPA does consider many chemicals, including weed killers and insect killers to be dangerous, they are still used on many of the foods, namely fruits and vegetables, that are sold today This is not something that you have to worry about when buying organic foods That is why many claim that organic foods can reduce your chances of cancer

Although there are a number of benefits to eating organic foods, especially where health and wellness is concerned, many individuals are concerned with the cost Yes, organic food does cost more money, but many still consider it to be well worth the cost Some ask themselves if it is even possible to put a price tag on health Even with the high costs of organic food, it is still possible to save money You can do this by using organic food coupons, searching for organic food sales, and stocking up when you do find those sales Many stores outline their weekly sales in store sale fliers or online Organic food coupons can be found online or in weekend newspaper inserts

Since there are a number of benefits to eating organically, you may be serious about doing so If you are, you will find that you have a number of different options, in terms of organic food purchase points Organic food, including fresh food, is sold online and locally Your local options tend to include the organic food section at your supermarket or a specialty organic food stores

Ronnie Wilson has many articles that you will want to check out at http://www.bighealtharticles.com and http://www.articleinferno.com

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Ph Balance and Its Importance to the Human Body



Author : Paul Fitzgerald

It is important to keep your body in an equilibrium state, so that it can function in an optimal condition By maintaining this equilibrium, your body can make the necessary reparations at the cellular level and the necessary biological and chemical processes can be carried out If this equilibrium is endangered then your bodily processes may be thrown off its kilter In addition, Ph balance can be the most vital component in maintaining the balance in your body

Ph level can be described as the level of acidity in your body If the Ph level is less than 7, then that state is described as acidic The lesser PH value will depict a more volatile acidic state, while higher Ph value will mean a more basic state Any liquid that is above Ph value 7 is considered as an alkaline base If the Ph value is 7, then that liquid is considered as neutral (such as pure water)

Hence, as you can see the Ph value in your body can be a very important factor in maintaining the balance in your body Your lymphatic system, as well as your neural system is dependent on a stringent pH balance to keep it functional in its peak mode If the pH value is offset significantly, then you may start having serious problems in your body and especially in your immune system Of course, your pH balance will also be greatly affected by consuming the right foods

One of the main problems that your body will face in an environment (where the Ph balance is offset) is the acidity of your body The human body is inclined to become acidic due to the internal workings of your body Once the acid level of your body increases; this situation creates an environment for various bacteria, mold and fungus to reproduce in your body Then as a result, this creates infections, fever and inflammation in your body

By using alkaline green formulas, you will be able to reduce the level of inflammation in your body More importantly, the treatment of these conditions can help to save you from joint disease and Crohn’s disease, as your lymphatic nodes may also be effected

One of the main reasons for this stems from the fact that the human body has a Ph level that is similar to the Ph level of organisms that are found in the oceans In fact, the liquid portion of your body resembles pure ocean water Hence, eating ocean based super foods will help your body to revert to its fundamental form by receiving ocean based nutrition

Of course, eating ocean based alkaline green foods should not be thought of as medicine to be taken in need; but rather it should be thought of as a continuous source of food This way, your body will have the Ph balance that it needs in order to keep its health and vitality In addition, eating blue green algae is not harmful and thus you can eat it with ease and comfort

Come learn about the greatest selection of Superfoods on The Planet.
Please visit our site at Superfood living and learn about
Raw Chocolate Cocao
Noni, Goji Berries, Maca, Phytoplankton,
Sacred Chocolate, and more….

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Create Delicious Red Lobster Menu Items At Home



Author : Zac Parker

Many people today are looking for healthier choices in the food arena There are several restaurants which have added healthier selections to their menus in order to keep up with the demand from those seeking healthier alternatives Red Lobster has a delicious Seafood Menu Wouldn’t it be great to be able to recreate their great taste at home with healthier ingredients?

Can Red Lobster’s masterpieces be reproduced at home? There are scores of recipes that are similarly found on the internet and in cookbooks While enjoying your favorite meal at red lobster, do you ever comment about how you wish you could make a certain dish at home? Well, why not? If you are interested in making one of your favorites, then log onto the internet and type in your dish and see what comes up

You may have to search awhile Look at the recipes and see what sounds like it may be good and give it a try If it is great, be sure you write it down If you didn’t like it or it wasn’t as good as what you expected, keep looking There are many cookbooks out there on line and in hardback which claim to have the secret recipes of your favorite restaurant It is just finding what you are looking for

Some of the sites or books you may find will give healthier alternatives to the key ingredients used by the restaurants in hopes of giving it a great taste, but keeping it healthier for you at the same time As before, trying them out is the best way to judge if it is something you will like Imagine recreating a healthier red lobster menu for your friends or family and everyone raving over your masterpieces from the kitchen

Substituting healthy ingredients from the ingredients that may not be so good for you should be easy once you get the hang of what certain foods are similar to others For example, you can use egg substitute for eggs You can use olive oil instead of vegetable oil or animal fat in cooking Even using some of the original ingredients and baking or grilling instead of frying would be a healthier choice

There are several ways to recreate your favorite Red Lobster meals while keeping the menu healthier for everyone at your table Nothing can replace the taste of sitting in the restaurant and having a terrific meal, but cooking it at home can be very rewarding and very delicious, too

Looking for red lobster recipe ideas?

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Author : Mary Anne Durkee

Have you loved watching how the chef at your favorite restaurant creates that dazzling flame and that too right at your table? The whole act is so captivating The way he works with the food and liquor and creates magic

A visit to an expensive restaurant and flambe foods can actually rock your budget for the month Here is the way out that guarantees not to make a hole in your pocket Yes, you can create the same magic right at home You too can do the same but what you must ensure is that you do it right as it involves the use of fire and can be dangerous Learning “How to Flambe” the right way is very important coz it is a matter of your safety and of course taste

“Flambe” in French means “flaming or flamed” Flambe to me is a flamboyant display of your culinary skills and a great way to add flavor to your dish The liquer that is usually used for the process would be rum, brandy or cognac The process involves topping the dish or the drink with liquor and lighting it When lit the alcohol burns with a blue flame and what it does to the dish is truly something out of this world I just love the taste of it all Here are some basic tips on “How to Flambe”:

1)A dimly lit room is the right ambience that would bring out the dramatic effect

2)Use liquor that has a high alcohol content This means that champagne, beer and wine are a strict no no The liquor must be poured over warm food so as to maintain the required temperature thus, you must ensure that the food is warm The trick is to warm the liquor before pouring into the dish however, ensure that it does not reach the boiling point( 175 degrees fahrenheit is the boiling point of liquor)

3)The dish should be removed from the fire before you add the liquor to be careful Ensure that you keep the dish far away from yourself and also any guests if they are around The flames might just be a little more than you can handle at times So be sure of exactly how you would do it

4)Take out the quantity of liquor (that the recipe requires) to add in a separate dish Do not pour straight from the bottle (if the bottle catches fire then it is disaster for sure)

5)Keep off from your body and face Once the liquor is poured light it from a distance and at the earliest or else the food would start absorbing the flavor and will definitely not be as desired

6)Make sure that you pair the liquor appropriately with the food You could use this technique for just about anything from delicious meat recipes to exotic desserts

Mary-Anne is a featured member and regular contributor at ifood.tv, a global food network, featuring recipes from all over the world. Other popular healthy recipes videos on ifood.tv include Healthy Recipes, Holiday recipes and Hummus recipes

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KFC Changes Clothes But Not Taste



Author : Zac Parker

Everyone changes clothes, usually every day Unless you wear a uniform every working day of your life, you probably have a closet full of choices for you to consider when you prepare for work in the morning Even children getting ready for school in the morning have choices to make when it comes to clothing Those who do not have a great number of different clothing pieces still most likely have at least a few with which to change their appearance every day KFC is no different, they have changed their clothes

In order to stay current and appealing to the demanding public, this fast food restaurant has changed its appearance a little bit, and changed their name from Kentucky Fried Chicken, to KFC It is streamlined, concise, and three letters says everything that needs to be said Whether it’s a new outfit, a new pair of shoes, a new paint scheme, or even a change in the name, nothing in the appearance means that everything is different on the inside The same person lives on the inside With KFC, the same quality and great taste is still central with every store Every dinner prepared is the top quality with the famous recipe sending your taste senses into overdrive with every bite

You have changes in your clothing that will match the mood you’re in If you feel excited and ready for action, your clothing will be brighter and have more action If you feel subdued and quiet, then your clothing will speak the same thing If you are looking for wild tastes and hot spices that will stay with you for hours, then you’re probably not going to go to this popular fried chicken retaurant But if you want the best fried chicken you have ever had, and prices that cannot be beaten anywhere, with the same wonderful taste you have come to expect when you think about going to KFC, then that is where you are going to want to eat

This iconic location is the place for you when you’re really hungry for a great taste in chicken No ordinary dinner for you and your family You’re going to need all the great tastes and choices that can be offered at a fine restaurant, and this American favorite gives you all the varieties you want in fried chicken The side dishes are fantastic and taste great as well

Get more news about KFC as well as yummy chicken recipes.

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