Kitchen Kit

Delve Into The Exotic Flavors Of Greek Cuisine

2011-01-25T10:57:00.000-08:00

Greek cuisine can be described as elegant, historical and simple. With its tradition and its flavours that change with the season and its geography, Greek cuisine is not just your typical Mediterranean cuisine. It traces back from Italy and the Middle East. Their basic grain is wheat but they have also been known to grow barley.

Take a look at some of the exciting dishes you may encounter when choosing to feast on Greek cuisine.

Did you know that the oldest known evidence of wine production was in Europe? It was dated 4500 BC and comes from archaeological sites in Greece. No wonder why Greece is one of the most notable names when the word "wine" comes to mind. Not only that, the earliest attested terms referring to wine would be the Mycenaean Greeks.

There are many Greek wines to choose from: sweet or dry, rose and white, and red.

There are many Greek wines to choose from. Categories range from:
sweet or dry, rose and white, and red.

Tzatziki
Saganaki
Keftedakia
Spanakepitakia
Tiropitakia
Horta
Avgolemono
Briam
Dolmadakia
Kalama Rakia
Htapodi
Feta cheese

Main Dishes of Greece

* Tzatziki- Greek yogurt with chopped cucumbers, olive oil, and garlic. Tzatziki is usually used as a dip.
* Saganaki- Fried cheese
* Keftedakia- Fried beef meatballs
* Spanakepitakia - Small spinach pies wrapped in filo pastry with feta cheese
* Tiropitakia - Small cheese pies topped with feta or kasseri cheese
* Horta - Boiled greens with olive oil, salt and a dash of lemon
* Avgolemono - This is a soup that may include chicken or other meat, vegetables or fish broth that has been thickened with rice and eggs.
* Briam - This dish is a delightful combination of potatoes, eggplant, onions, garlic, tomato sauce together with the Greek staple, olive oil.
* Dolmadakia - Hand-picked large grape leaves filled with fresh rice and onions.
* Kalama Rakia - Fried squid with a splash of lemon
* Htapodi - This includes pieces of octopus
* Feta cheese - Greece is known for their famous feta

Kleftiko/ Klephti?o in Greek translation means "stolen meat". Some can call it Bandit's Lamb. This famous Greek dish is made from slow cooked lamb or other meat.

Examples of Greek Wines & Other Alcoholic Beverages

Kokoretsi is traditionally served as a starter. It's a meal that is customarily made and served at Easter along with Lamb on the Spit. This cuisine is made from the internal organs of a lamb, arranged on a skewer and cooked over the hot coals along with the lamb on Easter Sunday. It can be found at other times of the year in some tavernas. The purpose of this meal was to make use of the organs of the lamb, that was gutted and cleaned ready for the spit, and not to waste any parts of the animal.

* Ouzo- is an anise-flavored aperitif that is widely consumed in Greece and Cyprus. Ouzo is traditionally mixed with water, becoming cloudy white, sometimes with a faint blue tinge, and served with ice cubes in a small glass. Ouzo can also be drunk, straight, from a shot glass. Mixing ouzo with cola destroys the liquorice-like taste of ouzo.

Yuvarlak is a kind of large meatball in sauce. The meat mixture includes rice or bulgur. They are cooked in moist heat and the juices thickened with avgolemono. Avgolemono is a Greek soup made with egg and lemon juice mixed with broth, heated until they thicken but before they boil and curdle.

* Baklava- this famous pastry is topped with nuts, and drizzled with honey syrup.
* Galaktoboureko- a form of layers of custard.

Greece is also a country very rich in culture with every dish symbolizing an event and a bit of their history. The more we know about the history the more we can appreciate the cuisine.

About the Author: by Michelle Ann Gelder

Michelle is undoubtedly an accomplished writer whose niche is composing about very easy, but tasty, house cooking. Her articles or reviews generally stress the benefits of crockpot recipes just like slow cooker chicken recipes, which is considered one of her favorites for making the Exotic flavors of Greek Cuisine.

About Olive Oil and Vinegar Dressing

2011-01-25T10:55:00.000-08:00

Is having salad for your meal or party is really what you've got in your mind? Then, the 1st thing that a person should really not forget is how you can combine Olive oil and white wine vinegar into your salad so that you can have the flavour that you want within your salad.

Olive oil provides a great tastes within your salad and it likewise works well for building your overall health and protects you against heart diseases. Most individuals coming from Mediterranean are experts in creating the most effective tasting oil and vinegar dressing.

And they people are popular also of obtaining a healthy dressing. It is 1 from the oldest but the very best acknowledged delicacies since it taste god and is especially healthy also. You may produce olive oil by pressing and crushing the olives. If you're searching for the perfect oil on your salad dressing, you should purchase an extra virgin oil.

Olive oil and vinegar dressing can also be known as vinaigrettes, which can be well-known in high class restaurants for several years now. it's ideal in dressing numerous food products like poultry dishes and naturally salads. In Italian restaurants oil and vinegar dressing is employed as appetizer and consumers should have their bread dip into it. The mixture of oil and vinegar can in fact generate even ordinary foods like asparagus or tomatoes seem decadent.

Actually oil and vinegar generally ought to not be mix together. This is one of the reason why there are a lot of people today who need to shake their oil and vinegar dressing prior to using it.

The two elements will start to separate if the dressing is left to still for only a short time period. A temporary emulsion is developed when oil and vinegar merge even though being stirred or shaken.

You could perform a discover a nice apple cider vinegar dressing recipe or a mustard vinegar dressing recipe. You will thank me after.

About the Author: by Leonard Doom

5 Burger Mistakes Weekend Grillers Make And How To Avoid Them

2010-10-16T09:03:00.001-07:00

5 Burger Mistakes Weekend Grillers Make And How To Avoid Them

by Mark Hester

If you are like me, Summer isn't Summer until you smell hamburgers grilling on a warm afternoon. And while many good things in life are difficult to create, these wonderful little Summer treats are quite easy to make. Grab a pound of ground chuck from the grocery or butcher's and a pack of buns, pull off a few handfuls and form the patties, slap them on a grill and and wrap a bun around them and you are in high clover. However, even though they are super-easy, they are also super-easy to mess up. Be sure to avoid these 5 common burger mistakes.

The best thing -- These are super easy, too.

The Top 5 Mistakes Grillers Make With Burgers and How to Avoid Them

These are listed in "purchase" to "enjoy" order of the burger making process.

Mistake #1. Buying Inferior Meat

Simple solution to this one. Skip the "who-knows-what's-in-there" package of ground meat and pick up the ground chuck instead. Better yet, pick out a nice piece of chuck or even steak and ask your butcher to grind it for you. That way you are 100% sure of what is in your burger.

Mistake #2. Choosing Meat That is Too Lean

We all want to eat healthier and consume less fat -- But this is NOT the place to do it. Meat that is too lean will produce dry and tough burgers. Look for meat with 15 to 20% fat -- or, as they like to say on the label, 80 to 85% lean meat.

Mistake #3. Working the Raw Patties Too Much

The perfectly packed burger should be loose. This creates a very juicy burger. Working the meat too much while you are forming the raw patties into burger will result in dry and hard results.

Mistake #4. Playing With the Burgers Too Much on the Grill

Turn the burgers ONE time. Period. Cook the first side -- Flip it -- Cook the second side. Done. Enjoy.

Mistake #5. The Absolute Worst and Most Common Mistake of Them All -- Pressing Down on the Burgers While They are Grilling

Here's an idea -- if you like dry, tough burgers, go ahead and press you spatula down on them while they are grilling . That will press out all the juice -- what we like to call "flavor" -- and you'll be left with your perfect dry, tough burger.

Just don't do it. Don't. Ever.

About the Author:

If you have a BroilMaster Gas Grill and you want to keep it working in tip top condition, visit our new site BroilMaster InfraRed Grill Parts for information on the best deals and sources for all the parts and accessories you need. Visit http://broilmastergrillparts.org

Eating On The Street In Mexico

2010-10-13T08:09:00.001-07:00

Eating On The Street In Mexico

by Christine Szalay-Kudra

One of most interesting ways to eat when you visit Mexico is to visit the street vendors. Their food is amazing, both in appearance and flavor. It is also a very cheap way to eat in Mexico. Food vendors are often lined up in rows, especially during festival times.

You will enjoy the colorful, well-lit stalls. You can find beverages in earthenware cups. Some you can choose to put in plastic baggies if you do not want to keep the cup. Commercial drinks are also available. Be sure you do not fill up too much on the beverages so you have time for food and exploration.

Eating

There are too many delicious foods to describe. If you are not sure what to start with, try something you feel safe with, such as tamales. They are prepared beforehand and brought to the booth for steaming. You can find them with many different delicious fillings.

If you are ready to try something new, consider elote. This delicious dish is made from fresh corn cut from the cob. The corn is mixed with limejuice, mayonnaise, salt, chili powder, and shredded cheese. It is served up simply in a Styrofoam cup for a simple, fabulous dish.

Tacos al pastor are like a combination of Greek gyros and tacos. The meat is seasoned pork that is grilled on a spit. Shaved meat is added to your taco along with onions, cilantro, and other toppings you can choose.

Street food is a wonderful way to get authentic Mexican food. Keep track of what you liked best so you can search for recipes later. This way, you can make your favorites any time.

The Desserts

If you want to keep it simple, try some individual-sized flans. You can get them in several different flavors, including savory and nutty. Pick one or more that suits your mood and enjoy them as you walk down the street.

If you like pastry, try some churros. These Mexican donuts are great to eat on the go. These sweet treats are usually filled with vanilla, caramel, or strawberry fillings. They are easy to eat as you walk through town enjoying the sights. Buy several and you can take your snacks with you as you explore the town.

If you are on a budget, you will love Mexican street food even more. You can easily make a meal of items from five or more booths and still fill up two people on less than US$10. Travel budgets can be pretty tight sometimes, so you can appreciate it when the opportunity comes up to eat well without it costing you a lot.

This is a great way to explore the real Mexico and experience what the locals eat. This is the ultimate way to travel south of the border for anyone with foodie tendencies. Take the time to mingle and enjoy the culture. Meet the people. Eat their food. Street food is a large part of the cuisine of Mexico. Unlike fast food in the United States, it is authentic, fresh, and good for you.

About the Author:

Mexican dessert recipes that use chocolate are numerous. You can make chocolate sauce, chocolate candies, or chocolate filling for empanadas and tamales. Since chocolate got its start in Mexico, it is only fitting that they make the most of this delicious ingredient.

Easy To Prepare Desserts With A Kick

2010-10-13T06:35:00.000-07:00

Easy To Prepare Desserts With A Kick

by Shaira Paltrow

Dessert is always one of the most enjoyable meals, even though it's often a guilty pleasure. The sweet flavors of a well-prepared dessert can be just the thing to cap off a good meal.

Whether you prefer something hot for dessert like cake, or something cold like ice cream, you'll always have more choices than you can count. I've seen my fair share of desserts in my days, and there are some that I'll always love and return to. But here are a few of the new dessert ideas that I've been trying recently.

If you haven't tried these dessert ideas, they're all worth giving a shot. If they sound good to you, you can always find some great recipes online for all of these desserts.

One ingredient that I love to use in my desserts is white chocolate mousse. You've probably tasted regular chocolate mousse before, but white chocolate mousse is a little less common. Some people would even say it's better than the traditional chocolate flavor.

With a little raspberry drizzle added, it makes a delicious and simple dessert. The fruity flavor of the strawberry blends perfectly with the creamy, rich chocolate to create a delicious combination of flavors.

If you're looking to prepare a dessert with aesthetic qualities as well, try an ice cream martini in a glass. This dessert will allow you to flex your creative muscle, since the presentation is the most important aspect.

Your guests will surely be impressed by the dessert since it's not only delicious, but professional-looking as well. Make it into a sundae by adding some trimmings and it'll be even more impressive.

The last dessert that I'll bring up can also be very aesthetically pleasing when it's prepared correctly: a mango rose with ice cream filling. To prepare this dessert, you cut a mango into the shape of a rose. This might sound difficult, but it's really not; you can find instructions on the internet.

Filling the mango with ice cream or sorbet makes it into an attractive and delicious dessert. You can even use different flavors of ice cream - you don't have to stick to just vanilla. If you like mangos in general, you'll love this one.

About the Author:

This writer also frequently blogs about things like plantation shutters and made to measure blinds.

Awesome Martini Recipes

2010-10-13T04:30:00.001-07:00

Awesome Martini Recipes

by Angela Kitson

Martini recipes are very good to try out. Martini is known to have started their recipes around 1860. They will provide you with delicious cocktail drinks. These recipes are very many and you can try out any of them. Most of these recipes will not consume a lot of time when preparing thus they are good for time management. Due to the quality of the Martini recipes, sometimes they may not be readily available to everyone who wants to access them. Most people who drink find these recipes providing them with a lot of enjoyment and they also have got at taste of class.

You can use these recipes to try out different types of drinks or as a way of improving your skills. The goodness of Martini is that it can be used to prepare drinks that will make everyone want more. If you want to prepare a good cocktail party for your family members, you should try using the Martini recipes.

With these Martini recipes, you will not lack ideas of the drinks that you want to prepare. These recipes are from fruits which are locally available like apples, lime and lemon. If you want to have something different, you can try out the recipe for 'lychee' which is a Chinese fruit. You might end up liking it even more than the fruits which are common. Each of the recipes will require different ingredients.

These recipes include some fruit options like apple, lemon, lime, raspberry and lychee (This is a Chinese fruit with brittle covering). Other recipes from Martini include pumpkin recipe, classic recipe, spicy recipe, gin recipe, espresso recipe, chocolate recipe, champagne recipe, vodka recipe and Dirty recipe. With all these recipes from Martini, you will not lack a recipe that will be of interest to you. The benefit of these Martini recipes is that they will be perfect for any cocktail party. So if you have been wondering what to use during a cocktail party, now you have a solution.

If you decide to try out the pumpkin recipe, you should find out of what are the ingredients to use. There are three pumpkin recipes from Martini and each of them has its own unique ingredients. The first pumpkin recipe requires the following ingredients; pumpkin syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and alcoholic liquor. The second pumpkin recipe will have the following requirements; cream liqueur, cinnamon, pumpkin syrup, cream which is whipped and vanilla vodka. The third pumpkin recipe requires the following ingredients; pumpkin syrup, nutmeg, an egg without the yolk, liqueur and whiskey that is from rye.

About the Author:

Do you love martinis? Visit the Martini Guide for awesome martini recipes such as the ever popular and tasty martini and an exotic and excellent selection of martini recipes.

Do You Cook? Then Try Kitchenaid Food Mixer

2010-10-13T01:37:00.001-07:00

Do You Cook? Then Try Kitchenaid Food Mixer

by Warren Parker

Do you cook? Many people do whether they like it or not, but perhaps the biggest cooking and baking lovers hate experiencing faulty cookware.

Have you gone to use the food processor only to see the motor blow out? Maybe you have been mixing using a spoon that snapped in half, or your standing mixer started to break after just a couple of times of use, or several years even. Appliances certainly are a necessity for any cook and it's always frustrating if they break.

Are you looking for top quality kitchen appliances along with other kitchen tools? If you want kitchenware that lasts and performs perfectly every time, you need to go Kitchen Aid.

Exactly what do I suggest when i say Kitchen Aid means quality? It indicates that whenever you think Kitchen Aid, top quality performance and build should come to mind. Kitchen Aid appliances, from their standing mixers to coffee machines to bakeware, are all made exceptionally well.

Kitchen Aid appliances don't break after a couple of years of usage. They don't start to break apart, and the motor does not blow out. Also, they make high performance appliances.

The standing mixers will take a lot, from beating egg whites into soft peaks to kneading tough dough. The hand mixers are also top quality, whereas many hand mixers of other brands stop working as soon as they go into slightly tougher territory.

There are also coffee machines that brew the ideal cup of coffee, and coffee grinders that grind your favorite beans fresh when you want them. They have food processors which can chop, slice, and puree almost everything, and toasters either with two slots or four slots. Plus, they go beyond just appliances and also offer cookware and bakeware, including pans, baking sheets, cooking utensils, pots, pans, and cutlery.

So whether your planning to build a whole new kitchen collection or simply need a new toaster or set of baking sheets, look no further than Kitchen Aid. You can get the best quality and save money because you'll never have to buy them again!

About the Author:

Learn more about food mixer. Stop by Warren Parker's site where you can find out all about Kitchen Aid Stand Mixers and what it can do for you.

Unique kitchen Article: Learn How To Be Healthy - Enjoy The Benefits Of Cherries

2010-09-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Learn How To Be Healthy - Enjoy The Benefits Of Cherries

by Joan Cade

Fast-food is one of the most dangerous threats for the health of the modern man. Even if it is widely advertised, we still understand that these products have only negative effects. In order to feel good, to have enough energy, to stay fit and have a strong immunity, we need to eat more natural products.

Any person who wants to be healthy should base his/her nutrition on vegetables, fruits, berries, beans and cereals. A fruit that is often overlooked because of its little size is the cherry. Cherries are a good source of vitamins and antioxidants, being a natural cure for many diseases.

Natural products are undeniably the most important part of our diet. However, we can eat fresh fruits and vegetables only during certain seasons. So what can we do in winter or early spring - after all, during the cold months we need vitamins more than ever?

Since ancient times, people have discovered many ways of preserving fresh products, thus conserving all (or some) of their properties. Among these methods, we can name a few: drying, freezing, or the more modern options of making different concentrates out of fresh fruits.

Among all these methods, drying (especially sun-drying) is the most natural, preserving all the goodness of the product without employing preservatives and other chemical enhancers.

Thanks to dried cherries, we can enjoy the wonderful taste of this petite fruit all year long, even during winter! There are many ways of using them, just put your fantasy to work! If you're lazy, just eat them straight from the pack, as a healthy snack. If you want something fancier, use them as toppings for different desserts or as ingredients in your cooking.

With dried cherries, you can easily improve the taste of any recipe: pies, cookies, puddings and muffins, salads and meat courses will become much more appetizing!

Cherries are indeed a universal ingredient. Their excellent sweet-tangy taste is not their only attraction point. Thanks to their many healing properties, cherries will certainly help you prevent and treat many dysfunctions, thus protecting and improving your overall well-being.

About the Author:

If you want to improve your health, you should eat more natural products. Check our Joan Cade's website and learn more about dried cherries - types, main culinary uses and delicious recipes. This resource will also offer you a detailed review on the health benefits of dried cherries.

Do You Know There Can Be 3 Different Ways To Cook Rice?

2010-09-28T04:30:00.000-07:00

Do You Know There Can Be 3 Different Ways To Cook Rice?

by Chef Brian

Rice may be prepared by three procedures, each of which requires a different percentage of waters. These methods are boiling, which requires 12 times as much water as rice; the Japanese method, which needs 5 times as much; and steaming, which needs 2-1/2 times as much. Whichever of these methods is used, however, it should be remembered that any rice grains, when correctly prepared, should be whole and distinct. To give them this style and protect against the rice from having a pasty appearance, this cereal should not be stirred too much in cooking nor should it be cooked too long.

BOILED RICE - Boiling is about the simplest way. Correctly boiled rice not only makes a beneficial dish itself, but is an excellent foundation for other dishes that may be dished up at any meal. The water in which rice is boiled ought not be thrown away, as it features a lot of nutritive material. This water may be utilized during the preparation of soups or sauces, or it might even be utilized to supply the liquid required in the creating of yeast bread.

BOILED RICE (Sufficient to Serve Eight)
1 c. rice ; three tsp. Salt; three qt. boiling water

Wash the rice cautiously and add it to the boiling salted h2o. Boil rapidly till the water begins to appear milky because of the starch getting out of the rice into the h2o or till a grain can be effortlessly crushed between the fingers. Drain the cooked rice through a colander, and then pour cold h2o more than the rice within the colander, so as to wash out the loose starch and keep each and every grain defined. Reheat the rice by shaking it over the fire, and serve hot with butter, gravy, or cream or milk and sugar.

JAPANESE Technique - Rice prepared by the Japanese method may be utilized in the exact same ways as boiled rice. However, unless some use is to be made of the liquid from boiled rice, the Japanese method has the advantage of being a more economical way of cooking this cereal.

JAPANESE Technique (Adequate to Serve Eight)
one c. rice ; 1-1/2 tsp. Salt; 5 c. boiling water

Rinse the rice, add it into the boiling salted water, and boil slowly but surely for fifteen minutes. Then cover the utensil in which the rice is cooking and place it in the oven for fifteen minutes extra, to be able to evaporate the h2o more thoroughly and make the grains tender with out being mushy. Serve in the exact same way as boiled rice.

STEAMED RICE - To steam rice demands a lot more time than either of the preceding preparing techniques, but it causes no deprivation of food material. Then, too, unless the rice is stirred too much during it is steaming, it will have a better visual appeal than rice cooked by the other methods. As in the event of boiled rice, steamed grain may be utilized as the basis for a selection of dishes and may be served in any meal.

STEAMED RICE (Adequate to Serve Six)
1 c. rice; 1-1/2 tsp. Salt 2-1/2 c. water

Wash the rice cautiously and combine it into the boiling salted water. Cook it for five minutes after which put it in a double boiler and permit it to cook until it's soft. Keep the cooking utensil covered and don't stir the rice. About one hour will probably be needed to cook rice in this way. Serve in the same way as boiled rice.

About the Author:

Chef Brian's Cooking Tips offers recipes and articles regarding the finer tips of the culinary arts. Chef Brian's cooking tips come from years of experience at restaurants. During those years in the kitchens He noticed tiny areas of black mold from time to time and He created a website showing how to cleanup black mold.

11 Minute Cook Carbonara

2009-10-16T03:30:00.000-07:00

Leah is off school 2day so I had to actually cook lunch rather than go for a quick chicken kebab.
Being Leah she asked what we are having for lunch at 10:45am ... So I asked what she fancied? She said that they were going to have pasta in school so she wanted me to do pasta for her.

OK that's an easy one said I, so at 12:11am I started. I intended to do a carbonara but you know when you look in the fridge and it just doesn't have what you want it to have in it, well it was like that... So this is how it went.

I got the large frying pan out and put it on the hob with a small knob of butter.
I took a small pot and half filled it with water and a little pinch of rock salt and set it to boil.
I took out a fresh chicken breast, cut it into about 1 inch (1")cubes.
Cut 2 rashers of streaky bacon into 2" strips
Put the chicken in the frying pan (un-seasoned - bacon is salty enough)
Umm no peppers so I grabbed a carrot and a courgette - I cut them into 1/2" slices
1/4 Onion sliced up quite finely.
OK the water was boiling time to get the pasta in there.
I then added the bacon carrot & courgette and onion to the chicken and gave it a toss.
I then Tweeted about Swedish doctors and gluten! - 3 mins later back to the stove I go...
Umm no cream .. "What's this matlagningsgadde stuff looks like cream!" Yey Leah says it is :)
Leah pours about 15dl of that to the frying pan and we give everything a stir
Great the pasta is 'al dente' (almost cooked) we drain off all the water .
Add the pasta to the frying pan and crack a little black pepper in then give it another good stir.

The smell of the fresh cracked pepper is lovely.
OK game over .. SmartDads & Leah's carbonara stylee in 11mins flat.

Why Not Take Your Seasoning On Holiday?

2009-09-03T03:15:00.000-07:00

It's not like you pack a separate case of knickers and socks for the seasoning...

I mean take a bit of what you love to cook with so when you hit the barbie on the balcony or cook up in your rented kitchen at least the food taste's as it should with the seasoning and basic spices you use to cook at home with.

Have you ever been self catering and you ain't even got salt in the kitchen?...

You know how it is. you go to the local rather expensive supermarket and you end up spending a fortune in there on things like a salt and pepper grinder, a decent knife that you have to leave behind washing up liquid and all that jazz...There you go then thats what I'm talking about !

I always do a "2 special mixes" and being a bit of a kitchen gadget dad I have a neat pair of small grinders that have traveled extensively. I picked them up whilst I was at Harvey Nic's. Anyway in 1 I put a mix of pepper corns, coarse rock salt, and garlic flakes (they just add a little bit of umm yummy). The other grinder really depends on where I'm going to often I go for a dry coarse mix that I already have on the larder shelf, usually fish based.

The point is, when I do rock up and want to cook I can :) Buying meat abroad can be a bit traumatic at times. I mean I know my meat and sometimes when I ask for a cut of beef and it doesn't even resemble red meat! That's also when I'm glad I bought my own seasonings and can still make it flavorsome.

Just salt pepper and fire thats the best way to cook though. one of the best treats a new potato can have is 15 mins on the barbie ....

After it has been boiled for 15 mins
Covered in melted butter
Crack some of the salt and pepper mix on top,
Roll them around the barbie until a little golden, quality, just yummy.

2 Smart Tips On Frugal Food

2009-07-05T16:34:00.000-07:00

Don't Let thhe Kid's Eat Steak...

When it comes to t cooking with the kids, make sure you don't get too carried away in what your teaching then.

I can see a few raised eye brows already... by that I mean,sty clear of the fillet steak and the raspberry compote.

Frugality is a great teacher as as well a a certain necessary at times. The wife collects all sorts of odds 'n' ends in the refrigerator.

Tip #1 let the kids make cazy kebabs, spanish omelettes, bubble and squeak, hash browns mash patoto suprize and all kinds of chips. Pankaces and of course rice pudding... Out of vertually nothing.

That way they learn that you can make great tasty meals with not much at all. My ma always said she could make anything with just an onion.

Tip # 2 If you cat see what your looking for in the fidgeg keep lookinng, it's bound to be there!
It happened to me just noe with the phillidelphia, I just kew it was there but hey could I see it NO. Must have gone back and forth to the fridge about 5 times looking for it too..

Croissants or croissants

2009-06-14T03:30:00.000-07:00

They just wont eat those ones...

Talk about fussy eaters, or is it developed pallets? My two Kids are the ultimate I'm sure.
They love the co-op croissants .. they are fresh baked on the premises and are light and melt in your mouth. They are adorable with a strawberry jam / anything sweet spread on top...

So the other day me and the 2 kids go shopping to ASDA for something to cook for tea after school. Whilst there the youngest spots a bag of 12 croissants and makes a dash for them. Now he is 4 and trying to explain to him that these just looked like croissants and even the label said croissants but daddy knew that he wasn't going to like these...

Damn it ... I was too slow, as over came big sister and I knew now I would have a fight on my hands., her eyes were also popping at the sight if the 12 pack. She shouted out "yummy daddy" and just looked at me I knew that what ever argument I was to put forward she wasn't going to have any of it. So I ended up being forced to but the 12 pack from ASDA.

We got to the car and as soon as they were strapped in they were pleading to have a croissant, so I gave them 1 each. Not to my surprise they didn't even finish that one.

The 12 pack of croissants stayed on the breakfast counter for about 2 weeks, then I threw them out. You just cant beat fresh croissants. Those ones in the plastic packaging with a whole 2 weeks on the on the best before date are just not cricket. <

Tiger Bread

2009-06-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

Yummy Yummy Tiger Bread...

Tiger bread It's made with sesame oil an has a really beautiful smell. It's so distinctive and with a pattern baked into the top made by painting rice paste onto the surface before you bake it. The paste dries and cracks during the baking process, creating a two-colour effect similar to "tigers" markings, hence the name.. What do you reckon? If you ever try it its Sooo yummy, you gotta try it!

It is sold as "Dutch crunch" in deli's throughout the San Francisco area "apparently." I've never been to Frisco myself! but I don't think it's the same flavour as the "Dutch crunch recipe" has no sesame oil init! Ever cooked "Stir-fry" with sesame oil or peanut oil?. It makes your food smell really different , so authentic. next time you toss a few noodles in a pan try adding a little nut oil to the pan first.

Just when the not smell starts to come out chuck in your other ingredients. yummy , better than paying any day. I bet you add that to your favorite food list you'll be lucky if you have a big supermarket close by.

Anyway.... Smart dad. Says It has to be this one ... "just after or preferably the night of the weekly shop" I got a plethora of goodies. Fresh bread, lovely non wet (big hate of mine) dry cured ham, natural yogurt, fresh strawberry's with extra thick cream for the dessert. And a cold can ... All to be consumed in the privacy of the office / den / playroom / hut / study / Trophy room maybe!

Thinking of a BBQ?

2009-05-03T15:09:00.000-07:00

Barnsley Chops .. Are they still called that?

The saddle cut for double chops... oh gorgeous
I am not allowed to cook lamb in the house as my flat mate actually is sick at the smell of it, So tonight we BBQ or as they say in Sweden "we grill"

Lamb is another one of those red meats that folks just aren't generally sure about how much to cook it. Lamb especially from the saddle (lamb chops) is best cooked medium you really will notice a most subtle flavour when your lamb is still a little pink.

One of the best ways to cook this meat is a simple fire and salt affair, so take advantage of those lovely evenings and grill yourself a Barnsley chop or 2. I'm going for an old favourite of mine. Plain barnsley with sea salt with fresh rosemary placed on top to finish,

I'll rub both sides of my Barnsley's with the coarse sea salt and nothing more they will sit on a grill for about 2 minutes on each side. "I'll be fiddling around and turning them by 90 degrees just to get the grill bar pattern right after a min too"... )

Then as I turn over the chops I'll place a sprig of rosemary on top, just the smell of the rosemary warming up is enough to make your mouth start to water. another 90 degree turn in a minute, and then I pull it off

Serve with boiled new potatoes that have also been sitting on the grill for about 10 mins and you wont believe your taste buds ... yum yum & bon appetite.

Daddy ...stop cooking meatballs please

2009-05-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better that cooking from scratch,

"I mean nothing" well maybe sex, but it depends on who your cooking with!

Anyway I'm kind of an experimenter in the kitchen and when I really like a dish that I make, I then make it a couple of more times and tweak any flavours, you know how it is. ("an extra clove of garlic here, I should have throw in a bay leaf there") So I'm on a mission and my kids are as always first to taste my new favourite food.. so I start tweaking, and mince is on offer this week in the co-op across the road!

So I'm on the hunt for the perfect quick and simple poppetia napolitan, you may know it as meat balls and tomato sauce:

I use 500gm mince meat
2 cloves of garlic
1 red onion
1 whole raw egg
3 'cream crackers'
2 table spoon of olive oil
6 medium tomatoes, (on the vine are best)
1/3 tube of tomato puree
1 table spoon of flour
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoon of dry mixed herbs
Rock salt / fresh cracked pepper
1 pint of water

That's the base and it's so easy to make. basically every thing that you use you want to finely chop, apart from the mince...duh of course and the crackers, more about the crackers soon...
OK do not chop your bay leaves and do not attempt to chop the tomato puree either.I've got to go slow just in case, don't want to loose anybody here...

Take the 3 cream crackers and put them in one of those food bags and crush em good, when you're finished the food bag should look like a little bag of breadcrumbs.
Put the mince in a big mixing bowl, add 1/4 of the the finely chopped onion and garlic 1/3 mixed herbs the whole raw egg, put the bag of cracker crumbs in on top add a good pinch of rock salt or 3 if your me.. followed by a the cracked pepper
Get your hands in and mix all your ingredients in the bowl for about 3 minutes until you have 1 giant meat ball.
Make bite sized meatballs out of the giant and gently sauté in a good large pan with the 2 tbl spoons of olive oil for about 4 minutes.
Now into the large pan add the freshly chopped tomatoes the puree the rest of the chopped garlic, onion and herbs and the flour, stir well on a low heat for a few minutes. Add the water and bay leaf and simmer slow for 30 mins that's it really

The Finale- almost
So I'm tweaking away, and loving the results, I've almost perfected it... But after eating home made meatballs in tomato sauce 3 day's out of 5 my 7yrs old daughter begged me "please stop cooking meatballs daddy"

I promised to do something different tomorrow, but I wasn't happy about it! :(

Best time to go Hunting for Favourite Food.

2009-02-21T18:39:00.000-08:00

Good Opportunity for Hunting

It was like any other ordinary Saturday night. The kids had long gone to bed, tired from practicing the new moves they had learnt from "dancing whoever gets talent" on the TV earlier that evening...

I'd heard the Mrs come up the stairs a couple of hours ago and knew she was in bed with facebook, or watching a movie. And I was just sitting up in my little office all on my lonesome putting together an article, some research or something...
and I get that little tingling.

You know the one.... So I begin my decent. I tip-toe down the 3 flights of stairs to my prize at the bottom the kitchen.. As soon as I get there all reminiscence of what I was considering having to eat flew out the window. I headed straight from the bottom of my decent forward to look around and go into the larder. Cakes biscuits, crisps even chocolate, but I'm just not interested. I quickly spin and head for the tall silver looking cupboard and yank open the door. The whirring sound begins and a small smile graces my lips.

The fridge was full of a chefs dream. countless items to thrown into a creation with a rattle of pot and a toss of pan.... Still I'm not satisfied. Why am I not at ease in my haven? ah.. the wolf nose gives it away as I find the humble beginnings of a 'favorite food snack'.. Had I sniffed out my meal for the night...? I peer over the top of my glasses and see it there sitting large and proud. I glimpse over to my armoury. I see a glistening from the blade as I quickly move towards it letting the door of the fridge close with the rattle of bottles. I grip my blade firmly in my right hand, lunging towards the now UN-intimating Tiger Bread loaf

Why do they call it Tiger Bread? ..Well basically Wiki says

Tiger bread It's made with sesame oil an has a really beautiful smell. It's so distinctive and with a pattern baked into the top made by painting rice paste onto the surface before you bake it. The paste dries and cracks during the baking process, creating a two-colour effect similar to "tigers" markings, hence the name.. What do you reckon? If you ever try it its Sooo yummy, you gotta try it!