Thursday 9 February 2017

Create A Romantic Evening At Home


You have decided to invite someone you are dating to your home for a romantic evening and you want everything to go well.
Here are a few tips to help you achieve that result. 

Planning your Romantic Evening:

1. Your Physical Surroundings 

It's a good idea to make sure your house or apartment is clean and tidy. It may not be anyone's primary focus but it will make an impression on your guest, even if it's subliminal. 

Spend a few hours doing the cleaning yourself, hire someone to do it for you, or, at the very least, shove all that clutter into your closets or under the bed. Wipe down surfaces to get rid of dust and stains. 

Apart from the living and dining areas, there are two other rooms that need your attention: 

a. The bathroom


  • Wipe down the sink/washbasin, tub and shower stall. Put a fresh cake of soap on the sink and hang fresh towels.
  • At the very least your guest will use the bathroom to wash his or her hands so make sure it's a pleasant experience. 

b. The bedroom 


  • Get rid of any extraneous clutter like clothes strewn around the room or on the floor. Change the sheets, make the bed and wipe down any surfaces.
  •  If your guest ends up spending the night, you don't want him or her racing off for a tetanus shot in the morning.
  •  To create a romantic atmosphere in your bedroom, have some scented candles on hand and an easy-to-reach sound system.
  • You might also consider buying a quilt cover in a richromantic color and a set of sheets to match. 

2. Your Choice Of Menu 


  • While food can be an excellent means of seduction, it's a mistake to choose too complicated a menu unless you're an experienced cook and you don't get easily flustered. 
  • Simple dishes like spaghetti or ratatouille make a tasty and satisfying meal without spiking your anxiety levels.
  • The point is to enjoy the evening along with your guest, not treat the event like it's a university-entrance exam. 

How To Avoid Psycho-Chef Syndrome 

  • One trick is to prepare as much of the meal as possible beforehand so you're not rushing around like a pinball once your guest arrives. 
  • Have all the ingredients choppeddiced and ready for cooking. Do this the night before or earlier that day, whatever works best for you. 
  • Salad ingredients can be prepared earlier and stored in separate containers, then added to the salad bowl and dressed before serving.
  •  You can even cheat by purchasing your meal from a favorite restaurant and having it delivered (or picking it up) before your guest arrives. 
  • Definitely buy desert from your favorite bakery or supermarket, unless you're a wiz at whipping up a Pavlova or meringue.
  •  Another option is to prepare dessert the night before and reheat it if necessary when you're ready to serve it. 

3. Your Cooking Area 


  • Make sure your kitchen is clean before you begin cooking.
  • Yes, you'll no doubt make a mess once you start but you don't want yesterday's dishes in the way.
  •  Your guest may offer to help so the kitchen needs to meet minimum health standards. 
  • It's up to you whether you accept this help or not, but we recommend that you do, even if it's only a token effort like tossing the salad.
  • Sharing cooking tasks can be a wonderfully romantic interaction as it creates a special kind of intimacy.
  • Have you ever noticed how much more easily conversation flows when two people are doing a task, as opposed to sitting face to face? 

4. Setting The Table 



  • Set the table beforehand. Use a good tablecloth, your best silverware and a nice set of plates. Use your best glasses and an attractive salt and pepper set, milk jug and sugar bowl.
  •  Show your guest that you went to some trouble to make the meal a special occasion. This is not the time for melamine dishes or chipped or mismatched crockery. You're aiming for a touch of class. 
  • Use candlesticks on the table for a romantic ambience, or place candles on other surfaces around the room. 
  • Background music is a must but make sure it's romantic and subtle. Limit blaring rock and roll or rap to the period when you're preparing dinner, but please, no high-octane music while you're eating. 
  • Set the sound at a low volume so it doesn't interfere with your conversation. And remember, if you don't play music during the meal you run the risk of filling any silences with the sound of people masticating. 

5. Cleaning Up Later 

  • Don't let your guest anywhere near the kitchen after the meal is over. Hopefully you'll have better things to do with your time together. 
  • But all is not lost if they do insist on helping with the chores. Many a couple has fallen in love while doing the dishes, for two main reasons:

    1. As mentioned earlier, there's the ease of conversation that takes place when you're doing a task rather than concentrating on talking.

    2. Doing dishes together is like playing house. It can actually feel very romantic, especially when one or both people realize, "This is what I want with this person." You won't get the same effect if you use a dishwasher, so set aside at least a couple of pots, which will you allow to suggest, "I'll wash and you dry." 
  • With a little forethought, anyone can create a romantic evening at home.
  • The old cliché, "the way to a person's heart is through their stomach", has more than a little truth to it.
  • Test it yourself with someone you care about. The least you'll get is a great home-cooked meal. 

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Monday 6 February 2017

Best 3 Chocolate Recipes

Chocolate is celebration. Chocolate is pure pleasure. Chocolate is what you need when you want the world to look up.

Chocolate has the ability to say it all, without saying it. And if you think that's going overboard, chocolate is now seen as the ultimate feel-good bar of serotonin you can have.

Find whatever excuse you must, and try out any of these handpicked chocolaterecipes that are going to melt your heart away.

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Have a little fun with your plain ole cheesecake by adding some yummy chocolate chips.
Another great way to use our favorite chocolate morsels.


Ingredients:



  • 1 cup chocolate wafer crumbs
  • 3 tablespoons margarine, melted
  • 3 8-oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 3 eggs
  •  ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate pieces 
    
     Directions



  •            Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  •        Combine crumbs and margarine; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
  •        Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
  •        Combine cream cheese, sugar and flour, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well  blended.
  •       Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in sour cream and vanilla. Stir in chocolate pieces; pour over crust. Bake at 325 degrees for 55 minutes. 
  •       Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan. Chill.
  •       Garnish with whipped cream and red or green maraschino cherries. 

.     Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies


     Chocolate fudge cake cookies stuffed with macadamia nuts and white chocolate morsels. 



      Ingredients:


  •        2/3 cup macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
  •      1 p kg chocolate fudge or devil’s food cake mix
  •      1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
  •      ¼ cup sour cream 
  •       1 egg
  •      1 cup white chocolate, coarsely chopped    

    
     Directions

  •        Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
  •      Place nuts onto ungreased 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until lightly toasted.
  •      Combine cake mix, butter, sour cream, and egg in large bowl.
  •      Beat at low speed for 1 minute, scraping bowl often.
  •    Increase speed to medium; beat 1 minute (dough will be thick). Stir in white chocolate and toasted macadamia nuts by hand.
  •      Drop dough by level tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  •      Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until set. Let stand 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets. 
   
   Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake

    If you love the taste of chocolate and peanut butter together then you’ve got to make yourself a ChocolatePeanut Butter Milkshake.

      It’s perfect for a late afternoon snack or when you get a late night craving for something sweet. 




    Ingredients

  •      cup creamy peanut butter 
  •      1/4 cup chocolate syrup
  •      1/4 cup milk
  •      12 cubes ice 

    Directions



  •      Combine peanut butter, ice cream, chocolate syrup and milk in a blender and blend until   smooth.
  •       Pour into glasses.
  •     Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and top with chopped nuts and maraschino cherry if desired.



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Sunday 5 February 2017

3 Methods For Perfectly Melted Chocolate

Melting chocolate for baking is an exacting task, if not done perfectly you can end up with a burned or grainy mess and ruin whatever you are baking. 

Below are 3 methods for Melting Chocolate, each can be successful in it’s own way and you need only pick a method that works for you and get cooking

Many recipes require MeltingChocolate, such as brownies and cakes.


There are several techniques, some better than others and your choice of approach will depend on the type of chocolate melted.

Sometime chocolate melted with butter or other ingredients, but this tip is about melting chocolate on its own.

Melting chocolate is not the same as  Tempering chocolate, although melting is a necessary step in the tempering process.

In The Oven



  • Chocolate can be melt in the oven quite easily but you will need to be very diligent about watching it.
  •  It's easy to get baking chore and not realize that you have overheat it until it is too late.
  • To melt chocolate in the oven, heat the oven to 110 degrees. Chop the chocolate and place in a dish inside the oven.
  • Keep the door open and check regularly. It will take about an hour to melt thoroughly.


Double Boiler Method



  •  The traditionalmethod of melting chocolate is to use a Double boiler. A double boiler is a special set of pans consisting of a saucepan hold hot water, and a bowl fits secure over the saucepan.
  • Chocolate is place in the top bowl and allow to melt over gentle, indirect heat. If you don’t own a double boiler, any metal or glass bowl that fits snugly over the top of a saucepan can be use.
  • Begin by filling the saucepan with hot water from the tap. You want enough water to provide heat, but not so much that the bottom of the chocolate bowl touches the water. 
  • Heat the saucepan over low heat until it just begins to simmer, then turn off the stove and place the chocolate bowl over the water.
  •   If you are melting large amounts of chocolate, begin with 1/3 of your final quantity and melt in batches, waiting until the chocolate in the bowl is melting before adding more un-melt chunks. Let the chocolate begin to melt, and then stir it gently with a plastic spatula.
  •  When  all of the chocolate melting, life the top bowl from the saucepan and set it on the counter. Stir continuously until it is shiny, smooth, and completely melting.



How to melt Chocolate in a Microwave



The easiest way to control the temperature of the melting chocolate is to use the microwave oven at 20% power. 

Melting chocolate in short bursts of 20% power keeps the temperature below 90°F and the chocolate in temper.

To melt chocolate and keep it in temper, follow these simple steps:

  •  Place finely chopped chocolate in a microwave safe bowl.
  •  Microwave at 20% power for 15 seconds; remove the bowl from the microwave and stir.
  • The first couple of times you heat and then stir it, the chopped chocolate will still be pretty solid, but it is important to stir after every burst of power to keep the heat evenly distributed throughout the chocolate.
  •  Repeat process until most of the chocolate has melted and is smooth.
  •  Let it stand for a minute or two, stirring occasionally, until all of the chocolate melts and it’s silky-smooth.
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Solving the 7 Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistakes

Let’s face it EVERY cook makes mistakes (yes, even us professional bakers make boo boo’s).
I’m going to list here, the 7 most common whole wheat bread baking mistakes that you’re probably making, or might make if you’re not forewarned, and what you can do about them.

1. Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake

  • By far the most common bread baking mistake is when the salt is forgotten to be added to the whole wheat bread dough.
  • This results in very bland bread, and even effects the rising of the dough. Making your whole wheat bread flat on top.
  • The best solution for this is to use a post it note as a reminder to yourself, to add the salt to the whole wheat bread dough.
  • You can stick the post it note where ever you’re most likely to see it (fridge, recipe book, etc..)


2. Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake

  • The second most common mistake is when the whole wheat bread dough is allowed to over risewhich leads to it falling.
  • This usually happens when the whole wheat bread dough is forgotten about. And with so much going on our lives, who doesn’t forget things like this now and then?
  • But don’t fret, there is a solution: If the whole wheat bread is already in the bread pans when it over rises simply use a pair of kitchen scissors to cut the excess dough off the sides of the unbaked loaves.
  • Separate and roll this dough into a few small balls of dough. Allow them to rise 20 minutes to 30 minutes on a small oiled cookie sheet, and then bake them on 350 Fahrenheit, for 15 to 20 minutes as whole wheat rolls.
  • Also allow the whole wheat bread dough to rise for about 15 to 20 more minutes before baking if it is extremely flat on top.
  • Another solution to help you keep from forgetting about your bread, is to use a timer which will beep loudly after the selected time period is up.
  • Using a timer can also help stop other whole wheat bread baking catastrophes from happening.


3. Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake


  • When you heat up your water to put your yeast in, it is easy to accidentally make the water a bit too hot. This mistake will kill the yeast and your bread will not rise
  • To correct this mistake I strongly recommend you invest in a cooking thermometer, to measure the temperature of the water with.


4. Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake

  • If the recipe you use makes too much dough for your family’s needs and you worry that the extra bread will grow stale before you use it, fear not.
  • It is perfectly safe to refrigerate unused dough for a few days and allow the whole wheat bread dough to finish it’s rising time once you get it out to use it.
  • You can use a ziploc bag or plastic wrap over bowls that contain your whole wheat bread dough, to store it in your fridge and still prevent oxidation.


5. Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake


  • Burned bread. Yup, nothing tastes worse than whole wheat bread which is black as charcoal.
  • To avoid this, be sure you follow baking times and temperatures strictly.
  • And again use a timer to remind yourself when it’s time to remove your whole wheat bread from the oven.
  • Also remember that gas ovens and electric ovens vary in their temperatures. If you’re using an electric oven you should bake almost all pastries on 350 Fahrenheit.
  • Sometimes a recipe will call for you to start baking a loaf of bread on a higher temperature, but will also usually tell you to turn the heat down after a certain amount of time.


6.  Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake

  • Mistakenly or purposefully using the wrong type of flour. If you are baking whole wheat bread, the only way to get good results is by using whole wheat flour to bake your bread.
  • There are different recipes for all the different types of bread and they all use one specific flour for each recipe.
  • So don’t try any substitution hoping that by adding rye flour for instance, you will actually turn a whole wheat bread recipe into rye bread. Because you won’t.


7. Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake


  • Last but not least there is the problem of air bubbles (also called “pockets”) which create large holes inside the whole wheat bread, after it’s done baking.
  • The best solution for this is to pinch any such bubbles whenever you see them in your whole wheat bread dough, before you bake it. This will immediately deflate the bubble.


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Best 3 Italian Recipes

If you are wondering what to prepare for dinner tonight, then you can always try these easy Italian recipes. It’s quick and affordable.
This week, we’d like to share some of our favorite resources for Italian recipes and cooking techniques on the internet

How to Make Chicken Spaghetti Italian Recipes


Ingredients

  • 1 cup Chopped onion (about 1 large)
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano leaves
  • 3/4 tsp Dried basil leaves
  • 1/2 tsp Dried marjoram leaves
  • 1 tsp Sugar
  • 1/4 tsp Dried rosemary leaves
  • 1 clove Garlic, crushed
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • 1 (8-ounce) can Tomato sauce
  • 1 (8-ounce) can Tomato paste
  • 1-1/2 cups Cut-up cooked chicken or turkey
  •  4 cups Hot cooked spaghetti

Directions

  • Boil chicken in a large pot of salted wate When chicken is done, remove from pot, keeping water/broth at a boil.
  • Shred chicken and set aside.
  • Put spaghetti in boiling chicken broth and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. When done, drain broth.
  • Add shredded chicken, soup, diced tomatoes with Chile peppers and cheese.
  • Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste. When cheese is melted, dinner is ready!

Spinach Salad Italian Recipes


Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered
  • 1 pound spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons minced onion
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions

  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook and stir almonds in butter until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and let cool.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, onion, paprika, white wine vinegar, cider vinegar, and vegetable oil.

  • In a large bowl, combine the spinach with the toasted almonds and cranberries.


How to Make Lemon Sorbet


Ingredients:

  • 2-1/4 cups Fresh lemon juice
  • 1-1/2 tbsp Grated lemon zest
  • 4-1/2 cups Simple syrup
  • Simple Syrup:
  • 3 cups Sugar
  • 6 cups Water

Directions

  • Alternatively, place in a bowl set within a larger bowl holding ice cubes and salted water.
  • Beat the mixture with a portable mixer or wire whisk for several minutes until it begins to be thoroughly chilled.
  • Cover and place in the freezer until frozen, stirring occasionally.
Simple Syrup:

  • Place the sugar and water in a stainless steel or enameled saucepan and boil for 5 minutes.
  • Strain through a sieve lined with a damp cloth. Cool.





Tips of Chinese Food

Now holds a popular place among the entire population of the world. You can find a Chinese Food in every major city and in many smaller areas of the world as well.


The History of Chinese Food 


  • The history of Chinese food is an interesting one. Unlike many cultures the Chinese believe that the preparation of food is an art and not simply a craft.
  • The art of cooking Chinese food can include dishes and food preparation techniques which are difficult to develop and may require the expertise of a chef with lots of experience.
  • One such technique is noodle pulling (scroll down to the bottom of the page to learn more about this technique).
  • Noodle pulling requires skill and lots of practice and results in a delicious noodle dish. This article will refer to noodle pulling later on, but for now, let’s go back to the history of Chinese food. 
  • Chinese food and the way it is prepared is very much influenced by the two major philosophies, which influence the entire Chinese culture.
  • These dominant philosophies are Confucianism and Taoism. Both have these philosophies have influenced the way that the Chinese people cook and the way that they enjoy their food.


Confucianism and Chinese Cuisine 


  • Confucius was the man behind the Confucianism beliefs.
  • Among many other standards Confucius established standards for proper table etiquette and for the appearance and taste of Chinese food.
  • One of the standards set by Confucius (you might have noticed this at an authentic Chinese restaurant) is that food must be cut into small bite size pieces before serving the dish.
  • This is a custom that is definitely unique to the Chinese culture.
  • Knives at the dinner table are also considered to be a sign of very poor taste by those who embrace Confucianism beliefs.
  • The standards of quality and taste that Confucius recommended required the perfect blend of ingredients, herbs and condiments a blend which would result in the perfect combination of flavor.
  • Confucius also emphasized the importance of the texture and color of a dish, and taught that food must be prepared and eaten with harmony.
  • Interestingly enough, Confucius was also of the opinion that an excellent cook must first make an excellent matchmaker.


Taoism and Chinese Cuisine


  • Those who follow the Taoism beliefs focus on the health benefits of particular foods vs. the presentation of the same.
  • Taoists search for foods that will increase their health and longevity.
  • They search for foods that have healing powers. Many times these benefits were often referred to as ‘life giving powers’.
  • For instance, the Chinese found that ginger, which can be considered to be a garnish or a condiment was found to be a remedy for upset stomachs or a remedy for colds.


Healthy Chinese Food


  • Chinese food, when authentic is probably the healthiest food in the world. 
  • Some restaurants, which are not authentic, prepare their menu with highly saturated fats or with meats that contain unhealthy amounts of animal fat.
  • These Chinese restaurants are not recommended and they are both neither authentic nor healthy.
  • Good Chinese food however, is prepared and cooked with poly-unsaturated oils.
  • Authentic Chinese food does not require the use of milk-fat ingredients such as cream, butter or cheese.
  • Meat is used, but not in abundance, which makes it easy for those who love authentic Chinese food to avoid high levels of animal fat.
  • Many believe that authentic Chinese food is really the ideal diet.



Chinese Restaurants in Every Part of the Nation 

Whether it is in a Tennessee Chinese Restaurant to a New York Chinese restaurant you are going to find culinary dishes that are both healthy and delicious. Savor the flavor with Chinese food! 

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