Cooking shrimp at home is a wonderful, casual alternative to a night out at a restaurant. But that's only if you know how to handle shrimp and produce those beautiful professional results yourself. Unfortunately, most people have trouble with shrimp for a couple of reasons. First, there is the cleaning of the shrimp. This can be a bit challenging, but with the right technique and a little bit of practice, it's a lot easier than you think. The...more
There is an ancient saying that goes, "The eyes are the window to the soul" and I can agree with that. Yet, I have found another form of access to the soul of a man. Auntie Rie said, "That's why the way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Over the centuries and throughout the world and every culture food and the sharing thereof tends to warm the heart and knit the soul. It is a platform for business transactions, family negotiation and just...more
Lobster cake are a versatile dish that has been served in this country since the time of the colonists. Traditionally associated with Maine, lobster have gained popularity world wide. Their popularity comes not only form their delicious flavor, but also because they are so quick and easy to make.Traditional lobster cakes are made with lump lobster meat, are fried in clarified butter, and served warm. While this is a delicious way to serve them, it is by no means the limit on what you can do. You are really only limited by your own creativity when it comes to preparing and serving lobsters.Take the sauce for example. Many times lobster cakes are served plain, but if you want to change up the flavors, a great way to do that is with a flavorful sauce served along with your lobster. You can serve your lobster cakes with a nice Hollandaise sauce, or maybe even a citrus mayonnaise. If you prefer a more spicy flavor, go with a chipotle sauce. Feel like a taste of the orient? Try a teriyaki sauce or other Asian sauce variation. If you see a sauce recipe that you think might taste good, give it a try.You can even change up the flavor of the lobster cake itself by changing the ingredients a...more
Grilling, like any basic cooking method, can be mastered. These cooking tips for gas grills will get you started on the road to expert grilling any time of year. Although most people see it as easy, grilling is actually one of the most challenging basic cooking methods. If cooking is like driving a car, grilling is like being strapped to a rocket...more
Spaghetti: a simple Italian-American staple. Also, probably the first image that comes to your mind when you hear "Italian food." For some, pasta and spicy meatballs may be the extent of their knowledge of cuisine from the Mediterranean nation. Frankly, it's easy to oversimplify traditional courses when you're in the melting pot of the world. But...more
If you love to eat at restaurants, you may think that this is not good for a healthy diet lifestyle. In many cases, you would be correct. However, you can still enjoy restaurants occasionally while maintaining your healthy diet. Its all about making good food choices, and this starts with learning about the nutrition you need to stay physically healthy, mentally well, active and cheerful!When you pick up the menu, firstly, skip over the drink section. Although you may be tempted to enjoy mixed beverage or a beer with your dinner, these usually have many empty calories, which is bad for your body. The exception to this rule is wine, especially red wine, which can be fine if you have a single glass. It can actually help prevent heart disease for some patients. Also skip over the appetizer menu, unless it is to over a side salad. The appetizers at restaurants are usually high-fat foods that are by no means to fill you up and can in fact make you crave even more high fat foods. Examples of these are potato skins, and wings. Instead, simply focus on your main course or, if you must indulge, share a single serving with your meal partners. When choosing your main dish, it is of course...more
How Long To Cook A Baked Potato In A Conventional Oven (Regular Oven)1. When you are baking potatoes, try to use russets (these are the best kind for baking) or other regularly shaped starchy potatoes.2. Scrub well and pierce the ends with a fork or...more
Alvin Starkman M.A., LL.B.Internationally acclaimed Oaxacan chef Pilar Cabrera (NY Times, Bon Appetit) has expanded the roster at her well-known downtown Oaxaca cooking school, Casa de los Sabores (House of Flavors). Effective June, 2009, indigenous...more
Fresh herbs add such savory flair to recipes, but if you don't know the basic rules for cooking with them, it can seem overwhelming. Here's what you need to know to start using herbs to liven up your favorite recipes. Using Fresh HerbsFirst, fresh...more
When you follow a recipe to a disappointing outcome, you probably say, "well, that didn't cook right." What you don't realize is that the actual cooking is usually the least important factor in culinary success. In fact, most issues start right in...more
No matter how large or small your kitchen is, you probably find yourself often thinking that you wish you had more space! When your kitchen space is limited, storage can become an annoying problem. There are a few suggestions you can follow, however,...more
Maybe it is the fresh air, the carefree atmosphere, or simply the novelty of cooking outdoors, but it is almost always a certainty that food tastes better when you eat it outside!Food Safety, Freshness, and TransportationThere is nothing more...more