Posts Tagged ‘for’

Roasted Pecans the Perfect Choice for the Perfect Treat

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Did you know that pecans have a total of nineteen minerals and vitamins? They are a nutritious snack, with so many healthy benefits for your body. You have heard the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, well just think how your body will benefit from eating a handful of pecans, which have as much fiber in them as an apple.

Your doctor will be very pleased with how you are taking care of yourself. Roasted pecans are low in sodium, which is an additive that is harmful for those people who have high blood pressure. They are a natural snack, not full of preservatives or other chemicals, all of which your body has trouble digesting. Roasted pecans can be eaten as a snack for those who are watching their weight, as you will feel fuller from eating them, instead of reaching for a sweet treat, which will put on unwanted pounds.

Pecans are grown in the south, mainly in the state of, and so many recipes that contain pecans, originated from that part of the country. Roasted pecans can be eaten just as they are, but they can also be used in so many wonderful, nutritious dishes that will appeal to the fussiest eater in your household. One favorite is a casserole of sweet potatoes, with a pecan topping. They are also very delicious used as a topping over your favorite ice cream and sundae topping.

A package of roasted pecans are a great treat for someone to take with them, when they are going for their morning run, as these nuts have so many good qualities, and they will boost their energy level, which is very important when you are burning up all the calories, when running. There are some excellent selections of roasted pecans to be found online such as those at Tannerspecan.com. Roasted pecans will also help in keeping your blood sugar level where it should be.

If you are one of those people who likes to make their own snack foods, then this is a recipe for you to try. You will need a few things, about five cups of pecans, half a cup of butter, about a tablespoon of worcestershire sauce and some salt. The first thing you do is to melt the butter in a pan, 9-13. Add the pecans and the worcestershire sauce. Bake in an oven set at 250 F, stirring every 15 minutes or so, and bake for approximately one hour. Put some paper towels on you counter, drain your pecans on it, then sprinkle them with just salt, or you could use some seasoned salt, if you prefer. These could be a wonderful gift for a friend who is a diabetic, or who is watching their carbohydrates intake.

Of course there are many places which sell roasted pecans, and they are just as delicious and delectable as making your own. There are so many varieties available to choose from, with different spices added, or if you prefer, just salt, that can be purchased also. Make sure the company where you are buying your roasted pecans is a reputable one, where they are inspected periodically, to make sure everything is run according to proper specifications. There are many who might use the previous years crop of pecans, but you want to be positively sure that your pecans are processed in a plant where they use this years crop.

Roasted Pecans are very perfect gift for this valentine available at http://www.tannerspecan.comArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/roasted-pecans-the-perfect-choice-for-the-perfect-treat-1788119.html

Simple Tips For Feeding a Super Bowl Crowd

Monday, January 25th, 2010

The Superbowl is just around the corner. What will you serve to the hordes of rabid fans that will be gathering at your house? One of the best things you can do is keep it simple. No one is going to be interested in a sit down meal during the game. They all want something they can grab between plays and nosh.

Set up a buffet near the viewing area so everyone can get easy access to the food. If you want to serve hot food since the weather is cold, put some crock pots to use. Crock pots can be used to make chili, pulled pork for sandwiches or stew. Swedish meatballs can be picked out of a crock pot with toothpicks or skewers. Other hot dishes could include a big pan of lasagna or a big pot of spaghetti. These foods can be put together ahead of time and cooked at the last minute. Set them out on the buffet and let your guests serve themselves. Buffalo wings are always a hit and they are a breeze to make.

Chips and dips are a great idea. Salsa can be served over cream cheese and served with tortilla chips. Do not order a big deli sandwich… make one. You can use several loaves of French bread or round artisan loaves. Fill them with deli cold cuts and cheeses, wrap them up, and put them in the fridge. When you are ready for them, cut and serve. You can even warm them in the oven if you want to.

Use bread bowls for people to use for chili or even spaghetti. The bowl will taste as good as the filling. Make a bunch of baked potatoes or hot dogs and set them out with toppings. Your guests can design their own dog or potato by adding their favorites.

An appetizer only party is a great way to open up your options for food. You can serve everything from simple crackers and toppings to fancy appetizers like rumaki. It is completely up to you. Football fans will love anything wrapped in bacon. Try cooking cheese, shrimp, or sausage wrapped in bacon and served on a toothpick. While it probably will not be the healthiest option, it will sure taste good!

Provide your thirsty guests with plenty to drink. Keep a cooler of beer and soda on hand to quench that thirst that occurs from screaming at the television during extremely good or bad plays. Stock up on several varieties so everyone can enjoy their favorites. Keep them chilled on ice in a few coolers near the food table.

Whatever Superbowl recipes you make for your party, be sure to prepare enough to keep everyone fed. Lay out your foods in shifts so there is always something for your guests to choose from. You do not want to be known as the host who ran out of food before halftime.

Your guests will appreciate the efforts you went to providing them with a delicious afternoon. They will remember your successful party for a long time and you will even get to watch the game most of the time.

Making easy Superbowl party recipes means that you can prepare all your snacks well in advance and relax with your guests when the game starts. There are lots of Superbowl recipes to choose from and meat snacks, like chicken wings, ribs and hot dogs, are always incredibly popular. http://www.EasyAppetizerRecipes.net You Make the Appetizers, We Help You Make Them Delicious.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/simple-tips-for-feeding-a-super-bowl-crowd-1780561.html

The Best Advice For Buying Green Tea

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Green tea is considered as the “true” tea that has undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Experts believe that the secret of green tea is the fact that it is rich in catechin polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG; this is a powerful anti-oxidant which inhibits the growth of cancer cells and kills cancer cells without harming healthy body tissues and also believe that chemical compounds in green tea are effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels as well as inhibiting abnormal formation of blood clots.

Green tea may be useful as a glucose regulator, meaning it slows the rise in blood sugar following a meal. It does this by slowing the action of a particular digestive enzyme called amylase. This enzyme is pivotal in the breakdown of starches (carbohydrates), that can cause blood sugar levels to soar following a meal. This is pretty exciting stuff — along with chromium, and possibly a vanadyl supplement, green tea might be the missing link in proper glucose management.

It is a special variety of tea that offers many benefits more than any other variety. In order for you to have the best cup of green tea, here are some tips on buying green tea:

1. Buy it in isolation. This is the best route to go if you have conclusively tied a result to a one particular ingredient.

2. Buy a trendy fat burner that contains a good quantity of green tea in its formulation. Containing a hearty dose of green tea is Xenadrine EFX. There are also lots of other products that have the same content as well. Be sure to look at the content of the product before buying it. Make sure that it has the content that will be able to keep you fit and healthy.

3. Drinking green tea is more advisable rather than drinking coffee or any kind of tea. You really don’t have to spend lots of money to get these things in your system. Coffee brings hypertension and infects certain glands in your system. It is recommended even by some physicians to intake green tea rather than coffee.

Aside from the tips on buying green tea I think its fair to say that the best green teas comes from China, after all they’ve been producing tea for hundreds of years. Green teas are made for masses. Some of the best green teas of china are Gunpowder, Young Hyson, Chunmee – excellent teas and economical, Lung Ching – a great favorite around the world with good reason, the charming tiny snail-like leaf of Bi Lo Chun is one that is gaining favor in the U.S. and the other lesser green teas known that we have been fortunate enough to get are Huang Shan Mao Feng, Tianmu Qing Ding, and Tianmu Yunding – all highly recommended.

You should start buying your greens soon after the spring harvest in May and June. Place them in airtight containers and they will last for months without breaking down. Luckily for us, so far away from China, adding a little more green tea will help when time comes that we get a bit older and in more need of a clean bill of health.

For tips on grilling brats and grilling filet mignon, visit the Grilling Meat website.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/the-best-advice-for-buying-green-tea-1769722.html

The Ways To Imporove Marketing For Fruits And Vegetables

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Fruits and vegetables are usually more difficult to market than to produce. There are ready markets available daily or weekly for grain and livestock in almost all areas of the United States. There are few similar markets for fruits and vegetables. Most commodities are produced in abundance and long established market channels may be closed to small scale or new producers.

A producer may need several years to establish a marketing program. The number of produce buyers has decreased rapidly in recent years. One major nationwide supermarket chain has plans to consolidate the number of buying stations for produce to eight in the United States. A grower has little chance of selling to a local store in a supermarket chain as purchases are made through a central warehouse. As the number of buyers has decreased, the number of producers has decreased, but their acreage has increased considerably. There is often a delay of four to six months after shipment in receiving payment in the wholesale market system when selling through a broker. This often presents a cash flow problem for many growers. Wholesale buyers have strict and specific product quality, grade, and packaging requirements. These purchasing practices and price squeezes have eliminated market availability to many producers.

The future shows more promise for large scale producers or small scale producers than for mid sized producers. The large scale producer can afford the large equipment needed for production, and the use of migrant labor. Small scale producers can use smaller equipment, often hand operated, and family or local labor to substitute for other equipment. Large producers are linked through brokers to supply produce over a relatively long season or year round and it is difficult for small scale producers to supply the quantity and quality required over a long period. Both types of producers can be highly successful or can go broke as production and marketing practices are highly volatile. A mid sized producer is less efficient, and often can’t economically justify the purchase of needed equipment or substitute labor for equipment.

The small scale producer needs to seek local market channels. There are opportunities, but a producer must work to find them. Direct to the consumer markets bring highest prices to the producer, but also require more producer time in marketing. A diverse group of crops is ideal, since market demand changes rapidly. A commodity may sell well and bring high prices for a long period, but demand and prices may drop drastically over night. Supply and demand has a tremendous effect on marketability and prices of produce.

There are no federal support prices for fruits and vegetables to help the grower when market demand or prices drop. Pick-your-own was a popular practice a few years ago. Society has changed and many people do not have time for harvest. Most consumers would rather buy produce that is harvested, and a popular developing trend is to prepare produce for the market that is as near ready to eat as possible. Precut salads and green beans are good examples of this practice. Shelf life of precut produce is relatively short, and cooling is essential.

There are opportunities for small scale producers for on-farm markets, organized farm markets, locally owned supermarkets, and locally owned fruit and vegetable markets. When selling to any market, and especially to local supermarkets or fruit and vegetable markets, good communication between producer and buyer is essential. A producer needs to know what, when, and how much the buyer can use. The buyer needs to know what is available and when, as he has to keep the shelves stocked. Determining a fair price can be difficult. Daily market prices are available on the internet. County Extension personnel can access this information for producers. Retailers generally double the price paid to account for shrinkage and spoilage.

Crop and variety selection are critical factors in marketing. Buyers are indifferent to the origin of most crops. Locally grown produce is much preferred versus other crops, primarily due to the difference in quality (flavor). Preferences for locally grown fruit and vegetable crops are apparent for sweet corn, tomatoes, strawberries, and peaches. These commodities either are harvested for shipping before top quality is attained, or rapidly lose quality during post harvest handling and shipping.

Different varieties may be used in shipping markets as compared to local markets. The sweet corn shipping market uses mostly supersweet type varieties. Local markets may use supersweet type varieties, but usually prefer SE or SU type varieties. Certain crops or varieties are preferred in specific locations, and a ready local market may exist for a specific item that is not widely available.

A local Crossville, Tennessee market owner recently shared a list of items that he had difficulty in obtaining, and that he needed during the summer season. His list included Half Runner, McCaslan, Caseknife and Greasy beans; pickling cucumbers of 1.5 to 2 inch diameter; fresh highly flavored sweet corn (yellow, white and bicolor); Red Cayanne pepper; colored bell pepper; Kennebec and Yukon Gold potatoes; watermelons (seedy and seedless), strawberries; greenhouse tomatoes (fall, winter, and spring seasons); and highly flavored local tomatoes in the summer season. He had an idea for a tomato festival that included tomato varieties not routinely found in regular market channels. This would include Rutgers, Celebrity, cherry, beefsteak, pink, yellow, yellow and red striped, and pear shaped varieties. Many of these varieties are less productive and have other production problems, but have excellent flavor compared to the standard commercial hybrid varieties. There is a marketing opportunity through this market at Crossville, and similar situations probably exist in most locations in the United States. A producer needs to search for such market opportunities.
The budgets and profitability of crops is another factor in production.

Tomatoes have consistently been the most profitable crop for Tennessee producers. Greenhouse production is completely different, but is a rapidly growing enterprise in Tennessee. Sweet corn can be profitable, especially if a high plant population is used to provide high yields. We are planting twice the population (23,500 plants/A) than was planted several years ago, and are evaluating spacings for higher populations. Budgets that detail costs of production and likely returns are available for most crops, or a grower can develop their own budget.

Tree fruit production does not fit well into small scale agricultural production. The time between planting a tree and the first economic fruit harvest is relatively long. Large equipment is necessary to apply pesticides 10 to 12 times annually starting at the first bud break. Many pesticides are restricted use, and require special handling procedures. Trees need to be pruned at planting and annually in late winter.

Grapes offer some opportunity, but strawberries and blueberries are small fruit that offer more opportunity for small scale producers. Large fruit are required for successful marketing of strawberries and blueberries. Drip irrigation is needed in most areas for stand establishment and crop production. Overhead sprinkler irrigation is often necessary for frost protection. Strawberry production systems are changing from matted row to annual production. The culture of each system is entirely different.

Harvest of fruit and vegetable crops at the proper maturity is essential. Many crops have a very narrow harvest window, and proper maturity is needed to insure a marketable product. Crops that producers tend to harvest early are sweet corn and bell pepper. Sweet corn that is not fully mature has less flavor, and little usable grain. Immature bell pepper pods wilt rapidly and are not attractive. Crops that can easily be harvested too late are sweet corn, bell pepper, and green beans. Bell pepper may be harvested with some color showing. Most markets want a green or colored pepper pod, and not a partially colored pod. Sweet corn and green beans become tough rapidly is allowed to become overmature. Tomatoes are best harvested in the pink stage and harvesting twice a week may be needed for proper maturity. Pink tomatoes have full flavor. Fruit rot, cracking, and bruising may be less when harvest is at the pink stage.

Packaging of produce is a critical factor in marketing. Containers should protect the product and be attractive. Standard packs vary according to the type of product and the market demand, but many buyers require the use of standard size containers. Some routine container sizes are half bushels, bushels, 1 + 1/9 bushel, standard sweet corn crates to hold 4 1/2 dozen ears, and pints or quarts for berries. Many different types of materials are used in containers. Waxed pasteboard cartons are very widely used. Snap bean and sweet corn buyers often prefer wire bound wooden boxes. Melons are often sold in bulk cardboard boxes that hold approximately 250 muskmelon. Many markets may require specific counts and product size. for the container.

Peppers and tomatoes are specific crops sold by uniform size. Peppers are usually boxed as extra large (40 to 50 -pods/1 + 1/9 bushel) to small (70 to 80 pods/1 + 1/9 bu box). This relatively uniform size allows the retail vendor to sell pepper pods by count. Prepacking in small consumer packages such as 3 potatoes or tomatoes is becoming more of a demand at the producer level. Local markets may have more or less stringent packaging requirements.

Product identification can be a useful tool in marketing. Certain areas or growers have developed a name for their product. Some examples are Vidalia onions, Granger County tomatoes, Washington apples, and Idaho potatoes. Product identification can work well for anyone who wants to stress and maintain quality. It should pay in repeat sales and prices received by the grower. We are considering this approach in Tennessee for Tri-X-Shadow seedless watermelon which has exceptional quality. An identification label could be attached to each melon citing the identification (maybe Tennessee Seedless).

Harvested fruits and vegetables are perishable, and quality loss starts immediately after harvest. Rapid marketing to insure freshness is a desirable feature of locally grown produce. Produce, not sold immediately, needs to be stored properly to maintain appearance, flavor, and quality. Time of harvest, cooling, and storing in shaded areas will help retain quality. Produce harvested early in the morning is cooler than if harvest is later in the day.

Quality of products such as green beans, sweet corn, peppers, and peaches benefit from hydrocooling. Hydrocooled produce needs to be kept in a cooler to maintain the proper storage temperature after hydrocooling. Products such as broccoli and sweet corn benefit from storage with ice in the container or placed on ice to maintain a low temperature and to avoid drying of the produce. Produce that has been cooled, should be maintained in cool.

To read about grilling lobster tails and grilling pork loin, visit the Grilling Meat site.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/the-ways-to-imporove-marketing-for-fruits-and-vegetables-1769731.html

Diabetic Gift Baskets Are Perfect For Festivals

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Do you have a sick diabetic friend in the hospital and you want to bring them a get-well basket, but you’re unsure of what to put into the get-well gift basket that is safe for diabetics to have?

It is not difficult to buy a ready packed special diabetic gift baslket these days to ensure low or no sugar content.

Now if you are doing it yourself you need first to put together a beautiful woven basket lined with decorative linens, and you need to know what snacks and items are safe to put into the diabetic gift basket. Safe snacks to put into a diabetic gift basket have to be sugar free and sodium free. You can also add some organic green tea which is very popular.

Bath and body products are best if they are all natural because diabetics have sensitive skin.

You can find all sorts of sugar free snacks such as; candy, cookies, cakes, trail mixes, and much more at specialized stores and drug stores. There are many types of food items that you can put into your diabetic gift basket such as popcorn, fruits, vegetables, sugar free cereals and jams etc.

The next time you are giving a gift basket to an older person, take the trouble to find out if they are diabetic and you can show that you care by giving a diabetic gift basket instead of the normal sugar laden ones. Diabetic Gift Baskets Can also be given on any ocassion to diabetics.

For more on choices of Diabetic Gift Baskets

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/diabetic-gift-baskets-are-perfect-for-festivals-1748434.html

Delectable Sweet Pastries For Everyone

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

The delightful small sized sweets such as the brownies, cookies, and muffins are the pastries we all know and love. Served in diminutive sizes, yet they are baked the same way as other sweet pastries. These mini sweets are great selection to serve during diverse occasions; their design is diverse and can be customized.

These sweet pastries placed in frosting types and artworks can provide infinite varieties or flavorful mixes. Most are prepared from the premium ingredients like tasteful flavor of customary pastries. Sweet treats can also be edible celebration gifts to your loved ones, mainly for sweet toothed persons; and these molded chocolates can make charming final touch. These treats can also be centerpiece adornments because of its miniature size, which can be from one to three inches in diameter, with adorable designs can liven up tables in any occasion or party and they can be also seat decors bearing the guests’ names. It is an ideal tailored and time-saving dessert.

You can reorganize a variety of pieces together to create designs for your baked cookies. For instance, put collectively eight muffins that resembles flower. If you want to create a train design for your children’s party, you can collectively place together five to six blocks of brownies. Baked sweets can also be designed in resemblance of adorable animals that kids will like. It can even form the shape of fruits like strawberries, apples, or mangoes. For romantic events like anniversaries, heart-shaped cookies are incredibly passionate while you can put a letter per cookie, muffin, or brownie on top to shape the words you deem to declare. A lot of brownies and muffins variation and appearance proffer fewer disarray and no leftover. They will be bringing along sugary and exciting bit through its solitary serving size. There is no hassle in storing these depending on the person’s ingenuity.

These small, delectable delicacies are usually wrapped in brittle cellophanes when given out as Christmas gifts. These baked goodies can make grand giveaway too, such as in weddings, baptism, and other lively ceremonies. They can be given out to guests after the celebration as souvenirs as they are packaged in attractive boxes with handles. The buffet fashion cookies, brownies, and muffins are already frosted and pre-cut with enjoyable flavor like the more popular flavors of chocolate, cheese, oatmeal, caramel, and other varied fruits. These pastries also come in mini Swiss rolls, mini spring rolls, butter crisp, milk flake, cupcakes, pies, biscotti, and donuts tarts. Each and every pastries can be given out in packs of twelve or more as it can also be served in huge party of fifty to seventy pieces. Diverse varieties are filled in separately designed trays and boxes according on their capacities.

Try to match up one large cake with just one tasteful aroma against a lot of petite pastries with diverse flavor. Certainly, the flexibility of the sweet treats has definitely loved by a lot of people. Baked goodies are beautiful and tasty. A variety of designs and flavors is what’s great about these tiny delectable that every people will surely like.

Loren Yadeski, author of this article is also interested in sweets and recommends you to please check out gift basket if you liked reading this information.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/delectable-sweet-pastries-for-everyone-1749778.html

Tips for Healthy Food Eating

Monday, January 18th, 2010

There are so many tasty foods available nowadays, it’s no wonder many people live to eat rather than eat to live. Unfortunately, all this gustatory indulgence means that healthy eating habits often take a backseat. More people are tipping the scales at less than ideal weights. However, the idea that a healthy life and good eating habits equal deprivation is completely wrong and need to be rethought.

Healthy food has to be interesting in order to encourage people to eat it. Varying the kinds of nutritional food you consume is a way of keeping things fresh and exciting. After all, who in their right mind would want to eat broccoli for dinner every single night of the week? If you do find yourself fixated on a particular food item, varying the way you cook it gives you something to look forward to as well.

Of course, it’s important to eat better food if you’re trying to live more healthily. Throwing out junk food and empty calories is a good start, but you can also make a real difference to a diet by practising consistent portion control. The idea is, nutritional food is good, but it won’t make a lot of difference if you eat too much of it either! A good tip is that each portion of meat, carbohydrates and vegetables should be the size of your palm. What you should aim for is several small, energizing meals throughout the day instead of 3 big ones that can cause you to feel sluggish.

Not only should you accustom yourself to eating smaller, more frequent meals, you should also rid yourself of bad habits that can hinder a healthy eating lifestyle. Most common of these is eating too quickly and at the wrong times. Every bite of food should be chewed about 22 times. You should stop eating when you feel full, and not because you feel obliged to clean your plate. This is where eating smaller portions comes in handy.

The saying “you are what you eat” is never truer when applied to a lifetime of junk food consumption. It’s never too late to make a change for the better, and there’s no time like the present!

At the end, I’d like to share cool website with more details on topics like Food Pyramid Picture and Food Pyramid. Visit for more details.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/tips-for-healthy-food-eating-1737043.html

Comforting Foods For The Stomach

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

Picture it: you’ve just broken up. Eyes red from crying, you listen to “One is the Loneliest Number” on endless repeat; no matter what the season, every time you step outside it rains. In a daze, you stumble through your kitchen, and inexorably you are drawn to the freezer; to the third drawer down; to the ice cream. Of course the slightly freezer-burnt Mint Chocolate Chip tastes good, it always does, but with every creamy bite, you find yourself thinking-for the moment, at least-that everything is going to be okay.

This all too familiar scenario is tied into a grand human tradition: comfort food. The fact that we seem to gravitate towards certain foods in times of grief is nothing new, of course (in fact, the term “comfort food” gained official recognition from Webster’s in 1972 and we’ve written an article about them once before), but recent research sheds interesting light on the relationship between grief and that fourth chocolate chip cookie.

Why do we want certain foods when we’re sad? Common wisdom dictates that whatever comforted you as a child makes a quick, soothing fallback when you’re an adult. If mom gave you pickles to help with teething, it’s likely you’ll associate pickles with comfort when you’re in pain. There’s certainly truth to that, but all signs point to the comfort food phenomenon being something more than psychological.

According to one theory advanced by the University of California, we use high-fat, high-sugar foods to balance out our hormones during times of chronic stress. When the body is subjected to stress, adrenal glands release certain hormones called glucocorticoids. In immediate-danger situations (like, say, a car crash or extreme physical pain) the amount of glucocorticoids released can eventually crash our stress-response systems. But during periods of chronic stress, the hormones are released at lower level; instead of shutting us down, they drive us to seek out pleasurable foods and accumulate abdominal fat. By doing so, we send an “a-OK” signal to the brain, which halts the release of any more hormones.

Numerous trials with rats support the theory; chronically stressed rats drank ever-increasing amounts of sugar water until their stress responses died down. It’s not much of a stretch to imagine it working in a similar way for you or me. The researchers concluded that the abdominal fat somehow sent the all clear-possibly to regulate metabolism.

In a different study performed by Sue Zmarzty and others at the Northern General Hospital Trust / Centre for Human Nutrition in UK, participants ate high-fat or high-carb breakfasts, then dunked their hands in ice water; those who enjoyed the fattier pancakes were far more tolerant towards pain. The conclusion: fattier foods may reduce the amount of pain a person feels. How exactly this works remains a mystery, but theories factor in everything from the special hormones released by high-fat ingestion to the palatability of sugar-rich foods.

The point is, our bodies clearly physically respond to comfort food, meaning your craving for Mac n’ Cheese after a funeral isn’t just in your head. People do a lot of unhealthy things trying to cope with pain and loss, from self-harm to drugs; in the grand scheme of things, eating some extra fat can’t be that bad, particularly when your body is telling you to. So when the need arises, don’t sit sadly in the rain or make good friends with a bottle. Instead, head to your freezer, grab that ice cream, and indulge for a while!

Better yet, try one of the following comforting recipes:

Morning Coffee Cake
Although it may not be part of your balanced breakfast, this coffee cake is sweet and gooey – better for dessert than first thing in the morning.

Simple Crab Bisque
An easy and delicious bisque recipe. Try it for an indulgent lunch!

Lasagna
Serve this one to family or friends and your reputation as a gourmet is sealed.

Hearty Mac and Cheese Strata with Bacon
This dish combines the elegance of a strata with the everyday appeal of mac ‘n cheese.

Grandmother’s Chewy Fudge Brownies
Grandmother’s cure for a sick child!! This recipe is at least 50 years old.

Shortbread Bars
These are no ordinary shortbread cookies – layered with melted sugar and chocolate, they are to die for.

Information on celery plant can be found at the Benefits Of Celery site.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/comforting-foods-for-the-stomach-1735237.html

Serving Certain Wine And Food For Dinner

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

Most people love to throw dinner parties for their friends and family.  But, they may avoid serving wine because they do not know exactly what to serve.  Do you serve red or white with fish?  Will Merlot be okay if you are serving a Mexican dish?  Do not stress over it – there are some basic wine rules you can follow.

The number one rule of thumb when choosing wine is “red wine with red meat, white wine with white meat.”  This is not always true, but it generally works quite well when you are unsure.  One exception is chicken.  The meat is white, but a nice fruity red wine goes well with it.  The same can be said for tuna or salmon, so you do not have to always follow the rule of not serving red wine with fish.  The second rule is the rule of complements.  It is okay to match sweet seafood such as lobster with a sweet white wine.  The next rule is the opposites attract.  While you usually want to match like flavors, sometimes a contrast, such as a White Bordeaux with bluefish can be wonderful.  

Outside of the basic rules, there are certain things you can look for and certain things you can avoid depending on what you are serving.  Here are some hints as to what to serve with particular types of food.  

Salads and Appetizers

You should avoid serving wine during your salad, as vinegar and wine do not mix well.  But, if you are having an appetizer, you need to consider the ingredients in the appetizer to help you choose your wine.  If you are having a cheese tray, the type of cheese will help you determine the wine.  For example, cheddar is best with dry reds, Merlots, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Pinot Noir goes best with Swiss.  Camembert and brie are great with a Chardonnay.  The cheese we tend to think of as Italian such as parmigiano, romano, and reggiano go well with Italian dry red wines like Chianti and Barlol.  If you are serving something a fried appetizer, consider serving a crisp, fruity white or red wine to help cut the oily flavor.

Beef, Steak and Lamb

Do you remember the “red wine with red meat” rule?  That one is great to use when serving beef, steak, and lamb.  Choose a dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or a burgundy like Pinot Noir.  You can also consider serving an Italian red such as Barolo or Chianti.

Fish and Seafood

To be safe, stick with a dry, crisp white wine.  Sauvignon Blanc goes well with white fish while Sancerre and Muscadet go well with oysters.  If you want to be different, try a fruity red wine (without tannins).  But, use caution when serving red, especially if you are serving white, delicate fish.  Cabernets with tannins combined with fish can leave a metallic taste in your mouth.

Poultry, Pork and Veal

For the most part, you want to follow the “white meat, white wine” rule with these.  White chardonnays and Pinot Blancs are great.  If you want to serve red with chicken, remember to choose a wine that is fruity like a Merlot or Zinfandel.

Turkey

Think back to Thanksgiving.  Do you remember how well your cranberry sauce went with the turkey?  The same rule applies here.  For turkey, since it has both white and dark meat, you want something fruity and tart such as a Beaujolais for red or a Riesling for white.

Spicy Foods

If you are planning on service something spicy like Thai or Indian food, a sparkling wine works best.  Avoid wines with tannins and look for something fruity.  And, make sure the wine is well chilled.  Cold wine goes well with spicy foods.

Dessert

The best thing to serve with a delicious dessert is a dessert wine.  In fact, you can skip the dessert part and just serve a dessert wine to your guests.  These are sweet wines often sold in smaller bottles as you don’t drink as much dessert wine as you do regular wine.  Wines such as Sauternes, Beerenauslese, Bermet and Cammandaria will make a great end to any evening.

The most important rule about what wine to serve is to avoid being snobby about wine.  There are no right answers, only basic rules to go by and even those, as you have seen, can be changed.  Do not be afraid to experiment with different tastes.  Chances are if you do not act like there is anything wrong with the wine you are serving, your guests will not either.

For tips on growing celery and celery nutrition, visit the Benefits Of Celery website.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/serving-certain-wine-and-food-for-dinner-1735241.html

Little Rock Catering- Tips For Your Wedding

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

There are many different caterers and wedding locations to choose from for your Little Rock Wedding.
All of these caterers and venues prepare a wide variety of menu plans to choose from.
The first thing to remember when catering your Little Rock wedding is the type of wedding you are aiming to achieve, then make the food and drinks rotate around that. Things that will help make your wedding a beautiful success are having all the decor and furniture match each other for that polished look.

If having a wedding theme isn’t something that interests you, you will be avoiding all the limitations that a typical themed wedding has.. When deciding the food, you can make an appointment to sample the food providers dishes, or if you are choosing a restaurant you will want to go there a few times to help you make your decision.After choosing your favorite place for the food, you can now set up a time for the real sampling to begin, as well as talking through other food related wedding details.Choosing the food well is an important factor that will be remembered in all your guests minds for a very long time.As you’re choosing the other food related menu items, sample them to ensure they compliment each other well.Don’t forget to include details such as how many guests will be attending, the size of the chosen venue, and the presentation of the food while meeting with your Little Rock catering service.

Another big detail not to be left out is the drinks, of course. You can discuss what types of drinks you are interested in having with the venue or caterer, as well. The different kinds of beverages you pick should blend with your food well, tie into what type of wedding you are planning, and at the same time reflect the desired mood you are wanting to create. For instance, if you are planning an indoor wedding in the colder seasons, you will be wanting to choose something like a classy martini.Alternately, an outdoor summertime wedding would be better paired with something more in season.

When picking your drinks, don’t feel pressured into buying anything out of your budget, there are many other cheaper alternatives that taste just as good, and will fool many if not all your guests into thinking it’s the real thing. For instance, if you want an exqisite champagne, try the much cheaper and similar tasting sparkling wine. This little secret is a sure fire money saver.

So the next time you are planning your wedding catering in Little Rock, keep these time-saving tips in mind to take the stress out of planning, and make the process a little bit more enjoyable for everyone.

Looking to find the best deal on Little Rock Catering, then visit www.rxcatering.net to find the best prices on Little Rock Caterers.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/little-rock-catering-tips-for-your-wedding-1730160.html

 

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