Cookware Sets And The Differences Between Them

Many individuals choose to purchase items for their kitchen over other areas of their house due to the large amount of time they spend there.  A lot of these individuals choose to spend their money on special machines and utensils.

Maybe these tools can make cooking slightly more extravagant and easier.  However, one of the more important things for someone to have in the kitchen would be good quality pots and pans.  Some people might find it difficult to choose between different cookware sets because so many different features and options are available.

Pieces

One of the first differences between some cookware sets is which pieces the set includes.  Sometimes cookware sets will offer some basic essentials, including two or three standard pots and a pan.  Sometimes more pieces such as woks, steamers, double boilers and more.  People need to think about which foods they mostly cook in order to decide which pieces they might be looking for when they decide between cookware sets.

Size Is Always A Factor

Size is definitely a factor when you are choosing between different cookware sets.  Pots and pans are made in many different sizes.  It is important that people choose cookware sets that offer the sizes they need.  Elderly  or single couples might only need pans that fix one or two servings, while larger pots and pans are sometimes needed for large families with many children.

Cookware Material

The material the cookware sets are made of also differs from set to set.  Aluminum, copper, nonstick, cast iron and stainless steel are different types of material that can be used to make cookware sets.  Thus, it is important for a person to know differences between these materials before they shop for cookware sets.  Each kind offers different drawbacks as well as different benefits.

Different Thicknesses

Lastly it can be important for people choosing between different cookware sets to decide what level of thickness they need.  Thicker sets of cookware tend to last longer and be more durable.  Many people also find these thicker pots and pans easier to clean because of their durability.

Cookware sets are definitely one of the more important items of the kitchen, and there are so many different sets on the market today for people to purchase.

Each offers consumers different sizes, pieces, materials and thickness in addition to other features such as colors and additional utensils.  This is why it is important for individuals to know in advance what they want to ensure their hard-earned money is well spent.

 

Use a Reliable Food Processor for Better Cooking

Whether you normally cook for a crowd or just like to prepare sauces, gravies and even smoothies in big batches, you can own the Cuisinart 11-Cup food processor.  The Cuisinart 11-cup food processor works almost like every other kind of food processor, but has features that have made Cuisinart special and one of the most recognized manufacturers in food processors. For this reason, Cuisinart food processors are so inseparable from food processing that even other brands of  food processors are called "cuisinarts."  However, they do not perform as well and do not have the features and service contracts that come with the Cuisinart 11-cup food processor. 

There are several things that you could accomplish with the assistance of the Cuisinart 11 Cups food processor.  Everyone knows that vegetables are nutritious and should be eaten during every meal. Because it offers several blades that are effortless to remove and wash, you could use the Cuisinart 11-cup food processor to chop the vegetables for lunches and other meals in record time.  It is not just quick, but it is significantly safer to use than a knife.  You do not have to drag out the cutting board and sharpen the knives as this kitchen appliance will do it all. Because it will accommodate 11 cups in the container, you can prepare as much as you please, and also freeze part of the chopped vegetables for some other meal.

The Cuisinart 11-cup food processor can be adapted for many different culinary tasks.  If you make spaghetti sauce, as a case in point, you can include cooked sausage without needing to chop it by hand.  You can then mix all of the ingredients into a tasty sauce. You can even incorporate vegetables in the sauce. Then, the sauce can then be cooked or, if it was previously cooked, it can be used.  The extra sauce may be stored in freezer containers for later use.   

The Cuisinart 11-cup food processor is very versatile.  You can not only chop vegetables, but fruits as well in the Cuisinart 11-cup food processor.  You might decide to create a smoothie in this food processor by chopping up fruits and then adding in yogurt to make a healthy treat. Any extra smoothies can be saved for later. 

It can be just as easy to prepare one vegetable as it is to process a bag full when you are employing this type of food processor.  You could just get the whole job done in one session, freeze the left overs, and then save some steps another day when you would like to use them in other meals. 

You can even employ the Cuisinart 11-Cup food processor to prepare a cake.  Throw in your ingredients and a special blade will blend the ingredients from the bottom.  It works equally well for mixing as for slicing. This is really one of a precious few kitchen appliances that you will have to own.   If you want to get a kitchen machine that does everything you require effortlessly and is not hard to clean, get the Cuisinart 11-cup food processor. 

The Science of Cooking

Cooking

Magic it isn't. It is possibly an art or a science depending on what suits you best. If you are creative and artistic, then cookery can be an art. If you like rules and order, then treat cookery as a science. Whichever you decide it is, you can implement it by using a few rules. These rules must apply even if you are artistic - perhaps they are even more important.

Getting started cooking the right way.

Firstly understand that cooking has it's own language which you must learn. (As with most things in life). With most good cook books you will find a list of meanings in the front - what a teaspoon or tablespoon means in terms of weight, likewise fluid ounces  etc. It may also often describe how to boil, simmer, braise, roast or bake. There may also be conversions from Gas to electricity scales. You may not find all this information in more modern book. The older classic books are often better in this regard

Starting to cook.

If you have never cooked before, choose a recipe which is simple. Once you have mastered fried eggs you can start to separate eggs and make meringues etc.
Before doing anything, read the recipe through - twice. Don't start until you understand it. If you have any doubts about what a term means, look it up. Don't guess - it will likely be incorrect - and important.  Next assemble your ingredients. At this point you should measure the amounts you require and put them on plates or cups. Never guess or estimate, weigh or measure everything. If it turns out well, you can duplicate it . If it doesn't taste exactly how you want, you can then change the quantity of an ingredient to make the difference. (Usually salt or sugar, but maybe other items such as flour).
The key to success is to start with easy home cooking recipes

Once you have success with the basic recipes such as fried eggs on toast, take the next step, try omelettes or soufflés. Using similar ingredients - just different (and more difficult) cooking methods. Whatever they say, very few cooks makes a perfect dish at their first attempt, practice makes perfect and whilst the dish does not turn outperfect it will usually be good enough.

When you have become proficient with some recipes, try changing them slightly, so they become your own. change flavourings and see how you like it. Many times it will be great, sometimes it will not work. If you have kept good notes and measurements then you can duplicate a meal that is successful.

Finishing your Meal.

It has become more important to present your dish to please the eye and nose as well as the taste buds. It has been proved that people who have no sense of smell do not enjoy food as much as those who have this sense. Therefore if a meal looks good you are more inclined to expect to enjoy it and are more likely to try it. This is where creative people find it easier to produce an enticing dish than those less artistically inclined.

One last thing, cooking should be enjoyable. If you like what you are doing, it will show.

A Mango Chicken Slop

The other night I was with a friend of mine and we were feeling ambitious, so we decided to tackle a pretty tricky Mango chicken recipe , despite the fact we were missing a lot of the ingredients. The main ingredients are present chicken, mangos, onions, orange juice, soo the rest can be consider optional.

Even if we had only a third from required orange juice we started cooking the recipe, without thinking we could ruin the food. Cook in a pan little pieces of chicken.

When the chicken is almost ready add a half chopped small red onion. Now add a third of a cup of orange juice, leaving the rest for later, and that will sit for a while.

It was the beginnings of a sauce, a very minimally flavored sauce. When the water is sligthly bubbling add the mangos. If you don't have fresh, used a frozen one. Still, everything was cooking nicely. We were getting there. I thought it was an easy chicken recipe. I was wrong.

Two tablespoons of cornstarch attenuate in hot water added to the and will firm the sauce
We replaced the cornstarch with flour, without reduceing the quantity of the water/flour mixture. Since we had so little orange juice, in essence, so little flavor for the sauce, we certainly should have added much less. The sauce looked pretty good despite the fact that it thickened too fast and had a consistency not unlike baby food.

When we tasted it we were surprised. Not horrified, not please, just surprised, the sauce had a hint of orange juice but tasted mostly like flour. Otherwise the recipe was nice, the chicken was cooked nice although it certainly could have used some spices.

More onions would have also improved the flavor. We finished up our bowls of mango-chicken-flour slop and marked the recipe. It sure would taste good if we had made it right! It tasted even better than the chicken wing recipe  my mother always prepared for us.

Choosing the Right Food Processor For Your Needs

The Cuisinart food processor is the top of the line in the field of food processors.  Many people associate all food processors simply as "cuisinarts" because of the dominance of the Cuisinart brand. Today, you have more models to choose from than ever when it comes to the Cuisinart food processor. And many people are realizing that it is a more wholesome way to cook and eat.

One of the most basic things that you can do with a Cuisinart food processor is to prepare vegetables.  Many people are surprised by the fact that these appliances come in several different sizes.  If you would like to eat fresh chopped vegetables daily, you could get a Cuisinart with a smaller volume.   If you are the type who is very busy and finds it a challenge incorporating cooking into a busy lifestyle, then you should think about getting a higher capacity Cuisinart food processor.  The full-sized model will help you to prepare your vegetables in bigger amounts and then store them in the freezer for later use. These Cuisinarts can do a variety of different jobs beyond the usual chopping, slicing, mincing and shredding vegetables. 

After you have finished chopping your vegetables, you could employ Cuisinart 11-cup food processors to grate cheese.  You will lower your grocery bill by doing this for the reason that the grated cheese that you purchase in supermarkets is usually expensive and is filled with preservatives. If you buy your own cheese, you can grate it yourself at home with the Cuisinart food processor. 

Crushing ice is never nice and can be very difficult to do in a blender.  For that matter, unless you are using a heavy duty blender, crushing ice might actually wear out the appliance. In this case, though, the Cuisinart food processor manages just fine. The Cuisinart can help you to prepare a tasty drink that is healthy and low calorie. 

If you decide to make a cake, use the Cuisinart food processor.  combine all of the ingredients into the food cup and switch it on. Your cuisinart will mix up the batter so that it is very smooth. You do not need to stand next to it and work with the beaters the whole time that you are making the cake.  Unlike other mixers that normally are unable to mix the batter smooth, this will give you a smooth batter faster and easier than other mixers.  There are several different speeds to the different types of the Cusinart food processor.  You will be able to pick one that is perfect for the recipe you are making. 

There are a plethora of volumes and types to choose from when it’s time to get your Cuisinart 7-cup food processor.  This includes the larger 14 cup models or even the more commercial grade models.  You can also purchase a small capacity food processor for single servings. Either way, the Cuisinart food processor will make your life much easier.  This food processor will help you spend less money, allow you to prepare healthier foods and, when you are ready to clean up, the parts can be removed easily for cleaning in the dishwasher.  You can avoid a big mess in your kitchen.  If you would like to make healthier meals in minutes, take a look at what Cuisinart can offer and consider purchasing the Cuisinart food processor. 

Low Carb Cooking

Around the world people are paying more attention to their bodies and their health than perhaps at any other time in history. Perhaps one of the best ways that anyone can reduce their excess fat they carry on their bodies is to reduce the amount of carbs in their diet.  It's great as part of a weight loss plan and for genreral health too.

The problem is that you must stick to the diet in order for the results to remain consistent even after you've met your weight loss goals. Instead of viewing a low carb diet as something you go on and then forget about after a few months, you really need to do this for the long haul. Your health is all important.

Are low carb diets considered to be fad dieting?  Unlike some very stange faddy diets about, the low carb diet is very popular. This means that you will have no trouble finding resources, tips, tricks, advice, and even amazing substitutes for those things you often miss most when engaging in the low carb lifestyle. Many mainstream grocery stores are also beginning to see the value of catering to this 'high end' market of consumers and offering a wider variety of low carb friendly foods to consumers.

Cooking is something that many people don't participate in as much as they used to, get back into cooking by tracking down some low carb cookery books at either your local library or book shop. You can also find many resources on the Internet to help assist and encourage you in your low carb lifestyle incorporation.

If you have a grill then you now have the perfect reason to make full use of it. If you aren't losing weight as quickly as you would like, think carefully about what you are doing in terms of eating and exercising and make some adjustments if you need to.  It's not that difficult and you'll not want to go back to your previous cooking habits.  Learn all you can about health, nutrition and also fitness.

Be Creative With Your Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

For a wedding the invitation can be the most important element.  Long after the wedding ends people hold onto the invitations.  The overall production and class of the wedding is also first presented in the invitation.  The rehearsal dinner is an important part of the wedding, so the rehearsal dinner invitations are also a big deal.  Keep in mind too that years later, this invitation will be something the bride will proudly show her children and even their potential spouses.

One element of these invitations is to whom they're sent.  Thankfully it's not complex.  Anyone who has had a hand in making the wedding happen should receive invitations to the rehearsal dinner.  This will be the bridal party, the bride's parents and groom's parents, and other close people the couple to be would like to invite.  Don't forget the priest, minister or official who oversees the ceremony.  Remember, this isn't something for all the wedding guests, but rather for all the people who play a role in the ceremony whether they helped planned it, or will walk the aisle or participate in another way.

The design and printing of these invitations is important.  Often it's the very same company responsible for the wedding invitations.  It's probably the best way.  The fewer service providers with a hand in the wedding the better.  Consistency in look is important too.  The same shop might have great ideas on a pattern to work off the main invitations.  And don't forget the possibility of saving money.  The vendor may offer a discount if all the work is given to them.  However it's the groom's parents who usually oversee the reception dinner.  While the bride and groom will be involved in every aspect of the wedding, the groom's parents may feel more special if they can deal with these invitations outside the parameters of the actual wedding invitations.  A slightly different design might also add some variety and spice to the wedding.

The rehearsal dinner is a big part of the overall experience.  It's sort of a gimme.  It seems pretty mundane, but if handled correctly the rehearsal dinner invitations add an important element to the wedding, while if handled poorly the entire wedding could be ruined.

 

Get more information on cooking and dining here Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

Don't Ignore Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette

Weddings can be a complicated affair.  There are rules and procedures at every turn.  Planning a wedding is often a full time affair.  One of the elements of a good wedding is the rehearsal dinner, with its own set of rehearsal dinner etiquette.  Understand the rules can make all the difference and lead to success and fun.

The groom's parents are considered to be the hosts for the rehearsal dinner.  Leave the details to them.  For couples who prefer to host the dinner themselves as a thanks to the families and wedding guests, make sure to explain the reasoning to the grooms parents so as not to insult them.  If the groom's parents insist, let them do it.  Why take on more work when letting others manage it makes them happier?

Plan the dinner for the night prior to the wedding day.  It's best then so people can easily attend.  Never plan this for days before the wedding day.  That makes it harder for people to attend.  Avoid hurting people's feelings or making their attendance more difficult .  Remember, for the bride and groom both families are soon to become their family.

Of course, both the bride's and groom's immediate relatives are invited.  Include close friends as well as the entire bridal party.  The preacher or whoever officiates the wedding, offers the vows, should also be invited.  Take care with these invitations.  Maybe uncle Albert is a little rude, but is it worth a lifetime of bad blood to exclude him?

Give people a little time to relax before eating.  Make it a relaxing situation.  Don't make the dinner too far out of line with the overall wedding budget.  If it's a million dollar wedding then the rehearsal dinner should reflect this.  By the same token a budget wedding should have too fancy of a rehearsal dinnerA less expensive wedding warrants a less expensive rehearsal dinner.  And don't keep people out too late the night before the big day.

The bride and groom toast all those helping to make the wedding wonderful.  This includes both the bride's and groom's parents, and anyone else who has helped.  The toast follows the main course and should be made by the bride and groom.  Other toasts, for example the best man's toast, happen at the reception. 

Don't ruin a nice wedding by stepping on toes at the rehearsal dinner.  Don't ignore rehearsal dinner etiquette.

Get more cooking recipes here Easy Fast Dinner Recipes

Search For Your Easy Dinner Recipes Online

People don't have the time to prepare the food Julia Child used to show on her cooking program.  It's a different world.  Food television has changed along with it, featuring easy dinner recipes instead of the fancy French cooking Julia made famous.  Easy doesn't have to be bland.  In fact it can be quite exciting to eat these easy to prepare foods. 

Dinner cooking ideas can be found in other places too.  There's a lot of food online.  Cooking show web sites are great, but there's a lot more.  There are sites dedicated to simple meals, sites specializing in cheap meals, sites about quick meals, and sites about healthy meals.  Every type of meal and food are covered not only by one web site, but by thousands.  A person could spend an entire life learning all of it.

Easy isn't bland.  Easy meals aren't bad meals.  Hot dogs are simple, but maybe too mundane.  Eat a corn dog instead.  Lots of people enjoy them and they're not hard to prepare.  Dip a dog in flour, corn meal, milk, salt and sugar, then fry it.  Add a popsicle stick to make the experience more like a corn dog at a state fair. 

Corn dogs aren't healthy.  Just because food is easy doesn't mean it has to be junk.  Try a salad with some broiled chicken strips.  Yet another easy meal.  It's also good for you.  Try it with chicken soup.  Salads can be made from almost anything.  Some diced ham, hard boiled eggs and lettuce makes a great dinner salad. 

Here's a little history lesson.  Dinner and supper started out as separate meals in colonial times.  Hard physical labor meant they needed a light late afternoon meal called dinner.  A larger meal at the end of the work day was supper.  New lifestyles and types of work meant dinner and supper changed over the years until, for many, they merged.  Physical laborers commonly maintained the tradition of separate supper and dinner into the 1970's, and some people still do it today.

You don't have to have a separate supper and dinner.  But try a lighter dinner type meal at supper time, or maybe we can call it dupper  Either way, with some easy dinner recipes found online, it can be called delicious.

More on dining here Chanhassen Dinner Theater Minnesota

Dream Dinners- The Unique Food Franchise

Dream Dinners Video

A dream dinner may bring to mind a free steak for some people.  Dream Dinners is also a quickly rising food franchise business.  It's all about people cooking under supervision according to planned menus.  It's one of those ideas that has people slapping their foreheads while exclaiming “why didn't I think of that”?

Americans are busier than ever before.  Work and school and a variety of other activities for family members mean it's harder than ever to eat well .  Even the terrific pre-made food available today in stores isn't quite the same as home cooking.  But doesn't something have to give when time is on a budget?  This franchise comes to the rescue.

The program works like this.  Customers select up to 14 menu meals every month.  They then pay for the number of servings desired.  Then they cook it while still at the shop.  Cooking experts supervise in either private or public cooking sessions.  This is a lot like a chef at a restaurant coming out to direct the diners in preparing the food.  

It's not as costly as it sounds.  The more people buy the more they save, so all 14 meals are about $3.50 per serving not counting sides and other items like salads.  This can bring the cost per serving for a complete meal up to around the $5 mark, but for a busy working family it's not bad.  That's a great deal for the food plus the cooking instruction.

This is a franchise business.  There has been some tension.  It's not the food or menus or preparation, but rather the franchiseesSome of the franchisees aren't happy.  Forbes magazine published a detailed account of Dream Dinners in early 2008.  The company didn't look very good in the article.  It expanded very quickly, attracting entrepreneurs with its unique concept.  But it seems the business plan wasn't strong, as many of these people found themselves unable to continue the business after a short time and a lot of investment.  The article detailed what was described as misrepresentations of the profit possible, and thus the overall valuation of franchises.

Let the franchisees and the company worry about the controversy, for the diner Dream Dinners is just what the chef ordered.

 

Find more information on great dinners here Dream Dinners

 

Easy Fast Dinner Recipes On The Run

In the golden days of TV moms who stayed home all day vacuuming the house while wearing pearls, cooking special meals, and doling out wise advice to the kids when dad wasn't around, meals could take all day and could involve intricate steps.  Those shows were reflections of the real world.  Modern people have a lot more going on in their lives.  Mothers, and fathers who now take on a large part of the cooking chore, look for easy fast dinner recipes that can get the same TV mom results with a lot less real person effort.  The Pilgrims didn't have a good source for such simplicity in food, but they didn't have the Internet either.  Easy cooking is easy to find online with search engines like Yahoo and Google.

A steak can be a whole week of meals.  Make different meals with different side dishes.  Take a trip around the world with rotating spices.  Start with one large flank steak.  On Monday serve steak with roasted potatoes and a salad.  Make Fajitas on Tuesday with some salsa and hot spices.  Rice, some Teriyaki sauce and steamed vegetables make Wednesday an Asian day.  Add asparagus on Thursday and smash the potatoes.  Go for Gyros on Friday with pita and Greek spices.  That's the whole week accomplished all from one main meat. 

You want the steak to go even further?   Pull out the plates we're going in.  Give a whirl to steak salad wraps with horseradish sauce, or try bean salad and flanked steak .  Put another meat into the mix for more variety.  Pork can be a roast, or ribs, or chops.  That's a lot of eating.

With a little clever planning all the meals for the week can be cooked on the weekend, then heated and served in minutes.  Save money by buying in bulk while working off a monthly menu.  Let the kids get involved.  Put them in charge for a week.  Give each family member a turn.

Easy fast dinner recipes do exist.

Find more on cooking, recipes and dining here Mystery Dinner Theatre

Enjoy Chanhassen Dinner Theater

Chanhassen Dinner Theater Video

People love dinner theater, the idea of enjoying a meal while seeing a show has been around since the first dinner theater opened in 1962.  Minnesota's Chanhassen dinner theater opened its doors six years later, and today is celebrating it's 40th anniversary.  The theater stages a variety of top notch plays throughout the year.

This theater is huge.  There are many dining and show spaces throughout the 90,000 sq. ft. complex.  Chanhassen's biggest show space is the Main Dinner Theater.  It seats 541 people.  That doesn't sound like a lot for a theater, but consider this includes tables and booths where meals are served along with the stage performance.  There's the Playhouse Theater, a very small space, and the Fireside Theater where patrons see a show after eating in a different dining space.  For people who want a little more luxury there is a Director's Room overlooking the Main Dinner Theater .  People can enjoy private meals while watching the play.  There are also banquet facilities, a pub and a lounge. 

Speaking of the Playhouse Theater, this smaller room has a unique history of its own.  ”I Do! I Do!” began showing there in 1971.  It ran until 1993.  A 22 year run is one thing, but the original cast was involved from the first to the last performances.  Chanhassen built it's fame on that play with 700,000 total viewers, 125 watching at a time.

Over the years some of the most well known plays have had their run at Chanhassen.  From May of 2003 to June of 2004 Sound of Music played a repeat performance there.  My Fair Lady has played there, Guys and Dolls, The Music Man, Camelot, Annie Get Your Gun and a host of others.  These all played in the main theater.  Other shows that have played in the facility are Dial M For Murder, The Sunshine Boys, On Golden Pond along with many, many more.  As the titles show, everything from big productions to smaller pieces show at Chanhassen.  Good food and excellent shows make it a landmark in the Twin Cities.

The Chanhassen Dinner Theater is a fun place to visit whether you happen to be in town, or even as a destination in itself.  There are plenty of hotels for visitors.  Find out more about this historic dinner theater at the web site http://www.chanhassentheatres.com.

Get more on cooking and dining here Carousel Dinner Theater

A Creative Cooking School Will Teach You How To Prepare Gourmet Foods

Creative Cooking School Video

Joining a creative cooking school will teach you the necessary skills you need to prepare gourmet foods. There are many different gourmet foods you can learn to cook, such as gourmet meats, seafood, coffee, chocolate, and more.

Online gourmet stores offer many of the hard to find gourmet meats shipped direct to your doorstep.  They may come frozen and packaged in specialized storage containers to retain their freshness and quality.  This is especially convenient if you do not live close to large shopping areas.

If you do live in an area that has a great supply of gourmet meats make friends with the in house butcher.  Tell him what type of event you are planning and how many people will be attending.  He will be able to furnish you with all the information about the type of meat and its cost that you can serve to your guests that is sure to impress.

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world and gourmet coffee is most peoples' favorite. Coffee really presents a universe of choices, and especially if you entertain a lot you are going to want to have a good selection of coffee to choose from. Different gourmet coffees have different tastes and it is important that before you actually purchase any coffee you determine how you want to brew your coffee.

Starting or finishing a meal of finer gourmet foods with a cup of gourmet coffee is adamant.  If you have spent the time and extra money on the main course you will also want to serve the most flavorful cup of java.  Starting with a flavored coffee and ending with a cappuccino or espresso is recommended.

Of course no talk of finer gourmet foods would be complete without discussing gourmet chocolate. Everyone loves chocolate, and in fact there are very few foods in history that are as highly prized as chocolate.

Gifts of gourmet chocolate truffles, fudge, dipped fruits etc., are all highly prized by the recipient.  They can be found online and shipped directly to your friend or loved one.

There is an extensive selection of gourmet foods to choose from these days, most of which have been around since ancient times. Although these foods typically require more time and effort to cook it is always well worth it to take gourmet cooking classes, especially if you are entertaining guests and want to make a great impression.

Get more information on cooking visit Cooking Salmon Filets

Murder Mystery Dinner

You've just started a delicious meal.  Then a nearby table erupts.  Two patrons are having an argument.  The argument turns to shoving.  One man falls to the floor.  He jumps up with a knife that he thrusts into the other's chest.  But wait, things may not be what they seem, at least not according to the police detective who rushes onto the scene.  The dead man also has a gun shot wound.  Who shot off a gun?  The murder mystery dinner is now in full swing.

Murder mystery theater has been around a long time.  Combined with dinner theater, these shows are interactive and often held at smaller venues.  People love to eat and to try to solve a mystery.  They can eat their steak and like Sherlock Holmes engage their minds once the game is afoot.  A variety of types of mysteries exist.  One is a simple interactive play where the actors talk to the patrons but stick to a general story in which one of the actors' roles is to solve the mystery.  Another is a game in which the diners have to discover clues to solve the murder.  Sometimes a guest or two are even in on the secret, asked to join the cast for the performance.

These mysteries have become popular for parties, special occasions and even entire weekends and cruises.  They've leaked into popular culture.  Movies and television have explored the concept.  A group gathered at a spooky house die one by one in horrible ways.  One comedic version is Murder by Death.  In other versions, a mystery dinner is taking place when someone is really murdered.  Adrian Monk, a TV detective, on his show was banned from a mystery weekend for solving the case in under five minutes.

Spooky places often host these mystery dinners .  Many dinner theatres that specialize in murder mysteries boast that their location used to be a morgue, or is built on a graveyard, or that someone was murdered there in the past.  It's probably faked, but still fun.  Patrons are willing to suspend disbelief enough to enjoy themselves, even if in the real world they wouldn't believe the tall tales.

A murder mystery dinner is enjoyable.  There are even versions specially made for children, and the whole family can participate.

Get more information on cooking and dining here Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

Get Your Dinner Ideas Online

Man people don't have a lot of time to cook.  That's right, they live full lives.  Between work and school and other activities they're lucky if they have time to stop at a fast food joint much less prepare quality meals at home.  Often it's not a matter of cooking itself, but rather of coming up with dinner ideas for quick, healthy, inexpensive meals for the whole family.  It's not that hard, folks.  A seven day menu isn't all that hard to plan for people who know where to look.  Here are a few good dinner ideas for delicious meals the whole family can enjoy.

Fairs and street vendors often have corn dogs, an American favorite.  It's delicious and easy, even though not exactly healthy.  Coat the hot dogs with batter made of flour, corn meal, milk, salt, sugar and baking powder, then fry them until golden.  You an even add a corn dog stick to make it feel authentic.

Way back when, in colonial times, dinner was a lighter snack followed by supper later in the day. Social status and job type dictated changes in this over time. Physical laborers needed an afternoon dinner to keep up their strength throughout the grueling day. As times change and we move away from regular meals at home, dinner has become the anchor that keeps families together and signals the end of the out of the home portion of the day and the beginning of at home leisure time.  Most people call the big meal either or both of supper or dinner.  The late meal can be light especially for people who are weight conscious.  Go the traditional dinner route with a light soup or roast chicken salad.

Try crock pot cooking.  Set it up in the morning then enjoy a great meal at night.  The crock pot can handle the entire meal.  Cook a roast with some cut up potatoes and carrots.  Stop on the way home for a hot loaf of bread.  You can also let the bread slide if you're worried about the waist line.

It's not that hard to cook well, for example grilled steak and baked potatoes.  Use Google to find more great dinner ideas.  There are tons on line.

 

To find more information on cooking, recipes and fine dining visit Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes

Planning Dinner Recipes Easy

It's a fast paced world.  Sure science has made everything easier, but to balance that there's more than ever to accomplish.  Life at home sometimes takes a hit.  People have less energy to spend around the house.  That includes meals.  Making dinner recipes easy has become a holy grail.  It's nice to know there are a lot of ideas around for quick meals.

It was all by hand cooking in the old days.  Grinding meat into casings was the way to make sausage.  It took hours at the stove cooking the sauce and making noodles for a spaghetti dinner.  Meal preparation was a matter of a whole day.  Women mostly stayed home, so it wasn't impossible.  But as people began to realize they wanted more from life than cooking and cleaning every day, more and more pre-packaged and pre-prepared foods began to appear.  Fewer and fewer people made cake from scratch after quick cake mixes came onto the scene.  Baking a cake is far easier than it used to be.  In the old days it could take half a day to properly make a cake.  Change has happened.

Many sources now tell people how to make quicker meals.  The television cooking shows are more popular than ever.  Gone are the days of the Galloping Gourmet getting drunk on cooking Sheri while Julia Child droned on about fancy French meals.  There's more focus in today's shows on cooking for the rest of us.  From the 20 minute meals to partially home made, techniques include spicing up pre-made elements with some fresh ingredients.  This isn't just hot dogs or scrambled eggs.  The focus is delicious meals that appear to take a lot longer to make than they really do. 

There are far more pre-packaged foods too.  Many grocery stores now carry deli meals including already cooked chickens, meat loaf, pot roast, mashed potatoes and more.  It's like buying a restaurant meal at the store, then bringing it home to eat.  These foods can even be frozen then reheated later in the week.  That's another idea coming into vogue.  The weekends, when most people don't work, are a great time to do the cooking then freeze for the week.  Many foods including lasagna are actually better reheated.

It's still possible to have good meals without breaking the bank.  Sources to make dinner recipes easy are everywhere.  Take advantage and eat well.

To find more information on cooking, recipes and fine dining visit Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes

Make Your Dinner Reservation Early

Folks eat at restaurants.  Some do it once a week, some once a month, some even every day.  Restaurant meals are common at lunch for white collar workers.  Some working families don't have time to cook so they eat out each evening.  Often people can walk into an establishment and find a table.  But sometimes a dinner reservation is needed in order to be seated.  Without a reservation a person won't eat there .

Many restaurants take reservations, usually in the evenings and especially on weekends.  Fancy places require reservations months in advance .  Some restaurants make it hard to even get a reservation.  Can any restaurant be that special?  That's for the individuals to decide.

Some good habits to get into when making a dinner reservation include calling well in advance of the planned meal and only reserving space for the people you know will attend and eat.  There are exclusive restaurants out there.  Waiting too long can mean missing out on a chance to enjoy a meal there on a particular day.  It can also mean having to trim down a guest list if a large enough table isn't available.  Reserving spots too early can mean not knowing who will show up to eat, getting the restaurant to set aside too many seats at too large a table.  Restaurants don't like this.  The result could be the restaurant not being willing to let you reserve next time.

Sometimes the customers do the wrong thing when it comes to reservations.  But some restaurants are pretty poor when it comes to honoring reservations.  People make plans to eat at 8PM, call in the reservation for 8PM, show up at 7:30 to enjoy a cocktail before dinner, then wait three hours before being seated.  Such a restaurant may lose business.  It's expected at some fancier locations.  Those restaurants are expected to be discourteous.  Many people will pay well for the experience of being treated like trash.

Some companies have sprung up that manage reservations for a number of restaurants.  Many include online booking and get very good reviews.  One customer related making reservations for her husband's birthday.  Upon arrival she found the host looking up the reservation on a computer.  To this patron's surprise the restaurant had done some planning for the birthday meal, providing extras and even a free slice of cake.

A dinner reservation is often wise.  Hopefully the restaurant honors it.  If they don't, then teach them a lesson.  Don't eat there anymore, and let your friends know to stop eating there too.

Find more on cooking and dining here Chanhassen Dinner Theater

Mexican Peppers Are a Staple Food In Mexico

Authenic Mexican Food Video

Chilies are popular in many countries, but Mexico enjoys them the most. Popular Mexican peppers have been used for thousands of years as an ingredient in Mexican dishes. There are about 140 different types of chilies grown in Mexico. People tend to shy away from chilies because of their powerful heat when eaten, but not all chilies are unbearable to many.

Mexican peppers are known as being a vegetable, but they are actually a fruit. They contain high amounts of vitamins as well as iron and fiber. There are many types of flavors available. Since regions in Mexico vary, so does popular Mexican chilies and food dishes. Popular Mexican chiles peppers come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes. They also come in different amounts of hotness. A good way to tell the strength of the heat is by the size of the chile pepper. The smaller the pepper, the more it will pack a punch of heat. Mexican Peppers are the main ingredients for salsa. The salsa will vary in hotness depending on which peppers are used. Chile peppers also can be used as a meat rub to add flavor.

With so many peppers to choose from, do some research before adding them to your meals. Some types of peppers include Jalapeo. They turn from green to dark purple, and finally to red when they are ripe. They are very hot and a good choice for salsa. They are the most well known pepper. Habanero peppers are the hottest of all. They are orange in color, but look similar to sweet green peppers, only smaller. They are also used in salsa. Poblano peppers are the biggest peppers used in Mexican food. They can be mild or hot and are often used in a sauce. Ancho peppers are dried Poblano peppers. They carry a mild flavor and are reddish-brown in color. Ancho peppers are the most common chile peppers used and commonly found in sauces.

Another pepper that is found in Mexican cuisine is the Fresno pepper. It looks like a smaller version of a sweet green pepper. You can find them in guacamole and also in dishes that include black beans. Chipotle peppers are another pepper found in Mexico. It is gaining popularity in the United States. It is actually Jalapeno peppers that are dried by being smoked. They add a smoky flavor to dishes. One other pepper is the Serrano. They are bright green in color with a very spicy hot taste. They are often used in salsa.

Achiote is the shrub that the annatto seeds come from which is added to the recado rojo mixture. This shrub is grown in Southeast Asia and was introduced to the Spanish in the 17th century. It is consider an inedible fruit that is used for its seeds. Long ago American Indians used the seeds to make body paints. Parts of the shrub can be used in medical remedies for health problems such as headaches and burns.

You will be able to find many recipes which include popular Mexican chilies. Remember that when handling and cutting the peppers, use gloves because the heat of the pepper can bother your skin and throat. Also try all you can to not rub your eyes. Enjoy experimenting with different Mexican cuisine and have fun while doing it!

To get more info on Mexican food go to Mexican Drinks

Carousel Dinner Theater In Akron Ohio

The Carousel Dinner Theater in Akron Ohio tells patrons to “expect the unexpected”.  Busy folks want to have a good time.  Dinner theater is always an enjoyable experience.

Many dinner theaters claim to be the largest, Carousel is no exception.  Whether it really is the largest or not, it is one of the best.  Carousel hires members of the American Federation of Musicians, Actors Equity Association and Society of Directors and Choreographers.  It's not just a matter of supporting unions.  Union talents and workers tend to be the most proficient.

Carousel opened in 1973 in a converted supermarket, then moved to its current location in 1988.  People can see the show while enjoying the meal, or fore go the meal in favor of just taking in the show .  Recently more theater professionals from New York have been hired.  This means the shows are even better than in the past.

Recently the theater world has been memorized by “Wicked” .  This is a story that takes place before the Wizard of Oz and involves many of the witches in that world.  Patrons are urged to see the story that started it all, as Carousel is currently showing the Wizard of Oz.  The frame around the stage that moves the sets around, the Proscenium, is very intricate.  The blog at http://carouseldinnertheatre.blogspot.com discusses this and other aspects of the quality production .  Yes, plays like many people now have their own web sites.

The Carousel has hosted a lot of Broadway plays over time.  It was “the Odd Couple” in 2008.  Others include Annie, Grease and even the Sound of Music.  Here you can enjoy good food and Broadway without going to Broadway.  In 2009 the theater hosts the very popular High School Musical.

The Carousel Dinner Theater gives Akron's citizens and visitors a taste of the New York nightlife.  Try it you'll like it.

More information on cooking and dining here Murder Mystery Dinner

Tantalizing Dinner Recipes

Dinner recipes can be hard to come up with day after day, meal after meal.  Many people get into a menu rut, rotating between the same recipes endlessly.  Families often find, when examining their food selection, that they constantly eat the same meals while ignoring some old favorites.  Random meal selection results in that situation.  Because people have so much to do they often ignore the healthy eating.

Prior planning is important when designing a menu and recipes to cook from it.  When a menu is planned in advance the selection becomes more diverse.  Meal time is as much about the overall experience as it is about taste and nutrition.  Everyone can enjoy the same basic food if it's made into a variety of different meals.

Take ground beef for example.  With bread (buns) and some vegetables it can become a hamburger  That's a taco too.  While very different in the eyes and taste buds of most people, hamburgers and tacos share many of the same basic ingredients.  One food can make many different recipes and thus meals.  Here's another.  The simple potato and a chicken.  Fried chicken and French fries aren't too healthy.  Roasting both will save the waist line.  Still chicken and potatoes.  Many people eat chicken salad sandwiches with chips on the side.  Chicken pot pie.  Chicken Teriyaki may not include potatoes, but it includes a starch in the white rice.  A few basic foods can lead to great variety.

Try more than one meat.  Cut up chicken and steak, potatoes and vegetables.  Put them on skewers or sticks and grill.  Those are delicious kebabs.  Steak and lobster is fun for adults and kids.  The same deep fryer can cook both a fried turkey and some fish and chips for an early snack.

What about sources for meal ideas?  Cooking shows are all over the television.  They not only have practical cooking tips, but have web sites with even more information on dinner recipes.  Speaking of on line, food ideas abound on web sites.  Try a Google or MSN search for dinner ideas.  Nobody could every get through all the available info online.

Learn more on dinners and dining here Dinner Recipes Easy

Cast Iron Cookware: Three things you should know

Any cook worth his or her salt, knows that cast iron cookware is far better than most other cookware in so many ways.

If you're using aluminum or stainless steel pots and pans in your kitchen, try just one good cast iron skillet. This will demonstrate to you the many benefits of using cast iron in your kitchen!

3 Reasons to Love Cast Iron Cookware

If you're considering trying cast iron, or if you have some cast iron cookware that you are not currently using, here are some things to think about.

1. Cast iron disperses heat evenly. When you cook with cast iron, the "hot" and "cold" spots found on thin aluminum or stainless steel pots are gone.
2. Cast iron stays hot. You'll appreciate the way your cast iron retains its heat long after it's removed from the heat source. Great for serving from as your food stays hot longer!
3. Cast iron will last far longer than other cookware. Quality cast iron cookware will outlast you! There's a good chance your grandchildren will pass it on to their kids. Cast iron, well cared for, will last for generations.

Caring for your cast iron cookware

Whether your cast iron cookware is brand new or very old, a few simple pointers will ensure your cookware serves you well now and well into the future.

Season it!

Well seasoned cast iron is the best "non-stick" cookware you could ever wish for! And it's really easy. If you have new cast iron that is not preseasoned (much of it now comes seasonsed) or you have old cast iron that needs some "help", here are the steps to take to create a long-lasting, non-stick cooking surface:

1. Start with " clean" cookware. In this case, clean means free of any coasting that may have been applied by the manufacturer. If you have any old cast iron, ensure it is free of rust. A palm sander with a medium grit disk is an ideal tool for cleaning the surface.
2. Use lard to season your cast iron. Use enough to generously cover the surface, place the pan in the oven at 275°F to 300°F and bake for two to three hours. Pour off the excess lard. After the pan cools, wipe it clean with a paper towel. Repeat this process one or two times for best results. It's best initially to use the pan for some oil or fat dishes after seasoning.
3. After each use, let it cool then simply wipe it with a paper towel, or, if some food has stuck to the pan, soak it for a few minutes, then wipe the pan. Never use detergent or scouring pads as this could ruin the seasoned surface.

If you don't anticipate using your cast iron for a long period of time, wipe it with a thin coat of a stable oil such as olive oil to help keep moisture, and therefore rust, at bay.

One word of caution: the handles on your cast iron cookware will get extremely hot. Keep some good oven mitts handy - you'll need them!

Cheap Recipes For A Great Dinner

Cheap recipes can get hard when days turn to weeks turn to months.  It's easy to get stuck on the same few meals.  Some families eat the same tired things while forgetting about some old favorites.  Random meal selection results in that situation.  Now that more people are more focused on other things like work, it's not easy to plan and execute a healthy menu.

When coming up with that menu, and the recipes to fill it, keep in mind that prior planning prevents future problems.  People who take some time to plan out menus can select a wider variety of recipes.  Meal time is as much about the overall experience as it is about taste and nutrition.  Even the same basic foods can be prepared a variety of different ways to make up meals everyone will enjoy a lot more.

Ground beef is one example.  With bread (buns) and some vegetables it can become a hamburger  A taco is pretty similar.  While very different in the eyes and taste buds of most people, hamburgers and tacos share many of the same basic ingredients.  A single food can result in a lot of different recipes.  Now for another one.  We'll consider chicken with potatoes.  French fries and fried chicken can be fattening and thus not healthy.  Roasting both will save the waist line.  Still chicken and potatoes.  Chicken salad and chips make a good lunch.  Chicken pot pie.  There may not be potatoes with Chicken Teriyaki but the rice is also a starch.  A few basic foods can lead to great variety.

Mixing meats can be fun too.  Delicious kebabs come from chicken and steak along with some vegetables.  Steak and lobster can be very elegant for a parents only dinner date, or pretty basic to include the kids too at a family meal.  The same deep fryer can cook both a fried turkey and some fish and chips for an early snack.

Where can more ideas be found?  There are a lot of food shows on television, even an entire channel dedicated to food.  Those give great ideas, and most have web sites where more information, including cheap recipes, can be found.  Speaking of on line, food ideas abound on web sites.  Try a Google or MSN search for dinner ideas.  Nobody could every get through all the available info online.

Get more tips on preparing cheap meals.

Celebrate Thanksgiving With Great Thankgiving Dinner Recipes

Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes Video

Thanksgiving is a time of food.  It's a celebration of the Pilgrim's early successes in America, won through hard work to tame the land in what was for them a new world.  The menu is usually the same.  Pumpkin pie ends a turkey dinner that includes all the extras.  History aside, families also like to get everyone together in one room.  The food may be similar, but Thanksgiving dinner recipes have as much variety as the colors of the leaves on the November trees.

Why not try the following appetizer?  It's a pretty simple Pumpkin soup.  Butter and oil simmer over a medium heat. Add leaks to saute, only the white portion, until soft. Now throw in some pumpkin puree along with cloves, cinnamon, ground ginger and some salt.  Now stir in some vegetable broth. Next comes brown sugar.  Bring it to a low boil then let it simmer for 10 minutes. Cream or half and half are optional, along with a pinch of cinnamon on top of each bowl.  That sounds good.

A turkey can be fried instead of broiled.  Don't worry, fried turkey isn't greasy.  The oil can't penetrate the skin after the hot oil sears it.  Get a big drum and a propane burner, otherwise known as a deep fryer.  Check the meat with a meat thermometer and the oil temperature with an oil thermometer.  Make sure to fry outside in a clear area.  Heat the oil to between 325 degrees and 350 degrees F.  The turkey takes about three minutes per pound to fry to about 170 degrees F in the breast.  It's common to inject spices into the turkey during frying, but the dressing is usually not fried along with the turkey.

For some other soup ideas try curried pumpkin apple soup, butternut squash soup, or pumpkin and sausage soup.  The list of delicious appetizers is endless.  Try something different like cheese wrapped asparagus.  This calls for both a sliced cheese and a soft cheese spread.  Try slices of swiss with a blue cheese spread.  Wrap the asparagus with the slices spread with the soft cheese, then bake until tender at 230C.  Ok, this way asparagus isn't healthy.  Thanksgiving is a time for a little fun.  So live it up.

Many more delicious Thanksgiving dinner recipes are available on the Internet.

 

Get more cooking recipes here Easy Fast Dinner Recipes

 

Cuisinart Is The Brand Of Choice For Fast Cooking

kitchen tools

If you're looking for a gift for the baker or cook in your life, consider the Cuisinart product line. Started in 1973 by Carl Sontheimer, the company offers a wide range of products, including their ever popular food processor, baking items, blenders and much, much more. The website makes finding, purchasing and reviewing these items extremely easy. Many retail stores carry this product line so anyone's favorite kitchen appliance is an easy find.

Whether you are a breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert lover, Cuisinart has every kind of product you could want. A food processor is the most popular item they sell, but they have upgraded in the last 30 plus years to a huge variety of products. Today they offer baking collections, coffee collections and other items that every kitchen needs. For the cook that has it all, there are fun little gadgets to add to any kitchen collection. Electric can openers and hand mixers, ice cream makers and specialty appliances, including kitchen tools, make a trip to the website or any store carrying this brand a fun trip. Price wise, some of the products can put a decent dent in your purse, but the quality of the products is outstanding and, therefore, is worth the cost.

If you know someone who loves to cook, bake or enjoy the ease of kitchen appliances, a Cuisinart product could be just the thing he or she has been wanting. The touch they add to any kitchen decor can put a smile on anyone's face. So can the customer service department of the company itself. With rave reviews they make the smallest thing, such as replacing a part, simple and stress free. These are just added bonuses to a line of products that make cooking and baking easier.

From easing the cook's workload, to making them smile at the sleekly designed products, Cuisinart is a company that is second to none. With baking tools, cookware and more, the perfect gift, decorative touch or splurge for yourself is easy to find and worth the cost. Every product is given a mark of high quality. So surprise the cook or baker in your life, even if it is yourself, with a product that is sure to win them over through its style and ease of use while cooking or baking or both.

Do-Ahead Thanksgiving Dinner Party Ideas That Make Turkey Day A Breeze!

I don't know about you, but Thanksgiving meal preparations used to have me at my wits end when we sat down to dinner. It was a day long affair, launching with prepping the turkey at first light and ending with a fury of last-ditch hustle and bustle.

Checking each course for proper flavouring, it seemed like I'd been checking and tasting the whole time. Finally, after too many years of this disorder, I happened upon a do-ahead recipe book, which filled my head with loads of thanksgiving feast ideas! Nowadays, the most stressful thing I have to do on the big day is getting the bird in the oven and brewing some coffee afterwards. Here are some strategies for easy and mouth-watering Thanksgiving dinner menu ideas.

As an alternative to tackling the enormous task of moving all the food in the fridge to free up some space for a massive turkey, try this idea from a experienced Naval cook. Pick up the frozen bird at the shop the day before Thanksgiving. (Be sure to order ahead of time!) Fill a big cooler with plenty cold water to immerse the bird. Close the lid and just before you head for bed, turn the bird over. The bird should be ready for cooking by morning. This method has been utilised for years and is very doable.

If you've ever wondered why your turkey don't cook in the time given on the packaging directions. It's because of having to constantly open the oven to baste the bird. This thanksgiving dinner party idea is a treasure. Melt a stick of butter and add your seasonings. Slip your hand between the skin of the breast and leg, softly lifting the skin from the meat. Put the turkey on end and pour the butter in between the skin and meat, with your (clean!) fingers to spread the melted butter. Rest the bird breast facing up on the oven rack, wrap with thin-foil and put it in the oven. The bird bastes itself. Foolproof.

A large amount traditional Thanksgiving pies, like mince pies and pumpkin pies, are ideal do-aheads. Just freeze, take out and defrost the day before and bake the night before Thanks Giving. The same applies for rolls and biscuits.

While your pies bake, prepare the vegetables you'll use in your stuffing. Flavour and place in a bag in the fridge until morning. Prepare and cook potatoes, then bag them for mashing tomorrow. Sauces? This can be cooking while the veggies are being chopped.

Good Thanksgiving dinner ideas share one thing in common - a reduced work load and more thanks giving on Thanksgiving Day! Do-ahead starters are often the most complex and tasty. Browse for recipes on the Net that suit your menu and tastes. Shop for these ingredients a couple of weeks ahead of the big day and spend a Sunday prepare these appetizers. Freeze them and leave until the big day. As you prep the turkey, bake your treats.

These Thanksgiving dish ideas leaves lots of free time for greeting and entertaining, with a tasty banquet everyone adores!

Are There Any Benefits To Using Copper Cookware?

kitchen cookware

These days, you will find that most people who love to cook prefer to use copper cookware in their kitchens. As well, the most highly recommended kitchen cookware sets are almost always copper. So why is copper preferred over other materials, such as steel cookware? There are many reasons why copper has become the preferred cookware in kitchens across the nation, including those of leading chefs from around the world. The first and foremost is that copper is a great heat conductor and therefore when you use it for cooking you will be able to cook faster, no matter what type of cooking stove you use.

Besides the fact that copper pots and pans save a great deal of energy through proper heat conduction, it is also very long lasting. It is quite often that copper cooking utensils are used for generation after generation, all the while still looking as good as new. This is yet another advantage that you would get from using copper kitchen cookware because these utensils maintain their luster and show for as long as you want. All you would need is a little copper paste and elbow grease, and they will look stunningly shiny and beautiful. Scratches and any other sign of wear will be gone. It is no wonder why cooks from all over the world go to great lengths to get their kitchens outfitted with appropriate copper utensils.

Chefs love copper cookware because it enables them to cook sensitive foods without any worry. This material heats evenly, regardless of the heat source and therefore the danger of getting your recipe burnt when left for prolonged time on the stove, is minimal. This also means that you would be able to cook delicate cuisine with ease when utilizing these utensils even if you are not a master cook, or have little experience in the kitchen. The property of heating evenly allows food to get cooked evenly too, making it tastier and healthier.

Copper cookware seems to be one of the best available choices for your kitchen for many reasons. The most important is that it saves a lot of energy and therefore gives you value for your money. Another great advantage is that the copper cooking utensils heat evenly and therefore are the first choice when it comes to cooking sensitive foods. Lastly, copper utensil sets look amazing in any kitchen. Owing to their low maintenance and high durability, this type of cookware can be handed down for generations while still looking as good as new.

Beef Jerky Made by you

Home made beef jerky

For Many years throughout history people have made beef jerky for food and storage and necessity. Many new methods have been developed such as freezing chemicals etc.

People still like the flavor and ease of beef jerky original which is mostly made from beef but has been recently added to by other flavours such as camel.

As it happens jerky must have the fat and moisture removed, because of this jerky is in general a source of protein. These great benefits are sometimes offset by the chemicals added by during manufaturer of jerky.

Heres Some information on making your Own

1. Select your meat, lean beef is best it will save you time, scotch, round, sirloin.

2. Slice your beef in strips less than 3.2 mm thick (1/8 ich)

3. Make slicing easy partly freeze your meat and make cleaner cuts.

4. Trim all the fat because this does not freeze and can turn bad which will ruin your effort.

5. While you can use the ingredients of your choice, the traditional is marinade in vinigar and sea salt in your fridge up to 24 hours.

6. Coat the meat with seasoning of your choice (sometimes this does make the jerky sticky) please experiment

7. The meat needs to dehydrate this is done by leaving gaps between the slices . When dehydrators are used you need non stick spray on racks. When using ovens set them at 70 c allow them to preheat. Always keep in mind that the goal is dehydration not cooking.

8. You need to now keep your eye on the jerky to be to make sure that you get the required consistency.

9. Put your jerky in bags and store in either a fridge or a freezer until you need it.

For best results eat your home made beef jerky within one week. But don't forget you can save some time because there are some companies that use traditional methods to produce their jerky.

Right Slow Cooker Makes A Difference

Don't be cheap on your purchase if you want to have great results with a slow cooker and the recipes you plan to prepare. On the other side, you don't have to own a mega de luxe model. You'll need to do a little bit of research here as I'm not just gonna say that you buy a Nesco or a Mirror cooker. But you may be pleasantly surprised that all you may need to spend is around $40.

In case you pick some of these names: Presto, Fagor, Nesco, Mirro, Cusinart, KitchenAid or Rival, you will be satisfied with the value they provide to you. Don't go cheap since you will get what you pay for -you will want your slow cooker to last for quite a few years.

Be careful not to choose a lousy pressure cooker that has no feature - it won't be a good deal. Since you don't want to rush home to take care of your meal and watch over it, a automatic shut-off and warm feature would be something you really need. Slow cookers can engage a lower warming mode all by themselves. The dishes will be ready to serve any time, and this is very helpfull when it comes to serving large meals.

Once you have settled on the brand and model, now pick the size. It's easy to see that the most popular sizes for pressure cooker are.5 and 4 quart models. Smaller and larger are available to suit your needs as well, depending on the size of your family.

Now as for what you should put into it, you can be as creative as you want. When we talk about slow cooking, there is no perfect recipe actually. The strength of slow cooker is that it can blend the flavors of several chosen ingredients. There is no end to the types of foods you can cook in a crockpot. Slow cooker will make it all good, whether you are making stew, a roast or a simple soup.

Remember, fast food is out and slow cooked meals are in. A delicious meal can be as simple as tossing some ingredients into the pot before everyone leaves for the day.

The Advantages of Cast Iron Cookware

foods

Cast iron cookware is not a thing of the past; it is actually an item that is used by many cooks and homemakers on a daily basis. The cookware that is made of cast iron has many benefits. It conducts heat very well; it heats the food evenly and thoroughly and can even be resistant to foods sticking to it. The cookware is only resistant to foods sticking if it has been seasoned well and not allowed to become unseasoned. If you have never used this type of cookware, you might be pleasantly surprised what can be done with it and just how well it cooks the foods you love.

Cast iron cookware is not only a product that has been used by pioneering women and those of southern decent, but by professional cooks and chefs. For many professionals, this is the cookware of choice, because of the ability to control the temperatures of the foods and their dependability. This cookware isn't used just for cooking on the stove, but for making foods that need to be baked as well. Items like cornbread and even biscuits can be baked evenly in cookware made of cast iron, along with many other dishes.

There are many different types of cookware that are made of cast iron. There are skillets and frying pans that come in many different sizes. Many individuals can remember their mothers and grandmothers frying chicken on Sunday's in these pans or many other meals. There are also the cast iron griddles. These griddles can be used to make pancakes, French toast or perhaps a grilled cheese sandwich. These griddles are so resilient that they can be used to cook foods over a campfire. Another cast iron cookware item is the Dutch oven. Long before the crock pot was ever thought of, the Dutch oven was making slow cooked meals for the whole family. The great thing about these Dutch ovens is, like other cookware that is made of cast iron, it can go from stovetop to oven and back again, if needed, without a problem.

Cast iron cookware is not just a type of cookware that was for the times of the pioneers. While most of their meals were cooked on these types of cookware, it is also good for the cooking of today. The griddles made out of this metal are great for either inside or outside cooking. The Dutch ovens can also be great to use when camping and also has many inside uses. If you have never had the pleasure to use cookware made out of cast iron, you might want to add it to your to do list. The resilience of this cookware is unbelievable and can be used for many years.

Preparing with Pressure Cookers

The invention of pressure cookers happened because of a need to speed up the cooking of foods before the invention of the microwave. The way a pressure cooker works is based on the fact that higher pressure areas have a higher boiling point. Higher heats are reached more quickly due to the high amounts of pressure. In the beginning, pressure cooking was pretty dangerous, but there are enough safety features now to make it safe. A pressure cooker is really a great tool to have among your kitchen cookware.

There are many things that can be prepared in a pressure cooker and there are many a cooking book devoted to pressure cooking. In days gone by, pressure cookers were more common and necessary kitchen tools than they are today. This is largely because of the availability of things such as take out and microwaves. In older days when it was always up to the mother to make all the meals, having the speed of a pressure cooker really cut down on her time in the kitchen. You can stil find plenty of great recipes designed specifically to be cooked in a pressure cooker. There are recipes for vegetables, rice, other meats, canning, deserts, fish, beans and many more. Most new pressure cooker models will come will a cheap recipes book, but to really explore the whole realm of pressure cooking, there are Internet sites devoted to them, or you could buy a recipe book from the store that is specifically designed for a pressure cooker.

The design of a pressure cooker is actually quite ingenious. They were supposedly created in 1679. These baking tools were called steam digesters, and were used for recipes for things such as canning. Pressure cookers are made of a thick metal, usually steel or aluminum, sometimes with a copper bottom to conduct heat. A small amount of water is placed inside the pot with the food to be cooked, and a sealed lid is placed on top. This lid becomes pressurized with the rising heat, forcing the boiling point to rise higher and higher. The lid will contain a valve that will eventually let out some steam so that the pressure of the cooker does not become so high that it explodes. This is much less likely to happen with modern cookers, because there are many safety valves added. With older versions, they would explode on a regular basis, because the valve would become clogged with food, blocking the steam from being able to come out.

So, now you have learned a little bit about pressure cookers and how they work. Although they are not used as much today, they are still a wonderful part of a full set of kitchen tools. If you have the room, consider adding a pressure cooker to your kitchenware. You might be surprised at how fast it can cook good foods.

What You Need to Know about Cooking Oil to Cook the Perfect Omelette

When I was a teenager, my friends would be amazed at my ability to produce the perfect omelette to order. And I always told them the secret was in the cooking oil.

They would go home and try it out for themselves. Their way was to pour a good portion of their mother's most expensive cooking oil into a frying pan, crack a couple of eggs into a bowl which they'd briefly whisk before tipping the lot onto the luke warm oil in the pan. What ensued might be an interestingly textured scrambled egg ensemble. But not an omelette by any stretch of the imagination.

This story contains many lessons, as a kung fu guru might say. Avoid jumping to conclusions could be one. You might also consider waiting to hear the whole story before rushing off. But I think it's more about this: ask the right question, and you'll get the right answer.

Sure, cooking oil is important to making an omelette. For two reasons. Firstly, you need to use cooking oil to make a decent omelette. You can't pour the egg mixture directly onto the frying pan - it'll stick. Second: get the cooking oil nice and hot. Really hot. The cooking oil doesn't need to be smoking, but if it is, you can be sure that your omelette isn't going to stick. So instead of ending up with a frying pan full of scrambled egg, you'll have a beautifully crafted omelette.

However, the best question certainly wasn't 'What's the secret to cooking the perfect omelette?' Firstly, that assumes there's one secret. For another thing, it leaps to the conclusion that there is a secret. There's no secret to making an omelette, or in the cooking oil. Ask that question and you get: 'the secret's in the cooking oil'. So my friends thought that using special/expensive/fancy/organic cooking oil would transform their omelettes. They focused on the object itself like good little consumers.

The right question could have been, 'How do you make the perfect omelette every time?' - which would have produced an outline of the procedure from cracking the eggs to levering the omelette onto the plate.

Another right question would have been, 'Can you show me how to make an omelette?' - and I would have been happy to. After all, there was no secret.

Budget Meal Ideas for your Family

You might immediately hesitate to think that inventing or coming up with your own Low Price Cooking meal ideas is relatively easy, but in a way it actually can be.  Very often people have a hard time making meals inexpensively because they let themselves get overwhelmed, thinking that they need to watch every penny that every ingredient cost or that they're never allowed meat, and so on.  Or they're afraid to adjust the recipes they already have if they're just not familiar with the kitchen so they need explicit instructions when it comes to cheap meal ideas.  But really it just takes a small amount of creative thinking to Low Cost Cooking your meals and to make adjustments to recipes you already have to make those meals much more affordable.

When you think of where the majority of your grocery budget goes you'll probably agree that it's mostly on meat and some produce items.  So this is where your cheap meal ideas will start; substituting or eliminating those items or choosing ones that are less expensive.  For instance chicken breasts are usually about twice the price of chicken legs or thighs, so what recipes do you have where you can use thighs or legs instead?  Or can you hunt down some new recipes for those rather than relying on frying?  Your cheap meal ideas may require some effort on your part but none of these things are terribly difficult.  You can easily reduce the amount of meat you use in many recipes and learn to cook vegetables so that your family is still full despite cutting out the main staple.  And by making side dishes that are more substantial such as stuffed peppers or mushrooms, you're going to be full that much easier and may not even miss the meat in the first place, so your cheap meal ideas mean just adding more affordable options in these cases.

If you are a real meat eater, its hard to think about having veggie only meals but these can be a great option and a lot cheaper.  Think of what things you eat now that you could easily turn into a vegetarian dish - chili, spaghetti without meat, stew or soup, pot pies, stir fry, and so on.  Usually dishes like these are hearty enough that you don't even miss the meat.  Other Low Price Cooking meal ideas simply involve having food that you might not think of such as oatmeal for dinner or cereal and toast for lunch.Fruit Salad with cottage cheese is a cheaper option than your normal lunch out but its also a lot healthier than most of the lunches you will have out.

Theres a lot of truth in making food yourself and meaning that that can save you lots of money.  Prepared foods you get from the supermarket are always going to be more expensive, so cheap meal ideas will start with what you buy.The supermarkets cater to things like chopping, dicing, or cooking things for you but its really important to do this at home because you will save some money!

Low Price Cooking is a brand new community website for Cooking Nutritious Food at a lower price to help your family budget. Come by LowPriceCooking to get your free Ebook on LowPriceCooking Basics just for joining the Low Price Cooking community for free. You will find cooking Forums, cooking Videos, Low Price Cooking Community Members and more just for signing up for free to join and then you can get your free Low Price Cooking EBook on Low Price Cooking Basics. Come be A part of our Low Price Cooking Community.

Learning to pick out the best Cheap Healthy Food

Virtually everyone's grocery budget is being stretched to the limit these days, but most people don't want to eat food that is just affordable but they want Low Price Cooking healthy food that is good for them while still fitting into their budget.  Anyone can pick up boxes of macaroni and cheese for a dollar each and have those for lunch or dinner, but there's very little nutritional content in items like this.  So what can you do if you're looking for cheap, healthy food that you can have on a regular basis?

The obvious answer is to eat more fruits and vegetables whenever you can.  These items are nutritious, tasty, and of course the best choice for Budget Cooking healthy food that there is.  But the problem with fruits and vegetables is that they can sometimes get a bit boring and repetitious, and many people want a hot meal for lunch or dinner rather than just raw fruits and veggies.  So how can you incorporate these items into your meal plans so that you're getting the best of cheap, healthy food but not missing out on taste or enjoyment?

Learning to cook is of course one important part, or just following recipes for certain items can make a difference.  Stuffed peppers are a great choice for cheap, healthy food that can be a main course for any meal.  Of course there's a right way and a wrong way to cook stuffed pepper so that they come out tasty rather than mushy!  But they're one easy dish that just about everyone enjoys.Sauces and seasonings are a great way to dress up your veggies and make your stir fry a little different than the last time you had it.  They make a great meal and a good idea for a cheap, healthy food that you can have on its own or that you can serve over noodles or rice.Sometimes its the side dishes that can really help fill people up and its always good to have lots of stemed veggies that can help fill people up.  This means you're having a cheap, healthy food at every meal but not losing out on the taste of meat, if that's what you enjoy.

Fruit makes a great dessert in many cases; this is another way of having a Low Cost Cooking healthy food that tastes good and that can be used in the place of something else that is less healthy or good for you.Your craving for dessert can sometimes be filled with a lot less calories if you just serve some fresh fruit with some whipped cream.  You might need to get a little creative with fruit as a dessert; for instance, try baking an apple with some cinnamon.One thing that a lot of people don't know is that baking it will bring out a lot of the sugars that are natural.  This is a cheap, healthy food that just about everyone loves for dessert and that is so easy to make.  By using your imagination and getting familiar with different cooking techniques, you can use fruits and vegetables as cheap, healthy food every single day.

Low Price Cooking is a brand new community website for Cooking Nutritious Food at a lower price to help your family budget. Come by LowPriceCooking to get your free Ebook on LowPriceCooking Basics just for joining the Low Price Cooking community for free. You will find cooking Forums, cooking Videos, Low Price Cooking Community Members and more just for signing up for free to join and then you can get your free Low Price Cooking EBook on Low Price Cooking Basics. Stop by and join for free and be a apart of our new Low Price Cooking Community.

There are a lot of ways to Make Cheap Healthy Meals

Wanting to make Low Price Cooking meals is common these days since food prices are going through the roof, and wanting to make healthy meals can also be a struggle.  But the real trick is when you can make cheap healthy meals at the same time!  A box of macaroni and cheese can be less than a dollar but there's very little nutritional value in that, and a salad is good nutrition but produce can sometimes be the most expensive on your grocery list.  So how do you combine the two so that you can create cheap healthy meals that you and your family will enjoy?

The first thing you need to learn when planning cheap healthy meals is just what is meant by healthy.  Some people think that rice is healthy when it's actually a simple carb that breaks down as sugar in the body.  It's healthier than sugar or saturated fat but still not as good as vegetables or lean protein.  And while lean protein is healthy you don't want to think that all meats are good for you as beef is loaded with saturated fat that clogs the arteries.  These things of course can be had in smaller amounts but creating cheap healthy meals means understanding what is healthy to you and knowing what you can eat in larger amounts and what you need to be balanced about.

Understanding your own budget and what will go over well with your family is also part of creating Budget Cooking healthy meals.  Some people, men in particular, just want to eat meat and hate vegetarian dishes.  It can be part of creating cheap healthy meals to substitute meats for certain vegetables but if your family won't eat these dishes then you're just wasting your time and your money as well.  A better idea might be to just cut back on the amount of meat you use and add more veggies to bulk up your meal.  For instance if you're making a pot roast you can purchase a smaller cut of meat and add carrots, mushrooms, onions, and potatoes to a slow cooker or roasting pan as you cook.  By doing this you're creating cheap healthy meals that are still very tasty but that involve more vegetables and less meat overall.  You can do the same with a wide variety of dishes - cut down on the meat you put into spaghetti sauces or chili and add more diced tomatoes and onions.

Get creative when thinking of Budget Cooking healthy meals.  Try a vegetable stir fry that you serve over noodles; add a small amount of meat for that carnivore in your life!You can use some low fat cheese and a top with steamed broccoli to make a newer and healthier version of a loaded baked potatoe.Sometimes people don't think a baked potato can be healthy but if you leave off the sour cream, butter, and bacon bits and add salsa, it can be very healthy.  By putting some thought into cheap healthy meals for your family you're sure to find recipes that they'll love.

Low Price Cooking is a brand new community website for Cooking Nutritious Food at a lower price to help your family budget. Come by LowPriceCooking to get your free Ebook on LowPriceCooking Basics just for joining the Low Price Cooking community for free. You will find cooking Forums, cooking Videos, Low Price Cooking Community Members and more just for signing up for free to join and then you can get your free Low Price Cooking EBook on Low Price Cooking Basics. Stop by and join for free and be a apart of our new Low Price Cooking Community.

Dinner Fast and Easy: Quick Tips to Get a Healthy Dinner on the Table

If you think you don't have time to make dinner, think again. Use these ideas and you'll be whipping up dinner in no time.

Plan your meals in advance.
Nothing has people reaching for the take out menu faster than a lack of planning. If you've been trying to plan dinner after 5 pm, odds are that you give up on cooking most days. Make sure to plan at least five meals each week before you go to the grocery store for the week, so you have the ingredients on hand. (Printable grocery coupons are here.)  If you have enough food to make several different types of meals, you'll be less likely to eat out.

Each morning, decide what you'll make for dinner that night. You may want to put any meat that needs to defrost in the refrigerator. You'll also want to make sure you have all of the ingredients. Take a quick look at the recipe to determine what you'll need to start first so everything is done at the same time.

Come up with a system for dinner recipes.
Quick dinners are easy when you have a system to follow. Keep it simple. Your dinners can be protein, carbohydrate, plus veggie. This formula can cover a wide range of possibilities – baked chicken, cheesy noodles and broccoli, grilled steak with peppers and onions served with tortillas, sautéed ground beef with Asian vegetables served over rice. The possibilities are endless!

Save time with frozen vegetables.
Everyone needs more vegetables and serving frozen vegetables are an easy way to get more into your family's diet. Keep a wide variety of frozen vegetables on hand. You can change the flavor with spices, margarine mixed with lemon juice or even Italian dressing. A few minutes in the microwave or on the stovetop with a vegetable steamer and you'll have vegetables for your meal.

Cook some ingredients ahead of time.
Ground beef can be used in many different recipes, from spaghetti to tacos. It takes just as much time to brown two pounds of beef as it does to brown a half a pound. On a weekend, brown and freeze several pounds of ground beef or ground turkey. This way, the next time you cook a recipe that calls for ground beef you'll just have to reheat it. You can do the same thing with chicken pieces.

Keep backups on hand.
Even the most well planned menu can come undone from time to time. Keep a few frozen meals at the ready. Frozen lasagna, skillet meals and other pre-packaged foods are okay every once in a while. You can improve the nutrition of these processed meals by adding more vegetables and serving health side dishes.

For those special occasion meals when you need gourmet fare, consider a service that delivers prepared meals or gourmet entrees to your home (such as Home Bistro or Omaha Steaks). This option can get expensive if you use it a lot, but both companies issue online coupons and promotions from time to time. Check here for current Home Bistro Coupons; and here for Omaha Steaks coupons.

How the Humble Cooking Apron Came of Age

Back in the 1960s, no self-respecting parent would dream of trying to do anything in the kitchen without first putting on a cooking apron. Clothes were too expensive to buy - and keep clean - to risk staining them with the residue of culinary exploits. However, by the end of the 1960s, the picture was very different. The cooking apron had begun to symbolise the downtrodden housewife. All of a sudden, being tied to apron strings was no longer cool.

Forward wind to our century. Everyone is watching cooking shows on TV before heading into their refitted kitchens to try out their new-found cooking skills. And TV chefs wear cooking aprons. Once again, the kitchen apron, that enemy of the new woman, is in vogue in a big way. If we want to feel like a "master chef", all we have to do is put an apron on. What we cook when we wear our cooking aprons is another matter entirely, of course (it all looks so much easier on TV, doesn't it).

Today's cooking aprons are now available in a masive variety of colours and styles. And the most popular seem to bear some kind of joke printed on the front (just think which area of the body they cover). Novelty cooking aprons are all the rage. If you're feeling inventive you can use the front of the apron and have a joke of your own printed - at the wearer's expense, of course.

The way we buy cooking aprons has totally changed since the 1960s. Online. They are easier than ever to buy - just run a quick search on the internet. We can do it all from the breakfast counter in our kitchen. And once in that sales funnel, it becomes almost impossible to resist buying more than one - it's just too easy. After all, guests have a habit of turning up when you least expect them. They must also agree to wear your newest cooking apron in the kitche, and get their hands, if not their clothes, dirty.