Cooking Guide 101

Friday, November 27, 2009

Discovering The Benefits Of Slow Cooking

By: Matt LeClair

Getting dinner ready day after day can become a tiresome and repetitious task that you may very well become tired of doing after a long period of time. There may be days when you simply dont want to deal with having to get something ready for your family because youre too tired or you dont have the time to devote to the task. In these cases, you may want to consider slow cooking something. There are many benefits to slow cooking including saving you time, locking in the flavor, and providing flexibility to your mealtime.

Slow cooking has many benefits for you and your family and one of the main benefits that we can all make use of is being able to save a little time by slow cooking your meal instead of preparing it another way which requires to devote all of your attention to that process. When you slow cook your meal, all you need to do is prepare the dish in the slow cooker and the let it cook on its own. You dont need to constantly watch it, and you can come back to it when the required time needed for your dish to cook has expired. At that time it will be ready to serve and you wont have to worry about cooking anything else to go with it. Your family will appreciate the quick meal, and you will appreciate the trouble saved by not having to babysit the meal while it was cooking.

Another benefit to slow cooking is that when you slow cook something, there is less liquid lost because of the sealed environment. Your food will be more moist and flavorful than if you were to cook it in a conventional oven or a microwave. The slow cooking process allows the moisture to be locked in so it does not evaporate. It simply collects inside the compartment where it is absorbed by the food being cooked. This means that your meats will be more juicy and tender.

Finally, when you slow cook your meal you dont have to serve it immediately after it has finished. You can leave it sit and your family can help themselves to it when they have the time or when they are hungry enough to eat. This is a huge time saver for you because you now are not required to set the table or prepare side items for the meal. You can just sit back and relax and let your family enjoy the meal at their own pace. What could be better than that?

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
For information on the slow cooker cookbook and other great products, visit SlowCookerCookbookPlus.com.

By: Matt LeClair

When you think of winter, you think of cold temperatures, snow covered roofs, icy roads, slipper sidewalks, and much more. There are also a lot of activities that come to mind when you think about winter such as snowmobiling, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, sledding, and more. But how often do you think about what types of meals can be served to help lift your spirits or warm you up during the winter months? Im guessing this is not something that you spend a lot of time on. The truth is there are a lot of meals that can be made that are delicious and are great for warming you up on those cold days.

Chili is one dish that immediately comes to mind when I think about winter foods. Nothing warms you up better after a cold day of play out in the snow than a nice big bowl of steaming hot chili. Thick and hearty and full of great ingredients, chili is the perfect solution for warming up your cold hands and body after being outside for long periods of time. Chili requires very few ingredients and can be made in just a few simple steps. You can increase recipe sizes in order to make extra amounts of chili that can be frozen and then served later on. As many of you know, chili is just as good served leftover then it is when it is fresh so it never hurts to have some stored away in the freezer.

Soup is another great dish that can be made to help beat the cold of the winter months. With so many different types of soup recipes available, youll have an endless supply of options at your disposal for making soup. Soup is not only good for warming you up after being out in the cold air, it is also a great pick me up when youre sick and not feeling your best. Im sure youve been told to eat a bowl of chicken noodle soup when you were feeling down in the dumps. Soup can also be made in bulk quantities so that it can be frozen and served at a later date. If youve got the room in your freezer, you can pour your leftover soup into ice cream pails and freeze it that way. Simply let it though and the reheat it when you want to serve it.

Some other classic dishes that are great for winter months include any type of casserole, lasagna, pot roast, beef stew, and chicken chili just to name a few. These dishes all help to warm you up and make you feel better during those cold winter months.

If youve been out in the cold for a long period of time and want a hot dish to warm you up, or if youre just not sure what to make your family for dinner on those cold winter days, try some of the dishes that have been mentioned in this article. Youll be thoroughly impressed with how much your family likes these meals and youll also find that they all taste just as good reheated as they did when they were first cooked. These meals will definitely be able to warm you up on frigid winter days.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
For information on stainless steel coffee makers and other great products, visit DripCoffeeMakersPlus.com.

Choosing Healthy Foods For A Healthy Life

By: Rodger Haroar

Every year nearly thirty billion dollars is spent on diet products in America, many of which aren't actually verified to be effective. Instead of spending money on pills, powders, and formulas you can buy healthy foods to help you reach your weight loss goals. Studies show that there are over a dozen foods that can effectively satisfy your appetite while taking care of your sugar, salt, and fat cravings. These foods will also boost your metabolic rate, helping you to drop weight naturally. Also, the best foods offer the greatest nutrients and disease battling substances to guarantee a healthy, happy lifestyle.

Basically, healthy foods fill you up and taste good. One of the most satisfying breakfasts you can have is a simple bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon. Not only will you be nourishing yourself with whole grains, fiber, phosphorus, magnesium, and antioxidants, but also taking in only 110 calories and 2 grams of fat. Adding less than a teaspoon of cinnamon to your oatmeal everyday is beneficial in regulating insulin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in persons diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

A healthy lunch is obviously a salad because it is low in calories with a lot of vitamin C, E, folic acid, lycopene, and carotenoids which fight disease. Beans are shown in many diets to be good at decreasing appetite with weight loss while maintaining a stable low blood sugar level. Some less often talked about appetite suppressors include tofu and chicken noodle soup. You might not think about hot red peppers when it comes to weight loss; however a study in Japan verified that the substance capsaicin supports appetite suppression and makes the metabolism higher.

The best foods to eat as a snack vary from pears to nuts. Based on what the FDA says, a medium sized pear contains six grams of fiber and an apple contains 3 grams of fiber, with either one of these being a snack option that will help you feel full. While nuts may be higher in calories than other foods (just a handful has 165), studies demonstrate that people who snack on nuts stay slim and healthier. People who consumed 500 calories of peanuts daily did not eat as much at mealtime, had an 11% quicker metabolism rate, plus they had additional disease fighting advantages. For example, walnuts have omega 3 fatty acids that battle cancer and only 10 to 20 pecans daily have been verified to decrease the risk of heart disease.

You need to drink the best drinks in addition to consuming the best foods. There isn't anything as good for your body as eight cups of water daily. This fluid lubricates the body and cells, rejuvenates the skin, and supports digestion. A very effective weight loss drink is milk. Many different studies have results that show a diet high in calcium encourages fat burning instead of fat storage. Green tea promotes higher metabolism, fat burning, and LDL cholesterol reduction, as well. So paying attention to foods and drinks that are high in nutrients and disease-fighting elements will not only help you maintain a healthy weight, but also live a long, healthy life.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
When Chef Rodger Haroar needs commercial restaurant equipment parts he knows hell find what he needs at National Band Saw. Roger highly recommends the quality replacement parts at NBS to anyone looking for anything from Hobart meat slicer parts to breadmaker parts at lower prices than the original manufacturer.

By: jimmyd

Chicken gumbo soup, the name itself can be deceiving. I've seen it made from everything including Campbell's gumbo soup mix. Now, we all know that's not real chicken gumbo soup, but it sure makes a quick meal. Obviously, you need chicken, preferably skinless and cut up in smaller pieces.

For the gumbo part, we're going to need a roux. That's nothing more than equal amounts of lard, oil, or butter mixed with flour. When mixing the roux on heat, make sure you don't stop stirring. If you do, it will burn very quickly and you'll have to start over again. This is critical. There are several stages you'll go through with your roux. It will start out almost a vanilla color and the more you stir and the hotter it gets, it will continually get darker. Ideally, you want it to get a very dark chocolaty color.

Now, to help from keeping the roux from burning, you need to add what they call the "Holy Trinity" of gumbos, this being chopped onions, celery and bell peppers. I don't know why they call it the holy trinity, because there is no such thing, but that's a whole other subject! When this is all added to the stock, it will thicken. That's why this name is deceiving, chicken gumbo soup. Soup usually means liquidy and the gumbo will be somewhat thick.

Then there's always the question of whether or not to add Andouille sausage or not, and another consideration regarding okra, because to be genuine, both of these items are necessary. There are also spices and herbs to be considered, to each his own, but I've learned that to be authentic most, if not all the above ingredients are necessary.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
Throughout my research, I have found a book with videos that I've used to make my own gumbos and highly recommend it to anyone looking to make that perfect gumbo. I have two videos and one recipe relating to chicken gumbo soup on my page at : Http://www.Squidoo.Com/chickengumbosoup and I highly recommend looking at http://www.Gumborecipe.Info. This one has a FREE recipe from a New Orleans chef and also 8 more recipes and videos to boot!!

Italian Recipes - How about a dinner in Rome?

by: Jonathan Teng

If you are wondering what to prepare for dinner tonight, then you can always try these easy recipes. It’s quick and affordable.

Menu

Meal: Chicken Spaghetti

Salad: Spinach Salad

Dessert: Lemon Sorbet

Chicken Spaghetti

Ingredients:

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

Heat all ingredients except chicken and spaghetti to boiling in 10-inch skillet; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chicken. Cover and simmer 30 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf. Serve sauce over spaghetti.

Note: All three Italian recipes in this article yield 6 servings.

Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

2 or 3 cups Raw spinach
3 slices Bacon
1 whole Avocado, sliced
12 strips Pimiento
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup Italian olive oil
1/4 cup Vinegar
1 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
Instructions: Wash spinach well, and remove stems. Dry. Fry bacon crisp and then drain. Chop or crumble into small bits. Toss the spinach with remaining ingredients.

Lemon Sorbet

Ingredients:

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

6 cups Water

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

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

About the author:

Jonathan loves eating! If you are like him, then you definitely need to visit - The special place where Jonathan reveals 3 BIG secrets to make any recipe a pure success!
For more free recipes and cooking tips subscribe to his free newsletter:

Supporting Local Flavors

by: Scott Schirkofsky

In the last 10 years Americans have seen a boom in local food markets and for good reason. While Americans continue to buy more fast food, they still expect perfect ingredients and they are finding them.

So why are they turning to their local markets more and more? In a nutshell they want fresh, healthy produce with great flavor. There are numerous other benefits to buying local products and it would seem Americans are now rediscovering what their local growers have to offer.

FRESHER
Care for fresher ingredients? Locally grown items are usually harvested 1 or 2 days before hitting the market making them significantly fresher then traditional store bought ingredients. For those folks lucky enough to live in rural areas, many of your local ingredients may be available to you the same day they are harvested. Produce flown in from other parts of the country or world is considerably older given that on average they travel 1,500 miles to get to your dinner table. These products may be harvested before they are ripe because of the delay in getting the product to market. Given that produce loses nutrients quickly, a recently harvested crop is preferred for its ripeness alone.

SAFER
Local food is often safer, too. Even when it’s not organically grown, small farms tend to be less aggressive than large factory farms about using chemicals. While biotechnology companies have long been experimenting with genetically altered produce, small local farmers do not have access to these seeds and most would not use them even if they did have access to these seeds. For those consumers opposed to using genetically altered produce, locally grown produce will offer the best product.

BUILDS COMMUNITY
When you go to a local market you get a chance to see the grower and talk to them eye-to-eye. You get to see their reaction when you ask them if the use chemicals. You get to see how proud they are of what their hard work has produced. And you get to see that happiness in their eyes when you support their farm with a purchase. This opportunity to meet the growers in person goes a long way in creating a sense of community and maintaining tradition in addition to supporting local growers financially.

BENEFITS OPEN SPACE & LOWER TAX DOLLAR SPENDING
As we have become wrapped up in the conveniences of the corner grocer, we seem to have forgotten how valuable our farmers are to our local communities. If you grew up in a rural area, you most likely remember the vast open space and picturesque countryside the crops created. As long as the small local farms exist this open space will not be developed into commercial property. Why is this important? Aside from maintaining the beautiful landscape, it is also most cost effective for the region, supports a cleaner environment and affords wildlife a greatly desirable sanctuary.

On average almost four times as much tax revenue is spent on services for a residential area then is spent on services for farms, forest or open space. For instance for every $1 collected in taxes from a residential area, almost $1.20 is spent on services to support that area. Conversely, only $.34 is spent to support rural area for each dollar collected. Because farms contribute more taxes then they require in services, local farmers make for a surplus in tax revenue. In addition to the lower cost needed to support rural areas, they also help to clean 12-14% of the carbon emitted by vehicles and industry.

By continuing to support local growers today, you are ensuring that they will be around tomorrow. In fact more and more non-chain grocers are carrying locally grown products. They must, it’s what consumers are demanding.

Try buying local flavors. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain.

About the author:
Scott Schirkofsky is the chef and owner of At Home Gourmet. You can find more recipes, cooking tips, spice blends, food and beverage articles on his highly recommended website: and

by: cusine dumatre

Cooking is the process of using heat to prepare foods
for consumption. Many common cooking methods
involve the use of oil. Frying is cooking in hot oil,
sautéing is cooking in a small amount of oil, stir-frying is
a Chinese technique of frying quickly in small amounts
of oil in a wok, deep frying is completely submerging
the food in large amounts of fat, etc.

As people have become more health conscious,
preparing foods in oil has become less desirable. With
the advent of nonstick cookware, sautéing can be done
at lower heats using vegetable broth and fruit juices
instead of oil. Stewing refers to cooking slowly in a
small amount of liquid in a closed container. Slow
stewing tenderizes tough cuts of meat and allows
flavors to mingle.

Another slow-cooking method is braising, in which meat
is first browned, then cooked slowly in a small amount
of liquid in a covered pan. Poaching is cooking food in
liquid below the boiling point, while steaming is cooking
food that has been placed above boiling water.
Roasting means baking in hot dry air, generally in an
oven. Baking refers to cooking in an oven and differs
from roasting mainly in its reference to the type of food
cooked-for example, one bakes a cake, but roasts a
chicken. Another form called broiling means to cook by
direct exposure to heat, while barbecue refers to
cooking marinated food by grilling.

Dining with others is one of the most common and
frequent social activities. It can involve a family dinner,
a meal with friends, or form part of a ceremony or
celebration, such as a wedding or holiday. More and
more people study cooking in schools, watch how-to
programs on television, and read specialty magazines
and cookbooks. In fact, cookbooks as a group outsell
any other kind of book except for religious works.

Cooking is the act of preparing food for consumption. It
encompasses a vast range of methods, tools and
combinations of ingredients to improve the flavor and
digestibility of food. It generally requires the selection,
measurement and combining of ingredients in an
ordered procedure in an effort to achieve the desired
result. Constraints on success include the variability of
ingredients, ambient conditions, tools and the skill of
the person cooking.

The diversity of cooking worldwide is a reflection of the
myriad nutritional, aesthetic, agricultural, economic,
cultural and religious considerations that impact upon it.
Cooking frequently, though not always, involves
applying heat in order to chemically transform a food,
thus changing its flavor, texture, appearance, or
nutritional properties. There is archaeological evidence
of cooked foodstuffs (both animal and vegetable) in
human settlements dating from the earliest known use
of fire.

While cooking if heating is used, this can disinfect and
soften the food depending on temperature, cooking
time, and technique used. 4 to 60°C (41 to 140°F) is the
"danger zone" in which many food spoilage bacteria
thrive, and which must be avoided for safe handling of
meat, poultry and dairy products. Refrigeration and
freezing do not kill bacteria, but slow their growth.

About the author:
cusine dumatre is the owner of
N Cooking
which is a premier resource for Cooking information.
for more information, go to