World's Most Popular Cakes

By Jamie M. Turner 

Photo: podcast.ukma.kiev.ua

Cakes are probably one of the best inventions in the world. Perhaps the best invention since sliced bread - and not before because many cakes are reliant on bread for their mixture. There are countless different types of cakes and they are perfect for a range of different situations and to celebrate a range of different special occasions. It's not coincidence that it's traditional to enjoy cake on a birthday or at Christmas - it's because this is one of the most enjoyable and decadent ways to eat for a special occasion. Cakes are the bane of dieters and while many people have difficulty giving up their chocolate and alcohol, it's often the cakes that they really can't stop cheating with and that they find themselves constantly steeling slices of.
There are also many different kinds of cake and different people will have different favorites. There is no one who doesn't like cakes, because there are so many different kinds of cakes that you will be sure to like at least one of them.
Being able to supply cakes is something that everyone needs to be able to do to make a good host. If you want to make someone feel happy and comfortable in your home then offering them cakes is ideal. It's the perfect desert for after dinner and is expected to a degree, and if you don't offer a cake many people will be disappointed. Finally you need to be able to offer cakes on birthdays and Christmases and if you're a parent this is especially important.
To offer the most popular cakes you need to find either the best cakes manufacturer in your area, or you need to learn to make them. You also need to know which cakes are the most popular ones that you are likely to have the most luck with. Here are some of the world's most popular cakes to help you choose.
Chocolate Cake: This is the truly indulgent cake for those who aren't watching their weight. The combination of chocolate, sponge and icing is one that is hard to resist and just the texture of the creamy chocolate on the top and in the filling is enough to make most grown adults drool.
Sponge Cake: Sponge cake is light and sweet and this makes it perfect comfort food that doesn't leave you feeling very stuffed and heavy. It also goes perfectly with custard, and can form the basis of many other kinds of cake.
Apple Crumble: Many people like apple crumble because it allows them to believe that they are getting one of their five a day (though it's nice, attempts to convince yourself that apple cakes are healthy are somewhat futile). While this isn't true however it's certainly healthier than a lot of other cakes and it is also sweet in the natural and delicious way that apples are.
Carrot Cake: Many people are confused by the fact that a cake can contain carrot - a vegetable - and still be tasty. Actually though this contrast works perfectly and you'll find that it is completely delicious and something a bit different and not quite as sickly as many other cakes.

One thing I don't often look forwad to is birthday cakes that look good but don't taste yummy. I think the taste is more important, even when it comes to wedding cakes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_M._Turner

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6831512

Share

Salmon Sushi

By Alan Stables 

Photo: healthyjunkie.files.wordpress.com

Salmon sushi is becoming more common. Sushi itself has become increasing popular in the United States within the past thirty years. It's decorative design and array of possible ingredients makes it a benefit to any party. The number of ingredients that can be used in sushi is practically endless, however, salmon is a very popular ingredient and for many good reasons.
Sushi is in itself a nutritious food choice. It is low in artificial substances and low in sugars. Sushi can be made with different flavorful and nutritious vegetables and fishes adding to its appeal. Salmon is a good addition for sushi because it is highly nutritious even by itself.
Studies have shown that salmon is high in Vitamin D. This is very important especially during the winter months when the sun is not around to give its high amount of required vitamin D. Salmon is also high in Magnesium and Selenium and, of course, Omega 3 vitamins and minerals. An added benefit of eating salmon is that it is low in Mercury.
Sushi lovers often choose salmon for its taste. Salmon, with its light pink color, is not a heavy fish. It doesn't smell fishy or taste heavy. It is soft and light and delicate. There are also many versions of salmon a person can use for their sushi. Fresh salmon is, of course, an excellent choice, however it is good not to overlook the benefits of smoked salmon or canned salmon as well.
There are many ways you can eat salmon with your sushi. You can add salmon to your basic sushi ingredients of flavored rice and nori by adding the salmon in the sushi roll. You can also add in other vegetables to the roll. Popular vegetables include sliced cucumbers or carrots. Another option would be avocado and salmon rolls. Probably the most popular choice would be salmon and cream cheese sushi rolls. The combination is endless. Whatever you like with salmon, can be rolled into sushi.
Another option for salmon sushi it to mix tiny pieces of smoked salmon into the prepared rice and vinegar and roll it with the nori wrap. This is simple and mixes the flavors of the salmon and rice very well. It is a particularly good choice for those who really do not like to eat much fish, but know they should because the flavors are more subtle in the salmon and rice mixture.
If you love the taste of salmon, just placing a square of fresh raw salmon over a ball of rice mixture and covered with a small bit of nori can be a perfect appetizer. Sushi salmon is a tasteful treat for any sushi lover. Just remember to follow all safety guidelines for serving raw fish.

Alan Stables is a fan of sushi. Sometimes he likes to buy all the sushi ingredients himself to make his speciality, salmon sushi , and other times Alan is quite happy to get a sushi takeaway. Either way Alan just loves the world of sushi.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Stables

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6844039

Share

Nutritious And Easy To Make Quinoa Recipes

By: Simeon Cooke

Photo: s2.hubimg.com

Most of us being consumed with our daily routines try to look for the ways to cook food that is delicious and takes less time to prepare. If you wish to find a flavorsome way to enjoy your lunch or dinner, trying on Pork Chop or Quinoa Recipes can work great for you. They provide a healthy and tasty alternative to supper and lunch. They are not only quick and easy to make but they offer a fantastic taste too.

Even if you are a busy working women, a grandmother, or a housewife, recipes of pork chop will absolutely surprise you and everyone else with their delightful flavor. Pork is known for its versatility compared to other meat types. Coupled with seasoning and blend of tangy sauces, it can be enjoyed to its best. Barbecued pork chops can be relished by most of the family members including children and the older ones. They offer a healthy alternative to the meal. You can choose to grill the pork chops if you are in love with grilled food. You can grill them or barbecue them based on your mood and taste preference.

The Pork Chop Recipes which are becomingly huge favorite among the masses these days include oriental roasted pork chops, grilled mid-lion pork chops, grilled brined pork chops, sweet and sour pork chops, apple roasted pork chops with sauce, and apple cider pork chops, etc. Many people like to enjoy pork chops that are stuffed. Pork chops need to be extra thin for making stuffed pork chops. This will make up a recipe that is not only succulent but also exceptionally flavorful. For those who are fond of thick pork chops can go for thick cut pork chops with apple and onion as well.

Quinoa Recipes are also gaining popularity these days. Being nutritious, quinoa offers a good serving option as well. Quinoa blends well with spicy meats and vegetables and provides you with the much needed protein quotient. If you are fond of baking, you can try out some recipes like quinoa puffs, puddings, flavorful breads, etc. Trying on quinoa loafs with fresh vegetables is also a great idea to try. For those who love salads can add quinoa to their fruits and vegetable salad to enjoy a protein-rich recipe.

A fantastic looking cake is undoubtedly a mouth-watering delight. If you wish to surprise your family with something that looks and tastes nice, trying on Cake Recipes is a great option. When you wish to make some special days memorable, baking a cake specially made for your special someone can add to the memories to cherish. Cakes come in different varieties from mixed fruit, chocolate, almond, coffee, pumpkin, peach, or apple to the caramel cake. You can go on to make a cake that looks and tastes nice keeping in mind the taste of family members. You can choose the one based on your personal choice and the taste of your family.

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

About the Author:
For interested readers we have some more useful information on our website about Quinoa Recipes and also good stuff about Cake Recipes.

Share

Old Fashion Salads Add Pizazz to Modern Meals!

By Linda Carol Wilson 

Photo: images.eversave.com

Salads can be great as a meal or as a side to a meal. These old fashion salad recipes include recipes for salads using Veggies, Tuna, and Fruit. There is bound to be one you and your family will love! Let's start out with the Tangy Vegetable Salad which is one of my favorites. Since I am a gal who loves her vegetables, this has been one of my favorite salads for many years. I think one of the reasons I love vegetables so much is because I was raised in the country where we grew most of our vegetables. I loved helping plant the seeds, watching the plants grow, and waiting with great anticipation to enjoying the vegetables when they were ready. I also loved helping my mother and grandmother can the vegetables then enjoying them on cold snowy days in the wintertime. I believe my love of vegetables was planted early and I know it runs deep. Now that I am a diabetic, I have changed the sugar in this recipe to Splenda granulated. It is still just as good. However, I am printing my original version here for you. Personally, I do not like tuna but my family does. I like this Veggie Tuna Salad recipe because it gets them to eat their vegetables, too! The Pretty Peach Salad makes a great addition to a buffet table or to a salad bar.
TANGY VEGETABLE SALAD
1 can baby peas
1 can Shoe Peg corn
1 can French-cut green beans
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 chopped onion
1 bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
Drain all the canned vegetables then mix all the ingredients together in a bowl with a lid. Place lid on bowl and refrigerate several hours or overnight.
This makes a great 'make ahead' dish for busy cooks.
VEGGIE TUNA SALAD
1 can (6.5-oz) tuna, drained
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup diced celery
1/4 cup minced onion
1 cup mayonnaise
1 can (4-oz) shoestring potatoes
In a large bowl use a fork to flake the tuna. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and mayonnaise; toss until the tuna is coated thoroughly with mayonnaise. Place in a bowl with a lid, cover, and refrigerate. Just before serving time, remove from the refrigerator and fold in the potatoes.
Serves 4 to 6
PRETTY PEACH SALAD
4 fresh or canned (drained) peach halves
2/3 cup cottage cheese
2 tbsp toasted slivered almonds
2 tbsp drained and chopped maraschino cherries
4 tbsp flaked coconut
crisp salad greens for lining plate
In a medium bowl, mix the cottage cheese, almonds, and maraschino cherries until combined. Arrange the peach halves, centers up, on a salad greens lined plate. Divide the cottage cheese mixture evenly and fill the centers of the pears. Sprinkle the coconut over the top.
NOTE: If using fresh peaches, dip in lemon juice or sprinkle with fruit fresh to keep them from turning dark.
Also, this same recipe works great using pears instead of peaches.
Enjoy!

For more of Linda's old-fashion recipe collection visit her blog at http://grandmasvintagerecipes.blogspot.com
For more of her recipes and diabetic information visit http://diabeticenjoyingfood.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Carol_Wilson

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6828486

Share

How To Make Fresh Homemade Kefir

By Jai J Kai 

Photo: 3.bp.blogspot.com

Kefir is a fermented type of milk that is similar to the consistency of grocery store yogurt drinks. I often refer to it as a delicious drinkable yogurt beverage. They have lots of healthy flora and probiotics that have numerous health benefits.
Kefir is great in smoothies, poured over cereal or used in place of cream for deserts, coffee and tea.
The kefir "grains" are live active cultures consisting of yeast and bacteria and are called grains mainly because of their appearance. Kefir grains can be bought online or at some health food stores
So here is a delicious recipe that you can make at home.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp kefir grains
1 quart whole or 2% milk
Procedure:
1. Add the kefir grains and milk in a glass jar and fill it up to the top.
2. Cover with a clean cloth and elastic band and then set it aside in your cupboard or your kitchen counter.
3. Wait 1 to 2 days; stirring periodically with a plastic spoon (this is important because metal damages the cultures).
4. When thick, strain out the kefir grains with a plastic strainer (do your best to keep the grains intact), pour back into a clean jar and place in the fridge or repeat the process again. You can use these same grains because they will continue to remain active.
How to make coconut kefir
Coconut kefir is also a very tasty alternative. Unlike kefir made from cows' milk, coconut milk kefir doesn't have a strong fermented or sour flavor. It is nice and tangy with the naturally sweet taste of coconuts.
The texture is rich and smooth and is also slightly thinner in consistency than yogurt. Both the flavor and texture of fresh homemade kefir is in my opinion a lot better than any store-bought coconut milk kefir.
Use the same recipe as described above but change the ingredients so that instead of using one quart of milk, use two cans of coconut milk.
Also, make sure to re-hydrate your kefir grains in milk for 5 to 7 days at room temperature before making coconut kefir.
If the kefir grains are dehydrated, as they are from most online sources, you must make sure to first re-hydrate them in cows' milk.
Combine the grains with 1 cup of cows' milk and set out at room temperature in a loosely covered glass container for 5 to 7 days. Then strain the grains out each day and place them in a fresh cup of milk.
When the batches of milk take and smell slightly fermented and are thick, your grains are ready.

Jai Kai is an Ayurvedic Consultant, Wellness Coach,Blogger for Planetwell.com - an ayurvedic diet. He is also the author of the book Ayurvedic Diet Secrets promoting an ayurvedic lifestyle and ayurvedic recipes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jai_J_Kai

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6826418

Share

Russian Soup A Rich History Of The Country's Culture

By: Nicole Brown

Photo: russianseason.net

Russian soup is the main staple in the diet of people every day. It's not unlike any other culture in the world. It always has been such an important part of daily meals and the variety of different types to choose from is really extraordinary.

There are many categories of Russian soup that are hot and cold.

Cabbage based soups such as the shchi
Mushroom, milk and meat noodle soups
Vegetable and water based stews
Soups that are chilled such as tyurya, kvass, botvinya, and okroshka
Vegetable and grain type soups
Ukha fish soup as well as many other kinds that include different types of fish

Hot Russian soup

One of the principle hot soups that are usually served for the first course in most Russian meals for more than 1000 years is cabbage or Shchi soup. This is one of the soups that is not exclusive to any class of people. It doesn't matter if someone is rich or poor; Shchi is a tradition and choice of mostly all Russian people. It is usually eaten at all times of the year. In addition, rye bread is often eaten along with almost any kind of soup that is served.

Other soups served hot are:

Rassolnik

This is a soup served hot that has a sour and salty cucumber base. Interestingly, this isn't an old traditional recipe. It was made in the 19th century. The name originates from rassol, which in Russian means pickle water. It can be served either vegetarian style, but quite often beef, kidneys or veal are added to the pickle base along with potatoes, vegetables and barley to balance the sour taste.

Solyanka

This is a thicker soup that adds cabbage, smetana, rassolink, spices and other vegetables like lemons, tomatoes, capers, olives, pickled and salted mushrooms to produce a very salty and sour soup base.

Cold Russian soup

One of the popular types that are eaten cold with sour milk or kvass is Okroshka. The principle ingredients with both of these soup types are vegetables combined with cold meats or fish that have been boiled.

Vegetables that are added to this type of soup can make it spicy or neutral. For a spicy flair, you can add dill grains, green onion, celery, chervil, parsley and tarragon. For the more neutral variety add potatoes, carrots, rutabagas, turnips and fresh cucumber.

As far as the sour milk that is included in some of these cold soups, it is natural sour milk that has been well shaken and combined with seed oil, pure water as well as ground garlic. You can often replace the sour milk and use kefir instead, but many cold soup purists say that it changes the taste of the traditional okroshka.

To conclude, if you want to really experience the country's cuisine, you need to eat the many varieties of Russian soup that are available with every meal. You can be rest assured that almost every meal that you eat will include some form of soup. It's the way of traditional cuisine and is very good for you to boot.

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

About the Author:
Russian Foods Store enables you to shop directly from your home for all the fresh Russian and European foods, grocery foods, Sea foods and many more.

Share

Salads That Are Great For Diabetics and Others

By Linda Carol Wilson 

Photo: cookandbemerry.com

The salad recipes in this article are perfect for diabetics. But that doesn't mean they are not tasty for others as well! You can serve these salads to the whole group. Everyone will have a tasty salad and the diabetics will be safe enjoying them, too! The Ginger Noodle Salad is a great salad that uses pasta in a unique way and has a Chinese flavored dressing. The Broccoli Salad uses golden raisins combined with broccoli, bacon, and sunflower seeds for a wonderfully different salad. If you are looking for a good homemade dressing for your favorite green salad, try this Homemade Celery Seed one.
GINGER NOODLE SALAD
4 oz dry whole-wheat spaghetti or linguine
Cook pasta according to the package directions. Toss with the dressing below:
NOODLE DRESSING:
1 tbsp minced ginger
3 tbsp Splenda granular
1 tbsp catsup
1/4 cup lite soy sauce
1/4 tsp Chinese chile paste*
1 tbsp water
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp canola oil
2 cups mixed salad greens
4 lime wedges for garnish, if desired
In a medium saucepan combine the ginger, Splenda, catsup, soy sauce, chili paste, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from the heat then add the canola oil and lime juice. Using a wire whisk, blend well.
Add the cooked and drained noodles to the dressing and stir in well to coat.
To serve, divide the salad greens evenly among 4 salad plates. Top with the noodles. Garnish each with a lime wedge, if desired.
*If you don't have the Chinese chili paste, substitute a small amount of crushed red pepper to taste.
BROCCOLI RAISIN SALAD
1 bunch fresh broccoli, broken into florets
1/2 cup golden raisins (omit if necessary)
1 small red onion, chopped
1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise (not salad dressing-too sweet)
1 tbsp vinegar
2 tsp Splenda granular
3 strips cooked bacon, broken into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp toasted sunflower seeds
Combine the broccoli florets, raisins-if using, and onion in a large bowl.
In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, and Splenda until well blended. Pour the dressing over the broccoli, toss to coat, and refrigerate until serving time. Before serving, toss gently and sprinkle with the bacon pieces and sunflower seeds.
HOMEMADE CELERY SEED DRESSING
1 garlic clove
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/3 cup olive or canola oil
1/2 tsp celery seed
3/4 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp Splenda Granulated
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 small jar with a lid. A jelly jar works well.
In a jar mash the garlic clove with the salt. Add the lemon juice, oil, celery seed, mustard, paprika, Splenda, and black pepper. Place lid on jar and shake well to blend.
Refrigerate.
Shake well before using on your favorite salad.
Yield: 1/2 cup
Enjoy!

For more of Linda's recipes and diabetic information visit http://diabeticenjoyingfood.blogspot.com
For her old fashion recipe collection visit her at http://grandmasvintagerecipes.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Carol_Wilson

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6828569

Share