Prawn With Spicy Lemon Sauce

If you love seafood, then you must try my Prawn with spicy lemon sauce. It is so fresh, has a little bit spicy taste, but the fragrant from lemon and cilantro that makes this dish unique. If you do not like spicy, you can just simply skip the chilli sauce. The tomato sauce blend with lemon, the prawn and cilantro.. just marvellous..!!

Ingredients:

500 grams Prawns, deveined, remove skin and head

2 tablespoons Chili Sauce

1 teaspoon Tomato Sauce

4 cloves Garlic, minced

Lemon Juice, from 2 Lemons

8 Kafiir Lime Leaves, spines removed, sliced

1 tablespoon Fish Sauce

1 teaspoon Salt

1 teaspoon Sugar

1 teaspoon White Pepper Powder

1 bunch Cilantro, roughly chopped

2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil

Directions:

1. Marinade Prawn with lemon juice (from one lemon), add one clove minced garlic, season with half teaspoon salt. Set aside for 30 minutes, to reduced the fishy smell.

2. Heat vegetable oil in a medium wok, fry prawn for 2 minutes just until they turn pink (do not over cook them, or they become hard and chewy) put it on medium plate, set aside.

3. Using the remaining vegetable oil, saute garlic until fragrant. Pour chilli sauce and tomato sauce, lemon juice (from 1 lemon) and fish sauce, stir fry for 1 minute.

4. Season with salt, sugar and white pepper powder, mix it well.

5. Place prawn into the wok, cook for 1 minute. Put in chopped cilantro and kafiir lime leaves, stir fry for another 2 minutes, serve.

Seeking for Peranakan dishes? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com today!


A marketing article by Dougles Chan - Search Engine Guru - Who assists a list of small medium enterprise Singapore to create and generate more leads using Search Engine Optimisation and advertising.

Contact Dougles Chan @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to dc@dougleschan.com for more information on how to make your website to be the top in Google and generate more clients.

Easy Caribbean Tilapia Fish Recipes

Simple Caribbean Tilapia Fish

Here is a recipe that stands out above all other tilapia fish recipes. It is easy to prepare, and tastes delicious. The sweet flavor of the coconut and nice crunch of the macadamia nuts really gives the tilapia fish a family pleasing taste. You could also use other mild fish in place of the Tilapia.
My family doesn't typically like fish. But, when I found a good price on tilapia fish at my local supermarket, I couldn't pass it up. I did a little experimenting in the kitchen and came up with this recipe that I thought might go over well. When I served it, they all loved it. This is now my favorite of all my tilapia fish recipes. My husband who doesn't even like fish even requests it once in a while!
Ingredients:

• 4-6 Tilipia fish fillets (fresh or thawed ok)


• 4 tablespoons butter, melted


• 1/2 cup finely chopped macadamia nuts


• 1/2 cup shredded coconut


• 2 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs


• 1 (8oz) can pineapple tidbits

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and grease lightly. (Or spray with cooking spray)


2. Place butter in large bowl and add tilapia fish- toss fish to coat; set aside. Combine macadamia nuts, coconut and breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl. Place fish in nut mixture and coat evenly. Place fish on baking sheet without overlapping.


3. Bake for 18-20 minutes or just until fish is opaque throughout. Serve with pineapple tidbits. (Or if you would like to spend more time- make your own pineapple mango dressing)

I hope you enjoy this great tilapia fish recipe. This is a great recipe for get your family to eat more fish.

For more great tilapia and other fish recipes, visit SimpleFishRecipIcon Helmetes.com

Looking for Peranakan dishes? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com today!


An article by Dougles Chan - Search Engine Guru - Who helps SMEs Singapore to create and generate more sales using SEO and advertising.

Contact Dougles Chan @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to dc@dougleschan.com for more information on how to make your website to be the top in Google and generate more clients.

Sweet & Sour Pork (Gu Lao Rou)

Sweet & Sour Pork is the most well known Chinese food abroad. According to a Cantonese chef, the primitive or the authentic cooking method of the dish is to add Cantonese pickled vegetables. When cooking, simply sauté the pickled vegetables along with the deep fried pork. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to find Cantonese pickled vegetables, so here I'll be pleased to introduce everyone a Sweet & Sour Pork recipe without the pickled vegetables but still tastes as delicious.

Ingredients:

a). For step 1 & 3:

• 300g (10 oz) pork tenderloin


• 1 tablespoon soy sauce


• 1/2 tablespoon cooking wine


• ginger juice


• cornstarch

b). For step 4 & 5:

• 1 small bamboo shoot


• 2 dried mushrooms (soaked)


• 1 small onion


• 1 small carrot


• 1 green pepper


• 2 slices pineapple


• 1 clove garlic


• 3 tablespoons oil

c). Seasonings for step 5:

• 1 tablespoon ketchup


• 6 tablespoons sugar


• 2 tablespoons soy sauce


• 1 teaspoon salt


• 3/4 cup soup stock


• dash of mono sodium glutamate

d). For step 6:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch


• 3 tablespoons vinegar

Method:

1. Cut pork into bite size cubes


2. Marinate pork in soy sauce, wine, ginger juice for 15 minutes.


3. Add cornstarch. Coat pork with starch. Fry in 370°F oil till crisp. Drain.


4. Thin slice bamboo shoot. Cut pineapple in 6 sections. Slice mushrooms. Cut onion and green pepper in 8 sections. Slice carrot and cut into flower pattern for interesting look.


5. Heat oil. Add garlic, onion, mushroom, bamboo shoot, green pepper. Fry quickly. Add seasonings and soup stock from c). Bring to boil.


6. Thicken with cornstarch mixed with water. Add vinegar, Add fried pork, pineapple. Mix well. Serve while hot.

Cooking time: 40 minutes
Nutritional information:
Yield: 4 servings
Each serving provides:
Calories: 422.3
Protein: 18.1 g

Like to eat Peranakan dishes? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com today!

A PR article by Dougles Chan - Search Engine Guru - Who assists SMEs Singapore to create and generate more potential clients using Search Engine Optimization and advertising.

Contact Dougles Chan @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to dc@dougleschan.com for more information on how to make your website to be the top in Google and generate more clients.

3 Snack Mix Recipes For Camping and Hiking

We enjoy camping and hiking during the Summer season here on the East Coast 4-6 months of every year. As seasoned campers, we prefer to make our own snack mixes to take along.

All of these recipes are easy to make. If you are going camping, store the snack mixes in plastic containers. If you are going hiking, you can place the mix into a plastic zipper close bag. You will want to make sure that you keep the moisture out.

Mountain Trail Mix

1 cup pumpkin seeds

1 cup raisins

1 cup salted peanuts

1 cup small pretzel sticks

1 cup plain M&M's chocolate coated candies

1 cup oyster crackers

1 cup sunflower seeds

Using a large bowl, combine all of the above ingredients together in the order that they are listed. Store mixture in airtight containers. This recipe will make seven 1 cup servings.

Tangy Nut Mix

4 cups salted roasted peanuts

1/3 cup barbecue sauce

2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine nuts and barbecue sauce, stir until coated. Spread mixture onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in a 300 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until nuts are dry. Place on waxed paper to cool. Once cool, store in an airtight container.

Savory Pretzels

2 bags broken salted pretzels

1/2 lb. butter, softened

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1 envelope onion soup mix
.
Melt butter in your microwave. In a medium-sized bowl, combine soup mix and Worcestershire sauce. Pour mixture over pretzels and mix well. Cover and let stand until all of the liquid is absorbed, stirring every once in awhile to coat mixture. Place pretzels pieces in a warm 250 degree oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The longer you bake them, the crunchier the pretzels will be. Once cool, store in an airtight container.

Love to eat Peranakan dishes? Come to http://cirrusculinnaire.com today!

A marketing article by Dougles Chan - The Search Engine Guru - Who assists SME company to create and generate more sales using Search Engine marketing and advertising.

Contact Dougles Chan @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to dc@dougleschan.com for more information on how to make your website to be the top in Google and generate more clients.

Bao - Chinese Steamed Buns (with Pork for Maximum Joy)

Bao is a tasty sweet, chewy bread, with a consistency somewhere between a dumpling and a doughnut. It becomes something truly transcendent when it's made into char siu (barbecue pork) bao, and is stuffed with heavily seasoned savoury glazed pig lumps.

Bao (basic dough)

• 1 tablespoon of dried active yeast or 1 sachet of instant yeast


• 1 cup of warm water


• 1/4 cup of sugar


• 4 1/2 cups of plain flour


• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil


• 1/2 cup of boiling water

As usual, if you have dried active yeast (and you really should) first activate it by mixing it with the warm water and sugar and letting it stand for about 10 minutes till the Big Blog O'Gak floats to the surface. Then chuck everything in the food processor (or, if you're very dedicated, a mixing bowl) and process or mix and knead until smooth. If you're using horrible instant yeast, just throw it all in together and mix as above.

Then put a bit of oil in the bottom of a clean bowl, put the ball of dough in there and roll it around till it's coated and put it somewhere warm to rise, either covered with a wet towel or sitting next to a pan of water to keep it moist, for 1 hour.

Now, take a lump of dough about the size of a kiwi fruit (can't think of anything else the right size!), and press it out into a thin circle on a floured surface - it should be about 3.5 inches across. Here is the point you need to decide what to do with it.

If you're going to make it into char siu bao, put a heaped tablespoon of a nice moist glazed pork mixture in the middle (I'd recommend frying some garlic, a couple of chopped pork chops and scallions till the meat's browned, adding a good slosh of soy, some sugar and 5-spice, a bit of water then cooking it all till the liquid is a thick sauce), then start pleating the edges with your fingers and thumbs - the bao will form up into a pouch around the meat mixture.

Once you've pleated all the way round the edge you'll be left (hopefully) with a moneybag shape - just pinch the pleats together at the top to seal it. You'll probably overfill quite a few and end up with sauce squeezing out a bit - don't worry about it. I do that too and I've got a website and everything.
If you're going to keep the bao as a plain bun, just brush the circle with sesame oil and fold it in half. The sesame oil stops the two halves sticking together so it keeps a pocket which you can put delicious things in at a later date. I usually have a batch of glazed pork ready (actually that's a lie, I usually forget and knock out a batch of glazed pork at the last minute just before the dough finishes rising), fill as many bao as possible then leave the rest as plain buns for future stuffing.

Once each bun is either stuffed and pleated or oiled and folded, put it on a square of oiled foil. Which is a nice phrase to say. Oiled foil. Just don't spoil the oiled foil. With soil.Anyway, put all the bao on baking trays and put them back in the warm place for another hour to rise again. Then steam them for 10 minutes, after which they will go from soft and squidgy to firm and slightly chewy, and unutterably delicious. I use a pan-top steamer which just sits on top of an ordinary saucepan of boiling water - saves on space and cost. It is a bit small for bao-making, since it holds only 4 at a time, but we just tend to eat each batch as they're done and it paces the meal nicely. Whether the bao are filled or plain, once they've been steamed they can be frozen with really no loss of texture or taste.

When you're ready to use them just take them out of the freezer about an hour before (or even a bit less), and steam them again for 10 minutes. That'll heat them all the way through to the filling quite nicely. Another very handy thing to have in the freezer.

So, that's bao. My freezer still holds 7 excess buns, ready and waiting to be filled with delicious things (I tried one with salsa before I froze the rest and it went amazingly well - possibly a new culinary fusion discovery). The recipe generally makes about 16 buns all told, it did for me this time. And obviously you could fill the pouches with all sorts of different things - numerous possibilities await.

Looking for traditional Peranakan food? Come to http://cirrusculinnaire.com today!

A marketing article by Dougles Chan - Search Engine Guru - Who assists a list of small medium enterprise Singapore to create and generate more sales using Search Engine Optimization and advertising.

Contact Dougles Chan @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to dc@dougleschan.com for more information on how to make your website to be the top in Google and generate more clients.

Breakfast Smoothie Recipes for Weight Loss

I love to make breakfast smoothie recipes for weight loss because not only is having a healthy breakfast important for the day, but making it with fresh fruit and greens is an effective and healthy way to get all the vital nutrients you need to start your day and your metabolism! But there are some things you need to take into consideration when making these delicious treats, and that's the quality of the ingredients and the power of the blender you are going to be using.

Also keep in mind that the quality of the water or juice you use can greatly affect the taste and health of your smoothie too!Now the first thing to making sure you have the healthiest weight loss breakfast smoothie is to use only organic ingredients so that you can avoid putting nasty toxins and other chemicals into your food. Organic produce also happens to be much tastier and more dense in terms of nutrients per volume, so you are more likely to get the extra fiber and nutrients you need to help keep your body burning fat longer and and more effectively.

They also can be purchased affordably by using frozen produce which is often available year round compared to fresh seasonal produce.Now another important factor to consider is the blender itself, and I like to use high powered blenders made by blendtec or vitamix brands. This is because they provide the highest horsepower motors for there blenders which means the produce gets chopped up a lot better, which makes for a more consistent smoothie.

This is not only important for taste, but also for health too because by emulsifying the ingredients you make them more "bio available" or easier to digest, so that your digestive system will absorb more of the nutrients!

A great starter recipe is a strawberry banana weight loss smoothie. The basic recipe is:
-2 cups filtered water
-3-4 fresh strawberries
-1 whole banana in frozen chunks
-1 cup of non fat organic Greek yogurt
-1 tsp of organic ground Stevia for a safe and natural 0 calorie sweetener
Then all you have to do is toss your water into the blender first, then add in your Greek yogurt next. Follow that up with the fresh strawberries and then finally add in your frozen banana chunks and sweetener. Then all you have to do is blend until you get your desired consistency and enjoy!

Looking for traditional Peranakan food? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com today!

An article by Dougles Chan - The Search Engine Guru - Who assists SME company to create and generate more leads using Search Engine Optimization and advertising.

Contact Dougles Chan @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to dc@dougleschan.com for more information on how to make your website to be the top in Google and generate more clients.

Two Delicious Christmas Recipes

Winter has always been synonymous with lots of celebrations and jubilations. Right from the parties, new dresses, shopping for family and friends to the exciting outdoor games, it is all about the festive season. An integral part of the festive season is good food. Without some delicious dishes, nothing may seem to be perfect. With Christmas knocking at your doorsteps, you would surely like to try out some new recipes that are easy to make and satiate the taste buds of your dear ones.

Whether you want to make a palatable appetizer or a delectable dessert, here is a list of two simple recipes that you can make with very little effort and within a short span of time:

• Cranberry cornmeal linzer cookies - Just as the name suggests, these cookies are made of cornmeal and cranberries. Softened butter, white sugar, all-purpose flour, egg, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and vanilla extract are all that you need to make the cookies. In order to make the delicious filling, you should add some finely chopped cranberries, water, brown sugar, butter and lemon juice. Beat the butter add white sugar to it and once the mixture gets creamy, beat an egg into it. Next, you need to whisk cornmeal, flour, salt and baking powder. Now, mix the butter mixture and flour mixture and form the dough into a ball. Refrigerate the dough for at least one hour after wrapping it tightly in plastic. Next, you need to bake the dough in a preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Make a mixture of brown sugar, water and small cranberries and add lemon juice and butter to it. Spread this mixture on one side of the cookie, and place the top half of the cookie on the mixture. Continue with this assembly process and your cookies will be ready in no time!

• Maple roast turkey and gravy - This is an ideal dinner recipe for Christmas that you can make with little effort. Apple cider, maple syrup, chopped fresh thyme and marjoram, butter, whole turkey, chopped onion, celery, carrot, chicken stock, bay leaf, apple brandy and all-purpose flour are the main ingredients of this dish. You need to make the syrup and gravy separately. After boiling maple syrup and apple cider, you should mix in the thyme, marjoram and lemon zest. After adding butter to it and whisking, refrigerate it until it gets cold. Wash and dry the turkey properly, and roast it for 30 minutes. Make gravy with the chicken stock and serve.

Your near and dear ones will surely ask for more if you put these dishes on the table.

Looking for traditional Peranakan food? Come to http://cirrusculinnaire.com today!

A PR article by Dougles Chan - Search Engine Guru - Who assists SME company to create and generate more sales using Search Engine Optimization and advertising.

Contact Dougles Chan @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to dc@dougleschan.com for more information on how to make your website to be the top in Google and generate more clients.

Italian Wine Gift Baskets - Know Your Options

An Italian wine gift basket is a special choice for those who want to give wine to someone. Italy is known for producing and exporting almost all the great wine you would want all over the world.

For Italian producers of this drinks are researching and improving their techniques in making first class wines for their consumers. Italian wine are said to be the world's finest.

Wines are usually served at special occasions such as a big parties and gatherings. There are also some people and wine aficionados that can afford to buy and drink wine everyday even if there are no special occasions.

Wines are made up of 2 ingredients grape juice and yeast, although you could use any kind of fruit juice but the majority of wine maker prefers to make wine with grapes juice. The yeast is they say the secret of making wine for you need this ingredient in order to make it. Without this you can't make wine.

Here are some of the top grapes Italian uses in making their wines.
Red grapes:

• Nebbiolo


• Corvina


• Primitivo


• Barbera


• Sangiovese


• Montepulciano

White grapes:

• Vernaccia


• Pinot Grigio


• Trebbiano


• Moscato Bianco


• Verdicchio

If you want to buy a friend or you want to send someone a wine then here are some tips and advice for you when buying an Italian wine gift basket.

• First are you have to know something about wines, like what is the best wine, which wine tastes good etc.


• Next, you have to know what kind of Italian wine the person you want to give it too wants. Do they prefer red, or white? What brand do they like, which flavor etc.


• When you know what they like then that's the time you go local shopping or you can just shop online. For there are gifts basket that you can find online.


• You could browse some website that offers good deal and price, but you also need to be careful when you are searching online. For although searching on the net is much faster and easier there are fake websites that offers you things which offer you a great deal to lure customers in buying their products.


• Buy only to trusted and reputable website so you won't fall victim of online scamming.

Most Italians and Europeans love to drink wine not only on special occasions, but also for their normal dinner wine is served with water. Also before they serve the wine depending on the food you eat.

Red wines are usually served with red meat while the white wine is served with poultry and fish. However today many people do not apply the old rules. People nowadays loves to experiment so depending on their taste it up to them what food they want to pair with what wine.

Love to eat Italian food? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com/ today.

A branding strategies article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Imperia SP150 Pasta Maker - For Serious Chefs Who Love Italian Food

Anyone that enjoys Italian food such as pasta has an appreciation for the unique taste each type of pasta has. Many chefs, both professional and home-chefs, enjoy experimenting and making their own pastas. While making your own pasta will give you a sense of pride, it is something that is impossible to do without the proper equipment. Having your own pasta machine will help you immensely when creating your own pastas. In fact, if you want to make the best pasta possible, you need to get the Imperia SP150 Pasta Maker. Keep reading and you'll learn all about this product's benefits and how you can save money when you buy this item.

This Imperia appliance has been the "most sold pasta machine" in the world since 1932! The fact that it has maintained this prestigious achievement speaks volumes of its quality. It's not surprising that this product has such a good reputation though. After all, it is made in Italy. Who better than the Italians to make a pasta machine right?

While the Imperia SP150 hasn't changed much over the years, it does have a new and improved rounded design for 2010. The pasta machine will make fettuccine, lasagna dough and tagliatelle. It has the ability to create pasta at six different thicknesses also. It also has other features such as a wood grip handle, dough roller unit, removable double cutter head for fettuccine and spaghetti, a wide variety of optional attachments and an easy lock dough roller adjustment dial. With all of these features, it's easy to see why this product is the renowned machine that it is!

You may still be on the fence about whether you really need the Imperia SP150 or not. This is a decision only you can make, but if you are serious about making your own pasta, that's also good - you need this machine. There have been many people who have bought pasta machines that appear to be like the Imperia, but which have turned out to be poor knock offs. However, this Imperia pasta maker is the real deal! This is the original pasta machine you need to make the pasta you've always dreamed of.

While all the above facts are great reasons to add the Imperia SP150 Pasta Maker to your kitchen, the final reason is the fact that it is easy to clean up! Some pasta machines make cleaning up a hassle, but not this one. In fact, several owners have stated that it's very easy to clean. When a product is easy to clean, it makes it even more fun to use.

How to Save Money on The Imperia SP150 Pasta Maker
Although you may find a great deal on this pasta machine at your local retail store, you're likely to find an even better deal on-line. Many on-line vendors can offer products like this one at a discount because they don't have the overhead costs that traditional brick and mortar businesses do. If you search on-line, you will likely discover a retailer that can offer you even better savings and free shipping as well.

Love Italian dishes? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com now.

A brand loyalty article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

An Italian Herb Garden

Italian cooking is one of the most influential cuisines in the entire world. It is undeniable that Italian cooking has integrated its way into nearly every home around the globe. What is the essential ingredient that spells the difference between great Italian food and mediocre Italian cooking? The secret to cooking exquisite Italian food is herbs.

This in truth may be a point of argument among cooks that would insist that it is the use of olive oil that would make it truly taste better. Let us take this into a test. Make a tomato sauce for spaghetti and use only olive oil and other ingredients without herbs. Make another batch of tomato sauce using vegetable oil and add in a little basil. Taste the difference and it will prove that a less than a teaspoon full of an herb will bring about a new dimension of flavor.

The one distinct thing about the way that Italians cook is that the ingredients that they use are what are profusely available in the region where they live. The Italians are practical cooks and have properly plan their daily fare with the use of low cost ingredients. For example, the ingredients that you would need to make pasta are basically the same kind of ingredients that are used in making bread sticks which are flour, oil and eggs. Then the sauce for the pasta is can be made with oil and herbs and the breadstick is can also be sprinkled with herbs.

To grow an Italian herb garden there are key herbs that must be included. The herb basil is the most often used herb in Italian cooking. It is one of the two main ingredients in pesto, used as a topping for pizza, and added to many other dishes. The next ingredient that takes a vital role in is parsley. This herb is chopped and sprinkle in a lot of preparations including main dishes and in bread. Another herb ingredient that the Italians cannot do without to be use in slow cooking dishes is the bay leaf.
And what would an Italian herb garden be without garlic, bell peppers, onions and chili peppers? A lot of dishes are presented using these herbs as the main ingredient. There are a lot of meatless pastas and pizzas that use these simple herbs as their main ingredient and the colors that it adds to the dish make it more scrumptious looking.

There are many other herbs that play a role in Italian cuisine. Why not take the time to try and grow them in and around your home? The herbs that Italians frequently use are easy to grow and can be stored for future use. If you grow your own Italian Herb Garden there is a whole variety of dishes that you can make at a low expense. Try making your own pizza and pasta from scratch, topped with herbs that you have harvested from your own garden. Your family and friends will thoroughly enjoy the treat, and you will realize that making your own actually saves you a lot of money. You will be able to feed your family their favorite Italian dishes more frequently. Start your own Italian herb garden and enjoy the gastronomic delight of a Taste of Italy daily.

Love Italian food? Check out Cirrus Culinnaire here.

A branding strategies article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

The Courses in Italian Dinners

Sometimes, due to constraints of time and resources, most people do not enjoy all the courses in a meal. This is usually limited to one or two courses, and not necessarily in the order they are supposed to be served. However, the nutritional content required needs to be observed whether a person will have a one course or a five course meal. When enjoying Italian dinners it is important to understand the courses that make up a complete meal. This is information will come in handy when you are a guest in one of such feasts or you want to host one of these to your guests. There will be no excuse to act ignorant in such an event. As with any other meal, you always begin with the appetizer. In this case it is referred to as Antipasto. This can include the hot and hot. This is not one meal; rather, it is a blend of meat and cheese recipes and some wine is also served. The first course is referred to as the primo. This part comprises of hot stuff. Some of these include rice, soups or pasta.

By this time your guests will be anticipating to get to the main meal because you have already teased them with what you have in store. The main course or the second course is called the Secondo. If the primo was super delicious you can keep the main course easy. Some of the food you can incorporate in this stage of Italian dinners is the fish, meat or even chicken. You can keep the potions light. You can also try recipes from this part of the world to make your meal indigenous all the way. When they are done with that step, you can bring in the third course known as Contorno. For this stage, you need a variety of vegetables. You can make a salad or cook them. You can let your guests enjoy a bit of every vegetable you have for this course.

The last course here is the dolce. This can be a piece of cake or cookies. If you want to go all out, your desserts can start with the frutta, which comprises of some cheese and fruit. Next you can bring the dolce. Once they are done, you can surprise them with coffee, which is called caffe. You can have your name go down in their minds as the Italian dinner host of the year by giving them some liquor to wash down the meal. For these as known as Digestivo, you must have prior knowledge about your guests. Do not serve liquor if they are teetotalers. These are steps you can master with time and with no doubt, you will impress when you host Italian dinners for family or friends.

Love Fresh pasta? Check out Cirrus Culinnaire now.

A brand loyalty article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Napolitano Timballo - Recipe

Timbale
Timbale is a favorite in southern Italy and an easy dish to make once you have prepared the sauce and noodles. You can use store-bought pasta and sauce but you will never have the taste of true Italy. So please make the pasta and sauce if you decide to make this dish.

Ingredients (5 to 7 servings):

• 24 slices of fresh spinach pasta cut into 3" x 5" rectangles


• 15 oz of ricotta cheese


• 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese sliced or grated


• 3 mild Italian sausage links


• Salt and pepper to taste


• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese


• 1.5 to 2 cups tomato sauce depending on how much tomato taste you want (I suggest you try 1.5 cups on your first try)

Preparation
Cut the pasta into 24 slices each 3" x 5".

Boil a few quarts of salted water with a little olive oil and cook the pasta for about 6 minutes or until al dente. You can remove the pasta from the water with a skimmer/ladle after it has cooked. Place it on a dry-clean towel.

Meanwhile... Remove the skins from the sausage links, crumble into a frying pan, and brown. Drain and combine in a food processor with the ricotta cheese, tomato sauce and salt and pepper. Blend all the ingredients.

Layers
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom of a baking dish (approximately 10" x 14" and about 3" deep). Lay the rectangular pasta slices on the bottom and top with the cheese filling. Add mozzarella cheese slices on top of the filling. Repeat by making another layer with the pasta, filling, and mozzarella. You will probably end up using 3 pasta slices - make sure the last pasta rectangle has filling and mozzarella on top of it. You should have 8 of these rectangles in the baking dish.

Perfecto
I like to finish the dish off by putting two pieces of the Italian sausage that was cooked in the tomato sauce on top of each rectangle. Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese and bake in the oven for 40 minutes. Enjoy.

Jack Botticelli

Like Italian dishes? Check out Cirrus Culinnaire link.

A branding strategy article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top SEO Marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Great Options in the Italian Kitchen

If you are thinking about entertaining for the evening, you are going to want to be sure that you have what you need within your Italian kitchen. There are many fine tools that are used to create what you see on the table, without these devices you cannot accomplish the miracles of fine Italian cooking. With pots and pans lining the walls of the Italian kitchen, you will not be without something to make up that wonderful pasta or rice that will be the centerpiece of the table. Without the spoons that you use to stir the fine pastas and rice's, you o not have the expected great sides that will compliment the great main course.

Ovens or Hearths

Depending on how you prefer to cook, will determine whether or not you would like to use an oven or a hearth. Both have specific advantages and disadvantages; yet can easily perform up to code when it comes to cooking for the family. You will be surprised to know that a hearth will easily rival an oven in the cooking department, as they have been used for centuries. What the hearth will have trouble with however, is accurate and precise cooking. This means that it will have trouble controlling the accurate temperature, needed to cook certain meals. A hearth is designed to place foods within, and this will heat the foods at a very high temperature. This could be great for foods that need extreme heat for prolonged periods of time, yet the oven itself does offer more of a controlled environment.

Pasta Makers And Food Processors

There are many specialty items today that offer the convenience of simple food preparation, and you can either save time with these items or you can do things the old fashioned way by hand. When you elect to use these devices, you will have food that is prepared quickly yet you may not end up with exactly what you want. Food processors and machines that basically do all of the work for you cannot exactly be held accountable when things go wrong. You can only do so much with an item that is meant to make your job easier, as this is usually a quick sign that things will break down. Doing things from scratch the old school manor will allow you to control what is going on, and this will prove to be the smartest decision you can make when working in the kitchen.

The Best Tool Is The Right Tool

When it comes to the Italian kitchen and what you are going to accomplish there, it basically falls back on the tools that you are using to get the job done. If the recipe is detailed and very complex, there is more of a chance that you will need a specific tool to get the meal done right. Without this tool and compromising with something else, will only lead to a failed recipe will not be forgotten any time soon.

Love Italian dishes? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com/ link.

A branding strategy article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top SEO Marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

A Good Italian Wine Sets the Tone

Whenever you are going to dine on fine Italian food, you should always leave room for some good Italian wine to close the meal out. The Italians are very serious about their vino, and whether it is a gala event or a simple Sunday afternoon with friends and family a good wine can set the tone and change a mood. The fact is the Italians appreciate the fine taste of a good spirit made from grapes that they grow in their own vineyards. Whether it is a deep red or a mild but crisp white, wine is always welcome at the dinner table. You will even find Italians enjoying a glass of wine in the early afternoon with a hearty cheese, and this is something that shows the Italians have a zest for life that few can match.

Home Made Brews

It is very common to find a good Italian wine that is actually made at home, by the person that is sharing it. Many people have their own vineyards in their backyards, and this is a great way to try and make a new and exciting brew on your own. The Italians enjoy many types of wine, and they usually have at least one type of vino at the dinner table. This gives the guests choices on what they wish to dine with. Not unlike many other things in the Italian culinary world, region can play a large role in how a specific wine can taste. This can even be said about household to household, and while the same grapes can be cultivated with the same soil you can still get two different tasting wines between neighbors.

Wine Day Or Night

Perhaps the best part of Italian wine today, is that there is no specific or predetermined time when it should or is consumed. Wine can be enjoyed basically at any point during the day, and it can start early in the afternoon or late in the morning when Italians actually start eating lunch. Wine is no less wonderful when it gets into the later hours of the evening, and you will find many Italians enjoying it with crackers and cheeses of various flavors while entertaining or visiting. Great Italian wine is usually enjoyed after a large meal, and you can find various wines available to the diner during the main course as well. This means that you get many chances to experiment with wines, and see which ones you enjoy the most.

Serious About The Vino

One thing you will learn very quickly about Italians is that they are serious about their food and their Vino. The culinary world would not be complete with fine Italian wines to compliment their fine foods. You will find a slew of great bold and robust wines just waiting to be experienced, and whether you are into the whites, blushes, or reds, you will find something that is just right for you. The flavor of the Italian wine is something to savor, and you will find it hard to turn down a second or third glass if offered.

Like Italian dishes? Check out Cirrus Culinnaire here.

A branding strategy article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Italian Cooking Classes - Ignite The Passion For Italian Dishes WithLydia's Cooking Classes!

Are you one of the many cookery lovers or an individual with who feels like a novice when faced with the task of preparing new and varied meals? Well, whichever category you feel you belong to, we have just the cuisine to delight you with and help you build up your recipe book with interesting, exotic dishes and raise your skill levels at the same time by igniting the latent passion for good food - Italian style!

In fact, even beginners in the kitchen can learn how to put together a great tasting, healthy meal to enjoy with friends and family and it's as simple as tuning in to a cookery show like Lydia Italian cooking demos! You learn by observing the techniques, tips and approaches the Lydia Italian cooking shows offer views and need to follow simple instructions for whipping up the same delicacies in your kitchen - and just await the praise that is bound to come your way with these value additions to your cooking skills!

If you are wondering where to find Lydia Italian cooking shows, you don't need to look further than your food network timings on the TV guide or you can choose to log on to the program's web site after entering the term into any major search engine. You'll not only get all the information of shows to come with highlights of the recipes to be covered, but useful recipe links, details of past shows and live demos too!

We all know that with a little bit of play-way learning, the whole process is made more enjoyable and that's the case with the Lydia Italian cooking show too: with an expert Italian chef guiding you all the way from picking the right ingredients, to mixing, cooking and presenting them just right and advise on entire menu planning, who knows what you can do with all the time and energy you will save on this easy to learn, enjoyable method of cookery schooling.

The best part about the Lydia Italian cooking show is the authentic recipes shown here along with variations of cooking techniques and an interesting, visual plus audio format that is easy to understand and recall; perhaps you could record some shows to watch at leisure too. Thus, it's easy to ignite that passion for cooking great tasting and varied Italian fare by simply tuning in to the Lydia Italian cooking demo.

With a friend, the learning process is double the fun, so perhaps you can find someone who shares your passion for Italian cuisine or simply cooking - and then recipe swaps with other friends is enjoyable too! Anyone who wants to learn to be a better cook can benefit from watching Lydia Italian cooking shows and new recipes - or traditional ones with a twist besides getting to exchange fun tales on the whole experience!

Love Traditional Italian food? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com/ link.

A branding strategy article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Italian Sausage

There are several different foods from the Italian culture that are worth noting, but it is the Italian sausage that seems to come to mind so many times. This meat is absolutely delightful, and it is a meat that has a place in many great dishes not only back in the mother land but in North America too. This meat is available just about anywhere today, and there are various forms of the sausage that you can purchase in most grocery stores let alone the butcher shops. Finding the type of sausage that pleases you is really not difficult, you are just going to have to try as many as you can.

Excellent For Sauces

When it comes to Italian pasta sauce, you are obviously going to find some meat that will be added. One such meat that graces a wonderful sauce is the Italian sausage. This meat can be spicy and it is very easy to cut, making it a great meat to work with and an excellent choice. With mild, medium, and hot on the menu you are not going to struggle to find a decent meat for your sauce. These sausages can be cut into small disks or even chunks that are great to stew within a pasta or tomato sauce for hours at a time. Usually the meat is not cooked prior, as it is going to stew for a great number of hours within the broth. This will not only instill the sauce within the meat, it will bring out the great flavors of the meat into the sauce.

Finding The Right Sausage

It is not difficult today to find good Italian sausage, and depending on how much you are looking for and what variety you should have no troubles at all locating it. Most grocery and specialty stores carry this sausage today, and if you are fortunate enough to have an Italian butcher shop near your home you can find it there. This is not to say that you cannot find it elsewhere, it is simply to imply that there are great chances of finding this sausage at the fore mentioned locations first. Most deli's whether they are Italian or not, will usually carry this sausage as it very popular. Many sub shops and sandwich shops will carry it now as well, as they usually have a hot Italian sub on the menu.

Other Uses

Italian sausage is not solely reserved for Italian food today, as you will find many restaurants and sandwich shops all having this meat on their roster of fine foods. The sausage is relatively cheap, and you can bet that there are more than a few people that eat in these locations that consider it a favorite. This meat is easy to prepare, and you have almost endless options when it comes to its uses. Soups and stews are always popular with this meat in them, as too are great casseroles and bakes foods.

Like Italian dishes? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com here.

A brand loyalty article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top SEO Marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

3 Great Ideas for Meatballs, Other Than in Pasta

I often get asked what exactly to do with the meatballs once they've been made. The simple answer of course would be to throw them in with some pasta sauce and serve with Spaghetti or Lasagna. However, sometimes 'simple' isn't what you're looking for - so to that end, this article will list 3 great ideas of what else you can do with your favourite Italian meatball recipes.

#1. A Meatball Sub

This is perhaps sticking to the simple side of things - however, it can't be left out of any comprehensive meatball related list. If you've ever been into a sub shop before, you'll likely have sampled the delights that these beauties have to offer. You'll need a decent sized roll to make the sub, though whether you go store bought or bake it from scratch is a matter of personal preference. Me, I like to bake the bread - as store bought rolls just can't compare with the taste of homemade bread, something which is a lot closer to that sub shop taste. Once you've got your bread, slap in the meatballs. Now, if you want to go for that really authentic taste, you'll want to add them with a proper sauce. After you've done that, add cheese and your choice of salad, and you've got the perfect lunch or just a fantastic snack.

#2 Appetizers

Again, very, very simple - but incredibly effective at parties or any kind of social gathering. Just take the previously cooked meatballs, put a cocktail stick in them and voila - you have the perfect snack that can be used either as a prelude to a larger meal, or simply finger food for your party guests.

#3. Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Maybe you're fed up of having meatballs with Italian-style food? This is a great little alternative. Assuming that you already have your meatballs ready, the ingredients required for this Italian meatball recipe are listed below.

* 1 can of chopped Pineapple, in its juice

* 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar

* 1 tablespoon of either soy sauce or tamari

* 1/3 cup of water

* 1/2 cup of brown sugar

* 3 tablespoons of corn starch

* 1 large bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces

* 1 cup of sliced mushrooms

* 1 cup of thinly cut carrots

* 1 cup of beansprouts

* Either brown or white rice

Once you have all of your ingredients together, drain the Pineapple- making sure to save the juice. Place the pineapple to one side, and add enough water to the juice to bring it to about one cup of liquid, pouring it into a large skillet. Now, add the 1/3 cup of water, vinegar, soy/tamari, sugar and corn starch. Stir this all together until it makes a smooth mixture. Cook it over a medium heat and stir constantly until the sauce is nice and thick. Once it reaches the desired consistency, add the meatballs, pineapple and vegetables. Simmer the meal uncovered for about 20 minutes, and serve over hot rice for a delicious meal.

Like to eat Traditional Italian food? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com now.

A branding strategies article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Italian Herbs - Healthy As Well As Tasty!

Have you ever wondered about the secret behind tasty Italian cuisine? Have you marveled at the distinct flavor of Italian food? Well the secret lies in a variety of herbs used. There are numerous herbs that go into the making of an Italian herb garden. Below are a few examples of the more popular Italian herbs.

1. BASIL (Ocimum sanctum)- Basil which literally means king is the one of the most popular Italian herbs. It is used in many Italian soups and sauces. It contains many vitamins, including vitamins A and E. It is also a good source of iron and trace elements. It has anti bacterial and anti viral properties and is also good for digestion.

2. PARSLEY (Petroselinum crispum) - This biennial herb is usually eaten uncooked, sprinkled just before serving or added at the end of cooking. It is the main ingredient of the famed Italian Gremolata. It is rich in vitamin c, iron, calcium and potassium. It is a famed antioxidant.

3. ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis)- Used with lamb, pork, potato and such, rosemary is a popular Italian herb. It is a good source of dietary fiber. It also contains iron and manganese. Rosemary stimulates and boosts the immune system.

4. FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgare)- Used mainly in sausages, it is also used to make herbal tea. Fennel is a rich source of phytonutrients and vitamin C. It has anti inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is also famed as an anti cancer agent
5. OREGANO (Origanum vulgare) - This is a very popular Italian herb used in marinara sauces. It is also used with lamb and beef. It is a good source of calcium, iron, omega 3 fatty acids and manganese. It has anti bacterial and antioxidant properties.

6. SAGE (Salvia officinalis) - It is used in a variety of dishes, including meats and salads. It contains a variety of flavonoids and phenolic acids. It is a proven antioxidant. Research suggests that it can boost ones memory.

7. BAY LEAVES (Laurus nobilis) - This Italian herb is used to flavor a number of sauces, soups and stews. It is also used to flavor meat. It is a good source of fiber, calcium and iron. It lowers blood sugar by making insulin work more efficiently. It is used as an herbal cure for headaches.

8. THYME (Thymus Vulgaris) - This mild, popular Italian herb is best suited for mild meats like veal and pork. It is also a good addition to vegetables, salad dressings and egg dishes. Thyme contains a number of flavonoids, like apigenin, luteolin and thymonin. It is a very good source of calcium and iron. It has powerful antioxidant and anti fungal properties.

9. MINT - The sweet smelling herb is an ingredient of many Italian sauces and soups. This Italian herb is a good source of proteins, vitamins and trace elements. It is good for the digestive system. It also has anti bacterial and anti fungal properties.

10. LEMON BALM - This "calming herb", is a member of the mint family. This herb has anxiolytic properties. It is said to be a cure to insomnia. This Italian herb is used to make tea, lemonade and is often added to salad dressings.

There are more herbs used in Italian coking but the above mentioned are examples of popular Italian herbs.

Love Traditional Italian food? Check out Cirrus Culinnaire now.

A branding strategy article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Fat Loss 101: How to Lose Fat Fast

The key to losing significant amounts of weight is to burn fat effectively while building muscle and increasing flexibility. This means you can still lose weight without spending 7 days a week at the gym or giving up all of your favorite foods.

The first step you need to take is to set a realistic goal for your own personal weight loss. Calculate your BMI (body mass index) using any of the widely available BMI calculators online. Knowing your BMI will give you a general idea of the healthiest weight for you and help you set a realistic, achievable goal.

Now that you have goal to work towards, you can set in motion the necessary steps to reach it. The biggest change you need to make to lose significant amounts of fat is to change your eating habits and change them for good. Once you are eating healthier and nourishing your body, you will notice that you have more energy, more motivation to exercise and you will feel better all over.

Diet & Nutrition: To develop and maintain a high metabolism (the rate at which your body burns calories) most health experts recommend that you eat 6 small meals each day. For most people, this just isn't realistic. Instead of planning for 6 meals every day, think of it as having your 3 usual meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) with a healthy snack in between each meal (3 meals + 3 snacks = 6 meals). It is also important to consider your daily caloric intake be aware of how many calories you can consume each day and still lose weight. A good way to find that number is to visit another online calculator.

Create your plan for 3 meals and 3 snacks using as many fresh fruits and vegetables as you can. Making healthy choices at the supermarket will force you to make healthy choices at home. Avoid empty calories such as processed sugars, white grains (white bread, white rice, white potatoes, etc) and sweetened drinks. Eat lean protein, such as chicken breast (no skin!), lean beef and trimmed pork cuts. Snacks can include nuts, fruits, granola, yogurt or part skim cheese. A healthy body sheds unwanted pounds much more efficiently than a body polluted with sugar and preservatives.

Drink lots of water and consider making the transition to drinking only water, nothing else. If it tastes too plain for you, try adding lemon, lime or orange slices to a glass with ice.

Practice portion control with everything you eat! You can still have dessert once in a while as long as you don't overdo it and account for those extra calories in your daily meal plan. If you go over your daily calorie intake, exercise a little longer at your next workout to make up for it.

Exercise: There are 2 main types of exercise that you need to do to lose weight. Cardio is going to be the main part of your workouts, followed by a moderate amount of strength training. Both are vital ingredients to burning fat and losing weight.

Cardio exercises strengthen your heart & lungs, burn calories, reduce stress and increase energy levels. Exercises include walking, jogging, jumping jacks, elliptical machine, bike riding and many more. If you are not very active on a day to day basis, you may need to start out with some easier cardio exercises and build stamina. Start off walking at a brisk pace and work your way up to a jog and eventually a light run. The goal is to complete 30 minutes of moderate cardio at least 5 days per week, or 20 minutes of vigorous activity 3 days per week.

Doing cardio exercise only, however, can have negative effects on your weight loss and cause you to burn muscle instead of fat. Strength training will prevent this and give you that fit toned look that is so desirable. Muscle tissue also helps the body burn calories and maintain a high metabolism. Again, if you are new to exercise or live a fairly sedentary lifestyle you will want to start slow and work your way up to three 30 min strength training exercises per week. You do not need to ever step foot in a gym to complete either type of workout!

Strength training includes exercises that use weight for resistance. This doesn't mean you have to always pick up a dumbbell or find a weight machine. Your own body weight can be one of the most effective tools in strength training, and you don't even have to leave the house to do it! Pushups, sit-ups, lunges and squats can all be done right in your living room while you watch the news or favorite tv show. Remember to start slow, use proper weight and take breaks for rest. Start off with a single set of 10-12 repetitions for each move and gradually add another set and another until you can complete 3 sets of 12 reps for each muscle group.

Combining healthy eating habits with cardio and strength training will help you shed pounds quickly and efficiently. You will look better, feel better and gain self confidence by making small changes to your lifestyle.

Remember these key points to keep yourself on track and watch the pounds melt off:

• Buy Healthy Foods - If you don't have the junk food in your home, you won't have access to it when a craving hits. Keep healthy alternatives in stock and ready to eat.

• Prepare meals in advance - It is easier to make a healthy decision for lunch if you have prepared items that you can grab and go.

• Eat every 3 hours - Don't wait until you are starving to eat something. Have a snack ready 2-3 hour after breakfast, lunch and if you want, after dinner.

• Take Healthy Food with You. Take food to work, to school, to the movies, etc. This ensures you have a healthy option on hand and won't be as likely to give in to fast food.

• Eat Before Going Out. Avoid ending up eating junk food because you're hungry. Eat before you leave home and take a snack with you.

• Allow yourself to have treats - Even ice cream can be okay once in a while if you stick to the correct serving size and account for the calories.

• Track Progress for Motivation - take pictures along the way, note your measurements, and track your weight and stamina.

Losing weight doesn't have to be that hard! Start with these simple steps and you will find yourself on the right track to losing weight and feeling better about yourself. You can do it as long as you keep your eye on the goal. Good luck!

The Top Rated Food Cities in the United States

It is no surprise that Americans like to eat. Whether it is high-end restaurants or fast food, Americans are always eating. This article discusses the overall best food cities in the United States. No, we are not taking fast-food into account.

No one will question New York City as a predominant food authority. From pizza to gourmet Italian, French, Asian, Sushi, Greek and any other type of food, New York has it. Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens in particular are packed with excellent restaurants.

Times are tough for the people of the Gulf Coast and it is a shame. My sister went to school in New Orleans and I had the privilege of going down to the city a few times over the past few years. Their Creole-style food is absolutely incredible and there is nothing else like it.

I hate to admit it, but Vegas has some of the best restaurants in the country. I guess this makes sense as so many people make money out there and don't know how to spend it fast enough. How about going to a top establishment like Aureole and doing the 9 course chefs tasting with wine pairing?

It saddens me that I have not had an excuse to visit San Francisco yet, because that is where all the food buzz is these days. Aside from establishments like The French Laundry, San Francisco is also known have incredible Tex Mex food and I cannot wait to get out there.

When it comes to Chicago, there are only two things you need to know: deep dish pizza and Alinea. OK, so maybe the first one doesn't really matter, but the latter will most likely be hailed as the best restaurant in the United States come next year.

The sushi in Los Angeles is rivaled only by Tokyo. Katsu-Ya, Matsuhisa, Sasabune and Urasawa are amongst the best. The other restaurants aren't half bad either!

So that's the list. These city's have the potential to get even better if the economy picks back up.

Love Traditional Italian food? Check out Cirrus Culinnaire link.

A brand loyalty article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Fruits and Vegetables - Nature's Healers

Natural healers have long known about the power of fruits and vegetables. Did you know that green leafy vegetables have almost 20 times more essential nutrients, ounce for ounce than any other food?

Fruit (eaten properly) and vegetables contain all the vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, amino acids and fatty acids the human body requires. Fruit is, without exception, the most cleansing and most easily digested food you can eat. Both fruits and vegetables are high in water and fiber which help the cleansing process. Water transports toxins from the cells and tissues of your body, and fiber keeps the eliminative system working.

I did previously mention the importance of eating fruit "properly". This means it should be eaten fresh and apart from any other food, with the exception of plain, unsweetened yogurt. The reason being, fruit takes less digestive energy than any other food. When you eat fruit with or after other food, the sugar ferments instead of being assimilated, creating gas. The body then has to work very hard to process the remaining food. Because yogurt is a cultured food, it is predigested by virtue of the live enzymes it contains, and is very easily assimilated. Fruit does not digest in the stomach, as other foods do. It is digested partially in the mouth when you chew it, bypasses the stomach, and is digested and absorbed in the small intestine. Cooking or canning fruit destroys its nutrients and its sugars turn acidic, making it of no benefit to the body.

There are studies that show that people who eat lots of vegetables have half the cancer risk of people who eat few vegetables. Fresh fruits and vegetables accelerate body cleansing and proper elimination of wastes, which in turn normalizes body chemistry. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants like Vitamin C and mixed carotenoids (converts to Vitamin A in the body). Antioxidants support and protect your immune system.

One of the many beneficial elements of fruits and vegetables are bioflavonoids, a significant part of the vitamin C complex. Bioflavonoids:

o Build a protective antibiotic barrier against infection
o Boost immune response
o Are anti-inflammatory
o Help relieve allergies and asthma
o Assist in preventing cardiovascular disease
o Protect eye health
o Detoxify your body of carcinogenic chemicals, radiation and heavy metals
Fresh fruits and vegetables are the most nutrient-dense foods you can find. This means that they are packed with nutrients in comparison to the number of calories they contain. As a result, they are essential for any kind of weight loss program. You can eat as much of them as you want, which can't be said about any other kind of food.
In case you're saying to yourself, "Yes, but it's so hard to eat fresh fruits and vegetables... I'm just too busy... how can I eat more of them," I have listed some ideas below that I think will help simplify matters for you.

How is it best to shop for, store and prepare fruits and vegetables?
o Use leafy greens, broccoli, berries and ripe fruit within two or three days of purchase to get the most out the vitamin content.
o Rinse fruits and vegetables under cold running water. Avoid soaking.
o Cook vegetables such as potatoes, beets and sweet potatoes whole or in large pieces and in their skins to preserve vitamins.
o Cook vegetables by lightly steaming or using a pressure cooker until just tender.
o Grilling, roasting and stir-fry are also excellent ways to cook vegetables.
o Don't boil them in water, unless you drink the water or use it in a soup or as a broth. The water-soluble vitamins will escape into the cooking water.
o Shop just for two or three day's worth of most fruits and vegetables at a time to preserve their freshness.
o Don't eat canned fruits or vegetables. They contain very few nutrients and too much sodium and/or sugar (added as preservatives).

Tips for including more fruits and vegetables into your diet.

o Take a piece of fruit with you to work or school for a mid-morning snack.
o Have fruits and vegetables cut up and ready to eat on the refrigerator shelf.
o Combine fruits of different colors, flavors, and textures like red grapes and pineapple chunks.
o Fill half of your plate with vegetables first, then add the other food.
o Try a new fruit or vegetable.
o Make a point to have at least two vegetables every night for dinner. Make one of them a "high-powered" choice like carrots, greens, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, red pepper, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, squash or eggplant. Rule of thumb: The more intense the color, the more nutrients it contains.
o Add fresh vegetables to foods you already eat, like to pasta, or rice.
o Experiment with different ways to cook vegetables - grilling, roasting, stir-fry, streaming
o Experiment with fresh or dried herbs and seasonings for flavoring.
o Eat fruit for breakfast and vegetables with lunch and dinner.

The human body is designed to consume a diet that is predominantly vegetarian. Fruits and vegetables are true healers and, for optimal health, should constitute the majority of the food you eat every day.

The Truth About Calories

The meaning of the word calorie is a very misunderstood one. We are overwhelmed by it almost every day and because of the media we think that calories are the devil and you should do everything to eat as little calories as possible.

Wrong! You don't have to eat fewer calories than your body burns to lose fat, all calories are not the same, it's about eating the right calories. When you eat the right calories you don't have to starve yourself, you can start eating and enjoying life instead!

Calories are our bodies' fuel, it's where we get all our energy from, we need energy for everything we do. If we eat too little calories our body parts can't function 100 % anymore, following a low calorie diet can be very dangerous to your body. If we eat too much of bad calories or even too much of good calories our bodies will store the energy as fat for later use, but we can eat a lot more of the good calories. It's also important to stay away as much as possible from things that binds the fat instead of using it, things like sugar.

So how much calories should we eat every day? Some people count their calories every day so they don't eat too much, this is not the way to go. In fact our bodies have the ability to know how much we should eat every day, some people have forgotten how to listen to their bodies but don't worry this can be relearned.

With The Diet Solution Program you will learn how it feels when your body have had just enough calories and it's very important because we need different amounts of energy every day, that's why counting your calories won't work long-term.

In The Diet Solution Program you will also learn what kind of foods you should be eating and what to stay away from, it's actually very simple to learn and you will also experience delicious recipes that you can enjoy while still losing tons of fat!

Fat loss is not how hard the media make it seem, and if you do it right your health will increase too, you will feel more energy and vitality every day. But it is something you have to commit to, are you ready to eat healthy for the rest of your life? Of course you can skip the rules once in a while, but some people go on a crash diet and lose some weight but it's very unhealthy, breaking down your muscles instead of their fat and when they end the diet they gain weight again. The key is to think long-term when it comes to fat loss, but you can still lose it incredible fast if you do it the right way. It's time to start taking control of our bodies and live a healthy life!

Pasta E Fagioli: Pasta Fazool

Pasta Fazool: every time I hear that term, especially from a non-Italian it makes me cringe a bit. The words are often used as something of a joke, even, I must say, by Italian Americans. I will admit that the words themselves have a funny sound. "Zool" is indeed a funny syllable. It's just that that one someone says "pasta fazool" I conjure that somewhat stereotypic image of an oversized Italian Giuseppe with a napkin tucked in his shirt collar shoveling spoonfuls of red sauce into his mustachioed mouth while Rosa his rotund, polka-dot aproned wife ladles even more into his bowl. There may even be an organ monkey hopping about on the adjacent sideboard.

What few people know is that the popular name of this dish, "pasta fazool" is something of an Italian American corruption of the correct Italian"pasta e faggioli" (pasta eh fah-jo-lee) which means "pasta and beans." Here's the conundrum. When I say "pasta e fagioli" as it should be said, I feel that I am being somewhat artificial and untrue to tradition. On the other hand, to say "pasta fazool" makes feel a little too, how shall I say it?, too "South Philly." As a born and raised suburban boy, I'm not South Philly as such. But, by virtue of my aunts and uncles who stayed on in the city when the rest of the family made the great migration at the close of "The War," South Philly is the home of many of most cherished kitchen memories. Like many of my generation, from all ethnicities, I live between two worlds. The trick is to take full benefit of the opportunities of the new world, without forgetting the traditions of the old.

The history of pasta e fagioli is close to timeless. Dishes that feature beans mixed with other starches go back to ancient times. Clifford A. Wright's "A Mediterranean Feast," offers a wonderful Venetian version called in Venetian dialect, "Pasta e Fasioi." The Venetian recipe as Wright has it is made with a pork bone base. The addition of the pork bone unites the recipe in the family of many peasant dishes from the Italian feudal baronies to the plantations of the American south where the field workers got the remnants of the pig while the landowners ate "high on the hog," in other words, on the better cuts. Today's "pork and beans" shares in this lineage.

Yet, many recipes for pasta e fagioli do not start with a pork base. Traditionally, at least in America, pasta e fagioli was a meatless dinner. As such it was a Friday night standard that in years gone by obeyed the rule that forbade meat on Fridays. Vey often the pasta e fagioi meatless dinner was often accompanied by or even supplanted by Mrs. Paul's Fish Sticks.
As with all traditional domestic recipes there are numerous variations. While most include tomatoes as the foundation there are those that do not. Some start with the base of carrots, onions and garlic while others exclude carrots.

Celery is also often included. In short, I think, the traditional recipe used whatever was on hand to accompany the pasta and beans. One of the most interesting variations, and I find a good one, reserve half of the beans which are then smashed and returned to the pot to thicken the broth. In Italy, from what I have found on Google.it the beans are almost "barlotti," a kind of fat cranberry bean. In America, at least in the traditions I know, the beans are usually "cannellini."

The type of pasta is also another consideration. In most recipes the pasta of choice is ditalini but on Italian sites I have seen a fair variety of pasta types to include even short flat noodles. Ditialini, I think are the best because they match in texture and size with the beans.

Seeking for ready made oven baked pasta? Visit http://cirrusculinnaire.com/

Tuscan Italian Food - Its Amazing Taste Revealed

Tuscany is famed for its cities, its churches, its great works of art and its food. The countryside of Tuscany, the area centred on Florence is where Italian cooking reaches a high point, blending as it does the ingredients of the North and the South in a happy combination.

Tuscan food is essentially a variant on the Mediterranean diet. It is rich in olive oil, legumes, fish, fresh herbs, fruit and vegetables. The carbohydrates typically eaten in Tuscany, such as bread, pasta, rice and polenta, are low in fat. This diet is good for weight management and heart health.

If you are going to begin cooking in the Tuscan manner you need to stock your store cupboard with a number of ingredients. You will certainly need good quality, extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin oil is produced in the first pressing without the application of any heat. it contains all the minor ingredients that are so important both for taste and health.

You will also need dried pasta preferably made in Italy or according to traditional recipes and methods. Most fresh pasta sold in supermarkets is of poorer quality that good dried pasta and should be avoided.

Legumes, such as cannellini beans, borlotti beans, chick peas and lentils are essential. You will need some medium ground cornmeal for polenta. Avoid the ready made polenta and make your own.
The kind of rice you will need is arborio rice for risotto. You may be able to get hold of carnaroli, vialone or nano rice which are also often used in Tuscany. But they are not so widely available as arborio.

Balsamic vinegar is widely used in Tuscan cuisine, as are anchovies. For seasoning you need capers, dried porcini mushrooms and plenty of herbs.

Parmesan cheese should be bought piece not ready grated. The grated parmesan soons goes off and tastes terrible. Once you have tried the fresh kind you will never go back to grated variety.
Tuscan classic recipes include meat filet in balsamic vinegar sauce. You might use beef or pork for this dish. The steak is simply fried and then the pan is deglazed with a mixture of stock, balsamic vinegar, lemon, pepper and garlic. The resulting sauce can be thickened with a little cornflour but this is not essential.

You might begin your Tuscan meal with a typical Tuscan soup consisting of cannellini beans and vegetables. This soup also makes a good simple meal with a chunk of ciabatta or focaccia bread.
One of the great Tuscan favourites is bruschetta which consists of slices of bread spread with tomato sauce and cooked under a broiler or grill.

A famous Tuscan dessert is Schiacciata alla Fiorentina or Florentine sponge cake, which is a sponge made with olive oil, flavored with organge zest and made a golden color with saffron.

Finally, and most essentially, there is wine. Wine has been made in Tuscany since the time of the Etruscans who first domesticated the grapes that grew wild there. Their tomb paintings record convivial feasts at which the guests drank wine. The most famous Tuscan wine is, of course, Chianti, which is known all over the world. But you will encounter others such as Brunello di Montalcino. There are even some white wines such as Bianco di Bolgheri.

Tuscan food is often referred to as "slow food." That is to say it is produced, cooked and eaten slowly in contrast to the mass produced fast food that makes up such a large part of the modern diet. It preserves local culinary traditions that have been developed in Tuscany over centuries.

Like to eat Traditional Italian Food? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com/ now.

Stop Overeating - Tips to Make Overeating Stop

Since you'll be needing a new hobby, gardening is a really good way to, not only distract yourself from the times when it is most difficult to stop overeating but also, get well-acquainted with the foods that will make you less likely to overeat.

Something to do with your time
It is a fact that much of the overeating leading to obesity happens when you have "down time." Perhaps more importantly for those who have office jobs or occupations that otherwise encourage sitting, this includes just about anytime you're sitting still enough to eat a typical chip or crisp.
Not only is planting and maintaining a food garden a useful hobby that saves you money, but you have good odds of being rewarded with fresh, bountiful produce that will encourage you to cook your own food, one meal at a time.

Plenty of leftovers
When planted in even a very basic sort of succession, a garden plot will provide a parade of fresh produce over most growing seasons. This can provide you with as much as three-quarters of the year where you will be challenged to make a meal out of vegetables and fruits that can help stop overeating on several fronts.

A tomato plant in a pot isn't going to cut it
You need to make a real commitment to see if you can always have something ready to eat. Especially if its the sort of food you think you'd like but haven't bothered with learning what to do with it. This can be done in a succession of plots, in a particularly sunny backyard, or even where the lawn used to be in the front.

As an added bonus, your neighbors will have a chance to see how much better you look and feel as they see you tending the garden over the course of the year.

Learning how to cook all over again
it's important that one of the things you accept when you say, "I'm going to really do something once and for all, stopping my overeating problems," is that you become flexible. You may have to learn how to do several things you thought you know, all over again. Cooking is one of them.
Ethnic foods are often a good way to learn how to use the bounty of the season. You're relying upon vegetables to require you to actually do something with them before they're fit to eat -- even if it is just a bit of washing. Go ahead and plant turnips - then learn what to do with them - the whole plant, greens and all. The result is very often a nutritious and delicious meal that you'd not have even considered, otherwise.

Eating veggies to loose weight
Just going to the bother of cooking, for most people, helps combat the tendencies to focus on calorie-dense foods that make obesity so insidious. It is also socially acceptable to eat the type of foods and amounts that make obesity such a common pitfall.
The odds of you overeating on radishes are a lot lower than those for snack-cake binging. Moreover, the consequences of a snap-pea overdose are very small compared to an ice cream pig-out.

Waste not, want not
You may be surprised at how the planning that goes into keeping vegetables and fruits into the constant rotation of your diet will really have a profound impact on what you choose to fill up on. Most people can't stand to see food go to waste, and as part of your commitment to stop overeating, you'll make a pledge to not let another vegetable languish into a puddle in the crisper drawer.

Pack a Lunch Cooler - Eat Healthier, Save Money

The carefree days when we thought nothing of splashing out on lunches every day are over. These days we are looking for ways to save money. We think twice about treating ourselves to expensive treats and look for ways to save in other areas. Insulated cooler bags can be used for just that. By packing your own food, drinks and snacks you will save money and eat healthier.

Lunch bag coolers are ideal for the busy office worker or those who travel on the job. It's so easy to run out to the closest food court, fast food restaurant or the nearest deli and grab some food but it can get very expensive and, let's face it we don't make the healthiest choices.

In this economy, it makes sense to invest in a cooler and pack your own lunch and it's so much healthier. If you have a lunch cooler bag there is no excuse.

Make it easy by preparing your lunch the night before. Maybe a Lean Cuisine/WW meal, packet of popcorn and a small packet of almonds (for that afternoon snack attack). Add some fresh fruit, yogurt or dried fruit. In the morning, pack up your cooler and head to work. Don't want processed foods?

How about a yummy sandwiches/wrap. Pre-prepared sandwiches can get soggy sometimes so below you will find some tips on the best way to enjoy a healthy, fresh sandwich. Again, this can be prepared the night before.

Tip for a non-soggy sandwich is to pack everything separate. Whole wheat bread in one zip lock. Deli meat or cheese in another. Lettuce and tomato (or veggie of choice) in another bag - (don't cut the tomato until ready to eat). So when you stop for a break, you can assemble your healthy sandwich - it will only take a minute and taste delicious and fresh! Ziplocks can be washed and re-used every day.
Remember to bring paper napkins and a knife (for the tomato and to spread mustard). Some lunch boxes come with utensils. They also have a napkin and the cutest little salt and pepper shakers. Don't forget your beverage. Water is always the best choice!

How about a Backpack Cooler combo? These bags are sporty and sleek with a large dry storage section and an insulated section on the bottom (ideal for lunch). This backpack is ideal for those on the go. If you have a lot of books or files to carry, this cooler backpack combo is ideal! The collapsible cooler bags are a favorite with those that travel throughout the day. There are many sizes and shapes to choose from.

On your lunch break, walking away from your desk is always best. It gives you a chance to breathe and really take a break. Find a nice location outside. Maybe a park bench or even a mall close to the office. Somewhere you can relax and enjoy your healthy lunch. Again, preparing your lunch the night before will make it a lot easier for you in the morning to pack your cooler. You'll save money and improve your health!