Saturday, February 27, 2010

If You Like Spaghetti Carbonara Then You'll Like This !

By Steve S Lobston

Spaghetti, Carbonara is an Italian pasta dish based on eggs, pecorino romano, guanciale, and black pepper. The dish was established in the middle of the 20th century.

The recipes vary, though all agree that cheese (Parmesan, pecorino, or a mixture), egg yolks (or whole eggs), cured fatty pork, and black pepper are fundamental. The pork is fried in fat (olive oil or lard); a mixture of eggs, cheese, and butter or olive oil is combined with the hot pasta, cooking the eggs; the pork is then put into the pasta. Guanciale is the most traditional meat, but pancetta is also used. In the US, it is quite often made with American bacon.

Cream is not prevalent in Italian recipes, but is used in the United States, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Australia and Russia (especially in Moscow). Other Anglo/Franco variations on carbonara may well include peas, broccoli or other vegetables added for colour Another American version includes mushrooms. A good deal of these preparations have more sauce than the Italian versions.

In all versions of the recipe, the eggs are added to the sauce raw, and cook (coagulate) with the heat of the pasta itself.

Try this spicey version !

This spicy interpretation of spaghetti carbonara is made with common ingredients including bacon, garlic, black pepper, red pepper, parmesan cheese, olive oil, cream, and eggs.

Serves 8

Ingredients for Spicy Spaghetti Carbonara:

1 pound bacon (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)

2 pounds spaghetti or other pasta

2 pasteurized eggs (equivalent of 2 eggs, pasteurized)

1/8 pound grated parmesan cheese

16 ounces whipping cream (1 pint)

3 tbsp butter or olive oil (or mixture of two)

2 tsp Red Wine Vinegar

1 clove Garlic (minced)

1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper (or more to taste)

1 tbsp Black Pepper (or more to taste)

Instructions

Bring a big pot of water to a boil whilst cooking the bacon.

Cook the bacon until it begins to get crisp and most of the fat has cooked out. Drain the fat. Add the butter or olive oil, garlic, and black pepper. Contunue cooking for 3 to 5 more minutes.

Add the pasta to the water and cook as instructed. Meanwhile, add the cream and vinegar to the bacon, stir and cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens (it should be the right consistency at about the same time that the pasta is ready). While the sauce is thickening (and the pasta cooking) thoroughly blend the eggs with the red pepper and grated cheese.

When the pasta is done, drain, and put in a serving bowl. Add the egg and cheese mixture and toss. While tossing, add the bacon and cream sauce. It is tasty. Hope you enjoy !

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Monday, February 22, 2010

Chinese Clay Tea Sets: Yixing

By Gavin Coleman

Without a doubt, clay pots brew the best tea ever. Quite probably the oldest known method of brewing tea, but definitely one of the most lovely and practical ways to this day. Clay tea sets are valued all over the world for their special place in tea culture; one of beauty, design and taste.

What makes clay tea sets unique, is that the clay is very porous, as opposed to bone china tea sets, porcelain, silver, etc. This porousness actually allows the pots and cups used to soak up the tea, so that after many years of usage, it is no longer necessary to add tea to the hot water, because there are small traces of the tea in the clay. So, the pot and cups will flavor the hot water naturally. Yes. Very cool.

In addition to the most obvious benefit of clay sets, there are a few more points I would like to touch upon. When you do get a new clay pot, although it isn't seasoned to perfection yet, the simple fact that it is made of clay will enhance the color, aroma and flavor of any tea you do steep.

Clay tea sets epitomize quality and craftsmanship. They are usually delicately carved with ornate designs including depictions of Chinese life and traditions. However, these days you can find more modern versions of Yixing tea sets too. You can find them dyed different colors or even painted with modern art. Even if you never drink from your clay set, it will make for a great conversation piece.

The care and maintenance of Yixing clay tea sets is really quite simple. Never use soaps or cleansers to clean your clay set! This is probably the most important thing to remember if you own a clay tea set. Remember, anything you put in your pot can be soaked into the clay itself. You don't want you're tea to start tasting like soap. Aside from this very important factor, they really aren't much trouble at all to take care of. When finished drinking, just pour some hot water over the clay you wish to clean, and gently rinse the tea away. No scrubbing or even drying with a tea towel is recommended, just let air dry.

Another thing to note, is that you shouldn't brew more than one type of tea in your clay tea set. Most experts agree that using different flavors will cause the tea to eventually become unpredictable. This is because every tea you brew is soaked into the clay, so eventually, no matter what type of tea you brew, it will end up being some sort of a blend. Once you have mixed teas in your clay sets, it will be difficult to ever again get consistent flavor.

Finding Yixing clay tea sets is much easier now because of the internet. You don't really have to go all the way to China anymore if you want to get one. If you really like tea, you can't mess up with a clay set, and you can't get any more traditional.

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Saturday, February 20, 2010

Wonderful Healthy Protein Shake Recipes To Make Everyone's Night

By Thaya Kareeson

People are becoming more and more health-conscious. With this growing awareness of what good health can do for the average person, more and more people are working out, every day. Strenuous workouts can cause muscle depletion. One way to resolve or avoid loss of muscle mass is to enjoy some really great protein shake recipes.

One protein shake recipe that actually won a competition is the Chocolate Mint Super Shake. A quarter cup of water and five ice cubes are added to one scoop of chocolate flavoured milk protein isolate, also called MPI/Casein. Add in one third cups of cottage cheese, twenty-five grams of pecans, two teaspoons of ground flax seed and some cocoa to taste. Don't forget the two or three drops of mint extract!

Protein shakes without any additives or nothing special done to them can be pretty boring. If someone gets bored with their new healthy lifestyle, it makes it easier to slip into old bad eating habits. So, make sure that you introduce creative types of food into your diet, by using different protein shake recipes. The variety will help you stick to your muscle building or weight loss program.

Blueberry Pie is a protein shake recipe that combines a cup of frozen blueberries, a quarter cup of vanilla yogurt, one to two scoops of low-carb MRP or meal replacement protein, and a teaspoon of ground flax seeds. Add to the mix a quarter cup of whole oats and a quarter cup of crushed graham crackers, with enough cold water to keep it smooth.

Typically fruit is added to protein shake recipes to give them flavour beyond what they are naturally developed with. Both chocolate and vanilla protein shakes can help repair muscles after a hard or strenuous workout. Add berries, bananas and other fruits to liven them up. Frozen fruit also helps to thicken protein shakes when necessary.

Protein shake recipes don't always come as shakes. Protein powder can be added to cooked oatmeal, a single scoop per serving, for a change from liquid food. Also, consider taking protein shake mix as a pudding shot. Mix a scoop of protein powder with two tablespoons of fat free sugar free pudding mix, an ounce of ice water and allow it to thicken so you can eat it with a spoon. This will add around fifty calories to your usual shake, and six grams of carbohydrates, so keep that in mind while recording your food intake for the day.

Protein shake recipes can add a good serving of fruit to an already strict diet while making it just a little bit more creative. Recipes can be thicker than normal shakes if necessary, to add a good texture change. Protein powder can even be turned into a yummy desert like peanut butter balls. A half cup of all natural smooth peanut butter is mixed with a quarter cup of honey and one and one half of a scoop of your choice vanilla protein powder. Once this mixture is thick enough to roll, create one inch balls and chill them in the refrigerator. It's important to remember that this recipe and others may have a higher fat content than your usual diet.

Protein shake recipes can help make boring hum drum protein shakes into something more. The more creativity a person throws into their new healthy habits, the more likely they are to stick to them. Protein shakes are helpful in keeping a person from experiencing muscle depletion. Remember that ultimately, it's your own personal taste palette that has to be satisfied, so don't be afraid to try new recipes!

Protein shake recipes can help make boring hum drum protein shakes into something more. The more creativity a person throws into their new healthy habits, the more likely they are to stick to them. Protein shakes are helpful in keeping a person from experiencing muscle depletion. Remember that ultimately, it's your own personal taste palette that has to be satisfied, so don't be afraid to try new recipes!

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Excellent Red Wines Available In The Market

By Jack Turner

Red Wine is an excellent beverage which is made from the cultivars of European grape. Red wine has various health advantages and it can be very good for all the heart patients. Red wine includes numerous different wines with great flavor and hue. Red wine is manufactured after crushing and fermenting the skin and the body of high quality grapes. The grapes which are used for red wine are deep purple, blue and red.

If you are a Wine lover then in this article I would mainly like to tell you about the different types of red wines that are available in the market these days.

1. Sangiovese

Sangiovese is an excellent wine that comes under the category of the red wine. This wine is especially manufactured in the Tuscany and the Chianti region of Italy. It has a plum and fresh berry flavor and it is very popular in California. This wine is made with high quality grapes which include Malvasia, Trebbiano, Sangiovese and Caniolo.

2. Zinfandel

This is world famous red wine which is mainly manufactured in California. It is a rich wine with a heavy red color and it has a stimulating flavor of berry and pepper. The red skinned Zinfandel grapes have a luscious texture and a very significant taste.

3. Merlot Wine

This wine has a very soft and light taste that is why it is preferred by many people. These days it is mainly manufactured in California, Romania, Washington, Chile and Italy. This wine has a plum, herbal and black cheery flavor which is very invigorating.

4. Malbec Wine

Malbec wine is manufactured from the Malbec grape which is mainly grown in Argentina, France, Chile, California and Australia. This wine is very dark and juicy and it contains the flavor of raspberry, chocolate and plum.

5. Barbera

Barbera is a fine quality Italian Wine which mainly comes from the Piedmont region. It contains a juicy blackberry and plum taste and it is a versatile wine that it famous all around the world.

6. Syrah

Syrah wine is also known as the Shiraz wine and it is mainly produced in France's Rhone Valley, California and Australia. The Shiraz grapes have a spicy red color and it gives you the taste of pepper spice, black-fruit and black current.

7. Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a very rare variety of wine which is mainly manufactured in Oregon, New Zealand, California, Australia and France. It has an aromatic taste of strawberry, plum and cherry.

Well these are some very famous red wines that are manufactured from high quality juicy red grapes.

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Delicious Worry Free Healthy Recipes For Those With Allergies

By Chris Channing

Finding allergy free recipes is comparable to finding a needle in a haystack. It's often difficult and frustrating. Many people are allergic to some of the biggest allergens such as soy (even hidden soy), wheat, dairy, and nuts. These things are usually hidden inside foods too, so even if it isn't obviously one of the above, it could be lurking in breads and soups, and even candy.

Recipes can be found everywhere, but a cookbook usually provides a comprehensive guide to cooking meals allergy free. There are alternatives for almost everything, such as BBQ "chicken" without the chicken, soy free milk, and dairy free breads. The unlucky individuals that are allergic to everything may have a harder time, but there is still hope. Measurements and food balance is important when preparing recipes. For whatever reason, the recipe doesn't always come out as intended if you follow the rules step by careful step.

If you are up to it, the forums and websites also offer tons of experienced "allergy free eaters" that are willing to share their story and recipes too. Children will especially benefit from following allergy free recipes, especially if they are autistic or have ADHD. It can be hard to please kids though, so look for good kid friendly recipes.

Asking around is also a great way to find edible recipes that your entire family will enjoy. Allergy free recipes are not as free as allergen packed ones. You can make a wheat loaf and add all sorts of things to it, without it altering the recipe. Everything you add to a loaf of rice bread can potentially ruin the entire dish.

Once you establish a bit of recipes that are delicious and fun for the whole family, you can look to expand. You will certainly need to make amendments to certain foods in your daily life, and simply learn to like them. Despite everything you should probably plan to test some foods you probably won't like, and plenty more that you will!

Budgeting an allergy free diet can be the hardest. You must learn to spread out meals and buy the foods with the most nutrition. Generally recipes will help you target the cheapest meals and choose what works with your grocery limits. Food is amazing and can usually do much more than we expect it to. Develop allergy free meal plans using good recipes and you will be well on your way to a healthy and cheap week of meals!

Closing Comments

The fun part is learning patience and finding recipes that will make your entire family happy. It doesn't need to be extravagant, but you do need to be kitchen savvy. Regardless of how the allergies started, it is crucial to your health that you avoid the major allergens that can cause health problems.

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