The Chef's Cookbook - Food is the only thing that truly nourishes the soul and warms the heart!

Protecting Our Kids From Food Allergies

According to a recent CDC study, 1 in 13 kids have a food allergy. Most kids tend to out grow childhood allergies, but some are not allergies at all. Food intolerance is a whole other thing. In the general population of adults and kids, about 2.5% of Americans have a food allergy. The most common [...]

You Are What You Eat

Are you getting the most out of what you eat? Most of us are not getting the remcomended amount of basic

nutrients we need for a healthy body.

Dinner In The Sky?

Dinner in the Sky is now operated in more than 15 countries and got the official authorisations from the toughest countries such as US, Canada, Australia, South-Africa…”

What Can You Expect From The Best Culinary Professionals?

May 22nd, 2013 user

Guest Blogger

Becoming a chef is not for everyone. Just because you love to cook and you own a great set of knives does not mean that you are ready to join the ranks of those culinary professionals. If people have learnt anything from the numerous cooking shows on TV, it is that becoming a chef is not for the fainthearted. It takes not just skills but a lot of patience and perseverance. It is a very exacting field and only the best survive. Following are some qualities that make a great chef.

Creativity

One of the most outstanding qualities of a great chef is creativity. This is the willingness to try new things and to come up with new culinary experiences. All the reputable chefs in the world have signature dishes that they have created. These are not dishes that they have adopted from someone’s recipe, but rather ideas they have developed themselves. Creativity inspires the chef to come up with a unique food presentation that will enhance the dining experience.

Passion

Like with all professions, a great chef has to be passionate about food and the cooking process. If you know how to cook, but you do not particularly enjoy cooking, you cannot be a very good chef. Passion is what drives the chefs to work under the difficult conditions in order to present their dishes to their grateful guests. Every meal they prepare is a work of art and they enjoy the entire process.

Perseverance

Chefs work under tremendous pressure, trying to produce great meals for a large number of people. The ability to work for long hours and remain focused is not easy. The cooking process can be quite repetitive and anyone without the stamina can find it dreary. The chefs have to work in the heat and remain on their feet for hours, preparing meals for large crowds. This atmosphere often leads to burnout and only the very best remain. It can take years before a chef gains prominence in the industry and many people do not have the patience required to persevere.

Good organization

A good chef has to be organized in order to get the work done efficiently. From organizing the kitchen space and cookware, to preparing all the ingredients, proper organization is necessary. Someone who has difficulty keeping his or her home kitchen running efficiently cannot hope to be successful in the professional world. The chef also has to organize all the kitchen staff to ensure that all the orders are completed effectively. Good organization will have a huge effect on the success of the business.

Attention to detail

One small detail going wrong can ruin an entire dining experience. A good chef is very particular about the details and will ensure that all the ingredients are used according to exact specifications. Cooking is an exact science that requires all the ingredients to come together just right. A good chef knows that too much or too little of an ingredient can have a huge effect on the results. Chefs who specialize in curries and other exotic foods have to be careful about everything that goes into the dish because any mistakes can have disastrous results.

Good team player

A good chef has to work well with others and realizes that he or she is part of a team. It takes many people to prepare meals in a professional setting and all the players have to work harmoniously for best results. A person who cannot collaborate or work well with others cannot become a successful chef. The TV image of a person who is rude and arrogant who bosses people around, is not the true reflection of a successful chef. In a real kitchen, there is a hierarchy that everyone respects, but there is also collaboration between all the staff.

Desire to learn

A great chef is always ready to enhance their knowledge and this means learning. Top chefs are constantly looking for ways to enhance their skills and their creativity drives them to create the next best dish. A chef who stops learning has most likely lost interest in the field.

A good chef also has to know how to multi-task in order to ensure that all the components of the meal come together successfully. Other qualities include flexibility that will include knowledge of different foods, customer focus and commitment to quality. Have you spotted a great chef yet?

About the Author

Neena James works as a chef at an award winning Indian restaurant and she enjoys being a part of the culinary field. She often blogs about it to share her thoughts with readers in free time.

Top 10 Tips and Advice for Healthy Eating

May 21st, 2013 user

guest blogger

With daily life having grown so stressful and busy these days, it becomes very hard to stick to a healthy lifestyle. Exercise, eating fresh food and balanced meals are some of the aspects of good health that we no longer have the time to take care of perfectly, so most of us end up suffering the consequences of being overweight or unhealthy!

One of the main causes of this trend is normally the increase in eating out that most of us indulge in regularly. Dining at a restaurant or ordering food to be delivered is more convenient than cooking at home, especially when busy work schedules get in the way. Taking care of health and nutrition becomes even more difficult this way.

Tips for Eating Healthy Inside the Home and Out

Whether you cook your own meals or you eat out often, there are a few simple ways to ensure that you are getting the maximum nutrition from your food. You can also avoid foods that will damage your health and fitness levels by being aware of what is bad for you. These are 10 of the best tips to improve your eating habits and help you take care of your health:

Eat Small Portions It’s always a good idea to eat smaller portions of food rather than stuffing yourself till you burst, since smaller amounts get digested more effectively. This applies to a home-cooked meal as well as the super-sized burger you’ve been eyeing at your local fast food joint!
Slow Down When you’re eating a meal, make sure that you savour every bite by chewing it thoroughly before you swallow it. Take a pause between each bite and ensure that you have no distractions, like television. This helps your food to be digested well and helps you feel full faster, so you won’t overeat!
Eat Fresh Foods As far as possible, choose fresh ingredients for your meals, since these are the healthiest. When you’re eating out or ordering food home, ask whether the restaurant or delivery chain uses fresh ingredients for items on their menu.
Avoid Processed Foods Canned and processed food items tend to have very little nutritional value and a lot of preservatives. Choose fresh produce, meats and grain instead of pre-packaged or preservative-loaded varieties.
Include Veggies and Salads While you can easily add a side dish of vegetables or fresh salads when you’re cooking at home, you can also include these while eating out. When placing an order, ask for extra veggies on the side and offer to pay for them. Most restaurants will not charge you for this and you can balance your meal this way.
Skip Aerated Drinks Other than the high sugar content, these drinks also damage your teeth, gums and add ‘empty calories’ to your body. Instead, keep a glass of water, fruit juice or lemonade for sipping on, with your meal or after!
Healthy Cooking There are different methods of cooking, some of which retain the maximum benefits of the food being cooked, like baking, shallow frying and steaming. These are the ones you should always pick over unhealthy ones like deep-fried and highly processed foods.
Cleanliness and Hygiene This is a factor that we can always take care of in our homes, but eating out means you may be at risk. While most food chains and eateries follow health and hygiene codes, you should always be wary when you try a new place. Ask for their health board certification and pay careful attention to the cleanliness of the area.
Watch the Add-ons Especially when you are dining out, there are likely to be a lot of additional sauces and toppings available, especially with appetizers. Skip the cheesy and creamy sauces since these are high in fat and normally include a lot of butter or oil. Instead, ask for low-fat salad dressings or salsa to accompany the meal.
Follow a Balanced Diet The inclusion of protein, grains and fibre-rich foods is recommended for a nutritious meal, so avoid ordering only high-carb foods. Include fish and other food rich in ‘good’ fatty acids since these can help you maintain your health!

If you keep these tips in mind, you can eat healthy even if you are not cooking at home. Always visit the websites of takeaway Edinburgh restaurants or delivery chains and view the ingredients and cooking processes for their menu. Remember, it’s fine to opt for your favourite pizza delivery Edinburgh as long as you ensure that you are getting a healthy version!

So, Do You Have The Best Espresso Maker Around?

May 18th, 2013 user

dadskitchen

If you have become an espresso fanatic like me, then it is only in order that you consider making an investment in a good espresso maker. However, with the many types being sold in the market today, you may end up getting confused as to which to purchase. Fortunately with the following tips, you can be able to make the right choice that best fits your coffee making needs and expectations.

Ease in cleaning

A good machine for making espresso should be easy to use as well as clean. With this in mind, purchase one that has a removable filter basket. You should also be able to read the water level gauge easily. There are some machines that have filters that can be reused and thus excusing you from regular purchasing of paper filters. Mineral deposits which are present in water can slow the brewing cycle but with a good cleaning indicator light, you can be able to tell when it is appropriate to remove the residue.

Available features

You should choose a machine that has the features that you regularly need when brewing your espresso. A machine that has a timer that can be programmed enables you to begin your brewing before getting up in the morning. With automatic machines, you will not need to be worried about switching it off when your favorite espresso is ready. Note however, that the type of a grinder that comes with your machine will greatly influence the flavor of your espresso. Also note that the number of added features a wanted machine has can actually increase its buying price.

Type of carafe

The temperature of resultant espresso will be determined by the type of carafe you machine comes with. A machine that has a glass carafe that sits on a hot plate tends to keep the beverage warm. Also a coffee maker which has carafe that is thermal does not require a hot plate since it is capable of keeping the espresso hot until the required time. Make sure however to carefully read the reviews before buying since the machines that have thermal carafe differ.

Preferred type

Machines for making espresso come in a wide range of brands and models. Nonetheless, the ideal choice depends on an individual’s preference. Note however, the higher the resultant making pressure, the more quality espresso beverage you get. Electric espresso machines that use steam generated from heated water do not produce strong enough pressure to produce a beverage that is of excellent quality. If you are for high quality espresso, then consider an electric espresso machine that uses a powered pump to create high water pressure. Though this machine type tends to be noisy and bulky, it produces the best espresso you can ever get.

Channel Your Inner Brit With A Traditional Cream Tea!

May 17th, 2013 user

Guest Blogger

The Brits are renowned for their love of tea and it is a staple feature in most English people’s daily routine. There’s no problem that can’t be solved over a good old cuppa and the sheer range of teas available mean that there is something for everyone – even decaffeinated versions are available.

The West Country, namely Devon and Cornwall, in particular have an obsession with a cream tea. Garden parties, fetes and picnics are not complete without the traditional cream tea. No tea room worth its salt in the West Country would dare not to have a cream tea on the menu and they all have their special variations. But what exactly is it? It is far more than a cup of tea – it’s a ritual! We’ll tell you all about it so you can recreate it at your next party.

Crème De La Cream Tea

In its essence, a cream tea is made up of a cup of tea (naturally), and served with a large scone. The scone is presented with a large dollop of clotted cream followed by an equally large spoonful of strawberry jam. However this order is hotly debated as some people believe the jam should go on first! A jam and cream scone goes beautifully with a hot cup of tea and it is a brilliant snack to serve at around 4pm as a refreshment before dinner. History tells us that the Brits were enjoying cream and jam on a scone or bread as far back as the 11th century.

Serve with a Smile

The presentation of a cream tea is very important! There are regional differences – some people serve the whole scone together with the jam and cream in the middle and others serve two halves with the jam and cream on top. Whichever way you choose to do it, the important thing is that it is presented beautifully. The English like their fine bone china so to be really authentic see if you can find some fine bone crockery. Put a paper doily or serviette either underneath or beside the scone. The cup of tea should be served in a cup and saucer with the milk in a separate jug – this is because people have different preferences on how much milk they like in their tea.

Decorations

Some people add fresh strawberries to the top which makes the cream tea even more delicious! If you are feeling brave then experiment with different flavours of jam. But the essential thing is to make sure that the cream is of a very high quality – it should be absolutely fresh and melt in the mouth. The scones must still be warm from the oven and they can be either plain or have some dried fruit like currants or sultanas added.

So there you have it – all the ingredients for a fine cream tea! It must be served in the sunshine, preferably outside on a lovely mild and warm afternoon to make it feel really bona fide! Don’t forget to stick your little finger out when you drink from your cup and saucer!

About the Author

Henry Dickens, the author of this post, works for a well known company selling exotic teas such as oolong tea and jasmine green tea. His hobbies include writing blog articles and reading

My Favorite Kitchen Gadgets

May 16th, 2013 user

Sally Brown

Toaster Oven

There are some kitchen gadgets that I could never live without. You may think this is old fashioned, but I couldn’t live without my toaster oven. I know, “Everyone has a microwave now. What do you need a toaster oven for?”

Why do I prefer a toaster oven?

Well, I’ve read a lot about microwaves, and I personally don’t have one in my house because I’m not convinced they are safe. We get plenty of micro ‘waves’ when we have x-rays, MRI’s or Cat Scans. I just prefer to use the toaster oven for these reasons:

· It cooks like a regular oven.

· The food tastes better than microwave.

· The nutrients in the food are retained more than with a microwave.

· It is easier to clean than my big oven.

· It is versatile – though it takes longer to heat than a microwave

In fact, I hardly ever use my large oven unless I am doing a lot of baking or cooking a big meal. In the past, there was no such thing, and cooks had to use the large oven for all their backing.

I’ve used many brands of toaster ovens, and some are better than others. The last one I purchased didn’t last very long, and I’m now searching for another one. I use it every day, and it uses a lot less energy than the large oven.

Apple Corer

I love to eat apples, make applesauce, apple pie, strudel, and so on. However, I don’t like to core the apple. I was at my friend’s house one day, and he showed me this gadget he couldn’t live without. I used it and was immediately in awe of how easily it worked and how quickly I could core the apple. I bought one for my kitchen and love it. It takes the work out of preparing apples for anything.

Stainless Steel Cookware

I prefer to cook with stainless steel pots and pans for several reasons:

1. They heat the food more evenly, and can take a higher heat if needed.

2. Browning meat is much better when using stainless steel.

3. I can use stainless steel utensils and not worry about the plastic or wooden spoons chipping. (I did have a wooden spoon that would allow me to get my children’s attention. They usually kept it hidden on me.)

4. The non-stick coating on some pots and pans will chip off and can’t be used with higher heats.

5. If I use a non-stick spray, the food won’t stick with stainless steel.

6. They are sturdy, easy to clean and remain shiny when cleaned regularly. (I still have some Farberware pots, pans and utensils that I received for my wedding over 40 years ago.)

These are some of my favorite gadgets to use in the kitchen and you can find all of them at The Good Guys. However, I have many others that I truly love: where would we be without the electric mixer? Or the crock pot? Needless to say, cooking and baking is much easier today than when I was growing up.