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…”

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.

Popcorn And Rice And All Things Nice – Healthy, Tasty Treats

May 16th, 2013 user

guest blogger

With the warm summer months approaching, it is inevitable that we all show a little more flesh. If you want to get summer ready fast, then there is a healthy snack designed for you, which is both tasty and good for you.

Healthy Fast Food

Switching your diet for the better can only be a good thing. Eating lots of fruit and vegetables not only lowers your chances of developing conditions such as diabetes, but it also provides your body with the essential nutrients it needs to function. However on a daily basis, it can be hard to spend the time and money creating some delicious, yet entirely guilt-free, snacks. The key to cracking the health code and providing yourself with a tasty treat into the bargain all lies in the planning. By preparing your mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks in advance, you will be able to bypass the office trip to the vending machine quite happily. Sometimes, the answer lies in the weird and the slightly wacky. Take, for example, salad in a jar. This slightly unorthodox method of transporting food has undergone something of a popularity surge lately. By layering the meal so that the dressing lies at the bottom of the jar and the greens at the top, it ensures the salad stays fresh on the way to work. Simply transfer the contents in a bowl when lunch time rolls round and you are good to go. You could even get tasty snacks like biltong to give you energy and keep you going throughout the day.

Who Wants Popcorn for Breakfast?

Eating a little healthier does not mean you have to cut down on trips to your local supermarket, wholesaler or fishmongers. Indeed, simply swapping the foods you eat a lot of for healthier alternatives can make all the difference. Why not try making porridge your morning staple, rather than cereal? A lot of cereals come with hidden sugars, whereas porridge contains nutrients and releases energy slowly, helping to keep you feeling energetic as the day goes on. Adding some raisins or blueberries to the bowl makes breakfast even healthier. If, by the time the clock reaches mid-morning, you find yourself reaching for the crisps, reward yourself with popcorn instead. It may not have a reputation as the healthiest of snacks, but popcorn provides the salt fix we often crave without the guilt trip. Instead of the saturated fats contained in crisps, popcorn holds antioxidants, fiber and an assortment of nutrients, which are a whole lot better for your body.

Switch Up, Look Sharp

When it comes to the main meal of the day, picking healthy alternatives can be difficult. Changing the main components of dishes such as spaghetti Bolognese and shepherd’s pie cuts calories drastically; try swapping beef mince for turkey and see if you notice a difference. If you are creating a rice-based dish, then ditch the white rice and go with basmati. This alternative is digested at a slower pace, meaning you will avoid those sugar cravings later on in the evening. Pasta is another staple of many of our diets. Instead of choosing a creamy sauce, select one with vegetables; chances are it will be just as enjoyable and it will definitely save you some calories. It is not just food that needs to be looked at, but drink too. If you favor full fat milk, purchase semi-skimmed or skimmed next time you are in the supermarket. The reduction in fat is not only noticeable when you have a glass of milk, but when you are concocting milk-based sauces. Finally, try and keep your water intake up as much as possible to keep your body hydrated. Whether you are making the trip to a wholesaler or a supermarket, shopping sprees are about to get a whole lot healthier.

About the Author

Jasmin Blunt is a writer who recommends swapping your unhealthy snacks for healthier alternatives. She recommends visiting your local biltong wholesaler to get yourself some of their delicious and healthy biltong to keep you going throughout the day.

Taking Outdoor Cooking Anywhere

May 15th, 2013 user

TheSaltyChef

Portability and excellent cooking capabilities are now possible in one grill.

In the past, having a portable grill meant having an inferior grill that could only cook certain types and amounts of foods. This meant that grilling at the beach, at camping trips, and other places away from your backyard severely limited your choices for what you could eat.

Design and technology have improved recently to give us a portable BBQ grill that does everything a top of the line grill can do, and more. Increased technology allows you to take the tailgate anywhere you want to go. Having a mobile tailgate allows you to have awesome food wherever your team is playing. Just because you’re team is on the road doens’t mean you should have to miss out on amazing grilled up grub.

Some of these new features include:

- 3 cooking surfaces to prepare a variety of foods simultaneously, these include a grill, griddle, and deep fryer.

- Easy to clean surfaces: wipe down and easily dispose of excess oils and grease after you’re done cooking.

- Lightweight portability: disassembling and carrying the grill to the next location is not a hassle.

- Modern design: the grill looks great and impresses guests.

Outdoor cooking has always been easy and more fun than cooking in the kitchen. The reason so many love to barbecue is because it offers a sense of freedom that cooking in the kitchen just can’t do. Unleashing your creative culinary capabilities with fresh ingredients and the smoky flavors of the grill can happen just about anywhere with a great portable barbecue.

Just a few of the great ingredients that benefit from a grill include:

- Grilled and glazed fruits like peaches, pineapples and bananas

- Breakfast griddle favorites like pancakes, bacon, and eggs

- Deep fried onion rings, french fries, and other crispy sides

- Slow cooked brisket and smoky ribs

- Flatbread pizza with grilled toppings and cheese

-Fresh caught fish cooked quickly and simply to enhance flavor

Bring along your favorite recipes and try out new ones wherever outdoor adventures take you. Being outdoors no longer means having your food choices limited by the equipment you bring. There’s nothing better than having a great meal ready after a long day of hiking, surfing, or exploring the outdoors. Food comforts and renews the body and soul. Sometimes when you’re away from home, having a favorite dish can make everything that much better.