Every region of every country has their own unique specialties that have added to the wonderful world of cuisine and to the variety of cooking products. Of course, cooking is also a very basic part of everyone’s daily life and is essential to staying healthy and happy.

rice cookers
As a result, there are all types of products on the market for cooking to help people with all of their cooking tasks, from the daily chores of cooking for a family to creating savory delights from a new bestselling cookbook.

From rolling pins, to fish cookers, to pasta makers, to electric deep fryers, no matter what it is that you plan to be cooking up in the kitchen there are plenty of different types of cooking equipment, utensils and accessories to be found.

Usually when one thinks of cooking products, the mind immediately latches onto the thought of some of the most common types of home kitchen appliances, such as slow cookers, rice cookers, euro pro deep fryer and other small cooking aids. Commercial kitchens also have many of the same types of slow cookers, but they are generally larger and they are built for heavy usage.

Some of the most popular products for cooking are those appliances that simply make cooking tasks simpler and more efficient. There are a number of different types of food cookers that are specially designed to excel in preparing certain types of foods. These come in particularly handy for busy working moms and can save a great deal of time in the kitchen, especially when a certain food is part of a family’s regular menu.

electric fryers
The most popular types of these specialty cookers include fish cookers, egg cookers, and rice cookers. These are all widely available in most kitchen supply stores and through catalogs and on the internet. For any family that eats a lot of any of these foods, one of these specialty food cookers can be a great time saver and can make meal preparation go more smoothly.

Another very popular type of cooker that can be used to prepare many different types of cuisines is the slow cooker. Slow cookers allow a person to put the essential ingredients for a meal into the main cooking dish and then leave it to cook at a low heat for a number of hours.

fish fryers
In many cases, working mothers make use of these by starting a meal in the morning before leaving for school and work. Then, at the end of the day, the family can walk into the house and be greeted by the aromas of a delicious meal that is hot, fresh and ready to eat. The only thing that is left to do is serve up the meal.

Even though this does require some preparations in the morning, when cooking with slow cookers, there are a number of benefits that families enjoy, including having the meal ready as soon as everyone arrives back home after their busy days. It is no wonder that slow cookers have been some of the best selling cooking products for decades now.

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To start your cake business from home you will just need the essentials including basic equipment, baking supplies and of course elbow room! You should also designate an area that can be used for baking supplies. Extra storage space goes a long way in this business.

It is helpful for some people to take baking classes prior to starting a cake decorating. Or they may feel comfortable enough just from their previous experience of baking cakes and so can get started immediately.

Keep in mind that working from home does take self discipline and ongoing motivation. If you are passionate about baking cakes and decorating them, this should not be a problem. Here are some great features and positive aspects of having your own home business.

Set your own schedule

When you first begin working from home take things one baby step at a time. Set up a schedule where you work and try not to go outside of this time frame. The last thing you want is to get burn out early on. You need to balance things well in order to be successful and be able to stay committed.

Low Expenses

The costs are a lot lower since you do not have to rent a shop, hire employees, renovate the building, deal with inspectors and so much more that goes into running an ‘out of house’ store. Still once your business takes off you just might wish to upgrade to a larger area, or a walk-in store.

Home with the Children

If you have kids being a work at home mom is a success in itself. Your kids will not have to go into daycare and you will be at home when they need you.

You set the Times

You can see potential customers at your home on your schedule. Allowing for walk-ins is really not a good idea since this is your home and not just a place of business. However, develop a good scheduling system where you allow clients to come over, look at your samples and discuss what it is that they have in mind.

There are many more advantages to working from home that you will quickly discover. It truly is an incredible experience, and one that you will be proud of.

Minimal Risk

Since it doesn’t cost much to get started if you decide that it isn’t for you, you lose nothing but time. There are very few businesses where this is the case.

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First, no Outdoor cooking would be complete without guests and proper outdoors weather. Plan ahead of time, checking with your potential guests for scheduling conflicts and issues. Finding a date and time that is suitable for everyone should not be to hard as long as you everyone enough advanced notice. Alternatively, be sure to check the weather for that type of year. If you live in a climate that cannot be predicted, then you may want to have a backup plan just incase unusual weather comes. You cannot predict things like rain and thunderstorms ahead of time, but you can make sure that you hold you barbeque during the time of year that will be pleasant to your guests. A outdoor fireplace cooking do not work as well in cold weather and may hold more negative memories of trying to cook rather then good memories of family and friends.

Outdoor cooking has been around since early cavemen figured out that food tasted great after being cooked on an open fire. Perhaps one of the main memories attached to a family barbeque is what was on the menu that day. Barbequing opens a whole array of types of foods available. The type of foods you serve should largely depend on your crowd and the event in which you are celebrating. With the wide range of possibilities, you are sure to find at least a few items that will please your crowd.

Make sure that you prepare ahead for your barbeque. 12 to 24 hours before you plan on beginning the party, make sure to thaw, prepare, and marinate the meat you will be cooking. Once you have the meat stored away, soaking up the marinate, then you must start thinking about what types of side dishes you will be having. If you want a completely tradition barbeque, you may want to stick with traditional sizes. Traditional barbeque sides include potatoes and potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw. Your traditional condiment bar should include pickles, relish, and onions. These foods are typically severed at barbeques because they are easy to prepare and store until the event happens. You may want to cook other items, but any barbeque is complete with just the items listed above.

A themed barbeque may present more opportunities to hold a festive event. With a themed event, you can splurge on the atmosphere and decorations. Matching tablecloths, napkins, and plates can be found at any local store. You can also match your décor to the party. For example, a luau could simply be creative colored utensils, leis, and Tiki torches, all of which are extremely cheap. You can even reuse the Tiki torches later!

Your party area should be set up before guest arrive. It only takes a few minutes to get everything ready, but the reaction you get from your arriving guests may make you feel like you were preparing and decorating all day. Depending on the situation, you may or may not want to have the food already cooking on the grill. The smell will surely be inviting if you start cooking ahead!

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Cooking does not have to be complicated. There are free recipes everywhere, from the grocery store to the internet. Most dishes are not hard to make nor do they require ingredients not found in most grocery stores. All healthy cooking begins with a few basic items that every kitchen should have. Cooking utensils make the top of the list. There is no cooking class performed without some basic tools.

healthy cooking
We watch television cooking shows and are envious at the gadgets and professional equipment at the chef’s fingertips. Yes, it would be nice to have a set of titanium knives but they are not a necessity. The only piece of equipment that should only have one use is the fire extinguisher. As you progress in skill then you will have the knowledge to know what pieces of equipment suit you best.

Once you have assembled all of the basic kitchen items you will need, it is time to find recipes that you want to try. Remember to start small and work up from there. Cooking does not have to be complicated. Beginning chefs often make that mistake. They find an elaborate recipe and then become discouraged when it does not turn out the way it should. Just remember to take it slow, make it simple and try to enjoy yourself.

cooking baking
The kitchen is stocked and the recipes are out. You have ventured into the world of culinary delights and cooking classes. It may not always turn out like you want but the important thing is that you did try. Cooking is a common bond and brings us closer together. It may be a simple cocktail party or an elaborate Christmas dinner. The point is people gathering together to nourish their bodies and their spirits.

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Fillets are the traditional option, but you have the choice of many other products as well. Starting with smoked salmon fillets, we will then move onto the variety of other smoked salmon gifts available to choose from online. With so many products, there’s something for everyone.

Served heated or chilled, smoked salmon fillets are a gourmet favorite. Called lox when served cold, their amazing flavor is often used to complement a bagel topped with cream cheese, tomato, and capers. It’s an amazing breakfast, and also makes an excellent brunch, with it’s great flavor and bold red color.

As dinner, pepper smoked salmon are delicious when served warm. They are an excellent main course or addition to a dinner salad. Smoked salmon fillets, whether warm or chilled, are a gourmet gift that’s sure to bring a smile to any face.

For a quick snack on the run, try smoked salmon sticks. A hit with both kids and adults, they’re ready to eat, and make a great addition to any lunch. They’re a smoked salmon gift that’s a tasty treat that gives you a burst of energy to finish your day.

For the busy mom on your list, try canned smoked salmon. Ready to eat, canned smoked salmon is a fast way to make a gourmet meal, and there will be plenty left over to save for next time. And best of all, it takes no effort on your part!

If you love to snack, smoked salmon spreads are an excellent option. Smoked salmon’s vibrant, bold flavors are mixed with many other great tastes to create an excellent spread. Try a spread on crackers, or with a bagel, and your taste buds will thank you.

For the snacker in your life, try a smoked salmon spread. A mix of the great taste of smoked salmon with other amazing flavors. They taste great on breads, on crackers, and will be sure to please everyone who likes smoked salmon.

When selecting your smoked copper river salmon, you will have so many to choose from that you might want to try one of everything. They’re an upscale gift that’s a surprising choice, sure to be loved by all!

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cooking tips
30 minute meals are not impossible and are a great answer to the hectic pace set in our lives by work, family and other obligations. Great cooking baking ideas do not have to take a long time to prepare.

A couple of cooking tips to help achieve great meals quickly are to use pre-sliced vegetables from the salad bar or already washed and bagged lettuce for a salad. You would be surprised at how much time this saves. Another tip is to use thinner slices of meat. The thinner cuts will cook in far less time. The key is to find high-quality cuts that are tender.

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Cooking tips are not just about finding ways to save time in the kitchen. One tip for preparing any recipe is to know your intended dining audience. If you are preparing a meal for a steak-and-potatoes crowd, a fish Ceviche (a raw fish-like salsa) may not go over well. This might seem humorous if it were happening to someone else but unfortunately you are left with a steaming seafood dinner only to wind up serving hamburgers at the last minute. Know who is going to be eating the meal if at all possible.

Food and healthy cooking can be as complicated or as simple as you want to make it. A sure recipe for disaster is to attempt a new recipe while under time constraints or feeling pressured. Cooking tips mean nothing if there is not a desire to create. Cooking is an art and one that takes time and practice in order to master. The greatest cooking tips anyone can give are ones that let you know that mistakes are inevitable but nothing is impossible.

cooking classes
All recipes come from one of two things: a need or a desire for that dish. Cooking tips can come from a variety of places. They can be found within the cooking equipment, on the internet or come from family or friends. If all else fails then pick up a cookbook or check out the internet for helpful hints and ideas. Chances are that you were not the only person to fumble over that particular attempt. Have fun with it and enjoy yourself because in the end, what matters most is the experience.

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Antioxidants

Antioxidants are very important to a person’s overall health and wellbeing. Damage to cells are caused from free radicals, antioxidants a form of phytochemicals, vitamins and other nutrients can protect the cells in the body. These free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd number of electrons and which are formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules.

Antioxidants help stop free radicals safely before they can damage vital molecules in the body.

Although antioxidant supplements are an option, getting them from real foods also provides additional nutrition. Dietary supplements are not as nutritionally effective as antioxidant-rich real foods. Surprisingly, many such foods are rather tasty to boot.

Foods high in antioxidants include berries, broccoli, tomatoes, garlic, spinach, tea, carrots, soy, whole grain, red grapes, and cabbage. Foods high in antioxidants are presently the super foods of choice and it should stay this way because this is what is going to keep people at their healthiest.

Foods with high amounts of foods rich in antioxidants are very healthy because, among other things, they fight off free radicals. This juice helps us get all the right vitamins and minerals that we need for proper nutrition.

Any fruit or vegetable that has a bright color is also high in antioxidants, also certain foods like blueberries or chocolate are even higher in antioxidants and are incredibly nutritious, but also high in oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can be harmful to the body because it binds to other valuable nutrients in food and makes them unavailable during digestion.

To live the longest and healthiest life possible it is vital that a person includes as many foods rich in antioxidants into their diet as they can.

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Fresh lobster meat is a delicious treat that many enjoy. Dripping in butter, it’s tasty plain, or on pasta. However, it can be such a pain to make! It sounds simple, but finding a fresh, live lobster is a chore if you don’t live in New England. And if you do find a healthy lobster, you still have to handle it, boil it, and clean it, just to find the little bit of meat trapped in it’s knuckles, tail and claws. It is certainly time consuming!

When you order direct from Quality Fresh Seafood, you get the fresh lobster meat that you’ve been craving, without all of the hard work! And the best part is that no one needs to know. Use the hours you would have spent boiling and cleaning lobsters getting ready, and before you know it, you’ll have one to two pounds of fresh lobster delivered right to your door. It’s great for gatherings, or last minute visits by relatives.

Whatever type of fresh lobster meat you’re looking for, we have the right options for you. For small chucks of Live Maine lobster for cooking, try our one and two pound packages which include meat from the tail, knuckles, and claws of the lobster. These pieces are the perfect size to pop in your mouth, or to include in an appetizer or soup. They’re also guaranteed to be delicious! Whatever dishes with lobster that you can imagine, you’ll now be able to easily create with our delicious lobster meat!

When you are planning a dinner party, you want to impress and save time! Imagine trying to clean a dozen lobsters, just for the tails. Where would you find that many Fresh lobster! And even if you did, how would you keep them alive? Not to mention the pounds of excess lobster meat you’d have to crack out from its shell and store! Don’t worry about all of that work! Just order your fresh lobster meat tails from Quality Fresh Seafood and let us do all the work for you!

We at Quality Fresh Seafood are committed to giving you the best fresh lobster meat that we possibly can. When your order comes it, it is boiled right away, and packaged fresh, so that you’ll receive it the next day. That way you’ll know that the lobster you’re eating is as fresh as if you’d boiled it yourself, and without the hassle. Don’t waste time and money going to an expensive restaurant for a few ounces of old lobster. Treat yourself to fresh lobster meat from us!

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You will most definitely want everything to go as planned on your wedding day and for everything like the wedding cake to be as beautiful as possible.

The internet is a good place to start, as you will be able to get good information on cake recipes, cake decorating tips, cake decorating ideas, and even advice on where to shop for wedding cakes. The information you can get from cake decorating websites can help you out with your creative wedding cake ideas and allow you to think outside the box if necessary.

The internet is also a great method to use for getting an average wedding cake price, which is important because then you know how much of your wedding budget is going to need to go toward the cake.

Recipes

Now if you maybe want to get super creative with your wedding cake idea and just make the cake on your own, get prepared. Making a wedding cake with the ideal cake decoration is certainly not easy, which is why most couples leave it up to a professional to get the job done.

This does not mean however that it is not possible for you to do, and you can actually pull it off and create a good wedding cake idea on your own since you will likely be pouring all your heart and soul into creating it. It will even give you great joy after it is done and be able to tell your family and friends that the creative wedding cake idea came from you.

Simple Ideas

One of the most popular is the Italian wedding cake idea as this is simple to do and basically consists of coconut and pecans. It may however may not be ideal for all your guests as they may not be able to eat ingredients such as these so you will most likely need to stick to a basic recipe for your wedding cake. It may even be better for you to make use of a basic wedding cake recipe if you have never made a wedding cake before, and more so if you haven’t made any cakes at all.

It make seem that a wedding cake is just a larger version of any ordinary cake, however the wedding cake has a lot more detail and work that goes into it and the recipe used tend to be more extravagant. Before your start off, you will need to make sure that the recipe is handled before you even begin in the cake creation and preparation. Do not forget that if you are unsure of anything in the cake decoration or preparation process that you should as for help.

Involving your family and friends in your wedding cake creation is a great idea, since they will be able to feel the same way passion as you would and feel more a part of the wedding by sharing in the preparation.

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Uses of tahini in cooking
tahini sesame paste is a main ingredient in many Middle Eastern dishes of which Hummus is the most well known dish where it is the most important ingredient right after the chickpeas. Hummus or humus is an Arab dip or spread made of cooked and mashed chickpeas in combination with tahini. tahini is often used in combination with lemon juice, salt and garlic to create a sauce or dip.

tahini is making its way into the European kitchen where it is used in salad dressings or as a spread on bread or sandwiches. Due to its oily basis it can be used to replace margarine or butter.

Benefits of tahini
tahini is a source of calcium, protein and B vitamins and is a great source of essential fatty acids (EFA) which our bodies use to maintain healthy skin. Antioxidants and vitamin E in tahini help to reduce the rate of ageing of body cells and slow down the aging process.

Sesame seeds are a good source of Methionine. Methionine is an important amino acid and contributor to liver detoxification. It also helps with the absorption of other amino acids.

tahini recipes
tahini can be used in a wide range of recipes of which there are a lot to be found on the internet(sesame recipes). Most recipes are for hummus or tahini dips but feel free to experiment and you will find tahini lends itself as an ingredient in a lot of dishes and is an excellent salad dressing.

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This sweetener is gaining popularity as an incredible sweetener. It is 3 times sweeter than honey and has a very low glycemic index which makes agave nectar the ideal substitute for sugar, fructose corn syrup sweeteners and molasses. agave nectar can be used in any recipe or as a sweetener in your beverages like tea or coffee and is ideal for use in desserts and baking. Unlike sugar or honey agave nectar dissolves instantly in cold drinks.

Baking recipies with agave nectar
agave nectar can be used to replace sugar in your baking recipes. You can substitute the amount of sugar with 1/4 the amount of agave nectar. Due to its high water content however it is wise to also reduce the amount of moisture you use to compensate. When baking, lower the oven temperature by 25°F.

Agave nectar a healthy choice
In this day and age people are becoming more health conscious and are looking for save alternatives to sugar and the many artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners like the much used Aspartame can have negative effects on your health and are best avoided completely. agave nectar is a healthy alternative natural sweetener. Due to its low glycemic index it has a lower effect on your blood sugar levels. This property makes agave nectar an often recommended alternative to conventional sweeteners for diabetics.

The nectar of the agave plant
agave nectar is produced from various strains and types of the agave plant. Most commonly agave nectar is made from the blue agave plant. This is the same plant used for creating Mexico’s national drink: Tequila. When making agave nectar the plant’s leaves are removed so only the center remains. This center which looks a bit like a pineapple is called the Piña which means pineapple in Spanish. The piña is then cut and filtered to extract its juice. The juice is heated so the starches in the juice can turn to sugar. The juice is then dehydrated to form a syrup.

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Here are some of my favorite orange recipes, including one for the holidays:

ORANGE PIE

Take half a dozen Seville oranges, chip them very fine as you would do for preserving, make a little hole in the top, and scope out all the meat, as you would do an apple, you must boil them whilst they are tender, and shift them two or three times to take off the bitter taste; take six or eight apples, according as they are in bigness, pare and slice them, and put to them part of the pulp of your oranges, and pick out the strings and pippins, put to them half a pound of fine powder sugar, so boil it up over a slow fire, as you would do for puffs, and fill your oranges with it; they must be baked in a deep delft dish with no paste under them; when you put them into your dish put under them three quarters of a pound of fine powder sugar, put in as much water as will wet your sugar, and put your oranges with the open side uppermost; it will take about an hour and half baking in a slow oven; lie over them a light puff-paste; when you dish it up take off the lid, and turn the oranges in the pie, cut the lid in snippets, and set them at an equal distance, to serve it up.

ORANGE CREAM

Take two Seville oranges and peel them very thin, put the peel into a pint of fair water, and let it lie for an hour or two; take four eggs, and beat them very well, put to them the juice of three or four oranges, according as they are in goodness, and sweeten them with double refined sugar to your taste, mix the water and sugar together, and strain them through a fine cloth into your tankard, and set it over the fire as you did the lemon cream, and put it into your glasses for use.

ORANGE ALE

Take forty Seville oranges, pare and cut them in slices, the best colored Seville you can get, put them all with the juice and seeds into half a hogshead of ale; when it is tuned up and working, put in the oranges, and at the same time a pound and a half of raisins of the sun stoned; when it has done working close up the bung, and it will be ready to drink in a month.

ORANGE BRANDY

Take a quart of brandy, the peels of eight oranges thin pared, keep them in the brandy forty-eight hours in a close pitcher, then take three pints of water, put into it three quarters of a pound of loaf sugar, boil it till half be consumed, and let it stand till cold, then mix it with the brandy.

ORANGE WINE

Take six gallons of water and fifteen pounds of powder sugar, the whites of six eggs well beaten, boil them three quarters of an hour, and skim them while any skim will rise; when it is cold enough for working, put to it six ounces of the syrup of citron or lemons, and six spoonfuls of yeast, beat the syrup and yeast well together, and put in the peel and juice of fifty oranges, work it two days and a night, then tun it up into a barrel, so bottle it at three or four months old. Get personalized wine gifts here.

ORANGE FLOAT

Heat one quart of water, the juice of two lemons, and one and one half cupfuls of sugar. When boiling, stir into it four tablespoonfuls of cornstarch rubbed smooth in a very little water. Cook until the whole is thickened and clear. When cool, stir into the mixture five nice oranges which have been sliced, and freed from seeds and all the white portions. Meringue, and serve cold.

ORANGE EGG NOG (For the Holiday Spirit in You!)

Take 2 oranges, 1/4 c. cream, 1/4 c. milk, 1 egg and 1 Tb. sugar. Mix the cream, milk, egg, and sugar, beat well with an egg beater, and continue beating while adding the juice of the oranges. Serve in a glass over crushed ice.

Oranges are so versatile, there is even a home beer out, Blue Moon, that has hints of orange in the brew. I hope that you will enjoy these orange recipes and benefit not only from good tasting, tangy foods, but also get your daily dose of Vitamin C in the process!

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The Three Main Concerns
* Total Fat * Calories * Dietary Fiber

Why Read Nutritional Labels
With more and more of the population increasingly becoming overweight, there is good reason to pay close attention to nutritional values on food product labels. those of us of all lifestyles are growingly concerned about the nutritional values of the food they eat. Unhealthy diets often lead to health issues, which can be costly both financially and to our health.

Many people that have never read nutrition labels before have recently started paying more attention to them. At the very least, people are watching more closely the main three items of nutritional values- total fat, calories and dietary fiber. It would be a good idea to take advantage of these lists since most all food and supplement products are required to list them.

Reviewing Nutrition Labels
Reviewing the nutritional values can be very beneficial. A nutrition label provided by food suppliers will give you a good idea whether or not to buy the food product. Understanding what is good for you and what foods should be avoided is very beneficial. So, take the time to become familiar with your own allowable quantities of total fat, calories and dietary fiber.

Naturally, we will infrequently want to splurge and have some foods high in calories, but that is all right. Just try to eliminate them from the normal daily diet. Simply reviewing nutritional values on the product labels, you will be able to compare several name brands of one item to see which one is better for you. Remember, not all brands are created the same. Thus, before deciding on one over another because of price, be sure to compare their respective nutrition facts.

Understanding Nutrition Labels
Understanding what the food suppliers are saying in nutritional values on food product labels is important. In the beginning, it can be baffling if not frustrating trying to learn what to look out for. First, it should be understood that the numbers provided for each nutrition category are just for one serving. Should two servings be eaten, all of the nutrition numbers must be doubled.

When reading the different nutritional values, make sure you are paying close attention to the total fat, the calories, and the dietary fiber that is in each serving. These will definitely be the items to affect your health. Maintaining an awareness of the main three will give you a good start on a healthy diet plan for weight loss as well as give you the best opportunity to improve your over all health.

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Meals are one of the most memorable aspects of any camping trip and if one meal is a disaster you will never hear the end of it. I will show you how to avoid spending half the day in the kitchen and still deliver a meal that will knock their socks off. Pre planning and pre prep are a great way to buy more time for doing what you came for “Camping”. Later I will share a recipe that includes a great way to pre cook pasta. There are two methods for meal planning, the ration method and the recipe method. Today I will focus on the recipe method. I will go into depth on the ration method in a later issue. A small group in a camp setting will find the recipe method much easier to implement. If you have a very large group or need to be mobile the ration method is desirable.

Choosing your best camping recipe.

An efficient and fun way to plan your menu is to gather up all your favorite recipes and make a daily menu centered around your planned activities not worrying about space or supply restrictions. For example if you are planning some hiking, sandwiches will do the trick. If you plan to stay close to the site you can afford some more elaborate meals.

Once you have your menu, figure out what supplies you will need, then depending on your space and weight requirements adjust your menu and/or your equipment accordingly. Otherwise just creating the menu can be a real challenge. Our goal here is to have fun. This method for meal planning is an easy way to figure out what supplies you will need without a lot of size and weight calculations. There are plenty of complicated formulas you can use for meal planning and in some circumstance like backpacking or extended trips these are essential, but for the average campsite certainty not necessary.

When planning your menu include plenty of fresh water, high-energy snacks and trail foods like fresh fruit, beef jerky and granola. Stay away from things like chips, soda and cookies unless you plan on sitting around the campsite wishing you had a TV to watch.

Outdoor activities require a lot of energy and burn a lot of calories. The best way to plan healthy meals is to use the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid. Keep in mind appetites will be up so plan accordingly. Click on the link above to visit the USDA’s site. Do as much pre planning and pre prep as possible. (Say that 5 times fast) I use a lot of zip lock bags, cutting up and cooking as much as I can before I get to the site. Use a cooler to keep your perishables like milk, condiments and fresh vegetables. I use powdered milk in all my camp recipes because it is convenient to carry and easy to convert your recipe to fresh milk if you have it. I usually use fresh milk for the first few days then go to the powdered milk after we have run out. At least that is the plan.

The nice thing about the recipe menu planning method is most home recipes can be converted to outdoor recipes with very little effort. This next recipe is a perfect example of something that is equally delicious at home or out on the campsite. Note the pre planning tips that make this a quick fix without compromising on taste.

Campsite Pasta Italiano

7 to 8 oz pasta 4 Tbsp olive or peanut oil 1 lb Italian sausage cut into ½ inch pieces 1 28 oz can Italian Style crushed tomatoes (do not substitute with regular crushed tomatoes) 1 tsp garlic powder Salt and pepper Parmesan cheese

Do Ahead Tip: Cut sausage before hand and store in a zip lock bag.

Do Ahead Tip: Cook the pasta at home as directed on package. Drain and rinse with cold water. In a large bowl add pasta and 2 Tbsp oil. Toss until evenly coated, seal in a zip lock bag and store in cooler until needed.

Do Ahead Tip: Plan several pasta dishes and cook all the pasta at once. Store each portion in a separate bag. Use a permanent marker to write the name of the recipe each bag is intended for.

Before you prepare your meal remove the appropriate pasta bag from the cooler and let it reach room temperature.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet on medium high. Add sausage and brown evenly until cooked through. Drain grease; add crushed tomatoes and garlic powder. Stirring constantly bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium. Simmer until thickened about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add pasta. Mix well. If your skillet is too small to add the pasta you can mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. The heat of the sauce will reheat the pasta. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve with parmesan Cheese.

Whala! A simple delicious meal whipped up in a flash. Guaranteed to stick to the ribs after a hard days play. Don’t forget to leave some room for the S’mores. I am an avid camper with a passion for the simple life.

P.S. If you decided to put all travel burdens - meals including - on the shoulders of others, then think about getting bargain cruise deals.

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Students looking for careers and recruitment have a lot of world wide culinary schools to start their profession from, as well as regional cooking schools from which to choose. As an aspiring chef, students can choose an international cooking school or a program here in the United States, such as the California School of Culinary Arts. They can also choose from any of the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary schools found in many major cities.

Culinary programs do more than just teach you the basics of knife handling and how to make a steak properly. They can prepare you to run your own restaurant someday by teaching you accounting principles, business management and much more. These are important to learn if you ever want to be your own boss. Of course you still have to know how to cook and bake.

These programs are designed to educate you on the rudimentary skills when you first begin. After that point you will begin learning the more specialized and regional dishes that most diners expect from an accomplished chef. Dishes such as Risotto and Beef Wellington are standard fare on most four and five star restaurant menus. You need to be able to make these dishes as well as producing cheap recipes for the less glamorous bistro’s if you want to stay busy in the culinary world.

There are going to be tough times ahead while completing any one of the culinary programs found throughout the world. Culinary students do not have it easy in the culinary community. You will be competing with some of the top names in the business, such as Gordon Ramsey or Todd English. Once you have earned your culinary degree, you can achieve your dream of being a five star chef with practice, hard work and a determination to succeed. Just remember that practice makes perfect!

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Cranberries are usually harvested between September and December. Cranberry farms use a certain tool that resembles a large electric egg beater to sort through the cranberries after they are harvested. Only good quality cranberries will pass the test and be sent on to your local stores to be purchased by the consumers.

Cranberries can be used in so many different ways. The power of the cranberry is becoming part of the social network. Berries are something that is not only good but versatile. You can use cranberries for-

- Main courses: Roast Chicken and Cranberries, Salmon and Spiced Cranberry glaze, crock pot beef, and more. Make the best cranberry sauce to pour over your main dish to give it a desirable taste that you can’t get anywhere else.
- Side dishes: salads and puddings
- Desserts: There are a lot of ways to use cranberries in a dessert. Use cranberries to replace any type of berries. Truffles, cookies, cheesecake, pie, biscotti, fruit crisp, cupcakes and more.
- Appetizers: Use cranberries for Bruschetta, shrimp cocktail sauce, meatballs, glaze, finger foods and more.
- Drinks/cocktails: You can add cranberries to your favorite shake or fruit splash. Make your favorite smoothie, punch or add a kick to your next Margarita.
- Crafts: Don’t forget the fact that cranberries can be used in all types of arts and crafts so even kids can learn to like these little berries.
- Breakfast: crock pot oatmeal with cranberries is a delight.

Over the years cranberries have only been served a few different ways but it seemed as though people were afraid to experiment with them that is until today.

Cranberries for other reasons

Cranberries have also been known to help with health issues as well. For example, cranberries can help prevent Urinary Tract Infections, or UTI, kidney stones, as well as removing the toxins that may be in the blood when consumed. Because of its nourishment cranberries can also be purchased in capsule or in a concentrated liquid form for easy consumption of the right amount each day. Cranberries should not be used as the only method of curing UTI or breaking up kidney stones. Cranberries should never take the place of antibiotics and other medication that your doctor may have recommended.

Even though cranberries are part of the berry family, people still don’t like the taste of a cranberry as much. It tastes a lot better when you add it to something to get the cranberry taste that you can handle. If you want to experiment with cranberries, simply look through any cookbook to find a recipe that contains cranberries or be creative and add them to any dessert to give it a different taste.

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Chinese Food
The common idea, binding the regions together, is that meals should be pleasing to the eye, be healthily balanced and contain the best, fresh ingredients available. Traditionally, dishes are accompanied by drinking hot tea or hot water, to aid digestion. However, beer and soft drinks with meals has become commonplace in recent years. Meat is very often in the form of chicken and pork. Beef is used too and is sliced very thinly. Vegetables have always been a mainstay of Chinese food and there is a large variety to choose from. As the standard of living has improved, meat has become a larger part of working people’s everyday diet.

One of the most popular international menu choices is Sweet and Sour Pork. Beef is often cooked with noodles, black bean sauce or cashews. Chicken recipes include Lemon Chicken, Honey Chili Chicken or Chicken with Lychees. Chinese food dishes are normally served with bowls of rice or noodles, depending on the region. Vegetables are never overcooked and taste crisp and fresh. The most common vegetables in use include green beans, mung bean sprouts, eggplant, zucchini, and mushrooms. There is also Chinese cabbage, Chinese broccoli and bok choy.

Seafood also has a long tradition in the cuisine, particularly in coastal districts. Both freshwater and deep-sea fish dishes are popular in Chinese food. Prawns, crab, shark fin, squid and scallops are all favorite ingredients. Very often, meals include a steaming hot bowl of soup. Soup is especially welcome in the cold, Chinese winters and is a good way of using up leftovers. Stock is usually made from meat, chicken or vegetables. Sweet Corn Soup is a favorite in the West as is Szechwan Soup, made from ham, pork, mushrooms, red pepper, prawns and chicken stock. One of the most popular regional cuisines internationally, is Cantonese cuisine. These dishes are normally meat or poultry based but do include Shark Fin Soup and Steamed Sea Bass. Cantonese cooks like to stir fry, sauté, steam or deep fry. Chinese food uses soy sauce, rice vinegar or oyster sauce rather than spices to give flavor. More on Searches101.

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Below let me share with you some great salmon recipes you can always try cooking because they are easy to prepare and very affordable.

baked salmon recipes : BAKED SALMON IN SOUR CREAM
2 pounds of salmon fillets
3/4 cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tbl. all-purpose flour
2 tbl. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. dill weed
paprika
8 oz. cream cheese
1 clove fresh garlic (pressed)
1/3 cup white wine

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9×13″ baking pan. Arrange
fillets in pan in a single layer. Blend sour cream, mayonnaise, flour,lemon juice, dill, cream cheese, garlic and wine with a whisk.

Spread mixture over salmon fillets. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and paprika (to taste). Bake, uncovered for approximately 15 minutes or until fish flakes when checked with a fork. Makes about 4 servings.

DEEP FRIED SALMON

Ingredients:

2 cups biscuit mix
1 tsp. dried dill weed
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 cups (16-ounces) beer or lemon-lime soda
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 to 3 pounds salmon fillets cut into serving-size pieces
Additional biscuit mix

Procedures:

In a large mixing bowl, combine mix, dill weed, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper together. Add beer and eggs and mix well. Dredge fish fillets in additional biscuit mix and immerse in the prepared batter. Refrigerate fillets in the batter for 20 to 30 minutes. Heat deep-fat fryer to 375 degrees.

Remove fillets from the batter one at a time, allowing excess batter to drip off. Fry 2 to 3 fillets at a time in the hot oil until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. (Over-crowding will result in reduced temperature of the oil causing the fish to absorb the oil and become greasy.) Drain on paper towels. Serve hot. Serves 6 to 8.

DELICIOUS SALMON CASSEROLE

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cans (6 ounce) tuna, drained
[or 1 can (14.75 ounces) salmon, drained and boned]
1 small can of peas, drained
4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
5 tbl. butter
1/2 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup onion, sliced
1/4 cup unsifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 1/2 cups milk
3/4 cup sharp Cheddar cheese, grated

Procedures:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook sliced carrots as usual and drain. Set aside. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside. In 2-quart casserole dish, combine macaroni with tuna, carrots and peas. Mix well. Melt butter. In small bowl, mix one tablespoon of melted butter with bread crumbs. Set aside. Using remaining 4 tablespoons of butter; and in a pan, saute onion until golden (about 5 minutes). Remove pan from the stove. In the same pan, add flour, salt and pepper. Stir until smooth. Then gradually stir in milk.

Replace pan on stove. Bring milk mixture to a boil. Boil for one minute. Reduce heat. With pan still on stove, add cheese. Stir mixture until cheese is melted. Pour cheese sauce over the tuna mixture in the 2-quart casserole dish. Mix well. Sprinkle buttered crumbs over top of casserole. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden-brown.

For more easy, healthy and exciting salmon recipes on a fixed budget like salmon croquettes recipes, visit our blog at http://www.howtocooksalmon.blogspot.com. Learn lots of easy ways how to cook salmon and never let yourself run out of salmon receipes again. Feel free to also check out our collections of easy salmon recipes videos all in one place at http://www.ezpcprofit.com/howtocooksalmon

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A definite way to impress your family and friends is to cook copy cat recipes at home. Everyone can enjoy their favorite dishes at suppertime and at parties and all it costs you are for the ingredients. There are different places on the web that offer restaurant copycat recipes. Generally they are put into downloadable ebooks and may have a range of recipes from various sources and restaurant chains. One of the aggrevating things is that ebooks can not be updated and are often times outdated or incomplete. Popular copycat restaurant recipes from well known chains in America that you should expect to get are: Applebee’s, Chili’s, McDonalds, KFC, Boston Market, Hard Rock Café, Joe’s Crab Shack, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse and many more.

Many people are offering what are called Copycat Restaurant Recipes, which are reverse engineered recipes with alot of research from contributing authors and chefs. This allows recipes of previously secret dishes to be engineered and recreated for you to use. Some common copycat restaurant recipes are really very close in taste to the original restaurant recipes. So close actually, that you would swear you’re eating the real dish!

So what does this all mean? It’s Simple friends, if you can get the copy cat recipes you want, you can easily prepare these meals at home that taste as good as your favorite restaurant dishes.

Not only can you impress family and friends when you cook copycat restaurant recipes…you can save a lot of money. When you are typically eating out 3 times a week with a family at these popular restaurants, you are spending a bunch of money every year. Cooking restaurant copycat recipes from home will save you a lot of money after a while.

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It is fortunate that Sydney entrepreneurs don’t have to go through the same stressful experience that others will.

Having the Catering Equipment Warehouse within reach, people seeking a great deal on trendy equipment of superior quality happily find good prices along with a gorgeous range of the best equipment to choose from. Ovens with large volume capacity, cookware specially manufactured for the hospitality business, stylish uniforms, lustrous glassware, classy utensils and specialized bar equipment are competing for the discerning buyer’s attention.

For the start up restaurateur on a shoestring budget, the used equipment section promises amazing bargains on well maintained, modern restaurant equipment. There are cook tops - like the ROBAND 13 Countertop Hot Plate - which comes with a warranty of three months., grills, mixers, convection ovens, and a host of other necessary products.

Adding value to the transaction is the online functionality and automation of the shopping experience. Purchasers of catering and other restaurant equipment that register for an account at the Catering Equipment website are eligible to receive between 10 and 25% off!

In addition, the internet availability makes these products more easily reasonably priced and obtainable to astute restaurateurs from all across the country, and since the freight companies used — Hunter Express, Clipper,Couriers Please, Mail Corp, and TNT. — have great reputations for providing reasonably priced yet excellent delivery of any catering equipment ordered, fitting out an eatery is definitely a lot more easily achieved.

Take a look at the products on the Catering Equipment website now, then you’ll see why so many members of the hospitality industry swear by their products and would not consider ordering their restaurant equipment from anyone else.

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Many people feel that hypnosis works and is thus an effective weight loss solution. Others argue that attempting weight loss with hypnosis isn’t a good idea, whilst some feel it a natural and viable option.

However, hypnosis is obviously a very personal decision and may be a good option for you if you often find yourself thinking “I wish I could look like that” when looking at your thinner friends.

Many people who want to lose weight but are tired of endless dieting may choose to hire a hypnotherapist to aid them in hypnosis for weight loses. They are able to get to utilize hypnosis to relax the mind and suggest things to make you desire less sugar and carbohydrates.

Hypnosis for weight loss is even something you can do on your own privately at home. Self-hypnosis kits are available that will help you achieve a trance and make the suggestions to you. So far there are no studies that show self-hypnosis is any more or less effective than hypnosis done by a professional.

You use hypnosis to basically fool your brain into thinking that you want to eat less and exercise more often. Hypnotherapists place subconscious suggestions like these into your mind, so that you prefer fruits and vegetables to red meat and fatty foods.

However, using hypnosis for weight loss may not be as helpful as once thought, according to some new studies. There is some concern that this could ultimately harm the way the patient eats, and cause them to become worse.

Hypnosis can help to retrain your sub conscious mind to build better eating habits. It can alter your thinking, giving you a fresh outlook on your weight loss goals and eating habits and thus help you may be beneficial in your weight loss program alongside other techniques.

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For a lot of years, campfire cooking was considered the typical thing to do when on a camping trip but several changes have occurred with respect to safety. These include things such as; where the fire can be built, the proximity to other campsites as well as dried brush and grasses nearby. Recently the amount of available firewood has decreased dramatically, so much so that many campsites now require campers to supply their own logs and kindling.

There are some times and places where campfire cooking is expressly out of the question. If surrounding brush is extremely dry for instance, and a wind is blowing. Sparks from the campfire could ignite a brush fire ruining your camping trip, along with that of many others. Forestry Services will sometimes issue a high fire danger warning and no open fires will be permitted. This is not intended to ruin your fun but to keep you safe. And always be sure to build your fire with clean, dry wood. Chopping off a few branches from nearby trees will not get the job done and you may well manage to kill the tree, don’t do it. Plus if you actually get the fire started, it will produce so much smoke that you won’t be able to get near the fire and it may well ruin the taste of the food.

If the campground doesn’t have burning rings or fire-pits, your campfire can be built on bare earth, with no vegetation covering which can possible start a ground fire. Use a shovel to dig a small hole and be sure there are no roots showing. Then build a U-shaped fire pit of stones with one larger stone, approximately three times the height of the side stones to act as chimney. The smoke will naturally go towards that end and be lifted above the campfire.

If there are not enough stones to line the spot for campfire cooking, you can also use green logs but be sure to keep them watered down to prevent them from becoming dried out by the fire and bursting into flames!

Usually there is access to a metal grill to place across the fire on which to rest a pot for boiling water, frying pan and other cooking utensils. If no grate is available, steel tripods can be set over the fire to hold a pot for boiling water, making stew or any one of various single pot campfire cooking recipes you can find. You can also bring along your own grill. When you are finished cooking and ready for bed, the fire must be clearly out. If built on the ground it may take more than bucket of water, but lugging two or three buckets of water can be better than finding your campsite on fire in the middle of the night. Pour some of the water on the coals then stir around with a stick. Add more water and stir again. Repeat this until you are sure the fire is out. Have fun. I hope you enjoyed these cooking safety tips.

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Whether you are a breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert lover, Cuisinart has every kind of product you could want. A food processor is the most popular item they sell, but they have upgraded in the last 30 plus years to a huge variety of products. Today they offer baking collections, coffee collections and other items that every kitchen needs. For the cook that has it all, there are fun little gadgets to add to any kitchen collection. Electric can openers and hand mixers, ice cream makers and specialty appliances, including cookware, make a trip to the website or any store carrying this brand a fun trip. Price wise, some of the products can put a decent dent in your purse, but the quality of the products is outstanding and, therefore, is worth the cost.

The customer service department and products that this company makes all get rave reviews. If a part is missing or broken, the website and customer service department make it easy to find the replacement. The products not only add ease to creating meals and desserts in the kitchen, but they can add a special touch to any kitchen decor. Cuisinart products put a smile on any cooks face. You never know … the product you purchase as a gift may just be the very thing they’ve been waiting for.

So, whether it’s you, someone you love, or maybe just a neighbor who brings you food occasionally, surprise him or her with a beautifully crafted and visibly creative product from Cuisinart. It is sure to make their day and put a smile on their face every time they step into their kitchen to cook or bake foods made from the heart. Choose from baking tools, non stick cookware and much, much more to find the perfect gift for them, decorative touch to your kitchen or awesome product to splurge on for yourself. Regardless of what you choose, any of their products will take the headache out of any day in the kitchen.

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Now in addition to serving various drinks to the guests who come to the wet bar asking for drinks, a bartend will also see that underage kids are not allowed to come and get the alcoholic drinks that are stocked in the various shelves of the bar. A bartend will sometimes show off their skill with some flair bartending. This while it is really interesting should not become the life and soul of the party.

A bartend will also have to have a wide knowledge and grasp of the many cocktails and shooters, shots and the current alcoholic favorites to the day. Having such a bartend at your party can make life easy for the host and hostess as they can be assured that their guests alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages are being seen to.

Now as there are many bartenders who can give you the service that is expected you will need to find a reputed bartend who can give a high degree of service while keeping the drink service going smoothly. At your party you will expect that the bartend will see that the guests have enough drinks to keep them in a festive party mood without letting your guests turn unruly from an excess of alcohol.

For this reason you should hire a professional bartend who knows the various laws regarding alcoholic drinks. With such a bartend you can ask them to inform you if any of the guests are beginning to show signs of being drunk. In addition a bartend who will not back down in the face of an aggressive guest but deal with them quietly and smoothly is for many hosts and hostesses a godsend.

So the next time that you are planning a party you should look for a great bartend who can not only serve all of the current drink mixes but one who has other great characteristics also. These will naturally include a cheerful outlook on life, a wide knowledge and experience of alcoholic beverages and a superb manner with your guests. After all in the world of parties having a bartend who is in the know will guarantee the success of your party.

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Just in Google! Yahoo! returned 17,800,000 results, and msn returned 10,200,000. And 6 of the first 10 results from each search engine were different. At this point, I’m already thinking that this may not be the best way to find the perfect recipe for apple pie.

If you love apple pie as much as I do, you’ve spent some time looking for the perfect recipe. And how do you know it’s the best? You try it, of course.

As in: you use the recipe to bake an apple pie, then eat some and see what you think. So, if you’re searching online using the phrase above, you’d need to bake 22 apple pies (which would take over 3 weeks, if you only baked one a day) just to get through the first page of search results on the top 3 search engines.

I figured there had to be a better way.

So I went back to my search results and, to maximize my chances for success, I only counted recipes from recipe sites that made it into the first 2 pages of results (I realize this is an arbitrary cut off point, but there are millions of results, I’m only one person, and only so many days when apples are in season). That meant I’d only need to test 14 recipes.

Still too many.

So I narrowed it down even more: the first decision was the crust – store-bought or handmade? I wanted a handmade crust, so I looked to see if it called for lard, shortening or butter. I avoid hydrogenated fats and had no lard, so I opted for butter it was. That helped eliminate some results.

Now I was down to 9 recipes (which would still take more than a week, if I baked a pie a day), and I still wasn’t sure which kind of apples to use, which kind of extracts, which spices, how much sugar, etc… Who ever would have guessed there were so many decisions to make to pick a recipe for apple pie? (But then who ever would have guessed that a search for “recipe apple pie” would return 29,430,000 results?)

At this point, I started thinking, “I’d gladly pay somebody to do this for me.”

I baked for a week (and I think I used almost that I had the perfect recipe yet. Then I ran across a one-page site that sells a downloadable cookbook called “Cooking with Apples“. The author said she’d been looking for the perfect apple pie recipe for years, and she’d collected a bunch of them (along with like 90 other apple recipes) and put them together into this cookbook. I decided to try it.

Boy, was I glad I did; there are 7 different apple pie recipes in the book, and the ones I’ve tried are all really good! (I’m not a big fan of sugarless recipes, so I haven’t tried that one yet, and probably won’t.) In case you’re curious: my favorite used Honey Crisp and Granny Smith apples, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice, lemon juice and lemon zest, almond and vanilla extract at about a 3 to 1 ratio, and had no flour or tapioca added to the filling at all.

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* 4 teaspoons salt
* 2 teaspoons paprika
* 1 teaspoon onion powder
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1 teaspoon white pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 2 onions, quartered
* 2 (4 pound) whole chickens

* add to recipe box Add to Recipe Box
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* add to shopping list Add to Shopping List
* add a personal note Add a Personal Note

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, mix together salt, paprika, onion powder, thyme, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Remove and discard giblets from chicken. Rinse chicken cavity, and pat dry with paper towel. Rub each chicken inside and out with spice mixture. Place 1 onion into the cavity of each chicken. Place chickens in a resealable bag or double wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight, or at least 4 to 6 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
3. Place chickens in a roasting pan. Bake uncovered for 5 hours, to a minimum internal temperature of 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Let the chickens stand for 10 minutes before carving.

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Rising food prices are affecting everyone. Unless you’re particularly well off, you probably now think twice before you toss an item into your grocery basket. Do you have a neighbor who’s struggling to make ends meet? Probably so. When the holidays roll around, food baskets filled with cookies and gourmet treats make great gifts. However, these days, a food basket gift is a great gift choice for any occasion.

There are so many opportunities to give a food basket. If you’re invited to a neighborhood party, it’s common to bring your host or hostess a gift. In times past, a nice bottle of wine or some fancy chocolates filled the bill. Today, baskets filled with more ordinary items might be a better choice.

Let’s say you’re attending a neighborhood potluck backyard barbecue. Your hosts aren’t rich. In this case, an attractive basket filled with marinades, sauces and seasonings can be the perfect gift. Your barbecue host now won’t have to spend as much at the grocery and will have a fresh and hopefully new supply of tastes to add to future parties.

If you belong to a church group, be proactive. If a food basket program isn’t already in place, start one. Ask your pastor if there are people in the community in need of basic foodstuffs. Elderly people on fixed incomes are being particularly hard-hit at the grocery. Suggest starting a food bank in place of the collection plate. You’ll be surprised at the response from church members.

Go to local stores in search of donations. Ask for donations of baskets from local craft and discount stores, in which to put the food. You can help preserve the dignity of impoverished people by bringing the food basket in an actual basket, tied with a ribbon, rather than a brown paper bag with a jumble of cans.

Here’s another idea for giving food baskets that proliferate: when you give your middle-class neighbor a food basket gift, include a card thanking them for their hospitality, along with a ‘pass it along’ message, inviting them to use the basket to fill with food items for their neighbor, homeless shelter or food bank. You can bet they will pass it on. Kindness and charity can be contagious.

Suit the contents of your basket to the recipient. If your sister has just lost her job, fill that basket with the pricier regular grocery items, such as coffee, cheese, bottled spaghetti sauce or a well-loved, but not affordable jar of raspberry jam.

The trick to giving food baskets is making the presentation special. Pull out some decorations from your gift wrap box. A little ribbon, some dried flowers or an ornament makes your act of charity invisible to the recipient. Be sure to add that pass-it-along message.

More articles about food, drink and Basic Cooking

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My husband claims to love my cooking. I’m not sure what is wrong with him, but he does. He especially loves when I make Italian dishes, though we both know that I don’t really know anything about true Italian cooking. My sauce secret is not really a secret at all. If anything, my secret is how to get the jar open when it seems to be sealed too tightly. I do make a good lasagna, and spaghetti is always a hit here, but it isn’t true Italian cooking, and we all know it. All the same, what matters is that we love it and it works well for us.