Buy The Best Knife Sharpener At The Best Price

Sharpen your knives, don't throw them away!

When it comes to knives most people actually throw them away when they get dull instead of sharpening them. All knives, no matter what the quality, cost, or what the manufacturer says, need sharpening at regular intervals. A sharp knife is actually safer to use in the kitchen because you have to use less pressure and can easily cut the food instead of forcing the knife through. I'll show you the basic technique used to sharpen a knife as well as some inexpensive tools you can buy to make the process simple and quick.

Instructions

1. A knife becomes dull for two reasons. First, through general use and abuse, the edge of the knife becomes bent and out of alignment. Secondly, the edge itself dulls over time. The best way to picture this is if you take a new, crisp sheet of paper. It can give you a nasty paper cut if you run the edge along your skin. Take that same piece of paper and crumple it up real good. Flatten it out and look at it. The edge is the same as before, but we know the possibility of a paper cut is quite low. This is because the edge is out of alignment. The first thing to do is hone the edge to get it straight again.

2. To hone the edge use a knife sharpening steel. The steel will re-align the edge, it won't sharpen it, that's the next step. Holding the sharpening steel just run the knife from end to end at a 25 degree angle, do this on both sides of the knife 3 or 4 times.

3. Once the edge is re-aligned we can actually get to sharpening the edge. There are two main types of sharpeners. Manual and electric. Which one is best for you is a personal choice. Manual ones are cheaper and do just as good a job as the electric ones. Electric ones are great if you have lots of knives to sharpen.

4. Whichever type you decide to get make sure it has guides to automatically set the proper angle. In addition the best types also have multiple sharpening levels, coarse and fine.

5. Being a purist I prefer the traditional method of honing the edge with a sharpening steel, then sharpening with a manual knife sharpener. I think this gives the best results and allows you to monitor your progress easily and not over sharpen the edge, thus grinding it down too much.

6. When you're ready to buy a knife sharpener consider online merchants, they have a large inventory, generally lower prices and usually product reviews right on their site. You'll find links to some great merchants on this page as well as product links below to the highest rated sharpeners. Use either of these resources to get the best knife sharpener at the best possible price.

Tags: knife sharpener, sharpening steel, edge knife, hone edge, knife becomes, them away, throw them

What Are The Cooking Directions For Farina

What Are the Cooking Directions for Farina?

Farina is a hot breakfast cereal that is made out of wheat, and cooked similarly to oatmeal. It is light in color, and sometimes referred to as Cream of Wheat, as it's made out of semolina wheat flour. The taste of Farina is relatively mild, with a soft, slightly grainy texture.

Ingredients

Measure out the Farina. One serving of Farina equals half a cup of dried Farina. Put the Farina in a small saucepan. Add double the amount of either milk or water, or a combination of both, to the saucepan. In other words, if you are using half a cup of dried Farina, add one cup of liquid to the saucepan.

Season the Farina to your taste. Some people add a pinch of salt, while others may add a sliver of butter to add a richness to the Farina.

Simmer

Bring the Farina to a boil, then turn the heat down low until the Farina is simmering in liquid. Cover and let the Farina cook for about 10 minutes. Check it regularly, making sure to take the Farina off the heat before all the liquid is absorbed and the cereal burns on the bottom. Serve Farina with cold milk, brown sugar, butter or dried or fresh fruits.

What Farina is Made Out Of

Farina is made out of semolina wheat. Semolina wheat is used for more than just cereals: it is also ground into flour. Semolina flour is used as a basis for breads and pastas. It is also added into boiling water and seasoned with salt and hard, sharp cheese to make a porridge.

Nutritional Facts About Farina

Farina is considered a healthy cereal. Because Farina is made out of wheat germ and wheat endosperm, the most nutritious part of the wheat is used for the cereal. Farina is rich in iron, and enriched with niacin, thiamine and folic acid.

History of Farina

Farina was first produced by Pilsbury Company in 1898. Farina has been produced by U.S. Mills since 2001. U.S. Mills produces other breakfast cereals in addition to Farina. U.S. Mills has been around for over 100 years: it was founded in 1908, and made its first cereal: Uncle Sam Cereal, at that time.

Tags: Farina Farina, Cooking Directions, Cooking Directions Farina, Directions Farina, dried Farina, Farina made, half dried

Marama Bean Uses

The marama bean could potentially replace the peanut and soybean in food production.

The marama bean is a native plant of the sandy regions in southern Africa. It grows with minimum effort in low quality conditions. It has been harvested by indigenous groups and could potentially solve many hunger and malnutrition problems in Africa. It is currently being used as food, and could be harvested for other food products, livestock feed, erosion-prevention and medicine.

Background

The marama bean is a legume that originates in the areas of the Kalahari Desert, Botswana, Namibia and the Transvaal region of South Africa. It is found both wild and cultivated, and grows in poor-quality soil. Currently this plant is underutilized, but projects are underway to study its benefits and potential uses both in Africa and internationally.

Food Uses

The marama bean is currently being used as a food crop for indigenous populations in Africa. Both the bean and the tuber (similar to a potato or yam) are edible and used for making food products such as oil, texturized protein, milk and roasted nuts. Many sources say that if produced successfully, it could potentially replace the peanut and soybean.

Feed and Cover Uses

The leaves of the marama plant are sought out by wild animals and livestock. This gives it the possibility of making a hearty pasture crop. Also, because of the way it grows, it could be planted as a cover crop to prevent erosion from water and wind.

Medicinal Uses

University of Copenhagen's MARAMAII project is studying marama's antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and physiologic, antioxidant, anti-HIV and anticarcinogenic activities.

Tags: could potentially, marama bean, being used, being used food, could potentially replace

Who Invented Beer

Historians believe that prehistoric nomads may have brewed beer from grain before learning to make bread. However, the first records and/or evidence of beer are found on 6,000-year-old Sumerian artifacts and 7,000-year-old Iran archaeological finds. It's also likely that Africans, Egyptians, Hebrews and Chinese also made beer thousands of years ago.

Types

Early, fermented drinks were made from millet, maize and cassava in Africa; corn and black birch sap (made by Native Americans) in North America; persimmon and agave in Mexico; corn and sweet potatoes in South America; rice in Japan; wheat in China; sorghum in other Asian cultures; rye in Russia; and barley in Egypt. Other substances used include: balsam herb, hay, dandelion, wormwood seeds and mint among other things.

History

The first written and illustrated records of beer are found on two Sumerian artifacts---one is a 6,000-year-old tablet carving of people using reed straws to drink from a large bowl; the other is a 3,900-year-old seal that contains the "Hymn to Ninkasi (the goddess of brewing)," which is the earliest recorded recipe for brewing beer from barley via bread. Sumerians apparently accidentally discovered the beer-making process when barley (or bread, depending on the source) was left soaking in water, turned into pulp and fermented.

Beer is also mentioned in the 3,000-year-old Epic of Gilgamesh: "Enkidu knew not what bread was nor how one ate it. He had also not learned to drink beer. The (prostitute) opened her mouth and spoke to Enkidu: 'Eat the bread now, O Enkidu, as it belongs to life. Drink also beer, as it is the custom of the land.' Enkidu drank seven cups of beer and his heart soared. In this condition he washed himself and became a human being."

Archaeologists have found evidence of beer in 7,000-year-old containers in the Zagros Mountains of western Iran; and Europe's Germanic and Celtic tribes likely started brewing beer back in 3000 B.C.

Other fermented beverages have also appeared throughout history in other places of the world, including Chang in Tibet and Chica in Peru. Archaeological findings show breweries existed during the Wari Empire, a pre-Inca society.

Effects

The Sumerians were said to have made more than a half a dozen beers. When their empire collapsed, and the Bablyonians took over, they expanded their brewing practices to include 20 kinds of cloudy, unfiltered and syrupy beer made from lightly baked malted grains. Babylonians also exported beer to Egypt.

Significance

Most people considered beer to be a divine drink: It was one of Noah's provisions for the Ark; it was called "cerevisia" by the Romans, from the goddess of agriculture, Ceres; the Egyptians created an extra hieroglyph specifically for "brewer"; Plato called beer inventors "wise men"; and King Hammurabi decreed by law that larger rations of beer should be reserved for priests and the upper classes.

Recent findings at one 1,000-year-old mountaintop brewery in southern Peru show that the elite, noble and/or beautiful Wari Empire women were in charge of the brewing process, and that this was a highly regarded job. This tradition was carried over to Incan times, when noble Incan women were society's top brewers.

Benefits

The Babylonians used beer to pay wages.

In Egypt, beer was made commercially for use by the royalty; it was included in burial provisions; if a man offered a woman a sip of his beer, they would be betrothed; and Egyptian texts contain 100 medical prescriptions for beer.

By the seventh century, beer-making shifted from small, home breweries to centralized production facilities at European monasteries and convents, where it was made initially for traveling pilgrims. This larger-scale production spread the practice of beer drinking throughout Europe.

During the Middle Ages, beer also began to be used for tithing, payment and taxing, and it was often drunk in lieu of water because it was safer. This practice carried over when the pilgrims came to the United States.

Tags: barley bread, beer found, beer from, beer made, brewing beer, carried over

Gingerbread Houses

Christmastime conjures many images and memories, from Santa Claus to pine trees decorated with tinsel and lights. Brightly colored wrapping paper hiding boxes of toys and clothes often reminds one of the holidays. One of the most interesting images of the holiday season is the gingerbread house. These edible constructions are European in origin, but have become as American as apple pie. There is as much to learn about these sweet treats as there are ways to decorate them.

History

While the origins of the first gingerbread ever made is debatable, it is clear that it was made by monks of the Catholic Church. It is thought that they were French, English or German, and that this original gingerbread was baked for celebrations and holidays. The spice, ginger, was used mainly in its candied form for a very long time. It was brought back to Western Europe after the crusades and was celebrated for its ability to preserve foods. Because of this, bakers began using it in confections. They did so in order to make them last longer and travel farther. These ginger cakes were decorated elaborately. The cakes were shaped into objects early on. It was not until much later, however, that the first gingerbread house was constructed. Fifteenth century Germany was the first time that a gingerbread house is mentioned in any texts. Years later, "Hansel and Gretel" made the edible homes legendary with the tale of two lost children lured in by a witch who lived in a gingerbread house. From there, the craze caught on and eventually found its way to the New World.

Types

Gingerbread recipes vary from area to area and country to country, but the resulting houses are always beautiful and ornate. The main difference in recipes for the building block of these homes is the sweetener used. In America, the traditional gingerbread recipe includes molasses as the sweetener of choice. In England, however, this is not the case. While the English use much more molasses on a regular basis in most of their cooking, it is not traditional to use this as the sweetener in English gingerbread. Instead, they use brown sugar cut with maple syrup. Different still, in Germany, honey alone is used to sweeten the gingerbread. The differences in these sweeteners lends a slight difference to the taste and to the consistency of the gingerbread itself. The brown sugar and syrup recipe makes a dryer gingerbread. Those gingerbread pieces cook quicker and are easier to glue together, but they may be more fragile. The honey recipe makes a moister gingerbread, and the adhesive qualities of the icing are more challenging. The molasses recipe is a good compromise between the two, but care must still be paid whenever constructing any kind of gingerbread house.

Features

The main attraction for any gingerbread house is the decoration of it with the different types of candy. There are some standard candies that are used on a regular basis because they look so similar to actual building materials of real houses. Candies used for gingerbread house roofing usually include Necco wafers. These are used because of their tile-like appearance. On larger gingerbread houses, circus peanuts work well and look remarkably like terra cotta roofing. Candy canes are almost always used in one aspect or another, whether they are small, straight canes used for window outlines, or large, crook canes used as entry ways or light posts. Gumdrops line the walk up to many gingerbread houses. These candies also act as impromptu doorknobs and cobblestones. All of these decorations are awe inspiring, but they would be nothing were it not for the glue that held them together...literally. Royal icing is the unsung hero of the modern gingerbread house, and it is what all great gingerbread houses are put together with. It is made with egg whites and powdered sugar, beaten together until creamy and white. Piped into place and set to dry, this is not only edible and tasty, but it is also incredibly durable!

Size

The size and scope of a gingerbread house is limited only to the imagination of its builder and designer. There are amazing feats done with food and sweets every day now. The limits are always being pushed further. On November 24 of 2006, the world record was set for the world's largest ever gingerbread house. It was unveiled at no other than The Mall of America (the world's largest mall) in Minnesota. It was 60 feet tall with 1,496 square feet of space inside. Visitors were even able to walk through it!

Significance

The idea of the gingerbread house has traveled many hundreds of miles and morphed as many times as the traditions of the Christmas season itself. It started as a humble cake made from candied ginger in the bake houses of Catholic monks in the middle ages, and it has expanded to include elaborate constructions that are big enough to walk through. Yet, one thing remains the same: celebration. The significance of the elaborate designs, hard work and time put into these creations always reminds the onlooker of the celebration and joyous nature of the season that accompanies them. The act of putting together one of these beautiful houses with your family and friends only adds to the celebration, as well. Take a moment to celebrate the next time to see a gingerbread house on display. Perhaps you will come up with a design of your own. It will only add to your own joy of the season.

Tags: gingerbread house, brown sugar, cakes were, canes used, first gingerbread, gingerbread houses

Identify Stilton Cheese

Stilton cheese is traditionally a cheese created in the United Kingdom as their country's blue cheese. Commonly known to Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, Stilton cheese is considered Britain's favorite blue cheese. Stilton has a creamy texture and can be eaten alone, with crackers or with biscuits. Many people even spread Stilton cheese on bread with peanut butter! Here's identify Stilton cheese.

Instructions

1. Inspect the cheese. Stilton cheese has a distinct off-white appearance with bluish veins radiating from the center of the cheese wheel. The more mature a Stilton cheese becomes, the more crumbly and mellow it becomes.

2. Look for the official British Stilton label of authenticity. Only the three counties mentioned previously are licensed to sell this blue cheese under the name of Stilton. Although Stilton is a county in England, Stilton County does not produce licensed Stilton cheese.

3. Taste the Stilton cheese. Traditional Stilton has a crumbly texture in its youngest stage to a buttery smooth texture and mellower flavor after aging another 5 to 6 weeks. Similar to a traditional blue cheese, Stilton will have a strong, nutty flavor with rich overtones.

4. Make certain the Stilton cheese has been allowed to age naturally without the "pressing" process associated with similar cheeses. Stilton is placed in its forms to settle over time and is not squeezed to remove moisture. This allows a "layered" effect throughout the cheese.

5. Ensure that the coat or crust of the Stilton cheese wheel is solid all the way around. Stilton forms a thin crust when aging that allows the "bluing" process for the cheese.

Tags: Stilton cheese, blue cheese, cheese Stilton, Stilton cheese, blue cheese Stilton

Foods To Go With Clam Chowder

New England clam chowder is a hearty, tasty soup.

Clam chowder is a hearty stew made primarily from clams, onion, potatoes and cream. It can be served alone as the main meal or as a side or appetizer for a seafood feast. One of the most popular feasts featuring clam chowder is the New England Clambake, a cornucopia of seafood delights. A rich, but not too thick chowder is an optimal way to start off any seafood or fish-based meal.

Oyster Crackers

Oyster crackers are small, salty, six-side crackers that are served alongside a bowl or cup of chowder. They are a popular accompaniment to many soups, stews and chili because they maintain their crunchiness and don't get soggy. Chowder eaters add the crackers whole to the soup or crush them up and pour them over the top for added texture.

Lobster

Lobster is served after an appetizer of chowder in many New England seafood restaurants. Lobster is either served stuffed, broiled or boiled with melted, clarified butter. The creaminess of the chowder works well with the light, buttery flavor of the lobster.

Corn

Many traditional clambakes call for chowder, lobster and corn on the cob. This vegetable is at its prime in the fall when the kernels are at their sweetest. Corn is prepared grilled, with some of the husk on, or boiled with the husk removed. It is often seasoned with salt, pepper and butter. The sweetness of the corn provides a nice balance to the richness of the chowder.

Clam Cakes

Clam cakes are New England's answer to the fritter. Clam cakes are made of batter and chopped Quahogs, a type of clam, that are mixed together and then deep fried. Once pulled from the fryer, they rest on paper towels to remove the extra oil and then are served piping hot. Common in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, many restaurants offer meals of "chowda" and clam cakes.

Tags: boiled with, chowder hearty, clam chowder

Make Fresh Fruit Last Longer

Just yesterday you filled your refrigerator bin with fresh fruit, but today you open the drawer to find nothing but fuzzy green lumps and black mush. It's not only disappointing--it's expensive. There are ways, however, to make sure the next time you buy fruit, it will still be edible when you're ready to enjoy it. Just read the following steps to learn how.

Instructions

1. Buy fruit that isn't yet fully ripe. Fruit goes from ripe to bad very quickly, so you're better off buying them a little green and letting them ripen at home.

2. Wash all your fruit as soon as you get home. Remember the adage "one bad apples spoils the whole bunch." Look over each piece, discarding bad ones. This is especially true of bunches of grapes or containers of berries where packaging prevents you from seeing all sides of every piece of fruit you are buying.

3. Store bananas at room temperature. Don't separate them; instead hang the entire bunch by the stem to prevent bruising and allow them to ripen. Also store citrus fruits, tropical fruits, melons and avocados at room temperature.

4. Place apples in a brown paper bag before placing them in the refrigerator's crisper. The crisper keeps the contents from losing moisture too quickly.

5. Pour berries into paper bags and store on a refrigerator shelf.

6. Store tomatoes on the countertop, away from direct sunshine, stem side down. Tomatoes placed in a refrigerator quickly lose their flavor.

Tags: room temperature, them ripen

Sparkling Wine Definition

The 'sparkles' in sparkling wine are bubbles of carbon dioxide.

Sparkling wine 'sparkles' because it contains bubbles of carbon dioxide, which are created during a secondary round of fermentation. Sparkling wines have a lower alcohol content than most wines.

Making Sparkling Wine

The grapes used to make sparkling wine are pressed immediately, and go through an initial round of fermentation in a vat or tank. When the wine is bottled, a small amount of dissolved sugar and yeast is added, to provoke a second round of fermentation. This secondary fermentation is what creates the bubbles of carbon dioxide that make the wine 'sparkle.'

Properties of Sparkling Wine

Sparkling wine has a lower alcohol content than most table wines, due to the low sugar content of the grapes that are used. Because the grapes are pressed immediately, the chemical reactions that give color to wine are avoided, and so sparkling wines are pale.

Serving Sparkling Wines

For many people, sparkling wine - in particular, champagne - is associated with special occasions. However, sparkling wines have a low acidity and a delicate flavor that make them a versatile accompaniment to many different foods.

Tags: bubbles carbon, bubbles carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide, round fermentation, alcohol content

Make A Dandelion Craft

More than just pests in the garden, dandelions can serve in craft projects.

Dandelions are weeds and, considering the near constant effort to eliminate them from our gardens and lawns, it is hard to imagine them serving much of a purpose. However, dandelions can actually come in quite handy for various craft projects. Whether fashioning a necklace or crown, creating floral artwork or making your very own paper dandelions, they not only assist in projects, they can be the project themselves.

Instructions

Dandelion Jewelry

1. Pick as many dandelions as you wish, ensuring that you pick the entire length of the stem as well. The number of dandelions you need will depend on what type of jewelry you wish to make. A few ideas for jewelry include a necklace, bracelet or crown.

2. Tie the stem of one dandelion around the stem of another, with your knot as close to the flower as possible. If you can, do a double knot to ensure a better hold.

3. Continue to tie one dandelion to the last one you attached until you have the size you want.

4. Tie the ends of the last dandelion and the first dandelion together to create a circle.

5. Cut the extra stems off. Don't cut too close to the knot; leave a bit of space in case the knot loosens.

Dandelion Seed Art

6. Draw dandelions on a black piece of construction paper using oil pastels. Include the stem, leaves and flower head if you wish.

7. Place a large drop of glue where the dandelion head is (or would be if you chose not to draw it in).

8. Blow the seeds of an old, "fluffy" dandelion onto the glue.

9. Continue to decorate your picture with the pastels. If you want to have clouds in your picture, try the same method of blowing the old dandelion onto glue that is in the shape of a cloud.

Paper Bouquet

10. Paint wooden skewers green. If you want some contrast in your bouquet, use different shades of green on the skewers.

11. Cut strips of yellow paper approximately 23 cm wide. You can use construction paper or card stock for the flower head.

12. Cut multiple slits into the entire length of the strip of paper. Do not cut all the way through the paper.

13. Wrap the paper around the wooden skewer and glue. Wrap the paper so that the cut parts are facing up.

14. Push the cut portions down so that it resembles the petals of a dandelion. Wait until the glue is dry so that the paper doesn't pull off the skewer.

Tags: construction paper, craft projects, dandelion onto, dandelion onto glue, entire length

Buy Organic Red Wine

Organic red wine is produced using farming methods that do not result in negative effects on the environment. Natural plants and herbs are used in place of pesticides. Other environmentally friendly methods such as using collected rainwater to irrigate the vines and using compost piles to create nutrient-rich dirt also are used.

Instructions

1. Read the label. If a bottle of red wine does not bear the certified organic label you can't be positive that it is organic. To be considered certified organic wine, the winery cannot use harmful pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers.

2. Buy Parducci wines, which are not only certified organic, but also are carbon neutral. The energy used to produce the wine is created through the use of solar panels and other earth-friendly energy-producing methods.

3. Try Caylus Vin de Pays wines, which are produced from organic grapes and vegan. No animal by-products are used in the farming or production of their wines.

4. Buy La Marouette Cabernet Sauvignon. This simple, easy-to-drink Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100 percent organic grapes and also is vegan.

5. Purchase a bottle of Domaines de Cedres Syrah. This light-bodied red is vegan and produced through biodynamics, considered the top echelon of organic farming.

6. Choose a bottle of Frey Winery's Zinfandel. This wine if full of lush fruit flavors with hints of pepper and has no added sulfites.

Tags: certified organic, Cabernet Sauvignon, organic grapes, wines which

Follow A Cabbage Soup Diet

Eat the soup for seven days.

Reducing diets are one way to lose weight and, in conjunction with consistent exercise, are often safe and effective. The Cabbage Soup Diet, when used for the appropriate time of one week, allows for up to a 10-pound weight loss because the number of calories you consume is very low. Easy to follow, this low-fat, high-fiber diet encourages your own variation, which makes it a little more appealing and less restricting. Some people use this diet as a kick-start for a more moderate, long-term diet and others find they achieve their desired weight in one week.

Instructions

Soup Preparation

1. Use a large pot to get started.

Wash all vegetables. Slice the green onions and saute them in a pan coated with cooking spray. Remove green pepper stems with a chef's knife, cut the peppers in half and eliminate the seeds and membrane. Add bite-sized pieces to the pot.

2. Cabbage leaves pull apart easily.

Pull apart the cabbage leaves. Cut into bite-sized pieces. Peel the carrots and chop into 1/4-inch pieces. Slice the mushrooms and celery into 1/4-inch pieces. Place everything into the pot.

3. Bouillon cubes add flavor.

Add your chosen spices to the pot. Use a large pinch of each to start and adjust to your preferences. Curry and cayenne pepper are popular additions. Drop the beef or chicken bouillon cubes in the pot. Add the soup mix and stir.

4. Tomatoes create the soup base.

Pour the tomatoes in the pot. Add 12 cups of water (or 8 cups water and 4 cups V8 juice). Cover and heat on low for two hours. Season with salt and pepper. Store the pot in the refrigerator for the entire week.

Seven-Day Diet

5. Unsweetened drinks are allowed today.

Eat all the fruit you want, except bananas, on Day One. Heat as many bowls of your already-prepared soup as you want. Drink unsweetened beverages, such as teas, cranberry juice and water.

6. Eat plenty of leafy greens on day two.

Eat unlimited cooked or raw vegetables on Day Two. (Corn, beans and peas are excluded.) Bake your potato for dinner and add butter, if you like. Consumption of fruit is not allowed today.

7. Combine as many fruits and vegetables as you like on Day Three.

Eat all the soup, fruits and vegetables you like, but eliminate the baked potato on Day Three.

8. Bananas help your sweet tooth.

Eat as many as eight bananas on Day Four. Drink an unlimited amount of skim milk with your soup. The bananas are supposed to curb your desire for sweets.

9. Add beef or chicken to your diet today.

Eat the beef or chicken and tomatoes on Day Five. Either eat the tomatoes whole or cut them up and season them. Brown the beef until well done. Add any spices. Or, prepare a piece of beef or chicken in the oven, making sure to remove the chicken skin. Drinking at least six to eight glasses of water on this day is supposed to wash the uric acid from your body.

10. Vegetables fill your stomach.

Consume all the beef and vegetables you like on Day Six. Eat plenty of leafy green vegetables. Eat your soup at least once.

11. Add the brown rice on Day Seven.

Cook the brown rice on Day Seven. Place two cups of water and one cup of brown rice into a pot. Cover and wait for the water to come to a boil. Turn the heat down and cook for about 30 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve. Eat as much as you like of the rice, vegetables and unsweetened fruit juices. Eat your soup at least once.

Tags: beef chicken, brown rice, cups water, vegetables like, your soup, 4-inch pieces, allowed today

Make Fried Jack Steaks

The meat of a Jack Crevalle is dark red but quite tasty if prepared properly. The procedures are more important than the seasoning that, in this recipe, is simply salt, pepper and lime juice. Spice it up any way you want.

Instructions

1. Fillet the Jack if small enough; otherwise cut into steaks with a hack saw. In either case, you want the meat to be no more than 3/4 of an inch thick.

2. Place the Jack in a large zip-lock freezer bag and pour in enough buttermilk to barely cover the jack. Squeeze out as much air as possible and put it in the refrigerator for 4 to 8 hours.

3. Take the Jack out of the bag and dry it. The buttermilk will be dark pink and the Jack will be about the same shade.

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

5. Sear the Jack in a hot, dry skillet. Coat the meat with oil, salt and pepper as desired, then dredge in the crumbs of your choice.

6. Place the meat in a shallow baking pan, and place it on the top shelf of the oven. Cook for 15 minutes then broil for about 5 minutes, watching carefully to ensure that the crumbs brown but do not burn.

7. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with lime juice and serve.

Tags: lime juice, salt pepper

Make A Diabetic Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Topping

A diabetic carrot cake can be made with a sugar substitute.

When a person is diabetic, finding sugar free recipes that taste good can be a challenge. Many people adapt old family recipes into new sugar free versions of their favorites. This diabetic carrot cake with cheese topping recipe lets a diabetic enjoy cake without worrying about added sugar. The carrot cake stays moist and sweet, and the cream cheese topping is rich, sweet and creamy.

Instructions

1. Put the eggs, 1 1/2 cups cooking oil, 2 1/4 cups granulated sucralose sugar substitute, and 3 tsp. vanilla extract into a large bowl. Blend the ingredients using the hand mixer.

2. Pour in 3 cups of carrots and 1 1/2 cups of chopped pecans. Stir the carrots and pecans into the mixture with a mixing spoon.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place two 8-inch cake pans on a flat surface, and spray a thin coating of nonstick spray across the insides of the pans. Pour half of the cake mixture in each pan.

4. Slide the cake pans into the oven once it reaches 350 degrees. Cook about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

5. Cool the cakes for 15 minutes in the pan. Put one cake on a cake plate, and make the icing.

6. Place 4 cups of granulated sucralose sugar substitute and 4 tsp. of cornstarch into the food processor. Blend the ingredients for about a minute. Pour this powdered sugar replacement into a large bowl.

7. Put 1/2 cup of butter and 8 oz. of cream cheese into a large bowl. Blend the ingredients for one minute with a hand mixer.

8. Add 2 tsp. of vanilla extract, and blend it in with the hand mixer. Put 1 1/2 cups of pecans into the bowl, and stir it in with a spoon. Put a layer of the finished icing over the cake on the cake plate.

9. Place the second cake on top of the iced cake. Wiggle it around until it is centered on the lower level. Ice the top layer and sides of the cake, and serve.

Tags: Blend ingredients, carrot cake, hand mixer, into large, into large bowl, large bowl

Make Bacalhau Espiritual

Bacalhau Espiritual is a Portuguese preparation of salt cod (known as baccala in Italian). Portuguese cuisine, which relies heavily on seafood and especially salt cod, is rich and flavorful, but not widely known in the United States. Even in major metropolitan areas, it can be difficult to find an authentic Portuguese restaurant. Luckily, many Portuguese recipes like Bacalhau Espiritual can easily be made at home.

Instructions

1. Prepare the cod. Salt cod must be thoroughly soaked to remove excess salt and reconstitute the fish before using. Soak the cod in either cold water or milk for at least 12 hours and up to 2 days, changing the water every 6 to 12 hours. After 12 hours, taste the fish for saltiness--it should be only mildly salty. Remember that you can always add salt to the dish, but you can never remove it if the fish is under-soaked. Once the cod has finished soaking, remove the skin and bones (if present) and mince the fish finely.

2. Mince the garlic and onion finely and shred the carrot. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and saute the vegetables with a pinch of salt until they are soft (but not brown) and have released most of their liquid, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Add the fish and stir to combine. Remove from the heat. If you would like to add bulk to the dish, you may add a few ounces of fresh breadcrumbs that have been soaked in milk and squeezed dry at this point. Adding breadcrumbs to a dish is very common method used to stretch costly ingredients like salt cod.

3. Prepare a bechamel sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for a few minutes to eliminate the raw flour flavor, then slowly add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue cooking over medium heat until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Adding the optional egg yolks at this point will create a richer sauce. If desired, add a small quantity of the hot bechamel sauce to the egg yolks and whisk to temper the egg yolks, then add the tempered yolks to the sauce and stir to combine.

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix half of the bechamel sauce with the fish and spread the mixture in a baking dish or individual gratin dishes. Cover with the remaining sauce, then sprinkle with cheese and breadcrumbs. Dot the top of the casserole with butter and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping is brown and the mixture is hot and bubbly. Serve immediately.

Tags: Bacalhau Espiritual, bechamel sauce, from heat, medium heat, over medium, over medium heat, Remove from

Make Osso Buco

Osso buco is a traditional Italian stew made with herbs, vegetables, and veal shanks. In fact, in Italian, osso buco means "hollow bone." Although veals shanks aren't generally considered to be a prime cut of meat, slow simmering in vegetables and spices turns them into a delicious, succulent dish.

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet. Dip the veal shanks lightly in flour and cook them in the hot oil until they turn golden brown, about 12 to 14 minutes. Turn them once halfway through the cooking time.

2. Remove the cooked veal shanks from the skillet and put them in a large bowl. Turn the heat to medium low, put the garlic and onion in the skillet and cook them for about 4 minutes, until they're tender.

3. Put the veal shanks back in the skillet and sprinkle them with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the wine, chicken broth, drained beans and tomatoes,

4. Cover the skillet loosely and simmer for about 2 hours until the meat begins to fall off the bones.

5. In a separate bowl, mix 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp. lemon peel and minced parsley. Sprinkle the mixture over individual bowls of hot osso buco and serve.

Tags: veal shanks, about minutes, cook them, until they

Good Food To Eat For Sugar Diabetes

If you've been diagnosed with sugar diabetes, you need to take care of your health by making good choices about what you eat. Choosing the right foods will help you to control your blood sugar and feel your best. Good foods to eat for sugar diabetes include natural nutrient-rich foods such as nonstarchy vegetables, whole grains and protein foods.

Non-Starchy Vegetables

The American Diabetic Association recommends that you make nonstarchy vegetables the largest part of your meal. Half of each meal should consist of these low-glycemic, vitamin-packed foods. Choose a variety of green vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, broccoli, kale, okra, lettuce and green beans. Add colorful vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, squash, tomatoes and beets. Other nonstarchy vegetables that are good for sugar diabetes include mushrooms, cauliflower, turnips, onions, salsa and vegetable juices. Avoid cooking the vegetables in shortening or adding butter or margarine. Try lightly steaming the vegetables and seasoning them with herbs for the best flavor and most nutrition.

Starchy Foods

One-fourth of each meal should consist of fiber-rich, whole grain foods, according to the American Diabetic Association. Fiber slows digestion of your food and helps to even out your blood sugar. Choose whole grain breads, high-fiber cold cereals, whole grain crackers, tortillas and pasta, hot cereals such as grits, cream of wheat and oatmeal. Starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, beans and peas are good foods to choose in this category, as well. You can choose healthy snack foods such as fat-free popcorn, baked chips, and whole grain pretzels. Avoid fried foods in this category such as fried potato chips and corn chips. Cut down on the amount of butter or margarine you add to these foods and avoid sugary cereals.

Protein

Fill the last fourth of your plate with proteins such as meat or meat substitutes. Avoid fatty meats, which are high in cholesterol, and choose lean meats such as skinless turkey or chicken instead. Other good protein foods for sugar diabetes include lean cuts of beef and pork, eggs, tofu and low-fat cheese. Low-mercury fish such as salmon, cod, tuna and halibut as well as seafood such as shrimp, oysters and clams are healthy choices as well, if you avoid serving them breaded and fried.

Other Foods

Other good foods for people with sugar diabetes include low-fat dairy foods such as milk, yogurt and kefir and small amounts of whole fruit, fruit juice or fruit salad. Since most people don't enjoy eating vegetables for breakfast, the American Diabetic Association recommends that breakfast consist of ¼ protein foods, ¼ fruit and ½ starchy whole grain foods.

Tags: whole grain, diabetes include, sugar diabetes, sugar diabetes include, American Diabetic, American Diabetic Association

Good Dish For Picnics

You can choose from a number of dishes to take on your picnic.

Picnics are a great way to usher in spring or say "au revoir" to summer, regardless of your locale. Picnic fare ranges from bread and cheese to fried chicken and potato salad. Prepare and transport your picnic food in a safe manner to prevent foodborne illness.

Fresh Corn Salad

A fresh corn salad is a good addition to any picnic.

Corn salad is easy to make and preserve at the picnic site. Cut kernels from fresh corn cobs and brown the kernels in hot oil with chopped chili, garlic and a little salt and pepper. After the kernels are browned, remove them from the heat, add lime juice to taste and toss with chopped cilantro.

Crostini

Top crostini with different cheeses or tapenade.

Crostini translates as "little toasts" in Italian; it differs from bruschetta because the slices of bread typically are thinner. Crostini is ideal for picnics because you can top the little pieces of bread with practically anything, including roasted red bell peppers, cheeses, tapenade, sun-dried tomatoes or even just crushed red pepper flakes. Like the corn salad, it also is good for vegetarian picnickers.

Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a picnic staple in the southern United States.

Whether you buy it or make it yourself, fried chicken is a favorite picnic dish, particularly in the southern United States. It's easily transported and doesn't require utensils. When preparing the chicken, wash your hands frequently. Keep chicken cold and serve it within 2 hours or leave it in a cooler, reports the United States Department of Agriculture.

Tags: United States, cheeses tapenade, fresh corn, fried chicken, southern United, southern United States

Make A Football Cake

Bake a loaf cake following the directions on a boxed mix.

Honor your favorite sports fan with a special football cake he’ll appreciate. It’s an imaginative addition to any birthday party or sporting event, such as a Super Bowl get-together or your child's football team celebration. Show off your creativity and bake the cake at home to add your own personal touches.

Instructions

1. Bake a loaf-pan cake using a boxed mix. Let it cool before removing from the pan and placing on a cake platter.

2. Carve the loaf cake to the shape of a football.

Carve the cake with a bread knife to resemble the shape of the top half of a football. Shape the football slightly pointed but with rounded ends on the right and left sides. Trim the top edges off the long sides to round the top of the football. You have your football shape.

3. Cover the cake solid with milk chocolate icing.

Frost the cake completely with the milk-chocolate icing.

4. Mash the white tootsie rolls flat lengthwise with a rolling pin. Connect four to create a stripe 1 inch wide and 7 inches long and the other four for a second stripe. If necessary, heat the candy in the microwave for a second to help flatten. Lay the stripes 2 1/2 inches from each end across the whole cake. Place the white jelly beans for the laces in the center top--one vertical, one horizontal, one vertical, one horizontal, one vertical, one horizontal.

5. Put 3 cups of flaky coconut into a bowl with a couple drops of green food coloring and stir with a fork until all the coconut is green for the grass. This goes all around the cake on the tray to represent the grass on a field.

Tags: vertical horizontal, horizontal vertical, horizontal vertical horizontal, loaf cake, vertical horizontal vertical

Make Sweet Potato Peanut Balls

Sweet potatoes are healthy they provide vitamins A,C Iron and Calcium to your diet.

Sweet potatoes, peanut butter and molasses are all healthy ingredients. Combined in this recipe, they make a traditional treat that is filled with vitamins, protein and minerals. This simple six ingredient combination makes a unique dessert that will complete a holiday meal and be sure to impress your guests.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Wash, peel and quarter 4 sweet potatoes, place in stock pot, bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium. Boil for 20 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Drain by pouring into a colander. Mash in a mixing bowl while still warm.

3. Mix the peanut butter into the mashed sweet potatoes.

4. Beat egg in a small bowl, using fork or whisk.

5. Pour beaten egg, brown sugar and molasses into the sweet potato and peanut butter mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed.

6. Crush corn flakes by putting in a baggy or between 2 layers of wax paper. Roll a rolling pin over the flakes until crushed.

7. Shape sweet potato mixture into 12 balls.

8. Pour crushed corn flakes onto a plate. Roll the balls, one at a time, in the flakes until coated.

9. Place balls evenly on a greased cookie baking sheet.

10. Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes.

Tags: peanut butter, corn flakes, flakes until, sweet potato, Sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes, until thoroughly

Grind Chicken Breast At Home

Make your own chicken spread using a grinder.

If you own a food processor or an old-fashioned crank-driven food grinder, you can make deli-style chicken salad sandwiches, as well as ground chicken for burgers. Save money by creating your own restaurant-worthy chicken dishes at home for a fraction of the cost. Be sure to grind freshly cooked white meat chicken for the best texture and taste. Create a tasty sandwich spread by mixing the ground chicken with mayonnaise, celery and fruit such as dried cranberries, apples or grapes.

Instructions

1. Cut excess fat and any cartilage off the cooked chicken breast using a sharp knife.

2. Cut the trimmed chicken into 1-inch cubes.

3. Transfer the chicken cubes to a food processor. Pulse the food processor until the chicken is finely or coarsely ground, depending on what texture you prefer. As an alternative option, attach a crank-driven food grinder to the edge of a counter top or table. Equip the grinder with the appropriate plate, available in sizes from fine to coarse. Set a mixing bowl under the grinder to catch the ground meat. Place the chicken cubes into the grinder and turn the crank to grind the meat.

4. Scoop the ground chicken into a mixing bowl. Stir in any desired ingredients, such as mayonnaise, breadcrumbs or salt and pepper, depending on whether you're making chicken salad or burgers.

Tags: food processor, ground chicken, chicken cubes, chicken into, chicken salad

Does Red Wine Vinegar Lower Blood Pressure

Vinegars have been used as folk remedies and natural medicines for thousands of years, and vinegar is effective in lowering blood pressure. According to the National Institute of Health, you can prevent and control hypertension by changing your lifestyle, specifically by losing weight and eating less sodium.

Red wine vinegar, specifically, can help reduce hypertension because it contains polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. Acetic acid, the active ingredient in vinegar, also promotes heart health and reduces blood pressure. Vinegar has been shown to be helpful in helping patients maintain a healthy weight.

Polyphenols

Polyphenols are antioxidants found in plants that can benefit health. The main polyphenol found in grapes--and grape products such as red wine--is called resveratrol. Resveratrol is an anti-inflammatory that also has anti-cancer properties. The anti-inflammatory effect promotes healthy blood vessels.

Red grapes are also rich in anthocyanins, which give grapes their red and purple color. Anthocyanins are currently being studied as remedies to a wide variety of health problems, including inflammation, cancer and diabetes.

A study from the University of California-Davis School of Medicine found that grape seed extract, which is rich in polyphenols, reduced blood pressure in patients.

Acetic Acid

The tang of vinegar comes from acetic acid. Acetic acid has been shown to increase the health of blood vessels and the cardiovascular system by reducing cholesterol so that blood can flow more freely. A National Institute of Health study has shown that acetic acid reduces hypertension.

The acid in vinegar also makes calcium in animal foods more available, by dissolving bones and shells. A study conducted by Harvard Medical School has shown that increased calcium reduced blood pressure in women.

Salt Reduction

Reducing sodium intake from table salt is a key factor in controlling hypertension. The DASH diet, which emphasizes a low-salt approach and is used by patients to reduce hypertension, specifically recommends jazzing up food with spices and vinegars instead of using salt. The official diet also gives patients a recipe for red wine vinaigrette.

Another study, published in the Journal of Food Science, found that vinegar actually made food taste saltier, reducing the amount of salt needed to season foods.

Weight Loss

Losing weight is an important method of controlling high blood pressure. Vinegar appears to help patients maintain weight and promotes weight loss. A study in Sweden has found that vinegar helps patients feel full sooner and curbs appetite. Vinegar helped stabilize insulin and blood-sugar levels after a high carbohydrate meal. Japanese research has reached similar conclusions.

The Swedish study noted that most people couldn't eat enough pickles and salad dressing to get the appetite-reducing effect, and mentioned drinking vinegar-based drinks.

Combining With Food

Several more Japanese studies have found that combining vinegar with other foods can be particularly effective in reducing blood pressure. Vinegar and bonito, a kind of fish, as well as a vinegar drink made from grape juice and red wine vinegar have shown promise in reducing hypertension

Tags: blood pressure, found that, blood pressure Vinegar, pressure Vinegar, been shown, blood vessels

Use Frozen Bananas For Bread

Thawed over-ripe bananas are easier to bake with than ripe ones, and they give the muffin or bread a nice dark colour.

Are the bananas in your kitchen beginning to turn black? Are the kids complaining the bananas you bought last week are too soft to eat? Don't have time to bake banana muffins or banana bread? You don't have to throw those softies in the trash. Instead, throw them in the freezer, and when you're ready to bake, you'll have the bananas you need.

Instructions

Freezing the Bananas

1. Start with bananas that are ripe. Let them sit at room temperature for a few days. They will begin to show dark streaks and spots. This is a good sign. When they progress to the brown stage, it's time to freeze them.

2. Place brown bananas, in their skin, into the freezer. You can also place a few bananas in a plastic bag and place the bag in the freezer, but no wrapping is necessary to preserve the banana. The skin is natural protection from freezer burn.

3. You can freeze bananas indefinitely.

Banana Bread

4. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Ensure that the baking rack is in the middle position. At the same time, take the bananas out of the freezer and let them sit on the counter in a bowl.

5. Once bananas have thawed, cut off one end of each and squirt the banana into a glass measuring cup or bowl. If you need help to thaw the bananas, place them in a container on top of the oven.

6. Mix all ingredients, including bananas, in a big bowl. Do not over-mix; just ensure the batter is wet. Don't worry about banana lumps; there shouldn't be many.

7. Grease the bottom of a loaf pan, or 12 muffin cups. Pour the batter into the pan or muffin cups, filling to about two-thirds full.

8. Banana bread is one way to use up over-ripe bananas.

Bake 40 to 50 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the bread comes out dry. Cool for about 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool to room temperature. Enjoy.

Banana Cake

9. Preheat oven to 275 degrees; ensure the oven rack is in the middle position.

10. Thaw three or four frozen bananas by removing them from the freezer, placing in a bowl in a warm place in the kitchen. They will thaw within 30 minutes.

11. Mix the bananas with lemon juice in a bowl or measuring cup.

12. In one bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Set aside. In a second bowl, mix butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Add dry ingredients little by little, alternating with buttermilk and mixing lightly after each addition. Add banana mixture last.

13. Grease and flour a 9-inch by 13-inch pan. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for one hour, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in to the middle of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool.

Smoothies and Milkshakes

14. Place frozen bananas directly into a blender. You can add milk, fruit juice, yogurt, ice, nutmeg, cinnamon or other fruits such as strawberries. Mix on a blend setting.

15. Add ingredients as needed to create the consistency you desire. Pour the smoothie into a glass, serve with a spoon or straw, and enjoy. This concoction is full of nutrients such as potassium and calcium that we all need daily.

16. Make a banana milkshake in the same way, omitting the milk or yogurt and adding vanilla or praline ice cream instead.

Tags: after each, after each addition, batter into, each addition, from freezer, into glass, measuring bowl

Ovenroast Nuts In The Shell

Eat a variety of nuts because they provide nutrients and antioxidants.

Many varieties of nuts have a more intense flavor when you oven-roast them. Nuts that you can roast include chestnuts, peanuts, walnuts, filberts (hazelnuts), almonds, pecans, macadamias and pine nuts. Roasting directions vary depending on the variety. Some nuts go directly into the oven, while others need advance preparation. Additionally, some varieties roast better when you put them in a cold oven, while others require a preheated oven. Because the oven temperature and roasting time vary, it is better to roast each variety separately.

Instructions

Chestnuts

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Make a cut in the outer shell to prevent the chestnuts from exploding in the oven.

3. Spread in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet.

4. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove and cool.

Peanuts

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

6. Spread peanuts in a single layer on a shallow, ungreased baking sheet.

7. Roast in the oven until just before fully done, about 20 to 25 minutes.

8. Remove from the oven but do not remove from the baking sheet. Peanuts will finish roasting while sitting in the hot baking pan.

Filberts (Hazelnuts)

9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the baking pan with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.

10. Spread filberts in a single layer.

11. Roast for 10 to 15 minutes.

12. Shake pan to see if the skins crumble. If not, then roast for an additional five minutes.

13. Remove and cool on the baking sheet.

Pine Nuts

14. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

15. Rinse pine nuts in a strainer to remove any dirt.

16. Put nuts in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt, if desired.

17.Roast for 10 minutes on the top rack, then taste one. The inside kernel should be yellow. If they are not yet ready, then turn off the oven and let them sit inside for one or two more minutes. Taste again. The exact cooking time varies, depending on the maturity of the nuts when harvested. Immature nuts have higher moisture content, so take longer to roast.

18. Remove immediately, as pine nuts burn easily. If they are starting to burn, spread on wax paper or a cold baking pan to stop the cooking process.

Tags: baking sheet, oven degrees, Preheat oven, Preheat oven degrees, single layer, minutes Remove, pine nuts

Store Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta cheese is typically used in lasagna.

The word "ricotta" means "to cook again" in Italian and is derived from the preparation method for this creamy, cheesy food. Technically, ricotta is not a cheese, but a byproduct of the cheesemaking process. Cheese is made by slowly cooking the water out of milk. The curd settles on the bottom, and the water, or "whey," floats to the surface. The whey is cooked again to make ricotta. Dedicated foodies have discovered how easy it is to make this product in their home kitchens, but they should know store ricotta properly to retain its freshness.

Instructions

1. Transfer the ricotta from your drainage cloth into a glass or plastic container. Scrape as much as you can off the cloth with a spatula or a spoon. Although plastic containers will work, make sure the tub you are using does not have any strong smells that can impact the taste of the ricotta.

2. Tightly seal the container with its lid. Fresh ricotta needs to be kept in an airtight container for the best preservation. This food is highly perishable, so keeping it free from spoilage-inducing air is the best way to keep it fresh for at least a few days.

3. Store the container in the refrigerator toward the back of the unit where it is coldest to help preserve the ricotta's freshness.

4. Consume the ricotta within five to seven days for the best flavor and texture. Check carefully if storing past this mark. If it has started to turn a yellow color or smells "off" in any way, discard it immediately.

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Smoke Deer Venison

Smoking venison, whether it is jerky or a roast, requires wood smoke and either a smoker or a barbecue grill. While you can cheat and give the meat a smoke flavor using one of the many "liquid smoke" products on the market, nothing beats using wood smoke to inject deer meat with a rich, smoky flavor. For some, smoking venison is an art form, but by following a few guidelines, even a novice can smoke a venison roast to perfection.

Instructions

1. Trim all visible fat and silver skin from the roast, using a sharp, flexible knife.

2. Set up your smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions. If using a barbecue grill, bring approximately 50 briquettes to a high heat. Separate the briquettes into two piles. Place an aluminum pan of water between the two piles of charcoal.

3. Add approximately 1 cup of soaked wood chips to the coals. You can use mesquite, hickory, apple or any hardwood chips for the smoking process.

4. Place the roast over on the grill centered over the water pan.

5. Place the lid on the grill, leaving the vents open. Maintain a temperature inside the grill of 225 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit by adding up to10 briquettes and 1/4 cup of wood chips per hour during the smoking process. Maintain the water level at 1 inch or deeper throughout the process.

6. Smoke the deer roast 8 to10 hours or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 170 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Tags: barbecue grill, degrees Fahrenheit, smoking process, wood chips, wood smoke

Ginger Beer Preservation Methods

Ginger beer is unlike the standard alcoholic beverage consumed by millions of individuals of people around the world. In fact, there isn't any alcohol in the drink at all. Ginger beer is actually more like a ginger ale or root beer, where the main ingredient (outside of water) is ginger extract. Like most beverages, there are many different ways to preserve your ginger beer.

Keeping Cold

Keeping any perishable product cold, from food to wine, will help prolong the life of that product. This holds true for ginger beer. Being left in excessive heat can ruin the carbonation, causing the drink to go flat. Because there are generally so many preservatives added to the drink it can be hard for it to actually "go bad." However, if it sits in heat for weeks on end, the taste will change to something totally different.

Restrict Airflow

Air is terrible for the preservation of ginger beer. This is why the caps are sealed on so tight, so air flow is restricted. If you have ever left a carbonated drink out over night you know what will happen to the drink. It will go flat, the taste will be slightly altered, and if it is left out long enough, mold will begin to form on the top. This is exactly what will happen if oxygen is allowed to reach the ginger beer. If properly stored with the cap on, the ginger beer can last several months if not years without the flavor changing. Once the bottle is opened, it is a race against time.

Sunlight

If you have ever wondered why most beers use thick brown glass for their bottles, it is because it best protects it from the sunlight. Rarely will you see a high class, expensive bottle of beer come in a clear bottle. This is because good beer is meant to be stored and aged (some), just like wine, and the sunlight will hinder and ruin the aging process. This holds true for ginger beer. The sunlight will cause a chemical change in the drink, even if it is stored in the cold without oxygen reaching it.

General Information

Ginger Beer is no longer widely sold in the United States, although it can be found in nearby Caribbean countries, such as Jamaica. Because it requires yeast to make it is created more along the lines of a beer than a soft drink. Although it is extremely hard to find in the United States the ingredients needed to make ginger beer are readily available so the drink can be made at home. If you're interested, some recipes are available through the links provided in "Resources."

Tags: ginger beer, ginger beer, Ginger Beer, ginger beer, have ever, holds true

Peel Green Chilies

Char green chilies to peel them.

Before you can cook with fresh green chilies, remove the skins to ensure tender and tasty peppers perfect for any savory recipe. Take care as you handle fresh chilies; they have a burning bite that can result in painful burns on your skin, in your eyes or in mucous membranes. Wear plastic gloves to protect your hands and peel green chilies using a special preparation method. The skins will slide right off the peppers with minimal effort.

Instructions

1. Place the chili peppers into the colander and wash under cool water.

2. Transfer the chili peppers to the baking dish.

3. Preheat the oven broiler to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and place the chili peppers under the broiler, approximately 3 inches below the heat.

4. Leave the peppers under the broiler for about six minutes, turning them with tongs every minute to ensure even charring.

5. Remove the baking dish from the oven and transfer the peppers to the plastic bag. Seal the bag and leave the peppers sitting for 15 minutes.

6. Open the bag after the time elapses and pour the chili peppers back into the colander. Rub the chili peppers briskly under cool running water to remove the skins. Try rubbing them with a clean cloth as you run the water over the peppers.

Tags: chili peppers, green chilies, baking dish, into colander, peppers under

Tootsie Roll

Thanks to the 69 Boyz in 1994, everyone could see a multitude of rolling tootsies. Today the Tootsie Roll dance is still a favorite at weddings and dance clubs. If it has been a few years since your "cotton candy" was "sweet as gold" or if you've never seen a "tootsie roll," these steps will help get you back out on the dance floor.

Instructions

1. Relax when the song comes on. No one is taking it seriously, so if you miss a beat or go out of order, you won't be mocked for your inferior dance skills. When you hear "Cotton candy sweet as gold," which opens the song, move your right hand in a circle in front of you like you're working the carnival spun sugar wheel, then hold your imaginary pile of sugary goodness up in the air.

2. Make butterflies with your legs. Yes, the 69 Boyz repeatedly claim the butterfly is 'dead' and the tootsie roll is totally different, but we all know those one-hit wonders were butterflying their way through the entire video. To butterfly, get up on your toes, keep your booty sticking out, bend your knees and open and close your legs. Some people like to roll with their hands in the air, on the booty, or on the knees Charlie Chaplin-style. It's your call.

3. Move to the left when the song says, "to the left" and to the right when it says to. Moving in either direction requires about two side steps or slides. Get your whole body into it.

4. Move front and back starting with your right foot. Again, put your whole body into these steps. This is your time to showcase your attitude and jaunty walk; think Naomi Campbell, not John Cleese.

5. Dip by stepping out to the right. Bend your knees and drop your butt down and swoop it up again, bringing feet together. Do this again on the other side with a step out to the left.

6. Slide yourself right to left and back again. Get your arms into it and use those hips. Be sure you dance in your space. The Tootsie Roll is often done in a line, so be aware of the people next to you and behind you; it would be a bit awkward to dip your booty too close to grandma Eunice's face.

7. Keep listening to the lyrics, they give you dance step directions. Slide, dip, move when it says and cotton candy and roll when they hit that lengthy chorus.

Tags: body into, candy sweet, candy sweet gold, cotton candy, sweet gold

Substitutes For Dry Onion Soup Mix

There are plenty of ways to skin an onion.

Dry onion soup mix is called for as an ingredient in recipes so often, it's easy to wonder if anyone ever even uses it to make soup! Soup mixes like this aren't always the most common ingredient to keep in stock in a kitchen, so it's not strange to find yourself in the position of needing to substitute with something you're more likely to have in stock. How best to replace the onion soup mix depends on the type of recipe it's needed for.

Onion Powder

In dishes like chip or vegetable dishes, or any recipe that calls for onion soup mix to flavor a creamy base (like sour cream, cream cheese or mayonnaise), you can usually substitute onion powder for dry onion soup mix and end up with a flavor similar to what was intended. This works best if the recipe includes other herbs and flavors besides the onion soup mix. If not, mix in a generous pinch each of chives, salt and white pepper.

Garlic Powder

Use garlic powder as a flavoring agent in creamy sauce and dip recipes instead of onion soup mix or onion powder, or use it along with onion powder in equal measure. This will give you a different flavor, but one that's equally pungent and likely to go well with anything the onion dish would have matched up with. Likewise, flavored garlic mixes are a good substitute, but be cautious about how much you add, since these can be quite salty.

Fresh Onion and Salt

Substitute about a quarter cup of fresh onion and a teaspoon of salt in any slow-cooked, savory dishes that call for a packet of onion soup mix as an ingredient. Add the onion along with other vegetables to give it time to cook; compared to powdered seasonings, fresh ones need more time to soak their flavor into the dish.

Meat Soup Broth

In many dishes, soup broth bases can be used interchangeably. Each type of broth will give the finished recipe a bit of a different taste, but unless the broth flavor is the main focus of the dish, you'll still end up with something that works well. This substitution is best for dishes like complex soups. Use chicken or pork broth if you want a light flavor, but use beef if the dish has other onion ingredients that are prominent; beef broth is a main component of traditional French onion soup, so they go well together.

Veggie Soup

If you need a broth substitution but don't want a meat-based broth, go with any powdered vegetable broth. To reproduce the taste of onion soup mix in a recipe, however, you'll want to look at the ingredients and find a broth that's heavy on the onion and garlic, or on similar ingredients like leeks or shallots. If the broth seems to have more of ingredients like carrots or greens, your results may not be quite as good.

Tags: onion soup, onion powder, along with, dishes like, ingredients like

Games To Play At A 50th Birthday Party

Happy birthday!

When you're planning a party for someone who is turning 50, games can add life and laughter to the occasion. Choose games both the celebrant and guests will enjoy. Remember to keep the games wholesome if you plan to include children or underage guests.

The Price Is Right

Choose at least five contestants and give each a piece of paper and pen. Play a party version of "The Price is Right" by asking the price of some items commonly sold during the birth year of the guest of honor. Anyone who guesses a price correctly gets five points and anyone who guesses very closely gets one point. The contestant who has the most points at the end of the game wins a prize. Play this game individually or in teams to have more people join in on the fun.

Trivial Pursuit

This game requires contestants to answer questions about the guest of honor and show how well they know him. Prepare questions of varying difficulty; ask the guest of honor to help in the preparation so you can ask some things that may not be common knowledge. The guest who gets the most correct answers wins a prize.

Name that Tune

Record some songs that came out in the same decade the celebrant was born. Play a line or two of each tune for the contestants and have them guess the song. Provide each contestant with a bell or buzzer and have them ring in and answer one at a time. A correct title is worth one point, and contestants can sing along to earn an additional point. The contestant with the most points at the end of the game wins a prize.

Tags: guest honor, wins prize, contestant with, game wins, game wins prize, have them, most points

Make A Macchiato

A good macchiato (made in the traditional Italian style) is a perfect cross between an espresso and a cappuccino. Making Italian coffee is a lot like chess: it takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to perfect. Once you've learned make this delicious drink, you are guaranteed to have a lot of fun perfecting it.

Instructions

1. Understanding the difference between a macchiato, an espresso and a cappucino. All of the aforementioned drinks are Italian specialty coffee drinks, but the way each drink uses coffee and milk (or, in some cases, no milk) makes them unique. The first and simplest is the espresso. The word espresso literally means "pressed," and that is what you are doing when you make this type of coffee--pressing very hot water through the coffee grounds very quickly. The temperature of the water and the speed at which the coffee is being passed through is what gives espresso its flavor and body. A cappuccino is an espresso that has one part steamed milk and one part steamed milk foam added to it. The word macchiato in Italian literally means "stained" or "marked." A macchiato is an espresso that has been "marked" with just a dollop of steamed milk foam on top.

2. Make the coffee. Always grind the coffee just before brewing it. As soon as you grind a coffee bean, it immediately begins to lose its intensity and flavor. Coffee grinders can be bought for as little as $10, and if you are a coffee fanatic, having one is a must. There are also several manufacturers that make reliable and inexpensive cappuccino machines. With a little research, you will be able to find many options. For a single macchiato, put 2 tablespoons of fresh ground espresso roast coffee into the basket and press down with the back of your spoon to pack it in. Secure the spout back into its place and put your cup underneath it. Press the button for single serving and let the coffee brew till it reaches about halfway up the espresso cup. Stop the brewing and empty the basket.

3. Make the foam. When making steamed milk foam for a Macchiato always use ice cold milk. The colder the milk, the better the foam. Take a chilled, stainless steel steaming pitcher and fill it half way up with whole milk. Submerge the steaming rod just beneath the surface of the milk. Turn the steamer of slowly and agitate the milk by dipping the rod slightly lower, then bringing it back up to just beneath the surface, until a foam begins to form on the top of the milk. This should take less than a minute. Be sure not to oversteam, as this will curdle the milk.

4. Assemble the coffee. Take a tablespoon of the steamed milk froth and top the coffee with it. Serve with biscotti cookies for a light dessert.

Tags: steamed milk, milk foam, steamed milk foam, beneath surface, espresso that, grind coffee, just beneath