Tomatillos are a staple of Mexican and Latin American cuisine. Prepare tomatillos with help from a food host and private chef in Los Angeles in this free video clip.
There are a few different ways in which you can sweeten up spaghetti depending on your preferences. Make spaghetti sweeter with help from a professional in the field of Italian food in this free video clip.
Various Italian pastas need to be cooked in different ways depending on exactly what type of pasta you're talking about. Find out how to properly cook Italian pastas with help from a longtime experienced chef in this free video clip.
Mexican chilaquiles need to be prepared in a very particular way for maximum authenticity and taste. Find out how to make Mexican chilaquiles with help from a trusted chef in this free video clip.
Cooking Italian chicken requires you to start by marinating your chicken for about 12 hours overnight in a refrigerator. Cook Italian chicken with help from a Chef de Cuisine and executive pastry chef in this free video clip.
Puerto Rican empanadas need to be made in a very particular way for the best possible results. Make Puerto Rican empanadas with help from an experienced private chef in this free video clip.
Italian chicken needs to be cooked in a very particular way for the best possible results. Find out how to cook Italian chicken with help from a longtime cook in this free video clip.
South American cichlids are species of the cichlid family that are native to areas of South and Central American including parts of the United States and Mexico. With more than 300 species, South American cichlids come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. They do best when their captive environments mimic their native surroundings. Aquarium hobbyists who keep these fascinating fish will find that their pets thrive when they provide specific tank conditions.
Cabernet naturally goes pretty well with a wide variety of different Italian dishes. Pair Cabernet with Italian food with help from a chef and culinary instructor in this free video clip.
If you wish to manage your picture galleries from within Bento, you can import existing galleries from Adobe Photoshop Lightroom into the program. While Bento cannot automatically keep track of changes made in Lightroom, exporting your galleries from the Adobe program and importing them into Bento allows you, in effect, to sync your galleries manually.
Certain types of wine seem almost tailor-made for meals with Greek food. Learn which wine you should drink with Greek food with help from a chef and culinary instructor in this free video clip.
Nothing hits the spot quite like a nice, authentic Greek salad. Learn about cooking Greek salads and other types of Greek food with help from a chef and culinary instructor in this free video clip.
Some china pieces made by the now-closed Adams China Company bear the mark "Real English Ironstone." These pieces are made from ironstone – a clay mixture that's stronger than stoneware. Although ironstone china is stronger than stoneware, it's prone to cracking and staining under certain conditions. Taking good care of your Adams china pieces ensures that they'll last for many years to come.
Cajun food is influenced by the culture of three different locations: France, Acadia (a region in Canada) and the United States. It has developed into a famous cooking style in Louisiana. Cajun food emphasizes the use of local ingredients as opposed to exotic dishes. Because the food is prepared without much work, only a few herbs are added to dishes. Cayenne pepper, bay leaf, parsley, thyme, oregano and sassafras are common herbs in Cajun food.
Weaving is a centuries-old textile craft that can be simple and plain or intricate and elaborate. From the early use of tree branches as a loom to today’s computer-driven loom, different cultures have embraced the idea of interlacing different elements to structure items, such as belts, scarves, floor mats and nets. Various techniques indigenous to Latin America are being revived and made into viable businesses for today’s tourism trade and for people who appreciate the art involved in the process.
Some fashion boutiques sell purses that resemble Chinese take-out containers but these may cost more than you'd like to spend. Creating your own takes a short amount of time and is a more-economical choice than a premade Chinese take-out box-style purse. It also allows you to customize it to match your personal preferences and style. Most of the supplies you need are available at craft or fabric stores.
Typically played in pairs as a popular percussion instruments, maracas function singly as a ritualistic South American healing instrument. Create the instruments dried-out gourds, stretched leather or other natural or man-made materials, such as coconuts or plastic. Filled with seeds or similar objects, the finished product allows portable percussion instruments for all ages.
Toward the conclusion of the 18th century and the commencement of the 19th century, a number of revolutions transpired in Latin America as people hoped to achieve freedoms and independence. As a result, many countries were founded during this tumultuous time. A number of factors contributed to these revolutions, including rebellious attitudes, racial tension and new leadership.
Mixologist Joe Campanale creates the classic Peruvian pisco sour, a whiskey sour off-shoot with a distinct South American flavor. Joe then shakes up his restaurant’s variation, the Nardini sour, which uses grappa.
The natural diversity prevalent in aquatic life is highly intriguing and astonishing. One unique form of aquatic life is a five-armed organism known as the starfish. The appendages give the organism a star-shaped appearance, which is the fundamental reason behind naming it so. However, many scientists opine that the term "sea star" is more appropriate because the organism does not fall into the category of fish. This invertebrate lives in a very diverse habitat and can be found in practically all seas and oceans.
Although the nutria, or coypu, is a large rodent and is often called a river rat, it is not actually a rat. These animals live in warm, humid climates in the United States. Nutrias are semiaquatic omnivores that build nests in wetlands and along the edges of rivers. Their status as pests in some areas -- most notably, New Orleans, Louisiana -- is partially a result of their eating so many kinds of food.
Lizards are cold-blooded reptiles with different dietary requirements, depending on the species. Wild lizards have slightly different diets than lizards in captivity. For instance, most lizard owners do not feed their pets mammals, which are high in fat. A captive lizard's diet may include vegetation, insects, eggs and carrion. However, the majority of lizards are meat-eating carnivores that are more than happy to chase mammal prey in the wild.
Whole grains are already considered nutritious but if you sprout them they gain even more nutritional advantages. Sprouted grains offer vitamin B and protein, according to the "Los Angeles Times." The actual sprouting process frees up trace minerals and vitamins and gives the grains a nutty flavor. To easily sprout your own oatmeal at home for an energy packed breakfast, purchase oat groats from your local health food store.
Found in the Atlantic Ocean, bluefish is a silvery-blue large mouth fish that is widely available and a very sustainable fish, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service. In addition, bluefish is an excellent source of protein, potassium, magnesium and vitamin B12. You can prepare this fish quickly and easily on the grill, seasoning it to your liking.
Fluke, or summer flounder, has a firm, delicate taste that pairs well with tomatoes, fennel, lemon, vermouth, mushrooms, white wine and zucchini. Cook fluke in the summer, when the fresh vegetables that pair well with it are in abundance. Prepare fluke by pan-frying it in breadcrumbs and using it to top an herb and vegetable-infused risotto. Equipment that you will need to make fluke risotto includes knives; a cutting board; pots and pans; and plating components.
Callaloo is a Jamaican spinach-like vegetable that has a milder taste than spinach. The leaves and stalk can be cooked. In the Caribbean, the plant is used in recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Steamed callaloo is easy to make and can can be served as a side dish to fried plantains or nearly any preparation of pork.
Chowing down at a state fair is one of the most pleasurable parts of visiting a local carnival. Fair food is varied, meaning there's almost always something for everyone. However, there are a few categories of food that you can be confident will be at any fair, year after year.
Walking outside to find a bag of trash torn up and spread over the lawn is an annoyance. The smell of thrown-out meat attracts various animals, including raccoons and stray cats. Use baking soda to help neutralize the smell of the meat and store it in a more secure container. The meat will smell stronger as it rots, especially if the temperature in the can increases. Throwing meat out properly can also prevent pets from getting into it.
Dietary restrictions are strictly adhered to and supervised in the Judaic tradition. The type of food and its preparation come under scrutiny in households and organizations that follow the Hebrew religion and culture. Meals are to be presented and consumed with non-dairy alternatives, also known as pareve, as part of the Kosher rules collectively referred to as Kashrut that require the separation of meat and milk products. Keeping Kosher strengthens the spiritual connection participants feel with their God.
"Gor, the Counter-Earth" refers to an alternative world book series that John Norman has written. The long-running series -- 29 books at the time of publication -- is set in a detailed counterculture referred to as Gorean. The series sets out a highly descriptive world, with a range of different cities with different tastes in food, leisure and culture. One of the cities described in detail is the city of Turia.
Chicken offal is the waste from processing chickens and can include bones, fat, skin and innards. Anything that is not used on the chicken is put into an offal pile or bin. Chicken offal can be purchased daily at a butcher. Because offal is typically waste, it can be purchased cheap or is sometimes even free. The oil that is rendered from chicken offal can be used as a cooking oil or to make homemade soaps. Chicken fat is full of saturated fats, which makes it solid at room temperature. When heated to a liquid state, it is golden yellow.
For a unique way of adding basil to your dishes, you can actually freeze crushed basil leaves into water in an ice cube tray for your own basil ice cubes! See how it's done in this free video on cooking with basil.
Whether its a Cinco de Mayo fiesta or just an ordinary Friday night, a burrito bar is a fun idea for dinner. Both children and adults will enjoy making their way through the bar, and piling up delicious toppings to make their own personal burritos.
Grinding and blending your own spice combinations gives a distinctive flavor to any dish you prepare. The process is more of an art than a science, relying on the choice of combinations and correct proportions. For moderate amounts, a stone mortar and pestle is best. For larger amounts, an electric spice grinder or coffee grinder can make the work go faster.
Appetizers and hors d'oeuvres are served before a meal in order to help quell hunger pangs and to stimulate a person's appetite. Served at sit-down affairs and formal gatherings, such as weddings, luncheons and dinner parties, appetizers are given at a place setting before the meal. Hors d'oeuvres, however, are small finger foods that are either passed from a waiter or arranged on a buffet table for guests to enjoy.
Okra is a summertime vegetable that originates from Africa but is widely eaten in the American South. People commonly eat fried okra or stewed okra, as well as adding the vegetable to soups and gumbos. Because fresh okra has a fairly short shelf life, many people opt to preserve it so that they can enjoy it when the plants are no longer producing.
While most people purchase their beef directly from their local grocer, many people choose to raise and slaughter their own cattle for eating or selling. Although sometimes an uncomfortable or controversial topic, preferred methods exist for humanely slaughtering a cow.
Chicken and turkey are safest to eat, and tastiest, when the poultry is at its freshest. Cooking meat that has not been stored correctly or is past the expiration date may make you sick. Foodborne infections like salmonella and E. coli are common to poultry, and these infections are more prevalent in spoiled meat. These bacteria cannot be detected by mere sight or smell, but you can reduce your chances of becoming sick by cooking only fresh poultry. Learn how to purchase and cook the freshest pieces of poultry by knowing what you should look for.
Analyze the type of the foods you are adding flavor to, when deciding how to create the perfect dish. For example, if you are cooking with acidic foods such as tomatoes or citrus, you should add sweet flavors to balance the pallet. However, this rule of thumb doesn't apply to all dishes. When cooking with meat, you want to emphasize the flavors. Lighter meat such as chicken and fish should be complemented by adding light fresh flavors; such as parsley and lemon. With red meat, add bold flavors like barbecue sauce and dried rosemary.
Spoiled meat harbors harmful illness-causing bacteria that can lead to food poisoning if consumed. Meat spoils when held at a temperature above 40 degrees F for more than two hours. The meat may look and smell fine, but it's safety has been compromised. Meat also begins to spoil when refrigerated for too long, typically for more than seven days, but it depends on the type of meat and whether or not it's cooked.
To make it easier to measure a meat portion repeatedly, use the same container and mark it so that you know the correct amount each time by simply following that marking. If you are eating out or do not have access to a scale, use the general guide that 1 ounce of cooked meat is about the size of a matchbox and 3 ounces is about the size of a deck of cards. Recipes, menus and diets refer to meat in raw weight measurements, unless it specifically says that it is a cooked weight.
Eggs are normally still safe to eat a few weeks after the sell-by date, as long as you've kept them refrigerated. Typically, eggs that are older actually make for better hard-boiled eggs...provided they haven't spoiled yet, of course! It's easier to peel them, unlike fresher eggs, which are difficult to peel and tend to remain runny. You can perform a quick and simple test to determine whether an egg is just getting older or has already spoiled.
A moldy slice of bread will ruin your sandwich, and possibly your appetite. Knowing how to tell if your grains have gone bad can help you put together quality meals, while avoiding old foods that will leave you with a foul taste. You can extend the shelf life of your grains by the way you store them. For instance, keeping bread in the freezer reduces the rate of mold growth and storing your pastas and rice in the dark can delay the expiration process.
Although almonds are commonly referred to as nuts, they are actually a stone fruit like peaches, plums, nectarines and cherries. Their stones, discarded in other fruits from flowering trees, are the nuts that are used for snacks and used in cooking and baking both sweet and savory dishes.
According to Cook's Thesaurus, lecithin is produced from soy or egg yolks and is used in baking and cooking as an emulsifier and lubricant in a wide variety of dishes. This ingredient can be used as a bread enhancer and comes as both a liquid and in granules. Lecithin is nutrient-rich and is a powerful asset in any cook's arsenal. Using lecithin in baking will require some experimentation to get the textures right.
Purchasing foods in bulk makes them generally cheaper in the long run and is a good option for large families. However, preserving the food so it does not spoil and keeps over a long period of time is often an issue. Meats in particular must be stored well in order to maintain their flavor and texture. Freezing is the best and most simple option for keeping poultry.
Choosing to keep a vegetarian diet means abstaining from eating animal meat. Keeping kosher means abiding by Jewish dietary regulations that include rules pertaining to the consumption of animal meat. A vegetarian wishing to also keep a kosher diet will have an easier time with kosher dietary regulations dealing with accepted and unaccepted animal meat. By abstaining from meat, vegetarians need not worry about what animal meat is considered acceptable in kosher dietary regulations.
For many meat lovers, pork pleases. This red meat sports a deep savory flavor that makes it a standout in myriad dishes. Those conscious about food safety may hesitate to use pork, as confusion surrounds the ways in which its freshness, or lack thereof, is shown. Your eye is an important tool to check if pork is fresh, as is your sense of touch. Refrigerators and freezers have an impact on pork's quality over time.
A number of quick and easy ways can tell you how fresh your chicken's egg is. While it is important to know how fresh your egg is, just because an egg is older doesn't mean it's spoiled. Less fresh eggs are still perfectly good for using in cake mixes, sauces or omelets, though they have a noticeably different consistency if you poach or fry them.
It takes one to three days to become sick when you eat spoiled food. If you don't know how to tell when meat has gone bad, you increase your chances of eating something rotten without realizing it. Spoiled pork is not something you will want to overlook. As with any type of meat, pork has a shelf life that must be respected and the meat must be properly stored to safely preserve its freshness.