Herb Blends and How To Use Them

Sometimes you just get tired of using the same old recipe that tastes the same time after time. But we are all so busy we are looking for easy ways to spice up are repertoire. One way that many cooks forget is to use blends of herbs to add subtle flavor distinctions. The French have been doing this forever. The French never use just one herb in there dishes but rather a blend of herbs that they call a "bouquets garni". Don't be put off by that fancy name, it simply means a bouquet of herbs....

The Chaser Energy Drink

The Chaser 5-hour energy drink is unlike any other energy beverage currently available. In fact, it really shouldn't be categorized with energy drinks such as Red Bull, AMP, and Full Throttle. It isn't something you consume for enjoyment; it's strictly for an intense energy kick to help get through those tough days.As most of you probably know, Chaser became famous for helping people deal with hangovers. You pop two of their pills and the aftermath of an intense night of partying will be...

Franks Hot Sauce - Dolls Up Your Dish

Remember the first time you drank rum, neat, from the bottle? A liquid fire swept your throat with red-hot blessing; you got summer in your veins. No need to be wistful. Franks hot sauce is the ideal way to indulge in that feeling without the health hazard association. Franks hot sauce, or to say for that matter any hot sauce causes that throat tingling with the use of capsaicin. Frank's has an 86 year old history of being popular. The tradition continues. When I was a child Frank's hot...

Fish Oil - It's Health Benefits & Risks

As the name implies, fish oil is oil that is removed from the tissues of oily fish and is often recommended as part of a healthy diet program. Many nutritionists recommend that individuals each fish at least once a week, but emphasis must be placed on the importance of avoiding fish that contain certain harmful contaminants. In avoiding predatory fish, such as sharks and others, individuals will prevent the consumption of unhealthy substances which can accumulate due to the fish's predatory...

The Origin of Shortbread

The name "shortbread" comes from shortening, the primary ingredient in this dessert that was once reserved for Christmas but is now enjoyed on any and every occasion. Like many traditional desserts, shortbread has been with us for centuries. Ancient records trace this simply prepared, yet rich and satisfying sweet cookie as far back as Medeival and Elizabethan Times.In all likelihood, an early version of shortbread was first prepared by the lower class European dairy farmers...

Bring Rusted Cast Iron Cookware Back to Life

The process of restoring rusted cast iron cookware can bring a family heirloom back to life and make it a fully functional asset in your kitchen. You can even salvage a garage sale or flea market find that looks too far gone. The beauty of cast iron cookware lies in it's rugged durability and versatility. Cast irons durability results from the quality and thickness of the material from which the pan was made. Older cast iron is especially tough since it was made before the time of cheap...

Steak Recipes

Steaks are the easiest to prepare among all the meats. Tender steaks like the sirloin and the T-bone (filet mignon is the tenderest but it is very expensive and not easily available in the markets) are usually grilled. Most recipes differ in the marinade that is to be applied to the steak. Marinades use wine, lemon juice, soy sauce, tomato juice, etc; or even fruits like papaya and pineapple. Steaks are marinated for 6 to 24 hours, depending on the recipe and then placed on the grill. A...

Sirloin Steak

It is said that King Henry VIII was so fond of this particular steak cut from the loins of beef, that he termed it as

Take Out, Fast Food, Restaurants

Living in the city offers the convenience of fast food. You can buy whatever your taste buds desire, and it can be ready in a matter of minutes! However, country living changes the convenience! When we first moved to the country, many times I would forget that I had to plan each day's meal. There was not the fast food or take-outs around the corner! Now, however, planning the meals has become routine. No longer does planning meals have to be remembered it is now done automatically. We...

What Do I Do With All These Packets Of DIP Mix?

It seems that everyone uses dip mix but me. I've managed to accumulate quite the collection of dip mixes. (Ranch, jalapeno, Mexican, etc.) What can I do with these other than make DIP? Signed, Drowning in Dip Dear Drowning in Dip, I hear you! I find myself in the same situation. But, I ended up with my pantry over-flowing in dip and finally found some solutions. I hope they help you, too. All you need to use your dip mix is sour cream, mayonnaise or cream cheese. From there, the...

Best Casserole Recipe: Cheesy Barbecue Casserole

Here's an Italian baked ziti recipe with an interesting twist - barbecue sauce. If you love the taste of barbecue, this casserole's for you. 3 cups uncooked ziti pasta 1 pound ground beef cup onion, chopped

Barbecue Sauce Recipes

The barbecue began in the American context during the late 1800's cattle drives in the West. The cowhands usually had low quality cuts of beef that had to be preserved over long periods of time of cattle driving.The main choice for this was brisket that is tough meat. The cowboys soon learned that if they cooked the meat over a long period of time at a low temperature the meat could be made tender and tasty. During this time, the cooks also experimented with various barbecue sauces to make...

Make Grilling A Healthy Experience

Without a doubt there is something very relaxing and pleasurable about cooking and eating grilled food. There are countless ways you can turn your grilling not only into a flavorful and enjoyable way to cook, but there are also many healthy and tasty alternatives. Like anything else in life, what you put on your grill is a choice. Grilling healthy first means that you have decided to eat healthy. Cooking on a grill can be a great way to reduce fats on while adding wonderful flavor however...

The Wonderful World of Peanuts

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF PEANUTS By: Lara Velez HISTORY Before I begin with the history of peanuts you should probably know that the peanut is not a nut. The "pea"nut is actually more closely related to the pea. It is a member of the legumes family. Also, peanuts do not grow in trees like nuts do. They grow on the ground. They start out as flowers, and eventually wind up burrowing underground. Under ground is where they become a delicious peanut. OK - so where did these little...

Home Coffee Roasting - Makes all the difference

Go Ahead---Have Some Coffee--- It's Not JUST COFFEE Anymore! As I sit here one the deck with my daily morning cup of coffee, I realize... just a few years ago I'd have had a cup of dark strong, stovetop brew with some milk to ease the taste. No more!! Now there's almost every kind of coffee available that you can imagine. Roasting Coffee at Home First, we'll start with the fact that you can buy green coffee beans and roast them to your liking right in you own home. One way to roast...