Simple Gourmet Coffee

There are a number of countries that produce coffee and new regions are converting their crops to the mighty bean as our demand for different tasting coffee increases. We are also adding more exotic flavourings to our coffee. It comes as no surprise that the number of coffee shops and stores that sell coffee beans and all the associated paraphernalia to be able to make our own perfect coffee at home.

Coffee houses are a great place for us to go and relax with friends and family over an expertly made cup of coffee. We often ignore how much effort has been put into our drink by the coffee maker that roasts the beans, grinds them up and then uses the exact quantity required to brew a satisfying cup of coffee for us. There are a number of techniques involved in making a cup of coffee and a lot of us are happy to leave someone else to make it for us. The equipment used is only part of the story; you also need to practice with various quantities of coffee and water until it reaches your optimum strength.

We are almost overwhelmed by the huge variety of types of coffee that are available. Not only does the coffee taste different depending on the country and region that the beans were grown in but also from year to year. This is due to the changes in weather from one coffee growing season to another.

If you go to a specialist coffee shop you are likely to be confronted with a huge selection of flavourings that you can add to your coffee to make it even more to your liking.

The strength and bitterness of the coffee can be adjusted by using different quantities of water and coffee, adding sweeteners and milk as well as adding milk. One tip for lowering the bitterness level is to never use boiling water as this scalds the coffee and gives it a bitter taste. Always use water that is just below boiling temperature when making your coffee.

Everyone has their own opinion about what makes the perfect cup of coffee but you will find your own technique through trial and error.

Gourmet Food Gift Basket - A Savory Treat For Any Occasion

With so many different tastes how does one go about selecting the most choice gourmet gift baskets for a loved one? It's simple, make a list of classic gourmet food gift baskets, go over the list carefully, and choose the one that you think will make your loved one's mouth water the most. Almost any basket chosen with love will be a well-received gift.

You could start with a gourmet delight gift basket that includes cranberry walnut tarts, raspberry cookies, chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, raspberry-honey-mustard pretzels, spicy trail mix, almond cookies, cheese shortbread, cheese straws, potato chip cookies and other delicious treats for the person who craves sweets. It's a classy collection of unique food gift basket delicacies.

At times of bereavement a heartfelt sympathy food gift basket can be visually uplifting and convey respect. A sympathy basket will be packed full of fine gourmet foods, comforting gifts and caring words of encouragement for the broken hearted. Possible inclusions can be scented candles, Biscotti, cracked pepper water crackers, delectable cookies, chocolate crisp wafers, fine chocolates, and other delicious treats.

It's often a great idea to add non-food items to a food gift basket. And this is an especially true when it comes to a bridal shower party. Not only should your basket contain gourmet food and delicious snacks, but an assortment of bridal shower games and keepsakes. How about a party game book, cookies, crackers, cheeses, wines, herbal teas, along with a few essentials: disposable camera, photo book, and even a keepsake registry book.

Some of the most popular and unique food gift baskets combine a generous assortment of fine gourmet treats with a look that conveys your good taste and sincerity. Whether small or large they can be crammed full of fine chocolates, nuts, gourmet cookies, cheeses, crackers and other mouth-watering treats. These baskets can be enjoyed on any occasion including holidays, bridal showers, birthdays, times of bereavement, as a get-well gift or for a housewarming.

Maybe you are not into those tasty savory snacks, but are more inclined to eat from a fresh and healthy basket of fruit. If health is a concern, and junk food is out, you will be able to sink your teeth into some luscious seasonal fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, kiwi, nectarines, peaches and pears. Or add a tropical flavor with mangos, papayas and other savory tropical fruits.

Everyone loves pasta, so why not surprise your loved ones with a three-course Italian dinner? Your food basket can contain pasta, champagne hand-poured into a wine glass, along with flavors such as extra virgin olive oil, tomato basil cheese, Nicosia coquilles olives, wine crackers and sausage. Or how about an Italian salad that combines celery, bell pepper, mushroom, black olives, onion, garlic and oregano. And it wouldn't be a true Italian basket without lots of tomato and sweet basil sauce mixed with savory vegetables

There are many types of gift baskets and it's hard to go wrong with any of them. Whether you are drooling for Italian, Scottish, Irish or Mexican food there are wonderful assortments available. Food and gift baskets are the ultimate. And as for holidays, a holiday food gift basket can make any day special.

Ordering gourmet gift baskets is always easy, but creating your own custom-made basket is special and lots of fun. A creative and unique idea, easily customized to suit any individual, the gourmet food gift basket can be a delightful expression of sentiment.

Classy, And Oh So Tasty…Our Gourmet Gift Baskets Are Sure To Please!

When it comes to making a good impression, saying “Thank you,” or selecting a gift sure to delight, few other choices guarantee success like gourmet gift baskets; especially when the food basket comes from Full Moon.

That’s because Full Moon Gift Baskets are particular. We include only the highest-quality of gourmet foods; ones with the highest of palatable standards. With a variety of styles from which to select, our gourmet gift baskets are the perfect choice for corporate business gifts, birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and weddings, just to name a few. There is a “just-right” gift basket brimming with select gourmet foods, one to fit every occasion.

Take the Crowd Pleaser Gourmet food basket, for instance…as visually impressive as it is appetizing. A lavish basket adorned with cascading ribbons, bows and gift card, filled to overflowing with delectable treats: gourmet cookies, coffees, herbal teas, flavored popcorns, Ghirardelli chocolates, hot cocoa, lemon cake, and more. Plus three humorous perpetual calendars, sure to bring a chuckle to help ease work related or holiday stress. This generous food basket is sure to win rave reviews!

“WOW” is the only way to describe our corporate gift baskets, theme oriented with high-impact visual appeal. Exquisite and elegant, each gourmet food basket a masterpiece - offering such tantalizing tummy-pleasers as gourmet cheeses and mustards, mouth watering sausages, wine crackers, dried fruit, candies and so much more. Quality with executive flair!

Don’t forget our sampler Gourmet Delight. It offers a variety of taste-teasers sure to satisfy the most scrutinizing gourmet connoisseur. Custom-made Gourmet gift baskets can also be personalized to your specifications. Our talented design team is just a phone call away; on standby to create the perfect gift basket extraordinaire…classy, tasty, affordable, and custom made. Make a good impression and choose a gourmet gift basket for your gift giving occasion.

BBQ Safety Tips

When it comes to barbecuing, what could be more fun than whipping up sumptuous food on the grill in the company of family and friends? The thing of course is finding the right place for grilling and barbecuing. One favorite spot among true barbecue aficionados would be their very own backyard or outdoor kitchen with their own brick barbecue pit. Actually, any outdoor area is a potential spot for a barbecue but truth be known, the best places for a barbecue are the safest ones.

Choose a location for your BBQ grill that is away from trees, leaves, brush and overhanging limbs. Do not setup your gill in a high traffic area where someone may accidentally brush up against the hot grill.

When barbecuing in your backyard, be sure that you're 5 to 10 feet away from your house or any material that can potentially catch fire. Also, be sure the grill is stable and is away from children or pets that may bump into it. It would also be a good idea to have a water supply nearby like a garden hose.

If you live in an apartment building with a balcony or rooftop or any other outdoor space, be sure to consult with your building administrator (or in some instances, your local fire department) regarding specific restrictions. Generally, using charcoal and gas grills indoors or anywhere above the first storey is prohibited so you may want to consider electric grills instead for your barbecuing efforts.

Another great place to barbecue is in a campsite. Camping is such an exciting way to experience the great outdoors and barbecuing food over a campfire is definitely one of those practical yet cozy things you can do. Just be sure that you are at least 15 feet away from your tent and other camping gears.

Protect yourself by using the correct BBQ utensils such as oven mitts, thongs and a good spatula. Avoid wearing loose clothing while near the grill.

Always leave the lid to a gas grill open when lighting the fire so the gas does not build up under the cover. If the fire does not initially start, turn off the gas, leave the lid open and wait for at lest five minutes before trying again.

It is always a good idea to give your grill a checkup before using for the first time of the season and always store your tanks outside in a upright position where the temperature will never go over 125 degrees.

Of course, it's not just the atmosphere of being outdoors that can make a barbecue fun and special. It's also in the delicious barbecue dishes that you share with your loved ones. To make it all the more special, try a variety of BBQ rubs, marinades, salsas and BBQ sauce to capture the true taste of great outdoor barbecuing.

BBQ Grilling Versus Smoking - The Great Debate

We all have heard about barbecuing, but we are unaware of the real tricks in it. Barbecuing is also a form of art. To a person who is new to this art may get confused, because cooking meat in an open fire is a really tricky method. In order to get a really good and delicious bbq dish, one must have a lot of patience.Barbecuing can be done in two methods: through grilling and smoking. Grilling is the quickest method of cooking meat over a direct source of dry heat, whereas, smoking is a slow process, where the food is kept at a particular distance from the fire. Now let us take the two separately, to know the real processing.

BBQ Grilling

Grilling is of two types: direct and indirect. But before going into the details,let me tell you that there are three varieties of grills: charcoal grill, gas grill and electric grill. Charcoal grills are relatively inexpensive when compared to the other two. Now we'll go back to the types of cooking. Direct method is a high heat method and is used for cooking relatively small pieces of food. Steaks, chops, chicken breasts,etc are some of the typical foods that can be grilled directly. In indirect method, as the name suggests, the food is kept to the side of the heat source. It is somewhat like baking a cake or such type of foods.Now we will move on to smoking.

BBQ Smoking

Smoking is the finest way to cook food,even though it takes time. If grilling is best for cooking smaller pieces, smoking is best for cooking larger pieces. Roasts, ham, ribs, brisket, etc are some of the foods that can be smoked. One must maintain a steady temperature, to come up with a deliciously smoked food. The normal,suited temperature for smoking is between 200-225 degrees. If you cook the meat until it's 165 degrees in the middle, it would make the meat more tastier,as the smoke flavour gets deep into it.For basic bbq smoking, you can use the regular grill. The only thing that one must be aware while smoking is, the selection of right type of wood.Because, each wood is different in its own way. So we have to experiment with all sorts of wood to find out which one is the best. Smokers may vary in shapes and sizes.There are smokers running in gas and charcoal.But the heat coming from any type of smoker is a cooler one,which is why it takes a lot of time to smoke.

Now to end with it, barbecuing has to undergo one more process, that's topping it with sauce.In fact it is the topmost ingredient, which one can't omit while barbecuing.Types of sauce varies according to the region. If vinegar-base sauce is typical in Southern United States, tomato-base sauce is typical in Western United States. The best time to apply sauce is during the last stage of cooking. ie, when you are sure that the meat is well cooked,because,sugar is one of the main ingredients in barbecue sauces and it tends to burn easily. So you must cook the meat before you burn the sugar.

Barbecue Party Tips For A Truly Amazing Event

Barbecue party tips can help a host put together an extraordinary event for family and friends. Eating outdoors is a favorite pastime enjoyed by everyone and planning the event can help make it more memorable and stress-free for the host. Big or small, a barbecue party requires an adequate amount of planning and preparation to ensure that everything is laid out properly.

It is advisable to plan the event around a theme in order to create a focal point for the barbecue party. This way, all aspects of the party such as the food, games and decorations can be fashioned around a central theme. Favorite themes for barbecue parties include a Hawaiian motif, nostalgic seventies get-together, or, if you are near the sea, opt for a beach bbq party!

Planning the menu is perhaps the most important part of any get-together especially for a barbecue party as most guests will be looking forward to an array of lip-smacking roasted meats dripping in bbq sauce.

Barbecue on the Beach Anyone?

Ah, what can be better than a great barbecue on the beach? The beach is definitely one of the best locations to have a barbecue. After all, the nature of grilling and barbecuing as a cooking technique is that it's fun, exciting and very rewarding. Similarly, the beach pretty much exudes the same atmosphere. There are a lot of fun and exciting activities to do at the beach. It's a place where people can be themselves in their 'bare essentials' and the relaxation factor is definitely rewarding. Putting these two wonderful concepts together, a barbecue on the beach is pretty much a recipe for a great time!

But before you pack your stuff, gear up your grill and hit the sand for one hell of a barbecue on the beach party, bear in mind that there are various safety procedures and other rules governing beach areas so it would be best to consult authorities and secure the proper permissions before you even think about organizing a beach barbecue party.

Assuming you've done that and you've already picked a nice spot, next would be preparing for your barbecue on the beach. There are various grill types that you may use for barbecuing on the beach – you have the wood or charcoal grill, gas grill or you may also use a campfire tripod. Be sure to station your grill in a stable spot, away from any flammable material and safe from people possibly bumping into it.

Bring your marinated meat, poultry or seafood in a cooler and take them out only when you're ready to start barbecuing to avoid spoilage. Further, the last seasoning you would want on your barbecue on the beach is sand right? So keep them covered!

And of course, don't forget to pack those barbecue sauces and hot sauces to spice up your barbecue dishes. If you're looking for something insanely different to give your barbecue that extra punch, visit www.InsaneChicken.com for their wide array of barbecue sauces, marinades and dry rubs. Treat yourself and your friends' taste buds to their line of extremely hot products; they would definitely go well with a good beer. Now that's what I call one unforgettable barbecue on the beach party!

Varieties Of Gourmet Olives

The history of olives and olive oil can be traced back to at the least biblical times. When the waters of the great flood subsided and Noah sent forth a dove it was an olive leaf she returned carrying in her mouth. It is known that as long as 6000 years ago olive oil was used as fuel in lamps. Maybe it was this olive oil that created such a beautiful Genie for Major Anthony Nelson to rescue in the popular television sitcom I Dream of Genie.

Today in modern grocery stores there are dozens of gourmet olives widely available. Gone are the days of canned black olives and green olives with pimentos as the only choices. For those of us who remember the days of opening a can of black olives and placing one on each finger then systematically biting them off here is the new olive.

Nicoises: Is a earthy rich olive commonly used in salad. The curing of this olive in red-wine vinegar gives it a distinctive taste.

Green olives with herbs de Provence: This vibrant citrus flavored olive is a delightful blend of herbs de Provence spices and large green olives. It is an excellent choice to use in surf dishes and with sweet spices.

Mount Athos green with Sicilian herbs: This is a second olive that utilizes herbs to dominate the pallet. Rosemary, garlic, mustard seed, and red pepper flakes give this olive a spicy appeal.

Mount Athos green stuffed with garlic: For a modern twist on the martini this olive is an excellent choice. It is stuffed with rich flavorful garlic and lends itself well to pizza as well as martinis.

Mount Athos green olives with sun-dried tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes give this heavy olive an intense flavor that is sophisticated and ideal for snacking.

Sun-dried olives: The drying of this olive gives it a rich flavor that blends wonderfully in sauces for serving over pasta.

Kalamatas: A tangy black olive cured in red-wine vinegar that can be from Italy or California. The California variety is denoted with a 'c' spelling rather than a 'k'.

Alfonsos: This robust winey tasting olive is soft and similar to the kalamata. It is a popular choice in antipasto salads.

Halkididis: Very similar in flavor to the kalamatas this olive is excellent blended with cream cheese and garlic for a flavorful dip.

Lucques: This meaty buttery olive contains pits but is still a wonderful choice with provolone cheese and bruchetta.

Safe Food Handling For The Holidays

Did you know that the turkey you thawed on the kitchen counter, instead of in the fridge, could now contain bacteria levels high enough to harm human life, even though you can’t see, smell, or taste it?

There’s nothing better than a home cooked meal during the holidays. But, with all the special effort that goes into making one, everything will be for naught if the food has not been stored, prepared, or cooked properly.

Food experts agree that the safe handling of food should be the top ingredient in any recipe.

While they may not turn you into a gourmet chef, following these simple food-handling tips will keep your family and guests safe from unpleasant, and sometimes life-threatening, food-born illnesses.

When buying raw meat, keep juices, which may contain bacteria, from contaminating your hands or anything in your grocery cart. Plastic bags work great for this purpose.

Meat should also be picked up at the end of your grocery shopping and should not be placed in the same bag as fruits and vegetable.

If you plan on storing your meat for 2 to 3 months in the freezer, make sure you buy some freezer proof wrap. The wrap that the store uses is designed to allow air into the meat product and is, therefore, not good for freezing. This is because beef products turn from a purple color to a bright red when exposed to air, making them look fresh, but if left too long will promote bacteria growth.

Defrosting should be done in the refrigerator or in a sink full of water, changing the water about every 45 minutes. A refrigerator allows the meat to defrost in a controlled atmosphere, slowing down the growth of bacteria. Never defrost your meat on top of the counter at room temperature. This can quickly become a bacteria breeding ground. The growth rate of bacteria multiplies rapidly between 40F (4C) and 140F (60C).

Once meat has been thawed it must be either cooked immediately or placed in the refrigerator and then cooked within 24 hours. Never refreeze meat. Most meats and poultries only have a safe fridge life of 2 days, whether stored after thawing or purchased fresh.

When handling raw meat, wash your hands before and after. Also, wash counters or plates you plan to reuse in the preparation process if they have had raw meat on them, as they will also contain harmful levels of bacteria.

As humans, we also carry harmful organisms on our skin which, when spread to food, produce a toxin that normal cooking cannot destroy. Therefore, it is essential to wash our hands thoroughly with soap and water prior to handling food, as well as cover open cuts.

While beefsteak can be cooked to varying degrees of redness, turkey must be completely cooked. At the innermost part of the thigh, the temperature must reach 180F (82C) for a stuffed turkey and 170F (77C) unstuffed. Stuffing in the cavity should read 165F (74C). Cooking times vary with the weight of the bird.

It is important not to keep the thermometer inside the oven with the bird as it could be affected by the oven’s hot air and provide a false reading.

Plan your cooking ahead of time. Do not partially cook the bird, refrigerate, and then complete the cooking process, as this will produce dangerously high levels of bacteria.

Cooked food must be refrigerated within 2 hours, which means that you need to plan your meal so that it can be eaten shortly after being cooked.

Refrigerated leftovers should be eaten within a couple of days, which includes turkey gravy, fish, and eggs. Meat casseroles and pies, rice, potatoes, and cooked noodles will last 2 to 3 days, while cooked meat, chicken, turkey, turkey stuffing, and many soups may last up to 4 days before bacteria levels reach critical points.

Using safe food-handling practices allows for healthy eating. The rest is a matter of taste.

Omaha Steaks – Possibly The World’s Finest Steaks

Among the finest sources for steaks available, Omaha Steaks is renowned for providing high quality beef and gourmet products to customers across the country and around the world. Their name is well-known among cooks and grillmasters thanks to their continued commitment to providing the best food available. And Omaha Steaks works to make sure that they deliver on that commitment.

Starting in 1917, Omaha Steaks built its reputation on supplying high quality Midwestern steaks to people and businesses looking for choice cuts of excellent beef. This family owned business started out in Omaha, Nebraska and has kept its headquarters there throughout its history and expansion. And this expansion has seen the business stretch into areas including food service, mail order, incentive marketing, telesales, retail and even online sales. And with each successive step, Omaha Steaks further cements its reputation as the place to turn to when looking for quality beef.

However, despite their name, beef is not the only thing on offer from Omaha Steaks. In fact, they also provide very good selections of poultry, veal, pork and lamb and have even moved into offerings of pastas, side dishes and desserts for their customers. And as Omaha Steaks continues to grow, they will undoubtedly expand into new areas of food offerings, giving their customers even more options when they look to Omaha Steaks. And with this wide selection, customers can put something on the menu for those people who want something tasty, but don’t want it to be as heavy as steak.

In order to serve their customers better, Omaha Steaks provides a few ways to shop. The most common method for purchasing Omaha Steaks’ products is through their mail order and online business. Their steaks are shipped to ensure delivery within seven days of going out, so they will still be fresh when they arrive. Omaha Steaks takes every precaution to ensure that their food is just as good when it arrives as the day it was packed. Which means that your purchases will be consistently excellent.

However, some areas have access to Omaha Steaks through their retail stores. This growing portion of the business is not as large as their mail order and online services, but it is expanding as the company moves into new markets. This not only allows people to have a more personal experience while they are choosing just the right steak, but also gives people the opportunity to take their selections home immediately and get them on the grill in no time. And, as you would expect, their retail stores provide the same level of quality and commitment to excellence as every other portion of their business.

By taking pride in their service and the quality of their products, Omaha Steaks has moved from a small business in Nebraska to a multinational company providing its customers with a wide selection of foods that have them coming back again and again. And by taking care to take care of their customers, Omaha Steaks is making sure that they are always worth coming back to.

The Well-Stocked Pantry -- A Cook's Secret Weapon

Doing any job is easier when you have the right tools on hand. One of a cook's best tools -- and secret weapons -- is having a well-stocked pantry. Cooking is much simpler if you know that you've already got what you need on hand, and aren't going to have to run to the corner market every time you want to fix a meal. Having a well-stocked pantry is also the secret weapon of every "Hostess with the Mostest" especially when unexpected guests drop by. You'll be able to make every guest feel special and welcome because, whether it is appetizers for four or dinner for ten, you can handle it with style and panache. In fact, your reputation -- and your sanity -- will be assured, because with these things in your pantry, you can put together beautiful and tasty food that is beautifully presented in just minutes, simply and easily. Here is a list of basic ingredients that should be in any well-stocked pantry. (One great way to stock your pantry is to buy one or two things on the list each time you go shopping, rather than trying to get it all at once. If you watch the sales and take advantage of seasonal buys, you'll be able to save money as well!) Remember to rotate everything in your pantry on a regular basis, and adjust the items on this list to suit your family's likes and dislikes. Herbs, Spices, Extracts and Sauces: - Salt (Sea and Iodized) - Pepper (Whole Peppercorns, Black, White and Red) - Nutmeg (Ground and Fresh) - Cinnamon (Ground and Sticks) - Pumpkin Pie Spice (Ground) - Allspice (Ground) - Cardamom (Whole and Ground) - Ginger (Whole and Ground) - Curry (Ground) - Garlic (Fresh and Ground for Emergencies) - Mustard (Ground) - Bay Leaves (Dried) - Rosemary (Fresh and Bottled) - Thyme (Fresh and Bottled) - Sage (Fresh and Dried) - Sweet Basil (Fresh and Dried) - Parsley (Fresh and Dried for Emergencies) - Cumin (Ground) - Oregano (Dried) - Onions (Flakes for Emergencies) - Vanilla Extract - Maple Extract - Almond Extract - Lemon Extract - Orange Extract - Soy Sauce - Cooking Wine or Cooking Sherry - Rice Wine Vinegar - Sesame Oil - Balsamic Vinegar - Red Wine Vinegar - Citrus Vinegar - Teriyaki Sauce - Barbecue Sauce - Sweet and Sour Sauce - Tabasco or Other Hot Sauce - Chili Sauce - Steak Sauce - Packages of Salad Dressing Mix - Packages of Dried Onion Soup Mix (Or Other Flavors) - Soup for Sauces (Cream of Chicken, Mushroom, Celery and Cheese) For Baking: - All Purpose Flour - Self-Rising Flour - Whole Wheat Flour - Pancake Mix - Yeast - Sugar - Confectioner's Sugar - Brown Sugar - Sugar Cubes - Molasses - Baking Powder - Baking Soda - Yeast - Cornstarch - Honey - Cocoa Powder - Unsweetened or Semi-Sweet Chocolate - Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips - Butterscotch, Caramel and other flavored "chips" - Nuts (Walnuts, Pecans, Almonds, Hazelnuts and Cashews) - Marshmallow Cream - Vegetable Shortening (Regular and Butter-Flavored) - Sunflower Oil - Maraschino Cherries For Appetizers or Adding "Something Special" to Meals: - Peanuts in the Shell - Salted Peanuts - Mixed Nuts - Extra Virgin Olive Oil - A Variety of Crackers - Black and Green Olives - Canned Mushrooms - Palm Tree Hearts - Bottled Asparagus - Sun-dried Tomatoes - Bottled Salsa - A Variety of Chips and Dips - Cheeses (Traditionally, 3 to 5 are served, from hard to soft, mild to strong. Find flavors that mix well together, and serve cheeses from different animals and different countries) For Everyday Meals: - Bullion Cubes and Powders (Chicken, Beef and Vegetable) - White Rice - Long Grain and Wild Rice - Brown Rice - A Variety of Pastas - Barley - Bread Crumbs - Croutons - Tomato Sauce - Tomato Paste - A Variety of Canned Tomatoes - A Variety of Canned Beans (Black, Red, Kidney and Garbanzo) - Dried Beans (Pinto, Chili and Kidney) - Canned Tuna, Chicken, Crab and Clams For Desserts: - Canned Pineapple (Chunks and Slices) - A Variety of Canned Fruits - A Variety of Jams or Jellies - A Variety of Cake Mixes, Brownies and Frostings - A Variety of Packaged Puddings - All the fixings for Ice Cream Sundaes or Banana Splits - Applesauce In the Refrigerator: - Milk - Eggs (Or Egg Substitutes) - Cream (A staple for many Mediterranean Dishes) - Butter or Margarine - Yellow Mustard - Brown Mustard - Dijon Mustard - Ketchup - Mayonnaise or Salad Dressing - Cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss, Feta, Parmesan and Jack) - Cottage Cheese - Sour Cream - Green Onions - Tomatoes - Cilantro - Salad Fixings In the Freezer: - Whole Chicken - Steaks - Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts - Beef or Pork Roast - Stew Meat - Hamburger - Pork Chops - Pieces of yellow, red and green peppers (Chop up any leftovers each time you use them and throw them into a bag in the freezer. They will add color and flavor to bland dishes) - Frozen Bread Dough (Make your own or store bought) - Frozen Rolls (Make your own or store bought) - Frozen Pizza Dough (Make your own or store bought) - Frozen Baguette - Broccoli - Spinach With these ingredients in your kitchen, the only thing you'll have to worry about when it's time to cook is which recipe you want to try!

How Do We Make The Perfect Coffee

Drive down just about any street in the United States and you will spot people holding coffee cups walking into their place of employment or just on a lazy morning stroll. With specialty coffee shops strategically tucked in our business districts, one would think coffee has always been in the United States, but this ever growing trend is not an original American idea.

It is believed that the first coffee trees were found in Ethiopia. Several urban legends surround the discovery of the coffee bean – the most familiar being a farmer who watched his goats eating the beans, and out of curiosity, ingested one and was impressed with the surge of energy the bean produced - but cannot be substantiated. But what we do know is that coffee beans found its way through the Arabian Peninsula that led to Yemen and Arabia. Yemen was the first area to cultivate the coffee bean. From there, it made its way to Turkey, where coffee beans were first roasted and then crushed and boiled in water, producing a very primitive version of the coffee we drink today.

Trade merchants brought coffee to Europe, and it quickly took off. Coffee houses popped up rampantly, and were the sites of philosophical and other intellectual discussions.

Then, in the 1700’s a French captain brought a tree from Europe to the Americas, and planted it on the Caribbean Island of Martinique. From there, coffee consumption spread like wild fire in Central and South America.

And in the mid-1800’s, Italy put its own spin on coffee by perfecting espresso in their region. France was known for making the first espresso machine, but the Italians found a way to add to the technology. They were the first manufacturers of the now ever popular espresso machine, and espresso remains a significant aspect of their culture today.

America added its own spin to coffee consumption. In the 1970’s, the “coffee revolution” was born in Seattle, WA. At that point, the latte – a coffee and milk beverage - was created, and sought after throughout the United States. This ingenious invention that has American buzzing around their jobs and life helped change the quality of coffee we drink now. It has also begun to quickly spread to other parts of the world – coffee shops and other coffee venues can be seen just about anywhere globally – but Americans are still dubbed the largest consumers of coffee.

Today, coffee is one of the largest world commodities – it falls second to petroleum world-wide. The coffee industry employs over 20 million people, 5 million alone in Brazil. Coffee industry workers cultivate and harvest over 3 billion plants all over the world – which helps support the approximately 400 billion cups of coffee consumed each year. In the United States, the coffee industry pulls in annual revenues of over a billion.

Give The Gift Of A Gourmet Gift Basket

A tisket a tasket, a special food treat basket. What a great way to say “I’m thinking about you.” Gourmet gift baskets are really nice, always appropriate and not overly expensive. They’re a great one to send your congratulations on a joyous occasion, or to say "I care" when things don’t seem to be going so well in someone’s life.

Gourmet gift baskets are great to give as an office gift, to a fellow employee or even to your boss. They’re also great to give as gift for all for an office party or for a business meeting when some sort of refreshments are in order. You will want to think carefully about what to order to fill the basket, things that won’t be messy for an office business meeting for example. Careful thought along those lines will point you to just the right things and your thoughtfulness will be appreciated.

These are also the kind of gift that can be given to a fellow employee or to your boss without having to be concerned about being misunderstood. They’re a gift sure to be appreciated without being personal in a way that will start unwanted rumors.

A gourmet food basket is also a great gift to welcome a new employee to the company or a new client. Possibly your company is hosting a sales or business convention. What a great welcoming gift for each conventioneer to find in their room, they’re sure to feel welcomed and wanted and what a great attitude to start off with for this sort of an occasion.

Perhaps a friend or family member has just had a new baby. What a great way to say congratulations to the new parents and welcome to the new baby. You can have the basket filled with special treats sure to make the new mom and dad feel pampered and special and also include some small treats such as a pacifier and small stuffed animals for the newcomer. If there are older brothers and sisters, don’t forget to include some special little thing for them as well.

These baskets also make great holiday gifts for those people whom you definitely want to remember with something really nice but for whom you just can’t think of the right thing. There is such a vast selection of treats that you are sure to be able to make your basket a special treat and sure to be appreciated. Adding some sort of festive trimming to reflect the specific holiday will make your gift just right for any occasion.

Gourmet gift baskets are sure to be regarded as a special gift no matter what the occasion. They can be packaged and sent within 24 hours and also can be specially packed to be sent through the mail. When you need a gift that’s sure to be appreciated, send a special food treat, send a gourmet food basket.

Copyright 2005 by D. L. Randolph. All rights reserved.

Custom Gift Baskets For The Perfect Gift – Literally

Custom gift baskets are always a hit for any occasion. There are so many custom gift basket ideas that are simple and effective you will never run out of creative ways to share in any celebration. You will be surprised how easy it is to create perfect custom gift baskets for every person on your gift list and for any special occasion.

Specialty stores also offer an amazing selection of custom gift baskets. Handmade soap companies do well to group certain bath related items together and create decorative and inexpensive gift baskets. A town that revolves around a certain industry such as citrus will have shops that create custom gift baskets filled to over flowing with fresh fruit or fruit related items. These specialty baskets can be filled with several varieties of citrus related food and food products such as jelly or orange squeezers.

Perhaps your hometown has an amazing place of business that is unique. Let’s say there is a kitchen where the most remarkable peanut brittle is made and sold. Custom gift baskets should be a serious part of the retail aspect in keeping small businesses such as this going. Offering a small portion of each flavorful type of peanut brittle and magnetic calendar for the refrigerator is a brilliant way to gain new business.

Then, too, you would do well to create your own version of custom gift baskets for the friends and family on our holiday or birthday gift list. Your nephew is really big into Star Wars? A variety of Star Wars games, playing cards, candy and memorabilia placed in a basket and presented for his birthday is guaranteed to create a smile.

Co-workers, employees, and employers alike will feel very special when presented with a custom gift baskets that show your appreciation for their dedication and hard work. And the perk will be you won’t have to spend great sums of money and you won’t have to work hard in order to achieve special custom gift baskets. Just a little bit of thought and planning goes a really long way.

There are many unique versions of custom gift baskets that you may have not ever thought about. Thinking out of the box definitely gets you a long way in the world of surprising gifts. This also betters the chances that your gift will be bring a genuine smile of appreciation. Nothing lasts longer than the memory of a great gift that was well thought out.

Baby showers and wedding showers are not exempt from the custom gift baskets arena. Indeed, there is truly no better way to buy baby or bridal gifts than to present them than in a basket. The basket itself can be used in so many ways that your gift becomes a gift that has longtime benefit.

Copyright 2005 by D. L. Randolph. All rights reserved.

Changing Pizza Trends

For years, pizza has been a favorite food of American culture. Pizza, holding its own against all time greats such as hamburgers and hotdogs, has become somewhat of a staple on the American menu and on its table. However, since its comeuppance in the category of favorite foods in the U.S., pizza has come a long way as far as what is termed as great toppings and what is termed as just plain weird. Some new trends in the way that pizza is made and topped have come to the forefront. Foods that are used for toppings today and are popular, in the 1960’s would have been turned away as ridiculous.

Over the past few decades, tastes have changed in America. While many pizza lovers prefer traditional pizza styles and toppings such as pepperoni, sausage, onions, peppers, mushrooms and olives, pizza connoisseurs that are new to the scene are fond of trying the non-traditional in order to find pizza topping greatness. Some newer toppings that are not so radical that the traditional pizza fan can not get past them are toppings such as chicken, ham and pineapple, and ground beef, to name a few. However, there have been toppings that have totally offended the sensibilities of that traditional pizza enthusiast.

One of the things that has completely affected the new wave of pizza traditions in this industry is the fact that the great people of the gourmet foods industry have begun to take a part in the pizza industry, helping to make it their own. Suddenly, pizza is no longer only for the superbowl party, or the kids’ birthday party, or a late night fix when the busy career woman comes home tired from work and doesn’t want to cook. It has become the object of attention for society’s elite in the gourmet foods circuit.

More and more these days, fine dining and gourmet restaurants are beginning to offer their unique take on the creation of pizza. The gourmet food industry brings flair to pizza by offering daring topping choices and letting creativity and taste come to the forefront. While some might say the toppings they choose are ridiculous, which some of the more daring topping ideas may be, some of the new trends in pizza are really beginning to take off with the more elite crowd. Some new toppings include seafood such as oysters and crayfish. Other new toppings that have been tried are game meats like venison and duck. Even wackier are toppings such as peanut butter and jelly and bacon and eggs.

While you won’t find most pizza lovers willing to try mashed potato pizza, many are stepping out on a limb and trying the new toppings the renovated pizza industry has to offer. Whatever your favorite toppings are, America is in agreement of one thing about pizza: it’s impossible to live without.

Amuse-Bouche - Find Out About This Hot Trend In Entertaining

Amuse-bouche is becoming the hottest trend in foods and entertaining. If you enjoy offering your guests interesting fare that always gets raves you should consider learning about the seduction of amuse-bouche.

WHAT IS AMUSE-BOUCHE?

The word amuse-bouche is a french expression, literally translated "mouth-amuser". And no wonder - amuse-bouche are snappy, single bite creations which combine intense taste sensations in an artistic form.

Amuse-bouche is different from your typical hors d'oeuvres. It is most often offered when guests are seated at the table. Amuse-bouche not only offers guests something to taste while waiting for the dinner, but also sets the 'flavor' of the evening. The amuse-bouche should compliment the dinner as well as give guests a sample of the quality of the meal to come.

WHAT CAN I MAKE FOR AMUSE-BOUCHE?

Amuse-bouche concentrates on flavor; often combining simple, intense flavors alongside rich, multi-faceted ones. The focus is on savoring and appreciating the full flavor of a single bite; much as you savor the intensity of a shot rather than having a full cup.

The amuse-bouche can be a combination of bite size, single ingredient bites arranged artfully on a plate or a combination of flavors offered as one serving on a Chinese spoon. You may also choose a rich, flavorful soup (such as vichyssoise) presented in a shot glass along with a spoon.

The key to a good amuse-bouche is quality ingredients. Whether you're offering simple mandarin slices alongside a savory salmon mousse or a skewered shrimp with a complex marinade, you will want to use the highest quality and most decadent ingredients you can obtain.

PRESENTATION

Second only to quality ingredients and full flavor is presentation. Amuse-bouche follows the French tradition of artistic presentation. Find amuse-bouche ideas online and take note of the visual presentation. While not complex, the resulting impression is one of style and attention to details. Garnish sparingly and preferably use a simple white plate for optimum presence.

If you are so inclined you may wish to entertain your guests with a variety of amuse-bouche at an evening gathering rather than simply a prelude to a sit down dinner.

You may also choose to compliment your amuse-bouche with a well chosen wine. Some recipes will indicate a suitable wine or you can base your selection on the dominating flavor of the amuse-bouche.

There are several fine recipe books to guide you as you begin exploring the pleasures of amuse-bouche, but let your creative spirit shine as you take inspiration from the simple pleasures of flavor and entertaining and create your own unique 'mouth-amusers' for your guests.