Culinary Food

Healthy Turkish Food

2011-01-18T20:20:00.000-08:00

When one thinks of Turkish food, some might recall last week's drinking session finishing off with a late night greasy Kebab. That late night stop is nothing like the culinary delights that one will experience when visiting Turkey. In fact the Ottoman Empire passed laws mandating that food should be served fresh and this has been followed through to now.

The Mediterranean diet is considered to be one of the healthiest in the world. Ingredients that are used in Turkey are fresh daily with a range of seasonal offerings as the climate is accommodating to a variety of supplies. Turkish staples include vegetables, fish and lamb with generous amounts of olive oil. The diverse climate allows Turkey to grow and produce fresh tomatoes, olives, melons, peppers, wheat, tea, etc. The surrounding seas are abundant in fish - as any boat excursion will testify. The grouper fish makes an excellent dish with a mild but distinct flavour - cross between a halibut and sea bass.

Turkish dishes include selection of mezze platters; these are quite like Spanish Tapas - including a range of hot and cold starters, either served on one or several plates. These include Spicy tomato salsa (Ezme), Carrot with Mint and garlic, yogurt, cucumber and mint (Haydari), stuffed vegetables (Dolma), Calamari, Halumi, Tahin. And of course the pita bread does justice to hummus, and the many colourful pastes of chilli and Tapenade. Turkish mezze starters are light enough to carry the flavours through and allow room for a main dish and possibly a dessert of baklava.

Having such a rich olive oil influence on the diet, it is no wonder that Turkish natives have a low heart attack rate and that their skin is soft and supple. The freshness of the food ensures that the body is always well nourished with vitamins. Dishes served near or on the coast line, such as Kalkan or Oludeniz are primarily based on seafood; this has been well established by scientists as the healthier choice of food.

Turkey's surrounding crystal clear ocean water and its' beneficial lifestyle is becoming more acknowledged - resulting in a sharp increase of the demand for Turkish property for sale. Westerners are beginning to recognise Turkey as an up and coming preference of residence. Advancement in hospitality, sided with a healthy lifestyle and the affordability of property for sale in towns such as Kalkan are making Turkey the choice of both holiday and retirement destinations. The coastal towns sport amazing views over the oceans and combined with the gourmet on offer, it's an easy choice - both for holiday and long time retirement.

The proximity of the sea ensures freshness of fish and in all the coastal towns, and hillside Kalkan villas are for sale at very affordable prices - these are half the expense of damp and tiny European dwellings.

Many restaurants will offer an al a carte menu alongside the fresh catch of the day. The fresh catch is ready for perusal and choice by weight. There can be no fresher food more affordable and enriched with essential vitamins then from a Turkish town.

Top Tips For Healthy Festival Food On A Budget

2011-01-18T20:17:00.000-08:00

As the summer's festivals begins to wind down, many of us will already be considering how we can make next year's experience even more enjoyable. Often it's the basic provision of hygiene facilities and the cost of tickets that are the main gripe with festival goers, however an increasing number of revellers are starting to turn their attention to the food as well. Currently it can be difficult to purchase natural and affordable cuisine on the go with burgers and chips being the traditional staple of festival goers. Opt to plan and pack ahead and you can enjoy a healthy alternative whilst watching your favourite bands.

Given that the festival atmosphere is very much a 24/7 party it's important to stay hydrated at all times. Indulging in copious amounts of alcohol is not only dangerous but can also cause serious dehydration and fatigue. While festival organisers are legally obliged to provide fresh drinking water, water points can often become plagued by lengthy queues as well as being difficult to find amongst the crowds at night. While fizzy soft drinks provide a temporary energy boost, it's important to take plenty of bottled water that will last you the weekend and provides natural rehydration throughout the day.

The main problem revellers can experience when taking food to festivals is the issue of suitable storage. Tent living doesn't provide many opportunities for keeping perishable goods cool while many camp sites also prohibit the use of BBQ which makes cooking hot meals a challenge. Ingenious storage methods such as Thermos flasks and ice packed cool bags grant revellers a bit more culinary freedom; at least for the first day or so. Thankfully, items like apples, oranges and soya yoghurt don't need a chiller to keep them fresh and can help you keep your recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals topped up; especially important when air borne colds and other illnesses are easily transmitted amongst large numbers of people.

Feeling a bit peckish throughout the day but don't want to spend a fortune on a greasy bag of chips or give up your hard fought place at the front of the crowd? Keeping energy levels up is vital when walking long distances and dancing your heart out for 12 hours solid. Taking a backpack into the main arena allows you to take in snacks like cereal bars that release energy slowly and are conveniently filling. Oat biscuits in particular offer a natural alternative to crisps or chocolate given they satisfy the sweet tooth whilst providing a healthy energy boost at the same time.

Are you going to a festival this summer? Plan your weekend menu in advance to prevent the exhaustion of both yourself and your bank balance!

Soul Food Recipes - Healthy Soul Food Growing in Demand

2011-01-18T20:13:00.000-08:00

Healthy soul food may seem like a oxymoron at fist glance, but this is one of the fastest growing cuisines in America. The history of soul food stretches all the way back to the Pre-civil war period. It's one of the most popular cuisines originated in America. Originated in the south by slaves who were forced to eat what the masters or slave owners didn't want to eat. By using creative cooking methods and seasonings many of the recipes have turned into culinary delights, especially in the south.

But one drawback to the rich, robust southern dishes have been the health issues. The traditional versuib involved using large amounts of salt, fat and calorie loading ingredients. While these made the taste irresistible, the health concerns continued to mount. And with today's health conscious consumers, these problems could no longer be ignored. Now the healthy version is a fast growing solution to this growing consumer demand.

More soul food restaurants are starting to get the message and including healthier menus in their establishments. Most have eliminated animal fats in their cooking. Most have replaced traditional seasonings like fat back, ham hocks and bacon from their recipes. Still more have gone even further and have included salad bars in the restaurants, a move unheard of a few years ago. With these changes the industry hopes to attract more health conscious African Americans back to this southern comfort food. Many were forced to leave because of the health concerns associated with the traditional recipes of the past.

As the consumer demand grows, this movement is predicted to grow. The large food manufacturing companies are starting to get into the act and is expected to introduce packaged versions like frozen and canned, in the near future. Even they see the profit potential of this untapped market. More websites are springing up to catch this growing demand as well. All this new attention can only benefit the soul food recipe consumer - and that's the healthiest idea of all.

Online Cookbook - How to Make Healthy Japanese Food

2011-01-18T20:11:00.000-08:00

For those of us who cannot afford to study in the best culinary schools in town but have the deepest desire to really know about Japanese cooking, an online cookbook is our savior. While Japanese cooking is very detailed and requires careful preparation, this should not intimidate us. We should always think that a good and healthy food is the one prepared with love. Hence, if you are after palatable, filling yet healthy meals, Japanese food is the way to go.

An online cookbook is a very good resource in trying to learn Japanese food cooking. After all, most cookbooks available in the internet do not simply list down the recipe and the procedure. Good websites often show pictures on how things such as ingredients look like; as well as how things are done. Most of these sites even list down links which can refer you to Asian groceries for your ingredient needs; and, list down blogs of ordinary cooks and extraordinary chefs. In most cases forums for question and answer is also available. Food tips to guide your cooking are also commonly available.

It is therefore not impossible to dream of learning how to make healthy Japanese food. Actually, to start with, it must be learned that the healthy component of the Japanese food does not really rely on a special cooking method, but more of the ingredients they use. If you are conscious of really coming up with the healthy stuff, you may perhaps indicate through the "search engines" located in these food sites, recipes which make use of the healthy ingredients. Among the healthy ingredients you may want to take note of are: certain kinds of fish (which have higher Omega/ healthy fat content), seaweed (rich with minerals), miso (rich in protein), sato-imo (anti-aging HA ingredient), tofu (rich in protein), shitake (high in protein, amino acids and vitamins but low is calories), are just some of the many healthy Japanese foods to try.

A Culinary Tour of Asia

2011-01-10T21:53:00.000-08:00

The very heart of your Asian vacation isn't the exotic locale, the invigorating massages, the majestic ancient temples, or even the warm, friendly people. It's the food. When you're at home, food is a centerpiece of activity and fun-the backyard cookout, the Friday evenings with friends, or the romantic dinner. When you're on vacation, it will be even more memorable if you keep food enjoyment high on your list of priorities.
Food is more than mere sustenance. It is a social experience, and a sensory treat that will be remembered long after you return home. Asia is well-known for its exotic cuisine, and no Asian vacation would be complete without thoroughly enjoying the food. In every major Asian city, you'll find your usual array of the familiar favorites from back home: KFC, McDonalds, Sizzler, and so on-but why not enhance your foray into the unknown with something new on the menu?

The cuisine is as varied as the continent, ranging from the aromatic curries of India, to the fiery-hot tom yum goong of Thailand, to the European-influenced Macanese cuisine found in the Chinese autonomous region of Macau. Wherever you travel, you'll find unique and fresh ingredients, presented delightfully in authentic surroundings and delivered by friendly, smiling staff.
You'll find your environment as memorable as the food itself. You may find yourself sitting under a straw roof, sitting cross-legged and eating off of a banana leaf, or enjoying the most elegant, five-star posh surroundings you've ever witnessed. And don't neglect the local specialties. A meal of dim sum ("yum cha" in Cantonese) in a Hong Kong tea house is an event unto itself that will never be forgotten. Take a boat cross the bay to Macau for a trip back to old Europe, where you can enjoy High Tea in the afternoon, and one of the country's characteristic egg tart specialties. And when you tour Japan, you'll discover that there are dozens of different varieties of sukiyaki, which is customarily cooked right at the table.
You'll also find very informal street cafes throughout most of Asia, which are little more than a handful of plastic tables and chairs on the sidewalk, overlooking a kitchen that consists of a propane tank and a wok. If you're adventurous enough to try one of these places, you're likely to find very local cuisine that you can't find in the "normal" restaurants, including wild game, insects, and parts of animals that you never knew you could eat.
Desserts are not to be missed. Unlike the rich, gooey, chocolatey sweets of America, Asians tend towards the lighter, more delicate tastes in sweets. A Chinese sweet red bean bun is very tempting (and does not have the usual disagreeable side effect that beans often do). Japanese sweets (wa-gashi) also frequently use sweet bean paste and are quite delicate. In Thailand, you may enjoy bua loy naam qing (literally, "floating lotuses in ginger water"), which delivers an enjoyable contrast between the strong ginger tea and the delicate rice flour sesame balls floating within.
Often overlooked are the unusual tropical fruits found throughout Asia. If you think of fruit as apples and watermelons, think again-the taste of the lichi, mangosteen, and rambutan are incomparable and a sheer delight to the senses. Beware of the infamous durian though, the heavy, spiky "king of fruits" that has a decidedly foul, almost fishy smell and is definitely an acquired taste.
You'll find that in most Asian countries, meals are very social, and are often served to your table communally, as opposed to the Western style of each person ordering individual dishes. Don't be surprised if your host serves you and continues to refresh your drink throughout the meal. Bone up on how to use chopsticks. Here's a chopstick etiquette tip: You'll sometimes see diners at inexpensive restaurants rubbing together the chopsticks before eating. This is done when using the inexpensive, wooden disposable chopsticks, to make sure there are no splinters. Avoid rubbing your chopsticks together at somebody's home or at an upscale restaurant, as it would be considered an insult-you're saying that the chopsticks are inferior when you do that. But, not every Asian country uses them. Thais eat European-style with a fork and spoon. In China, you'll use chopsticks, but will never see a knife at your place setting, because it is considered aggressive. In some very rural parts of Asia, such as in the Laotian countryside, you'll eat with your fingers. But regardless of how you convey the food from plate to mouth, you're in for a real treat.

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Top 10 Restaurants in Asia

2011-01-10T21:52:00.000-08:00

During your visit to Asia, you get a chance to enjoy not only the spectacular sights but also the great cuisines of the various Asian cities. Singapore tops the best Asian restaurants list because of the innovation they offer in the form of providing the diners a chance to see the kitchen action, and thus communicate directly with the chef. Iggy's in Singapore is the restaurant that is renowned to be the best in Asia. Other great restaurants in Singapore are Les Amis, Gunther's, and Garibaldi.

The L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Hong Kong is a great restaurant. The restaurant is very casual in its ambience, and allows the diners to see the preparation of their dishes. Moreover, the people are also allowed to compose meals in accordance with their appetite. Another very good restaurant in Hong Kong is Bo Innovation. Old Chinese methods of cooking are used in the restaurant. This restaurant offers great ambience with its chopstick shaped lamps and a cosy kind of lighting.

The Mozaic Restaurant in Bali, Indonesia is also a great one. It has a unique setting that is elegant, enjoyable and charming. The chefs are popular for their changing culinary creations all over the world. There are some very good restaurants that you can visit in Tokyo. For example, the Tempura Mikawa is a restaurant where seafood is prepared in the classic Edomae style. Other great restaurants in Tokyo are Bird Land, Ginza Harutaka, Nihonryori Ryugin, and the Teppanyaki Ukai-tei.

There are some restaurants in Beijing which are very popular all over Asia. The one considered best is Made In China which is in the Grand Hyatt. The dining room is in the open kitchen, and people can watch the preparation of their orders. Another very good restaurant in Beijing is the Ding Ding Xiang which has banquets that are concealed with beaded curtains.

Some very good restaurants are situated in Hanoi. The one that is considered best is Bun Cha. Another very good restaurant in Hanoi is Green Tangerine which has a terrace with alfresco setting. Verticale is another very good restaurant which offers very skilfully prepared French-Vietnamese cuisine.

Bukhara is a restaurant in Delhi that is considered not only the best in India, but is also one of the best in Asia. If you want to have a truly Eastern experience, you should go to Bukhara where you would have to eat your food with hands instead of utensils. Moti Mahal and Smoke House Grill are other very good restaurants Delhi.

Almost all the hotels that are amongst the best in Asia have open kitchens which enable the customers to see the chefs in action. The Blue Elephant in Bangkok is a restaurant that offers classis Thai cuisine. China Town and Chote Chitr are two other very good restaurants in Bangkok.

For authentic Malay cuisine, go to Bijan in Kuala Lumpur which offers traditional cuisine in an alfresco setting. The Senses is another great restaurant in the Hilton Kuala Lumpur. Other restaurants that are considered amongst the best in Asia are Robuchon a Galera and Antonio's Fine Dining in Philippines.

Papaya, the Wonderful Fruit of Southeast Asia

2011-01-10T21:48:00.000-08:00

Everyone is familiar with the name. But for most of us the mention of the fruit does not give a distinct impression in terms of taste, though it certainly conjures up an impression of the tropics. For those familiar with the fruit, they are more apt to see it as a good old standby, pleasant enough to be eaten on its own, but nothing to sing about either.

Papayas are basically of two types, though all papaya is originally from Southern Mexico. The kind most often consumed in North America and Hawaii are yellow when ripe, can be held in the hand, and have yellow flesh. In Southern and Southeast Asia, big heavy dark-skinned papayas are the norm. The flesh of these is blood red. The latter is a quintessential part of the Thai beach fruit plate. The two taste quite similar, a bit musky with honey overtones. The Asian cultivar tends to be stronger in flavor however. Both varieties are reminiscent of melons, but unfortunately lack the melons complexity and delicious nectar.

Despite unremarkable culinary qualities, papaya fruit is yummy in tropical hotcakes, smoothies and shakes, and in fruit salad. It is a health dynamo as well, quickly producing nutritious fruit even in poor soil.

Papaya seeds are edible and spicy, somewhat like black pepper. They have a number of medicinal properties, but are especially known for being conducive to good digestion. They are even used as a contraceptive, with medical evidence backing up their efficacy!

Papaya is sometimes called paw paw, but the latter actually refers to a whole other fruit altogether. Paw paw is related to the custard apple, and the northernmost ÔtropicalÕ fruit, extending into the Ozarks. Their flavor, when ripe, is somewhat like a cross between a banana and a mango (which they resemble). They have a very short shelf life however, and ferment quickly.

Food History - The Evolution of Our World From Bread to Cheesecake

2011-01-07T13:21:00.002-08:00

Ever wonder about the origins of certain foods? Who was the first person to eat an oyster and why? What hardened meringue was used as medicinal candy to soothe children's sore throats? What food was served to those first Olympians in 776 B.C? What has been found in pits where human settlements lived 8,000 years ago? The origins of food are varied, ingenious and ever evolving and have not only made history, but are history.

One of the oldest known foods is credited for bringing cavemen together to live in communities rather than herd and hunt as nomads. Civilizations found various ways of growing, preparing grain and baking dough to become bread, a staple which was plentiful in summer and sustained them during winter. Excavated cities dating back to Pompeii have revealed the secrets of the ancient bakery where rich and poor alike, came together over bread. Wheat has been discovered in the remains of settlements from over 8,000 years ago stamping today's main grain as a link to our past.

One of the most delicious or dangerous delicacies on our menu is the Latin mussirio, or mushrooms. Like bread, fungi may also date back to prehistoric times and are marked throughout Greek, Roman, Chinese, Japanese and European culinary history. Mushrooms lack chlorophyll and therefore must grow from other things such as dead plants, tree roots or animals. We think of fungus as a bad thing, but where would be without yeast? We'd miss bread, truffles and the beer for our BBQs.

Then there's the poor, misunderstood mollusk. Many people shy away from their gray, shiny, slippery surfaces. Archeological evidence would point to oysters as coming out of their shells around the same time as dirt but details on this are as murky as the beds in which they're found. Oyster farming was well documented during the 4th century but was interrupted by the barbarian invasion and does not surface again till the 14th century as a privilege of the rich. It wasn't till the 19th century when oysters became more plentiful that dishes such as stew, fried oysters, oysters Florentine and oyster shish kabob began to emerge.

When Harvard graduate students Herbert Dick and Earle Smith went digging in a New Mexico bat cave, little did they know they would end up with 5,600-year-old popcorn. Smith and Dick unearthed various well-preserved corn cob fragments including several that were partially or completely popped. When dropped in oil, a few of the kernels still had a spark and exploded into white puffs. Throughout the centuries, popcorn has been used as food, in ornamental headdresses, as breakfast cereal during colonial times and as an attraction inside and out in front of department stores. During the depression, when other businesses went bust, popcorn, well, popped. What would a movie theater be without popcorn?

What were the first Olympians dining on between chariot races? You guessed it: cheesecake. Well, maybe not but historians believe it to have been on the first games' menu. It has also been traced back to 2,000 B.C through unearthed cheese molds. If the internet had been invented in 200 BC, cave-wives all over the world could have been sharing Marcus Porcius Cato's recipe for cheese libum, or cheese cake. From there, cheesecake spread from Greece to Europe then finally to America. This confection is celebrated by every region and culture and is one of the world's most popular desserts.

Originating in ancient Egypt, the marshmallow started out as a honey candy that was thickened and flavored with the sap of the marsh-mallow plant. This goo-filled growth appeared on banks near large bodies of water and in salt marshes. Nineteenth century doctors creatively extracted the plant's juices, boiled it with egg whites and sugar and whipped it into a meringue, that when hardened, was used as a children's sore throat lozenge. When gelatin replaced the plant's sap, its medicinal values as a cough suppressant, immune system booster and wound healer disappeared. The production process evolved as well with the invention of the cornstarch mold method which later gave way to the more modern extrusion process. This involved piping the sugary mixture through long tubes to be cut into pillowy, equal-sized shapes.

Years from now when archeologists unearth our society, we wonder what they'll learn from specimens such as pork floss, beef pizzle or the much loved Now and Later variety of pull-your-teeth-out candy chews. One can only wonder.....and keep good notes.

Outdoor Grills, Ovens, and Stoves for Cooking Turkey

2011-01-07T13:20:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of ways to cook turkey. One of the cooking processes is known as grilling. Grilling is becoming the most popular methods of cooking turkey and one of the healthiest as well. The grilling process allows fat to drip away from the turkey as it cooks, keeping the meat nutritious and full of flavor.

Aside from that, turkey has numerous ways and methods to be cooked, utilizing different cooking equipment such as the oven and the ever popular microwave. Here we offer you different methods that can be used for cooking turkey. Here are some varieties of grills available in the market, as well as the basic instructions to properly use them.

Covered Charcoal Grill

First, you must have well prepared and clean equipment for this and good quality charcoal. Put up a pyramid of charcoal on one side. Set fire to the charcoal until it gets red hot. Place a thermometer on the food rack to check the temperature of the grill. This will give the cook an exact reading of the meat's temperature when cooking.

In the center of the grill where the turkey will be placed, carefully arrange the charcoal around the edge evenly. Place the grill rack and set the prepared turkey on it. The turkey's breast should be side-up. Simply maintain its temperature. Then cover the grill. If you want, you can add seasonings for the turkey to have flavor as it is cooking. Do not ever use softwood like cedar and pine because it gives the food a different taste and makes the turkey's skin turn black.

When the inner thigh temperature reads 180 degree Fahrenheit, the turkey is ready. That is why it is very important to use a food thermometer.

Covered gas Grill

The gas grill can be provided by using either propane tanks or natural gas. If your gas grill has only one burner, a water pan should be placed under the grate to create indirect heat. If you have two or three burners, make sure the turkey is placed away from the flame. This is done by turning off one burner and placing the turkey in that area.

Aside from grilling, you can also roast turkey by using the oven.

Turkey can be successfully cooked in whole or in parts using the microwave oven. But sometimes it is not advisable to cook it whole because it makes the turkey cook unevenly. The turkey may not be cooked to the proper internal temperature. Full size microwave ovens with 650 to 700 watts can only accommodate a small turkey ranging 8 to 10 pounds.

Given that metal thermometers cannot be used here, merely check when the cooking is completed. Insert an instant read thermometer on different parts of the turkey.

Electric Roaster Oven

This appliance serves as an extra oven for cooking a large roast.

Heat the oven first to about 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Then place the turkey on a oven rack or any other meat rack for the turkey to be kept out the juices that collect in the bottom of the oven. Leave the cover throughout cooking, removing it as little as possible to avoid the slowing of the cooking process. Check the internal temperature of the inner thigh until it reaches to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Oven cooking bag method

This is one of the safest methods in roasting turkey. It is a delicious alternative to the traditional way of cooking turkey.

Pre-heat the oven using an oven-cooking bag to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. A tablespoon of dry flour should be shaken around to coat the empty bag to avoid bursting. The pan must be large enough for the turkey to sit easily in the center. Allocate space for the bag to enlarge during cooking so that it will not touch any part of the oven or it will melt.

A meat thermometer is inserted right through the thickest part of the plastic to know if the temperature of the turkey's thigh reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Any of these methods of cooking your turkey will result in a delicious meal.

Latin America's Most Exotic Foods

2011-01-07T13:18:00.002-08:00

They're horrid, ghastly, gross, unthinkable, gut-wrenching, wonderful and delicious. These are but a few of the adjectives used to describe commonly eaten fare "south of the border" from Mexico to Peru. The expression, "One man's meat is another man's poison" has never seen more fruition than evidenced in these "exotic" foods found throughout Latin America. Just feast your eyes on these taste-tempting treats.

Iguana

Starting off our list is a common delicacy from the Pacific Coast and Caribbean. Although protected in many countries, these green lizards, which can grow to more than 3 feet in length, are a prized stable in Aruba, Bonaire, Panama and Colombia. The eggs are also cooked and eaten even though they're often taken illegally. A sizeable black market for them exists in Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. They're not cheap, but they are good.

Armadillo

From Texas to Ecuador, these nine-banded creatures have been coveted for decades. Their numbers are now greatly diminished due to years of heavy hunting; they're still considered a delightful treat when they can be found. Usually cooked in stews to help tenderize their thick, dense meat, almost everyone who has eaten Armadillo really likes them. You've got to be fast to catch them though. They can burrow into the soil at alarming speeds.

Ants

Technically known as "Hormigas Culonas", these swollen abdomen ant species are a highly-prized food commodity in Colombia and Mexico. They're gathered from seemingly innocuous places like cemeteries, parks and untended pastures, then roasted or fried until crisp. Only the enlarged abdomen is consumed, often with cheese or honey as an "aperitif". Sold and exported by the pound, they've quickly become an international favorite among the insect-eating crowd. To b honest, I like them myself.

Piranha

Despite numerous movies to the contrary, they don't always attack without mercy. Children in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guyana and Peru swim in Piranha-infested waters all the time without injury. Women are also known to do the family laundry in streams and pools teeming with razor-toothed schools of them. Many of the 35 known varies of Piranha, including the Cachama family, are not only edible, but delicious. Piranha head soup is used as a form of "jungle Viagra". Tales abound of elderly Indian men with more than a dozen children and multiple wives.

Well if I didn't get to you here in part one with "treats" from Colombia, Brazil and Mexico you're gonna just love what you'll get in part two of this three-part series. We're going to travel into the jungles of Colombia and up into the high Andes mountain range in Ecuador to introduce you to some "Eye-opening", high-flying specialties that'll make partly-cooked greasy pork liver seem like "Haute Cuisine".

The Hunt For Bar-B-Que in Texas

2011-01-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

Being new to East Texas, it's a challenge trying to decide what Bar-B-Que restaurants to try and which ones to stay away from. I've gotten individual opinions and started hunting online. One frustrating aspect in this area is the lack of websites by restaurant owners and apparently no newspaper in the area covers entertainment or food.

Therefore, I cannot look at a menu, see pictures of the interior, learn if they offer live entertainment or even get excited about their business. What's up East Texas?! It's the digital age!

Doing a search in Longview, Texas for Bar-B-Que restaurants turns out a plethora of options. The next step is to look at the reviews, right?

This got me thinking about online reviews from the Google location, yelp, city search and the like and how much stock I should put in them.

My thought process goes a little something like this: First, I consider how many reviews an establishment has. Then, how many of those reviews are flat-out negative. Maybe, you're like me, and take into consideration that most people are more likely to go out of their way to complain than they are to compliment and praise.

One business in particular, Shack Daddy's Barbeque, in Longview, Texas, has many mixed reviews with more being super negative then others. I am curious to try this place that has garnered itself the most reviews out of all the barbeque restaurants in Longview. My game plan: order meat, people rave about the ribs. Avoid the sides except for the vinegar coleslaw.

An apparent must stop in Longview, Texas is the flavorful, both in terms of personality and food, is Carter's Bar-B-Que. It's described as being located in an old gas station and is a prefect representation of a southern dive diner. My kind of place! I can't wait to go! According to the reviews, everything is delicious with huge portions for the price.

My next step is to get out there, strap on my bib and enjoy some tasty Texas Barbeque in Longview, Texas. Shack Daddy's sounds risky, but I want to form my own opinion on this place and if it's as unpleasant as some people say, I'll head over to Carter's for what sounds like a sure thing.

List of Vegan Foods - Delicious Vegetarian Foods

2011-01-07T13:16:00.000-08:00

If you decide to go on a vegan diet for health or for compassionate reasons, you need to know the list of vegan foods that you can eat. But you also need to be aware of the list of foods that you can no longer eat because they use animal products, even in a minute fashion. Please be sure to talk to your doctor before switching to eating only a list of vegan foods.

The No-Nos

In order to eat a vegan diet, you can no longer eat anything made with honey or dairy products. You also can't eat anything made with eggs or powdered bone or powdered animal organs. This means that you have to check the ingredients of everything you plan on putting into your mouth.

Even gelatin is no longer allowed. It's made from the bones, skins and tendons of animals (usually cows). There are some products marketed as "vegan gelatin", but they are made with other products, like seaweed, that mimic gelatin. Kosher gelatin does not count as vegan gelatin.

For example, milk chocolate is no longer allowed. But dark chocolate is allowed on the list of vegan foods as long as eggs or butter haven't been added. Cocoa butter isn't the same as butter from cow's milk. It's made entirely from oils of the cacao bean.

The Yeses

The list of vegan foods that you are allowed to eat is a lot longer than the list of foods that you can no longer eat. It might not seem that way at first because you have been in the habit of only eating certain kinds of foods. You can eat any kind of nut, bean, grain, fruit and vegetable. That's a whole lot!

You can use vegetable oils and spices to make new flavor combinations. Beans and grains come in a surprising array of textures. If you have a food processor, you can combine vegetables, grains, nuts and beans to make a meatloaf-like dish. By draining tofu well and marinating it before cooking, you can get a very tasty alternative to crumbled hamburger.

There are two products that are approved for vegans that you can find at any American supermarket. These are Bac-O's, which aren't made with any bacon or meat. They are actually made of soy. Another vegan American kitchen pantry staple is Manwich, a sauce traditionally for sloppy joes, that doesn't have any trace of animal products in it.

More Normal

There are more and more foods made with vegetable-based ingredients that mimic the textures and flavors of foods made with diary products. For example, it's very hard to tell the difference between vegan cheese and the usual cheese. You can also freeze bananas and mash them up to make a substitute for ice cream.

Because more and more people are switching to a vegetarian or vegan diet, large manufacturers are paying attention to this lucrative new market. You no longer need to hunt a specialty health food store in order to get quality vegan food. Vegan burgers and frozen entrees can be easily found in any supermarket chain.

Delicious Foods and Cuisines in 'Melaka' (or 'Malacca') In Malaysia

2011-01-07T13:14:00.002-08:00

I am a native here. 'Malacca' has many good foods. Tourists, especially, benefit greatly from this fact. But first thing, you have to find out the facts, before finding those foods.

Food here in Malaysia can be considered cheap. Hawker stalls that are set up provide tasty and very much affordable lunch and dinner servings. For example, the chicken rice and 'nasi lemak' and great 'Chinese' foods. Starting at 'RM2.50' or 'RM3.00', one can experience delight. At night, there is no 'curfew'. Why is that, you ask? Despite this, 'Malacca' remains a peaceful place. The great thing is, you can grab the 'roti canai' and its mouth-watering varieties at 'mamak' stalls. 'Mamak' stalls are great places for hanging out or for supper. Enjoy the cool night breeze, as 'Malacca' is a coastal state. This is because the city is only 1km away from the sea.

Be sure to also check out the 'satay celup' in 'Malacca'. There are only a few stalls that cater to this particular food. But, there is one that has people queueing up to get a seating. You can see them lining up beside the road, next to the drains! Yes, those delicacies do taste that great, coupled with their special gravy, they make your mouth do killing. Ask anyone about 'satay celup' and you will know.

On the other hand, the 'Portuguese Settlement' also serves a variety of sea foods. The locals there are mostly fishermen. Although pricey, according to my father, they do satisfy your tongue and stomach very well. I can say it is because of the freshness quality of those fish. Besides the settlement, you can always find nice sea foods at big 'Chinese' restaurants in the town area. Even shark fins are served. Provided that you do not mind the current issue of sharks hunting.

The main point is, you do not have to spend much more on fast food outlets and stores alike. Although there exist standard franchises like 'McDonads', 'KFC', 'Burger King', do not resign so fast. Know the names of those food names I had told you about. Trust me, for a money savvy kind of person like me, they really taste great for your money worth.

All the main places discussed above are known to be very famous in 'Malacca'. If you need directions, just ask, practically anyone. And your stomach will thank you afterwards. I am just sharing with you the good things in life, specifically in a place called 'Malacca'.

Tips for Raw Food Recipes - Fundamental Information You Need to Be Aware Of

2011-01-07T13:13:00.000-08:00

You have to admit, transitioning to a raw food diet can be a very challenging task. For the beginner, the process of finding these foods can be very overwhelming. Most of the time, it's difficult to find them in the regular grocery store shelves. With the changing of the seasons (winter in particular), fresh produce gets scarcer by the minute, compounding the problem.

Then there's also the problem of kitchen equipment. Dehydrators, food processors and high-powered blenders are not staples of any regular kitchen. You'll need to fork out some serious dollars for these if you're serious about going raw.

But preparing raw food recipes need not be as daunting as it sounds. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Start with simple green smoothies. This is one of the basic raw food recipes that will not only give you a great energy boost early in the morning or mid-afternoon, they're also easy to prepare. A basic green smoothie recipe that you can try out is simply putting together five kinds of fruit and one leafy green like lettuce or kale. You can have an apple, two bananas and strawberries or any fresh fruit in season with half a head of lettuce for this recipe. Put them in the blender together with one to two cups of purified water, blend until desired consistency, and enjoy!

2. Go for easy-to-prepare salads. Some raw food recipes need kitchen equipment like dehydrators that you might not have at the moment. So go for green salads in vinaigrette dressing or a fruit salad using fruits in season. Get apples, mangoes, avocados, papayas, kiwis or whatever else may be available, sprinkle a little lemon or lime, a little cilantro, some sesame seeds, and you've got a delicious and healthy salad in a matter of minutes.

3. Plan ahead. The most basic problem encountered by those starting a raw food diet is the lack of preparation. Most of the foods in a raw food diet are found in specialty stores or wet markets and thus would need a bit of food hunting savvy. Look through raw food cookbooks or browse the Internet for those staples that you need to stock your pantry. While you're at it, be sure to get some raw granola or dehydrated fruit so you have something to munch on just in case you run out of ideas or ingredients for your raw food recipes.

4. Get the help of family, friends and other raw foodists. It's difficult to go through any new lifestyle or diet change on your own. While other family members, relatives and friends may not always understand your food choices, it's important that they respect your decision. The bulk of letting them understand the philosophy behind raw foodism lies on your shoulders. If you need a boost of confidence, a sympathetic ear, or just some more yummy recipes, go online. You can find a support group of like-minded individuals or delicious recipe ideas in the Internet.

5. Go gradual. A raw food diet takes a little getting used to. Go slow at first. Introduce raw food gradually until 75% of your diet becomes raw. Getting used to raw food this way makes the effects of detoxification easier to bear.

7 Ideas for a Food Dehydrator

2011-01-07T13:12:00.000-08:00

If you already own a food dehydrator then you're already on the road to eating healthy snacks and saving money all at the same time. If you don't own a food dehydrator you should. Food dehydrators are a great way to not only store your foods but to create good dried foods that we pay alot of money for in the stores. I want to give you my top 7 items that I love to dehydrate and inform you of why you should own one yourself.

#1. Bananas: Any time you go to the grocery store think about the cost of dried banana chips. Now think about the cost of bundle of bananas. They are not even close in price. I recently went to the store and bought bananas on sale for only 29 cents a lb. However also displayed by the bananas were a 1/3 lb. of banana chips which happened to be $3.99. Now I don't know about you but I think I'll buy my own bananas and produce my own banana chips at a fraction of the cost.

#2. Strawberries: I love fresh strawberries but I also love dried strawberries. Dried strawberries are great for topping cereal with and can be stored for quite awhile longer than fresh strawberries. I am not sure I've ever seen dried strawberries in a store before but trust me they come out nice and sweet when you dry your own.

#3. Deer Meat: I don't hunt but I have hunters in my family and every year they hunt and bring home a deer. I always end up with some of the deer so I make jerky out of it. It is absolutely delicious and has more of a wild flavor than beef. So for something more exciting I always eat the deer meat instead.

#4. Cherries: Dried cherries can be used for just about anything. You can top salads with them, cereals, cookies and even bread. I am sure they have many other uses but those are a few things that I use them for. If you have ever purchased dried cherries you know they are not cheap and the ones that are cheap may not be the best quality. So I make my own dried cherries with high quality fruit and they turn out great.

#5. Apricots: I have always loved dried apricots and they have a natural sweet flavor. Dried apricots have many uses much like cherries. One of my favorite uses is to garnish steak with them to add a sweet flavor to the meat. Apricots are not to expensive but again the tubs of dried apricots are sort of pricey. Also try these in a bowl of grape nuts to have a healthy and tasty snack.

#6. Beef: Beef jerky is wonderful especially for those of us on a high protein diet with low amounts of fat. Using lean meat can help you create a very high protein low fat snack that can be consumed daily to add the power pack of protein for a long workout. This is probably one of the most common uses for a food dehydrator but you can't beat a classic. Beef jerky is also great for the long road trips with the family and kids.

#7. Apples: I love to eat dried apples. Once they are dry add a light dusting of cinnamon to the apple pieces and you have a very good snack. They always seem to store very well to and for at least a few weeks. Apples get crunchy which can add to the uses they have. Toppings, garnishings or just by themselves apples are always one of my favorites.

Hopefully this helps give you an idea of some of the uses for a food dehydrator. Experiment a little bit and without much effort you'll come up with an idea all of your own. Some things do not dehydrate well at all and others dehydrate wonderfully. Trial and error will help you find exactly what type of dried foods you love.

The Top Food Stores in Europe

2011-01-03T08:36:00.001-08:00

Eating is an essential part of travel. Dining out in restaurants, visiting markets, and sampling the local cuisine can create some of the best travel memories. And if you have a serious appreciation for food and wine, you should also visit the food stores in your destination. They're good places to buy souvenirs or gifts for friends back home. And you can also pick up supplies for a delightful picnic in the park.

Several food stores are major attractions, with travelers considering them one of the must-sees on their itinerary. Most have a huge array of products. And seeing what the local gentry eats is a good way to gain a better understanding of the local culture.

As a rule, the top food stores are located in the heart of downtown. Many of them were established more than a century ago, and they're especially appealing during the holidays when traditional pastries, desserts, and confections are beautifully displayed.

Food stores in London, Paris, and Milan.

Harvey Nichols and Fortnum & Mason are two smaller London department stores, and both have food halls selling gourmet goodies. But the big daddy of London food stores is at Harrods. With Art Nouveau tile work, gorgeous displays - the still lifes made from fresh fish are incredible - and dozens of departments, the food halls here are amazing. You can find virtually anything edible, and there are a dozen restaurants too, including a deli, dim sum, a pizzeria with an opera-singing pizza maker, a Champagne and oyster bar, and a fish and chips shop. Any gift in the dark green Harrods box will be greatly appreciated.

There are lots of wonderful food shops in Paris. There are several near the Place de la Madeleine, including Hediard and Fauchon, which are both wonderful. If you only have time to visit one and you're on the Left Bank, Le Grande Epicerie, on the ground floor of the Bon Marche department store, is your best bet. At 9,000 square feet, it's grande. And very impressive. More than 80 kinds of bread, dozens of pastries, cheeses, sausages, game, oysters, and spices are arranged in separate sections, and there's a vast selection of prepared foods too.

Peck opened in Milan in 1883. It's a three-story shop with 10,000 square feet of the best Italian foods and wines. In fact, there are more than 5,000 kinds of wine available. At Christmas time, the window displays are some of the best in town. And pretty much everything is made fresh each morning. The Italian salumi, cheese, pastas, olive oils, vinegars, and condiments are delicious, but not for the budget minded. Come here for the best gelato in Milan.

Food stores in Vienna and Berlin.

Established in 1862 in Vienna, Julius Meinl was the caterer for the Hapsburgs. It's on the pedestrianized Kohlmarkt, not far from the Hofburg Palace. With 400 kinds of cheese, 16,000 different items in stock, and one of the best restaurants in Vienna, it's a great place to come for lunch, followed by a little shopping.

KaDeWe is Berlin's leading department store and their food hall has 30 different departments. Paris food purveyors Lenotre, Hediard, Fauchon, and Paull bocuse have outlets here. And the best products are imported from all over the world. The selection of fish and seafood is mind boggling. And with 3,400 kinds of wine, you'll have no trouble finding the right accompaniment.

Finding the Best Health Foods Online

2011-01-03T08:32:00.000-08:00

There is a big focus on living healthy these days and part of that is eating healthy. With all the online options, you can easily find some great healthy foods online. You just need to know some tips to help you to choose the best health foods and get good deals.

Why Shop Online?

You may wonder why you would shop for food online. Some people may live right near a large health food store, but many people do not and shopping online is the best way to get healthy foods without having to drive out of your way to do so. The bottom line is that it is just more convenient to shop online.

You can find almost any type of food, too. Your selection is not limited and you can even get seasonal foods out of season without having to spend a fortune like you would in the store. So, even if you do live near a health food store, you can still benefit from online shopping.

What to Look For in a Retailer

Whenever you shop online you need to be careful when choosing a retailer. You want to look for a retailer that is dependable. Ask around about a retailer. You want to see that they have a good reputation and that there are not a lot of complaints about them. The idea is to find a retailer that will not take your money and run. You want to trust in them that when you make a purchase that you will get the product you have bought.

You also want to be sure that the retailer has the products that you want to buy. You need to make sure that the store has certified healthy foods. Look for signs that tell you the food is organic and that it is healthy. You should also check to see the variety of foods that the store sells.

Lastly, look into the store's policies. You want to be sure that if you have a problem that they have customer service available to assist you. You should also make sure that you know how to make returns or get a refund, in case you need to do that.

Shipping

One of the concerns about shopping for food online is the delivery. With fresh, healthy foods you know you are getting high quality foods, but if it is mishandled during shipping or shipping take too long then the quality of the food does not really matter. You need to check into the store's shipping policies. They will vary. You may find one store can ship to you within 3 days while another may take a week. It really depends on the shipping method the store uses and how far away from you the store is located.

Helpful Tips

When shopping for the best health food online, you should make sure that you are getting exactly what you want. Returns are usually not an option when buying food online. Check over your purchases every time before you checkout and pay just to be sure that you are getting what you need.

You will also need to check over how long it will take to get the products shipped to you. Sometimes you may need to sign for a delivery, so you want to be sure someone is available to sign so your purchase does not get sent back for redelivery.

Shopping for health food online can be a great way to ensure your diet is rich with healthy foods. You can shop whenever you want without having to drive anywhere. You can find a great variety, too.

French Food - How to Plan Your Trip to Experience the Best Gourmet Food

2011-01-03T08:26:00.001-08:00

In previous articles on traditional French food we have looked at what is really meant by both 'traditional' and 'French food', since many common assumptions surrounding gourmet food from France seem to be somewhat inaccurate.
Not only is there no such thing as an all-encompassing concept of what might be referred to as traditional French food, at least, not by the French, but even the suggestion that food in France is entirely French, lacking any outside influences, is wholly wrong.

The geography of France varies enormously, and with several close neighbours there have been influences from several other countries, including Germany and Spain. So the concept of traditional French food is rather more complex, and any journey through the country will necessarily involve discovering varying ideas surrounding what is traditional and what is best.
However, it is not just the geography or the influence of neighbouring countries which characterises what many consider to be traditional French cuisine, and there is yet another factor which has enormous influence as far as what you might expect to eat in various parts of the country - and it is the season.
Seasonal changes can cause distinct differences in gourmet food opportunities across the country, more so than perhaps in many other countries, including the UK.
These days we tend to become rather out of touch as far as the seasons are concerned, with supermarkets stocking food and ingredients all the year round, when previously we might only have been able to buy them during one particular season. With cheap flights and international supply chains we are now able to buy strawberries in the winter and think very little of it.
However, if we are to consider traditional French food then it will be important to take into account the seasons, and the impact these have traditionally had on the recipes, ingredients and dishes served across various parts of the country.
Whichever season you choose for your visit to sample some of the finest French food on offer you'll find some of the best gourmet food delicacies on offer. Plan your visit during the summer months as many invariably do and you'll be likely to find an abundance of salads and fruit based dishes.
Not only is this because they are refreshing but the fruits and vegetables are abundant in most parts of the country, and are often very affordable. The view by many retailers and greengrocers is that it is rather preferable to sell fruits and vegetables that are in season at a price that's low than watch perfectly good food begin to rot.
Therefore you'll be able to enjoy these healthy, nutritious and delicious dishes almost anywhere at prices that are very affordable.
Towards the end of the summer though the emphasis shifts, and you'll start to find many more dishes being served that incorporate mushrooms in one form or another. Typical French food dishes that include mushrooms tend to be stews, and so towards the end of the summer, beginning of the autumn, look out for mushroom based stews as these will be at their very best.
Traditionally September witnesses the start of the hunting season in France, and this runs all the way through the winter until around February. It is for this reason that if you're on the lookout for traditional French food the order of the day is likely to be game.
Many of the dishes become celebrations of the success of the hunt, and can often become quite elaborate, and certainly worth experiencing.
As the ice melts and spring begins the fare changes once again, and the late winter early spring period is when shellfish are at their very best. Take a trip towards the coast where they tend to specialise in seafood dishes, and if you time this correctly to coincide with the start of the shellfish season you'll be amazed at the quality of such things as oysters.
In addition to being at their best you'll also find that certain shellfish are only available at this time, as for example crayfish cannot be caught out of season as it is actually illegal to do so.
So if you are looking for what can truly be called traditional French food it is necessary to consider both the geographical influences as well as the seasonal influences which affect both what may be on offer, and its quality. Time it right, and you'll experience gourmet food at its very best.

The Good Food Network specialises in supplying and delivering high quality French food and gourmet food and ingredients.

Great Outside, Great Inside, Hiking and Gourmet Food Enjoy.

2011-01-01T09:49:00.000-08:00

Taking a walking/hiking holiday or short break is of course a healthy, refreshing way of really appreciating the beauty and sights of a new environment. As we mentioned in our previous post, there are many advantages of doing this with a local guide. But one, very significant advantage that will actually be more relevant AFTER the walking is knowing the best places to EAT - and in Mallorca you are spoilt for choice.

Mallorca through the centuries has always had many cultural influences - many times brought by conquering armies and more recently through a more civilised source with tourism. These cultural influences have also brought their culinary influences and Mallorca is now home to hundreds of different styles and tastes from Fast Food to the highest levels of gourmet cuisine.

Five restaurants have been awarded the prestigious Michelin Star in Mallorca for 2011 - two of them being new awards. But great food is not limited to the excellence of the Michelin chefs. Mallorca has a strong history of excellent food and also a very versatile use of the unlikeliest food items particularly from it's farming roots of previous centuries.

The pig was and still is a popular ingredient to many local dishes including the now famous sobrasada; the very popular roasted suckling pig and also variations of the Frito Mallorquin which is a descendant of the poorest families' staple diet in olden days.

Pa amb oli is another Mallorquin favourite with varied platters. These are usually cold dish choices with either a meat or cheese selection (but can also be fish) served with a thinly sliced rustic Mallorcan bread; olive oil; ramallet (spreading) tomatoes, garlic and sea salt. Simply crush the thin skinned 'ramallet' tomatoes with a garlic clove, sea salt and a generous glug of olive oil and serve on a slab of rustic bread. A variety of toppings can then be added from slices of locally cured hams, chorizos and sobrasadas or cheese. This meal choice is particularly popular through the summer and can last for hours along with great conversation and some superb Mallorquin wines.

The Mediterranean diet also includes many fresh salads and there are lots of local markets serving a wonderful array of home grown fruits and vegetables. Together with the local olive oil and the now famous Flor de Sal flavoured sea salts from Ses Salines - another great meal combination.

Fresh seafood is also very popular in Mallorca. The fishing ports of Andratx, Soller and Palma itself still holds fresh fish markets daily, direct from the returning fishing boats. The age old custom of the fishermen sitting repairing their nets with the gulls floating overhead still continues today. Everybody has their special fish restaurant to recommend but my favourite (and many others for over 30 years) is Casa Manolo's in Ses Salines.

Preparing for your visit to Mallorca there are many authoritative web sites now dedicated purely to your gastronomic enjoyment whilst here on the island. Our recommendation for the widest and most current range of information, news and even video interviews with the chefs and owners of the hundreds of venues you can visit is the award winning Sky Blue Mallorca.

Do not be daunted by this incredible choice and the gastronomic delights that await you in Mallorca - your guides are well equipped to help you make the best choices during your stay. But we have to warn you - you'll definitely need to return for more!

Healthy Food For Diet

2010-12-31T23:25:00.001-08:00

One of the biggest problems for people with a weight loss diet is the selection of foods they are going to be allowed to eat. The big fear of some people with a weight loss diet which often talk about, is that they would get tired or bored of eating the same healthy diet foods over and over again.

Some people may even go as far as to say that it is impossible to consistently eat the same few healthy foods every single day for a long period of time without either falling off the diet or just going insane.

A healthy food will serve a good balance of each of the food groups listed. Different person will need different amounts of food because they have variety in activity. Other factors include age, gender, and body size will also affect the amount of food you eat. You should group the food to provide you a healthy diet.

There are a lot kind of diets that will lead to successful weight loss if you follow them exactly as they are designed. That does not mean every food that fits into a diet is a healthy food. Most of diets now teach to change your eating patterns to fit the diet's rules.

The healthy food is closer to its natural state. The better food is keeping it fresh for you. Fresh fruits and berries are great and will throw off a craving for sweets. Whole vegetables contain lots of vitamins and minerals so you should put list in your diet to eat more green, orange and yellow vegetables.

Steam and boil is the best cooking trick to serve healthy food. You may learn some healthy cooking trick at culinary art school in your local area. If not, just search online to get healthy food information.

Steam your food to retain the most nutritional value. You may careful for sauce because they may be high in calories and fats that are not good for you. You should eat a variety of foods to get all of the vitamins and minerals you need to be healthy.

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Top 10 Industry Organizations in Culinary

2010-12-31T00:11:00.000-08:00

There are many different culinary industry associations for all types of chefs and for the food service world in general. These culinary organizations can serve as great resources whether you are a professional chef, a head chef, an aspiring chef, a culinary student or any other player in the gastronomic industry. The following are considered to be the top 10 culinary organizations in food-industry circles:

The American Institute of Wine & Food: This educational nonprofit organization is dedicated to the pleasures, benefits and traditions of the table, with 31 chapters in the U.S. as well as a chapter in France.
Chefs Collaborative: A national network of more than 1,000 food community members supporting sustainable cuisine through local, seasonal and artisanal cooking.
International Association of Culinary Professionals: This 30-year-old group is one of the largest culinary industry associations, with more than 4,000 members in 32 countries. It is a nonprofit professional association that provides continuing education and professional development and sponsors the annual IACP Cookbook Awards, among other things.
The James Beard Foundation: This nonprofit organization was founded in 1985 on Julia Child's suggestion to espouse the philosophy, ideals and practices of James Beard, the father of American gastronomy.
National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc: The NASFT has 19,000 members including manufacturers, distributors, importers, brokers, foreign government offices and other suppliers of specialty foods.
National Restaurant Association: This is the definitive membership-based business association in the restaurant industry with more than 30,000 members representing more than 175,000 restaurants since 1923.
New York Women's Culinary Alliance: The NYWCA promotes cooperation and education among women in the food industry.
Roundtable for Women in Foodservice: For 17 years the RWF has organized foodservice professionals while providing educational, mentoring and networking opportunities to enhance the development and visibility of women. There are 10 U.S. chapters.
Slow Food: This is the largest of all the culinary organizations in the world. They are committed to supporting and promoting quality food and beverage patrimony.
Women Chefs & Restaurateurs: The WRC promotes the education and advancement of women in the restaurant industry, as well as the betterment of the industry as a whole.

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Cooking As A Culinary Art

2010-12-30T23:47:00.000-08:00

Culinary arts is the art of cooking. Cooking is a way to prepare food that will be eaten or served to other people.

The culinary arts is comprised of many categories - some of which are tools, methods, combination of spices and ingredients that adds flavour to the food. It normally needs the right measurements, proper selection and accurate combination of ingredients involved to reach desired result.

The diversity of the Culinary arts around the world mirrors many considerations such as:

- Economic

- Aesthetic

- Nutritional

- Religious

- Cultural

1. The Dawn Of Fire

The culinary arts, if not always, is associated with fire. The heat generated by fire is oftentimes required to be applied to be able to change the food's texture, flavour, nutritional contents and even its appearance. Heating is important in the culinary arts because it disinfects the food and makes it softer. The food danger zone is between 4 to 60 degrees Celsius. Within these temperatures, the bacteria found in the found or even those that were transferred to the food can grow at a very alarming rate. Under ideal conditions bacteria can double their population every twenty minutes. Although at a glance, these foods may not appear harmful, when ingested they can be. Many people have the misconception that bacteria will die when we freeze our food or refrigerate them, but this actually does not rid the food of bacteria, merely it slows down their expansion.

2. Baking

Baking is probably the most famous department in the culinary arts. In the culinary arts, baking is the art of cooking food using an oven. The food is cooked through applying dry heat evenly through the oven and onto the food. It is used in producing pastry based goodies such as pies, tarts and cakes. The dry heat in the oven causes the starch to gelatinize and results to the browning or charring of the outside of the food. Some uneducated in the culinary arts might think that the charred part or the brown part is not as tasty as it sounds, but this part is actually what gives taste and flavour to the baked good, partly sealing the moisture of the food. The browning apparent in the baked good is caused by the sugar caramelizing and the chemical reaction that happens between the reduction of sugar and the amino acid (Maillard reaction). Moisture in the baked goody, on the other hand, is not really completely kept in, in time as the goody is being baked it will become drier and drier.

3. Boiling

Another category is boiling. Boiling is when there is a rapid vaporization of any liquid when the liquid is heated. In cooking, boiling is divided into many other categories. Blanching, a cooking term used to describe the submersion of food into boiling water and removing it after a certain period of time and then throwing it into cold water or letting water run over it causing the firming of food. Pressure cooking is when food is cooked inside an enclosed cooking tool that would limit the air that's coming in or going out of that tool - this technique speeds up the pace of cooking. Stewing would probably be the most popular cooking technique in the culinary arts division. It is a method where meats are cut up into smaller pieces and along with some vegetables are simmered into a liquid. Simmering, then again is a cooking method where the liquid is barely kept away from its boiling point. Other boiling techniques are braising, codding, steaming, infusion, poaching, double steaming, steeping and vacuum flask cooking.

4. Other

To most Americans, microwaving and grilling are the most common forms of cooking. Microwaving is the easiest and simplest form of cooking; it is a technique used mostly to reheat sumptuous meals ready to be consumed. And for grilling, most Americans have a grill station in their backyard. Grilling is a roasting method that is cooking directly under a source of heat. Other roasting methods are Barbecuing, Searing and Rotisserie. A less common method is smoking meat, or even salting it.

Culinary Travel Experiences And How To Select Great Regional Dining

2010-12-30T23:37:00.000-08:00

To better understand the concept behind culinary travel, one must first understand culinary tourism and all that such provides. As such, if one is interested in knowing more about culinary tourism, one may want to request an information package from the International Culinary Tourism Institute, founded in 2006, which is a non-profit education organization for training and education for its members and the public. Of course, there are also many other organizations involved in culinary tourism which one can also find online.
So, what exactly is culinary tourism? it is when one travels to a country or region with the specific intention of experiencing the food native to such an area. As such, dining out has become a valid part of the tourism experience. So, whether one is in the mood for Spanish cuisine from Spain, or food from the Middle East, when one actively travels to such areas in order to experience such native cuisine, then one is often considered a culinary tourist.

In addition, now that food has become an accepted and valid aspect of tourism, it is also believed that food as well as accommodations, climate and scenery all play an active role in such travel experiences. In addition, as individuals often dine out during vacations, while those on vacation may not experience the full art of culinary tourism, most likely one is going to still experience several culinary delights on such travels. As such, this tourism then becomes part and parcel to most vacations whether family, romantic or otherwise.
Still, as food tourism is defined as the ongoing pursuit of drinking and eating experiences, it differs from agricultural tourism. For, although it may be considered a subset of cultural tourism, cuisine is in fact also a manifestation of culture both past and present. Still, culinary and agricultural tourism remain linked due to the growing of foods which are included in the many regional dishes prepared which use locally grown ingredients.

In addition, although one may perceive from the sound of culinary tourism, that all foods consumed as part of such a process are gourmet dishes. In fact, this is not true at all. For this type of tourism is often more about what is unusual yet memorable and tasty, rather than what is often exclusive, pretentious and overly priced. As such, one can expect to find both basic and gourmet dishes, as well as great beer, wine and cocktails in all price ranges.

So, how does one find out more information about such culinary tourism? Often, one can contact one of many culinary tourist organizations which one can now find online. Of course, one can also decide based on taste and region where to travel to experience such culinary delights. However, if one is interested in specific culinary tourism, one may be able to find some great deals by talking with representatives from one of the many organizations now listed online.

For, whether one contacts an International organization, or a more locally based one, often one can gain a great many ideas of where to go and explore when it comes to such culinary tourism. In addition, as there are often many different dining opportunities available in each region, one may want to read a variety of online reviews in relation to such offerings, along with menu choices to assure one is going to fully enjoy such a dining experience. For, only when one can see first hand how such restaurants operate on an ongoing basis, can one truly decide if a restaurant is one in which one wishes to spend both time and money.

To this end, regardless of the type of food one seeks, one can find a great variety when participating in culinary travel or tourist opportunities. However, to assure one is going to enjoy the atmosphere, food and service, one may want to read a variety of reviews posted by past consumers. For, only in doing so, can one assure that one is going to have an outstanding culinary travel experience in whichever region or area one may decide to visit for such culinary delights.

Michelin Food and travel Experiences provide unique Culinary travel experiences and culinary tours. Travelers can even pick and choose their own culinary travel experiences and customize their trip itinerary.