For most families, both mom and dad have to work full-time just to make ends meet. This often causes stress when it comes to how to do it all: work, taxi the kids, do laundry, clean the house and cook dinner, just to name a few. There's just not enough time in the day without wearing yourself out. So, how can you accomplish all that you have to do and still not drop from exhaustion every day? One idea is to find quick and easy ways to fix dinner.



You could simply buy boxed convenience foods and throw them together every night, but after awhile that becomes not only boring, but unhealthy. Fast food is fun too of course, but that's just too expensive and the after effects are certainly not good for growing families. You can find easy dinner recipes that give you what you're looking for in quick dinner ideas. Good food that picky eaters will enjoy along with simplicity.
Here are a few quick and easy dinner tips that you're sure to find helpful:
1. Plan your meals. That seems overwhelming to some tired folks, but in the long run it will save you time and money. Plan a week's worth of dinners so that you'll be ready everyday to get the meal started without driving yourself nuts each day. Knowing exactly what you're preparing and what you'll need from the grocery store may prevent you from buying food you really don't need.




2. As you've probably seen on cooking shows, prepping your produce after you've brought it home will save you time during the week, and keep your veggies looking fresh longer. How many times have you thrown away produce because you failed to store it correctly in the refrigerator? This tip too, will save you some bucks.
3. Cook on the weekend for the weeks ahead. If you are preparing food that your family loves, then why not make enough for a couple of weeks? It's not too hard to make 2 lasagnas at the same time. Simply double what you're making and then freeze some.
4. Take advantage of your crock pot slowcooker. Families everywhere have discovered how much easier life can be with this wonderful little cooker. The kitchen stays cool in the summer, so don't hesitate to use your crock pot year round. You can make more than soup you know.



Let's face it, you're busy. But you can find ways to make your hectic lives easier and perhaps save a little money at the same time. Dinner time is also the best way to bond your family and talk about your day. So, don't spend what could be quality time slaving in the kitchen, use these quick and easy dinner tips to prepare home-made family meals.

The Finest Italian Cuisine
The finest cuisine in Italian history has always been the pizza, but that has changed with the different types of dishes that have made Italian cuisine famous. Chefs that prepare the Italian foods can tell you that making the finest cuisine comes from years of experience and attending a culinary school that teaches the art of Italian cooking. You have to know what to use for ingredients and when to use the specific ingredients. The chef understands when to use herbs and spices and which ones flavor the dish the best and which ones will not enhance the taste of a particular dish.



Making the Cuisine in Italian Style
When you make Italian cuisine at home, you might not realize that some of the spices you are using distort the taste you are looking for. This is why it is so important to understand how Italian chefs learn to cook. It is also important to know how to prepare a menu that compliments each food. If you do not know what foods would compliment each other, you may not create the menu you want. Culinary schools can teach you everything you need to know about planning a menu and which foods compliment each other.



Choosing the Menu
When you learn about Italian cuisine, you will learn about the menu. You have to understand which foods can be combined together. If you need to choose a wine for the dinner, you need to know your wines. Italian cooking is a specialty that cannot be learned quickly. You need to understand the culture in order to make the best cuisine. You should attend a culinary school that will teach you how to prepare the Italian cuisine.
If you are interested in Italian cuisine, you should consider a culinary school where you can learn about the dishes and wines that compliment each other. You will learn about the ingredients and how to enhance the flavor with herbs and spices without making mistakes and risking the taste of the dish. You can learn about the culture that is responsible for the fine flavors of Italian food. Once you have learned to make the finest dishes from Italy, you will be able to create your own dishes that will compliment the Italian cuisine and the rich heritage that the Italians are famous for.

Do you love to cook? Have you always wanted to go to Italian culinary school but you weren't sure if you were up for the challenge? Have you always been curious about what you will learn in an Italian culinary school that you wouldn't learn in a "regular" Italian cooking class in your home town? Do you love to cook but aren't sure if Italian culinary school is right for you? Italian-culinary-schools.com will help you decide!

Do you own any cast iron tools, such as a griddle or a skillet? If you do, you know how incredible they are as cooking tools. You get an amazing product that will cook your food perfectly and deliciously, of course, assuming you know how to cook and use the griddle or skillet.
 
If you have just gotten your own place and need some new kitchen supplies or if your old pots and pans just aren't up to par anymore, you should seriously consider getting yourself a cast iron griddle and skillet. There are countless benefits to this cooking utensil that we will discuss further.



 
First of all, you can get amazing flavor from cast iron. Pre-treat your pan so that it has life and flavor and then when you cook with it, it will release all the great flavors it holds. That is another thing. If you are low on iron, cooking with cast iron can get you that much needed mineral. Of course, if for some reason you have too much iron, be sure to avoid it.
 



It also has many benefits over its non-stick counterparts. Many of these other pots and pans have Teflon or other non-stick substances that are great in keeping your food from sticking, but can also be potentially harmful. If you have these types of pans with lots of scratches and missing coating, you can be pretty sure that most, if not all, of that coating went into your food and then into your system. Cast iron skillets and griddles do not have any toxic coatings.



 
Finally, these types of pans last a long time because they are made from such quality materials.  Some people have cast iron cooking tools over a hundred years old that continue to outperform many other pots and pans that are years younger.  A little bit of age and skill can go a long way.

If you are looking for more information or are looking to buy a cast iron griddle, you can learn more. Or, you can find out about griddle pans.

Did you know that Yin and Yang, the principle at the heart of Chinese philosophy, applies to Chinese food and cooking as well? In Chinese medicine, all food can be divided into four Qis: Hot, warm, cool and cold; or yang, mild yang, mild yin and yin respectively.
In general, yang food improves blood circulation and warms us up, but too much yang food (or eaten during the wrong season e.g. summer) will induce constant thirst, hot flashes, night sweats and constipation. In contrast, yin food quenches thirst, cleanses our systems and cools us down, but if eaten inappropriately it will lower our metabolism and weaken our bodies. In particular, according to traditional Chinese, pregnant women are traditionally advised not to eat yin food (e.g. crab, watermelon) as it may increase the chance of miscarriage.
So what are some examples of yin and yang food?



Grains and Beans

• Mild Yang (warm food): glutinous rice, black rice, barley, sago, sorghum
• Mild Yin (cool food): wheat, barley, green beans, buckwheat, millet
• Right in the middle: Rice, corn (maize), sweet potato, sesame, soy beans, rice beans, oat, long beans, sweet peas, kidney beans, mung beans, lentil, broadbean

Meat and Dairy Product

• Mild Yang (warm):beef, lamb (mutton), chicken, shrimp, lobster, mussels, goat milk
• Mild Yin (cool): duck, abalone
• Yin: duck egg, crab, clam, octopus, squid, escargots, raw food
• Just Right: chicken egg and egg white, pork, scallop, fish, cow milk, yogurt

Fruits and Nuts

• Mild Yang (warm): peach, almond, dates, lychee, long yan, lemon, papaya, pine nut, walnut, chestnut, cherry, mango
• Mild Yin (cool):apple, pear, orange, strawberry, pipa
• Yin (cold): Persimmon, pomelo, banana, starfruit, kiwi, water melon, sweet melon
• Just Right: plum, pineapple, grapes, olive, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, coconut milk, peanut, hazelnut

Vegetables

• Mild Yang (warm): spring onion, garlic, leeks, coriander / parsley, onion, pumpkin
• Yang (hot): pepper
• Mild Yin (cool): tomato, celery, egg plant, choy shum, spinach, asparagus, artichoke, cauliflower, tofu (including soy milk), gluten, lotus root, winter melon, cucumber, mushroom, needle mushroom
• Yin (cold): bok choy, arrowhead, water spinach, watercress, bamboo shoots, seaweed, straw mushroom, bitter melon, water chestnut
• Just Right: carrot, potato, taro, mushroom, turnip (very mild yin), black fungus (very mild yin)

Other Food and Ingredients

• Mild Yang (warm): spices such as young ginger, clove, dill, rosemary, sage, turmeric, thyme, horseradish, cayenne, nutmeg, wild pepper, cumin, star anise; stimulants such as alcohol, coffee, black tea and other caffeinated drinks; red sugar, ginseng
• Yang (hot): Cinnamon
• Mild Yin (cool): green tea, honey, beer, chrysanthemum tea, mint
• Yin (cold): Soy sauce, soy bean paste, salt

How Does This Apply To Us?
According to the Chinese, each of us are born yin, yang or somewhere in between. For example, if you always crave for spicy food you may have a "yin" body; and if you love watermelon anytime in the year you are likely a Yang.
Your health condition can also indicate the yin-yang balance of your body. Constant cold hands and feet? A Yin; Get soar throat easily and have a quick temper? A Yang. Seasonal and geographic variations will also affect our preference on yin and yang foods.
The Advice

• When cooking yin food (applies to most veggies), add yang ingredients such as garlic, spring onion, ginger and coriander.
• Eat seasonal food: let the nature guide us how to eat.
• Balanced diet: if we eat a wide variety of food, the yin and yang will balance out.

Are you a Yin or a Yang? You are welcome to share your food experience in the comment section. See you there!
Stephanie chats about her quick, authentic and home-style Chinese cooking in her food blog. A Hong Kong native, her craving for Chinese food began when she studied and worked in the United States. Upon returning to Hong Kong, she rediscovered the wok and the spatula and has been enjoying cooking ever since. You can get her Chinese recipes, glossary, cooking tips and fun facts on Chinese food at The Chinese Kitchen.

If you're a hard core sports fan, then you probably have had a game day gathering. Unfortunately, the food lineup is usually chips and dip and maybe a call to the pizza place for delivery. The same old play doesn't get the team very excited. So how about turning it up a bit, chart out your game plan, stock your roster with reserves, decorate your arena and get pumped for that big game?
Here are some professional plays that are really easy and will leave your teammates proud to be part of your team!
Game plan: This first step will take you far if planned accordingly. Keep in mind of how many people are to attend, and double or triple the amount of foods you think you will need. It's better to have leftovers than to run out.



Know your teammates, do they have a sweet tooth? Spicy? Vegetarian? Special needs?
Show your team spirit: Decorate all your food on plates, napkins, cups, cupcake liners, toothpicks with your team colors.Make your food look like a trophy, we eat with our eyes. Also if you plan for a big meet, disposable is fantastic! Try to keep your showcase close by so you don't have to keep getting up for refills.
Warm up: Once you have a plan, think of what can be done ahead so you don't miss out on any home runs or knockouts.
For appetizers, nuts are a good choice(some people are extremely allergic to nuts so be careful). The cupcake liners mentioned before can be put to use. Choose a small size cupcake liner, maybe you can fit a handful of nuts. Mix it up, make it salty, throw in some chocolate, some dry fruits are a good twist. Some spicy,roasted, unsalted... Be creative. With a couple of cans of different nuts can go a long way. They are also a great snack before you bring out your A game.



Compliment the first round with something heartier, like the favorite chips and dip. This time though, turned it up a bit. This will require preparation before hand. Also your knife skills are definitely going to improve unless you have a food slicer which most house holds don't really have. Regardless you need to remember that your vegetables need to be cut thin, so when it's dropped in oil it will cook evenly. Potatoes are typical, add some color and slice some beets. After frying sprinkle with some sea salt. You have fresh chips! But time out! What about dip? Make it extra special and cut out some peppers, just the top, you will be using it as a bowl. Make sure that peppers are pretty big. For the dip, mix in some blue cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, a dash of red wine vinegar, a little bit of onions or shallots, salt and fresh cracked pepper, and some bacon. Put bacon strips on a sheet tray for about 15 minutes in oven, let it cool and either crumble it by hand or chop it up with a knife. Please have a sharp knife. Once ready to serve, place dip in peppers garnish with some bacon and parsley.




Surround it by your freshly made chips, some fresh vegetables and its a touchdown!
For the halftime show it's a good idea to prepare before hand. It's handy to have a brush on this one. Grab some flour tortillas and brush them with extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle some herbs (e.g. oregano, parsley, rosemary). Pop them in the oven for a few minutes, you want them to be semi crispy since you will pop them in the oven once more. Set aside to cool. Grab some already cooked chicken, shred it with hands and in a bowl mix it with some of your favorite barbeque sauce. Brush the tortilla with some sauce, be careful not to break. Sprinkle some cheese (e.g.Mozzarella, Asiago, Romano blend found at your local grocery store cheese section). Place chicken, sprinkle some more cheese and add some chopped bacon for garnish. The Tomato-Basil version is very universal so you can't go wrong. Instead of barbeque sauce use your favorite tomato sauce, sprinkle some cheese(use the same as on the BBQ), slice some vine ripe tomatoes, sprinkle some more cheese. Add chiffonade basil for garnish. Pop the tortillas in the oven for about a minute or two, use judgment on how crispy you want them. Once out of the oven, slice in thinly and serve in platter. Make sure to have lots of napkins and wet naps around, this might get a bit messy.
However the outcome of the game, leave it on a sweet note. It's a great idea to grab a few flavors of Dibs(now they come in about 5 flavors), serve about 3-4 pieces on those cupcake liners, line them up by flavor or mix them up if you have an adventurous team. For less mess, grab a few toothpicks and serve them out of tray, the downfall of this they might start to melt. If you have access to really fresh fruit, cut a few slices of melons, pineapples, berries, pick a variety of fruit and serve them on a platter. A quick dip is use plain yogurt and honey, mix and either have it as a dip or drizzle on top.
Whatever the outcome of the game is, you'll be sure to leave your guests wanting overtime!

While the best thing you can do for the environment when it comes to your diet is to develop at least one meat-free day per week, you can also reduce your environmental footprint by increasing the quantity of organic food you eat, which also means choosing meat that has been raised organically. You'll be ensuring that the animals raised for your meat are treated humanely, while also encouraging farming methods that lesson the damage done to the environment.



The meat industry effects the environment on so many levels-problems like soil and water pollution, climate change, deforestation, diseases, and more are all perpetuated by large-scale animal farms. Often called CAFOS for confined animal feeding operations, these factory farms are not only damaging to the environment, they are a den of cruelty for the animals.
Creatures who are raised for meat on large-scale farms are often confined in very tight spaces with little to no room to move around or lie down. They are deprived of fresh air and forbidden from doing what comes naturally to them-roaming in green pastures, taking care of their young, feeding in a free-range fashion, and resting when necessary. Instead, they lead lives of fear, pain, and misery. Those who consider eating a spiritual act (such as Hindus and Buddhists) also believe that when an animal lives and dies in fear, they pass along their negative emotions to those who eat them.



Conventionally-raised animals are also less healthy to eat. Through a process known as bioaccumulation, meat can contain 14 times more pesticides than plant-based foods. As animals eat plants filled with toxic chemicals like pesticides and herbicides, these chemicals get concentrated in their fatty tissue, making meat protein much less healthy than plant protein. In addition, according to the US Food and Drug Administration, every year there are at least 5,000 people with health problems attributable to the overuse of antibiotics in animal farming.
The US Department of Agriculture National Organic Program requires that organically-raised animals be hormone- and antibiotic-free, and that they receive only organic feed. This eliminates the problems associated with pesticide overdose, but doesn't solve the issue of how the animals were treated. So if you care about animal cruelty, you'll want to choose animal protein that comes from small-scale farms that allow their animals to roam freely and feed naturally.



You can often find this kind of meat at the farmer's market or through a community supported agriculture (CSA) organization. Although "free range" and "natural" are unregulated terms, if you ask your farmer to see pictures of their animals and/or have them define for you how they were raised, you have a better chance of ensuring they were not ill-treated. Buying from vendors like these also ensures that you're supporting your local economy.
So develop at least one meat-free day per week and also reduce your environmental footprint by increasing the quantity of organic food you eat by choosing meat that has been raised organically.

Want more information on Organic Food tips and tricks? Sign up for the OrganicAuthority.com newsletter and get your free report How to Shop for Organic Foods on a Budget, brought to you by Laura Klein Green Living Expert.

Want something a little exotic that's tasty and filling? Think shish kabobs!
Shish-kabobs, a traditional Middle Eastern delicacy, has become part of a world food cuisine that takes on wonderful regional variations. Its name may have come from Arabic, meaning "cooked meat in small pieces," but it has a big reputation for flavor!
Devotees of this "food on a stick" have their favorite recipes and tools. For instance, many cooks prefer stainless steel skewers rather than wooden ones, while others swear by wooden skewers. Either way, veteran chefs say that oiling the skewers lightly before adding the meat and vegetables helps slide the entrée onto the plate more easily. It's best to use oil without much flavor, such as canola oil, so it doesn't compete with the natural seasonings. Here are the top five ways to build shish kabob.



1. Beef.
Beef has become a mainstay of shish kabob, but that's just the beginning. Cooks have experimented with wonderfully surprising flavor combinations such as red wine, flavored oils of various kinds and Japanese or Hawaiian teriyaki sauce. Usually a beef shish kabob uses sirloin cuts, because the chunks grill well and hold together with the vegetables on the skewer.
2. Lamb.
Shepherds of the Middle Eastern region probably originated this dish by roasting pieces of lamb on skewers over an open fire. Traditionally the lamb pieces are marinated in olive oil, spices and herbs such as salt, pepper, oregano or mint and garlic. Today's version typically alternates thick chunks of lamb with large mushrooms, green peppers, red or white onions and cherry tomatoes or slices of medium tomatoes. The marinades have changed, however. Regional variations include marinating the lamb in a yogurt-based sauce to produce something similar to Indian tandoori flavors.
3. Chicken



Talk about creativity! The mild flavor of white meat chicken becomes an expansive canvas for adventurous cooks when it comes to making shish kabob. Some cooks go for a single intense flavor, such as teriyaki sauce or garlic oil. Other chefs get really creative with imaginative combinations such as a spicy "shish taouk" featuring lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, black pepper and cayenne pepper; a Japanese "yakitori" version with soy sauce, sake, molasses and grated onion or a tropical island touch with pineapple juice mixed with dry mustard, brown sugar and soy sauce.
4. Shrimp.
A classic Australian shrimp shish kabob uses no vegetables at all, just plump seafood brushed with oil or other savory seasonings and grilled lightly. Another version marinates a pound of shrimp in olive oil mixed with lemon, pepper, garlic and chopped parsley for two hours. Then the shrimp are grilled for just five minutes. Another variation marinates the shrimp in teriyaki sauce for 30 minutes, and then alternates the shrimp with chunks of yellow squash, sprinkles all with ginger and grills lightly.



5. Fruit and/or veggie kabobs.
A fruit or vegetable shish kabob makes a savory feast for many vegetarians. Those who love vegetable shish kabob simply cut up their favorites, season as desired, thread onto a skewer and grill until the veggies are tender but still crisp. Seasonings can range from teriyaki sauce, soy sauce or pineapple to a flavored oil whisked together with salt, pepper and herbs and spices. The same goes for fruit, especially big sweet chunks of pineapple and other tropical delights.

Many things can be considered truly Hawaiian. Author Sam Kanakanui and creator of Truly Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce is just such a person. Born on Oahu, Sam has brought his families 100 year old teriyaki sauce recipe to the mainland to share with his extended ohana (family).

During the spring time of every year, it is almost a tradition that people in America dust down their barbecue sets and begin bulk buying all of their meats in preparation of their outside meals. However, how much do we really know about barbecuing?
1. Did you know that barbecues originated in old time pig-pickins? It was common to throw parties and elaborate meals outside before the civil war. The people would roast an entire pig on an open flame.



2. "Smoking" has been used for over 6 millennia for the purposes of safely cooking and storing food. The meat was treated to bellows of smoke and low heat in order to prevent any bacteria cultivating into the products.
3. Traditional barbecuing is not actually that common. It is very different to how we do it nowadays. Traditional barbecuing is a lengthy cooking experience that cooks the food at a temperature similar to boiling water, in order to make the meat tender while preserving its juices. Today's most common method of barbecuing is broiling, which involves cooking at a much higher temperature, generally 300 degrees higher, for a much less time.
4. Surveys that have been carried out in the United States show that half of all marshmallows that are consumed have been flame roasted.



5. Using bathroom scales is one of the simplest ways in which you can check your gas tank levels.
6. It is unclear as to the origin of the word "barbecue". It is believed by some that it came from the American-Indian word barbacoa, which was the name of a wood whereby foods were cooked.
7. Using liquid smoke is a way in which you can create a Smokey flavor to foods that are cooked on a gas grill or that you have cooked indoors. Liquid smoke is a condensation of genuine smoke, which can simply be added to any barbeque.
8. An incredibly dense cut of meat is Brisket, which is taken from the cow's chest. It should be cooked for 1 to 2 hours per pound on a barbecue. Therefore, a basic 8 pound piece of brisket should be cooked for an average of 12 hours on the grill.
9. Kansas City, Missouri and Lexington, North Carolina both claim that they are the barbeque capitals of the world. Memphis stakes a claim to being the pork barbeque capital.

The author, TC McRae, publishes BBQ articles based on his love eating and cooking real smoked barbeque. You can check out his site at http://www.backyard-smoker-barbeque-chef.com/ His Backyard-Smoker-Barbeque-Chef.com site is the single, best resource on the internet for learning about cooking smoked barbeque sensations (especially for newbies!).
If you're a fan of real barbeque and the barbeque phenom in the U.S. today get a copy of the free "Backyard Barbeque Qzine" newsletter today.

What do you think of when you hear the words "griddle pan"? Do you picture making a nice stack of pancakes or French toast? Maybe you picture some nice, big juicy burgers or barbecued chicken. Either way, you know that you can cook lots of delicious food with a good, quality griddle pan.
 

If you are a frequent cooker, you should be sure to have a wide variety pots, pans, and other cooking tools and utensils. You should also be sure to have the right appliances such as a blender, microwave, coffee pot, etc. It is also important to have the right quality tools. If you only buy cheap kitchen appliances and tools, you will notice it in the quality of your food. Your food will not come out as good as it otherwise would and the tools will not last as long either.




 
The griddle pan can be used to cook up a lot of different foods. For example, you could cook pancakes, French toast, prairie chicken or fried chicken, burgers, seared steak, fried potatoes, and the list goes on. A griddle pan is a definite tool that you should have your kitchen but you will get a lot of use out of.
 
When looking to buy a griddle pan, keep several ideas in mind. Look for quality. You want a pan that is going to last for many years to come, not something that's going to break or look destroyed in a year or two. Find something with quality at an affordable price. Some brands are high-priced but not necessarily great quality. Read reviews to find where to get both good quality and an affordable price.



 
Once you have your griddle, learn how to use it correctly and take good care of it. This will each get the best results in your dishes and to allow the pan to last as long as possible.

Learn more about cooking with a griddle pan and where to get one. Get cooking pans at the best price.

Beef cuts make for some of the best and most tasty meals known to mankind and come in many varieties and cuts depending on what part of the world you live in. However, some staple beef meat cuts remain common to most countries including ground beef mince, beef roasting joints (topside, rolled beef rib etc) and of course the favourite steaks cuts such as Sirloin, Rump or Fillet and effectively cooking beef is a simple and rewarding job!



In essence beef is broken down to two sections in it's simplest form. The Forequarter and Hindquarter. The forequarter contains the front shoulders, leg and breast areas which are the most mobile sections of the cow and therefore in the main, contain the lesser tender cuts of meat. The hindquarter however, contains the bottom and back area which does not have so much work to do and therefore has the tenderest cuts of meat the most tender being the tenderloin, the Fillet Steak of the beef.
Cooking beef requires some knowledge of cooking but for the most part excellent results can be achieved by anyone with just a sprinkling of cooking know how.
How you cook beef obviously depends on a number of factors including the cut of meat and the size along with the equipment you are planning to cook with whether that be using the oven, grill, BBQ or open fire. One of the best ways to judge whether your roasting is cooked to your liking is to take away the guess work and purchase a temperature probe like the one I use which is a Silicone Meat Thermometer 2″ Dial.



These devices are invaluble and cost no more than a single joint of beef and therefore are a great investment for excellent results time after time. In essence, the devices are similar to a long metal probe with either a manual or digital gauge located at the end, you simply place the probe into the heart of the meat during cooking and take a note of the temperature readout. Following a cooking temperature chart you can know what the temperature of the meat is inside and following the temperature calculator can achieve perfect roasting results.
Remember though, just because a cut of beef is not tender to start off with (from the forequarter region) does not mean it should be avoided. Ultimately, flavour is about many things including the diet of the animal however, the fat content of the meat sometimes called 'marbling' carries much of the flavour of meat and avoiding what looks like a 'fatty' piece of meat can be avoiding the most flavoursome cuts. Marbling within the meat actually acts to self baste the meat as it cooks ensuring it remains succulent and moist during cooking. If you are conscious about how much fat you consume then feel free to discard any surplus after eating, just ensure you baste your meat well and leave the fat attached during cooking given this provides many benefits during cooking.



Cooking beef need not be a difficult job and our site has many top tips on cooking all the most popular beef joints so please pay us a visit for some great recipe ideas and tips on how to cook the perfect beef!

The Meat Cooking Expert is bought to you by Thomas Borne. A master Butcher with over 25 years meat retailing experience. Tom trained for 5 years under a local apprenticeship and attended the Smithfield Colledge, London studying meat retailing which resulted in him being accredited with the converted Master Butcher status. To view more detail around the original article including our meat cuts diagram please visit Cooking Beef.

The dish that I'm writing this tutorial on is not a Korean dish, but many Koreans love to eat it. I do not know the exact name for this dish, so I'm just going to call it pan fried fish covered in eggs (sorry for the weird title).
For some reason, Koreans love this side dish as it goes well with rice and kimchi, in my opinion. Here is how to make this dish.

The ingredients that you will need are: a type of fish (Try to stay away from the fattier fish like salmon and tuna. I prefer to use either tilapia or halibut for this kind of dish.), eggs, milk, and flour. There's really no need for any other ingredient as it's a very simple but flavorful dish.
First, take the fish that you have used, in my case I'm using halibut, and cut them into relatively thin, round shaped pieces. They don't have to be round; I'm saying round as a general shape. It can be rectangular as well. Season the fish slightly with salt and leave that aside for now.
Next, crack a couple of eggs into a bowl and whisk it with some salt and milk added in. Leave it aside for now.



Now, put some flower into a bowl while at the same time, preheating your pan to about medium heat with a little bit of olive oil in the pan. Then, one by one, dip your pieces of fish in the eggs, flour them, and move them to the pan. They will take a couple of minutes to cook on each side.
Now, you can enjoy your delicious pan fried fish covered in eggs. Teach your friends and family how to make this dish today.

TVLesson.com is a community educational based for all users. Variety of different how to lessons can be searched in more than 14 different categories. We welcome our users to register and join the TV Lesson community so they can help us develop and fine tune the TV Lesson experience to the community's needs. Join us and share your own wisdom and know-how by uploading your videos. Many lessons can be found in variety of channels. Sharing lessons can be a great way to connect in community and to increase knowledge. All lessons are carefully hand-selected and filtered to provide the best instructional videos.



Are you getting tired of searching for free video tutorials online? Now you can find all lessons in just one place. Explore our largest video library collection of free how-to videos.

New York is one of the top cities in the world when it comes to diverse culture and cosmopolitan cooking venues. Millions flock here each and every year to experience the culinary delights that the wide array of restaurants have to offer. When it comes to building your career in cooking, or even learning to cook a new kind of food, the cooking classes in New York cannot be beaten.




Two of the best cooking schools in the area are Home Cooking and The Wooden Spoon;
Home Cooking - One of the top home cooking classes in New York. Here you will find a number of different options for your cooking lessons, including right from your own home, or even hosted cooking parties. These cooking classes are great for those who wish to learn cooking in groups. They provide a wide range of menus in everything from Japanese to healthy eating courses.
The Wooden Spoon - This cooking school offers basic to intermediate classes in a range of areas. These are private cooking sessions that last over two hours. At the end you will be able to prepare a quality meal. The best part about these cooking classes is that the class sizes are very small and you will have more time with your tutor. These classes are best for those who are prepared to supply their own ingredients.



These are just two of the options and there are many more cooking classes in New York. For example, those looking for experience in the restaurant field might want to gain experience in a working restaurant, such as the popular CamaJe. Whatever it is that you need, you are guaranteed to find what you are looking for!

Are you looking for ideas for an easy birthday cake?
You child's birthdays is tomorrow and you can't order a cake. Get the cake pans out and start baking. An easy birthday cake to make and decorate is on the way.
I prefer a two layer cake. To me they look more festive. If you have a cake mix great, if not make one from scratch. Pour mix into 2 - 9" round pans that have been greased and floured. Bake them at 350 degrees about 25 - 35 minutes. I can usually tell they are done by feel. If you can't put a knife in and see if it has any batter on it. If it does it isn't done yet. Try not to over bake it or it will be dry.




When it is done put it on a cooling rack a few minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cake. Then get a plate put the plate on top of the cake, flip it and your cake should come out if not put a wet towel on the bottom of the pan.
Now place the cake in the freezer for about 2 hours. You can leave them upside down. A frozen cake will ice better.
Make your favorite icing or buy it. Ice the top of one cake flip the other on it or place it on it. This is really an easy birthday cake. Now you want to ice the sides you can use a regular knife to just put icing on and run it around and ice the rest. Then do the top.




Now you can decorate. Either put sprinkles all the way around to decorate or draw a circle in another color frosting fill it in and make a smiley face. Sprinkles is an easy birthday cake idea. After you have that done write Happy Birthday _ _ _ on it. You can use a different colored icing that you put in a tube or a clean empty catchup or honey bottle. Anything that has a small hole in top and will squeeze will work.



Now isn't that an easy birthday cake idea? I hope you can use this idea. Decorating cakes can be fun and this is just a simple way to start.

Decorating a cake is an art you can learn. Check out this site for more information. There is a free video on decorating a cake with chocolate. http://www.squidoo.com/DecoratingBeautifulCakes
You can learn to decorate cakes and save your family a lot of money. Maybe you can start a business and make a lot of money. It is fun to decorate cakes and much easier than you might think. It is something you can learn.

Decorative cakes are used to mark many ceremonies like weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties and social events. Materials used for the decoration include cherries, candies, sugars, icing, chocolate, fondants and gum paste. The decoration involves icing and flowering. It has been done since 17th century and it's done using decorating airbrushes. This gives you glamorous work.

Different styles gives you various outcomes. European style involves covering the cake with smooth icing of fondants and designing borders and flowers of icing. Victorian style is a traditional way and the cake is in form of a ladder with pillars of flowers. This style has been modernized by decorating with flowers and placing a plastic bride and the groom at the top. The best decorative item for weddings is fondant for it gives a smooth look.




Other styles are Lambeth and Wilton method that uses icing of butter cream, flowers and decorative borders. To come up with outstanding cake, you need to use tools like decorative cake compressors, airbrush and spray gun. The airbrush assist to apply color scheme and cover the background. The compressor has a color cup and when trigger is pressed, it helps spread color uniformly. There are compressors that need no maintenance. Also, there are various range of colors and decorative bag in he market from which you can choose.
There are schools, institutes and professionals that offer decorating techniques inform of classes and workshops. In the market, you can access decorating books and DVDs with the same information. Currently, the media is hosting cookery shows that are educative. So don't be left out.

Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Cake Decorating. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here CAKE DECORATING If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED!

Cakes are used to climax celebrations in social occasions like birthday celebrations, anniversaries and weddings. The one chosen should be flavored and appealing to the eyes. To make the bakery product more colorful, you can use an airbrush. Airbrush is a tool used for spraying ink. It is useful in activities like coloring clothes, applying makeup, painting and other artwork. Its broad use has made it easy to decorate and get a beautiful baked product.

The brush is used to apply color scheme and cover cake background with colors. It consists of a trigger and when you press it, blow of streams passes through it and spread color on the surface of a cake. There are multiple colors that one can choose from depending on the theme of occasion. Decorative bags are used to draw pipes, borders and flowers on the bakery product. They are made of paper, plastic or cloth and are triangular and packed with icing.




Styles of cake decorating include the European style that involves covering the it with smooth icing of fondants, Victorian style that is ladder styled with pillars of flowers, and the Lambeth style that includes applying icing layers to give a dimensional look. Other styles are Australian and Wilton method which uses icing of butter cream, flowers and decorated borders.
Use of airbrush to decorate your cake will give you a wonderful outcome. There are some schools and institutes that teach decorating techniques. There are books, and DVDs in the market educating on the same. Currently, the media is airing cooking shows.


All these ways have made it easy for the public to learn more on how to come up with attractive and decorative desserts for celebration.

Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Cake Decorating. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here CAKE DECORATING If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED!

When there is a celebration in the family. Cakes are always the important part.

You can make your family cakes. It isn't difficult to do. There are numerous ways you can start this. Wilton makes a lot of cake pan shapes. You can start there. Make the cake and just ice it with bought icing. That is easy enough. Try to add details as you see fit. Use your imagination.




The latest family cakes craze are silhouettes on cakes. Anyone can do these. Bake your cake a 9 x 12 pan will work. Take the cake out of the pan. Freeze it so it will be easier to work with. Ice the cake after it has been in the freezer a couple hours.
Now if you have a printer print out a silhouettes of something that is popular to your family member. Maybe a graduation cap, a dog, a truck, a sexy girl, a sexy guy etc. If you don't have a printer just find the shape in a magazine or maybe a coloring book. Cut out the shape. lay it on the cake and trace it remove the paper and fill outline with frosting. Another way to do this would be to use fondant. If you roll it out you can just cut it out of it. Then just place it on an iced cake. You can buy fondant at a lot of hobby stores or a bakery supply place.



Now just use the silhouettes shape in the middle and write your happy birthday around it. You can make the silhouettes black. You probably need to get the paste coloring for this as black is hard to make without it. Again get this at your hobby or supply store. Try different colors too.
This is an easy way to make family cakes. You can elaborate on this as you get better.
For more fun ideas check out our site. You can watch a video of decorating a cake with chocolate too.
Wouldn't it be fun to make all the family cakes and improve with more education.


They will be amazed and you will be proud to say you made it yourself!

If you enjoy cake decorating visit our site for more information. You can watch a video on decorating a cake with chocolate too.

Imagine, you've had a hard week at work, I know, it's a difficult thing to imagine, but go ahead, try to imagine it. Everything has gone wrong, and all you want is to go home and relax. Once you are home, maybe you light a few candles, turn on some music, and run a hot bubble bath.





You pour yourself a glass of wine, or possibly champagne, and then you remember the mini raspberry cheesecakes in the freezer. This night is definitely turning out to be the highlight of your long week. After a long soak in the tub, with all of those relaxing bubbles tickling your nose, you wrap yourself in your cozy plush robe, and sit down to treat yourself to a luscious mini raspberry cheesecake, maybe even two or three. Everything is good, everything is right; it's amazing what a little bite of raspberry cheesecake can do for the soul.








This night was made perfect by the little extra touch of the mini raspberry cheesecakes at the end. It simply would not have been the same had you had to thaw out a huge four pound raspberry cheesecake, which would have taken hours. Not to mention the dishes that would have been in the sink, waiting to be taken care of in the morning. No, this night was perfect because of the carefree, mini raspberry cheesecake that was waiting for you in the freezer, just waiting for when you needed a little bite of heavenly indulgence.
Of course, there is no need to wait until you are at your wits end to enjoy a mini raspberry cheesecake. Unlike a traditional two to four pound cheesecake, you can keep these small desserts in the freezer for up to six to eight weeks, and only thaw out what you will need, without worrying about them going bad. No one wants to see a good cheesecake gone bad.





You can find these mini raspberry cheesecakes in several flavors, including New York Style-Mango-Raspberry Swirl, NY Style-Chocolate Chip-Raspberry Swirl, Raspberry Swirl, and Toasted Almond Raspberry. You may find that you would like to share these decadent morsels with a friend or loved one, but if you don't, and want to keep them hidden in the back of the freezer, all for yourself, everyone will understand.

Raspberry mini cheesecakes offer the delicious taste of fruit with the texture of creamy cheesecake.

Are you thinking of throwing an event, and can't seem to come up with any good ideas for desserts? Do you need the desserts to be small enough to place on napkins or smaller plates with out having to utensils to slice into a large cake?
You should consider chocolate mini cheesecakes.




These small bight size chocolate cheesecakes are easily transferred from the serving plate to the plate of the person eating them. They are also available individually wrapped in paper, like a cupcake, so as to minimize mess. Your guests will be free to mingle with each other, without being tied down to a table with a fork or spoon.
Chocolate mini cheesecakes are available in a variety of order sizes, and bite sizes. You can order them in amounts of two or three pound shipments. These chocolate mini cheesecakes are available in one inch bite size portions, as well as three inch bite size portions.



Chocolate mini cheesecakes are available in rocky road, white chocolate, chocolate chip, chocolate fudge, chocolate fudge-cappuccino, chocolate chip raspberry swirl, and chocolate topped New York style cheesecake flavors. You can even order these in a low carb chocolate swirl version. Your guests will be sure to find something that suits there tastes, maybe even one of each flavor.
Since these decadent delights come in bite size portions, you will not have to worry about the amount of waste you would have with larger sized cheesecakes. In fact, since each individual will have the option of choosing a flavor, you may find that you didn't purchase enough, once everyone finds out just how mouth-watering these individual morsels are.


When you serve these delicate, mini chocolate cheesecake bites to your guests, they will be talking about them for days to come, especially the chocolate lovers in the group. If you are a chocolate cheesecake lover, then you will love these chocolate mini cheesecakes for your next event. Chocolate mini cheesecakes are a decadent desert that you and all of your guests are sure to enjoy. You will be the talk among your circle of friends, everyone will be asking you where you got them, and will want to get them for themselves.
Be sure you have a large supply on hand for your next gathering of friends, once you serve these delightful treats, they will be sure to expect them at all of your events.

Learning to decorate a cake can be fun and rewarding. I know you think you can't decorate a cake. We have made the cakes for our family gatherings for some time. Some have been basic and others pretty involved.
You can even use a cake mix. Sometimes you will use several mixes. Don't be intimidated, learning to decorate a cake is not that difficult. I worked in a bakery for years and we had new people who learn fairly quickly. Things have changed in those years but it is even easier to get creative with cakes.


I have found that freezing a cake makes it much easier to work with. There are numerous things you can learn that will simplify cake decorating. If you have ever watched those cake decorating shows on tv you realize that sometimes it looks more complicated than it is.



With a few tip changes of an icing bag you can create many different designs and get the effect you want. It really is an art but it can be learned quickly. When the bakery is booked and you don't know where to get the perfect cake, make it yourself.
=Yes, learning to decorate a cake is not as difficult as you might think. Why my sister has even learned to make some nice looking cakes. If she can learn it you can too. We have amazed the family with some of the cakes, cookies and candies we put out for parties. Don't be afraid tackle this art and learn some easy methods that will make you shine as the creative one too.

Calling all chocoholics to this incredible pie. But beware! This delicious pie may become addictive! If you love pie, love chocolate, love desserts, or just want to impress someone who does, you gotta try this recipe. It is simple, easy, and not expensive. It is, however, a perfect dessert for any occasion. You must try this delicious special Brownie Pie.



CREAM CHEESE BROWNIE PIE

1 9-inch pie crust
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3 tbsps sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
1 pkg (15 oz) Fudge Brownie Mix (with a fudge packet)
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tbsps water
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, combine the cheese, sugar, vanilla and one of the eggs. Beat the mixture until smooth. Set aside. Reserve the fudge packet from the brownie mix.
In a large bowl, combine the brownie mix, canola oil, one tablespoon of the water, and the remaining two eggs. Beat the mixture fifty strokes with a large spoon.



Spread 1/2 cup of this mixture over the pie crust. Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly and carefully over the brownie mixture. Top cream cheese mixture with the remaining brownie mixture. Spread evenly. Sprinkle with the chopped pecans.
Bake pie at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes or until the center is puffed and the crust is golden brown. Place the ingredients of the fudge packet in a small microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir the remaining water into the chocolate. Drizzle over the top of the pie. Cool at least 3 hours before cutting. Store this pie in the refrigerator.
Enjoy!

Give your family and friends a special treat with these homemade Cinnamon Rolls. Perfect for holidays, special occasions, brunches, and your own breakfast table.
MOLLIE'S CINNAMON ROLLS
4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1 pkg active dry yeast
1 cup milk
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, softened


In a small bowl, pour the dry yeast into about 1/3 cup warm water and sprinkle with sugar. In a glass bowl, combine the milk, butter, sugar, and salt; microwave on high for 2 minutes but do not boil. Stir milk and butter mixture until butter is melted and has cooled slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, put 2 cups of the flour and pour the dissolved yeast on top. Pour the slightly cooled milk mixture on top of the flour and and yeast and mix with a wire whisk. Add the beaten eggs and whisk until well blended. Gradually add the remaining flour until a soft elastic dough is formed. Place mixture in a greased glass bowl, turning once, and cover with a thin damp cloth. Let rise until doubled in size.


For the filling, combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour, and cinnamon. Punch down the dough and turn out on a lightly floured surface. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes. Roll the dough into a 12-inch square.
Spread the softened 1/2 cup of butter evenly on the dough. Sprinkle with the filling mixture. Roll up jelly-roll style and pinch edges to seal. Slice to the desired thickness and place in a greased pan. Let rise until doubled in size and then bake in a 350 degree preheated oven until golden brown. Baking time will depend on the thickness you slice your rolls and how tightly you put them in the pan.
Allow rolls to cool for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. Make the following powdered sugar glaze and drizzle over the warm rolls.
POWDERED SUGAR GLAZE:


In a small bowl, stir together 1 1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon light corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and enough cream (probably 1 to 2 tablespoons) to make a drizzling consistency.
Enjoy!

Baking level cakes is something almost every home baker wants to do, but it seems impossible. It becomes an issue the first time someone unrelated to you is going to eat your cake, or when you are baking a cake for an important event like a baby shower or wedding. Even the most uneven cake tastes delicious, but you want your party cake to look nice, too.



The first step to baking level cakes is to ensure that you follow the instructions. Beating the eggs or batter too much or too little can lead to cake disaster. Next, make sure that your oven is at the right temperature. I don't mean check the dial to see that you've set it correctly, I mean you have to use a second thermometer to ensure that your oven is hitting the right temperature. Many ovens heat incorrectly, either too hot or too cold. Be sure to preheat your oven so that the cake goes in at the right temperature, too.
Some cakes need to 'climb' the sides of the pan, others need to have lubrication on the sides to prevent this. Again, follow the instructions in your cake recipe. There's a reason it says to grease and flour the sides - or not!
Using the right size pan, or the right amount of batter in the pan is crucial, too. The middle will always bake slower, giving the gas bubbles more time to expand before the cake 'sets' around the bubbles. If your pan has too much batter, the difference between the middle and the sides will be more pronounced.


Lastly, and especially important when baking special cakes, and especially larger cakes, there is some equipment that will help you. Even regular sized cake layers benefit from cake baking strips, which insulate the sides of the pan to give the whole cake a chance to heat evenly, which in turn leads to a better chance of baking level cake layers. There are several kinds of strips available, from silicone to cloth. For larger cakes, you'll want a 'core', which is basically a piece of metal inserted into the middle of the cake batter to speed up the heating of the cake in the middle. In combination with the cake strips, the heating core will lead to the most level cake layers you can get.
As you can see, there is no mystery to making an even cake - the right temperature, the right recipe, and the right equipment will have you baking level cakes like a professional.

Christine Ellis has a passion for dessert, and a love of cakes that knows no bounds. She also has an obsession for finding the 'best' way to do everything, which led to her discovery of cake baking strips, one of her essential tools in cake baking.

Finding the best recipes for making cupcakes is not that hard but you need to be aware that there are so many recipes available that you may get overwhelmed when searching. Whether you are looking for an angel food cupcake or maybe a peanut butter truffle is your favorite, you can be assured that pleasing your guest should be high on your list.



First it is important to choose what type of cupcakes you would like to make. If you are entertaining company then you may way to make a nice assortment. The hard part about baking is to make sure that you use the exact amount of ingredients so that the cupcakes come out just right.
Secondly there are many online resources for you to find your favorite recipe. Many of the cupcake recipes are similar to cake recipes so you may want to be thinking along those lines. So if you like German Chocolate Cake then a cupcake that is German Chocolate would be great.



Finally one of the best things to do before you have any guest over is to make some sample cupcakes and try them on a few friends to see what they think. There is nothing worse then spending all day baking cupcakes then you later find out they are tasteless.


It is important to try any new recipe before you make it for friends or family so that you do not feel bad if the recipe is not good. You will be proud of yourself when you find and make a great cupcake recipe.

Transport Your Feast Anywhere With Picnic Supplies from The Picnic Store

Picnics - the convivial tradition of dining al fresco with friends and family - first evolved from medieval hunting feasts and other country banquets which were enjoyed in the outdoors as part of celebrations, or as the celebration itself. The first recorded usage of the English word "picnic" has been traced to 1748, although earlier versions such as "pique-nique" appeared in German and French texts.



Picnics have remained popular for centuries. From simple affairs involving only a sandwich and some fruit, to elaborate gourmet spreads including wine, seafood and exotic delicacies, there is something about eating outdoors which stimulates the appetite and even improves the flavor of the food.

The best picnics begin with proper equipment, so that everyone's comfort is guaranteed. There's nothing worse than arriving at your destination only to find that you've forgotten some essential utensil. That's why many people rely on their picnic basket in order to organize, store and transport all the important elements of outdoor dining.



The Picnic Store http://thepicnicstore.com/ has a wide range of picnic supplies, ranging from classic picnic baskets to contemporary, sporty picnic backpacks. Whether you're outfitting a romantic picnic for two, or making sure the whole family is satisfied on weekend outings, you're sure to find the perfect equipment here.

Traditional English-style picnic baskets, made of stylish wicker, are perfect for smaller two to four person picnics, and may include porcelain plates, wine glasses, stainless steel mugs, napkins, cheese boards, corkscrews and utensils.

Soft-sided, zipper-closed picnic backpacks are a good choice for sporty outings such as hikes or camping, and can provide all the necessary supplies for a small group or family. Some of these backpacks, like the "Jazz" style, include insulated bottle compartments and a waterproof-backed blanket. A number of zippered compartments hold everything in place until you need it. Furthermore, these packs have ergonomic straps, making your feast more moveable than ever.

For the serious picnicker, there are even wheeled coolers with telescoping handles. These have a greater capacity - for up to six wine bottles or 36 beverage cans - as well as all the traditional accessories like plates, utensils and glasses. Keep the good times rolling with a picnic caddy on wheels!


For those with more specific needs, The Picnic Store also offers a wide variety of wine totes, coffee totes, martini totes, and other cocktail cases, each one providing the perfect setup for your favorite libation. There's also a wide variety of barbecue and grilling tools and sets, which make ideal gifts for the special backyard chef in your life.

Whether you're toting fried chicken and potato salad, or the perennial loaf of bread and jug of wine, a picnic basket or backpack can help you do it with style, convenience and ease. Whatever your outdoor dining needs, they have the equipment to help you enjoy your out-of-doors feast.

For starters, Italians don’t eat pasta all day. No spaghetti in the cereal bowl, thank you. Breakfast is typically a cold meal; most start out with espresso and a pastry, both available from eateries at the local piazza, a square that functions as the social center for the entire town. Espresso, as you will find, is actually a vital part of the Italian way of life. It can be quite bitter, so traditionally a little bit of chocolate is used as a complement.

After this light meal, Italians are ready for something more substantial. Lunch is usually warm and can consist of two or three courses along with wine. It’s a crime to drink water while you are eating Italian food, so you should drink at least a glass of wine. This is an eating culture, so lunch is not hurried as in other places. People take their time, enjoy the food and talk to each other. In America, it’s the opposite: you have a warm breakfast like eggs, sausages and a very fast lunch, usually cold, like a sandwich or salad.
Dinner is the grand finale, with varieties of courses and dishes intermingling to create the perfect meal. There are, however, two key elements that set authentic Italian apart from imitators: its freshness and its simplicity. That’s the difference between a meal that is merely so-so and wonderful. You could have the same pasta dish, but it would be the fresh tomatoes that make the experience wonderful. Fresh means not frozen, canned or jarred in any way; just picked fresh from the market.

This offers a full sensory experience. Even when the ingredients are combined, you can taste each element. You can taste the tomato. You can taste the olive oil. You can taste the basil. When you eat it, it’s all very genuine, not sauce that has been boiled and had many items added to it over the hours to take away the acidity. Canned sauces tend to contain a lot of sugar which make the meal solid and heavy. Instead, you can feel satisfied when you’ve had something fresh and know exactly what you’ve eaten, without feeling overfull. The Italian likes to taste each element, not cover it up. That’s the art in Italian cooking. A good Italian chef can put together five or six ingredients and you really appreciate the fact that you can taste each of them.


Piero Caramella is an award-winning, veteran restaurateur with a 30-year history of opening and managing successful restaurants and cocktail lounges in Europe.  With a passion for food and people, Caramella has spent decades perfecting the craft of creating restaurants that turn dining into a pleasurable and memorable event.  He is now opening Divino, an authentic Italian fine dining experience in historic downtown Clearwater, FL., modeled after an Italian piazza and offers a unique dining experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the Tampa Bay area.  From the cafe-style style dining around the fountain to the fine dining balconies overlooking the restaurant, Divino transports the diner to Italy where you can enjoy fine dining, coffee with friends, pizza, Panini or salad before indulging in homemade pastries

. Club Rock Shandy

An even mixture of Club Orange and Club Lemon in a pint glass with chunks of ice. Club Rock Shandy has quietened many the young fella in the pub, it’s pure exoticism swotting out any thoughts of wanting to go home and leaving many the auld fella thanking God for Club!

6. Linden Village Cider


The ubiquitous complement to any rebellious Irish youth, Linden Village. There is a lot of mischievous contained in the hefty two litre flagons.

5. Lilt

Lilt is amazing - containing Irish summer in a can! And it must be drank out of a can! Nothing else will do! To be drank with a Blue Bounty Bar! Not red! Blue! Result? Swinging in a hammock in the Caribbean!

4. Poitin


BEWARE! Poitin is not to be gulped! If you are to drink it at all, you must sip! Poitin, illegal for centuries is the strongest alcoholic drink known to man, it would strip paint from walls as the saying goes.  Ensure that it is safe, a bead batch will kill you! (I am not kidding!) Pour a tad into a saucer and light it, if the flame turns blue you’ll most likely be grand if it turns any other colour, decline….Probably the best bet is to only use it for it’s more medicinal purpose of rubbing into joints to help with rheumatism.

3. Lucozade

But not your everyday Lucozade, rather the one in the glass bottle, covered by the oddly coloured cellophane wrap, brought To you by hordes of well-wishers whilst in hospital getting the appendix or tonsils ripped out of ya!


2. Guinness

‘A pint of plain is your only man,’ said Flann O’Brien and how right he was. Guinness is meat and drink  and as common as air, stout is a national obsession.

1. Tea

Pipping them all to the top spot is tea, pure and simple, nothing compares to a ‘sup of tay’. Every occasion calls for it and whether you are a Lyons man or a Barry’s man is a ferocious debate that rages eternal.


Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source Russell Shortt,