7/31/08

White Wines Make The Food Delicious

For everyone, from the high ranking wine connoisseur to a first time wine taster, white wines provide a tasty variety of flavors that can be matched with almost any food and are produced all over the world.

Vineyards are found in France, Italy, Germany, Australia, the United States and more. Here in the United States, California is known as "wine country" with Napa and Sonoma being the "it" spots to visit for wine tasting tours.

Food and wine are a natural combination for many people. White wines, being less robust than red wines, tend to go well with lighter foods, such as appetizers, salads, poultry and seafood. Which food goes with which white wine varies according to the flavor of the wine. Some have a citrus kick to them, while others are more rustic, taking on the flavor of grass or hay. But for some, it totally depends on their individual preference.

With so many white wines to choose from, why not try each one over time? Visit a vineyard or do taste testing in your local area. Take a tour of wine country out on the West Coast. Wine can be soothing after a long hard day and can add just the right touch to a gift basket for a friend.

If wine really intrigues you, then consider joining a wine club. They're great for helping you choose just the right wine for any dish, helping you locate a winery in your area and some even provide the history on certain types of wines.

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7/29/08

Food Wine Make A Delicious Pair

For a lot of people, wine country is virtually uncharted territory. What wines go with what foods, when to drink each kind of wine and what are the best wines; these are mysteries to many people. Of course, it is impossible to know everything about wines, but this article will help uncover some of the mysteries about food wine. Knowing about dinner wines does not have to be obscure knowledge.

First of all, the old, traditional rule that white wine goes with fish and poultry and red wine goes with red meats is still a good rule to follow. The basic rule for food wine is that the tastes of the food and wine should react well with each other.

Each bite of food should cover any taste of wine and any taste of wine should cover the taste of the food. Drinking wine with food is designed to be more of a palate cleanser, so that each bite of food tastes as good as the first and it is the same for the wine.

You will know that a wine is a bad match for the food if you can taste the one or the other, over the other item. Of course, with so many different styles of foods mixed together in one dish, it makes it harder to pair wine to food. Another good rule to follow when trying to match foods and wines is to pair heavier wines with heavier dishes.

Now you know how to pair food wine with the appropriate foods. There are a lot of different wines and it is nearly impossible to know them all. However, if you want to learn more, then joining a wine club or doing extra research can be a great help. It will increase your wine knowledge by a great deal.

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7/27/08

Fine Wines To Entertain Your Guests

If you have ever been wine tasting, then you know, for that moment in time, it gives you the feeling for the finer things in life. Imagine having that feeling all the time and investing in high value items in the same instance. You can do just that by investing in fine wines. The best wines, especially if they are in high demand, will be a worthy investment for the person looking to have a good time and earn money.

Once you've learned everything you can, begin to take serious steps towards investing in fine wines. You will want to start traveling to wineries and investigating them. Different wineries and vineyards will have different reputations and it will be best for you to be familiar with them.

This will also help you decide in which region you want to invest. By visiting and educating yourself you should be able to choose with ease. If you are interested in French wines, then it may be complicated to travel to France for just a tasting and a tour of the facility. In this case, an online investigation will have to do on your part.

Just like with every other kind of investment, investing in fine wines requires you to take caution in certain areas. If a wine has a high price tag, it doesn't necessarily mean it is a vintage quality wine; it may just be popular at the moment. This doesn't mean it isn't worth investing in; it just depends on your tastes. Also remember that many new wines are not meant to be aged, and may only last for a year or two.

Once you notice all of these things and learn what you can, you will be on your way to a great wine investment!

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7/25/08

Dessert Wines With After Dinner Treats

Throughout the centuries, there has been a seemingly natural connection between food and wine. Many culinary experts claim that some foods are simply better when paired with the right wine. Typically, the pairings do not follow a hard, strict rule, with most people preferring to rely on their individual tastes.

In the case of dessert wines, however, they can be appreciated alone, but they are best when paired with fruit or bakery sweets. Of course, knowing how to recognize such a wine is the first step to truly appreciating it.

In every country, wine is classified according to the variety of grapes included, the final percentage of alcohol content, the overall flavor and the general color. Unfortunately, the categories can vary greatly from one location to another, depending on laws and customs.

For example, the dessert wines category includes wine with a high sugar content. In the US, that category also includes having an alcohol content higher than 14%, even if the content is due to alcohol fortification. In the UK, on the other hand, that category includes any sweet wine that is consumed with a meal, but does not include any that are fortified.

Wine selection and food pairings can be something of a controversial process. Some experts claim that certain combinations should always be served together, while others insist that selection and pairing should be based on the individual palate.

Both sides seem to agree, however, that dessert wines should be served after the meal, whether alone or with an actual dessert. They also agree, in this case, that selection and pairing with a dessert involves actually tasting the wine to figure out what suits your individual tastes.

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7/23/08

Red Wines For Your Dinner Party

There are more than 50 main varieties of red wines, but many people fail to recognize that the differences in those varieties go beyond the name on the label. Devotees, however, realize the colors of reds can range from the lightest blush of red wine to deep purples, with some reds being nearly black in color.

The flavors tend to vary as greatly as the colors, including fruity flavors and those with a slight taste of tobacco. Anyone who wants to develop a greater appreciation for this versatile wine should begin with learning more about it.

The variety of colors of red wines is not the only product of fermenting the grapes with the skin. Flavenoids, which are known as antioxidants, are present in both the grape seed and skin, and they escape into the wine during fermentation. Because of this, a fuller-bodied wine has a higher flavenoid content.

As a result, four ounces per day can help reduce bad cholesterol and clotting, while raising good cholesterol levels. Flavenoids have also been linked to the formation of nerve cells, which could help people avoid Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, as well as the inhibited growth of certain types of cancer cells.

The difference between types of red wines extends beyond what is written on the label. The differences, such as subtle variations in color, flavor and aroma, have been perfected by wine makers to make each red as different from another as the reds are from the whites.

Those subtle differences begin with the grapes, but they are perfected in the winery. Fully appreciating the differences begins with learning and understanding more about them.

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7/21/08

Sparkling Wines For Your Next Celebration

A party is not a party without the presence of sparkling wines or champagne. Sparkling wine is basically the party drink of the alcohol world. Exciting occasions, like weddings, will have sparkling wine present. Champagne has a colorful history and how it is made is quite unique. This truly makes it worthy of the title "party wine."

It is said that sparkling wines were created by accident. Monks from Champagne, France were supposedly the accidental inventors of this drink. When their wines were stored in their cellars for some time, the wine turned bubbly. They thought they had spoiled the wine, but after drinking it they realized that they had created something great. Sparkling wine is created through temperature changes.

When the wine cools down below fermentation temperature before all the alcohol has fermented and when it is heated up again, the resulting fermentation creates the bubbly appearance through a carbon dioxide reaction.

Many wineries use the name champagne for their sparkling wine, but in actuality, wine that is truly champagne comes from a specific district of vineyards in France. Any other winery that uses the name champagne is stealing the name from the true foreign wineries.

So that is a brief overview of how sparkling wines were created and how they are made. There are so many different kinds of sparkling wine, that it would be impossible to name them all in one article. Visit a wine club or indulge in some books for more information.

Just remember, a sparkling wine is not true champagne unless it comes from Champagne, France.

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7/19/08

Cooking Products Makes Cooking Easier

Cooking is one of the favorite pastimes and hobbies for many people of many different countries and cultures. Every region of every country has their own unique specialties that have added to the wonderful world of cuisine and to the variety of cooking products. Of course, cooking is also a very basic part of everyone's daily life and is essential to staying healthy and happy.

In many cases when people hear the term "cooking products" they immediately think of the numerous types of kitchen appliances that are common today, such as bread makers, food processors, microwave ovens, and electric deep fryers, just to name a few. In addition, there are commercial versions of most of these useful appliances that are built for constant and heavy use, such as commercial fryers for example.

Even though this does require some preparations in the morning, when cooking with slow cookers, there are a number of benefits that families enjoy, including having the meal ready as soon as everyone arrives back home after their busy days. With this is mind, it is easy to understand why these they have long been among the top selling cooking products for many years.

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7/17/08

Easy Cook Rice With Rice Cookers

Cooking is not only a necessity, but it is also a hobby for many and as a result there are more cooking products available on the market than most average cooks could ever figure out how to use.

When walking into a kitchen store, many people are simply overwhelmed as they take in the vast displays of cooking utensils, tools and accessories that are available. Plus, there are all of the small countertop appliances, such as vegetable streamers, food processors, crock-pots, electric deep fryers, rice cookers and so much more.

Add to the wide use of rice throughout the world the fact that rice can be a bit tricky to cook so it comes out just right, and it is really no wonder why rice cookers are some of the most sought after cooking products. With a rice cooker, even a novice is able to easily cook up a batch of wonderful, fluffy rice without much fuss.

In the same way that there are commercial versions of most appliances, such as professional deep fryer units, there are also rice cookers that are built especially for use in commercial establishments and restaurants.

Oriental restaurants, which must always have a great deal of rice ready to serve with all their meals, will often even have multiple rice cooker units to meet the demand.

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7/15/08

Cooking Food In The Great Outdoors With Camping Grills

Camping grills can be used to cook food while enjoying the great outdoors. You may want to escape the concrete jungle, the noise and pollution of the big city and travel to the quiet of the trees and wide open spaces.

You can purchase camping grills online or visit your local camping store. I always like to see the product at the store and then see if I can buy the same product online at a cheaper price. The final price should always include shipping fees, before you decide if you want to purchase online or buy it from your local store.

There are a lot of parks, where there are barbecue facilities, so you do not need to bring your camping grills. The less you need to carry with you, the more enjoyable your journey.

Before you leave for your destination, look up the location on the internet and find out the type of facilities available. If you are heading for a recreational park with barbecue facilities, then all you need is your food, cooking utensils and a few plates for everyone and then you can enjoy the great outdoors.

It is so wonderful to sit among the trees and listening to the birds chirping away, while you are enjoying your freshly cooked food.

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7/13/08

Maintain Your Food In Food Storage

Food storage is an important area of your kitchen where you store all your food. Depending on when the food is to be eaten, and if the food is perishable, the food may be placed in food containers in your pantry or the refrigerator.

I always like to place my fresh fruit and drinks in the refrigerator. The more perishable foods like meat and seafood are placed in the freezer. If I am about to cook some meat or seafood, I always take them out of the freezer the night before, so they are ready for cooking the next day.

When you buy food, you should stop and think about when you will need it. Are you arranging a big birthday party with lots of guests and the party is only two days away? Then you should go to the shops immediately and buy what you need, so that if you forget to purchase an important food ingredient, you still have time to run to the food store and purchase the food product.

There are some food products, that taste awful, if they are not consumed immediately. These are the types that should be eaten on the day of purchase or the next day the latest. I have found if I purchase fresh hot bread, it tastes delicious on the day, but it tastes awful the next day.

If I have the time to make my own bread with my bread machine, then I make it and is eaten on the same day. So if I have a big social gathering at home, I always make the bread rolls and the loaves on the day. They are fresh and hot and are much appreciated.

There are always a number of places in the kitchen where you can place canned foods, meats, fish, vegetables in the food storage section of your pantry and the refrigerator.

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7/11/08

Quick Meals With A Convection Oven With Rotisserie

Convection oven with rotisserie allows you to create lots of meals in quick time. You may be preparing a large family dinner and then you get the call, more guests are about to arrive, so now you need to make more food to feed the extra guests. You can make more meals in quicktime with a convection oven with rotisserie.

As long as you have the ingredients ready, then you can make your meals in record time. To cook you meals much more quickly you may go to the food store at the meat department and purchase small pieces of beef, lamb or skinless chicken. The smaller pieces of meat always cook much more quickly.

It allows me to cook my meats with a rotisserie as I can add different flavours to the food and cook at the same time. Having lots of room to cook a large family meal in quicker time, is meeting the family requirements.

There are times, when I need to make a quick meal and need to make more food as guests are about to arrive, then I use my convection oven with rotisserie to meet the family needs.

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7/9/08

Childhood Obesity And Better Nutrition

You would have to be hiding with your head in the sand not to notice the obesity epidemic in America today. In fact, obesity rates have doubled in the last twenty years, and in children the rate has tripled, according to research conducted by the American Dietetic Association.

Obesity is much more than simply a cosmetic problem. Being significantly overweight causes serious health problems, and when obesity starts in childhood, it often sets the child up for a lifetime of poor health.

Foods that are high in fat and sugar are best given as an occasional treat rather than a daily staple. It is best to educate your child on the foods that are best for them. Give them foods that will give them healthy energy benefits, such as fruits and vegetables.

By doing this, your child will learn to better appreciate the rare treats that they are given for special occasions. It will also relieve some of your worries because you will be secure in the knowledge that they are eating foods that are proper nourishment for their bodies.

A nutritious diet is a key ingredient for an active child. Healthy foods provide longer-lasting energy rather than the short spurts that sugary foods tend to give. The more playing that a child does, the more calories that child will burn. A healthy diet that is coupled with a sufficient amount of activity is important for a child to maintain a body that is physically fit.

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7/7/08

Food Allergies And Food Sensitivities

A food allergy is a very scary allergic reaction to a particular item of food. Food allergies are usually not diagnosed until a child has been exposed to the allergen and experienced an adverse reaction.

Parents of children who have a food allergy know how scary and unpredictable the problem can be. Often our children are exposed to food items that have ingredients they are not completely aware of, thus exposing them to the food they are allergic to.

Allergies and sensitivities to foods are two different ideas. Sensitivities to foods are far less severe and the reactions do not occur immediately. It can be harder to detect sensitivities to foods because if a person eats an entire meal, it will not always be apparent as to what food caused the reaction. However, allergies are different. With allergies, a reaction takes place every time within seconds of ingesting the food allergen.

It is not practical or realistic to try to shield a child from harmful foods all the time. Although you might be able to give your child only those foods that they are not allergic to, there is always the potential that they will eat an offending product when you are not around.

Be certain that you and your child's caregivers always have access to medicine that will neutralize their allergic reaction. In most cases, this will be a special medical tool that administers epinephrine, otherwise known as adrenaline. Afterwards, it is vital for you child to receive quick medical attention.

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7/5/08

Camping Food For The Great Outdoors

Camping food should always be taken on family trips to feed your family. If you are in the middle of nowhere, far away from civilization, then you need not go hungry for lack of food. You can enjoy nature, taking part on a mountain hike, but when you get back to base, there will always be food to replenish your hunger and thirst.

You may make allowances to stop at a restaurant or a truck stop, but you should always have more than enough camping food to feed your family. Preparation is the most important element of your tip.

You need to think of all your requirements prior to hitting the road, and meeting all your potential needs will result in a successful trip. If you do not take enough food and there are no restaurants for miles, you may spend hours feeling hungry and thirsty.

Another essential item when camping is waterproof cases, especially if you listen to the forecast for the area, it may rain so you need to have spare clothes. You also need to store some of your extra food in waterproof cases. I always take two or three waterproof cases with me every time I take the family on a camping trip.

There have been more than one occasion where we got a sudden rain downpour and all our clothes were drenched and needed a change of clothes from the waterproof cases. You may feel protected inside the car, but when you are out in the open, and you are on a mountain hike, there is nowhere to hide from the elements.

Prepare for the worst, and if its sunny all the time, then you will feel rather lucky. But if the heavens open and you are exposed to the elements, then you know you can go to your waterproof cases for a change of clothes and camping food.

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7/3/08

Create A Quick Nutritious Meal With A Broiler Pan

Broiler pan can be used to cook quick nutritious meals. You may want some pancakes or French toast for your morning breakfast, or cook small pieces of meat for your dinner.

Rather than spending long hours cooking large pieces of meat in a large stove, heating up the whole house in the peak of summer, you can use the broiler pan to cook small pieces of meat to feed your family.

The smaller pieces always cook a lot quicker. You can go to the meat section of your favourite gourmet or food store and you can buy ready cut pieces of beef, lamb or unskinned chicken pieces. You can even buy bagged, washed, ready cut vegetables to further cut down your preparation time in the kitchen.

All you need now is to cut your cabbage or lettuce and a few spring onions to make a delicious salad. Adding a little vinegar, increases the taste and keeps the calories down. I avoid salad dressings as they usually carry too many calories.

It is easy to create a quick nutritious meal to keep the family happy, thanks to the use of the broiler pan.

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7/1/08

Good Cooking Schools In Your Area And Online

Cooking is a wonderful world of experiences. It is rife with the excitement of creating a new dish and seeing it actualized when the ingredients come together in a wonderful symphony of flavor. It is sure to please all of your friends and family as they gather together to eat your wonderful dishes.

Perhaps you need to consider taking the next step in your cooking and make it a culinary career. There are cooking schools in practically every state. Simply choose the one that is right for you and become a professional chef.

Cooking schools in your nearby area may be hard to come by, or at least the good ones may be. You can do a web search to find the best culinary schools in the country by visiting http://chef2chef.net/culinary-institute/.

The site offers a comprehensive listing of culinary schools found in just about every state. You may have to consider the fact that you may need to relocate away from home if you want to attend the best school.

If you find that you cannot relocate to cooking schools in another area of the country, then there is still hope of learning the basics and the terminology used within the culinary community.

You can attend any number of junior colleges or trade schools and take their food service preparation course. It may not land you that executive chef position at a top resort or restaurant, but it is a start.

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