Selasa, 31 Oktober 2017

Enjoy Great Recipes With Cheesy Tomato Paste and Pizza Sauce

Seems yummy? It is. Even the words like pizza sauce and tomato paste are mouth-watering. If you are a food buff and love to try out different recipes using different ingredients, this stuff is simply outstanding to add up to the taste.

Well, pizza sauce is a common garnishing ingredient for pizzerias. Whether you're making pizza at home or baking the frozen one, few sprinkles of pizza sauce will suffice to add up to flavor.

These are available ready made though, you can also try it at home. For people looking forward to cut costs, it is rather better option to make instant pizza sauce.

Homemade Pizza Sauce with Tomato Paste
The sauce can be made from myriad of tomato products from canned tomatoes to crushed tomatoes to fresh tomatoes. You can resort to the easiest one and save yourself the fuss, simple use tomato paste.

You can easily find the paste in the market in small cans. It costs very low and tastes very bold which, I feel, is some of the virtues. To turn the paste into pizza sauce, add dried herbs like parsley, rosemary, oregano etc. Parsley is the perfect to start though. Now, add crushed pepper flakes, garlic flakes and salt. You can also add a pinch of sugar, depending on your taste.

The next step is, to add liquids. There are many options to choose from:

• White wine vinegar - adds tart and crisp flavor
• Olive oil- adds sheen to the sauce
• Balsamic vinegar- for a bold flavor
• Water - doesn't add any flavor but gives you the consistency you desire.

In usual 1/4 to 1 cup addition of liquid will give you the desired consistency. If you want it to spread easily, adding more of olive oil will be helpful. Once you are done with this, add spices to adjust to the liquid levels. Add more salt and pepper and taste. With this, your instant pizza sauce is ready to use. You can use right away or keep it in refrigerator for a couple of hours so that the taste develops further. The choice is yours!

You can try it out and share your experiences with friends and family. One thing is sure though, making the sauce at home is very simple with no extra efforts required. Try it out and add flavor to your dishes.

In fact, tomato paste is a multipurpose agent. Adding just basic ingredients, you can make it fit to be added to different cuisines including Greek, Thai and of course, Italian. Store simple tomato paste and add different spices as and when required. All the best for your cooking experiments!


Rabu, 11 Oktober 2017

The Most Important Factors Behind The Quality Of Chinese Tea

Tea merchants often talk about high quality tea products that they offer. However, the factors that embody quality tea are not clearly defined. We are going to discuss about some of the factors that make up the quality of Chinese tea, and focus on the cultivation stage of tea production. In general, these factors can be categorized as agricultural practice, ecological factors, and tea tree characteristics.

One of the most important factors when it comes to tea production is the agricultural practice. Unfortunately, many of the tea products available in the market are from non-organic ways. The disorganized use of fertilizers or pesticides results to termination of useful parasites and predators, and to the downgrade of top soil. Non-organic methods may seem to increase production and profit for farmers, but the results disrupt the natural process of ecosystem. Thus, the leaves that are produced have a bland taste. Authentic teas must be produced from tea trees that are cultivated organically. However, the organic method of tea production generates less numbers. Thus, organic teas are more costly compared to non-organic teas.

Moreover, agricultural practice also affects the health properties of teas. Tea trees are capable of absorbing chemicals in their environment. Thus, non-organic tea can be harmful to a person's health because of the synthetic fertilizers and pesticides used. The great thing is that Vintage Tea Company goes the extra mile to ensure that the teas offers are only made from organic farming methods. You will surely get the value of what you pay for.

The next thing to consider is environmental issues. Tea trees are capable of growing in various locations. However, the location will also determine the quality of the leaves. An area that has a comparatively high level of humidity is an ideal location for producing quality leaves. Humidity is an important factor to consider, because there is more control of the temperature of an area. In contrast, the temperature in dry areas has the tendency to cool own or heat up quickly, and the temperature in wet locations has the tendency to cool down and heat up at a slow pace. It is important to grow tea trees in a stable climate to produce uniform leaves with nutrients.

In addition, high quality leaves are also from elevated areas. This is when the air is cooler at higher altitudes, because air force is lower. Subsequently, there is also a decrease in the capability of air to grasp water. When the air rises, it makes bigger and cools down. Thus, clouds form and produce rain or snow storm. The side of the mountain that faces the wind gets the higher amount of rain, while the side away from the wind is dry in comparison. Tea plantations are usually located on the side of the mountain facing the wind, as tea trees love water. Higher altitudes also prolong the growth of tea trees so that they can have more flavors and aromas.

The last factor for high quality Chinese tea is the tea tree characteristics. There are varieties of tea trees that exist, but Camellia sinensis is the only plant species responsible for growing non-herbal leaves. Various types of aromas and flavors can be produced. Some leaves are used for green teas, while others are better for making black teas.

Ancient and local varieties of teas have more flavors than the recent ones. An example of these is the Shi Feng Longjing tea. Every tea tree in the Shi Feng area is subjected to similar climatic environment and a range of the same agricultural methods. Despite this, you would still notice that Longjing tea from recent Cultivar 43 has less intricate taste and trace compared with those that were produced from native cultivar or Qunti Cultivar. This is because the growth of older tea trees and local cultivars are slower. Thus, the leaves are able to develop a more unique and intricate taste. The local cultivars are also better at absorbing the soil content of an area. Unfortunately, local and native cultivars are being replaced with newer cultivars to produce more leaves, but with lesser flavor and taste.


Selasa, 26 September 2017

Tickle Your Taste Buds By Eating In A Japanese Restaurant

A quick guide on Japanese food:

The names on the menu and the lists of ingredients used in the dishes might confuse you initially. However, once you understand that rice is the staple food of Japan and that it forms the base of most of the dishes, then you will be able to better understand what will be included in your order. Some of the popular forms of rice include mochi, (rice cakes) and gohan (steamed rice). Accompaniments include okazu, which is served along with soup and rice, rolled omelet (tamagoyaki), dry seaweed (nori), etc. Asa-gohan is one of the items served for breakfast. This consists of a bowl of steamed rice. Japanese cooking also uses a wide variety of seafood as well.

Types of Japanese restaurants:

Be prepared to be shocked, since there are more than 30 varieties of such restaurants with each one offering different types of food. Here is a list containing names of some of them along with details of what they serve.

Ramen: If you are interested in Chinese style noodles served in a fish or meat broth, then this is your best option. FYI, it's nothing like the packets.

Soba: Such hotels serve cold or hot Japanese buckwheat noodles containing various types of toppings.

Izakaya: Such a place is a treat for those who love drinking. You can choose from various types of drinks and foods such as sashimi, yakitori, edamame, etc. The combinations of these foods along with drinks are awesome.

Sushi: The Sushi served on a Japanese restaurant menu is very popular in countries such as Canada and the U.S. However, the Western variety of sushi is very different from those served in food outlets in Japan.

Shabu-shabu: Be prepared for an exotic delight here. These outlets serve a hot pot containing varieties of fresh ingredients.

Takoyaki: These are Japanese pancakes containing octopus filling, topped with pickled ginger, mayonnaise and sweet sauce.

Kare Raisu: Ordering this is a must for individuals who love curry along with rice prepared in the Japanese style.

Okonomiyaki: Wouldn't it be great if you had the opportunity to select the ingredients for making your pancake? You can do this at an okonomiyaki. Here, you can find ingredients such as seafood, pork, noodles, vegetables, mochi, and cheese. Grills placed on the tables allow customers to prepare their personal okonomiyaki.

Monjayaki: This is also a type of Okonomiyaki. However, the batter used here is more liquid. Apart from this, the ingredients are finely chopped. Restaurant serving this also have grilles on the tables on which customers can cook their own foods as they like.

Gyudon: Such a restaurant serves one of the cheapest Japanese foods. Expect a bowl full of rice along with finely sliced beef.

Teishoku: If you love ready-made food at economical prices, then this is your best option.

Buffets that do not dent your wallet:

You will find numerous restaurants in the U.S. that offer buffets at economical prices. A sushi buffet for two at a really high class outlet costs $24 for a lunch for two people. The price includes soft drinks. Another outlet offers beef rolled asparagus along with shrimp. They also offer pistachios, green tea and ice creams (hint: try their red bean ice cream)- a nice way to finish your meal. The typical price range is around $12. Another popular Japanese buffet restaurant charges $11 on weekdays. You can eat as much hibachi and sushi as you like; however, you have to pay two dollars extra on weekends.

Equipment used in Japanese restaurants:

Generally, different ways of cooking require different types of equipment, and it is the same for Japanese food as well. Some common Japanese restaurant equipment include special knives since these restaurants use various techniques for cutting vegetables. The grater is another important item in such a kitchen. While ground sesame seeds are readily available in the market, the Japanese prefer to use freshly ground sesame seeds; therefore, a grinder is necessary. A special mat that is used for rolling sushi is one more important piece of equipment that is indispensable in a Japanese kitchen. Chopsticks are a must for eating Japanese food, and they are an important part of kitchen equipment.


Selasa, 12 September 2017

Starting A Cake Business: Top Rules To Live By For Future Success

If you are good at baking, starting a cake business would be a very good idea for you. For it to be successful however, you would need to figure out a few things and sort them out first. Remember, any kind of business is about marketing. It is only through marketing that you can convince people to not only buy from you, but to do so repeatedly and to refer others to you. In the case of a cake business, there are a number of things you can do to facilitate this. Some of these include:

Having a marketing strategy in place

You need to have a marketing strategy in place when you start such a business. This does not even need to be an elaborate one to work. For instance, you could simply decide to be friendly to people, and encourage them to refer others to buy the same from you. You can also give discounts to people who buy a cake more than once, and then tell them that it's appreciation for the continuing business. This might not feel like much, but it's actually very effective in encouraging more and more people to buy from you.

When you are coming up with such a strategy, you need to also keep in mind that you are going up against other more established players. The one question that you always need to have answers to is "how do I convince these people to buy from me instead of from the other people they regularly buy cake from?" Once you have these reasons, you can then capitalize on them as part of the marketing.

The issue of presentation

Cakes are predominantly foods that are used for celebration. It is therefore critical for your success that you learn how to present them well. This usually means practicing on designing different kinds of cakes, and making sure that you always have the equipment you need to decorate one properly. This is a very important issue that will also form part of the marketing for you. When someone sees a high quality cake that you had made, they will be in a better position to try and ask you to do the same for them. The harder you work, the more likely you will be to succeed.

Always try to improve

One of the weaknesses that most businesses have is ending up being too comfortable. For your cake business to thrive, this is something that you should always be afraid of. Even if customer numbers are rising, you need to continually find ways to make the business better and more efficient, so that you can keep making profits.

As long as you have the above in mind before starting your cake business, you are likely to make a killing. It might seem like a simple trade that anyone can do at home, but just like in other business spheres, only the very good at it make huge profits. One thing you can be sure of is that it will all be worth it.


Jumat, 25 Agustus 2017

Banana Muffins Could Be Your Secret to Healthy Weight Loss

A lot of muffins sold in stores and restaurants are really closer to cupcakes. They're packed with refined flour, white sugar and lots of fat. That makes them enjoyable to eat, but also a danger to your waistline. In fact, some muffins pack in as many calories as an ordinary full meal! Not every baked good is this detrimental to your diet, however. In fact, it's possible to eat banana muffins every day and still lose weight. You just need to choose the right ones. Here's a look at the best banana muffins for weight loss and better health.

Real Fruit
Bananas offer plenty of health benefits, but only if you can get the real thing. They provide natural sweetness, potassium and plenty of other nutrients. Artificial sources might give you plenty of banana flavor, but they'll be missing out on the health benefits that can only come from genuine fruit. If you really want to control the fruit content of your muffins, you can make your own at home. Otherwise, read ingredient lists to make sure the banana flavor in your baked goods comes from natural sources.

Calorie Content
Muffins don't have to be heavy on the calories to be satisfying. In fact, there are tasty muffins and muffin tops available for about 100 calories apiece. Whether you use a healthy home made muffin recipe to produce a more reasonably-sized muffin or you choose a commercial variety, watch those calories. Simply cutting back on the sugar and using better quality ingredients can do a lot to help you have a muffin that's enjoyable without packing on the pounds.

Whole Grains
White flour is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to causing weight gain, but you'll find it in most muffins. If you really want to control your appetite and help get rid of the pounds, you need to choose products with a whole grain base. At home, consider substituting half of your white flour for wheat flour in any muffin recipe. If you're buying commercial muffins, check the ingredients panel to make sure that your baked goods include plenty of healthy whole grains. They'll help reduce your risk of many diseases and make it easier to eat a reasonable portion.

Sugar and Fat
Fat and sugar have been added to lots of store and restaurant muffins in order to keep them from going stale. They might make the muffin taste rich and sweet, but they're detrimental to your health. If you want a muffin that won't hurt you in the long run, look for options that include natural sweeteners and less fat. Home cooks can substitute applesauce or fat free yogurt for some of the butter and oil in their recipes. It'll really make a difference!

Kamis, 03 Agustus 2017

The Various Healthy and Delicious Food Products for Summer Season

The summer season is the ideal time to sit down on the beach and to enjoy the cool breeze and the natural beauty of the surroundings. It is also the ideal time to enjoy nutritious food products to prevent sunstroke and other diseases associated with hot summer days. This article will highlight on the best foods that are consumed by people to keep their bodies healthy throughout the summer season.

Popcorn

It is a kind of corn that inflates from the core as well as expands when it is heated in low flame. There is a misconception that popcorn is unhealthy and it increases the weight of the people. However the recent studies have revealed several health benefits of this type of food product. It is rich in antioxidants as well as potassium and it also acts as a good source of whole grains and other essential nutrients. Many doctors recommend this type of product for the elderly people during summer time.

Watermelon

If you are thirsty then you must eat watermelon that helps to replenish fluids in your body. This type of fruit allows you to remain cool, satiated as well as healthy. It contains a special antioxidant compound called lycopene. Lycopene helps you to protect skin damage due to wide exposure to the sun and it is also a rich source of vitamin C as well as vitamin A.

Fruit Jam

It has a good flavor and it is good for health and fitness during summer season. You can spread it on the toast and you can even put it on top of ice cream. It can be savored with other delicious food products such as cakes, cookies as well as pastries.

Peanut butter

It is a special paste prepared from roasted peanuts and it is savored by the people across the world in the summer time. It is spread on a sandwich and it is sometimes consumed with other foods such as chocolate, cheese, vegetables as well as jam.

Cucumber

It is an ideal vegetable that is often used in salad and other side dishes that are savored in the summer time. Cucumber is rich in silica that helps to improve the complexion of skin and to retain the good condition of the skin for a long period of time. It is also rich in fiber, magnesium and potassium.

Oat

Oat is a special type of cereal grain that is suitable for consumption during summer days. It is mostly eaten as porridge but it is often used in preparation of diverse foods such as oat cake. It is also used as an essential ingredient in essential cereals such as granola as well as muesli. Other health benefits include weight management, blood pressure reduction and so on.

Turmeric

This popular spice is used to prepare delicious meals for senior citizens whose capacity to digest has been reduced to a great extent. Plus, turmeric also helps them to fight diseases associated with old age. It is recommended that the patients who are afflicted with cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses should include turmeric in their daily meals.