2011 July | Food For Thought

July 31, 2011

Four Fabulous Foods Facts And Finds

Filed under: Did you know?,Nutrition,Trivia,Vegetarian,Writing — Tags: asparagus, lemons, peaches, turmeric plant — Theresa H Hall @ 5:28 pm

Researching foods has become a daily way of life for many food enthusiasts, because educating oneself about the foods to choose when shopping for our families is very important. Learning about their nutritive information is a very popular pastime as well. We have provided this information here in order to save you valuable search time.

Widely used asparagus is perfect eaten raw, cooked, steamed or grilled.

Increasingly in demand are lemons and all of their benefits.

Cooking with turmeric can be achieved by using their leaves, as told by Pick Me Yard.

Learn about all of the varieties of Peaches which are in season.

These are foods most of us love to use when preparing our meals.

Be sure to check back often for more updates.

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July 29, 2011

Jelly Shot Cocktails Craze!

Filed under: New and Trendy,Trying Something New,Writing — Tags: alcohol, cocktails, gelatinous shots of alcohol, jelly shot test kitchen, jelly shots — Theresa H Hall @ 2:48 pm

What is a Jelly Shot? They are all the rage. These splendid concoctions are gelatinous shots of alcohol designed to delight and refresh us. Let author and founder Michelle Palm, of Jelly Shot Test Kitchen, show you how to turn your next event into a sophisticated gathering where everyone will ooh and ah over this special treatment.

Stun your guests with this structurally gorgeous jelly shot The Bramble

Refresh poolside with Blow Pop Martini Shots

Brilliantly skewered Mimosa with Orange Flower Water

Visit their site to learn how they do what they do best, and to find their new book.

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July 28, 2011

National Milk Chocolate Day

Filed under: Did you know?,Retro Recipes,Writing — Tags: chocolate, chocolates, Hershey PA, Hershey's Chocolate, Hershey's Park, milk chocolate, milk chocolates, video — Theresa H Hall @ 4:14 am

Today is National Milk Chocolate Day and it’s celebrated in every bite of Hershey’s Chocolates. Hershey’s was started by Milton S. Hershey in 1894 when he started using chocolate to cover his caramels. By 1905, he was using a large supply of milk from the local dairies, to make his famous milk chocolate. His company is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania where it is visited by millions of chocolate lovers every year. There is a factory with tours and a world famous amusement park. At Hershey’s Park you and your kids can have a good time, relax, eat plenty of delicious chocolates and learn how they do what they do best. Make chocolates.

Here is Hershey Park.

They say theirs is the Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe.

Try these Pure Milk Chocolate Baking Pieces.

Cake lovers read their Chocolate Celebration Cake Recipe.

And for those of us who cannot go to Hershey Park, they made a video for us!

This is very informative and all cooks and kids should watch it!

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July 24, 2011

Are You Considering Culinary School?

Filed under: Did you know?,Trying Something New,Writing — Tags: continued education, culinary foods school, grants, learning to cook, top ten culinary schools — Theresa H Hall @ 2:32 pm

July is national Culinary School Month and while many of you might be seriously considering attending professional cooking school, a lot of you might simply want to take a few recreational courses offered by Chef Instructors, on weekdays, evenings and weekends. Learning to cook using time-tested professional techniques can increase your level of competence in the kitchen.

Top Ten Schools in no particular order:

The Culinary School of America

The French Culinary Institute NYC

Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute

L’Academie de Cuisine

Johnson & Wales University

New England Culinary Institute

California Culinary Academy

Tante Marie’s Cooking School

Kendall College

George Brown Chef School

The number one ranking culinary school is CIA located on the Hudson River, Hyde Park, New York.

You can also get a culinary degree in the U.S. Armed Forces as evidenced here in this amazing chocolate sculpture.

Culinary school takes a person who will be dedicated to arriving ahead of time, being prepared to do whatever is asked of them and showing of deference to their Chefs. It is in a way a bit like boot camp and you will work and learn faster than in any other class you have taken previously. Hard work pays off … eventually … for in this food career you always start employment at the bottom of the pay scale. You must be prepared to work long hours, apply yourself and work your way up. There are grants offered to assist you to help make your culinary dreams a reality.

You’ll learn to make delicious sweets as I did at L’Academie de Cuisine.

Here is the editor’s list of compared culinary schools and more financial information.

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July 22, 2011

Authentic Italian Home Delivery

Filed under: Did you know?,Trying Something New,Writing — Tags: Cheese, facebook, italian, italian products, oils, truffles, Twitter — Theresa H Hall @ 11:51 pm

Half Hour Meals has many members and friends on Twitter, where this new HHM Follower found us! I have to share this very savvy culinary site I’ve discovered. It is called Alma Gourmet and they have a gorgeous selection of authentic Italian products you may purchase online then have shipped directly to your home.

They have a variety of Italian Cheeses.

There are all kinds of Olive Oils from which to choose.

Here are their Summer Truffles.

You don’t have to fly to Italy to have the freshness and choices. Find some of those products you’ve always wanted to use when preparing Italian cuisine in your own home.

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July 19, 2011

Grilling Blackened Red Snapper

Filed under: Barbecue Recipes and Tips — Tags: 4thegrill, America's test kitchen, blackened red snapper, cooking, cooking fish, cooking videos, fish turning spatulas, grilling fish, videos — Theresa H Hall @ 11:42 pm

America’s Test Kitchen has always been a favorite of mine and I just watched one of their best videos yet, “Rethinking Blackened Red Snapper”.

Because of the blackening spices and high temperature, which causes a lot of smoking problems by cooking it indoors, ATK show us precisely how to get the flavor and the outdoor cooking experience, on the grill. Take a look to understand the process and learn how easy it is to prepare. Surprise your friends and family this weekend. ATK chefs explain everything, and provide you the recipes for the blackening seasonings, plus another recipe for their creamy sauce to accompany this tasty fish. The Video is only ten-minutes long and do suggest having a pen and paper handy, in order to jot down a few notes. this fish is so delicious and now we can all try making it on the grill!

They used a special fish turning spatula and I found a link on 4 The Grill so you can see if you could use one of them.

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July 18, 2011

Perfect Lasagna Every Time

Filed under: Supermarket Shortcuts,Trying Something New,Writing — Tags: fresh noodles, instructional food, learning to make lasagna, video, wegmans — Theresa H Hall @ 4:31 pm

Wegman’s is a wonderful place to shop and I will be so happy when they finally build one near my home! In the meantime, I’d like to share a great find for all of you out there who have wanted to make lasagna, but have never tried. You can put this together in about ten minutes and bake it when you get home. Prepare a salad and cut some Italian bread and you are ready to wow your family and guests. Here is their fresh lasagna noodle along with a description.

Here is a recipe they have for you, too!

And finally, their perfect eight minute video demonstration that I found to be extremely helpful. Watch it and you’ll feel completely confident in preparing this traditional Italian dish. The chef will tell you all about Wegman’s time-saving products that will help you get in and out of your kitchen in no time at all!

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July 14, 2011

10 French Things To Try On Bastille Day

Filed under: Holidays,Trying Something New,Writing — Tags: champagne, filet mignon au beurre provencal, french culinary school, french dressing, french onion soup, grand marnier, lemon cure, nicholas feuillatte, oven baked french toast, tomato and goat cheese tart, vegetable quiche — Theresa H Hall @ 12:28 am

Today marks the Two-Hundred-Twenty-Second Anniversary of the Storming of The Bastille in 1789 (French pronunciation [bastij]), which marked the start of the French Revolution. In this photograph is a replication in miniature, carved from one of the remaining stones of the fortress. It may be viewed in Paris at the Carnavalet Museum.

Here is some Champagne and delicious French recipes to help you celebrate in style:

Vegetable Quiche by member McTasty

(more…)

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July 12, 2011

Baked Chicken Black Bean Soup Phyllo Pie and Chilled Soup

Filed under: Featured Member,Trying Something New,Writing — Tags: baked chicken, black beans, cherry pie, cold soup, crockpot, cucumber, free membership, phyllo dough, shrimp, soup — Theresa H Hall @ 10:23 pm

It’s easy to go surfing on the Internet and where food is concerned I’ve seen lots of variations. Being a lover of chicken, I am always on the lookout for a new recipe. This sterling dish is from Dee Dee’s Delight where she features her mouthwatering Chicken Scarpariello.

Keeping with the theme of chicken, I decided to visit our member, Kait Nolan of Pots and Plots. She enlisted the help of her Crock-pot to make this exciting Chicken and Black Bean Soup. Start it before you leave for work and it’ll be ready by the time you walk in the door.

Next my sweet tooth got the better of me as I fell into a blog from the other side of the world. Our member, Vindee of Passionate About Baking shows us how she uses Phyllo dough to make her incredible dessert, Cherry Phyllo Pie but remember you need to share this rich pie. There is an option at the bottom of the post inviting us to print her recipe.

You could choose to begin your menu with this lovely summer soup from our member, SippitySup of Sippity-Sup-Serious Fun Food. Feature this chilled starter and see how much your family or guests enjoy the look of this picturesque dish, Cold Spicy Cucumber Soup with Poached Shrimp. It’s sure to please.Our members at Half Hour Meals take pride in the preparation of their foods, many of which have been passed down from generation to generation. It’s always easy to find a wonderful meal to cook. Becoming a member is fast and free. You’re always welcome at Half Hour Meals!

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July 11, 2011

Piña Coladas Yakitori Grilling Goat Cheese Making and Danishes

Filed under: Barbecue Recipes and Tips,Retro Recipes,Writing — Tags: goat's cheese, goat's cheese danish, homemade grills, making goat's cheese, mixed drinks, summertime, troplical drinks, yakkitori grilling — Theresa H Hall @ 10:10 pm

Summertime brings to mind tropical islands and the fruity drinks to make us relax and ready for to dance. Piña Coladas are always on the drinks menu in practically any establishment and there are variations of this recipe. Here is a recipe and a short video on Drinks Mixer to get you on your way.

Today while I was on Twitter I saw Josh Friedland from “The Food Section”, and he was talking about a different way of grilling. Intrigued, I decided to pop over and take a look at his homemade grill. Read the story to find out why he decided to cook this way. Maybe you’ll want to try it, too. Yakitori Grilling.

Last night member Amybyrd searched the Internet and found a link to make goat’s milk cheese. She and her husband just added a mother goat to their farm. She was very successful and was cool enough to remember to snap some shots of the process.

Since we know how to make goat’s milk cheese we might as well turn some of it into Goat’s Cheese Danishes. Here is a recipe from SeriousEats to help you learn how to make this scrumptious pastry!

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