Fat is good for us...if it's the right type of fat and in moderation.
What does fat do for our body?
* Provides energy
* Helps keep us insulated
* Protects our organs from shock
* Helps our body use carbohydrates and proteins better
The fat to avoid comes mainly in the form of saturated fat. When you consume red meat, chocolate, or butter, you're taking in saturated fat. This fat is solid at room temperature but quickly turns liquid upon consumption and thus lodges itself along your arteries. Over time, this can lead to heart disease.
Safer fats to consume include the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These include
* Olive oil
* Flaxseed oil
* Sunflower oil
* Nuts and seeds
* Cold water, fatty fish
Some fat in the diet is essential for great health, but too much, especially saturated fat, dramatically increases the risks for chronic diseases.
Take care!
Smoky Eggplant & Yogurt Purée Recipe
Smoky Eggplant & Yogurt Purée Recipe
This Turkish grilled eggplant purée is much like the Middle Eastern classic, baba ganoush, with yogurt standing in for tahini. When grilling whole eggplants, seek out smaller ones.
(Makes 1½ cups, serves 6)
Ingredients
600g eggplant
2 garlic cloves, mashed in a mortar and pestle with a generous pinch of salt
(more to taste)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup drained yogurt
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Chopped fresh mint for garnish
1. Prepare a hot grill. Pierce the eggplant with the tip of a knife or a skewer.
2. Grill until they are uniformly charred and the flesh is very soft and beginning to ooze.
3. Transfer to a bowl, and cover tightly.
4. Allow the eggplants to cool until you can handle them, then remove the skin and stems.
5. Discard any juice in the bowl.
6. Transfer the eggplant to a food processor fitted with the steel blade or to a bowl. Mash with a fork, or purée in the food processor.
7. Add the remaining ingredients, and combine well.
8. Taste and adjust seasonings. The purée will be slightly runny, but it will stiffen up. Transfer to a serving bowl.
9. Serve warm or room temperature with pita bread or crudités.
Advance preparation: Although this is best served warm, you may prepare it hours ahead and serve it at room temperature, or reheat for about 30 seconds in a microwave.
Nutritional information per serving: 65 calories, 3g fat, 1g saturated fat, 2mg cholesterol, 8g carbohydrates, 4g dietary fibre, 5mg sodium (does not include salt added during preparation), 2g protein.
Enjoy your food!!
Enjoy eating!
This Turkish grilled eggplant purée is much like the Middle Eastern classic, baba ganoush, with yogurt standing in for tahini. When grilling whole eggplants, seek out smaller ones.
(Makes 1½ cups, serves 6)
Ingredients
600g eggplant
2 garlic cloves, mashed in a mortar and pestle with a generous pinch of salt
(more to taste)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup drained yogurt
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Chopped fresh mint for garnish
1. Prepare a hot grill. Pierce the eggplant with the tip of a knife or a skewer.
2. Grill until they are uniformly charred and the flesh is very soft and beginning to ooze.
3. Transfer to a bowl, and cover tightly.
4. Allow the eggplants to cool until you can handle them, then remove the skin and stems.
5. Discard any juice in the bowl.
6. Transfer the eggplant to a food processor fitted with the steel blade or to a bowl. Mash with a fork, or purée in the food processor.
7. Add the remaining ingredients, and combine well.
8. Taste and adjust seasonings. The purée will be slightly runny, but it will stiffen up. Transfer to a serving bowl.
9. Serve warm or room temperature with pita bread or crudités.
Advance preparation: Although this is best served warm, you may prepare it hours ahead and serve it at room temperature, or reheat for about 30 seconds in a microwave.
Nutritional information per serving: 65 calories, 3g fat, 1g saturated fat, 2mg cholesterol, 8g carbohydrates, 4g dietary fibre, 5mg sodium (does not include salt added during preparation), 2g protein.
Enjoy your food!!
Enjoy eating!
Variety India Cuisine
Indian recipe is really a flavorful mix of excellent food, tasty dishes, and healthy beverages that Indians believe help attain a sound, well-balanced spiritual, physical and emotional state. Although mostly vegetarian, Indian cuisine also has some non-vegetarian offerings that are succulent and as healthy as the vegan offerings. Indian non-vegetarian recipes extensively use chicken, fish, as well as a sprinkling of poultry and meat dishes.
Chicken is perhaps the most popular meat of choice in Indian cuisine since it is used with many things for a variety of recipes. The traditional Indian biryani, an Indian fried rice mixed with various herbs and spices like tomatoes and ginger, are sometimes served with roasted chicken on top. It is a basic Indian rice meal usually spiced up and made more flavorful with chicken
There's an entire array of chicken meals in Indian recipes. Chicken drumsticks, chicken curry, butter chicken, chicken Afghani and chicken Danuba are just some of the selections.
Fish is also common in Indian cuisine. From the basic fried fish to the more exotic Patrani Fish and yogurt fish dishes, enjoy the distinct fish flavors in exotic spices and herbs.
The third most common ingredient from the non-vegetarian lineup of Indian recipes is egg. It's the same basic egg recipes you're familiar with, like omelet, pouched, and stuffed, except with an Indian twist. It uses basic herbs and spices like ginger, chili, and tomato.
Much like in any other culture, Indian recipes include an abundant choice of sweets and pastries for dessert. Its collection of cake recipes include familiar ones like apple, carrot, honey, peach and marble cakes. There are also several chocolate cake variations in Indian recipes. Naturally, the range won't be complete without a uniquely oriental offering. Not entirely Indian but oriental in itself is the pineapple upside down cake and the tasty coconut cake, both made with real pineapple chunks and coco meat.
Indian snacks are a genuine treat and the variety is immense. They're found everywhere in India, right from trendy restaurants to fast food joints and is a popular street food too. You will find wheat buns filled with deep fried mashed potatoes and green pea, crispy friend onion rings, samosa, dahi puri, pani puri bhel puri and much much more. Indian snacks and street food is loaded to the brim and one ought to try them.
There are ample other Indian recipes you can try to experiment with. Especially if you want to test a lot more than the basic boiled or fried rice, the Indian collection of rice recipes can provide you with excellent cooking ideas. In addition there are collections of regional recipes or place-specific dishes. The Punjabi Food collection, for example, can be a stimulating mix to explore. Indian recipes have a powerful ethnic and oriental flavor and one can experiment with them to experience a whole range of tastes. But mind you they are not subtle in nature and packs quite a punch - try the numerous rice recipes of India and do not miss out on the varied biryanis on offer. Punjabi recipes would be a very good place to start with.
Tie that apron on, don the cap and begin twiddling with Indian recipes. It's versatile, it's nourishing, it's piquant and interesting. All you actually need to do is to have an adventurous character and an open palate to enjoy the exotic aromas and flavor of this unique Eastern cuisine.
There's an entire array of chicken meals in Indian recipes. Chicken drumsticks, chicken curry, butter chicken, chicken Afghani and chicken Danuba are just some of the selections.
Fish is also common in Indian cuisine. From the basic fried fish to the more exotic Patrani Fish and yogurt fish dishes, enjoy the distinct fish flavors in exotic spices and herbs.
The third most common ingredient from the non-vegetarian lineup of Indian recipes is egg. It's the same basic egg recipes you're familiar with, like omelet, pouched, and stuffed, except with an Indian twist. It uses basic herbs and spices like ginger, chili, and tomato.
Much like in any other culture, Indian recipes include an abundant choice of sweets and pastries for dessert. Its collection of cake recipes include familiar ones like apple, carrot, honey, peach and marble cakes. There are also several chocolate cake variations in Indian recipes. Naturally, the range won't be complete without a uniquely oriental offering. Not entirely Indian but oriental in itself is the pineapple upside down cake and the tasty coconut cake, both made with real pineapple chunks and coco meat.
Indian snacks are a genuine treat and the variety is immense. They're found everywhere in India, right from trendy restaurants to fast food joints and is a popular street food too. You will find wheat buns filled with deep fried mashed potatoes and green pea, crispy friend onion rings, samosa, dahi puri, pani puri bhel puri and much much more. Indian snacks and street food is loaded to the brim and one ought to try them.
There are ample other Indian recipes you can try to experiment with. Especially if you want to test a lot more than the basic boiled or fried rice, the Indian collection of rice recipes can provide you with excellent cooking ideas. In addition there are collections of regional recipes or place-specific dishes. The Punjabi Food collection, for example, can be a stimulating mix to explore. Indian recipes have a powerful ethnic and oriental flavor and one can experiment with them to experience a whole range of tastes. But mind you they are not subtle in nature and packs quite a punch - try the numerous rice recipes of India and do not miss out on the varied biryanis on offer. Punjabi recipes would be a very good place to start with.
Tie that apron on, don the cap and begin twiddling with Indian recipes. It's versatile, it's nourishing, it's piquant and interesting. All you actually need to do is to have an adventurous character and an open palate to enjoy the exotic aromas and flavor of this unique Eastern cuisine.
Tuna with Roasted Pepper Sauce
Tuna with Roasted Pepper Sauce
Ingredients:
SAUCE: 1/2 cup roasted red peppers -- 1/2 - 3/4, drained 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill weed 2 teaspoons garlic -- fresh, finely chopped 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1/3 cup sour cream
TUNA: 2 thick tuna steaks -- (1") 1 tablespoon Olive Oil 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon chili powder
How to Prepare:
Prepare grill, heat until coals are ash white. Cut each tuna steak
into 2 pieces. Combine oil, paprik & chili powder in small bowl. Brush onto both sides of tuna. Place tune on grill. Grill, turning once, until fish flakes easily with fork (8-12 mins). Meanwhile, combine all sauce ingredients EXCEPT sour cream in 5 cup blender or food processor fitted with metal blade. Blend at high speed until smooth (30 seconds). Pour pepper misture into 1 qt saucepan. Stir in sour cream with wire whisk. Cook over med heat until heated thru, 1-2 minutes. Spoon sauce onto serving plates, top with tuna.
Ingredients:
SAUCE: 1/2 cup roasted red peppers -- 1/2 - 3/4, drained 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill weed 2 teaspoons garlic -- fresh, finely chopped 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1/3 cup sour cream
TUNA: 2 thick tuna steaks -- (1") 1 tablespoon Olive Oil 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon chili powder
How to Prepare:
Prepare grill, heat until coals are ash white. Cut each tuna steak
into 2 pieces. Combine oil, paprik & chili powder in small bowl. Brush onto both sides of tuna. Place tune on grill. Grill, turning once, until fish flakes easily with fork (8-12 mins). Meanwhile, combine all sauce ingredients EXCEPT sour cream in 5 cup blender or food processor fitted with metal blade. Blend at high speed until smooth (30 seconds). Pour pepper misture into 1 qt saucepan. Stir in sour cream with wire whisk. Cook over med heat until heated thru, 1-2 minutes. Spoon sauce onto serving plates, top with tuna.
Basic Baking Tips
Some general baking tips:
1. For biscuits, allow five minutes to mix and stir the butter, shortening and sugar. If too long, the biscuits will not turn out right.
2. For a better-textured cake, use buttermilk instead of milk because buttermilk contains more acid than milk. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own buttermilk by stirring in one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar into one cup of milk.
3. For a lighter cake, separate the eggs and add the yolks to the butter mixture first. Then whip the egg whites separately using clean beaters until they form soft peaks. Then fold them into the cake batter.
4. Rinse measuring cup in hot water before using syrup, oil, etc. It will come out clean and not stick to cup.
2. For a better-textured cake, use buttermilk instead of milk because buttermilk contains more acid than milk. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own buttermilk by stirring in one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar into one cup of milk.
3. For a lighter cake, separate the eggs and add the yolks to the butter mixture first. Then whip the egg whites separately using clean beaters until they form soft peaks. Then fold them into the cake batter.
4. Rinse measuring cup in hot water before using syrup, oil, etc. It will come out clean and not stick to cup.
Bring Your Date For Italian Food
Want a romantic night out on the town? A fine Italian food restaurant is a safe bet. Italian food has always been romantic and here are some tips to picking a great restaurant.
It's important to pick a place that serves authentic Italian food; otherwise your date will come off looking like a cheap imitation of the real thing. How do you know what's authentic? Simply look at the menu; if you understand it, it's not authentic enough. You're looking for more Italian food than just spaghetti and pizza. You might also want to talk to some people who work at the restaurant.
If you would really like an Italian experience then it would also be great if the people in the restaurant are Italian than American. When all seems to be American then just expect that the food that you are going to eat is also more of the American style than Italian.
As soon as you have discovered where the best place for having an Italian dinner is then you are off to the next step tip. Understand the Italian menu and know how to speak it properly. Do not ever miss a point by ordering a food that you do not like in that restaurant. Think about the best food that you are going to order.
After that, be aware of what kind of Italian food your date would like to eat or you can suggest from the list of the menu and be sure that you know how to speak them correctly. If the waiter comes to take your order then you would have no problem telling them what you like and your date would surely be pleased having you as a date.
The Italian dish that you are going to order would not be perfect without paring them with wine. All Italian restaurants should know that and should have a line of different wines in their counter. This could add up for your romantic ambiance. Find out which wine would be perfect for the dish that you would order.
If you have to ask the waiters then do not hesitate. It is part of their job to answer your inquiries but remember that they would also be choosing the more expensive wine. Remember that Italian food is most likely enjoyed with wine so think about having a good food and a good wine that would be perfect for your budget.
The Italian food and wine are already settled right now so following that would be the ambience of the restaurant. Actually, there are two kinds of which you can choose from. First is the traditional one which promotes a conventional fine dining restaurant with low lights and enchanting song in the background. This could be the best choice but sometimes those that serve Italian food are found in small family owned restaurants with a cozy feeling about it. This could also give an intimate atmosphere provided that there is no too much noise in the room.
It would be a great experience for you and your date aside from the good food and good wine. If there are no candles and flowers on the table you can take the move of bringing your own. Thus, making it different from the other plus will impress your date so much. This could add more romantic feeling in your date night.
If you go along with the guidelines above then you would surely have 100% success with your date and feel good about yourself. Set everything up and you are way to go.
It's important to pick a place that serves authentic Italian food; otherwise your date will come off looking like a cheap imitation of the real thing. How do you know what's authentic? Simply look at the menu; if you understand it, it's not authentic enough. You're looking for more Italian food than just spaghetti and pizza. You might also want to talk to some people who work at the restaurant.
If you would really like an Italian experience then it would also be great if the people in the restaurant are Italian than American. When all seems to be American then just expect that the food that you are going to eat is also more of the American style than Italian.
As soon as you have discovered where the best place for having an Italian dinner is then you are off to the next step tip. Understand the Italian menu and know how to speak it properly. Do not ever miss a point by ordering a food that you do not like in that restaurant. Think about the best food that you are going to order.
After that, be aware of what kind of Italian food your date would like to eat or you can suggest from the list of the menu and be sure that you know how to speak them correctly. If the waiter comes to take your order then you would have no problem telling them what you like and your date would surely be pleased having you as a date.
The Italian dish that you are going to order would not be perfect without paring them with wine. All Italian restaurants should know that and should have a line of different wines in their counter. This could add up for your romantic ambiance. Find out which wine would be perfect for the dish that you would order.
If you have to ask the waiters then do not hesitate. It is part of their job to answer your inquiries but remember that they would also be choosing the more expensive wine. Remember that Italian food is most likely enjoyed with wine so think about having a good food and a good wine that would be perfect for your budget.
The Italian food and wine are already settled right now so following that would be the ambience of the restaurant. Actually, there are two kinds of which you can choose from. First is the traditional one which promotes a conventional fine dining restaurant with low lights and enchanting song in the background. This could be the best choice but sometimes those that serve Italian food are found in small family owned restaurants with a cozy feeling about it. This could also give an intimate atmosphere provided that there is no too much noise in the room.
It would be a great experience for you and your date aside from the good food and good wine. If there are no candles and flowers on the table you can take the move of bringing your own. Thus, making it different from the other plus will impress your date so much. This could add more romantic feeling in your date night.
If you go along with the guidelines above then you would surely have 100% success with your date and feel good about yourself. Set everything up and you are way to go.
Creamy Potato Cheese Soup Recipe
Creamy Potato Cheese Soup Recipe
Ingredients
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter
2 cups shredded smoked Gouda cheese
6 small red potatoes, diced and reserved in cold water to prevent browning
2 diced carrots
2 diced celery stalks
1 white onion, diced
1 teaspoon garlic-shallot puree (or 2 cloves garlic, crushed)
2 cups heavy cream
6 cups chicken broth
Turn stock pot on medium high. Melt butter. Add celery, onion, carrots. Cook down until onions are transluscent. Add basil and garlic-shallot puree. After 3 minutes, add potatoes and stir another 3 minutes.
Carefully pour in 6 cups chicken broth. Boil for 20 minutes, then stir in a roux made from 4 tablespoons flour and 4 tablespoons butter.
Wait a few minutes for the soup to thicken slightly. Add cream. Whisk and simmer for 20 minutes.
Slowly stir in cheese and melt it down. After cheese is melted, pour into bowls and season with salt and fresh cracked pepper.
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter
2 cups shredded smoked Gouda cheese
6 small red potatoes, diced and reserved in cold water to prevent browning
2 diced carrots
2 diced celery stalks
1 white onion, diced
1 teaspoon garlic-shallot puree (or 2 cloves garlic, crushed)
2 cups heavy cream
6 cups chicken broth
Turn stock pot on medium high. Melt butter. Add celery, onion, carrots. Cook down until onions are transluscent. Add basil and garlic-shallot puree. After 3 minutes, add potatoes and stir another 3 minutes.
Carefully pour in 6 cups chicken broth. Boil for 20 minutes, then stir in a roux made from 4 tablespoons flour and 4 tablespoons butter.
Wait a few minutes for the soup to thicken slightly. Add cream. Whisk and simmer for 20 minutes.
Slowly stir in cheese and melt it down. After cheese is melted, pour into bowls and season with salt and fresh cracked pepper.
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