Say Goodbye to Mystery Flavors

Tap water can be a wildcard. Depending on where you live, it might contain chlorine, minerals, or even traces of metals. These elements can subtly (or not-so-subtly) alter the taste of whatever you’re preparing. Distilled water, by contrast, is completely free of contaminants. That means you can focus on the flavors you want, not the ones sneaking in from your water source.

Crystal-Clear Soups and Broths

Nobody loves a cloudy soup, especially if you went all out making it from scratch. Minerals and impurities in regular water cause that unappetizing haze, which can ruin the appearance of dishes such as consommés or clear broths. Using distilled water ensures your creations stay as clear as your culinary vision.

Perfect Textures Every Time

Whether it’s a fluffy loaf of bread or perfectly soft rice, water quality directly impacts the texture of your food. Hard water, rich in minerals, can interfere with how yeast works in baking or affect the consistency of grains as they cook. Distilled water ensures smooth, consistent results so your loaf doesn’t flop.

Avoid Unnecessary Wear and Tear

Cooking isn’t just about food; it’s also about your gear! Minerals from hard water can build up on cookware over time, causing discoloration or even damage. Similarly, coffee makers and kettles appreciate the lack of buildup from distilled water. This water keeps your tools in top shape and makes your meals taste great.

A Handy Problem Solver

Kitchen disasters don’t wait for convenient moments. For example, one of the signs that you might need to repair your water heater is rusty water from the tap. These plumbing issues can appear at inconvenient times, whether you’re washing vegetables or in the midst of preparing a full meal. Having distilled water on hand makes it much easier to keep your cooking on track without unwanted interruptions or unpleasant surprises.

Cooking Success Starts With Great Ingredients

Water is a key ingredient in many recipes, but the importance of water quality is something many home cooks overlook. Why many recipes recommend preparing food with distilled water comes down to this simple truth: It helps you control taste, texture, and clarity for consistently delicious results. Whether you’re perfecting a soup or troubleshooting tap issues, distilled water has you covered.

Next time you’re at the store, grab a jug of distilled water and see the difference for yourself!

Recommended Reading: Superfoods for Gut Health: 7 Ways to Boost Digestion and Wellness

The post Why Recipes Recommend Cooking With Distilled Water appeared first on Weekly Living.

My dad has been experimenting in the kitchen lately and this is definitely a labor of love recipe.  Talk about flavor!  Read on for my dad’s Paella recipe.

Ingredients:

• Pork Chorizo 
• 4 chicken thighs
• Pancetta or Bacon Fat (kept in frig)
• 8 Jumbo Prawns
• 8 Cherry stone medium size Clams (fresh)
• 8 mussels (fresh)  (I prefer male mussels) 
• 8 Oysters (fresh or canned)
• Salmon Steak filet with Skin
• 3 whole Peppers:  Red, Orange, Yellow or green
• 1-2 Jalapeno peppers (per taste)
• 1 white onion
• 7 cloves garlic
• 1 diced large tomato (fresh or canned)
• 3 packages saffron rice
• 2 TBS Creole seasoning and 2 TBS paprika and 1 TBS chili powder 
• Saffron threads (not powder)  one moderate pinch between thumb and finger
• Frozen peas (half bag) 
• One can rinsed garbanzo beans to puree
• ½ cup white wine
• Juice of two lemons and cut up two lemons and limes in slices for garnish
• One bunch cilantro (for last-minute and garnish) or Italian parsley
• One  box low sodium chicken broth  
• 3-4 packages Saffron Rice  

Prep for Dad’s Paella Recipe  

Scrub shells of mussels and clams with a stiff vegetable brush.   Soak in salt water for several hours in the frig.  Remove 30 minutes before cooking.  Discard all that are open and hollow sounding.  They are supposed to open in the mix and release their juices….(if they do not open after cooking, discard)   Shell the prawns before cooking include tail stub.   Scrape beard off muscles.

Toast good size pinch of saffron in tin foil and heat for 30 seconds on an open flame.  

High heat cook with shells as there is a lot of flavor in the shell.  Use a mortar and pestle to crush (or spoons if not)  to crush saffron threads…..pour small  1 ounce of boiling water over the saffron and set aside to make a tea for seasoning.  Heat clam juice, lemon juice and white wine.  

Cook down pancetta for rendering fat (substitute bacon fat if you store it in frig) and brown chicken thighs whole with skin with the whole chorizo for 1-2 minutes til brown and remove and let cool.  Don’t let bacon/pancetta get crisp.  Season as you go.    Flash sauté calamari and set aside.  

Quickly sear the salmon steak in bacon/chicken rendering with skin side down 30 seconds-1 minute or until the skin is removable.  Remove and cool. Set aside. Remove skin.  Keep some of the rendered fat for flavor later. 

When cooled, cut both chicken, chorizo, and salmon in bite-size chunks and set aside.  Keep some meat on bone and place skin and bones in CHICKEN broth.   Bring to a quick boil and let simmer for 20 minutes for broth.  Two broths simmering.  Add saffron to the broth.  

Chop fine and separate the jalapeno and garlic gloves,  onions.  Orange and yellow peppers ¼ inch together,  slice the red peppers in thin long slivers and separate for garnish.   Separate leaves from the stem on cilantro/parsley, wash and dry (do not cut until ready), and set aside for last-minute before garnishing.  Slice lemon and lemon in long slices for the last few minutes.  

When you are ready to start, have everything in separate bowls so you can sequence easily.  

In two handle oven-proof saute pan with 2-3 inch sides and lid,  heat olive oil in the pan.   Add onions and diced peppers (not the red pepper or jalapenos yet)  and mix together high heat with 5 TBS of olive oil until they start softening (2-3 minutes)  then add garlic.   Add tomatoes.  Stir together and mix thoroughly until coated.  Add wine and turn the heat down to medium til wine reduces.  

Add all rice over the vegetables and stir until rice is coated on high heat.  Then add ¼ of broth and bring to a boil.  Add ¼ more broth and let cook for a few minutes.  At this point, add the saffron tea, lemon, and clam juice jalapeno and all seasoning mix of creole, paprika, salt pepper thoroughly.   Add pureed  garbanzo beans to thicken  

Add chicken cubes (not the bones)  and salmon and pour remaining broth for a few minutes.   Add frozen peas and garbanzo beans on top and gently stir.   Green beans?

When bubbling, submerge clams and mussels and ousters around edges like a clock.  Mussels spaced around the quadrant.   Shrimp laid gently on top and patted down.  Slices of red pepper and lemons and limes around the clock.  

Turn heat down and let the rice cook until soft.  Add a little water if need.   Turn pan and make sure nothing sticks.   Do not stir it all up ….more of a lifting.  Preheat oven 300 degrees.  Chop the parsley and sprinkle over top and pat down (not stirred) into the mix gently.  Cover with foil and put in the oven for 5-10 minutes or until rice is tender.  

Cover and let rest before serving.  Rice should have a crispy bottom and not wet.

Enjoy!

See more recipes here.

Check out the freshest spices here.

The post Dad’s Paella Recipe appeared first on Weekly Living.

The restaurant is owned and operated by NY’s very own Salvatore Barretta, who has a great reputation for making some great dishes and happy stomachs!  Initially turned down over a decade ago, due to issues with a liquor license, Barreta didn’t let anything get in his way when establishing this new staple in Downtown Brooklyn.  With its doors open now, and some great food always cooking, don’t be that person under the rock that doesn’t check out one of NY’s newest gems in the food biz!

According to a recent review on the restaurant, on the village voice:

“Every Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., the restaurant’s happy hour features $2 off all draft beer plus $5 house drinks and $5 house wines. And brunch is available on both Saturdays and Sundays.”

So the next time you are in Brook;yn or New York in general, be sure to stop by this amazing new spot in the most happening city in the world.

For more information and a full menu be sure to visit the official website for Brownstone Bar & Restaurant –brownstoneny.com.

Their Facebook Page and their Twitter @BrownstoneBKNY   are also great places to get new updates!

For inquiries, email us at: info@brownstoneny.com
or call: 917-909-1810
277 Gold Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

The post Brownstone Bar and Restaurant Opens in Downtown Brooklyn, NY appeared first on Weekly Living.

When you always seem to be busy, like most shoppers these days, there isn’t always time to spend cooking a meal from scratch. After a long day in the office or a hectic weekend at home, there are some go-to frozen products that are always a great choice. The benefits of frozen foods are abundant. They’re quick, easy, and freezing locks in those nutrients and vitamins that are found in fresh foods.

One of the morning favorites are Delights by Jimmy Dean. Hillshire makes quite a few varieties of these sandwiches, even vegetarian options. They are fast, delicious and keep you satisfied for hours. Perfect for when I’m running out the door to work and have a day full of meetings! These sandwiches are all under 300 calories and take just a few minutes in the microwave, a wise choice for those watching portion control or calories.

Another healthy option is Smart Ones frozen meals by Heinz. There are many choices in this line of products for any palate. The Three Cheese Ziti Marinara is always a big hit in my house. With zesty tomato sauce and gooey cheese, you’d never guess it’s only 8 Weight Watcher’s points! There are many fantastic points covered in fresh vs frozen, and frozen options are great for busy families. It becomes a speedy, healthy and filling meal in just minutes.

When it’s time for lunch, sometimes you just want a sweet treat. At only 100 calories, Healthy Choice Greek Frozen Yogurt is a scrumptious summer option. Made with real fruit, ConAgra conveniently makes these single-serve cups a staple for at home or the office. And with 3 servings per package, it makes sharing with co-workers a no-brainer. The strawberry frozen yogurt tastes fresh, like a perfectly ripe piece of fruit. Freezing is like a natural pause button that keeps this just-picked flavor at its peak of freshness. Yum!

Dinner time, and this pasta dish tastes just like a recipe I would make at home -because it is made from real, fresh veggies. Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers by ConAgra keep the pasta perfectly al dente and the veggies crisp with its steaming basket. I really enjoy the Portabella Spinach Parmesan. This frozen delight takes just 5 minutes to prepare, is vegetarian and only 230 calories. Plated, you would never know it was actually a frozen meal.

No cooking or packing the night before. No messes to clean up. Just delicious, frozen choices that give variety of cuisine and bring satisfaction to a hungry tummy. Even on the healthy side of the spectrum, there are plenty of fantastic dishes to keep in the freezer at home or work. Frozen. How Fresh Stays Fresh. 

 Bon appetit!

The post Fantastically Frozen Fast & Fresh appeared first on Weekly Living.

Whether you are looking at the next gift for a family member or just want to surprise that special someone, Chicago Steak Company has some awesome gift sets to choose from:

Corporate Gifts

Gifts for Him

Gifts For Her

Gifts Under $100

Steak Gift Clubs

History:

Chicago’s tradition of Delivering the World’s Finest Beef started in 1864 – with the birth of the Chicago Union Stockyards. Some of America’s largest beef companies such as Swift, Morris, and Hammond at the turn of the century produced 82% of the meat consumed in the United States. In 1882 Gustavus Swift created the first refrigerated car making it possible to ship the best cuts of steak coast to coast. Today, Chicago Steak Company is the premier provider of gourmet steaks, seafood and desserts. We are proud to continue the long and rich tradition of Delivering Mid-Western Corn-Fed USDA Prime, Black Angus, and Premium USDA Choice steaks to homes and businesses across America.

Learn More / Watch:

Learn what makes a steak from Chicago Steak Company the Ultimate Steak Experience: Grade, Artisan Aging, Hand Selection & Hand Cut, and Individual Registration.

Items To Browse At My Chicago Steak:

• Premium Gold AngusFilet Mignon
• Bone-In Filet Mignon
• Ribeye
• Bone-In Ribeye
• Tomahawk Ribeye
• Boneless Strip Steaks
• Bone-In Strip Steaks
• Top Sirloin
• Baseball Cut Sirloins
• Flat Iron
• T Bone
• Porterhouse
• USDA Prime – Wet Aged
• USDA Prime – Dry Aged
• Wagyu Beef – Kobe-Style
• Coach Ditka’s Favorites
• Steak Assortments
• Steak Burgers
• Chicken – Pork – Ribs
• Roasts – Ham – Turkey
• Surf & Turf
• Fresh Fish Market
• Add On for Special Price
• Cheesecakes

See MyChicagoSteak.com for more!

The post Succulent Steaks and Holiday Gifts from Chicago Steak Company appeared first on Weekly Living.

Love Arby’s? They just came up with another great sandwhich product that is going to make you love them even more. The new Smokehouse Brisket Sandwhich will make you very happy with its delish meat and the special Arbys sauce.

With gouda cheese, crispy onions, BBQ sauce, and mayo all served on top of a bakery-style bun you are sure to be in heaven as your mouth cuts through this beautiful piece of food. We at Weekly Living like to cover good eats and this is surely one. Arbys is known for standing out with different products than all the other guys and this just further proves that they are on the right track! Everybody else just stacks extra burger meat on their sandwhiches and tries to call it something new while Arbys takes it to the extra mile and creates something brand new. Seeing as this is cooked for 13 hours it is technically the opposite of fast food and shows that they really take their time to make this taste really good.

Watch the featured Arbys video about this below! Seeing as this sandwhich is smoked for 13 hours it is a very fine eat from Arbys and I can’t begin to tell you how good it tastes. It is so nice to see something else on the menu these days other than just burgers and chicken at places and having some nice brisket to choose from makes me a very happy camper.

Want to get your Smokehouse Brisket Sandwhich as soon as possible? Then you better hop onto the Find an Arby’s site so that you can get yours today!

Hey all of you out there, want to try the Arby’s Smokehouse Brisket for yourself?! We have a $10 Arby’s giftcard we are giving away so that you can try it too. Just leave a comment about why you love Arbys to enter!

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to leave your twitter address so that you can win our $10 giveaway for an Arbys gift card so that you can try it too!

ARTICLE BY: Josh Bois, Co-Founder Global Good Networks

The post Check Out Arbys New Smokehouse Brisket Sandwhich appeared first on Weekly Living.

Choosing the Wine

You have two choices:

1. The same type of wine from different regions.

  2.  Different types of wine from the same region.

Also, choose seasonally-appropriate wine – light in the spring and summer, heavier in the fall and winter. Once you’ve chosen your bottles, do your research. Find out where the wines are from, their flavor notes and any other information you can snag from the label or a quick Internet search – your guests will be thoroughly impressed.

Setting Up

•   Look for free, printable tasting grids online. Sections to fill out should include aroma, body, color, finish and flavor.

  •    Make sure you have two corkscrews. That way, if one breaks, you don’t have to scrap the entire tasting. If you’ve never had a lot of success opening wine, ask someone else to do it during the party. If you screw up, you could get the cork stuck or get cork bits in the wine, which will affect the taste.

  •    Set each table with a white tablecloth, the best color for viewing wine.

  •    You just need to give each guest one or two glasses. In between tastes, have them remove residue by rinsing their glass with water. Place a water pitcher and a fancy discard bucket on the table.

  •    Use stemless glasses so that the heat from your guests’ hands don’t warm up the wine, which can change its taste.

  •    Do not set the atmosphere with fresh flowers or scented candles – the aroma will interfere with the tasting.

Ready, Set, Taste!

Whatever type of wine you’re tasting, serve it in this way:

• White to red
• Dry to sweet
•   Light to heavy

Red wine can be pre-poured, but don’t pour white until it’s time to taste. Red is usually best at room temperature, but white usually has to be chilled at approximately 45 degrees. Pour two to three ounces of wine per guest per wine to taste.

Don’t know how to taste like a pro? It’s pretty easy, actually. Follow these steps and teach your guests how to methodically enjoy their wine:

   Examine the wine’s color and intensity by holding the glass at a 45 degree angle.

•        Place the glass on the table and swirl the wine. This will release the aroma and also let you see the tannins.
•        Put the glass to your nose and inhale the wine.
•       Take a small sip and swirl it around in your mouth. During this step, take note of the flavors, body, texture and acidity.
•        Swallow the wine for the finish and the aftertaste.

A Note About Blind Tastings

In theory, blind tastings sound like a lot of fun. In reality, they can be annoying and clumsy, especially when you have a room full of non-experts. Trying to figure out what you’re drinking can actually detract from the overall experience.

Rhonda Tillman is a professional blogger whose focus is on food and restaurant industry. She writes for My National Grocers, a leader in the food service supply industry.

The post How to Throw a Wine Tasting Party appeared first on Weekly Living.

Here are a few simple-yet-comforting casseroles that you may want to try:

1. Cheddar-Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Ingredients:

• 3 cups uncooked rotini pasta
• 1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup chopped tomato
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1 pound cooked chicken, cut into small pieces
• 1 can French-fried onions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 9½ glass pie plate or casserole dish with nonstick spray.

2. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. In large bowl, mix milk and soup. Add tomato, cheeses and pasta. Stir in chicken pieces, and spoon mixture into casserole dish.

3. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle French-fried onions on top. Bake 5 minutes longer, and serve.

2. Cheesy Tuna and Vegetable Casserole

Ingredients:

• 4 cups uncooked egg noodles
• 12 ounce bag frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup
• 1 can (12 ounce) evaporated milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• 2 cans tuna (6 ounces each) in water, drained

1. Cook noodles as directed on package, adding frozen vegetables for last minute of cooking to heat them up, and drain.

2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In an ungreased 2-quart casserole baking dish, mix milk, soup, cheese and onion. Stir in tuna, cooked noodles and mixed vegetables.

3. Cover and bake 30 minutes. Remove from oven, uncover, bake uncovered 5 minutes longer, and serve.

Note: Can be served with crumbled potato chips or cracker crumbs on top, just sprinkle over top of casserole before last 5 minutes of baking.

3. Cornbread ‘N’ Beans Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 can (28 ounce) baked beans, undrained
• 1 package (16 ounce) mini-hot dogs/cocktail weenies
• ½ cup barbeque sauce
• ¼ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• 1 box cornbread/corn muffin mix
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 egg

1. Heat over to 375 degrees. In large saucepan, mix beans, hot dogs, ketchup, barbecue sauce and onion. Cook over medium-high heat until hot, then pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole baking dish.

2. In medium bowl, stir in cornbread mix, milk and egg until combined, then spread batter evenly over barbecue bean mixture in casserole dish.

3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until top is golden brown, and serve.

4. Sweet Potato-Bacon Casserole

Ingredients:

• 3 large cans (24 ounces each) sweet potatoes
• 1 package (12 ounce) bacon
• ¼ bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup butter or margarine, softened
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cook bacon until crispy and chop into small pieces. In a small bowl, mix bread crumbs and one tablespoon butter or margarine and set aside.

3. Spray 13×9-inch (3 quart) glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix sweet potatoes with bacon, sour cream, ¼ cup butter or margarine, onions, salt and pepper, until well blended. Spread mixture in baking dish and sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over top.

4. Bake uncovered 20-30 minutes or until thoroughly heated, with bead crumbs turning golden brown, and serve.

Quick and easy to prepare, while filling and satisfying, a casserole can be a wonderful way to feed your family for any occasion. Give one of these classic bakes a try for a soothing, satisfying meal.

(Recipe sources: Pillsbury.)

Regina Donelson is a professional blogger that enjoys providing readers with advice on cooking, recipes and dishes. She writes for Just a Pinch, the best place to find anything from a chicken salad recipe to Oreo cookie balls recipe.

The post The Fabulous 4: Classic Comfort Casseroles appeared first on Weekly Living.

Most people have heard or read articles about the possibility of delicious treats like red wine and even chocolate having health benefits. However, it is important to remember that you shouldn’t always believe everything you hear. While there are certainly some surprising health benefits to consuming both chocolate and red wine, don’t indulge in a free for all every night before bed. Read on for some of the many health benefits of red wine and chocolate as well as the drawbacks and caveats of both.

Health Benefits of Red Wine

Red wine contains both flavonoids and resveratrol, two substances that can do wonders for the human body. Flavonoids are antioxidants that work in the body to reduce the LDL, or the bad cholesterol, while simultaneously increasing the body’s stores of HDL, or healthy cholesterol. In addition, flavonoids have been shown in some studies to be beneficial to the heart, circulation system and in some cases even to prevent cancer. Red wine also contains resveratrol, another antioxidant that can help to increase nerve growth within the human body.

Drawbacks of Red Wine

Although red wine certainly has many benefits, there are some caveats to keep in mind. Sipping a glass of Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon each night with dinner can have these incredible health benefits, but sipping white wine has few, if any, noticeable health advantages. In addition, it is important to keep in mind that these studies do not show the disadvantages of drinking too much of any alcohol. Consuming a bottle of red wine on a regular basis, for example, can lead to chronic dehydration, migraines, kidney and liver problems and even alcohol addiction. Limit your red wine consumption to just one glass each day in order to reap the health benefits without any of the drawbacks.

Health Benefits of Chocolate

Just like red wine, dark chocolate contains resveratrol and flavonoids that can have incredible health benefits for the human body. In addition, chocolate with a cocoa percentage higher than 70 can help to reduce blood sugar, stabilizing the mood of the consumer and helping to prevent diabetes. Surprisingly, you don’t have to stick to a square of the delicious brown confection if you don’t want to. Enjoy hot chocolate made with dark cocoa or even a dark chocolate soufflé for something tasty that can benefit your body as well.

Drawbacks of Chocolate

Unfortunately, there are several caveats to keep in mind when it comes to the health benefits of chocolate. First, not all chocolates contain these miracle ingredients. White chocolate, for example, has no cocoa at all, even milk chocolate has very few antioxidants, and only dark chocolates with a cocoa percentage higher than 70 will have health benefits upon consumption. In addition, eating large quantities of dark chocolate can lead to weight gain, which brings with it a host of negative health connotations.

Since tasty treats like red wine and dark chocolate contain key ingredients that can help the body, enjoy both in your daily life. However, remember to limit consumption and practice moderation with these foods for optimum benefits.

Carol Weber, who writes for health and food blogs, suggests checking out http://www.accessrx.com to find answers to questions about your health, safety and is it safe to buy from Canadian online pharmacies?

The post Could Treats Like Red Wine and Chocolate Really Be Good for Your Health appeared first on Weekly Living.

The holidays are rapidly approaching and with them come the temptations of rich dishes and calorie-laden desserts. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to keep the flavor and cut the fat in your holiday celebrations. Here are a few ways that you can enjoy the feasts of the season without destroying your diet.

Make small changes to your baking methods

Baked goods are probably the biggest temptation around the holidays. Whether your downfall happens to be cookies or pumpkin pie, there are ways to cut the calories and fat from your favorite dishes without losing the flavor. Applesauce can be used as a substitute for oil in recipes like brownies and muffins. Not only does the applesauce cut the fat but it also helps to keep your baked goods moist. Artificial sweeteners can be added to desserts in place of sugar and whole wheat flour can replace part of or all of the white flour. Also try adding oatmeal or nuts to your desserts to add a healthy serving of fiber.

Serve healthy h’orderves

Cocktail parties are a huge part of the holidays but they can really wreak havoc on a diet. Whether you are playing host or attending an office party try to provide healthy snacking options. Instead of heavy, cream-based dips and greasy chips, serve up a platter of fresh veggies with salsa or hummus. Low fat cheeses and whole wheat crackers are just as satisfying with a glass of wine but are much healthier than their full fall counter parts and low-fat bean dips are a tasty way to add fiber to a pre-meal snack.

Don’t skip your workouts

With so much going on during the holidays it can be hard to stick to your regular routine but keeping active is a great way to occasionally indulge without gaining weight. If you don’t have time to hit the gym for an hour at a time try going for several short brisk walks or taking a few extra flights of stairs. Little bits of exercise throughout the day can add up to a decent workout.

The post Keeping the holidays healthy appeared first on Weekly Living.

Whether you aspire to become a prestigious chef or simply to take up the culinary arts as a new hobby, online culinary courses can open up doors for many people. While opponents to online culinary programs may argue that obtaining such a degree necessitates hand- on experience with in person instruction, they fail to see how the world of technology has provided solutions to this concern. The following four benefits to taking online culinary courses should provide anyone reluctant to give them a shot the information necessary to make the right decision.

1. Cost Effectiveness

The first of these benefits involves the obvious cost difference of taking courses online. The tuition costs themselves can be immensely cheaper for students, and this doesn’t even account for the ability to use your own kitchen and the cooking utensils that you already own. For many people, the affordability of online classes alone may be their only hope of realizing their culinary aspirations. Furthermore, the advantages of learning in at home don’t stop at the economic benefits.

2. Learn at Your Own Pace

Studying and practicing at home allows you to learn at your own pace. This can be tremendously beneficial to beginners or those seeking to take up the culinary arts as a hobby. Developing basic skills is essential to future success in the industry, thus learning these rudimentary tasks at your own pace can have a significant impact on future success. Additionally, taking courses online also offers convenience.

3. Convenience
The third benefit to taking culinary courses online is the convenience of learning in your own home, when the time is right. The distractions and responsibilities of life can make learning a demanding syllabus at culinary school next to impossible. However, online courses allow students to learn when it is convenient for them, and therefore allows your learning experience to be nonintrusive to your daily responsibilities. Regardless of the intensity of your schedule, taking online culinary courses can provide you with the versatility to make learning fit smoothly into your own schedule.

4. Experience New Technology

Finally, taking culinary courses online makes use of some of today’s newest technologies to provide a superior educational experience. Through the use of webcams, instructors can communicate one on one with their students in a more casual environment. In this way the student feels less pressured to perform, and instead they can focus on learning the material at hand.

Considering these four benefits it would seem that choosing to take online culinary courses should be the best decision for many who aspire to enter the culinary arts.

Written by Mark Lynch, on behalf of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Schools.

The post 4 Benefits Of Online Culinary Classes appeared first on Weekly Living.

1. Casamentos in New Orleans

Rated the number one seafood restaurant in New Orleans by a number of publications, including “New Orleans” magazine, Casamentos is known for its oyster poor boy sandwiches, hearty seafood gumbo and softshell crabs (in season.) The restaurant, in business since 1919, is located west of the garden district in the heart of working class New Orleans and offers unpretentious and tasty seafood at affordable prices. Casamentos is open from September through May for lunch Tuesday through Saturday and for dinner Thursday through Saturday.

2. Faidley Seafood in Baltimore

Located in the heart of downtown Baltimore across from the Lexington Market, Faidley’s has been serving quality seafood since 1886. The modest establishment attracts customers from all strata of Baltimore life as well as tourists to taste their renowned lump crab cakes. New York’s Zagat guide gives them a 27 out of 30 rating. Faidley Seafood is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

3. Frenchy’s Original Cafe in Clearwater

Opened in 1981, Frenchy’s Original Cafe sits in the heart of Clearwater, Florida. A favorite of locals and visitors alike, Frenchy’s is best known for its super grouper sandwich. The quaint, unassuming eatery serves a full array of seafood specialties, including seafood gumbo and Frenchy’s poutine, a tribute to the owner’s French Canadian heritage. Frenchy’s is open daily for lunch and dinner.

4. The Crab Cooker in Newport Beach

The Crab Cooker, located in the middle of Newport Beach just a few blocks from the Newport Pier, is a refreshing departure from the often pricey trendy food palaces that populate southern California and serves lunch and dinner daily. In business since 1951, the Crab Cooker is well-known for its clam chowder as well as its crab cakes and oysters skewered with bacon.

So why not make your next vacation a seafood fest? There are plenty of vacation homes in Clearwater, Louisiana, Southern California and Baltimore, all within a short drive of one of these great restaurants.

Mercedes Potter is an elite writer and foodie with a love for seafood. Follow her @CedesPotter to see other food related blogs.

The post Seafood Spots That Will Blow You Out of the Water appeared first on Weekly Living.

Eating healthy is important, but sometimes, our schedules require that we order takeout or hit the drive-thru on our way home because it’s easier and less time consuming. And while it is more convenient, it can have damaging effects on our health.

Nobody said that cooking a healthy dinner had to take all night. So whether you have plans or simply hate wasting time in the kitchen, the following are five great—and very healthy—dinner recipes that can be prepared, cooked and ready to eat in 30 minutes or less.

Vegetable Gnocchi

The combination of hearty gnocchi with tasty vegetables will drive your palate crazy.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. gnocchi

• 2 shallots, chopped

• 2 tbsp. butter

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

• 3 zucchinis, sliced lengthwise

• ¼ tsp. nutmeg

• ½ cup parmesan cheese

• ½ cup parsley

Directions:

1.     Cook gnocchi according to package directions. Drain.

2.     In a large skillet, melt butter. Add shallots and zucchini. Cook until soft.

3.     Add tomatoes and nutmeg, stirring often.

4.     Add in parsley and parmesan.

5.     Add in the gnocchi and coat.

Moo Shoo Veggies

Get the luxury and flavor of Chinese takeout without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Ingredients:

• 3 tsp. sesame oil

• 2 tsp. ginger, minced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 eggs, beaten

• 12 oz. mixed vegetables

• 1 tbsp. rice vinegar

• 2 cups mung bean sprouts

• 1 bunch scallions

• 1 tbsp. soy sauce

Directions:

1.     Heat 1 tsp. oil in skillet.

2.     Add in the eggs, stirring gently.

3.     Place on a plate.

4.     Heat remaining 2 tsp. oil in skillet.

5.     Add in garlic and ginger, stirring until soft.

6.     Add in vegetables, sprouts, soy sauce, vinegar and scallions.

7.     Cover and cook until tender.

Spinach Salmon

Salmon is a great fish as it contains many health benefits.

Ingredients:

• 4 skinless salmon fillets

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• ½ cup feta, crumbled

• 1/3 cup pine nuts

• 10 oz. baby spinach

• 2 tsp. lemon juice

Directions:

1.     Heat broiler.

2.     Place salmon on baking sheet. Broil for 7 minutes.

3.     In a large skillet, heat oil. Add in spinach, and cook until tender.

4.     Remove from heat and drain excess liquid.

5.     Add in the pine nuts, feta and lemon juice.

Glazed Pork Chops

This tasty dish will become a staple in your menu rotation.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless pork chops

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• 1 tbsp. butter

• 1 shallot

• ¼ tsp. thyme

• ½ cup dry white wine

• 1 tsp sage

Directions:

1.     Heat oil and butter in a large skillet.

2.     Add in pork. Cook for 4 min per side.

3.     Transfer to a plate.

4.     Add shallot to the skillet. Stir until soft.

5.     Add thyme, sage and a bit of wine. Simmer for about 3 minutes.

6.     Add sauce on top of the pork chop.

Simple Steak

Yes, steak. It’s easy to prepare and healthy for you.

Ingredients:

• 4 shell steaks

• 4 tsp. olive oil

Directions:

1.     Heat oil in a skillet.

2.     Add in two of the steaks. Cook for about 2 min per side.

3.     Repeat process for remaining two steaks.

4.     Serve with a delicious salad.

Jessica Brown is a health expert.  She loves blogging about healthy eating and exercise in her spare time.  Jessica often shares recipes for quick and easy dinners.

The post 5 Healthy Dinners in 30 Minutes or Less appeared first on Weekly Living.

Coffee Makers With Timers

Coffee makers with programmable clocks and timers are commonplace today.  For the coffee lover, this was a fabulous invention.  The idea that simply preparing the coffee and setting the timer for a fresh, hot cup of coffee in the morning was euphoric!

Coffee Apps

Since 2008, technology gurus have been predicting that the mobile phone would soon be used as a device that acts as a remote control unit.  The mobile phone would be able to perform functions that are specifically integrated with the daily living activities of consumers.  These functions would include activities such as locking, unlocking and starting cars, locking and unlocking doors to homes, and yes, turning on coffee makers.

There are many different coffee apps on the market today. There are apps that give specific instructions and recipes for the perfect cup of coffee, depending on the individual’s specific tastes.  There are apps for the traveller looking for a good cup of coffee, that act as pocket guides for information about coffee houses.

Remote-controlled Coffee Machine

There is a coffee machine designed by a Danish coffee machine manufacturer that can make coffee, espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos and more.  This coffee machine has a touch screen and can also be operated with a smartphone app.  The smart phone operates as a remote control.  The machine and smartphone app allows consumers to connect to the machine wirelessly and order the beverage of their choice.  The coffee machine and app also lets consumers pre-program their order.  At this time, this coffee machine and app are being marketed toward offices and expensive homes.

Robotic Coffee Kiosks

A robotic coffee kiosk has been invented by a company comprised of business and technology individuals, and a nationally-known coffee barista.  The company plans to establish an international network of automatic kiosks to place in large buildings such as hospitals and universities.  The company then plans to build smaller kiosks for mass production.  Everything would be controlled electronically, including any repairs that would need to be made on the robotic kiosks.  With these robotic kiosks, consumers would be able to order from mobile phones as well as online.  Customers would also be able to place orders by using the touch screen on the kiosks and added functionality will allow them to setup personal accounts with their individual taste preferences and preferred payment method.

Using technology to make coffee is the answer to many coffee lovers’ dreams.  Coffee makers with programmable clocks and timers make it possible to wake up to a fresh cup of coffee while the latest innovation of using mobile phones with apps as remote controls are the answer to a fresh cup of coffee made even simpler. In the future look for further innovation in the ways we can get a custom cup of joe, made simpler through technology.

Citations:

• Image: Jacob Metcalf

Damien Higgins enjoys using coffee gadgets. He writes for Eden Springs which supplies office coffee machines.

The post Using Technology To Make Coffee appeared first on Weekly Living.

Wine is the first alcoholic drink that researchers have found to have a positive impact on the body among all other alcoholic drinks. Wine is a healthy drink as far as researchers are concerned and it helps in the prevention of some diseases.

The first health benefit of wine is that it helps in reducing the risk of heart attacks. Wine is said to increase the good kind of cholesterol that is HDL cholesterol and also it thins the blood. Wine also contains resveratol which helps in preventing blood clots and also plasma viscosity in the blood. Because of this it also plays a big part in preventing heart disease and stroke.

Wine has also proved to increase longevity. Research has stated that wine drinkers get to live longer by two years compared to people who drink beer and spirits. Wine drinkers also get to live longer than non alcoholic drinkers by two to five years. White wine has been seen to help in slowing down brain decline durng the process of aging. It has been shown that it reduces the risk of developing alzheimer’s and parkinson’s disease.

Another health benefit of wine is that it helps to reduce the risk of having the diabetes type 2 disease. This is actually credited to the grape because the grape fruit contains resveratol which reduces hypertension and insulin resistance in the body. Tannins also contained in red wine help to reduce the risk of getting diabetes type 2.

Wine drinkers also have a health advantage over non drinkers and drinkers of other alcoholic drinks because drinking wine helps in reducing the risk of cataracts in old age. Research has stated that wine drinker reduce their risk of cataract deevelopment by half compared to beer and spirit drinkers together with the non drinkers.

Enough research has also been done to prove and also find out if wine helps to reduce the risk of cancer. These researches have been successful and have actually found that is is true wine helps to reduce cancer risk. Wine is said to have phytochemicals which are chemicals found in plants. the grape fruit has a specific chemical called polyphenol which acts as an antioxidant and prevents the cells from oxidative damage. Wine also has resveratol which helps to reduce the growth of cancer by reducing tumor growth.

White wine helps in improving how the lungs function in the body. The existance of antioxidants in the wine has a very relevant effect to the lungs more than red wine which is said to have a higher level of antioxidants than white wine. Science has not yet been able to find a way to explain how that is but when it comes to lung function white wine drinkers have the advantage.

Other benefits of wine include, improving digestion which can help people who suffer from ulcers, reducing stress and improving the srtength of the bones in the body.

Please note that wine is healthy only when it is taken in moderate amounts.

VIm runs the popular wine blog 12×75.com

The post Health Benefits of Wine appeared first on Weekly Living.

AllRecipes.com

Despite its name, allrecipes.com offers a lot more than just recipes. You can watch preparation videos, read reviews from people who have tried the recipes and get answers to your cooking questions. You can also save your favorite recipes as well. The website is very interactive and it is completely free to join. One of the best features of allrecipies.com is the huge collection of recipes that range from gourmet to traditional American classics.

FoodNetwork.com

It is not just about the television shows! Foodnetwork.com is a great place to go to find all sorts of cooking advice as well as videos so that you can take a break from reading text-heavy recipes. From simple fare like preparing mini-hamburgers for your children to Rachael Ray’s Shrimp Scampi and Pasta, you will find something mouth-watering. The website also has a fantastic section about general cooking tips.

Joy of Cooking written by: Irma S. Rombauer, Ethan Becker, and Marion Rombauer Becker

There is a reason this book is a classic. For over 75 years, it has held a special place in kitchens all over the world. The latest edition, updated in 2006, offers classic recipes updated to suit the modern palette and new recipes as well. Additionally, Joy of Cooking is not just a collection of recipes. The book is a reference manual for all things related to cooking; chock full of helpful tips for beginners.

How to Boil Water by Food Network Kitchens

Laugh all you want at the title, but How to Boil Water is one of the simplest and most comprehensive books about learning how to cook that you can find. There are plenty of tips, hints and shortcuts to help amateurs learn their way around the kitchen. The book is also full of beautiful illustrations so that you can see what your finished recipe should look like and get some great ideas on how to garnish it.

Cook’s Illustrated Magazine

Cook’s Illustrated Magazine is famous for its step-by-step illustrations that are a great help to beginners. The magazine also offers advice about cookware products and tips on saving money. The recipes all come with variations as well so that you can experiment and expand your culinary skills. The magazine offers a free trial issue at http://www.cooksillustrated.com/magazine/.

No matter how much you may dread the kitchen, we all have to eat. Being able to cook your own meals at home is incredibly less expensive and much healthier than eating out. There is also a definite amount of pride and satisfaction you feel when you cook a meal and someone says, “That was absolutely delicious.” Check out one, or more, of these resources and you will be whipping up wonderful meals in no time.

About the Author: Thaddeus Kimmes isn’t the best cook in the world but is looking forward to his cooking lesson New York during his travels this summer!

The post 5 Resources for Amateurs Looking to Improve Their Cooking Skills appeared first on Weekly Living.