Wine & Food Recipes

397

Red wine may truly be a “wondrous drug!” Not only has the resveratrol wine contains so far been proven to extend the life of yeast, worms, flies, and fish, other studies have shown that wine, especially red wine, can help prevent colds, increase the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, lower the risk of Alzheimer’s, reduce the size and number of fat cells in the body, reduce the risk of prostate cancer, and has anti-inflammatory properties to boot.

red wine, resveratrol, Alzheimer’s, cholesterol, longevity, fat cells, anit-inflammatory, prostate cancer
Longevity interests a lot of people who aren’t ready to give up their lives, just yet, and who look to healthy alternatives to culturally defined eating patterns and “health care.”

The benefits of drinking wine have been touted for a while and are thought, by some, to be the reason why the French can get away with eating a high fat diet while enjoying a low rate of coronary disease.

A few years ago, a study by French research team also found that men who regularly drank at least two glasses of wine daily were 50 percent less likely than non-drinkers to suffer a second heart attack.

Previous studies with yeast, a small species of worm, and fruit flies have shown that resveratrol — a polyphenol antioxidant found in grapes, especially red grapes, and particularly pinot noir grapes which are grown in northern latitudes and used in wines coming from New York, Washington, and Oregon — is a life-extending compound.

In a new study from Italy, resveratrol has been used to increase the life span of a short-lived breed of tropical fish by more than 50%. Not only did fish given resveratrol in their food live longer than the control group, they stayed livelier as they aged and displayed better memory in stimulus/response tests. And the neurons in their brains didn’t decay as quickly when they died and were dissected.

Resveratrol, an organic compound contained in the skins of grapes that protects them from disease, is extracted from grapes by the wine making process. The wine becomes a preservative for the resveratrol and prevents its oxidation.

That’s why drinking grape juice or eating raisins doesn’t have the same effect; the resveratrol has neither been extracted nor preserved. It’s also been shown that resveratrol in food supplements oxidizes upon exposure to air and loses its effectiveness.

Red wine may truly be a “wondrous drug!”

Other studies have shown that wine, especially red wine, can help prevent colds, increase the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, lower the risk of Alzheimer’s, reduce the size and number of fat cells in the body, reduce the risk of prostate cancer, and has anti-inflammatory properties to boot.

Drug companies are trying to copy Red wine may truly be a “wondrous drug!”, but might not be able to preserve it’s health-preserving benefits. Besides, resveratrol is freely available in red wine and not patentable as such.

666

?get moving quicker and faster in the morning.

Worried that your first cup of coffee for the day is starting to lose its edge?

Then fear no more. These days?manufacturers are making the espresso machine available to just about anyone who wants one. Creating the perfect caf?style shot of this black aromatic brew first thing in the morning has never been easier.

And these new fangled machines are nothing like your Dad’s old style Coffee Maker either.

The older ge…

Espresso Coffee Maker, Machine, Brew,
?get moving quicker and faster in the morning.

Worried that your first cup of coffee for the day is starting to lose its edge?

Then fear no more. These days?manufacturers are making the espresso machine available to just about anyone who wants one. Creating the perfect caf?style shot of this black aromatic brew first thing in the morning has never been easier.

And these new fangled machines are nothing like your Dad’s old style Coffee Maker either.

The older generation just don’t seem to understand our modern day fascination with drinking a good espresso. The social forces underlying life today are bringing household accessories like espresso machines to the forefront of our collective minds.

Almost daily there seems to be new international influences popping up in the coffee scene and this, coupled with the widespread acceptance of the local specialty coffee shop have all helped people from America, Australia, the UK, Asia and many other countries around the world to totally embrace the idea of owning an espresso machine.

Life today is all about the quick fix ?it is our need for instant gratification.

What else is there that provides a quicker fix than the punch delivered by a shot of good steaming espresso?

It makes perfect sense that coffee drinkers want to add an espresso coffee maker to their list of kitchen gadgets all in the name of getting that instant morning heart starter - you can also justify your thoughts by saying that there is the superior flavor too!

Then make mine a double please!

Is that a double shot you mean? Well some mornings ?yes!

Now days the espresso coffee maker is available in just about any style or configuration you could possibly imagine. You can start with the small, single-cup models and go right on up to the top end of the range to the more expensive imports better suited to busy coffee shops than a home kitchen. Really it is only a matter of how deep your pockets are and how much spare space you have on your kitchen bench.

Technically espresso machines range from piston operated models that offer a “throw-back?feel of old world coffee houses all the way up to the super dooper automatic models that do everything apart from drink the coffee for you ?they are even self cleaning ?all at the touch of a button. For our time-starved generation, it’s little wonder that the fastest growing category amongst the espresso coffee maker offerings is the fully automatic machine.

Can you just imagine?.at the touch of a button this machine grinds the beans, tamps them, brews the coffee, dumps the leftover grinds and even froths the milk. All that’s left for you to do is drink it ?and enjoy that full fresh flavor!

As far as the espresso coffee maker goes, the super-automatic model is the pinnacle of innovation and is gaining wide acceptance all over the world for its ease of use and product quality. However, this amount of innovation does not come cheaply. To own one of these ’super?machines you could have to shell out a few thousand dollars.

But when you think about it, why worry about price when your espresso machine can make so many variations of top quality brew based on espresso - all at the mere touch of a little black button?

Are you convinced yet? In the end I suppose it really depends on how much you love your coffee.

Fortunately you don’t need to go out and mortgage the family home just to own a good quality espresso maker. There’s a good selection of models across the whole spectrum of prices that are more than capable of making a good quality espresso, cappuccino, latte or flat white in the comfort of your own home.

But for the really serious coffee connoisseurs ?a good quality espresso maker is the perfect appliance to provide you with many years of coffee brewing pleasure.

Enjoy!

209

Pepper in fruit salsa? If you think it sounds odd, just try this colorful salsa. Blended wih blueberries and other fruits, dashes of red and black papper and just enough heat to kindle a delicious combination.

Blueberry Salsa Sparkles With Flavor
Pepper in fruit salsa? If you think it sounds odd, just try this colorful salsa. Blended with blueberries and other fruit, dashes of red and black pepper add just enough heat to kindle a delicious combination.

Serve this lively flavored sauce with ice cream and pound cake, as shown here. Or try it as a side with smoked ham, grilled pork chops or chicken.

Fresh blueberries are available year round and are most abundant in midsummer-ready to blend into smoothies, toss into your favorite chicken salad, or sprinkle over lemon meringue or cream pie. You should know that blueberries are loaded with antioxidants. Studies show that antioxidants may help reduce the buildup of cholesterol that contributes to cardiovascular disease, stroke and other age-related diseases.

Spicy Blueberry-Fruit Salsa

4 cups fresh blueberries

11/2 cups diced mixed fruit (such as melon, grapes, pineapple or kiwi)

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 teaspoon grated lime peel

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon salt

In a small bowl, combine blueberries, mixed fruit, sugar, lime juice, lime peel, allspice, red and black peppers and salt. Serve immediately or refrigerate covered, up to 4 hours.

Yield: 51/2 cups

Per half-cup portion: 55 calories, 0 g fat, 14 g carbohydrate.

Mildly spiced blueberry salsa adds zest to dessert.

324

The next time you are at your favorite coffee shop and someone catches your eye, here are ten interesting coffee facts that you can use to break the ice:

1) Coffee is considered an aphrodisiac. Because it contains a high dose of caffeine and other various alkaloids, studies have shown that coffee can increase stamina and the overall length of intimate sessions.

2) Although coffee has been a part of the Arab culture for thousands of years, it did not become part of the …

beverages, coffee, drinks
The next time you are at your favorite coffee shop and someone catches your eye, here are ten interesting coffee facts that you can use to break the ice:

1) Coffee is considered an aphrodisiac. Because it contains a high dose of caffeine and other various alkaloids, studies have shown that coffee can increase stamina and the overall length of intimate sessions.

2) Although coffee has been a part of the Arab culture for thousands of years, it did not become part of the western world until the 1500s. Before that time, priests believed that coffee was a drink of the devil. Pope Clement VIII finally ended this line of thinking by taking a sip of coffee and then giving it his blessing.

3) Japan’s official Coffee Day is October 1st.

4) A single acre of coffee trees can yield close to ten thousand pounds of coffee cherries. Once they are milled or hulled, there are still almost two thousand pounds of coffee beans.

5) Forty-nine of the fifty states grow absolutely no coffee. The only state that grows coffee is Hawaii. Additionally, the only United States territory that grows coffee is Puerto Rico.

6) Germany is the second largest coffee consumer in the world. Forty-three percent of Germans add sweetener to their coffee, while only twenty-seven percent of Americans (the number one consumer of coffee) use any kind of sweetener in their coffee.

7) The English word coffee is derived from the Latin word Coffea. Coffea is the Latin name for a genus of trees.

Every single one of the fifty-three countries that grows coffee is located along the equator, between the tropic of Cancer and Capricorn.

9) On average, people who purchase their coffee from drive-through windows before work will spend around forty-five hours every year waiting in line for their coffee.

10) Petroleum is the only product that is traded more heavily than coffee. The amount of coffee produced around the world is close to six million metric tonnes.

201

Quick and easy chocolate chip cookie recipe.

chocolate chip cookies,recipe
“There are two kinds of people in the world: those who love chocolate, and communists.” - Leslie Moak Murray
I can’t help but love that quote. When I was a kid, my grandpa always called any store bought cookies that somehow made it into the house “Commie cookies.” For him, it was Grandma’s homemade cookies or none at all.
There’s just something special about homemade cookies, especially chocolate chip cookies, so far as I’m concerned. It’s a great family activity, something even children can help with, and everyone loves eating the results.
Here’s an easy recipe for chocolate chip cookies I think you’ll enjoy:
Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 package butter pecan, chocolate chip, chocolate fudge, devil’s food, German, chocolate or yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine — softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 (6 ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup)
Heat oven to 350? Combine half of the dry cake mix , butter, vanilla and eggs in large bowl and mix until smooth. Stir in remaining cake mix, nuts and chocolate chips.
Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are set (centers will be soft). Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

662

Summer is coming and so is the hot weather. Nobody likes to cook in the heat of summer. A really hot meal on a hot day is almost as unpopular. It could be that a cool, easy to prepare summer soup is just what you need.

Below are 3 recipes for soups that can be made in your food processor or blender. If you have the ingredients on hand, none of them take more than 10 minutes to make. They are all delicious, nutritious, and really refreshing on a hot day. While the recipes a…

summer soup,soup recipe,food processor
Summer is coming and so is the hot weather. Nobody likes to cook in the heat of summer. A really hot meal on a hot day is almost as unpopular. It could be that a cool, easy to prepare summer soup is just what you need.

Below are 3 recipes for soups that can be made in your food processor or blender. If you have the ingredients on hand, none of them take more than 10 minutes to make. They are all delicious, nutritious, and really refreshing on a hot day. While the recipes all suggest you use a food processor, you can get very good results by using a blender or hand blender too.

These are all very simple recipes, so don’t be shy to modify them and get a taste that your whole family can enjoy.

Here are the recipes.

Summer Vegetarian soup
This is great tasting soup with a touch of Italy included. It is super easy to make and very healthy. It is particularly good on a hot summer day

an avocado - skin and pit removed of course
4 Roma tomatoes - they may not be quite juicy enough (see below)
Basil to taste (Thai basil is really good in this)
4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

Process
How easy is this soup? Simply throw everything into your food processor and mix until it is smooth. If you find that it is more like a smoothie than soup, simply add more liquid (or swap one of the Roma tomatoes for another more juicy variety). Pour into bowls, garnish as you wish (minced chives are nice) and enjoy.

Sensational Salsa & Black Bean

This soup is a very simple soup that takes just a few minutes to prepare. It can be served hot or cold, but always benefits from being heated.
Roughly 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:
2 normal sized cans of black beans (any brand is OK, but try for low salt)
1 1/2 cups soup stock (Just use chicken, beef, or vegetable bullion)
1 cup of your favorite salsa (chunky makes a heartier soup)
1 teaspoon cumin (best to use fresh ground in the soup and you can sprinkle seeds on top too)
1/4 cup of sour cream
1-2 green onions chopped fine

Process:
Put the beans, salsa, cumin, and soup stock into a food processor (a blender is OK too). Puree the mixture until it is creamy in texture. Pour the mixture into a mid-sized pot and heat on low-medium until it is completely hot. This allows the flavours to merge. If you are going to serve it cold, move it to the fridge to cool off till it is time to eat. To eat it hot, simply serve into bowls and garnish with the onions and some of the sour cream.

MANGO SOUP

Mangos are simply divine. They are great as a fruit, mixed into drinks, added to salads. They also make a really good cool summer soup which is explained below.

Ingredients:

1 large RIPE mango (it will be soft, no squishy, to touch)
2 cups chicken soup stock (make your own or use bullion if you must)
1 TBSP lemon grass (available in most Asian markets, it looks like long greenish reeds when you buy it)
1 TBSP ginger - Freshly chopped is best
Ground chili peppers to taste
1 cup yogurt (2% plain is best)
2 TBSP cilantro (chinese parsley) chopped fine

Process:
Chop mango and put in food processor. Mix briefly and then put in the ginger, lemon grass, chili and 1/2 cup of soup stock. Mix again till everything becomes very smooth. Move the soup into another bowl (be sure it is large enough) and mix in first the rest of the stock, and then the yogurt. This is best served cold, so put in fridge till you are ready to eat. Then put into bowls and serve with the cilantro as the garnish.

As the temperature starts to go up give these soups a try. They are all very simple and will add a new delicious and healthy dimension to your summer diet.

334

If you are preparing any kind of meals from a recipe, it’s important that you understand the various methods of cooking. There are a number of terms for different ways of cooking, as follow.

Grilled

If a recipe calls for something to be grilled, it generally means it should be cooked over an open flame or heat. Grilling can be done by charcoal or gas - on a barbeque for example - or it can be done using a grill of some sort on the burners of your stove.

Broiled

Br…

become a chef, cooking equipment, chef apparel, personal chef training, personal chef services
If you are preparing any kind of meals from a recipe, it’s important that you understand the various methods of cooking. There are a number of terms for different ways of cooking, as follow.

Grilled

If a recipe calls for something to be grilled, it generally means it should be cooked over an open flame or heat. Grilling can be done by charcoal or gas - on a barbeque for example - or it can be done using a grill of some sort on the burners of your stove.

Broiled

Broiling indicates cooking by exposing directly to a heat source such as a flame or element. Most ovens have a “broil” setting, which heats an element at the top of the stove rather than the one at the bottom, which is used for baking.

When broiling items in the oven, they should normally be placed on the top rack to give them the proper heat exposure.

Frying vs Deep Frying

Both frying and deep-frying cook foods with a similar process, but the method is a little different in each case. Frying can be done over any heat source, such as a stove element or an open flame. Oil or butter is heated and the food is cooked by its heat.

Deep frying, on the other hand, also involves oil but in this case the food is completely submerged in the oil. Deep frying is used for foods such as french fries, breaded chicken and doughnuts. It can be dangerious, however, because you’re dealing with boiling oil so proper equipment and safety precautions must be used.

Sauteing

Sauteing involved cooking food quickly in a small amount of fat. It is similar in process to frying, but because of the smaller amount of fat and faster cooking times, it brings out stronger flavors than frying will.

Knowing what is involved with the various terms will make it easier to plan when following a recipe. You’ll know what equipment and ingredients you’ll need that are unique to each method.

513

How about teaming up your favorite meal with the best of wine this weekend? It sounds a great idea but don’t you think you may overindulge? Well, you may not mind this but what about the hangover you have to face, the other morning. How about spending you entire Sunday afternoon sitting inside the bathroom, with one hand on your forehead and the other on your stomach? Scary isn’t it?

Hey, hold on! I am not trying to scare the life out of you. I am just showing you the real…

wine hangover
How about teaming up your favorite meal with the best of wine this weekend? It sounds a great idea but don’t you think you may overindulge? Well, you may not mind this but what about the hangover you have to face, the other morning. How about spending you entire Sunday afternoon sitting inside the bathroom, with one hand on your forehead and the other on your stomach? Scary isn’t it?

Hey, hold on! I am not trying to scare the life out of you. I am just showing you the real picture of a hangover that you may require to face the following day after you have overindulged in your favorite wine.

This sounds really bad but don’t worry, there are many tips you can follow in order to get rid of a wine hangover. All you need to do is to follow the instructions given below:

a) Water, water and water:

Water is the key to get over the wine hangover. Drink plenty of water. Alcohol has a tendency to dehydrate your body. This is the main reason that most people end up having a lot of liquids in the form of plain water, lemon water, coffee and black tea without having pee for a single time. If you want to stay away from the temptation of overindulging in wine, the best way is to have a glass of water for each glass of wine you desire to have. Wine is a great source of water, but the presence of water tends to produce adverse effects on the body. Hence, it is necessary to keep hydrating your body with water.

b) Binge in:

Sounds great! Believe me, it really works. Eat your favorite meal or some snacks an hour before a drink. This will save you from getting involved into overindulge and the hangover. The meal or snack should include bread or pasta.

c) No prescription drugs:

So you want to save money! It’s a good idea but you should not save money via mixing your glass of wine with prescription drugs for more effects. This will only damage your body. Drink less if you really want to save money.

d) Milk:

Drink a glass of milk prior to consuming wine. This will provide a protection coat to your stomach and helps you absorb the alcohol in the wine.

e) No salt:

Salt will prove dangerous as it tends to maximize the process of dehydration. You should stay away from salt when having margarita…

f) An aspirin:

An aspirin will help you to remove headache. Avoid taking ibuprofen or paracetamol. These medicines usually have adverse effects on the body especially after the consumption of wine.

g) Avoid dark drinks:

The major hangover you experience may be due to combining red wine with whiskey. You should mix whiskey with soda or water. Avoid mixing it with cola and tonic.

Hangover is due to over indulgence in wine. Try to stay away from it. Follow the instructions mentioned above you would feel better after a wine party with your friends.

294

This is a delicious chicken meal for you to prepare at home. The lemon sauce is fresh and tangy and somehow I always end up eating too much Give it a try I am sure you will enjoy….

chicken recipe,chinese,recipe,receipe,food,cooking,fortune cookie,chinese fortune cookie
This is a delicious chicken meal for you to prepare at home. The lemon sauce is fresh and tangy and somehow I always end up eating too much :-).

It takes a bit to prepare and is not the sort of thing you would want to cook each night of the week.

However, it is worth the effort.

I usually make it once in a while as a special meal for my husband. And it always turns out great.

Fortunate Lemon Chicken

4 whole boneless chicken breasts, skin off
?cup cornstarch (corn flour)
3 tbls water
4 egg yolks ?gently beaten
salt, pepper ? to taste
shallots ?chopped

Lemon Sauce
?cup lemon juice
2 tsp powdered chicken stock
2 tbls cornstarch (corn flour)
2 tbls honey
2?tbls brown sugar
1 tsp grated ginger
1?cups water

For the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and stir over a low heat until it boils and then thickens.

Cut the chicken breast fillets into 3-4 pieces. Lay flat and pound slightly with a mallet or other heavy object.

Place cornstarch in a bowl and slowly add the water, and then add the slightly beaten egg yolks. Next add salt and pepper to your liking.

Dip the chicken pieces into this batter and ensure you drain well.

Place a couple pieces of the battered chicken at a time, into deep hot oil and fry until lightly browned.

Drain on absorbent paper.

Slice chicken further if required.

Arrange on plates of freshly cooked white rice. Sprinkle with shallots and spoon over hot lemon sauce.

Enjoy!

Then end the meal with a home-made Chinese Fortune Cookie.

Insert a message in each cookie to suit the mood of the meal. This is a fun way to end any meal.

Happy Cooking

Francis Chang
http://www.chinese-fortune-cookie.com

642

Do you want to know how to make chocolate fondue the easy way? Doesn’t even saying the words out loud, “Chocolate Fondue” make you want to swoon with ecstacy?

chocolate fondue,recipe,fondue dessert
Do you want to know how to make chocolate fondue the easy way? Doesn’t even saying the words out loud, “Chocolate Fondue” make you want to swoon with ecstacy?

I mean, really! Who wouldn’t love this decadent dessert? Forget the diet! And who says you have to wait for dessert? Treat yourself once in a while and have it for dinner! Why not? Life is short.

Since the Swiss take all the credit for making up this wonderous invention of fondue eating… it only stands to reason that continuing the practice would carry over to dessert.

I love chocolate. And anything that you can mix with it. So, learning how to make chocolate fondue for my friends and family was a real treat for me. And the idea of melting chocolate, adding things like nuts, or marshmellows, or fruit, or cake just sends me over the moon! And when you dive into these recipes for this dreamy dessert, you’ll be joining me on the other side of that ol’ moon.

Here’s how to make chocolate fondue that will melt any choco-holic’s heart:

What you’ll need:

- 1 cup premium cocoa powder (ex:Scharffen Berger), sifted

- 1 1/4 cup water

- 1 1/2 cups sugar

- 1/4 cup corn syrup

- 1/2 cup plus 5 Tbsp heavy cream

- 5 oz 62% Scharffen Berger (premium semi-sweet chocolate), chopped

- Pound cake and fruit (ex. bananas, apples, strawberries, plums), cut into bite sized pieces

First, sift the cocoa into mixing bowl and set aside. When I was learning how to make chocolate fondue, I found out that sifting the cocoa is the real trick to making this recipe work. It helps create the smooth creamy texture that you want for serving.

Then, place the water, sugar, and corn syrup into a pot and bring to boil. Allow the mixture to simmer for 10-15 minutes until sugar solution has reduced by about 30%. Pour the cocoa powder a little bit at a time into the solution and blend with a whisk until nice and smooth.

Next, return the chocolate mixture to the stove and continue cooking over medium heat. Add the heavy cream, bring it to a boil and allow to simmer for five minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in your chopped chocolate. Pour it all into a ceramic fondue pot or one appropriate and keep warm until ready to serve.

Presenting your fabulous chocolate fondue dessert with cut up pieces of cake and fruit is a wonderful way to end your evening with a bang!

It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t enjoy eating chocolate fondue. Here’s one more super easy recipe to salivate over:

I can not get enough of this traditional Swiss chocolate fondue dessert. This recipe is very easy to make and you truly will swoon when you try it. Makes for a really good time whether it be for a dinner party dessert, or for some other festive occasion. Enjoy every little drop!

What you’ll need:

- 1 cup heavy cream

- 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate (chopped)

- teaspoon vanilla

First, heat the cream in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until hot for about 2 to 3 minutes. Next, add the chocolate and stir until the consistency is smooth and the chocolate has melted. Stir in vanilla and transfer to a warm ceramic fondue pot.

Some great dippers for chocolate fondue are:

- apple slices

- sliced bananas

- flavored biscotti

- strawberries

- pound cake or angel food cake

- lady fingers

Try some of these variations for slightly different flavors:

You can substitute 2 to 3 Tbsp of kirsch, brandy, rum, or orange liqueur for the vanilla.

Enjoy!

Important: Please feel free to republish this article on your web site or in your ezine. However, you are not allowed to modify any part of its content and all links should be kept active.