Xmas is a very busy time and we are all rushing round, shopping for presents and decorating the house. We also have to think about food and what we need for the family and for entertaining. Shopping for all the different items is time consuming and that's why many people are turning to Xmas food hampers. It's convenient, good value for money and the quality is assured. You can just order, through mail order or online, and relax in the knowledge that it's all taken care of.
There are some companies who operate a scheme whereby you can pay for Xmas food hampers in installments. That's ideal if you want to spread the cost for this expensive holiday season. Buying a hamper may cost more than buying each individual item, but it will save you in time. Companies can also use Xmas hampers as corporate gifts to their business associates or as a reward to their staff. Employees will feel valued if their employers have gone to a bit of trouble, instead of just handing over a cash bonus.
There are various versions of the hampers, both standard and luxury. Most people like to stick to traditional food at Xmas and the Xmas food hampers can provide that with all the trimmings. Most suppliers offer a bespoke service, so you can have just what you want. It's an opportunity to try more adventurous fare too, such as a Xmas Pudding with Cider or Caramelized Peanuts.
Popular items found in hampers include, mince pies, brandy butter, nuts and port with Stilton cheese. Sauces make the meal and you can order cranberry sauce, bread sauce and horseradish sauce. There is a wide range of fine wines available and many Xmas food hampers have a Scottish theme with whisky, smoked salmon, shortbread and oatcakes. If you're having a bird, such as turkey, you'll want a nice stuffing. There are different types, such as apple and sage or chestnut. You may want to finish Xmas dinner with some savory biscuits and cheese, duck or venison pate or jam preserve with kirsch. If you really want to spoil yourself, you can order luxury Belgian chocolates or truffles.
It's exciting when the hamper comes and you can open it to see the goodies inside. The great bonus is that you haven't had to trail around the stores to get everything. When you receive Xmas food hampers, you then have to persuade someone else to do the cooking!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Potato Recipes
My husband and I are both from German heritage. As a result we both have similar tastes when it comes to decorating as well as the foods we like. We each grew up in a home where meat and potatoes were served at most meals. There were times when the potato recipes were substituted with dumplings; however my father had a passion for potatoes.
My father was a hard working farmer. He also had a full time job in a factory to supplement the family income. He always said that he worked to supplement his hobby of farming. He did not like fancy meals except when it came to potatoes. My mother loved to cook and would get frustrated with the simple meat and vegetable meals that my dad preferred. She started making different potato recipes that she found in cook books and magazines. She served some of the most delicious potato recipes that I have ever tasted. She also would experiment with different variety of potatoes.
It has been many years since I have lived at home. My parents are retired and my father has finally given up the farming hobby. My mother cooks much simpler now that they are not doing the physical labor of farming. I asked her if I could look through her potato recipes. She started looking through her recipe drawer and we were both amazed at the number of potato recipes she had collected through the years. We were sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and going through the recipes when my dad came in from a walk. He sat with us and we talked about the different potato recipes and also reminisced about the days past. Mom talked about the days of cooking for neighbors that would help with the farm work and having special company dinners on Sundays. She talked about missing making formal dinners and being invited out to formal dinners. I asked if I could take her collection of potato recipes and other ethnic recipes to make copies.
When I returned to my home I told my husband about the conversation I had with my parents. We decided that it would be fun to invite them for a formal dinner. I sent them an invitation and also one to my aunt and uncle that were often guests at mom’s Sunday dinners. I made an old fashioned beef roast dinner and set the table with china, crystal and taper candles. Mom and Dad and my aunt and uncle enjoyed our Sunday together. We did more reminiscing and also talked about what different family members are doing now. At the end of the evening my husband and I decided that we will continue to invite company over for formal Sunday dinners at least once a month.
My father was a hard working farmer. He also had a full time job in a factory to supplement the family income. He always said that he worked to supplement his hobby of farming. He did not like fancy meals except when it came to potatoes. My mother loved to cook and would get frustrated with the simple meat and vegetable meals that my dad preferred. She started making different potato recipes that she found in cook books and magazines. She served some of the most delicious potato recipes that I have ever tasted. She also would experiment with different variety of potatoes.
It has been many years since I have lived at home. My parents are retired and my father has finally given up the farming hobby. My mother cooks much simpler now that they are not doing the physical labor of farming. I asked her if I could look through her potato recipes. She started looking through her recipe drawer and we were both amazed at the number of potato recipes she had collected through the years. We were sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and going through the recipes when my dad came in from a walk. He sat with us and we talked about the different potato recipes and also reminisced about the days past. Mom talked about the days of cooking for neighbors that would help with the farm work and having special company dinners on Sundays. She talked about missing making formal dinners and being invited out to formal dinners. I asked if I could take her collection of potato recipes and other ethnic recipes to make copies.
When I returned to my home I told my husband about the conversation I had with my parents. We decided that it would be fun to invite them for a formal dinner. I sent them an invitation and also one to my aunt and uncle that were often guests at mom’s Sunday dinners. I made an old fashioned beef roast dinner and set the table with china, crystal and taper candles. Mom and Dad and my aunt and uncle enjoyed our Sunday together. We did more reminiscing and also talked about what different family members are doing now. At the end of the evening my husband and I decided that we will continue to invite company over for formal Sunday dinners at least once a month.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Crock Pot Type Of Cooking Recipes For Women
A few years ago, my crock pot would collect dust in my cupboard waiting for me to make chili or a pot roast. Now it’s a rare evening when you don’t see it on my counter with the night’s dinner in it.
I know that many of you can relate to what it’s like in my household from 4:00pm on. After getting 4 kids an after school snack, I am helping a 10 year old with homework, playing dominoes with twin 4 year olds, and chasing after a 2 year old. How on earth could I be expected to do all of this while preparing dinner and not be completely frazzled by the time we sat down to eat? Finally I discovered the answer.
Now each morning I get up and, while drinking my coffee, decide what’s for dinner that evening. I take meat out of the freezer to thaw in cold water in the sink, verify remaining ingredients, and play with my 2 year old. Then I leisurely take 10-15 minutes mid morning to throw ingredients into a pot and flip a switch.
I go about the rest of my day relaxed, knowing that dinner will be a cinch. Sure enough, dinner time comes and all I need to do is spoon food onto some plates, sit down, and enjoy!
Reasons why crock pot cooking is virtually stress free:
-Clean up is easy; there aren’t numerous pots and pans to wash, just one stoneware pot and maybe a cutting board and knife.
-Minimal preparation is required; just a few minutes each morning.
-It’s really difficult to overcook things in a crock pot. Plus, now there are crock pots that will automatically switch to a “keep warm” setting once the cooking time is done.
-Crock pots are wonderful for cheaper cuts of meat. Cooking for a large family, I’m conscientious of my grocery bill. Because crock pots cook meat over a long period of time at low heat, tougher cuts of meat turn out tender and juicy.
-You’re not feeding your family fast food or calling the pizza delivery guy again; they are getting quality home cooked meals.
-Crock pot cooking is perfect for any type of mom. Those who work out of the office can quickly fix the meal in the morning or even prepare it the night before and refrigerate.
-Different people can eat at different times. Let’s face it, with busy schedules many families can’t eat together during the week. A crock pot keeps the meal warm for your toddlers to eat at 5pm, your high school kids to eat at 8pm, and your husband to grab a 10pm snack.
So pull it out of your cupboard, dust it off, and enjoy the wonderful aromas that will fill your home as dinner draws near.
I know that many of you can relate to what it’s like in my household from 4:00pm on. After getting 4 kids an after school snack, I am helping a 10 year old with homework, playing dominoes with twin 4 year olds, and chasing after a 2 year old. How on earth could I be expected to do all of this while preparing dinner and not be completely frazzled by the time we sat down to eat? Finally I discovered the answer.
Now each morning I get up and, while drinking my coffee, decide what’s for dinner that evening. I take meat out of the freezer to thaw in cold water in the sink, verify remaining ingredients, and play with my 2 year old. Then I leisurely take 10-15 minutes mid morning to throw ingredients into a pot and flip a switch.
I go about the rest of my day relaxed, knowing that dinner will be a cinch. Sure enough, dinner time comes and all I need to do is spoon food onto some plates, sit down, and enjoy!
Reasons why crock pot cooking is virtually stress free:
-Clean up is easy; there aren’t numerous pots and pans to wash, just one stoneware pot and maybe a cutting board and knife.
-Minimal preparation is required; just a few minutes each morning.
-It’s really difficult to overcook things in a crock pot. Plus, now there are crock pots that will automatically switch to a “keep warm” setting once the cooking time is done.
-Crock pots are wonderful for cheaper cuts of meat. Cooking for a large family, I’m conscientious of my grocery bill. Because crock pots cook meat over a long period of time at low heat, tougher cuts of meat turn out tender and juicy.
-You’re not feeding your family fast food or calling the pizza delivery guy again; they are getting quality home cooked meals.
-Crock pot cooking is perfect for any type of mom. Those who work out of the office can quickly fix the meal in the morning or even prepare it the night before and refrigerate.
-Different people can eat at different times. Let’s face it, with busy schedules many families can’t eat together during the week. A crock pot keeps the meal warm for your toddlers to eat at 5pm, your high school kids to eat at 8pm, and your husband to grab a 10pm snack.
So pull it out of your cupboard, dust it off, and enjoy the wonderful aromas that will fill your home as dinner draws near.
Spread Of Camp Cooking Recipes
One of the interesting activities your entire family can be involved in, around the campfire, in the evening is trying out fun camp cooking recipes. Not only will this provide an opportunity for your family to bond together, but you will also relish the delicious food made as a result of this activity.
The best part about camp cooking recipes is that you can be as innovative as you like and can use tasty ingredients to prepare some simple dishes. You can cook some yummy dishes like s'mores, or even make a dessert without using any camp cooking equipment.
The best time to try out these fun recipes during your family camping trip is when you crave for something sweet, especially after dinner and that too around the campfire. Let us share with you some great camp cooking recipes that are a step-up on the traditional desserts at the campfire.
- Pour some chocolate syrup or put a chocolate bar broken up into pieces, in a cup you can make yourself, out of aluminium foil. Now place this cup near the fire so that the chocolate melts completely.
- Fill a plastic bag or place on a plate some graham crackers that you have crushed.
- Toast some marshmallows the way you usually do.
- Dip these marshmallows into the melted chocolate and then roll them into the graham crackers.
This is a yummy recipe that the kids especially enjoy and the best part is that it is not even the least bit time consuming. You can keep experimenting with these campfire treat of s'mores, by making slight modifications every time, like melting caramel chocolate bars or even melting chocolate bars with nuts in them.
If you find this too messy a way, you can even opt for another way to create the s'more by putting the chocolate bars, the marshmallows and the graham crackers together in an aluminium foil. Wrap this package up and cook over your campfire for just a minute and upon opening the foil, 'voila'- a lip-smacking, finger- licking treat.
Fun camp cooking recipes need not necessarily be those of desserts. You can play on any of your recipes by altering your fun foods like sloppy joes, a bit. Other camp recipes include something like tacos in a bag. All you need to do is take some plain tortilla chips in a bag and crush it up. Now you can add other ingredients like salsa, cheese and lettuce. Mix well and have it straight out of the bag for maximum fun.
The best part about camp cooking recipes is that you can be as innovative as you like and can use tasty ingredients to prepare some simple dishes. You can cook some yummy dishes like s'mores, or even make a dessert without using any camp cooking equipment.
The best time to try out these fun recipes during your family camping trip is when you crave for something sweet, especially after dinner and that too around the campfire. Let us share with you some great camp cooking recipes that are a step-up on the traditional desserts at the campfire.
- Pour some chocolate syrup or put a chocolate bar broken up into pieces, in a cup you can make yourself, out of aluminium foil. Now place this cup near the fire so that the chocolate melts completely.
- Fill a plastic bag or place on a plate some graham crackers that you have crushed.
- Toast some marshmallows the way you usually do.
- Dip these marshmallows into the melted chocolate and then roll them into the graham crackers.
This is a yummy recipe that the kids especially enjoy and the best part is that it is not even the least bit time consuming. You can keep experimenting with these campfire treat of s'mores, by making slight modifications every time, like melting caramel chocolate bars or even melting chocolate bars with nuts in them.
If you find this too messy a way, you can even opt for another way to create the s'more by putting the chocolate bars, the marshmallows and the graham crackers together in an aluminium foil. Wrap this package up and cook over your campfire for just a minute and upon opening the foil, 'voila'- a lip-smacking, finger- licking treat.
Fun camp cooking recipes need not necessarily be those of desserts. You can play on any of your recipes by altering your fun foods like sloppy joes, a bit. Other camp recipes include something like tacos in a bag. All you need to do is take some plain tortilla chips in a bag and crush it up. Now you can add other ingredients like salsa, cheese and lettuce. Mix well and have it straight out of the bag for maximum fun.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Simplifying Cooking Though Modern Crockpot Cooking Recipes
Modern times are busy times and therefore people have been looking with good reason, towards finding ways to simplify tasks, including making mealtimes easier to deal with and enjoyable for all in the family. For this reason, more time and energy-efficiency is called for so that the quality of life is enhanced by spending these valuable resources into pleasurable activities instead of focusing only on chores.
This is also the reason why many people have been looking for a way-out of the tediousness of home cooking and are comforted by the thought of frozen foodstuffs, readily available to save the busy home-maker time, energy and money as well besides loads of variety in menu-planning - in a jiffy!
Just the thought of keeping a stock of frozen items, checking to see which ones are still fit to be used, planning 3 square meals and more such efforts can be boring for some people, so crock-pot cooking recipes are being given preference over more traditional and time-consuming methods of preparing meals. We bring you some inside scoop on this popular method of fast-cooking that is wholesome too:
Apart from being easy to put-together, crock-pot cooking recipes only call for getting all the main ingredients ready, following easy directions and setting a timer to cook for a certain period - leaving you free to attend to other things. At times, people even use this method to set a timer to cook the meal, which is often ready by the time they arrive home - to a fresh, flavorful aroma of a home-cooked meal, no less! These simple can be applied to many different dishes, such as a meat dish, a soup, stew or even a sweet dish. Not only is cooking simplified with the crock-pot, but even cleaning up is convenient.
In fact, many a time, there is no specific time of the day that calls for a crock-pot cooking recipe - it's determined by your mood. The internet is a great resource for searching an array of them with a wonderful plethora of fast to cook, good to eat crock-pot ideas that are ideal for regular meal preparations.
Not only are the meals made by this method healthful and light, but the immense variety in crock-pot recipes makes them an easy bet for everyday meal planning and entertaining sudden guests, who are sure to want to learn your secrets for whipping up a quick-time wholesome meal, without getting frazzled! Some people prefer to keep their crock-pot recipes a secret while others don't mind sharing them with friends; whatever your choice, you can be sure this is a healthy alternative to spending time slaving over a stove, preparing meals the traditional way
Those willing to share their recipe ideas are more likely to find their fund of recipes getting filled up with ideas from friends and family, adding to the joys of healthy cooking and entertaining.
Basics Of Cooking Through Cooking Courses
Though my husband tells me that he loves my cooking, even I have to snicker when he says it. I’m not a bad cook; I just don’t know how to cook a lot of things. Most of the meals I know how to make are simple, though they are very good. I think he gets tried of the same things, and I am thinking about taking a few short cooking courses to see if I can learn some new things about cooking so perhaps I can make something a little different on occasion.
Cooking courses can offer the basics of cooking, or they can offer you new meal ideas. It all depends on what you need to learn and what is available where you live. If you have all the basics of cooking down, you may not even need to take any cooking courses, you might just want to watch the Food Network. They have great shows on there that give you recipes and meal ideas for all sorts of budgets and tastes. My husband watches it all the time. Perhaps he is trying to tell me something.
As much as I like the Food Network, I think I might go for the cooking courses anyway. I might be something fun to do a few nights a week for a month or two, and it might be a good way to meet new people. I haven’t lived in my town for long and I don’t really know anyone. It might be a good time to make some new friends and learn some new meal ideas as a bonus. I know the local community college offers all kinds of cooking courses and that is where I will probably go.
If you want to find cooking courses in your community, you should also look to your local community college. They may or may not have classes for you. If they don’t, you may find that someone else does. You might even look in your local paper for cooking courses. If that doesn’t work for you, ask someone you know to help you out. We all have that one friend that is a whiz in the kitchen, and they are usually quite happy to show you what they know. If that doesn’t work out, you may have to bite the bullet and ask your mom. She may tease you, but she will be happy to help you out if you just a
Cooking courses can offer the basics of cooking, or they can offer you new meal ideas. It all depends on what you need to learn and what is available where you live. If you have all the basics of cooking down, you may not even need to take any cooking courses, you might just want to watch the Food Network. They have great shows on there that give you recipes and meal ideas for all sorts of budgets and tastes. My husband watches it all the time. Perhaps he is trying to tell me something.
As much as I like the Food Network, I think I might go for the cooking courses anyway. I might be something fun to do a few nights a week for a month or two, and it might be a good way to meet new people. I haven’t lived in my town for long and I don’t really know anyone. It might be a good time to make some new friends and learn some new meal ideas as a bonus. I know the local community college offers all kinds of cooking courses and that is where I will probably go.
If you want to find cooking courses in your community, you should also look to your local community college. They may or may not have classes for you. If they don’t, you may find that someone else does. You might even look in your local paper for cooking courses. If that doesn’t work for you, ask someone you know to help you out. We all have that one friend that is a whiz in the kitchen, and they are usually quite happy to show you what they know. If that doesn’t work out, you may have to bite the bullet and ask your mom. She may tease you, but she will be happy to help you out if you just a
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