10 Easy ways to Eat Smart When Dining Out

Eat at your favorite restaurants without losing your health goal.

Suddenly it seems that chain restaurants like Applebee's, T.G.I. Friday's, Olive Garden, and Bennigan's are almost as ubiquitous as the Golden Arches. No surprise. There are nearly 200,000 "table side" restaurants in the United States today, a number that continues to grow.

The good news is that's changing. Nearly all the chains have added healthier options to their menus -- if you know how to look for them. But whether you're dining out at a major national chain or a locally owned family restaurant, following a few of these tips can guarantee you a pleasant dinner (or lunch) out without busting your health goals.

1. Above all else, be assertive. Dining out is no time to be a meek consumer, notes Michael F. Jacobson, Ph.D., executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and coauthor of the book Restaurant Confidential. "You need to be an assertive consumer by asking for changes on the menu," he says. For instance, if an item is fried, ask for it grilled. If it comes with french fries, ask for a side of veggies instead. Ask for a smaller portion of the meat and a larger portion of the salad; for salad instead of coleslaw; baked potato instead of fried. "Just assume you can have the food prepared the way you want it," says Dr. Jacobson. "Very often, the restaurant will cooperate." Below, you'll find more specific requests.

2. Ask your waiter to "triple the vegetables, please." Often a side of vegetables in a restaurant is really like garnish -- a carrot and a forkful of squash. When ordering, ask for three or four times the normal serving of veggies, and offer to pay extra. "I've never been charged," says dietitian Jeff Novick, R.D., director of nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Aventura, Florida. "And I've never been disappointed. I get full, not fat."

3. Ask how the food was prepared; don't go by the menu. For instance, cholesterol-free does not mean fat-free; the dish could still be filled with calorie-dense oil. Neither does "lite" necessarily mean light in calories or fat.

4. Order from the "healthy, light, low fat" entrées on the menu. Most chains will even list the calories and nutritional content of such foods. Applebee's, for instance, offers approved Weight Watchers options, Bennigan's has its Health Club entrées (which it will serve in half portions), and Ruby Tuesday lists the nutritional information for its entire menu.

5. Beware of the low-carb options. Restaurant chains have jumped on the low-carb bandwagon, offering numerous low-carb options on their menu. But low-carb doesn't mean low-cal.

6. Order a salad before ordering anything else on the menu. Scientists at Pennsylvania State University found that volunteers who ate a big veggie salad before the main course ate fewer calories overall than those who didn't have a first-course salad, notes Novick.

7. Check the menu before you leave home. Most chains post their menus on their Web sites. For instance, Ruby Tuesday's Smart Eating menu tells you the restaurant only uses canola oil and even provides nutritional information on its salad bar. You can decide before you ever hit the hostess stand what you're going to order. Conversely, if you don't see anything that's healthy, pick another restaurant.

8. Skip the fancy drinks. If you must order an alcoholic drink, forget the margaritas, piña coladas, and other exotic mixed drinks. They include sugary additions that only add calories. Opt instead for a glass of wine, a light beer, a vodka and tonic or a simple martini (without the chocolate liquor, sour green apple schnapps, or triple sec).

9. Order fish. Just make sure it's not fried. When the CSPI evaluated food served at seafood chains and independent restaurants, researchers found low-fat and low-sodium options abounded. Plus, you can order seafood so many different ways -- steamed, baked, broiled, sautéed, blackened, or grilled. Nix any sauces, or ask for them on the side.

10. Skip the dessert. You can always have some sorbet or even a small piece of chocolate at home. That is much better health wise than the Triple Chocolate Meltdown or a mountain of ice cream topped by a second mountain of whipped cream.

Source: Yahoo Shine

Great Ways to Be a Great Restaurant Customer

Going out to a restaurant is like a dance; when everything’s in rhythm, there’s a gracefulness to it: Servers make you feel good, the kitchen makes its best food, and dinner gets to you right on time. But in this dance, customers aren’t the audience; they’re the partners. Here are a few steps, both for when you’re leading and when you’re following.

1. Make Miss Manners proud

I hate to start this thing off sounding like a scold, but c’mon people, look your server/busser/bartender in the eye, and say, “Please” and “Thank you.” Please. Even I know to do this, and I was raised in a barn. And while I’m at it, here’s some grooming advice: The only cologne worse than Desperation is Entitlement.

2. Work the phones

Making reservations online is great—you can do it whenever you want, like before your morning coffee, when you know you shouldn’t be allowed to talk to people. But once you’re caffeinated, you should feel free to talk to restaurants: Give them a call ahead of time if you’re coming with a friend who has an allergy or is on a special diet; if you’d like a more private table; if you’re going to be late for your reservation; or anything else that’s going to affect how they deal with you. Most places are happy to make special arrangements if they have some advance notice. That way they’ll be ready for your vegetarian mother with an onion allergy and she won’t wind up eating plain buttered noodles. Just remember that you’ll automatically be a more charming conversationalist if you call outside of the dinner rush.

3. Remember that the menu is your friend

I once saw a woman put down her menu without opening it. Instead, she bullied her waiter into reciting every ingredient in the house so she could decide that she wanted the grilled lobster, only steamed, and served with the sauce that goes with the chicken on the side, next to the roasted potatoes that come with the steak. Only the potatoes had to be boiled. If the cooks weren’t going to mangle her food, I was going to find my way into the kitchen to do it for them.

There are places where this is an acceptable, even preferred method of ordering. But if your poor server starts recoiling like you’re a dog with a foamy mouth, you’re not in the right place for it. Remember that a kitchen, during service, is a specialized assembly line. It takes a team working like a machine to crank out 300 dinners in two hours, and they do that best when they’re putting together dishes they’re used to putting together. Don’t gum up the works. We all want food cooked with love, but you really don’t want food cooked with contempt. (Allergies, of course, are an exception, but in that case it’s best to call ahead—both for the cooks’ sanity and your safety.)

4. Consider the obscure

While we’re talking about using the menu, show a little love to the lonely. Let’s face it: Most of the time the steak is there because the chef feels like it has to be there for the people who won’t eat anything else. It’s not a labor of love; it’s an obligation. But probably the pig’s foot or the eel are not there out of obligation. Probably they are there because someone in the kitchen loves them and really wants to do right by them. You want to get in on that action.

Source: Yahoo Shine

10 ways to save big at restaurants

If you're like me, you love dining out and would sooner sacrifice cable and cell phones before you're willing to throw in the restaurant towel. Thankfully, there are cheap ways to do it, without having to make major sacrifices. Now is the time to learn how to love eating out for less and here are some tips to get you started.

1. Learn to share
Unless you're at a super fancy , where pasta portions are the size of a fist, there's no reason (and no excuse) not to split. The typical American portion size feeds two people. It's time we got a little more portion conscious, anyway.

2. Ditch the bottled water
Many restaurants filter their tap water so bottled water is a wasted expense.

3. Become an early bird
 Restaurants often extend deals to early diners. Call ahead to find out about early-bird or happy hour specials.

4. Belly-up to the bar
Bar menus are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and delicious. 9 times out of 10, they're also cheaper.

5. Doggy-bag it
There is no shame in taking home leftovers and with a little creativity, you can whip up a few new meals out of last nights dinner.

6. Brush up on your comedy act
Chat it up with the staff and extra points if you can make them laugh with you. While you're at it, ask if there's a mailing list with specials and discounts for loyal customers.

7. Make Sunday the new Friday
Many restaurants are jumping on the discounted "Sunday supper" bandwagon. Call ahead and inquire.

8. Make sides the new appetizer
Sides can be just as big and just as good as appetizers. Don't be shy and ask for your side to come first.


9. Do group dinners
Call ahead to find out if there are special menus for big parties. Most restaurant want the business and will work with you to find a comfortable price. So, sharpen those negotiation skills.

10. BYOB
We all know restaurants charge an arm and a leg for drinks. Find out the best BYOB establishments near you and bring your favorite inexpensive bottle of wine.

Source: Yahoo Shine

Wedding Catering Ideas

Wedding reception is one of the most important parts of the day and how you work with your wedding catering service is critical as to how the whole thing comes off. However, if you’re smart in your dealings you can get a fabulous reception and maybe even save some money for the honeymoon.

One thing you need to realize is that the catering company probably wants to supply everything so if you’re thinking about saving money by bringing in your own champagne or cake this might not go over so good. The reason for this is that if everything is not just right it reflects poorly on the catering company and that’s not good for business. You’ll probably find that many catering companies have developed a network of complementary business associates who can provide you with all the things you need to make your reception a success. You may find that they are a one-stop shop for things like bands, floral designers and cake decorators, wedding planners.

Hosting a big event can be overwhelming and a challenging task for even the most organized person. If you are catering it yourself, you have the added stress of figuring out what food to buy and in what quantities as well as coordinating the cooking and preparation of the food. Event Management Company

If you have specific catering requirements like needing Halal or Kosher meals then the venue may not be able to accommodate your wedding or they may allow you to book outside caterers.

Choosing a Caterer
If your reception is going to be in a facility that does not provide food, you will need to hire Wedding caterer. Your wedding caterer will be responsible for preparing, cooking, decorating and serving the food for your royal wedding.

Your Wedding caterer can also be responsible for beverages and for cleaning up after the event. Before signing a contract, make sure you understand all the services your wedding caterer will provide. Draw up a shortlist of potential caterers and arrange an appointment to discuss your specific requirements and compare prices and services. Ask to see specific example menus, price list and testimonials from other brides and grooms and inquire about the type of wedding packages they offer. Ask each caterer the same questions about their service, ingredients and any added extras so you get comparable quotes from each.

Now that you have decided on the type of reception venue you want then it is time to choose between using the in-house catering on offer, hiring an outside catering firm or catering yourselves.

Many venues have in-house caterers that provide all the food and drink services for celebrations held there. These caterers will be familiar with the styles of meal that their chefs specialize in and will also be able to provide tables and chairs, linen, crockery, glasses, waiting staff and some decorations.

Source: Yahoo Shine

How to BBQ Chicken

BBQ chicken that has been cooked perfectly will taste delicious. Although it seems that with its increased popularity and careless manner of BBQ cooking, many people cannot enjoy this.

When the chicken has been barbecued improperly, it looks still pinkish in the center and burnt on the outside. Not only it will affect the taste but it also becomes unhealthy.

Here is a guide to BBQ chicken in a good way it can be enjoyed.

Things Needed: 

- Chicken pieces 

- Gas grill or charcoal grill 

- Brush for the sauce 

- Meat thermometer 

- Marinate 

- Rub or seasonings 

- Side dishes 

- Oven 

- Sauce

Procedure: 

Step 1: 

First, select the type of chicken which has to be barbecued. Legs and thighs are preferred by some while others like skinless and boneless chicken breasts. If barbecuing more than one chicken part is desired, then the cooking times would have to be adjusted. White meat like breasts and wings cook faster than dark meat like legs and thighs.

Step 2: 

Now, pick the grill which is desired to be used. This will rely on how one wants to cook the barbecue. This will also depend on the neighborhood one is living in plus the lifestyle. If a person is a beginner at grilling, then the gas type is recommended. However, this might not be easy to use during the holidays.

Step 3: 

The chicken has to be marinated. This process will allow the flavor to sink in to the chicken making it taste great after it is grilled. A marinate flavor can be selected as preferred. There are variations available from lemon pepper to teriyaki. If the chicken is marinated in the fridge, it has to be made sure that it is not left in there for more than 48 hours. At room temperature, it has to be leaving it for an hour.

Step 4: 

When the chicken has been marinated, it can be now rubbed with the seasonings. This will depend on the type of flavor which is needed to be given to the BBQ chicken.

Step 5: 

The chicken has to be pre-cooked by pre-baking. The ideal temperature for baking it is 360 degrees in the oven until partially cooked. This will seal in flavors and will ensure that the chicken has been cooked before it goes to the grill. Others do boiling. However, boiling takes away the flavor and makes it taste weak.

Step 6: 

Now the grill has to be made ready while the chicken is baking. If a charcoal grill is being used, ignite the coals and they should be left to burn until a white coating of ash appears on the coals. In case of gas grill, it has to be preheated to a medium heat temperature of 360 degrees. The grate also has to be sprayed.

Step 7: 

Put the seasoned chicken on the rack and cover it with the grill lid. It should be given at least half an hour to cook. With time, it has to be checked and turned after every five minutes for ensuring that it is evenly cooked. The pieces can also be rotated to balance the cool and hot spots on the grill.

Step 8: 

The BBQ has to be glazed again with the seasoning nearly 10 minutes before taking chicken off the grill.

Step 9: 

After grilling, the chicken pieces can be checked with a meat thermometer. The bone should be never touched when the thermometer is inserted. The internal temperature of the meat must be 175 degrees.

Step 10: 

Finally, the BBQ chicken is ready. It can be served with delicious side dishes like coleslaw, pasta salad, potato salads, baked beans and biscuits.

Preparing BBQ chicken is not a boring work, it is fun and these easy steps will help to make a perfectly barbecued chicken that everyone will love!

Source: Ezine Articles

Food Ideas for Self Catering Your Party

Keeping in mind that most homes don't have chafing dishes on hand to keep food at proper serving temperatures, or refrigerated salad bars, you should be selective with the food choices. Anything on the menu with mayonnaise or dairy based can go bad when sitting out too long. You will probably need to use crockpots or electric roasters to keep hot foods hot too.

An at home party can be lots of fun. Full meals aren't usually served due to lack of dining space. For this reason, lots of people opt to have assorted appetizer offerings at their parties. This is my personal favorite because you can serve a lot of different type foods and even the pickiest eaters can find something they like.

Below are some simple food ideas for your next party:

• Finger sandwiches - Ham, turkey, salami on mini crescent rolls with cheese and leaf lettuce (no dressing as this will make the bread soggie and the sandwiches go bad faster.

• Condiments - Keep condiments on the side, preferable on ice. Use a dish, place ice in it and display your condiments. This will keep them from getting too warm.

• Veggies and/or Fruit Baskets - Chefs and caterers have been making baskets rather than platters for years. The effect is much nicer and your veggies stay crisp and cool. Alternately, use a large enough basket that you can add your dip bowl to keep it cool too.

• Cheese ball and crackers - line platter with leaf lettuce and have a small 2 tiered basket filled with crackers next to it.

• Pulled Seasoned Roast Beef or Pulled Pork or Beef BBQ with slider rolls - Use a crockpot to keep meat warm and have the rolls sliced and in a nearby basket for guests to make their own sandwiches.

• Pinwheels - Assorted meat, cheese and finely chopped veggies rolled in a tortilla and sliced. Simple to make and pretty in presentation. Put a layer of ice on your serving dish and cover with linen napkins. This will increase the serving time at the proper temperature.

• Bread Bowl with spinach dip and tortilla chips

• Assorted Cheese Chunks and Grapes - These can be attractively displayed in a basket together, or on the base of a cake pedestal for some height. Lining it with red leaf lettuce or kale adds to the presentation.

• Fondue or Chocolate sauce in Fondue Pot - Load up your fondue pot with your favorite recipe fondue or with melted, semi-sweet chocolate chips and a touch of oil. Place a platter or basket next to it loaded with dipping goodies like chunked breads, pound cake, grapes, bananas, apples, marshmallows, pretzels and the like.

• Assorted Finger Desserts - mini brownie bites, mini muffins, mini cookies, mini pastry cups filled with assorted mousse, assorted homemade cookie bars,  gelatin jigglers for the kids, - all of these can be displayed on tiered racks.

 These are some simple ideas that can be made very attractive by non-professional caterers. And, instead of worrying about your cold foods getting hot or your hot foods getting cold, enjoy your party!

Choosing a Name for Your Food and Catering Business

Name Your Food & Catering Business

Do you serve up bland, boring buffets and mediocre meals? No, of course not. But if your name is bland, boring or mediocre, potential customers may well draw the conclusion that your food is too. The words Fresh, Tasty, Gourmet, Supreme, Bon Appetit and Upper Crust are all overused in business and have become meaningless. They tell people nothing about your business; after all, wouldn't you expect a catering company to offer tasty, fresh food?

A catchy, original name can help your business stand out from the crowd and distinguish you from the hundreds of competitors. A name that indicates what you specialize in will ensure that you don't waste your time dealing with vague enquiries, that may or may not lead on to a sale. No-one who doesn't like Chinese food would think of contacting Oriental Express and someone looking for a caterer for their wedding is not going to phone Working Lunch. Those companies' names are acting as advertisements, attracting the right sort of customer.

So, before you decide on a name you must identify your unique selling point. Perhaps you offer a particular country's cuisine. Your name can indicate this. You don't have to use a real Italian word if you specialize in pasta and pizza; you can tag a suffix like -issimo or -eria to an English word, or a made-up word, to come up with a name such as Delissimo (which will make people think both of 'delicious' and the Italian 'bellissimo') or Feasteria (on the lines of pizzeria). Think about common suffixes or letter combinations in the language of the country concerned. Anything ending in -ski or -sky has to be Russian or Eastern European, -ito is a typical Spanish ending, and -aki suggests something Japanese.

When we hear or see particular words and phrases they conjure up images in our mind. Aunt Jessie's Kitchen suggests that this is a business offering traditional home cooking; a name based on slang, abbreviations or informal language, such as Big Bite, Tuck In or Buffets2Go, suggests that you cater for informal events, not society weddings. Don't expect any calls from Muslims or Jews if you call yourself Piglets Catering (an actual name that is in my local phone directory) or The Flying Hog.

Catchy names are often based on alliteration, assonance or rhyme. Pesto Parties and Kids' Cuisine are alliterative names because both words begin with the same sound (note that it is the sound that is important, not the spelling). The names Top Nosh, and Nice and Spicy have assonance, in other words the same vowel sounds appear throughout. Snappy Snacks combines alliteration and assonance. Posh Nosh, and Menus and Venues are examples of rhyming names.

The letter M is often associated with delicious food, as it's what we say when something is tasty -- mmmmmm! It also features prominently in related words such as yummy, scrummy and nummy. That is why M is a popular letter to begin chocolate brands: Maltesers, Munchies, Milo and Milka. Don't rush into choosing a name. Do your research -- a dictionary and a thesaurus will help you with this. A winning name will attract the right sort of enquiry, can save you money on advertising and will create a positive image.

Resource: Ezine Articles