The Best Recipes To Cook With Pasta

If you're looking for some great recipes which are quick and easy to make to expand your home based cookery skills then you can't go far wrong with pasta recipes. There are a great variety of dish recipes including low calorie and low in fat recipes to make at home.

A great recipe with pasta to get started with is tagliarini (This is egg noodles cut in to long slender pieces) with courgettes, prawns, mint and chilli. Tagliarini is slightly narrower than tagliatelli and a great pasta.
Heat some olive oil in a large frying pan and add some prawns frying until they have browned. Next mix in some celery, onion, garlic and mint and continue frying until the prawns have gone a slightly darker brown colour. Cook for a further three minutes after adding some cherry tomatoes.

•    Mix in a dash of lemon juice and add some chopped courgettes cooking for another five   minutes.
•    Pour over half a cup of white wine and bring to the boil heating for a further 2 or 3 minutes.
•    Cook your tagliarini according to the instructions on the packet. It should be 'al dente' (firm but not hard) and this takes around 2 minutes in boiling water depending whether you use fresh pasta dried pasta.
•    Add the pasta to your prawn mixture and then mix in some vegetable stock and butter followed by a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
•    Blend well together over a gentle heat until ready to eat and well mixed.
•    Season with salt and pepper (freshly ground is best) and serve!

Recipes with pasta are also great for the fridge and you can easily re heat pasta the next day. Pasta dishes can be speeded up if you are in a rush by using salted water to boil your pasta with and steaming your vegetables over the boiling pasta pan - if you have a steamer!

Source: Ezine Articles

Great Ideas For A Weekend Brunch

 
Nothing is more relaxing or enjoyable than a delicious weekend brunch. Whether you are eating out or at home, having brunch is a wonderful way to celebrate the weekend, appreciate great food and enjoy the company of friends.

The word brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch, and is eaten mid morning, usually between 10 and 11 am. It has become fashionable during the last few years among those who work during the week and like to sleep late on Saturday or Sunday. For some families and couples, it is a regular weekly event while others often arrange to meet friends at this time. It is not uncommon for some people to spend 2 or 3 hours over brunch, and it provides a great opportunity to socialise and catch up after a busy week. There are many cafes and restaurants which cater for this market, although some people prefer to have it at home.

Brunches tend to be quite substantial as the meal usually replaces both breakfast and lunch. Calorie content is not generally a high priority, but there are lighter choices for those who are watching their weight.

Typical breakfast dishes are very popular, including cereals, porridge and muesli. A full English breakfast, complete with eggs, toast, bacon, sausages, hash browns and tomatoes is also a common favourite. Egg lovers are well catered for with dishes such as the deliciously calorie laden eggs benedict. Omelets, poached or scrambled eggs are healthier and equally appetising alternatives.

Those with a sweet tooth are also well catered for. Pancakes or crepes with toppings such as maple syrup, blueberries or lemon juice with sugar are a traditional favourite. Other sweet items include waffles and pastries such as croissants or brioches.

Bagels have also become very fashionable lately. There are numerous varieties including those topped with poppy, sesame or pumpkin seeds or made with cinnamon and raisins. They are usually served with cream cheese and other fillings such as honey, jam or smoked salmon.

Of course, no good brunch is complete without the appropriate beverage. Juice, hot chocolate, tea and herbal tea are all popular options, but for most people, the drink of choice is coffee. The coffee should be freshly brewed, very strong and have a distinctive aroma which stimulates the appetite. Special occasions can also be celebrated by drinking champagne or sparkling wine.

After the meal has finished, it is common to spend the rest of the day relaxing or doing some light activity to work off the food. If the weather is good, a leisurely walk is a popular choice. Many people find this time essential for recharging their batteries before the working week resumes.

Source: Ezine Articles

Top Tips For Making Perfect Salads Every Time

Salads are simple to make but knowing a few clever tips can ensure that your homemade recipes are amazing, both in terms of appearance and flavor. If you want to make a tossed salad a day before serving it because you are going to have a lot of other recipes to prepare, how do you keep it fresh?

To do this, combine the greens and then divide it between big bowls. Completely cover the greens with water and refrigerate. Drain the water off the next day and serve. It will be fresh and crisp. Use vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, radishes, cauliflower, bell peppers, broccoli, red cabbage, carrots, and green onions. Do not add tomatoes until you are just about to serve the dish.

How to Keep it Chilled

If you want to keep your recipe fresh and cold, fill a sealable plastic container with water and freeze it. Then put this frozen container in a bowl and put your salad on top. It will keep the dish cold and fresh. You can also put the bowl with the salad into a larger bowl containing crushed ice. Serve it on chilled plates.

If you want to make your recipe appear bigger, put an inverted plate or bowl into the serving bowl and pile the salad on top. Nobody will see the inverted dish and the bowl will look full. This is a good trick if you are catering for a buffet or party and appearance is important.

Wash greens before storing them to keep them fresh. Just take out the core and hold the head core side-up under running water, then drain it on paper towels, wrap loosely in a plastic bag and refrigerate. Do not cut leaves with a metal knife or they will go brown. Use a plastic knife or just tear them with your fingers.

Combining the Ingredients

Toss the ingredients together rather than stirring the salad, so you do not bruise or break anything. It is a good idea to make everything bite-sized so people can use a fork to eat the salad. Be careful not to use too much dressing because this detracts from the flavor of the produce. Using too much dressing also adds a lot of fat and calories and makes the salad soggy.

Vegetables should be al dente if you cook them. Overcooked vegetables can be mushy and this is not a good texture for your dish. If you are adding pasta, cook that al dente too. This allows the pasta to absorb some of the dressing and not go mushy. Dip sliced pears, bananas and apples in lemon or lime juice to stop them turning brown.

Dressings to Die For

You can process half an avocado with a cup of vinaigrette in a food processor for a quick and delicious dressing or make vinaigrette by combining one part of lemon juice or vinegar with three parts olive oil. If you are using yogurt instead of sour cream in a dressing, do not use so much vinegar because the yogurt has its own natural acidity.

You can use orange, mango or pineapple juice as a dressing. Just add some honey and nutmeg, as well as some oil, and serve over mixed greens or seafood.


Source: Ezine Articles

Cake Decorating Guide - How To Make The Perfect Birthday Cake

Want to create the best looking birthday cake for your child's next birthday party? There are a number of steps that you can follow to make sure that you create the perfect cake each and every time. Here is a simple cake decorating guide that you can use to create the best looking cake possible for your kid's upcoming party.

1. Baking the cake. This is probably the easiest step of them all because all you have to do is follow the baking instructions that are provided with the cake mix that you purchased. Sometimes cakes can end up being a little dry. If you want to avoid this, consider adding a tiny bit more of some of the wet ingredients that are used in preparing the cake. One great way that you can increase the moistness of your cake is by adding another egg to the recipe. When the cake has finished cooking, allow it to cool overnight. Consider placing the cake in the refrigerator in order to achieve maximum cooling results.

2. Ice the cake. Before you attempt to do any decorating, make sure you ice the cake completely and smooth out any lumps and bumps that might exist. This initial icing layer should be allowed to cool before you continue with the drawing process. Again, place the cake in the refrigerator in order to let the frosting set up firmly.

3. Prepare your drawing tools. Having a well organized work space with your drawing tools ready and waiting will help make the cake drawing process go much more smoothly. Place all of your drawing accessories and tools in one place, place the cake decorating bags in another, and place the excess colored icing in another. Consider placing your cake decorating bags in tall glass jars, tip end down, to keep them organized and prevent icing messes.

4. Create the easiest decorations first. Draw borders and other large items first since these will be the easiest items to draw. Large bottom borders, top borders, and other large items can be drawn on in order to provide a starting point for other more detailed decorations and drawings.

5. Practice on other surfaces. Before you draw directly on the cake, consider drawing on another surface in order to get the drawing or decoration just right. When you are confident that you have it down, then go ahead and draw on the cake. You can use a cookie sheet or another flat surface as a practice area for your drawings. After each practice attempt, simply scoop up the icing with a spatula and place it back into the cake decorating bag.

6. Use accessories. There are plenty of common kitchen utensils and tools that can be used to make great looking designs. You can use forks, spoons, knives, spatulas, measuring cups, and many other common kitchen items to make creative and original designs for your birthday cake masterpiece. You can also use other items such as candy, nuts, decorating sprinkles, and many other items to create a perfectly decorated cake for your child's birthday party.

Source: Ezine Articles

Fruit Pizza Recipe Ideas: Fresh Fruit Pizza With Orange Sauce Recipe

Do you enjoy the many fruit pizza recipe ideas you can find today? Dessert pizza is delicious and making them can be a lot of fun for you, your family and your friends. For instance, you might like learning how to make this easy fresh fruit pizza with orange sauce.

Recipe for Fresh Fruit Pizza with Orange Sauce

What You Need

•    1 package sugar cookie dough
•    1 package softened cream cheese 8 ounce
•    1 large container whipped topping
•    1 pint fresh strawberries
•    2 sliced kiwis
•    3 large sliced bananas
•    1 can sliced drained peaches 16 ounce
•    1 can drained pineapple chunks 8 ounce
•    ¼ teaspoon salt
•    1 Tablespoon cornstarch
•    ½ cup sugar
•    ½ cup orange juice
•    2 Tablespoons lemon juice
•    ¼ cup water

How to Make It
About 20 minutes before preparation time you will need to lay the sugar cookie dough and the cream cheese out onto the counter to soften to room temperature.

Prepare a pizza pan or baking sheet by lightly coating it with cooking spray and then set aside until needed.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Press the cookie dough onto the prepared pizza pan or baking sheet while forming a rim around the edges by gently pinching up the sides as you work around the pizza crust on the pan.

Place in the preheated oven to bake for about 10 minutes or until the crust is a light golden brown in color. Remove from oven and allow the crust to completely cool to the touch.

Using a medium size mixing bowl and an electric mixer you will add the cream cheese and then blend until it is smooth and fluffy. Add the whipped topping and blend well together. Spread this mixture evenly over the completely cooled pizza crust.

Slice all but one of the strawberries in halve. You will use this one whole strawberry at the center of the pizza and then begin arranging the other fruits on the crust in a decorative pattern.

Add the whole strawberry and then begin arranging the kiwis and sliced bananas around it and working outward. Arrange the sliced peaches and the pineapple chunks. Add the remaining strawberries halves last, while arranging them with the pointed ends facing the inside of the dessert pizza. Place in the refrigerator to chill.

To make the orange sauce, you will add the salt, cornstarch and sugar to a small saucepan over a medium heat. Gradually stir in the orange juice and the lemon juice. Mix well and then add the water. Keep stirring while boiling until the mixture becomes thickened. Continue boiling and stirring for about 1 more minute and then remove from heat.

Allow the orange sauce to completely become cool and then spoon the orange sauce over the pizza toppings. Place the fresh fruit pizza in the refrigerator to chill overnight or for at least 3 to 4 hours before cutting and serving.

Source: Ezine Articles

How To Choose Your Wedding Food

Aside from the ceremony itself, wedding food is one of the most talked about parts of your day. People expect to be treated to a fine spread of food and drink - be it a buffet, silver service, BBQ or spit roast - and they'll certainly remember if it's not up to standard. This short little guide will help make the all-important decision on what to and what not to go for on your wedding day. 

First of all, you have to decide what type of food you are going to offer. BBQs are great for sunny days, but not so much on wet wintry afternoons. Silver service meals ooze quality and grandeur and are a perfect way of celebrating your day. Make this decision first, before moving on to the next step.

Next, you need to decide who is going to do your catering. Do you try and save a few pounds by getting a family member to look after things, or do you outsource the job to a professional catering company? If you choose the latter option, do your research and go for a company that has a good reputation. Have friends got married lately? Was their food any good? If so, get a quote.

While you are getting quotes, request a sample or a tasting session. If the company are serious about what they do - and indeed confident of their service - this should be automatically prepared for you. And whatever you do, make sure you take your partner with you; it's their day too.

We all know a fussy eater that's not going to like what you've arranged, so consider giving multiple options. Ask your caterer to provide a good variety of meat, chicken, fish and vegetarian dishes so that everyone is catered for.

Avoid wastage by serving food hot. This rule applies mostly to buffets as nobody likes to eat cold food. Who knows how long it's been out for? What's more, if you've had guests hanging around for a few hours, they are more than likely going to be wanting a hot meal to keep them going into the evening.

At the end of the day, if you are looking for a really special event, cutting corners is ill-advised. You will pay for quality, and if there's one day in your life when you can afford to splash out, it surely has to be your wedding day.
   
Source: Article Snatch

Food As Gifts

At any occasion, one can always get away with giving food as a gift. The only big obstacle about this gift is making the difficult choice about which food to give.

What you need to keep in mind is that there are a lot of foods that will make good gifts. So, you just need to decide according to a few considerations as enumerated below.

The first consideration that you will have is your budget. If you can afford to give gifts that are considered exotic or unique, it can be a good idea to do so. But, it doesn't really have to be expensive just to be special. You may consider giving a favorite food. This will even be more special if you can cook it yourself and add a personal touch.

The types of foods will be taken account as they will depend on the food preferences of the person who will receive the gift. You can give a main dish made from a specific type of product. For those who have sweet tooth, desserts and other sweet items can be good ideas.

The occasion can also be a consideration. During the Christmas holidays, the most common gifts will be those that are related to the season. But, frankly speaking, they can be too dated. Refrain from giving fruit cakes as they can be the most common food given during these times. For a change, you can consider giving healthy foods as what we mostly practice, Christmas is the time for guilt foods. During Valentines, as another example, sweets will be the most common. You may do away with these but the food that you will give may be unrelated to the season. So, to still get away with giving sweet food products, give them your own personal touch.

If the person has a health issue, you may want to take note of that. Your gift may only be put to waste if the one you are giving it to will not be able to eat, or even just taste it. If you are not sure about what healthy option to give, you may do a little research on what will be considered safe foods. If you can't, try a generally healthy alternative. These will usually include fruits and vegetables. Meat products may also be considered. Keep it near hypoallergenic foods as well.

For those who are still tied up with the food they will give, you can try and give a basket of different sorts of foods. This way, you are sure that you will be able to give at least one item that can be useful to the recipient of your gift.

Of course, aside from purely food gifts, you can consider giving utensils and kitchenware. This is especially for moms or simply for those individuals who love to cook. Appliances will also be well appreciated.

To make sure that your gift is extra special, wrap them up in something great as well. Include a nice looking ribbon to finalize the package.

Source: Ezine Article