So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Saturday, July 7, 2012

How To Cook Like A Pro: Tips And Tricks

By Dorsey T. Emanus


For many people, cooking serves many purposes. It allows people to test their creativity by constructing new culinary masterpieces, improve their skills as they become better chefs, or simply to eat their favorite dish. Whatever the reason is for you cooking, the tips found in the following article will help you with cooking.

Keep your meal, flour, and other grain products in the refrigerator or freeze them for a few days before you put them in long term storage. Believe it or not, these products have a certain amount of bug eggs in them. Freezing them or holding them in cold temperatures for a few days kills the eggs and you save money by not having to throw out bags and boxes of ruined food when they hatch.

When adding flour or cornstarch to drippings for making gravy, whisk the ingredient into a bit of water to create a slurry and pour this liquid into the pan, instead of just dumping in the dry ingredients. This will prevent unappealing lumps in your gravy, and it makes it easier to add just a bit of thickener at a time.

When cutting corn kernels on the cob, try this tip: Use the side of the knife that is not sharp to scrape the cob. This will extract the excess sweet juices from the cob, which can be applied to your corn dish and add a hidden burst of flavor to it, creating a new taste to the dish.

Kneading is a tiring task, but the constantly moving board makes it even more difficult. Have you tried a few unsuccessful tricks to secure the board? Try the simplest of all which always deliver the best results. Place a damp towel under the board you are using to knead the dough. It will keep the board in place.

Learn the difference between boiling and simmering, and pay close attention to which one a recipe calls for. A rolling boil means loads of bubbles constantly breaking at the surface of the liquid, while a simmer means that sparse bubbles meander slowly to the top. Boiling something that should be simmered can result in painful splashes, overly reduced sauces, and tough meats.

When cooking with raw meat or eggs, it is very important that you keep your hands and cooking station very sanitary. This is because the raw form of these materials can spread illnesses, such as salmonella, to you. If you do contract an illness, you will be very sick and won't be cooking for a while!

Use a few tablespoons of sugar in the boiling water when cooking orange and yellow vegetables. Foods like squash and corn have a natural sweetness to them that is brought out when cooked in sugared water. This is a great way to get some healthy veggies into a kids diet as well as yours.

To sear a rib-eye, T-bone, strip or other steak to perfection even when you can't fire up the outdoor grill, flip a cast-iron skillet over and broil the steak in your oven. Heat the skillet in a hot oven prior to placing the steak on its surface, and cook to your preferred level of being done.

Every good cook recognizes the importance of keeping a well stocked pantry. You should have quantities of flour, salt, oil, sugar, and spices on hand at all times. Good cooking depends on it. There is nothing more frustrating than to get down to that final step and find you are missing a necessary spice.

Cooking is an activity that is what you make of it. You can either let it be a chore or enjoy it as the creative process it is. Cooking can be very satisfying. The creation of an edible piece of artwork that started as such a different ingredient can be an almost miraculous event and is as rewarding for the cook as it is for the person who eats the final product.




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How To Choose A Great Restaurant For A First Date

By Elinor Tran


When selecting a place for a first date a San Marcos restaurant needs to make an impression. The ambiance, food and service should all be excellent. A first date isn't the time to go to a new place that hasn't been recommended.

Music is what creates the mood in a room. Dates usually need to feel relaxed and a little romantic, but they need some toned down romance rather than something overt. The latter could feel uncomfortable.

Music needs to be at the right volume. Too loud and the couple will need to shout, which won't do much for the level of communication. Places that are too silent are also not ideal because they can make silences too uncomfortable. Lounge and jazz venues are perfect for first dates.

Niche cuisine is often an excellent choice for a first date because it adds a little bit of extra sparkle. This area has Thai, Indian, Mexican and Italian cuisine options. There are many steak houses here, and these might be a little too understated to create a big impression unless the chef has a few Michelin stars behind his name.

Cafes and wine bars are sometimes good options for first dates when the couple doesn't know one another very well. If they met online or are going on a blind date, these kinds of environments make it possible to make a quick escape if need be. They also ensure that the date is kept light. One can always move on to another place later if the date is successful.

An outdoor dining area does much to enhance the atmosphere when the place has decorated it well. Fires, candles and fairy lights add a light tinge of romance. The outdoors also tends to relax people, and stress relief is what couples on first dates need. When choosing the perfect san marcos restaurant the options are plentiful.




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