Posts Tagged ‘home and garden’
Cinco de Mayo Food and Traditions
Lots of people in the United States have heard of Cinco de Mayo. Some even look forward to celebrating it every year. Many, however, do not understand the history behind this Mexican holiday. If you ask the average American why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated, they will tell you it is Mexican Independence Day. They are wrong. That actually falls on September 16.
In the 1950s, the United States’ Good Neighbor Policy encouraged its people to reach out to neighboring lands. This is when Americans were introduced to Cinco de Mayo. In the ’60s, the holiday was pushed further into the public eye by Chicano activists as a way to spark cultural pride amongst Mexican-Americans.
By the time the 1980s rolled around, the holiday had been slowly growing in notoriety. Throughout this decade’s commercialism, Cinco de Mayo had been advertised as an excellent holiday to devote to drinking alcoholic beverages from American companies. It is because of these companies that Cinco do Mayo had become mainstream in American culture, although the true meaning of it, to celebrate Mexico’s victory against the French in 1862, was diluted.
Becoming more of a mainstream holiday has exposed more Americans to the traditions of our Mexican neighbors. Their wonderful music, foods, and traditions have made their way into our lives. A large part of our society anticipates the Cinco de Mayo holiday each year.
Cinco de Mayo has become a wonderful reason to indulge ourselves with margaritas, nachos and all things Latino. You can get all dressed up in bright traditional clothing, grab some sombreros, throw a Mexican flag up on the wall, hang dried chilies around the house and just have fun. The schools teach about this holiday, so have your children share what they have learned and incorporate it all into your celebration.
People all over the country design huge parties for Cinco de Mayo. The Mexican population is not the only ones celebrating. All of our ethic groups have connected together with this fun holiday. Major cities all over the map celebrate Cinco de Mayo. There is Port Huron in Michigan, New York, Los Angeles and many more.
For those who prefer to celebrate closer to home, it is easy to make their own preparations for the celebration. They may cook Cinco de Mayo food, put up decorations, and listen to traditional mariachi music. Private parties are almost as popular now as the public parties held in restaurants, bars, and communities around the country.
Cinco de Mayo is a great reason to explore those Mexican recipes you have been curious about. Make some great food for your family to enjoy and share some Mexican culture. Invite your friends to come over and have them bring some snacks.
If you find that the margaritas are better at the Mexican cantinas or you just love eating out, go for it. Your neighborhood Mexican bistro will have a great celebration planned. Just sit back, enjoy the music, and dance to your heart’s content. There is nothing that says you have to make it a huge celebration, either. You can pick up or cook your own simple meal, drop in a DVD of your favorite Zorro movie and sit back and enjoy.
Learn the truth about Mexican food history and find out more about the wonderful recipes that make MexicanFoodRecipes.org a favorite with the whole family.
Tags: cooking, diet, eating, family, Food, food and drink, home, home and garden, lifestyles, mexican food, mexican recipes, mexico, recipes, Recipies
Party Food 101
You can have a party at any time of the year. To make your party memorable, you need good food. One of the biggest obstacles when party planning is knowing how much food is necessary. There are some rules of thumb to follow so you do not run out of food too early.
Are you wanting to have a formal supper or finger food? This can change the amount of food you need. For a large meal, the general consensus is to plan for a pound and a half of edibles per person. If you want finger food, you can reduce that to around a pound per person. You may need to adjust this if your friends are big eaters or small eaters. You know them best!
When you serve appetizers, guests tend to eat about 5 pieces per hour for the first two hours they are at a party. They tend to consume a bit less, about three per hour for every hour after that. So, for a three-hour party for ten people, you should plan for around 130 individual appetizers. Of course, if you are planning on feeding them a meal, you do not need to provide so many snacks.
If you like fondue, this is a great party appetizer. You should plan on a single guest eating about 20 bread cubes that are 1 inch each in size. This is about half of a French bread loaf. If you are serving other foods for fondue, consider that one person can eat 6 ounces of seafood, 4 to 6 ounces of cheese, 4 cookies, or 6 to 8 ounces of meat, fruit, or veggies. Be sure to prepare generously… it is better to have leftovers than not enough.
You can figure that one gallon of punch will give ten people three 4-ounce servings. If you know your guests will drink more than this, prepare more. If you are planning on serving alcoholic beverages, consider that most guests will drink two per hour for the first couple of hours and then one per hour after that. Stock up accordingly, including mixers, wine, or beer, depending on what you plan to serve.
You will want to stock about 1 pound of ice per person if the drinks will be served “on the rocks.” If you are having a party in the heat of the summer, you will need much more than that per person. Do not forget to have enough napkins to allow for snacking or small plates if you prefer.
So plan on at least a few quick easy appetizers to start things off. Your guests will love having a little nibble when they first get there. Most appetizers can be made a day or two ahead of time. Planning and preparation should begin early for your party to run as smoothly as possible.
If your party is more spur of the moment, you can always keep a few easy appetizer recipes on hand with some basic ingredients. You will be able to whip some up quickly as everyone arrives.
Making effortless Superbowl party recipes means that you can prepare all your munchies well in advance and relax with your guests when the game starts. There are lots of Superbowl recipes to choose from and meat munchies, like chicken wings, ribs and hot dogs, are always incredibly popular. You will find hundreds of quick effortless appetizers at our website to give you some more ideas.
Tags: appetizer recipes, appetizers, cooking, diet, eating, family, Food, food and drink, home, home and garden, lifestyles, party
Le Creuset Tea Kettle; An Ideal Kettle For All Kitchens
Since’91 Le Creuset has been making steel pots and pans that are covered with enamel making them very durable and effective in the kitchen. They offer all products in a variety of sizes, styles and colors. The Le Creuset tea kettle boils water quickly and effectively and has many features regular tea kettles do not have.
Le Creuset products are made of very high quality. There are many models available that come in a multitude of fun colors that will compliment the color of your kitchen. These tea pots will last for years and be as effective in heating water in a few years as they were when they were bought.
Tea Kettles are made in the same manner as other products by Le Creuset. They have a stainless seal base that is covered with brightly colored enamel. This enables their products to last because nothing can rust. Some models come with a nice feature of a locking handle that allows you to pour without any problems and they also come with whistles that alert you to the fact the water is boiling. All models can be used any stove burner and that includes those cook tops with induction heat
The instructions for using the kettle are easy to understand and the same for all models. Never fill with water above the spout line because you can get easily burned from escaping hot water. Be sure to never simmer continuously until the kettle is out of water. This could cause serious damage to the kettle. Because mineral deposits gather it is a good idea to empty the kettle every time you use it. That way there will be no build up to cause it to not be as efficient. If you drop the kettle on a hard tile floor it can be chipped. It is suggested that most kettles are washed by hand with mild dish soap and never use abrasive cleanser or steel wool pads because the porcelain enamel can scratch. Just use a sponge or nylon pad and some elbow grease to get a stain off.
Le Creuset products are available in all different fun colors and they run anywhere from $65 to $100. This may seem like a hefty price but they are not only stylish but they will last for years with the correct care.
One model has a whistle that will let you know when the water is ready. The whistle and knob stays cool even when steam rises from it. The handle is easy to hold to pour and the spout is made so that it will not drip. It comes in a variety of fashionable colors and holds about 2 quarts of water.
The Zen model holds a little less than the model that whistles. It also has the whistle and knob that resists heat and a spout that will not drip. It is also made from the enamel finish in a many great colors. The finish will not is like the other models as it practically indestructible. The way it is made helps to make water boil much faster. This tea kettle can be washed in the dishwasher and has a lid wide enough to get a hand in to wash. The handle has 2 different positions to make pouring easier for you.
Always make sure to wash a kettle before its first use. If the proper care is maintained on a Le Creuset tea kettle it should provide you with many years of use. It will always look shiny and colorful sitting on your stove as well.
People will want to see these kettles. Look at a Le Creuset tea kettle today! Find out what makes the entire line of Le Creuset tea kettles special.
Tags: cooking, food and drink, home and garden, home appliances, kitchen, tea, tea kettles, teakettles, teapot, teapots
Selecting An Electric Griddle That Lasts
For a few cooking hotcakes or grilling cheeseburgers is surely an art. However, it is not always an easy task. There are several factors that might play a roll in making an ideal juicy burger or browning a hotcake perfectly.
The cooking surface of the pan is important when cooking your food perfectly. This is why a griddle is the best appliance. Griddles cook your food consistently and thoroughly. You will discover many kinds of griddles. You can get stainless steel as well as non stick surfaces. Additionally they come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
Buying a griddle may not seem to be a massive job for you personally. But, there can be a few things to lookout for. If you are on a budget then you will need to pay attention to the price of the griddle. Of course, it is a good thing when when you can find both quality and affordability.
To begin with, determine if you prefer a simple griddle to use on your stove top or a griddle to use on the counter top. You can easily get a circular griddle, which is comparable to a saute fry pan; nevertheless it is level with little to no sides and has much more space. This can be good if you really do not prepare big quantities. Whenever you exclusively make pancakes for you or for your family and friends, a rounded griddle is ideal. It doesn’t use up space and is a lot easier to clean plus you still have an awesome cooking flat surface.
If you have a large family that you cook for or cook for a lot of people often, a bigger electric griddle works much better. You can find a full-size griddle that you can use on top of your stove as this is a flat work surface. This can be beneficial when you have some restricted counter space. You should be able to put it on top of the counter to get more space to cook plus you are able to put a lot of food onto it simultaneously.
No matter which type of griddle you select you will discover that creating great food is more fun and more fulfilling!
Before you buy a pancake griddle check out what we have found. Learn more about pancake griddles.
Tags: barbeque, cooking, Food, garden, griddles, grilling, grills, home, home and garden, kitchen applicances, pots and pans, skillets
Cuts of Steak and How to Cook Them
Many of us have trouble determining which steak is the right one for you, especially if we mostly see steak on our plate in a restaurant. This can make it seem pretty intimidating for those of us who would like to start cooking our own steaks at home. Let us take a look at some of the steaks we can buy, and the best way to prepare them.
Rib Eye – This is one of the best all around cuts, since its high level of fat makes it hard to do badly, with the steak ending up juicy, tender, and flavorful in most cases. It is a good choice for novices, since its great pan fried, grilled, and broiled.
New York Strip – A tender, versatile cut of meat, New York Strip is also pretty flavorful, and is prepared best by grilling or pan-frying. Skip broiling this one, and trim fat only after you have cooked the steak to retain the most flavor.
Tenderloin – A steak from the parts of the animal that are less likely to be used, this is one of the most expensive cuts around. This tender cut is relatively lean. Because of this, some people sear it in butter or wrap it in bacon. This pricey meat is usually reserved for only special occasions.
T-Bone – We have all heard of the t-bone, a combination tenderloin and New York Strip. Porterhouse steaks are a kind of large, tender t-bone steak that is cut further up the loin. They can be pretty tricky to cook, since the bone makes it hard to cook evenly throughout. This is not a steak for those who prefer their meat well done, and it does not sear or pan fry well. Try broiling or grilling a t-bone for best results.
Flank Steak – This long thin cup of meat is traditionally used for making London Broil. Many people like it during grilling season, as it is a good choice for large groups. This steak is more flavorful but tougher than the above steaks, and should be marinated, grilled or broiled whole, and sliced across the grain on the diagonal.
Skirt Steak – This cut is a lot like flank steak in flavor and toughness, and is an old cowboy favorite that has a number of different cooking options. This is a great choice, whether you are cooking steak indoors or outside. Use it in fajitas, or stuff and braise it.
Top Sirloin – A popular budget steak, top sirloin is more tender than flank steak but tougher than tenderloin. This lean cut ought to be pounded and marinated, and is great in kebabs. However, it can be cooked in an assortment of other ways.
Knowing how to season steak properly will help your steak turn out as delicious as possible. Seasonings can do a lot for your steak: they add flavor, and some actually help to tenderize your meat as well. To find out more about seasoning, visit EasySteakMarinades.net and read all the great advice they have posted.
Tags: cooking, diet, eating, family, Food, food and drink, Health, home, home and garden, lifestyles, recipe, recipes, Recipies, steak, steak marinades
Adding Pumpkin to Your Diet
Did you know that pumpkins are really nutritious? You may be surprised to learn that these orange harbingers of fall are plumb full of beta-carotene, just like other red, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables. Pumpkins are also a great source of calcium, vitamin C, and fiber. The seeds and the oil made from them are good sources of zinc and the unsaturated fatty acids that we need to maintain our health.
Calorie for calorie, pumpkins pack in a lot of nutrition. The fiber in this seasonal food will also temper your appetite so you do not overeat. Fiber is also good for the health of your bowels. Potassium, another important nutrient, is abundant in pumpkins.
Pumpkin is high in iron, which is important because it helps your red blood cells carry oxygen. The zinc you get from pumpkins helps protect you from osteoporosis of the hip and spine. Zinc is also good for the reproductive system and maintaining fertility.
Compounds known as lutein and zeaxanthin are found in pumpkins. They help rid the lenses in your eyes of damaging free radicals. They can help you avoid disorders like macular degeneration and cataracts. This simple garden vegetable helps your vision, your bones, your reproductive system and helps maintain your weight at a healthy level. It also protects your skin. Can you believe something so good for you taste so good? You can even eat it as a dessert!
When you add more of this healthy food to your diet, it does not matter if you use a canned pumpkin soup recipe or use fresh pumpkin. Both are healthy and full of nutrients your body needs to remain healthy. Pumpkin soup can be prepared so it is low in calories or you can make it rich in cream and other luxurious ingredients. It is a simple food that is elegant and rustic all at the same time.
Adding pumpkin to your meals provides you with all these great nutrients in one easy package. This overlooked source of nutrition is highly under appreciated. Do not use pumpkins just to decorate for Halloween or to make dessert during the holidays. Place the pumpkin out for everyone to see as a delicious food source.
One of pumpkin’s best attributes is its versatility. It lends itself to both sweet and savory dishes with ease. You can add pumpkin to your meals several times per month using various dishes and you will never get tired of it. This vegetable deserves a higher placing at our table than to be used as a bowl. Try some pumpkin soup, pumpkin pancakes, or pumpkin bread.
Once you have added more pumpkin to your diet, you will wonder what you did without this delicious vegetable. You will notice that you begin to feel and look better because you are providing your body with important nutrients that it needs. Pumpkin provides you with stronger bones, helps maintain your figure and keeps your insides working properly. Not bad for a holiday decoration.
Choosing recipes for creamy pumpkin soups can be a daunting task. There are just so many! Go with your gut feelings. Do you think your family will prefer a sweet soup that is more like pumpkin pie? Or do they prefer savory or spicy flavors? These will help narrow your choices.
Tags: cooking, diet, eating, family, Food, food and drink, Health, home, home and garden, lifestyles, pumpkin, pumpkin soup, recipe, recipes, Recipies
What Makes Mexican Food Different?
Everyone knows that Mexican food is different and that Mexican food recipes are definitely not the same as American recipes. Unlike Canada, which has a culinary tradition which is quite similar to our own, America’s neighbor to the south has a radically different way of cooking, with many recipes and ingredients which are unfamiliar to the American palate – but what is it that has caused such a divergence in the cuisines of the two neighboring nations?
Historical Factors
One of the two biggest reasons for the differences between Mexican food and American food is historical. Mexico of course was once a Spanish territory; then again, so were parts of the United States! The difference is that Mexico remained a Spanish colony for a much longer time – and you can certainly see the influence of Spanish cooking in parts of the American southwest. These are regions, which were formerly held by the Spanish and of course, also bordering Mexico.
Most of the US was instead colonized by settlers from northern Europe, with cuisines, which differed greatly from Spanish cooking. These immigrants had a much greater influence on the culinary scene in the fledgling nation, accounting for much of the difference in Mexican recipes and those having their origin in points north.
For a long time, however, immigrants to Mexico from the old world hailed, for the most part, from Spain, leaving an indelible stamp on the new nation’s cuisine. Many Mexican recipes are adaptations of Spanish dishes, with some classic recipes from Spain surviving more or less intact. This led to a distinctive blend of culinary traditions drawn from Spanish and indigenous ingredients and cooking methods.
Mexico has also seen a large number of immigrants arrive from the Levant (especially Syria and Lebanon), adding a few dishes which are now classic Mexican food recipes in their own right such as al pastor. This dish is essentially a Mexican take on the middle eastern shawarma.
Since the US has a much more diverse population, no single nationality’s cuisine ever assumed quite the dominance over American cooking as can be seen in Mexico with Spanish influence. The development of Mexican food is largely the product of two cuisines rather than many melding together over time.
The Differences Local Ingredients Make
The other important factor behind the difference in the cuisines of the two countries is geographical. The Spanish had to adapt to the ingredients, which were available in Mexico, just like the pilgrims learned to cook the local produce in Massachusetts. In Mexico, ingredients like corn, chilies, avocados, pumpkins, tomatoes and others which were new to the conquistadores quickly became staples and were cooked along with old world ones like rice, coriander and olives.
It is this adaptation of European recipes to the ingredients of the new world and the incorporation of Spanish ingredients and techniques into the indigenous cuisine that has made Mexican food the unique cuisine it is today. From Mexican food recipes like pozole to Mexican casserole recipes, tostadas to pumpkin recipes, Mexican food is one of the world’s greatest fusion cuisines that no one thinks of as a fusion cuisine.
Did you ever wonder what the Aztecs used to eat or what the Mayans liked to drink? How did Mexican food become so eclectic, with its wonderful combination of Caribbean, French, Spanish and African culinary influences, amongst others? You can check out our fascinating Mexican food history to find out!
Tags: cooking, diet, eating, family, Food, food and drink, home, home and garden, lifestyles, mexican food, mexican recipes, mexico, recipes, Recipies
