How Do I Begin Gourmet Cooking?

There seems to be a renewed interest in gourmet cooking these days due to the various cooking shows and gourmet cooking celebrities become household names all over the world. With this renewed interest comes the need for new skills and recipes to turn the amateur cook into a gourmet in your very own kitchen. Gourmet cooking can often be intimidating to many because it seems to require special equipment and skill, but in all it really needs is a willing student and a love for creating beautiful and exciting dishes. Gourmet cooking really is not that different from everyday cooking once you learn how to adapt your cooking knowledge away from deep frying and skillet cooking and focus on not just the cooking but the presentation of your meals. You also need a few pieces of equipment to make gourmet cooking easier.

How Do I Improve My Gourmet Cooking Skills?

You will need a good heavy duty food processor for your kitchen to make gourmet cooking easier and quicker than doing much of the cutting, chopping and slicing by hand, it also mixes at a greater rate than most blenders which makes your work even easier. Along with the food processor a stand up mixer is a must have for every gourmet kitchen if you expect to be able to multi-task and accomplish everything you need to get done in the proper amount of time. A stand up mixer allows you to do your mixing while working on other parts of your meal without having to ask for assistance from someone else.

Of course if you are planning to dive into gourmet cooking you will need to invest in some gourmet cookbooks and also find a few websites or favorite gourmet cooking shows to assist you on your way to impressing friends and families with your newly found skills. Read and watch so you can learn all the tips and tricks of the world's greatest chefs, learn how to present even the dullest meal and not only taste great but you can also make it look like a million dollars.

Gourmet cooking can be complicated depending on the recipes you use but with a little research and a little time spent learning how to make things easier even the most complicated gourmet meal can be made with ease. Why not give gourmet cooking a try today and discover your hidden talent for cooking.

Helpful Quick and Easy Cooking Tips

Food is an essential for us to be able to function; we all need to eat everyday, regularly in order to maintain our health and provide the body with the energy required for the day's activity. However, most of us don't exactly enjoy cooking especially after a long day at work, time spent in traffic and many others hassles that you had to put out during the day; here are some quick and easy cooking tips that will help you have a healthy and tasty diner ready in no time at all. We all focus on heating healthy as that is the sure way to stay fit and if you skip breakfast most of the times, end up having fast food lunches even if you don't really like them, at diner you can actually take the time and cook a healthy meal for you and your family.

Grilling and steaming is the easiest, fastest way to get any diner ready in no time at all for example, with an family indoor electric grill you can place at least four to six pieces of chicken or fish at the same time for grilling while you can steam some vegetable at the same time and you will have the food on the table in 30 minutes flat. A great quick and easy cooking tip is to buy vegetable already chopped from the super market, which will save you time in the kitchen and same thing goes for the meat you use, try getting chicken, turkey or cutlets already cut so all you have to do is wash and grill.

Cook Together With The Family

Diner is a time to finally wide down and you can use cooking as the best time to bond with the family so, yet another great quick and easy cooking tips is to involve family members in cooking and/or helping at diner time for example, while you clean and start grilling the chicken and veggies your kids or husband can do the salad or set the table.

Frozen Diners

Frozen diners are a very popular choice for quick and easy cooking with most of us however, remember that once the food is frozen it does not maintain the same vitamins and minerals as it dos in fresh state. Therefore, while sometimes we may have no choice but to reach for a frozen diner as a quick and easy cooking choice, it is recommended to avoid it as much as possible if you want to nourish your body and maintain a balanced diet.

How to Always Enjoy Home Cooking

Cooking is know to be relaxing and usually rewarding if you are cooking your or someone else favorite dishes however, most of us don't have the time and the energy to make gourmet meals everyday besides the fact that some of us simply don't have the inclination. Here are some tips that it will hopefully make home cooking more appealing and fun. Most of us lead busy lives that leave us with little time to do chores around the house and most importantly home cooking due to which most of us either make a frozen diner or call for take out however, most of these diners don't turn out to be as desired and/or are the wrong types of food to be had as diners.

Cook Simple Dishes on Week Nights

Home cooking can be fun and healthy is you keep the week diners simple in order to be done fast but still tasty for example grilled chicken or fish with steamed vegetables; you can grill the chicken or fish on a automatic griller for which all you have to do is wash the meat and place it for grilling and the vegetables, which are usually brought already cut from the supermarket you can just place them in the steamer after the water is boiling for about 10-15 minutes. You can have a healthy diner in half hour, which in the long run will save you money as well as keep you fit. There are many other similar diners that can be done on week nights in order to save on money, time and keep healthy; home cooking also helps bond with the entire family as you can cook together and thus, use each other's skill and help making the whole home cooking experience even better.

Learning How to Cook

The reason why many of us today don't cook is because we don't know how and it is extremely easy to stop by any deli and pick ready made diners as well as call for a take out rather then engage in any home cooking; however, home cooking is important because it helps be in charge of your diet at all times and it also creates some traditions in the house. It is never too late to learn how to cook; there are shows on the television, cooking books, online free cooking recipes for any dish that you ever want to cook and the easiest way to make them. The best way to approach home cooking is to start with something simple and you like so once it is done you can taste and enjoy the labor of your work.

Home cooking is extremely rewarding not only to yourself but also to all those who live with you and it is not because you provide a healthy meal everyday but also because you are creating traditions that your children will talk about and follow when they grow up.

Thai Cooking Offers Unique Blends And Flavors

When on the hunt for recipes for Thai cooking, it may take awhile as most Thai foods are made without the benefit of what westerners consider a recipe. Typically, Thai cooking may offer some guidelines, but the actual meal is put together to the taste of the cook.

When people claim to have sampled Thai cooking, they may have experienced a single dish or a single meal and have not fully realized the potential assault on the taste buds that Thai cooking often exhibits. By combining the five senses of taste equally or by allowing one to overwhelm the rest, the art of Thai cooking can actually begin an argument with your senses of taste.

Sweet, sour, salty, bitter and hot can combine for unique tastes with the ingredients used in different portions on the same foods to give five or more unique flavors to the same dish. Most Thai cooks flavor their dishes to taste and do so while the meal is being prepared. Many Thai dishes are flavored with chili peppers or peppercorns, either dried or fresh, to give Thai cooking its reputation of being hot.

Flavors Combine For Different Finishes

The majority of true Thai cooks will begin with the basic ingredients of fish and rice and then, through the use of spices and oils, will flavor the dish to meet their own tastes. Seldom are recipes used except by those attempting to copy a dish they tried and liked. Some however will make minor changes to the recipe as they become more familiar with the concept of flavoring to taste and are open to experimentation.

Thai cooking varies by regions in that country and claiming to have access to true Thai recipes is open to debate and different regions in the country often offer different foods with different flavors. There are numerous means of preparing most Thai recipes depending on the foods in season, especially vegetables and fresh seasonings, as well as the cook's taste.

Being able to balance the ingredients used to treat the five taste senses is also a key to the flavor of Thai cooking and with the proper spices in season and using only fresh ingredients Thai cooking can offer taste sensations like no other. One of the key ingredients in most recipes for Thai cooking is fish sauce, although many westerners are turned away by its natural taste and odor, when mixed in with original Thai recipes it adds a depth to the taste of the dish.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Microwave Cooking

Microwave cooking has become an essential part of our kitchen for many reasons; they help us heat and cook almost anything from a cup of coffee to full diners. However, did you ever stop and think how depend you are of your microwave and whether you should indulge in its use as often as you do; let us explore together some of the advantages and disadvantages of microwave cooking. The main disadvantages of microwave cooking is that the waves usually destroys the vitamins and minerals found in most fresh foods as well as it does not cook to perfection any dish but merely warms it up to the degree you desire. Microwaves can at times destroy some taste and flavor in some dishes and if not careful it will burn others for example popcorn will almost always get done long before the time mentioned on the bag so you have to stand by and pay attention in order not to burn them.

The Advantages of Microwave Cooking

There are however many more advantages then disadvantages in a microwave and that is the reasons why they are so popular for example, anyone can cook in a microwave because it does not have a flame and therefore it cannot make a live fire; most frozen diners are microwave friendly and also the fact that the microwave is always faster then any oven or gas range. Microwave cooking is fast and easy therefore most of us use it on a regular basis when we want to make a quick breakfast, lunch or diner without any mess of wasting any time of cooking the traditional way.

Shopping For a Microwave

Because microwaves have become so popular and a must in all households, you can find one in any department stores at prices starting from $50 however, before you jump at a cheap microwave think about how much you are going to use and mainly for what purposes and here is the reason behind these thoughts: if you use the microwave for daily cooking and heating you may need a good brand name and a larger version so you can do couple of dinners at a time, while if you are getting a microwave just for occasional use the, an inexpensive one should do just fine.

Helpful Tips

You will always end up using your microwave more then you though you would so, invest in a good microwave, which will turn out to save you money in the long run by lasting longer then you thought it would. Remember not to leave children handle the microwave without supervision as some things may catch fire if placed too high in the microwave.

Mediterranean Cooking Is Spicy and Delicious

Mediterranean cooking comes from the fascinating countries that lie on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. These countries include Morocco, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Greece and Tunisia to name a few. The cuisine from these countries include similar dishes and ingredients, but each country has specialties of its own. Many of the cooks from these countries are experts who present some of the most delicious dishes available. The dishes they prepare as Mediterranean cooking have exotic names that include moussaka, falafel, and hummus. The spellings in English cookbooks are spelled phonetically to represent the sounds of the foreign language so sometimes when looking for Mediterranean cooking the spelling of some dishes will differ. Do not let this deter you from preparing these dishes because they are tasty.

Mediterranean cooking is so delicious and many restaurants have appeared to offer cuisine from this area. Some of these dishes are available at fine restaurants, but fast food outlets have appeared that offer specialties such as Greek sandwiches. Cooks from other parts of the world have learned to cook some of the dishes from the area because these dishes are spicy and delicious. Mediterranean specialties are constantly gaining popularity in North American markets.


Mediterranean Cooking Produces a Healthy Diet

Research by medical experts has found evidence that Mediterranean cooking produces a most healthy diet. The ingredients used by cooks from the region seem to have nutrients that benefit those who eat this type of cooking regularly. The people who eat Mediterranean cooking seem to have fewer diseases than those living in other areas. Mediterranean cooking is not fat free, but the cooks use oils that are less harmful than others. Olive oil is a staple of Mediterranean cooking and this oil does not have substances that raise cholesterol levels. Olive oil also has antioxidants which provide benefits for better health.

Fish is used often in Mediterranean cooking and fish has substances that provide great nutrition. Red meat is not often used in this cooking so the harmful substances in this type of meat are usually avoided in Mediterranean cooking. The people from the countries along the Mediterranean Sea love fruits and vegetable and the cooks from the area include these in many meals. The benefits of eating lots of fruits and vegetables have been shown in medical studies. The cooks from the area also use other nutritious ingredients including grains, legumes and nuts.

The Art of Mexican Cooking

Mexican food is a cuisine enjoyed by all age groups irrelevant of your likes and dislikes because it offers a large variety of choices both in vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Most people are scared away by Mexican cooking because of the spices used in it but the fact is you can make it as mild or as spicy as you like. Mexican food is known for its tasty, aromatic and full of flavor dishes however, few know that they are extremely healthy when consumed in the right quantities as well as the right combinations for example, chicken fajitas are a perfect combination of chicken, which is white meat, red beans, which are a source of protein and also helps with digestion system, cheese, peppers and a flour tortilla; all the ingredients are usually stir fried, which don't encourage a great amount of oil to linger and therefore a great choice for lunch.

If you are looking to eat healthy Mexican food, you need to watch for the extra cheese they use in most of their dishes as well as the type of oil that has been used to cook it in; paying attention to details will take a load of calories off your diet plan.

Mexican Cooking At Home

Some of us get adventurous and/or enjoy cooking therefore they will try Mexican cooking at home. The good news is Mexican cooking has been made easy with all the ingredients readily available in the market such as chicken fajitas spices and so on, which will give you the basic ingredient in order to obtain the right flavor. Mexican cooking is easy if you follow precisely a good recipe and ensure that you have all the ingredients before you start cooking; when trying a news dish ensure that you don't switch ingredients or spices in order to get the right flavor and look or the desired dish.

Where to Find Authentic Mexican Cuisine

There are many Mexican restaurants in US mainly because we are neighboring Mexico and we have a fair amount of Mexicans in the country who have ventured in the restaurant business thus, providing authentic Mexican cooking. You do need to watch for the degree of spiciness however, as some dishes can be extremely hot; another thing you may want to keep in mind when eating Mexican food is if you are allergic to any ingredient such as peppers for example in order to avoid any mishaps.

Indian Cooking from Region to Region

Indian cooking is famed for its use of curries and spices, but don't make the mistake of being afraid that Indian cooking is so hot that it will set your mouth on fire. The cuisine revolves more around flavor than sheer heat, although if that's what you're looking for, you can certainly find it. India is a country comprised of many different states that spread out over a vast area, with a total of approximately 3,287,590 square kilometers. It has 28 states within the country proper, and the spiciest Indian cooking is said to come from its southern regions. Overall, Indian cooking can be broken down into four basic groups: northern Indian, southern Indian, eastern Indian, and western Indian. Within those categories are regional variations depending on cultural influences and climate on the state. For example, in Goa, which is far off in southern India, you'll find them using a lot of coconut and seafood in their cooking to make seafood curries that you wouldn't find elsewhere.

For example, on an episode of the Travel Channel series Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, chef/author Anthony Bourdain visited Rajasthan, and even had an actual Maharajah cook for him! One of the recipes illustrating this difference was a Rajasthani curry made with goat and lentils that was completely different from a seafood curry hailing from Goa. In the south you'd find the use of tropical fruits such as mangoes as well, plus a Portuguese influence due to past colonialist influences. Some areas may also be more heavily vegetarian than others, but suffice it to say that due to the cow's sacred status to the Hindu majority, you won't find beef on the menu wherever you go.

Where to Start

If you want to cooking Indian food at home, you'll have to start off with getting the basic spices common to all Indian cooking, such as turmeric (a mainstay), cardamom, cumin, and so forth. Although it's best to use spices that are toasted and ground fresh, it may be a bit too complex for someone just starting out to handle. A good source of spices is Zamouri Spices at zamourispices.com. It has a basic Indian spice set, curries, masalas, and also sells Asian spices as well. You can also find recipe books on Indian cooking along with other popular cuisines. That does it for this short look at Indian food. Hopefully you have learned something that you didn't know about Indian food.

Cooking Tips Help Novice and Expert Cooks

The proof is in the pudding so judging the ability of a cook begins with the first taste of a meal. After tasting a dish prepared by a great cook, one might think that no one could add to the skills of this cook. All cooks appreciate cooking tips to improve their skills in the kitchen. These cooking tips can include information on seasonings, useful utensils or cooking techniques. Other cooking tips might help a cook prepare meals more quickly or more cheaply. Beginning cooks will appreciate cooking tips that are all about the basics. These novices will need to have clear descriptions of cooking procedures from start to finish.

Tips on organizing a kitchen will also help a cook work more efficiently so tips on planning and arranging a kitchen are usually appreciated. Pots and pans are necessary for preparing the best meals and cooking tips on purchasing these items might mean the difference between a medium rare steak and one that is burnt to a crisp. Cooking tips from experts will help others make a plan to get all of the dishes prepared at the time set for serving the meal. If the broccoli is done two hours before the potatoes, the broccoli will not be delicious.

Cooking Tips Are Available from Multiple Sources

Any cook looking for some cooking tips will be pleased to know that there is an abundance of information on cooking. There are several excellent cooking shows that give detailed demonstrations on cooking various dishes. The experts that appear on the shows are cooks but also interesting characters. These hosts make cooking interesting and better than ever. A cook looking for deserts, entrees and appetizers will find new ideas on the cooking shows. The expert cooks on television offer cooking tips as well as suggestions for presentation of the prepared dishes.

Cooking tips are available in books and magazines. The local library will have a selection of books that provide recipes and cooking instructions. Most libraries have a huge selection of books about cooking. There are specialty magazines available at the local bookstore with great cooking tips. These magazines usually have clear directions for food preparation and beautiful pictures to demonstrate difficult procedures. The local newspapers often have special sections full of tips. The food section of the newspaper has new and different recipes that will surprise the most demanding gourmet.

Why Is Pressure Cooking Considered The Greatest Way To Cook?

One of the basic needs of the civilized human being is definitely cooking. While an occasional sushi or oyster salad is great, humans still need a hot, tasty and great looking cooked meal. In fact, today cooking involves a multi-billion industry where constant research is probing at ways for faster and tastier ways to cook food.

Pressure Cooking Is Faster and Healthier Than Any Other Method of Cooking Today

Is this a valid statement or can it be challenged by the non-believers? Let us see what the benefits of pressure cooking are before we decide on who is correct.

1. Nutrition - Since the pressure cooking involves shorter cooking time, less water and hermetically closed container, the nutrition value of the food is maintained better than any other usual methods of cooking.

2. Time - The pressure cooking uses the power of steam to cook the food. Steam can produce much higher heat inside the cooker, since it is closed airtight. In the process the food is cooked very fast; when measured, it was found that the pressure cooking can be almost 70 percent faster than ordinary cooking methods

3. Fuel/ energy - In today's world where the paradigm is shifting towards saving the world from total destruction through depletion of natural resource for profit; the pressure-cooking is the need of the day. The pressure cooker is used today to save energy and fuel. It is an excellent tool to save cooking fuel.

4. Great atmosphere - the fact pressure cooking does not allow any steam outside the cooker until it is totally filled with the vapors. When the pressure cooker is filled to the brim, it releases the excess steam through the vent situated in the middle top of the pressure cooker. In this way, the kitchen will be cooler and greater looking because there is less steam and smell of food invading the atmosphere.

5. Easy to cook - since the pressure cooker uses higher temperature to cook, the meat or any tough matter (even an old one) will be cooked with ease. Hence, it is easier to cook with the pressure cooker.

In other words, pressure cooking is great because it delivers the most important features necessary while cooking a meal : nutrition, time-saving, energy-saving, ambiance-saving - besides the fact that it is extremely convenient whereby you can saut, deep fry, make soups and other exotic dishes. It feels like I stumbled upon a god mine.

Cooking Oil Adds Flavor

There are many different types of cooking oil available for preparing delicious dishes for friends and family. Great cooks have their favorite type of oil for each dish that they prepare although normal cooks are not as choosy about the oil for their dishes. Some of the popular oils are extracts from olives, sunflowers, peanuts and soybeans. Vegetable oil is a term that is often used to describe all of the above listed oils. Some cooks add seasonings to these oils according to their individual preferences and tastes. These cooks might add garlic, herbs and spices to their cooking oil and some of these oils are available with these ingredients added before they are packaged for the stores.

The type of cooking oil used in preparing dishes can be important to the health of the people served with this food. Some oil has trans fats which are not healthy for those eating the food prepared using this oil. Recently, the authorities in New York City banned the use of trans fat in the prepared food sold in the city. These authorities are not sure that they can eliminate the use of this type of cooking oil, but they are willing to try for the health of the residents and visitors. Trans fats come from hydrogenation of the oil in the cooking process. Normally healthy oils could be changed through cooking to unhealthy type oil.

Cooking Oil Should Be Handled and Used Properly

Cooking oil can be spoiled if it is not stored and used properly. Those in the kitchen should take care to read the directions on the labels of each oil and carefully follow those directions. One oil, peanut oil, could be deadly for anyone that has an allergy to peanuts. Cooks should avoid using this oil unless they are positive that none of the diners has this type of allergy. Many of the cooking oils have different properties depending on the temperature used to cook. Conscientious cooks should check to make sure that they monitor the temperatures they use with certain types of oil.

There is information available about the different oils, but consumers should be wary of the source of the information. Cooking oil is a money making commodity so the companies selling oils want to sell their products. The information these companies present on the oil might not provide a clear picture about the product. Cooking oil can provide essential nutrients or raise cholesterol. Consumers should choose their oils carefully to maintain a healthy diet.

Guide to Professional Cooking

Cooking is an art that will bring you instant rewards through the gratitude of those for whom you cook and also from yourself for enjoying home cooked, healthy meals. Professional cooking can be easily practiced everyday at home by those who have or don't have an inclination to cooking. Professional cooking does not always mean cooking a gourmet meal but cooking healthy, using the right ingredients and ensuring the meal offers a balanced diet. Professional cooking is not achieved over night; in cooking practice is what will make you prefect and probably the only way to professional cooking. In order to be a professional you must have all the right tools and ingredients therefore, ensure that your kitchen is equipped with the right dishes to cook the desired meal, the right tools such as knife, spatulas, stirring spoons and so on. You should have an apron while in the kitchen especially the first time. As you will definitely need it and if possible ensure your hair, if it is long, it is tied back so there is no possibility for it to fall in the food you are cooking.

Professional Cooking Made Easy

For professional cooking you need to follow precise recipes with the exact ingredients and not substitutes at least the first time until you can decide according to your taste how you want to modify the dish for example, if you like it with more salt, spicy or with less gravy, it is all up to you. Professional cooking will always include cooking dishes at a meal that compliments one another as well as keeping in mind a balanced diet we all need for example, if you cook a heavy main course ensure you have a hearty salad or vegetables as side dish.

Where and How You Can Learn Professional Cooking

Professional cooking can be learned by anyone who desires, there are classes available in all major culinary institutes if you want to make this your line of career however, if you are interested in cooking professionally for yourself and your family you can do that too by learning from the world renowned chefs online or through their cooking books, which are available in most leading books stores. Professional cooking takes time and dedication; it is only through practice alone that you will master any one dish, however easy it may look in the beginning, it is always hard when you put it in practice and the only way it will get easier is through practice and making the same dish a hundred times.

Health Benefits of Vegetarian Cooking

Many people are becoming concerned that meat, egg and dairy products are making people sick due to its cholesterol and fat content. Long-term results of eating meat could cause different health conditions such as cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and other problems. For this reason, many people are switching to vegetarian cooking.

People who practice vegetarian cooking reduce their chances of obesity and other related diseases such as hypertension, arthritis, osteoporosis, kidney disorders and heart disease.

Vegetarian cooking provides people with an advantage against cancer. This is because vegetarian cooking uses only fiber-rich, vitamin-packed ingredients that can strengthen the immune system and prevent cancers (of the uterine, breast, prostate and digestive organs).

Another benefit of vegetarian cooking is that it protects people against the dangers of heart disease. Fiber-rich foods, complex carbohydrates and plant-based protein can trim down cholesterol levels and reduce the risks of heart disease.

For health conscious people, vegetarian cooking could prevent harmful food-borne illnesses from entering your kitchen. While majority of food-borne illnesses are related to meat contaminant, they can also be caused by salmonella, listera or e coli.

With vegetarian cooking, it's very hard to become fat because grains, soy, legumes and vegetables are very filling even with little fat content. Not only do these foods serve as an energy giver, they also keep the stomach full for several hours.

What You Need to Know About Vegetarian Cooking

Regardless of the reason why you choose to follow vegetarian cooking, you need to follow a few things to provide a nutritious and delicious meal for your family or friends.

If you're looking for a vegetarian recipe, be aware that there are different categories of vegetarianism. While vegans do not eat meal through their life, other vegetarians simply choose to eat healthy, while cooking chicken or fish occasionally. Some vegetarians eat dairy products, but never meat itself.

When you're starting out and experimenting on vegetarian cooking, simply copy a meat-based recipe of your favorite dish and look for substitutes for the main ingredient or the meat. However, never alter the recipe too much for it may ruin the taste of your meal. For instance, if you like to cook meatball spaghetti, simply substitute the meat by using organic meat.

The key to vegetarian cooking is by using healthy variations of oil and sea salt to give the meal flavor. Not only can these ingredients increase metabolism, they also serve as extra quality and flavor to the meal.

Little Known Secrets of Cooking Turkey

If you want to know the little known secrets of cooking turkey, try to go online or search through the library for ways in cooking a turkey. When you do this, not only will you be overwhelmed by the different kinds of recipes, you will also start back to where you came from - extremely lost.

When cooking turkey, you have to understand that recipes for this particular preparation add up every year. While other recipes are traditional techniques used for years, others have followed creative methods of cooking or added varieties of local ingredients.

You may assume that the best way to go is to follow a traditional recipe for cooking turkey, but not all recipes turn out good. Others, although deliciously prepared, have gone through an unsafe method of cooking a turkey.

Cooking turkey is the science of designing, producing and cooking the perfect turkey. A turkey is considered perfect when the breast meat are moist, the things and legs are tender, the skin is golden brown and the flavor and aroma is extremely scrumptious.

One of the greatest dilemmas of both beginners and experience cooks is to avoid cooking a "dried turkey". Be aware that there are other ways to cook turkey, like boiling, broiling, frying, grilling, roasting, braising, barbecuing and many more. Regardless of the method you choose, the important thing is to use ingredients that combines well with the turkey's flavors.

Cooking a turkey should not be a difficult task. With the right ingredients and flavors, combined with the proper cooking method, you can serve your turkey proudly to guests.

The Methods in Cooking Turkey that You Should Avoid

While experimenting and discovering new things while cooking is normal, you may want to stick to the tradition ways of cooking turkey to ensure you're preparing it safely. This is important because several unsafe methods are being followed by some people and they don't even know it.

For instance, when you place your turkey in a large brown paper bag and cook it with a low temperature. This is considered unsafe because the paper bag, which includes ink, glue and other chemicals are unsanitary. Instead, make use of a turkey-cooking bag that is available in your local stores.

When you follow a slow-cooking method that is cooked overnight for more than twelve hours, you are allowing harmful bacteria to grow while the bird is being cooked. Following these simple precautions and guidelines of cooking your turkey can allow you to cook the best turkey your family has ever tasted, and will surely remember for years to come.

A Collection of Cooking Utensils Will Facilitate Meal Preparation

A good cook will always have a collection of cooking utensils ready to make delicious meals for family and guests. These cooking utensils make the preparation of the meals easier and the utensils also help to avoid disasters in the kitchen. Specialty stores provide a wide variety of cooking utensils at a wide variety of prices. Expensive cooking utensils probably last much longer and will not need replacements. In the end, the more expensive cooking utensils may save money. On the other hand, the less expensive utensils will save money to spend on more meals in the short run.

A savvy cook will shop around to find the best cooking utensils at the best prices. Then the cook can start to prepare wonderful meals. There are great cooking utensils available to start the preparations. Many recipes call for chopping so buying utensils for chopping ingredients is essential. The choppers available from shops and catalogs will do the chopping for you. Garlic is a common ingredient, but preparing garlic can be tedious and smelly. There are several gadgets that will prepare garlic with ease. A cook should look at the various models and choose one to save on the hassles of cooking.

Cooking Utensils Will Grind, Flip and Measure

Chopping ingredients can be tedious, but grinding can be hard work. A wide variety of grinders are available to grind cheese, coffee and pepper. Fresh ground coffee beans will make coffee that tastes great. Finely ground pepper adds zest to almost any meal. After chopping and grinding essential ingredients, measuring is an important task for a dedicated cook. Measuring spoons and cups will help with even the most complicated recipe. These utensils are available in models that can even be displayed in a kitchen to add to the dcor.

A good colander will facilitate many of the chores necessary for cooking a great meal. Colanders can be used to strain spaghetti, broccoli and strawberries. Everybody loves a good pancake, but these are not easy to turn at exactly the right time. A good spatula will assist a cook when flipping those pancakes. A pizza peel looks like a giant spatula, but it is used to get a hot pizza out of the oven without burning fingers and arms. Other specialty cooking utensils are great helps to any cook. Preparing food on a barbeque offers special challenges because of the hot surfaces. There are tongs and forks that are designed for turning and retrieving hot items on the grill.

Semi Homemade Cooking Makes Meals Faster

With some dicing here and spicing there you can turn store-bought meals into what is being termed as semi homemade cooking for quick and tasty meals for the family. As people's lifestyles change and family members are splitting their time running around with different schedules, the prospect of a home-cooked meal is fading. By using semi homemade cooking an extra treat can be served to the family.

A few years ago, there were meals being touted as starters, containing virtually everything needed to make a home-cooked meal by just adding water and possibly a meat stock, boiling for a short time and serving. This reduced preparation time and made semi homemade cooking more agreeable to many.

Today cooks are taking the process a few steps further by simply adding spices or other items to meals that are made to be ready to eat with a few simple adjustments. For instance, macaroni and cheese dishes, typically made by adding water, or milk and butter depending on the brand, cooking the noodles and adding the cheese powder prepares a semi homemade cooking meal in about 10 minutes.

Adding Spices Adds Interest

The next time you are making macaroni and cheese, even if as a side dish, try adding a half-teaspoon of chili seasoning in with the cheese mix to give it the distinct flavor of semi homemade cooking. On the other hand, if you are not in the chili mood, add some cubed ham into the meal for a new taste twist to the old standby.

It is amazing the different tastes you can add to a boxed meal, or even a prepared, canned meal or by adding some spices or other meats, you can turn a side dish into a main course. For example, cooking rice in chicken brother and adding chunks of cooked chicken takes about 20 minutes and gives you semi homemade cooking turning the side of rice into the main meal of chicken and rice. Add a little broccoli and cheese and you have a meal for another night as well.

As peoples' busy lives show little or no sign of slowing down being able to offer semi homemade cooking to the family can reduce the preparation and cooking times on many meals to make having what seems like a home-cooked meal more the norm instead of the exception. Additionally, being quick and easy, clean up will not keep you in the kitchen most of the evening.

Food Cooking Recipe Offers Family Changes

Even the best cooks need a little help every once in awhile if they want to add something out of the ordinary to their culinary repertoire and while using a food cooking recipe may go against their personal beliefs, it can offer different tastes and appearances to they typically serve.

Many cooks and chefs pride themselves on their expertise in the kitchen and the ability to put different foods together in pleasing combinations as well as knowing how to add spices to please most everyone seated at the table. Their food cooking recipes are mainly in their head and some even frown upon the idea of using one.

Others however may use what they call a short food cooking recipe, which may contain the ingredients but not the quantity of each. To some this is a means of keeping a recipe a secret and some who have tried this food cooking recipe may agree that it is best kept a secret.

A food cooking recipe is simply writing down the ingredients, the quantities of the ingredients and an order of mixing them together and cooking instructions to be able to repeat the taste of an item. Several cooks may mix something together that everyone seems to enjoy but in failing to write down the specific food cooking recipe duplicating the exact item will not be possible.

Plan For Recipe From The Start

Typically, a person attempting to make something new or different, does not necessarily know they should write down the ingredients as they make a meal creating a food cooking recipe in case it goes over well with family or friends. It is usually after the food is served that someone may ask for the recipe and then you are struggling to remember how much of what you added.

If you believe it is going to be really great, keep track of what you added as you go along. If it did not go over well, you can always go back through the food cooking recipe and make adjustments to what is in it to come up with a different taste. Since you would normally flavor to taste with spices, you can leave the door open on how much of specific ones to use, but since everyone's tastes are going to be different you cannot be blamed if it does not taste the same as when you made it.

Guide to Korean Cooking

Korean cooking like most other Asian cuisine is spicy and extremely tasty for those who can adventure in the world of aromas extreme tastes. Korean food is not as popular as Chinese or Japanese and therefore you may not find as many restaurants as you do of their competitors. Many different types of side dishes that usually need the most work accompany most Korean main dishes. Here are some of the most common ingredients that make Korean dishes as exciting and tasty: bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, cucumber, garlic, Napa cabbage, red peppers, rice vinegar, soy sauce, bean curd, beef, chicken or any other types of mean you like, ginger, mushrooms, sesame oil, scallions, noodles and rice as the main side dish.

If you are looking to learn or practice Korean cooking at home the best place to look for some of the most famous and easy recipes would be online, where you will also find basic guidance to the easiest way to Korean cooking from professional chefs. There are also cooking books available on Korean cooking if you are interested to learn in depth about traditional dishes.

Some Famous Korean Dishes

If you are visiting a Korean restaurant or trying to impress your friends with some Korean cooking here are some traditional, common dishes for which you can find the recipes online with ease: Korean Bulgogi, Kimchi, which is can be done in a few ways and most Koreans must have it at least once a day, Bellflower Root Salad or Toraji Namul, Rice Cake Soup With Wontons or Duk Kook and Persimmon Punch also known as Soo Jeung Ga. Korean cooking is time consuming and definitely requires all the ingredients as per the recipe in order to achieve the traditional taste and flavor. You may want to try some of the dishes before cooking them in order to know exactly what they look like and how they should taste.

Korean cooking is not hard but does require patience on the part of the cook as some of the dishes need quiet a bit pf preparation of cooking procedures but in the end it will be all worth the effort when your family and friends would enjoy a traditional Korean dish made by your from scratch. Enjoy cooking Korean dishes today with the help of online sites on Korean cooking and/or cooking books; both choices will walk you through the cooking process step by step ad the chances of doing anything wrong are minimal.

Cooking Kids - Chefs in the Making

The idea of having their kids cooking in the kitchen may prove to be a scary thought for some parents that might be imagining scenarios involving a lot of blood and wailing. However, for kids, cooking is an activity that many of them find interesting and fun. Having a young chef or two in the family can even work out to a harried parent's advantage when vacation time rolls around. Let's say that you're a Disney fan (or that your kids are at least) and have decided to take a trip to Orlando. Consider staying at one of the Disneyworld resorts. They have a number of programs for adults and children, so that everyone in the family can pursue his or her interests, such as sports or dancing and so on. If you need time to yourselves, and you have budding chefs in the family, then the ideal solution is to enroll your kids in a cooking class! Expressly for younger children, Disney chefs will teach them to make simple cakes and other items, which they can later have fun decorating. That would leave you free to lounge by the pool or play golf, or anything else that doesn't involve long lines and thrill rides.

Going Gourmet

If you're a gourmet food fanatic and your kids are old enough to be fans too, consider planning a gourmet food-related vacation as one Food & Wine author did. You can pick your favorite country and cuisine, foods, or restaurants. If you're lucky, you may be able to find cooking classes for kids in the area with a bit of research.

Cooking with the TV

Although many parents no doubt want their kids watching less TV instead of more, they might want to make an exception for Chef Emeril Lagasse on The Food Network. A perennial favorite of children, Chef Emeril is very animated and entertaining in the kitchen with his trademark "Bam!" His shows are very family-friendly, and he has written cook books for children as well. Also, teaching your kids about cooking at home can be a learning experience for the both of you. Find a recipe that you're both interested in and have a go. A simple pizza would probably be a good start. Who knows, one day your kids might be cooking for you instead of the other way around. Either way, cooking with kids can be very fun.

Varied Cooking Measurement Confuses The Cook

Following a recipe would be so much easier if every person used the same cooking measurement when writing down the instructions. That is not to say that a cup is not a cup or a teaspoon is not a teaspoon. That is to say that a tablespoon equals one sixteenth of a cup. It would save a lot of time in trying to decipher a recipe if the cooking measurement called for one sixth of a cup instead of two tablespoons plus two teaspoons.

The basic cooking measurement used in recipes are generally standardized, with even a pinch having less than one eighth of a teaspoon dry and a dash being somewhere between three drops and one fourth of a teaspoon of liquid. Most just thought a pinch and a dash was something your mother made up to describe that they put just a little of whatever the ingredient is but now know it to be a bonafide cooking measurement.

If you do a lot of cooking from recipes, whether full meals or baking, it may be worth having a conversion table from the US Dairy Association, Nutrient Data Laboratory to insure you are using the correct amount of each ingredient. This source also offers US to metric conversions in case you are using a foreign cookbook in the U.S. and need to make more exact cooking measurements.

Even some cooking measurement systems seem to be foolproof; they can still cause some consternation among cooks, such as the number of eggs to add to a recipe. The size of an egg may compromise the integrity of a recipe, for example, if it calls for two eggs and all you have are really small eggs, they may only equal one extra large egg or one and a half large egg.

Perhaps you are making gravy and the recipe calls for cornstarch to thicken the liquid and all you have is flour. It will take two tablespoons of flour to replace one tablespoon of cornstarch for thickening but now knowing that can cause added time going by trial and error. Another helpful cooking measurement to know is that three tablespoons of cocoa and one tablespoon of butter is equal to one square of chocolate.

Recipes are typically tried and tweaked over the years with minor changes made to adjust for different tastes and then the ingredients and their cooking measurement are often handed down as family recipes. Usually, as long as the list of ingredients and their individual cooking measurement is followed, the finished product will at least be close to the original.

Fun with Food on Cooking Shows

Planning meals and cooking food doesn't have to be boring, especially if you learn by watching one of the many entertaining cooking shows airing on TV. From cooking gourmet food to more average, but still tasty, fare you can have fun while getting educated. This article takes a look at two of the more interesting and fun cooking food shows on the air.

Who Is The Sexiest Chef Ever?

One of TLC's (The Learning Channel) most popular shows is Take Home Chef starring Chef Curtis Stone, a cookbook author with years of experience cooking food in fine restaurants. He is also, quite possibly, the sexiest male chef ever. Tall, blonde, and blue-eyed, this Australian import is charming, funny, and handsome. Any woman who lays eyes on Chef Curtis will no doubt agree that he is probably one of the sexiest chefs on TV. The concept of the show is simple: Chef Curtis hits a local supermarket and picks someone at random to ask if they want him to come home with them to cook a gourmet meal for the individual and whomever the lucky person intended to cook for that day.

Chef Curtis then finds out what they both like and plans a gourmet meal for them. He even pays for all the groceries! Once they're back at the person's home, he shows the general tips and tricks for cooking, and they later surprise the guests when they arrive. All the recipes from the show are available online as well (just check out the TLC website at tlc.discovery.com).

Who Is The Brainiest Chef Ever?

As for the brainiest chef ever, the title should probably go to Alton Brown of Good Eats on The Food Network. Having formerly worked in the cinematography field, Alton Brown has a degree in drama and also is a graduate from the New England Culinary Institute. On Good Eats, Alton combines his to create a show in which cooking food is part science-class, part pop culture fun. On the show, Alton explains the processes behind cooking food right down to what happens on a molecular level! Using props and fun skits, it's sort of like watching a hip mad scientist. For example, Alton once used a giant mock-up of a human tongue to illustrate the effect of capsaicin on taste buds (capsaicin being the chemical that makes chili peppers hot). He also did a parody of Misery in which he gets kidnapped by his biggest fan and is forced to cook various potato dishes for one episode. Shows like these that make cooking food fun for even the neophyte home chef who doesn't know how to use their knife, so check them out and be entertained as you learn.

The Importance of Low Fat Cooking

Cooking is an art that some master from a very young age while other learn it late in life; however, cooking your own meals and those of your family can help greatly to control their health and physical condition. Food is our fuel and the way we administer it everyday is going to reflect on your body, energy and overall health. We have all heard at least once to eat healthy and exercise, balanced diet and proper nutrition however, what makes some dishes healthy and others not, let us find out. It has been found out through research the average amount of calories required by our bodies everyday in order to function normally and while the numbers may differ from person to person an average active man should consume 2200 - 2500 calories and a woman 2000 calories a day.

Out of these calories you should have an intake of carbohydrates, fats but never trans or saturated fats, fiber, calcium and many other vitamins, which your doctor can list for you according to your present health state. All the above-mentioned facts are calculated differently for each person depending on their present health state. A healthy diet consists of having all the ingredients your body requires in the quantities it requires everyday without having too many calories in the process as that will increase your weight and that is where low fat cooking is important.

How Does Low Fat Cooking Keep You Healthy

Our body requires fat in order to function properly however excessive amounts will block our arteries causing serious diseases such as heart attacks and will considerably increase our overall weight. Once the body has taken the amount of calories it needs to execute the daily activities, the extra calories or fat will add on to your body forming extra weight, which is dangerous for your health. Low fat cooking can help you and your entire family control your weight as well as your health; the easiest way to ensure low fat cooking is to read ever label and educate yourself on the amount of fat and calories your food provides.

Most restaurants and even fast food places will provide today a calorie chart from where you can choose low fat items in order to ensure your diet is right. Low fat cooking is practiced all over the world in the desire to control your body weight and keep in good health.

French Cooking: Is It for You?

French cooking is known as one of the best kind of cooking worldwide. Unlike other cuisines, French cooking is popular for creating cooked meals with delicate, exotic flavors. It is popular among food lovers because it includes exceptional dishes, which can make you come back for more.

French cooking is interesting because it is audacious in a sense that chefs and the common French people explore and discover new ways of making meals richer, more attractive and becoming world-renowned. This is why scrumptious meals like bisques and souffls are being enjoyed today by millions of people worldwide.

In addition, this curiosity of inventing new and exciting meals gave way to cooking frog legs or snails. Although this may sound exotic to some people, these ingredients are one of the most sought-after delicacies in France.

French cooking is regarded as the cuisine that delivers a unique style of cooking, using a wide variety of cheeses, rich ingredients, fine wines and health, delicious oils. This is why restaurants that offer French cooking, wherever location you place them, end up becoming a popular dining spot for all ages.

French cooking for beginners

French cooking can be a very exciting thing to explore. However, as a beginner, there are certain things you should know, follow and avoid to arrive at an almost authentic French meal.

As a beginner, you should remember that mistakes are perfectly normal. Even popular French chefs who have their own TV shows make mistakes every now and then. Remember that when you made a wrong step, don't alter the recipe to try to make up for that mistake. Instead, learn from this mistake and next time, you can make the meal just as instructed.

Another thing to know about French cooking is that tasting is an important part and should always be performed. This is important to know exactly if the meal is cooked or not, or if you put too little or too much of a certain ingredient.

Once you master all your preferred French cooking recipes, don't stay with these recipes for the rest of your life. Instead, explore, discover and change ingredients on your own. This way, you'll be able to learn which ingredients can fit with the others. You'll never know it, you can discover the next best meal that will last for decades.

As a guide, you can start with tradition French cooking dishes, then explore the modern cooking and lastly, when you know you're ready, then buy all you need from the market and explore on new and tasty recipes on your own.

Paula's Home Cooking - Southern Food at Its Finest

For any food lovers out there, Paula's Home Cooking may be a Food Network program that you're already familiar with. Airing daily on The Food Network, Paula's Home Cooking, brings the viewer genuine southern cooking. From fried chicken to red velvet cake, hostess Paula Deen instructs the home viewer on how to make comfort foods like these with her brand of sassy humor and storytelling.

The Georgia Belle

Before Paula's Home Cooking became a Food Network fixture, Paula Deen grew up in southern Georgia and eventually became a restaurateur in Savannah after overcoming great personal adversity. For years, Paula suffered from agoraphobia and couldn't even leave her house! After recovering, she eventually opened The Lady & Sons restaurant, which she still runs today with her sons, Jamie and Bobby Deen. Today, the Deen boys have also joined their mother on TV and have their own Food Network show called Road Tasted. Paula has also done specials for The Food Network, in addition to hosting Paula's Home Cooking. She's even become host of another Food Network series, Paula's Party.

Not for the Faint of Heart

If visions of biscuits and home-made gravy aren't dancing in front of your eyes but visions of your HDL and LDL numbers are instead, then a show like Paula's Home Cooking is probably not for you. Let's face facts: Southern food is, sadly, high in calories, cholesterol, and all kinds of things that aren't good for you or your heart. As with everything in life, one must exercise moderation with food, and as long as you eat sensible portions, things should be fine. Anyone who's suffered a heart attack may want to avoid the show however, as just watching the amount of butter she uses in a dish may clog your arteries.

A Southern Empire

Paula Deen's business empire now extends outside of just restaurants and TV, making her something of a southern Martha Stewart. She has her own magazine entitled Cooking with Paula Deen, which includes recipes (of course) and decorating ideas. She also has numerous cookbooks out, and you can find more information on all things Paula at her website. The address is ladysandsons.com, and it includes directions to her Savannah restaurant for anyone who wants to visit for a taste of good old southern cooking. Also, check foodnetwork.com for more information on Paula's recipes and show schedules. You are sure to learn plenty from her show.

Cooking For One without Wasting Food

Recipes are generally designed for families and food is usually packaged for families as well, these things can make it difficult when cooking for one but don't lose heart, you can still make these things work for you without wasting food or having to eat the same thing for a week. Always remember that variety is the key to enjoying good food and making meals you will want to make time and time again. When you are foods shopping instead of looking for the smallest package of meat seek out meats that can be used in a variety of dishes, making your shopping list smaller while making your menu options larger.

Cooking for one can be a challenge but it is certainly not impossible and does not have to be limited to frozen dinners or take out food. Create menus from the larger packages of meat and divide them into individual size portions or if you are making something that requires cooking a meal that is intended for a larger group package it up into smaller portions that can be frozen and heated when you are ready to eat them.

Make Plans for Left Over's

Cooking too much without a plan for the leftovers will ensure that you either end up wasting the food when you are actually only cooking for one or that you will end up eating much more than you really want to take in. Portioning your food and meals can make for a quick and easy yet nutritious meal when you are in a hurry or if you have gotten home too late to defrost anything for dinner.

Just pull one of your portioned meals out of the freezer and warm it up in the over or microwave and you have dinner that requires little preparation and limited clean up. Cooking for one does not have to be bland or taste like cardboard, in fact if you are a good cook it can taste just like your mother's recipes everyday of the week.

When cooking for one you still have to consider taste as well as convenience and the cost in the end is much less if you are cooking for one instead of buying frozen dinners for one. For the price of a week's supply of frozen dinners you can buy fresh ingredients and cook for one for more than two weeks without skimping on quality if you take your time and compare prices while shopping. Cooking for one does not have to be a dreaded chore but instead it can be something nice that you do for yourself everyday.

Dutch Oven Cooking Brings Back Pioneer Days

Over the generations Dutch oven cooking came close to being a lost art, but a recent revival has brought renewed popularity to this one-pot method of meal preparation. Being able to cook roasts, bake bread and create sweet desserts all in one covered metal pot is suddenly appealing.

Dutch oven cooking requires, in addition to a Dutch oven, a little understanding of how they work to be able to use one to achieve the desired effects of a great tasting meal. Whether you are cooking a roast or baking bread, it is all done over an open fire, which makes Dutch oven cooking idea for camping in the wild without the benefit of a restaurant near the motel.

When thinking about starting Dutch oven cooking you will want a quality Dutch oven, and the debate continues on whether cast iron or aluminum is best. There are pros and cons to each with cast iron offering a more even heat as well as holding the heat better while aluminum is easier to clean and weighs considerably less. However, whether you choose aluminum or cast iron, you will want one with legs to keep the bottom from sitting on the fire or charcoal.

Use Right Number Of Coals For Cooking

Dutch oven cooking requires coals to be placed under and on the oven, to evenly distribute heat throughout the interior and how many coals you use will determine the temperature of the oven as well as cooking times. There is a general rule of two that can be followed regardless of the size of the Dutch oven.

Coals the size of charcoal briquettes or briquettes can be figured as diameter minus two go underneath and the diameter plus two go on top. For example, a 12-inch Dutch oven will need 10 briquettes under the oven and 14 briquettes on top. This will maintain an interior temperature of about 350 degrees as long as the coals are hot when placed. Virtually any baked item can be baked at 350 degrees, making Dutch oven cooking quite simple.

Once you have a new Dutch oven or have reconditioned a used one, you will want to treat it as though it is coated with a non-stick finish. Once you have cured the oven, metal utensils will scrape off the curing and your food will stick to the interior. Many recommend turning the over upside down and burning out any food stuck to the inside and cleaning with hot soap and water before using it for Dutch oven cooking in the future.

Cooking Healthy With Southern Cooking Recipes

Many people believe that southern cooking recipes must involve deep frying or strange foods that nobody who lives anywhere north of the Mason Dixon has ever heard of. Nothing could be further from the truth; southern cooking recipes are comfort recipes that bring a feeling of home to anyone no matter what side of the Mason Dixon line you come from. When someone thinks of southern cooking recipes things such as grits, cornbread, deep fried chicken and collard greens come to mind and while there are without a doubt a staple in any southern cooking recipe book they are not all that one will find when it comes to good food if you take the time to look.

Southern cooking recipes have changed over the years, not everything is cooked in lard these days in fact southern cooks look to cook with healthy ingredients as much as anyone else does. Fried chicken while it can be cooked in lard is now often cooked in healthier oils or even baked in the oven and it still comes out crispy and delicious. When thinking about southern cooking recipes one can never forget the wonder baked treats that can only come from a southern cooking recipe book. Many of these baked treats have taken turns over the years and become healthier but there is still nothing like rich pecan pies with vanilla ice cream for a bit of comfort from the worlds a trouble.

All Southern Cooking Recipes Are Not the Same

Southern cooking is known by many names and has many origins and you are sure to find a few southern cooking recipes to suit your taste. When looking for healthier recipes seek out Cajun food such as blackened chicken or steak, neither involves breading and many of the spices can be found on any herbalist list of good things for the heart, blood pressure and over all well being of your health.

Vegetables are a large part of most southern cooking recipes and depending on how these vegetables are prepared they can make almost any dish a bit healthier without compromising good taste. If you spend a little time researching southern cooking recipes you are sure to find one that suits not only your taste buds but also your desire for good health. When following a southern cooking recipe consider what healthier alternatives you can use for recipes that call for cooking in lard or fat and discover that you can make that recipe just as good tasting without having to add all the extra fat and calories.

Japanese Cooking and Food Culture

Many people simply equate Japanese cooking with sushi and sashimi, or they don't give it much thought at all To the Japanese, cooking is both about aesthetics and taste. In general, what we might consider fine or haute cuisine in Japanese cooking is known as kaiseki ryouri. In kaiseki ryouri, up to 20 or more small, discrete dishes can be presented to the customer. They can contain no more than a single morsel of food, albeit a beautifully arranged morsel. The flavors and colors are usually subtle, and the dishes are meant to please the eye. For this kind of food, expect to pay over a hundred dollars. This is not to say that the Japanese only have expensive tastes. They love a bowl of raamen (the proper phonetic spelling) as much as they do sushi. In fact, whole shows are devoted to finding the best noodle shops around that have the best and most flavorful broths and the most perfect noodles.

Food on TV

Shop owners keep their secret recipes for soup broths almost as closely guarded as the formula for Coca-Cola. Long before The Food Network came into being, the Japanese produced cooking shows devoted to topics, including a two to three-hour New Year's special entitled Sushi! Donburi! Raamen! For those unfamiliar with the term donburi, it's basically a bowl of rice with toppings such as beef (gyuu-don), chicken (katsu-don), and numerous others. The New Year's special involves Japanese TV personalities traveling around the country to find the best of the best in Japanese cooking. This food obsession has led to some unusual programs like the original Iron Chef. Japanese networks have even produced drama series about a sommelier, restaurants, and a family-run sake factory for example.

Several mystery stories on Onna to Ai no Misuteri, which airs stories over two 50-minute installments involved food or food tours, such as one storyline involving a soba, or buckwheat noodle, restaurant. As far as reality-based shows go, the long-running contest show called TV Champion has had numerous food-related competitions over the years, including several Christmas cake-decorating competitions involving master pastry chefs.

Some of the more bizarre ones involved a king of raamen competition (which is the best way to describe it). Competitors tried to prove they knew the most about raamen (which is actually a Chinese import originally) by identifying which restaurant bowls of raamen came from by tasting the broth and all sorts of wacky things. Of course, this is also a show that once had a competition about determining the king of sweating....At any rate, if you ever want to experience the freshest seafood in Japan, visit the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo and get a different look at Japanese cooking if you get the chance.

The Diversity of Italian Cooking

Italian cooking is one of the favorites of both cuisine enthusiasts and the ordinary designated cook at home, worldwide. Although most people think that Italian cooking is all about pasta and pizza, there is a whole lot more this cuisine has to offer.

Italy does not have only one kind of cooking. Instead, Italian cooking from one town may be different from the next city. This is due to the region's rich culture and diversity of cooking.

Every town, valley and community has a unique way of making pasta sauce, sausages, breads, specialty cheese and various kinds of Italian cooking recipes. This is the reason why plenty of Italian chefs offer a unique kind of cooking compared to the 500 other Italian chefs.

One of the reasons why Italian cooking is so popular because no other country provides a cooking style so divided into different tastes and styles for each city. This is also the reason why Italy holds only one Italian language even though they have a plethora of dialects spoken.

The different kinds of Italian cooking are a result of the region's own history. The cities of Italy have been divided for many years, while each city contributing to its rich culture.

The Roots of Italian Cooking

The roots of Italian cooking can be traced back with the Magna Grecia. During this time, Italian cooking was simple - they used only salted fish, pork, olive pickles, lupins, dried figs, lentils and cickpeas. However, when it came to banquets and other occasions, food preparation during Magna Grecia was more varied, which included honey, soups, sweets and different kinds of nuts.

During the Republican Era, Italian cooking was based on honey, cereal, dried fruits, vegetables, breaks, cakes, fish, milk and fresh fruits. This era introduced cheese as part of the Romans' diet. When the Imperial age came, the locals ate a more variety of food, including wine, olives, grapes, eggs and milk for breakfast and fish, fowl, goat, veal or pork for dinner.

When explorers brought rice, sugar, potatoes, tomatoes, maize and coffee to Europe, the entire Italian cooking changed its path, to a richer combination of ingredients. During the Renaissance period, cooking was more focused on preparation of different kinds of food, from roast or boiled meats to refined salads and sugar cane.

Italian cooking in the 20th century is a result of intense changes in Italy. Today, not only do chefs focus on preparation, they also study conservation of foods and distribution of ingredients.

Who Does Not Love Outdoor Cooking?

Whenever you think of a camp or picnic, you will think of outdoor cooking with great longing. There is a certain unbeatable charm in the smell of the charcoal smoke imbibed in the roasted meat, eaten under the open sky. However, not everyone who loves outdoor cooking can afford to go camping or go for a picnic when they want to enjoy outdoor cooking. So, what is the alternative? Barbeque, the very word makes your mouth water. Barbeque is convenient, easy and a great way to relax and enjoy some backyard fun. Whenever you want to taste outdoor cooking, the barbeque should be your first choice ever. For those who do this as often as it is possible, the tricks of the trade might not be a secret. The tricks that will make your meat as tender as you will want it to be.

When you want restaurant-quality barbequed meat, you will need the help of a barbeque smoker. Once you combine your barbeque cooking with the smoker, you will notice that the meat becomes very tender and savory. Besides making the meat tender and tasty, the barbeque smoker has another major role and it makes cooking easy with professional results, which will put you on the high-demand list with all your friends. Besides, you can always buy the cheaper type of ribs without worrying about anyone finding out since your outdoor cooking will be done with the help of the barbeque smoker. The smell of smoke as well as the method of cooking will tenderize the meat to melting consistency, which will be extremely enjoyable.

Barbecue Smoker Can Enhance Outdoor Cooking

The barbeque smokers are not popular only because they help cooking the meat to the right consistency. It is also popular for being able to imbibe smoke into the meats, which makes it mouth-watering. The smoking of the meat is also useful if you would like to preserve the meat for a longer time than a few days. Besides, salt, vinegar and maybe turmeric, smoking is one of the best way to preserve meat or fish.

Once preserved this way, it can last for a long time, from 1 month to 6 months without needing refrigeration. Though this outdoor cooking is not exactly something that would attract too many friends, it is still an important fact that could be filed away for further use. Overall, most people think of outdoor cooking as fun and associate it with picnics, camping trips and backyard camping. After all, outdoor cooking is almost synonymous with good times.

Learn to Prepare Meals on Cooking Shows

Some people seem to be natural cooks when you watch them toss ingredients into pots and pans that eventually turn into delicious food. Other people seem to be the exact opposite as they follow explicit directions explicitly and come up with awful, inedible concoctions. Another group of people seem to be right in the middle of the last two descriptions. Some dishes they know well, and they make these easily without any type of assistance. Other dishes they produce with the help of some directions. Cooking shows can help everyone cook better. Cooking shows have expert cooks showing people how to produce delicious meals.

Expert cooks tune into the cooking shows on television because they usually want to improve their cooking skills. The cooks on the shows usually have tips for the experts. An expert cook can learn tips for cooking quicker and better than ever before. These accomplished cooks can always find different recipes to add to their collections. The ideas that experts learn on the cooking shows provide new dishes to surprise their families and friends. The experienced cooks can also learn new ideas for presenting the dishes that they prepare. The cooks on the shows have great ideas for decorating a table. Sometimes they have great ideas for serving dishes in unique ways.

Cooking Shows Will Help Beginners

Aspiring cooks without experience can learn a great deal from the cooking shows on television. Sometimes people want to cook, but they do not have the experience to combine ingredients, cook these combinations and serve them to family and friends. They open a cookbook only to find a confusing vocabulary including words such as saut, chicken stock and baste. Discouraged, these people give up and call for pizza from the nearest shop. Some people are determined to learn but give up when they destroy expensive ingredients.

The cooking shows are a great aid for inexperienced cooks because they provide directions accompanied by visual aids. When the host of a cooking show demonstrates a recipe that calls for sauted vegetables, this cook shows this process to the viewers. The host of a cooking show demonstrates all of the preparations of each process. The inexperienced cook might even tape the show so they can stop the tape at appropriate places to catch up with the host. There are many cooking shows on television and all cooks should be able to get help in cooking a wide variety of delicious meals.

What to Consider When Cooking For a Crowd

It is never easy to cook for a crowd it is never easy to cater to the taste of every person in that crowd but you can fine tune the meal to ensure that everyone will find something they will enjoy. Remember when cooking for a crowd you are also cooking to for people who may have certain food allergies or just those who don't eat certain kinds of food based on personal or religious reasons. While you want to please the masses you also want to make sure that everyone has enough to eat without offending those who have limited diet requirements.

Planning Your Menu

When cooking for a crowd you can almost guarantee there will be a few people in the crowd that are watching their weight and you want to have a least one dish that is going to be friendly to the person who is trying to take off pounds instead of adding pounds. Salads, fruits and vegetables are always a good bet just be sure to offer a bit of variety in these things so your guests don't feel they are limited in their choices.
Allergies are a large concern when cooking for a crowd and while you don't want to skimp on ingredients you do want to make sure someone with an allergy to a particular food does not get sick. To make your job easier just take recipe card and list the ingredients for each dish and tape them to the outside of the dish. Make your guests aware that ingredients are listed and it's up to them to check before eating if they are concerned about any allergies.

Create at least one meatless dish as more and more people are giving up meat these days. There are many pasta dishes that will not require any kind of meat and pasta is always a good bet when cooking for a crowd. You can even split the dish up and make half with meat and half without meat and not put into too much extra work to do so. Cooking for a crowd doesn't have to take days it just takes planning and a little bit of thought to the guests that may be in that crowd. With just a few small extra steps you can have the entire crowd happy and well fed without wearing yourself out or spending a great deal of extra money.