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Secrets of Food Combining

The observance of rules of food combining is neither faddish nor eccentric. It is a simple, scientifically-based system of selecting foods, from among different types, which are compatible. This facilitates easy and efficient digestion and ensures after-meal comfort.

Digestion is not merely chemical or physical process, but also a physiological one. When food
enters the body, it undergoes several changes before it is broken down into its constituent parts
and assimilated. But no food can be assimilated by the system and used by various organs
unless it has first been digested and then absorbed in the digestive system known as alimentary
canal, while the residue, unfit for absorption is eliminated from the system.

The chemical part of digestion is accomplished by a series of juices and their enzymes. The
juices alternate between alkalies and acids, and their character is determined by the requirement
of the enzymes they contain. These enzymes remain active in suitable media of well defined
acid-alkaline ranges and are destroyed in unsuitable media.
For instance, the salivary amylase ( ptyalin ) or starch-splitting enzyme of the mouth is active
only in an alkaline media and is destroyed by a mild acid. The gastric enzyme, pepsin, which
initiates protein digestion, is active only in the acid medium and is destroyed by alkalies.

A noteworthy feature of the digestive secretions is that the body suits its fluid and enzymes to
the character of the food eaten. There are, however, severe limitations in this process. It is
possible to suit the juices to a particular food, however, complex it may be, but not to a variety of
foods taken together. It is the combining of many varieties and incompatible foods at a meal that
causes 90 per cent of digestive disorders.

There is a marked tendency to gastro-intestinal fermentation with certain combinations of foods.
There is no fermentation and digestion will be much more satisfactory when the foods
comprising a meal are of the same type. This generally means eating similar foods at one time in
order to accomplish the most complete digestion.
The most important rule for combining foods is to avoid mixing protein and carbohydrate
concentrated foods. Although every food contains some protein , those regarded as protein
concentrated foods demand the longest digestive time. They are held in the stomach for some
hours until the gastric juices has performed its task. This may vary from two-and-a-half to six
hours, depending upon the complexity of the protein in the food. If a protein food is mixed with
starch-concentrated or sugar-concentrated foods, it will usually result in fermentation. This may
lead to indigestion and gas in the stomach.

Animal-food proteins, such as meats, fish and cheese, require very high concentration of
hydrochloric acid. Their gastric digesting will be greatly inhibited by carbohydrate fermentation in
the stomach. This will produce more gas and increased discomfort. Eating meat, potatoes, bread
and sweets should, therefore, be especially avoided.

Protein foods are best digested when eaten with fresh vegetable salad. Primary protein foods
such as nuts, seeds and soya beans also combine very well with acid fruits like oranges,
pineapples, grapefruit and lemons, and fairly well with sub-acid fruits, like grapes, pears, apples,
berries, apricots and peaches. These vegetables and fruits are rich natural sources of vitamin C
which aids protein digestion.

The second important rule for food combining is to avoid mixing proteins and fats at the same
meal. Fat in foods inhibits the secretion of gastric juice through the small wall. Thus when
fat-concentrated foods are taken with protein foods, gastric catabolism will decrease by the
degree of liquid concentration in the stomach. Fat will remain undigested in the stomach until
gastric juices complete their work on the complex protein molecule.
Although all primary protein foods contain high concentration of fat, such lipids will be held in
suspension, awaiting catabolism in the intestine , without impeding gastric action. Free fats like
oil, butter, and milk tend to coat the gastric mucosa, thereby inhibiting its effort to secrete gastric
juice. Fat surrounding fried foods is also regarded as free fat and it interferes with gastric
catabolism.

Another important rule for food combining is to avoid mixing carbohydrates and acid fruits in the
same meal. The starch-splitting enzyme ptyalin in the saliva plays an important role as the food
is chewed. It converts the complex starch molecules into simpler sugars. Ptyalin requires a
neutral or slightly alkaline medium for proper functioning and this is the normal condition of the
saliva in the mouth. However, when acid foods are taken, the action of ptyalin is halted. It is,
therefore, necessary to avoid acid fruits in the same meal as sweet fruits or starches. Thus
tomatoes should not be eaten with starches especially potatoes or bread.
Refined sugar products are also acidic, both in the mouth and in the bloodstream. The acidifying
of the saliva by sucrose is one of the main causes of tooth decay. It can also cause severe
damage to the digestion.

Food combining is designed to facilitate easier digestion. In a nutshell, starches, fats, green vegetables and sugars may be eaten together as they require
either an alkaline or neutral medium for their digestion. Similarly, proteins, green vegetables and
acid fruits may be eaten together as they require an acid or neutral medium for their digestion.

But starches and proteins, fats and proteins and starches and acid fruits should not be eaten
together as a general rule, if the best results are required from the ingestion of the food eaten.

This in brief is the whole basis for successful food combination.
An important point to remember about meals is that the smaller the number of courses they
consist of, the better it will be. They should approximate to a one-course meal as much as
possible. Simple meals in every way are more conducive to health, than more elaborate ones,
no matter how well they may be combined.

A meal consisting of proteins,carbohydrates and fats may remain in the stomach for six to seven
hours before the stomach is emptied. If carbohydrates are eaten without proteins, they remain in
the stomach for a relatively short period. A fruit meal remains in the stomach for even shorter
time. It is advisable to eat these different foods at different meals - a fruit meal, a starch meal
and a protein meal. The ideal practice is a fruit meal for breakfast, a starch meal with salad and
non- starchy vegetables for lunch, and a protein meal with a salad and non-starchy vegetables
for dinner.

Proteins: Nuts, seeds, soya beans, cheese, eggs, poultry* meat*, fish*, yogurt.

Fats: Oils, olive, butter, margarine.

Starches: Whole cereals, peas, beans, lentils.

Vegetables: Leafy green vegetables, sprouted seeds, cabbage cauliflower, broccoli, green peas, celery, tomatoes, onions.

Sweet Fruits: Bananas, fits, custard apples, all-dried fruits, dates.

Sub-acid-fruits: Grapes, pears, apples, peaches, apricots, plums, fruits guavas, raspberries.

Acid fruits: Grapefruit, lemons, oranges, limes, pineapple, strawberries.

To learn more about the energy principle in healing, please read:

Cost-free Miracle Asthma Cure
Overcome Type I Diabetes and Type II Diabetes Naturally
Alternative Treatments for Incurable Diseases made easy

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Increase Flavor of the Food With Indian Spices and Pickles

Eating nutritious food is the first mantra of leading a healthy and disease free life. Today, people are getting lots of food related diseases in the world. This is due to the consumption of large amount of fast food and readymade foods. It contains low essential nutrients leading to deficiency diseases in the body. So, the dieticians across the world are advising the people to go for the good food and avoid the poor food available in the market. All the processed foods are known to take a toll on the health of the individual after consuming that for a long time. To avoid the diseases people are taking healthy food nowadays.
India is the place of many important discoveries in the world. Curved medicine is one of the greatest achievements of the ancient scholar in India. It is still useful in treating lots of diseases that are not curable in the allopathic or homeopathic medicine. In this medicine sesame seeds are used in the composition which is used in treating various diseases. Seeds are known for their nutrients contents like copper, zinc, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, etc. These nutrients are useful in gaining a good and healthy life. So, the people are importing from exporter of sesame seeds and spices from India to get the fresh and superior quality products. The seeds are crushed to make a paste and traditional biscuit in the villages. Paste is used as a condiment in the food while cooking to make them more healthy and rich in nutrients.
Spices of India are known for their taste and aroma around the world. It was due to the spices that the country faced the colonization by European countries. Since the ancient time spices are known for their exotic quality and flavor but still it hold this royalties unchallenged for centuries. Some of the spices are popular in Indian kitchen and exported to other countries are ginger, cumin, coriander, chili, pepper, clove, nutmeg, and fenugreek. Spice exporter from India is packing with international standard to send to other countries. Its demand from other countries is increasing due to the popularity of the Indian food in the international restaurants. People around the world are becoming the fan of Indian food due to their spicy and hot flavor found in the dishes.
Spices are plants€™ bark, leaf, roots, fruits, seeds, and vegetable. It is used in the food to enhance the colors, flavor and aroma of the food. It contains certain good nutrients and good stuff required in our body for proper functioning. This is why many spices are found in the composition of many medicines these days. India is the largest producer and exporter of Indian spices and pickles around the world. Pickles complete the food to make it tasty and nutritious for the individual. So, the people around the world are buying these items from the Indian market. Food products are packaged according to the international hygiene standard to maintain their taste and quality when it reaches the customers.

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Catering for Sydney: A Wonderful Change in Food Service Industry

Sydney is on top of the flock because of the wide range of dishes that one can come across in the place. The existence of regional dishes and food masters seen in quite a lot of its dinning establishments and food avenues made catering for Sydney appealing. No matter what there's always steps to follow including setting up, long conversations, meeting the catering service and many other arrangements to guarantee the success of the event. If you're planning a function for example a wedding event, big birthday bash, anniversary or company seminar, food is a huge matter. Virtually any occasion should be considered a special affair to look forward to especially those which will be attended by a huge congregation. Arrangements, setting up and spending plan are generally time-consuming, stress filled and can disrupt schedules.

The assistance of an events coordinator or events management person/company has got to be delightful respite. As soon as the big day arrives, the intricacies of your preparation also occurs. With regards to considerations related to food items and food service, the ideal catering company is a veritable party saver. You will find a wide array of restaurants and competent caterers in Sydney which were around for years, offering their own unique delectable specialties at the venue you want. The food service business, generally, has integrated contemporary event catering ways to accommodate the adjusting tastes and food choices of today's way of living that even the pickiest eaters couldn't keep from.

Plan your upcoming affair as soon as possible with the help of an established and trustworthy event manager to enjoy a meaningful function. Meeting the food caterer together with the event planner is sensible. The caterer may be able to provide you with menus and food choices fit for the event and local weather. Skilled caterers know the fantastic catering ensemble to take to the locale. Skilled catering service providers are set for a themed affair, therefore, serving the right complementary drinks and food. Food servers are skillfully trained as well. Every food caterer wants to have the perfect ambience that will go perfectly with their dishes and the celebration, adding spruce to the buffet table is the creative food display.

Occasions, no matter whether small or big, are occasions to confirm that skills and experience in catering for Sydney is no accident. It entails the tradition of food service. Events supervision and food service function in partnership to present practicality to those who are planning a celebration. The combination is a show of managing abilities and culinary skills which makes putting together an event less tiresome and more interesting. The sole thing you have to do is play the ever gracious host. Using modern day professional ways that events management and event catering services make use of, foodie and party enthusiasts can anticipate a gastronomic treat that brighten up the senses. This is for certain one exceptional change in Sydney's events and food service world.

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Try This Superfood Pasta Dish With Salmon and Capers in a Tarragon Cream Sauce

Penne pasta with smoked salmon and capers in a tarragon cream sauce is an elegant and indulgent pasta dish that is delicious, nutritious and very easy to make. As one of the top ten superfoods, salmon is an excellent source of high quality protein, vitamins, minerals, good fats and heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids.
Superfoods"easy-to-eat foods that are packed with multiple nutrients to help you stay healthy. These multitasking "superfoods" provide multiple disease-fighting nutrients, fill you up so you can enjoy plenty of food without excess calories, and are easy to include in everyday meals. "- WebMD
This recipe uses smoked salmon but you can also make it with poached salmon or baked salmon. If using the latter, be sure and under cook the salmon slightly (it should be slightly pink in the middle). It will continue to cook in the sauce so you want it to be slightly under done before adding it in order for it to remain moist and flavorful once the dish is complete.
Recipe: Penne Pasta with Smoked Salmon and Capers in a Tarragon Cream Sauce
Serves 4 for dinner, 6 for lunch and 8 as a starter.
Ingredients
· 1 lb. penne pasta (or similar bite-size shape)
· 1 (4 oz.) package of smoked salmon, sliced into bite size pieces
or 2 medium filets of cooked salmon, gently divided into bite size pieces
· 1 clove of garlic, minced or crushed
· 2 tablespoons butter
· 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon zest
· 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
· 1 pint of crème fraiche
· 1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon, with a few sprigs for garnish
· 1/4 cup capers (optional)
· salt and fresh-ground black pepper
Instructions
  • Put a large pot of water on to boil (4 quarts or liters per pound of pasta). Add a lid to bring it to a boil faster.

  • Slice the smoked salmon into even, bite size pieces and set aside

  • If using fresh (or fresh frozen) salmon, poach or bake the salmon filets until just barely done (7-10 minutes depending on thickness). Allow to cool slightly and carefully flake into bite size pieces, discarding the skin.

  • When the pasta water is at a rolling boil, add a heaping tablespoon of salt and drop in the pasta. Give it a good stir to prevent sticking. Cook according to package instructions until al dente.

  • While the pasta is cooking, put 2 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan and turn the heat to medium low. Add the garlic and sauté gently for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown or it will be bitter.

  • Add the crème fraiche, minced tarragon, lemon juice and lemon zest to the saucepan and stir to blend. Stir in half of the salmon and heat through. Season carefully with salt and pepper (smoked salmon is quite salty so taste the sauce before adding your salt)

  • Turn the heat to low and keep the sauce warm.

  • When the pasta is al dente (still firm to the bite), carefully reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta and return it to the hot pot, off the heat.

  • Using a rubber spatula to get every delicious morsel, scrape the cream sauce into the hot pasta and stir gently to coat. Add the capers and the remainder of the salmon.

  • Add a splash of the starchy pasta water if needed to smooth out the sauce to a satiny smooth consistency. Stir gently to blend the flavors and heat through.

  • Plate into individual bowls and garnish with additional capers and sprigs of fresh tarragon. Serve immediately.
Add a crisp, green salad with fresh seasonal veggies, a hearty, whole grain artisan bread and a dry white or rosé wine for a delicious and delightful dinner in no time at all.
Christine Coughlan is the author, designer and publisher of http://www.MyFavoritePastaRecipes.com, your one-stop resource for pasta recipes, ideas, how-to and more! You'll find simple step-by-step recipes with beautiful images, helpful how-to videos, drool-worthy culinary tours, articles, timely seasonal inspiration and much more. Quick and easy one-dish dinner ideas, classic pasta and sauce combinations, rich and satisfying lasagnas, even an in depth video series on how to make fresh pasta by hand that will keep you coming back for more. To keep things flowing smoothly in your kitchen, look for her handy tips and timing techniques. From gathering your ingredients to garnishing your plate, you'll look like a seasoned pro. To check out more great pasta recipes, visit today!

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The Basics and Benefits of Delicious Vegetarian Sandwiches

Vegetarian sandwiches are delicious, guilt-free masterpieces that are as filling as their meaty counterparts once done right. Best of all, they allow a lot of creativity, and some of the tastiest recipes can be derived from the simplest ingredients. Added to this, the constant addition of new food items and their variations to the grocery shelves make it easy for newcomers to be just as satisfied as veterans, allowing the transition to be pain free. Many will also be happy to know that these points/benefits are not merely limited to sandwiches.
Basic Ingredients You Will Need:
There are some basic ingredients to always have on hand whether you a veteran or just adopting a vegetarian diet. In fact, these basics can be mixed and matched to create a world of possibilities. Plus, they tend to form the base of most sandwich recipes you will find. These are:
  • Bread and wraps of your choice (the more variety, the better)
  • Hummus, sandwich spreads, and sauces you like (you can even find recipes for homemade versions)
  • Seasonal veggies (since these tend to be more affordable)
  • Tofu, seitan, or tempeh
  • Peas, beans, and sprouts of all kinds (these can help make sandwiches tastier and more filling)
  • Cashew and other vegan cheeses
3 Things to Remember:
Switching or sticking to a vegan diet has many pluses. It also has some drawbacks if it is not done properly. As you enjoy your creations, it is important to remember the following three things.
1) Vegan does not automatically mean healthy
Far too many people fall into this trap. Some process foods are technically vegan, but are chock-full of things you should try to avoid no matter your diet. Additionally, the calorie content can be a major disadvantage. The key is to be a conscious consumer, so always investigate before you buy. You can also aim for fresh, home-made alternatives as often as your life allows.
2) Be mindful of allergies
A lot of what you come across may contain nuts and other ingredients that could trigger allergies. With that said, become informed and read labels carefully. Newbies are also encouraged to understand alternative names for ingredients with multiple names.
3) Vegan does not mean sacrificing taste
Every happy vegan understands the value of great hummus or other spreads, tasty vegetables, and the long list of other possible fillings. Add fresh ingredients to the list, and you quickly realize that there is absolutely no need to give up great tasting foods. That is really all it takes, and a good sandwich is proof of this.
As you explore all the vegetarian sandwiches out there, remember to save your favorite recipes. It is also recommended that you look for economical ways to enjoy the ones that are costly, especially when eating out. Lastly, do not forget to share what you find with your friends, vegans and meat lovers alike. You never know who you could inspire to change their eating habits or who has tasty options of their own to share with you!
For more information about the vegetarian lifestyle, visit My Vegan Heaven, or check out some more vegan sandwich ideas.

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The Baby Food Debate: The Benefits of Homemade Baby Food Over The Jars

Americans have long depended on jarred baby foods for convenient feeding. In the past few years more and more processed food options have entered the children's food market. The big brands have expanded into pre-packaged "toddler meals" and "school lunches" all in the name of helping busy parents who need things to be fast and convenient. Even for those parents with the best effort and intention, there may be times when you just can't make or safely pack your own food. One of my clients had served her eight-month-old homemade, organic baby food from his first bite. However while traveling with her son to England; she brought a few jars of food "just in case" she ran out of fresh items on the flight. Here are some tips for buying commercially jarred foods, when you're in a pinch.

o Opt for those with the most calories, meaning more food per unit weight.

o Look for jars of organic foods, without fillers.

o Check that the expiration date on the jar has not passed.

o Choose foods without chemicals and preservatives.

o If feeding your baby a vegetarian diet, look for the Vegetarian Society's "V" symbol on the jar or container, to be sure it is truly vegetarian.

Benefits of Homemade

Babies usually triple their weight during their first year. If they are what they eat, this is the most important time to give them the best. You may not be able to give your child fresh, homemade foods everyday, but here are the benefits for you and your child when you do make the effort.

More nutritious

Homemade food is more nutritious than commercially prepared baby foods because it retains more of the nutrients, especially vitamin A and B. This is because the food is less processed. The jarring process necessitates the use of very high heat under pressure. Much more than you can generate when cooking at home. Unfortunately, many vitamins are destroyed by heat.

Some of the baby food on the market has additives and thickening agents including cornstarch, flour, chemically modified starches or "tapioca" (corn syrup, starch). This means your baby is getting less fruit and vegetables and more "filler". Consumers are also getting less nutrition and value for your money.

More Control

By making your own food, you'll know exactly what your child is eating. You can monitor their diet, and know which vitamins and nutrients are lacking. A study by the San Francisco Chronicle in 2002, reported that over 40% of children's calories come from fast and processed foods. Spend your time making your own food, rather than reading and de-coding labels on processed foods.

No Chemicals or Preservatives

Your food will not have anything added, that you didn't put there. You're not trying to preserve shelf life or disguise any of the ingredients in your food. Preservatives include partially hydrogenated oils or trans-fats, which are linked to diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Taste

While sometimes convenient, a big drawback of commercial baby food is that it bears little relation to the real food. Fresh, seasonal food just tastes better. You probably haven't eaten baby food since you were a baby - because you don't want or have to. If feeding homemade baby food, your child will appreciate real foods from their first bite. These will be the flavors and food items that they will continue to enjoy as they grow. Jarred baby food is not available in every fruit and vegetable, nor is it seasonal. You may miss the opportunity to introduce fruit and vegetable options, which you want your baby to eat later with the rest of the family. Some children get used to bland, smooth, jarred foods and have difficulty being reintroduced to the same real foods and textures later.

Less Waste

Making food gives you control over quantity, taste, texture and expense. You will not have to throw away partially eaten jars of food. Instead you can cook what you know your baby will eat, prolong the life of your homemade food in the freezer, or eat your child's food yourself.

Create variety from a single, whole food item. When making baked sweet potatoes you can chose to puree some, cut pieces into soft chunks, and leave the rest whole. Because your homemade purees are made with whole foods, the leftovers can be made into soups, side dishes and sauces for the rest of the family. You may doubt that because you've never considered making a delicious soup from a jar of baby food. However many favorite cream soups get their start from humble, fresh purees.

Less Cost

The cost for making your own baby food is often less than buying commercially prepared baby foods, if you shop smart and cook in larger quantities. For instance a four ounce jar of baby food ranges in price from .60 - $1.20 each, depending on brand and place purchased. However when making your own baby food, and following our tips for creating convenience and buying in-season whole foods you can save on the price. I purchased enough apples for an apple puree for $2 at the farmer's market, and my recipe yielded 16 ounces, thus my cost is $.50 per four ounce serving.

Excerpt from The Petit Appetite Cookbook (Penguin March 2005) by Lisa Barnes.

Lisa Barnes is a cookbook author and the owner of Petit Appetite, a cooking service devoted to baby and toddlers. She teaches private and group cooking classes to parents in Northern California who want to provide their children with fresh, healthy, organic foods. Visit http://www.petitappetit.com for more information and to sign-up for free newsletters.

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Lobster Pasta Salad

You can buy already packaged lobster tails if you don't want to go through the hassle of cooking live lobsters. I have never cooked fresh lobster because I am scared of them. I don't like the idea of bringing something home alive then killing it in boiling water and eating it. The thought of, it was alive a few minutes ago, will be in my head. I like eating lobster but I prefer the pre packaged kind when I am making an at home recipe.
Looking for a light quick filling recipe for lobster? I have one you could try called lobster pasta salad that is easy to make and tastes great.
Ingredients
1 box pasta shells
1 lb lobster tails frozen
1 tbsp olive oil
2 to 3 leeks if they are small
Roasted bell peppers (orange, yellow, or red)
Half a container of grape tomatoes
1 cup miracle whip or mayo
½ cup sour cream
3 tbsp dill
¼ cup lemon juice
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Prepare the shells according to package adding the olive oil to water and salting with sea salt. Pre heat oven and place lobster tails in dish and bake in a butter and garlic sauce sprinkled with salt. Drain the pasta and put into large mixing bowl. I use roasted bell peppers for all my salads because of the flavor but you can chop 1 bell pepper and add to the pasta if you don't have roasted peppers. I chop 2 to 3 small leeks and add in the pasta mixture along with the grape tomatoes. In a separate bowl mix the miracle whip and sour cream together with the dill. Try not to skimp with the dill by using a lot of it to give the salad that dill flavor. Stir in the lemon juice with the dressing. Once the lobster tails are ready and flake, then mix them into the pasta. Salt the pasta with sea salt and pepper. Once done, mix the dressing for the pasta into the pasta shells and refrigerate. That is the important step to this recipe. The longer in the refrigerator the better it will taste preferably the next day. The peppers, onions and seasonings need time to meld with the pasta to give the dish its flavor. Take out of the refrigerator and serve cold. This recipe is good served warm but to me it takes better cold.

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Food hygiene certificate or no food hygiene certificate? The Answers

In a nutshell let's get the facts straight about food hygiene certificates, and answer your questions about finding the food hygiene course which is the most suitable for you. Yes, a food hygiene course taken online will be accepted by an Environmental Health officer and by local authorities. They are specifically designed to help you meet the legal requirement for food handlers. No, you don't have to go to a local college or sit in a classroom to achieve your food hygiene certificate; you can take it online and sit back while your new food hygiene certificate finds its way to you through the post.
How do I know which course to take?
That's easy. One simple rule:
If you make food to be sold, or sell food directly...
...You need the Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate for Catering.
It's the most popular course by far, be sure to bear in mind that Environmental Health will be looking to see that you have refreshed your food hygiene training every 3 years!
What's the law?
It's fairly straight forward.
Many people have doubts over whether their local authority, council, or specific company will accept their food hygiene certificate, and are looking for a guarantee that their Food Hygiene Certificate will be accepted. The bottom line is, that in doing this training, you have met the legal obligation.
The Environmental Health officer is looking to see that food handlers are appropriately trained, and if you don't have 2-3 hours for food hygiene training and you are at risk of failing your Environmental Health Officer inspection.
There are different levels of Food Hygiene training, so we won't get too caught up with these right now but I will give an outline of what they are.
Level 1 is just an awareness level, and so it is unsuitable for food handlers. If you make food to be sold or serve the food directly to the public this is inadequate. This old foundation or basic awareness course has been replaced by the Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate, and you will find that Environmental Health Officers will often ask that you have a Level 2 certificate. Level 3 is usually a 3 or 4 day course that would need to be booked at a local college, and is likely to be designed to allow you to manage a team of food handlers. Level 4 allow you to train others in food handling.

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Teaching Your Kids the Art of Cooking

They say the parents are the first teachers of their children. Education truly starts at home. Before your kids start their formal education at a school, you should start teaching him all the essential things he needs to know, from being familiar with all letters and numbers to music appreciation.

There's another important thing your child has to learn that is often not taught in the household: cooking. More important than reading or math skills, knowing how to properly feed themselves is one of the most useful things you can teach them. Below are some suggestions on how to go about teaching them how to cook and start them early in the kitchen:

Find time for it - When teaching your children something, you need to have a firm resolve that you'll really find time for it. Instead of spending time online chatting with their friends or posting photos on their social network accounts, they can instead join you in the kitchen for some cooking lessons. What they'll learn there will certainly be of greater value than all the useless and even destructive stuff they see on the web.

Make them love it - One of the most effective ways to teach little kids is to make them love what they're learning. Especially because they have a short attention span, if they're not interested in it, they may not even pay attention to what you're teaching them. You have to be creative when teaching them how to cook so you hold their attention all the time.

Make them do it - Of course, learning is better facilitated when there's actual and immediate application of what they've learned. It's an old learning principle called 'learning by doing.' Once you've demonstrated something, ask your kids to do it themselves. This is another way of getting them into it so you'll always get them to focus on the teaching session. Safety comes first, of course, so don't let them do anything that's potentially dangerous without assisting them.

Eat what they cook - Like adults, children can also get satisfaction when what they've cooked is actually eaten and is not just for show. This helps them put value into what they do. Give them positive feedback so they don't feel discouraged. If there are things they need to improve on, say it in a manner that won't hurt their feelings as this can dishearten them. If they feel bad, they may not be too eager to attend your next session.

Use simple recipes - Certainly, you don't want to immediately teach them how to cook meals that involve a lot of preparation and require advanced cooking skills. Start with basic things like boiling water, frying eggs, and cooking rice. Once they know how to perform basic techniques, you can teach them something a bit more challenging.

Teach them how to use kitchen tools and equipment - Again, safety comes first. Be sure to demonstrate how to properly handle kitchen tools, especially those that are potentially dangerous. You should also familiarize them with the uses of each tool.

Knowing how to cook is one of the most practical lessons you can impart to them. It's never too early to teach them something that's essential for survival (you can watch online cooking videos for recipes you can also share with your kids).

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Eating Healthy In The Winter

The craving for junk food seems to intensify during winter because our bodies seek high-caloric food to stay warm. This means that fresh fruits and veggies tend to disappear from our plates in the cold winter months, which affects our health and general wellbeing. Here's how you can make sure that you and your family are eating healthy in the winter.

• Have a healthy breakfast. The cold winter months are perfect for kicking off your day with a warm bowl of oatmeal or porridge. Add dried cranberries for a sweet touch and almonds for crunch.

• Incorporate foods rich in beta-carotene into your winter diet. Examples include carrots, spinach, lettuce, kale, cabbage and sweet potatoes. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that protects your entire system and keeps you looking young.

• It is equally important to eat foods rich in vitamin C during winter to strengthen your immune system. Eat lots of capsicum, pomegranates, lime, lemons, oranges, cauliflower, broccoli, hot chili peppers and strawberries.

• Eat lots of seasonal veggies. Try veggies like dark leafy greens, turnips, parsnips, Brussels sprouts and carrots. They work wonders for your health.

• Be more adventurous about food. Never had sweet potatoes? How about buying some and rustling up a quick sweet potato salad with spinach, grilled chicken and feta cheese? Never considered eating beets and turnip? Simply toss them in olive oil, sprinkle salt and pepper, roast for 40 minutes, and enjoy this flavorful side dish.

• Drink more milk. Milk and milk products like cheese and yogurt are a great source of calcium (healthy bones) and also boost your immune system. Stick to low-fat varieties.

• Have lots of soup. Winter is the perfect time for making large pots of soup and sharing a wonderful meal with your family. Try butternut soup, mushroom soup or the good old chicken soup. Serve with warm garlic bread and you have a simple yet hearty dinner. Stay away from the high-sodium store-bought canned soups, though. Homemade soup is the healthiest, but go low on the salt.

• Keep healthy snacks around for your family to munch on. Fresh veggies dipped in honey-mustard and fruits like strawberries and raspberries dipped in low-fat flavored yogurt are both excellent options. Other healthy snacks include peanut-butter sandwiches, no-butter popcorn, low-fat homemade granola and nuts.

• Satisfy sweet cravings with healthy options like baked apples with caramel sauce, banana bread, berry salads, frozen yogurt, and sorbets.

The next time you go grocery shopping, remember this one simple rule for eating healthy during winters: shop for seasonal food products. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are fresh, nutritious and very high in flavor, making for excellent and healthy meals.

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Delicious Vegan Caribbean Soups Recipes

Soup is such an easy meal to prepare and if you live in a country with winter months then this is perfect to add to your recipe collection. Try these as a meal and can me served with some nice wholemeal bread rolls.
Red Peas Soup
Ingredients
1 pint or 570 ml red peas/kidney beans
1 onion
2 stalks scallions
1 sprig thyme
1 bell pepper
Optional Ingredients
1 lb or 450 g yellow yam
8 oz or 225 g sweet potato
1 lb or 450 g coco (coco is a root vegetable but you can use potato instead)
For the dumplings
5 oz or 150 g or flour
½ tsp salt
Enough water to bind
Preparation
  • Boil red peas (kidney beans) in about 8 pints or 4½ litres of water.
  • When peas are almost cooked add seasoning and ground provision.
  • Remove bell pepper after about 10 minutes.
  • Add salt to taste, if necessary.
For the dumplings
  • Place flour and salt in a medium bowl.
  • Work mixture with hands while adding enough water to bind, making a stiff dough.
  • Roll into 1 inch long slim pieces, drop into boiling stew peas.
  • Boil until they float or add them during last 20 minutes of the cooking process.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broad Bean Soup
Ingredients
1 pint or 570 ml broad beans
1 lb or 450g yam
8 oz or 225 g pumpkin
1 turnip
1 sprig thyme
1 stalk scallion
1 peg breadfruit
1 chocho
Black pepper and salt to taste
Preparation
  • Wash and dice vegetables.
  • Put beans to boil in 4 pints or 2¼ litres of water for 30 minutes, then add vegetables.
  • When beans are tender peel add yam and breadfruit.
  • Add seasoning and allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gungo Peas (Pigeon Peas) Soup
Ingredients
½ pint or 10 floz pint green/dry gungo peas (pigeon peas)
½ pint or 10 floz corn kernels
1½ pints or 900 ml water
1 onion
1 stalk scallion (spring onions)
1 pint or 570 ml coconut milk
For the dumplings
5 oz or 150 g flour
½ tsp salt
Enough water to bind
Preparation
  • Put peas in water and allow to boil.
  • When pot is boiling strongly put in corn kernels and cook until peas are tender.
  • Make and add dumplings (see below), then coconut milk and allow to simmer for a further 15 minutes.
For the dumplings
  • Place flour and salt in a medium bowl.
  • Work mixture with hands while adding enough water to bind, making a stiff dough.
  • Roll into 1 inch long slim pieces.
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Disclaimer Policy

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by us. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content. The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified.

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Recipe for Pasta Primavera With a Hint of Sun Dried Tomatoes

Pasta Primavera is a combination of any type of pasta, spaghetti, tubetti, bow ties, penne (the list goes on and on), and vegetables. This recipe may be adapted to suit your tastes and you may alter it according to the produce in season. Variety is what makes this dish so popular.
Check your refrigerator and see what vegetables you have on hand: carrots, red peppers, green peppers, mushrooms, green onions, and even leftover cooked vegetables. Choose the vegetables that you think would go well together and create your own version of this classic dish.
Some recipes use chicken or vegetable stock for the sauce, while others use tomato paste. I've even made a simple version of this dish with lemon juice, lemon zest, a little butter, and some pasta water. For this recipe, I used a new product -- sun-dried tomato paste -- something I bought accidentally.
Because I was in a hurry, I just grabbed the box and didn't read the label. When I got home I realized I hadn't bought "ordinary" tomato paste, I bought sun-dried tomato paste. Would it taste good with the pasta? The only way to find out was to test it.
My inventory of vegetables included a yellow onion, Roma tomatoes, mushrooms, and zucchini. I was good to go. Though I've tried to serve whole wheat pasta, my husband doesn't like it, so I serve pasta that has been fortified with vitamins and fiber. Everyone in the family enjoyed Pasta Primavera with a Hint of Sun Dried Tomatoes.
Ingredients
8 ounces of spaghetti
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, peeled and cut into crescents
1 zucchini, cut into small pieces
8-ounce box of sliced mushrooms
3 large Roma tomatoes, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon Italian herbs or Herbs de Provence
1/3 cup sun-dried tomato paste
3 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Freshly shaved Parmesan cheese
Method
Cook spaghetti according to package directions. While spaghetti is cooking prepare vegetable sauce. Pour olive oil into a large skillet. Add onions and saute until soft. Add zucchini and mushrooms and cook until almost done. Reserve one cup of pasta water before you drain and do not rinse the spaghetti. Add tomatoes, garlic, herbs, tomato paste, pasta water, parsley, butter, salt and pepper to vegetables. Transfer cooked, drained spaghetti to skillet and toss gently with vegetables. Serve immediately with Parmesan cheese and garlic toast. Makes 6-8 servings.
Copyright 2013 by Harriet Hodgson
http://www.harriethodgson.com
Before she became a health and wellness writer, Harriet Hodgson was a food writer for a local magazine. She has been a freelancer for 35+ years and is the author of 32 published books. Her latest releases are "Help! I'm Raising My Grandkids" and "Happy Again! Your New and Meaningful Life After Loss." Visit her website and learn more about this busy author and grandmother.

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Tuna Noodle Casserole

There is nothing better than putting a bunch of ingredients in one dish and walking away from it to let it cook. That is way I love Crockpot meals and casseroles because they don't need a lot of cooking to make them. I would like to share another quick casserole recipe using tuna. I love tuna casserole and this is another popular highly requested recipe people ask me about.
My daughter isn't a big fan of food with more than one ingredient. The more stuff that's in it the more disgusted she is with the recipe. She likes her meals very simple. She will not eat this recipe.
I've found a lot of people don't like tuna. If not, you can always substitute with chicken instead. I absolutely hate using cream of mushroom soup in my tuna casseroles and anyone who prepares it that way I more than likely won't eat it. I don't care how good it is. Here is my favorite tuna casserole recipe I would like to share.
Ingredients
2 cans tuna
1 package egg noodles
1 cup miracle whip
½ cup sour cream
2 to 3 stalks celery
1 small onion
2 tbsp thyme
1 package shredded mozzarella
Salt and pepper to taste
Cook the egg noodles according to package directions. Turn your oven on so it is hot when it's time to put in casserole. Drain the noodles. Chop up the onion and celery. In a skillet use about 2 tbsp olive oil and sauté the onion and celery until tender. Grab a 2 quart casserole dish and put noodles in and add the cooked vegetables. Open the cans of tuna and drain out the liquid. I use tuna in water. Add the tuna to the casserole mixture. Add in the cup of miracle whip and ½ cup sour cream. Add the 2 tbsp thyme and add the salt and pepper to taste. Stir the mixture around making sure everything is together well. Add the package of mozzarella cheese mixing it in with a spoon. Put casserole into hot 350 degree oven and bake until bubbly about 30-40 minutes. Take out of oven. I like to serve this dish with warm buttered rolls and a green vegetable like peas, green beans, or steamed asparagus. I like hot tuna casseroles but some people don't. I have eaten this same recipe the following day cold and it's just as good. I suggest trying it both ways. Enjoy!

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Potato And Pancetta Ravioli With Sage Burnt Butter

Serves 4-6
You will need a pasta machine for this recipe, available at kitchenware shops.
Potato and Pancetta Ravioli Ingredients:
800G starchy potatoes (such as Sebago), peeled, chopped
200g pancetta, finely chopped
2 rosemary springs, leaves chopped
2 and 1/2 cups (400g) 00 flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
120g unsalted butter
1 bunch sage leaves picked
Methods of Cooking:
To make Potato and pancetta ravioli, place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to the boil over high heat, then simmer 30 minutes or until tender. Drain well, then mash. Meanwhile, cook pancetta in a small frypan over medium-high heat, stirring, for 6-8 minutes until crisp and golden, adding rosemary for the final 2 minutes. Stir pancetta mixture into the potato, along with the parmesan and nutmeg. Season then set aside to cool.
For the pasta dough, mound flour on a clean work surface and make a well in the centre. Pour egg into well and, using a fork, draw in the flour until the mixture is thick. Work in remaining flour using your hands, then knead dough for 5 minutes or until firm (add extra flour if dough is sticky). Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Divide dough into 4 portions and keep covered with a tea towel so it doesn't dry out as you make the ravioli. Using a rolling pin, flatten 1 portion to 3mm thick and about 12cm wide- nearly the width of your pasta machine. Set your pasta machine at its widest setting (1), then feed the dough through, narrowing the setting on your machine 1 notch at a time until you reach setting 6. Cut the pasta sheet in half lengthways. Place heaped tablespoon potato mixture, spaced 3 cm apart, on one half, then cover with remaining half, pressing gently but firmly with your fingers to seal and remove any air. Cut out ravioli with a knife or pasta wheel, then set aside. Repeat with remaining 3 pasta dough portions and filling.
In batches, cook the ravioli in a saucepan of boiling, salted water for 4 minutes or until al dente. Remove with a slotted spoon. Meanwhile, melt butter in frypan over medium heat. When starting to foam, add sage and cook for 1-2 minutes until crisp and butter brown.
Serve ravioli immediately with sage butter and extra Parmesan. By then, the potato and pancetta ravioli is ready.
My blog contains a huge number of fresh and super delicious recipes you only get to know in elite restaurants.
Check them all now for free!

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Top 5 Tips for Making Every Pasta Sauce a Great Pasta Sauce

Although these tips will not guarantee a perfect pasta sauce, they are some easy guidelines that will help add freshness, improve the texture, and turn a good pasta sauce into a great one.
1. Use Fresh
Great pasta sauce starts with great ingredients, and as you would expect, the fresher the better is generally a good rule to go by. That said, pasta is really useful for using up left-overs and spare ingredients. In these situations, there are a couple of fresh ingredients that will make the biggest difference to your pasta sauce.
The first is fresh celery. This has a much cleaner taste than when it begins to become tired, and that will go through the dish.
The second is the addition of fresh herbs right at the end of cooking the sauce. Oregano and Thyme are easy to grow and keep outside whilst a well cared for Basil plant can last from early spring to late autumn kept on a kitchen window. Adding a tablespoon of any - or even all three of these - at the end of the cooking will perk up any dish and bring it alive on your tongue.
2. Chop it fine
Great pasta sauce usually has great textures. One of the best ways of achieving this is to take a little bit of extra time to chop your vegetables as finely as possible - unless of course you are intentionally keeping them as larger chunks. Chopping vegetables finely like this enhances texture as the vegetables disintegrate into the pasta sauce, melting in your mouth to provide an almost velvety texture.
Another benefit is that the smaller pieces result in a greater surface area, meaning that the vegetables release more natural sugars as they caramelise.
3. Order it right
Many pasta sauces start out with a sofritto - a mixture of celery, onions and carrots - and of course have the addition of garlic. However, rather than adding all of these ingredients to your heated olive oil at the same time, adding them in a particular order helps us achieve a better result.
Begin by adding the onions, cooking these until they caramelise and turn golden brown. Next, add the garlic. The onions and garlic underpin the flavour of the dish, adding an underlying sweet and bitter flavour. Adding the garlic after the onion should help ensure it doesn't burn.
Finally, add the carrot and celery and cook until they soften. If these are added at the same time as the garlic and onion, their flavour will be slightly lost instead of penetrating through the rest of the dish.
4. Fry it hot
In the early stages of cooking a pasta sauce, people often cook it on a too low heat. It is crucial to cook your vegetables on a high heat early as this will get your vegetables to caramelise. The natural sweetness that comes from this provides the perfect compliment to the natural acidity of the tomatoes and getting this stage wrong can result in an unbalanced, acidic sauce.
5. Add pan-water
Getting the consistency of a pasta sauce right is really important. It should be slightly sticky so that it clings to the pasta but not too much so that it is cloying.
One of the best ways to achieve the texture you want is to allow your pasta sauce to cook beyond the consistency at which you would like to serve it, then add some starchy water from the pasta pan to loosen the sauce to the consistency at which you would like to serve it.
An additional benefit is that the starchy water binds the sauce together and improves the consistency. It is important to consider whether you have salted the water and make sure you season the sauce appropriately as a result.
For other ideas and great pasta sauce recipes, visit http://real-pasta.com.

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Pasta Tales Of A Food Contract Manufacturer

Customers may be unaware of the actual processing that takes place in the systems of a pasta food contract manufacturer, but they do wish to know about the health checks that are done. The health-conscious society of today needs to know how the ravioli or arancini that they are purchasing is made, whether it is dry or in filled form. Substandard products are tolerated by no one, and pasta-loving nations cannot do without their cheesy lasagna or fresh Sicilian macaroni.
A food contract manufacturer helps share in the burden processing of food producers and allows them to concentrate on their marketing and selling. For small pasta businesses, this means they can focus on improving the efficiency of processing operation, reduce the duration in getting products to the market, and set up a cost-effective system - all so that consumers can enjoy their ravioli just the way they want it.
How Pasta Manufacturing Has Become Better
The addition of a food contract manufacturer for a pasta company is like having a partner in one's business. The food contract manufacturer takes up the manufacturing processes from the parent company and utilizes the methods and recipes of the pasta company to produce arancini, spaghetti, and a variety of frozen, dry and fresh pastas.
For instance, the food contract manufacturer will recreate the pastas (such as blanched pasta) like the original company and use their manufacturing and packaging resources to support the company in delivering delicious pasta products to consumers. With the help of the food contract manufacturer, the company can quickly complete processing deadlines and the "copacker" assists in getting similar products to the market in different kinds of packages to cater to various consumer segments.
How does a large-scale pasta company utilize food contract manufacturer resources and assistance? The company hires the food contract manufacturer to undertake work in pilot projects and new products that it wants to test before launching. The copacker factory can produce pastas that the large organization distributes in promotional programme packages or sales. The food contract manufacturer bears the burden of these extra processes and the main company can focus solely on its large scale pasta manufacturing that runs in the market.
This setup is ideal for pasta food processing companies who have a number of various products that all require unique conditions, ingredients and packaging - such as arancini, trofie, gnocchi, spaghetti, lasagna, ravioli and so on.
It would be costly for any pasta manufacturing company to have separate equipment and functioning for each type of pasta product. An outsourced contractor will have more flexible equipment that is designed for use for a multitude of pastas that they package and provide to the main company.
Main Pasta Products And Variety
The way that a pasta producer manages its ever-changing base of pasta products according to consumer tastes has been explained above. Pasta techniques such as blanched pasta are successfully transferred to contract manufacturers and they develop expertise in carrying out the functioning of the main company.
As an example, ravioli can be stuffed with a large number of meats and vegetables; some of the more popular fillings are listed:
1. Beef,
2. Chicken and asparagus,
3. Mushroom,
4. Pea and dill,
5. Pumpkin and almond,
6. Pumpkin, almond and poppy seed,
7. Ricotta and spinach,
8. Sweet potato and sun dried tomato.
Managing all these varieties becomes easier with food contract manufacturer partnering. The egg pasta is made into square packets or round pillows and then filled up. Sauce and condiment options are also provided as recommendations which consumers can choose according to their wishes.
Other pastas like the popular arancini - a rice ball that is covered in breadcrumbs and baked or fried - can also contain many fillings of different kinds. The popularity of this classic Italian pasta dish makes it a high demand consumer request.
For further information, contact http://www.belmarfoods.com.au

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Italian Cooking: The Secret Is in the Sauce

Light and delicate like a lemon-white wine or as hearty and robust as a meaty Bolognese sauce, the flavors you enjoy in Italian foods are often wrapped up in the sauce. There are so many different variations on Italian sauces here's a basic rundown on some of the main ingredients of the most popular ones.
First, we made and ate a lot of pasta sauce. Second, we resorted to the Internet and did some searches, for example: the difference between marinara and spaghetti sauce.
The first path was extremely satisfying (full belly, warm contented feeling) while the Internet just served to confuse us even more than we would normally be.
People can't even seem to agree on what marinara sauce means, although the best explanation is that it is a sauce developed for use on sailing ships that was quick to prepare. Since it had no meat and tomatoes are acidic it produced a sauce that didn't spoil. After all, they didn't have refrigerators in the 17th century.
Most marinara recipes call for tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, pepper and, at the chef's prerogative, basil and/or oregano. Spaghetti sauce can be made with or without meat, is usually thicker than marinara and usually contains more spices and flavor ingredients. Plus, it is usually cooked for a longer time to mellow and blend the flavors.
Meat sauce and Bolognese sauce are the same thing; a spaghetti sauce, obviously enough, with meat.
Pesto sauce is made by pureeing fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese and (in one recipe we saw, walnuts) and then liquefying it with extra virgin olive oil.
Puttanesca is made from all the cheapest ingredients so when the "ladies of the night" would take a break from their duties at the bordello they would go to the nearby pasta restaurant and order this inexpensive dish. It's got tomatoes, garlic, anchovy fillets, black olives, capers, red pepper flakes and olive oil.
Another popular sauce is Alfredo, a creamy blend of butter and either milk, heavy cream or cream cheese, garlic, grated Parmesan or Guyere cheese and pepper.
Whatever your favorite sauce, remember the best way to enjoy pasta is to cook it al dente and then finish it off by tossing it in the pan with the heated sauce. Whatever you do, don't rinse the pasta first, it is actually the starch that helps the sauce cling to the noodles or shells and enhances the dish.
Too often the average person hears the name of a food and has no idea what the differences are between one dish and another. As a self-taught amateur chef and semi-foodie I think it helps to give people a better understanding of what goes into making a particular dish.

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Delicious Pasta Sauce Recipes

CHOOSING PASTA SAUCES
The variety and range of sauces that can be served with pasta are seemingly endless. They vary from minimalist sauces, such as garlic and olive oil, to light vegetable sauces, shellfish sauces, robust meat sauces, and rich and creamy sauces containing eggs, cheese and nuts.
When choosing the appropriate pasta shape for a sauce, there are no hard and fast rules. Some regional dishes are always made with the same pasta shape, such as fettucine all'alfredo, tagliatelle bolognese and penne all'arrabbiata, and it is rare to see them served with anything other than the named pasta. These classic dishes are few and far between however and, with the increasing number of different pasta shapes on the market it can sometimes be difficult to know which shapes and which sauces will go well together.
Long, thin pasta is best served with either a thin, clinging sauce, or one that is smooth and thick. If too thin and watery, the sauce will simply run off the long strands; if too chunky or heavy, it will fall to the bottom of the bowl, leaving the pasta at the top. Clinging sauces made with olive oil, butter, cream, eggs, finely grated cheese and chopped fresh herbs are good with long pasta. When ingredients such as vegetables, fish and meat are added to a smooth thick sauce, they should be very finely chopped.
Short pasta shapes with wide openings, such as conchiglie, penne and rigatoni, will trap meaty or spicy sauces, as will spirals and curls. Egg pasta has different properties from plain pasta and goes especially well with the rich creamy and meaty sauces that are popular in northern Italy. Fresh homemade egg pasta absorbs butter and cream and makes the sauce stick to it. Almost any pasta is suitable for the classic Italian tomato sauce.
BOLOGNESE SAUCE
Ingredients:
1 small onion
1 small carrot
1 stalk celery
bunch of parsley
½ lb ground beef
1 small can of tomato paste
½ cup red wine (optional)
olive oil
salt and pepper
beef or chicken broth (optional)
Directions:
Chop all the vegetables (hold the parsley) very fine and sauté them in the olive oil until translucent. Add the ground beef. Stir well and cook for about five minutes or until the meat is separated and browned. Add the tomato paste and mix well until all the ingredients are coated. Add the wine (optional) and the salt and pepper.
Cook for few minutes more, then add about a cup of water (or broth). Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer on a low heat, until reduced.
Note: add a bit more liquid if you think it's too dry.
SUGO
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 cup (250ml) extra virgin olive oil
320g oxtail or beef tail, fat trimmed
400g veal casserole steak, in chunks
500g pork ribs, in four pieces
1 onion, halved
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 carrot, halved crossways
1 celery stick, halved crossways
700g passata (Val Verde Passata cooking sauce)
425g can crushed tomatoes
1 chicken stock cube
1 cup (250ml) white wine
5 sprigs fresh continental parsley, plus extra to serve
1 tsp sugar
Salt & freshly ground pepper
Method
Heat 1/2 the oil in a large saucepan. In batches, cook the meat until lightly browned. Remove from the pan.
Add the remaining oil, onion, garlic, carrot and celery. Cook until light brown and soft. Return the meat to the saucepan.
Add pasta, tomatoes, stock, wine, parsley and sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer, stirring often, for 1½ hours on a medium-low heat. Remove any large meat or vegetable chunks. Stir through cooked pasta. Serve topped with parsley.
Hi, I'm Livio Moretti, I've been cooking and enjoying pasta dishes for many years! I have a website with lots of information and delicious recipes for making pasta. Please check it out here:
[http://www.recipewithpasta.org]
Thank you

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Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

Spaghetti alla Carbonara is a dish whose birth is relatively recent, however, whose origins are not at all certain.
Four assumptions are circulating, as none is more credited than the others, everyone can choose between them.
Yes or No?
The original recipe for spaghetti alla carbonara has about 200 kcal per 100 grams, so it's definitely not a recipe, that can not sated enough, unless you take too many calories and hence weight gain. As for the amatriciana, however, the pillow is not a food to be deleted, and can indeed be effectively used to prepare recipes, along with eggs and cheese, but in the right proportions and especially with the addition of vegetables to increase the fill the pot. Thus he created the recipe for spaghetti alla carbonara.
Origin of spaghetti alla carbonara
The first dates back to the so-called spaghetti alla carbonara carbinai, people in the woods produced by burning coal, burning slow. That argument does not hold for many, provided that job away from home lasting one season and the eggs were right for such long periods without preservation techniques.
The second argument assumes that the carbonara was invented by a chef who was a member of the Carbonari, the group of revolutionaries who fought against the Austrian occupation of northern Italy, active from the end of '700 and Guarro Italian independence.
According to the third case, particularly evocative, the story of this dish dates back to 1945 when American troops entered Rome at the end of World War II. When they went in asking Roman trattoria for lunch eggs, bacon and noodles, the typical Chinese noodles, then much in vogue in America than Italian. The chefs met the Romans in their request serving bacon, fried eggs and a plate of spaghetti unseasoned and bland result. To remedy this situation the American soldiers all mixed up, creating, unbeknownst to them, the ancestor of the famous dish.
A final hypothesis dates back to the pot Neapolitan origins, to be exact to the Duke of Buonvicino Ippolito Cavalcanti, publisher in 1837 of "The theoretical and practical kitchen." It would appear that in the very first edition of this book appeared a recipe very similar to what we know today.
As for the amatriciana, even spaghetti carbonara are the subject of endless wrangling among fans of the kitchen. The argument here hinges on the type of fat used (bacon or bacon?) And especially the presence or absence of egg whites, egg and baking on the use of cream, and finally on the quality of the cheese.
Spaghetti alla carbonara in the egg does not cook but only thicken slightly, then it should never exceed 70 degrees, not to reach the temperature of coagulation of the yolk. Fundamental then add after turning off the flame and seasoned with spaghetti sauce, stir quickly and serve immediately to prevent the dough from becoming too cold. The cream is recommended in many recipes because, when added in small quantities, it helps not to curdle the egg and adds creaminess to the dish.
The recommended amount of eggs from one to head to one for every two people, many recommend that you use only the yolk, others only remove half of egg whites, and others to keep only one fourth of egg whites.
In our view, the whites are needed to make the sauce more creamy, so we think that 4 people can use either 2 eggs or 2 eggs and 2 yolks.
In our opinion, the recipe for spaghetti alla carbonara should consider using a good bacon, very difficult to find high quality, perhaps only in Trentino or Ireland, where they produce a smoked bacon at a low temperature (not aged) perfect this dish. Those who are not able to obtain these culinary gems, will not fall back on a craft or bacon on a good pillow, easier to find.
The cheese of choice is the Pecorino Romano, but the recipe comes out well with good parmesan cheese or sheep's milk cheese and other cheeses.
The recipe for spaghetti alla carbonara
Ingredients for 4 people:
  • 400 g of spaghetti;
  • 150 g of bacon;
  • 30 g pecorino romano
  • 2 eggs
  • Salt and pepper;
Preparation: Cut the bacon into cubes and cook over low heat in a nonstick saucepan of 18-20 cm, until it became transparent and did not release its fat. Beat eggs in a bowl and mix well with plenty of grated pecorino cheese and ground pepper. Boil pasta in salted water, then put it in a large bowl and season it with the pillow with her fat, then add eggs and mix quickly. until the dough is evenly seasoned. Serve immediately.
Calories per serving: 560
Antonio lives in Italy: He enjoys music, family, work, cinema, literature and fine cuisine and cooking.
You can read more here here

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