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Archive for the ‘Do It Yourself’ Category

Many foods are thought to be an aphrodisiac. According to U.S. Food and Drug Administration, goods that are believed to be aphrodisiacs may seem to work because the mind thinks they work. Nonetheless, with a “sexy food” you have nothing to lose.

Here are a few foods you can use to make aphrodisiac desserts:

1- Pineapples and Strawberries dipped in chocolate: Pineapples and strawberries are high in vitamin C and help to boost energy and elevate mood. Chocolate releases Phenylethylamine and Serotonin which are feelings of happiness and increased energy.

2- Fruitcake with Strawberries and Pine Nuts: Pine nuts are high in zinc, which is known as a male aphrodisiac.

3- Bananas and Whipped Cream with Cinnamon: Bananas are high in potassium and vitamin B with help to stimulate hormone production.

4- Cinnamon Buns: According to Dr. Alan Hirsch- the small of cinnamon is an aphrodisiac. Baking cinnamon buns will fill your home with the smell of cinnamon.

5- Honey and Vanilla Ice Cream: The smell of vanilla is also an aphrodisiac. Honey is known to increase levels of vitric oxide in the bloodstream which can also help to set the mood.

These are some fun desserts to try with your significant other this summer.

Hosting a dinner, game night or cocktail party  can leave you scrambling over the details.

Creating gourmet but easy appetizers to save time is a breeze if you have the right ideas. With just a few ingredients, you can give your friends a fine dining experience in the comfort of your home.

These are some simple but impressive (not to mention, delicious) options that will wow your guests and please their taste buds.

Tomato and Bacon: Cook 1/2 inch cubes of bacon until crispy brown. Pair with a cherry tomato and serve on toothpicks.

Cantaloupe and Prosciutto: Cube a ripe cantaloupe (or use a melon baller if handy) and wrap the cantaloupe pieces in prosciutto. Skewer and serve, peppering if desired. The contrast between sweet and salty is a perfect combination.

Roasted Red Peppers: A jar of roasted red peppers in oil should be available at any grocery store. Spread cream cheese or goat cheese on butter crackers and top with a slice of roasted pepper. Colorful, fast and tasty.

Asparagus Asiago: Brush phyllo dough with butter, sprinkle with asiago cheese and wrap around asparagus spear. Place each rolled up asparugus seam side down on a baking sheet and sprinkle with more asiago cheese. Bake for 15 minutes at 375 until dough is golden brown.

Mozzarella Mushrooms: Remove the stems and wash your button mushrooms. Pair mushrooms with a fresh mozzarella ball on a toothpick. Drizzle with olive oil and a balsamic vinaigrette. Sprinkle with basil for a finishing touch.

Kielbasa: This is simple but oh so good. Slice a gourmet kielbasa and cook in oil until browned on all sides. Simply serve on toothpicks and these are sure to be a hit. You can serve with a mustard dipping sauce but the meat is flavorful enough to stand alone.

Presentation is key! These appetizers require little preparation but do so with care. A good-looking appetizer will give the gourmet flair to your party.

The Christmas goose is not as popular these days as the Christmas ham or turkey.

As a classic and gourmet main dish, we want to build a dinner around this traditional bird so that your family can enjoy a proper night of fine dining this December 25th.

Appetizers. Buttery crescent rolls with pear salad are a light and delicious precursor to your elegant meal. To save time, using pre-made dough for your rolls is fine. Brushing with butter before you bake will add a great flavor to your rolls. For the salad, Martha Stewart has a great recipe that you can find here.

Main Dish… Since you are not likely to find a fresh goose at your local grocery chain, you will want to find a butcher who can order the bird for you. An 8 lb. goose will serve about 6-8 guests, so plan accordingly. The dressing you use inside of the bird will not be edible (too much fat absorbed during cooking) but will provide some great flavors as you roast. After seasoning the goose with salt and pepper, stuff with a mixture of apples, prunes, onions, cloves, cinnamon and fresh pepper. For roasting times, use this great website.

Sides.To compliment your Christmas dinner goose we recommend carrots with ginger & honey and roasted potatoes with saffron as your sides. Baby carrots that have been boiled and drained can be glazed in a saucepan with butter, honey and a few pieces of fresh ginger. For the potatoes, roast with your excess goose drippings and a dash of saffron for a new flavor.

Dessert. A croquenbush is an impressive dessert that is sweet and resembles a Christmas tree. Cream filled pastry puffs are assembled into a pyramid using caramelized sugar as an adhesive. The crunch added by the hardened caramel gives the dessert its name.

We hope you enjoy your gourmet Christmas dinner!

If you are planning on having guests at your upcoming Thanksgiving dinner then you probably already have your shopping lists ready to go.

The casual atmosphere of a family gathering is charming, and great memories are created regardless of how the food is prepared or presented.

But if you find yourself wanting to host a dinner where the food isn’t served out of Tupperware, then make some changes to that shopping list because we have some great Thanksgiving upgrades for entertaining guests.

• Stuffing: Ditch the Stove Top boxed stuffing that’s so temptingly easy t0 prepare and so equally easy to forget. This year, add some life to this simple side dish by using cranberries and roasted vegetables in your homemade stuffing.

• Turkey: Try a new seasoning for your main dish this year, like a lemon or rosemary roasted bird. Instead of serving the turkey in the pan hot out of the oven, transfer the turkey onto a classic serving tray and garnish with fresh herbs. Roasted apples and onions can also make a nice garnish for a well-presented turkey.

• Sides: Apricot honey glazed baby carrots, sauteed sweet potatoes with spinach and stuffed mushrooms are all sides that will impress guests and taste delicious. Upgrading from the usual mashed potatoes and green bean casserole will bring a new and improved feel to your whole dinner.

• Table Setting: Take a little time to prepare some place cards, a tasteful centerpiece and coordinate your dishes and napkins. A few candles and a formal table cloth can transform an otherwise bland  space into a dining area worthy of your gourmet feast.

• Dessert: Upgrade your pumpkin pie with a few simple twists on this traditional fall dessert. A pumpkin pecan pie is delicious and easy to make, it will also offer a little surprise for guests who were probably expecting a hum-drum pumpkin pie for dessert. You can use this great recipe.

If your mom didn’t send you through an etiquette training course chances are she at least passed down some basic words-of-wisdom so you wouldn’t embarrass yourself (or, more importantly, her) at a dinner table. Keep your elbows down, place the napkin across your lap, and don’t reach across the table for seconds.

Fast forward twenty years to a business dinner where you need to impress the boss. Which fork did your mom say was for the salad??

Whether it’s business or a first date, chances are you will find yourself in a fine dining situation at some point.

Just in case, here is a list of the top 7 most random fine dining rules. Will you use them at Applebees? No. But on the off chance you are stuck at a black tie affair next to an old-money aristocrat,  and you aren’t quite sure how to eat that shrimp “properly”, we have the tips your mom didn’t give you. Pinkies up!

1. You might have paid a lot of money, but if you find yourself with an unfinished meal at a fine dining restaurant, do not ask for a “doggy bag”.

2. You know how to use a napkin properly, but do you know what to do with it when you’ve finished your meal? Place a used napkin semi-folded to the left side of your place setting.

3. Butter knives should be used for butter…unless, of course, you are served a baked potato. It is considered proper to use a fork to butter your baked potato.

4. Shrimp is a tricky food to eat daintily, but make sure you are being polite when you do. If you are served a shrimp cocktail, you should use a cocktail fork to eat. If the shrimp is served fried, then grasping the shrimp by the tail and using your fingers to eat is acceptable.

5. Even if you are following every etiquette tip in the book, remember to pace your eating. It is considered rude to finish eating far before or after other dinner guests.

6. If you are asked to pass the salt to another dinner guest, make sure you pass the pepper as well. One should never be passed without the other.

7. If you spill or drop a spoon in a fine dining restaurant, is it polite to clean up your own mess? No. You should alert your server to the spill so they can address the situation with a clean up and fresh napkins or utensils if needed.

Curry powder has a distinctive aroma.

You already know this if you have ever visited an Indian restaurant or the home of someone who likes to cook Indian food. This is just one of the many spice blends used in flavorful Indian cooking.

So, you have an interest in Indian food, but where do you start if you’ve never even sampled Indian cuisine?

Eat . . . find a local Indian restaurant that has good reviews, if you have any friends familiar with the Indian culture, invite them along to help you order dishes you might like. If not, take an adventurous friend and try one of these popular dishes: Chicken Tikka Masala (creamy chicken dish), Naan (Indian flat bread) or Saag (spinach dish). Ask your waiter for suggestions depending on your taste.

Educate . . . now that you‘ve tasted the food, find some information online or in cook books from your local library about making Indian cuisine. Basmati rice, turmeric powder and mustard seeds are just a few of the supplies you’ll want- learn all you can about the ingredients needed and the types of dishes you can create. You might even be able to find a local who will teach you basics for a small fee.

Experiment . . . after you’ve learned about what it takes to make Indian food, head to a local grocer that has a good selection of international cooking ingredients. Pick three recipes you feel like you can tackle and practice until you can make them well. Try difference versions of recipes and don’t be afraid to get creative.

Expand . . . invite friends over for an Indian themed evening. Make one of your dishes and share the love of Indian food you have discovered. Once you get your friends converted you will have company when you try new restaurants and new dishes.