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Breads For Every Taste
Setting the Table for Romance
Men and women have used food to aid in romance since the beginning of time; of course a caveman set his rock a little differently than a modern man would set the table!
This is something that women seem to know instinctively, while for men it can be a major problem.
A romantic meal can be any type of meal, from a picnic on the beach, (watch out for the sand) to a candle light dinner at home, choose wisely, it can set the tone for the entire relationship!
Perhaps your partner likes to be out doors? If so the picnic can be a wonderful idea, if it is at the beach, plan a bonfire (make sure this is legal) in the evening when there are less people around, the beach can be very romantic on a moon lit night.
A picnic at a favorite spot in the country can also be very romantic, just be prepared for any contingency, remember the saying the best laid plans of mice and men.
The weather can be the biggest problem when it comes to picnics, have a backup plan in case of rain. Assuming the relationship has gone from dinner and a movie, to dinner at your house, how do I get ready for that?
Being able to cook is a really good beginning, even though there are many places that you can buy food, and take it home.
Whatever direction you take, make sure it is food that your partner would like to eat.
While hamburgers or fried chicken are great, they arent necessarily the most romantic of foods! However, atmosphere, including candlelight, music and real dishes (instead of paper plates) can make any meal romantic.
Use your imagination, be aware of your partners likes and dislikes, make a plan, and be prepared to change that plan if necessary.
Your romantic dinner for two can be a great way to take the relationship to the next level.
See Also:
“A Friggin’ Idiot”
Microwaving Meats
The Basics of Spices
Dried seeds (caraway and celery), fruits (allspice and chilies), roots (sassafras, angelica, sarsaparilla, licorice and horseradish) and barks (cinnamon) make up the family called Spices.
Used in small quantities they are used as food additives or more specifically flavoring for foods.
Spices are usually ground into a powder, unlike herbs which are the leafy part of a plant, which can be used fresh or dried, like basil or oregano.
Certain of the spices serve multiple purposes, such as turmeric which is also a preservative; licorice and garlic which are also used medicinally and garlic which is also used as a vegetable.
Some spices are used in religious rituals, burning sage is used by the Native Americans in many of their rituals for cleansing; however, sage is actually an herb.
Cinnamon is used as a base for many perfumes, including Tabu by Cody.Spices have been around sin the beginning of human history, and were some of the most valuable trade items in the world in ancient times.
Joseph was sold to spice merchants and the male speaker in the Song of Solomon refers to his love as many types of spices.
Explorers including Vasco Da Gama, who sailed to India from Portugal, and Christopher Columbus, both were either in search of spices, or used the find of new spices to peak the interest of investors in their travels.
Spices have been used for centuries to excite the senses and defend against illness. Cinnamon not only tastes good, but has been show to reduce the growth of bacteria that may cause food poisoning, this includes only 1 teaspoon in bottled apple juice.
Garlic, sage and clove assist in keeping cooked hamburger from spoiling by cutting down on food contamination. Using spices on your outdoor cooking could keep a picnic from being ruined by food poisoning.
Spices are an amazing part of cooking, increasing not only the aroma and flavor of food, but as a serious part of remaining healthy. |
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Pastas
Regardless of the meal, fine dining, family dinner or anything in-between, there is pasta to fit the bill. How many foods do you know of that go with almost any type of meat, seafood and vegetable?
The braver cooks can make their own pasta, from simple egg noodles to spinach pasta and herb pasta, it isnt really as difficult as you think, and that taste treat is well worth the work. You can cut and shape them by hand or purchase a pasta machine.
Shaping pasta is interesting; to make lasagna cut the dough into strips about 2 ½ inches wide, and then cut to preferred length. Farfel are 2 x 1 inch rectangles with the centers pinched creating little bow ties.
Tripoli are one inch circles with the centers pinched to fashion butterfly designs. To make linguine or fettuccine loosely roll the dough up like a jelly roll, cut 1/8 inch slices for linguine or ¼ inch slices for fettuccine, gently shaking the strands separates the noodles.
Homemade pasta can be stored in an airtight refrigerated container for up to 3 days. To freeze the pasta for up to 8 months, dry it for at least 1 hour, seal in a seal-a-meal or similar moisture and air proof bag and freeze.
If you arent into making your own you can buy any type you want in a super market near you.
A large saucepan or Dutch oven with lots of water is necessary to cook pasta, (about 3 quarts of water for 4 to 8 ounces of pasta).
Bring the water to a boil over high heat, adding a teaspoon of salt and a tablespoon of olive oil helps keep the pasta from sticking to itself.
Once the water boils, add the pasta slowly so the water continues to boil. Long pasta like spaghetti should be held by one end and placed in the water, as it softens, curve it around the pan and down into the water.
Reduce heat slightly and boil uncovered for the amount of time on the package, stirring occasionally.
When it is close to the end of the cooking time, check for doneness frequently. A little note for dieters, the longer pasta is cooked, the fewer calories it has.
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