Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Raspberries and Cream Salad

This recipe is so good that if you make it for a special occasion (birthday, graduation, anniversary, holiday or family dinner) don't expect any leftovers! 2 6-ounce packages of raspberry Jello 2 cans raspberry pie filling 1 cup sugar 1 12-ounce container of Cool Whip (or other topping) 1 8-ounce package of cream cheese 2 cups crushed pretzels 1 cup crushed walnuts 2 tablespoons sugar 1/4 cup. . .

Amazing Appetizer Recipes Make Parties Memorable!

So you need some great party ideas, huh? Why not start with some excellent appetizers first? It’s true! Perhaps, you may find this idea so simple that you might overlook this phase. But hey! :) Is there such a "great" party without delicious food? Food should always be the center of any party! It’s no secret; everybody loves eating! So are you ready to get started? Put your hat on! We are going. . .

The Successful Dessert Party

What's wrong with this picture?I used to serve delicious dinners with wonderful desserts (yes, I've checked around and they were wonderful) but, I knew that there was something missing. After working in the Food Service Industry, I learned that the little things complete the big picture.It's not so hard•For instance, the use of doilies placed on a dessert plate when serving a fine piece of cake. . .

How Wine is Made

The first stage in the wine making process is to crush the grapes. In days gone by the grapes would be loaded into a large vat and the wine maker(s) would gently tread on them to break the grapes' skins to release the juice.Nowadays this procedure is almost invariably carried out using a machine called, unsurprisingly, a crusher.In the case of white wines, after crushing, the juice is separated. . .

Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.5 of 12 - Turkey Meatb...

Christmas recipe serves: 4Preparation time: 15 minutesCooking time: 10 minutesCalories per serving: 875Suitable for freezing after step 3.Christmas recipe ingredientsSherry or balsamic vinegar, 15 ml (1 tbsp)Caster Sugar, 10 ml (2 tsp)Salt and pepperOlive oil, 120 ml (8 tbsp)Cranberries, fresh or frozen 50 g (2 oz)Celery, 125 g (4 oz)Walnuts, toasted 50 g (2 oz)Turkey, roasted meat 450 g (1 lb). . .

Easy Dinner Recipes: Roast Chicken and Roasted Root Veget...

Easy dinner recipes make life so much easier for us. As much as we want to make healthy food choices for ourselves and our families, busy lives sometimes makes it difficult. With a few easy dinner recipes in your recipe box it's a cinch. This is a complete meal that bakes in the oven at the same time. With just a little bit of preparation time you can pop the whole meal in the oven and go off . . .

Italian Sweets

The regional cuisine of Italy is surely a delight to the senses. With the pasta, seafood, savory meats and cheeses, and delicious crusty breads, it is hard to stop yourself from eating until you are packed full. However, if you do not remember to save a little room, you may miss out on the best part: dessert. No one does desserts quite like the Italians. From simple fruity finger foods to savor. . .

Regional Cuisine – Down Home Southern Cooking

I grew up in New England, the home of ‘plain cooking’, where corn on the cob is served as is with a slab of butter and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. We boil salted meats with vegetables and call it – well, a boiled dinner. Our clam chowder is white, our baked beans have bacon and molasses in them, and no one in the world has ever invented a food that was improved by the addition of curry. By t. . .

British Cuisine

British cuisine has always suffered from bad press. The simple homespun fare and plain preparation of most traditional British foods pales when compared to French haute cuisine, and it’s not uncommon for food critics to sound almost apologetic when writing about traditional British dishes as if there were something shameful in enjoying a good, thick joint of beef with an accompaniment of Yorksh. . .

The Art Of Coffee Roasting

Could there be anything better than a hot, fresh brewed cup of coffee? As you open that can of pre-ground Maxwell House Coffee, did you even know that coffee comes in different roasts? Did you know that you can roast your own coffee beans at home? If you think that the aroma of your fresh ground coffee beans can't be beat, get a home coffee roaster, you'll be in Java Heaven.Roasting the coffee . . .

Culinary Traditions Of France

French cuisine is the amazingly high standard to which all other native cuisines must live up to. The country of France is home of some of the finest cuisine in the world, and it is created by some of the finest master chefs in the world. The French people take excessive pride in cooking and knowing how to prepare a good meal. Cooking is an essential part of their culture, and it adds to one's . . .

Regional Cuisine Of China: Szechuan Style

The Szechuan style of cuisine arose from a culturally distinct area in the central western of part of China, a province known as Sichuan. This area of China came into its own culturally towards the end of the Shang Dynasty, during the 15th century. However, it was also the climate of the area that helped to shape the culinary traditions that were to arise from Sichuan province and make their wa. . .

The Habanero Chile

A friend of mine once told me there is more to the culinary life than chile peppers. He might be right, but he keeps telling me this over my diner table, so go figure. The habanero chile (Capsicum chinense Jacquin) is the most intensely spicy chile pepper of the Capsicum genus. Unripe habaneros are green, but the color at maturity varies. Common colors are orange and red, but white, brown, and . . .

The Secrets To Successful Cooking

Cooking is the process of using heat to prepare foods for consumption. Many common cooking methods involve the use of oil. Frying is cooking in hot oil, sautéing is cooking in a small amount of oil, stir-frying is a Chinese technique of frying quickly in small amounts of oil in a wok, deep frying is completely submerging the food in large amounts of fat, etc. As people have become more health c. . .

Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.1 of 12 - Crispy Fish ...

Serves: 4Preparation time: 15 minutes + soakingCooking time: 35 minutesCalories per serving: 860Not suitable for freezingIngredients:Sultanas (optional), 50 g (2 oz)Anchovy fillets, 50 g (2 oz)Haddock, cod or salmon fillet (skinned) 450 g (1 lb)Garlic cloves, 2Breadcrumbs, freshPine Nuts, 50 g (2 oz)Fennel Seeds, 5 ml (1 tsp)Olive Oil, 100 ml (4 fl oz)Parsley, flat-leaf chopped 600 ml (4 tsp)Wh. . .

Amazing Chili Recipe Turned Into Nightmare!

This chili recipe is, indeed, a really nightmare! Taste it only when curiosity becomes unbearable and courage is strong! :o)Ingredients: 1 cup Pinto beans, dried 1 tsp Paprika 5 cups Water 1 Nutmeg, ground, whole 2 tbsp Lard 1 tsp Cumin 1 tbsp Bacon drippings 2 tsp Oregano, dried, pref. Mexican 1 Onion 4 tbsp Sesame seeds 12 oz Pork sausage, country-style 1 cup Almonds, blanched, skins removed . . .

Italian Recipes - How About A Dinner In Rome?

These italian recipes are just fantastic for all gourmet lovers! I bet you'll love these dishes! MENUMeal: Chicken SpaghettiSalad: Spinach SaladDessert: Lemon SorbetCHICKEN SPAGHETTIIngredients: 1 cup Chopped onion (about 1 large) 1 cup Water 1 tsp Dried oregano leaves 3/4 tsp Dried basil leaves 1/2 tsp Dried marjoram leaves 1 tsp Sugar 1/4 tsp Dried rosemary leaves 1 clove Garlic, crushed 1 Ba. . .

The History of Coffee

Who would have thought that a berry that was discovered by a herd of goats would be the single most important ingredient in the world’s most popular drink? Legend has it that back in 850AD, a goat herder noticed his herd was full of energy and eating berries he had never noticed. Since the goats seemed to have such a reaction, the herder decided to give it a try! The berries also gave him a bur. . .

Bread Baking Made Easy

Don’t you just hate it when you follow a recipe to the letter and when the bread baking is finished the bread not only looks nothing like the recipe book’s picture, but tastes terrible as well?There is no denying that bread baking as with baking anything is a delicate process.Bread baking involves so many things that first time bakers are often discouraged after a few failed attempts to turn o. . .

To Fry Or Not To Fry?

Here's a little known factoid - did you know that KFC changed its image by retiring the slogan Kentucky FRIED Chicken. Instead, they became known as serving up Kitchen Fresh Chicken. Long are the days of Wesson Oil commercials that proudly encouraged yummy fried chicken for dinner. When was the last time you saw a splatter screen? How about a Fry Daddy? It must be a pretty big sin to eat fried . . .

Types of Coffee Machines

When you are craving a delicious, smooth, rich cup of “Joe”, you may want to research and take note of all of the different types of coffee machines on the market. Coffee machines can be found in homes, dorms, offices. You’ll even be able to find a coffee maker that is designed to fit into spaces inside an RV and a “big rig”! If you are going camping, there’s coffee making machines you can use,. . .

The Cuisine Of Madrid - A Guide

The Madrid region (one of Spain’s smallest), as one would expect, is largely dominated by the capital city itself. It has been said, by gourmands and food critics alike, that Madrid does not really have an individual cuisine all of its own, rather it draws on influence from the whole of Spain, absorbing a rich tapestry of flavours and ingredients and throwing them into it’s own gastronomic melt. . .

Andalucian Cuisine – A Guide

Undoubtedly one of Spain’s most culinary rich regions, Andalusia is an area famed for its cuisine and its culture of food. Much like the rest of Spain, food is an important part of social life; here the meal is about a lot more than simply eating. Andalusia is also the home of one of Spain’s favourite exports; tapas. Restaurants can now be found in most major cities around the world, but to tas. . .

Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.2 of 12 - Plaice with ...

Christmas Recipe Serves: 4Preparation time: 15 minutesCooking time: 10 minutesCalories per serving: 340Not suitable for freezingChristmas Recipe Ingredients: Plaice fillets, 8 (550 g, 1.25 lb) Black Olive Paste, 75 g (5 tbsp) Dry white wine, 150 ml (5 fl oz) Tomatoes, 1 large or 2 small Black olives, 25 g (1 oz) Capers, 30 ml (2 tbsp) Lemon juice, 60 ml (4 tbsp) Lemon rind, half a lemon Olive o. . .

Use Spices To Cook Like A Connoisseur On A Paupers Budget!

Don’t have the money to make delectable dishes?Or just don’t know the secrets of flavoring with spices and herbs, and making food stretch?The former is not right no matter what your income is. If you have the income to buy enough food to at least feed your family then your income is large enough to make whatever you feed them enjoyable, even if it’s a vegetable dish.Yes, with the right spices . . .

Best Recipes: Yogurt

INGREDIENTS:Dry skim milk, enough for 1 quart of milk3 cups water only1/4 cup yogurt Mix milk-powder and water; slowly bring to boiling point; then cool to lukewarm temperature. Thin out yogurt by adding about 1/2 cup of the lukewarm milk; stir well to make it smooth. Add yogurt mixture to the rest of milk, blend thoroughly. Pour into serving size cups. Cover them with thick towel. (Paper towe. . .

Catalan Cuisine - A Guide

Barcelona – a city renowned for its cultural diversity and multiple influences and in no area is this more noticeable than its cuisine. Heavily influenced by the surrounding Catalan region and its diverse geographical landscape the area is a melting pot of fresh vegetables and choice fish, poultry and game.Catalan’s also have a growing reputation throughout Spain and the world and the region is. . .

Buy Fine Wine at Great Prices- A Strategy

Some years ago in a book by Lee Iacocca, who was President of Ford Motor Co. prior to taking over Chrysler Corp. and leading them out of bankruptcy, I read that Mr. Iacocca’s boss, Henry Ford II, drank two bottles of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild every day. Two bottles per day is an awful lot and wouldn‘t be advisable, but I did like the thought of drinking fine wine every day. Today, depending on . . .

Matcha Crepe

Serves 6 Ingredients Crêpes 1 cup flour, sifted 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar 1 large egg, beaten 13/4 cups milk 1 tablespoon olive oil Olive oil spray for coating crêpe pan 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Garnish: 12 fresh figs, cut into wedges 6 mint sprigs Matcha-Cream Filling 1 pint heavy whipping cream 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar 1 scant tablespoon matcha or green-tea po. . .

Mock Duck Has Come to Us

My favorite meal is meatloaf because whenever my mother made meatloaf my father would pull out of a drawer a cardboard cut out of a duck's head and a pair of wings. To the delight of the hungry children - we were 4 - he would announce, "Children, your mother has made us mock duck. Mock duck has come to us" and grin at my mother. I thought that mock was a special type of duck that only my fa. . .

Grilling Hamburgers and Sittin’ on an Old Ice Cream Freezer

Hamburgers, one of my earliest backyard grilling memories. Our Family would get together, usually on the weekends, and have a hamburger and ice cream supper as we say here in Texas. I can fondly remember sitting on top of the old ice cream freezer while my Dad, Uncles and Granddad took turns at spinning the old hand crank attached to the water soaked wooden ice bucket. Today, the hoodless grill. . .

Cheesecake

Cheesecake, do you think that cheesecake is hard to make, well if you do then you are wrong, cheesecake is one of the easiest deserts to make as far as I am concerned, it is even easier and less messy than making cookies. Just go to Yahoo or MSN and type in the search box Free Gourmet Cheesecake Recipes and click search and you will find my site and many recipes for cheesecake such as Chocolate. . .

My Special Blueberry Muffins

This is my special blueberry muffin recipe that I created over 30 years ago and I like it so much that I have never stopped using it, it has a magnificent flavor and a wonderful texture, the freshness life of this muffin is about 4days but if frozen it will last for months.The part that I like about this muffin is that it is very versatile, you can use any kind of fruit in it besides blueberrie. . .

Old Fashion Bread

This is a bread for bread lovers, it’s a bread similar to what people had made in the old fashion brick oven that was found in most peoples back yard many years ago.It is a firm bread but with great taste and texture, it is especially good when served hot right from the oven with butter and jam. This recipe makes six loaves but you can break it down to two loaves just by dividing by three.4 ½ p. . .

Cheesecake A Most Wonderful Desert

Cheesecake is probably the most wonderful desert for just any occasion, they are so thick, rich and creamy and most enjoyed by everyone, children alike. The flavors that there are to choose from are sometimes staggering and trying to pick a favorite can be mind boggling, how can anyone just pick one as their favorite? You can add so many different toppings to them, and you can make a cheesecake. . .

Green Tea Stir-Fry Chicken Over Udon

Ingredients (4 servings) ½ lb chicken breast 1 stalk scallion 1 tbsp sesame seeds 1 lb Fresh, refrigerated or frozen udon noodles 1/4 teaspoon rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons light soy sauce 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon chili paste 1/2 tablespoon dry sherry or sake 6 to 8 fresh shiitake mushroom caps, crisscrossed on top with knife 1/4 sencha loose leaves Preparing it (5 minutes) 1. Cut chi. . .

Choosing the Perfect Cup of Coffee

There used to be three choices for coffee lovers at their local supermarket: Folgers, Maxwell House, or the store brand. But in today’s world of Starbucks and the countless imitators it has spawned, how do you tell the difference between truly gourmet coffee and overpriced coffee barely above the store brand standard? How do you pick between all the different exotic flavors? How do you keep you. . .

The Meaning of Solstivus: The Traditional Winter Celebration

Arg shivered as he finished the last of the boiled weasel skin he brought for his lunch. His daily hunt had taken him to the end of the Tall Deer creek-bed. No luck, so far, no game at all. He turned back down the valley, not looking forward to his evening meal of the rotting wolverine meat in the bottom of the cellar. His wife Erg and the kids would be disappointed to have no new game. . . .

Sweet Potato Casserole for the Holidays

Every year on Thanksgiving and Christmas one dish always stands out, Sweet Potato Casserole. My Wife's Grandmother made the best dishes, particularly on Thanksgiving and Christmas. She gave us her sweet potato recipe and it is terrific. Give it a try this year:2 to 3 cooked sweet potatoes1/4 cup sugar1 tablespoon butter1 egg beaten1 teaspoon vanilla1/4 cup milk1 bag marshmellowscinnamin to tast. . .

Thailand’s Vegetarian Festival

First time visitors arriving in Thailand at the start of any October might be puzzled by the myriad of eye-catching bright yellow pennants displayed by street vendors or nowadays even strung out in front of restaurants. What it simply means is that the annual Vegetarian Festival is upon us once again. This unique Thai festival had its origins on the southern island of Phuket some 180 years ago . . .

Top Tips For Good Nutrition This Thanksgiving

To many, good nutrition and thanksgiving dinner seem to cancel each other out. However it should be possible and even easy to make a nutritious meal that is a pleasure to share with friends and family. Here are a few tips to help you make your holiday meals healthy ones too. Prepare a wide variety of foods. Traditional thanksgiving stories tell us of meals that contained wide varieties of dishe. . .

Brown Bread Ice Cream

1 1/4 cups of bread crumbs 1 tbsp of very good vanilla 1/2 cup of whipping cream 4 egg yolks¼ cup of brandy2 tbsp of sugar1 1/2 cups of whole milkBeat together the egg yolks and sugar and cook gently in a double boiler, stirring all the time until it thickens slightly. Then add the brandy. Let it cool. Whip the cream and fold it into the cooled mixture. Chill.Crisping the bread crumbs, sprinkle. . .

The Quick and Easy Guide to Water Filters

I bet you are frustrated over constantly having to buy new water filters for your home. After all, you don’t want to drink the tap water straight- who knows where it has been. And, you certainly don’t want to pay keep paying for water filters that only last so long. Well, the good news is that there are a couple of tips to keep in mind when shopping for your new water filters at Walmart or Cos. . .

Crescia Bread or Italian Cheese Bread

If you don’t like locatelli cheese then don’t even bother making this bread, this bread has such a great aroma and flavor that you will eat an entire loaf by yourself, it is also perfect for gift giving and the best part is that you can freeze it weeks in advance and everyone will think that you just made it that day.Remember all ingredients should be at room temperature.12 eggs well beaten9 cu. . .

Coffee: From Harvest to Cup - A Brief Overview

Coffee is a plant. However, before it can be drunk it must pass through a number of stages and travel thousands of miles.Coffee beans come from the red cherries of the coffea bush. Each cherry usually contains two seeds, or coffee beans. The exception to this is the Peaberry, where only one bean is produced. The flavour a bean produces is affected by where the coffea bush is grown. Soil,. . .

News Flash: 4,000-Year-Old Dietary Guidelines Are the Bes...

Many people these days are health and diet conscious—and well they should be, as it is an undisputed fact that health and diet are major determining factors in both length and quality of life. As far as the particulars are concerned, there is a much lesser degree of agreement. Advice and opinions abound, much of it conflicting. And those looking for the latest fad diet based on shaky medical co. . .

Strawberry Jamming Finale

So the strawberries are finally slowing down, the end of the season is in sight… and do I feel relief that I will no longer be chained to the kitchen counter, three nights a week, preparing strawberries for jam? Am I sick of the sight of them, turning into one myself, in a word, jaded? Surprisingly enough I’m not. Six weeks of making jam and I could carry on longer. I sneak into the larder to . . .

Happy Healthy Hollidays with this Eggnog Recipe

When it is holiday time, only one drink comes to mind: eggnog. This healthy drink recipe is delicious and it uses soymilk instead of whole milk. It gets a completely new flavor and color with the addition of peppermint oil. A drink fills up your tummy just before you hit the sack. Serve it warm and you will be on your way to sleepy town. Now you can dream away while Santa does his magic. Ingred. . .

Grandma's Divinity Recipe

My wife's grandmother made many incredible dishes in her kitchen over the years. Sometimes, if in the right mood, she would offer to write them down. We always said YES! Here is one of the finest deserts you will ever try, and it's easy to make:Divinity2 egg whites3 cups sugar1 cup light corn syrup1/2 cup water1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring1 cup pecans Cook sugar, corn syrup and water on high hea. . .

Leftover Turkey Recipes

Roast turkey is a great family favourite, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. But after the feast, comes the question – how to use the leftovers? Here are five ways to make the most of your festive bird.Leftover turkey sandwich recipes Use thick slices of turkey breast and add a little of the dark meat for flavour. Use different breads, like ciabatta rolls, baguettes, wholemeal bread, or . . .