Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

An Introduction to Wine

What is wine?Wine has been made for centuries from just a two simple ingredients: yeast and grape juice. Actually, just about any fruit juice can be used, but by far the majority of all wine is made from the juice of the grape. How is wine made?Yeast is the magical ingredient that turns grape juice into wine. Interestingly enough, there is actually wild yeast spores in the air and all that is r. . .

White Chocolate Carousel Cake

Cake: 2 eggs 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla 1-1/4 cups (300 ml) Five Roses All Purpose Flour 1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar 2 tsp (10 ml) baking powder 1/2 tsp (2 ml) salt 1/2 cup (125 ml) butter, softened 1/2 cup (125 ml) milkMousse: 1 pouch unflavored gelatin 1/4 cup (50 ml) cold water 2 egg yolks 3/4 cup (175 ml) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (125 ml) hot milk 8 squares white chocolate, finely chopped 1-1. . .

Chocolate Cookie Buttons

1/2 cup (125 ml) butter, softened1/2 cup (125 ml) dark brown sugar1/3 cup (75 ml) granulated sugar1 egg4 squares Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla1 -3/4 cup (425 ml) Five Roses All Purpose Flour1/2 tsp (2 ml) baking soda1/4 tsp (1 ml) saltCoating:12 squares Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped3 squares White ChocolatePreheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). In a bowl, cream butter. Beat in brown. . .

Festive Cherry Cranberry Cake

Cake: 1 cup (250 ml) margarine 1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla 1 tsp (5 ml) grated lemon rind 5 eggs 2 cups (500 ml) Five Roses Cake and Pastry Flour 1/2 tsp (2 ml) saltFilling: 1 can (540 ml) cherry cranberry pie fillingSauce: 1/4 cup (50 ml) margarine 1 cup (250 ml) finely chopped semi-sweet chocolateCake: In bowl cream together margarine, sugar, vanilla and lemon rind un. . .

Cherry Cranberry Trifle

Pound Cake: 2 cups (500 ml) Five Roses All Purpose Flour 1 tbsp (15 ml) baking powder pinch salt 1 cup (250 ml) unsalted butter 1 cup (250 ml) sugar 4 eggs 1-2 tsp (5-10 ml) grated orange zestFilling: 1 can (300 ml) condensed milk 1-1/2 cups (375 ml) cold water 1 pkg. (102 g) vanilla instant pudding mix 1 container (1 L) frozen, light whipped topping, thawed 1 pound cake, cut into cubes (recipe. . .

The Perfect Complement

(NC)—The origin of onion soup is rooted in two legends. The first story credits its origin with King Louis XV of France who returned late one night to his hunting lodge, and all that was on hand were onions, butter and champagne. He mixed them together and created the first French Onion Soup. Another legend states that decades ago, farmers in Les Halles, the old market place of Paris, would sip. . .

Holiday Entertaining 101

(NC)—The holiday season is the time of year filled with entertaining, parties and social gatherings. Whether planning a small, intimate gathering or a large family affair, it is often the host's attention to detail that impresses guests the most. Creating a festive atmosphere, planning ahead and preparing delicious dishes will ensure guests have a memorable experience. This holiday season, foll. . .

Classic Spinach Dip

1 pkg (300 g) frozen chopped spinach, thawed1 can (10 oz/284 g) water chestnuts, drained and chopped3 green onions, chopped1 pkg Knorr Vegetable Soup Mix or Knorr Leek Soup Mix2 cups (500 mL) sour cream1 cup (250 mL) mayonnaise1 round pumpernickel loafSqueeze excess moisture from spinach. Combine all ingredients excluding bread in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours t. . .

Fun & Fruity Recipes

Sometimes the easiest way to get children to eat healthy is to let them have a hand in making their own snacks…and add whipped cream on top. Here are two fruity recipes that are fun and easy to make, and even more fun to eat. Miniature Fruit Pizzas 1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough 8 ounces softened cream cheese 1 cup confectioners' sugar Assorted fresh fruit, cut into bite size pieces,. . .

Harvest A Wealth Of Apple Ideas

(NC)—The leaves have turned, pumpkins are ripening on the vine and most of Canada's apple growers are in the orchards harvesting this year's crop of apples for your enjoyment throughout the winter months. It is well known that apples are nutritious, as are apple-based products like pure apple juice, apple sauce and dried fruit snacks. But now more than ever, as research is showing that apples c. . .

Exotic Dining: Classic Indian Dishes Made Simple

(NC)—India's ancient cultures have left an indelible stamp on civilization but perhaps no single aspect has impacted day-to-day life in Canada quite as much as the cuisine of India. In cities and towns from Victoria to St. John's Indian restaurants have sprung up and been eagerly embraced by a Canadian audience with an increasingly sophisticated taste for the new and exotic.More and more Canadi. . .

Celebrating Diwali Stir Fry Sauces For Fast And Festive F...

(NC)—Diwali, the five-day fall 'Festival of Lights', begins on October 25 and Canada's Hindu communities will celebrate in the traditional manner - decorating their homes with lights, handing out sweets and sharing festive meals with their friends and families.Food is an important part of the Diwali celebrations. Most Hindus are vegetarians but like all the people of India, they prepare their f. . .

Tomatoes and Cucumbers

(NC)—Now is the season to enjoy Ontario grown field tomatoes and cucumbers. Although tomatoes and cucumbers are available year round, they are at their best from July to October! Locally grown tomatoes and cucumbers are picked at a greater degree of ripeness than those shipped across the continent. When grown closer to their market, these veggies are left on the vine longer, so their flavour an. . .

5 Tips to Reduce Holiday Depression

While war and poor economic conditions begin to affect people all over the world, more and more people suffer with depression. The more we focus on news events and the business climate, the more we are depressed. Whatever the reason you feel is the cause of your depression, the following five simple tips guarantee you reduce it significantly.1. Do not read newspapers. Newspapers publish negativ. . .

Food Safety 101

(NC)—Bagged lunches are healthy, economical and nutritious. But they also pose the threat of hosting harmful bacteria, unless food is handled and packed properly. Use the following tips as your study guide for "Food Safety 101":• Spill-proof, seal-able bags are a must for transporting and storing food safely. Stock up on these items to keep leftovers ready for the lunch box.• Preparing lunch th. . .

Is Your Recipe Safe?

(NC)—Sure, it tastes great and earns rave reviews from everyone sitting at the dinner table. But is your favourite recipe also a safe one? To prevent serving up foodborne illness at the dinner table, follow this helpful checklist when preparing a meal:Marinating I am marinating in a covered container in the refrigerator. Uncooked meat, poultry or fish in a marinade is perishable. I am marinatin. . .

Come Home To Comfort Food

(NC)—As the weather begins to get cooler, familiar and inviting comfort foods can lift our spirits and bring warmth to our beings. Soothing, soul-satisfying comfort foods can bring back special memories and meaningful connections. Steaming chowders, mashed potatoes, hot soup, hearty stews, warm chocolate chip cookies and fresh baked pies are all foods many Canadians associate with comfort. Simp. . .

Sit Back, Relax And Enjoy A Beer – It's Good For You!

(NC)—Summer is often a time of unabashed enjoyment, when sitting on a patio soaking up the sun makes us forget our long, cold winter. But for some, summer can also be a time of watching waistlines and getting into shape. What may come as a surprise to many is that enjoying a beer this summer can be part of both agendas – and might actually be good for you.It's a common misconception that beer i. . .

Can Your PR Game Plan be Salvaged?

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net. Word count is 860 including guidelines and resource box. Robert A. Kelly © 2003. Can Your PR Game Plan be Salvaged? If, as is often the case, you are preoccupied with comm- unications tactics instead of working a plan to actively p. . .

Holiday Recipe: Filled Cookies

From the book: Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm)When I was a kid growing up on our dairy farm in Wisconsin 40 years ago, cookies with a date filling were my dad's favorite kind. Here is the recipe. 3/4 cup butter or margarine (softened) 3/4 cup shortening 2 cups sugar 3 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 5 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt several tablespoo. . .

Roasted Vegetable and Goat Cheese Salad

1 onion1 yellow pepper1 red pepper1 eggplant1 zucchini6 green onions12 asparagus12 cherry tomatoes6 tbsp Maille Balsamic Vinegar of Modena4 tbsp olive oil1 tbsp Maille A l'Ancienne (wholegrain) Mustard1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped1 cup goat cheese, cut into small piecesSalt and black pepper (to taste)Peel onion and cut into slices. Wash and cut other vegetables into slices or wedges. For marina. . .

Sangria Blanca

1 orange, sliced1 lemon, sliced6 tbsp (90 mL) orange liqueur2 tbsp (30 mL) sugar1 cup (250 mL) Ocean Spray® White Cranberry Cocktail1 cup (250 mL) white wineSliced citrus fruit and strawberriesPlace orange and lemon slices in a large bowl. Add orange liqueur and sugar. Mash and stir with a wooden spoon to release juices and dissolve sugar. Add white cranberry cocktail and wine. Remove fruit sli. . .

Cranberry Daiquiri Slush

2 cups (500 mL) Ocean Spray® Cranberry Cocktail1/2 cup (125 mL) lemon juice1/2 cup (125 mL) lime juice1/2 cup (125 mL) sugar or to taste1/3 cup (75 mL) rumCombine all ingredients in an 8-inch (20 cm) square non-metal pan; stir until sugar is dissolved. Cover and freeze 6 hours or overnight. To serve, scrape a fork over the surface of the frozen mixture and spoon a heaping cup (250 mL) into a 10. . .

Honey Dijon Glazed Ribs

Makes 4 Servings3-4 pounds pork back ribs1 cooking onion (chopped)1/4 cup Maille Red Wine Vinegar1 stalk celery (chopped)1 bay leaf1 tsp. peppercornsMaille Honey Dijon MustardPlace ribs in a large pot and add onion, vinegar, celery, bay leaf, peppercorns and enough water to cover ribs. Bring ribs to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Continue to simmer ribs for 45 minutes. Drain off liqui. . .

Beware of Radical Mint Enthusiasts

Some things are as boring as the dust that clings to your TV screen.Take toothpaste, for example. If you happen to be a radical mint enthusiast, brushing your teeth might be the highlight of your day. You might have the shiniest teeth in town. You might not want to interrupt your brushing for dinner... unless the menu includes mint jelly pâté.I remember one of my favorite comic strips, when . . .

Holiday Baking Tips: Dessert Won't Be Humble Pie Anymore

(NC)—As the holiday season arrives, our menus are sure to include tasty treats and yummy desserts, including traditional and new, anything-but-humble pie flavours. Pies are a favourite way to end a meal and they've been part of our culture for a long time.Did you know... the early Romans probably made the first pies, a humble pastry stuffed primarily with meat or other savoury fillings? The fir. . .

Dessert Tips: Enjoy These Pie Possibilities

(NC)—There may not be a better dessert than a mouth-watering slice of pie fresh from the oven. But serving your pie with a dollop of whipped cream, or "a la mode" with a cool scoop of vanilla ice cream can dress up this treat. Add a dash more creativity and a humble pie becomes a true work of art that will have your family and friends coming back for seconds."You can make your own pie from scra. . .

Baking Tips – Easy As Pie

(NC)—The old saying goes "easy as pie", so why are so many of us reluctant to try baking our own? Most of us just don't have the time to spend hours shopping for ingredients, making the pastry from scratch and preparing the filling, especially during the holidays.Some recognized brand names are making it easy. You can now get, for example, two lines of frozen, unbaked pies – Oven Fresh and the . . .

Entertaining: The Simple Truth

When you hear the word "entertaining," do you break out in a cold sweat? The thought of entertaining can be scary, but in reality it doesn't have to be. How you approach entertaining can make all the difference.First of all, forget any ideas you may have that entertaining needs to be expensive and flashy.The first rule of entertaining is to be yourself and entertain within your budget and abili. . .

Wonderful Holiday Recipe Ideas

The Holiday Season is upon us and soon we will be frantically searching for yummy recipes to serve our family and friends. Many of the leading food manufacturers have spent 1000's of hours testing and perfecting recipes for you to enjoy. The recipes below are a few of my favorites and may become yours too!**********Basic Bread Stuffing 1 cup butter or margarine 1/2 cup onion, chopped 1 1/2 cup. . .

Easy Trail Mixes

Before you set off on your next family walk or outing, try making one of these super easy trail mixes to keep your energy up. * Quick Fix Mix 2 cups mini pretzels 1 cup cheese snack crackers 1 cup honey roasted peanuts 1 cup raisinsPlace all ingredients into a plastic baggie, seal, and then shake. Enjoy!* Chocolate Popcorn Mix 2 cups spoon size shredded wheat cereal 2 cups popped popcorn. . .

Plastic Recycling Confusion

CONSUMER ALERT: do not mix your food container lids. A yogurt container lid is NOT the same as a margarine container lid, even if they look the same. How do I know this? Well, here is my story.We live in a very hoity-toity county. Sure, it might look like just farm country. A lot of the houses might seem a little worse for wear. But we are very picky about what plastic we recycle. We rec. . .

A PEARfectly Fun Snack For Kids

(NC)—Looking for ways to incorporate healthy foods into your kid's snacks that they will actually want to eat? Sweet and juicy fresh pears are a versatile and yummy addition to a lot of childrens' favorite snack foods. Fresh USA Pears are loaded with good-for-you stuff like Vitamin C, potassium and fiber, but they are so sweet that your child won't guess they are eating a very healthy fruit. Pe. . .

Ginger Braised Country-Style Ribs

Ginger Braised Country-Style RibsServes 675 mL soy sauce 5 tbsp75 mL minced ginger 5 tbsp15 mL minced garlic 1 tbsp10 mL dark sesame oil 2 tsp1 country-style ribs, about 2 lb 1 slab15 mL vegetable oil 1 tbsp250 mL chicken broth 1 cup50 mL medium-dry sherry 1/4 cup15 mL brown sugar 1 tbsp15 mL corn starch 1 tbspFor marinade, combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons ginger, 1 tablespoon gar. . .

Roast Rack Of Pork With Grain Mustard Sauce

(NC)—An economical and spectacular alternative to racks of lamb or veal. Ask your butcher to leave the rib bones a decent length for an arresting presentation. This cut has the optimum combination of taste, texture and fat content.Serves 6 to 8Ingredients1 tbsp coarse black pepper 15 mL1 tbsp chopped rosemary 15 mL1 tbsp Dijon mustard 15 mL3 garlic cloves1 rack of pork1 tbsp olive oil 15 mLsea . . .

Eat-Out Choice At Home

(NC)—If your family craves restaurant variety, but your budget says eat in, there is a compromise. Enlist a little family cooperation and everyone can enjoy a different meal without causing short-order chaos in your kitchen.The first step to creating Chez Roadhouse at home is for everyone to agree on one easy-to-prepare protein choice as the basis for their menu selection. Practically everyone . . .

Harvest Apple Pie With Cheddar Crust

(NC)–Apples partner well with cheddar and here the cheese is built right into the crust. For another variation, use your favourite crust recipe and top with apple crisp topping.Cheddar Crust2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 550mL3/4 tsp salt 4 mL1/2 cup vegetable shortening125mL1/4 cup cold butter 50mL(cut into small pieces)1 3/4 cups old cheddar cheese 425mL5 to 6 tbsp ice water 75 to 90 mLApple Fi. . .

Convenient Foods Are Changing The Way We Cook

(NC)—Convenient foods, a rapidly-growing grocery store segment, take the rush out of meal time preparation and make it easy for family members to help get dinner on the table.Convenient foods are quick to prepare or ready to heat-and-eat vegetables and meats that you mix-match-and-season according to your family's tastes. Many convenient offerings, including new Schneiders Quick Serve frozen ch. . .

Office Lunches… Sans Sandwich

(NC)—If carrying lunch is too reminiscent of school days, maybe it's because you're packing the same old sandwiches.If your office lunchroom has a fridge with a freezer and a microwave oven, bring something different – frozen, fully-cooked foods that you can heat and eat in about 3 minutes. By preparing your own hot meal, you'll eat better, save money, and still have time for a brisk walk at lu. . .

A New Website For The Home Cook

(NC)—Ontario Pork's web site "www.porkpeople.com" tells you everything you ever wanted to know about pork, and it's about to get bigger and better."This popular and much visited site has been given a new look, with more advice and information", says Bruce Thompson, Executive Chef/Nutritionist at Ontario Pork."The present site, especially the recipe database, has been such a success that we have. . .

The True Hystory of Tiramisu'

Open an old Italian cookbook, browse through the index and… surprise! No Tiramisu’. My first encounter with Tiramisu’ was in 1985. I was in Italy at that time: A friend of mine told me about this new recipe she got. She was so enthusiastic about it that I felt compelled to try it immediately. The taste was unbelievably good, as never I had tasted before. Since then I fell in love with this dess. . .

New Year's Resolutions

Ah, the start of another year! In a groggy haze on New Years Eve, I promised someone (or was it myself?) that I would be good this year. I said I would draw up my New Year’s Resolutions – particularly after the roller-coaster year I had last year. Well, a promise is a promise. I can’t very well start the New Year by breaking the resolution that I was going to write my New Year’s Resolutions. . .

Valentine Gifts From The Heart

One of my fondest childhood memories is of my mother helping me make a Valentine's box to take to school. We pulled out white paste, an old shoebox, scraps of doilies, and construction paper. There was a flurry of activity as I cut and pasted, and imagined my box filled with homemade Valentines from classmates and secret admirers. My favorite teacher in the fourth grade was Mrs. Dearing. For Va. . .

Sandwich Rolls

2 3/4 cups (675 ml) Five Roses All Purpose White Flour or Never Bleached, or with Wheat Bran1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar1 tsp (5 ml) salt1 tbsp (15 ml) Instant yeast1 cup (250 ml) water1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil1 beaten eggReserve 1/2 cup (125 ml) flour. Mix remaining flour, sugar, salt and yeast in a bowl. Heat water with oil until warm to touch (50ºC/125ºF). Stir warm liquid into dry ingredients. Mix e. . .

Food For Thought: Tea Is A Satisfying Part Of A Healthy Diet

(NC)—Tea news continues to stir the pot in Canada. Records show we drink as many as 7 billion cups of tea each year – and those who study it as a dietary factor are now telling us not to put on the brakes. Both black tea and green tea contain antioxidant plant compounds called flavonoids, which are thought to be important cancer fighting agents. This, combined with its potential benefits agains. . .

You Asked: Is Black Tea Good For My Health?

(NC)—Data emerging from several recent studies on black, green, and oolong tea – each one derived from the same plant species, camellia senensis – consistently demonstrate that tea may indeed give your diet a boost. The findings have sparked great interest, so here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions, courtesy of the Tea Association of Canada:Q: What health benefits are attri. . .

Whole Wheat Raspberry Muffins

1 cup (250 ml) Five Roses Whole Wheat Flour1 cup (250 ml) Five Roses All Purpose Never Bleached Flour or White, or with Wheat Bran1 tbsp. (15 ml) baking powder1/2 tsp. (2 ml) salt1 egg, lightly beaten1/2 cup (125 ml) liquid buckwheat honey1/4 cup (50 ml) corn oil3/4 cup (200 ml) milk (2% M.F.)1 1/2 cups (375 ml) fresh or unsweetened frozen raspberries patted dry and/or well drainedHeat oven to . . .

Harvest Sweet Potato Pie

Pastry:1 1/2 cups (375 ml) Five Roses All Purpose Flour1/2 tsp (2 ml) salt1/2 cup (125 ml) cold butter, cubed1 egg1 tsp (5 ml) white vinegarcold waterFilling:2 eggs1 1/2 cups (375 ml) cooked, mashed sweet potato1 1/4 cups (300 ml) coffee cream or milk3/4 cup (175 ml) packed brown sugar1 tsp (5 ml) cinnamon1 tsp (5 ml) each salt and ginger1/4 tsp (1 ml) each allspice, cloves and nutmegPastry: Co. . .

Holiday Dieting: A Sweet Way To Cheat!

If your diet is making you a humbug this season, there’s some good news. Turns out dark chocolate, that decadent confection, may actually be good for you! Yes, recently conducted studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition have shown that a dose of dark chocolate will heed all sorts of healthy results. And with the holidays just around the corner, this news couldn’t have . . .

Aspartame Interview With Dr. Hull

This aspartame interview was granted on 8/30/03 with Rebecca Kang from Singapore:InterviewQ: How often does an average person happen to consume products with aspartame? A; Daily in the United States. Aspartame is put into so many different products, consumers are exposed to it without awareness much of the time. Aspartame is in many products NOT labeled sugar-free, such as gums, cereals, ice cr. . .