'Articles' ↓

Food articles including view about Indian cuisine are posted in this section

I had recently been on western etiquette training workshop; Apart from learning the cultural differences I also got to know the kind of food that westerners eat and prefer and more importantly the table manners that needs to be followed.

Very rarely do people from the West (including Europe) use their hands to eat food; the spoon, fork and knife are regular items. As I was learning how to use the fork and knife, I found eating with them a much harder task than lifting weights in a gym.

Follow these easy steps below and become an expert at good eating.

Continue reading →

Watermelon Carving - You probably would have seen them in parties, weddings, etc. I was witness to how intricate designs are carved on watermelons and other fruits when I had been to Kamat YatriNivas hotel in Bangalore. I didn’t know much about the history and the art until I stumbled upon this article. Susan Macquire who earlier showed us benefits of Cantaloupe, tells us the story behind Watermelon Carving and other Fruit Arts.

Continue reading →

Introduction

Melons, irrespective of their variety, have always been a good source of essential nutrients and vitamins. Cantaloupes are a variety of muskmelon that looks somewhat oblong and has an approximate length of 15 to 25 centimeters. Refreshing flavor, distinct aroma and low calorie content has made Cantaloupes the preferred variety of watermelon in the United States.

History of Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe derives its name from the commune Cantaloupe in Sabina, in the Sabine Hills near Tivoli, Italy. It is believed to be first cultivated sometime in the year 1700. The popular varieties of Cantaloupe are the European cantaloupe and the North American cantaloupe. Both the varieties look different. The North American cantaloupe has a reticulated skin covering and can also be found with a rock-like appearance in some parts of Australia and New Zealand.

Different Varieties

Due to such an appearance, a North American cantaloupe is also called as rock melon in those parts. Other varieties of the North American cantaloupe include spanspek in South Africa, which has a thin reticulated light brown rind. The uncommon varieties have a redder and yellowier flesh. The European cantaloupes are lightly ribbed and look pale green in color. Among the different varieties of European cantaloupe, the charentais is the widely enjoyed one.

Continue reading →

There has been a great deal of controversy over the years about using microwave ovens to cook foods.

Some reports say that because of the way a microwave oven cooks that it alters the structure of the food destroying all the health benefits involved with cooking using a microwave oven. Some studies by the Russians in the fifties have stated that eating microwaved food could lead to cancers and that carcinogens were transfered to the blood. They even banned the use of microwave ovens for many years but more recently microwaves have become an accepted part of of Russian households.

Studies done since 1990 across America at Universities such as Cornell, Kansas State and the University of Missouri have been fairly conclusive in there results regarding microwave cookery and that there are many benefits to using a microwave oven for cooking some foods. Here are five reasons for using your microwave oven to cook your foods with.

Cooking vegetables in a microwave has great benefits provided that it is done properly.

The vegetables must be spread out evenly on a microwave plate and be covered either with a proper microwave cover or a microwave safe wrap. The vegetables only need to be cooked for a short period of time and they do not have to be immersed in water, this means that the vegetables will not leech vitamins and minerals into the boiling water. The vegetables will steam in there own juices and retain most of the vitamins and minerals, as well as keeping a good colour and have a crunch.

The use of salt whilst cooking has long been an accepted way to enhance the flavor of food.

Using your microwave to cook your veg though means that because the cooking time is shorter and the food does not need to be immersed in water it will retain more of its natural flavors.

Microwave cookery with oil is much more healthy is very little oil needs to be used.

The use of a frying pan to fry foods has long been a standard practise, but some studies have found that oils when heated at higher temperatures can release dioxins a known dangerous toxin.

Microwave popcorn an be healthy.

We all know that eating corn as part of our diets is very healthy for us as the kernels fill us up, contain few calories and are passed through our system. Microwaved corn “popcorn” can be healthy if you do not put anything on it. It does though taste very bland and is quite dry. If you do though need to liven it up a bit use a light butter spray and just give it a very light coat.

Fish is one the best and easiest things that can be cooked in a microwave oven.

here is no need to use extra liquid and if cooked properly the fish will come out moist and succulent.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ross_Wharton

Photo Credit: rwc2austin’s photos on Flickr

One of the most important elements of a properly dressed table, be it formal or casual, is high quality silverware. In fact, silverware has a lot more to offer than mere functionality. Design, color, and usability are all key factors that are easily overlooked by today’s busy shoppers.

What was Silverware then…

In the past, “silverware” was rather different from what we are accustomed to today. The first eating implements were very rudimentary wooden utensils. At first, the spoon was the most important (and sometimes sole) utensil used at the table. Although knives have been used to prepare food for several centuries, they were not common at the average person’s table. The fork, today’s ubiquitous eating utensil, is the relatively recent invention of an ingenious woman.

What is Silverware now….

Today, silverware is typically sold in sets. A European silverware set is composed by seven utensils: fork, knife, soup spoon, fruit or dessert fork, fruit knife, dessert spoon and coffee spoon. In contrast, five utensils compose the typical North American dining set: fork, knife, soupspoon, fruit/dessert fork and teaspoon.

Choosing the right Silverware for you…

Silverware sets do not have to be expensive. Extremely simple sets that are easily affordable can be found almost anywhere. At the other end of the spectrum, exquisite hand-forged silverware sets are popping up at more and more boutique stores. The choices are nearly endless. That said, how should one choose? There are two criteria I suggest that you keep in mind when choosing silverware: how the utensils feel in your hand, and the type of table setting you plan to use them with.

You can easily judge the feel and usability of silverware by holding a piece in your hand. There are no pre-set rules to follow. Just hold the utensils and see if they are well-balanced and comfortable to hold. The second important aspect to keep in mind when choosing silverware is the type of table or setting you plan to use the silverware with.

If it is intended for everyday use, you should choose something that can easily withstand the constant use of your family and one that is dishwasher safe. Stainless steel is always a good choice. Stainless steel silverware is almost indestructible yet can be very beautiful at the same time. Here is a good example: If, on the other hand, you plan to have a more formal dinner or table setting, then you should probably choose a more precious and elaborate set of silverware.

Sterling silver is the classic choice, of course, but high quality silver-plated sets will also work nicely. The price of silver-plated dinnerware is much more affordable than pure silver and the look and feel is essentially the same. Here is a good example of formal silver-plated utensils.

Always keep in mind that even though marketers and advertisers will tell you differently, you do not have to spend a fortune to properly dress a formal dinner table. Ultimately, the overall effect of your well-chosen details counts much more than the dollar amount you spent. Be creative and live beautiful!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Loreto

Guest Author, Barry writes that Curry is good for health and can be a cure for common illnesses. It has always been debated that Curry is spicy and not for eveyone. The benefits of curry coupled with its unique taste should put an end to that myth.

He says: “You think eating curry is not healthy… well read this and find out the truth”

* High Blood Pressure

Apparently eating chili peppers increases peripheral circulation and lowers blood pressure. Peppers, high in vitamins A and C and bioflavonoid help strengthen blood vessel walls. This helps the vessel walls to become more elastic and better able to adjust to differences in blood pressure.

Continue reading →

Not restricting ourselves to Indian cooking, i stumbled upon this article about Andalusia, a quaint and beautiful town in Spain. The author talks about the beauty of Andalusia and its culinary traditions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Andalusia is the largest region of Spain, situated in the south of the country it stretches along the coast from Almeria through Granada, Malaga and as far as Gibraltar. Inland Andalusia reaches as far as Cordoba and Jaen.

Andalusia represents the most famous images of Spain; the romance and passion that stems from gypsies, flamenco and bull fights, flowered patios and ancient Moorish palaces.

The region is so vast that a journey throughout Andalusia will take you to golden beaches, white washed hillside villages, beautiful coastlines and rugged mountainous landscapes.

Andalusia is a land of extremes, bitterly cold, dry winters high up in the hills, to hot sultry summers close to the coast.From this diverse landscape, comes a variety of cultural experiences affecting every aspect of life and especially the food. You can experience everything from freshly caught sardines cooked on the beach, to the famous Serrano or mountain ham, traditionally cured in caves high above sea level.

Not only is the food here so special, but in Andalusia offers a unique way of eating. Andalusia is the birthplace of the tapa and the region of Granada is the only place in Spain where tapas are still served free with your drink. In most other places you will generally be asked if you want a tapa with your drink and if you do, then you will be charged a little extra. “Ir de tapas” means bar hopping but it is totally different from what the British call “a pub crawl!”

The Andalusians eat later than people of other Spanish regions and it is not unusual to have lunch at 4 o’clock or dinner at midnight. Because of this the tapas are an important way of life for the people of Andalusia, they are very social people and they can indulge their love of mixing with friends over a drink without getting drunk! Having small portions of food throughout the day also keeps them going until the main meal at home.

This culture of eating a variety of different small dishes extends into the home as well. Since being in Andalusia, I have gradually started to adapt to this way of eating and instead of a plate piled high with meat and two veg, separate little dishes are brought out which is the tradition in Spanish homes. This gastronomic culture means the conversation flows during eating as everyone is not tucking in to a huge plate of food at the same time. Of course this also means that meal times last longer; another feature of Andalusian eating habits.

Andalusia is made up of 8 different regions and each region brings to the table its own speciality that makes Andalusian cuisine so far reaching and diverse.

Almeria, famous as the location for many spaghetti westerns is a region dominated by dry, barren, rocky and almost lunar landscapes. However, littering the area are pockets of paradise, lush oasis providing year round fruits and vegetables. Being on the coast means Almeria has an abundance of fresh seafood which is brought in to more inland regions.

Continue reading →