Discover Yummy Gourmet Dog Treats That Dogs Love

Dogs - they are not only our best friends, they are family as well. I mean - is there any other group that will love you regardless of how you act, smell and look like other than your family? Who else but your dog is falling all over himself just to get to the door and greet you after a long and tiring day? He deserves love, attention and some seriously yummy treats don't you agree? Find out the things you need to know in getting those mouth-watering gourmet dog treats all ready for your precious pet.

It may sound intimidating but gourmet does not necessarily have to come with an expensive price tag. That's right - fancy dog stores aren't the only place you can find these gourmet creations; you can also make them in your very own kitchen. Homemade dog treats can be extravagant and delicious at only a fraction of the cost. With a little bit of effort, you can be the world's best master to your little friend.

These delectable treats are sure to make your pet the envy of every hound in the street. Be careful though with the ingredients that your creations may have. There are several food substances that are known to be toxic to the animal's system.

Examples of ingredients that are bad for the pet are chocolates, caffeine, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, alcohol and onions. There are some that can be consumed in very minimal quantities; but will prove to be dangerous in larger amounts. Fruits are essentially good for them but it is important that you remove completely the seeds and pits. They contain a substance that trigger cyanide poisoning and can be fatal for the canine if not addressed accordingly.

The best thing about making these homemade dog treats is that you have better control over what constitutes your doggie's nutritional requirements. Ask your vet about his recommendation specific to your dog's health needs. Mix in fruits and vegetables in his snack time. It does not have to be bland and yucky. You can add a spoonful of peanut butter in his biscuits or smother a vegetable treat in parmesan cheese to make it interesting.

Now, I understand that it is very tempting to shower your pet with delicious snacks; however, it is very important that you do not. There are so many health complications that occur because of obesity and bad diet. Snacks, especially those that are richer in content, must only comprise 10% of the dog's meal intake.

You can look at a lot of fantastic dog recipes on line. Make an extra effort to find those that are healthy and organic. Bump up the fun factor by employing the use of special cookie molds designed for dogs. There are some shaped like bones, paw prints or dog silhouettes. You never know, maybe your gourmet dog treats will get so famous other appreciative pet owners will want to buy some from you.

Dogs - can you imagine your life without them? Make their day by making their favorite treats. Don't know what it is yet? Well, what's stopping you? Find a great recipe and create your canine masterpieces today!

Gourmet dog treats are such a big hit right now. So where can you find them? You can go to HealthyHappyDogs.com and find incredible homemade dog treats that are sure to please your canine's palate.

What Is Gourmet Coffee?

Over the past 30 years marketers have tried thousands of tactics to sell things. We have heard the "Your to smart to be without this product" tactic. We have heard the "Everyone needs this product" tactic. We have also seen the way that TV sells products making them more appealing then they really are. Has the coffee industry followed such tactics? Sure it has! Do you remember Folgers little jingle? "The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup." That ad made Folgers famous! So, is the term "Gourmet Coffee" another sales tactic? No! Allow me to explain.

Coffee is grown all around the world, and because of the many differences in governments, cultures, and religions people do things differently in other lands. So, how is Gourmet Coffee made? When you acquire coffee beans from different regions they for the most part go through a similar process. Beans are picked, dried, and sorted pretty much the same way. The differences are the climate and the elevation they were grown in, and the pesticides the farmers used to protect their crop. Those are just a few factors. We also need to consider the roasting process. The roasting process is as crucial to coffee as air is to our lungs. If you under roast your coffee your coffee may turn out weak, and if you over do it your coffee will taste burnt. So, where does the word Gourmet fit in? The hardest coffee to acquire today is the Jamaican Blue Mountain. The reason is due to the hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. This coffee is the most sought after coffee, because of its rich taste and divine smell. When roasted correctly this coffee is probably the best tasting in the world. What other factors makes coffee Gourmet?

When Roasters add flavorings such as chocolate syrups, or caramel to name a few, these additives give your coffee a unique taste that is qualified as Gourmet Flavored Coffee. The definition of Gourmet is a fine food or drink that has been judged by an expert to be excellent. When coffee experts say that a certain brand of coffee is excellent then their credibility is on the line. It better live up to the hype or their opinion and reputation becomes as worthless as the dust on a windowsill. If an expert deems a product as excellent then it has to be good. Right? Well, it should. We live in an imperfect world, but Gourmet Coffee is legitimate. Many people around the world take pride in there coffee and when you find one that stands out you will find that it is in high demand. It cost more then regular coffee, but depending on your preference in many cases it is worth its weight in gold.

Where do you find Gourmet Coffee? The best place is straight from a Coffee Roaster, and there are thousands to choose from. They all have different techniques, recipes, and philosophies about coffee. The great thing about them is that they always have fresh roasted coffee. Some other places would be at a supermarket, but I highly advise against these places. The coffee is usually never as fresh as it should be. I hope that this article was able to help you understand that Gourmet Coffee is real, and not a clever marketing tactic.

Don is the owner of several free information websites and the sole proprietor of Java Jakes Gourmet Coffee Co. [http://www.javajakes.com] [http://www.healthyinfosource.com] [http://www.egolfplace.com] Visit these sites today and become informed.

Gourmet Coffee Stores

Gourmet coffee stores have come a long way in the last ten to twenty years. These days they are virtually around every corner, and offer many more things than just coffee. From coffee to tea to baked pastries, there is something for every palate and craving at these wonderful shops! Also, these places offer a wonderful setting to relax, read, or do work on a laptop.

My favorite gourmet coffee store is one where you can relax! My girlfriends and I started a coffee club called "Coffee Talk". This is where we meet at the local coffee shop to talk about life, munch on delicious pastries, and of course, drink some wonderful beverages. Some of the girls in the group do not care for coffee, so they drink tea instead. It is a fabulous setting to relax, enjoy company and fill our bellies! Our favorite baked offerings are cakes, muffins, croissants and brownies.

Gourmet coffee stores and shops are a huge industry. While it takes up to $50,000 just to open a coffee kiosk, the shops and stores are a big investment! Although the investment is great, many people have made a killing at this industry. Some of the major shops are Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Gloria Jean's. As some drinks are upwards of $5, there is typically a huge mark-up. However, many people (myself included) are willing to pay the big bucks for a gourmet delight.

My favorite gourmet coffee shop is Starbucks. I just love their coffee and the relaxing ambiance they offer. My favorite drink to get is an Iced Dirty Chai Latte. In case you are not familiar with a "Dirty Chai" it is simply a Chai Tea with espresso. Another thing I love about Starbucks is the great bags of coffee, mugs, sweet treats and other wonderful small gifts you can purchase. They make a wonderful last-minute stop for impromptu birthday and office party gifts!

Also, I find these places are great for studying, working, or just relaxing away from home. It seems like every time I visit one of these shops I end up talking to someone or chatting with a stranger. Many single people find these are great places to meet new friends and potential dates! So if you are looking for a relaxing place, with great food and drink, and the possibility of meeting new friends try out your local gourmet coffee store!

Christine Rankin is a professional writer who provides information on gourmet coffee stores for Gourmet Coffee Guide - your premiere online resource for fine coffee!

Gourmet Gift Baskets Make Perfect Corporate Christmas Gifts

Gourmet gift baskets are the perfect corporate Christmas gifts. They're popular for several reasons: they are well received by clients, professional and elegant, practical, and easy to send.

Gourmet Gift Baskets

The holiday season is the perfect time to show your appreciation to your clients, partners, and employees. As a smart businessperson, you're most likely aware that it makes sense to create goodwill and build stronger relationships with your business contacts. The holidays are the best time to do this naturally by sending gifts as a token of your thanks for their business.

It makes an elegant and practical Christmas business gift. They're practical because everyone loves food and they are easy to share among the office staff. For you, they're practical because they are so easy to order online. There is a wide assortment of choices and fast shipping options, which makes it an easy way to shop for holidays.

You can send a gourmet basket that consists of almost any treat and concoction you can imagine. Delicious treats range from high-end champagne, wine, fruit, chocolates, candies, coffee, salmon, rib eye, chicken, sausage, and cheese. You can customize the gourmet basket to the recipient for a thoughtful and unique business gift. Based on your gift-giving goals and budget, there should be a good variety of options available to you.

If your goal is to impress your most important clients, then you may consider sending a grand, luxurious basket filled with champagne and caviar or wine and cheese. Your clients and employees will be excited and impressed with your holiday gift baskets, as they make the perfect corporate Christmas gifts. And being the smart professional that you are, you will have saved yourself a lot of time and stress by buying them online. Delight your clients, colleagues, and employees with a Christmas gift basket this year.

Learn how to pick out and get the best gourmet gift baskets and wine gift baskets. Don't delay -- order now while these baskets are in stock, and take advantage of shipping specials for Christmas.

Preparing Your Food For Winter

Summers were always the best time of year for me when I was growing up, except for Saturdays, when my mother would raise the dead with her "Wake-up" voice and we would all have to go out to the garden in the early morning, before the dew was off the grass, and pull weeds. We would all work for a few hours and then she would let us off the chain gang for some summer family fun.

What I hated worse then the early morning wakeup calls on summer Saturdays, were the Fall after-school and weekends when canning took over our lives.

The house would fill with the smells of Jams or Jellies, Pickles, Pears, Peaches, Grape Juice, Tomatoes, Apple Sauce, Apple Pie Filling, Green Beans and Corn.

For weeks, when I got home from school and could smell the humidity in the air from the canner or the pressure cooker, I would try desperately to sneak out the back door and enjoy some freedom with the horses, but my mother always seemed to find me, like a heat-seeking missal launched out of spite, and I would be escorted back into the canning kitchen to help with our winter food storage.

I will have to say, that when winter came, our table was always set with the best of preserved food. I have never tasted food like that from a grocery store shelf, natural and with a taste I just can't describe.

After all these years, and all my complaining, I am grateful that my mother "forced" me to learn the secrets of gardening, canning and cooking.

Pickling and curing are ancient forms of preserving foods with Mesopotamians pickling vegetables 4,500 years ago.

The modern canning process was pioneered by a Frenchman named Nicholas Appert at the turn of the 19th century to win an award being offered by the French Navy. Appert began experimenting with preserving meats and vegetables by heating and sealing them in bottles.

Every year, I plant a garden, full of vegetables, and I water and mulch my trees in hopes that the end of the summer will be filled with long days of smelling a humid house filled with Jams and Jellies, Green Beans and Corn, Tomatoes and Onions, Salsa and Apple Butter, Apple Sauce, Apple Pie Filling and other treasures from my garden. My husband may bring home meat from a hunt or the butcher, and the house will smell of Special Jerkies that will last through the kids Snowboard trips, sledding and my husbands long nights in his wood-shop making my Christmas present, or a present for one of the kids. If it's not preserves or jerky, the house smells of herbs drying for cooking those fabulous winter meals you invite your best friends over for. My house often smells of Peppermint Tea, picked young and fresh from my herb garden, dried and sealed for my girls Tea Parties at 4:00 with their best friends after a cold winter school day. My husband and son like the special teas made from my herb garden too!

In a society where everything is made from a box, or a store or a restaurant, the homemade or gourmet touch is pretty unique.

It use to be that the "Gourmet" label belonged exclusively to the European market. Americans have always presumed that European-made specialty items where put together much better then ours and in 1982, the American Specialty Foods market was much smaller than it is today.

Today hundreds of small American companies have flooded the market with gourmet fruit and vegetable products. The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade's two annual Fancy Food Shows are packed every year with exhibitors from all 50 states. Handwritten labels, country brochures and quaint catalogs are everywhere.

For those who crave the comfort of homemade taste, but can't imagine growing a garden, sterilizing their own jars, or dealing with all the steam and the huge pots, there is a special appeal in the phrases "slow-cooked," "old-fashioned" and "locally grown."

I recommend growing your own garden, either in your back-yard or in containers on your terrace. No Insecticides, No Pesticides, No Herbicides to hurt the environment, the produce just tastes better. Even in preserving your own food, the nutritional benefits are outstanding compared to the grocery store.

If you would like to try your hand at canning your own food, I recommend the following information:

USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning

Bon Appetite!

D.S. Epperson is the top formulator for Home Blend Gourmet / South Pacific Health, a leader in the functional food industry in the U.S.. With 20 years of experience in Nutritional Biochemistry, she has written reference books on botanicals and manufacturing of medicines from botanicals, and published articles on health, fitness and foods. She has formulated over 240 formulas and inventions for health, the environment and agricultural uses, and continues to research and study microbial advantages in nutraceuticals and functional foods. For more information or to view the articles that she has written: http://www.sugarblend.com

Gourmet Creative Baskets Or Gift Baskets For Women - Gifts That Make Her Smile

It seems that I often write about gifts for guy friends, but seldom write about the wonderful creative baskets for women. Any female loves to be showered with gifts. How could I have not confided in you the possibilities and ways that gift baskets for women can make her happy?

When clicking on the selection of gift baskets for women you will find an array of bath and candle gift baskets to gardening and aromatherapy gift baskets that are specifically designed for her. These gifts are more on a personal note and are perfect for showering her with pampering products and giving her the well deserved break she needs.

What about other selections of creative baskets that would appeal to the woman in her? Gourmet creative baskets are delectable food gifts including gourmet chocolates, coffees, sweets and sugar free edible delights. These choice gifts are works of art that would make any woman happy.

Sending your best wishes to the women in your world, be it wife, girlfriend, mother, daughter, sister, business associates or someone you just met can be done with class and good taste. Here are a few good ideas for gifts for women:

Gourmet chocolate gift baskets for the chocoholic in her are luscious gifts of sweetness and silky flavors of chocolate truffles, wafer cookies, cherry delights and more. Your best wish will come through with a touch of elegance. (Be sure to check with your favorite creative basket site for policies and updates on shipping chocolates).
Gourmet coffee gift baskets bring out the coffee connoisseur in her, allowing her to quietly gather her thoughts for the day. Treat her to that morning cup of gourmet coffee, and let her thoughts be with you.
Send your best with gourmet sweet and treats or sugar free creative baskets. These tasty edible delights express your sweet sentiments and wishes to any lady in your life. The sweet and savory flavors are sure to be a reminder of your kind and thoughtful ways.

Gourmet creative baskets hold a number of edible delights in various styles. Italian gift baskets for the pasta lover in her, fancy foods or a healthful gift basket will delight her and bring a smile to her heart just for you.

Gift baskets for women convey your best wishes to the women in your life with class and good taste. Send your best today!

Shirley Bass at GiftBasketJewels.com is happy to bring you ways to delight the women in your life. Creative baskets and edible delights, as well as gift baskets for women will make her smile. Send your best today and let her know you care. Jewel of a gift idea!

Natural Sausage: The Benefits of Gourmet Sausage

Today, natural sausage making has become an art. More than 200 different varieties are made in the United States alone, and thousands more worldwide, varying by regional tastes and ingredient availability. Gourmet sausage has a distinct taste and quality that is unmatched.

Specialized link makers are as discriminating about what goes into their products as winemakers are about selecting grapes. Early butchers found that a wide range of raw ingredients could be used. The primary ingredients of sausage were the parts of the animal carcasses that could not be used in other ways. Today many primal parts are used in the production of this favorite food, and the quality difference is undeniable.

The contemporary role of this food fits conveniently into our modern lifestyles as an elegant gourmet appetizer for entertaining as well as the main course in "quick-and-easy" meals. Sausage has come a long way from being a means to use the scraps no one would eat alone.

Natural Sausage Checklist

Before your purchase, consider these qualifications of supreme food manufacturers. Whether you're stocking your own general store, large chain of grocery stores, catering a special occasion, or just in search of the finest ingredients and meats for your dinner table, these facts will point you in the right direction.

Premier Cuts

This food is worthy of prime whole-muscle cuts from the animal. Watch for whole-muscle meats with high lean percentages over 80%. Top choices include lean skinless chicken thigh and pork shoulder.

Local Farms

Companies receiving ingredients from local farmers are a notch above the rest. For the freshest product, they shouldn't need to travel far. A long distance increases the likelihood of preservatives or other potentially harmful and toxic chemicals in your food, such as MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), Nitrate, and Nitrite. If you can barely pronounce the ingredients on the packaging's nutritional facts, it may be time to try something different.

NaturalCasings

Casings are made from the submucosa of an animal, a largely collagen layer of the intestine. Since small intestines are collagen in nature, they have many of the same characteristics common to all types of collagen, particularly the unique characteristic of variable permeability, which allows uniform deep smoke penetration throughout the entire link to create rich, balanced flavor from start to finish.

Taste Matters

A combination of the above factors will ensure a tender and juicy product. Links that can "breathe" contribute to enhancing the sweet aroma of fresh meat, whether resting in a display case, or sizzling on a stove or grill. Prime cuts of chicken and pork will provide instant flavor on its own, combined with hand-selected herbs and spices to become the show-stopper on any platter.

It is no secret why there are thousands of recipes for these delectable foods. Whether they're eaten in a toasted bun with mustard by children, or mixed into a five-star dish by foodies and critics alike, one thing is certain: sausage is an international food staple, and is here to stay!

Natural sausage is examined by quality of ingredients, butcher cuts, source, casing, and overall taste to describe the benefits of gourmet sausage links.

Gourmet Coffee - Of Kopi Luwak and Peaberry

For centuries, from the trade ships of Columbus to those of Cheng Ho, the Chinese Merchant fleets, Gourmet Coffee have reigned the seas as one of the key merchant commodities most actively traded across the continents. You start to wonder what makes the Gourmet Brew so attractive that the coffee culture over the centuries and round the globe. It has become the epitome of coffee culture elegance and chic. Good food cannot do without a cup of gourmet brew, with some costing 65 dollars a cup. Now cost is any indication of the brew, that cup of kopi luwak is the most expensive and best tasting cup of gourmet coffee indeed.

Yet, there is somehow no true and exact definition it. More than half of the packages define their products as gourmet simply for advertising purposes. It is arbitrary to say the least. There are however a few criteria to guide you from weeding through the advertising jargon for the true gourmet coffee.

Coffee bean origin is one critical factor in determining your gourmet brew. Note that it is the key geographical growth locations which give your coffee its distinctive flavor, as this has got to do with the original soil. The mineral rich volcanic soils of Hawaii give a very different taste sensation compared to those from Africa or South America. Coffees grown within an exclusive plantation yields better quality control.

Special cultivation and processing methods give the coffee bean its uniquely individual flavors. Take for instance the Peaberry beans are in actuality a mutated form of the coffee bean while the highly coveted Kopi Luwak is that of civet cat coffee diet excretion.

There are ways to buy gourmet coffee, the most efficient of course is buying them online. But execute caution as to the authenticity of the sites and their services. Get word of mouth testimonials from fellow coffee drinkers. An authentic coffee club provides great samplers packages, overnight courier gourmet coffee service, members forum and tasters parties, and much more. And not to mention you can also get special member discounts for all your purchases.

So the next time you are thinking of gifting to a fellow coffee drinker, think gourmet coffee.

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Gourmet Granola - Baking Secrets

Where do I begin writing about the secrets of baking gourmet granola?

This is a struggle for me. I want to share the wealth per se (of knowledge) about what makes a truly wholesome and healthy granola but at the same there's that lurking thought of not wanting to give away all the secrets gleaned from many in kitchen experiences and years of living. Oh what the heck, let's go for it.

So what does make a truly great granola? For sure, it's the flavour. And how does one get a full-bodied gourmet flavour from granola? Of primary importance in the process is how it is baked. You will want to bake your granola in a medium to slow oven. For purposes of clarification, a medium oven is 350 degrees F while a slow oven would be 250 to 300 degrees. Personally I bake at 350, however this takes constant vigilance so the granola does not burn. 30 minutes of total bake time with stirring at 10 minute intervals will ensure even browning. If using a slower oven, then the stirring intervals may be stretched out along with the total bake time as well.

The second secret in developing the flavour of your finished gourmet granola is the caramelization of the sugars present in the mix. That's why you must be careful to not let it overbrown or overbake. This will result in a burnt sugar taste to your end product, definitely not what you are seeking.

A third and equally important secret in making gourmet granola is premium quality ingredients. This will include recently milled grains, nuts and seeds of ultimate freshness, fresh crop honey (not overly processed) and good quality vegetable oil. Unless your living in the boonies, all of these ingredients should be readily available from a local farmer's market or bulk food or dry grocer's store.

To recap, that's baking time, taking care to ensure even browning and using the freshest ingredients. Put all three of these secrets together and you too will excel in your granola baking venture.

Rod Sider is an accomplished although retired chef. One of his food passions is gourmet granola, which he has been creating for nearly 40 years. Check out his blog at [http://www.gourmetgranola.org/] for the latest info on everything granola and for the latest insider secret.

The Garden Gourmet Composter - Description and Overview

For a very long time I always had my eye on a garden gourmet composter bin, but I was not sure if this bin is the right composter for me. This composter is made of plastic, and I was not sure if I should buy one because how can plastic make waste rot? Guess what, I am a proud owner of one now and am very pleased to have one. My own garden gourmet composter bin.

This composter bins are made of 100% recycled polyethylene, and that helps to trap more heat so that the waste inside can brake down much faster than a normal compost pile would have done it. This bin is UV resistant.

The side panels have air vents within it to aerate the waste inside, the bottom have a slide door from where you can access the compost which are ready to deposit into your garden. The lid just clips over the side of the gourmet composter bin, and it fits a few inches over the sides so that not to much water enters the bin when it rains. The lid has some drip holes in it and that is to keep the waste inside the bin moist. It also has two flip lids within the lid, one on each side of the lid so that there is no need of taking of the complete lid to deposit your kitchen scraps, the two flip lids are sloping down on each side of the lid, making it difficult for unwanted guests, like critters, to get into the composter. This garden gourmet composter are capable of holding 11 cubic feet of material.

This composter has an average size of 23 inch. X 23 inch. X 36 inch. high, and are excellent for the average gardener. This bin I use primarily for waste out of the kitchen, like eggs, corn cobs, watermelon rinds etc. Just keep in mind that you need to mix your greens in the bin with some browns like leaves, hay et cetera.

This composter can produce nutritious plant food that contains healthy ingredients for your garden soil and your plants. It saves you the expense of buying food for your soil and flora. It keeps your garden neat and you don't have that ugly pile of waste that degrades the look of your garden, the unpleasant odor gets reduced as well, because the air vents allow oxygen into the composter.

The the garden gourmet composter is a remarkable compost maker and it is a must have for any home owner and garden lover.

Thumbs up for the garden gourmet composter

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Learning More About Gourmet Cooking Schools

You sure have heard about different cooking schools, but are you familiar with gourmet culinary schools? Basing on the name itself, it can be easy to figure out that these institutions educate their students on how to create gourmet food. However, not many may know the essence of gourmet. In gourmet culinary schools, the students are taught not only the source or history of the different skills and methods in cooking, but are furthermore furnished with knowledge concerning the different food predilections of people coming from various races and cultures. High-class chefs are the instructors in these courses, where the goal is to teach the students to produce dishes for an impeccable fine dining experience.

Enrolling in a gourmet culinary school entails quite a huge sum of money, but if you are careful in choosing the right institution to train and educate you in this field, you will see that it is well worth it. The guidelines in choosing a decent gourmet cooking school is quite similar to choosing any other school -- taking great consideration for accreditation, soundness of programs, and availability of world-class facilities. All these factors are essential in honing the best gourmet chefs of the future.

In gourmet cooking courses, the students are taught how to choose the right ingredients, preparing the food excellently, and presenting it in a delightfully enticing manner. The skills required to perfect each of these tasks can only be acquired from years of training in a high-standard gourmet culinary institute.

Furthermore, the concept of preparing healthy dishes can be learned from gourmet cooking schools since students are taught how to calculate the nutritional content of certain dishes and their ingredients. Even the proper way to chop, dice, and mince food are skills that are learned through this type of cooking education. Various preparation styles for vegetables, meat, and dairy products are also given adequate emphasis. Meanwhile, kitchen safety and kitchen management skills are not placed on the back burner as these are necessary especially for those who intend to put up their own food business.

If you are looking to see the list of the well-reputed gourmet culinary institutes in your area, it would be best to check out online directories. Here, you will be able to access some of the schools' contact details, and even check out their websites in case they already have one. Having a look at what they have to offer in terms of gourmet culinary education is essential in finding a school that will make your gourmet culinary schooling a worthwhile experience. You can also count on recommendations coming from respected personalities in the field of culinary arts.

Choosing a school in gourmet cooking can make or break your dream of becoming a star in the food industry. Hence, you should exert due effort in screening out your options for schooling. It always helps to do research by checking out online forums and reviews regarding certain culinary academies, or reading food magazines and other related reading materials.

For more information about cooking schools, visit our website http://www.crescentcitycooks.com.

Gourmet Cheese Gift Baskets Make the Perfect Present For Anyone Anywhere

Stop the presses and listen up! The perfect gift for just about anyone has been found. By sending a gourmet cheese gift basket for almost any occasion, you'll be sending something that the recipient can really appreciate. Cheese is such a versatile food that it can be enjoyed equally for a birthday in the middle of summer or a Christmas present while the snow flies. Pair it with some tasty meat selections, crackers, and other items, and you've got a gift that will make you a hit with anyone. It's a gift that's equally appropriate for a co-worker, a relative, or a friend and will be welcomed any time, anywhere.

The sure thing about cheese is that it always tastes good, and when you send a gourmet basket of cheeses, you can rest assured that it will include only the best. Many baskets feature cheese from Wisconsin, America's dairyland. You just can't get much better than that. That is unless you add some great summer sausages to the mix providing the person you send it to with a picnic in a basket. As you well know, everyone has an urge to snack sometimes, and what could be nicer than having such a super snack available for just these times?

Do you know anyone that would fail to appreciate a basket of gourmet cheese? It's one of those universal foods that everyone seems to love. Use a cheese basket as a corporate gift from your company to a client to show them how much you appreciate their business. Maybe you could send one to your child's teacher to thank them for a great year at school. Or what about your great aunt out in Utah? She's sure to enjoy receiving such a package of delightfully-wrapped meat and cheese. It doesn't take much of an imagination to think of someone who would like to receive a gift like this from you.

You'll never be stumped for what to buy again now that you know about gourmet cheese gift baskets. And by the way, they're convenient to send, too. You can order from your computer and have them delivered directly to anyone's door.

You're looking for a unique gift idea. Visit DanicasGiftBaskets.com for more themed gift baskets including care packages for soldiers and gourmet chocolate baskets - you'll be sure to come up with several gift ideas.

An Introduction To Gourmet Coffee

Over five hundred billion cups of coffee are consumed each year making it the most popular drink on this earth. For centuries, this aromatic, spirit-lifting drink has been the beverage to serve at any and all events. Many board meetings and friendships have thrived over a cup of coffee. Extracted from the seed of cherries growing on coffee trees, coffee is grown extensively in fifty-three countries across the equator.

Specialty gourmet coffee is very popular among coffee drinkers today. As a matter of fact, statistic show that it is one of the fastest growing food retailers netting approximately $8.5 billion a year. People enjoy the taste of the sophisticated beans used in the making of this delightful gourmet drink. The beans are grown at very high altitudes on Arabic trees and feed on volcanic ash. A cool climate and lots of moisture result in a high quality bean group. The soil the beans are grown in produces the very distinct flavors of the gourmet beans. Gourmet coffee has a more balanced flavor and richer taste than the standard mass-produced coffee. The beans go through a rigorous process of certification that is very strict to help keep the quality high. To help keep standards high, the Specialty Coffee Association of American was created in 1982, for the specialty coffee trade.

You can find gourmet coffee in most grocery stores, specialty shops, restaurants and coffee shops. If you are a true connoisseur, you might compare gourmet coffee to a wonderful bottle of wine.

Gourmet Coffee provides detailed information on Gourmet Coffee, Gourmet Coffee Beans, Gourmet Flavored Coffee, Decaf Gourmet Coffee and more. Gourmet Coffee is affiliated with Gourmet Coffee.

Great Country Escapes: The Berkshires

Famous for its cultural scene (Jacob’s Pillow, Tanglewood), the Berkshire area is becoming known for its food and spirits artisans, too.

With his new distillery, Jeffrey Baker is creating a field-to-glass operation, using grain grown and distilled on-site. Baker hired David Pickerell, the previous Master Distiller from Maker’s Mark, to oversee operations. Hillrock Estate’s first batch of bourbon will be ready this summer. Tours by appointment; 408 Pooles Hill Rd., Ancram, NY; hillrockdistillery.com.

Mark Firth was a Brooklyn restaurant pioneer with Diner and Marlow & Sons; now he’s looking to bring the same, rustic, delicious food to Bell & Anchor (opening this summer). He hired former Marlow & Sons cook Stephen Browning, and their menu will use ingredients from Firth’s farm, including produce, eggs, honey, maple syrup, pigs, ducks and guinea hens. Firth describes the ethos: “Keep the menu simple and cook whatever we feel like.” R178 Main St., Great Barrington, MA; 413-528-5050.

British couple Clare and Richard Proctor opened this high-style, low-price motel, a stark contrast to the area’s many B&Bs. In the cozy lounge, Clare serves freshly baked Vermont cheddar scones. Doubles from $200; 506 Stockbridge Rd., Great Barrington, MA; thebriarcliffmotel.com.

At this cheery café, the staff is friendly and a sign at the register reads, “Frankly my dear, I’ll have a buttermilk biscuit.” Chef David Wurth, who worked at Brooklyn’s Diner, makes the biscuits, plus Spanish tortillas and mushroom frittatas. The dinner menu is short and seasonal, with a tasty and affordable wine list. 2642 Route 23, Hillsdale, NY; crossroadsfoodshop.com.

Photo courtesy of Hillsdale General Store.

At this new housewares store next door to CrossRoads, interior designer Matthew White sells vintage goods—enamel pitchers, copper teapots, glass cheese savers—plus penny candy. Upstairs are four rooms stocked with products from local artisans and stores, including Boxwood Linen’s napkins, quilts and aprons. 2642 Route 23, Hillsdale, NY; hillsdalegeneralstore.com.

Rubi’s may be the first deli to get a sidewalk grilling license. Set behind the famed Rubiner’s Cheesemongers & Grocers, cooks roast clams, sausages and, occasionally, entire animals. The first event featured two lambs for Easter; owner Matthew Rubiner says, “We’re still trying to clean up the grease.” He plans to roast a couple of pigs this summer. Visit the website for details. 264 Main St., Great Barrington, MA; rubiners.com.

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Best Restaurants in Miami

Michelle Bernstein of Miami’s Michy’s and Sra. Martinez shares her restaurant picks. Chef Michelle Bernstein shares her picks for the best restaurants in Miami. Photo courtesy of Joe’s Stone Crab.

“It has some of the best fried chicken in Florida, but everybody goes for the stone crab.” 11 Washington Ave.; joesstonecrab.com; 305-673-4611.

“A Vietnamese place in the middle of Calle Ocho, the Cuban area; I’ve been going there since I was little.” 3458 SW Eighth St.; hyvong.com; 305-446-3674.

Photo courtesy of La Camaronera.

“Also in Calle Ocho, it’s a shack with no chairs, no tables. You stand at a counter and eat the best fried shrimp you’ve ever had.” 1952 W. Flagler St.; lacamaronera.com; 305-642-3322.

“My favorite Japanese market also has the best sushi in town.” 1412 79th St. Causeway; japanesemarketmiami.com; 305-861-0143.

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5 Reasons to Desire Gourmet Chocolate Chip Cookies

We desire Gourmet Chocolate Chip Cookies like no alternative cuisine. We yearn for it. We hunt it out. It is our number one enjoyment cuisine. Here are the arguments why Gourmet chocolate chip cookies run us crazy!

1. Cultural Customs

Approximately all, proclaimed chocolate cravings are women (sorry men, but it's unquestionable). Various professionals indicate that may be due to the psychological connection between chocolate, extravagance, and love. We speak about chocolate "melting in your mouth," and we've all heard of the impeccable present: "flowers and chocolate."

And people doubt why we need chocolate??

2. Chemical Feedback

It's a unquestionable fact: chocolate makes you feel good. It has inherent uppers. Anandamide, is a natural flavor enhancer, that some compare to authentic drugs. Something about the fusion of cocoa, fat, and sugar is exactly the right balance to excite every feel-good chemical in your brain to resound! It simultaneously releases endorphins and serotonin (your brain's "feel-good" neurotransmitter) and controls your appetite for fat.

But, hold-up, there are extra rationale to crave chocolate!

3. Chocolate has Theo-bromine and caffeine, furnishing a mental "pick me up". It combines sugar and caffeine...this has been professed before, but this makes chocolate the totally flawless food!

4. Phenyl-ethylamine, which boosts your nervous system, may give reactions similar to -- seriously -- standing next to your latest crush..it is that STRONG.

5. Last, but certainly, not least, chocolate is fabulous for your sex life! It is an instinctive aphrodisiac. Recent studies have shown that women who eat a little bit of chocolate a day have significantly more sex than women who don't. This could be because of those brain-pacifying chemicals (serotonin and endorphins) that are found in chocolate, and it boosts the brain to release more of it as it's eaten.

Of course, we yearn for chocolate and not, say, luncheon meat, which also consists of phenyl-ethylamine and tryptophan. It implies that unmatched fusion chocolate nails that sends our brain into "la-la land".

M.B.Roberds is a social butterfly by nature. They consider themselves a chocolate devotee. But, Gourmet Chocolate Chip Cookies are their number one choice. Visit Gourmet Chocolate Chip Cookies for distinctive gift giving ideas and DISCOUNTS!

Gourmet Mustard Ideas

Gourmet mustard enhances the taste of food to a great extent. Its unique medicinal properties have helped many people eliminate numerous diseases. It is said that it was first used for medicinal purposes before the culinary qualities were discovered thereafter.

It is available in various varieties and tastes. These include; the black type, the Creole type and the white type. Each of these has a specific unique quality and gives a specific flavor to the food that is prepared using them. It is a unique ingredient because it adds flavor, nutrient quantity and also medicinal values to the food prepared using it.

Gourmet mustard can be mixed with wine, vinegar sugar, spice and many other ingredients. This mixture can be used to make various food items. The food items may be non-vegetarian fish, chicken, sausage, and pork, or vegetarian such as avocado and cabbage amongst many others. When mixed with other ingredients, it can enhance the taste and nutrient content of food prepared using it. This makes the dishes prepared using it more appetizing and appealing to those eating it.

Gourmet mustard is popular with many people. Queen Victorian of England and the Roman pope, are some well known personalities who had a great liking for it that they appointed their own mustard makers. Eating any dish prepared using it is a memorable experience. it can be used to make dishes when one is having a party. This is a sure way to impress the party guests. You are very unlikely to go wrong as it is very popular with many people.

Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content On Mustard For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here MUSTARD RECIPES If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED!

Riso Pilaw

Il RISO PILAW è un ottimo metodo di precottura del riso.

Si utilizza infatti per preparare risotti in pochissimi minuti o si gusta per accompagnare verdure o pesce.

Facciamo tostare il riso per 30-40 secondi in una padella con un filo d'olio. 

Sfumiamo con un pò di vino bianco, se non lo si vuole utlizzare allora usiamo del semplice brodo vegetale.

Tutta questa operazione deve durare pochissimo massimo 5 minuti.

Sistemiamo il riso tostato all'interno di una teglia, copriamo con il brodo. La dose del brodo dovrà essere doppia rispetto a quella del riso.

Inforniamo a 180 gradi. 

Se lo vogliamo conservare in frigorifero per preparare dei risotti dovremmo lasciarlo cuocere per 15 minuti. Quando lo dovremmo utlizzare basterà condirlo con cosa più ci piace e portarlo a cottura.

Se invece vogliamo gustarlo da solo dovremmo lasciarlo cuocere 18 minuti.

Ricordiamo di sgranarlo bene dopo la cottura per evitare che si creino grumi durante la fase di raffreddamento.

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Raw Diet Foods Delivery

More and more folks are health conscious in today's world. The once small community of raw foodlists is exploding. With this amazing growth, many options have become available providing the opportunity to receive raw prepared foods delivered right to your home. I am not talking about TV dinners and packaged processed foods. No, these are pure, organic foods whipped up miraculously using simple ingredients and a bit of gourmet pizazz!

Raw gourmet restaurants are popping up all over the country. These restaurants specialize in the preparation of creative cuisine that is healthy and free of additives and preservatives. The whole foods used to create these amazing meals are always organic and unprocessed. One will reap the rewards of improved health when consuming a raw food diet. Some of these benefits include: weight loss, ability to fight off chronic disease, detoxification and an overall feeling of good health.

Some of the options for at home delivery are pricier than others, but this is your insurance policy. If you pay more now for the foods that you eat, you will spend less later on illness and chronic health issues. It is a fact that eating healthier reduces ones chances of becoming ill with a degenerative disease. Raw food takes things a bit further. When you consume only pure foods, you just feel better. It is the simple truth.

The diets that most people consume are loaded with processed foods that are detrimental to our health. They are devoid of nutrition and are responsible for many of the health issues with which society is plagued. Diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer have been linked back to the lack of nutrition in our diets. A lifestyle change which eliminates processed junk foods will only benefit your health.

It is important to consume at least 50% of our diets in the form of raw fruits and vegetables. The remainder of your diet should be rich in unadulterated foods such as whole grains, nuts and beans.

Some believe that a raw food diet is boring. Trying one of the raw food diet delivery services will prove them wrong! The meals you will find in these programs, as well as those in the amazing gourmet raw food restaurants that are popping up nationwide are more creatively prepared and just as tasty, if not more delicious than any gourmet meal made of far inferior ingredients.

Trying a raw diet food delivery program may just be the introduction you need into immersing yourself in the raw food world. Try a program for a week and see how you like it. It may just change your opinion of what raw food really is!

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, I completely changed my lifestyle, dropped almost 50 pounds and began a regimen of complementary treatments to support my immune system and get my body healthy again. It is one year later and I am feeling great. Please visit my website. There you will find lots of total cleanse information and health tips.