Thursday, October 4, 2012

0 History of Mexican Food and Flavors


By Ricardo C Mayoral

Mexican food has a long and varied history starting back with the Mayan Indians and evolved with historical events and cultural changes. The Mayan Indians were hunters and gatherers. They did no farming or produced any of their own products. They fed themselves off the land, with wild game, tropical fruits and plants, and fish. Mayan Indians used corn and beans in their diets. The history of corn is another subject but suffice it to say the Americas have been using it for thousands of years. It only became popular in Europe after one of Columbus' visits.
The Azteca culture introduced hot peppers, honey, salt and chocolate into their cooking and eventually found its way into the Mayan kitchen. The slow mingling of the foods took place until the Spaniards arrived where another culture mix of foods took place. Although the Aztecs had domesticated ducks and turkeys, the Spanish brought their beef, pork, goats and lambs. Again there is a change in recipes and eating styles.
The Spanish also brought flour, spices and dairy products adding to a wonderful blend of ingredients that make up the Mexican food. Recipes were changed with new combination of meat and spices; thus giving us such dishes as barbacoas, moles, tacos, adobos and the unforgettable salsas. What, has not changed is the delicious flavors, textures and aromas. It has been said that Mexican food is the most consumed worldwide.
The methods of preparation, in many cases, makes Mexican food so flavorful. In early times the ground was the base of your stove, your oven was dried clay around a fire or a pit in the ground, and the pots and pans were also clay or stone. From these ancient people we get the molcajete, and metate y mano. Molcajete is a stone bowl with a pedestal and the metate is a stone slab used to grind things like corn and other seeds. The Mano is long stone, like the pedestal only longer, used to press against slab to cause the grinding.
Names of foods are as varied as the ingredients. Each state has its specialty and secret ingredient, but secrets are not to be kept. No matter where you go in Mexico, if you ask for the recipe it is yours. State of Michoacán is known for it carnitas, deep fried pork in its own lard and if properly prepared not greasy. State of Veracruz for its fish ala Veracruzana, fish smothered in fresh sautéed tomatoes, onions and peppers and as spicy as you like. My favorite and with the most Mayan influence is the food of the state of Yucatan. I don't know of any specific dish that is more traditional, but my favorite is Cochinita Pibil a pork dish marinated in a red Achiote paste. The paste consists of Annatto seed, spices vinegar, garlic and corn flour, which can be purchased in most stores. My only comment is "so good!"
The only concern you have to have is that depending on the state you are visiting you must know the difference in terminology. In one state if you order a Torta you will get an omelet and in another you will get a sandwich. Southern Mexico pozole and northern Mexico pozole vary in ingredients and broth color. In Jalisco you would get a bowl filled with a pork stew usually made with the back bones of the pig and the sauce or broth is colored and flavored with red chilies. In Sonora you would mostly likely get a bowl filled with oxtail and white processed corn in a sauce or broth that is clear. It is always good idea to ask what the ingredients of what you are ordering. If you hear "Tripas" or "Panza" be aware that they mean inners of an animal. I would make faces at the thought but if prepared properly they are delicious and can only be appreciated by open minded distinguishing palates.
Mexican food history is a long and entailed subject. To truly explore the subject would take a book or two. So in the course of our continued exploration of Cooking ala Mexicana we will attempt to bring you more history and information to make your interest and taste in Mexican food more pleasurable.
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0 Homemade Dog Food Recipes


By Christopher Livingston

Nowadays more than ever it is becoming more and more challenging to know exactly what we ought to be providing for our dogs. With the latest tainted commercial dog food and treat scares which keep popping up, homemade dog food recipes have become really popular as apprehensive owners endeavor to do precisely what is right - and what's safe - for their pets. The controversy regarding what constitutes a good quality dog diet doesn't make this subject any less difficult, either. All things considered though, providing a homemade dog food recipe - given that it's properly prepared - can only be a very good thing.
Benefits of Feeding Homemade Dog Food Recipes
The main benefit from feeding a homemade diet for your dog is that you will know, beyond doubt, what your dog is actually eating. This takes away lots of the concerns connected with man made ingredients, fillers, unwanted grains and other substances regarded unnecessary and/or unhealthy for dogs. There are many views concerning this specific matter as well, with many individuals recommending a meat-only diet and others using grains as well as some vegetables - however the important issue that includes both these opinions is having the capability to only use particular ingredients, whether they are organic meats, vegetables and grains, or maybe just meats on their own.
Getting this control is crucial when dealing with dogs that have dietary issues, allergy symptoms, health-related problems and other conditions that can be impacted by - or could be taken care of by - diet as well. It really is up to every individual owner to decide on their own stance regarding the importance of carbohydrates within their dog's diets however. From a typically ignored point of view though - ignored by a lot of pet food "experts" across the board mainly because of the fortune there is in commercial pet foods - a diet program that's as close to exactly what is eaten in nature is invariably going to be best. With regard to dogs, this really is basically exclusively protein.
Factors To Be Considered When Feeding Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Whenever homemade dog food is properly prepared, there are no disadvantages, except maybe the reality that meat is more expensive than grains. There is nevertheless a lot involved in making certain that your dog is receiving all of the necessary vitamins and nutrients they must be given for excellent health and fitness. Meat by itself, cannot provide all of the nutritional requirements a dog demands to be healthy (because of a number of factors associated with the poor quality grasslands that our meat livestock graze, the quantity of meat livestock which happen to be grain fed, and more). Therefore, any individual planning to feed homemade dog food must ensure they use a recipe which has been produced especially for dogs to ensure that it has the correct foods.
Providing a homemade diet is not really as convenient as commercial food, nevertheless, you are going to at least know what your dog is having. Preparing bulk batches of meals makes it possible for you to create a week's worth or more of food at a time which you can deep freeze. Making use of the right diet together with the addition of nutritional vitamin supplements though, most dogs flourish. It is possible to get tested recipes to take care of many health problems as well. So, for the conscientious dog owner who wants to take control of their pet's dietary requirements, home cooking food is without a doubt really worth the inconvenience.
The extremely important thing that has to be stressed here to anyone considering serving homemade dog food is that whilst providing homemade dog food recipes really are better, it is absolutely necessary that they are well balanced and contain all of the essential vitamin supplements.
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0 Food Stamp Application Process


By Kurt Staley

Applying for food stamp can be a very overwhelming and embarrassing task. Knowing what to expect throughout the entire application process can help alleviate some of the stress and embarrassment involved with applying for food stamps.
The first thing required by the food stamp office is an application. Most counties have an online application process. The electronic application allows the process to get started the moment the application is submitted. Paper applications will be accepted, but the process will take longer than an electronic application. Most food stamp offices have computers available for applicants filling out electronic applications. Workers will be available on hand to answer any questions about the application you may have.
After the application is submitted a verification letter will be sent with any documents that are needed to process the application. Documents will be needed to verify identity, citizenship, and household income. You may be required to show: driver's license, social security card, birth certificate, or visa. Having these documents available to submit with the application or shortly after will allow the approval process to start immediately.
A face to face interview or telephone interview will take place after the application is submitted. The face to face or telephone interview is to obtain any additional information needed based on the documents received. It is therefore important to submit all required documentation quickly so any discrepancies can be discussed at this time. The interview is also used to verify information and ensure no major changes have taken place. The interviewer may ask about finances and equity at the time, such as how much cash is maintained in checking or saving accounts, how much equity is in a house or car, and how much is paid monthly for utilities. If the interviewer determines more documentation is needed they will tell you right away or mail a letter stating the documentation needed for further processing.
Once all documents are received and the interview is completed, the application will start the final processing. A letter will be mailed upon approval or denial of the application. If an electronic application was completed you may check the status of the application online. Be sure to keep all information on hand to reapply after the initial approval period ends. The approval period can last between six months to a year. The approval process to reapply is not as lengthy or as detailed.
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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

0 Natural Food Recipes


By Jennifer S Rigby

With obesity widely accepted and type 2 diabetes raging amongst adults and children alike, somewhere there has to be a stop to it all. But, how and where does this take place? Is it a problem that the federal and state governments can absolve? No, it has to start with personal accountability and a willingness to change the way that food is viewed. Aspartame, monosodium glutamate, food colorings, and every other preservative in between have to be considered extremely toxic to the body. Without families taking a stand, innocent children will be sent to their graves at an early age. The only way to make the necessary changes to put a stop to preventable diseases (such as type 2 diabetes) is to use exclusively natural food recipes while cooking.
What is a natural food recipe? It is a recipe that contains solely whole food ingredients. The best way to tell if a recipe is processed or artificial is by its components. If it contains foods that are packaged and have a long shelf life with more than a few ingredients, then it is not a natural food. Also, those complicated words on the food labels are usually artificial. That is a great indicator of how real it is. For example, what would the food label on a tomato read? All that is contained in a tomato is a tomato. Actually, the concept is quite simple. When combining ingredients into a recipe, those ingredients should typically only be themselves. That realization provides a wide variety of possibilities while concocting in the kitchen. It makes it an exciting experience to cook again!
Some of the greater challenges that come when making natural food recipes are soup based recipes. This is typically the case because homemade broths usually take planning and preparation to have on hand. But, while planning the weekly menu, simply plan to make homemade beef broth and chicken broth to use in soups the following day or two. In fact, making an all natural Chicken Noodle Soup is rather simple and can even be put together in the slow cooker. By simply adding 4 cups homemade chicken broth, 2 cups water, 1 chicken breast, 2 cups of carrots and celery, 2 teaspoons of thyme, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, 2 teaspoons of sea salt, and 1/3 package of fettuccine noodles, a delicious all natural chicken noodle soup has been concocted. Thankfully this rids of any form of MSG along with any other added preservative. This soup is so tantalizing to the taste buds that it is challenging to quit on one serving. Also, by making this homemade soup there will not arise any nasty side effects (like MSG headaches) that usually come from the artificial chicken noodle recipes.
Another fabulous all natural food recipe is homemade Beef Stew. This soup is similar to the Chicken Noodle Soup. It requires a little planning and preparation, but is extremely simple to create. The exciting revelation with this meal is that it can also reside in a slow cooker. That is a great way to ensure that dinner is all natural even if time is of the essence. The stew can be placed in the slow cooker in the morning and then savored after a hectic work day. The smell that wafts throughout the house will entice all those present to devour this meal immediately. The few minutes that it took to add 6 cups homemade beef broth, 3 celery ribs, 3 carrots, 4 potatoes, 2 cups precooked roast beef, 1 teaspoon of thyme, 1 teaspoon basil, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 3 teaspoons of sea salt will make it all worth it.
All natural food recipes are not very complicated and the taste that they evoke makes them definitely superior to their artificial counterparts. Changing the American problem of obesity and diabetes cannot be done as an entire country. It will start to occur when 1 family makes a commitment to eat whole foods and then shares their discovery and knowledge with their friends and neighbors. Then as their friends and neighbors realize how critical it is to consume whole foods, they will then in turn share it with others. That will be the process of revolutionizing the way Americans view food!
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0 Quick and Easy Salad Recipes For Your Table


By Linda Carol Wilson

Salads are important parts of our meals so give your meal a little something extra with these quick and easy salad recipes. Choose from an easy Spaghetti Salad. I made this for a church luncheon and it was a real hit. Or try a tasty Layered Salad, a refreshing Orange-Pineapple Fluff or a Confetti Macaroni Salad.
SPAGHETTI SALAD 
8-10 ounces whole-wheat thin spaghetti, cooked according to pkg directions in salted water 
1/2 cup balsamic vinaigrette 
1 tbsp olive oil 
2 large Roma tomatoes 
6 slices pepperoni, each slice cut into 9 to 12 pieces 
6 tbsp bottled crunchy salad toppings 
parmesan cheese for garnish
Drain spaghetti and place in a large mixing bowl; toss with olive oil. Add the vinaigrette, tomatoes, pepperoni, and saladtoppings. Toss to coat well.
Transfer salad to serving bowl and garnish with Parmesan cheese. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving to chill thoroughly. Before serving, toss again. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.
EASY LAYERED SALAD 
3 cups torn romaine lettuce 
1 pkg (10-oz) frozen peas, thawed 
6 medium potatoes, cooked in lightly salted water and diced 
3/4 cup diced red onion 
1 cup mayonnaise 
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 
1 lb sliced bacon, diced & cooked
In a large clear glass bowl, layer the above ingredients in the following order: lettuce, peas, potatoes, and onion. Carefully spread the mayonnaise over the top of the onions. Sprinkle the cheese over the mayonnaise and top by sprinkling the bacon over all. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours but maybe chilled up to overnight.
Yield: 8 servings
ORANGE PINEAPPLE FLUFF 
1 carton (8-oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed 
1 pkg (4-serving size) orange-flavored gelatin 
1 can (regular size) crushed pineapple, drained 
1 small carton small curd cottage cheese 
1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional.
In a large mixing bowl combine the whipped topping and gelatin until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir in the pineapple and cottage cheese; mix thoroughly, cover, and chill until serving time. May add pecans before chilling, if desired.
CONFETTI MACARONI SALAD 
1 pkg (7-oz) elbow macaroni 
3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped 
1 cup medium-fine chopped celery 
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper 
1 pkg (10-oz) frozen peas, thawed 
2 tbsp chopped pimento 
3/4 tsp salt 
2 tsp sugar 
1/2 cup mayo-type salad dressing 
2 tbsp lemon juice
Cook the macaroni according to package directions, omitting any salt or butter; drain.
In a large mixing bowl gently combine all ingredients,tossing well. If necessary, add up to another 1/4 cup mayo-type dressing. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Yield: serves 6 to 8
Enjoy!
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0 Home Delivered Diet Foods and Meals


By Dave Anderson Jr.

The concept of home delivery has sneaked into our household long ago but home delivered diet meals are the relatively new entrant in the market. It is a boon for those who find it really difficult to cook diet food. One of the biggest problems faced by the consumers of such food items is that the diet is monotonous in nature and they get bored eating the same kind of food every day. Home delivered diet meals are now here to offer a change as it can offer you variety in the diet meals.
Nowadays the home delivery diet providers readily offer you gastronomes type of meal that is rich in flavor. The home delivery diet have become so innovative that they have started offering complete Home delivered diet meals plan that includes different types of food right from breakfast to dinner. This is really good for those people who want to shed those extra kilos without taking the pain of eating a monotonous diet meal. Some of the home delivery diet suppliers have become more enthusiastic and they are supplying one or two snacks between the lunch and dinner.
The availability of the home delivery diet service relieves you from the pain of the shopping the grocery items for the preparation of diet food for you. The home delivery diet meal suppliers are quite economical in their supplies as they deliver you the food at very reasonable prices and once you pay them for the week you are free from the worries of shelling out extra money and you can sit and relax while enjoying the diet meals supplied by them and losing your fat too.
When you opt for the home delivered diet meals you are free from the worries of calculating the calories from the meal you have just taken as this exercise is undertaken by the experts at the other end and you can get the information about the calories available in each item you are going to eat with a single glance of the menu card. It also helps you to plan your daily calorie intake of food. The different items present in the menu do not allow you to get bored with the monotonous diet food.
The type of the diet food supplied to you gets you a reprieve from the imagination of preparing food from tasty things. The quality and the variety of the meals delivered to you at your home suits most of the taste buds and you can really relish your food.
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

0 Easy Soup Recipes


By Cara Hanley

I am a soup lover and I spend a good deal of my time looking for and following easy soup recipes, soups are very versatile and can be made using many different ingredients. They can be eaten at different mealtime occasions thinner broths such as Consommes make perfect starters or healthy snacks, while more hearty soups using meat, fish or vegetables as their main ingredient can be a meal in themselves.
Also some soups can be served cold which is great on hot summer days, these are light and refreshing.
There are traditional favorites such as French Vichyssoise, Spanish Gazpacho and the more unusual ones such as Iced Melon Soup and other Fruit Soups.
You will find so many varieties of Soup all over the world, using so many different lovely ingredients, some classics are Italian Minestrone, Thai Chicken Noodle Soup, Avgolemono which is a Greek Lemon Soup.
Soups are quick and easy to make, most soups start with a base of onion, celery or leek, a good quality stock and herbs or spices.
You need very little in the way of specialized equipment when it comes to making soups, although will find having a food processor or blender a must at it will save you a lot of time and energy when it comes to making a puree before serving your soup.
If you don't have a blender you could use a sieve/strainer, but it will just take you a little longer.
To cook your soup on the stove you will need a heavy based saucepan deep enough to contain the amount of liquid required.
I also like to cook my soups in a Crock Pot, you will still need to fry off your ingredients on the stove first but this is a great way of cooking soup if you have a busy day and want to come home to a ready made broth.
Homemade Soup is very healthy and is a great way to get your kids to eat plenty of vegetables without often realizing.
There is usually very little fat and a minimum amount of salt which is why so many people look to have soup when they are on a diet.
Soup is so convenient for families to have at anytime during the week, it is ideal fresh but can also be frozen and quickly defrosted when required.
Soup can also be portable and used instead of sandwiches or salads in lunchboxes as you could send your kids to school with a thermos.
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