Giorgio's Winebar :: Wines and Fine Foods

Getting Back to Old School Cooking

By Tania Thrush | 2012/03/26 07:21 Posted in Cookers | Comments Off

Today’s world has seen a rise in obesity rates and a decrease in overall health. It’s no wonder why we’re seeing unhealthy overweight kids because their parents are exactly the same. It’s due to a mix of bad habits and a lack of education.

Some parents are simply unaware that their eating habits are having long-term negative consequences. One of the reasons is because we’re taking a modern approach to daily meal planning. This basically involves scrambling to feed your family because you don’t have enough time to cook. All of this has resulted in a lot more fast food and pizza, and far too few vegetables and home-cooked meals.

cooking

It’s time to get back to old school cooking using traditional techniques and making time for your family. Along with a lack of healthy education, there is a concurrent breakdown in the family structure. Parents simply have no idea what their kids are up to anymore.

One of the most traditional ways that families used to connect to each other was through the family meal. Since this has fallen by the wayside, we can see the negative impacts in a variety of areas.

When you make cooking and eating together a priority, it gives you an avenue to bond with the people you love. There’s something emotional and even spiritual about food, and you don’t get the same effects from going to a drive-through.

While the occasional pizza night is perfectly fine, you don’t want to resort to take out every night of the week. Old school cooking involves preparing a meal from start to finish, and actually spending time together.

Once you explore the world of cooking, you’ll find it’s a lot easier once you get a bit of experience. There are some traditional techniques like slow cooking that don’t involve a lot of prior knowledge. Even roasting a chicken in the oven basically involves covering your bird in marinade and then letting it sit in your stove for about an hour.

And with modern technology, you can use the best electric pressure cooker to work miracles in about half an hour. It won’t be long before you can take old recipes and turn them into popular family favorites that are nutritional and tasty. Best of all, the whole process gives you a chance to teach your kids about healthy eating and learn more nutritional information yourself.

For more information about cooking and using the correct cookware, read stainless steel cookware reviews. Stainless stell cookware is everywhere you look, coomon place in every kitchen but you need to know what to use and when. Happy cooking!

Gluten-Free Wine And Spirits

By Tania Thrush | 2012/03/15 02:12 Posted in Healthy Lifetsyle | Comments Off

You have probably been noticing more gluten-free products of all kinds in all types of stores, even when you are looking for beer or wine. While some types of alcohol are gluten-free naturally, others aren’t. Sometimes it can be a bit confusing if you don’t understand the refining or distilling process used to make the wine or spirits. Anyone who may be suffering from gluten allergy symptoms needs to understand exactly which wines and spirits are completely gluten-free and which ones are not.

On the positive side wine is typically considered to be gluten-free because wine is made from grapes or sometimes other fruits, but not grains. That said, however, it is important to understand that a few winemakers might use a fining agent that is gluten-based. Fining is a process that is done to clarify wine. The fining agent floats through the wine and in the process collects small particles the winemaker doesn’t want in the finished product; the fining agent then sinks to the bottom of the barrel where it is collected and discarded. The incredibly small amount that is actually left in the wine has been tested to be less than 10 parts per million; for a food or beverage to be labeled gluten-free the threshold is typically less than 20 parts per million. To be completely sure that your wine is in fact gluten-free, buy it from a winemaker that will be able to assure you that they don’t use a fining agent that is gluten-based, for example Frey Vineyards.

Hard alcohol or spirits like vodka, bourbon, gin, whiskey or scotch are typically naturally gluten-free because they’re distilled. When alcohol is distilled the molocules of gluten don’t vaporize the way that the ethanol does so the gluten molocules don’t pass through the condensation tubes and they don’t end up in the finished alcohol. The flavorings sometimes added to liquors may contain gluten though. Avoid flavorings if you are uncertain. If these barley or malt flavorings are added after distillation the alcohol may no longer be gluten-free.

Fortunately there are many great gluten-free options for wine and spirits. Before you buy or drink any sort of alcohol it is good to have an understanding of what makes any wine or spirit completely gluten-free. Once you understand the process you can know what drinks are safe and what drinks may not be when you are at party or restaurant.

What Works Well As Flooring For The Kitchen

By Annabelle Pellegrin | 2012/02/23 06:24 Posted in Kitchen Equipment | Comments Off

If you are thinking about flooring for your kitchen then there are several options to choose from but some work much better than others. One thing you do not want in your kitchen is carpet. This was all the rage in the 1970’s but it proved to be a real problem. People thought they could just vacuum up any spilled food and everything would be fine. Unfortunately, this was not the case because most of the time whatever fell on the floor caused a stain also. So don’t choose carpet.

Of the other various kitchen flooring options the best ones are going to be tiles. Either ceramic tiles, stone tiles, or vinyl tiles. If you are on a very tight budget then you are going to want to go with vinyl but if you can afford it you will be much happier with either ceramic or stone tiles. Both of these choices look great and are really easy to maintain.

A flooring option that you definitely don’t want is a wood or laminate. Wood floors can be sealed but there is still a big chance of staining. Also, a hot pan dropped on the floor could scorch it. A laminate is out of the question because of the moisture. Kitchen floors need to be mopped and the water can cause the laminate to warp and separate.

The following video will show you some good ideas about tiles.

Make Ice Cream Like a Pro

By Annabelle Pellegrin | 2012/01/21 20:55 Posted in Kitchen Appliances | Comments Off

Ice cream is one of those universal desserts that goes with absolutely everything. Whether you’re enjoying chocolate cake or fudge brownies, a scoop of ice cream can take it to a whole new level. Or you can simply put it in a cone and enjoy it all by itself whenever you want a frozen treat. Making homemade ice cream is gaining increasing attention these days thanks to better machinery that makes it simple. Gone are the days when you had to fumble around with large buckets or shaky motors. Now almost everything is automated in a way that allows you to get a delicious product with minimal effort. And with a bit of practice, there’s no reason why you can’t make ice cream like a true pro while enhancing every dessert you serve.

ice cream machine

As with any kitchen appliance, you only get truly value with a product when you actually use it. Think carefully about how often you’re going to use a machine like this before spending too much money. For more modest goals, the perfect choice comes in the form of the Cuisinart Pure Indulgence maker that usually retails for around $70. This is a simple machine that requires pre-freezing, but after a while that won’t be difficult to navigate at all. As always you time things properly, your machine will be ready to go when you are.

You’ll find that any ice cream machine on the market follows the same basic premise and design. Even if you get something fancier like a White Mountain ice cream maker, it will undoubtedly involve an outer cooler layer that surrounds your chosen ingredients. The way these ingredients are blended can come in handcrank or automated forms, and this is one factor you have to weigh carefully. If you’re producing larger amounts, it’s probably easier to go with a completely automatic machine that will churn your ingredients for you. Another factor to think about is exactly how much you’ll need to produce at any given time since standard machines usually produce anywhere from 2-4 quarts.

You might be asking yourself why you should buy a product like this when you could drive to your store and pick up a carton quite easily. It’s important to realize that the value in a machine comes in the experience as well. In addition to getting a delicious product, you provide you and your family a chance to spend time together while trying something new. After you get used to the process, kids will have a blast trying out different recipes and putting their own twist with the addition of yummy ingredients. This is definitely an appliance worth taking a chance on, and you might just find yourself using it on a regular basis.

How to Add Healthy Foods into Your Diet

By Ted Sailer | 2012/01/19 05:07 Posted in Healthy Lifetsyle | Comments Off

It is always hard to stick to a diet, especially one with very strict specifications and disallowed foods. But a diet does not have to outlaw the foods you love. Sometimes it is about adding a key ingredient rather than subtracting every bad element of your diet. Through the addition of better foods rather than the subtraction of fatty foods, you will be more motivated to maintain a healthier lifestyle. And all of this will lead you into living a happy life.

One of the best ways to improve your diet is through including more fruits and vegetables. They are not only low in calories, but they also have plenty of nutrients to nourish your body. With all the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants you will be getting, it will be hard not to feel better! The rule of thumb is to look for colorful vegetables. Eating a rainbow of different kinds of fruits and veggies will switch up the flavors so you do not get bored and will also supply you with different kinds of nutrients.

When it comes to your veggies, it is all about the greens. Broccoli, spinach, mustard greens, and Chinese cabbage are all great choices because of the vitamins contain such as calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, and magnesium. And let us not forget all the alphabet vitamins you get from eating these greens like vitamins A, C, E, and K. You can always get some sweet vegetables to replace all the sugar-filled snacks you would normally eat. Corn, carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, and squash are all sweet vegetables that will reduce your cravings for sugar and provide you with many vitamins and minerals too.

Fruits can also be sweet treats that are nutrient-rich. Berries are a great option, especially since they have been shown to have benefits in fighting cancer. Oranges and mangos are a great pick for vitamin C, and apples have plenty of fiber as well. These are all foods that you can add to your diet in order to maintain your health.

Creating New And Exciting Chicken Dishes

By Ashlee Bourn | 2012/01/06 20:25 Posted in General Recipes | Comments Off

For its availability, versatility, and affordability, chicken tends to be a mainstay at mealtimes. As quickly as chicken dishes may be prepared, it is no wonder that utilizing chicken is a common occurrence. The downside of this, of course, is getting into a rut and serving the same thing over and over. A great way to avoid such situations is to consider using chicken in recipes and dishes that you have never considered before. Thinking of chicken as a versatile protein as opposed to simply another dish may be a way to serve chicken on a regular basis but keeping mealtimes exciting as well.

If you do not own any cookbooks or feel that you have exhausted your recipe library, searching online may be a great way to find new and unique ways to prepare chicken dishes. A brief search may yield a virtual cornucopia of chicken dishes. One easy way to update a lasagna recipe would be to use chicken in place of ground beef, for example. Combining mozzarella cheese, cream of mushroom soup, milk, spinach, eggs, ricotta cheese, lasagna noodles, parmesan cheese, and of course cooked chicken may yield a surprisingly delicious main course.

Whether you have a tried and true lasagna recipe or search out a new one, the preparation using chicken as opposed to other ground meat, for example, may be strikingly similar. Cooking the lasagna noodles properly, evenly layering the ingredients, and reserving a bit of the cheese to serve as an attractive topping would be necessary, regardless of your choice of added protein. Moreover, utilizing an appropriate-sized baking dish would be a requirement as well. As long as you follow safe handling and cooking procedures, your chicken dishes may turn out wonderfully every time. Even lasagna may be recreated as one of many chicken dishes in your cooking repertoire.

Choosing a Utensil Holder for your Kitchen

By Kurt Macken | 2012/01/04 18:24 Posted in Kitchen Equipment | Comments Off

Sure enough, the kitchen is one of the most frequented rooms around the house. And while preparing meals for the family is quite enjoyable; it’s even more so when the kitchen area is clutter-free and organized. It’s rather undeniable that the many utensils and other cooking wares in the kitchen can be a bit messy without an efficient utensil holder.

Utensil holders - every kitchen needs one!

So, to keep the utensils ordered and to ensure that they are on their proper storage places; it is a brilliant idea to find a quality utensil holder for your kitchen. And since there are various styles and designs of utensil holders for kitchens; it won’t be that hard to pick a particular design, don’t you think? Further, these holders come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, too. Now it would be far easier to select a utensil holder which complements the color scheme or the interior design that you chose to have in your kitchen.

Searching for appropriate utensil holders for kitchens depends on a variety of factors. For one, the interior design of your home should be considered before you actually make a purchase of utensil holder. If you have a penchant for the grandeur of classic or traditional designs for your home, it is better to select holders with intricate or elaborate designs on them.

Traditional wood utensil holder

On the other hand, if you’re rooting for the sleek and chic appeal of modern interior designs, then it’s a smart idea to choose simple yet classy utensil holders for kitchens. The minimalistic design of contemporary kitchens favors the clean lines and clutter-free look for a utensil holder.

It’s also essential to opt for holders which are made from quality and long lasting materials. A holder which is easy to keep clean is also a good choice for a storage container. Thinking about what you will be storing in your utensil holder is also important. If you will be organizing small kitchen odds and ends, then a drawer organizer would be the best utensil holder.

Kitchen drawer utensil organizers

If you have cooking utensils with long handles, then a counter top or hanging utensil holder is great for organizing those types of accessories. With these myriad of tips in mind; you can surely find an excellent utensil holder for you.

How to Equip the Perfect Kitchen

By Pearlie Gleeson | 2011/12/29 19:49 Posted in Kitchen Equipment | Comments Off

Kitchen When you love your food a well equipped kitchen is an essential part of your home. finding the right mix of utility, looks and prices to suit your needs can be difficult, but as long as you have these essential pieces of kitchen equipment you will be fine!

As well as having essential kitchen equipment you can also outfit your favorite room with everything from a laptop cooler to hiring a maid service to keep everything spotless.

While I will be giving you three essential pieces of Kitchen equipment, try not to forget that the most important feature of a kitchen is space. When you use a kitchen you will want plenty of space to maneuver, not to mention enough tabletop space to prepare even the most complex of meals.

The first essential thing you need in any kitchen is a high quality blender. A good blender will be able to do a lot more than just chop and mix a few ingredients together, some of them can even help cook or blend your products, helping you save a huge amount of time and effort.

The second thing has to be a great set of knives. You will have to shell out a lot more than $50 here, but it is well worth it, and makes cutting, slicing and dicing a breeze.

The final thing that makes any kitchen is a good set of pans. Cooking in cheap pans can not only produce sub par food, but they often scratch easy, making the washing up a nightmare! Good pans can cook evenly, wash easily, are hard wearing, and can even improve the flavor of your food!

Equip your kitchen with these three things and you will have little trouble cooking up some amazing meals in your kitchen! Don’t for to work on your kitchen layout too though, a bad layout can ruin a kitchen and make it a bottleneck in your home!

Getting Over the Fear of BBQ Grilling

By Kurt Macken | 2011/12/24 17:34 Posted in Outdoor Dining | Comments Off

There are many people who would love to get into the world of backyard grilling, but they don’t know where to start. It can seem like an intimidating process that involves fancy equipment and a lot of culinary skill. But it’s important to remember that grilling is easily accessible and there’s absolutely nothing to be afraid of. Some folks doubt themselves and whether and whether or not they have what it takes to pull off a successful barbecue meal. Remember, you have to start somewhere and you’ll never know if you don’t try. Even if your first barbecue experience turns out to be a disaster, chances are you’ll learn from it and do much better than next time. It’s important to get the ball rolling so that you can move one step closer to barbecue perfection in your own backyard.

Buying a new grill can seem daunting especially since higher models can cost so much. It’s important to weigh how much you’re going to be using your grill, and exactly what type of cooking you wish to do. It might be tempting to go all out for the fanciest grill on the market, but absolute beginners rarely need anything so fancy. Remember, a great grill will help to keep you organized but it won’t do all of the work for you. That means saving money and going with a simpler model it be a better option if you are new to this.

A lot of people are worried about how they will manage all of that food grilling at the same time while dealing with high temperatures. It’s important to remember that sticking with the basics is the best way to go whether you’re a rookie or a veteran. Rather than coming out of the gate with fancy recipe ideas or elaborate plans, work with what you can handle. Barbecue is all about traditional home-cooked food with an authentic flavor. That means ingredients like steak, chicken, pork, and seafood. Don’t feel guilty if you don’t feel comfortable extending beyond these staples yet.

One of the best ways to ensure you get maximum flavor when cooking on gas grills is marinating your food well beforehand. Experiment with different flavors and tastes, and remember that some meets benefit from 24-hour marinades. High quality cuts of steak don’t need a lot of extra flavor, and sometimes a simple approach works best here. You also have to avoid the temptation of loading up your food with too much barbecue sauce because you run the risk of overpowering all of the natural flavor. You might even want to explore creating your own barbecue sauce recipe that allows you to use fresh herbs, spices, and tasty natural ingredients. This serves as a great alternative to generic barbecue sauce that everyone has tasted before.

When it comes time to cook, take a deep breath and try to organize yourself as best as you can. Don’t overload your grill and try to pace yourself so that things come out evenly. Hopefully you have a piece of equipment that is large enough to give you a bit of leeway. Use space efficiently and remember that food doesn’t need to be constantly turned or flipped over. Quite often, simply letting something cook completely on one side and then flipping it once is enough. Don’t make the beginner mistake of cutting into food or tossing everything into a huge pile where internal juices will be lost. Using gas grills is a bit of an art form similar to conducting a symphony, and that’s why you need to pay attention at all times. By the end of it all, you’ll have a bit more experience on your side that can be used to further your next cooking session. By building up your knowledge base, you’ll gain more confidence that eventually it over the fear of grilling so that you can deliver scrumptious food to the people you love.

How To Make Butternut Squash Soup

By Ted Sailer | 2011/11/27 20:49 Posted in General Recipes | Comments Off

Soup is a great food to add in to your diet. It is easy to make and can contain many different ingredients that are really good for your body and your health. Butternut squash soup is a brilliant way to eat butternut squash, it’s such a simple recipe and has all the goodness that you need. To prepare the butternut squash soup you only need a few ingredients depending on how you want it to taste. A typical recipe would contain onions, potato, coriander, stock cubes, butter, cream and pepper. Of course you can mix and match your recipe to suit your cooking needs and indeed your personal taste. Butternut squash makes an excellent base for any soup as it has its thick and creamy texture with a subtle mature taste.

When making a soup from scratch it is really fun to create as you can literally throw in any ingredients you like. That is the real beauty of a vegetable soup recipe because the possibilities are endless, especially when the seasons change and new vegetables come to the markets. Spring vegetable is a lighter version of the traditional vegetable soup recipe. It contains spring onion, leeks, cabbage and peas. These all give it that light and refreshing taste as well as its green colour. Then the winter vegetable soup has much more hearty ingredients to tie in with the festive months like celery carrots potato and tomatoes. It is widely known as the king of soups as it is a really winter warmer when the weather gets chilly. You can even add white wine to your winter soup to give it that extra kick and bring out all the juicy flavours. Whichever way you decide to make your veggie soup it will be a delicious meal for all to enjoy.