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The other day I picked up a kitchen gadget called the “Pasta Magic” and today I allowed it to approach the wonderfulness that is my spaghetti sauce. After judging the results of this supposed time-saving device, I have to give it a hearty thumbs-down. Actually, not only do I have to give it the thumbs-down, but I really want to.

Opening it up and looking at the contents, I found two containers, two strainer lids, two lock-down sealing lids, instructions, and a thermal sleeve that’s supposed to help you not burn your hand while pouring out the water you’ve just used to cook your pasta. I’ll go through each of the components, because I have something to say about each.

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Southern cooking is about the history and past economics of the South. Many individuals made do with what the could grow from the ground. This explains why cornmeal was a popular grain in the south largely because not much wheat could be grown. Native Americans taught Southerners how to use plants and game for food. African Americans taught them how to use black eyed peas, sweet sorghum, okra and watermelons which are still popular today in southern recipes.

Other favorites of southern cooking that are simple recipes to create are sausage dressing, fried green tomatoes, sorghum syrup, country ham, catfish, hush puppies, squirrel food, southern style pork cassuolet, and sauerkraut. In fact, most southern recipes are not complicated and taste great!

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Let’s have stew tonight! Here are 3 easy and very different recipes for stew you can make in your crockpot.

Recipe #1 - BARBEQUE BEEF STEW

* 2 lbs. stew meat
* 3 tbsp. oil
* 1 c. onion, sliced
* 1/2 c. green pepper, chopped
* 1 lg. clove garlic
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 1/8 tsp. pepper
* 2 c. beef stock
* 1 can (8 oz.) tomatoes
* 1 can (4 oz.) mushrooms
* 1/3 c. barbecue sauce
* 3 tbsp. cornstarch
* 1/4 c. cold water

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FENNEL SALAD:

INGREDIENTS:


4 fennels.

1/2 cup Parmesan cut in thin slices.

1/3 cup chopped walnuts.

4-5 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil.

salt and pepper to taste.

METHOD OF PREPARATION:


Slice the fennels in thin slices. Add the Parmesan and the walnuts and combine well. Mix in salt, pepper and the oil. Serve and enjoy.

This recipe can be served as an appetizer or a side dish.

CHINESE POTATO SALAD

INGREDIENTS:


5-6 medium potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds).

4 slices bacon, well-cooked and crumbled.

3/4 cup chopped bok choy.

1 red pepper, diced.

1/2 cup chopped green onion.

1/4 cup chopped celantro.

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The combination of fresh vegetables and fish, lobsters, crabs and other seafood can make for a memorable meal. For example shrimp, oysters and many white fish are complimented by lemon while crab cakes are delicious with a fresh sliced garden tomato. Lobsters are served with a fresh corn on the cob. Other seafood items taste best with herbs such as cilantro, basil or oregano.

Many of the most famous seafood recipes are include garden fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs in their list of ingredients. Shrimp Scampi is one of the most popular seafood dishes consumed in the USA. Most scampi recipes include shrimp with garlic, lemon and fresh herbs. Another famous seafood recipe, New England clam chowder combines seafood with garden tomatoes, onions and carrots.

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Do you know that the local restaurant you frequent probably doesn’t make everything from scratch? I learned this when I worked in a New York City a while back. Much to my dismay, I watched one day as the kitchen staff unpacked boxes of already-made sauces, packages of conveniently chopped vegetables, and even prepared cookie dough and pie-shells. There is a well-known chain of sandwich shops that boasts heroes with “freshly baked bread”. But you might be expecting to find frenetic yeast rising and dough rolling in the back. Chances are you would see globs of dough pre-formed into hero-bread shape, waiting to be put in the oven. And what’s the difference? The cookie or bread would taste freshly baked, and the cooks wouldn’t waste time with rolling pins or discarding dough that didn’t rise. It makes for a much more efficient kitchen, right?

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It may sound simple, and in reality it is, but depending on what type of dish you want to cook and which type of prawns you want to use the technique can differ considerably. Take for example the delicious dish of Golden fried prawns.

If your starting with fresh prawns then you would need to shell the prawns, leaving only the tail. Then remove the black stripe (spine) along the back of the prawn. In this particular case the prawn is not fried directly but is salted and then dipped in batter. The prawns are then deep fried for two or three minutes until golden brown.

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I really enjoy eating at nice restaurants. Not because I don’t enjoy cooking, but more to the point, I enjoy good food. I was working in a small Oregon town for a while and found myself hard pressed for someplace really good to eat. There were plenty of restaurants in town, just very few with food I would consider really delicious. This same situation can be found in many small towns all over America.

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Chocolate, like most ingredients used to prepare food has to be of good quality. So, do not hesitate to buy good or even very good chocolate when shopping. Of course, price will be higher but certainly this is the price of quality. The quality of a cake, a chocolate mousse or any cream or other chocolate preparation will reflect the chocolates quality exactly. Make no mistake; in this case the price plays an important part in the selection of the product.

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This article covers the basics of gourmet soup making as well as providing you with my 2 favorite recipes. It also has some helpful cooking and grilling tips.
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