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Cooking, Recipe and Food Blog

Archives for August 2012

What Cufflinks are Suitable for the Foodies?

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Fast food is very popular around the world today. Australians are among the top fast food eaters taking on the 11th spot for their spending on takeaway food.

In Canada, eating out is also reported to have gone up and this includes dining at fast food chains as well as in restaurants.

It’s a reality that people just can’t get enough of food. Eating can give one a feeling of happiness and pure bliss. Some people also turn to eating if they feel depressed or they just want to make themselves happy after being disappointed with a recent event in their lives.  [Read more…]

Is Filipino Cuisine the Next Big Thing?

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Will Filipino food be the “it” cuisine in the United States? One celebrity chef seems to think so. Andrew Zimmerman, of Bizarre Foods fame, boldly predicted that in 2 years time Filipino food would be talk of the culinary world.

image by VirtualErn

After his stint in the Philippines to shoot an episode of his show, Zimmerman proclaimed on “Today” that he believes Filipino cuisine would hit it big. He was quick to add that it won’t happen for a couple of years, owing to the still developing interest in Filipino food. Nonetheless, he sees it as a rising star in the culinary world.

Described as an infusion of Western techniques with Eastern ingredients, Filipino food would surely pique the interest of foodies the world over. It’s only a matter of time until Filipino food chains invade America. As of today, there are already restaurants in the States that offer Filipino dishes and a lot of chefs in various restaurants are of Filipino descent.

In one blog post by the A-Lister Gwyneth Paltrow, a popular condiment in the Philippines was featured. Toyomansi is soy sauce infused with Calamansi (of Filipino citrus). It was introduced to the actress by another accomplished chef, Keith Rhodes.

image from: http://goop.com/journal/make/186/cooking-catch

From the looks of things, Rhodes seems to be very familiar with the condiment and uses it for his restaurant, Catch in Washington. It’s no wonder Zimmerman sees the future for Filipino cuisine to be bright if even Hollywood celebrities are getting a taste of it.

On the Streets: American Street Food

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We can’t talk about street food and not discuss American street food. As varied and cross-cultural as its customers, American street food is comprised of food from different parts of the globe. Anything that can be taken on-the-go can be considered street food in the US. For the bustling American, food stalls, food carts and even food trucks are where the best cuisine can be found.

image by ceiling

With the emergence of the food truck, different kinds of food can now be eaten while walking down the street. Anything from gourmet sandwiches to exotic wraps can be found right around the corner. But what are the classic American street food?

Falafel

Though its origins can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, falafel has found its home in the American palate. A mixture of chickpeas, garlic, parsely and coriander, the falafel is most commonly served wrapped in pita bread with some beets and fresh vegetables. Add some tahini sauce and you’re good to go.

Hot Dogs

The classic all-American street food, the hot dog. With the many variations available it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly defines a hot dog. Simply a sausage in a bun can’t quite cut it. There are regional characteristics that can easily identify a hot dog as coming from Chicago or New York. This treat is so popular you can be assured that you’re never a block away from a hot dog stand.

Ice Cream

On hot summer days, what’s better than ice cream? Tracing it’s origins back to China, the cool dessert had no problems assimilating into the American culture. The never-ending debate between chocolate or vanilla may never be settled but one thing is for sure, ice cream is as American as it gets.

Churros

Another sweet street food are churros. A simple treat made from butter, eggs and flour, the churro has warmed its way into America’s heart quite easily. Most often served with a light dusting of sugar and a cup of hot chocolate, the churro is a great breakfast treat easily found on the streets of America.

 

Superfoods: Honey – Relieves and Replenishes

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If you’ve read the post about Superfoods: Yogurt, then you’d be interested to find another superfood that is more than meets the eye.

image by hotblack

Honey is often used as a sweetener. Though on its own it’s very versatile, there are still many ways to use honey that doesn’t include  a honey dipper.

1. Relieve Dry Skin

Honey is a great moisturizer. Mix some of it with eggs and flour and you’ll have a gentle moisturizer that would be safe for those with sensitive skin. It can be used as a face mask, body or hand lotion. Honey can also help with dry elbows. After taking a bath and scrubbing, rub some honey to soften the skin covering the elbows. Wait for thirty minutes, then simply rinse it off. It’s even great for dry lips! Just add some beeswax and almond oil and you have your own natural lip balm.

2. Remove Pimples

A generous helping of honey can also clear away acne. If you are experiencing a zit attack, simply apply some on the affected area and cover with adhesive bandages. Constant exposure to honey can quickly fade pimples. It’s a gentle and effective way to clear acne.

3. Kill Parasites

If you’re suffering from worms or other parasites, then you should be reaching for a jar of honey and some vinegar. Mix water, honey and vinegar together to create a homemade parasite killer solution. When you suspect that you may have unwanted intruders in your body, regularly down ample amounts of this solution. The acidity of the vinegar as well as the therapeutic effects of the honey would clear your system right away.

4. Makes Hair Beautiful

Honey can easily get rid of fizz and give your hair a shiny and healthy look. For eliminating fizz, add some honey to the tips of your hair after you shower. Leave it on for a few minutes and rinse. For a shinier do, mix one teaspoon of honey with water and pour it over your head after washing. Let it dry.

Seafood and Sustainability

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With concern about sustainability becoming more and more of an issue and a cause for many people, consumers are now becoming more conscious about the stuff that they buy in the supermarket. This is most prevalent when it comes to seafood. Consumers are now becoming more aware about the damage that is being done by overfishing for the sake of making profits. A number of fish species that are now being negatively affected by overfishing and the fears are quite real that if it is not curtailed, many fish species will become endangered or even become extinct. These include seabass, various flatfish like halibut and flounder, salmon, and tuna. [Read more…]

Superfoods: Yogurt – For a Healthy and Beautiful You

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Yogurt is best known as a healthy breakfast food. You can it it plain, add some fruits, buy the flavored versions or grab a frozen treat for dessert. It’s a very versatile dairy product made by fermenting milk with bacteria. Because of this, yogurt can be used for more ways than amping up breakfast time.

image by janineomg

Here are some unusual, yet helpful ways, of using yogurt. From health to beauty, this superfood should be a staple in any household.

1. Treat Yeast Infections

For those suffering from yeast infection, immediate treatment is a must. Going to the doctor for a prescription may be embarrassing while rolling the dice and getting non-prescription medication may be harmful. A quick and cost-efective way to get rid of the infection is by eating yogurt. Some may suggest using yogurt topically but ingesting it orally is just as effective, or even more so.

Take a healthy helping of yogurt daily to decrease the incidence of yeast infections as well as prevent urinary tract infections.

2. Homemade Facial

The lactic acid in yogurt is so mild that it’s great to use on highly sensitive skin. When applied to the face, throat and chest, yogurt can even out skin tone, tighten pores and cleanse skin. Simply (apply) a layer after your normal cleansing routine and rinse off with lukewarm water after 20 minutes.

It can also soothe sunburn pain with topical use.

3. Aid in Lactose Intolerance
Aside from using yogurt as an alternative to milk, this superfood has actually been found to improve lactose tolerance in children and adults. As yogurt works its way within the digestive system, it is able to help with the digestion of lactose.
Even if you don’t feel like having a bowl of yogurt for breakfast, make sure to keep some handy. You never know when you’d be needing relief from yeast infection or a quickie facial.

Weird Burgers and Why We Love Them

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You might have read this post on Crazy Pizzas You Might Want to Try. Well, to continue the wild and crazy series about food, here are some burger variants you might have once thought were too weird to be true. While the previous post may have some homemade wonders, these burgers are all for sale and are being served up in various fast food chains.

In a double whammy-type situation, KFC gives us two unique burgers that are sure to raise eyebrows. The first is the Double Down burger. Most patrons of the fast food franchise may already be familiar with the tasty delight. Instead of burger buns, the Colonel decided to have two chicken filets sandwiching some bacon, cheese and sauce. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, then I don’t know what will. This cholesterol-packed menu item was first announced during April Fools day. What a lovely prank.

The other concoction thought up by KFC execs in the Philippines is the Cheese Top Burger. The name says it all. Instead of having the slice of cheese in the middle of the sandwich, it was placed on top. Now, this seems like an April Fools joke to me. The new item garnered a lot of buzz (and criticism) for it’s head-scratching concept. It even got a spot on Jimmy Kimmel’s show. They do say that there’s no such thing as bad publicity.

Another Filipino first is the Chow Pao. Quite similar to the Chinese Meaty Buns or Siopao, this burger has an oriental twist. Instead of the steamed buns in the Chinese dish, these are fried and then filled with various meats, and veggies.

For those who have a sweet tooth, Krispy Kreme has something right up your alley. Part dessert and part main course, their burgers mix sweet and savory. Though I don’t recommend this dish for frequent consumption, it’s alright to indulge once in a while. Just don’t forget to exercise afterwards to keep your body from telling the world how much you love burgers.

That’s it for now! If you know some other funky burgers out there, hit the comments section and share your weird burger experiences.

Hearty Chicken Congee

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One of the most popular comfort foods (at least in my universe) is congee. It’s the perfect meal to eat during cold and rainy days. It’s also a great hangover meal for people who are trying to bounce back from a wild night of partying and boozing.

Congee is a rice porridge that is naturally thickened from the prolonged boiling of rice. It is considered a staple dish in many Asian countries. What makes congee so appealing is that the addition of different ingredients transforms the dish. The basic congee is the base for a many variations of the same meal, which is makes it quite appealing to prepare as a quick fix meal. Congee is also a platform for creativity. Consider it a blank canvas for different congee variations that can appeal to different types of people – from fish lovers, to vegetarians, to those who love meat. [Read more…]