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Cooking, Recipe and Food Blog

Three Ways To Get Into The Business Of Food

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Love food? Love cooking or baking. There are many things that you can do with that love, including starting your own business. If you want to cook or bake, or simply work around food for a living, and be your own boss maybe too, you can do it.

Of course, you’ll need a space, equipment, licensing, and all of those other food prep requirements. Then you’ll need to hire employees, because if you’re going to have a storefront, you’ll need people to help you work it. Here are some things to get you started on planning your future food venture. [Read more…]

How to Choose a Property for Your Cafe Business

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Starting a business can be exciting but it takes careful planning, patience and commitment to be able to launch it right. The challenges can also be overwhelming particularly for first time entrepreneurs planning to start a brick and mortar business such as a cafe or restaurant.

For consumer service businesses that require a physical shop, existing and aspiring entrepreneurs should make a checklist that will guide them in finding the right property. By doing this step, you can be sure to achieve your goals and sustain your enterprise for the long term. [Read more…]

How to Avoid Food Sickness When Traveling Abroad

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Traveling can be fun and exciting particularly when you get the opportunity to savor dishes you don’t normally eat at home. Your trip can be a unique gastronomic experience for you and your family.

Restaurants and small dining places abound in many places and sometimes, you don’t even have to spend much to be able to taste delectable local cuisine. In Thailand, for instance, visitors in the capital Bangkok can eat as much as they can at a fairly small price at the sidewalk stalls along that serve authentic and exotic Thai dishes. The same can be experienced in Hong Kong where tourists can enjoy noodles and other Chinese food on the street.

Bangkok - Venice of the East tourism destinations

Unfortunately, not everyone can easily take on new food despite their cravings. Some people’s digestive system can be very sensitive that it won’t allow them to taste all kinds of dishes including the exotic ones which can result in food sickness or worse, food poisoning. This condition can occur when you travel to developing countries where proper health regulations are not observed in dining places. It can definitely ruin your trip the reason why it’s best to be prepared all the time and know your limitations. [Read more…]

Which Italian restaurant in Manila Will You Discover?

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The Philippines is a great place to dine. Not only is their culture centered on food and dining, the archipelago is rich in restaurants offering different kinds of cuisine. Its capital is a boiling pot of cultures and foods. One of the more common types of eating establishment is the Italian restaurant Manila is known for. Though there are more formal terms to describe Italian restaurants, I’ve broken them down to three basic types that you would come across in the Philippines.

image from desarellano.wordpress.com

1. Fast Food Italian – Here are establishments that may serve Italian food on-the-go. I’ve included in this category some pizza places since, in Manila, they serve more than just pizza. Prices here are very affordable but the quality of the food may not be so. Because their customers are most likely rushing, the cooks may not take that much time and effort to perfect their craft. Don’t worry, the food are palatable just don’t expect to be wow’ed by them. You may or not be entertained by waiters and have to pay as you order.

2. Family Italian – These kinds of restaurants usually serve families and groups of friends. They may be characterized by large servings and a cozier atmosphere than the Fast Food Italian places. The prices here are a little higher than the previous type and the food a smidgen better. They may have more variety to their pasta and pizza menu (aside from the basic sauces and toppings). You are waited on by the staff but they may not have a host/hostess. These restaurants are usually patronized during special occasions like birthdays, graduations or reunions so expect a rowdy crowd.

3. Fine Dining Italian – The third kind is the Fine Dining Italian restaurant Manila is popular for. These places usually entail a hostess, reservations, a sommelier and a lot more forks. Their menus are mostly likely filled with dishes referred to by their Italian names. They have a more subdued atmosphere and a higher price list. You can expect excellent Italian food in these establishments. Usually visited by couples and executives, the Fine Dining Italian restaurant is a great place for a complete Italian dining experience.

As was mentioned, the different types of Italian restaurants have more formal terms and characteristics. But because of the globalization of Italian cuisine, these terms are seldom followed to the letter.

Ristorante – A ristorante is a full-service Italian restaurant. It is like the Fine Dining Italian restaurants described above. Usually equipped with a professional kitchen staff,  knowledgeable wait staff and sommelier, this type of establishment charges premium price for its quality.

Trattoria – This type of restaurant is less formal than a ristorante. Sometimes thought of as a family-owned establishments, they may or may not have a hostess and their food is available for take out. Prices are average and the food are served family-style.

Osteria – Osterias are originally places that offered lodging and then would provide food. Now, osterias are more akin to taverns  – places where people gather to eat and drink.

Pizzeria – Authentic pizzerias are those which only serve pizza. Nowadays, it’s common to find other dishes offered alongside pizza. They are also an informal establishment with prices in the middling range.

National Greasy Foods Day

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October 25 is National Greasy Foods Day. So what comes into mind whenever you think of greasy food? For me it is burgers and fries, since I will never admit that pizza is part of the equations. I would like to believe that it is homemade.  I am quite guilty of food indulgence. I never count calories and I just love to eat heart stopping food, which is why I would like to feature a burger joint that will definitely give you a heart attack.

Heart Attack Grill is an American fast food restaurant that started in Dallas, Texas. Recently they opened the doors of their hospital themed restaurant in Las Vegas. Waitresses dressed as nurses take orders and tag them to the customers.

Here is a sample of their menu.

I think I will settle for a butterfat milkshake, flat liner fries and a single bypass burger. I doubt if I can finish it, but I will definitely give it a shot –even if I risk being on a comatose after the meal. That shouldn’t be a problem though, because this establishment also boasts of an awesome staff which will take care of your “heart problems”.

They have interesting promos such as all-you-can-eat flat liner fries. These fries are deep fried in lard for more guilty pleasure. In this “hospital” people who weigh more than 350lbs get to eat for free. If you have always wanted to have your own private nurse, then all you have to do is eat a quadruple bypass and your wish will come true. A “private nurse” will wheel you out in a wheelchair and take you to your car.

Let’s all celebrate this day with a big fat burger and some gooey fries, since we all have an excuse to eat greasy.

Cioppino: San Francisco’s Seafood Stew

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Everyone has their version of a seafood soup or stew, and one of my favorites is Cioppino, which hails from the Italian immigrants who settled in San Francisco. It’s not a dish one would easily find in a city like Manila, so it was a pleasant surprise to find it in a little gem of an Italian restaurant called Casa Nostra. After a thoroughly enjoyable evening savoring my cioppino, I was determined to make it at home – after all, Manila has some of the best fresh seafood available!

Cioppino was developed in the late 1800s by Portuguese and Italian
fishermen who settled in the North Beach section of San Francisco.
Originally it was made on the boats while out at sea and later became
a staple as Italian restaurants proliferated in San Francisco. The
name comes from ciuppin, a word in the Ligurian dialect of the port
city of Genoa, meaning “to chop” or “chopped” which described the
process of making the stew by chopping up various leftovers of the
day’s catch. At least one restaurant in San Francisco, the
eponymous Cioppino’s, describes an apocryphal story in which the
name derived from the heavily Italian-accented cry of the wharf cooks
for the fishermen to “chip in” some of their catch to the collective
soup pot.

 

This is one of the best Italian recipes in my opinion (adapted from Bobby Flay), and fairly easy to make, provided you find the freshest seafood possible. Bobby makes sourdough croutons to go with these, but you can just as easily serve it with thick slices of  any country-style bread.

 

Cioppino

  • 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 5 cups fish stock
  • 1 (16-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 pounds bass fillets, cut into 2-inch squares
  • 16 large shrimp, shelled and deveined
  • 32 clams
  • 24 mussels, scrubbed and debearded
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves
  • Few dashes hot sauce

In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half. Add the fish stock, drained tomatoes, bay and thyme and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes

While the broth is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over high heat in separate large saute pan. Season the bass on both sides with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to a plate.

To the same pan, add another 2 tablespoons of oil, season the shrimp and saute until lightly golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Remove to the plate with the bass.

Add the clams, mussels, bass and shrimp to the reduced broth and cook until the clams and mussels open, discarding any that do not open, about 3 minutes. Stir in the parsley and tarragon and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add hot sauce, to taste.

 

Alternative Date Places for Valentine’s Day

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Going on a date doesn’t have to be extremely romantic or lavish. It can be a fun and interesting experience that is simple. Here are some interesting restaurants you can visit on this special day. They serve good and affordable food while providing a wonderful experience.

Cafe at the End of the Universe, Los Angeles

This cafeteria style restaurant with a panoramic view of downtown LA and the Hollywood sign is operated by Wolfgang Puck. Its name was inspired by the novel, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe written by Douglas Adams. They serve soups, salads and gourmet sandwiches. Enjoy your meals by the patio or grab a bite before star-gazing through the Observatory’s Zeiss telescope.

Photo Courtesy Of: bredgur

www.griffithobservatory.org

Firefly* Tapas Bar, Las Vegas

Firefly is your typical tapas bar that serves a variety of delicious appetizers and entrees. They also serve house specialty sangria which goes well with everything. It is a cozy place where you can eat, drink and talk as well. It is owned by Chef John Simmons. They started with a small restaurant downtown and they have opened a new one in Fremont Street where you have a good view of the Fremont Street Experience.

Photo Courtesy Of: Just a guy who likes to take pictures

www.fireflylv.com

[email protected], Seattle

Elemental is a hole in the wall restaurant that serves affordable food and 100 different kinds of wines. The restaurant has no signage and it has interesting interiors. Expect the owner Phred, to serve you a glass of wine and ask you to taste it before he tells you what it is. You will be surprised that it matches the meal you ordered. Make sure to come in early because the place fills up fast.

www.elementalatgasworks.com

Serendipity3, New York

Serendipity is the home of the famous frozen hot chocolate. They have many divine desserts and sweets to choose from. If the name sounds familiar, it is the restaurant from the movie Serendipity which starred Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack. The place may be touristy, but Valentines is a time to indulge especially on things that are sweet. You can head there after dinner or you can skip that and just have dessert.

Photo Courtesy Of: Ben+Sam

www.serendipity3.com

Ana Mandara Restaurant, San Francisco

Ana Mandara serves delicious modern Vietnamese food and they boast of an extensive wine list too. The name means “beautiful refuge” that is why interiors are elegant, yet warm and casual with a romantic flare. They have a multi tiered dining room, a patio and private dining rooms as well.  It is perfect for Valentines. They also have a bar where you can enjoy more drinks after dinner.

www.anamandara.com