Healthy Food Recipe

Archive for the ‘Healthy Recipes’ Category

If you are a big fan of tea, then you should have to visit The English Tea Store in which will without doubt be a big new for you. The site has anything about teas and anything that related to tea time moment. The English Tea Store has a wide collection of beautiful tea sets and teapots that would make the conversation piece on your tea time sessions be great, and could make you drink more tea as it is better for your health anyway.

And certainly a tea store is nothing without a tea. The English Tea store has many major brand names of tea types with everything from loose leaf to tea bags. They even have their own brand with high quality in different flavors. It would make a non-tea drinker want to have some cups of tea when they see those luscious flavors.

Tea time is an great moment to experience especially when it accompany with some snacks – it will surely make more enjoyable moments with your friends or families to spend quality time together.

The English Tea Store provides many British goodies to choose and they will go along with great tea they offer. They have biscuits, cakes and candies. Because it is near the holiday time, you may want to give their Christmas biscuits as a gift for your friends and family, and Christmas tea gift baskets for your children would be great.

(serves 6)

12 eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup freshly grated parmesan
Freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil
500g broad beans, skin removed*, cooked and roughly chopped.
1 bunch rocket, stalks removed
5ml balsamic vinegar
20ml olive oil
50g parmesan, shaved

1. Combine egg, parmesan and pepper. Place in an oiled frying pan over a high heat. Add broad beans and reduce heat. Cook until eggs are almost set.
2. Toss rocket with vinegar and oil, then sit on frittata with parmesan. Serve immediately in pan.

*Shell beans. Put in boiling water for 3mins. Drain, run under cold water then remove skins.

Serving size: 1/2 cup bean mixture, one flour tortilla. Makes four servings.
• 2 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• Pepper to taste
• 4 (9-inch) low-fat flour tortillas
• 1/2 cup white or brown rice, cooked
• 4 tablespoons salsa
1. Coat a medium-size, nonstick pan with cooking spray. Sauté garlic and onion until lightly browned and softened.
2. Add beans, water, chili powder, all spice, and pepper. Heat until hot and most of the water has been absorbed.
3. Heat tortillas in oven or on burner. Put rice in each tortilla, then spoon in beans, and roll each tortilla up.
Serve with salsa.

Nutrition facts per serving Calories: 221 • Carbohydrates: 38g • Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg • Protein: 10g • Fiber: 9g • Sodium: 327mg
Food exchanges: 2 starch/bread • 1 lean meat

Grand Marnier Mussel Stew was a recipe that was created for a contest given to San Francisco chefs for alternate food creations for Thanks Giving. This mussel stew being an alternative for the traditional clam chowder.
The recipe is in two movements: a fume with mussels in alcohol and cream based soup with potatoes and vegetables.
Fume
• 4 tbsp. Butter
• ½ c Bacon or salt pork or barbecued tofu depending on your pleasure, chopped
• ½ c each carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms, parsley, chopped fine
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed & chopped
• 1 tbs. Each oregano & thyme
• Dash saffron, curry. & fresh cracked pepper
• 5 lbs. Mussels
• 1 cup each brandy and Grand Mariner

Melt the butter; put in the spices. meat or meat substitute, and sauté the vegetables in descending order of toughness. When onions are clear and carrots are soft, dump in Mussels. Don’t bother to clean the shells … adds more flavor. Pour in liquor cover to steam.
Remove Mussels when shells open and meat begins to coalesce. Don t over cook. Place in a pan to cool. Allow fume to simmer. You want to reduce the fume by ½. Remove Mussel meat from shells, discard beard, and save meat.
Soup
• 4 oz. Butter
• 1 slices Bacon. salt pork. or barbecued tofu, chopped
• 2 cup carrots finely grated
• 2 cup celery, onions, portabello mushrooms, parsley & cilantro, chopped course
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
• 2 tbsp. Each oregano & thyme
• 2 c up 1 inch chopped, boiled red potatoes, aldente
• 2 qt. Whipping cream, or ½ & ½, or nondairy creamer—your preference
• 1 tsp. Each curry, saffron & pepper
• ½ cup flour
Melt butter in a 1-gallon soup pan. Put in ham meat and cook till clear. sauté vegetables in descending order of hardness. Save parsley & cilantro to the end. Mix in spices. When onions are clear mix-in the flour. When flour is well mixed add cream. Mix until smooth.
Add boiled potatoes. When Mussel Fume is to the desired concentration, filter it into this soup mixture. Do not pour the last of it for it contains the “enemy”, sand. Add parsley and cilantro at the end. As you serve add the 2 tbsp. of Mussel meat to each portion.

Couscous is tiny grains of pasta that is often used in Moroccan cooking.
It combines well with dried cherries in this salad that’s a great accompaniment to pork, lamb or poultry.

Makes four cups, about six servings.
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup quick-cooking couscous, uncooked
• 1/2 cup dried tart cherries
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds (optional)
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
• Salt and pepper, to taste
1. Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan; stir in couscous.
2. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Uncover; let cool 10 minutes.
3. Put cooked couscous, dried cherries, carrots, cucumbers, green onions and
almonds in a large mixing bowl; mix well.
4. Combine vinegar, olive oil and mustard; mix well. Pour over couscous mixture, stirring to coat all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Serve chilled or at room temperature

Nutrition facts per serving Calories per serving: 171 • Total Fat per serving: 5.6 g
Cholesterol: 0.1mg Food exchanges 1 starch/bread • 1 fat

Porphyra nereocystis
Porphyra nereocystis is epiphytic (real close neighbor to) on the Bullwhip Kelp, genus name Nereocystis. Porphyra as most know it, is commonly called nori. If you eat sushi, then you have probably seen Porphyra. It’s the seaweed that
your uncooked fish is wrapped in at the sushi bars.
Porphyra, commonly know as nori, is the most widely consumed seaweed in the world! It’s commonly found in Asian food, especially Japanese food, which has lead to the huge nori industry in Japan. With a very interesting
heteromorphic life history, Porphyra has just everything you would want in an alga! And they’re great to eat!
Nereocystis luetkeana
Otherwise known as the Bullwhip Kelp, Nereocystis is one of the giant kelps that make the great kelp forests, where sea otters and other critters live. Washed up on the beach they may look like dismembered tentacles of mythic sea creatures, or horrendously huge pieces of spaghetti. They have been used to weave baskets and also make great musical instruments.
Pelvetia compressa
Pelvetia compressa (now Silvetia compressa) is a common rocky intertidal brown alga on the west coast of North America ranging from Coos Bay, Oregon to lower California (Ensenada.)

Pelvetiopsis limitata
Resembling a dwarf Fucus, and even behaving like Fucus (if one were to believe that algae can behave in specific manners at all), Pelvetiopsis grows mostly atop of rocks in the upper intertidal zone. One way to distinguish these two from each other, is to look for a midrib. Fucus has a midrib and Pelvetiopsis lacks the midrib. Also, believe it or not, if you squeeze the receptacles (swollen tips) of Fucus, an ooze will come out.
This ooze undoubtedly contains Fucus eggs which if you have microscopic vision, you can see that the eggs are composed of 8, yes count them 8 functional eggs. Pelvetiopsis on the other foot, only has 1 functional egg.
Iridaea flaccida
Greek myths describe Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, as a messenger for the Olympian deities. The characteristics of the alga Iridaea flaccida strikingly reflect its namesake. The same properties of light which produce a rainbow provide Iridaea’s surface with its brilliant iridescence.
Vibrant colors wash across the thallus surface due to the multilayered construction of its cuticle. Flaccida subtly manages to communicate its phase of life history to the casual observer–yet it lives an isomorphic existence. Both its iridescent cuticle and the differences in blade strength between its life phases provide insights into the adaptations of wave-swept algae to mechanical stress.
Ulva fenestrata
Ulva is very common along California in bays as well as heavily exposed sites and easily recognized by the small holes in the thallus. Ulva is a genus of algae that includes species that look like bright green sheets and live primarily in marine environments. They can also be found in brackish water, particularly estuaries. They live attached to
rocks in the middle to low intertidal zone, and as deep as 10 meters in calm, protected harbors. Ulva are usually seen in dense groups.
Commonly known as the sea lettuce or the green laver, Ulva species can be eaten in soups and salads, and used as a substitute for nori (Porphyra), the popular seaweed in sushi. Ten species of Ulva exist worldwide, all of which have representation on the coast of California. The shapes of Ulva are quite varied- circular to oval to long and narrow, ranging in size from microscopic to 65 cm. They have fine, silky textures with waved or ruffled margins. The delicate blades of Ulva are usually only 40 microns thick.

Ulva taeniata
This alga characteristically has a ribbon-like thallus, and we have found it growing abundantly in semi-sheltered habitats.
Postelsia palmaeformis
The common name of this seaweed is the “sea palm”. It grows on the tops of rocks in areas associated with intense wave action. When they reach maturity, spores are produced that slime off of the sharply attenuated blades during low tide, where they then settle and differentiate.
Fucus gardneri
Fucus, pronounced like mucus, is a funny looking alga that grows in the upper intertidal zone. The inflated ends are called receptacles (these house reproductive parts, i.e. eggs and sperm), and they are fun to pop. But be careful, because Fucus sometimes feels like mucus.
Limpets
Limpets are in the group of sea snails that are found all over the world. You will find them clinging to rocks. Their homes are usually a scraped out region of a rock as large and as thick as their shells. During the day, they look for food. They live on algae. Limpets use their tongues to scrape algae off the rocks.

Storing And Caring For Wine

Over the years, wine consumption has become more and more popular. With more and more money going into wine both as an investment and for later consumption, the history of the wine will always be in question. With this in mind, many people often wonder how they can properly store their wine and take care of it at the same time.

How you store your wine is extremely important. If you store it right it can lead to euphoria, while if you store it wrong it can lead to depression. When you tear into a bottle of wine that has properly been stored, it can be glorious indeed, while tearing into bottle of poorly stored wine can be quite the letdown. Often times, drinking a bottle of wine that was poorly stored is much like drinking vinegar.

To properly store wine, youll need to meet several factors, such as humidity, temperature, lighting, the cleanliness of your storage area, the angle of the bottle while it is stored, and the vibration of the bottle on the rack. The temperature is the most important, as you should keep it around 50 degrees at all times. This way, the lower temperature can help to age the wine. If there are any fluctuations in the temperature, you should make sure that it happens slowly. As long as the temperature doesnt go to high and it fluctuates slowly, your wine should be ok.

The proper level of humidity for storing wine should be around 70%, although it is perfectly accepted to keep it 10% above or below the 70% level. If you have too high of a humidity temperature, the labels can easily rot or mold, which can affect the wines value. On the other hand, if the humidity gets too low, around 50%, the cork could shrink and bring air into the wine, which would ruin it in little to no time at all.

The angle that wine is stored is important as well. If the wine stays in contact with the cork during storage, the cork wont dry out. If the wine doesnt stay in contact with the cork, the cork could dry out and allow air into the wine. You should also strive to keep the wine out of the light, as light can ruin any type of wine. Light causes the wine to age prematurely, making it in your best interest to store wine in a dark location.

To prevent damage to the wine from sediment, you should also store wine in a location that is free of vibration. If you store wine in places that are free from vibration, it will give the sediment in the bottle ample time to settle. Vibrations are never a good thing for wine, as the sediment becomes unsettled and can ruin the wine or shake it to the point where it tastes horrible.

To protect the quality and investment of your wine, storage and care is very important. Storing it in a proper location will also bring the best taste. In the world of wine, nothing is more disappointing than waiting several years to open a bottle of fine wine, only to find that it is nothing but vinegar. You can prevent this from happening though, by taking care of your wine. Wine isnt hard to care for or store, it just takes the right conditions and location. Everyone loves some fine wine every now and then – which is why storage and care is so very important these days.

All About German Beer

Throughout Germany, beer is very popular with the culture. Germany contains well over 1,000 breweries, which is more than any other location in the world. All beer that is manufactured in Germany must follow the purity law, which lets manufacturers know what ingredients can and cant be used. Basically, the only ingredients allowed to make beer in Germany are water, hops, and barley malt.

Due to the strict purity requirements, you can easily notice German beers by their overall level of quality. They have a distinct taste, with little to no aftertaste. Some styles of German ale include Koelsch, Weizen, and Altbier. Some types of German lagers include Bock, Pilsener, Dunkel, Helles, and Maerzen. Keep in mind that the taste, aroma, and color can vary, although all can be identified as being true German beers.

The German beer Altbier is a very common dark ale, that is top fermented in the lower regions of Germany. The beer proposes a yellow color, with a taste that is rich in hops. Another ale, Rauchbier, is known to have a smoky flavor with a smoked color. These beers taste great, and happen to be very popular throughout the regions of Germany.

German lagers are also very popular, and happen to be popular in other areas of the world as well. Pilsener is one of the most popular and most familiar of all German beers, providing you with more hops and less malt. Pilsener can be found for sale all over the world, and happens to be very popular throughout North America as well. Several bars serve it as well, as it happens to be one of the most popular dark lagers out there.

Throughout Germany, there are several different companies, produce over 4,000 different brands of beers. Some of the more well known and larger companies of north Germany are Beck, St. Pauli, Warsteiner, and Krombach. In the southern region of Germany, there are more breweries, although most of them are smaller, as they are locally owned and operated. Southern Germany also contains the Benedictine Abbey, which is one of the oldest breweries in the world. This brewery started producing beer in 1040 – very impressive indeed!

Germany is also home to Oktoberfest, which is held every year in Munich. Oktoberfest starts in late September and carries on for two weeks, ending in early October. During Oktoberfest, beer drinkers from all over the world will travel to Germany and celebrate German beers. Each and every year, over 5 million people attend the event, making it one of the biggest beer celebrations in the world.

During Oktoberfest, local breweries in Munich are the only breweries allowed to serve beer in the bigger tents. There are six breweries in total, producing a variety of different beers. By attending this yearly event, you can learn more about German beer, sample the different varieties, and enjoy the rich bold flavors that make German beer so very popular.

Due to the success Oktoberfest gets each and every year, other cities around the world try and mimic this event. Even though they have success, their level of success isnt near as much as the original Oktoberfest – Germany. German beers are very popular around the world, with Oktoberfest helping to prove that very claim. If you drink beer but have never experienced what beers from Germany have to offer, you really should give them a try. Once you do, youll quickly realize why German beers are so very popular – and why the taste simply cant be duplicated with any other beer.

All You Need To Know About Whiskey

In meaning, whiskey translates to water of life. Whiskey originated from Scotland during the early 1400’s, and is very popular around the world today. Even today, whiskey tastes much like it did when it first began. Manufacturers of whiskey are strong on heritage, and therefore do all they can to capture the flavor that whiskey has always been known for.

For any occasion, whiskey is truly great. Whiskey is commonly used during weddings and ceremonies, and both the bride and groom will drink it to signify a relationship that will stand the test of time. The drink isnt only served with weddings, as it is also popular in bars and restaurants as well. Those wishing to signify friendship can also serve whisky as a gesture of wanting to be friends.

Whiskey also makes a great gift for friends, employees, and even executives. Around the office, whiskey is very popular. When someone has had a tough day at work, few things bring out the best like whiskey. It can help someone relax, and make them feel at ease. Drink enough of it however – and you will feel as if you are king of the world!

Although it has many uses, one of the best is ice cubes. If you combine whiskey with ice cubes, the combination is truly inspiring. People often refer to it as whiskey on the rocks, as it is very commonly served in bars and restaurants. Whiskey on the rocks is also refreshing, as the ice cubes help to take some of the bite away from the otherwise strong and potent drink.

There are several variations of whiskey as well. Scottish whiskey, Jack Daniels, and Wild Turkey are among the most popular. Scottish whiskey is very popular in different parts of the world, while Jack Daniels is the preferred brand of whiskey in the United States. Jack is served at many bars and restaurants, and provides a great mixed drink if you pair it with Coke.

If youre looking to buy some whiskey for your home, youll never have to worry about having trouble finding it. ABC stores are the best source, although if you live in a state such as California you can find it at your local grocery or department store. Whiskey is one of the best selling forms of hard liquor, with thousands of people around the world drinking it quite frequently.

Easy to find and easy to use, whiskey is easily one of the best types of alcohol that you can buy. You can use it at parties or socials, or just keep it for yourself. Whiskey is also great the body, if you drink a shot of it a day. With various ways to be used and a bold crisp flavor – whiskey is something that you can never go wrong with.

A Look At Champagne

Traditionally, Champagne has always a way to celebrate milestones or toast the bride and groom on their marriage. Considered to be a flexible beverage, Champagne can be served with a meal or with dessert. For many years, this truly refreshing and exotic drink has been used as a way of celebration and just enjoying the times that lie ahead.

Champagne comes from the vineyards of the French region. If you get a bottle and notice Champagne imprinted on the label, you can rest assured that the bottle was produced in the vineyards of France. If you dont get Champagne that was produced in the infamous French regions, you are pretty much just buying the standard sparkling wine. You should also make sure that the bottle is spelled Champagne, with a capital C. French manufacturers are very protective of this very name, and therefore are the only ones that are authorized to use it.

Champagne is made using three different types of grape – Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. Noir and Meunier are types of black grapes, while the well known Chardonnay is a type of white grape. The label on the bottle will signify what type of Champagne you are buying, so youll know what flavor to expect. There are also types of this wine that are a blend of different grapes, providing quite an exquisite taste to say the least.

Much like sparkling wine, Champagne is very common with celebrations and such. Although it is actually considered to be a type of sparkling wine, Champagne is much better. You have to be careful where you buy it though, as a lot of manufacturers like to use cheaper grapes, which dont taste the same. If you have ever tasted this wine before – youll know first hand what quality tastes like.

A lot of people prefer Champagne because of the bubbles that are known to spew forth once a bottle has been uncorked. The bubbles that spew from this wine are the result of tiny drops of liquid that are disturbed by the carbonic acid gas. Once the liquid is disturbed, the bubbles form and short out of the bottle. This is a natural reaction of the double fermentation process that can only be found with a bottle of Champagne.

The next time you have a celebration and need something to make the celebration a bit more interesting, you should grab a bottle of Champagne. Few things compliment a celebration like the bursting bubbles of a fine bottle. You can find quality Champagne at ABC stores or other stores that sell alcoholic beverages. Even though it may cost you a bit of money – when you pop the top youll be glad you bought it.