June 20, 2013

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Where do you eat dinner?

October 2, 2012 By

When you’re planning out how to furnish and decorate a new home, it’s logical to decide how to use each room around the house. Most follow common sense, but one room you may decide to use differently is the dining room.

In many homes, the traditional dining room doesn’t get used for its original purpose. More commonly, people eat in the kitchen, and only use the dining room for special occasions. This, of course, is a lifestyle choice, and it depends on how big your kitchen is and how far away the dining room is from it.

Sometimes it can be a better solution to knock the wall between the dining room and kitchen down and create a big open plan space – creating a kitchen diner that has plenty of room for a full dining table and dining chairs.

By doing so, you’ll end up with one big serviceable room rather than squeezing into the kitchen simply because you can’t be bothered to carry everything through to the dining room for every meal.

One disadvantage to doing this is that you don’t have anywhere to eat that’s away from the pots and pans of the kitchen, which of course is always the case with a separate dining room. So, if you’re thinking of joining the two rooms together in your house, make sure that you have some way of dividing up the room, so that you can really keep the preparation area separate from the dining area. An ideal solution is to have a peninsula work surface with cupboards that has the working kitchen on one side and the dining area on the other.

If you’re looking for new furniture for your dining kitchen check out the discount dining room furniture for sale at http://www.furnishinghomes.co.uk.

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Using Leftover Bread

April 20, 2012 By

Money matters, and today’s tough economic times mean that many of us are watching the pennies and looking for new and inventive ways to budget. And this is especially the case when it comes to

cooking. With money a factor for many of us, we are starting to see a return to the ‘old-fashioned’ but vital cooking skills that seemed to get lost for a while.

Along with this, there is a return to thinking about how to reduce waste and make our purchases stretch further. Spending several pounds on non-nutritious microwave meals or fast food just doesn’t seem like the sensible option for many people anymore.

So, how to cook up a storm in the kitchen without spending a small fortune? Well it’s easier than you might think.

If you have a loaf of Hovis Bread that is starting to go stale, but of course is not mouldy, you can use this to make tasty bread and butter pudding. Although white bread is generally used in bread and butter puddings, you can ring the changes and make your dish that little bit more nutritious by using best of both bread.

Another great use for your bread that needs using up is as the base for a tasty Moroccan dish called Chicken Rfissa Medhoussa. This chicken and lentil dish is truly yummy and is traditionally served on a bed of day old bread.

Day old bread or bread that needs to be used up can also be used to make homemade breadcrumbs, wonderful for the coating on fried calamari, fish and anything else you fancy really!

As well as there being plenty you can do with day old bread, you can use other items in the kitchen once they are past their best but not spoilt. For example, tomatoes that have begun to go slightly soft, but are not off or mouldy, are perfect for making your own soups, passatas or other tomato-based sauces.

Filed Under: Baking Tagged With: , , , ,

The Lighter Side Of Life With Fosters

April 19, 2012 By

The latest series of ads from Fosters beer have struck a chord with the beer drinkers of Britain who have plenty of pressing issues that they want resolved.

Brad  & Dan are two Aussies in a shack on a beach in Australia who spend their time answering the big questions in life posed by British boys who require a little guidance. The modern day agony aunts (or uncles) are more than happy to help the struggling Brits with their dilemmas.

Take, for instance, Craig from Leicester. He gives the boys a bell because he wants to know if it’s a good idea to get his girlfriend’s name tattooed on his body.  His concern is that her name’s quite long and he won’t be able to fit it anywhere.

The boys want to know her name before they can help him with a decision. When they find out it’s Trudy Holloway, they want to know if she has a nickname. Fortunately she does, which allows Brad & Dan to suggest using that instead. They tell Craig to keep his girlfriend happy by tattooing the nickname and have “I love Peanut” instead of her full name.

And, in case Craig hadn’t considered the possibility of ever splitting up with Trudy, the boys spell it out for him: “That way if, heaven forbid, you and Trudy do split, you just have a tattoo expressing your love for a delicious small salted nut. And we all love peanuts!”

Of course, we all know that these two lager drinkers aren’t real, but the advice they’re more than happy to dish out as and when it’s required is pretty feet-on-the-ground stuff, that might actually be useful to someone watching out there. Nine times out of ten the advice Brad & Dan dispense is always a ‘good call’!

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A Healthy Kitchen is a Happy Kitchen

April 15, 2012 By

When you think about health and safety in the food industry it is easy to think of some of the more ridiculous warnings which appear on food and beverage packaging, such as a bag of nuts with ‘make contain nuts’ emblazoned across the side, or the disposable coffee cup which warns you that the contents are hot. Whilst they are momentarily amusing, their reason for being often stems from a serious incident where a consumer has been harmed and the law has ruled these warnings necessary.

In the restaurant business there are several levels of health and safety requirements to be aware of. Clearly, food handling is a big part of the job so all the applicable qualifications will be required. There are then rules relating to staff welfare to consider and then of course the safety of the customers themselves. Knowledge gained at fire safety courses is just as valuable as that gleaned from customer care workshops so make sure that you pay attention and even if the subject matter is dry you stay alert and concentrate.

For kitchen workers in restaurants their ambition might be to train for a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate once the basis course has been completed. Make sure you select a reputable training supplier and that the course is properly accredited before you part with any course fees. Request recommendations from trusted sources or look online for a reputable training facility to trust to look after your employees.

With any training, revising the course content is helpful on a regular basis to ensure best practice is being adhered to, and don’t be afraid to have reminders on display in the workplace. Reference aids for things like food storage temperatures are available in poster form and are a useful aide memoir for many people. A healthy kitchen is a happy kitchen after all!

Filed Under: Baking, Catering, Dinner Party, Eating Out, Food Shopping Tagged With: , , , , , ,

What’s for lunch?

March 5, 2012 By

Trying to stick to a diet is not always that easy, especially when your workmates want you to join them for lunch at a local pub and then opt for a healthy sandwich, when everyone else is getting burgers and fries. But a healthy sandwich is a great option if you want something healthy and filling.

It may not sound particularly appealing to go out for a pub lunch with your workmates and then opt for a healthy sandwich, but it really is a great option if you want something healthy and filling.

You may associate pubs with hearty food like pie and mash or fish and chips, but pretty much everywhere has alternatives nowadays and the majority of them are healthy choices.

The great thing is, being healthy doesn’t have to be boring. If you go for the veggie option on the menu, for example, say something like hummus and roasted veg, you’ll be extremely satisfied and it probably won’t have been too high on the calorie count. It’s all about going for the right sandwich recipes when you’re deciding what to eat. There will be low-fat options out there, even if you have to do a bit of reading to find them.

There really is no point in ruining your healthy eating kick by consuming something fatty or unhealthy. It won’t just be disappointing, it’ll also make you feel fairly rubbish about yourself afterwards and that could continue at work, well past your lunch hour. Whether the sandwich is made on Hovis bread or the pub’s own variety, it’s still possible to find a low-calorie, filling treat that’ll see you through the afternoon.

If sandwiches aren’t your thing, maybe try a salad. You’re bound to find some interesting flavour combinations at the pub, especially if it’s of the gastro variety, which will satisfy your tastebuds and keep you going for the rest of the day.

So remember, next time you head for a work pub lunch, don’t just assume you need something stodgy and try something a bit different from their menu.

Filed Under: Eating Out Tagged With: , ,

Use a beer as a part of a healthy lifestyle

December 29, 2011 By

Beer has long been associated with lager louts and blokes with big beer bellies, but don’t be fooled – beer can actually be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Of course, as with any alcohol, the operative word is ‘moderate’. Drink too much of your favourite premium lager and you will turn out like the men who spend their afternoons slumped over the bar at the local working men’s club.

In moderation, beer can be good for you and even good for your liver. Beer gets rid of poisonous heavy metals like copper and lead and helps speed up metabolism.

Drinking beer can also reduce the risk of having a heart attack. Medical studies have found those drinking beer on a daily basis have a low rate of heart attacks. Again, we are talking about one or two beers, not a skin full in your local.

Now I have given you just a couple of the reasons why beer can be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle, let’s take a look at some of the beers out there.

Fruit beer has become increasingly popular over recent years, particularly with women. There are all kinds of different flavours – from strawberry to apricot – and the fruity taste offers a sweeter alternative to traditional beer.

There is an endless list of lagers available in pubs and bars, including beers from around the world. Brands such as Foster’s and Carling continue to lead the way in the UK. Foster’s has recently launched a new premium bottled lager, Foster’s Gold. That is well worth a try.

There is so much choice out there – it is difficult to touch on them all. Just remember, beer can be used to supplement a healthy lifestyle. The next time you fancy one, don’t hesitate.

 

 

 

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How to host the best barbecue party

December 26, 2011 By

Barbecues are always a popular way of entertaining friends in the summer months. Whether you have a swanky Weber grill or plan on using a few disposable barbecues, food somehow always tastes better cooked outdoors.

 

If you want to make sure your barbecue party is a success planning is essential. First of all consider what you are going to be cooking on. If you have a gas barbecue make sure that you have plenty of gas left in your canister and if you are cooking for a crowd don’t underestimate how much gas you will need. If you have a traditional barbecue check that you have enough charcoal and lighter fluid. If disposable barbecues are more your thing, consider building a suitably high structure to place them on rather than having to kneel down at ground level to cook. If you have young children coming to your barbecue think about safety precautions to avoid nasty accidents.

 

The next thing to think about is what food you are going to serve. Chicken or pork with bones in it can be tricky and you certainly don’t want to give anyone food poisoning so choose boneless pieces instead or opt for steak. There are plenty of recipes on the internet for marinades to make your food even tastier but if you want to make life easy buy a ready prepared one from the supermarket.

 

If you have vegetarians coming to your barbecue bear in mind that they will probably want to have their food cooked separately from the meat so make provision for this. Vegetable kebabs or tofu products are a good alternative to the veggie-burger.

 

If you have room on your barbecue you might like to cook some jacket potatoes but they do take up a lot of room so either forget about the spuds and just serve a choice of salads or cook them in the oven.

Filed Under: Dinner Party Tagged With: , , , ,

Why become a vegetarian?

December 20, 2011 By

With the recession continuing to rear its ugly head, it’s no surprise that people are continuing to look for ways they can cut back on their spending.

 

A great way of doing this could actually be by cutting meat out of your diet and the best thing is, you’re bound to reap lots of health benefits if you do that. If you’ve ever taken Beauty Tips from anyone, you’re probably already well aware that eating plenty of fruit and veg can have a big impact on your skin. They’re rich in numerous antioxidants and can help make sure your skin, and body, is healthy and radiant.

 

When the winter months arrive, your skin takes a bit of a beating. You’re bound to have drier skin than usual and you’ll probably find that it doesn’t really glow, due to the lack of exposure to any sun. Fruits and vegetables can really help you out here though, as they content plenty of nutrients to make your skin far healthier. Foe example, orange and yellow fruit and veg, such as squash, peppers and oranges, contain plenty of vitamin C to boost your skin.

 

To counter the dryness of your skin, you could use a good moisturiser, like Oil of olay, to help you out. This is a great way of making sure you don’t look a little worse for wear after a big night on the town! It’s not just in your skin that you’ll notice a difference either. All the free radicals and antioxidants in fruit and veg play a key role in combating everything from heart disease to certain types of cancer, so it’s clear of the impact including more of these in your diet could have.

 

If you do decide to cut out meat completely, you need to make sure you eat plenty of protein-rich lentils and pulses to ensure you have the right balance of foods.

Filed Under: Dinner Party, Eating Out Tagged With: , ,

Cooking from scratch or ready meals?

December 20, 2011 By

As anyone who has a family to cook for will know, making quick meals is often the priority. With a million and one other jobs to do around the house, any busy mum or dad will wants to be able to whip up something tasty and nutritious without slaving over a hot stove for hours on end.

And of course it’s not just parents; for busy working men and women, time is also often of the essence, and many of us simply don’t have the time to spend hours in the kitchen making a gourmet meal for one.

So does this mean we have to resort to a constant diet of ready meals? Not necessarily. You can whip up some delicious and nourishing meals in a short amount of time without always relying on the microwave. It’s just about learning a few quick cooking cheats and preparing in advance.

So, for example, if you find that you have an hour or two spare on a lazy Sunday, you could put some music on and take your time to cook up a healthy stew or pasta dish; it doesn’t have to be stressful. Then simply freeze and you can heat up a tasty meal in minutes throughout the week. You’ve basically got your own homemade ready meals! Half the price and you can control exactly what goes into them; perfect!

And cooking from scratch needn’t mean buying a hundred weird and wonderful ingredients either. A simple baked potato popped in the oven for a couple of hours while you get on with something else makes a healthy and very tasty meal, served with baked beans, cheese or just butter – whatever takes your fancy.

Of course, every now and again, there is nothing wrong with buying the odd microwave meal. They can be expensive for what you get however, so make sure you use Printable Coupons to make the most of your money.

Filed Under: Food Shopping Tagged With: ,

Try a different drink with your meal

December 19, 2011 By

Nothing supplements a meal quite like alcohol. Whether it is an ice-cold lager with an Indian banquet, or a nice bottle of red wine with an Italian dish – alcohol is the perfect accompaniment to a meal.

It can help enhance flavours and can do wonders for dinner conversation. Of course, we are not talking about pints and pints of lager or an endless amount of wine; we are talking about just the right amount to complete your meal experience.

If you are something of a wine connoisseur but have never considered drinking beer with a meal, you are missing out. With so much variety nowadays – there is a beer out there for you.

Real ale, fruit beer, premium lager, beers of the world or even light beer if you prefer – the list is almost endless. You don’t want to sit down to a nice meal with a pint of Guinness, so my suggestion would be a refreshing bottle of premium lager.

With spicy cuisines like Indian and Thai dishes, pale ales are the way to go. Similarly, pale ales work with burgers and steaks. I have found Foster’s Gold Beer goes well with a curry or a steak.

Foster’s Gold is a relatively new beer, marketed as versatile drink which can be drunk at any number of social occasions. The beer is essentially aimed at younger males, but is not limited to. The clean, crisp and refreshing taste appeals to men and women of all ages. It would be well worth getting a six-pack in the next time you are at the supermarket.

Next time you sit down to a meal with friends, or even on your own, try avoid having your usual. Broaden your horizons and try something different. You never know, you might find your perfect meal drink.

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