Monday, November 28, 2011

Ultimate Cooking Portability - Cobb BBQs

Have you ever been cooking and wanted to cook an excellent meal, but didn't have what you needed to do so? You know, like an oven, stove and grill in one? If so, then the Cobb BBQ is right for you. This unique portable grill allows you to barbeque, grill, back, smoke, broil, fry and warm food. Not only are the convenient, but they are healthy as well.

If you have an RV, camper, boat or even an apartment balcony you will find that the Cobb BBQ adds spice and flavor to your cooking options. When you are at a campsite your cooking options are often limited to the fire pit, a grate and maybe a skillet. Camping is fun, but you can't bring your whole kitchen with you. Portable grills or party grills are handy as well, but it can be difficult to cook a wide variety of meals on a grill. You are pretty limited by space when it comes to your cooking options.

Stainless Skillet

The Cobb BBQ grill includes a heavy-duty carrying bag as well as a cookbook filled with dining options. The great thing is that you can cook a wide variety of goods in just this one cooking system. The innovative design of this grill works just like a convection oven. Imagine having pizza for dinner at your campsite, or the park and anywhere else you travel. The base of the grill is cool to the touch, which makes it safe when kids and pets are around. The grill is also healthy as the fat and oil drop down onto the charcoal. This means that there are no smoke flare-ups either. Don't judge this grill by size alone either. The Cobb can easily cook for 4 to 6 people.

Ultimate Cooking Portability - Cobb BBQs

The Cobb Premier Grill is the latest addition to the Cobb Cooking System. This grill is all stainless steel and is virtually indestructible. The grill allows you to cook a large amount of food on a portable grill. Your veggies can be cooked right along with the meats, roasts, steaks, burgers, and fish. You can even cook whole chickens and turkeys! The surface is non-stick and extremely high quality.

This is one of the most unique grills on the market. It is very easy to operate and you can pick it up and move around if you need to. The cooking area is around 12 inches, but you can cook a whole lot more than you realize. It is also able to run for up to three hours on as few as 8 briquettes. If you are looking for versatility in your backyard or at the campsite, this is the grill for you.

Ultimate Cooking Portability - Cobb BBQs


Monday, November 21, 2011

Traditional Anniversary Gift Ideas for One Hundred Years

It's impossible to remember what gift is traditional for each anniversary. This article is perfect to print out or post on your website for easy reference. Plus gift ideas for each anniversary makes it easy, you'll never miss getting the perfect anniversary gift again.

The traditional gift for the first anniversary is paper. An addition of the newspaper from the year you were married, an old edition of a classic book like "Gone with the Wind", a postcard that's of a place meaningful to both of you, board games, plane tickets, football or baseball tickets, photo album filled with memories, write a love letter, drawing or pictures for your cabin, home or office or a gift voucher are all great ideas.

Stainless Skillet

The second anniversary traditional gift is cotton. New bed linen, attractive underwear or lingerie, cotton towels, a hammock, personalized T-shirt, cotton clothing or a cotton canvas shopping bag with your photo on the front.

Traditional Anniversary Gift Ideas for One Hundred Years

Leather is the traditional gift for the third anniversary. Leather, boots, shoes, vest, skirt, pants, wallet, gloves, purse, belt, luggage or briefcase will do nicely. But how about something a bit more updated like leather cell phone case, leather framed photo or leather throw pillows?

Traditional gifts for the fourth anniversary are fruit or flowers. Of course having a fruit basket or flowers delivered to the home or office is appropriate. However, sharing a fresh fruit cocktail, floral bubble bath with floral scented candles set about and rose petals scattered across the bed sounds a lot more fun, exciting and romantic!

The traditional gift for the fifth anniversary is wood. This is a very good year for practical gifts like wooden deck furniture, frames or wooden utensils for the kitchen and new wood fencing. The romantic side of wood could include a weekend in a log cabin, camping in the woods, a walk in the woods, wooden plaques or signs engraved with words of love or an artistic wooden sculpture.

Iron is the traditional gift for the sixth anniversary. Golf clubs, iron sculptures, wrought iron furniture, iron skillets, a new iron or an Ironwood tree are good ideas. Don't forget the possibility of tools, hardware, a wrought iron bed or a set of weights.

Traditionally, wool or copper are gifts for the seventh anniversary. Gifts of woolen socks, scarves, blankets, hats, coats and copper kettles make very nice presents. A new wool suit, copper sculpture or copper fireside accessories are a bit more upscale.

The eighth anniversary traditional gift is bronze. This is the year to make an impression with a bronze sculpture, antique bronze bell or a trip to a tropical beach with a bronzing lotion for the two of you.

Pottery is the traditional gift for the ninth anniversary. Planters, vases, bowls and coffee mugs fall into this group, so does joining a pottery class together!

Traditional gifts for the tenth anniversary are of tin or aluminum. Personalized license plate, tin of caviar, tin toy car, tin signs or plaques and vintage aluminum serving pieces are fun ideas.

The eleventh anniversary traditional gift is steel. Stainless steel cookware, watches and steel engraved key chains are great but a Calypso steel drum, steel ice bucket and cocktail shaker or modern steel sculpture are unique gift ideas.

Silk and linen are the proper traditional gifts for the twelfth anniversary. Silk lingerie, bed linens, linen table clothes, napkins, handkerchiefs and silk or linen clothing will surely be appreciated.

The thirteenth anniversary traditional gift is lace. Women buy that slinky, lacy lingerie for the men to enjoy! Okay, lace doilies, tablecloths and lacy curtains work too but they are not near as much fun.

The fourteenth anniversary calls for the traditional gift of ivory. If you have the big bucks this year splurge on a piano or a trip to the Ivory Coast of Africa. The rest of us can enjoy ivory colored bed linen, scrimshawed ivory desk sets or key chains, ivory colored clothing or personalized ivory colored stationary.

Crystal is the gift for the fifteenth through the nineteenth anniversaries. Crystal vases, decanters, candlesticks and crystal faced watches are very traditional. Crystal chandelier earrings or a crystal chess set are more up to date. Billy Crystal movies are fun.

Twentieth through the twenty-fourth anniversaries traditional gift is china. Vintage china tea cups, bone china ornaments or a replacement piece for your own china are presents to consider along with a table for two at a Chinese restaurant or a trip to China.

Traditionally speaking, silver is the gift for the twenty-fifth through the twenty-ninth anniversaries. Silver dated ornament, a silver frame, a watch, silver cuff links, silver pen and jewelry are appropriate gifts. Anything from Tiffany's silver collection or an anniversary wedding band would be grand.

The thirtieth through the thirty-fourth anniversaries traditional gift is pearls. Mother-of-pearl cufflinks, tie tack, frame and jewelry are wonderful gift ideas. Throw in an oyster dinner and you have an anniversary to remember.

Think tropical for the thirty-fifth through thirty-ninth anniversaries gift of corral. Snorkeling, scuba lessons, a trip to the Coral Reef or coral colored ties, cuff links or clothing with a tropical flair.

Rubies are traditional gifts for the fortieth through forty-fourth anniversaries. A dozen ruby-red roses, ruby jewelry (maybe add a ruby into your wedding bands), ruby red clothing or lingerie and a bottle of vintage wine are lovely gift ideas.

Forty-fifth through forty-ninth anniversaries traditional gift is sapphire. Sapphire tie clip, cuff links, jewelry, sapphire-colored apparel and Bombay Sapphire gin could be considered.

Gold is for the fiftieth through fifty-fourth wedding anniversaries traditional gift. Without doubt gold jewelry or new wedding bands are in order. A gold themed party, golden oldie CD collection, gold watch, gold colored frames with a photo of the couple, gold clock or gold fabric accent pieces for their bedroom are good choices.

A fifty-fifth through fifty-ninth anniversaries traditional gift is emerald. A few ideas could include a trip to the Emerald Coast, emerald jewelry or cuff links and emerald colored night clothes.

The traditional gift for sixtieth through one hundredth wedding anniversaries are diamonds! For the inspirational couple making it through life together they certainly deserve all the diamonds they receive! To vary from year to year adding the stone from the couples' favorite year of marriage would be lovely such as diamond and ruby earrings. Bring on the diamond jewelry.

Tradition is wonderful and I hope this list helps in your anniversary gift choices. Many times these anniversary gifts end up as our family heirlooms of tomorrow.

please keep my site links complete with this article.

Traditional Anniversary Gift Ideas for One Hundred Years


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

3 Must Have Cookware Pieces For College Student - Guide to Cookware

I remember when I was in college and away from home, I did not have any proper cooking pans and pots. I ate out in cafeteria, fast food places a lot. It was expensive and not very healthy. Having a few proper basic cookware pieces could have helped me cook a few basic and simple recipes at my dorm. While, I am no longer in college now, I thought of writing for others who are, so they can make a informed choice and do better than I did.

You do not need to buy a whole cooking set. You can buy a few basic cookware pieces that are used most in everyday cooking. Let us look at must have cooking pieces in details.

Stainless Skillet

1. Frying pan or skillet:

3 Must Have Cookware Pieces For College Student - Guide to Cookware

Frying pan is low pan with sloping sides and has long handle that stays cool during cooking. Frying pans are great for making omelet, crepe, stir frying vegetables, scramble eggs, pancakes. Many frying pan are nonstick making it easier to flip or remove food from it.

2. Sauce pan:

Sauce pan comes in various sizes and has tight fitting lids to cook food in its own steam. It is one of most used cookware piece in kitchen. You can make sauce, boil water, chili, rice and stew in a sauce pan. You may want to have a couple of sizes to cover various food cooking.

3. Stock pot:

Stock pot are usually tall pot with lid on it. Stock pot are used to make a large batch of food such as chili, boil pasta and so on. Stock pot also good with simmering beans and stew as well. One large enough stock pot is must for any student kitchen.

There are many types of cookware pieces that can be useful in cooking different food at home. These three cookware pieces are essential and cheap enough to fit in any college student budget.

3 Must Have Cookware Pieces For College Student - Guide to Cookware


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Surgical Stainless Steel Cookware - Elevate Your Culinary Skills From Mediocre to Superb

You can serve your family healthy, nutritious, and delicious meals every time you cook if you prepare those meals in surgical stainless steel cookware. There are numerous benefits to cooking with this type of cookware.

Benefits of waterless cookware

Stainless Skillet

When you cook vegetables in a pot of water, many of the vitamins and minerals are lost. While your intention may be to serve your family healthy meals, it is almost impossible to do so when you cook away the health benefits of the food you prepare. Waterless cookware allows the vegetables and meats to retain their nutritional value. The vapor seal lids prevents moisture, minerals, and vitamins from escaping. Vegetables prepared in waterless cookware remain colorful. Not only is the flavor of what you cook important, so is the visual appearance of the food. People seem to enjoy food more when it looks attractive on the plate. Waterless cookware eliminates the need for oil or grease. This makes the food you prepare healthier, especially for those who are watching their weight or concerned about their cholesterol. Surgical stainless steel cookware is an economical choice. The money you spend to purchase the cookware can be beneficial to your budget in the long run. You never cook on high heat with this type of cookware. That alone makes it a more efficient method of cooking. But, as an additional money saving bonus, you can use the stack method of cooking. Once the food in the bottom pan begins cooking you can add one or two more pots on top of it so that an entire meal could be prepared on one burner instead of three as you would need with other cookware. Cooking time is less in this cookware than in many lesser expensive, lower quality types of cookware. This cookware is easy to clean. It is recommended that the lids be washed by hand but the cookware is dishwasher safe. You can do stove top baking in this cookware.

Surgical Stainless Steel Cookware - Elevate Your Culinary Skills From Mediocre to Superb

Shopping tips

Waterless cookware is sold at home party demonstrations. These events are informative and possibly entertaining, but the cost of the cookware is often higher than many people's budget allows or more than they actually feel they want to pay for cookware. Some department stores have surgical stainless steel cookware sets and individual pieces at affordable prices. Rather than buy an entire set, you might want to purchase one piece from a department store to see how impressed you are with this type of cookware before ordering an entire set online or by mail. Most likely, once you discover how economical this easy to use cookware is you will want to invest in a complete set. Online kitchen supply sites have numerous selections of surgical stainless steel cookware at reasonable prices. You can probably find a set that fits your budget and that has the number of pieces you want to buy. Sets of this cookware contain the basic pots, pans, and lids that will set you up with the essentials you need to prepare many delicious meals. As time passes, you may be so delighted with this method of cooking that you will want to add some additional pieces to your standard set. There are many individual pieces such as the partial list that follows that you can easily find online. Any or all of these would be beneficial additions: a surgical stainless steel electric skillet, a stove top griddle, a stove top grill with dome lid, a tea kettle, a stock pot, or a stainless steel steamer.

Miscellaneous information that you might find helpful when shopping for and using this cookware

When shopping for cookware, make certain it is good quality stainless steel with at least 9 element construction so that the heat is evenly distributed and stack cooking is successful. The lids should nest snugly inside of the pot or pan they are designed to fit. This makes it much easier to store the cookware. You can indeed save money using surgical stainless steel cookware, so each piece you purchase is a bonus for your budget. Read instructions carefully if you are unfamiliar with this cookware. Simple tips such as never using high heat and keeping the lid on when cooking are important in order to assure that your dishes come out as superbly delicious as you desire.

Surgical stainless steel cookware is an economical and simple way to prepare delicious, healthy meals for your family and for guests that you invite to join you for a meal on special occasions.

Surgical Stainless Steel Cookware - Elevate Your Culinary Skills From Mediocre to Superb


Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Bring Rusted Cast Iron Cookware Back to Life

The process of restoring rusted cast iron cookware can bring a family heirloom back to life and make it a fully functional asset in your kitchen. You can even salvage a garage sale or flea market find that looks too far gone. The beauty of cast iron cookware lies in it's rugged durability and versatility. Cast irons durability results from the quality and thickness of the material from which the pan was made. Older cast iron is especially tough since it was made before the time of cheap imports that do suffer some quality issues. But, nonetheless any piece of cast iron that is structurally sound can be restored and put to use in your kitchen.

Before beginning the restoration process, you must carefully inspect the pot or pan and make sure it is truly structurally sound. Look for cracking or pitting in the surface of the pan. If the pan is cracked or severely pitted then it would be best to set that pan aside and not proceed with restoration. a cracked cast iron pan is very hard to repair and requires a process called brazing to fix the pan. This is usually an expensive process and even with repair the possibility of contamination of your food from the repair process makes the pan pretty much useless for use in the kitchen. If you would like you can restore the damaged pan and use it as a decorative reminder of days gone by in your kitchen.

Stainless Skillet

Once you have established the soundness of the cast iron, you can begin the process of restoration. Start by using steel wool or a wire brush to remove as much surface rust from the pan as possible. You can then soak the pan in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water for a day or so. This will help to finish dissolving any rust that remains on the surface of the pan. If you run into a pan with severe rusting, then you may have to use a product like spray on oven cleaner to remove a heavy layer of rust. Be careful when using caustic chemicals like oven cleaner. Wear personal protection such as gloves and a mask to prevent personal injury. Also, avoid using any other highly caustic chemicals on your cast iron. Solvents and similar chemicals can soak into the loose pores of the iron and then leach into your food at a later time.

Bring Rusted Cast Iron Cookware Back to Life

After you are sufficiently satisfied with the initial phase of restoration of your cast iron, then you can proceed to the seasoning step. seasoning is a simple process whereby the clean pan is coated with either lard or bacon grease and repeatedly heated in an oven. This process creates a durable non-stick finish for the cast iron and makes it easy to clean after use. For a more detailed look at the seasoning of cast iron cookware, please review my other article at Recipe-Rack.com

Bring Rusted Cast Iron Cookware Back to Life


Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Stainless Steel Cookware Versus Aluminum Pans

Stainless steel and aluminum are the most common metals used for making cookware sets and other utensils. According to an estimate, more than 50 % of all kitchenware and cookware manufactured now days have either stainless steel or aluminum, at least in minor quantities. A detailed comparison about cookware made from stainless steel and cookware made from aluminum is discussed below.

Comparison is best done in terms of factors as it is easy to understand. Some important aspects with respect to a buyer as discussed below. Instead of common points which are strengths of both the materials, the debate between aluminum and stainless cookware is generalized using factors in which either of them manages to pip the other.

Stainless Skillet

Thermal Conductivity

Stainless Steel Cookware Versus Aluminum Pans

Cooking and roasting is principally dependant on the principle of thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity of aluminum is quite higher as compared to steel. For your information, copper betters aluminum in terms of thermal conductivity. This explains the fact that a lot of good cookware has a small coating of copper (between layers of steel) at the bottom end which meets the heat first.

Heat Distribution

steel on its own does not distribute heat evenly. Its only when certain other metals are added that there is a proper distribution of heat.

Reaction to Certain Foods

Aluminum is known to react with foods which have alkaline or acidic contents. That is the reason food items like some soups are not cooked in aluminum pans as aluminum particles may get trapped in your food. A standard alternative to this is the concept of hard anodized non-stick aluminum which is made through the process of electro-chemical anodizing which doesn't allow the base metal to breach into food items. The surface of stainless equipment may pit if exposed to salty environment for a long time. Even if stainless steel comprises of a variety of metals, there is no or negligible particles entering food.

Cost

If materials used to make cookware are compared, aluminum cookware will be less expensive against cookware made up of steel.

Apart from this, stainless steel is popularly used for making skillets, stock pots and other such cookware.

Stainless Steel Cookware Versus Aluminum Pans


Thursday, October 20, 2011

Mardi Gras Recipes - Cajun Style Meals, Snacks, Drinks and More

It is uncertain as to when the celebration of Mardi Gras first originated. Mardi Gras is celebrated in many of the Southern States in the United States. New Orleans is the most popular spot for Mardi Gras and most know celebration destination. Mardi Gras is the French word for Fat Tuesday. The celebration includes parades, balls, music, and most of all food. You do not have to attend Mardi Gras in order to taste some of the wonderful Cajun dishes that are served. You simply can make them at home and have your own Mardi Gras celebration.

Main Dishes:

Stainless Skillet

CHICKEN FRICASSEE

Mardi Gras Recipes - Cajun Style Meals, Snacks, Drinks and More

Ingredients

1 hen, about 4 pounds, cut into serving pieces

Salt and cayenne

2/3 cups vegetable oil

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups chopped onions

1 cup chopped bell peppers

4 to 5 cups warm water or chicken broth

2 bay leaves

1/4 cup chopped parsley

3 tablespoons chopped green onions

Steps

Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and cayenne. Set aside. In a large black iron or stainless steel pot, make a roux by combining the oil and flour over medium heat. Stir constantly for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until it is dark brown. Add the onions and bell peppers. Cook, stirring often, for about five minutes, or until they are soft. Add the chicken pieces and stir to coat well with the roux mixture. Cook for about five minutes. Slowly add the water or broth. Add the bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about two hours, or until the chicken is tender. Adjust seasonings. Remove the bay leaves. Add the parsley and green onions and serve immediately. Serves about 8.

Cajun Alligator Etouffee Recipe

2 onions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 stalks celery, chopped

1 can tomatoes

1 pound alligator meat, cut in thin strips

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

1/2 cup green onions, chopped

1/4 cup parsley, minced

Salt

Cayenne pepper

Black pepper

Sauté onions, garlic and celery in butter until soft. Add tomatoes and simmer for twenty minutes in covered iron pot.

Add alligator meat and let cook over low heat until tender, about 1 hour. If gravy is too thick, add a little hot water. Serve over rice.

Craw Fish Fettuccine I

6 tablespoons butter

1 large onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 pound peeled craw fish tails

1 (8 ounce) package processed cheese food

1 cup half-and-half cream

2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

1 pound dry fettuccine pasta

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic in butter until onions are tender. Stir in flour, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in craw fish. Cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the processed cheese, half-and-half, Cajun seasonings, and cayenne pepper. Cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Stir noodles into craw fish mixture; pour into prepared dish, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Snacks:

Black Bean Salsa

1 can 15 oz. black beans, drained

1-1/2 cups canned corn, drained

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 cup red onions, diced

1 to 2 jalapenos, diced

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

1/2 cup olive oil

1/3 cup fresh cilantro

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients together. Allow to sit in refrigerator a few hours before serving. Makes a wonderful dish for chips or topping for enchiladas or burritos.

Cajun Crab Crisp

12 English muffins

1/2 cup butter

5 oz Old English cheese (jar)

1-1/2 tsp mayonnaise

1/2 tsp garlic salt

2 tsp Konriko seasoning

1 tsp Tabasco

1-1/2 lb white crab meat

Melt butter and mix all ingredients together and spread on split and quartered English muffins. Bake at 350F in oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until toasted and golden brown.

Craw fish Cornbread Muffins

1 med onion, minced

1/4 lb butter

1 clove garlic, minced

1 lb craw fish tails

8 green onions, minced

One 16 oz Jalapeno Mexican cornbread mix

Salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder to taste.

Saute onion in butter until tender. Add garlic, craw fish tails, and seasonings. Cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Add green onions. Cook for five minutes. Prepare cornbread mix according to the directions on the package. Add craw fish mixture, stir well. Spoon into greased mini muffin tins. Bake at 350F for ten minutes.

Let's not forget the recipes for when you get thirsty from all that delicious food.

Drinks:

Festivity Punch

5 lb of sugar

3-1/2 qt of water

2 tbs citric acid diluted in 1 pint of water

Four 46 oz cans pineapple juice

Four 46 oz cans orange juice

Two 46 oz cans grapefruit juice

Make a syrup of sugar and 3-1/2 qt of water letting boil about 2 hours. To this add citric acid which has been diluted in 1 pint of water, To this base add pineapple juice, orange juice and grapefruit juice.

Let mixture sit in crock with big piece of ice several hours before serving. Cherries are optional.

Makes One hundred 6 oz glasses

White Wine Sangria

1/2 gallon white wine

5 cups Sprite

1/4 cup simple syrup

1/2 cup orange juice

1/4 cup brandy

1 whole apple, banana, orange, sliced

Mix all ingredients together. Add sliced fruits. Chill and serve.

Mardi Gras Recipes - Cajun Style Meals, Snacks, Drinks and More