Connecticut Clambakes Cooking Techniques
By matthew lewis | September 14, 2008
Traditional Connecticut clambakes aren’t just a meal, it’s an event - a social gathering that doubles as a very popular and delicious way to feed many guests, whether it be a wedding party, a corporate event, a family reunion or simply a romantic evening for two.
Due to its comfortable casual ambiance, this hands-on eating feast makes it an even better place to meet and talk to new people. Clambakes are indeed fun especially during those summer fun-filled beach events with family and friends.
Traditional clambakes were held at the beach as food was cooked over a steady fire. Nowadays, local laws prohibit beach fires, so clambakes are prepared over a more efficient propane burner, but the traditional atmosphere still exists.
Clambake may contain various foods. While some people may want to start off with quahogs (hard shelled clams), others prefer steamers (soft shelled clams) dipped in butter with a salty broth. Hosts can even serve shrimp, clam chowder and mussels. Some of the more traditional accompaniments include corn on the cob, salads, potatoes, slaws, and cornbread. How about having ice cream for dessert? With so many options to have your clambake as delicious and unique as possible, never forget to include lobster bisque, which is of course, the main dish.
For that truly authentic clambake, you must first go to the beach and dig a pit two or three feet deep, line it with rocks, and tend a wood fire until the rocks reach 400 degrees F. The hot rocks are then thickly lined with wet seaweed and layered with potatoes, corn in the husk, and more seaweed. The pit is covered with a tarpaulin, weighted down with more rocks, and is left to steam for about three hours.
For a simpler clambake method, you can steam the clams and accompaniments on the stovetop. For the most authentic indoor version, you can place rocks in a large metal washtub across a couple of stovetop burners. Layer in seaweed and clam, and pour in a couple gallons of seawater and then bring to a boil and steam for 20 minutes to reproduce the briny flavor of beachside clambakes.
But if you think seawater and seaweed are making things complicated, how about having a clambake on your grill over hot coals? This way, it will help boil the live lobster and potatoes first as they take the longest time to cook. The clams and corn will be cooked through the grill’s heat.
For a much simpler version of preparing Connecticut clambakes, just place the clams in a pot add in corn and chorizo and some aromatics such as saffron and shallots. Steam it until the clams open. Since following the traditional clambake cooking method is too laborious, many people opt for the simplest technique. What’s really important is that you and your guests will have a fun and healthy time feasting on Connecticut clambakes.
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Best Ways for Grilling Steaks
By Gary Pearson | September 13, 2008
Many people like and prefer to have grilled steaks. Grilling steaks is not hard; however there are some techniques that you can use to help you grill your perfect steak. Here are some insider tips to properly preparing your steak to go on the grill.
There are different ways in which people cook the steak. There are some who put it on the grill just after removing from the freezer while others keep it in the refrigerator at night so that the steak gets soft before it is grilled. For best result the steaks should be removed from the freezer and kept outside for some time so that it comes to the normal temperature slowly before it is grilled. If the steak is not thawed correctly then it will be uneven when the cooking is done. Some parts will be more cooked than the others depending on how frozen it was.
You may not realize it but preparing the steak well before putting it on the grill holds a lot of importance. It is also needed to trim the extra fat like you do for other types of meat. The fat does not allow the steak to be grilled well and evenly. Cover the meat after you have added all the spices for some time so that all the flavors have been soaked by the steak. It is good to keep it for some time but avoid keeping it for more than a day.
The grill should be heated at the right temperature. You can bring the temperature to maximum on a gas grill for this and if you are using a charcoal grill allow the coal to come to its full heating capacity. Remember that the charcoal is at the maximum temperature when the color turns white. You can make the grill hotter by covering it for some time and it will not harm it in any way. You should have the correct temperature to cook the steak well and so you should make the grill as hot as possible
Preparing your steak is very important and will greatly impact how well your steak will actually cook on the grill itself. By following these simple preparation techniques, you will ensure that your steak will be cooked to perfection.
Topics: Barbecue | 1 Comment »
The Best Food Comes from the Skillet
By Ellen Zee | September 11, 2008
Although possibly not the healthiest method of food preparation, the skillet has maintained a reputation for delicious food for centuries. One of the earliest methods of cooking, the cast iron pan has carved out its place in America’s belly as one of the best methods of cooking flavorful food. From Cajun food in Louisiana all the way up to fish and other types of items in the Pacific Northwest, the skillet is a ubiquitous part of any cookware collection. With so many different types of pans available, it is not surprising to see so many people making use of this extremely popular cooking implement.
From the earliest days of mankind, preparing food on a flat, hot surface has become a tradition and is well-known for its inherent flavor enhancing abilities. With so much flavor and so much ease of use, it is no surprise that the skillet has made such a mark on the world of food preparation. Compared with other types of cookware, it is most dependable for cooking evenly and thoroughly without burning. With a flat surface and low edges, the capacity is somewhat low. But this should not be considered a drawback, as the extremely popular implement is designed to cook small portions very rapidly. With a focus on the detail and attention to the texture of the food, cooking is a simple matter of rapidly turning and moving the food around in order to prevent burning. With this ease-of-use and extreme functionality, it is easy to see how the popular cast-iron skillet made its way into so many cabinets around the world.
While there are certainly multiple functions for the traditional cast-iron skillet, cooking fried food very quickly on the stovetop is one of the most common. There are all manner of different schools of thought on caring for and preparation of the cast-iron frying pan. Some will say that you should never wash it, and others will say that you should. Some insist on scrubbing it with sand, others would never do such a thing. Whatever you decide, the skillet is certainly one of the most popular cookware implements around the world and can be found in almost every kitchen. In a direct comparison with other, similar products, it is hard to believe that any other product can do as well what the cast-iron skillet does. Quite often, it is something of a family heirloom, as it is handed down from generation to generation.
It is certainly one of the most popular types of kitchen cookware, as nearly everyone is in possession of a cast-iron skillet, and they are capable of cooking almost any type of food. Whether cooking fried foods on the stovetop, baking spaghetti in the oven or even cooking out on an open fire, the skillet can handle almost any job. In fact, it is the campfire that tipped the skillet into high popularity in America during the early years of the country’s formation. It isn’t hard to imagine travelers and drifters doing the majority of their cooking with the skillet over an open fire. Once you were done, you simply cleaned your cookware out with a handful of sand and it’s a done deal. It only makes sense to utilize such an easy to care for cooking implement when you have minimal carrying capacity.
In the case of the romanticized traveling cowboy, many of these drifters had only one type of cookware, the skillet. An indestructible and very utilitarian tool for the preparation of food, it is easy to see why cowboys would place such a high regard on the popular frying pan. After centuries of use, the skillet has changed very little and still looks very similar to the very first skillet ever invented. While it is hard to imagine what that first skillet might look like, you will likely agree that whatever it was used to cook was probably fantastically delicious.
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Yes, Your Mom Was Right… Beans Are Good For You
By Susanne M. | September 10, 2008
When was the last time you cooked with dry beans or peas? I have at least 5 different bags sitting in my pantry waiting to be turned into soups, dips, side-dishes and even hearty main dishes. They are a healthy staple that provides us with plenty of protein and fiber. Let’s take a look at why you may want to cook with them more as well.
They Are Cheap
Here’s my favorite reason to cook with beans… it is really inexpensive to do. I can buy enough beans to cook three meals for my family for under two dollars. I like to buy beans at my local costco or a mexican supermarket by the way. They are usually quite a bit cheaper and I get a larger variety than what my regular grocery store has to offer.
Beans are a good substitution for meat in a meal. You can use more beans and less (or no) meat in casseroles and chilies and even tacos and burritos. I also like to add them to pasta sauces. Of course there are also all kinds of beans and rice dishes which make great side dishes and even main courses. Cooking more beans and less meat will help you feed your family for less.
Beans Are Good For Your Health
Beans are good for you. They are an excellent source of protein and also include a lot of much needed fiber. One of the reasons the fiber in beans is so good for you is because it is a type of soluble fiber that will grab a hold of bad cholesterol and take it out of your body. That’s one of the reasons why beans are good for your heart.
You will also be pleased to hear that beans will help you prevent and fight cancer. For those of us with diabetes it is important to know that beans can help our body use insulin more effectively by creating more receptor sites. What a great reason to eat more beans.
Beans Are Just Plain Yummy
Beans are one of the most versatile foods I have come across. Since their flavor is mild, you can season them up pretty much any way you like them. I’ve made anything from spicy south western chipotle chili to Indian inspired Dahl with them. Add some black beans to your spaghetti sauce next time instead of ground beef. It’s delicious, lower in calorie and makes for a great healthy meal.
My favorite thing to do with leftover beans, lentils or chick peas is to turn them into a dip. Since they are already cooked, I just add them along with a little bit of liquid and some seasonings to my food processor and process until I have a creamy smooth dip. Serve alongside some veggies, bread or chips. Even my kids love these dips and I feel much better giving this to my family than some other fat-laden dip.
Perfect When You Need A Simple Or Fast Meal
Yes, you heard right I think cooking with beans is fast and simple. Here are some of the reasons why Sure, some beans have quite a long cooking time, but once you get them in the pot, they pretty much cook themselves. For an even easier approach, put your beans and plenty of liquid in the crockpot in the morning. By the time you’re ready for dinner they are done.
Beans are very easy to store after they are cooked. They will last quite a few days in a plastic container in the fridge and will survive in your freezer for a few months. Just pop them in the microwave when you’re ready to eat them.
I encourage you to give beans another try if you haven’t been a big fan so far. Just try a few different bean recipes. Even if you don’t like the first one, there is just the right one out there for you and your family.
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A Clambake for Christmas - Make Your Holiday Season Delightful
By matthew lewis | September 10, 2008
For over a hundred years now, clambakes have made outdoor parties more fun and enjoyable, thanks to the Native Americans who introduced it. They are more popularly known as New England clambakes. And, with the holiday season about to arrive, this great idea for an outdoors party with friends and loved ones would surely make it more exciting.
The pit was where the first original clambakes were cooked. This pit was dug and on the bottom, a layer of stones was laid. On top of these hot stones, a layer of clams, potatoes, live lobster, and corn husks were placed with fresh seaweed which separates the layers.
In order to cook the fresh seafood and vegetables, the Native Americans would make a large fire in the pit, on top of the stones. After the fire has been reduced to hot ash & embers, they would then put the seafood on the hot stones.
You can find many places to order your fresh shellfish for a healthy and enjoyable clam bake. Clambake orders generally come in two different varieties, the standard clambake and the super deluxe clambake. Both normally contain lobster bisque, clam chowder, and supplies you will need to prepare and serve your clambake. Shrimp, mussels, or other fresh seafood are added for the super deluxe clambake.
Ideally, for bigger parties, the super deluxe clambake for Christmas is often preferred as you are much less likely to run out of food with this type. In addition, the clambake would include more different varieties of seafood and vegetables which guests would surely love.
Modern cooking methods have replaced the old fashion preparation of the clambake. Now, clambakes are cooked on the stove, or on the grill. If you have a fire pit, you can cook your clambake there. Clambakes are a wonderful way to throw an outdoor party, and are more fun while camping. As an added bonus, outside cooking means minimal clean up.
A clambake is a great idea to consider for your Christmas party. Unprocessed fresh foods such as seafood and shellfish are especially healthy and nutritious. A clambake also offers your guests a festive party atmosphere. This makes for a very special alternative to the traditional, and usually less nutritious party foods a host often makes available to party guests.
So if you want to have a fun, unique, and healthy outdoor Christmas party, why don’t you consider hosting a traditional clambake for Christmas this holiday. Obviously, the clambake offers more benefits than the regular junk food and take-out meals.
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Easy To Prepare Lobster Clambake
By matthew lewis | September 10, 2008
The clambake dates back to the days of the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Settlers witnessed Native Americans cooking seafood over hot stones and seaweed and thus the famous New England clambake was born. The Lobster clambake has become a summer tradition not only in New England but also all over the country. Now, with the Internet, you can have Maine live lobster shipped from New England to anywhere in the United States.
The main stars of the clambake are of course, the lobsters. They come in many sizes - the smallest kinds which weigh around 1 - 1.25 pounds are called the chickens, 1.25-pound lobsters are called Quarter, and 1.20-pound are Half lobsters. Those people who have small appetites will be glad with chicken types to be served with another main course. However, for those who prefer to have a hearty meal, they’ll be happier with Quarter or Half lobsters.
There are many kinds of shellfish and several different types of clams as well. Any shellfish will go great with lobster bisque, but to be as authentic as possible you need to find New England steamer clams. The steamer clam is large and has a softer shell. About 1 pound of clam is recommended for every person.
Corn on the cob and red bliss potatoes add to the delicious distinct flavor and yummy presentation of authentic New England clambakes that would be surely hard to resist. Both can be boiled, steamed or even grilled just like you do with the lobsters and steamers.
Over a hundred years ago, clambakes were cooked over a large fire of hot stones on a pit with seaweeds. While this method may seem to result in a very delicious clambake, actually, our regular pots and ovens do a much easier and better job. Steaming live lobsters is the best way to cook them so have a large pot, a steamer basket, and salt in hand.
Have the large pot filled with an approximate 1 and inches of water, and for every quart of water, add a tablespoon of salt. Before placing the lobsters in the steamer basket, bring the water to a boil first. And then place the steamer basket in the pot.
Cooking time for one-pounder lobsters is about 12 minutes, while for 1.5-pounder lobsters, 15 minutes. Have the pot checked periodically to make sure the water has not boiled off. Add more water if needed. Remove each of the lobsters and have one of their small legs pulled off. If you want to check the meat to see if it is already cooked, break open one of its legs.
For a more wonderful and tastier feast, you can opt to add mussels, shrimp, and clam chowder to your clambake. Add fresh vegetables for a more healthy presentation. Your homemade lobster clambake is now ready to be enjoyed by you and your loved ones.
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Want a New Look for Your Kitchen? Install New Cabinets
By Adam Peters | September 10, 2008
Installing kitchen cabinets is probably one of the easiest do it yourself jobs there is. If you are careful about it, even if this is your first do it yourself job, you can do it successfully.
To achieve this, do what the professionals do, and use the right tools. If you want to make sure your cabinets will be securely attached and perfectly level, you have to have a good support system.
Unless you have a team to stand and hold the cabinets while you attach them, you will have to use a jack or other support. You are probably better off Wit this system than having a bunch of people who will just be telling you what to do.
People have used car jacks for this purpose, and there are also jacks specifically designed for this. But all you really need is a T brace that has a horizontal piece attached to a vertical piece. Wedge the cabinet into this brace so it is pushed in tightly against the wall and ceiling or overhang.
You have to be careful about slipping, especially if the floor are slippery. The cabinets may fall off the brace, so it is a good idea to use a few of them. They are cheap and easy to make. If your base cabinets have already been installed, you can use them as a base and just put a short jack on them to rest the upper cabinet on. In a pinch, you could even use a tall bucket with a phone book on the top of it, as long as it is stable.
You have to have find the studs to attach the cabinets to. Do not install the cabinets directly into drywall or wood panels. Today’s homes are constructed with studs a standard 16 inches apart. You can use a “stud finder”, available at a hardware store to find one, then follow along every 16 inches to find the next ones. Mark each stud in the center for more stability.
You may want to pre drill screw holes into the studs; you have to use a smaller drill bit than the screws you will use.
Before lifting the cabinets into place, predrill holes in them. You will need these holes for wiring, lighting fixtures, any racks you may want to install, etc. Measure the wall and the cabinet and then lift the cabinet into place. Put it securely on your support, leaving at least 18 inches clearance over the counter top.
Fasten the cabinets onto the studs with three inch support screws, screwing through the trim or corner of the cabinet, not the thin walls of the cabinet. This may not always be possible, depending on where the trim or studs are, but try to use as many as possible. If you need additional support, you can use a 1X2 piece of wood placed screwed under the bottom of the cabinet at a stud position.
The best way is to place the bottom strips and put the cabinets on top; this will make support easier. The only problem with this is that you usually have to make some adjustments, and if you have screwed in the supports, you will not be able to do this.
Now you can install the door handles and other hardware, and voila! you have a new kitchen.
Find more details on kitchen wood countertops
Topics: Kitchen Tips | No Comments »
Should You Invest in Othenia Flatware?
By William Maxwell | September 10, 2008
You have finally reached the point where you are ready to invest in the beauty of your dining decor by purchasing a quality set of flatware. This is a great time in your life but it also can be an overwhelming experience. The market is stocked full of options that could easily accent your dinnerware, so many that it can make it hard to choose. One of the brands that stands out among the rest is Othenia, a high end product from the Oneida company.
Othenia is a unique piece of Oneida flatware in that it was inspired by the designs and sculptural details of Scandinavian furniture. Even though the inspiration comes from classic design, Othenia flatware still presents a sleek, clean design for your tabletop setting.
Othenia is part of the many lines of flatware from the historic Oneida Ltd. Oneida has a history of top of the line craftsmanship in stainless steel silverware for over one hundred years. Oneida is considered the number one brand of silverware in the nation and has not only the top design in the industry but the top five designs. But how does the Othenia line stack up to its competitors?
One similar brand of flatware to compare is Gorham. This is a flatware provider whose legacy goes all the way back to 1831. Though it is similarly priced to Othenia, Gorham has much more of an elegant and traditional design. With Othenia being an Oneida brand, they also offer an open stock policy which Gorham does not. This means that if you were to lose a piece of your silverware from Gorham you would have to buy a complete set to replace your lost piece. With open stock you are able to buy a single piece to replace the one that has been lost without spending a fortune on an entire new set.
Another similar brand of flatware to compare is Towle. This flatware brand has been around for more than three hundred years but still continues to introduce new young yet still classic designs of flatware to the market. The design is once again much more traditional and unlike Othenia does not have the Oneida “pattern for a lifetime” guarantee. This means that with the pattern guarantee you can be assured that your pattern will always be available to you to buy additional pieces in, and will never be fully discontinued.
Heritage is another similar brand that you may want to compare when looking at flatware. With a similar style and feel, Heritage is probably the most similar of brands to Othenia on the market with its contemporary curves and shiny finishes. However, this brand also fails when it comes down to the guarantees provided by Oneida regarding lost or stolen pieces of your Othenia flatware.
If you still want to compare flatware but want the security of the guarantees that the Oneida line provides, consider looking at similar brands within Oneida such as Aquarius. This line has a contemporary smooth looks and comes with the same promise that if parts of your collection is lost or stolen you will be able to replace one of them, or all of them, regardless of how long it has been since you bought your original set.
There are so many options available to you on the market that you can see why the process can become quite overwhelming. This is why it’s so important to look not only at how the style will compliment your dcor, but also how the company is going to protect your investment in that style if you were to lose a piece of it or have a piece stolen.
Buying high quality stainless or sterling silver flatware is not a cheap investment. This is why it can become an overwhelming process. However, as long as you look at all your options you will soon be enjoying a beautiful piece of history that will greatly increase the value of your home dining decor.
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Low carb diets- The real truth about Carbs
By Simon | September 9, 2008
Consuming large amounts of processed foods like colas, pizzas, burgers etc having extra ordinary proportions of carbohydrates seems to be the order of the day for many youngsters & teens of western centric societies. This is because of the innumerable options available to them from fast foods restaurants resulting in worsening health conditions of those guys in their middle ages like the high blood pressure, cholesterol & hypoglycemia.
But the fact of the matter is that our ancestors had started to take meat about 2 million years ago & our agricultural system was invented about ten thousand years ago. Since then mankind has been banking on these high carb foods. As of now, we humans have not started thinking about alternative diets to these high carbs. Added to this, our body does not have any exact idea on what do with these heavy amounts of carbs.
We needed to handle these situations in a pretty careful manner since we are desperate to cut down our high carb foods so that our weight loss needs to be healthy and not rapid one. So we should resort to methods like starving or going for blunt foods, which may result in health issues in the long run.
The real mystery about these carbohydrates is that they increase weight rapidly by making you addicted for such stuff on a daily basis. As we all know that carbohydrates are utmost necessary but will have negative effects if we consume them in alarming proportions. They not only make us tempted to consume them daily but will also make us unhealthy in the longer run. We will prone to many health hazards in our middle ages.
These carbohydrates are the major source of energy providers for our red blood cells and the brain. They also help us in decreasing our blood sugar & insulin production. An additional advantage of them is that they help you in utilizing the fat deposited in our body for the purpose of efficient energy production. They also help us to maintain good health conditions in our middle ages.
From the health perspective, it is better for many of us to jump to low carb diets like the green leafy vegetables & other low carb vegetarian recipes like the meat & eggs, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, etc to name a few so that we can keep our body in most healthy condition as well as burn your unwanted calories in gradual manner. You can also use low carb diet items like soybeans, strawberry fruits & few recommended dairy products.
Almost all the low carb diets are tastier & nutritious can be taken permanently solution to our weight loss problems. Many popular diet programs are available to chose from includes Dr. Atkins diet, south beach diet, Hollywood diet, high protein diet to name a few & the diet plan will be different for each programs. So your food choices and intake may vary according to which diet plan you choose.
It may not impossible to adopt ourselves to low carb diet but definitely worth pursuing it. It is better to drink lots of water may be up to 8-10 glasses every day if you are in a high protein diet. Apart from that, you can have club soda, herbal tea & lime juice as the beverage for your low carb diet plan.
More & more people are going with low carb diets in order to avoid major health issues like high blood pressure & cholesterol. This will get them best possible results in their middle ages by maintaining their body health in best possible manner. Most of them are also stressing on exercises apart from low carb diet plans to get highly desirable results.
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An opening coffee is an indispensable
By Greg Hansward | September 7, 2008
An opening coffee is an indispensable ingredient of numerous people’s morning routine. It moves you up and out toward your daily schedule. It is the ideal beverage to unwind with among acquaintances following a lengthy day, or just the right endnote to a remarkable dinner accompanied by that exceptional someone. It is the beverage of choice, the perfect drink, a silent partner for any number of societal rites, even for an original engagement, or as energy for that evening of studies regarding an important test. Coffee as we know it is widespread throughout our culture and we take pleasure from its dark and subtle flavors.
Artisan coffee, is experienced and savored in the finest coffee houses. It is served up by the finest coffee bean merchants. They’ll pour you a cup of all that this beverage has to offer. Artisan, or crafted coffee does not depend upon inducements to create a good tasting beverage. Crafted coffee is a beverage that you can experience as a great drink right from the start.
Keep in mind those days when you gulped down instant, or ordinary coffee from the store. It was likely all right when you added lots of cream and sugar. You probably didn’t really notice the flavor all that much since all you really wanted was a fast cup of something to get you awake and on your way.
The Process The plantation is where artisan coffee begins. The method of creating crafted artisan coffees is an organic one and the plantation producers brag about being bird friendly as well as offering fair trade among all those responsible for its production. This artisan beverage is an especially environmentally forthcoming one which explains the up scale price. Beans ground into this artisan infusion are selected for there unsurpassed essence. Organic beans haven’t been treated with compound fertilizers and pesticides. This is so often a chief worry as today we reflect on the consequence of chemicals in our growing fields and the wellbeing it has on humans in the long term.
In addition, bird friendly coffee requires less of everything in the maturing course. It also assures that coffee is matured in a way that assists migrant birds who desperately need homes they can occupy in the coffee farms. With the fair trade philosophy the buyer and farmers get a reasonable price for their produce.
The Taste The subtle tones of artisan coffee is savored and liked by skilled experts. Taste is what divides good from famous coffee. The creation of an artisan beverage centers on excellence, not quantity. Once you try artisan coffee you’ll be able to see the large distinction between those coffees given out in the big coffee chain stores, your home coffee makers and the artisan coffee shop. There is just no comparison, because the majority of affiliate coffee stores water-down their beverages to suit everybody’s tastes.
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