Choosing the Right Catering Menu for a Special Occasion

When planning a special occasion, one of the first dilemmas is what to feed your guests. You may decide to cater the party yourself, or alternatively forego the stress and hire and catering company to the hard work for you. Either way, the menu decision is often a critical factor on the success of your evening! Guests are often happiest when there’s an abundance of delicious food and drink on offer.There are types of food which should be avoided for certain occasions. For example, the food and drink choices for a baby shower would be very different to that of a wedding party. Consider the atmosphere you’d like to create with your chosen menu; is it a formal sit-down occasion with wine and gourmet courses, or is it simply background eating finger food whilst other activities are undertaken?Informal...

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Why and How To Make Your Own Soda

Have you ever thought about the cost of buying soda from the supermarket? Every year we spend hundreds of millions of dollars on cans and bottles that we then need to spend millions more to dispose of. Wouldn't it be easier if we could make our own soda at home? Not only would this help our bank balance but it would also reduce the load on the environment. Luckily it's very simple to do this. Sodas are made by a process called carbonation which is what adds the fizzy bubbles to your drink. What You Need At its simplest carbonating water requires a seltzer bottle which can hold a couple of liters of water. You will also need a charger that contains pressurized CO2. Put the two together and you end up with sparkling water. Of course this just gives you access to plain fizzy water but what if...

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Easing into a Vegetarian or Vegan Diet Almost Painlessly

Many families and individuals are interested in switching from a primarily meat-and-potatoes type of diet to a vegetarian or even vegan diet. The health benefits are enormous, ranging from lowered cholesterol to increased energy. While the initial transition to a new diet can be difficult, there are many ways to replace meat and dairy products in your favorite meals. Cooking meals you love in a vegetarian or vegan style with meat substitutes can help curb cravings and get you on the right track towards your new diet. You can even increase savings depending on the kinds of replacements you buy and what type of meats you are eliminating. There are a handful of meals that are easy to transition for a meat-free diet. Lasagna, for example, is typically prepared with layers of lasagna noodles, cheese,...

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Ten Fantastic Restaurants You Could Own

As time progresses, some people can begin to feel that their lives have begun to stagnate. In these instances, new and exciting opportunities – especially in the world of business – are a great way to help you find new direction. One great way to embrace change and development is to own a restaurant. Here is a list of ten fantastic restaurants which you could own: 1. French Attraction As the centre of high-class cuisine, France is the perfect location for anyone committed to starting their own restaurant. Great restaurant opportunities include top-class restaurant establishments within the Dordogne region of Southern France. One such example comes complete with thirty seven acres of beautiful landscape and is priced at around €2,000,000 (just over £1,750,000). 2. Californian Dream Sun and...

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Expand Your Culinary Repertoire by Cooking Over Fire Pits

Did you know you can turn your backyard's fire pit into a grill? All you need is an inexpensive grill grate to place over the top of the pit and you'll be ready to grill in style. With their large size, fire pits make great grills. Whether you're grilling up kabobs, hot dogs or steaks, cooking over a fire pit is a great way to enjoy your backyard. Choose the Right Wood for Fire Pits Standard grills utilize charcoal for cooking, but when it comes to fire pits, using wood is a very popular method for grilling. This will give your cookout some old-fashioned character, not to mention add delicious flavor to the food. Experiment with different types of wood, as each will give a different flavor to your food. Whether you choose hickory, maple, oak or another type of wood, you can be certain that...

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How To Buy Wine Online

Whether you have a birthday, engagement, wedding or simply want to celebrate without need for specific reason, the Internet has become the best place to start organising. There’s now no longer a need to rush around to find a friend who can DJ or speak to your next door neighbour who happens to be supremely fast at putting together a buffet of sandwiches and sausage rolls. Everything can be done in a sophisticated and efficient way without breaking the bank. One of the hardest aspects of organising any event has always been ordering the food and drink. Being able to select the right food and beverages that suits everybody’s tastes it almost impossible. That’s why I put together this handy little guide which outlines how to buy wine online. This guide will help to avoid any last minute dash...

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Healthy Menu Selections When Dining Out

Sometimes we find ourselves in a perfect rhythm. We are eating healthy, sticking to our fitness routines, and finally seeing some great results. Then, an invite out to eat can be a waste of all our good prioress. Most items on the menu, although delicious, are horrible options when it comes to health. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and you can find some healthy options when dining out. Dining out is a part of our culture, so sooner or later you are going to find yourself at a restaurant.The first step to healthy eating habits is having healthy drinking habits. Just because you are out to eat doesn't mean you have to suck down 3 coca colas. One of the best options you have is water, with a splash of lemon. Tastes great, and you can be happy with healthy decision you made...

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The 5 Big Benefits of Buying From an Online Artisan Meat Shop

Purchasing from an online artisan meat shop might sound strange considering that you don’t have the meat in front of you when you order it and you have to wait for it to arrive, but there are actually many advantages to buying meats from these gourmet online retailers. Most people do at least some of their consumer activity online, from buying t-shirts to purchasing Christmas gifts to ordering electronics for personal use. You can refill prescriptions online, order groceries and have them delivered to your house and have items shipped to your home from around the world—the possibilities are endless. So why not enjoy the largest possible selection of gourmet meats from around the world instead of being limited to what your grocer is carrying? The 5 Big Benefits of Online Meat Buying 1. Bulk...

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5 Awesome Filipino Cookbooks to Add to Your Collection

The people of the Philippines have enjoyed creating and cooking traditional Filipino meals for years. These meals are normally created using a variety of vegetables along with seafood, dairy products, meat, and rice. Some of the benefits of cooking Filipino meals are that they are simple to make and are full of delicious flavor. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned cook, here are five Filipino cookbooks you should add to your collection. The Filipino-American Kitchen The Filipino-American Kitchen is an excellent cookbook for people, who are interested in or new to learning about cooking Filipino cuisine. This cookbook is also a great resource for Filipino-Americans who are interested in bring American traditions into their cooking. It contains over 100 traditional and up-to-dated Filipino...

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Dining in The Desert is Sizzling In Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona is an awesome place to visit ;and there are places to eat that are just are just as exciting. So, whether a person craves seafood, Mexican or just plain old burgers and shakes, Scottsdale has it. Below are four unqiue restaurants to visit in this area:Upscale Dining If one prefers fine dinning at its best, then try The White Chocolate Grill. This upscale hideout has more than just a catchy title going for it. The menu at the White Chocolate Grill is diverse and there is something for everyone. They serve traditional American style food.The ambiance is simply breathtaking. The White Chocolate Grill has been ranked a four- star...

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Olive Oil: An Anti-Aging Agent

Olive oil figures prominently in the Mediterranean diet. Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fat, it lowers risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and age-related cognitive decline in people who include this healthy oil in their diets.High fat intake is associated with degenerative diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, asthma, colon cancer, and arthritis. But generous use of olive oil can lower rates of these conditions. Comparing olive oil with other fats such as animal fats, hydrogenated fats, and vegetable oils like corn oil dominate, turns up some very interesting data. It turns out that people who use olive...

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Cheer Up With Cherry Cheesecake

Celebrate spring with something decadent, rich, and healthy. Impossible? Not when you make this Cherry Ricotta Cheesecake from Ellie Krieger. It's creamy and loaded with calcium, protein, selenium, phosphorus, riboflavin, and Vitamin A.Cherry Ricotta Cheesecakecooking spray16-ounce part-skim ricotta cheese1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream4 ounces reduced fat cream cheese, softened3 large eggs3/4 cup sugar1/4 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest1/4 teaspoon salt2 cups fresh sweet cherries1 tablespoon honey1 tablespoon lemon juice1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin1 tablespoon warm water1. Preheat oven to...

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An Anti-Aging Breakfast Smoothie

Tired from a long night of work or play? Revive yourself with a serving of this anti-aging smoothie from Martha Stewart. Loaded in antioxidants, calcium, and vitamins, this smoothie is perfect for breakfast or even as an afternoon energy boost.Anti-Aging Breakfast Smoothie1/2 cup frozen blueberries1/2 cup frozen strawberries1/2 cup chilled green tea, unsweetened3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt2 tablespoons ground flaxseedTurbinado sugar or other natural sweetener to tasteCombine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process or blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add more yogurt.Tip 1: If you are lactose-intolerant, you can...

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Tuna Burgers

If you enjoy burgers, there's no reason to stop eating it just because you want to stay healthy. The key idea is to choose a healthier burger. Lean beef and turkey work well, but for variety, hold the bacon. Tuna burgers can be just as satisfying and they are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins as well.Try Tyler Florence's tuna burgers the next time you have a craving.Tuna BurgersFor the Sauce:1 small carrot, roughly chopped1 1/2-inch piece ginger, peeled2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil1 tablespoon low-sodium soy saucePinch of sugarsalt and ground pepperFor the Burgers:1 pound sushi-grade tuna ground2 tablespoons...

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Healthy Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup is a staple in Chinese restaurant and takeout menus. Egg is good as it is high in choline and one of the natural sources of Vitamin K. Unfortunately, most egg drop soups sold in the market are high in sodium. For a healthier take on egg drop soup, try this recipe by Nina Simonds of the Food Network:1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil2 medium tomatoes, diced1/2 cup minced scallions3 tablespoons soy sauce3/4 cup rice wine or sake5 cups water1 teaspoon salt1/2 pound snow peas2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 6 tablespoons water2 large eggs, lightly beaten with 2 tablespoons water1. Heat oil over high heat until hot. Sauté tomatoes and...

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Basil: More than Just Pesto

The round, often pointed, leaves of the basil plant looks a lot like peppermint to which it is related. Its highly fragrant leaves are used as a seasoning herb for a variety of foods, but has become ever popular as the main ingredient in pesto, the mixture of basil, pine nuts and parmesan cheese.The unique array of active constituents called flavonoids found in basil provide protection at the cellular level. Orientin and vicenin are two water-soluble flavonoids that have been of particular interest in basil, and in studies on human white blood cells; these components of basil protect cell structures as well as chromosomes from radiation and oxygen-based...

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Ceasar Salad: A Healthier Take On A Classic Recipe

Ceasar salad is a staple in takeout and even in fancy restaurant menus. But most often than not, what should have been a healthy salad is made unhealthy with heaps of bacon and high-fat dressing. Make your Ceasar salad healthier with this Martha Stewart recipe:Healthier Ceasar Salad2 cups chopped romaine2 sardines1 hard-boiled egg1 tablespoon grated parmesan1/2 cup croutons1 tablespoon olive oil1/2 tablespoon lemon juice1. Wash romaine leaves in cold water. Drain thoroughly.2. Debone sardines and ground with a fork into a paste.3. Whisk together olive oil and lemon juice until emulsified. Stir in sardine paste.4. Slice hard boiled egg.5. Toss...

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