Restaurant | Food & Cooking Advice

Time-Tested Tips and Tricks for the Kitchen and Grill

Ask anyone who takes cooking seriously, and they will tell you that they have their own tips and tricks that they use to consistently prepare delicious meals: Maybe it’s a secret ingredient or an extra step during preparation or perhaps hours of watching direct.tv cooking specials. Many of these tricks have been passed down from generation to generation, and some remain closely-guarded secrets to this very day.

And some of them are, to be perfectly honest, complete nonsense. But while that may be true, and while it’s not uncommon to receive five different types of advice from five different people when it comes to cooking, there are some well-known tips that will not only make food preparation easier but will also make the end result tastier.

Grilling Tips

Use tongues instead of a fork to turn meat on the grill. Poking holes in the meat will cause its juices to run out.
When preparing kabobs, soak wooden skewers in cold water for 30 minutes prior to cooking to prevent burning. Also, for best results make sure pieces of meat, fruit or veggies are threaded closely together with no space in between.
Never place cooked meat on the same plate that held raw meat.

Healthy Cooking Tips

Don’t remove skins from fruits and vegetables: The skins contain lots of healthy nutrients.
To retain vitamins and nutrients, keep the lid on the pot while cooking vegetables.
When sauteing meat or vegetables, use chicken broth instead of butter to reduce fat.

Tasty Tricks

Use fresh herbs instead of dried whenever possible.
When serving roast, let it stand for five to ten minutes before carving so that it retains its juices.

Filed Under: Food, Restaurant Tagged With: Cook, Grilling, Meat, Vegetable

Exploring the Internet for Cheeseburgers

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Who can deny the taste and appeal of a well prepared cheeseburger? The cheeseburger is the quintessential American sandwich. Surprisingly, there are some interesting variations on this classic meal that can be found at several food recipe websites.
There are prerequisites for a great cheeseburger experience. First, a high quality grade of meat is absolutely necessary. Note that the meat does not have to be beef. Second, the choice of cheese that goes on the burger needs to match the recipe other ingredients. While cheddar cheese is the traditional choice, there are other equally good choices, depending on what’s going to provide the best flavor to the burger. The bread used to house the burger creation needs to blend in with the meat and cheese selected. Finally, the condiments must be fresh and add to the unique taste of the burger.
Read on to see what a little culinary imagination can accomplish for cheeseburger lovers.
Food Network (www.foodnetwork.com) has several neat twists for preparing cheeseburgers. Consider preparing a “creamy mushroom cheeseburger” with smoked cheddar cheese. If something a little spicier fits the bill, there’s a “tex-mex chipotle cheeseburger” with Monterey jack cheese. Another possibility is a savory “bleu cheese cheeseburger. Rachel Ray’s addition to the recipes is a “mini-cheeseburger salad” with yellow mustard vinaigrette and sharp cheddar cheese. Finally, Food Network suggests a “cheeseburger casserole” with cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
Cheese-burger (www.cheese-burger.net) has some innovative cheeseburger ideas. Instead of beef, how about a bison burger or lamb sliders with shredded sharp cheddar cheese? There is also a recipe for a ground turkey cheeseburger with bleu cheese and even a tuna burger. Better yet, think about fixing a cheeseburger pie with shredded cheddar cheese.
Cooks Recipes (www.cooksrecipes.com) has a long list of cheeseburger recipe ideas that covers the gamete from the “all-American” cheeseburger to a Welsh rarebit cheeseburger with cheddar cheese.
The final recipe suggestion comes from www.allrecipes.com. It is a different take on what a cheeseburger should look like – a cheeseburger meatloaf.
Now, go browse the options for a great cheeseburger meal.

Filed Under: Food, Restaurant Tagged With: Cheeseburger, Food

Grilling Steakhouse Steaks at Home

There is no better way to prepare a cut of fresh, red, and perfectly marbled beef than to grill it. Somehow working over an open flame seems to bring out more primitive instincts, without growing a beard and protruding brow. Grilling may appear so easy a caveman can do it, but there is a bit of skill and knowledge required to get a steak to resemble a favorite steakhouse cut. Before slapping the steaks over the flame, follow some simple tips to keep meat from going extinct.

A grill is a high-heat, dry cooking environment. Only cuts with loads of marbling, or lines of fat, should be used to keep the meat tender. It’s better to choose a thinner cut, say one inch or less, than a thicker cut when grilling. Steaks need high heat. Without intense heat, beef will not be seared and form a crust on the outside. Searing allows for the flavorful juices and fat to stay inside the meat, rather than falling onto the coals. Some thicker cuts of beef will require two different temperature zones within the same grill to keep them from burning while cooking.

You can create this environment by spreading coals into a double-thick layer on one side and a single layer on the other side of the grill once they are ready. Seasonings should be simple to allow the natural flavors to dominate. Salt, pepper, and a bit of garlic will accent a steak’s natural flavor nicely. Steaks should be turned only twice during cooking. Only use a spatula or tongs to turn meat, so you don’t puncture it and let the tastiness flow onto the coals. Once steaks are done, transfer them to a dish and let them sit a few before serving. This lets the flavor return to the center of the meat, giving each bite flavor. All that’s left is to dig in!

Filed Under: Food, Restaurant Tagged With: Beef, Cooking, Meat, Steak

Chafing Dishes Are Essential Items for Hostesses

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If you like to cook or throw parties, then one of the essential pieces you will need is a chafing dish. Chafing dishes, of course, are those pans that hold food that you can put over a heat source to keep the food warm while sitting on your table or buffet set up. While party plates, napkins, cups, and utensils are party essentials, as well, one or more chafing dishes make the perfect addition to your party setup. And, these dishes keep your food at its best for your party guests.

If you have been to a catered affair of any kind, you have seen and probably served food out of a chafing dish. These dishes come in many shapes and sizes. They are even made from different materials—silver, tin, and more. Some are even disposable. Chafing dishes are round, rectangular, or square. Some come with one open area for holding the food, while others are separated into two or three, so you can serve more than one item in the dish at a time.

Typically, the heat source is a Sterno can that you open, light, and place under the chafing dish to keep the food warm. Even electric chafing dishes are available. Of course, you have to place an electric chafing dish strategically so that it is close to an outlet.

One of the best stores to find a variety of chafing dishes to choose from is the nearest restaurant supplies store. You can also order chafing dishes from an online restaurant supplies store which is the most convenient method of getting the dishes at your place without going out to buy them. At online restaurant supplies stores, you just need to place an order and your dishes will be with you soon so that you could enjoy serving warm food in your parties using the chafing dishes. Remember that using chafing dishes, your guests will always get warm food warm enough to keep you in their good books about your food and hospitality!

Filed Under: Food, Restaurant Tagged With: Business, Chafing-dish, Cooking, Dishware, Food, Food Service, Hospitality, Sterno

Commercial Refrigeration and Food Quality

Those who own a business related to food like a restaurant or a catering are very much aware of the fact that the reason behind the success of your firm is the quality of food and beverages your restaurant or catering can offer. If you serve damp and fusty food you business is most likely to land in deep mess. The food needs to be served fresh and eatable while drinks must be cold and refreshing. So you need to store these food items properly all the time. The only solution to this business need is use of a Commercial Refrigeration System.
Commercial Refrigeration Systems are sophisticated systems especially made for grocery stores, food manufacturers, food packagers, caterings, and breweries. These systems provide the food ideal temperature and environment to keep it fresh and maintain its quality for a longer period of time. They enable the storage, transport and use of food items in ideal hygienic conditions, reducing losses and waste. Nearly all Commercial Refrigeration Systems practice refrigeration employing vapor compression technology. Commercial refrigeration has become an important element of today’s life, being used to preserve and protect food for people of the world. These systems have proven to provide a lot of enhancements to the concept of food storage. They preserve food’s natural freshness, extends its shelf-life and prevent food based bacteria and other disease producing germs to grow.

Commercial Refrigeration Systems have found their way in almost all food related Industries. Dairy products are constantly refrigerated to keep them useful for a longer period of time. Egg based products also need to be refrigerated after arrival at grocery stores. Meats, poultry and fish must be kept in climate-controlled environments before being sold to prevent rotting. Refrigeration also helps to keep fruits and vegetables edible for longer.

A variety of Commercial Refrigeration systems are currently used in supermarkets, restaurants, caterings and retail food stores. One can find central refrigeration systems connected to food display cases, self- contained display cases and walk-in refrigerators and freezers. New designs, known as distributed systems, are also being used which place refrigeration compressors and associated components near the display cases that are being refrigerated. However the type of Commercial Refrigeration System to use will depend on the specific requirements of your business.

Filed Under: Food, Restaurant Tagged With: Business, Food, Food Storage, Foodservice, Refrigeration, Refrigerator, restaurant, Tools and Equipment

How to Become a Vegetarian

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There are many ways to improve your diet and get healthier. Although you can use food dehydrators on your food or cut down on fatty and starchy foods, one great way to eat a better diet is to become a vegetarian. However, becoming a vegetarian is a difficult process that does not simply happen overnight. There are a few things you will need to do in order to successfully become a vegetarian for life.

You will need to start by eating a lot of different vegetables and having variety in your diet. If you go from eating meat regularly to simply having the same plate of vegetables every night, you will quickly get bored and will want to give up. You should also realize that giving up meat itself can be difficult. Indeed, some people can find it as difficult as giving up smoking or drinking. You may need to ease yourself into a vegetarian lifestyle and eat meat one less night a week for a few months.

Learning about vegetarianism is a great way to get started as well. Read books by nutritionists and other vegetarian cook books to get ideas for recipes. You should also read up on ways to get the necessary vitamins and minerals you need from other sources.

Another thing you will need is dedication and will power! Becoming a vegetarian can be difficult, but if you take small steps and gradually change your diet then you will feel the benefits. You might also want to tell the people around you about your new choice of lifestyle. It can be especially hard if you are sitting with a group of people who are eating meat while you are trying to give it up. Letting them know that you are a vegetarian will help you avoid circumstances like this where temptation may get the better of you!

Filed Under: Food, General, Restaurant Tagged With: diet, Eating, Food, Lifestyle Choices, Meat, Veganism, Vegetable, Vegetarianism

The Steakhouse Dilemma: Dining Out

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It seems an impossibility, a worry of calories and flawed decisions: an evening away from home, surrounded by steakhouse charm, is every parent’s worry. After all, there is no certainty in the ingredients, no assurance of quality. Health will surely be compromised, they believe, with fat-soaked meats and breads drenched in butter. Their children will delight in excess and all of the habits that had been (diligently) instilled will shatter. How could they survive in the presence of luscious food? How could they exist when the alternative seems far better?

They can – you simply must brand this a rarity and not a common occurrence.

Choosing to dine out is not a terror. It will not undo all of your efforts. It is instead an indulgence your family can enjoy. Discover a wealth of tastes and treats. Experience an atmosphere that is far grander than your living room. Allow others to cook for you (freeing you from the frustrations of measuring cups and skillets, the small mountain of plates). It’s an evening devoted to relaxation – which will bolster spirits and inspire conversation.

The purpose of eating out is not to simply shovel food into your mouth, reveling in your own laziness. It is instead to experience new selections as well as enjoy each other again. Your family’s time is carefully maintained, budgeted between careers and classes. There are few seconds that can be spared for simple laughter. Dining away from home allows these seconds to appear more frequently, however. All focus is on the perfection of a meal – rather than the hours it took to chop vegetables, simmer noodles and battle cholesterol.

It should never become a daily activity to leave home and seek a steakhouse. But it can become a reward the entire family can share. Your attempts to promote good choices and better diets won’t be undone. They’ll just be complemented.

Filed Under: Food, Restaurant Tagged With: Cooking, Home, restaurant, Steakhouse, United States