If you’ve shopped for cookware recently, you may have gotten a headache from looking at all the choices and brands available. And all of them seem to be telling you the same things – I’m the best; I’m a great value; buy me.

What should you buy? Before you start considering your cookware options consider the following five questions.

1) Do you cook for a few people or a lot of people? This will determine how many pots and pans you need and also how big you need them to be.

2) What kind of cooking do you most often do? I like to make homemade soup so a large stockpot is essential for me. On the other hand, I never steam anything on the stovetop (I use an electric steamer) so a stovetop steamer is useless to me. Think about what you cook or what you want to learn how to cook so you can determine what pieces of cookware you’ll need.

3) How important is ease of cleanup to you? If you hate cleanup you should probably buy non-stick cookware. If you want to be able to put your cookware in the dishwasher you’ll need to look at the sets you’re considering to see if it’s advisable. For example, hard-anodized aluminum cookware is a very popular type of cookware but the outside of the pots will change color and darken if you wash them in your dishwasher. I own this type of cookware and I love it. But there are days when I don’t love having to take the time to hand-wash it, but I do because I don’t want it to get discolored in my dishwasher. Most professional cooks prefer stainless steel cookware. It’s nice to cook with but clean-up can be fairly time-consuming.

4) What type of stove do you have? Do you have a smooth-top electric stovetop? If you do, you need flat-bottom pots and pans. I didn’t think about this when I purchased my smooth-top stove. I quickly discovered my pots and pans weren’t flat bottomed and that they didn’t work well on my new stove. As a result I had to go buy new cookware that had flat bottoms. If you have an induction cooktop you needs pots and pans with ferrite in them, which means they need to be magnetic.

5) What is your budget? I highly recommend buying the best quality cookware you can afford. The best quality is not always the most expensive cookware available, but it’s never the cheapest. If you buy a $49.99 set of cookware, you’ll be getting a bargain but you won’t be getting a good set of cookware.

Now that you’ve thought about your needs and know how much you can afford to spend, it’s time to go look at cookware. You’ll likely be using your cookware every day so you want something that you’re comfortable working with. But the number one thing to look for in cookware is weight and heft. Heavier weight cookware won’t warp over time which causes you to lose the flat, even cooking surface on the bottom of your pan; and you can control the heat better in heavier weight cookware. I’m not saying you have to buy cookware that you need to join the gym to be able to lift out of the cupboard but don’t buy cheap flimsy pots and pans.

If a pan feels like you could bend it, don’t buy it. I’m not suggesting you walk into a store, pick up every pot and pan and try to bend it, but look at one of the saucepans. If you push a little on the sides and that saucepan has some “give” to it, it’s not going to hold up well on your stove.

To get a good quality cookware set you’ll probably need to spend a minimum of $200. If you don’t have that much to spend consider buying only the essential pieces you need to get you started such as a 2-quart saucepan, a sauté pan and a stockpot. Add pieces as you can afford them. Although you’ll typically get the best value for your money if you buy a cookware set versus buying the individual pieces don’t buy a poor quality set just so you have an entire set of cookware. You’ll end up spending more money in the long run replacing those pots and pans when they get warped and ruined (which won’t take long).

If you take the time to consider your needs, do some shopping around, and purchase the best quality set of cookware you can afford, you’re likely to be happy with your purchase for a long time.

Dorrie Ruplinger is a featured writer for
acooksdelight.com acooksdelight.com Visit the site for more info on different types of cookware including acooksdelight.com/cookware/castironcookware/ cast iron cookware & celebrity cookware.

Memorial Day Weekend is the kickoff of grilling season. Heat up your barbecue with this fast and easy meal.

Menu: Grilled Catfish, Corn on the Cob, Mango Salsa, Grilled Vegetables

Serves 4

Plan: Prepare and refrigerate Mango Salsa. Prepare the vegetables and corn for grilling.

30 minutes before eating, heat the grill. 20 minutes before eating, put the corn and vegetables on the grill, 10 minutes before eating, cook the fish.

Corn on the cob, 1 per person
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. cayenne powder
2 limes, cut into wedges
Strip the husks and silk from corn on the cob, brush lightly with olive oil.
Preheat the barbecue grill.
Put the corn on the grill about 10 minutes before starting the fish.
Turn the corn frequently so that it cooks evenly on all sides. Keep warm.

1/3 lb. catfish fillet per person
olive oil
1/2 tsp. hot pepper powder
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground allspice

Prepare the barbecue for grilling.
Lightly brush olive oil on fillets. Combine the spices in a small bowl. Sprinkle spices over both sides of the catfish fillets.
10 minutes before serving, place fillets over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes.
Turn the fillet over, cook for 5 more minutes and test for doneness - use a sharp knife to open a small slash in the thickest part of the fillet.
Cook a few more minutes if not completely done. Don’t over cook or the fish will dry out.
Serve with lemon slices and Mango Salsa .

Mango Salsa

1 fresh firm mango, ripe but not soft, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
1 jalapeno or serrano chili pepper, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped purple or white onion
1 small red tomato, chopped in 1/2 inch dice
1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1 tbsp. lemon juice
pinch of salt

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and gently combine. Let flavor marinate until dinner.

Grilled Vegetables

2 zucchinis, cut lengthwise in half
1 Maui, Walla Walla or other sweet onion, cut into 4 thick slices
1 red bell pepper, seeds and stem removed, cut into four sections
4 jalapeno chili peppers
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp. cayenne pepper powder
salt and pepper, to taste

Combine the olive oil and spices and brush over the vegetables. Grill over medium heat until done, turning and brushing with more olive oil as needed.

Go to www.hotandspicyproducts.com to print out these recipes and others.

Pat Schraier is a former chef loves to cook and eat hot chiles. Visit her blog at hotandspicy.blogspot.com hotandspicy.blogspot.com and her website at hotandspicyproducts.com hotandspicyproducts.com.

For your next weekend break or holiday why not indulge in a California wine country tour? You do not have to be on a break either as many companies participate in corporate tours. This is a great opportunity not only to visit some fantastic wineries but it is an opportunity to witness beautiful countryside at its best. The Napa Valley or the Sonoma Valley, either one you will not regret.

There are so many different types of tours for you to choose from depending on your time limit and budget. There are all-inclusive ones or basic ones, short or long. You can find accommodation at all levels as well. Most will include you being picked up from your accommodation and returned safely at the end. Of course, you can use your own transport as well. In fact, many people prefer this way as they choose to leave their lodging with just a map and gift basket that is filled with a picnic lunch. This way they do not have to be on a time schedule.

Doing it this way will work out cheaper and possibly more relaxing for many people. This is fine if you do not intend to do much tasting. The benefit of going in a group is that you do not need to drive, therefore you can drink more and also you will get to see many more wineries because your guide will be experienced in going to the best places.

Not only will you see more but you will learn more as well. Your guide will be knowledgeable when it comes to the region and the grapes that are grown there. He or she will explain the history of the area and the history of the wineries that are in production there. You will also learn about the different wines that are produced making you so much more knowledgeable about this subject.

There are several companies you can book through and one that has over 20 years experience is California Wine Tours. You can book through them on the Internet also. Just remember that this type of booking can be extremely expensive but depending on what style you want it will still be worth it. There are limousine, coach, sedan and stretch services and most are booked by the hour. Some with minimum set hours. So, make sure you do your homework and know your budget before you book.

Whether you decide on your own California wine country tour or you choose to go on an organized one, you will still find that these regions are exceptional value either way. Go ahead and enjoy an experience of a lifetime.

For more detailed information on wine-country.fine-wine-resource.com california wine country tours try visiting wine-country.fine-wine-resource.com wine-country.fine-wine-resource.com, a popular website that provides heaps of wine related tips and advice.

Last year, my husband and I took a dream vacation to Hawaii. We got to tour most of the islands and saw all sides of Hawaii, from Honolulu and the glitzy beach resorts to little towns well off the main tourist track.

Everywhere we went, we could count on finding an ubiquitous dish called shoyu chicken. Sometimes it came served with exotic garnishes, usually in the fancier restaurants, and sometimes it came straight out of the cooker and served on paper plates from some roadside stand, but it was always delicious.

When we got home, I knew I had to try cooking some shoyu in my own kitchen.

There must be thousands of different recipes for this dish. The differences are mainly in the ingredients for the sauce, but even the chicken itself can be cooked any way you like, from boiling in a pot to baking in the oven to grilling on the barbecue.

No matter the recipe, one ingredient you’ll always find is soy sauce. That’s because that’s what shoyu means–soy sauce. If you want, you can just call this dish soy sauce chicken. But I prefer to use the word “shoyu” in tribute to its native home in Hawaii.

If you would like to cook shoyu chicken, why not go all the way and make it the food centerpiece of a Hawaiian-themed party? Break out the leis, put on some ukulele or Don Ho music, and have some tropical fun.

This shoyu chicken recipe serves 12 people. If you want to make it just for your family instead of for a party, cut back the recipe portions accordingly.

Ingredients

12 pounds of chicken thighs

3 cups brown sugar

4 cups soy sauce

4 cans chicken broth

1/2 cup white wine

6 cups pineapple juice

1 cup vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

chopped green onion tops

4 cloves garlic, crushed

2 tablespoons ground ginger

2 cans pineapple rings

Directions

1. Wash and drain the chicken thighs.

2. Combine the sauce ingredients (everything listed above except the pineapple rings).

3. Combine the chicken and the sauce in a large pot. Bring to a boil, cooking 30 minutes or until the chicken is tender.

4. Place chicken thighs on serving platter; decorate with pineapple rings and serve.

Sarah Sandori is the food and entertaining columnist for the solid-gold.info/index.html Solid Gold Info Writers Consortium. Have you ever wanted to be able to exactly duplicate a favorite dish from a favorite restaurant? Check out Sarah’s article where she reveals her source for the most mouth-watering secret restaurant recipes in America: solid-gold.info/most-wanted-recipes.html www.solid-gold.info/most-wanted-recipes.html

Ever wonder how to brew wine at home? What do I need? How much will it cost? Is it legal? Well
keep reading, I am about to tell you all you need to know to get started on making your wine
from home.

First you need a wine making kit. These kits, to alot of peoples surprise, are not that expensive.
A 5 or 6 gallon kit will cost between $50 and $100. Your ingredients will cost $30 to $70. That
comes out to about 2.50$ a bottle.

You don’t need a winepress. Wineries use these winepresses to extract every last drop of juice
from the fruit. Not for quality reasons. At $1 to $2 a bottle for home wine makers, the last
drop of juice is not important.

Making wine at home is legal. As household of 2 adults can make up to 200 gallons of wine a year.
And a household of 1 adult can make 100 gallons a year. You will need to check with your local
authorities if you intend to sell or distribute your wine.

The most important thing in home wine making you need to have is good recipes and clear instruction
on how to use them. The smallest variation can be the difference between wine that taste like shoe polish and an award winner. You can waste alot of time experimenting without proper instruction.

There is not that much to consider but alot of variables when it comes to which ingredients you should use, how to mix them together and when. So finding detailed step by step instruction can save you alot of time and improve your success rate.

So what’s the best way to make wine at home, find all the info at winebrewingsecrets.com winebrewingsecrets.com

Some mornings you wake up and charge out of bed, ready to save the
world. Other mornings you want to pull the covers over your head and
tell the world (including your family) to go away.

On those “undercover” days, try this Chocolate-Cinnamon Toast.
There’s nothing quite as comforting as cinnamon and chocolate mixed
together. This toast is the ultimate comfort food. It’ll give you a good
reason to throw off those covers and charge out of bed on even the
gloomiest day.

CHOCOLATE-CINNAMON TOAST

For the chocolate-cinnamon mixture, combine 1 tablespoon
unsweetened cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon
ground cinnamon in a small bowl. This will be enough for about 8 slices
of toast, so once it’s mixed together put it in a small jar with a lid and
store what you don’t use right away in the jar (tightly sealed) in a cool
cupboard.

For each piece of chocolate-cinnamon toast, butter a slice of bread and
put it on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle a rounded teaspoon of the chocolate
mixture over each slice of buttered bread and spread it out evenly with a
knife.

Pop the cookie sheet into the broiler or a toaster oven, a few inches from
the heat source. But watch the toast VERY carefully. It only takes a
minute or so for the butter and sugar and cocoa to melt and the top of
the bread to toast slightly. Turn the cookie sheet around if the bread isn’t
toasting evenly. But don’t let the chocolate mixture burn.

EXTRA TIP: Some cooks suggest toasting the bread BEFORE buttering
it, then adding the chocolate mixture to the toast and broiling it. You
might want to try it that way, too.

Suzanne Lieurance is a freelance writer and owner of the Three Angels
Gourmet Co. which offers a unique line of “heavenly gourmet mixes” for
sale at threeangelsgourmet.com threeangelsgourmet.com and through gift shops,
Christian bookstores, gourmet food stores, and gift basket companies
across the country.

For daily food tips and other fun food information, visit the Three Angels
Gourmet Co. blog at threeangelsgourmet.blogspot.com threeangelsgourmet.blogspot.com

After having read our article on ezinearticles.com/?id=34953 wine tasting parties you might be saying to yourself “great tips but I want to kick it up to the next level and do something that most people don’t do.”

Even though the farmer’s market is closed and the weather has turned quite chilly, the fall and winter have a lot to offer our palate. As we have told you before, leverage what you have and embrace the winter weather. Serve your guests wine, cheese and winter fruits.

One of our favorites is eiswein (pronounced ice vine). Eiswein or Ice Wine as it is called in this country is a wine that is made with the late harvest fruit by pressing it while still frozen…thus the name. Now here is the catch. Eiswein is not something you can pick up at your local supermarket and it doesn’t come in bargain basement $5/bottle prices. Here are a few of our picks and where you can get them.

Eiswein is usually sold in 1/2 bottles due to the high sugar content of the wine and the cost…less is more!

Locally: Total Beverage Check with your particular store because they don’t all carry the same items. Most of them have the Hubert Ganz Riesling Eiswein (1/2 bottle $40) and the Selaks Wines Ice Wine Kumeu (1/2 bottle $14). Some of them also have the Inniskillin Vidal Ice Wine (1/2 bottle $70…and a favorite of ours)

On the Internet:www.champagnewines.com and www.internationalwine.com

And who says an eiswein has to be made with grapes. La Face Cachee de la Pomme in Canada makes a scrumptious apple ice wine (cidre de glace). For more information, visit appleicewine.com. In case you don’t feel like making the trek to Canada in the winter, check their website for US locations.

Now that you feel like you speak several other languages, what cheese do you serve with these delectable wines? We recommend Roquefort. You need something with a little punch to it to counterbalance the wine. However, we do not profess to be wine or cheese experts so buy a bottle of eiswein and some of your favorite cheeses and have your own private tasting party before you serve to your guests. The wines could also be paired with some not-so-sweet desserts.

So the quick recap to plan your party:

Eiswein (not as many bottles as for regular wine)

Seltzer or Club Soda for non-drinking guests

Cheeses - 4 or 5 types

Fruits - apples and grapes

Non-sugary desserts (cheesecake is good) - 2 or 3 items

Have a great party and remember, drink and serve responsibly.

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles, is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area, providing life management services. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and is available for workshops on wardrobe rejuvenation, entertaining and reprioritizing your life to get the most out of your personal time. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit onthego4u.net onthego4u.net

© 2005 Indra A Books for ON THE GO 4 U

One of the things a coffee drinker can do to insure a great tasting coffee is to grind their own fresh beans. This was not always a simple process. Long-ago in the days of yore, both the hammer and flat rock were needed to smash coffee beans. Even though the act of smashing was not all that difficult, it was time-consuming and there was a problem in getting a consistently even grind. These primitive tools were replaced by the roll grinder, still powered by hand.

There are two basic types of modern coffee grinders: those which have burrs and those which have blades. Which type of grinder you buy should depend upon the grinder’s intended use. Is it for espresso? for coffee? or both? If you want to grind very specific amounts you should consider getting a grinder with a doser. On the other hand, a grinder without a doser is just the item to grind a larger amount of beans at a time.

The Burr Grinder is, without a doubt, the appliance to buy when accuracy and precision are important. There are two types of burr grinders: one with conical burrs, the other with flat blades. Both varieties have a stationary burr, with the motor providing the power to spin the second burr. The coffee beans fall between the two burrs, thus getting ground. There are settings that allow selection of a specific coarseness or fineness of the grind. Because of this, they are recommended for all types of grinds.

The Blade Grinder has a single blade closely resembling a propeller. Unfortunately, this type of grinder has no grind settings. The grind becomes finer and finer as you continue to grind; it is very important to watch the machine in this phase or you might get coffee dust. Blade grinders make the proper grind for drip coffee but don’t make specific enough grinds for espresso or coffee drinks that rely on exact grinds - blade grinders do not always grind consistently.

Terry Kaufman is Chief Editorial Writer for niftykitchen.com/ www.niftykitchen.com, niftyhomebar.com/ www.niftyhomebar.com, and niftygarden.com www.niftygarden.com.
©2006 Terry Kaufman. No reprints without permission.

Healthy fun no bake recipes are as close as you mouse. No need to heat up the oven or turn on the microwave for these simple treats. These no bake easy recipes for kids will provide them some scrumptious deserts and healthy treats. The kids will have fun and you can relax while the kids enjoy preparing their own snacks.

No Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Instructions:

1. Spread peanut butter on one graham cracker.

2. Spread jelly on the other and make a sandwich - Now that’s easy.

3. Set out all the ingredients so the kids can experiment with several combinations to create a one-of-a-kind creation.

No-Bake Yogurt Pie

Ingredients:

*1-9″ graham cracker crust shell

*1-8oz. container of orange flavored yogurt

*1- C. thawed whipped non-dairy topping

*1/2-C. canned mandarin orange slices - drained and broken into pieces

Instructions:

1.Combine yogurt and whipped topping together in a bowl and stir with a spoon

2.Add mandarin orange slice and stir

3. Spoon into the pie shell

4. Cover with plastic

5. Wrap and chill

You can freeze this pie and thaw slightly before serving.

—————-

Appetizers and Snacks

Vegetable Dippers

Ingredients:

*Bowl of carrots

*Celery

*Cucumbers

*Cherry tomatoes

Instructions:

1. Mix a 16 oz. container of light sour cream with dry soup mixes like tomato, vegetable or onion.

2. Allow the dip to blend over night or mix it up in the morning.

Cream Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

*1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese with chives

*1 (5 ounce) container sharp processed cheese food

Fruit Dips-1

Ingredients:

*2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

*1 cup brown sugar

*2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Fruit Dip #2

Ingredients:

*Cream cheese

*Crushed pineapple

Instructions:

1. Combine cream cheese and crushed pineapple

2. Stir until you reach the desired taste and consistency

==================================================================
Would you like more Kid-Friendly Recipes? Christine Steendahl – “The Menu Mom” invites you to visit Kid Approved Meals kidapprovedmeals.com kidapprovedmeals.com to pick up your personal 13 week breakfast and lunch menu designed just for children!

A gift basket filled with gourmet food items can be a practical gift as well as delicious. And, if you make it yourself, you can personalize it with gifts of the recipient’s favorite foods. Gourmet foods are special foods and a wonderful way to celebrate a holiday or special occasion.

Selecting the Basket:
When selecting an empty basket for your food gifts, choose a size that is appropriate for the number of people for whom you are making the gift. For example, you can make a small gourmet basket for an individual or for a couple, or a larger one for a group of people or for an entire family. If you already have a nearly new basket you would like to use, simply give it a quick refresher by swishing it in hot, soapy water, rinsing it with clear water to remove any fragrance from the soap, and allow the basket to thoroughly air dry.

Preparing the Basket:
The most attractive gift basket looks overflowing. Before arranging the food items in the basket, place plenty of filler materials in the basket so that the gifts show above the basket. If your basket is on the deep side, place a piece of foam in the bottom first. Shredded brown paper or newspaper as well as purchased colorful shred or straw are all attractive fillers. If you have empty spaces after you have placed all the gift items, place small bunches of the shredded materials in these spaces.

Choosing the Contents:
A variety of gourmet meats such as pepperoni, salami, and a small canned ham are regularly used in gourmet food gift baskets. You may also want to include canned seafood products like crabmeat, clams, and sardines. It’s a nice touch to add a dry mix for making a dip using the canned seafood. As assortment of cheese wedges, cheese spreads, gourmet crackers, bread sticks along with a small cheese board with a cheese knife or spreader are readily available and easy to place in the gift basket. Green and black olives, spicy mustard, pickled onions, roasted peppers, and appetizers in jars are nice accompaniments to the meats and cheeses. Include something sweet for dessert, such as cookies, chocolate covered mints, or anything with chocolate.

Top off your contents with a selection of beverages: a bottle of wine or non-alcoholic sparkling cider as well as gourmet coffee and herbal tea. If you plan to include a bottle of wine or sparkling cider in your gift basket, choose an empty basket with a sturdy handle so you can anchor the bottle by tying the neck of the bottle to the basket handle using twine or cord.

Decorative Touches:
Add small bunches of fresh red or green grapes at the last minute so they remain fresh.
Scatter colorful Hershey’s Kisses amongst the gifts.
Add a fruit, wine, or chocolate scented candle. (Note: Some non-food fragrances might seep into the food.)
If desired, place your finished gourmet gift basket in a cello bag. Close the bag at the top with curly ribbon with plenty of ribbon so it cascades down the front of the gift basket. You can tie silk flowers or a satin bow in with the ribbon.
Don’t forget to include a gift card.

About the Author: Janet Vogel is the owner of homemade-gift-basket-ideas.com/ Homemade Gift Basket Ideas where you can find more information about homemade-gift-basket-ideas.com/homemade-gourmet-gift-baskets.html Homemade Gourmet Gift Baskets as well as over 50 other gift basket themes.