How To Create A Slap-Up Romantic Meal At Home

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Eating at home is much more intimate than eating at a restaurant. You can play your own music, set your own lighting, and prepare your own food. The act of cooking for someone is in itself an act of caring. You’re demonstrating that they are important to you because you are taking the time to feed them. If you haven’t done this before, don’t be nervous. Follow these simple steps to a memorable romantic meal.

Plan Ahead

If you plan ahead and get organized, you will have much more free time on the night. The first thing you need to consider is where you’re going to eat. Is this room or area presentable? Do you need to clean? Remember that your guest is likely to visit other rooms and so it’s probably best to clean the house.

Does your guest have any dietary requirement?. For example, are they vegetarian or do they have any allergies? If you don’t know, then check. This will save you a lot of time.

Next, it’s time to plan your menu. Decide whether you’re going for a traditional three courses or something more elaborate. Choose the main meal first and then plan around it. Look through cookery books or online for inspiration.

Keep It Simple

If you don’t cook often, it’s probably best to keep it simple. Don’t plan anything too elaborate. Wherever possible, prepare food in advance. For example, chop vegetables and place them in an air-tight container to be used on the night.

Consider using a tagine or a slow cooker so your meal can be cooking in advance. This will have the benefit of ensuring meat is tender. It will also allow your food to marinate in herbs and spices which will add to the flavor. There are lots of simple tagine recipes that are easy to follow. When your guest arrives, the food will be ready, and all you will need to do is serve it. For a simple side dish just add salad or bread.

Wine

When planning your food, don’t forget to select some wine. Decide whether you’re going to keep it simple or whether you intend to serve a different wine for each course. And don’t forget to decant. Websites such as http://www.wine.net/wine-decanter/ provide information on how to do this.

As a general rule of thumb, rose wines work well with cheesy dishes such as Roquefort, etc. White wines with fish dishes and white meat. Serve red wine with red meat. These are just general rules. Do your research to find the best pairings.

Dessert

When deciding on your dessert, think about the meal as a whole. If you’re serving a rich, heavy meal, then opt for a light dessert. Ice cream and sorbet are always well-received and take little preparation. They have the benefit of cleansing the palette. For a simple dessert make a fruit salad made with seasonal fruits.

And finally, choose a good filter coffee to serve at the end of the meal. Decide whether or not to include a cheese board. Again, this is simple to put together and can be prepared in advance with some bread, crackers, and fruit.

The good thing about cooking at home is that there are no rules. You have a blank canvas and can create whatever takes your fancy. Rules can be useful if you don’t know where to start. But know when to break them and to add your own flair.

Cooking For A Veggie? Don't Panic!

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It’s a pretty common scene to hear about. You suddenly realise that one of your dinner guests is a vegetarian, and it throws all your plans into the air! If this has happened to you, then don’t panic. Dropping your plans and preparing something that’s both delicious and meat-free is easier than you may think. Here, I’ve brought together a few tips on cooking for a vegetarian.

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My first tip is to find out what kind of vegetarian you’re cooking for. That’s right, there’s more than one! Pescatarians, for example, can eat fish but no dairy products or eggs. Lacto-vegetarians, on the other hand, can eat dairy products but pretty much nothing else that comes from an animal. Ask your vegetarian if they have any exceptions to their rule, without making it sound like they’re a circus curiosity! It may be that you’ll only have to change one small part of your meal. If you can prepare a meal with fish, eggs and broccoli while keeping everyone happy, then you’ve hit the jackpot! Figuring out exactly what you can and can’t make will usually simplify the whole process.

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Secondly, don’t be afraid to mix raw and cooked foods. For most of us omnivores, this is complete sacrilege! However, some of the most popular vegetarian dishes around use a combination of cooked and raw foods. You might want to mix bits of roasted sweet potatoes with a raw salad. Or you could have some fresh orange segments mixed in with a range of steamed greens. The dishes you can prepare take a little creativity and experimentation.

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Just make sure you try your creations yourself before plonking them in front of your guest. The mash of textures and flavours may not go down so well with your own household. However, if you want to give your vegetarian a compatible and memorable meal, you’re going to need to come out of your shell somewhat.

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Finally, be sure to season the meal you serve up. I’m going to let you in on a little secret here. If your ingredients are fresh, all you need to make something delicious is olive oil, garlic and salt. These three seasonings, when used in the right quantities, have the power to turn even the blandest of dishes into complete wonders. Obviously, you don’t have to stop there. If you’re making a dish which you’re afraid is going to end up being a little bland, then pull out the spices and experiment to your heart’s content! Just make sure you’re using your herbs and spices to accent the other food, and not replace it. If you overload the spice in a dish, you’ll only end up with a heavy, acrid flavour and a wholly unpleasant meal. Take baby steps, and make sure to keep tasting as you go along.

From Wikimedia

Whether your veggie avoids meat out of health or for moral reasons, cooking for them shouldn’t be a problem. Ensure you know what the rules are, and leave yourself some time for experimenting before you serve up.

          

A Health-Focused Dinner Party? No Problem With This Simple Guide

A dinner party can be such a wonderful opportunity to get friends together. To socialise and have some fun. However, sometimes the food can be a little heavy or rich. But, I’m here to tell you that you can have a health-focused dinner party. Where the food is utterly delicious and completely good for you. Want to know how? Then here’s my simple guide to creating the perfect healthy dinner party.

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It’s all in the planning.

The planning of a dinner party is possibly the most important thing you can do. This enables you to get your event off on the right foot. You need to plan your food, your drinks, your entertainment. You also need to think about when you are holding your dinner party.

Think about your food choices and courses to make it balanced.

It is essential to have a balanced meal to keep it healthy. So think about your food groups and what you plan to serve on the day. If you have a particularly heavy carbohydrate focused course, then try to ease off that in the other courses. Make sure you cater for all your guests which means taking into account any lifestyle choices. This means vegetarians and vegans. It’s always the impression that a dinner party will be a little on the unhealthy side so prove them wrong with thoughtful choices and meals.

It’s not just about the food.

It isn’t just about the food you serve when you host a dinner party. There is a lot in the way you decorate the location of your event. Are you having a themed meal? If so then why not decorate your home to add to the authenticity. Maybe it’s a birthday celebration for yourself or one of your guests. Then add some fun bunting or balloons. The decoration can be a real talking point and icebreaker for your guests. Especially if they don’t know one another.

Cater for all your guests.

I may not be of drinking age but that doesn’t mean that some of my guests won’t be? So try and cater for all your guests in the drinks choices just as you would in the meal options. Perhaps offering a welcome cocktail or a glass of wine with their meal to compliment the food. You don’t need to be a wine connoisseur to make some excellent choices. You can see all wine products on sale now online and that may help you choose.

Finish off the dinner party in style.

Finally, why not add a little element of surprise to your dinner party and think about the entertainment. Perhaps offering a musical interlude at the end. Or even just playing the tunes and encouraging everyone to work off their meal. Afterall you are trying to have a healthy dinner party. You could even look into a magician or some other form of entertainment. There are plenty of options available and it’s advisable to do some research on the internet before booking anyone.

I hope this guide helps you create the perfect health-focused dinner party. Enjoy!

Amazing Healthy Alternatives to Junk Food

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Trying to eat healthily is usually spoilt by giving into temptation. And there is one huge temptation that lots of people find difficult to ignore. Junk food! We’ve all craved junk food at some point of other. Whether it was pizza, burgers, or ice cream. But there are many ways you can satisfy your cravings without actually scoffing a load of fast food. Want to know how to make healthy alternatives? Read on to find out more!

Homemade Chips

Chips are delicious, but they are packed with so many calories! However, if you make your own at home, you can control their calorie count. If you oven-bake your chips instead of deep-frying them, then you will be cutting down on unwanted fat and calories. Homemade chips should be seen as a treat and shouldn’t be eaten every day. But they are great to serve up as a better alternative to frozen chips at your next dinner party!

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Use Chickpeas Instead Of Flour

Cakes and Biscuits are hardly the most nutritious treats. However, it is possible to bake flourless versions which are a much healthier alternative! All you need to do is use chickpeas instead of wheat flour. Sounds crazy? Not really! There are so many advantages to baking with chickpeas. They are full of protein and fibre, helping you stay fuller for longer. And, as they are sugar-free, you won’t have to suffer a horrible sugar crash.

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Get An Air Fryer

Frying in oil is very unhealthy. No matter what kind of oil you use. So it’s a good idea to ditch the frying pan and deep fryer for good. But you can still enjoy fried foods – you just need to get an air fryer! Instead of frying food in a whole load of oil, these appliances fry in very hot air. So not only are they healthier, but they are also safer. Because you won’t be dealing with hot oil. Take a look at different air fryers on sites like www.airfryerreviews.com.au

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Go For The Veggie Option

Meat can have a high fat content, and there are also some studies that eating too much can lead to weight gain: www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-10726414. So it’s a good idea to cut down on your daily meat intake and give yourself, at least, one meat-free day per week. But you can still enjoy your fast-food favourites such as burgers. Just choose the vegetarian option! If you are making them at home, use nuts, beans, and pulses to make your patty instead of mince.

Choose Soda Water

Fizzy drinks are super refreshing but have ridiculously high sugar contents. You can still have the fizz without sugar, though! Just switch your cola or lemonade for soda water. If you want some more flavour, add a wedge of lime or lemon. Serve over ice for a great summer drink!

So there you have it; healthy and delicious ways to enjoy all your favourite fast foods and junk foods! 

Foolproof Tips For An Easy Dinner Party

Throwing a dinner party for friends and family is something that everyone should try at least once. Going out for meals and special occasions has its appeal and advantages. But with bad weather, overpriced taxis, and disappointing meals, a home event can be much more satisfying. If you have never thrown a dinner party before, you might initially consider the process a bit overwhelming. Even the word “dinner party” sounds intimidating. 

It conjures images of opulent soirees and elegant gowns. Or elaborate food and sophisticated conversation. But it’s important to remember that dinner party is just a term. It can be whatever you want it to be! For most people, a contemporary dinner party is inviting, laid-back, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you choose friendly, positive guests and plan ahead of time, your dinner party will be a success. A few minor setbacks are more or less inevitable. Certain dishes might burn a little or someone may spill a drink. But if you stay relaxed and just enjoy the atmosphere and the effort rather than the result, everyone will have a great time.

If you’re planning a dinner party, a few helpful extra tips can be a great source of inspiration and encouragement.

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Prep Ahead of Time

This tip doesn’t just involve the logistics of the event. It is important to make sure that you know who is coming, that you have enough dinner plates and so on. But any food preparation that can be done in advance of the event is also going to help things go smoothly. Many desserts can be prepared the night before, for example, as can marinades. Dips or drinks can be laid out well in advance such as in the afternoon of the party. Even adding a few store-bought snacks like crisps and crackers to the mix saves time on making everything freshly. The main event is the dinner, so don’t feel that you have to make everything from scratch. Remember not to get too carried away with appetisers though. Leave everyone enough room for the meal you’ve worked so hard on.

One Pot Meals

Serving a meal that can be cooked in one pot can be an excellent choice for your first attempt at a dinner party. There are incredibly convenient and flavoursome, save time, and also make a great centrepiece for the table. One pot meals help to create a relaxed, familiar atmosphere. They often smell inviting and comforting and remind everyone of wholesome home-cooked meals. Getting the guests to self-serve with a ladle also helps keep the conversation and sense of fun going. A couple of tasty, unusual salads alongside with some fresh bread and butter goes with every dish. Have enough dishes to create a sense of abundance and fun, but don’t feel that every inch has to be covered. There are many excellent, reliable recipes online for bakes, stews, and casseroles. Don’t be tempted to get too hung up on presentation either. Fussy food is quite old-fashioned and can inhibit your guests from feeling comfortable and relaxed. Better to go for cosy, wholesome and delicious.

Dietary Requirements

Many cooks roll their eyes at the thought of dietary needs and preferences. But it is important to cater for all your guests and not to make them feel uncomfortable. If any of your guests have allergies or religious observations, do make sure to check in advance. A gentle email to all guests asking if they could quietly send you any details will suffice. Everyone will feel valued and involved. Never make anyone feel that they are a burden or the whole atmosphere of the night will become strained. If a few of your guests are vegetarian, for example, why not consider an entirely vegetarian night? The dietary choice is so common these days that many of the recipes and meals are exciting, filling, and delicious. They are healthy too, leaving you more room to indulge in the wine or dessert! Many vegan and vegetarian dishes are loved by everyone, including meat-eaters.

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Double-Check Your Equipment

Make sure that you have equipment that you can rely on. Stainless steel cookware is durable and certain food processors and blenders are more reliable than others. Be sure that you’ve checked everything is clean and working a few days before the actual event. Being let down by an equipment malfunction can be bitterly disappointing. Disasters occasionally happen but don’t leave it to chance. Assemble your equipment, check utensils for faults, have plenty of plates, cutlery and chairs and all will go smoothly.

Don’t Be A Hero!

If your guests arrive and you are running a bit behind schedule, don’t panic! Be honest, relax, and ask for a bit of help if you need it. Guests love to chop or set water to boil, pour extra drinks, and so on. It’s a relaxed way to make everyone feel welcome and get back on schedule at the same time. No-one minds eating a little later if there are canapes, drinks, and a good atmosphere. Always let your guests know if you are running a bit behind. It offers them the opportunity to offer to help, and reassures anyone who is feeling ravenous! Don’t be tempted to become despondent. Stay calm and relaxed, and you will work faster anyway.

How To Make The Perfect Cup Of Tea

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If there is one drink in the world that can just about fit any occasion, it has to be tea. Tea can be hot and comforting. It can be cool and refreshing. It can be sweet and spicy, or it can be dark and smoky. There are hundreds of different varieties and it is drunk in many ways all over the world.

Tea is life affirming and aromatic. It can be scented and luxurious. You can drink it on the hottest day and revel in it on the coldest. It can even help you detox and slim. Tea is amazing. It is said that the first cup of tea originated in the Far East when a traveller heated a cup of hot water. A leaf blew down from a tree and the rest is tea history. But before you stick a tea bag in a cup, here are a few thoughts on making that perfect cup of tea.

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A pot of black tea

Indian or Chinese or a mixture of both, black tea has sustained the world for a long time. Known in some places as ‘gumboot tea’, it is typically a strong mixture of different blends. Assam tea and Irish Breakfast tend to be stronger. An English Breakfast Tea is similar but not quite so intense. Either way, these teas need a teapot.

Place a teaspoon of tea for each person and one for the pot and fill with freshly boiled water. The secret to good black tea is to let it brew for a few minutes.

Drink with milk to taste. It’s a good idea to ask how people like their tea! Some like it strong and other like it milky and even sweet. Chai is an Indian version that combines black tea with spices and has a nice bite to it. This is often drunk milky and sweet and is perfect with a slice of something sweet and sticky!

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Green Teas

Green tea is known as a powerful antioxidant. People swear by its health-giving properties and religiously drink it morning, noon and night. Because it is refreshing and does not have milk or sugar added, it is a healthy option. Skinny tea is a variation of green tea that can act as an appetite suppressant and is perfect for a detox or fitness regime drink to keep you hydrated.

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Unlike black tea, green tea does not like to be steeped. To make the perfect cup, just add water to the tea pot and use a bag or spoon of tea for each person. Leave for a minute and then serve. If you leave it longer, you’ll run the risk of it tasting slightly bitter. Green tea can be cooled and added to smoothies, or chilled and kept in the fridge as a refreshing drink on a hot day.

When it comes down to it, there are as many different types of teas as there are flowers and plants. Try a handful of refreshing mint, infused in a pot. It’s an amazing boost and great aid to digestion. There are all sorts of fruit and herbal teas to try out. Most are easy to make by simply adding water to a tea bag in a cup. Though aficionados swear that loose leaf tea is best!

HOMEMADE APPLE PIE RECIPE

I LOVE apple pie but I much prefer to make my own at home rather than buy pre-made ones because I like to control everything that goes into it like free range eggs, unsalted butter and Stevia instead of sugar. I know it's a bit of extra effort to make it completely from scratch because the dough can sometimes be tricky but I assure you, it's worth it. Not to mention you feel so accomplished and proud afterwards, like you seriously just went all housewife and made an apple pie from scratch= go you! This recipe doesn't include how to make the dough but I have previously done a recipe for that so click HERE to see it.