Capricious Cheese

So you have decided to visit Emilia-Romagna on the Gulf of Venice coast. This region is large enough to border six other Italian regions as well as the tiny country of San Marino. Emilia-Romagna is known for its food, not particularly its wine. Three of the local specialties are the uncooked ham Prosciutto, balsamic vinegar, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. But that's not all; Emilia-Romagna is widely considered to be the capital of Italian gastronomy. Let's take a quick tour. Rimini is a popular coastal resort town, made famous in Fellini's 1973 movie Amaracord. Bologna, right in the center, is the birthplace of Tortellini and home to one of Europe's oldest Universities. Student or not,[..]

EMILIA ROMAGNA Emilia Romagna can be found north-east of Italy with Bologna as the capital city. Lying north are the Veneto and Lombardia regions and to the west is Piedmont. This is where Monte Cimone can be found towards the south measuring 2165 meters. The Emilia Romagna region has its eastern coast populated with beaches. This is the Adriatic coast and is the most visited destination for Italian citizens living in the Northern provinces. Some of the places to visit are Igea Marina, Riccione, Bellaria, Ravenna and Cesenatico. Visitors seeking more fun may head towards Mirabilandia Park in Ravenna. Winter sports lovers may consider visiting Sestola and other areas around Monte Cimone.[..]

Traditional Wicker Picnic Baskets Nothing can be more luxurious than packing a traditional wicker picnic basket. Often lined with gingham cloth, you can take a traditional wicker picnic hamper with you anywhere. Whether you are going on a very posh picnic at an alfresco evening concert, having a day at the races or finding a secluded spot in nature for a romantic picnic lunch, a traditional wicker picnic basket will never let you down. Again, you can buy empty wicker picnic baskets, or you can buy them with all the picnic accessories that you need included. Decide on how many people you need to cater for before you buy your picnic hamper and then choose what delicious food you are[..]

Baked Ziti is an easy and popular Italian dish that you can make at home yourself. All you have to do is follow the basic recipe listed below. The Sauce While you could use jarred marinara sauce of the baked ziti if you are really pressed for time, the dish will be so much better if you make it yourself. Mastering marinara sauce is not that difficult, and it provides you with a base for numerous pasta recipes, including baked ziti. To make marinara sauce, you will first need to get the following ingredients:o 1/4 cup of olive oilo 4 garlic cloves, halvedo A 35 ounce can of imported Italian tomatoes (can be substituted with fresh tomatoes if you prefer)o 3 basil leaves, washed and[..]

Emilia-Romagna stretches from the Ligurian border in northeastern Italy to the Adriatic Sea. As the name indicates, historically it was composed of two regions, Emilia and Romagna. It may be the only region of Italy named for a road, one constructed by the Ancient Romans almost 2200 years ago. It is one of the most prosperous regions of Italy with strong agricultural, industrial, and tourist economic activity. Its total population is about 3.9 million. Emilia-Romagna produces a very wide variety of pasta, fruits and vegetables, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, cheese, and fresh and cured meats. Two of its biggest stars are a cheese, Parmigiano Regianno, and a ham, Prosciutto di Parma.[..]

Last week after reading several articles about the devastating effect of supermarkets on local communities and the environment, I decided to experiment with only using local shops. I often use the big supermarkets, usually because of the availability of cheep organic staples such as rice, pasta, and tea and coffee, and then I use local fruit and veg shops, farmers markets and my box-scheme. This week I used the local shops, and my local organic supermarket. I have to say that the experience was far more pleasant and interesting than a trip to Stresscos. The kids enjoyed it as they could go by scooter (more fun than a car journey) and our local organic shop offers each child a free[..]

Our older loved ones can be very difficult at gift giving times. Many of them have moved to smaller homes and don't have a lot of room to display additional decorative items or store items that might be used only occasionally. Many already have most of the things they truly need or want. Yet, those very problems in choosing a suitable gift can actually point the way for us. Since they may not want another collector's item, purse or tie, and since they don't want to store another kitchen gadget, think about giving what everyone enjoys. Food! I suppose you could give them a can of green beans or a jar of pasta sauce, that's not really what I had in mind. Some of our older beloved[..]

It’s not always easy to travel with family, particularly when small children are included. Finding a way to please everybody can present quite the challenge. With a wide selection of all-age activities, Shuswap, B.C provides just the right solution to your family vacation-planning dilemma. Venture through an enchanted forest, taste a variety of dairy treats or wonder at the sights of Crazy Creek Falls. Find out more about Shuswap’s all-age activities and take a trip everyone will enjoy! Crazy Creek Falls Whether you have time for just a quick rest stop or a multi-day visit, Crazy Creek Waterfalls is definitely a sight to see. Take the boardwalks or trails from the Hwy 1 parking lot[..]

Last week I visited family in Portland, Oregon, a city that has been described as a "Foodies Paradise." While there we went to a Farmers Market. It was more extensive than any other market I've ever been to, stretching two city blocks on a strip of parkland about fifty years wide. Booth after booth of beautiful, locally harvested foods - many I have never before seen including exotic mushrooms, artisan cheeses and baked goods, freshly caught seafood, unusual varieties of fruits and vegetables, floral bouquets, jams, nuts, candies, sausages, and much more. We walked through the crowds, sampling this and that, buying some items for dinner, and having a good time. The vendors, for the most[..]

If you're a city dweller, it's likely that your relationship with food needs some help. In the Western world, we have become accustomed to having everything on our plate packaged, processed, and available instantly. We want every type of produce available year round, regardless of the season. If asked, we wouldn't know what part of the cow goes into a steak or a burger. Meals are eaten on the go, and we mask the lack of nutrients with an abundance of salt and fat. In short, we have forgotten how to love our food. Thankfully, there's an edible revolution underway. Slowly but surely, people are getting back to basics when it comes to what goes on their plates. We all know that organic food[..]

Bora, French Polynesia Its beauty is almost mythical and you have a front-row seat. It’s an exclusive chartered boat, set off for an adventure through hidden lagoons, past untouched beaches and over coral gardens. Dock on the stunning island of Motu Tapu to explore the tropical beauty and enjoy a restorative Mai Tai. Finish your adventure with a lavish lunch at the exclusive Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa, where you’ll enjoy the music of a local trio and a performance by Tahitian dancers. Hobart, Australia For a truly once in a lifetime experience, go shopping with a personal guide and collect local ingredients for a traditional Australian Bush Barbeque. Once your shopping[..]

Food, Inc. is a documentary that will cause you to look more deeply at how the food you eat is produced. DO NOT MISS IT. Robert Kenner did a spectacular job in bringing to the screen a brilliant and appalling view of the food industry. DO NOT MISS IT. During the first few minutes we are told that the production of food has changed more in the last 50 years then in the past 1,000. "The law of the land is faster, fatter, bigger and cheaper." Chickens are housed without sunlight, many collapsing from their excess body weight and are thrown about like bags of sand used to prevent flood erosion. We are exposed to glimpses of the largest slaughter house in the world located in Tar Heel, North[..]

Whereas many towns in England feature the architecture of medieval or Tudor times, visit a relatively modern city: Truro - Cornwall. Most buildings originated in the Georgian, Regency or Victorian periods. In other words, three hundred years is not considered to be especially old around here. Not when the origins of this western city date back to at least Norman times. Consider the famous cathedral with its green spire. Built several hundred years after the last such British structure before it, Truro Cathedral was begun at the end of the nineteenth century. Though its style renews the Gothic elements familiar to these majestic buildings, they were created with more modern technology,[..]

<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> If you love the taste of certain ethnic cuisines but can never find the ingredients that make them taste so authentic, you can log onto your satellite internet connection and find vendors near you that sell, rhubarb, lemongrass, fresh mozzarella and all of the other ingredients that make up the foods that you love. There is no reason to give up on making an Indian curry or a delicious Thai stew just because you can't find the ingredients. With a little bit of research you can find everything you need to make the recipes and cuisines that you love.   Try looking for gourmet food markets such as whole foods or Gelson's in[..]

Now that you've decided to enjoy Santa Barbara, what's next? How do you plan to spend your time here? Where can you mix and mingle with the locals? What you need is a native to give you the kind of useful insider tips only local knowledge can give. Whether you are interested in dining, seafood, shopping, art, ocean, hiking, antiquing, wineries or farmers markets, we've got you covered. And to get your custom-tailored vacation tips, contact your vacation concierge. Local Area Guide for Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Travel Tip #1 - Sunday Treat: Every Sunday afternoon Cold Springs Tavern, a tucked away restaurant/bar on the way to wine country, features live music, a colorful assortment[..]

Christmas hampers have always been traditional as a corporate gift and prizes for Christmas raffles but are becoming more of a main stream gift idea. With the expansion of the internet comes a new way of finding the illusive perfect and unique present. Everyone wants to give the perfect gift to their loved ones and getting it right is an absolute must. Hampers could well be the solution to all of your worries this year. People find themselves stretched with socialising, family, shopping, housework and preparations for the Christmas season. December is a very busy and hectic time of year and sometimes people just want to keep things very simple and easy. People also love receiving things[..]

Italian Cooking in Long Island Kitchens Lake Success Italian Deli IBFOODS Catering On Long Island Since 1927for plenty of us, one Italian food or the other has changed into one of the favorites in the family and for us too. Many of us have, regrettably, not inspired the likelihood of making an Italian cuisine part of our family menu because it is viewed that Italian recipes are too complicated. Some of the ingredients that Italian cuisines are known for are : meats, cheese and grains that are used as a combination in the creation or making of these distinguished flavours that are respected and accepted all around the planet. You won't be disappointed if you put your mind to it and[..]

Years ago, if you would ask a wine expert or die hard enthusiast about which wine to choose with a certain kind of food they would talk about rules that you had to follow when you want to pair food and wine. These days however the rules aren't that strict anymore because wine is becoming more and more popular with a much broader audience. Let's be honest, wine pairing is not rocket science but you do need to have a good working taste and knowledge of wine. There is not real wrong or right answer when you pair food and wine it would rather be a personal preference to choose one above the other. On the other hand there are a few wines that should not be used with certain foods because they[..]

Most kids are finicky when it comes to eating green vegetables. They have their favorites and then there are the ones that they won't consume at any cost. If your little one won't even try anything green, learn ideas to get them to eat it and enjoy the flavor. Today, we'll be starting with broccoli. The quickest way to convince your child to eat broccoli is to add it to a dish that they already like. If your child has never tried broccoli, this will make it easier still. The taste of the other foods will mask the taste of the broccoli. Broccoli doesn't taste bad, but it does need some sprucing up to taste better. Combine broccoli to a dish of macaroni and cheese. The majority of kids[..]

  One of the most sought after dishes of the post modern times is Spanish cuisines. Spain is known for its Jamon—cured hams—and it is said that though only 5 kilos of Jamon are eaten by Spaniards a year, 39 million Jamons are being produced to cater to international markets.   A long time ago, Los Importadores planned on bringing the highest quality Jamon from Spain to Australia. Now, Los Importadores specializes in importing the highest quality Jamon Serrano from the most sought after regions of Spain. Los Importadores products include: Aciete (olive oil), Queso (cheese), Mojama (air dried tuna), Turron (spanish nougat), Conservas Nardin, and Anchovies.   But what is it with[..]

If you're going to teach yourself Spanish well, you'll need to keep adding more nouns to your vocabulary. We will go over some words for things you will see almost everyday. Save this list as a reference. Don't try to memorize everything, just practice using the words you think you might need the most, and gradually learn the rest as you become more comfortable and begin to teach yourself Spanish verbs and phrases. Teach yourself Spanish - In the Kitchen - En la Cocina. - la comida - food - la bebida - drink - el arroz - rice - las judias - beans - la lenteja - lentil - la leche - milk - el queso - cheese - el pan - bread - el pescado - fish - los camarones - shrimp - la carne - meat -[..]

Swiss Colony Occasions may not need much of an introduction. Their heritage is tied to one of the longest, enduring company's in America, beginning with The Swiss Colony, more than 80 years ago. The Swiss Colony began in a small town in Wisconsin, called Monroe. Ray Kubley, started this mail-order cheese business back in 1926. The Swiss Colony is still family owned and still offering delicious foods for every season. Swiss Colony Occasions was created to be a home business, celebrating what they do best. Offering excellent foods, product and decor, to share among your family and friends. Swiss Colony Occasions offers a wide variety of foods, table accents and serving pieces, to set off[..]

The French have long been known as being among the rest of the world as being leaders in gourmet cooking. Their recipes have been modified and evolved over centuries of social and political changes. While the world may only have one view of their dishes, such as the popular coq-au-vin, their recipes are as varied as the regions from which they originate. Lyon is home to duck pate, sausages, or roast pork, while in Toulouse you might be served a Cassoulet (a rich, slow-cooked bean stew or casserole). Brittany is famed for their crepes, while Rhone-Alps has such dishes as Raclette (cheese is melted and served with potatoes, ham and often dried beef) and Tartiflette (Savoyard gratin with[..]

u're thinking of going on a diet to lose those extra pounds think again. Long-term weight control through dieting is near impossible, for the simple reason is that diets promote only short term solutions not long term. After dieting you’ll certainly look lighter on the scales, but in most cases this is because you've dumped a few pounds of body fluid and muscle, and not because you've lost any significant amounts of body fat. One of the main reasons diets don't work is because they send the body into starvation mode - a survival mechanism for times when humans faced periods of famine. Cutting back on our energy intake causes the body to lower its metabolic rate, which reduces its[..]

There are a large number of reasons to lose weight. Some want to be healthy, some to be more energetic and others to look better. You need to have right motivation for weight loss. A right mindset is needed to be successful in losing weight. You need to be mentally prepared to give your best. So do you second guess yourself? A large majority of people find it difficult to be motivated. Many are too distracted by other factors. So you need to stay motivated. Self motivation is very difficult to maintain for a long time.the key to it is vision.you need to be able to visualize the outcome of your hard work. If you want the outcome hard enough then you will find a way to get it. Also as you[..]

Are you getting bored of chips? It seems like just about every who packs a lunch from home ends up with chips in their pack. In my family it's a rare occurrence to see chips. In fact, usually you will see something different for at least a week or two. If you have no clue what else to do then don't worry. Here I have put together a short list to help you get started on snack ideas for your lunches. 1. Cubed Cheese- I watch the sales and get large cheese blocks and then cut the block into bite sized cubes. My kids love them, they're healthy and they are far cheaper then chips or even buy the cheese pre-cubed. 2. Brownies/Cakes/Cookies- This works best with brownies and cakes, but it does[..]

Fondue is one of the best ways I know of to bring friends, family, (and of course) lovers closer together. Dining above a steamy fondue pot, dipping pieces of sweet crisp apple into melted brie and sharing everything from a bottle of wine to bites of chocolate covered strawberry, it couldn't be more cozy. When I was in the 8th grade I had my four best friends over for a lunch date during summer break. Each of them was supposed to bring an item to dip, and although two of them flaked out, one of them had a dad that catered parties in the 60s. A host at heart, he must have understood my mission and he loaded her up with treats. I poured vegetable oil into my mom's vintage pot and lit the[..]

No doubt, cooking in a microwave is fun and its number one advantage is that it makes the cooking fast. Isn’t it great when you can cook your favorite dish by investing less energy and less time? For many of the people, the answer would be yes; however there are some who find the microwave to be a curious and not-so-easy-to-use machine. They may find the instructions for it to be too cryptic for them to understand or too many for them to remember. But it is probably the best and most hassle-free way to cook. Practicing these tips while using a microwave will help you in cooking your most favorite dish with ease and élan. But before beginning the discussion on how to use it, let’s[..]

Fruits are one of the most nutrient dense foods available. Fruits are a goldmine of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Getting children to eat fruits is easy because they are bright in color andtaste great. Fruits are available all season long and they are usually relatively inexpensive. Ideally children should consume at least 1-3 servings of fruit per day depending on their age. Since fruit is in its natural form contains a lot of water it is easier for the body to process. Our mini fruit and cheese kabob recipe can be flexible. You can allow your child to choose the fruits to thread onto the toothpicks. Making the kabobs is a fun project for children. Some of the fruits that you[..]

It is complicated to answer this question without initially discussing about the wine. I love the wine made in McLaren Vale from the standard varieties of Shiraz (which grows in McLaren Vale like a wild plant) and Grenache (which ought to be grown like a wild flower i.e. no trellising) to the relatively different “vines on the McLaren Vale block” such as Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Fiano. The wines contain a special sparkle and stability I have yet to learn elsewhere. Some individuals deliberate in relation to the mid palate of the wines that make them special, but I believe it is the entire package. But it would be straightforward to just discuss on the subject of the wines;[..]

Is the age 16 too old to enjoy a sweet 16th birthday slumber party? To best answer this question, one major step that parents should never neglect is to ask the birthday girl herself and including her in the planning, since it could be the kind of party she is looking forward to as the milestone event of her leaving childhood. The great thing about slumber parties is it can really provide beautiful moments of heart to heart bonding among the birthday girl and her friends. If planned right, a sweet 16th birthday slumber party can be an event full of fun and laughter that creates precious moments for her to remember her lifetime. The fun experience can start even in the pre-planning[..]

Pizza is the sort of food that you can now find just about anywhere in the world, even though in its present form it started in Naples, Italy many years ago. At its most basic it is simple a round crust covered with tomato sauce and cheese--or sometimes, just a crust covered with tomato sauce--pizza has become many different things to many different people all across the earth. If you go fom one region of the planet to another, you'll come across all sorts of variety in flavor, texture, size, toppings, just about everything. One of the best kinds of pizza is Gainesville pizza. Some restaurants stick to the basic with things like cheese, sausage, onion, pepperoni, and that kind of[..]

Frico, or fried cheese is an Italian delicacy that has been around for centuries. Montasio cheese is the traditional Italian cheese used for frico. Montasio cheese comes from the northeastern part of Italy in what is known as the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. Montasio cheese originated around the seventeenth century by an order of monks. Sometimes referred to as frico crisps, frico can indeed take on a crispy characteristic that when broken into pieces makes an excellent appetizer or snack. Yet frico can also be cooked in a manner that results in more of an omelette flair. The locals of Friuli often add whatever ingredients are on hand into their frico. Diced potatoes are commonly added[..]

ny mothers know, a baby shower can take many hours of work to create the perfect party. So, how do you show your appreciation to the hostess? Why not give her a thank you gift? A baby shower hostess gift can make the hostess feel extra special. The hostess gifts do not have to be costly. It's the thought that counts. Show her your appreciation for the time and effort that she has put into the baby shower with some of the following gift ideas. Jewlery. You could go in with some other people that will be attending the baby shower and buy a nice bracelet or earrings. These are sure to make her feel special. Cook books. Anyone who enjoys putting together a party probably also loves to cook,[..]

For many of us the holiday season is a chance to entertain our family and friends. There are so many opportunities and ways in which this can be accomplished. I think in part that is why we like and enjoy this time of year. It is easy to decorate our homes with Poinsettias, pine cones, and beautiful centerpieces. I decorate my mantle with fresh garland, oranges with cloves, pears, pomegranates and candles. I love scented candles that make our homes smell wonderful and give the room a glow. Lights on the house and wreaths on the door all tell us it's the holiday season. Light a fire in the fireplace if you have one and relax with family or friends. One of the most ideal ways to entertain[..]

Again, here is another top 10 list for which you can debate on. Here are (in no particular order) the top 10 best cheeses in the world: 1) Gorgonzola - It's absolutely perfect for a wine party.  The tangy flavor goes well with most dishes.  It's even favored by many as a cheese that could be used on desserts. 2) Brie - When you're know as the best of all the French cheeses, you know it's got to taste good, and brie does not disappoint. The unbelievably creamy taste of brie in quite unique. Best used as an Hors d'oeuvre. 3) Mozzarella - What would Italian food be without this cheese. Most people think that it's best just on a pizza, but there are many other foods that will go well with[..]

If you're like many of the 58 million people in the U.S. who suffer from lactose intolerance, the symptoms can be, quite frankly, intolerable. "Digestive discomfort" doesn't really describe the situation for some people. The gas pains, bloating, cramps and rush-to-the-restroom feelings are not only painful, they can be embarrassing. That makes it difficult to talk to other people about how they cope with the problems caused by lactose intolerance – gas pains are hardly a popular topic at cocktail parties! So what strategies work to overcome the symptoms of lactose intolerance? Do you simply avoid eating dairy products? Is it unreasonable to think you could actually drink milk or eat[..]