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Food products are no longer safe and the recalls are increasing at a fast rate. Something that you may be eating from the last six months or even years may be announced unfit for consumption all of a sudden and you can just express your shock and disbelief over that. Lately, it seems recalls are a part of our life too. A few days back, the Food and Drug Administration warned consumers regarding the ten ounce cans of Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce, Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce and Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce that were in the bracket “best by” dates from April 30, 2009 through May 22, 2009. The FDA said that these may have botulism contamination.

But the situation has got worse as the warning has now expanded to a recall. All of the canned food products and dog food produced by Castleberry’s Food Company of Augusta have been recalled from the market keeping public health in mind. Several people have already reported ill after eating food products from Castleberry. The recall is a big one as it includes some more then 80 types of stew, chili, hash and other products. It also involves -pet food produced by the company. FDA regulators have asked the retailers, shop owners etc to take these products off the shelves immediately.

Botulism affects our lungs and can cause abdominal problems. Its sign includes dizziness, double visions etc. To catch up the complete info on the recalled products, make sure you log in to Castleberry.

Source: Parentdish

The popularity of pre-cut and packed fresh vegetables shows that people are increasingly becoming aware of eating healthy and also that people are too busy to prepare fresh food at home, thanks to their hectic lifestyles. Most health conscious people feel that they are eating healthy when they consume pre-packed salads. But, are they really healthy and safe?

UK’s food safety experts found that one in ten of the pre-packed salads; especially those containing meat or seafood were contaminated with listeria bacteria. They also found evidence of E.coli and Salmonella in some of the salad bags. These contaminated salad bags could lead to cases of food poisoning when consumed.

The manufacturers of these pre-packed salad bags say that they take all possible measures to prevent contamination and claim that their products are far more hygienic than fresh vegetables as consumers don’t take enough care to wash out all the bacteria.

The manufacturers say they have washed it and that you can eat it straight from the bag - to me that means that it should be safe to eat. But what we have learned from all these outbreaks is that it apparently isn’t.

says Professor Mike Doyle, director of the University of Georgia’s centre for Food Safety.

So, the choice is yours. You either buy fresh produce and spend a few minutes, washing and chopping them and feel safe and healthy or serve yourself a deadly dose of poisonous bacteria with the pre-cut salads.

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Baked treats are food preparations that are significant in every cuisine. Imagine any gastronomy sans its baked foods; there would definitely be some luster lacking in such a gastronomy if it had no baked items to boast about. Moreover, the importance of such preparations increases many folds if they are linked to a joyous event.

This holds true for beschuit met muisjes, the name when translated in English means Dutch rusks with little mice. Well don’t you worry; you are not going to have to eat mice if you have to enjoy this culinary delight. This food preparation is made from bread and topped with butter and muisjes, which are anise seeds that are candied though muisjes means little mice. Although, beschuit met muisjes are relished in the Netherlands day in and day out but their importance is particularly apparent as a time-honored food preparation to commemorate the arrival of a child in a family.

Small, round, cylindrical bread is horizontally cut into half and baked a second time until it is crisp. After the baking, butter or margarine is applied to the crisp bread and this is then adorned with the muisjes. The practice of using beschuit met muisjes to rejoice the birth of a child dates back to the 17th century. Two different colors of muisjes were used to denote the birth of a child. In olden days, white muisjes symbolized the birth of a son while pink indicated the birth of a daughter. Nowadays, however, a mixture of white and pink muisjes is used to celebrate the birth of a baby girl while a mixture of white and blue muisjes marks the arrival of a baby boy. If a birth takes place in the royal House of Orange, then orange muisjes are sprinkled on the bread.

There are many reasons behind the serving of muisjes on the birth of the baby. One was that anise seeds were thought to be beneficial for lactation. Further, it is believed that anise seeds played a role in easing contractions in the womb and some even believed them to be helpful in dispelling evil spirits. Some say the sugar anise seed balls got the name of muisjes owing to the semblance of anise seeds to little mice with tails while some people declare that the reason for calling the anise seed balls muisjes was their similarity to mouse droppings. In addition, the mouse is also considered as a symbol of fertility. Initially, these beschuit met muisjes were a privilege of only the upper classes but today in Netherlands they are relished by individuals of every class.

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Source: Wikipedia

Chicken is one of the easiest dish to cook and a saviour at every dinner party. Nobody minds white meat and who can resist the tender jucieness and the ease with which it flavours.

A few tips

1. There are a few tips you can take to make a difference like soaking chicken in salt water or brime for an hour in a fridge before cooking.

2. Select the right temperature to maintain its taste and moisture , when baking do so at 65F.

3. Try cooking chicken differently by steaming, frying, grilling or baking.

I’ll try steaming chicken in microwave. Simply because marinated poultry cooks very quickly in microwave oven. Steaming is easy to digest and without loss of nutrients.

Points to remember

1. Remember the wattage of your microwave will determine the time it takes to cook and the weight of the chicken.

2. The other point is the slowest part to cook is the centre, microwave only penetrates up to 5cm from the surface, so choose to cook in a mould or a shallow dish.

3. Food containing a high content of salted meat and poultry tends to dry and become tough so cover it up with foil or absorbent paper.

Chicken Steamed in Kitchen Salt
(Serves 4)

You will need

1 Chicken about 1.5 kg, cleaned and drained
2 large sheets grease- proof paper
2 kg salt, not too coarse
3 Tbsps Chinese wine
2 cloves garlic
2 slices ginger
Garnish: sliced cucumber

1. Rub Chinese wine over chicken and stuff ginger and garlic into chicken.
2. Wrap chicken in 2 layers of grease-proof paper. The first layer must be oiled to prevent the chicken skin from sticking to the paper.
3. 3. Fill a large casserole half full of kitchen salt.
4. Place chicken on salt, then cover with more salt till chicken is properly covered.
Cover dish and cook on HIGH for 12 minutes.
5. Then cook on MEDIUM for another 10 minutes and let chicken stand for 15 to 20 minutes.
Try this delicate dish you just may become famous overnight!!!
6. After standing time, cut chicken into small pieces and serve with chili sauce. Garnish with cucumber.

Just like potato chips, French fries are something that you just can’t eat one and say you had enough of them. These yummy and crispy golden brown finger length sticks of potatoes tempt everybody from a kid to her grand mom.

Have you wondered why the French fries you try at home always turn out soggy and limp while the ones you eat out are crispy. A chef on the NBC Channel reveals the secrets of getting the French fries absolutely crispy at home. So, let’s not waste any time and learn the techniques of getting them right so that you can enjoy tonight’s soap on the T.V with home made crispy French fries.

Here’s how you do it:

• Firstly, you cut the peel and cut the potatoes length wise using a knife or a French fry cutter. If you are using a knife, make sure that you don’t cut them too thin or thick. Put these in cold water so that some of the starch is removed.

• Dry the potatoes thoroughly and heat any cooking oil in a deep fryer to 325° F. Add the dried potato wedges in small batches and fry for about 3 minutes. (Remember not to add more at a time as the temperature of the oil drops down drastically).

• Remove them before they turn brown and drain them on paper bags to remove excess oil. Now, increase the temperature of the oil to 375° F. Deep fry the wedges again for about 4 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Season them with your favorite spices immediately as they stick better when they are hot.
• Fill them up in a bowl with the ketchup, curl up your knees on the couch and enjoy them while you watch your favorite soap on the tube.

If you are interested in knowing more about the origin of French fries, click here.

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What would you eat when you are down or when you are ecstatic? I’m sure you’ll be eating something familiar on either occasion. Trying out something new is left for the time when you are in a mood to get adventurous. But when it comes to emotional eating, you crave for food that is associated with your pleasant memories.

It’s a misconception that people eat calorie rich, fat laden foods like ice-creams, chocolates or brownies when they are down. You will be surprised to know that it’s quite the opposite.

Researchers at the Cornell Food and Brand Lab asked over 1,000 people what their favorite comfort food was, they came out with surprising answers. People chose healthy foods like pasta, soups and casseroles over desserts and chips as they associated those foods with the positive memories in their life.

So, when you are ordering your favorite soup or a pizza, you are probably remembering your grand-dad who took you out for the treat whenever you were down or you go back years when you had that pizza on your first date.:)

When do people tuck-in comfort foods?

Over 86% of the people said they seek comfort foods when they were feeling upbeat, 74% preferred it when they felt like rewarding themselves, and 39% said they would go in for it when they felt depressed or lonely.

People go in for comfort foods as it gives them a soothing feeling, gives them an instant euphoria-the same feeling that one gets when they are given a hug from a loved one.

Do moods determine the type of comfort food?

Fortunately or unfortunately, this is true. People who are happy preferred healthier foods like soups, pizza or steak while those who were in their blues picked sugary, fatty foods such as chips, ice cream or cookies. This is because, it is known that fatty or sugary foods release ‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain and thereby gives them the emotional high.

Have your cake and eat it too! Well, indulging in comfort foods sure makes life better and enjoyable. The key lies in indulging in these foods in eating just the right amount enough to satisfy your cravings so that you don’t feel guilty and go blue again!

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There are many ways chosen by guys to woo a lady and what better way than to tickle her taste buds for a change by stirring up a scrumptious treat. It is true, a man occasional dawning the role of a chef for his beloved can go quite a long way in pleasing and charming his ladylove. Preparing pleasurable chocolates, baking delicious cakes, mouth-watering pasta dishes, lip-smacking entrees are just conventional ways of winning a lady’s heart. Therefore, guys try something different, something unusual that will floor the woman.

Not many men can think of going in for seafood preparations such as prawns, lobsters, shrimps but if your woman is a die-hard seafood fan then this can really work wonders for you. The book ‘Will Cook For Sex’ by Rocky Fino can help you out in such a situation. The lemon pepper prawn recipe from this book can aide you in your efforts to entice your woman. So, go about trying this recipe in your very own way.

Ingredients:
Raw prawns (peeled and deveined) - 1 kg medium-sized
Tomatoes (peeled and diced) - 2 medium-sized
Onion (peeled and chopped in 1/4th inch square) - 1 medium-sized
Green bell pepper (diced) - 1 no.
Fresh cilantro leaves (chopped) - 1/2 cup
Fresh parsley leaves (chopped) - 1/2 cup
Fresh Jalapenos (deseeded and minced) - 2 nos.
All purpose-flour - 2 tbsp
Vegetable broth - 1/2 cup
Half and half - 6 tbsp
Lemon juice - 4 tbsp
Olive oil - 4 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method:
1.) In a large mixing bowl, mix tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, jalapeno, parsley, cilantro and salt. Stand the mixture at room temperature for few minutes.
2.) In a saucepan, heat olive oil and fry prawns on high flame till both sides are almost done.
3.) Now add flour in pan with prawns and mix.
4.) Lower the heat and stir in the lemon juice, half and half and vegetable broth. Mix well.
5.) Now add the tomato- pepper mixture and mix well. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
6.) Pull off the stove and serve piping hot.

Source: Thebachelorguy

Indian curry contains turmeric, which has various health benefits, like it helps fighting cancer, backache, cough and cold, skin infections, and arthritis. Turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, and it contains curcumin, which reduces the multiplication of cancerous cell in the body. Cancer patients are recommended to eat curry, as it contains turmeric, which add flavor and yellow color to the curry. Indian curry is very famous and tastes good, and helps to fight cancer.

Some health benefits of turmeric, which is the common ingredient present in curry:

Home remedies are safe treatment and also costs you less. They are effective and have no side effects, so eat curry as they are spicy and tastes good.

Turmeric is also helpful in treatment of Alzheimer’s and act as a natural scrub, which makes the skin fairer and is one of the most important ingredients in various home remedies. It’s also effective in the treatment breast cancer.

Prostate cancer risk is reduced by an active component present in the curry, curcumin. Curcumin fight with the cancerous cells and reduces its further growth.

Curcumin is present in turmeric, which is an important ingredient of Indian curry, and is effective in the treatment of inflammation, also cures various kinds of injuries. Turmeric helps in the treatment of lung cancer, so take benefit from curry and keep yourself healthy.

Indian curry tastes good and helps in cancer treatment. This is good news for curry lovers. Enjoy curry and reduce your chance of cancer growth.

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Tea is a beverage that pumps life into millions of Indians so that they can go about their mundane feeling fresh and buoyed up. As a tea consumer, have you ever thought of delving into the numerous varieties of tea that exist or do you even have the slightest knowledge of what tea you consume?

Do you want to know about this highly revered beverage? Then try chatting up with a tea-taster. The so-called tea-tasters have in depth knowledge of all the aspects of tea you would want to know. The variety of tea that exist, the varieties that are popular, those that are dear, the archetypal methods of preparation of a particular tea type and many other characteristics of tea that you were never even aware of can be explained in detail to you by a person who is engaged in the intriguing work of tea tasting.

The skill of tea tasting is acquired through experience as well as training and needs to sharpen with each passing year. A remarkable palate memory is of prime importance for this art of tea tasting, as the different varieties have to be compared and distinguished from each other. A vast amount of knowledge regarding all aspects of tea is a prerequisite for tea tasting.

So, how does the procedure of tea tasting begin? For tea tasting, the tea to be scrutinized is first brewed by putting about 2.5 grams of the tea leaves in boiling water for approximately 6 minutes. Following this, the infused leaves and the liquid are separated from each other and presented in white porcelain pots and cups to the tea taster for analysis. In addition, the dry leaves are also presented separately to the taster for the study.

The examination of tea leaves begins with the analysis of dried tea leaves. A black tea with an even black coloring and accompanied by shiny appearance is considered good. In addition, the presence of golden tips from buds is also considered important and the more they are the better it is. Apart from color the texture and form of the leaves is also studied. The texture should be crisp, dry, and not spongy as this is very crucial to the shelf life of the tea. A heavy, twisted tea leaf is sought-after while a flaky leaf is not ideal for a good tea.

Following the examination of dried leaves, the infused leaves are checked for brilliance and evenness of color. The aroma also is studied by sniffing the infusion.

The next in line for inspection is the liquid in porcelain cup. The first attribute that is scrutinized is the color. How golden and how bright the color is, judges the expert tea taster. Now comes the part where the tea taster will make use of his sense of taste. The tea taster sips a small amount of the liquid with a teaspoon. He holds it into his mouth for a few seconds, rolling the liquid in his mouth in the process and finally spits it out. The liquid is judged for traits of strength and briskness i.e. thickness and pungency respectively. The aroma is also judged at this stage.

You will be stunned to know that by this examination the skilled tea taster can even tell you where exactly the tea is grown and which months of the year the tea leaves were plucked. This is the reason why a veteran tea-taster’s opinion goes a long way in deciding the quality and value of tea. Therefore, without a doubt it can be said that tea tasting is indeed an outstanding art.

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Via: Indiateaorg, Darjeelingnews

Chocolate’s mood-enhancing qualities may be one of the reasons why it is a hot favorite during Valentine’s Day as a gift for lovers and loved ones. Chocolate is one of the world’s favorite foods. Research has shown that eating certain kinds of chocolates in moderate quantities may actually be good for your health. Did you know that chocolate is made from plants, and contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables? These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants.
But, be careful before you start reaching out for a chocolate bar, because not all chocolates are good for your health. It is the dark chocolates which are rich in antioxidants. So, if you want to reap the benefits of eating chocolate, eat the dark variety in small quantities.
By eating a small bar of dark chocolate everyday, you can actually keep your heart in good condition, by reducing your blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Since, traditional roasting and fermentation methods destroy large amounts of the flavonoid content present in the chocolates; Mars, the chocolate manufacturer has developed a proprietary method of processing cocoa beans, aimed specifically at preserving these flavonoids. If you are keen on eating a chocolate prepared by this method, look out for the Cocoapro trademark used by Mars.
Don’t forget that chocolate is high in calories and fat. So, restrict your daily intake to about 100 grams or about 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate.
Now, u needn’t feel guilty any more about eating small amounts of dark chocolate, after all, you are just trying to keep yourself healthy!

via: MedicineNet