Burgers Today

If ya eat meat ya Gotta love burgers. I do and for drooling purposes i made this collage of yumminess

ENJOY 

One of my favorite hamburger commercials. The sad thing is that once you head over to the store, the hamburger isn’t much of anything. A major problem for those who love to belly up to the burger bar.

Valentines day will soon be here. I always like to give gifts out of the kitchen then from a commercial department store. I’m not putting down anyone that buys their gifts but nothing says love to me than homemade Valentine’s Day gifts.

Each Astrology sun sign has a set of special Valentine’s Day gifts that is important only to them. I wanted to offer some food gift ideas that are specific to each Astrology sun sign.

Capricorn

Loved ones that are born under the sign of Capricorn can put a bookworm to shame. I wouldn’t be surprised if they make up a majority of the bookworms in the world. Since Capricorns like to read, a little treat during their reading time would be great.

Capricorns also love things that are home made. Valentine’s Day gifts that are baked or cooked from home would be hot on the list. Here are some ideas that you could use for Capricorn Valentine’s Day gifts.

Homemade mixed tea in a Valentine’s Day Jar to sip while reading
Homemade meal with their favorite artist playing in the background (They love music)
Classic and traditional homemade cookies (Capricorn’s love family and traditions)
A potluck party with all their favorite family members and friends (Traditional Values)

Sushi by zodiac sign suggests these homemade sushi recipes. The New York Roll, Green Dragon Roll or Vegetable Roll will go over well with your Capricorn friend.

Myspace Chinese New year Graphics

 A bit ago, I recieved a comment that someone had not tried coffee ground in thier gravy. I personally like to use grounds while my wife likes to use brewed espresso. It just adds a richness to the broth that you are working on. So, we both want to remind you not to be afraid to use different forms of coffee in recipes.

One of my favorite episodes of Iron Chef America was when the main ingredient was the coffee bean. Cat Cora and the challenging Chef whipped up nearly twelve amazing dishes with the essence of coffee.

I’m sure that your not going to serve these dishes to your family on a Wednesday night but the reminder is still there. That the coffee bean shouldn’t just be reserved for the coffee maker.

Here are some recipes and dishes that tempted my tastebuds during the episode of Iron Chef America.

Cassollette of Lobster and Sea Urchin with parsnips
Slow cooked egg with parsley root, coffee pureee and coffee glazed mushrooms
Black truffle and coffee fondue made with pigs feet of all things.
Venison Confit with mole and red perry sauce. I have a feeling this is the pear ale made from different types of pears.

The challenging Chef finished the meal off with a milk chocolate and coffee geo that was served with a hazelnut ice cream.

Cat Cora being the worldly Chef that she is wasn’t going down with a fight in kitchen stadium. She tempted us with recipes and dishes like a Sunny egg with pig candy brioche. This was also served with Bananas roasted in coffee, though my wife argues that it would have been better if they were plantains.

She’s such a foodie

Coffe smoked scallops with coffee braised fennel. This was also served with a coffee and salt Dough Baked NY Squab. Spring rolls with coffee infused swiss chard and golden raisins finished off the plate.

Cat Cora gave the judges a cheese plate that included Coffee braised black mission figs with Robiolla cheese. Robiolla or Robiola cheese comes from provinces of Cuneo, Asti and Alessandria and into Lombardy Italy.

To finish off with dessert, the judges were given a deconstructed Tiramisu. This was a layered espresso and mocha panna cotta that had a coffee gelle on the top.

O.K. I’m hungry already. As you can see, there are tons of things you can do with coffee. All you have to do is search out some recipes and give them a try. You never know, you may learn to love recipes that have foods braised, whipped, and mixed with coffee.

For some reason my mind can’t get off the spice trade and all the wonderful seasonings that come from Chinese restaurant recipes. So during this week I’ll be scanning my favorite cookbooks, videos, and fellow cooks minds on mixtures of spices that will make your kitchen smell wonderful every day.

I also plan to round up light cooking recipes, chinese restaurant recipes, ecuadorian desserts recipes and other great ideas.

At the end of the month we will be entering the year of the OX. The birth year that represents prosperity through hard work and growth. So I hope to bring video to Restaurant At Home with some fun Chinese Holiday recipe dishes.

I hope that your mouth is alreading watering over the idea of the possibilities of these Chinese restaurant recipes

Happy New Year!

If your like my family, you have a lot of Christmas dinner leftovers of ham, turkey, and roast. Kudos to those who have left over Prime Rib because that is my favorite. What can you do with the left overs if you were unable to give them away?

Actually there are a lot of things that you can do with Christmas dinner leftovers that will not have your family crying “No more turkey sandwiches” this year.

Breakfast skillet
I always love to have a Breakfast Skillet the morning after Christmas. Mix some egg whites with diced up leftovers and diced potatoes. Once everything is grilled up in a skillet, melt a serving of lowfat cheese over the top and garnish with green onions. Who says you have to go to Denny’s or some fancy place to get a Breakfast Skillet.

A side of fresh fruit works well with a breakfast skillet. I know that kiwis, grapes, and bananas are in season.

Soup
There is nothing wrong with dicing up your leftover Christmas dinner and adding it to a soup base. Add some carrots, celery, onions, and rice too. You will have no problem fighting off the January and February cold.

Spanish dinners
Our neighbor is a blessing with it comes to Christmas Dinner leftovers. We dice up our left over ham, turkey, and beef and bring it to our neighbor. She then adds seasonings to it and makes Tamales for new years.

You can also use the leftovers for burritos, tostadas, enchiladas, tacos, and taco salads.

Salads
Chef salads are a great way of getting away Christmas leftovers. I love to toss together cucumber, green onions, radishes, leftover meat, romaine lettuce, mushrooms, black olives, and a little shredded cheese.

Grilled Pizza
This is the easiest pizza that I know how to make. Take a bagette or french roll and cut it to the size serving that you want. Spread on tomato paste or pesto, diced leftover meat, favorite pizza toppings, and shredded cheese. Grill until the cheese is golden brown.

Well those are my favorite things to do with Christmas Leftovers. I hope that you enjoy them and share your own Christmas leftover recipes.