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Tips To Know for Photographing Food |
Whether you are experimenting with your digital camera to take food photos for your blog, a marketing company, or Instagram, you will only get noticed if your photos are as amazing as your recipes. You could have the best fried chicken west of the Mississippi, but no one will believe you if the image of it isn’t appealing. Use these tips to know for photographing food to promote your business and skills. Keep reading for the best photography tricks.
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The Best Drinks To Enjoy With Steak |
Rare, medium rare, filet, or ribeye steak is a favorite of many. The right cut of steak along with the right chef creates a main dish that cuts like butter and melts in the mouth. Now imagine what the perfectly paired drink can add to an already perfect meal. Let’s go over some of the best drinks to enjoy with steak and bring the art of eating steak to a new level.
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| 10 Snack Foods That Began as Medicine |
Many of your favorite foods are here today due to happy accidents. For instance, if it weren’t for a disgruntled customer at a restaurant, we wouldn’t have potato chips. We have much to thank modern medicine for, but did you know that there are 10 snack foods that began as medicine? Keep reading to find out which of your favorite foods have the most unique origins.
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The Importance of Food Safety in Commercial Kitchens |
When running a restaurant or commercial kitchen, your food doesn’t just have to taste good—it has to be safe, too. Following best practices for food safety should always be at the top of your mind in the kitchen, no matter how loud, crowded, or high-pressure the kitchen gets. Whether you’re opening a new establishment or regrouping an existing one after some challenges, consider these notes on the importance of food safety in commercial kitchens before going forward.
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| The Best Foods for Boosting Serotonin |
The brain produces serotonin to regulate different functions in the body. One of the most critical functions of serotonin is to aid in mood regulation. Serotonin releases to promote happier and brighter thoughts, moods, and feelings.
While no meal contains serotonin as a chemical ingredient, foods contain different amino acids and naturally occurring chemicals that can stimulate the production of higher serotonin levels in the brain. To learn more about the best foods for boosting serotonin naturally in the body, continue reading.
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| Tenderizing proteins. |
Going straight into cooking meat without having the proper knowledge beforehand can lead to some common mistakes people make when preparing meat. The issues can lead to a steak that is undercooked, is too tough to eat, or has no flavor at all. Know where others have failed before and save yourself the wasted effort and expense of ruining a good piece of meat.
When you are about to cook your meat, you do not want to throw it on the fire while it is still cold. This is because placing a cold cut of meat straight on a hot pan can easily lead to undercooked or overcooked steak. This happens when you leave the beef to cook too long to make up for the coldness or take it off the heat before it has cooked all the way through.
The most recommended way to prepare meat before cooking is to first let it warm up to room temperature, which usually takes about 20 minutes. This will ensure the meat does not spoil but will also be warm enough that you have greater control over its internal temperature when you begin cooking.
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The Benefits of Growing Your Own Garden |
Spring is here, and it’s time to start planting a garden, which can enrich your life in more ways than one. Fresh fruits and vegetables don’t just bring vitamins to your diet; they provide a pastime that improves your attitude; provide cleaner, healthier food; and can sometimes be done indoors year-round! Here’s a selection of the benefits of growing your own garden.
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If you’re a fan of feeling the burn, check out this brief list of several different foods every spice lover must try at least once in their life. |
If you enjoy putting a fire in your belly and sweating through the burn, this list is for you. Always looking for the next challenge, we’ve discovered some different foods every spice lover must try in their life that spans the globe and will put your spice tolerance to the test. If you’re new to spicy foods or it’s been some time since you’ve flexed your tolerance, beware—you may just be in over your head.
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Many people dream of combining their passion with their work. If you have a passion for food, consider these business ideas for people that love to cook. |
Many people have a passion for cooking. If cooking is a hobby of yours, consider starting a business. Whether you can make several dishes or specialize in making a specific food item, you can turn your love for cooking into a business. We suggest a few business ideas for people that love to cook, so read on to learn more.
Today, Tuesday, April 6, 2021, is National Caramel Popcorn Day. Also known as caramel corn, caramel popcorn is a confection made of popcorn coated with a sugar or molasses based caramel candy shell that is normally less than 1mm thick. Typically a sugar solution or syrup is made and heated until it browns and becomes thick, producing a caramelized candy syrup, which is then mixed with popped popcorn, and allowed to cool.
Varieties include a mix with peanuts, pecans, almonds, or cashews; and sometimes a dark chocolate coating.
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Do you enjoy cooking and baking at home? Read on to learn about the benefits of cooking with filtered water and why you should use it in your cooking. |
Filtered water is generally accepted as a healthier, safer alternative to unfiltered tap water. The benefits of drinking filtered water are obvious, but have you ever considered the benefits of cooking with filtered water? There are quite a few, and they just may surprise you.
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Beware of fruits and veggies you may have to avoid. Pollen allergies are commonplace. When a hypersensitive immune system mistakes harmless pollen for a pathogen, the body overreacts, causing inflammation, itchy and watery eyes, and sneezing. In some cases, the body goes even further, mistaking the proteins present in some of our favorite foods for the pollen it’s so hyper attuned to. When this occurs, foods trigger the same allergic rhinitis that pollen would, and can even progress to a swollen throat or anaphylactic shock. We know this condition as oral allergy syndrome. Here are some of the foods that cause oral allergy syndrome—though in some cases, it could be more OAS’s case of mistaken identity and a sign of something more serious. Birch Pollen AllergiesBirch pollen is most prevalent in the spring and is a prime contributor to what we know as “allergy season.” A whole produce stand worth of popular fruits and vegetables bears the protein that resembles the one found in birch pollen. The list is centered upon the pitted fruits—apples, apricots, peaches, plums, pears, and cherries. Kiwi fruit, though dissimilar to these, can also trigger allergic reactions. Carrots and celery share this protein, which sounds disastrous for lovers of soups. Not to worry, however—cooking denatures the protein in question enough that the immune system will not pounce on it, meaning you can make stock with safety. Nuts and legumes can trigger oral allergy syndrome, but a reaction could also be indicative of a separate adult-onset food allergy. Orchard Grass AllergiesIn the summertime, orchard grass and Timothy grass cause their share of seasonal allergies. During this time, the immune system can mistake oranges, tomatoes, and watermelons—all great summer foods—for the protein that makes orchard grass troublesome. White potatoes can trigger allergic reactions, while yams or sweet potatoes will not. Ragweed AllergiesIn the fall, ragweed pollen’s case of mistaken identity involves the muskmelons: cantaloupe and honeydew, those standbys of fruit salad. Watermelon, as it does with birch pollen, shares a similar protein with ragweed pollen, making it a bi-seasonal trigger of oral allergy syndrome. Cucumber and zucchini, two vegetables with thick, dark green skin, should be avoided during the ragweed season of early autumn. Mugwort AllergiesThe late-autumn allergy season centered around mugwort, a flowering plant, brings a long list of foods that cause oral allergy syndrome in people with mugwort pollen allergies. Fresh broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, garlic, and onion can all trigger oral allergy syndrome, along with bell peppers, parsley, and chard. Even a variety of aromatic spices, like anise, fennel, caraway, coriander, and black pepper, can dupe your immune system into fighting an imaginary adversary. Remember, however, that thorough cooking breaks down the protein, and that if symptoms get serious, consult your doctor. |
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Throwing a birthday party? Don’t skimp on snacks. Here are a few tips for some appetizers and munchies for birthday celebrants of all ages. |
Throwing a birthday party means keeping guests entertained—and fed—throughout the course of the event. While the meal and the birthday cake get most of the attention, don’t forget that your guests will do some grazing before you bring out the main events. If you want to make this party a memorable one, you may have to do a little more than just leave out a big bowl of plain potato chips. You won’t forget this crucial step after referring to some of our best ideas for birthday party snacks.
If the guest of honor is still sitting in a high chair, you don’t really need to cater to more inchoate palates just yet. Instead, now’s your chance to play around with some more sophisticated birthday party snacks before future birthday parties mean you’ll simply be an accessory to sugar highs. Deviled eggs are almost the textbook example of party food: everyone loves them, but no one ever seems to make a plate of deviled eggs just for some idle weekend. Homemade pita chips with hummus allow you to spice up your chips and dip beyond what you can snatch off the shelves. Upgrade peanut butter and celery to raspberry walnut endives for a nuanced, mostly healthy snack.
Here’s where you’ll have to bifurcate your snacking options. For the grown-ups, you’ll want assortments of vegetables, flavorful flatbreads, and nachos that go beyond salsa and queso. For the kids, well, birthdays come but once a year, so even if you’ve been encouraging a healthy lifestyle, here’s a day to really let loose. This means you’ll be shopping for sugary treats as part of your party-planning to-do list. Younger guests will have fun with monkey bread in all its cinnamon-y, syrupy, pull-apart-able glory. “Puppy chow,” which is Chex mix dragged through chocolate and powdered sugar, should give your guests the burst of energy they’ll need to get through all the games you have scheduled.
Let’s circle back to some of the more nuanced party snacks for what’ll be a true family affair. Without the pressure to satisfy a sweet tooth that you’d feel at a kid’s party, a balanced approach is the best idea for birthday party snacks when a grown-up is the celebrant. A chili cheese dip can offer a heartier alternative to the typical salsa you’d supply for nachos. Barbecue pork sliders can hit the spot while guests wait for dinner. And finally, to please guests of all ages, some plates of cookies that transcend the usual chocolate-chip option will be a welcome and fun addition to the pre-meal munching.
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Soon, the country will open up again, and you’ll have the chance to experience all the tasty treats out there. Here’s how to prepare for a foodie road trip. |
Pretty soon, you’ll be able to hit the highway and enjoy all the sights, sounds, and tastes the road has to offer. Until that fantasy becomes a reality, though, you can plan for your first few outings. Nothing beats a road trip where you can experience life, the great outdoors, and a wealth of new foods. Follow these tips on how to prepare for a foodie road trip for a taste-tantalizing vacation.
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| Keeping Your Restaurant Sanitized |
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Showing photos of your food is important! |
You have tasty food and a unique atmosphere, but people must notice your restaurant before they try it out. That’s why advertising your business is critical. Here are the best marketing techniques for your restaurant if you need some help getting the creative juices going.
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Best Practices for Produce Safety |
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New restaurateurs looking to become successful must avoid these common mistakes that could cause big problems. To discover more, read on ahead. |
Starting a new business can be a rewarding experience, both personally and professionally. But once all the hoopla surrounding your new company dies down, you’ll face the real challenges of ownership, especially in an industry where margins are razor-thin. According to CNBC, nearly 80 percent of restaurants close within the first five years. There are many common mistakes restaurant owners need to avoid if they hope to prevent becoming part of that statistic.
The right location makes all the difference in the restaurant game. It’s important to avoid opening in an area that is out of your price range. Just because a location is trendy doesn’t mean you can afford to open a store in that spot.
Customer service can make all the difference in your goal of getting customers to step back through your door. But a failure to properly train the employees to be courteous or provide fast service can be devastating to your chances of garnering repeat business.
Following all local, state, and national laws and regulations is crucial to establishing a foothold in the community. A failure to avoid health code violations means you could develop a bad reputation, especially if the health inspector closes the restaurant due to a failing grade.
If something is going wrong, your customers will likely be the first to know. One of the most common mistakes restaurant owners need to avoid is not listening to their patrons. Paying attention to customer reviews allows restaurateurs to make necessary adjustments to keep their place thriving.
Many new owners find it difficult to accept that their restaurant is more than where they sell their food. The restaurant is their employer and requires constant attention to keep the paychecks flowing. If financial management isn’t something you are comfortable performing, there are many businesses that sell their expertise.
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Loose-Leaf Tea: Check for health benefits. |
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Stainless steel equipment is key. |
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Margarita, Coca-Cola or ice water with that? |
We love our tacos! The taco craze is in full swing and will not be fizzling out anytime soon, and for good reason. Tacos are easy, affordable, and can be created in so many ways that anyone can eat them. A taco bar is a fun way to spice up dinner time and an easy way to feed a crowd. And there is no need to limit the taco bar to just tacos. Let these ideas on how to create a delicious taco bar get your creativity going as you consider what to include on your fiesta night.
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| Variety -- a bakery's strong point. |
Bakeries are an underappreciated source of joy in our communities, especially small, independently run bakeries. The sweet smell of baking bread, fresh frosting, and that little bit of sugar on top have a way of turning your entire mood around. If you’re a baker wanting to bring even more happiness to the world, here are several tips for growing your bakery.
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| A very bright contemporary kitchen. |
Even the smallest kitchens are seldom used for cooking only. We gather in them no matter how big or small they may be. There is something about the atmosphere of the kitchen that we all love. Maybe it’s the aromas of a meal simmering or the comfort of knowing you will soon be able to share the food made there. Whatever it may be, the kitchen needs to reflect your style and should be a place you want to spend time in. A great way to start making that happen is by choosing one of these awesome themes for your kitchen.
