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Posts by Luis Castro

Tips And Tricks On Cooking On The Grill

Cooking skills are a valuable skill to have. Cooking at home not only saves money but ensure that you are eating delicious and healthy food. Brace yourselves for the influx of picnic blankets, sangas, and baskets, as Sydney siders are out in force to snag the best Sydney picnic spots.

If you’re trying to start making more food yourself, where you can find a vast array of options. Try some recipes until you develop your skills.

Slice meats into thin strips on the bias for stir-fry. This can take time and very time-consuming.

There is a trick to save your work and make it so you are able to instantly use it. Mix two spoons of water with one spoon of corn starch in a bowl. Stir the mixture into your sauce as it simmers and it will get thicker. Make sure to introduce the mix once your sauce looks better.

If serving salad, do not pour the salad dressing on the salad, allow your guests to put the dressing on themselves. Let people add what they want to their own dressing. Offer many different types of dressing.

Prepare things the night before to save time and headaches. Cut up veggies and make marinades or sauces before so you can save time. You will feel less stressed and more ready to cook when you wake up.

Storing herbs and spices in a warm location will lead them to lose their flavor quicker.

You should discard your spices about twice a year.The flavors of spices diminishes if they sit around for too long.If you buy a certain spice and you know that you are not going to use it all before it goes bad, give some of it to someone you know.

You should be as organized as possible when cooking to avoid burning food and other mistakes, so that you can be sure the food is as great as it can be and that nothing burns.Having all your kitchen tools handy and organized cooking area will help you turn out a good meal. If you aren’t organized, it is easy to lose track of things and waste your money and delicious food that you could have been eating!

Use a paper towels to blot the moisture from the surface of ground meat before cooking it. It is always advisable to blot away moisture from any type of ground meat. Any moisture remaining will be released when it’s cooked.The sizzling effect will then cook in the moisture. This causes your meat from searing as you intended; it will steam instead.

Use a generous amount of salt in your pasta water used to cook pasta.This helps to add flavor to the salt to be absorbed by the pasta. Salting pasta will not be as effective in enhancing the same effect.

Impress your friends with a perfect sandwich by spreading the mayo evenly across the entire surface of the bread. An even spread helps keep the taste consistent from bite tastes as it should.

When it comes to sauteing food, don’t put too much into the pan. Make sure you do this at a low temperature.

It is important to take proper care for your wood cutting board if you want it to last a long time. A wood cutting board can warp or split by too much exposure to moisture, heat and dryness. Do not immerse the cutting board in water, but instead, soapy water. You can do some restoration to a damaged board by regularly oiling it with a product specifically for cutting boards to maintain yours. Allow your board to dry completely before using.

Learn a little bit about any new foods that you haven’t worked with before.You may find that new ways to use the food.

Red or new potatoes have very thin skin and are unable to support dense fillings.

You might be very stressed out about preparing a large meal for an important family meal. Instead of succumbing to panic, try to finish your prep work the evening before. Set out your ingredients, prepare marinades, and assemble ingredients.

Always make sure to use silicone or rubber spoons when you are using nonstick cookware. Metal or wooden utensils will scratch nonstick coat and cause flakes to fall from the pans. This is both unappetizing and could be dangerous.

Make some flavored butter to add a new twist to staples like dinner rolls or ears of corn. Then mix in some herbs, spices or sauces to add an extra burst of flavor. Some great things to try are honey, honey, barbecue sauce and chipotles.

Put the juiciest ingredients like tomatoes on the bottom, juicier ingredients like tomatoes on the bottom and lighter ingredients like lettuce and croutons on top.

Learn to use color as a guide to cooking. Colorful additions to your eyes and tend to be very healthy. Be creative with color, and watch your food get eaten up quickly.

Try using saffron while you are experimenting with saffron. Saffron lends a very unique flavor to dishes that cannot be replicated with other spices. Saffron is an old herb that has never lost its appeal.

This article will show you how simple it is to cook food at home. You will become more experienced over time and you will see how tasty a home-cooked meal can be. And your pocketbook will thank you. Cooking at home will ensure that the entire family is eating healthier and enjoying a better lifestyle. Start now with the tips above and make sumptuous meals whenever you want.

10 Simple Steps to an Epic Party

Ever had a party disaster that could have been averted with a good plan? My question to you before we even start this journey is, “can you afford to have a party at a venue or just at home”? It matters. A lot. I could tell you some horror stories of parties due to budget constraints. One party I attended ended early, no one wanted to stay as there was no food available. That also goes with cheap buffets, some people would rather go to the takeaway down the street, than eat tasteless sandwiches and mini rolls thrown on a foil plate and some won’t go back unless the beer is really good. I’ve seen horrible venues with sticky floors and disgusting bathrooms, sometimes the party could be OK but if the venue you’ve chosen is just awful, people will remember that more. And what about the day all the suppliers for a party showed up to the venue that was locked up and on calling and asking why found out they had no record of the booking. Our party catering Sydney menus are all excellent value for money and using us to cater for your party may prove far less expensive than you may have thought.

Don’t let these embarrassing things happen to you. If you’re having a party it has to be epic, even a party in your home should be memorable for all the right reasons. Have a great plan, these 10 simple steps will see you well on your way to an epic party.

The first 3 steps are the most important components of your party and have these steps done before you do anything else. These top 3 are the party makers and breakers, the top ticket items that your party should have and if you have budget constraints, these 3 are the only things you need.

1. Choose a Date.

Start planning your party at least 3 months in advance, 9 if you are really organised. Venues are cheaper on weekdays, Sunday – Thursday. Friday and Saturday’s are the weekend and ‘party days’ and can be more expensive. Consider bank holidays as being great dates for parties, a Sunday night that means no work on Monday, fab idea. Keep these things in mind when taking the next step.

2. Choose your Venue.

For a party, a birthday, anniversary etc. choose a venue such as your home, a pub, social club, or function room, for a more formal occasion you could choose a hotel, park, or estate house. After booking, pay your deposit and get your booking in writing, it should be a contract but at the very least a confirmation email with a receipt for your deposit, that you can print as proof.

Do Not; Book a venue without having a viewing.

Do Not; Make any more party plans until you have your venue booking in writing.

Do; Beware of the venue that states free function room when you buy their buffet. Remember the tasteless sandwiches and mini rolls thrown on a foil plate… avoid at all costs! The only time to consider this is if you have checked reviews and hygiene ratings, if all is well and it all looks great, then book it, it could be a good deal.

Do; Choose a venue that has the facilities you need. E.g. does it have a bar, wheelchair access, stairs, toilets, a place for the DJ to set up? A smoking area, tables, chairs, tables for the catering etc.

Do; Check to see if the place needs a little sprucing up like; do the bathrooms need some air freshener, liquid soap, flowers? Does the stage look grotty, put a glittery banner over it. When the lights are dim, these things will look OK with these helpful tips.

Do; Call your venue with your name and booking date and ask for the time of access for suppliers servicing your party by 1-2 weeks before. This is also a great way to have a conversation with your venue and confirming your booking again.

3. Choose a Caterer

A lot of people make the mistake of booking the food for their party last, you really could end up disappointed. The caterer is one of the first 3 steps after booking your venue. Ever been to a party without food? When people drink, they want food, even if it’s just a burger. I’ve been to parties where nibbles and cake have been served, this is fine for a teenage house party but not if adults are invited, people will leave early in search of food, you don’t want this to happen. Consider your budget, your guests and what food you love. Choosing a buffet should be fun, choose the best one for your food tastes and budget. Get menus from a few caterers and compare them. Make sure your caterer is fully registered, insured, licensed and have a good hygiene rating. As soon as you know which caterer you want to work for you, get them booked, pay your deposit to save your date in their diary a.s.a.p. You don’t need your guest count or even your menu finalised to secure your date in the caterer’s diary. Make sure you get a confirmation of your booking and/or a receipt for your deposit.

Do; Hire a caterer. Catering is a lot of work and stressful work for those who don’t do it regularly. You don’t want to be frazzled for your party, you should enjoy your party and guests, not work it. Everyone remembers the food so make it memorable but it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg, there are great caterers out there, who will provide burgers and wedges along with a few flourishes, and your guests will be impressed.

Do; Find out if you have any guests attending with allergies or have dietary requirements like vegetarian, gluten free etc. and tell your caterer.

The steps that make a lovely party epic!

4. Cake

If you need a cake for your event, book it next. I’m hoping I’m not surprising you by saying this, but not all the best bakeries have shop fronts in your local village or town, some of the most amazing cakes I’ve ever had are from bakers who have their bakery in their own home kitchen. I know and have used quite a few and I’ve never been disappointed check Facebook for home bakeries, check their portfolio, hygiene rating, reviews and get that cake booked.

5. Entertainment

Are you having a DJ or live band? A clown or bouncy castle? A soloist or a string quartet? Whatever you have decided, do your homework, look at profiles and reviews. A great place to get free quotes from is FREEINDEX, they are the king for comparison shopping when shopping for services. I always get 5 quotes on FREEINDEX, that I can compare against each other. Other well-known sites you can get supplier quotes from charge the supplier extortionate prices just to respond to you, and so are not good if you want to compare quotes, you are unlikely to get more than 1 or 2.

6. Venue Dressing

When guests walk into your party, the wow factor immediately hits them through the ambience created by your venue dresser. SO, how do you want your room to look? what do you want? Something simple like colourful balloons? Something more romantic like flowers and candles? Or do you want to go all out with chair covers and sashes, tall candelabra’s, or even trees with lanterns tied in them. Whatever it is you want, a venue dresser has the ‘wildest dreams’ type of imaginations and are great people to bounce off your creative ideas.

7. Invitations

Party invites should be sent out 8 – 6 weeks before the event date and your R.S.V.P. date should be at least 10 days before your party, you’ll find that your caterer will need final numbers by 7 – 5 days prior to the event date and once you get the guest count locked in, your caterer won’t be able to decrease your numbers only increase them.

You don’t need these but epic parties do!

8. Free Drinks

Whether you have a beer or wine put behind the bar for your guests and hand out drinks vouchers in your invitations or you have a glass of bubbly on arrival for everyone. Your guests appreciate the thought that the first drink to get the party juices flowing is on you. If the bar at your venue doesn’t do arrival cocktails like bubbly or mimosa’s, then get your caterer to do it. If your venue doesn’t have a bar or you’re having your party in a marquee in the garden, you can hire a bar from an independent bar company or your caterer.

9. Party Favours

I’ve come across a lot of party favours in my time, from rolls of love hearts, lottery tickets, bags of chocolate covered fruit, popcorn bags, sweetie carts, cupcakes, cigars, luxury chocolates, the list goes on and on. Although party favours aren’t important and you don’t need them, they are appreciated by your guests especially when it’s a little quirky. Sweetie carts can be a more expensive choice for a party favour but people love it. A chocolate fountain is also a very welcome idea.

10. Event Photographers/Photo Booth

A great way to have a keepsake of your party memories. People love them and put them up all over social media, turning your lovely party into an epic event in the lives of those who attended. Don’t forget to tell everyone your hashtag for your party, have a sign at the bar, so everyone can see your pictures from everyone else in the same place online. #stephsgreatparty #johnis21 etc.

Lorna Robins is the owner and operator of Buffet Heroes in Stockport, Manchester. Buffet Heroes is a British – American family run catering service that specializes in the traditional British buffet and American fare. http://www.buffetheroes.com. If you found value in this article or would like our help with your next event. Get in touch.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lorna_I_Robins/2419389

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Family Ski Vacations – The Friendliest (And Most Affordable) Canadian Ski Resorts For Families

Family vacations are a great way to bond over the winter holiday season, and most ski resorts say that they welcome families. However, not all ski resorts are created equal when it comes to family ski vacations. With these tips comparing our picks for resorts in Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia, you’ll know just where to go, making this winter vacation the best one yet. This winter season there are plenty of ski package deals in Banff which good for family gatherings.

Mont Tremblant is an East Coast family favourite, 45 minutes outside of Montreal. The charming village is pedestrian-only, making it a great and safe place for families to wander.

Kids are welcome in the daycare from the age of eighteen months, while the ski school offers a fun and educational day or week-long programs. Youth (aged 5-12) and children (aged 3-4) can enjoy full day ski (youth can also snowboard) lessons including lunch for around $100 or four full days of lessons, lunch, and photos for $300 (please call for exact rates). There is also a ski or snowboard terrain park for older kids with 20 rails, 15 jumps, and a 15-foot high half-pipe.

There are also a staggering number of family-friendly activities off the slopes, like child-friendly snowmobiling and snow trains, skating, sleigh-riding, and more. The La Source aquatic center is a family-friendly après ski with an indoor pool, whirlpool, and “Tarzan” rope.

Tremblant hotels also impress with their family-friendly rates – in almost all properties kids can stay in the room for free! Tremblant hotels also remain significantly cheaper than many other Canadian resorts, family-prices or not. Dining options range from old-fashioned pizzerias to more ‘adult’ properties, so all ages and palates are well-accommodated.

The stats: 94 trails over 625 acres, with a rise of 2871 feet and an annual snowfall of 150″.

Sunshine Village wins points with young kids from the second they arrive at the resort. Cars are prohibited in the village, so skiers travel up the mountain in a six-passenger gondola.

Once on the slopes its parents of young kids who are won over, as children 5 and under ski free. Sunshine Village also offers a lesson guarantee – if you’re not satisfied with your child’s lesson, receive another lesson for free! During Tiny Tigers daycare, children, aged 19 months to 6 years, enjoy playtime inside and out as well as lunch and snacks. If young children (aged 3-6) are eager to learn to ski, the Tiny Tigers Ski & Play program is the way to go. Groups are a maximum size of 3 and the Tiny Tiger pros are experts teaching kids. Participants will enjoy one hour of ski & play with their instructors in the morning and another in the afternoon, as well as all the fun of the Tiny Tiger daycare. Kids Kampus offers the same fun learning for children 6 to 12.

Sunshine Village provides the only ski-in/ski-out lodging in Banff National Park, as well as access skiing in Mount Norquay and Lake Louise – giving parents of fickle kids the opportunity to make every day’s adventure a little different. The town of Banff is close-by and offers a greater variety of family-friendly lodging, most hotels let kids 16 and under stay free.

The stats: 107 runs over 3358 acres, with a rise of 3,514 feet and an annual snowfall of 396″.

Whistler-Blackcomb is the biggest and, some say, the best. This beautiful mega-resort definitely goes above and beyond when it comes to facilities for families. Children as young as 3 months are welcome in the daycare (parents get pagers), while lessons can start at age 3 (for skiing) or 6 (for snowboarding.) If kids are apprehensive about skiing, Whistler’s Family Mountain Zone is a great place to start. This specially designated area has a slower pace better for families who wish to stick together. Whistler has all the usual ski schools – one day lessons run around $115 and five day lessons approximately $550 – and also features the popular alternative of a two or five-day Ride Tribe camp, where 12-to-18-year-olds can learn tricks and new terrain with a hip instructor and other teenagers. They can then show off their new skills in one of the resort’s five terrain parks. Children aged 6 and under ski free.

Non-skiing snowy fun can include exploring the kid’s adventure park (there’s one on each mountain!) where kids can put their skis aside and climb around a castle or tree-house, or going tubing at a family snow tubing park.

A popular accommodation choice for families in Whistler is the rental of ski-side condominiums, offering a little taste of home while away. Most resorts and hotels also allow kids under the age of 18 to stay in their parents’ room for free.

With time off the slopes the village is especially exciting for older children and teenagers to explore, with movie theatres, rock climbing walls, a youth center, and pool – all easily explored independently by foot.

The stats: 200 runs over 8,171 acres, with a rise of 5,280 feet and an annual snowfall of 360″.

Learn more about these great resorts, including snow conditions, restaurant guides [http://www.freshtracksski.com/information/accommodation_guide.php] and more, with online ski Canada resort guides [http://www.freshtracksski.com/information/resorts_secrets.php].

Ready to take the plunge? Fresh Tracks Ski [http://www.freshtracksski.com/ski_family.php] offers exclusive packages of the best hotels, activities, and extras for families to Tremblant, Whistler, and Banff.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Robin_Rowley/129354

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