Thursday, August 9, 2012

You Can Make The Most Delicious Kimchi By Yourself

The national Korean dish is kimchi, kimchi is basically spiced, pickled and fermented cabbage although the recipe and ingredients can vary from region to region in Korea. The main ingredients of the dish however are cabbage, cucumber, radish and scallion.
Fermented vegetables used to make kimchi came about in the 7th century when kimchi was fermented as a way to store vegetables. By the 12th century, kimchi was developed into a tastier dish where spices and herbs were added to enhance the flavours. Then finally in the 18th century hot red peppers were added to kimchi to give it its spicy and distinctive taste still used today.

In modern times, kimchi has been introduced more widely into the world by Korean immigrants who have shared this dish with other cultures where it has become a popular side dish. It has even become a more commercial dish in recent years and it can be found in supermarkets usually in Western countries where there are larger populations of Korean immigrants.

Practically eaten at every meal, Koreans have given the world a fantastically healthy dish to have either on its own or as a side dish. A great source of vitamin C, kimchi can help reduce cholesterol levels and slow the effects of aging!

It has a low calorie content and is very low in sugar and fat which makes it a great dish to eat if you are aiming to lose weight. The fermentation process the kimchi goes through means that probiotic bacteria is produced which helps the digestive system. Kimchi is packed full of vitamin A which is great for healthy, skin, teeth, and also helps improve vision!


Ingredients:
  • 2 large Chinese Cabbages
  • 230g rock salt
  • Water
  • Kimchi Sauce:
  • 10 tbsp of fish sauce
  • 10 tbsp of red pepper powder
  • 1 onion
  • 4 or 5 cloves of garlic
  • 1 oriental pear
  • 1 tablespoon of salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon of sugar
  • Small piece of ginger
  • 4 spring onions
Cut the cabbage into chunks and soak in water with 180g salt. Leave to soak for up to 5 hours.

Mix the sauce ingredients in a blender except the spring onions. These can be chopped into chunks and added to the sauce after it is properly blended.

Drain the cabbage and add the kimchi sauce, mix it by hand then add salt to taste. It should have a fairly salty flavour.

Store your kimchi in jars in the refrigerator for a week at which point it will be ready to eat.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

These Basic Knowledge About The Famous Sushi

Sushi is a Japanese delicacy made of cooked rice and fish wrapped firmly in nori. It may contain vegetables and fruits. Fish may be raw, cooked or marinated. Zake Sushi Houston is just one of the many restaurants serving sushi and other Japanese specialties.

Freezing and refrigeration play a big role in preserving the freshness of fish. In the past, fish used should be preserved by wrapping it with raw rice grains and allowing fermentation process to take place for several months. Another way to ensure food safety, sushi handlers partially cooks the fish to eliminate bacteria causing illness present in temperature abused raw fish.By dining in Zake Sushi Houston, residents and tourists in Houston have a chance for an experience.


First things first; do not confuse yourself between sushi and sashimi. These two are different Japanese dishes. Sushi is fish with rice wrapped in nori while sashimi is fish served without rice. Zake Sushi Houston and other Japanese restaurants serve different types of sushi. There many types of sushi. The ones you will read here are the most common types of sushi. Hand-formed sushi or Nigri-sushi has a small oval or rectangular pad and firmly pressed rice. It is served with a topping and may or may not be served with wasabi depending on the customer's flavor preference.

Maki-sushi is a popular type of sushi. It is cylindrical in form and makes use of seaweed wrapper or nori in wrapping rice and fish or any filling. Maki sushi appears in a uniform shape because it is rolled using a bamboo mat. There are two kinds of Maki sushi. Hosomaki contains only one filling and is thinly rolled. Futomaki has many filling and appears thickly rolled. A known concoction of Maki is California Maki which contains rice, protein, ripe mango slice and cucumber. It is served in Zake Sushi Houston and in sushi houses. Gunkan-maki is served without a nori wrapper. Ingredients are firmly hand-pressed using a cup. Temaki-sushi has a cylindrical shape. It is also called hand-rolled sushi. All of the filling are placed in nori and rolled by hand. Another name for Temaki-sushi is Japanese taco.

Sushi sides are served in Zake Sushi Houston. Among the most common sushi sides are pickled ginger, wasabi paste, shredded daikon and soy sauce. Pickled ginger has a pink color and served to rinse the palate after several bites of sushi. A blob of wasabi is served to give that extra kick. It appears green and is extremely spicy when taken in large amount. Shredded daikon, a not so favorite sushi side is served to also rinse the palate. Shredded daikon is a white and mild tasting radish. To add a salty and soya taste to sushi. Soy sauce is often served in bottles and small saucers or sauce dishes are provided for pouring a small amount of soy sauce. Some restaurants prepare their own blend of sushi sauce to provide an easier dining experience.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

This Recipe Will Help You Cook The Most Delicious Spaghetti

Recently, spaghetti is becoming more and more popular all over the world, it is not only nutritive but also quite easy to cook. There is a very simple recipe, and if everything is right you can try to do it at your home by yourself, by the time the spaghetti is done cooking all the ingredients can be mixed together, pop it in the oven for 10 minutes, and you’re ready to eat. This Southwestern Spaghetti Recipe is very easy, if you are looking for something a little different give it a try.


Ingredients

8 ounces spaghetti noodles

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

1lb ground beef

8 ounces fresh mushrooms

1 medium onion

1 medium green bell pepper

2 garlic cloves

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese

1 can sliced black olives

Instructions

Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees.

In a large bowl (or in the pot you boiled the spaghetti in) combine the drained cooked noodles with milk and egg. Mix well.

Butter a 9×13 inch casserole dish and pour the noodle mixture into the bottom.

In a large skillet brown ground beef, onion, green bell pepper, mushrooms and garlic.
 
Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce and cook for 2 more minutes.

Spread the meat sauce over the spaghetti noodles. Top with cheese and olives. Place into the oven and bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

The Tempting Spinach And Cheese Is Easy To Make

These tempting appetizers look like they're difficult to make...but they're not. They feature a spinach, onion and cheese filling simply rolled up in flaky puff pastry and sliced into pinwheels. You can assemble the spinach and cheese casserolein less than 10 minutes by using preshredded cheeses. Pair this dish with fresh berry salad and mini muffins for a lovely Mother's Day or graduation brunch.
  
Spinach And Cheese
Ingredients
  
1 tablespoon butter, melted Cooking spray
  
2 (6-ounce) packages fresh baby spinach
  
1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
  
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (about 5 3/4 ounces)
  
1 1/2 cups fat-free milk
  
1 cup egg substitute
  
1 teaspoon salt
  
1 teaspoon baking powder
  
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
  
Directions
  
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  
In a large bowl, combine ricotta, spinach, onion and egg. Season with parsley, pepper and garlic powder. Mix in 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan. In a separate bowl, stir together spaghetti sauce and water.
  
Spread 1 cup sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Stuff uncooked manicotti shells with ricotta mixture, and arrange in a single layer in the dish. Cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  
Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until noodles are soft.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Fresh Sardine Dishes That Will Be Loved By All Members Of The Family


Sardine Recipes
Sardines are the most popular and commonly used fish for culinary purposes. Do you also know that these fish have numerous health benefits and hence are considered as one of the healthiest foods? Sardines contains high amounts of proteins, several vitamins, essential amino acids, etc. As they are easily and abundantly available in nearly all places, you can easily include them in your diet. Here are some interesting canned and fresh sardine dishes that will be loved by all members of the family.

Healthy Recipes with Sardines

Although it is said that when buying canned sardines, you should look for those dipped in water or tomato sauce, rather than oil in order to reduce calorie intake. However, sardines dipped in extra virgin olive oil are also healthy, and do not contain large amounts of calories.

Sardine Salad

Ingredients
  • 8 ounce sardines with bones
  • 3 medium-sized tomatoes
  • 1 large cucumber
  • 1/4 cup of sliced onion
  • 15-ounce of chickpeas
  • 2 tablespoons of sliced Kalamata olives
  • 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese
  • 3 tablespoons of lemon juice
  • 1 minced clove of garlic
  • 2 teaspoons of dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoons of freshly ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
Method of Preparation
  1. Cut the tomatoes, cucumber and sardines into large chunks.
  2. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano and pepper in a bowl and whisk.
  3. Add all the other ingredients into it and mix well.
  4. Lastly, toss to combine well, top with some cheese and serve!
  5. This is one of the healthiest fish recipes for kids and adults.
Sardine Bruschetta

Ingredients
  • 4-5 ounces of canned sardines
  • 18 ounces of cannellini beans
  • 4-5 slices of country style bread
  • 2 oz of arugula / watercress
  • 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
  • 1 minced clove of garlic
  • 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Method of Preparation
  1. Drain the sardines and mix them with beans. Mash them together.
  2. Add oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper to the mashed fish and beans.
  3. Toast the bread and by spreading some oil over it.
  4. Place the fish mixture, arugula / watercress on top of the bread. Top with cheese if you like (optional).
Spicy Sardines

Ingredients
  • 8 - 12 sardines
  • 3 - 4 crushed garlic cloves
  • 1/4 oz of fresh finely chopped parsley
  • 1/2 cup of plain flour
  • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
  • 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Method of Preparation
  1. Mix the garlic and parsley together to form a fine paste.
  2. Spread the above mixture on the sardines from inner and outer side. Also brush some lemon juice over it.
  3. Now set the fish aside for 1-2 hours so as to let the flavors get absorbed completely.
  4. Mix cumin, salt and black pepper in the flour and form a homogeneous mixture.
  5. When the fish is ready, coat / roll it in the flour so that it is covered uniformly with it.
  6. Heat the oil in a frying pan until very hot.
  7. Slowly slide the fish in the oil one at the time fry only 2-3 fish at a time.
  8. Fry for 5 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.
  9. Serve with bread or as starters.
Sardine Spread

Ingredients
  • 8 canned sardines
  • 8 ounces of ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup of minced parsley
  • 2 tablespoons of capers
  • 1 teaspoon of curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon zest
Method of Preparation
  1. Drain the sardines and rinse them.
  2. Mix sardines and all the ingredients together in a food processor.
  3. Process to form a coarse mixture. The consistency should be like any other spread or dip.
  4. Serve with crackers, bread, chips, etc.
Now that you know the sardines health benefits and recipes, you should get going and try these recipes. So, plan a snack, a starter or a salad with sardines, using these recipes, for your next meal. Good luck!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Best Halibut Recipes Are Rich And Versatile And Include Everything


Halibut Recipe
Being one of the largest saltwater fish, the Halibut can weigh up to 160 pounds! Yes, people have been gorging on these delicious fish ever since the beginning of time. Throughout history, the Halibut has been considered by most religions as a sacred fish and has also been served at religious festivals and on holidays. A nutrient rich food, halibuts are an excellent source of proteins and other essential nutrients like magnesium, minerals selenium, potassium, vitamin B, phosphorus and above all, the extremely important omega-3 fatty acids.

In the kitchen, the halibut is just as versatile. With so many different recipes for frying, grilling, broiling, baking, deep-frying, barbecuing, poaching and pan-frying your halibut, you can take this delicious dish when you are out picnicking or even for family getaways.Some of the best halibut recipes are rich and versatile and include everything from appetizers and soups to salads and main dishes.

Grilled Halibut Recipe
Ingredients:
  • ½ a cup of low-sodium soy sauce.
  • 1 teaspoon of grated ginger.
  • Brown sugar, ¼ cup.
  • 1 garlic clove.
  • 1 teaspoon of dry mustard.
Procedure:

In a marinade dish, mix all the above ingredients and then add the halibut steaks. Cover both sides of the steaks and then set it aside for about 4 hours. Keep turning the steaks over frequently. Heat the grill at a medium temperature. Grill the steaks until they are well done but make sure they don't go dry, and keep basting them with marinade every now and then. Make sure you don't over cook the halibut, so stick to grilling it at a low temperature. Serve your grilled halibut with veggies or rice. Without being too overpowering, the marinade will give the fish a nice flavor.

Spicy Grilled Alaska Chili-Lime Halibut
Ingredients:
  • 4 steaks of Alaska Halibut.
  • Rice vinegar, ½ a cup.
  • Fresh lime juice, ½ a cup.
  • Grape seed oil, ¼ cup.
  • 1 cup of sweet Thai chili sauce.
  • Black sesame seeds, ¼ cup.
Procedure:

Mix all these ingredients together and then marinate the Alaskan steaks for about one hour. Make sure both sides are marinated well. Grill the steaks on the barbecue grill until the halibut flakes when you test it with a fork. This makes for 4 servings. The sweet Thai chili sauce is available at any Asian specialty market.

Halibut with Sambal Vinaigrette and Wasabi cream
Ingredients for Sambal Vinaigrette:
  • One and a half teaspoons of rice vinegar.
  • 2 tsp of Sambal Oelek.
  • One and a half teaspoons of Dijon mustard.
  • Vegetable oil, 1/3 cup.
Ingredients for the Wasabi cream:
  • 2 tsp of Wasabi powder.
  • 3 tbsp of water.
  • Sour cream, ¼ cup.
Ingredients for the Halibut:
  • 1 halibut steak (one and a half inch thick), skinned and bones and then cut into 4 pieces.
  • ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped.
  • ½ tsp vegetable oil.
Procedure:

Preheat the oven to about 400 degrees F. To make the Vinaigrette you need to blend all the ingredients together in a blender until a smooth paste is formed and then season this paste with salt. To make the cream you must first whisk the Wasabi powder with the water until it becomes a smooth paste and then whisk this paste in the sour cream and season with salt. To make the Halibut you must first pat the fish dry and then season it with salt and pepper. Sprinkle each side with the chopped parsley.

Heat a skillet over a high flame until it becomes hot. Then, add some oil and put in the fish with the parsley side up. Sear the fish for about 1 minute until its underside turns brown. Turn the fish over and then put the skillet in the center of the oven. Roast for about 5 minutes until the fish is well cooked. The fish is now ready to be served, parsley side up, with a spoonful of each of the sauces on top.

Halibut Hot Pie with Mashed Potato crust
Also great when served with mahi-mahi or salmon. Re-warm the potatoes in your microwave before you use them in this recipe and add more warm milk if the mashed potatoes are too thick.

Ingredients:
  • 2 tbsp of butter.
  • 1 large bulb of fennel trimmed and halved and then thinly sliced.
  • Sliced shallots, ½ a cup.
  • Flour, 2 tbsp.
  • One and a half cups of vegetable broth.
  • One and a half pounds of halibut fillets.
  • Baby spinach, 6 ounces.
  • Three and a half cups of mashed potatoes, warm.
Procedure:

Preheat the broiler. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a medium flame. Add the shallots and the fennel. Cover the pan and cook for about 8 minutes while stirring occasionally until they turn tender. Sprinkle with salt, flour and pepper. Sauté for about 2 minutes. Add the broth and then bring it to a boil while stirring frequently. Add the spinach and fish. Cover the dish and let it simmer over a medium flame for about 4 minutes until the fish is almost done.

Transfer this mixture to a baking dish. Spoon the mashed potatoes into the dish and cover it completely. Broil the dish until it starts bubbling at the edges and the potatoes develop brown spots. Your hot pie is now ready to be served.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Make The Best Habanero Hot Sauce Recipe As A Side Dish


Habanero Hot Sauce Recipe
For those people who prefer extra spicy foods, a deliciously prepared dish with a habanero hot sauce recipe will be the best treat. This spicy sauce goes well with any main course food recipes. In case, your family members love to have spicy foods, you can check out homemade habanero hot sauce recipe as a side dish. Or for a change from the regular food menu, you can serve them with these hot sauce recipes. Refer to the following simple habanero hot sauce recipes that you can prepare at home.

Habanero Hot Sauce Recipe for Canning
Ingredients
  • 12 habanero peppers (finely chopped)
  • ½ cup chopped carrots
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Directions for Preparation
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic for about 2-3 minutes, till they turn soft. Add the chopped carrots and toss the mixture. Pour ½ cup of water and bring the mixture to boil. Cover with a lid and simmer until the carrots are cooked well. Transfer the mixture into a blender and add habanero; blend this mixture for about 3 minutes. Then, combine the puree, lime juice, vinegar and a pinch of salt and simmer for approximately 5 minutes. For storing it in the refrigerator, pour habanero hot sauce recipe in containers with tight lids.

Mango Habanero Hot Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
  • 12 habanero peppers (chopped)
  • 1 mango (peeled)
  • 1 cup yellow mustard
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 tablespoon red chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper as per taste
Directions for Preparation
For preparing this fruit flavored mango habanero hot sauce recipe, first add the ingredients - habanero peppers, mango, mustard, vinegar and brown sugar into an electric blender. Grind the mixture for about 5 minutes to make a smooth paste. Transfer this paste into a frying pan and add the remaining ingredients - curry powder, red chill powder, cumin, salt and peper. Close the lid and simmer this mixture for about 5 -7 minutes. Serve this hot sauce recipe as a side dish. You can also preserve this habanero recipe in clean jars for future use.

Roasted Habanero Hot Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
  • 24 habanero peppers (roasted)
  • 8 cloves garlic (roasted)
  • 1 medium-sized sweet onion (roasted)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Honey (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Directions for Preparation
For roasting habanero, garlic and onion, you can use a thick iron skillet. Over a medium heat, roast these ingredients by turning occasionally for about 20 minutes or until they become tender. Remove the roasted habanero, garlic and onion from the skillet and allow them to cool down. Remove the skin of the garlic and the cloves and add them in the blender. Using a glove, add the habanero peppers in the blender after removing the skin and seeds. To this, add ½ cup vinegar, salt and pepper and blend the mixture for 5-7 minutes.

In the meantime, heat a skillet and add 1 cup vinegar and add the mixture from the blender. Stir the ingredients - brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, molasses and honey. Simmer the mixture over medium heat for 45-60 minutes. Serve best with chicken wings and grilled beef. More on spicy chili recipes.

You can prepare the above habanero hot sauce recipes, whenever you are expecting guests who enjoy having spicy food. Reduce the amount of habanero peppers to lessen the spiciness. You can also alter the ingredients for more flavor and taste. Make the best habanero hot sauce recipe and I amp sure your friends will ask for more next time.