Sunday, November 30, 2008

French Chocolate Brownies



French Chocolate Brownies

Julia Moskin’s got a terrific story about Brownies in the Dining section of today’s New York Times and I’m delighted that she’s included my recipe for French Chocolate Brownies. I’m crazy about these brownies and love the story of how they came about.


The first time I made the recipe I was in Paris, preparing dinner for friends and thinking I was making a fondant for dessert. Fondant, a creamy chocolate cake, is one of only a handful of sweets the French make for themselves at home. I made my fondant in a square pan (not usual, but not so far-out) and added rum-flamed raisins (again, not usual, but not heretical either). I cut the cake into squares and got the following reaction when I brought it to the table: “Ooh, brownies – splendide!”


Fondant? Brownies? Who was I to argue? Maybe my friends assumed that if an American was offering them a soft, thin, crackle-topped chocolate cake cut into squares, it had to be brownies. It didn’t really matter to me. I liked the recipe in Paris and I liked it just as much when I re-tested it in the States.


Because Julia Moskin is a brownie-purist – she’ll allow nuts, but that’s the limit on add-ins – she understandably clipped the raisins from the recipe. Without raisins, the brownies are a creamy, profoundly chocolaty tender treat; with them, they’re all that with a touch of exoticism tossed in.


French_brownies


If you want to add raisins to the brownies, here’s how to do it:


RUM-FLAMED RAISINS, for French Chocolate Brownies

(Adapted from Baking, From My Home to Yours)


1/3 cup raisins, dark or golden

1 1/2 tablespoons water

1 1/2 tablespoons dark rum


Put the raisins in a small saucepan with the water, bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until the water almost evaporates. Add the rum, let it warm for about 30 seconds, turn off the heat, stand back and flame the rum. When the flames have died, set the raisins aside until needed. Right before you’re ready to put the brownie batter in the pan, fold in the raisins.

PENNYLANE BROWNIES




Sumber: Riana Ambarsari

Untuk: 2 loyang 10 x 30 cm

Bahan:
4 butir telur
2 cup gula pasir (untuk yg gak suka manis, biasanya aku kurangin jadi 1 1/2 atau 1 3/4)
1 cup minyak goreng (pake minyak tidak jenuh supaya sehat. i.e. minyak canola, minyak kedelai, etc. Tapi pake minyak goreng biasa juga gpp kok)
3/4 cup bubuk coklat
1 1/2 cup tepung terigu
1 sdt garam
2 sdt vanili
cincangan kacang tanah sangrai / panggang

Cara membuat:
-Telur dikocok sampai mengembang.
-Masukkan gula sambil dikocok terus. Masukkan bahan-bahan lainnya, aduk perlahan-lahan sampai tercampur.
-Olesi loyang dengan mentega, panaskan oven 180 derajat celcius.
-Tuang adonan ke loyang, panggang +/- 35 menit. Test dengan tusuk igi/lidi yang bersih.
-Dinginkan sebelum dikeluarkan dari loyang dan dipotong-potong.

Tips:
- Tambahin coklat chips kurang lebih 1/2 cup untuk yang suka dalemnya moist dan pekat. Kalo ditambahin coklat chips, loyang sebaiknya di alasi kertas kue supaya coklat chipsnya gak nempel dan hangus diloyang.
- variasi-in juga sama marshmallow, oreo, atau coklat snickers.
- Terus atasnya siram pake coklat cair dalam keadaan kue masih agak hangat (kan biasanya orang justru nunggu sampe kue dingin), tipis-tipis aja. Ini bikin kelembaban brownies bertahan lama.
- Kalo pake Oreo, Oreonya disusun di tengah adonan. Tuang setengah adonan, susun oreo mendatar biasa, tutup dengan sisa adonan, panggang. Nanti kalo dipotong, tengahnya ada lapisan krin oreo. Tapiiiiiii, ini jadinya rada keras bronisnya. Ada pembeli yang suka, ada yang nggak.
- Terus kalo pake Snickers, Snickernya diremukin, terus ditabur di atas adonan di loyang. Panggang. Yang ini jatohnya, mahalllllll… hehehe…
- Yang paling asik pake marshmallow (pilih yang putih, agak besar, dan gak terlalu manis. Jangan yang warna-warni, biasanya dia cenderung lebih manis). Setelah bronis mateng, taburin marshmallownya di atas kue, masukin lagi ke oven pake api atas aja, sampe marshmallow meleleh dan agak kecoklatan.
Keluarin, kucurin dengan coklat cair.

Catatanku:
Kocokan telur dan gula menentukan ‘kebantatan’ Brownies ini. Semakin lama mengocok telur dan gula semakin ’spongy’ browniesnya. Terserah selera masing-masing saja. Karena keluarga kami lebih suka yang bantat dengan cincangan kacang tanah goreng yang banyak, dan coklat chips yang banyak, maka cara membuatnya menjadi:
- Panaskan oven dan alasi loyang dengan kertas roti.
- Kocok lepas telur.
- Masukkan sisa bahan lain. Lalu aduk dengan spatula hingga rata.
- Tuang ke dalam cetakan, panggang seperti biasa.

Good Recipes for Dinner: Aphrodisiac Dinner Date




Aphrodisiac Dinner Date
Dinner dates with new companions can make or break a budding romance. First dates can be nerve racking. Planning the date can be particularly difficult. Where should you go, what should you do and what would be enjoyable? You might worry that your date will not like the restaurant, the food or worse yet, the company. Once the date begins you may sometimes struggle with conversation, feel awkward and suffer from anxiety. Don't be ashamed, it happens to everyone.

What you need to do is have a plan. Once you have a course of action in place, you can stay focused. You will have more on your mind than the impending fate of your date. With this in mind you should be able to focus on the fine details of your production instead of wondering if he or she will like you. This will immediately restore your confidence and it will give you something else to worry about! A quintessential part of your grand design should be controlling what kind of delicacies are to be consumed.

Well planned and prepared meals can be a journey through sensuality. You don't have to be a master chef to concoct a tantalizing meal, but take some time to familiarize yourself with natural foods and herbs which directly affect the senses as well as hormone and vitamin levels. A great meal can be an aphrodisiac on a number of levels: the way it is prepared, the way it looks, the way it feels, the way it smells, the way it tastes and the way it makes you feel afterwards. The absolute best and incomparable sort of dinner date you can arrange is one that you prepare yourself at your own home. In this scenario you can be the male or the female, it does not matter. When a guy cooks for a girl, the woman feels special, elated, curious and very vulnerable because the man is in complete and total control. And when the woman cooks for her special guy, she gets to showcase any special culinary talents which can serve as a hint of more to come. When you cook for someone at home you can control the food, the ambiance, the music and even the romance. You are also alone. You have a little bit less stress on both parties because you are not in front of a crowd of other diners and waiters, you can forget about small formalities and you have a better opportunity to be yourselves. And not to mention cooking for someone is incredibly romantic in itself. It shows heart, thoughtfulness and a generous effort to please the other person.

The definition of an aphrodisiac is something that arouses or intensifies sexual desire. There are hundreds of different natural foods and herbs that are thought to be aphrodisiacs usually stemming from folklore and myths. To be exact, there are no foods that will turn on sexual desire like the flick of a switch. No scientific tests have ever concluded that certain foods will suddenly make you feel in the mood . Forget about Spanish fly. All that ever did was aggravate the urinal tract causing people to confuse the tingling sensation in their pelvic region with one of a sexual nature. However, there are certain natural foods that can help alter and guide the moment, and you might be surprised.

Asparagus may be at the top of list as a natural aphrodisiac. It contains healthy doses of natural vitamins and minerals including the two major sex vitamins : vitamins D and E. Vitamin D is responsible for hormone production including sex hormones while vitamin E is responsible for increasing the amount of oxygenated blood being pumped into your sex organs. Notably, asparagus has always been considered an aphrodisiac even in the past because of its phallic appearance. The rest of the nutrients in asparagus increase vitality and work to energize the body by erradicating ammonia. Other foods rich in the sex vitamins are eggs and sunflower seeds. I don't think we can work in the eggs for a romantic dinner, but try sprinkling your salad with some delicious sunflower seeds.

Another aphrodisiac at the top of the list are chiles. Not only do chiles increase the heart rate, they also release endorphins into the body. Spicy foods in general help the body to increase its production of these so called happy hormones which are utilized by the body to cope with the burn. But the hormones have another effect, they give us a natural high. Chocolate, a popular aphrodisiac, also helps increase the endorphin rush. Oysters on the half shell are not as potent as you might think. They contain very little nutritional value and the effect they have are on men, not women. First, the sweet and salty smell is very similar to the female pheromone and second, they contain a high amount of the zinc mineral which is a key ingredient for testosterone production.

Aphrodisiacs do not have to have an effect on the body as described above. Delicious and fragrant smells can put people in the right mood and even make people feel more comfortable. For example, men are insatiably attracted to the smell of apple-cinnamon candles while women are pleased with smell of lavender and rosemary spices. Use your imagination with the food selection as well. Some foods are just sexy. Grapes and champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, artichokes with hollandaise sauce and lamb chops are just a few of my favorites.***

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by Advice Diva
About the author: The Advice Diva has written four self-help guides on relationships and dating which can be found at http://www.advicediva.com She also hosts an online advice column which is completely free of charge.

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  • Chocolate Cheesecake 2
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Artikel:Kiat Jitu Memulai Usaha Burger , seri wirausaha




Kiat Jitu Memulai Usaha Burger
kirman: Ibu Rosfilawati, Pekanbaru
Agar usaha burger yang kita jalankan sukses, beberapa tahapan di bawah ini perlu dilakukan untuk meminimalisasikan kerugian. Alasan utama bahwa bisnis makanan adalah bisnis yang entry barier rendah sehingga bisa dilakukan oleh siapapun. Untuk itu yang paling penting adalah Anda menetapkan konsep burger yang akan Anda jual, setelah itu Anda bisa mencapai tahapan realisasinya setelah itu.

Tahapan Konsep Jitu Membuka Usaha adalah:

1. Menentukan Jenis Makanan Yang Akan Dijual
Memastikan jenis resep makanan yang Anda jual membuat Anda fokus untuk memahaminya. Fokus pada satu jenis resep makanan lebih mudah dari pada banyak jenis resep makanan. Ketika satu jenis resep makanan sudah diterima, Anda bisa menambahkan resep makanan lain.

2. Target Pembeli
Artinya Anda tahu siapa yang akan membeli makanan Anda. Anda mengenal perilaku mereka, daya beli, umur, gender, suku dan seterusnya yang dapat Anda tentukan. Hal ini sangat penting karena Anda harus fokus pada satu segmen pasar. Sekali lagi bahwa bnisnis makanan banyak pesaing, mudah dilakukan dan bermodal kecil, maka membatasi diri pada satu segmen akan memudahkan Anda untuk memulai usaha. Target pembeli yang paling umum adalah dari penghasilan yakni penghasilan rendah, sedang dan tinggi.

3. Mengenal Perilaku Konsumen
Dengan memahami perilaku konsumen Anda maka Anda akan mudah untuk memenuhi kebutuhan dan harapan terhadap resep makanan yang Anda jual nanti. Bahkan yang lebih bagus lagi adalah Anda mampu memahami keinginan tersirat dari konsumen terhadap resep makanan yang Anda jual. Konsumen anak muda yang menyukai hal-hal baru yang bersifat funkyu, praktis dan enak.

4. Mengenal Pesaing
Untuk mengetahui posisi dan kesempatan, Anda sebaiknya mempelajari siapa saja pesaing atau orang yang berjualan makanan yang sama dengan Anda. Tak harus sama menjadi seperti pesaing. Menjual makanan dengan keunggulan resep lebih berbeda akan menjauhkan Anda dari persaingan. Persaingan dalam banyak hal akan menghabiskan biaya dan energi. Mengetahui pesaing penting juga untuk menentukan strategi dan ukuran usaha yang akan kita buat. Jika kantong tipis sebaiknya hindari persaingan secara langsung.

Dengan mengenal tahapan tersebut Anda bisa mendifinisikan secara tepat macam resep makanan yang akan dijual. ***

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source: Tabloid Lezat

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Freezing Cookies and Cookie Dough

If you're looking ahead to the holiday season and wondering how you're going to get all your baking done, consider freezing your cookie dough or fresh baked cookies ahead of time. When the holidays get closer you can get that last bit of shopping done or last present made instead of spending all your time in the kitchen.

FREEZING COOKIE DOUGH
Cookie dough will freeze well for 4 to 6 weeks. Rolls of dough should be sealed tightly in plastic wrap (chill in refrigerator first before freezing). Other kinds of dough should be stored in airtight containers. Drop cookies (unbaked) may be frozen on cookie sheets and transferred to freezer bags. Let stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.

Don't try to freeze soft meringue-type cookie dough. Chocolate chip, brownies, peanut butter, and sugar cookie dough (or anything similar) freezes well. Let the dough defrost in the refrigerator (about 2-3 hours). Make sure to label the container with the date and type of cookie dough.

FREEZING BAKED COOKIES
Almost any baked cookie freezes well. Let cookies completely cool before freezing. Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap then store them in a ziploc freezer bag or storage tin (coffee cans or holiday tins work great). You can also just layer the cookies between layers of waxed paper in the container, but the individually wrapped ones will store longer.

Freeze frosted cookies uncovered first until they are firm. Then pack them in airtight container lined with plastic wrap or foil. Make sure to label the container with the date and type of cookies. Unfrosted cookies can be frozen up to 6-12 months (frosted, about 3 months). Frozen cookies thaw in about 10 minutes at room temperature (if you can wait that long). If cookies should be crisp when thawed, remove them from the container before thawing.

Gingersnaps
1 c. sugar 3/4 c. butter 2 eggs 3 c. flour 2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. ginger 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. cloves 1/2 c. molasses

In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter. Add eggs. Stir in flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Add molasses, stirring well. Refrigerate dough for an hour or two to chill. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in a little sugar and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes.

Snickerdoodles
1 c. butter 1 1/2 c. sugar 2 eggs 2 3/4 c. flour 2 tsp. cream of tartar 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt

In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and eggs. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Refrigerate dough for an hour or two to chill. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Peanut Butter Crackles
1 3/4 c. flour 1/2 c. sugar 1/2 c. brown sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 c. butter, softened 1/2 c. peanut butter Chocolate kisses or stars

Mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix together butter, peanut butter, and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in sugar and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and press chocolate kisses firmly into cookie. ***

--------------------------------------------
by Rachel Paxton
About the author: Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom helping other moms to organize their families and their lives. For other organizing hints visit http://www.Organized-Mom.com.

Resep Pandan Kenari Ambon, bumbu pakai ragi



Resep Ambon Pandan Kenari
kirman: Sundari, Karanganyar- Solo


Bahan resep biangnya:
100 gram tepung terigu protein sedang.
125 ml air.
1 bungkus ragi instan.

Bahan resep utama:
250 ml santan dari 1 butir kelapa.
50 ml air suji (dari 30 lembar daun suji dan 2 lembar daun pandan).
15 lembar daun jeruk, disobek-sobek.
2 batang serai, diambil putihnya, dimemarkan.
2 lembar daun pandan disimpulkan.
2 sendok teh garam.
300 gram gula pasir.
225 gram tepung sagu.
25 gram tepung ketan putih.
7 butir telur.
6 tetes pewarna hijau muda.
50 gram kenari, diiris panjang untuk taburan.

Cara membuat resep bika ambon pandan kenari ini:
1. Panaskan cetakan kue lumpur dengan resep kelapa parut sampai berminyak. Buang kelapanya.
2. Aduk rata resep bahan biang. Diamkan 15 menit.
3. Rebus resep berikut ini: santan, air suji, daun jeruk, serai, daun pandan, garam dan gula pasir sambil diaduk sampai mendidih. Saring dan ukur 475 ml.
4. Aduk resep tepung sagu, tepung ketan putih dan biang sampai rata. Tambahkan telur satu per satu sambil dikocok perlahan.
5. Masukkan rebusan santan hangat dan pewarna hijau muda sedikit sedikit sambil dikocok 15 menit dengan kecepatan rendah. Diamkan 2 jam.
6. Tuang resep tsb ke dalam cetakan kue lumpur yang sudah dipanaskan. Biarkan sampai berlubang-lubang. Tabur kenari . Tutup. Biarkan sampai matang.
Resep ini cukup untuk 40 buah. ***

------------------------------------------------
source: Tabloid Saji

=================================================================

How To Enjoy the Season - Easy Tips and Delicious Recipes

Take Time to Enjoy the Season
From the first day of winter to Christmas to Chanukah to Kwanzaa, December is totally filled with holidays to celebrate - well, except for that first day of winter. And so this article is also filled with lots of cooking and entertaining tips and holiday recipes just for you.

With all of this celebrating, we tend to wear ourselves out pretty quickly. Already this past weekend, I saw people fighting over a parking space. How ridiculous did that look? And the season has barely begun. So make every attempt to keep it in perspective. Nothing has to be perfect - really. If you don't have the chance to totally transform each gift into a beautiful package, or make a 5 course meal, it is ok.

Especially this time of year, plan ahead, make those lists, organize your meals and shopping trips and trips to stores that are clustered together. Ask yourself- "how can I make this easier on myself?" each time you are faced with a holiday project.

Make a list of what are the most important things for you to do, top to bottom, and then decide what gets done and what will not be done this year. Like those Christmas cards - for me, the list does get smaller because for whatever reason, that is not something I really enjoy doing. So I gave myself permission to cut back, and hope that my friends will understand. It is a little relief which gives me more time to spend on more pleasurable activities. So go ahead - make your own list and give yourself and your family a little more time to enjoy what this season is all about.***

Artikel: Mau Usaha Makanan, Baca dulu rahasia dan tip ini



Ingin Usaha Makanan? Baca Dulu Tips Ini
kiriman: Cahyadi Nugroho, Balikpapan.

Usaha makanan memiliki peluang begitu besar. Namun ada yang lebih penting lagi untuk dapat mengisi peluang tersebut adalah kesiapan mental. Berwirausaha membutuhkan mental yang lebih kuat. Untuk menjadi usahawan resep dan kuliner yang tangguh, diperlukan motivasi yang menjadikan usaha teresebut semakin berkembang. Motivasi adalah jantung usaha . Kesuksesan pengusaha tak terlepas dari kerja keras dan motivasi yang luar biasa. Apalagi dengan meningkatnya permintaan akan makanan resep modern semacam burger dan hotbeef akhir-akhir ini (pasar membesar) maka memulai usaha menadi begitu terbuka. Berikut hal-hal mengembangkan usaha resep makanan.

1. Tujuan
Bahwa berwirausaha memiliki tujuan yang mulia. Anda sadar berwirausaha adalah membantu orang lain atau minimal Anda tidak merepotkan orang lain. Tujuan tidak harus Anda kaitkan dengan penghasilan. Sebaik baiknya manusia adalah yang berguna bagi orang lain. Pengusaha merupakan contoh dari manusia yang memberi manfaat orang lain. Anda bisa memberi kesempatan kerja karena Anda memiliki karyawan, Anda bisa menyenangkan pembeli karena mereka memenuhi kebutuhan dasar yakni makan atau Anda bisa menggerakkan usaha orang lain lewat bahan baku yang Anda beli dari pedagang ayam dst. ini adalah sebuah gerakan yang berulang-ulang yang saling memberi manfaat. Anda boleh berangkat dari niat karena ingin mendapatkan uang yang lebih banyak, tapi uang yang lebih banyak akan datang saat Anda sudah membuat orang dalam bisnis Anda juga kaya.

Cinta
Memasak selalu dikatikan dengan hobi atau kesenangan. Anda akan lebih cepat memulai usaha ini jika Anda mencintai dunia kuliner dan resep. Hobi adalah salah satu pertanda dari Allah kemana sebenarnya kita mulai usaha. Anda mencintai masakan atau minimal gemar makan bisa menjadi modal awal untuk melangkah.

Jangan Takut
Percayalah bahwa keberuntungan lebih berpihak pada orang yang berani. Memulai usaha tidak perlu takut. Resiko gagalnya sangat kecil sekali. Dari sisi modal Anda bisa mulai dari skala dapur, keahlian tidak ada masalah bahwa memasak bisa dilakukan oleh siapapun asal dengan hati (perasaan) maka resep masakan enak dan pembelinya insyaAllah ada karena orang hidup butuh makan. Dengan melihat potensi tersebut tidak ada alasan untuk takut memulai usaha. Anda juga bisa memulai dari skala yang paling kecil dengan biaya minim.

Hadapi Tantangan dan Kesulitan
Mengembangkan usaha bukan berarti tidak ada tantangan. Tantangan dan kesulitan bisa jadi muncul dari dalam atau kondisi eksternal. Percayalah bahwa tantangan yang datang bisa diselesaikan. Seperti sikhlus hidup usaha makanan juga menghadapi kerikil tajam di tengah jalan. Anda mampu menhadapinya. Dan setiap ada kesulitan pasti akan datang kemudahan. Aneka tantangan dan kesulitan semacam isu negatif dunia makanan, kesulitan modal, kegemukan, persaingan yang tidak fair, masalah suplai bahan baku, karyawan yang tidak jujur dst justru akan menjadikan Anda pribadi yang lebih matang. Dengan melewati dan menyelesaikannya, Anda akan semakin kuat.

Belajar
Anda tidak perlu takut jika tidak menguasai bidang resep dan kuliner. Pelajari semua detail dengan penuh semangat. Jangan percaya bahwa bakat menentukan keberhasilan seseorang, lebih penting dari itu adalah keinginan yang kuat. Keinginan yang kuat untuk mempelajari bisnis resep dan kuliner adalah dasar untuk menjadi sukses. Bahkan Anda pun yang ahli harus tetap belajar karena dunia berkembang. Jika tidak maka Anda tertinggal.

Berani Berubah
Perubahan merupakan bagian yagn tidak terelakkan dalam hidup. Berani melakukan perubahan dalam hidup bisa mejadikan Anda tetap sukses. Bisnis makanan adalah fashion, mudah berubah dan dipengaruhi. Anda harus memperhatikan perubahan yang terjadi. Amati trends dan siklus umur bisnis sehingga Anda tidak tertinggal.

Sadar Potensi Diri
Menyadari potensi diri bukan berarti sombong tapi menyadari keberadaan dan anugerah yang telah diberikan Allah SWT. Bahwa setiap orang berhak untuk mendapatkan keberhasilan baik dari sisi finansial atau manfaat kepada orang lain. Tiap orang punya potensi, jangan matikan potensi Anda. ***

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source: Tabloid Lezat

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Making a Perfect Spanish Tortilla.

Spanish Tortilla, how to make this traditional Spanish dish as well as a few interesting variations.
Mexican and Spanish Tortillas are not to be confused as they are two very different dishes. Likewise this Spanish omelete is only a distant cousin to the French omelette as it is not folded but is quite thick and flat and normally contains potato and sometimes bits of meat or other vegetables. Traditionally the Spanish tortilla was taken by the peasants into the fields where it was eaten cold between two slices of homemade bread covered in Olive Oil.

It is often served in slices, again cold, in tapas bars. However it can equally well be enjoyed hot with a side salad and some crispy bread and as such is an important part of the health giving Mediterranean Diet.

The success of making a Spanish Tortilla lies in the turning of the omelette and cooking it on both sides. For this I use a specially designed wooden platter with a knob handle, rather reminiscent of a saucepan lid, which I bought in Spain. However provided the first side is well cooked an ordinary dinner plate will suffice. For a 4 egg Spanish Tortilla use an 8" (20cm) frying pan or smaller,so that it comes out good and thick. It goes without saying that Olive Oil should be used to cook it in.

Basic Spanish Tortilla.
Ingredients:
I kilo potatoes 4-5 eggs 3 Tbs. chopped onion ( optional ) half tsp. salt. 50 ml. Olive oil

Either dice or slice the peeled potatoes. Heat the oil until very hot then add the potatoes and onions, if desired. Stir to completely cover in oil and seal them. Reduce heat slightly and continue stirring and cooking, without browning, for about 15 minutes. Using the edge of a metal spatula keep cutting into the potatoes, dicing them whilst they cook. When quite tender drain off the oil into a heat proof dish and put the potatoes in a bowl.Beat the eggs and salt together well, then stir into the potatoes and mix well.

Return the oil to the pan and reheat.Pour in the egg and potato mixture, let it set on the bottom then turn down the heat and cook slowly so it doesn't brown too fast. Run your spatula around the edge of the pan to stop it sticking and shake the pan frequently to keep it loose. When the bottom is cooked place a plate over the frying pan and turn your Spanish tortilla onto it, then return to the pan, uncooked side down and continue cooking for a further 5 minutes or so. Serves 2 as a main dish or 4-6 as an appetizer or first course.

Spanish Tortilla with Spinach.
This is a lovely healthy variation on the traditional dish.
Ingredients:
6 Tbs. cooked spinach 2 tsps. finely chopped onion 2 eggs beaten salt and pepper grated cheese 1 Tbs. olive oil
Drain the spinach well and chop finely, mix with the onion, salt,pepper and beaten egg. Heat the oil in a small pan and pour in the mixture. Cook and turn as per the traditional Spanish tortilla and sprinkle with grated cheese just prior to serving.

Spanish Tortilla with Asparagus.
Ingredients:
400 grams potatoes 100 grams cooked asparagus tips 1 onion thinly sliced 1 Tbs. chopped parsley 50 ml. olive oil half tsp. salt 100 grams brown breadcrumbs 6 eggs beaten
Dice the potatoes and cook with the onion in 2 tbs. olive oil, as per the basic recipe. When tender stir in the breadcrumbs and asparagus. Fry all for a few minutes. Mix together the eggs, parsley and salt.Add remaining oil to the pan, heat through then add egg mixture and cook and turn as for the basic Spanish tortilla recipe. Serves 6 as a starter.

Spanish Tortilla with Prawns.
Ingredients:
6 prawns, cooked, peeled and chopped 2 eggs 1Tbs.finely chopped parsley salt and pepper 2 Tbs. olive oil
Add the chopped prawns to the well beaten eggs. Season with the salt, pepper and parsley. Heat the oil well and then cook and turn as above. ***

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by Ruth Polak
About the author: Article submitted by Ruth Polak the owner of http://www.costadelsol-vacationrentals.com A web site specializing in holiday villas and apartments on the Costa del Sol and in Rural Andalucia. You will also find lots of information about Spain and Andalucia, in particular.


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Is Fried Food Bad For You?

KFC changed its image by retiring the slogan Kentucky FRIED Chicken. Instead, they became known as serving up Kitchen Fresh Chicken. Long are the days of Wesson Oil commercials that proudly encouraged yummy fried chicken for dinner.

When was the last time you saw a splatter screen? How about a Fry Daddy? It must be a pretty big sin to eat fried foods these days. Or is it?

Look at the menu at Long John Silvers; nothing but fried food. Look at any menu for that matter, deep fried beer battered shrimp, fried clams, French fries, fried potatoes, fried eggs. Outback restaurant has the Blooming Onion, that puppy is soaked in oil. Fried Fried Fried.

So perhaps no one is trying to say that fried food is good for you, but nations sure are indulging in the grease laden foods, especially Americans. Perhaps this isn't a good time to bring up the Obesity statistics. But here's the kicker, "It tastes so good!" Granted, some fried foods are just too greasy, but a majority of them just taste delicious. That's why loads of indulgers treat themselves to a so many artery-closing delicacies!

First there were the French fries, now there are deep fried dill pickles and deep fried Oreos? How did THAT leap happen? Don't forget deep fried ice cream and deep fried peaches. Of course what menu isn't complete without the deep fried mushrooms, deep friend cheese sticks, and deep friend cauliflower? Perhaps if you deep fry vegetables, it's a little healthier? Is that how it works? Or if you deep fry already fattening nibbles, such as ice cream and Oreos, then it doesn't really matter because you're already cheating?

Nevertheless it continues. There's deep fried strawberries, Snickers, potato salad, zucchini, tofu, cheesecake, rice balls, bananas, corn, shrimp, and even deep fried turkey. Product flyers claim the winged bird is "so much juicier when cooked in a deep fryer!" So we got rid of the little table top Fry Daddy and went for the floor model turkey fryer. Umm, ok.

Then there's the big decision about what kind of oil to use? Olive, peanut, vegetable, canola, lard, butter, margarine or Valvoline 10-40? Certainly don't forget to check out your saturated fats against your polyunsaturated fats versus the monounsaturated fats.
Maybe you should say fats. Did we ever decide if fried was a bad word? Perchance the better word is Saut ed. Indeed. Saut ed Oreos - much healthier! ***

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by Ronald Yip
About the author: Author: Ronald Yip Please visit my website at: http://www.recipeslovers.com Visit Internet's Unique Market Place for Info Products at: http://www.alphasoft.cc/links/recipes.php