The Apartment Bistro – Foodvaganza

Yorkshire puddings are a great British tradition; in this article you will learn more about Yorkshire puddings and find a Yorkshire pudding recipe.

Many years ago when I was a young child I used to watch in fascination whenever my mother cooked or baked. Her Yorkshire pudding recipe was in her head, she never measured ingredients, just seemed to have a sense of the perfect amounts. On Sundays we always had a roast and whether that roast was beef, lamb, pork, chicken or even turkey she always made Yorkshire puddings. What else would a Yorkshire lady make to compliment the Sunday roast?

Although mum never measured ingredients everything that she made always turned out delicious and perfect. Her Yorkshires always rose just right, crispy around the edges and leaving a hollow to collect the gravy in and they were always that lovely golden colour that we associate with Yorkshire puddings.

Traditionally Yorkshire puddings were a filler dish served with onion gravy before the main roast course in households that could not afford a lot of meat, but as far back as I can remember Yorkshires have been an integral part of the main course.

Although originating in Yorkshire they are popular all over the country, indeed the world. There are few places that you can go that you will not find the legend ‘Traditional British Sunday Dinner’ or indeed lunch on offer. The traditional British Sunday dinner always includes Yorkshire pudding as an integral part of the meal.

Although I prefer to make my own Yorkshire puddings, frozen cooked or uncooked versions are easily available and they taste almost as good. You can also get powdered batter mix where you just need to add milk or water, not quite as good in my opinion.

I should perhaps have used ready-made versions the first time that I attempted to make Yorkshire puddings. Newly married I was trying to impress my husband with a lovely Sunday lunch complete with Yorkshires. I did not have a recipe and tried to emulate my mother’s non-measuring method. An hour passed and my Yorkshire pudding still was not cooked. We ate the dinner but had to pass on the Yorkshires because I had added twice as much milk as necessary. I made sure that I used a recipe after that!

Yorkshire Pudding Recipe

This is the recipe that I use, a traditional pouring batter recipe that can be used for pancakes as well as Yorkshire pudding.

4oz (100g) Plain Flour
1 medium sized egg
pinch of salt
½ pint (280ml) of milk (or mixture of milk and water)
2oz (50g) lard/fat or 2 tablespoons of oil – as an healthier alternative I use vegetable or sunflower oil, or you can use fat from the meat.

Mix the flour and salt in a basin and make a hollow in middle. Drop the egg into the hollow and stir in with a wooden spoon. Add the milk (milk and water) gradually, stirring all of the time until the flour is worked in. Add rest of liquid and beat well. The end result should have a similar consistency to single cream.

Melt the fat in cooking tin until spitting hot. Can be one large tin square, rectangular, round or small tins or a bun tin. When the fat is hot enough pour in the batter just half filling small tins, patty tins or bun tins. Cook at 450F, 230C or gas mark 8. Large tins for about 30 minutes, small tins or bun tins 15 – 20 minutes.

When cooked they should turn out puffy, golden and crispy on the outside and sunken in the middle. Some people let the fat from the meat drip on to the Yorkshire puddings while cooking.

A popular addition to menus in recent years in restaurants, cafes and bars is a king size or giant Yorkshire pudding filled with onion gravy or different meat, vegetable and gravy concoctions. This dish is served as a separate course emulating the original filler course.

You can even buy delicious smaller Yorkshire puddings filled with steak in one large chain store, rather like traditional steak and kidney puddings but made with batter mix.

Another popular meal made with Yorkshire pudding batter is Toad in the Hole. This is a tasty low cost meal with sausages cooked in the batter. An alternative there is to use lamb chops.

Yorkshire Pudding Facts

The first known Yorkshire Pudding Recipe was published in 1737 in ‘The Whole Duty Of A Woman’ and named ‘A Dripping Pudding’. Eight years later a lady named Hannah Glasse published it in her Art of Cookery as Yorkshire Pudding.

The first British Yorkshire Pudding day was on February 3rd 2008 and in future the celebrations will be on the first Sunday of every February.

On Sunday 11th June 2000 the first Great Yorkshire Pudding Boat Race was held in Brawby in North Yorkshire. The organiser Simon Thackray arranged for 6 3ft in diameter Yorkshire puddings to be baked coated with yacht varnish. Each ‘boat’ used up 50 eggs.

Raw food is the very best diet for anyone. Hearty main-dish salads help you feel full and satisfied. Lighter salads serve as a side dish or appetizer. Dig into one tonight, and you’re well on your way to starting your own salad habit.

A diet can never be complete without fruits. The most appealing factor of fruits is that they are taken raw and are one hundred percent natural. If fruit is canned in 100 percent fruit juice, drain the juice to avoid added calories.

Cooking greens are a Southern tradition – and superstitiously thought to bring good luck for the upcoming year when eaten on New Year’s Day. They include any type of cabbage where the green leaves do not form a compact head.

Beef contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)—particularly if it’s grass-fed—and preliminary research shows that CLA may play a potential role in weight loss and bone health, as well as lower heart disease and cancer risk. Steak recipes and other beef recipes can be tonight’s ticket to eating well! Freezing your food will help with portion control too—you can’t have an extra helping if it’s frozen solid! Sweet potatoes are highly alkalizing foods and are good for the winter months.

Though you can buy baked chips, they still are high in fat and sodium, and tend to be brittle. Making them at home is easy, lets you control the fat and salt, and produces sturdier chips. Mix together 1 tablespoon (15 ml) low-sodium soy sauce, 2 teaspoons (10 ml) fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) five-spice powder, 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground coriander, and 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) garlic powder. Toss to coat evenly.

Consider lighter fare like a sorbet or a yogurt dish topped with fresh berries and strawberry syrup or fruit with a heavy cream on the side. Try a cappuccino for sweetness or richness, but make it with skim milk.

Increase portions when you serve vegetables and fruits. Use low-fat seasoning with herbs, spices, and lemon juice — think smart, eat well and move more

To lose weight effectively, you need to set realistic goals and create a personal action plan. Your planning should focus on you and your commitment to yourself.

Take note of which foods that you and your family already enjoy. Then try to find more recipes that incorporate those tastes and textures.

Use the Internet as a tool to search for low sodium foods and make your grocery list. Write down the food product, the name of the manufacturer, and the sodium content of each item.

Sodium causes your body to retain, or hold, more water. This increases the work of your heart as it pumps blood through your body.

With a little persistence on your part you’ll come through with flying colors and a slimmer body.

For a home-cooked comfort meal, especially in these difficult financial times, try this Classic Country Swiss Steak with Noodles.  Add the Green Beans and Garlic for more color and flavor.  These recipes are so simple that even beginning cooks can whip up a delicious meal yet it will satisfy even the hearty, picky eaters.  This meal is also perfect for the diabetics in your group of family and friends.

CLASSIC COUNTRY SWISS STEAK

2 large carrots

2 tbsp cooking oil, divided

1 lb boneless round steak

1 can (14 1/2-oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (8-oz) tomato sauce

1 tsp Splenda (or sugar)

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1 can (4-oz) sliced mushrooms, drained

Cooked and buttered no-yolk egg noodles, if desired

In a large skillet, saute carrots in 1 tbsp of the oil unti the carrots are crisp-tender; remove and set aside.  Cut meat into four pieces.  Add meat and remaining oil to skillet; cook over medium-high heat until browned on both sides.  Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, Splenda, and oregano.  Cover skillet and simmer for one hour.  Add the onion, celery, mushrooms, and carrots.  Cover again and simmer for 45 minutes or until meat and vegetables are tender.  Thicken with a little flour or cornstarch, if desired..  Serve over the egg noodles.

GREEN BEANS AND GARLIC

2 lb fresh green beans

2 tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce

1/8 tsp black pepper

Rinse beans, but do not drain and dry.  Snap beans into 2-inch lengths; set aside.  Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add the minced garlic to the oil and cook 1 to 2 minutes or until aromatic.  Be careful not to let the garlic burn.  Add beans, soy sauce and enough water to wet the beans for steaming.  Cover the pan and allow beans to steam cook until crisp tender and bright green.  Stir often and add more water if necessary.  Sprinkle with the pepper before serving.

1 cup = 92 calories, 11 g carbs, 3 g protein

Enjoy!

One of the newest trends in gift giving is the health foods gift basket. It’s a means of giving a friend or loved one a nudge towards a healthier lifestyle, and healthier eating habits.

If you know someone who’s recently undergone a heart attack, or just been told they need to cut way back on the amount and types of food they are eating, a gift basket overflowing with healthy, good for them foods is a great way to tell them to stay the course, and that you …

Love Them

You could take the easy way out, sneak them bad-for-them food and help them to an early grave, or you could bite the bullet and help and encourage them to eat healthy so they will be around to love for a long, long time.

The best way to let someone know that you love and encourage them is by giving them a healthy gift basket loaded with new to them foods. What this does is give them…

Hope

What’s hope? It’s the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s the rainbow after the rain. It’s seeing that you can have a fresh new start after a crushing health setback.

When that basket shows up, crammed full of new foods to try it’s like gaining a whole new perspective on eating. A little apprehensive, not quit sure what you’re going to like but, hoping that what’s in the basket will taste as great as it looks.

Once a person has hope they are open to…

Encouragement

Encouragement is “come on you can lick this thing”. Were in this together! Let’s tear this good lookinghealth basket apart and start to sample some of these goodies.

What’s that thing wrapped up over there in that corner? This looks like something worth sampling!

Wow! That tastes great, so juicy. Maybe there is more to this health food stuff than I thought.

Let’s try this over here.

Once a person has encouragement and starts on this new life then they have a …

Will To Live

This is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Life takes on a new meaning, your ready to go on. Lot more things to do and see. New foods to challenge the taste buds. Interesting looking new fruits and foods to try out. Vegetables to try I didn’t know existed.

So many new health foods to try I can’t quit now! Too many things to sample and taste.

And this all took place because you dared to give them a health food gift basket!

How do you know if your grilling recipes are top notch? A good indicator that your grilling recipes are the best around would be if they cause your friends to have tremors simply by thinking about the tender, juicy creations that you are cooking up. The thought of grilling recipes typically conjures incredible visions of over sized slabs of meat in the form of smoked ribs, spare ribs, lamb chops, hamburger patties and much more. What makes grilling recipes so fun, is the fact that there are also many great appetizer recipes which compliment traditional grilling quite well. For example, you should be able to use your barbecue or grill to make pizzas, hot and spicy wings, and a variety of other delicious snacks, even burritos and fajitas in the right circumstances.

The grill is an extremely versatile and diverse cooking medium, and grilling recipes can become just as diverse and versatile simply by adding other foods, additional side dishes, and simply tweaking your grilling recipes while you cook. If you are looking for a way to spice up your appetizers more quickly, you should consider blasting your gas grill to its max temperature, then turning it off and allowing the appetizers from your grilling recipes to cook immediately. Your food will cook very quickly this way, but your barbecue will not be burned in the process. This is especially useful when it comes to grilling recipes that include cheese, which can wreck havoc on your grill if you are not prepared. Don’t throw out any of your cheese-based grilling recipes, because the cheese will melt to absolute perfection in all of your recipes on your grill if you follow this handy tip!

Gas grills can be used to cook a variety of different grilling recipes, including anything that involves appetizers, steak, turkey and chicken. A full plate of food in a grilling recipe always contains more than a single solitary barbecued food. You should quell your hunger with Buffalo wings, kebabs and over sized spicy sausages. Any grilling recipes that contain chicken, turkey, steak or a variety of other types of meats and appetizers can easily be cooked up and enjoyed in the comfort of your own backyard on your hardworking gas grill. Learning a variety of different grilling recipes will ensure that you are constantly creating new, incredibly mouthwatering recipes to share with your friends, family and other loved ones. For Top Notch Grilling Recipes Click Here

Tuna thrives in many oceans throughout the world. As such it has been included in the diet of people in many different countries, each having their own ways and methods of preparing and cooking tuna. Take advantage of these wonderful ideas to turn your tuna meals into memorable feasts packed full of vitamins, minerals and Omega 3.

Companies which only catch tuna from sustainable sources and only use fishing methods which does not endanger other species of fish or marine mammals such as dolphins are the ones you should buy from. Check out company web sites to see if they are upfront enough to share with the world their policies on sourcing and catching tuna. You can then have peace of mind that the tuna you buy from them is of the highest quality as well as knowing that they are serious about their ways and means of fishing.

The Mediterranean is renowned for its healthy eating habits. Using the fresh ingredients and herbs which compliment the flavours transform tuna dishes into real culinary delights.

The lemon-sage flavour of coriander is ideal to use with tuna. Served with slices of sun ripened tomatoes and refrigerated roasted potato wedges. This dish is a simple yet effective way to serve tuna during the summer and makes a great alternative to salad.

A great way to serve tuna. hot or cold, is to be inspired by the Italians and add a little red pepper to spice things up a bit. Served on a bed of greens with fennel for lunch or thin pasta tossed with a little olive oil and sauteed garlic for supper. The natural goodness of the tuna is enjoyed by simply pan frying with the red peppers, add a touch of freshly chopped chilli if you really like things hot!

A traditional Seychelles method to serve tuna is to turn it into a mouth watering coconut curry. The tuna steaks are cubed and lightly browned before being cooked with saffron and coconut milk. This delicious recipe is not like a normal eaten curry in the UK, the heat is provided with chillies, fresh ginger, garlic, cardamom seeds and saffron or cumin. A few fresh curry leaves are also added. If you like curry you will simply adore this wonderful tuna dish.

Tuna is great for cooking on a barbeque, Americans and Australians include succulent tuna steaks during there barbeques throughout the year. The firm meaty texture is robust enough to be flipped and turned without disintegrating. As tuna only takes a few minutes to cook on each side and there are no associated health risks of eating it rare, tuna is the ideal barbeque food, far tastier than burnt burgers and much safer than undercooked sausages.

In the UK eating tuna steaks is becoming increasingly popular. People are beginning to realise and appreciate the health benefits of eating fish which provides Omega 3 to help improve their diets.

Whichever tuna recipes you use, you can certain that your family will enjoy the delicious taste and texture of this protein packed food which is so easy and fast to prepare and cook.

The basic protein for most vegetarians comes from combinations of beans, whole grains and cheese. And we know that cooking a few cups of dried beans does not need to be difficult. This writer likes to begin by washing those beans in a colander, putting them into a deep pot with plenty of water to cover and bringing them to a boil. She turns the heat off as soon as the water begins to bubble and stirs a heaping spoonful of baking soda into them. Then she lets the beans soak for four or five hours, rinses them out in a colander, and washes the pot. Again she puts them into the pot with water to cover and lets them cook for about an hour. Garlic, sage, rosemary, curry spices, any seasonings you want may be added while they are cooking, except salt. When beans do not get tender, it is generally because the salt was added too soon.

Easy as this method is, some days are simply too hot for cooking beans. Tempeh is a good staple for warm weather, and can be found in most grocery stores in the fresh vegetables aisle. Cut it into cubes and put it into a steamer pot with water on the bottom, and let it steam for twenty minutes, or until it doubles in bulk. Cooking it this way gets rid of much of the bitter flavor, and the soybeans in the tempeh are more easily digested. Once you have steamed the tempeh, you can season it with spices and herbs to taste, and gently saute it in olive oil till your cubes are just golden brown. These cubes can then be tossed into greens salads, served on soups as croutons, or added to brown rice and vegetable dishes. The possibilities are endless.

Nuts are another good warm weather protein. This writer likes to use nut butters, including almond butter, cashew butter, tahini and peanut butter among others. She began experimenting with nut butters when she came across some recipes for peanut soup. The Congo Cookbook, http://www.congocookbook.com/soup_and_stew_recipes/peanut_soup.html – suggests simmering onions, green peppers, garlic, carrots or yams. Cayenne pepper and tomatoes in a good stock or chicken broth, and once the vegetables are tender adding a cup of prepared peanut butter to the soup, to make it creamy. Other nut butters can be used this way, or simply mixed in with sautéed vegetables to add flavor.

Happy summertime eating!

Learn how to add seafood to a shrimp and scallop pasta with expert cooking tips in this free seafood recipe video clip. Expert: David Postada Bio: David Postada is Chef and owner of the Big Easy Catering company in Santa Barbara, California. Filmmaker: Diana Bacon

 * 2 lbs. round steak OR venison

 * 1/4 c. light soy sauce

 * 1 c. beef bouillon

 * 1/4 tsp. ginger

 * 2 cloves garlic, mashed

 * 1/4 c. cooking sherry

 * 4 tbsp. peanut oil

 * 2 cloves garlic, chopped

 * 1 1/2 c. boiling water

 * 3 lg. green peppers, cut into 1/2″ strips

 * 1 c. sliced water chestnuts

 * 3 tbsp. cornstarch

 * Sherry OR sesame oil

 * Hot boiled rice

Cut meat against the grain into 1/2 inch strips (this is easier to do if meat is partially frozen). Make a marinade for the meat by combining soy sauce, bouillon, ginger, mashed garlic and sherry. Marinate steak for 2-12 hours in the refrigerator. Drain the meat, reserving marinade. Dry meat on paper towels.

In a wok, heat peanut oil and saute chopped garlic until it turns golden brown. Remove, leaving at least 2 tablespoons oil in wok. Add meat to oil and saute until brown (remember Jack’s tip and add just a dash of sherry or sesame oil to meat while it is browning). Add reserved marinade and 1 cup boiling water. Simmer 45 minutes or less time, if desired. When meat is tender, remove and keep warm in oven.

Pour marinade in separate pan and add cornstarch. Add remaining 1/2 cup boiling water, if needed. Simmer until thick. Stir fry green pepper and water chestnuts in liquid remaining in wok. Add meat and marinade gravy. Add dash sesame oil to taste. Serve over boiled rice.

Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Whole Foods Market has contacted its locations holding stocks of this product and has directed Store/Facility Team Leaders to remove this product from the shelves and to destroy it until a new supply becomes available. For more details http://www.indomunch.com

Given the highly polluted environment we live in and all the unhealthy food we consume, an organic food supplement can significantly improve our state of health.

Why we need to increase our organic whole food vitamin supplement intake?

The reason is simply that in the modern society of ours, very few people follow a correct diet and have 6-8 servings of whole food, such as grains, seeds, nuts and vegetables, every day. It seems like the present trend is consuming processed food and taking synthetic vitamins to supplement your diet. However, this is not the best way to secure a balanced diet and it can even have bad long-term effects on your health.

You could increase your daily intake of organic whole food health supplement instead. Eating vitamin and mineral-rich food, such as nuts, whole grains and seeds are a good way of completing your diet with natural vitamins, enzymes and minerals.

The difference between synthetic vitamins vs organic health supplements

Most vitamin supplements you can purchase today are made from synthetic ingredients. These are chemical substances which have been produced in laboratories to fake the molecular structure of natural vitamins.

Your body is built to absorb nutritional substances from food. Therefore, most health care professionals recommend an organic health food supplement and taking your daily vitamins from whole food, not synthetics supplements.

Earth minerals vs homeopathic minerals:

Commercial supplements aimed to increase your vitamin and mineral intake use minerals such as calcium carbonate, calcium citrate and other derivates, derived from sea shells, rocks or coral. On the other hand, an organic vitamin supplement contains a mineral-rich food source along with homeopathic mineral ingredients. All these vitamins are much easier to absorb and assimilate by the human body.

What are the benefits of an organic health supplements?

1) These supplements have no synthetic or isolate ingredients.

2) They contain only complete whole food vitamins.

3) These supplements do not have any sea shell, rock or coral derived minerals.

4) Organic whole food vitamin supplements include homeopathic minerals.

5) They increase the intake of whole foods, such as seeds, nuts and grains.

6) They do not include any chemical, additive or synthetic ingredients.

7) They have a lacto-vegetarian formula.

In conclusion, an organic whole food vitamin supplement can be very effective in ensuring a healthy diet and prevent vitamin deficiencies, alongside all the symptoms that come along.

After knowing what is actually organic whole food health supplements, and alongside this little information may be enough for you to choose your supplements more carefully and to consume more or less. Earlier you are going to swallow any type of vitamin health food, you need to first consult your doctor.

However, many people sometimes tend to forget the quality and quantity of popping these supplements, without realizing the harmful effects of over-consumption it, level while various kinds of these can treat chronic diseases.

Therefore, without a proper understanding of using organic whole food health supplements to treat many chronic diseases, there will not be much disease free lifestyle to craving for.

Apply effective tips as being highlighted here, together alongside an thorough understanding of vitamin supplements is important so that you enjoy your life once again.

Eddy K Elgin is the author of the Vitamin and Mineral Content and Resource Blog. Drop by at organic whole food vitamin supplement stuff for more freebies, goodies and updates on the latest vitamin supplements trends