Squawkfox will take you step-by-step through the process of making your own Starbucks-like frappacino for cents on the dollar. First, gather the following ingredients:
• 1 cup double-strength Starbucks coffee OR 3/4 cup fresh espresso (cold)
• 3/4 cup milk or milk substitute
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (or to taste)
• 2 cups ice
• Pinch of xanthan gum OR 1 teaspoon dry pectin
You will also need a good blender, and if you want to trick people into thinking it's a true Starbucks Frappacino, you will need Starbucks plastic cups.
Making your own frappacino's is a great way to save money and impress your friends and colleagues.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Uncommon Cuisine from Around the Globe
What dishes have become infamous for their controversial flavors, ingredients and preparation methods? Check these out.1. Fried Spiders – Cambodia
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. By this logic, if life hands you a country full of terrifying spiders the size of a human palm, throw a little oil in the wok and fry them up for dinner.
2. Haggis – Scotland
Stuff a sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs into the sheep's stomach with some onion, oatmeal, suet, spices and salt, stand back and wait for a few hours, and viola! You have haggis.
3. Natto – Japan
This smelly, slimy, fermented soy bean dish is typically consumed for breakfast over rice. Natto typically comes in to-go cups comparable to the iconic Styrofoam Ramen noodle container.
4. Kutti pi (goat fetus) – India
This dish, pronounced ‘cootie-pie’, is anything but adorable.
5. Fried-brain sandwich – St. Louis, Missouri
Don’t think you’re going to get away with your weird food, America! This sandwich features thinly sliced deep fried calves’ brains between two heavily battered hamburger buns. Since the rise of mad cow disease, this specialty burger has dwindled in popularity, forcing some restaurants to switch the primary ingredient to piglet brains.
6. Turducken – England
Gluttony at its finest, the turducken is quite literally a de-boned chickened stuffed into a de-boned duck stuffed into a deboned turkey. This culinary feat originated in 18th century England.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Healthy Frying? You Bet!
Love fried food, but not the consequences? Good news. Not all oils are unhealthy, and there are methods of frying that result in less fat and fewer calories. Read on, and learn the secrets to healthier frying.
What oil should you use for frying? Live Fit blog helps you choose.
Eating Well recommends an oven-fry instead of deep-frying. They coat the food in a light breading, spray it with a heart healthy oil, and bake it on a rack. The exterior crisps while the inside remains moist. Best of all, this method requires very little oil.
Some research shows that pan frying is less healthy than deep frying, as it produces more carcinogens. Again, they type of oil matters, as does the food you are frying.
Proper frying methods matter, too. Make sure your heart healthy oil is hot enough, but not too hot that it scorches the food. Fry your food for the proper amount of time, and then place on paper towels for several minutes to drain off the excess oil.
What oil should you use for frying? Live Fit blog helps you choose.
Eating Well recommends an oven-fry instead of deep-frying. They coat the food in a light breading, spray it with a heart healthy oil, and bake it on a rack. The exterior crisps while the inside remains moist. Best of all, this method requires very little oil.
Some research shows that pan frying is less healthy than deep frying, as it produces more carcinogens. Again, they type of oil matters, as does the food you are frying.
Proper frying methods matter, too. Make sure your heart healthy oil is hot enough, but not too hot that it scorches the food. Fry your food for the proper amount of time, and then place on paper towels for several minutes to drain off the excess oil.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Smarter Choices for Your Sweet Tooth
We all love a good dessert, and despite the sugar related ailments, who wants to give up the sweet stuff completely? Not to worry, there are healthier options sure to satisfy. So, if you're trying to cut your risk of heart disease (The American Heart Association connected sugar to heart disease in the 1970s) or diabetes, or lessen your acne, arthritis, or fatigue, or simply boost your immunity, here are several options you should try in your recipes.
• Fresh fruit. Mashed bananas and applesauce are great substitutes for sugar in your baked goods.
• Date sugar. With the consistency of sugar, no one will be the wiser.
• Rice syrup. Containing complex carbs and minerals, rice syrup is a better option.
• Honey. Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, honey does a body good, especially honey in the raw.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Best Foods for Fighting Stress
Who knew? The following three foods are top stress fighters, according to Bottom Line Secrets.
• Sweet potatoes. High in beta-carotene, Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, sweet potatoes protect your body against a host of illnesses.
• Black-eyed peas. Commonly eaten as a source of good luck on New Year's Day, black-eyed peas are packed with Vitamin B, especially folate. B Vitamins are rapidly consumed by your body during periods of high stress, so be sure to fill up!
• Yogurt. Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria that your digestive system needs. Eating yogurt is especially helpful if you're taking antibiotics, as antibiotics often destroy the natural good bacteria in your body.
• Sweet potatoes. High in beta-carotene, Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, sweet potatoes protect your body against a host of illnesses.
• Black-eyed peas. Commonly eaten as a source of good luck on New Year's Day, black-eyed peas are packed with Vitamin B, especially folate. B Vitamins are rapidly consumed by your body during periods of high stress, so be sure to fill up!
• Yogurt. Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria that your digestive system needs. Eating yogurt is especially helpful if you're taking antibiotics, as antibiotics often destroy the natural good bacteria in your body.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Storage Tips and Products for Small Kitchens
Small kitchen? This post will help you organize to maximize space and show you which gadgets will help you make the most of your kitchen.
Create a Work Flow
Before you start to organize, stop and think about how you use your kitchen. Do you tend to cook in a certain area? Do you use the counter to store bills? Is it a place where you socialize? You’ll want to set up your kitchen to meet all of your needs.
Clean and Sort
A good rule of thumb is: if you haven’t used it in over a year, you’re likely to never use it again. Get rid of those items. Donate them to your local Goodwill, or a friend, family member, or neighbor who might need it.
Have multiples of several items, such as can openers, cheese graters, or spatulas? Narrow it down to one or two that you frequently use. Donate the others.
Small appliances that you don't use frequently, such as crock-pots, juicers, and bread machines, can be stored in a hall closet, utility room, or the garage.
Storage Tricks
Store baking pans in the oven. Just don’t forget to remove them before pre-heating!
Nest smaller items inside larger ones. This works especially well for bowls, pots, and pans.
Hanging baskets are a great solution for storing fruit, vegetables, and small
kitchen items.
Space Saving Products
Hanging Baskets
UsefulThings.com offers 4 styles of Hanging Baskets. Choose between the Copper 3 Tiered, 3 Tiered Chrome, 3 Tiered Bronze, and the 3 Tiered Nickel Hanging Baskets to free up space where you need it most.
Collapsible Silicone Funnel
Don’t waste precious space in your cabinets with bulky funnels. This Collapsible Silicone Funnel expands to 4″ diameter by 4″ tall with a 7/8″ spout. When you’re finished using, simply collapse the funnel and store it in even the smallest of drawers. $8.95.
Collapsible Silicone Colander
Colanders also take up a ton of space, but this collapsible version ensures compact storage. When expanded, it has a 2 1/2 quart capacity. $23.95.
Cutting Mats
Cutting boards can take up a lot of space, especially if you have one for fruits and veggies, one for meat, one for fish, and one for bread. Try using these ultra slim and portable color-coded cutting mats instead. Use one color for each food group, and you won’t have to worry about contaminating your food. Plus, these flexible mats will fit nearly anywhere, and they are dishwasher safe. $9.95 for a set of 4
Folding Grater
Chunky box grater taking up precious space? The innovative design of this grater will save you time and space. The Folding Grater folds flat for easy storage, but expands into a V shape for quick and stable grating. The grater disassembles for easy cleaning and is dishwasher safe. $10.95
Create a Work Flow
Before you start to organize, stop and think about how you use your kitchen. Do you tend to cook in a certain area? Do you use the counter to store bills? Is it a place where you socialize? You’ll want to set up your kitchen to meet all of your needs.
Clean and Sort
A good rule of thumb is: if you haven’t used it in over a year, you’re likely to never use it again. Get rid of those items. Donate them to your local Goodwill, or a friend, family member, or neighbor who might need it.
Have multiples of several items, such as can openers, cheese graters, or spatulas? Narrow it down to one or two that you frequently use. Donate the others.
Small appliances that you don't use frequently, such as crock-pots, juicers, and bread machines, can be stored in a hall closet, utility room, or the garage.
Storage Tricks
Store baking pans in the oven. Just don’t forget to remove them before pre-heating!
Nest smaller items inside larger ones. This works especially well for bowls, pots, and pans.
Hanging baskets are a great solution for storing fruit, vegetables, and small
kitchen items.
Space Saving Products
Hanging Baskets
UsefulThings.com offers 4 styles of Hanging Baskets. Choose between the Copper 3 Tiered, 3 Tiered Chrome, 3 Tiered Bronze, and the 3 Tiered Nickel Hanging Baskets to free up space where you need it most.
Collapsible Silicone Funnel
Don’t waste precious space in your cabinets with bulky funnels. This Collapsible Silicone Funnel expands to 4″ diameter by 4″ tall with a 7/8″ spout. When you’re finished using, simply collapse the funnel and store it in even the smallest of drawers. $8.95.
Collapsible Silicone Colander
Colanders also take up a ton of space, but this collapsible version ensures compact storage. When expanded, it has a 2 1/2 quart capacity. $23.95.
Cutting Mats
Cutting boards can take up a lot of space, especially if you have one for fruits and veggies, one for meat, one for fish, and one for bread. Try using these ultra slim and portable color-coded cutting mats instead. Use one color for each food group, and you won’t have to worry about contaminating your food. Plus, these flexible mats will fit nearly anywhere, and they are dishwasher safe. $9.95 for a set of 4
Folding Grater
Chunky box grater taking up precious space? The innovative design of this grater will save you time and space. The Folding Grater folds flat for easy storage, but expands into a V shape for quick and stable grating. The grater disassembles for easy cleaning and is dishwasher safe. $10.95
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Food Safety Guidelines
Whether you work in food service or just serve your family food out of your home kitchen, these food safety guidelines will help keep everyone safe from food-borne illnesses.
According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services:
• Perishable food should be refrigerated within 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees.
• Poultry, fish, and ground meat should be cooked within 2 days of being thawed or purchased. Beef, veal, lamb, and pork should be cooked within 3 to 5 days.
• All raw ground meats should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees, while all poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. For raw beef, pork, lamb, and veal steaks and chops, cook to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees.
• When serving, hot food should be kept at 140 degrees or warmer, while cold foods should be kept at 40 degrees or cooler.
• When sanitizing, cutting boards and countertops can be cleaned with 1 tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach per 1 gallon of water.
For a complete list of food safety guidelines, and a comprehensive cold storage chart, please visit USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Site.
According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services:
• Perishable food should be refrigerated within 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees.
• Poultry, fish, and ground meat should be cooked within 2 days of being thawed or purchased. Beef, veal, lamb, and pork should be cooked within 3 to 5 days.
• All raw ground meats should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees, while all poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. For raw beef, pork, lamb, and veal steaks and chops, cook to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees.
• When serving, hot food should be kept at 140 degrees or warmer, while cold foods should be kept at 40 degrees or cooler.
• When sanitizing, cutting boards and countertops can be cleaned with 1 tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach per 1 gallon of water.
For a complete list of food safety guidelines, and a comprehensive cold storage chart, please visit USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Site.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tips for a Gluten-Free Lifestyle
Gluten is a protein found in wheat and related species such as barley, rye, spelt, bulgur, bran, durum, semolina, and couscous, among many others. Allergies to gluten is known as celiac disease. People who suffer from celiac disease need to abstain from consuming any products containing gluten. This can be quite challenging, as gluten can be hidden in the most uncommon of places.
• Adhesive on envelopes
• Latex glove linings
• Imitation bacon
• Beer
• Soy sauce
• Ketchup
Several grains and starches can take the place of wheat and related species. If you need to follow a gluten-free diet, look for breads, cereals, pastas, and the like made from:
• Rice
• Corn
• Potato
• Tapioca
• Millet
• Sorghum
Bean and nut flours are also acceptable, as is buckwheat.
Gluten-free bread, pasta, baking mixes, and more are readily available online, and many grocery stores are now carrying gluten-free products.
General Tips for Eating Gluten-Free
1. Avoid cross-contamination. Wheat and other unsafe starches can linger in toaster ovens, on counters, on the grill, or in butter.
2. Many processed foods contain gluten ingredients. Familiarize yourself with what is safe and unsafe, including scientific names.
3. Eating at restaurants can be a challenge. Find establishments that are known for their gluten-free menu and cooking techniques. Applebees and Taco del Mar are two examples.
4. Surf the web. It's filled with gluten-free recipes and ingredients.
5. There is no need to erase anything from your diet. You can still eat pizza, pasta, bagels, and cookies. You just need to prepare them using different ingredients.
• Adhesive on envelopes
• Latex glove linings
• Imitation bacon
• Beer
• Soy sauce
• Ketchup
Several grains and starches can take the place of wheat and related species. If you need to follow a gluten-free diet, look for breads, cereals, pastas, and the like made from:
• Rice
• Corn
• Potato
• Tapioca
• Millet
• Sorghum
Bean and nut flours are also acceptable, as is buckwheat.
Gluten-free bread, pasta, baking mixes, and more are readily available online, and many grocery stores are now carrying gluten-free products.
General Tips for Eating Gluten-Free
1. Avoid cross-contamination. Wheat and other unsafe starches can linger in toaster ovens, on counters, on the grill, or in butter.
2. Many processed foods contain gluten ingredients. Familiarize yourself with what is safe and unsafe, including scientific names.
3. Eating at restaurants can be a challenge. Find establishments that are known for their gluten-free menu and cooking techniques. Applebees and Taco del Mar are two examples.
4. Surf the web. It's filled with gluten-free recipes and ingredients.
5. There is no need to erase anything from your diet. You can still eat pizza, pasta, bagels, and cookies. You just need to prepare them using different ingredients.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Best Cities for Foodies
New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles aside, which US cities have the best food scenes?
Santa Fe
If it's heat you're after, nothing beats Sante Fe, New Mexico's creatively prepared Southwestern cuisine. Wherever you go, you'll be likely to hear: Red or green (chile)? Sante Fe's restaurants range from diners to brew pubs to expensive haute, and many well-known talented chefs make their living here.
New Orleans
New Orleans boasts many top-notch restaurants, including Emeril's (as in Emeril Lagasse). Cajun and Creole cuisine reign here. Popular foods of New Orleans include the Po' boy sandwich, crawfish, étouffée, jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, and the praline.
Miami
The Latin influences in this great city makes Miami one of the best places to chow down on South American and Cuban food. Little Havana offers first class Cuban delights such as albondigas, empanadas, and cafe con leche.
Las Vegas
The food scene in Las Vegas has exploded over the past decade, with just about every celebrity chef opening up a restaurant here. From Wolfgang Puck to Bobby Flay, you can find a wide range of cuisines and personalities. The casinos aren't shy on good eats, either.
Santa Fe
If it's heat you're after, nothing beats Sante Fe, New Mexico's creatively prepared Southwestern cuisine. Wherever you go, you'll be likely to hear: Red or green (chile)? Sante Fe's restaurants range from diners to brew pubs to expensive haute, and many well-known talented chefs make their living here.
New Orleans
New Orleans boasts many top-notch restaurants, including Emeril's (as in Emeril Lagasse). Cajun and Creole cuisine reign here. Popular foods of New Orleans include the Po' boy sandwich, crawfish, étouffée, jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, and the praline.
Miami
The Latin influences in this great city makes Miami one of the best places to chow down on South American and Cuban food. Little Havana offers first class Cuban delights such as albondigas, empanadas, and cafe con leche.
Las Vegas
The food scene in Las Vegas has exploded over the past decade, with just about every celebrity chef opening up a restaurant here. From Wolfgang Puck to Bobby Flay, you can find a wide range of cuisines and personalities. The casinos aren't shy on good eats, either.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The Best On-the-Go Instant Coffees
Need a quick java fix? These instant coffees designed for on-the-go lifestyles will save you money and time. So, forget the expense of going through a coffee shop drive-through, and the time it takes to brew your own at home. With these instant single serve coffees, you’ll be ready and amped up in no time.
1. Starbucks Via, Colombia
2. Nescafé Clasicó, Original
3. Taster’s Choice, Original
In blindly conducted taste tests, tasters consistently chose Nescafé Clasicó, Original as their favorite, and Taster's Choice, Original as their least favorite. Tasters commented that the Starbucks Via tasted like a true Americano, but several thought it was too harsh.
Cost
Which instant coffee offers the most bang for your buck? On average, the samples cost:
Starbucks Via $7.99 for 8 packets
Nescafé Clasicó $ 1.09 ON SALE for 8 packets
Taster’s Choice $2.99 for 22 packets
Clearly, the Taster’s Choice is the least expensive, at only .135 cents per packet. The Nescafé Clasicó on sale is only one tenth of a penny more. However, average retail price on this item is a dollar more, or around $2.09, which puts each packet at .26 cents. Starbucks Via is clearly the most expensive, costing close to a dollar per packet.
Other Choices
In addition to the three samples tested, the supermarket where they were purchased also carried varieties of the same brands.
Starbucks Via offers Italian Roast, Decaf Italian Roast, and Iced, in addition to the Colombia flavor.
Nescafé Clasicó comes in Decaf as well as regular.
Taster’s Choice has Columbian, Decaf, Vanilla, and Hazelnut, as well as their Original version.
Other brands exist as well, but were not found in the small town market. Research online shows that this type of instant, on-the-go, single-serve packages are also made by:
Mount Hagan Organic
Folgers (offers a teabag style only)
Otherwise, instant coffee can be purchased in non single-serve containers from many brands in all sorts of flavors.
1. Starbucks Via, Colombia
2. Nescafé Clasicó, Original
3. Taster’s Choice, Original
In blindly conducted taste tests, tasters consistently chose Nescafé Clasicó, Original as their favorite, and Taster's Choice, Original as their least favorite. Tasters commented that the Starbucks Via tasted like a true Americano, but several thought it was too harsh.
Cost
Which instant coffee offers the most bang for your buck? On average, the samples cost:
Starbucks Via $7.99 for 8 packets
Nescafé Clasicó $ 1.09 ON SALE for 8 packets
Taster’s Choice $2.99 for 22 packets
Clearly, the Taster’s Choice is the least expensive, at only .135 cents per packet. The Nescafé Clasicó on sale is only one tenth of a penny more. However, average retail price on this item is a dollar more, or around $2.09, which puts each packet at .26 cents. Starbucks Via is clearly the most expensive, costing close to a dollar per packet.
Other Choices
In addition to the three samples tested, the supermarket where they were purchased also carried varieties of the same brands.
Starbucks Via offers Italian Roast, Decaf Italian Roast, and Iced, in addition to the Colombia flavor.
Nescafé Clasicó comes in Decaf as well as regular.
Taster’s Choice has Columbian, Decaf, Vanilla, and Hazelnut, as well as their Original version.
Other brands exist as well, but were not found in the small town market. Research online shows that this type of instant, on-the-go, single-serve packages are also made by:
Mount Hagan Organic
Folgers (offers a teabag style only)
Otherwise, instant coffee can be purchased in non single-serve containers from many brands in all sorts of flavors.
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