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goji berries wikiWhat Makes a Good Cook?

Trained chefs are supposed to be good cooks, but I have had lousy meals at famous restaurants. I have also had five-star meals in friends' homes. One friend served pork tenderloin, sourdough bread, Napa cabbage slaw, and chocolate souffle. Her simple meal was a gourmet meal in every sense of the word.

In the dictionary the word cook is defined as "to prepare food by the action of heat." I think there is more to cooking than that. What makes a good cook?

A good cook understands recipes. Before the cook starts to prepare a recipe he or she reads it all the way through. The cook understands abbreviations, cooking terms, and follows the recipe step-by-step. After the cook is familiar with the recipe he or she may change it to suit personal tastes.

A good cook can use equipment. The cook can use a mixer, food processor, blender, immersion blender, grill pan, and other appliances. This cook is also familiar with kitchen tools like a whisk, mellon-baller, and microplane.

A good cook masters basic techniques. The cook knows how to saute, poach, braise, steam, grill, shallow-fry, stir-fry, and microwave food. In addition, the cook knows how to make a white sauce, thicken sauces with flour and cornstarch, beat egg whites, and temper eggs.

A good cook relies on fresh ingredients. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are the starting point for meals. The cook buys fresh fish and flavorful cuts of meat.

A good cook sharpens knives. As the old adage says, a dull knife is a dangerous knife. For this reason and cutting ease, a good cook cares for knives properly, keeps them sharp, and stores them safely.

A good cook practices food safety. He or she washes hands thoroughly before touching food and during preparation. Separate cutting boards are used for meat and chicken and washed well after use. Cold food is kept really cold and hot food is refrigerated promptly after a meal.

A good cook plans interesting menus. Some cooks prepare recipes from one culture, while others prepare recipes from many. Each part of the meal fits together like a fascinating puzzle.

A good cook makes simple things well. Only a good cook can make rich coffee, fabulous soup, and fluffy scrambled eggs. Though the cook is able to prepare complex recipes, he or she excels at the simple ones.

A good cook cleans up the kitchen. My mother told me this when I was a teenager and I have never forgotten it. She was an excellent cook and I learned a lot from her. She taught me to take good care of pots, pans, and dishes.

A good cook always adds love. You cannot rush when you are adding love, you must pay attention to what you are doing, and take the time to do it. Whether it is the first ingredient or last, a cook's love is what makes food so delicious.

Copyright 2007 by Harriet Hodgson

http://www.harriethodgson.com
Harriet Hodgson has been a freelance nonfiction writer for 28 years. She is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with Lois Krahn, MD, is available from http://www.amazon.com A five-star review of the book is posted on Amazon. You will find additional reviews on the American Hospice Foundation Web site ("School Corner" heading) and the Health Ministries Association Web site.

Enjoy The Summer By Planning A Picnic

With summer around the corner one of the things that many couples and families look forward to doing is having a picnic. When outdoors you can stop pretty much anywhere and have a picnic. For many creating a comfortable and natural ambiance around their picnic is extremely crucial and generally includes a fun picnic basket. If you are planning to picnic this year, here are some tips on selecting the best picnic basket.

Picnic baskets usually provoke fabulous images in our mind, such as spending quality time with a friend or loved one in the country, enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables and some home cooked meals. These images can become reality because picnic baskets can help you recreate that cozy, country feeling.

Picnic baskets are usually made from wicker. While they are large enough to hold all your food, utensils and accessories, they are usually light enough and portable enough to be brought with you on a small hike or day trip.

Many picnic baskets include many utensils and accessories. For example, they usually include places to store wine safe and chilled. They include a wine cork and two wine glasses. Plates, knives and a cheese board are also usually provided. It should be noted that most picnic baskets include their own utensils and plates. These utensils and plates are usually light weight, but high quality so that you can eat normally rather than using plastic forks and knives and eating from paper plates.

Many picnic baskets fold up neatly and keep your food from moving around. Most picnic baskets look extremely cozy and even come with a picnic blanket and salt and pepper shakers.

Almost always, picnic baskets are usually light weight and you can carry them hundreds of yards before feeling the slightest bit tired. The good thing about picnic baskets is that they enable you to appreciate quality time and just by being in possession of one will encourage you and your loved one or friend to plan a trip out to the country to experience some much needed time together.

For those with families, there are numerous picnic baskets that are made for four people. While generally larger, these picnic baskets are still incredibly portable. As a rule these family picnic baskets include more room to store extra food and include an extra two sets of cutlery and plates. For those looking to spend time with the family in a beautiful outdoor setting, a picnic can�t be beat.

Many picnic baskets are incredibly affordable and well worth the price. For example, most basic picnic baskets that are made for two people cost around $40 and those with phenomenal features and extra special trims cost close to the $100 mark. For family picnic baskets expect prices to start at about $75 and rise to about $200 for the Bentley of picnic baskets. However, for those that enjoy a few cozy picnics each year, this is money well worth it.

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A Sweet Taste of Sunshine

Peaches are the food of kings and royalty. They are extra sweet, filled with juice that runs with each bite, and are versatile. They lend themselves to any meal and are a snack time treat. Eating them fresh and cold is just about the finest indulgence when hot winds blow and the temperature rises.

There are two kinds: namely, clingstone, which are fantastic canned, or freestone, where the pit just slips out with little effort. Fresh peaches should smell "fresh". Don't buy those that are hard or greenish. They won't ripen and will probably decay before they are fit to eat. They were picked green for shipping purposes and to maintain shelf life, but were not given the chance to mature on the tree to ripen with heavenly juices and soft moist flesh.

Peaches discolor quickly so if using in salads or on top of dessert dishes, sprinkle with lemon juice to avoid darkening. If you wish to skin a peach, start at the stem end and separate a bit of skin from the flesh with a small knife, such as a paring knife. Pull the skin off in strips.

For a gourmet fresh salad, layer sliced peaches, fresh mozzarella cheese slices and fresh basil leaves. Season with sea salt and just a tad of olive oil over the top. Perfect, light, and just plain good.

Peaches also work well in salsas. For chicken or fish items, use peaches, cucumbers, red or green bell peppers, red onions, and just picked diced zucchini. Mix lime juice, olive oil and a tiny pinch of sea salt for a dressing. Garnish with halved cherry tomatoes and cilantro. Serve in individual dishes or right over grilled chicken pieces or fresh grilled fish. The colors are bright, the flavor is zesty, and the extra touch makes any meal a feast.

Peaches can be sliced, panfried with a tiny bit of butter, just enough to glaze a bit. Sprinkle with brown sugar, not too much, as the peaches are already sweet, and a quick dash of vanilla. When the mixture is warm, place over vanilla ice cream in cups or bowls. The warm peach mixture melts right into the creamy ice cream for a treat that young and old will find irresistible.

Peaches can even be a main part of any kabob you may be planning for your menu. Whether it is steak bits, large shrimp, or even pork medallions, added right along with green/red bell peppers and onion wedges - they are unbelievably the best addition to any BBQ. A quick marinade would be honey, a bit of mustard, minced garlic and thyme brushed on just before grilling. A neat idea is to use a wooden spoon and tie with twine some thyme, marjoram leaves, or even cilantro or parsley and brush your kabobs. This is the freshest way to get extra flavor with a "flick" of a wooden spoon. Neat, quick, and well, fancy if the guests are watching you do your BBQ magic.

Peaches are best fresh, of course, but during the winter months, canned work well. Use your peaches in cereals, hot or cold, diced and mixed in plain or vanilla yogurt, and well, the possibilities are endless and just whatever your imagination can think of. They are sweet and good for you, and the memory of summer-time peaches will keep you waiting for the summer season when cold winter winds blow. Something to think about.
�Arleen M. Kaptur
August, 2007

Arleen M. Kaptur has written many books and articles on everyday living and finding peace and joy in all we do.

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