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Posts Tagged ‘gourmet’

It is definitely not yet time to assert that the elegant cocktail party of the mid-twentieth century a thing of a previous era, but there is a noticeable trend in entertaining toward less formal affairs.  Think of Clark Gable or Fred Astaire, dressed in their tuxedos; or picture Ginger Rogers in her swirling gown.  They gathered in a magnificent manor house, sipped martinis and waltzed through the night.  Can you honestly dream of your family, friends or neighbors relaxing in such an environment and actually enjoying it?

Most of us don’t have acquaintances with opulent mansions; neither do we have the budgets that allow us to bring home many bottles of imported gin and tin after tin of beluga caviar.  Furthermore, we not as happy (or romantic) in tuxedos as in unbuttoned shirts. Exquisite coffee and dessert may be more appropriate ingredients for the relaxed social evenings of our times.

The bakery around the corner has perfectly edible cheesecake, perhaps purchased from a local distributor, but you might want to opt for something a bit more titillating to the taste buds of your guests.  You might have gourmet cheesecake delivered to your door the day before your party from as far away as across the country.

Remember that people’s tastes vary, so provide a choice of cheesecake flavors.  Offer a gourmet turtle cheesecake for the chocolate lovers on your guest list.  Add a few walnuts and some dark chocolate shavings to the plate.

A nice alternative would be a strawberry or blueberry cheesecake for your friends who enjoy a fruitier taste.  You might want to venture to one of the more unusual berries such as Marionberry, unique to the Pacific Northwest.  If you opt for the tarter flavors, you can decorate with a mint sprig.

Don’t overlook those who are interested in splurging without sacrificing their dietary restrictions too much.  Magnificent sugar free, low carb cheesecakes are available with tastes and textures that can rival their traditional counterparts.  Add a couple berries or a thin slice of fresh pear. 

Create some labels for each of your alternatives, so your guests can make informed decisions.

Borrow some extra coffee makers, so that you can offer several coffees.  Choose one of the interestingly flavored roasts.  Add to that a robust, non-flavored alternative from Jamaica, perhaps.  Of course, don’t forget the decaf for anyone staying away from caffeine.

Keep the cream, non-fat milk and non-dairy creamer in an ice bath in a shallow, decorative bowl.  Throw in some cubed sugar with sterling silver tongs, for a decorative touch.

A gourmet event like this is the twenty-first century replacement for the cocktail party.  Plus, you can be confident that your beloved guests will get home safely.

For millennia, wine has been made from only two incredients.  They are grape juice and yeast.  Any fruit juice can be used, as a matter of fact, but grape juice is the most popular.
We tend to think of wine as a special treat, a gracious gift (as in a wine gift basket), a beverage of celebration or a drink to serve with a special meal.  For much of history, though, it was a drink of necessity due to the often poor standards of the available water.

Yeast is the magical ingredient that turns grape juice into wine. Interestingly enough, there is actually wild yeast spores in the air and all that is really needed to make wine is an open container of grape juice and time. The result however, would probably not be the most palatable of beverages.

There are numerous strains of yeasts and the types used to make wine have been cultured just for this purpose. The strain of the yeast has an impact upon the wine’s eventual flavor.  Well anyway, yeast is a living organism that feeds off of sugars in the grape juice in a process called fermentation.  It is the fermentation that causes the sugars in the grape juice to turn into alcohol.

Once all of the fermentable sugars have been consumed, the yeast will fall to the bottom of the container. The wine is removed from the container, leaving the yeast, and is trasferred to another container to mature while waiting to be bottled.

How does wine get its color?

You probably know that there are green grapes and black grapes and different grapes are used to make different wines.  The color of the wine, however, does not directly reflect the color of the grape.  In fact, grape juice is largely clear no matter the color of the original grape.  The color of wine is determined by whether (and for how long) the skin is allowed to remain in the juice during the fermentation process.

What gives each wine its taste?

Even though there are very few ingredients, there are many things which influence the taste of wine. First of all, there are many varieties of grapes. Each grape variety will produce different flavors, aromas, and even textures.  In addition, the soil and climate where the grapes are grown drastically affect these variables.  Not only that, but the wine maker can control various things by the technique, temperature and yeast used during fermentation. Other variables such as fermenting or storing in oak barrels will also affect the taste.

Never fear, with all of these factors considered even the most avid wine drinker would ever be able to experience all of the different varieties of wine on the market today. Let the treasure hunting begin!

Tannin is a substance in wine that causes a firm, mouth-drying feeling in your mouth. It is extracted from the skins, seeds and stems of the grapes so red wines will contain more tannin than whites.  White wines will get a degree of tannin when oak barrels are used for fermentation or aging. Eat just the skins of grapes or drink strongly brewed, unsweetened tea for a good idea of what tannin feels like in your mouth.

Clearly, this has been a quick overview of wine, but hopefully it has filled some of the voids in your understanding of this historic drink.

Whenever you decide to add a luscious cheesecake as your dessert, make sure its appearance on the plate is as elegant as the as the sweet morsel, itself. A meal, particularly at the finish, should stimulate the visual sense too. These are some thought, although you may add your own personal creativity.

New York Cheesecake: This is what most people would think of as the plain or “unflavored” cheesecake. Frankly, it is anything but! However, the taste is one that will adjust well to almost all additions. Well, maybe not broccoli! I recommend that you should consider complimenting the richness of this versatile cheesecake by putting a generous serving of hot fudge around the serving plate.

Blueberry Cheesecake: Buy an exceptional quality blueberry preserve. Mix in a sufficient amount of fresh lemon juice to dilute the preserves so that the mixture will come off a spoon on its own. Drizzle the diluted preserves in a zigzag pattern across top of the cake. The tartness of the juice will provide a nice counterpoint to the sweet taste of the preserves and cheesecake.

Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake: This cheesecake has a variety of flavors incorporated, so it’s a good idea not to try to introduce a new one. Instead, place a few flower petals around the plate to enhance the appearance. Orange petals especially compliment the color of the cheesecake.

Pumpkin Cheesecake, a holiday time favorite, is even creamier than the more traditional pumpkin pie. Cut a festive hole in some paper–holiday tree shaped or a star. Center the paper over the top of the slice. In the hole you’ve cut in the paper, gently sprinkle cinnamon.

Sugar Free Cheesecakes–no sugar added: No matter what the flavor of the dessert, a mint sprig atop the widest part of the cheesecake wedge, will dress it up delightfully without adding any additional sweetness.

The presentation is impacted not just by what’s on the plate but additionally by the nature of the platter, itself. Certainly, the small plates that are part of your china set will do the job. But the expanded storage space in modern pantries allow many hosts and hostesses to keep specialty plates. People have individual salt servers and soup crocks, as opposed to the typical bowls. Why not get special serving pieces that you use only for the special dessert celebrations?The appearance is affected not only by the contents of the dish but additionally by the nature of the platter, itself. Certainly, the small plates that are part of your china set will serve your purpose. But the additional storage areas in modern homes permit many of us to keep specialty plates. Many people have unique salsa and chip servers, instead of the old fashioned bowls. Why not get special serving pieces that you use for those spectacular dessert celebrations?

A gourmet cheesecake is certainly worth the price, even though it may not be a frequent part of your diet. Those times when you are about to splurge, party with your eyes in addition to your mouth!

We all have a friend who is completely helpless in the kitchen.  Actually, if you don’t have a friend like that, read on, because I have enough friends who meet that description to share at least one of mine with you.

The gift recommendation that I’m about to offer for him is rather expensive, so be prepared.  I promise you, though, that you will discover it’s a very good investment on your part.  Perhaps that nameless man is your roommate, your cousin or even your own son who you can seem to get to move out of your house.

Give the gift of a romantic dinner with the person of his own choice–right there in his home.  When you get right down to it, nothing impresses an unsuspecting date more than an intimate dinner that the host has prepared himself (with your encouragement, of course.  I really do have a particular friend in mind as I write this, and he needs all the help that I can give him, and I’m sure your similar friend does, too.  You may need to be very specific when you give him your gift and the instructions to go with it.  Remind him to light candles, choose the music for him and suggest he pick up his dirty socks.

Start with a gift of a selection of gourmet cheeses for the beginning course  If he is capable of slicing a couple pears or apples, suggest that as well.  He can serve this course as a finger food or at the dining table as the formal beginning of the meal.

For the entree, present him with a certificate for a delicious gourmet dinner of lobster a different seafood dinner or perhaps a combination of steak and lobster, sometimes known as surf and turf.  As noted, this guy needs plenty of help, so the fresher the lobster the better.

Tell him to cap off the evening with a magnificent, turtle cheesecake.  Or, if he does not like chocolate, then select the more traditional New York cheesecake, decorated with a sprig of fresh mint.

You might also recommend a fine wine, if he consumes alcoholic beverages.  Lobster is sufficiently robust that it is perfectly safe to offer a bold wine.  He might consider a Burgundy or Merlot, although if he is not very adventurous, then perhaps a Chardonnay would be better for him.

Once you’ve done your part in the affair, relax until you receive the engagement announcement.  If it doesn’t arrive within six months, just find another friend.  That will be much easier.

There are numerous companies that are offering excellent cheesecake delivery and there are as many good reasons to take advantage of such facilities. A cheesecake offers you a chance to convey your sincerest sentiments to the recipient who in turn will be pleasantly surprised and pleased with receiving such a gift. There is in fact also something very special about having your cheesecake delivered to an office and even to a home.

As long as you are convinced about the benefits of cheesecake delivery you won’t mind forking out a hundred dollars to enjoy an extravagant gift that you can feast upon. In fact, this extra money that you have to pay will only add to the overall appeal of having the gourmet cheesecakes delivered to your doorstep.

It is a pity that people do not give serious consideration to gifting a cheesecake because sending a cheesecake as a gift to someone means giving the recipient something that is wonderful and unexpected as well as very unique.

Typically, it pays to order a basic type of cheesecake that has been created out of a New York Style recipe and which comes replete with strawberry and raspberry. Otherwise, there are also more exotic options that are worth checking out as well including cheesecakes with white chocolate pistachio.

You can choose to have the cheesecake delivered on different occasions including for birthdays, and for Valentine’s Day and you can choose between different sizes including two pound, three pound, four pound and assortment cakes. For example, for a birthday you could choose a special New York cheesecake that is covered in Chocolate Ganache and which is garnished around the edges with some chocolate sprinkles.

So, when checking out your order you will often have to inform the company as to when you want the cheesecake delivered. In case you fail to specify a date when you want the cheesecake delivered the shipment will be delayed. Many companies also do not ship on the weekends and if they do ship you will have to pay an extra cost.

Sometimes, the company may even ship your order on Saturdays – but for an additional charge. What’s more, the company also may not ship orders on Sundays though they may be willing to ship to far off places such as to Alaska and to Hawaii. Of course, to ship to Alaska and to Hawaii the company may charge you extra.

Wine gift baskets can be used for any occasion and event and are great for almost any individual. Those that are receiving the basket will not be disappointed as everyone always enjoys a wine gift basket. A wine gift basket can be very convenient because you can make your own or you can order a gift basket, then all you have to do is pay and pick it up.

Those businesses that make up wine gift baskets may provide you with two different options. You may be able to choose from a preset wine gift basket based on the price.

However many companies are suggesting that you chose what goes in the basket as this can be more personalized. This way you have the option of creating personalized basket for a friend or purchasing a themed basket for someone you may not know as well.

You can do a lot of creative things with the wine in the gift basket. The same wine produced in different areas of the world will have different aromas and flavors and you can create a basket of different merlots, pinot noirs and more.

There is more in a wine basket then just wine as you can also include food products and wine accessories. This can be a great treat especially since you can splurge for individuals that may not normally purchase those more gourmet products. Food items that tend to be included in a wine gift basket are cheese, dried fruits, spreads, crackers and chocolates. You can match the food to go with the wine.

There is more to a wine gift basket then just wine and you should also include gourmet food products and wine accessories in your wine gift basket. Food products such as cheeses, spreads, chocolates, crackers and dried fruits all pair well with wine. If you are doing a sparkling wine basket then you could include a pair of champagne flutes. Other types of wine accessories include drop stops, corkscrews, wine rabbits, wine jewels and wine pourers to name a few. There are also many wine books available that can be added.

To assemble your basket you should start with the filler, and then add wine and other items. You always want to go form small to large so you don’t crush anything. The finishing touch is a beautiful ribbon or even a personalized note.

About.com defines gourmet as “…of the highest quality and flavor, prepared well and presented in an artful manner”. Gourmet coffee is usually one of two classes, it is either a coffee that has had enhancements such as flavorings or it is a coffee that has an inherent uniqueness due to its growing location and roasting process.

Flavored gourmet coffees are created during the roasting process. Flavorings, either natural such as vanilla and chocolate syrups or chemically created flavorings such as caramel are added to the coffee beans as they are roasted.

Gourmet coffees that have flavor enhancements have soared in popularity. A trip down the local coffee aisle at your grocer reveals coffee beans available in just about every flavor imaginable, from French vanilla to chocolate mint and Irish crème. Coffee connoisseurs can now wake up to more than just the aroma of coffee now they can have crème Brule coffee to tantalize their senses.

The original intent of the term gourmet coffee referred to coffee beans that were of the highest possible quality and that were roasted to perfection. These are the coffee beans of Kona, Hawaii; Jamaica; Colombia, Brazil and a host of other countries known for their exquisite coffee beans.

These gourmet coffee beans are exceptional due to their growing conditions, the care taken in harvesting and processing them and the time involved in perfecting the roast. Some, such as Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, are so exceptional that they are used to make other products such as Tia Maria, which is a liqueur based on Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.

Gourmet coffee made from these beans needs no further enhancements. They create coffees that stand alone on their own merit. From bold and rich to mellow and smooth, gourmet coffee beans assure a perfect coffee every time.

Purchasing Gourmet Coffee

Purchasing gourmet coffee depends on several factors, what type of gourmet coffee you want, how much money you are willing to spend and how soon you want the coffee in hand.
 
Your local grocery store will most likely carry a selection of gourmet coffee beans. Typically they carry more flavored gourmet coffees than they do gourmet coffee from other countries. Purchasing gourmet coffee at the grocery store has a convenience factor and usually cost less than you will pay at a gourmet coffee shop. What you cannot be assured of is the freshness of the beans and at times the authenticity of the gourmet coffee, particularly if you are looking for a coffee from a specific region. For example, Kona beans have been found that were not 100% Kona, they were only a portion Kona and the remainder a generic coffee.

Coffee shops tend to carry more gourmet coffees than grocers. In addition, they also tend to have fresher coffee due the volume of coffee they use in the shop. You may pay a higher price but you are usually getting a better coffee. Like the grocery store, the products are typically readily available.

Online ordering directly from the manufacturer, if possible, is the best way to guarantee that you are getting the product you want and that it is authentic. You will most likely pay a higher price and will have to pay a shipping fee. However, you are going to get exactly what you order.The only thing you should beware of when ordering online is that you are ordering either directly from the processor or a reputable dealer who is backed by the processor.

Gourmet coffee is a treat for some people and a necessity for others. There are many types of gourmet coffee and many places to obtain them from. Doing your research ahead of time and knowing what you want will help you to obtain the best gourmet coffee available.

-Sharon V. Chapman

If you’re serving a special cheesecake, consider taking the extra step of considering the appearance of the cheesecake. We enjoy food with our eyes, in addition to our mouths. Always play around with your own thoughts, but here are a handful of ideas to get you started.

New York Style Cheesecake: This is what most people would think of as the basic, plain or “unflavored” cheesecake. Frankly, it is anything but unflavored! However, its flavor will adapt well to nearly all additions. Well, maybe not broccoli! I suggest that you should consider complimenting the rich flavor of this versatile cake by placing a healthy amount of hot caramel topping around the plate.

Blueberry Cheesecake: Purchase a high quality blueberry preserve. Stir in enough lemon juice to dilute the preserves so that it will come off a teaspoon on its own. Drizzle the diluted preserves in a zigzag pattern across the cake. The tartness of the lemon juice will provide a nice counterpoint to the sweet taste of the preserves and cake.

Gourmet Turtle Cheesecake: This cheesecake has a variety of flavors incorporated, so it’s best not to try to introduce a new one. Instead, place a few petals from small blooms around the platter to add to the presentation. Yellow petals particularly enhance the color of the dessert.

Pumpkin Cheesecake, a holiday season favorite, is even smoother than the more traditional pumpkin pie. Cut a festive hole in some paper–tree shaped or a five pointed star. Center the paper over the top of the slice. In the hole, gently shake cinnamon.

Low Carb Cheesecakes: A mint sprig positioned on one side of the cheesecake will make this diet dessert seem even more wonderful without adding any unnecessary carbs.

The appearance is affected not only by the contents of the dish but additionally by the nature of the platter, itself. Certainly, the small plates that are part of your china set will serve your purpose. But the additional storage areas in modern homes permit many of us to keep specialty plates. Many people have unique salsa and chip servers, instead of the old fashioned bowls. Why not get special serving pieces that you use for those spectacular dessert celebrations?The presentation is impacted not just by what’s on the plate but additionally by the nature of the platter, itself. Certainly, the small plates that are part of your china set will do the job. But the expanded storage space in modern pantries allow many hosts and hostesses to keep specialty plates. People have individual salt servers and soup crocks, as opposed to the typical bowls. Why not get special serving pieces that you use only for the special dessert celebrations?

Cheesecakes are a wonderful–and slightly expensive–ending to a fine meal or a casual picnic. Dedicate just a little your planning time to highlight the elegance of this remarkable delicacy with your signature touches.

Wherever I go, I’m going out all the time trying the latest restaurants and culinary creations. I have been doing so as I am a self-declared gourmet from the womb. But sometimes, its nice to have a night in and be the one making the meals, rather than just eating them. Because I’m not the type to stick to a one-pan-easy-casserole-type-of-concoction, nor am I adept enough to combine flavors like the experts in my favorite restaurants, I turn to food sites for help with all my culinary questions.

If you’re like me, and can’t always follow a recipe without visual instructions, check out www.Gourmandia.com. The site includes not only written instructions, but also videos of chefs preparing the recipes. Recipes are divided into categories of the most popular videos, as well as by restaurants, which are predominantly French or French-inspired, as well as healthy recipes. You can also search by chef and see their Michelin ratings, which is fun as they are all European. Also take advantage of the site’s special touches, like napkin-folding instructions as well as a store where you can purchase a selection of quality gourmet goods.

If you’re not in the mood for French but feel like trying out a new recipe, and can’t decide whether to go exotic or traditional; direct your browser to www.ifood.tv, where you can watch people who love to cook make recipes in their home kitchens. After watching your recipe being made you can print the recipe to try it yourself in the kitchen. IFood is for everyone who feels inspired.tv and share some of your own recipes with the cooking world.

At www.VideoRecipesOnline.com, you can find video instructions on cooking meals that are quick and easy. How to turn packaged food-products and flavorings into a whole meal can be seen in each video demonstration. The site for families who want to make home-cooked meals but have little time to do so. However, if you’re into making elaborate meals from scratch, you can skip it.

Did you notice how the Food Network has become very popular in the last few years? The chefs are just as celebrated as their famous clientèle! Watch your favorite Food Network stars at www making the recipes you forgot to TiVo anytime you want, if you are a fan of the famous Chefs.FoodNetwork.com. You can search videos by popular chefs or by recipe categories and make yummy noises right along with Rachel or Giada.

One of my favorite sites, and the one I probably use the most can be found at http://AllRecipes.com. I like allrecipes.com because it really does seem to have every recipe imaginable. Not only does the site include recipes, it also has instructional videos on those tricky techniques real chefs seem to perform with such ease; like pitting an avocado or cutting and serving cake without all the layers falling apart. The range of recipes and levels of expertise are also extensive, so no matter what you’re cooking up, allrecipes.com can probably help you out.

These sites are easy to navigate and can provide a lot of help for those who like to eat and want to try making fabulous food for themselves.