Archive for May, 2010
As its name suggests, prime rib is one of the most flavorful and popular cuts of meat. Here is a simple and delicious recipe for preparing classic roast prime rib.
12 lb. prime rib roast
2 tablespoon House Seasoning
Pan Sauce:
2 cups beef stock
sprig of fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
2 tablespoon Merlot Wine Steak Sauce
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Rub the roast with the House Seasoning. In a roasting pan, place the roast, fat side up, so the ribs act as a rack. Roast for 30 minutes and reduce heat to 350 degrees. Continue to roast for 2 hours or until the internal temperature measured by a meat thermometer registers your desired doneness. Transfer to platter and let rest for 15 minutes.
While roast is resting, prepare pan sauce. Skim off the fat from the pan drippings. Place the roasting pan over medium heat and add the stock and thyme. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Whisk in the Merlot Wine Steak Sauce. Add salt and pepper from one of your pepper mills to taste. Serve warm alongside the prime rib roast.
NOTE: Medium Rare 140 degrees F, Medium 150 degrees F, Well Done 160 degr
It used to be that if you wanted a premium cup of coffee you had to scour the city for a coffee shop and be prepared to pay an exorbitant price. As coffee drinking has become ubiquitous in American culture, access to first-rate java has increased as well. Coffeehouses are now situated on virtually every street corner—especially here in Seattle—and you can even find top-of-the-line coffee beans in the supermarket.
Every morning I am presented with a litany of options for getting my caffeine fix, but I’ve found that brewing my own coffee is the way to go. Utilizing the cappuccino makers in my home not only saves me money, but it also cuts down on my commute since I don’t have to wait in a ten-car line at the Starbucks drive-thru. Some people will probably assume that I miss the lavish $4 beverages, but with my state-of-the-art machine, I can create practically any coffee concoction in my home.
A recent survey found that only 15 percent of American homes have soft water flowing from the tap. Even if a vast majority of domestic households could benefit from a hard-water filter, it’s still not enough to ensure a quality shower experience. It’s a common misconception that hard-water filters remove contaminants; in fact, their only purpose is to remove mineral deposits.
Hard water is hardly a problem at all when compared to the serious issues presented by unsanitary water. Mineral buildup from hard water tends to be most severe in areas where water is heated, such as showers and coffee machines. However, with the use of a decalcifier, removing lime and calcium is painless.
Losing weight doesn’t have to be a tortuous experience. It can be hard to give up our favorite fatty foods, but the process is made easier by developing a regular routine. The first step is to sever all ties with fast-food addiction. When you get out of work, just keep on driving past that beckoning neon sign. Make a stop at the grocery store and pick up some fresh ingredients.
Healthy dieting gives you the chance to reconnect with quality home cooking. Feel free to explore a number of exotic recipes; let your imagination guide you in your culinary endeavors. Most people assume that healthy food has to be bland and flavorless, but most herbs and spices have few, if any, calories. Explore a variety of new spices to discover flavor profiles for yourself—and if worse comes to worse; you can always breakout the traditional pepper mill.
Most of us know that hard water poses a serious threat to our household appliances. Sure mineral deposits build up in the shower, but this rarely has an impact on the performance of the shower itself. When calcium and other minerals begin to collect in your coffeemaker or water heater however, the flow of liquid through the machine and the quality of the product will be adversely affected.
Hard water buildup is an acute problem, especially in areas where hot water is used, as this facilitates the collection of minerals. One of the best ways to eliminate mineral deposits and prevent future buildup is by using a decalcifying product, such as Durgol. These products are safe and easy-to-use, and unlike cleaning your appliances with a vinegar solution, you don’t have to worry about an acrid aftertaste.
With Mother’s Day upon us, certainly some people are just realizing that they need to buy a present. If this is you: Stop reading this blog post and go get something pronto. Usually I am the one who is scrambling at the last minute, but this year I planned ahead and put some thought into my gift. Most people probably don’t consider kitchen appliances a personal gift, but that’s not the case with my mom.
One of her favorite pastimes is watching infomercials, and her house is littered with rotisserie ovens, small food choppers and other miscellaneous gadgets. Ironically, my mom’s house is missing some of the most used appliances, such as a toaster oven and coffee maker. I know that she has an addiction for coffee in the morning, so I decided to get her a cappuccino maker hopefully she will be able to put this appliance to good use.
The macchiato is another staple coffee drink that may intimidate some people when they see it on the menu at their local coffeehouse. In fact, the macchiato is a fairly simple beverage. Start by turning on one of your Saeco espresso machines and brewing a few ounces of coffee. Add one or two shorts of espresso to your cup and finish with a dollop of heated milk and that’s it.
There is a variation known as the Latte Macchiato, which is basically a reversal of the recipe. The primary component here is the heated milk, and you only want to add about a half-shot of the espresso. You can also add in flavors, such as caramel, vanilla or chocolate. Because of its low concentration of espresso, a latte macchiato is ideal for someone who isn’t enamored with the coffee flavor.
Mochas and lattes are two of the most basic espresso variations, and you probably have everything that you need to create them in your refrigerator already. Of course, you’ll want to begin by brewing some espresso in one of your Solis espresso machines.
For the latte, you will need to shots of espresso to start. Once you pour the espresso into your mug, fill the rest of the way with steamed milk and top with milk froth. (Many premium espresso machines will even do the last two steps for you). As you will see in the next few days, the latte is the base for several more elaborate coffee drinks.
For the mocha, begin by preparing a basic latte like the one we did above. Depending on your preference, add white, milk or dark chocolate into the coffee beverage. Mochas are often finished with whipped cream, chocolate syrup and other sweeteners. As you can tell, these are more of a dessert-style beverage.
Espresso is a complex and sophisticated coffee beverage that requires precision brewing. And while it is delicious on its own, there are manifold ways to dress up this concentrated coffee to add a little extra panache. Over the next few days, we will be exploring an array of variations on this quintessential brew.
We’ll start by reviewing some basics for brewing espresso, as this will serve as the foundation for all of the beverages we describe. Because the flavors in espresso are so concentrated, it is essential to use premium quality products. This will include top-of-the-line espresso machines, first-rate coffee beans and bottled or filtered water. Tomorrow we will begin with some of the basics, including the latte and mocha.
Now that spring is here, couples around the country are beginning to make their final preparations before wedding season hits full stride. Inevitably, you will receive several invitations to these nuptial ceremonies, and one of the biggest quandaries for wedding goers is what to give as a wedding gift. Thanks to the internet, it is now simple to find a couple’s registry and purchase a gift you know they will love.
Although the technology has changed, the gifts that people ask for has not. Coffee makers, silverware and cold hard cash are still near the top of virtually every couple’s wish list. Some people may think that these gifts are impersonal, but remember: its what the bride and groom asked for. These wedding gifts, though they may seem boring, are a crucial starting point for couples who need to outfit their first home.