Beef Stew that's Perfect for Winter

Guest post written by Amber Williams.

When I go to the trouble of cooking, I'll cook things that will go a long way. Sometimes I cook way too much just so that I can have leftovers for a few days. Yeah, it's a little lazy, but it's also really practical. I'm always on the lookout for a new and good recipe that I can make that will yield a lot of leftovers.

I went online the other day with my Wirelessinternet in search of a recipe like that. I originally did want some chili, but I found some other things that sounded so great that I totally abandoned my chili idea. I decided on making some kind of stew instead because those keep really well for leftovers too.

I found several different reci! pes for beef stew and just decided to make one of those. Beef stew is perfect for this time of the year when it's so cold outside that you don't really want to even step outside if your life or wellbeing doesn't absolutely depend on it.

The Delicious Paella Recipe From Valencia, Spain

Paella is one of the most sell-known Spanish dishes. This popular dish originated in Valencia but is now known around the world. The original dish consisted simply of available meat and vegetables, but this original dish has now seen many variations. The recipe for paella spread other areas of Spain and then far beyond the borders of Spain as people began to travel to and from the country. As the popularity of the dish increased, so did recipe variations. The preparation and serving became more elaborate in terms of servings and ingredients used. There are even several variations of the dish throughout Spain alone. In the coastal areas, shellfish and a variety of other fish caught locally are often used. Rabbit, mussels and lobster are less common variations but still fairly popular in some areas.

Photo by: Frédérique Voisin-Demery

A basic paella recipe is cooked in a large, shallow, flat pan called a paella pot. You can find paella pots on the internet or in kitchen supply stores. Most cook paella dishes on the stove, but it is still cooked over an open flame in some areas as the original recipe calls for. Rice, saffron and olive oil are the three main ingredients. As mentioned earlier, the original dish is made of what vegetables and meats are available. Of course, variations of the dish are easy depending on what types of meats and vegetables are used. The dish can be garnished with rice and fresh vegetables.

To make a basic paella dish, stir fry the meat and vegetables in olive oil. Once the meat and vegetables are done, add rice to the pot followed by boiling stock. Boil this mixture of rice, meat and vegetables and, once it is cooked, remove the pan from the heat. You then need to let the dish set for some time to allow the rice to absorb the remaining liquid.

Traditionally, in Valencia, any meat available was used with rice as the only consistent ingredient. For instance, seafood was often used in the coastal areas while rabbit or duck were used in other areas. The paella recipe initially spread to other regions of Spain, but as people traveled to and from the country, it spread to South America, North America and the Philippines. As its popularity increased, the variations and preparations became much more

This dish continues to be a mainstay of the Valencia people who still take it very seriously. Depending on the ingredients used, it is served with either red wine or white wine. It is typically placed directly on the table and guests serve themselves to the delicious meal. Leftovers are not a concern when it comes to paella since the dish is excellent even when eaten the following day.

Be sure to try local variations to the paella dish as you travel through the regions of Spain and, especially, if you are ever in Valencia!

The Best Chilli Recipe

Those who like to cook chilli always want to discover that one chilli recipe that will have their family and friends talking about for ages and maybe even impress a few chilli contest judges.

Below is one of the best chilli recipe for you to try and I think you everyone who is involved will be well impressed.

Ingredients:

• 4-5 lbs. ground beef of your choice
• ¼ cup of olive oil if needed to brown meat
• 64 ozs. V8 Juice for 4-5 lbs.
• 1 onion for each pound of meat
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar or honey
• 1 bell pepper for each lb. of meat
• 2-3 cloves garlic for each lb. of meat
• 3 jalapenos or 1 habanera
• 2 tablespoons cumin
• ½ cup finely chopped parsley or cilantro
• 2 tablespoons of chilli powder (your favourite)
• 1 teaspoon of celery seed
• 1 bay leaf for each pound of meat
• 1 - 16 oz. can dark kidney beans for each lb. of meat

• salt and pepper to taste
• 10 mushrooms per pound of meat
• 1 tablespoon of the SECRET INGREDIENT

Ground beef or ground round should be at least 80% lean. Brown ground beef with olive oil.

Salt and Pepper to taste throughout the recipe.

After meat is browned, add onions, bell peppers, bay leaves and garlic.

Add secret ingredient.
Add chopped mushrooms.
Add celery seed.
Add brown sugar or honey.
V8 juice is added next.
Cook down for about 10 minutes at a simmer.

Add beans last and cook them until they are done to your taste.
Cook this entire batch of chilli until you get it coming up. Bubble a little. Do not boil. Turn it off and let it sit. You can even let it sit so long that it gets cold.

Then reheat it.

Siphon off the grease when it cools - the whitish looking stuff on the top.

The Original Old Fashion Paczki Recipe

Paczki are Polish sweets, like a filled doughnut. This is the original recipe for making paczki that was brought from Europe by my wife’s grandmother when she first arrived at Ellis Island and the onward to Pennsylvania where she finally settled. Just how old this recipe really is I have no idea but the only thing I know is how good the paczki’s are.

Photo by @joefoodie on Flickr

You must follow this recipe exactly or it will not work well, I know, I have tried to create some shortcuts that were ok but not as good. This recipe yields 4dozen of the most delicious punczki that you ever had. Remember all ingredients should be room temperature.

1.Disolve:

¾ ounce yeast in ¼ cup warm water
warm ½ quart milk
add to the yeast and warm milk 3 cups flour and let rise for about ½ hour to create what is called a sponge.


2.Put together:

½ quart warm milk
¼ lb. Butter
2 tablespoons shortening
½ cup sugar
2 tablespoons whiskey


3.Mix steps 1 and 2 with 6 eggs, pinch of salt, 9 cups flour and mix until you get a really good textured dough.

4. Let the dough rise until double in size, cut the dough into 2 ounce pieces and form balls.

5. Place the dough balls on a well oiled flat pan, let them rise for about ½ hour to about ¾ hour.

6. Fry dough balls in 350 degree oil until well browned on both sides then put them on a brown paper bag to drain the oil form frying.

7. Let cool for a while and fill using a pastry bag with a tip that has a whole about the size of a pencil, roll in sugar or 10x sugar and enjoy with a hot cup of coffee.

You can fill them with prune leckvar or any jellies that you like.

Bring On The Chocolate Cake!

When it comes to celebrating, food plays a critical and cross-cultural role. While it may consist of different cuisine depending on where you go, the meal around which families and friends gather unites the world on common ground. Different food comes to mean different things – a holiday meal, a weekly favorite, or a family recipe. But when it comes to celebrating sweetly – especially in the United States – nothing beats a chocolate cake.

For chocolate cake connoisseurs the preferences are as unique as the people themselves – chocolate cake frosted with vanilla icing, chocolate icing, whip cream, you name it. Each family may have a special recipe handed down from generation to generation or a favorite bakery where the chocolate cake can’t be missed. Today’s ever-increasing popularity of chocolate cake would surely have been a surprise to those who first attempted its creation.

Flickr Photo by Tim Pierce

The making of cakes in a general nature began shortly after flour was discovered. The recipe then was much less sweet than it is today – displaying more of a bread-like quality. Initially, added to the flour, were milk and yeast; honey or dried fruit were added to sweeten the mixture. Today, eggs are most often used in place of yeast, and, of course, sugar has become our sweetener of choice. Making cake prior to the Industrial Revolution was a complicated and pricey process. But with the advent of mass produced ingredients, cake making became affordable and easy for all levels of bakers.

Chocolate cake was first seen in the United States, the recipe for which was submitted to a Dallas, Texas newspaper in 1957. This particular recipe called for Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate which is how the chocolate cake received its name. The response to the printed recipe was immediate and astounding.

Today, the variations to this original recipe number into the thousands, with families adding their own special additions throughout the years. The advent of the boxed chocolate cake has given hope to elementary bakers everywhere whose only responsibility is to add egg and oil and bake. Even still, the most delicious of chocolate cake is that which originates in the homes of our families. And regardless of whether the recipe calls for icing, nuts, or a variety of other ingredients, the truth remains that chocolate cake is just as popular as ever, starring in birthday parties and celebrations throughout the world.

Learn to Make Italian Food

Italian food has long been amongst the most popular food in the world. Everyday people all over the world sit down to meals of fresh Italian food that tastes so good it's hard to imagine making it yourself. However, there are some people who are up to the challenge of learning to make quality Italian food. For some it is not just enough to enjoy Italian food, they need to create Italian food. There are many options today for learning to cook Italian food. Some people live in areas where there are no Italian food cooking classes. Others may feel too self conscious in order to go to an Italian food class. But there is an option for everyone that wants to learn to cook Italian food whether they want to become a world class chef or if they just want to not be intimidated by a pot of boiling water and a handful of spaghetti. The great thing about Italian food is that it has great dishes that are simple to make for the beginner and complex dishes that take world class chefs years to master. There really is something for everyone.

The first option to learn to cook Italian food is cooking classes or cooking school. If you want to become a professional Italian food chef then you will want to attend an accredited cooking school. There are many different culinary institutes in the United States and around the world that can help you specialize in Italian food. Research the different options and decide which will be best for you and will help you meet your goals. Some things to consider are tuition and location. You can attend school abroad or in your local area. If you want to start work right away after graduation at an Italian food restaurant, then see what kind of help the different schools give in job placement after graduation.

Going to school to become a professional Italian food chef is very challenging but in the end it is extremely rewarding to know that you can craft some of the finest Italian food in the world. For those not wanting to necessarily become professionals, you can look into local cooking schools or community centers that offer lessons in cooking Italian food. You can learn to make specific regional Italian food or just take a few classes to teach you how to cook a meal for a special occasion to impress friends or family.

Another great option in today's world is to learn how to cook Italian food right from home. Today it is possible to take classes in cooking Italian food off of the internet. This is a great option for people who are self conscious or like to take things at their own speed in a comfortable environment. There are both paid and free cooking classes online that can help you with your Italian food skills. Research the different programs available and see what is right for you. Be sure to also check out reviews of online programs and see if previous students feel that they really learned how to cook Italian food from the course. You can never be too careful online, but once you find a school that you like that has good reviews, don't hesitate to jump right in. Before long you'll cooking up fabulous Italian food dishes that previously seemed impossible.