Author Archives: admin

Pickles and Other Preserved Foods

Posted on by

Pickling is just one of the many ways of preserving food. Historically, early records show that people first preserved their food during the war. This is necessary to maintain food supply. Today, we preserve food, fruits and vegetables to avoid spoilage, to keep them fresh and to still enjoy them even when they’re out of season. Preserving food also makes it more tasty, adding more flavors and even texture to the food.

In pickling, vegetables are soaked in brine and vinegar solution for a day or more and placed in a tightly sealed jar. The solution is first brought to a boil and then poured over the vegetables. Cucumber is the most common vegetable used. Sometimes, to produce a half-sour taste, no vinegar is used in pickling food.

Another method in preserving food is drying. By evaporating water content in food, this reduces bacterial activity usually conducive in moist environments. Dried fish and meat are some examples. Dried raisins and mangoes are some snack treats that are preserved using this process.

Freezing is a method of preserving food by preventing microbial growth using extreme cold temperatures. Meat, fish and sometimes also vegetables such as peas are frozen to maintain their freshness. Refrigeration also slows down food spoilage but do not preserve the food in its edible state for a long time. Fruits and vegetables are refrigerated to keep them fresh for a few more days.

Using sugar to preserve food is one very tasty of doing it. Cooking the food in heavily sweetened syrup creates a condition unfavorable for bacterial survival. Fruit jams and jellies use this method of preservation. So almost any fruit can be enjoyed even when they are not in season. Strawberries, mangoes, oranges, peaches and many other fruits that were used to be enjoyed only once a year can now be tasted year-long in jams or jellies. One type of this method is glazing where fruits are coated with sugary syrup but is extracted from the syrup. Apples and cherries are some examples of glazed fruits.

Smoking fish and meat can also preserve them. Heat from the smoke dehydrates the food thus reducing conduciveness for bacterial growth. This method also makes the food tasty by giving it a varied aroma and sometimes spices are also added in the preservation process.

Using fat can also preserve food for a day or two. Frying fish and meat for example extends its edibility. And there is also a method of preserving meat called potting where meat is set in a pot and sealed with a layer of fat. Potted liver is an example.

There are many more ways of preserving food. Knowing what is the best method to use for a particular food stuff helps in avoiding food spoilage. Food can be recycled and even common food can be made interesting and more tasty. Preserving food using different types of methods also offers a range of taste and variety to the food making it more enjoyable and sometimes even more nutritious.

How to Open a Restaurant – Avoid These Common and Simple Mistakes Made by Most New Restaurant Owners

Posted on by

Do you know why most restaurants fail? The reason is that they believe if the food is good, success will just be a step away. This is a wring concept and most people are misguided by thinking this way. Now, you are a little excited about opening your own restaurant, but in all this excitement, do not forget to make a reality check on your complete project. You do have a good vision to succeed but do you have a clue about how to open a restaurant? No, you do not have a correct understanding about the real business that gets into opening a restaurant. This lack of understanding will make you a complete failure in your attempt; if you want to succeed then read on to avoid the common mistakes.

A particular saying in the business world is that you must have 3 important things for your business they are location, location and location. It is true that a good location is a great investment and boon for any business, but that alone is not a guarantee of your success. Do you know that there are a lot of restaurant in “not so great places” that are a huge success. Location is a big factor but it is not the only factor that you should consider while opening a restaurant. The poor business practice can also lead to the downfall of a restaurant and I am sure you would want to avoid it.

Another common mistake that most people do when thinking about how to open a restaurant is that they fail to draw a fair cost for each recipe placed on menu. The problem here is that they do not draw a fair cost of every recipe and then chalk out the basic charges on the items. These people set the prices of the items on the gut feeling and what they believe that the customers would shell out. These kinds of restaurateurs do not know the actual cost of the items on their menu.

You have to first look at the budget of the restaurant; you will be amazed to see the amount spend on the food. This is what you will have to control and if you are unable to control this aspect of your business then your business is traveling down the wrong path. If you want to be successful about how to open a restaurant then you will have to price your food items on the menu correctly. The pricing should be moderate and must also help you earn profits. The key here is to avoid setting high prices.

The last problem is customer service. Yes, this is also the biggest problem of the restaurant industry today. You must know that you will not be able to make everybody happy. There will always be people who complain about a certain recipe, while others might tell you that this is the prize winning recipe of your restaurant. Always remember that your customers are the breath of life of your restaurant. They are the reason why on the first place you are thinking about how to open a restaurant.

Keep these simple issues in mind when you are thinking about how to open a restaurant!

Is a Dog Road Trip in Your Future?

Posted on by

Dogs are social, pack animals that love to be in your company, particularly on a good road trip. Knowing a few good road trip ideas will give you and your pooch the opportunity to bond in a new way.

One way to provide mental simulation for dogs is to take them with you while cruising around town. You don’t need an official road trip planner; just take your pooch with you while running errands and let them keep you company while you belt out your favorite road trip songs. A quick walk at each stop will provide your dog with both physical and mental stimulation. Giving your dog the three S’s – Sniffing, Socialization, and Stimulation – will help him maintain a balanced, well-rounded lifestyle.

Heck, you don’t even need to have a destination; just get in the car and drive around the block. Your dog lives in the moment and enjoys the journey more than the destination. Your dog going on a road trip is like them winning the lottery!

If you must accompany your husband to some dreaded destination like Home Depot, take your dog! You’ll have the great excuse of walking your dog around the parking lot while your husband strolls every aisle of tools and paint. Then, head to Starbucks and roll down your pooch’s window at the drive-through. They’ll get lots of ooh’s and ah’s from the cashier.

Don’t have plans one evening? Have a date night with your dog; plan activities that revolve around your dog’s wellness. Go to a pet store (i.e., Pet Smart) where your dog is exposed to a variety of sights, sounds, and other animals in a safe location. Other stores like Tractor Supply and some Lowes also allow you to shop accompanied by your dog. There are many restaurants where you can eat outside with your dog. All of these give your dog the three S’s which means they’ll sleep much more soundly when date night comes to an end.

If your dog has difficulty moving around the house due to age or arthritis, a dog road trip just might be the ticket for getting them outside to see new sights without putting unnecessary pressure on their joints. If you’re thinking that your vehicle is too tall for your dog to jump into comfortably, there are plenty of options for dog ramps for SUV and car access that make it very convenient for your dog to enter and exit your vehicle. The alternative is that they are just sitting at the house alone when they’d much rather be in your company.

Remember that safety always comes first on doggy car trips. Due to flying dust particles and oncoming vehicles, it’s dangerous to let your dog hang her head fully out the window. But, if it’s safe, roll down the window a bit and let your dog breathe in a little fresh air. There are plenty of options for dog travel crates or dog car seats if necessary. Also, factor in the weather. Dogs should never be left in a hot car while you are shopping. But, cooler days, a favorite road trip snack, and a small water bowl will keep your dog totally satisfied while you’re running quick errands.

So when you’re planning short road trips around town, break out the dog ramp, pack an extra bag for your dog, and invite them to tag along. You won’t have a better co-pilot!