Bar Basics
Maintaining a well-stocked bar can be an expensive endeavor. The good news is that spirits will last indefinitely, so you can build your collection gradually without any worry of spoilage. As when stocking a bar for a gathering, buy the highest ... [... more]
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Rosemary
Rosemary is the dried leaves of the evergreen Rosmarinus officinalis. The slender, slightly curved leaves resemble miniature curved pine needles. Normally hand-harvested, the rosemary plant grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and is very hardy, as it ... [... more]
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Garam Masala
Garam is the Hindi word for "warm" or "hot," and this blend of dry-roasted ground spices from the colder climes of northern India adds a sense of warmth to both palate and spirit. There are as many variations of garam masala (which ... [... more]
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Decorating Cakes
Set your least-perfect cake layer on a cake circle, and apply simple syrup with a pastry brush. Add a healthy dollop of frosting, and spread it across the surface, almost to the edge--the weight of additional layers will spread it out further. ... [... more]
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Turkey Cooking Time Guide
The best test for doneness is the temperature of the meat, not the color of the skin. The turkey is done when the thigh meat reaches an internal temperature of 180 degrees F, and when the breast meat reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees ... [... more]
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Pasta Types
These versatile rings of pasta can be stuffed with many types of savory fillings. The pasta is then folded in half, and the two ends are brought together to make a ring shape. Multi-colored pasta indicates the addition of beets, tomatoes, ... [... more]
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Gumbo Basics
The second thickener in a pot of gumbo can be either okra or filé (FEE-lay) powder. Interestingly enough, the word "gumbo" seems to have evolved almost simultaneously from two different sources--one closely tied to Creole cuisine, the ... [... more]
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Marjoram
Marjoram and oregano were well known in the Graeco-Roman era. The ancient Greeks believed that if marjoram grew on one's grave, the deceased would enjoy eternal peace and happiness. The word "oregano" is Greek-derived, and translated means & ... [... more]
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Anise
Anise, one of the oldest cultivated spices, was enjoyed by the early Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. In first century Rome, anise was a flavoring in mustaceus, a popular spice cake baked in bay leaves and eaten after a feast to prevent indigestion. ... [... more]
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Caraway
Although caraway is produced in Holland, Egypt is a major additional source. The Dutch-type caraway is the premium seed because of its uniform shape, consistent color, and its oil content. The Dutch variety is more aromatic and bitter than the ... [... more]
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Grilling Times For Pork
Pork needs to reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). While trichinosis, a parasitic illness caused by eating undercooked pork, is very rare, pork should be cooked to at least 144 degrees F (63 degrees C). Join My ... [... more]
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The Poppy Seed
Poppy seed has been cultivated for more than 3,000 years. The tiny poppy seed actually comes from the plant that produces opium. The botanical name for the poppy flower means "sleep-bearing." (Poppies were even used in The Wizard of Oz to put .. ... [... more]
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