When an Aussie says 'would you fancy a barbie at my place tomorrow?' they are not speaking of an American doll with a large bosom. Barbie is simply slang for barbecue and there is great similarity between the behavior of the Australians and many other nationalities when the sun shines on a nice summer day; the air fills with clouds of smoke from th

Rarity is often enough to add significant value to an item, especially in the case of art, jewellery and similar collectibles. In many cases, the rarity of an item is closely associated with the location from which it came. Over the course of many years there have been instances when this combination also applied to food and drink; for example, f

Paris is a city of phenomenal restaurants, quaint bistros, and tea saloons as well as the little cafes we have heard so much of. These establishments serve a variety of fine gourmet foods from elegant fine dishes to foods from the region including ethnic cuisine from restaurants that make you feel at home and a variety of so many different foods yo

Coffee transcends all cultures and creeds and is today arguably the most consumed drink in the world. For such a plain and simple plant, it is odd to think that it has had such an impact on our daily lives. The coffee bean is what is contained inside the coffee berry. The two most common coffee plants are the Coffea canephora and Coffea arrabica

If you think you do not like fish, you will never qualify as a gourmet. Gourmets eat and enjoy everything - when properly prepared. Your dislike may come from the way in which fish is cooked. Try it baked or broiled - both of which minimize cooking odors. Fish is low in calories, thus good for diets. It is also extremely versatile in presentatio

Spanish wine and food is very diverse in its nature. The myriad variations in Spanish cuisine are mostly a result of geographic, climatic, and cultural differences that have influenced its development. However, it can be said that Spanish cuisine is most heavily influenced by the fact that it is quite close to the sea and this gives its food a Medi

The culinary traditions of the Bay area have been influenced by history dating back hundreds of years. It was 1607 when Captain John Smith first saw the Chesapeake Bay at what was to become Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement. From the writings in his journal it is clear that these early settlers quickly recognized that the

Any layman may ask themselves what grilling planks have to do with fish but, to the seasoned chef, they are all simply a part of his basic cooking equipment. For a chef, grilling planks are often the key to preparing the best grilled fish and meat dishes available and the result is often a restaurant or kitchen full of eager customers who are willi

If you really want to have a dinner party that will be the talk of the town, use go ahead and throw a Moroccan dinner party with Moroccan recipes. Moroccan recipes sound exotic and they are; but as recipes go, they are easy to make if you have the right ingredients and a Moroccan Tagine. Tagines are a type of clay pot with a lid that is used to coo

Corporate gift baskets help to improve profits for your company in several different ways. They improve employee morale and loyalty, solidify customer relationships, and enhance relationships with suppliers. This increases productivity, sales, loyalty, and lowers the number of mistakes to increase the company's profits. With these kinds of benefits

Most people will agree that the pies, goodies, and even the fruit spreads their grandmothers used to make are far better than any of those you will find in the big chain grocery stores. The single biggest reason for this is the quality difference between hybrids and heirloom fruit. You only have to take a bite of each type to tell the difference in

Compound butter is butter combined with herbs and spices. Compound butters such as this one can be served with chicken, fish, beef, pork or even vegetables. For an Asian flare, grated ginger root or diced lemon grass may be added to this butter. Ive personally made this with steak before and just put a little dollop on top before serving and its ab

Vanilla extract is one of the most commonly used flavorings in kitchens across America. The flavorful extract gets its distinctive aroma from vanillin, a compound naturally produced in vanilla beans. Pure vanilla extract is created when the cured beans are chopped and aged in a mixture of ethyl alcohol and water. After several months, this mixtu

Vanilla beans, which are actually a seed pod of the Vanilla Planiflora orchid plant, are one of the most expensive and prized seasonings in the world. The delicate, creamy aroma and flavor of vanilla has been used in sweets, drinks, and savory dishes for hundreds of years. Native to Mexico, this aromatic flavoring is now grown mostly in places li

Whether you're a native New Yorker or just visiting, there are many restaurants in the area to suit your palate. The city boasts some of the finest restaurants in the world. For many visitors, restaurants are a vital part of the New York experience. Whether you choose based on price, cuisine or location, you're sure to find an eatery that suits you