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Showing posts with label cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cooking. Show all posts

Thursday, July 25, 2013

July 25, Culinarians Day
A Tribute to the Culinary Arts Profession


Culinary education is available from a wide number of institutions offering diploma, associate, and bachelor degree programs in culinary arts. Depending on the level of education, this can take one to four years. An internship is often part of the curriculum. Most professional kitchens follow the apprenticeship system.

These are some of the most well known culinary schools in the food-service industry and culinary arts.
International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes


Health and Nutrition
About twenty years ago, a dear friend who was a chef told me “if it is not made from real butter and real cream, it is not real food.” Sadly, he passed away from heart disease.

Nutrition and food safety is now apart of all culinary school curriculums. There are dietitians who have certification in the culinary arts and are creating healthy cuisines that have grown in popularity.

More chefs are teaming up with dietitians to meet the needs of the community. Even Elmo and the White House Assistant Chef Sam Kass talk about the importance of healthy and delicious school meals.


The videos featured below give you a history of the profession during the 20th and 21st century. As we move towards the present, you will notice how health and nutrition play an important role in the development of new cuisines and the modification of traditional favorites.

The History of the
Culinary Institute of America (CIA)



The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), a professional, organization for chefs and cooks, was founded in 1929 in New York City by three chefs’ organizations: the Société Culinaire Philanthropique, the Vatel Club and the Chefs de Cuisine Association of America. They are an organization based on promoting the professional image of American chefs worldwide through education of culinarians at all levels.

In 1976, ACF forever changed the culinary industry by elevating the position of the executive chef from service status to the professional category in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Dictionary of Official Titles. Since this change, the culinary industry has grown tremendously.

ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and programmatic accreditation designed to enhance professional growth for all current and future chefs and pastry chefs. In addition, ACF operates the most comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States. ACF is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions, and to the Chef and Child Foundation, founded in 1989 to promote proper nutrition in children and combat childhood obesity.

The American Culinary Federation (ACF)
Culinary Team USA 2012
Seven chefs unite to take on the challenge of their careers. They will compete in a
global event to test their skills like never before. They are ACF Culinary Team USA.


Elmo joins White House Assistant Chef Sam Kass in the White House kitchen to talk about the importance of healthy and delicious school meals following President Obama's signing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.  This legislation is an important step forward toward ensuring that no child goes to school hungry and that all children have access to healthy, nutritious foods at school.



Research Chefs Association (RCA)

Formed in 1996 by a group of food professionals with a common interest in the challenges facing the profession. RCA has become the premier source of culinary and technical information for the food industry, with a professionally diverse membership including chefs, food scientists, and other industry professionals who are shaping the future of food research and development.

What is Culinology®?
"It is the blending of culinary arts and food science, promoted by the
Research Chefs Association. This fast-growing discipline is gaining popularity
in the industry and popping up in degree programs at the college level
because the food product development industry is demanding that
their professionals have a combination of culinary and food science skills"









Saturday, June 15, 2013

June 15, National Lobster Day


Suggestions on how to Eat Lobster to stay
Healthy and Avoid a Mess (or make a mess)

*No Butter and No Cream
*Ask for Lemon, Olive Oil and Dijon Mustard 
and Make Your Own Dressing.
*Wear A Bib


Lobster Facts
From Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen’s Association (AOLA)

The difference between a hard shell and soft shell lobster. 
Lobsters will periodically shed their shells as they grow. This can happen as many as 25 times before they are 6-7 years old; then males shed every year and mature, females every two years. When lobsters become very large molting is less frequent. After they shed they have a paper thin shell, which can take up to two months to harden, and are called soft-shell, new shell or shedders. The debate goes on as to which is most tasty, though the soft-shell are definitely easier to crack!

Lobsters do not have vocal chords. They do not scream when being cooked.

The teeth of the lobster are in its stomach. The stomach is located a very short distance from the mouth, and the food is actually chewed in the stomach between three grinding surfaces that look like molar surfaces, called the "gastric mill".

Besides the greenish-brown colored lobsters, there are also rare blue, yellow, red and white ones. Except for the white ones, they all turn red when cooked.

A 2-pound female lobster usually carries approximately 8000 eggs. A 9-pound female may carry more than 100,000 eggs. The female carries the eggs inside for 9 to 12 months, and then for another 9 to 12 months externally attached to the swimmerets under her tail.

When the eggs hatch, the larvae will float near the surface for 4 to 6 weeks. The few that survive will settle to the bottom and continue to develop as baby lobsters. From every 50,000 eggs only 2 lobsters are expected to survive to legal size. It takes 5 to 7 years for a lobster to grow to legal size in the ocean. A lobster at legal size will weigh approximately 1 pound.


Grilled Lobsters with
Southeast Asian Dipping Sauce
located at Epicurious. Click the title to go to the recipe.

Original Recipe
Nutrition Analysis per one serving:
Calories (kcal) 237; Fat (g) 2.6; Saturated Fat (g)  trace;

 Cholesterol (mg) 115; Sodium (mg) 1551

Lower Sodium Variation, This will save 898 mg of Sodium!
Substititue 1/3 cup Asian fish sauce with
1/4 cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce and
Increase the lime juice to 1/2 cup.


Nutrition Analysis per one serving:
Calories (kcal) 241;  Fat (g) 2.6;  Saturated Fat (g)  trace;
Cholesterol (mg) 115; Sodium (mg) 653

Learn to Prepare, Cook and
Eat Lobster with LX.com's Shira Lazar.



The Lobster and the Beer,
A Story of Survival




Friday, November 30, 2012

November 30, Joy of Cooking Anniversary

The Joy of Cooking is one of the United States' most-popular cookbooks. It is a collection of over 4500 recipes, in addition provides cooking and kitchen lessons and references.
In 1931, Irma S. Rombauer, a homemaker, recent widow and single mom privately published the “Joy of Cooking.” Since then the book has undergone numerous revisions and sold over 18 million copies. The Joy of Cooking is a stable in many homes and is commonly found in commercial kitchens. 
Joy of Cooking: Fun Facts Quiz



Changes in the Joy of Cooking
through the Years

Resources.

1. Learn more about the history of the American kitchen and cuisine through the Joy of Cooking
2. Wikipedia, The Joy of Cooking





Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2012
Fire Prevention in the Kitchen

The mission of the international nonprofit NFPA, established in 1896, is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.
 

NFPA is the world's leading advocate of fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety. The association develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.


Fire Prevention in the Kitchen
Is my kitchen safe?

Cooking Fire Prevention



Can you name at least five Fire Hazards
in the photograph? 


  1. Stay alert. If you've consumed alcohol or taken medication that makes you drowsy - Do not cook. 
  2. Leading cause of fire in the kitchen is unattended cooking. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. Use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking. 
  3. Keep items that can catch fire away from heat sources, such as oven gloves, towels, wood, plastic, etc... Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can catch on fire if it comes in contact with a flame or an electric burner. 
  4. Keep the stovetop, burners, and oven clean. 
  5. Grease Fire: Always keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan or lid until the pan is completely cool. Never pour water on a grease fire. Never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire; it can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen and spread the fire. 
  6. Oven Fire. Turn off the heat and keep the door closed until it is cool. The oven should be checked and/or serviced before using it again. 
  7. When in doubt, just get out! Make sure you close the door behind you to help contain the fire. After you leave, call 911 and meet in your designated meeting place. 
  8. Only use a fire extinguisher if you are trained. 
  9. Create a safety area for children and pets. At least 3 feet from the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or served. Never hold a child while you are cooking, eating or drinking hot foods or liquids. 
  10. Plug cooking appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance. It can overload the circuit and cause a fire. Check electrical cords for cracks, breaks, damage, or overheating. Call a professional repair person and replace the appliance, if necessary. 
  11. Place or install a microwave oven at a safe height within easy reach of all users. Always supervise children when they are using the microwave oven. Use only microwave-safe cookware. Never use aluminum foil or metal objects in a microwave oven. Open microwaved food slowly and away from the face. Hot steam can escape from a microwaved container of food and can cause burns. Never heat a baby bottle in a microwave oven. 
  12. Propane, charcoal, and wood pellet barbecue grills must only be used outdoors. Indoor use can be deadly due to either a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Place a grill away from siding and deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. Do not store or use a grill on a porch or balcony, including any porch or balcony on an upper level of the building. Place the grill a safe distance from lawn furniture, games, and play areas. Use long-handled grilling tools. Never leave a barbecue grill unattended.
    _____________________________________________________
The week is fire prevention week, October 7-13. My son and I wanted to thank the Coral Springs EMT for going above and beyond to help us. The CS Medical Center turned us away when Jake's wheelchair ran out of power. The CS Fire Dept assisted Jake and offered to recharge his wheelchair and provide him with food. This was during Hurricane Wilma, when we were out of power for over a week. Thank you. We will forever remember your kindness.















Saturday, May 21, 2011

Artichokes - from the Garden to the Table







May 21-22, 2011
52nd Annual California Artichoke Festival held in Castroville, CA, the Artichoke Capital of the World.







Artichoke Field Harvest, Castroville, CA

Artichoke Preparation and Cooking


Artichoke Nutrition

Featured Recipe, Modified
Couscous Stuffed Artichokes
from the California Artichoke Advisory Board
Makes 4 generous servings


Ingredients
4 large California artichokes
1½ cups low sodium vegetable broth
1 teaspoon curry powder
¾ teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup instant couscous
¼ cup currants
½ cup sliced green onion
½ cup toasted slivered almonds, chopped
½ teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Plain lowfat yogurt, optional


Directions
Wash artichokes. Cut off stems at base and remove small bottom leaves. Stand artichokes upright in deep saucepan large enough to hold snugly. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 2 to 3 inches boiling water. Cover and boil gently 35 to 45 minutes, or until base can be pierced easily with fork. (Add a little more boiling water, if needed.) Turn artichokes upside down to drain. Carefully remove center petals and fuzzy centers with a spoon and discard. Keep warm or chill as desired.

In medium saucepan combine vegetable broth, curry powder, and cumin; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; stir in couscous and currants. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork. Stir in green onion and almonds. Combine lemon peel, lemon juice and vegetable oil; stir into couscous.

Gently spread artichoke leaves until center cone of leaves is revealed. Pull out center cone. With a spoon, scrape out any purple-tipped leaves and fuzz. Fill centers of artichokes with couscous mixture. Serve with plain yogurt, if desired. 

Nutritional information per serving: calories 368; protein 11 g; carbohydrate 54 g;
fat 13 g; sodium 135 mg; cholesterol 0 mg; dietary fiber 8 g
 

Resources


Friday, March 26, 2010

Getting children with special needs involved in the kitchen

Getting children with special needs involved in the kitchen


Friday, March 19, 2010

National Poultry Day
Cooking, Safety and Nutrition

Poultry is an excellant source of protein and lower in fats than red meat (especially if you remove the skin). There are about 3,200,000 poultry recipes on the Internet.

Cooking, Safety and Nutrition are key to enjoying poultry.

USDA Guidance on Cooking Poultry



USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline answers questions about safe storage, handling & preparation of meat, poultry & eggs.
Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at:
1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854)
Or send Email to: mphotline.fsis@usda.gov



Safety is important when handling poultry and meats. The USDA requires that safe handling instructions be posted on all packages of raw and not fully cooked meat and poultry.



















Calorie Facts about Poultry.





















For additional information on Poultry visit the USDA Website. There are Fact Sheets for Labeling, Safety, Handling and Quality.