Food and Beer

Using Texas olive oil instead of butter is not anything new. It is rather a very healthy substitute when used in an appropriate ratio. When you swap olive oil from Texas Hill Country Olive Co. for butter, you easily cut down on saturated fat because it is lower in saturated fat as equivalent to butter. It works for anyone on a low cholesterol or low-calorie diet, an easy and tasty substitute for both cooking and baking, and also for its low-fat saturation and rich antioxidant properties.

People have been using olive oil for years, traditionally in their cakes and cookie recipes. For some or all fats, using Texas olive oil in deserts works just as fine, unlike vegetable oil or canola oil which hardly enhances the flavors and taste in dessert recipes.

Olive oil has a strong flavor that makes fruity, nutty, or savory recipes taste really well, such as muffins or cookies, and pumpkin and other breads. Since it is a liquid substitute, it cannot work so well for recipes that ask for solid fats or need a lot of frostings or creaming. When swapping olive oil for butter, the best flavor is achieved from extra virgin olive oil because of its high quality and natural flavor, richness in antioxidants, and lightweight.

The Right Butter to Olive Oil Ratio

Each tablespoon of Texas olive oil, roughly weighing about 5 grams, equals almost 4.2 grams of the solid fat: butter in the case. Using olive oil, therefore, is an easy bet in many recipes that use butter. In a 3:4 ratio, by volume, you can easily substitute butter with olive oil in a lot of recipes.

When you have to use about 1 cup of butter (roughly 225 grams) in a recipe, substitute about 3/4^th cups of olive oil (about 180 ml). To get the right texture in your deserts, it’s important to use a precise ratio, and to get the right ratio:

You need to divide grams of butter and tablespoons of olive oil by 4.2, this way you get the precise amount you need to use.

Fats in recipes can affect different recipes, savory or sweet, depending on how much you use. You can use any ratio on your bread, veggies, and potatoes, but for deserts, you have to be careful. Cookies, pie crusts, croissants can end up very gooey or very dry if you don’t substitute the right ratio.

Baking with Texas Olive Oil

Olive oil, as it cuts down unsaturated fats and bad cholesterol, bakes goodies with a natural chemical to protect cells. One of the main benefits this substitute brings in baked food is Vitamin E. For a heart-healthy dessert, with vitamin E that keeps baked goods moist for longer, olive oil is a fresher choice.

Using extra virgin olive oil by Texas Country Hill Co., something with less bitterness and not overpowering pungency is your best choice. Extra virgin oil can very easily mimic the flavor of butter because of its buttery notes. If you enjoy dipping your bread or your salad with extra virgin olive oil, use it in your baked goods.

Olive oil is not the savory king of the kitchen, with these recipes it tastes merely a thrilling change but a delicious sweet treat.

Orange Cake

This spiced orange cake recipe made with olive oil is a zesty treat to your taste buds, with many ways to eat it with honey, whipped cream, or fresh oranges.

How to make it

Take about 4 eggs, 3/4^th white sugar, exactly 2/3 extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons orange zest, 1 and a half cup flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and a pinch of salt.

Combine your wet ingredients in your dry mix. You can oil the pan with olive oil, pour the batter, and bake in a preheated oven (350 degrees F) for 45 minutes.

Texas Hill Country Olive Co. Strawberry & Cinnamon Muffins

These muffins are made with not just olive oil but oats too, for a healthy on-the-go breakfast. With the zest and flavors of strawberries, these baked oatmeal muffins will be loved by kids.

How to make it

With 1 cup flour and rolled oats, 2 teaspoons baking powder and half teaspoon baking soda, half teaspoon ground cinnamon, some salt, and half a cup sugar, your dry mixture completes. In half cup milk, one beaten egg, 1/4^th cup of Texas Hill Country Olive Co. olive oil, some sugar, and fresh strawberries, combine the dry mix.

In a preheated oven, 425 degrees F, spoon 12 muffin cups, and bake until they come out clean.

Classic Cocoa-Banana Bread with Texas Hill Country Olive Co.

A gooey, moist, and dense banana bread is the heart of sweet treats, and when made with chocolate it makes the whole house smell like a choc factory.

How to make it

Take 1 cup flour, half a cup of white sugar, 1 pack of chocolate fudge pudding, half teaspoon salt, and baking powder for your dry mix. Mash some ripe bananas, preferably a cup, add some milk choc-chip, 3 eggs beaten, and half a cup Texas Hill Country Olive Co. olive oil. Combine and mix.

Preheated oven at 350 degrees F, in a greased pan, transfer the batter, and sprinkle some chocolate chips. Bake for about an hour and 20 minutes until the center comes out clean.

Texas Olive Oil Bread

An easy to make yeast bread for your pasta sides and Italian savories, you can just form the dough any way you like: like your classic bread or a French bread loaf.

How to make it

Take about half a cup of warm water, 2 and a half teaspoons of active dry yeast, 2 and a half cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon white sugar & salt, 4 tablespoons olive oil. Mix all the ingredients in the warm water, leave the flour. Gradually stir in about 2 cups of flour to make a softball, knead until it turns soft.

Leave the dough in the greased bowl until size doubles, punch it down and form a shape you like. Bake in a preheated oven at over 375 degrees until it changes color to a golden brown.

 

Most of us have probably heard the term “casual dining”. It’s popular in Australia, and for good reason. In fact, this article is going to highlight some of the top reasons why you should choose a casual dining restaurant for your next meal, family get together or celebration.

#1 – The Dress Code Is Smart Casual

Unless it’s a formal occasion or something like a presentation night, you’ll want to feel comfortable when you go out to dinner. That’s one of the key advantages of casual dining. Generally, the dress code is smart casual, sometimes even more relaxed if you’re dining out for lunch.

The more comfortably dressed you are while enjoying a meal out with family or friends, the more relaxed and content you’ll feel. That’s exactly how it should be when dining out. No one wants to feel restricted by their clothing and be uncomfortable.

Casual dining gives you the opportunity to dine in comfort without the sensation that your clothing is suffocating you.

#2 – Great Food At Fair Prices

Sure, you can sample some awesome food created by some of the world’s best chefs at fine dining restaurants, but you also have to be prepared to pay the price. Fine dining is something to indulge in on occasion, but if you like to eat out regularly, a casual dining restaurant is the way to go.

The truly great thing about many restaurants that offer a casual dining experience, is they offer some fantastic food, beautifully presented, at really affordable prices. You’ll often discover that the portion sizes are larger as well, unlike some dishes served at fine dining restaurants.

Casual dining enables families to be able to afford a nice meal out on a regular basis without it breaking the bank. This key aspect also makes casual dining the best option when going out to celebrate a birthday or some other special occasion.

#3 – The Atmosphere Is All-Round Far More Relaxed

No one wants to feel like they’re entering a strict or stuffy environment when going out to enjoy a meal. You want to feel as though you can relax, kick back and unwind. That’s another benefit of casual dining.

The keyword is “casual”, meaning everything is casual and relaxed. You’ll find the entire atmosphere of a casual dining restaurant is fairly low key so the guests feel laid back and comfortable.

With an atmosphere like this, all the diners are chilled out and simply having a good time, which helps you enjoy the experience more as well.

Most casual dining restaurants offer full table service, unless it’s a buffet type of setup. So, even though the prices are very reasonable, you’ll still be waited on and looked after for your every need.

#4 – Enjoy Your Favourite Alcoholic Beverage With Your Meal

While there are some casual dining restaurants that don’t serve or allow the consumption of alcohol, the vast majority are either fully licensed venues, or offer the BYO option. Some even allow both.

Many adults like to enjoy a glass of wine of their favourite beer when dining out, and at a casual dining restaurant, you are able to do just that.

You’ll also be pleased to know that many restaurants offer alcohol at competitive prices, just like with the food, so most people can afford to both eat and drink when going out to dinner.

#5 – So Many Different Cuisines To Choose From

Tantalise your taste buds with casual dining.

In Australia, there are casual dining restaurants everywhere that offer delectable cuisine from all around the world. With such a multicultural society, many immigrants have come to Australia and opened up restaurants offering food from their mother country. The majority of these restaurants are casual dining.

If you were to go out for dinner once a week, you could choose cuisine from a different foreign country every time you go out. You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to casual dining options.

The Takeaway

As you can see, casual dining has some major advantages. You can afford to indulge in a sumptuous meal without it costing you an arm and a leg. Next time you go out for dinner, choose a casual dining restaurant.

Do you find yourself adding hot sauce to every plate of food you consume? Are you constantly searching for the best hot sauce brands, and do you dream of creating your own searing hot sauce recipe?

If so, then you’re a hot sauce fanatic—and you’re not alone! In fact, in the US people buy over $1 billion worth of hot sauce every year. That’s a lot of heat!

If you’re always searching for the hottest hot sauces, here’s some more info on the best hot sauces, how hot sauces are evaluated, and how you can get in on the fun.

Understanding the Scoville Heat Scale

Before you can appreciate the strength of each individual hot sauce, you have to know how heat is evaluated.

That’s where the Scoville Heat Scale comes in. The scale measures how many drops of water it takes to dilute and neutralize a pepper or hot sauce.

So, the higher a Scoville number a sauce has, the hotter it is. We have Wilbur Scoville, a pharmacologist who invented the scale in 1912, to thank for this measurement system.

Here’s a look at some popular hot sauces that score high on the Scoville Heat Scale.

The Source Hot Sauce

With a rating of 7.1 million Scoville units, The Source is one of the hottest hot sauces on the market.

Sellers say that one tiny drop of this hot sauce is enough to add spice to an entire pot of stew or chili, so be sure to use it wisely. If you try to consume the sauce straight, you’ll likely have to take a trip to the hospital.

The End Hot Sauce

The Carolina Reaper is thought to be the hottest pepper in the world—and The End’s hot sauce is chock full of them!

With 6 million Scoville units and a dedicated cult following, The End even has its own T-Shirt awarded to those brave enough to give it a try.

Mad Dog’s Hot Sauces

The Mad Dog brand doesn’t just make one insanely hot sauce—it makes several of them.

That includes Mad Dog 357 Pepper Extract, Mad Dog 44 Magnum, and Mad Dog 357 Revenge. But Mad Dog’s hottest sauce is also the hottest hot sauce in the world: Mad Dog 357 No. 9 Plutonium, at a whopping 9 million Scoville units.

Now that’s hot!

Blair’s Ultra Death Sauce

Blair’s Ultra Death Hot Sauce comes in a package that’s shaped like a coffin and features flames and skeletons prominently on its labeling. If that isn’t enough to convince you that this hot sauce means business, one drop of it will–at 1.1 million Scoville units, this hot sauce is nothing to sneeze at.

In fact, this hot sauce is said to use ingredients that are 900 times as hot as a jalapeno. It comes with a strong warning: Dilute before using.

Melinda’s The Ghost

For 12 years in a row, the Red Savina habanero pepper held the record as the hottest pepper in the world.

While the Red Savina no longer holds that record, its hot sauce recipe still packs quite a punch—as is evidenced by Melinda’s The Ghost, which showcases the habanero’s heat. Be advised: You’ll likely break out into a sweat after trying this hot sauce, which is rated at 577,000 Scoville Units.

Stinger Scorpion Pepper Sauce

Have your taste buds ever been stung by a scorpion? After trying this hot sauce, you’ll be able to answer “yes” to that question.

This sauce comes in at a burning 2 million Scoville units. But if you’re able to move past the intense heat, you’ll be able to enjoy notes of garlic, lime juice, and carrots.

Wicked Reaper

Whoever coined the phrase “Don’t fear the Reaper” probably hadn’t ever tried Wicked Reaper hot sauce.

Like The End, this sauce features burning-hot Carolina Reapers, and weighs in at 2.2 million Scoville units. Taste at your own risk!

BumbleF***ed Hot Sauce

With a name like “BumbleF***ed,” you know it’s going to pack a punch. This hot sauce recipe, which has a scorching 6 million Scoville units, has a prominent habanero presence. It also has caffeine in it, making it a very unique hot sauce option.

Another fun fact about BumbleF***ed: It was created by Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, a former guitarist for Guns N’ Roses. Thal loved heat so much that he had to make a hot sauce of his own!

Speaking of which, here are some tips for those interested in creating their own hot sauce.

Make Your Own Hot Sauce Recipe!

Do you love heat in your food so much that you dream of creating your own hot sauce? If so, you’re in luck: Making a hot sauce is fairly simple, and can be done in any basic kitchen setup!

Of course, all good hot sauces start with peppers. Habaneros, jalapenos, shishitos—you should be able to find plenty of peppers are any grocery store, and even more at gourmet specialty shops.

Once you’ve got some good peppers picked out, you’ll want to add other acidic or savory ingredients to round out the flavors and help tame your peppers. This can include lemons, limes, or oranges; fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley; other produce like tomatoes, garlic, corn, or bell pepper; and, finally, a good amount of salt.

After that, all you’ve got to do is chop, roast, char, and blend. Once you’ve got the formula down, you can mix and match to find your favorite flavor profile.

And if you really get into the hot sauce game, you can even build a custom hot sauce box to give as gifts to friends and family.

Can You Take the Heat?

Hot sauce isn’t for everyone—but if you’ve got a need for heat, then there is no shortage of delicious, super-spicy hot sauce options out there. You can even try your hand at making your own hot sauce recipe!

If you’ve got a taste for adventure, be sure to check out the other fun food and drink posts on our site. Bon appetite!

Did you know that cupcakes only gained popularity about 20 years ago? They’ve become such a staple in our lives these days that it’s difficult to imagine a time when cupcakes weren’t the king of the bakery.

If you’re struggling to get that perfect frosting swirl on your cupcakes at home, don’t worry. We’ve collected all the best tips and tricks to help you learn how to decorate cupcakes without fail.

Keep reading down below to learn everything you need to get started on your frosting adventure!

1. Use the Right Frosting Tools

As with most things in life, learning how to frost cupcakes begins with equipping yourself with the right tools for the job. Every baker interested in decorating needs some high-quality tools to help pave the way to success.

A smooth buttercream frosting recipe, for example, is perfect for practicing your decoration technique. A rubber spatula is a great choice for transferring your frosting from one place to another. Vibrant food coloring turns your frosting into something magical, and squeeze bottles let you work with less viscous toppings.

The rest comes down to the stars of cupcake decoration: piping bags and piping tips. By finding the right bag and tip for your cupcake, you’ll already be light-years ahead of the decorating game.

Piping Bag

A high-quality piping bag is an invaluable asset in any cupcake kitchen. It makes getting that perfect swirl much easier, even for beginners.

Piping bags come in different materials such as thin plastic, thick plastic, nylon, canvas, and even cotton. It all comes down to personal preference as to which one works best for your own technique.

You want to find a piping bag that has a nice sturdiness to it without being too rigid. If the bag is too hard or too flimsy, you’ll have a difficult time finding the perfect frosting pressure. Applying frosting with a steady and even pressure is one of the best cupcake decorating tips to keep in mind!

Piping Tips

After you’ve found the right piping bag, it’s time to focus on the tip that’ll dictate the shape of your frosting. There are many different shapes and sizes of piping tips out there that change the way your cupcake looks in the end.

It can be a little overwhelming to take a look at all the types of piping tips out there, so it’s good to focus on a few beginner-friendly ones at first. These include tips such as:

• Closed star tip
• Open star tip
• Drop flower tip
• Open round tip
• French star tip

When choosing a tip for practicing purposes, a bigger tip is better. It allows for easy and even pressure since the frosting goes through the bigger tip without resistance. Plus, you’ll frost the cupcake much faster, too!

Other Methods

Sometimes we’re in a pinch and don’t have all the right tools on hand for our emergency cupcake ideas. In this case, a plastic food storage bag makes for a quick and easy replacement for a proper piping bag. Snip off the end, fill it with frosting, and you’re ready to go.

It’s also possible to use a spatula or even a butter knife to spread frosting on top of your cupcakes. Use a fork to create interesting textures and designs in the frosting to make up for the missing iconic cupcake swirl.

2. Fill With a Glass

Do you often have trouble with filling your piping bag with frosting? It’s a common problem to end up dropping the frosting everywhere and accidentally squeezing the bag too hard while holding it.

A simple trick to fix this problem is to place your piping bag into a tall glass. Fold the edges over the top of the glass to keep them from folding in on you. Now you only need to hold on to the glass and scoop in your frosting.

The glass keeps the bag in place and allows you to grip it without worrying about squeezing frosting everywhere.

3. Seal the Piping Bag

When you’re first starting to learn how to decorate cupcakes, the open end of the piping bag often causes a problem. Even if you squeeze the frosting from the right angle, some frosting still tries to escape if you don’t have the perfect technique.

The best solution is to use a chip clip or a rubber band to seal off that opening and stop the frosting from escaping. It’s an easy fix that makes frosting cupcakes easier and less messy!

4. Swirl and Twist

Now that your piping bag is ready, the easiest way to decorate your cupcakes is to apply even pressure on the bag and then move in a clockwise motion around the edge of the cupcake.

As you swirl around the cupcake, you want to move your way inward and upward, making smaller circles as you go. At the end of the peak, twist the piping bag and pull away to give it the perfect pointed top. Then, display your beautiful cupcakes on Cupcake Tower Stands to show off your creations with style.

Start slow as you figure out your technique. Speed will come with practice and experience!

5. Practice Your Technique

Once you have everything in place, all that’s left is to keep practicing until you feel comfortable. Frosting cupcakes is a learned skill that even the professionals need to practice to achieve.

All the best cupcake decorating ideas start with a practiced hand so don’t give up after a few failed attempts.

If you only want to focus on the frosting part, practice your technique on a piece of parchment paper. After you’ve filled the paper, you can scoop the frosting back into your piping bag and try again.

Learn How to Decorate Cupcakes Perfectly Every Time

With all of the advice listed above, learning how to decorate cupcakes is a breeze. After a little practice, you’ll create beautiful cupcakes without any trouble at all.

Even if you end up messing up the frosting a couple of times, you’ll still have delicious cupcakes to enjoy with your friends and family. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!

If you love food and adventure, don’t forget to browse through the rest of our blog!

Fish is often overshadowed on menus by its landlocked counterparts. But seafood is one of the healthiest options out there. Studies have shown eating a diet that includes fatty fish like tuna and salmon can decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Other studies have revealed fish consumption has a significant positive effect to prevent death from congenital heart defects.

Even if you want to eat fresh fish, you probably get your seafood frozen from a nearby grocery. But nothing beats the flavors of freshly caught fish that you’ve prepared with your own hands. When you go on your first fishing trip, be sure you know how to properly clean and prepare the catch of the day before taking it to the kitchen.

Cleaning the Fish

Whether you get a whole fish, thanks to your trusty Shimano Stradic fishing equipment or from your last trip to the market, its important that you clean it properly. Aside from improving its flavor, cleaning can also reduce pollutants in the fish.

Here are the basic steps to cleaning fish.

• Bleeding

Fish blood has a distinctly off-putting metallic taste. You need to use a sharp knife to cut through the fish’s gills on both sides. Submerge the fish in water and massage it from tail to head, to push out the blood. Reach into the fish’s gill cavity and pull them out. Chuck the gills into the trash.

• Descaling

Fish fins can be sharp enough to break skin. Use kitchen shears or a knife to prune the fins off the fish. Depending on the fish, it may skin or scales. If the fish has scales run the sharp edge of a knife against the grain of the scales, starting from the tail to the head. It should be like sharpening a pencil. Continue until you’ve scraped off all the tough scales.

• Removing Innards

Put the fish on its side on a sturdy surface. Use the sharp tip of the knife to cut the fish’s belly from its anus to the gills. Be careful not to cut too deeply or you’ll puncture the innards and spoil the flavor. Once the fish is open, pull out all organs, taking care not to burst them. Wash the inside of the fish to remove blood.

• Pre-cooking Preparation

Before cooking, decide what cuts you’d like from the fish. Steak cuts are perfect for large fish that you’d like to sear or pan fry. Fillets are all-purpose cuts that focus solely on the meat and is usually either in strips or spreads. Or you can leave the fish whole for baking or grilling. No matter what kind of cut you choose, put the fresh in a resealable bag or container and freeze immediately to kill parasites.

Cooking the Fish

Some species of fish are more suited for specific cooking methods. Others are more versatile and are receptive to multiple cooking styles. For example, undercooked salmon is eaten like rare steak. Meanwhile, raw salmon is enjoyed as sushi or sashimi.

The following cooking methods are the most appropriate for fish.

• Baking

Perhaps the easiest method of cooking fish. Baking slowly cooks the fish and makes the flesh succulent and soft. Take a strip fillet of your cleaned fish and cover it with your favorite seasoning. Lemon, pepper and salt are the preferred seasoning for many fish. Put it in a baking dish covered with nonstick spray or on a piece of parchment paper and bake until done.

• Pan Fry

Pan frying involves putting a fillet or fish steak on a sizzling hot pan drizzled with oil. This cooking method doesn’t seal in moisture as previously thought, but it does create a deliciously crunchy exterior around a creamy interior. When pan frying fish, be careful with its fat deposits, which can burst unexpectedly.

• Grilling

Grilling is the go-to cooking method when you’re cooking fresh fish in the outdoors. It’s also ideal for cooking whole fish or steaks. Build a bed of coals and get them glowing with minimal smoking. Put a grill on top of the coals and you can just put your fish on top of the grill. You can either stuff the fish with onions, garlic or other flavor enhancers or wrap the fish in aluminum foil for a slower more tender meal. Grilling will give the fish a delicious, smoky and rustic flavor.

• Poaching

If you want a low-fat method for cooking your fish without additional oil, poaching is the method for you. In a pot water, dissolve some salt, drop in a few peppercorns, some herb sprigs and lemon slices. Bring it to a brisk boil and drop the fish strip or fillet in the water. Leave the fish inside for a few minutes until well-cooked. This process is notoriously bland, so you may want to whip up some savory dressing to drizzle on the finished product.

• Deep Fry

The most difficult cooking is deep frying, with the most famousrecipe calling for batter, because you have a lot of preparing to do. The fish can either filleted or cut into cubes. You can soak the fish fillets or cubes in beer to help them absorb flavor. Coat them with a mixture of flour and baking powder before dunking in a whisked egg. Deep fry in sizzling oil until golden brown. Naturally, this recipe has a high cholesterol content, but the crispiness of the fish is divine.

There’s as many recipes for cooking fish as there are fish in the sea. Decide on which flavor profile you want to soak your fish in and enjoy the delicious bounty of the sea.

 

Coffee is one of the most enjoyed beverages all throughout the world. Most of the best conversations happen over a good cup of coffee. Coffee is best enjoyed when the brew is good. The best brewed coffee has the best aroma, flavor and texture. Store bought coffees have artificial flavor added to get the taste and they usually don’t bring an appeal to the palette. Freshly roasted and ground coffee brings out the full potential of the coffee. There are different techniques to get the best out the coffee beans.

The top 5 important tips for brewing the best coffee are as follows. Once these tips are followed and a good brewed coffee is got then no one will ever think of having a store bought coffee powders.

Water

The main Ingredient in making a good cup of coffee is water as 98% of cups of coffee is water. Using the right water helps in getting the right flavor. Water plays a major role not only in making coffee no matter what we prepare using the best water determines the taste and flavor. Most of the best coffee shops or pubs use reverse osmosis water which they buy from out or they usually have a treatment plant at the facility. Usage of Tap water may change the flavor of the coffee as it may contain chlorine. So water plays a vital role in coffee brewing and using filtered water is highly recommended.

Temperature

Maintaining the right temperature of the water is the next important aspect one has to follow to extract the right flavor of the coffee. The ideal temperature to be maintained while brewing is approximately 200 degree Fahrenheit. If the water temperature exceeds or is lower than this the extraction of the coffee’s flavor is lost and it tends to become bitter.

Measurements

Using the right measurements is very important to get the best flavor out of a ground coffee. The ratio in which the coffee and water added will determine the taste. There are contradictions in the right measurements. Usually the measurement is 1:15 where coffee is one part and water is 15 parts, but some say that the ratio is 1:20. But the ideal ratio to be used is 1:15.

Grinding

Coffee freshly ground brings out the natural flavor. The use of the best Coffee Grinder is very essential. Freshly ground coffee is best used immediately as the coffee starts losing its flavor gradually once it is ground. Using the right grinder is important. Both Burr grinder and blade grinders can be used but burr grinders are best. The time taken and the size of grinding the coffee beans will determine the flavor and the texture of the coffee.

Filter

The filter used in extracting the coffee also plays a major role in getting the right flavor from the coffee. There are different types of filters such as metal, bleach paper, natural paper and specialty filters such as V60. In some brewers like the French press they come with a built in metal filter. This filter helps in getting the right cup of coffee.

 

 

There’s no doubt that this quintessential Japanese cuisine is one of the freshest foods you can eat, but what are the health benefits of sushi?

From promoting bone density to increasing brain power, sushi is healthy in so many ways.

In the following article, we’ll take a look at seven incredible ways that sushi is great for your body.

1) Benefits of Sushi Includes Bone Health

Sushi contains many nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D. Calcium and vitamin D go hand-in-hand because vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. And calcium helps prevent osteoporosis and arthritis.

Most people with arthritis need to consume the recommended daily allowance each day. That dosage varies, but a woman age 19 to 50 should take in about 1,000 milligrams a day.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, eating calcium-rich foods like sushi is better to get that recommended daily allowance than taking supplements.

2) Antioxidant Rich

Antioxidants help eliminate free radicals in our bodies. These free radicals are connected to several sicknesses, including diabetes and cancer.

Not only is the fish used in sushi full of antioxidants, but so are the veggies like carrots and fruits like avocado.

3) Muscle Builders

Protein is crucial for muscle health, repair, and growth. The amino acids present in sushi is what fuels the healing of tired muscles. Mackerel and tuna are great kinds of sushi to eat after working out.

Also, rice is a great way to absorb some carbs and take in glycogen for muscle energy.

4) Healthy Fats

Salmon and tuna are an excellent way to get a big dose of omega-3 healthy fatty acids. Omega-3 can help lower triglycerides in the body and reduce a person’s risk of stroke or heart disease.

The avocado in your California roll also has several beneficial fats.

5) Fuel the Brain

Thinking about sushi delivery? That should be a no-brainer after you realize that omega-3 fatty acid not only helps stave off disease but is good for brain function and cell regeneration. Sushi also helps reduce inflammation around the brain due to its antioxidants and helps improve cognitive function.

A UCLA study found that people with insufficient omega-3s in their bodies had lower IQs and less brain volume.

6)  Immune System Boost

All those nutrients and healthy fats found in sushi fire up your body’s natural self-defense system. Also, several vitamins found in sushi, like vitamin A, helps keep your skin looking healthy and your immune system strong.

7) Thyroid and Hormone Helper

Sushi is fabulous for your endocrine system, which produces hormones that balance and control your body’s functions. The seaweed in sushi also contains iodine that helps regulate the thyroid gland, which in turn controls your metabolism.

Think Thin

The seven items above all show the benefits of sushi, but there’s probably one more than beats them all — a trim belly.

Americans who eat sushi are replacing a meal with potentially harmful grease, fat, and starch with one that is high in protein and beneficial antioxidants and vitamins.

For those people looking to lose weight, rainbow rolls, salmon/avacado rolls, and California rolls are all recommended.

Did you find this article interesting? If so, search this website for more on sushi and fun foods.

We all know that the hospitality industry is suffering at the moment, and so it’s more important than ever to support local and independent businesses – especially COVID-safe restaurants. It’s been a tough year; so as we approach the winter months, why not treat yourself to some lovely meals in the capital?

Whether you’re a local or a tourist, we recommend West London for dining out. Forget what you’ve heard: West London restaurants can be both cool and affordable. Here are our 5 suggestions:

Church Road, Barnes

A relative newcomer to the area after opening in September 2019, Church Road is swiftly becoming a neighbourhood favourite. It’s not pretentious fine dining, but it is elegant and well-cooked food.

Here it’s all about a community feel, seasonal produce, and environmental ethics. For example, Church Road’s meat-free ‘Little Sprouts’ menu makes use of wonky vegetables that would normally go to waste, creating a 3-course lunch menu for £22!

The Fish House of Notting Hill, Notting Hill

The Fish House of Notting Hill is well known, and rightly so. A stone’s throw away from Notting Hill Gate station, this eatery is perfect for a quick bite to-go on a cold winter’s day, or for a sit-down meal in their intimate dining room. The Fish House is always a good shout if you want to keep things cheap and cheerful, but be sure to time it well, as this place gets incredibly busy!

Kricket White City, Shepherds Bush

There’s so much to do in Shepherds Bush: you might be there for a socially-distanced gig, doing a spot of shopping at Westfield, or maybe you’re lucky enough to live in the area!

Whatever it is, you need to check out Kricket – an Indian sharing plates restaurant that’s perfect for any occasion. Their cocktails are also delicious, although their huge outdoor terrace may be out of bounds if the weather’s bad! Hotels in Shepherds Bush are fabulous too – we recommend the Dorsett for a luxurious yet affordable stay.

The Prince, West Kensington

The Prince is a very cool renovated pub with a very large drinking hall, and FOUR onsite restaurants. You can dine in at these, or grab food to take into the drinking hall.

Take your pick – do you fancy Vietnamese from Mam, trendy food from Rabbit, burgers from Patty & Bun, or Thai from The Begging Bowl? Make sure you book in advance as The Prince is packed on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Santa Maria, Chelsea/Fulham

Santa Maria sits on the border of Chelsea and Fulham and is famous for its Neapolitan pizza – using the same ingredients and cooking method as you’ll find on the streets of Naples.

Their motto is ‘quality and quantity at honest prices’, and we couldn’t disagree. Our top pick is the San Gennaro with anchovies, black olives, and capers. Veggies and vegans look no further too, as Santa Maria also offer a fully vegan pizza menu.

Yes, winter is cold and dark, but with eateries like those aforementioned… you have nothing to worry about!

 

In 2017, over 4 billion bottles of wine were consumed in the United States. This alcoholic beverage is versatile. It can be a classy complement to a three-course meal or a fun addition to dinner parties.

There’s a bottle of wine fit for every occasion, but how do you know which bottle to bring and when?

Being able to pick out the perfect wine requires an extensive wine palate. Having a wine palate means you can taste different characteristics of wine and therefore helps with wine pairing. To develop a wine palate requires tastings and practice.

Fortunately, this guide is going to teach you about five of the best ways to try wine, whether you’re a beginner or a sommelier!

1. Try Wine Subscriptions and Wine Clubs

Even better than trying some of the best wines are having those wines delivered to your doorstep.

With a subscription to a wine of the month club or some other wine service, you can develop your palate with the help of experts!

If you know what you like, some services will simply send wines that match your current preferences. Other subscriptions will commit to sending brand new wines that you haven’t tried before. Regardless, these services are a great way to experiment with wines from all around the world.

Once you’ve developed your palate, you can choose which bottles they send each month, or request the same bottles if you find one you like!

2. Virtual Tastings

Almost as easy as having wine delivered is getting to participate in a wine tasting from the comfort of your own home.

Recently more vineyards and cellars are hosting virtual wine tastings.

Some wineries are sending prerecorded videos that provide information about the wines they offer. Others are delivering wine tasting kits. In addition to the kits, they invite couples to sign up for a video chat in which a sommelier walks through the tasting.

3. Wine Tours

For those who are more interested in learning about the wine process in addition to wine tasting may opt to participate in a wine tour.

These wine tours are set up to take guests through the vineyard and inform them about the production of wine. After seeing how the wine is produced, guests are invited to sample wine from the vineyard. Most tours will incorporate snacks or food that pair well with the wine.

A wine tour is perfect for couples as well as big groups of family and friends.

4. Host a Tasting

Ever consider hosting a tasting? Pick a theme for the evening and invite close family and friends. Encourage each guest to bring a bottle of wine that matches the theme!

This turns an opportunity to drink wine into a fun social gathering as well as a tasting experience.

5. Grocery Shopping

Last but not least, the easiest solution to try wine is to buy wine. There doesn’t have to be a specific method or place for you to expand your palate. Simply go to the grocery store and pick out a bottle that looks good.

A willingness to experiment with reds, whites, and rosés will surely help you discover your preferences.

Wine O’Clock

These are five of the best ways to try wine. However, the optimal way is the option that suits your lifestyle and preferences.

If you enjoy learning about the history and process, or perhaps want an excuse to travel, go on a wine tour! If you don’t want to go anywhere but are looking to expand your wine selection, sign up for a subscription, a tasting, or ask for recommendations from friends.

Regardless of your method, it’s time to find your next bottle. If you’re interested in other guides regarding the best food and drink, check out the rest of our site!

When was the last time you planned a romantic dinner for your partner? Well, if you can’t remember, now it’s the best time to whip one up, and you do not need a special occasion to do so. Whether you need to do something great for your partner or treat yourself, candlelight dinner is the most romantic and beautiful date for loving couples.

With this, you don’t need to go to a crowded restaurant to have a romantic dinner. Instead, you may celebrate those blissful moments with your partner in the quaint solitude of your home. To enjoy those moments, taking a day off, ordering a bouquet, and dimming the light for your romantic feel may not be enough. You will also need to consider other ways, like:

Setting the Mood with Melodious and Soft Music

The kind of music you choose for the ambiance of your romantic dinner date can make or break the opportunity of getting ‘dessert.’ Choosing a perfect mix is important because it may set the mood and make you feel at ease. Soft and melodious music can alter your emotions, which makes a great wingman for any dinner date.

When finding music to play, you need to choose ones, which are subtle yet powerful. It has to affect you and your partner without causing distractions. Besides, don’t mistake dinner music for bedroom songs. You don’t want to make your significant other feel awkward when shucking an oyster. The right thing to do is to go for sounds filled with love and not sexual lyrics and innuendos about getting it on.

Preparing Fresh and Delicious Food

If you’re organizing a romantic dinner night for two, preparing the right food may bring all the difference in how your special evening will turn out. To achieve this, you need to ascertain that you order fresh food delivery boxes, which will enhance your dining experience.

Regardless of the type of food you need, delivery boxes may come with recipes and ingredients to prepare dishes like Zucchini Gratin in just 20 minutes. Apart from Zucchini, you may also prepare:

• Steaks
• Exotic Appetizers
• Linguine with Red Clam Sauce
• Tuscan Vegetarian Baked Ziti

Organizing the Table Beautifully

When setting the table, you need to let everything you touch turn gold by thinking cutlery, accessories, cushions, and crockery. To achieve this, you need to keep a lazy Susan at arm’s length to access a glass of wine or champagne. Beyond that, you can place a vase of flowers on the table, which will not stand in your way to have a romantic date. A red flower is perfect for every dinner date because it’s a symbol of romance and passion and might stimulate your appetite.

You may also need to press and clean table linens, including topper and napkins. If you don’t prefer table covers, you may go for other alternatives like burlap or printed fabric. This might be perfect, especially when you want to set a cozy mood during the winter of fall.

The Bottom Line!

Few individuals find dating straightforward and simple, even in the age of Match.com and Tinder. However, the good news is that, with the correct strategies, you may avoid common anxieties and pitfalls.

Having a romantic dinner date at home without distractions can make conversations with your significant other honest and comfortable. For you to have such a dinner, you need to organize the table beautifully, prepare delicious food, and set the mood with melodious music.