New Year Food

Hey, it’s New Year friends! What are you planning? Christmas has just passed and what are your plans about throwing a grand treat with friends and family members. Have a great New Year dining experience with cookies, fruitcakes, Sweet French Toast, Chocolate Brownie, Oliebollen and red wine and enjoy to the fullest degree.

People all over the globe are always eager to get off to a great start on New Year. Most of the people eat for luck and they have which they think will bring them luck. Since ancient times, there are some special New Year foods that are considered by people to bring them fortunes in love, riches and other factors in life. People of some countries consider ham and pork to be the luckiest of all New Year foods.

Make this year’s New Year festivities full of pomp and splendor by preparing mouth watering and yummy delicacies. The following is a list of New Year foods and recipes which consist of tasty confectionaries, cakes, pastries, snacks and desserts. Match these with the best liquor and wines in town. Enjoy sumptuous treats with your family and friends and fulfill your taste buds.

Hey check out some lucky foods for the New Year! Following is lists of food that are considered to bring you luck and make your year ahead full of good fortune.

Cakes- Cakes and other types of confectioneries and baked foods are one of the common dining ingredients that are served in Christmas and New Year all over the world. In some countries of the world, confectioneries like pastries and chocolates are also served. In Italy chiacchiere, which is a type of honey-drenched balls of pasta with powdered sugar is served. In places like Poland, Netherlands and Hungary, donuts, ollie bollen and puffy are also served.

Pork- Pork is a lucky New Year food because pigs symbolize progress. In places like Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Cuba, Spain and Austria, roast suckling pig is served for New Year. In other places across the world, other pork delicacies like pig's feet, roast pork and sausages are served.

Apart from these other major New Year food items are FISH, LEGUMES, GRAPES and COOKED GREENS and so on.

10 Craziest Ice Cream Trucks

THIS CHRISTMAS MAY YOU SEEN AND MEET YOUR FAV ICECREAM TRUCKS ON YOUR STREETS.........
I LOVE ICECREAM ,, AND WHAT ABOUT YOURS...??

HERE'S SOME CRAZIEST ICE CREAM TRUCKS YOU HAD NEVER SEEN IN YOUR LIFE.
REMEMBER WHEN IN OUR CHILDHOOD DAYS WE RAN AWAY NEAR TO ICE CREAM TRUCKS ......WHEN ITS COMING TO OUR STREETS.

Pole Dance Ice Cream Truck

The Aphrodisiac Ice Cream Truck… at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, in Hollywood, serves flavors like Chocolate 3sumVanilla Quickie and Aphrodisiac Orgy and somehow manages to keep the ice cream from melting with all those hot models serving it. But I bet their most popularproduct will be the ice cream body shot that's eaten right off one of the girls. The owner says ‘it's gonna cost ya', but I'm sure there will be plenty of guys lining up for one of those.

HERE THE LINK OF :-

http://www.aphrodisiacicecream.com/

Amphibious Ice Cream Truck

This amphibious ice cream van was seeing sailing down the Thames pastParliament. ‘HMS Flake 99′, which has a top speed of five knots, chimes Rod Stewart's classic ‘We Are Sailing'. The unusual vessel sports the slogan ‘licensed to chill'. It was created to mark National Ice Cream Week and highlight how vans are being driven off the roads by soaring fuel costs and council red tape. Driver Dave Mounfield, a stand-up comic from Brighton, served up cones to startled sunseekers as the van made a splash in Blackpool over the weekend as it embarks on a UK tour. After a nationwide tour of Britain's beaches, it is due to sail all the way across the Channel and on to the canals of Venice next year. The ice cream industry is in meltdown on dry land with the number of vans falling from 20,000 to just 5,000 over the past 50 years. A growing number of councils ban vans from housing estates, parks and outside schools because of concerns about noise pollution and childhood obesity. 

HERE'S THE LINK OF:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1393146/HMS-Flake-99-Amphibious-ice-cream-van-spotted-floating-Thames.html

Evil Ice Cream Truck

After seeing this truck, children will be running from it, not after it.
HERE'S THE LINK OF:-

http://uniquedaily.com/2011/06/evil-ice-cream-truck/#.TrqvU0NRyks

Ice Cream Truck for Dogs

A new ice cream van with tasty treats specifically for canines will have man's best friend howling with delight. Instead of offering the traditional vanilla whip cones topped with a flake, these frozen feasts contain gammon and chicken ice cream - complete with a crunchy canine biscuit bone. A team of scientists investigated the perfect combination of temperature, texture and taste, ensuring the treats would be delicious to dogs and completely safe.

They came up with two flavours - 'dog eat hog world' - a gammon and chicken sorbet topped with a biscuit and served in a cone - and 'canine cookie crunch' - a combination of mixed dog biscuits and ice cream.

The K99 van can be found in parks this summer and, rather than the traditional chimes, the van will be playing the theme tune to Scooby Doo.

HERE'S THE LINK OF:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1295913/Every-dog-day--new-ice-cream-van-ensures-dog-sundae.html#ixzz1dERz2vcL

Melting Ice Cream Truck

It's so hot in Tamarama beach, that this ice cream truck melted! No, not really – that's a sculpture created by The Glue Society. It was displayed on Sydney's Tamarama Beach in Australia during the opening of the 10th annual Sculpture By The Sea exhibition, November 2006.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/cream-of-the-crop-133-seaing-is-believing/2006/11/01/1162339919055.html

Luxury Ice Cream Truck

The craziest ice cream truck you'll ever see.

HERE'S THE LINK OF:-

http://www.luxury4play.com/west/75712-verones-aviation-autos-pics.html

Adult Only Ice Cream Truck

Meet another one of the few "adults-only" ice cream truck. In a stunt designed to send chills through 84-degree Chicago, Dove ice cream parked a truck serving its frozen confections in Daley Plaza in Chicago. The catch? It was aimed at adults, not kids. No wonder, given that the crew was giving away free Dove bars, massages and manicures.

HERE'S THE LINK OF:-

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/07/adults-only-ice-cream-truck-cools-down-chicago/1?csp=34

Ice Cream Bus

Sitting in the corner of a public parking lot, this old school bus has been made into an ice cream stand. They offer 26 different flavors, and also offer shaved ice. There are tables outside to sit at while you enjoy your ice cream or you can stroll along the streets of Canmore, Alberta, and window shop.

HERE'S THE LINK OF:-

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMHK6_Old_School_Bus_Ice_Cream

Nike Sportswear Ice Cream Truck

What is bright blue with pink highlights and dishing out the latest sportswear delights? Certainly not your average ice cream truck… Introducing the Nike Sportswear Ice Cream Truck, a mobile platform to serve the Big Apple with new delectable from Nike Sportswear's Summer 2011 Collection.

HERE'S THE LINK OF:-

http://www.zillamag.com/gear/nike-sportswear-ice-cream-truck/

Pimped Ice Cream Truck

A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO TAKING MEDICATION..... Pain Killers in your Kitchen

20 Pain Killers in your Kitchen 

Make muscle pain a memory with ginger When Danish researchers asked achy people to jazz up their diets with ginger, it eased muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness for up to 63 percent of them within two months. Experts credit ginger’s potent compounds called gingerols, which prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones. The study-recommended dose: Add at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals daily. Cure a toothache with cloves Got a toothache and can’t get to the dentist? Gently chewing on a clove can ease tooth pain and gum inflammation for two hours straight, say UCLA researchers. Experts point to a natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful, natural anesthetic. Bonus: Sprinkling a ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves on meals daily may also protect your ticker. Scientists say this simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, plus dampen production of artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks. Heal heartburn with cider vinegar Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal, and experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours. “Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering heartburn pain,” explains Joseph Brasco, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases in Huntsville, AL. Erase earaches with garlic Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors’ offices every year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription meds, say experts at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Scientists say garlic’s active ingredients (germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co-author of the book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal. Chase away joint and headache pain with cherries Latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with arthritis, gout or chronic headaches. If you’re one of them, a daily bowl of cherries could ease your ache, without the stomach upset so often triggered by today’s painkillers, say researchers at East Lansing ’s Michigan State University . Their research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give cherries their brilliant red color, are anti-inflammatories 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. “Anthocyanins help shut down the powerful enzymes that kick-start tissue inflammation, so they can prevent, as well as treat, many different kinds of pain,” explains Muraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of food science at Michigan State University . His advice: Enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or dried) daily, then continue until your pain disappears. Fight tummy troubles with fish Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases...if your belly always seems to be in an uproar, try munching 18 ounces of fish weekly to ease your misery. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramping and belly pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticosteroids and other prescription meds. “EPA and DHA are powerful, natural, side effect-free anti-inflammatories, that can dramatically improve the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract,” explains biological chemist Barry Sears, Ph.D., president of the Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead , MA . For best results, look for oily fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and herring. MORE ON NEXT ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,JUST TRY DIS ALL

Watermelon fest of italy...must watch,

Watermelon fest of Italy

Tips for Cooking the Best Hamburgers

Burgers -- most of us love them. But sometimes they are dry, sometimes they don't have much flavor, and sometimes they turn into "hockey pucks" on the grill. Here are some tips to bring your burgers from "good" to "great".

Select the Best Meat

I surveyed a lot of authorities on cooking burgers, and there is agreement on this point. The best, juiciest burgers are made from ground beef chuck, which is about 20 percent fat. Less fat makes a drier burger (however, see tips below when using leaner meat). Meat labeled "ground beef" or "hamburger" can be up to 30 percent fat, and authorities agree that it is also best to know what part of the animal your burger is coming from.

Even Better...and Best Ways

Select a piece of chuck and have your butcher grind it (yes, there are people behind those doors -- just ring the bell). Ask for a "coarse" grind. Or, best, grind your own with a meat grinder or chop in the food processor (cut into 1- to 1½-inch cubes first). An advantage to this is that there are fewer worries about contamination and you can safely cook your burgers medium-rare, if that's how you like them.

Don't Handle the Meat Too Much

The heat from your hands begins to melt the fat and makes the patty too dense. Move it lightly from hand to hand and loosely make a patty ¾- to one-inch thick (no thicker, or you will have to cook it too long).

Don't Press Down on the Burgers When Cooking

This compresses the meat, making it denser, and also squeezes the juices out of the meat.

Make an Indentation in the Top

Have you noticed that your burgers tend to form rounded tops when cooking, causing the condiments to slide off? So did the folks at America's Test Kitchen. They found that by pushing down slightly in the center, creating a round area about ¼ inch lower than the surrounding meat, made the burger come out flat.

Try Different Types of Meats or a Combo

Almost any kind of ground meat can be used to make burgers, or mix together different ones. I've heard of mixing pork with beef, chicken with lamb, or even buffalo with beef. For flavor, try mixing some fresh sausage in with another type of meat.

Adding Flavors to the Meat

Many people just want great beef, straight up with salt and pepper. But it's also fun to add flavors, and if you are using leaner meats, or leaner cuts of beef, you can add moisture at the same time. Finely minced vegetables such as onion, mushrooms, or mild chiles are especially good for this. You can also take a lean cut of meat and add some olive oil for good fat, although this will cook faster than meats that are naturally fattier. More Tips on Cooking Low Fat Burgers from Fiona Haynes Tip: When adding other ingredients to ground meat, use a spoon or spatula to avoid heating the meat with your hands - see above.
Liquids - Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce are perhaps the two most common liquids to add to burgers. Most recipes call for about a Tablespoon of liquid per pound of meat, but I have seen anywhere from a teaspoon to 2 Tablespoons. Wine is another possibility, or, for blander meats, concentrated beef stock or Better Than Bouillon.
Spices - Other than salt and pepper, almost any spice in the cabinet is a good addition. Garlic or onion powder is probably the most common, but everything I've seen everything from chili powder to Asian spices to Middle Eastern to packets of salad dressing mix (but watch the sugar on that one).

Cooking the Burgers

Get the grill or pan really hot. If using lean meat, oil the grill or put a little oil in the pan. Put the burger in and don't move it until it naturally releases. Some people turn it at this point (and then flip again later), and others cook for 2 to 4 minutes, depending on how hot the grill is, the type of meat (leaner meat cooks faster), and how done you want it to be. Then flip the burger and cook on the other side until done, about 2 to 3 minutes more. If you have a thermometer, cook until 160° F., unless you have fresh meat ground at home. In that case, you can take them off around 140 if you like.

Food buying tips to save you time and money

These food buying tips are for when you are purchasing groceries in supermarkets or other retail locations, we all know how confusing and overwhelming it can be to go grocery shopping on a regular basis. Sometimes what you have on your list is not fresh when you arrive to the grocery store. Sometimes you can go to the same grocery store that you have been going to for years and find that they no longer carry your favorite food or beverage item.


A lot of the time you are probably are in a rush to get your grocery shopping completed so you can go back home and relax. Unfortunately, you do need to examine the products before you toss them into your cart. Food buying tips for you and your family can help a lot in getting good, quality, fresh products in your kitchen.
When you first arrive at the grocery store your first hit should be the canned goods you need. Your final items before you go through the checkout should be your perishable items such as refrigerated foods, frozen foods, and deli foods.


Food Buying Tips For Produce
Oftentimes this can be one of the most difficult kinds of food to shop for. Produce is an unpredictable item because of the way they might be handled by others. Refuse to buy any fruit or vegetable that has been damaged. If you buy freshly cut produce make sure you rest it in ice at home. Other produce should be in your refrigerator within two hours of buying it. Wash all of your produce with cold water – no soaps of any kind; they can leave a residue.
Food Buying Tips For Meats
Check the meat packaging before buying. Be on the lookout for any holes in the package, any wear, and be sure that the package is cool when you touch it. Don’t buy any meat that is not refrigerated or kept cold in some way. Keep your raw meats away from your other food products so there is no cross-contaminataion. When you get home put the meats in a plastic bag that can be sealed so nothing leaks.
Food Buying Tips For Canned and Boxed Foods
Make sure you check the packaging on canned and food products. Check for any swelling, holes, leaking, or moisture. Do not buy any canned or boxed food products with these problems. If you see any signs of damage don’t buy it.
Many people suffer from bacterial illnesses from cross contamination of products. You can avoid this by keeping meat products away from others, and bagging them when you get home. Clean up any spills right away. You should also consider owning several cutting boards – one for meats, one for cheeses, and one for produce.

Our Responsibility
It might be far and in between but have you ever stumbled on some outdated food, an opened package, or a real rotten smell over in the produce or meat department of your local supermarket. Usually I would pick the item up put it back and decide to purchase it somewhere else.manufacturer, farm provider, or distributor of the product they would definitely want to know. On most products there is a consumer hotline that is dedicated so that the manufacturers can get first hand information about their products.
The same goes for restaurants, deli shops, and food vendors if it doesn’t smell right or look to be fresh don’t eat it. If you see major violations or unsanitary conditions you need to report it to the right local authority i.e., Licensing and Inspections, Health Department, etc. as you might decide to eat it but what about the next person or child who might eat the food?

Tips for Buying the Freshest Foods

Prepackaged foods are usually loaded with sodium and preservatives to keep them looking fresh. After spending money on food, the last thing you want to do is to throw it out.
How can you be sure that you are purchasing the freshest food available? Follow the tips below for buying the freshest food available:

 

Fruits and Vegetables

Concentrate on the skin and stems. The skin be firm to the touch, with no bruises are blemishes, while the stems should be well attached. The chart below indicates when these common fruits and vegetables are at their peak freshness.

Frozen Foods

Choose frozen foods that are labeled IQF (Individually Quick Frozen), where you can feel individual pieces through the bag. These foods are flash frozen at the peak of freshness to retain their flavor without any added preservatives.
Pass on any package that feels like a solid mass, which means the food was allowed to thaw at some point, then refrozen.

Meats, Poultry and Fish

Buy your meats from the meat counter or from a butcher. Some prepackaged refrigerated meats are now sealed with gases (carbon monoxide), to keep their fresh appearance. It may even look fresh weeks beyond the expiration date.
Avoid any type of fish or seafood that has a "fishy" smell. Fresh fish has no odor whatsoever.

Cheese

Smell the cheese. If it smells like ammonia (called ammoniated or ammoniacal), the cheese is either past its prime or has been mishandled in some way.