What To Consider When Buying Food Processors

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There are different types of food processors in the market. They come in different sizes, for instance, to meet the needs of different types of customers, usually those who are culinary experts or people who like to spend most of their time in the kitchen. One of the numerous reasons people buy processors is that they want to save time making food. Those who want to make quick meals may find processors extremely handy. However, there are so many brands available nowadays, that which one to buy is the question. One way to find out is by reading food processor reviews.

Food processors come in different sizes. The small ones are good, because you can easily operate and clean them. If you are preparing food for yourself only, then a small one is suitable for you. Otherwise, go for a big machine, which takes up more space and is tougher to clean. Large ones also take longer to set-up, but they can really save time and energy.

Some people simply own a compact food blender, which is very portable. However, the problem with blenders is that they have fewer features. You cannot chop onions using a food blender, but you can do that using even a small food processor. A food processor can do anything that a blender does, but the blender cannot do everything the processor does.

If you want to buy a food processor, buy one that meets your needs. If you live alone, having one big in size is probably not economical. It is not rare for homeowners to have two different types of processorsone small and one big one. Usually, it is the smaller processor that gets used more often. The bigger one is only used for special purposes, like when preparing food for a party or a special dinner with friends.

Another thing to remember is to check out food processing functions. Food processors come with slicing blades, which are useful for certain recipes. The more functions a processor has, the more kinds of recipes you can do. People who are fond of cooking should invest in processors that come with a good range of functions. If you do not spend too much time in the kitchen, consider buying a processor with limited functions, which is also cheaper.

There is a little competition between blenders and small processors. One may be more appropriate than the other for some people. A small processor is the better option for people who do a lot of chopping. A blender, on the other hand, is the better option for those who prefer having smoothies and fruit blends. So, determine what you want and decide which one will be more useful for you. Many people think that its safe to have both.

The budget is another deciding factor. If you have a limited budget, you can have a small or compact processor, which is not a bad choice, considering it is a convenient kitchen appliance. For instance, a 1-2 or 3-5 cup food processor may be good enough already.

Do not forget to read product descriptions. Good customers read several product specifications before making a purchase. Also, look at the products warranty. At the same time, find out what previous buyers say about a certain food processor by reading reviews about it. Food processor reviews provide you with more information about the product which will help in deciding which one to buy. Again, you should also consider your culinary preferences.

History Of French Cuisine, The French Revolution And Famous French Culinary Chefs

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French cuisine was prepared by ill tempered French chefs, who were very picky about their food, and these French chefs incorporated overly rich sauces to accompany the food, plus the preparation of food dishes had to be perfect. However, todays preference is more about the taste and texture of the food. French chefs of today produce cuisine that is artistically arranged on the plate, and contains a wonderful mix of smells, textures, and flavors. France’s rich cuisine and their constant love affair with food is one of modern France’s greatest treasures.

French cuisine has evolved from many centuries of political change and social events. In the Middle Ages chefs like Guillaume Tirel, alias Taillevent was a cook to the Court of France at the time of the first Valois kings. Guillaume Tirel was head chef or queux to Philip VI and later to the Dauphin de Viennois, who prepared lavish banquets for the upper class with ornate and heavily seasoned food. Le Viandier is a famous cookery book which Guillaume Tirel wrote which was influential on French cuisine and medieval cuisine in northern France.

In the year 1789, “The French Revolution” era, and lasting over 10 years was a period of political and social upheaval in the history of France. French cusine evolved towards fewer spices and increased usage of many types of herbs. These refined techniques in French cooking beginning with Franois Pierre La Varenne, author of “Le cuisinier franois”, the founding text of modern French cuisine, and which established the foundation for what would become one of the basics of French cooking. French cusine developed further with the famous chef and personality of Napoleon Bonaparte, which influenced the culinary future of France, plus other dignitaries, Marie-Antoine Carme.

Antoine Careme well known as the “King of Chefs and the Chef of Kings,” and in Paris, in the 19th century, Careme became the father of “haute cuisine” which is the high art of French cooking. French statesman and Diplomat Talleyrand-Perigord, the future King George IV, Czar Alexander I, and James Rothschild a powerful banker, Careme was the Chef to these world leaders and aristocrats. Careme is well known for his famous writings on the art of cooking, included in the writings is the famed “The Art of French Cooking” or L’Art de la Cuisine Francaise. The masterpiece contains volumes of information and knowledge on the history of French cooking.

French cuisine was codified by George Auguste Escoffier, who in the late 19th and early 20th century modernized Careme’s elaborate style of cuisine by his ingenious simplification of the food, and Escoffier became the modern version of haute cuisine. Haute cuisine meaning “high cooking” in French or grande cuisine. In North America, haute cuisine refers to the cooking of the grand restaurants and hotels, which is characterised by elaborate preparations and presentations. Until the 1970s, this cuisine was defined by the French phrase cuisine classique, and was supplanted by nouvelle cuisine. Today, haute cuisine is not defined by any particular style.

However, George Auguste Escoffiers culinary work was missing a lot of the regional character of foods and cooking that was found in the provinces of France. Gastro Tourism and the Guide Michelin or Le Guide Michelin, which is a series of annual guide books published by Michelin for over a dozen countries, helped bring people of France and the world to the countryside of France during the 20th century and beyond, to experience the taste and smells of this rich bourgeois and peasant cuisine of France.

In the southwestern part of France, Basque cuisine, referring to the typical food dishes and cooking ingredients of the cuisine of the Basque people, and has been a large influence over this type of French cuisine. The food dishes and ingredients various from region to region, but many significant regional dishes have become both regional and national. Today, various dishes that once were regional, however, have proliferated in different variations across France. Wine and cheese are also HUGH parts of the French cuisine, regionally and nationally, playing different roles both with their many variations and the Vins dAppellation dOrigine Contrle, or AOC wines, officially recognized. (regulated appellation)

Around the world centuries later, among connoisseurs of French cuisine, gourmet innovations which have been brought forth by both the French Revolution and the glorious conquests of “Empereur des Francais Napolon I”, have not lost their appeal and popularity, and Napolon Pastries as an example, Napolons are served today.

How To Make The Most Of Culinary School

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Culinary school is a great option for anyone who loves to cook and for anyone who loves food. This sort of school will prepare you for professions in the culinary world, and can also prepare you for setting up your own culinary business.

Many people assume that cooking schools are relatively easy, consisting mainly of creating dishes. However, this is not true. Most culinary programs today are very diverse, some offering marketing and even business information as well as culinary information. Most programs require you to learn about food preparation as well as safety and hygiene. There is a science, as well as an art, to culinary professions.

To get the most out of culinary school, you first need to attend the right program and the right school. Decide ahead of time what your goals are, and aim for a school that will help you achieve those goals fastest. For example, if you want to become a dessert chef, make sure that you attend a school that has a stellar reputation for that. Investigate the instructors working at specific schools and study with instructors who have professional experience that you admire. If you want to become a caterer or run your own business, find out which school the culinary entrepreneurs in your area attended. Make sure that the program that you intend to enter offers you the financial help, hands-on training, and in class learning that you will need in order to succeed at your goals. Ask lots of questions before you enroll and don’t be shy about requesting additional information. School is a costly and time-consuming investment, so you want to make the right decision.

Once you’ve chosen the right culinary school, you should put all your effort into it. Don’t just walk through the motions of pursuing your degree, but really show up every day to class to learn as much as possible. Learn as much as possible from your hands-on training, and be sure to ask lots of questions. Observe others to see where you can improve. Always ask instructors for feedback, so that you will know exactly what you should work on in order to succeed in the culinary profession of your choice.

Ideally, your culinary school will offer you hands-on training as well as classroom learning. Make sure that you show up for hands-on training faithfully, and take as many courses as you can that allow you to get these practical skills. Always do your best in these environments, because the good impression you make with instructors and workers can be crucial when you need references later on. Get to know the people that you’re cooking for and working for, and try to develop a good rapport. You never know whether some of these people might be your employers one day.

Make sure that you also use all the resources that your school makes available. If there are classes that you can take that will expand your knowledge, consider taking extra courses outside of your field of study. If you have the option of traveling and cooking, consider doing so. If there are exchange programs or work-study programs, look into these. Most schools also offer things such as scholarships, career counseling, and special workshops and job fairs. Learn as much as you can about your school, and at least try all of the resources that they’re offering you.

Getting the most out of culinary school certainly requires that you show up and put in your full effort. However, taking the time to actually do your best while pursuing a degree can make you far more attractive to employers and can help you get the most value from your tuition money. Pursue your culinary dreams fully, and you may well be amazed at how far you can go.

Julia Child Quotes To Celebrate American Class

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We’ll be celebrating Julia Child’s birthday on August 15th and I thought it would be the perfect time to dig up some great Julia Child quotes. After all, not many female celebrities can compare to the class and culture this woman exhibited — even if she didn’t manage to match them in beauty.

Of course, Julia is most well known for teaching us the finer things in culinary life. From eating right (and that did not, in her book, mean dieting) to enjoying your life to the fullest, Julia had quite a few tidbits of sound advice to offer. Let’s remember her on the anniversary of her birth with these ten insightful quotes.

1. “The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.”

2. “I think the inner person is the most important. . . . I would like to see an invention that keeps the mind alert. That’s what is important.”

3. “Being tall is an advantage, especially in business. People will always remember you. And if you’re in a crowd, you’ll always have some clean air to breathe.”

4. “In department stores, so much kitchen equipment is bought indiscriminately by people who just come in for men’s underwear.”

5. “Dining with one’s friends and beloved family is certainly one of life’s primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal.”

6. “Non-cooks think it’s silly to invest two hours’ work in two minutes’ enjoyment; but if cooking is evanescent, so is the ballet.”

7. “The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a ‘What the hell?’ attitude.”

8. “You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces – just good food from fresh ingredients.”

9. “In spite of food fads, fitness programs, and health concerns, we must never lose sight of a beautifully conceived meal.”

10. “Life itself is the proper binge.”

For those of you who would like to believe that living long doesn’t mean avoiding all of life’s most delicious foods, Julia Child could be your hero. She lived to be more than 90 years old, and we all know she ate foods with fats and butters and creams (and she drank gin to boot!). Take that you Atkins fanatics! Take that you low-fat, low-calorie diet freaks! If you didn’t love her before, these ten Julia Child quotes might just change your mind.

Culinary Arts Training Expectations And Requirements

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As an aspirant culinary arts practitioner, what can one expect from a culinary arts training school? There are millions of culinary arts training institutions but that does not necessary ensure quality. Hence, the quality of the culinary arts training schools is of premium importance, when it comes to training aspiring chefs and cooks.

What are the parameters by which a culinary training school can be evaluated? One, quality of the faculty or teachers; two, the infrastructure and logistics; three, the course content of the training program. These are critical factors though there could be other factors as well that decides how good is a culinary arts training institute.

Let us discuss each parameter in details. First, the faculty or the teachers must be able to impart the basics of culinary art to the students. The competence of a teacher can be gauged from how well the student is coping with the varied customer tastes and preferences and is yet able to make them happy.

In other words, good and hygienic dishes over a long period of time will testify to the fact that important lessons have been passed to the student. The student must also be able have an instant feel of the psychology of a group of people in terms of food preferences.

Two, a culinary arts training must have world class infrastructure that facilitates learning. Latest trends and concepts in cooking must be facilitated through this infrastructure. In other words, a culinary arts training school must aim to be a finishing school that churns out finished products.

The minimum an alumnus requires training after joining a job, the better has been the role of the culinary arts training institute. Excellent and competent training, aided by superior infrastructure is an important factor for producing good cooks.

Lastly, take a look at the course content of a culinary arts training school and ask the following questions: Does it encourage the students to have a blend of theoretical and practical learning? Have the students been sent to a hotel or a restaurant to pick the art of the trade practically and for a long duration?

Does the course content place adequate emphasis on hygienic cooking? Does the course content accommodate cooking methods that cater to the tastes of people from across geographies? Good course content, in other words, must address these issues and herein lies how good a student will be.