You’ve got to admit it; food is much sweeter when you have the right wine as an accompaniment. Matching meals with wine is not a complicated system or rocket science. Whether you will be eating at home or your favorite restaurant, you don’t need to complicate choosing a good bottle of wine to go with your meal. What we will offer you, however, is the basics to help you select something spectacular for each dish you eat.
1. Pair acid and salt
Salty seafoods are best friends with acidic, crisp, refreshing whites because they bring out the saline savorless in your food perfectly. This combination will keep you salivating for more, so be careful. Acidic wines are also perfect for cleansing the pallet, especially when you are eating oily foods such as Indian curry. Pair your acidic whites with other acidic foods to compliment the taste, for example, when eating a salad with vinegar.
2. Keep it simple
Sometimes, all you want is your favorite bottle from your favorite wine store, so don’t let rules and regulations keep you from enjoying what you like. If you are craving a rare selection from boutique wineries, by all means, have that and throw the rules out the window. Choosing a wine you would enjoy is better than choosing food to improve the taste of a wine you don’t like. Another way to keep your selection simple is by selecting a wine to match the most prominent element in the dish. Earthy flavors, for instance, incline towards soft red wine.
3. Look for balance
The weight, body, and richness of both the wine and food play a vital role in getting the perfect match. The bottom line, however, is that the wine and the food should be equal partners without overwhelming each other. Balancing the two guarantees that the pairing will succeed. Have heart wines with hearty meals, and vigorous wines like Cabernet Sauvignon with vigorous foods like lamb chops. The fat used in the food will help you determine its weight, while the color, grape variety, and alcohol level will help you know your wine’s weight.
4. Consider the age
Aged wines naturally have a different texture and flavor, becoming more graceful and delicate as they ages. Fresh fruits, for example, will give you an earthy and savory note, taking more complex, secondary characters. To pair aged wines, always tone down the richness and big flavors in the food to allow the wine to shine. This will enable you to enjoy both the food and the wine without either overpowering the other.The idea behind pairing wine and food is enjoying both in a combination that is balanced. While the rules are not complicated, it’s always best to experiment with what you feel might work so that you can find your own perfect combinations. Make it a fun exercise by trying different flavors with different wines by following the simple rules we have outlined here.
Ever attended a networking event only to stop by for some food later? The food might look delicious, and the setting might be out of this world, but when you can’t finish the snack in two bites, it will be a nightmare as you try to speak and eat at the same time. Networking events need food that can be eaten in one or two bites, look and be delicious, and save people that awkward moment of waiting for each other to swallow so as can speak. When planning your next menu, use these handy tips.
1. Learn more about your guests
The professional level of your guests plays a vital role in determining what to feed them. Are they politicians, business people, or a fundraising circle? Also, if they attend events frequently, they must have tasted a lot of cuisines. You might need to research a little more to get food that will impress them. Also, their age makes a huge difference in food preferences. Older people prefer a mild menu, those concern about health will be comfortable with seafood and vegan options, while younger and middle-aged people are more adventurous.
2. Sitting or standing
Events are typically hosted in standing receptions as opposed to traditional plated meals. This model does not limit your attendees to their table but opens them up to move around and network with more people. Using a restaurant booking platform will give you options for the kind of space you can book for your event. Besides saving you the trouble to make the booking yourself, you have a variety of options available. Your menu should reflect your venue and sitting or standing arrangement. An easy grab-and-go accommodates more dietary choices, the same way guests choose who to sit and connect with during the meal. Grab-and-go menus also facilitate moving around, which makes it easy for your guests to interact.
3. Think about your guest’s teeth
There is nothing worse than having something stuck in your teeth. You may try to ignore it as you make meaningful connections, but it will stick at the back of your mind and keep you self-conscious. Anything with small fresh cuts such as lettuce, seeds and herbs are trouble. Your attendees may not notice it immediately, but you don’t want them to feel embarrassed when they look in the mirror at home and find something stuck on their teeth.
4. Think about seasonal and fresh items
The time of year can help you determine the food and beverage to serve. Which items are in season for spring and summer? Does your region have a popular item your attendees have not tried? Reflecting the locale and using the freshest ingredients will give more than enough options to include in your menu. Remember to keep in mind the ethnic and region of your attendees. It would be a disaster if you served meat to a group that doesn’t eat meat. Speak with your executive chef for tips on what to cook if your attendees are of specific origin or religion.
Pasta is perhaps one of the most foods to come out of Italy. In fact, you’ll often find an entire fresh products aisle in a supermarket or an online grocery category that is solely dedicated to pasta!
Made with simple ingredients, usually durum wheat flour mixed with water or eggs, pasta can be transformed into various culinary masterpieces. To help you create a pasta masterpiece of your own, here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular pasta shapes and when it’s best to use them.
Spaghetti
Spaghetti is probably the most popular kind of pasta, especially outside of Italy. Long, thin, and solid, spaghetti is perfect when paired with loose sauces instead of thick and creamy ones. In the case of the Roman creation, cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper), there’s no sauce involved at all.
Linguini and Fettuccine
Linguini is like spaghetti, but flat instead of rounded in shape. This flat shape makes linguini a great vehicle for seafood or light and simple cream sauces, along with pesto and olive oil. Linguini, which literally means “little tongues,” is the slightly narrower cousin of fettuccine, which means “small ribbons.” Fettuccine is perhaps best known as the partner of Alfredo sauce, but you can also pair it with almost any kind of creamy sauce.
Pappardelle
Pappardelle pasta comes in the form of a wide ribbon. As such, it’s ideal for heavy, meaty sauces. This is because the wide and flat noodles trap the sauce and meat between them, almost like lasagna. Do you love a hearty bolognese sauce? Serve it on top of pappardelle and don’t forget to sprinkle lots of Parmesan!
Angel Hair
Angel hair pasta is the thinnest of all pasta, which means it cooks very quickly. This delicate pasta is best paired with delicate sauces or a simple dressing made with oil and butter.
Farfalle
Farfalle is a big hit with children because of its cute, interesting shape. Also called bow tie pasta, farfalle is the Italian word for “butterfly.” Chunky, meaty sauces cling to the crinkly “wings” of this pasta. Farfalle is also a popular main ingredient in cold pasta salads.
Penne
Penne translates as “quills” or “feathers.” This tube-shaped pasta is usually two inches long and cut at an angle on its ends, which resembles the nib of a feather quill. Penne pasta also has ridges or ribs, which help thick sauces cling to the noodles. Moreover, because they’re hollow, bits of meat or vegetables can get into the insides. This allows you to get the perfect pasta-to-sauce ratio.
Rigatoni
Rigatoni is the shorter cousin of penne, with straight instead of angled edges. Like penne, rigatoni pasta is best paired with chunky and meaty sauces. However, because of its smaller size, it’s also a great ingredient for pasta salads.
Conchiglie
Also known as shell pasta, conchiglie (and its brother orecchiette or “ears”) is well-known for its cup-like shape. Therefore, it’s the perfect choice for heavy, meaty sauces. You can either pour the sauce on top of the pasta or opt to bake them together instead. Smaller conchiglie pasta can also be added to soups and stews.
Macaroni
The tiny, tube-shaped macaroni is known all over the world thanks to the delicious comfort food that is mac ‘n’ cheese. Aside from cheesy baked mac, macaroni is also used in pasta salads, as well as in soups like minestrone.
Ravioli
Ravioli are sheets of pasta, folded over a stuffing, then pinched closed to create a pouch. The pasta sheet is traditionally square, but circular and semi-circular ravioli are also popular. There are even fun shapes like hearts! The stuffing can also be made of anything, like vegetables, meat, seafood, or cheese, and the dish is then topped with a sauce or dressing. Ravioli can also be included in soups. Unlike other kinds of pasta where you might be tempted to eat a lot, “less is more” is the secret with ravioli since it’s quite a filling dish.
There are many more kinds and shapes of pasta you can choose from, such as bucatini, fusilli, gnocchi, lasagna, tagliatelle, and ziti. This variety opens up a lot more opportunities to experiment and try different sauces and recipes. Get a pack or two of fresh pasta from your favourite supermarket today and start creating delicious pasta dishes today.
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “You are what you eat.” Although some people may not want to believe that it’s true, it is. What you put into your body determines what kind of results you’re going to get out of it. Just like you wouldn’t expect a car to run as well on cheap gas as it would on premium, you can’t expect a human body to perform its best on unhealthy foods.
What you eat has the power to make you feel better, do better, and look better; here’s how.
Lifespan
Many people get to a certain age and require home care services or go to a nursing home. However, if you manage to keep yourself healthy enough, you can stay young for even longer.
Studies show that eating the right foods can keep your brain fueled and more likely to ward off age-related diseases. Even though it may be fun to eat unhealthy choices over healthy ones, it’s important to ask yourself how long you want to live. Is eating high saturated fat and processed food every day really worth shaving years off of your life?
Your Mood
When you load up on healthful foods full of vitamins and nutrients, you’ll not only feel better physically but also mentally. Certain foods like legumes, vegetables, and even whole-grain bread are known for putting you in a great mood. Next time you’re looking to cheer up, consider reaching for a healthy plate of food. You never know, it could be the answer!
Productivity
When you eat heavy and loaded foods before getting to work, you feel less motivated to get the job done. Chances are you drag your feet to finish or aren’t very enthusiastic.
When your body is weighed down by fats and sugars, you’re much less productive. Studies show act people who eat a light lunch full of fruits and vegetables are less likely to have an energy dip in the middle of the day compared to those who eat fast food.
If you have a busy job that requires a lot of energy, you should greatly consider packing a lunch that will serve as food for your Bain as well as your body.
Improved Memory
When you eat heavy foods, your body has to use a lot of energy trying to find somewhere to put it all. When your body has a lot of digesting to do, then all of your blood rushes to your stomach. However, you’re not doing yourself any favors if you’re letting your body focus on your stomach rather than the tasks you have to accomplish. As with all things in life, balance is key!
Socati, a CBD and cannabinoid
company based in Austin, Texas, has become a major player in the growing hemp
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customers, the company has quickly developed
an outstanding reputation as the place for manufacturers to turn for the
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These products contain CBD, CBG, and several other cannabinoids. The growth of the company has been monumental following its launch in 2018, leading to significant investment interest to the tune of over $40 million. The company garnered this investment amount over the course of two highly successful funding rounds. With the hemp and CBD market rapidly growing in the United States, Socati is becoming an industry leader through its high-quality broad-spectrum products.
The success that Socati has enjoyed over the past year is related to the firm’s two outstanding products. These broad-spectrum products are rich in CBD and CBG cannabinoids, among others. Manufacturing companies depend on these ingredients, as they contain non-detectable levels of THC. Customers of these businesses can rely on the diligent testing that goes into such pristine CBD and CBG products.
Socati’s client base relies on testing from a reliable third party in a facility that adheres to the highest standards. CEO Josh Epstein has noted that his company maintains a deep understanding of the quality that today’s consumers are looking for. This has led directly to Socati’s development of broad-spectrum CBD oil, as well as the announcement of the new water-soluble CBD powder.
With this in mind, the future
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Most people go to the gym to lose weight or improve cardio, but a lot also use the gym to bulk up with muscle and get bigger. Strength usually has a direct correlation to how big you are. The bigger you are, the more weight your body can support or move around. Of course, this is not always the case, but the strongest people are usually pretty big.
There are many ways to bulk up, here are some tips on how to get bigger so you can lift more weight in the gym:
Protein Supplements
Protein powder is one of the must-have supplements for bulking up and gaining weight if you want to get stronger. The body needs proteins as it is a building block for muscle structure. There are all kinds of proteins that range in flavors (chocolate, vanilla), dietary needs (vegan, vegetarian), and prices. Regardless of your budget or needs, protein powder comes in a wide range of types that will help you beef up.
Fast Food
Seriously? Yes, seriously. Fast food does not get the credit it deserves sometimes. Professional, bodybuilders, and strongmen all indulge in some fast food to help them reach the calories and macronutrient ratios they need to keep up with their exercise and training. Due to the fact that a lot of fast food is calorie-dense is perfect for gaining weight to put on mass, if you look at the jollibee menu you can see that there are all kinds of good options too. Chicken and beef are protein-heavy and will give you more weight to mold and sculpt into muscle, and it is fine to eat in moderation.
Low Reps, High Weight
When working out extensively, you burn a lot of energy and calories. This means that you will be sweating a lot and losing weight. While cardio and high repetition workouts are great for building muscle and getting fit, doing low repetition exercises but increasing the weight will strain your muscles to the point where they will grow immensely.
Many athletes like bodybuilders or powerlifters do squats or deadlifts for three to five reps at a time, but they add much more weight where they know it will only be possible a few times. By putting such heavy load stress on your body, the muscles will contract a lot and repair even bigger when they are healed. That is how to grow shoulders the size of boulders or giant legs.
Conclusion
Getting bigger does not mean you are not getting more fit. Although some people think that the purpose of going to the gym or working out is to lose weight, there are still some that want to put on weight, gain mass, and get bigger. By following these tips, like using protein powders and supplements, eating a high amount of calories through quick sources such as fast food, and doing higher weight at lower reps, you can reach those goals. Getting bigger will help you lift more weight and get stronger.
If you cook your own food, you are likely to prepare healthy meals. However, why is a significant portion of Americans prefer take-outs rather than spending time in their kitchen?
One of the obvious reasons is that they could not cook. But it is more of a mindset than anything else. For instance, YouTube has millions of videos that you can follow to whip up a delicious meal. Also, you can browse online for quick easy healthy recipes, which you can prepare in literally minutes.
Nevertheless, according to the survey commissioned by Tufts University in Massachusetts, 28% of Americans claim that they do not cook. One reason why they steer clear of that chore is that the spouse is doing the cooking. Another 25% of the 1,097 surveyed claimed that they do not like to clean the mess afterward. Still, another 21% said they simply have no time.
It is, therefore, no surprise that 85 million Americans are eating fast food every day.
As per the US Department of Agriculture, Americans are spending more eating out than they do cooking at home. In a typical household budget for food, 54.4% represents “food away-from-home” compared to home-cooked ingredients.
So, why should you spend more time in your kitchen? Here are the top reasons why:
- Save money. It is perhaps the greatest motivation for you to prepare your meals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average household spent $3,000 dining out in 2015. If you eat out frequently, it is easy to imagine that you spend at least $50 a week on top of your typical food budget. In contrast, you can already follow quick, easy healthy recipes on a budget of $4-5 for the ingredients.
- Eat smaller portions. When you cook your food, you can measure the quantity, which means less waste. You know how much each of your loved ones can consume, so you can adjust accordingly. In contrast, when you eat out, you have no choice but to eat what is served in front of you.
- Saves you a lot of time. Based on the Tufts University survey, Americans have no time to cook. But it can be argued that cooking their meals will save them a lot of time. When they buy ingredients, they make sure to buy enough for several portions. You can then set aside the extra food to be reheated the next day. Theoretically, you can prepare freezer meals for three to four days in advance. It should free a lot of your time to do other tasks.
- Learn a new skill. It is never too late to learn how to cook. You start by following the quick, easy healthy recipes to the letter. Once you get more comfortable, you can then experiment in the kitchen to customize your food according to what your family prefers. It feels great when you finish a meal and receive compliments for your cooking.
Finally, cooking your meals is a good bonding experience for the whole family. To help instill a love of cooking in your kids, you can follow delicious baking recipes so you can bake cookies or muffins. It is a good way to teach your kids the value of food. They will learn that whipping up a meal is not easy, from buying and preparing the ingredients to cooking them. They will have a newfound appreciation of what is in front of their table.
Americans spend only about 37 minutes in the kitchen per week. This means that the rest of the time is spent working, eating out, or in other family activities. While most people aim to eat healthily, it can be challenging when you have a busy lifestyle.
Enter meal planning! Meal planning is the best way to ensure you are consuming healthy home-cooked meals.
But does meal planning intimidate you? Do you not know where to start or maybe you’ve never done it before? Keep reading to find out how to meal plan for the week and get our best tips.
How to Meal Plan For the Week: 5 Steps
Generally speaking, meal prep means taking time out of your week or blocking out a specific amount of time to devote to planning your meals. This can be done in a matter of hours.
Even if you’re a newbie to meal planning, you can get started fairly easily. Begin by following these 5 steps.
1. Choose Your Meals
First, take a look at your life and see which meals would save you time by cooking or preparing them ahead. Not every meal needs to be prepped.
Perhaps you run out the door without breakfast, so planning breakfast meals would be helpful.
If you’re planning dinner meals, find recipes that are easy or familiar when you’re first starting to meal plan.
Don’t forget to plan your snacks as well!
2. Create A Shopping List
Once you have your meals planned, take stock of the items you have on hand and make a shopping list of ones you don’t or which items you need. This way, you won’t end up with duplicates, and you’ll save money as well! A home meat delivery service can save you time and money as well.
Another helpful money-saving tip is to shop the sales! Check out your local circular and plan your meals around which items are marked down.
3. Set A Time and Make Another List
After you’ve done your planning and shopping, it’s time to get started! Choose a day or time that works for you and start cooking. If you’re making the same meal for every day, you’ll want to make larger portions and divide them out according to which day you’ll eat them.
You also will need storage containers or bags, labels, and all the cooking essentials, so don’t forget to make a list of these things to make it easier on yourself.
If you plan on dumping things in a crockpot or stove, all you need to do is chop up the ingredients and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook that week.
4. Cook, Store, and Freeze
When you’re meals are cooked or prepared, label them the date you prepped and toss them in the freezer or refrigerator.
5. Don’t Expect Perfection
Meal planning can take some time to perfect and you may often tweak it, but do what works best for you! As you progress, you’ll find ways to make improvements.
Ready to Meal Plan?
Once you know how to meal plan for the week, your life may become less stressful. What meals can you start planning today?
Do you love food? So do we! Check out our website today to learn more!
It happens to even the most seasoned of drinkers. You’re out for the night, have a few drinks, and suddenly feel as if you’ve downed a bottle in the last hour. It only happens on occasion, so what caused you to get so drunk this time around? As it turns out, there are multiple factors that go into how drunk you become with each drink. Before you find yourself in need of DUI defense, check out these tips on how to keep your inebriation under control.
Eat Something
One of the simplest tricks to stay sober longer is to eat a few hours before you start drinking. Giving your stomach some padding in the form of a meal keeps your energy levels up, helps you think clearly as the alcohol sets in, and allows you to drink more before really feeling the effects.
Your choice in food can make this trick more effective, too. Meals rich in protein and fiber help to slow down your oncoming inebriation. Magnesium is also highly effective. You can get all three with a plate of grilled chicken, broccoli, and quinoa.
Take It Easy
While it’s tempting to start pounding down drinks or joining your friends for rounds of shots, you should pace yourself throughout the night. It takes your liver roughly an hour to an hour and a half to break down the alcohol from one drink. That goes for shots, beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail.
Skip The Sugar
Combining or chasing your drink with sugary mixers is a fast track to blacking out. The more sugar you consume while drinking, the faster the alcohol is going to hit your bloodstream. It also increases your blood sugar levels, which creates a drunken feeling all its own.
Instead, mix your cocktails with natural fruit juices to improve your liver’s metabolic rate. You can also add sparkling water to your wine and regular water to clear liquors to help cut back on your consumption. Beer is trickier, but just try to avoid eating anything high in sugar while drinking.
Hydrate
If you wait until the end of the night to drink a few cups of water, it’s already too late. Ideally, you should have a quick glass in-between each drink as you space them an hour apart. This will counteract the diuretic effects of the alcohol while helping you stay sober for longer.
Fresh Air
Everyone has been drinking at a friend’s house when they suddenly realize how hot the room has become. Whether it’s the thermostat or the number of people, that warmth is going to help increase your blood alcohol levels.
Give yourself five minutes of fresh air outside to cool down and don’t forget to bring some water with you. You should also keep in mind that factors like age and health contribute to how quickly you get drunk. If you do find yourself in a pickle, experienced lawyers like the ones at Bowling Law can help.
If you are in Australia or planning to visit, it is that time of the year that you need to go online and search for the best restaurant to visit. Knowing the best restaurant to visit can turn out to be a difficult task. But here is a list of the top restaurants to help you pick the best restaurant to visit.
Alberto’s lounge
It is an Italian restaurant and wine bar located near Hyde Park, Sydney. Recently it has been listed as one of the best restaurants in Australia. You can find a diverse menu from spiced braised tripe to pan-fried mackerel. There is something for all tastes at this upcoming restaurant. So, if you love Italian food, it’s a great place to visit.
Napier quarter.
It is the kind of place that might make you think of moving to the busy and leafy Fitzroy area. In the morning, the place is an espresso bar, and it transforms into the best pub in Melbourne, offering tasty wine in the afternoon. Chef Eileen Horsnell is the main chef and creates inspired dishes using carefully selected local ingredients such as Bass Strait octopus and heirloom carrots. They have a rye toast containing boiled egg, Spanish anchovies, and parsley, which has a lot of fans.
Attica restaurant
It is a regular restaurant in the “50 best world restaurants” list. The main chef in this restaurant is Ben Shewry. You can find it in the unassuming suburbs of Melbourne. When dining here, you will enjoy the food. The main chef prepares and delivers an intriguing combination of unique and diverse ingredients, some of which he picks himself in the morning. In the kitchen of Attica, these ingredients are cooked using specific techniques.
They have adventurous drinks that comprise of everything from different kinds of wines to cold-smoked apple juice. If you need to make a reservation, you can do it on the first Wednesday of every month.
Joy Restaurant
It was started back in 2018 by Chef Tim and Sarah Scott. It is a small restaurant that fits ten people at a time, and they have a bench style dining. The chefs cook and serve customers.
At joy restaurant, you will have a fantastic experience, services, and a great menu. In every dish, you get to experience varied textures and flavors that will create an explosion in your mouth. You will experience a more personal atmosphere because you will be interacting with the Chefs as they do their magic in the open kitchen.
Quay
Quay is an award-winning cuisine in the category of ‘nature-based’. Chef Peter Gilmore started it, and you can find it in Sydney. You will enjoy the view of Sydney harbor while in its spectacular dining room.
They have a unique menu that comprises of reworked classic dishes and new dishes made depending on the season. There is an extensive wine list, and food pairing is also available. Quay has made it in the “World’s 50 best restaurants” for so many times.
So, those are the top eateries in Australia that you should visit and have a taste of their dishes. But if you like clubbing, you can search for the best pub in Melbourne online to get more information.
