When most people think of a barbecue, they think of hot dogs and hamburgers, the old-fashioned staple foods of cookouts and family gatherings. Or maybe a thick, juicy steak, original or smothered in steak sauce, grilled to perfection over a bed of charcoal stones. Even chicken, whether wings, breasts, thighs or cutlets, is perfect over an open flame.

Barbecuing, the favorite outdoor activity of summer, has quickly become a year-round obsession, especially with the invention of indoor grilling machines. Barbecuing is healthier than many other cooking method - the fat and grease of meat is able to drip into the grill itself, rather than soaking back into the food. However, there is one way to make barbecuing even healthier: BBQ shrimp.

Shrimp and other seafood are far healthier than most other meats available. High in protein and low in fat, seafood is the food of the future, the choice of most health-conscious individuals. For that reason, it has been a favorite in the Asian nations for centuries. And BBQ shrimp is an even healthier option. But health does not have to be bland and flavorless. BBQ shrimp can be prepared in any number of ways, with any number of seasonings, but in the end, that wonderful grilled flavor accentuates any marinade, and truly makes better eating even better, and rather stylish and hip as well.

A Shrimp by Any Other Name

BBQ shrimp can be prepared to tantalize any set of taste buds. Peeled, cut and skewered, shrimp can be enjoyed plain or with the simplest seasonings - salt, pepper, garlic, lemon or line. Or, for those who are a bit more adventurous, BBQ shrimp can truly become an exploration in flavors. Shrimp can be marinated overnight in complex creations, or brushed while on the grill with overwhelming flavors. Traditional barbecue sauce is a favorite with shrimp, and teriyaki as well. But there is also Thai shrimp, Cajun shrimp and peanut shrimp.

Shrimp can be grilled and then added to salads, rice, pasta, jambalaya or any number of other dishes. BBQ shrimp can even be prepared in advance and cooled in the refridgerator, ready to be used in a sandwich or wrap. Either way, shrimp is always a healthy alternative to other meats, and as a staple ingredient in classic recipes, even the greasiest family dish can become surprisingly healthy. BBQ shrimp absorbs the wonderful grilled flavor of charcoal, and it brings that flavor wherever it goes, whether it be the skewer, a salad or directly to the tongue.

Tags: BBQ Shrimp

Gypsywort is an herbal plant that but has no culinary purposes at all but rather is used for industrial and medicinal purposes. This plant originated in Europe and Northwest Asia. Gypsywort’s most important properties come from the stem and the leaves. These were used for the astringents, sedatives, anxiety, tuberculosis, and heart palpitations. Industrially, Gypsywort was extremely beneficial in making a permanent black dye. Oddly enough that is how it got its name, the Gypsies were said to have stained their skin with this black dye like substance so they would resemble Africans or Egyptians while they were performing their “magic.”

Gypsywort is also called Lycopus europaeus; it has no known hazards and usually grows near rivers, streams and ravines. You will likely find this plant from June to September but the seeds are the most ripe between August and October. A unique physical characteristic of this plant is that is has both male and female organs so it self fertile, pollinated by insects and bees. In a survival situation, the root of the Gypsywort could be eaten raw or cooked.

The flowers of this plant are used for astringents and sedatives but also have an iodine property to it that is commonly used for hyperthyroidism. The entire plant has been known to slow and strengthen heart contractions, treat coughs and bleeding from the lungs, and excessive periods, and the leaves are great for cleaning wounds. Heart disturbances and nervousness can be eased by the use of Gypsywort. The part that is rendered for use is the flowering plant itself and the best time to gather these is June - September. It is a sedative, because it reduces the pulse rate in conditions involving an overactive thyroid gland by reducing the activity of iodine. It was once prescribed for hyperthyroidism and related disorders such as Basedow’s disease.

Gypsywort can be purchased at your local herbal supplement store or ordered online and does have some outstanding benefits although not much culinary use. It is a very uncommon and not very often spoken about form of herb. Some use it with aromatherapy and a mixture of many other oils and fragrances. Bugleweed is very closely related to Gypsywort and for medicinal purposes the two are very often closely linked to each other.

The juice of the Bugleweed can also be used as a dye. The two could also be twins in the family of herbs. The rarity of this particular herb in underestimated and often undervalued. With the research that is being done each year on various herbs and their contribution to the medical field maybe one day people will hear more about this herb that remains quite a mystery to most.

Many of the other herbs that can provide similar benefits as the Gypsywort are becoming extinct because they are over harvested and over used so it could be extremely beneficial to utilize much rarer herbs that can often bring forth some of the same benefits as others. Gypsywort just might be one of the herbs that would fall into this category.

Tags: Gypsywort

If you spend any time at all cooking on a BBQ grill, eventually you’re going to be dealing with various BBQ sauces. Obviously, these sauces are used to accompany and add flavor to barbecued foods, such as steak and chicken and anything else you can think of.

There are, however, various other uses for this versatile condiment. It can be added to almost any meal, and is sometimes used as a dipping sauce as well. Below, we will take a closer look at BBQ sauces to find out a little bit more about them.

BBQ sauces come in a wide variety of tastes and consistencies, from watery to very thick. Different regions of the country boast their own styles of BBQ sauces. Some are spicy, and some lean toward the sweet side, depending on where you are. There are also a good number of people who enjoy their BBQ sauce with a smoky flavor. This is a great addition to the smoky flavor that often accompanies food that is grilled on a charcoal grill.

Styles

Again, many regions of the world are quite proud of their own style of BBQ sauces. There are dozens of styles in the United States alone. Most of these variations are still based on a few basic ingredients, including tomato paste, mustard, and vinegar. From there, it can be seasoned to create one of the many different styles that exist today.

Most of the time, BBQ sauces are brushed onto foods like chicken, steak, pork, and ribs. Some people believe that BBQ sauce takes away from the BBQ taste of foods themselves, but others believe no BBQ would be complete without the taste of BBQ sauces.

Another great way to use BBQ sauces is to use it in place of pizza sauce. BBQ pizzas are becoming more popular all the time. Another use is to add it to your favorite sandwich. Many restaurants offer BBQ hamburgers with additional items on them, such as bacon. Since unique BBQ sauces are so easily created, many of these establishments also offer their own in house BBQ sauce.

Many people also use BBQ sauces in places where most people would use ketchup. As a matter of fact, ketchup is often a base ingredient for many BBQ sauces. There are almost as many uses for BBQ sauce as there are people who use it. The great thing is that there are no rules, so you can be as creative as you want to be.

Tags: BBQ Sauces

Mexican food is popular all over the world and for great reasons. There is such a variety when it comes to Mexican dishes. You can taste combinations you never have before. Many people appreciate the great Mexican minds that created popular Mexican foods. The foods thrill our taste buds, the smells excite our minds, and the looks please our eyes and enrich and inspire our souls.

Many of the Mexican foods of today are based from long ago when the Aztecs and Mayas first created them. Some dishes that are exotic and eaten long ago include iguana, spider monkeys, and rattlesnakes. It is not eaten most of the time in this century, but it is also not unheard of. In addition the Mexican foods evolved when the Spanish colonists arrived. One ingredient that has not changed is the chili pepper. You may also find a bit of Caribbean influence in some Mexican dishes, especially in the Mexican states of Veracruz and the Yucatan. French influence can also be found in some Mexican dishes, one being bolillo. That is bread popular in Mexico that has a hint of French.

There are many health benefits when it comes to Mexican foods. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, with low fat and calories. You are not eating authentic Mexican food if you eat at Taco Bell. America has added many fats to the foods, which doesn’t contain all the nutrients you would eat if you ate in Mexico. Mexican dishes contain many fresh ingredients that you may not be able to find in other types of cuisine. Tomatoes, peppers, onions and others are very healthy for your body.

Foods differ in the different regions of Mexico. It depends on the climate and geography of the area along with ethnic differences. Northern Mexico is known for its dishes that contain meat, while in Southern Mexico, dishes popular include vegetable and chicken. Sea-food is commonly served in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Veracruz is a Mexican state that is very long and tropical with lowlands that runs up and down the Gulf of Mexico. It is easy to get fish such as red snapper, snook, grouper, and mojarra. Mojarra is a prized fish in the area. Crab, lobsters, and oysters are abundant.

Besides the ocean, the state has more than 40 rivers that run through it. It has an endless supply of freshwater fish and shellfish. The food is prepared in a way that reflects unique dishes of the state. Seafood is very healthy for your body and can add a different taste to regular classic Mexican food dishes.

You can learn a lot of history and facts about Mexican food by the different regions. Trying new recipes will give you a taste as to why they differ. With Mexican culture rich in history, it is always nice to learn about how the foods came about and how they are nowadays. Once you are knowledgeable about the dishes it makes it even more enjoyable when cooking and eating.

Tags: Mexican Food

Not Your Mother’s Tuna Casserole

Tags: healthy, recipe, Tuna, tuna cakes

When the weather begins to get nice outside, most people start thinking about various outdoor activities that they enjoy. It’s a time when people begin planning outings with family and friends and coworkers. Whether it’s a day at the beach, a ballgame, or a camping trip, portable BBQ grills can add enjoyment to any activity. Here are some things to look for when you are purchasing a portable BBQ grill.

What to Look for

With portable BBQ grills, the idea is to be able to bring the great taste of grilled food on the road with you and still have the convenience of being able to pack light. These units are great because most of them are designed for just this purpose.

Portable BBQ grills come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it’s important to find one that is lightweight for easy transport. You don’t want to go camping or to the beach with a grill that it takes two people to carry. You also want one that is compact enough to allow for easy packing. If you’ll be traveling with it a lot, you want it to take up as little space as possible. Generally, if the unit is 40 pounds or less, you should be alright.

Portable BBQ grills also come equipped with a variety of different options for cooking surfaces. Obviously, you’ll want to buy a unit that can handle any food you are going to want to prepare. Be careful, though, to keep it on the small side, or you’ll be defeating the purpose of a portable BBQ grill.

Also, if you’re camping or at the beach, the last thing you want to do is spend the day scrubbing and scouring the surface of your grill. With this in mind, make sure you choose a cooking surface that is non-stick and easy to clean. This will allow you to get out and enjoy more of the day with family and friends.

Another thing you want to consider is what kind of activities the grill will be used for. It may be that you will only be cooking for yourself, or you and one other person. If this is the case, there are plenty of models available that have very small cooking areas that are perfect for this.

Make sure you go with a larger model if you will be cooking for an entire family or a group of people. Otherwise, you will spend the entire afternoon cooking because the grill isn’t large enough to put enough food on it. The right size grill will allow you to spend your time doing what you came out there for in the first place.

Tags: Portable BBQ Grills

Have you been wondering why some barbecues taste really good while others don’t? The secret of a good BBQ recipe is actually in the marinade and quality of the pork. Know this, even if you have a very good BBQ recipe but your meat is not of high quality and the ingredients that you use in your marinades are not really good, your barbeque will not really taste so delicious. Always remember that a good BBQ recipe is just your guide and if you do not have the right ingredients to go with your BBQ recipe, you cannot really hope to cook a good barbeque.

Preparing Your Marinades

There are many BBQ recipes that include good marinades. Check your BBQ recipe and find out if it offers some good marinades. If your BBQ recipe does not include good marinades, find some recipes for marinade online or simply concoct one on your own. Making marinades is not really so difficult if you know the basic ingredients that you need to use. On other hand, you are not really so keep on making your own marinades; you can just drop by at your favorite grocery store and buy one of those bottled marinades. Yes, those bottled marinades are not exactly as good as homemade marinades but they are really very convenient to use.

Now, if you insist on making your own marinades, you need to have the right ingredients. A good marinade is made up of several ingredients and it is always it a liquid form. Common ingredients for marinades are oil, acid and spices. The acid in the marinade is used to break down the meat and make it tender. There are a number of acids that you can use to tenderize the meat. Some these acid based liquids are vinegar, wine, beer, milk and some fruit juices. If you want to use fruit juice as your acid base, try some pineapple juice or orange juice.

The oil in the marinade keeps the meat from drying out during grilling. Peanut oil, vegetable oil, corn oil and olive oil are commonly used for marinades. No, you should never use butter or bacon drippings in your marinade. These types of oil coagulate when cold. To give your barbecue a distinctive taste, add spices into your marinade. For instance, if you want to add some Mexican hot and spicy tinge into your barbecue add some pepper into your BBQ recipe.

Tags: BBQ Recipe

Tortillas got its name from the Spaniards. The word “tortilla” comes from the Spanish word “torta” with the meaning being round cake. Tortillas are eaten everyday not just in Mexico but also in America. Americans put just about anything in the tortilla. Ever try peanut butter and jelly in a tortilla? Many eat it that way; also the tortillas are used with hot dogs, casseroles, and sandwiches.
Tortillas have been enjoyed for many centuries, but not with all the fillings that are used these days.

Aztecs made tortillas more than 10,000 years before Christ. Aztecs ate a lot of corn, some right from the cob, and others they would save and use later. They would ground it into corn meal and later make into masa, which is corn dough. The masa is added with water. If the water is not the right temperature, the consistency will not be enough to make the tortilla. Once the masa is ready, it is placed in a ball size in the maker’s hands. It takes awhile to go through the process of making the masa flat. It is patted into what looks like a think pancake. Once it is the right size, it is placed on a hot griddle. It does not take long to cook.

Today the tortilla is still made with the same ingredients. Majority of them are made in factories with machines because they are in high demand. They come in many flavors. Anyone can still make them from scratch if they prefer. You can find tortillas in a variety of Mexican foods. Tacos use them as the shell. Enchiladas consist of the tortilla being filled and then rolled, afterwards being cooked. Quesadillas use tortillas as turnovers which are filled and then fried.

If you think that tortillas are just for eating, think again. There is a type of art that is called “tortilla art”. It is fine art that uses tortillas as the canvas. First the tortillas are baked and then acrylic. After that they are painted. Tortilla art is made to represent the culture of Latino artists.

Tortillas are also what are used to make the tortilla chips. The tortilla is cut into wedges and fried. Corn tortillas are made from corn, vegetable oil, salt and water. The chips first became popular in the 1940s in Los Angeles, California where the chips were mass-produced, but it is still considered a Mexican food.

Americans use tortillas for a lot of their foods. It is most common found in burritos, which started long ago in northern Mexico. Tortillas are a traditional food of many people from northern states of Mexico and also Native tribes that are found in the Southwestern United States. Just about any restaurant will carry tortillas. You can try many different foods that include them. They are easy to find in the grocery store. You can use your taste buds and imagination to make your own foods which include the tortillas.

There are many different recipes available to search, so join in on a tasty convenient food that many Americans have already discovered.

Tags: Tortillas

Are you planning to invite some family members and friends for a barbecue party in your backyard? If you are planning to give a BBQ party for some family members and friends, you can save some money on food by buying BBQ packages from well known meat shops.

A lot of meat shops around the country offer BBQ packages for parties and family dinners. Most these BBQ packages are ready to cook so you need not worry about preparing your meat and your marinade. With a good BBQ package, you can just fire your grill and then put the meat right into the grill. To help you find the right BBQ package for your BBQ party, here are some pointers for you.

Choose Fresh and Premium Cut Meat

The quality of the meat is very important if you want to have great tasting barbecues. There a number of famous meat brands in the country that offers really great tasting products. Check out some of these famous meat brands and find out if they have some BBQ packages.

No, you do not have to go to different meat shops just to find out if they have BBQ packages that are suitable for your party. To save time, money and efforts, do your shopping online. Just log into the websites of well known meat producers and then take a look at their products. Most of these well known meat producers offer money back guarantee so you can be sure that these people believe in their products.

When buying meat for barbecue, choose premium cuts.  The thigh, the back ribs and the belly are some of the parts that are good for barbecue. The thigh is especially good if you want to have thick juice meat that you can cook medium rare. On the other hand, the back ribs are really good especially if you want to nibble.

Is it Safe to Shop Online for BBQ Packages?

Although you may have heard a lot of ugly stories about being scammed while shopping online, not all websites are fraudulent. A lot of websites that are owned by well known companies give very good service to their clients.

Meat companies that sell their products online are especially known for giving good services to their clients. Many of these meat companies deliver your orders within 12-24 hours depending on your location so even if you are having your barbecue party within the next day, you can still place your order today and get your BBQ package in time for the party.

Tags: BBQ Packages

Cloves are definitely one of the most distinct herbs around but ironically enough, cloves have been around forever and are not finished doing business just yet. Usually if you can not get your hands on some cloves, Allspice can be a substitute. Cloves have some preservative properties to them but they work well as an antiseptic, expectorant, anesthetic, or an emmenogogue, working well on the kidneys, the spleen and the stomach.

Some make a combination of cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon, and marjoram for a hot tea that helps bronchitis, asthma, coughs, a tendency to infection, tuberculosis, altitude sickness, nervous stomach, nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, indigestion, dyspepsia, gastroenteritis, the side effects of lobelia, and depression. Sometimes people mix cloves with hot water, again making a tea and claim that it helps them get a good night’s sleep.

Cloves and ginger is a sure way to settle the stomach and stop vomiting. If you combine equal parts of cloves and basil it is supposed to detox meals from the body. Cloves have been used for failing eyesight and tooth problems. It was used for earaches very often throughout history as putting a little warmed oil of clove on a piece of cotton and in your ear was certain to rid any earache. Mostly, cloves are known for being warm and spicy but also have a strong relationship with pain relief, easing nausea and vomiting, and improving digestion. Cloves also kill intestinal parasites and act as an antimicrobial agent against fungi and bacteria. It has also been suggested that cloves have antihistamine properties as well.

Do not be too quick to pass off the possibilities of cloves and aromatherapy as the two have a very strong bond between them. Since cloves have such a positive and stimulating effect on the mind they pair up great with other oils for aromatherapy purposes. In the 16th and 17th centuries cloves were worth their weight in gold however it is the clove oil that is most essential. In Indonesia many people smoke clove cigarettes and that did spill over into the United States for a while but lost most of its vigor when it was found that clove cigarettes could cause adult respiratory distress syndrome.

The word clove comes from the Latin word “clavus” which means nail. If you have ever looked at a clove you will notice that it does resemble a nail. Many people use whole cloves when they cook ham by sticking the spiky part around the outer edges of the ham for extra flavor. Indian curries can not do without cloves but it is also used in pickles, sauces, Worcestershire sauce, and even spice cakes that are baked from scratch.

Throughout history cloves has never been forgotten but has lost some of its popularity. Some still use it as a spice and some for minor dentistry and even still more for the purpose of aromatherapy. People still look at cloves as an “old fashioned” herb. For some families it has been passed down through generations and in the pantry still sits a jar of whole cloves for that special ham dinner.

Tags: Cloves