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Recipes Archives

Limoncello Recipe

LimoncelloMy mother was Italian so I have a bit of an affinity with all things Italian and this includes drinking Limoncello.

For those that don’t know, Limoncello is a liqueur with the main ingredient being lemons. It has a sweet lemon taste but with a typical alcoholic aftertaste since this is after all an alcoholic drink.

In the past, we had always bought it ready made from our local bottle shop but eventually found a recipe for it so we now make it at home on a regular basis. There is always a bottle of Limoncello in the house ready for drinking.

The actual recipe itself is quite simple but it does take a couple of months for it to brew so you won’t be able to drink it straight away….well you can if you like, but it really won’t be anywhere near as good as it doesn’t allow for the lemons to release their wonderful flavor.

Once ready, you then store it in the freezer but you don’t have to worry about it freezing. It stays completely liquid but comes out nice and icy cold ready for drinking.

We originally got this recipe at Italyum so you can head over there if you need clarification of the recipe below.

Limoncello

Ingredients

  • 1 litre of Vodka
  • 10 unwaxed lemons
  • 350g sugar
  • 150ml water

Instructions

  1. Wash the lemons well in water.  Then dry well with paper towels.
  2. In a saucepan over low heat, stir the sugar and the water to make a syrup.
  3. When the syrup becomes a little clearer and it looks like the sugar has been dissolved, remove from the stove top to cool.
  4. Slice or peel the skin from the lemons. You want to end up with small pieces. Ensure you take the yellow rind only.
  5. Place the rind in a large glass jar.
  6. Pour in the vodka.
  7. Add the sugar syrup. Ensure the syrup has cooled before adding.
  8. Seal the jar and store in a cool dark spot for at least 30 days.
  9. You will need to mix the ingredients on a regular basis by turning the jar back and forward to stir the ingredients. We do it maybe once a week…if we remember.
  10. After the 30 days transfer the liquid to a bottle. You will need a funnel and some sort of strainer to ensure you don’t transfer any of the lemon rind into the bottle.
  11. Store in your freezer and when cold you are ready to drink.

Enjoy!

Make the sugar syrup Peel the lemons Add the lemon rind to the bowl Add the vodka to the lemon rind in the jar Add the sugar syrup to the bowl Seal the jar and store in a cool dry place

 

Health Benefits of Cinnamon and Honey

NOTE:
The owners of this website do not take responsibility for the claims quoted in the article. However, as both products are natural there is little likelihood of anyone suffering any side effects unless they are allergic to either product.

cinnamon-powderHere are probably some little known facts about Honey and Cinnamon.

A mixture of honey and cinnamon can relieve a number of ailments, and as honey is  produced in most of the countries of the world that means that a large percentage of the population can have access to this inexpensive medicinal product.

Modern Scientists accept that Honey is a very effective medicine  that can be used without any side effects for all kinds of ailments.

A Canadian magazine, The Weekly World News, provided a list of ailments that can be aided by taking honey and cinnamon,  in its issue dated 17 January,1995.

HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, spread on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast.

The honey and cinnamon reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and may protect people from having a heart attack. And for anyone who has already had an attack, by following this practice, they may be less likely to have another attack in the near future.

Regular use of the honey and cinnamon paste on bread relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. With age the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and become clogged, honey and cinnamon revitalizes the arteries and veins. In America and Canada, some nursing homes treated patients successfully using this procedure.

ARTHRITIS:
To relieve arthritis take one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder daily, morning, and night.

If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.

Recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University on 200 patients who were given a mixture of one tablespoon honey mixed with a half teaspoon cinnamon powder before breakfast each day showed that within a week, 73 of those patients were totally relieved of pain. And within a month, almost all the patients who previously could not walk or move around because of their arthritis started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder and relieves the symptoms.

CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of cinnamon powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a patient with high cholesterol , was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours.

As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information reported in The World Weekly News, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This  will cure most chronic coughs, colds, and clear the sinuses. (Only-Cookware: This one I tried and it did work).

UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks.

Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral Diseases.

INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ‘ Ingredient’ which kills influenza germs and relieves patients from nasty flu symptoms.

LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age.

Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day.

It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increases and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old. (Only-cookware: Well I’m not too sure about the claim of a 100 year old doing the work of a 20 year old).

PIMPLES:
Make a paste using three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply this paste on the pimples before going to sleep at night and wash it off the next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:
Mix up a potion of honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts and apply on the affected parts to cure eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:
On a daily basis, both in the morning, a half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water.

If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person.  Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet. (Only-Cookware: This is definitely on the list of things to try)

FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey helpful to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible.

Research undertaken by Dr. Milton, shows that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder taken daily, after brushing  in the morning and again in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

BAD BREATH:
People of South America, first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restore hearing.

Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon spread on it. Hmm delicious.

Well there you have it. As I said at the beginning, honey and cinnamon may not turn out to be a cure all but its healthy, tasty and most of all natural.

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The Best Homemade Lemonade Recipe Ever

The Best Homemade Lemonade RecipeThis is the best homemade lemonade recipe ever…well at least I think it is.

This is such an easy recipe but makes a really good homemade lemonade…and I mean really good.

This is what I would call a grown-ups lemonade because although it is non-alcoholic, it kind of tastes like an alcoholic drink. UPDATE (6 Jan 2008): Check the first comment below regarding the possibility that this may be alcoholic…. in other words if you have a concern then keep this drink away from the kiddies.

We found this recipe originally on the Instructables.com website but unfortunately it is no longer available there so unfortunately we can’t give credit to anyone for it.

The only tricky bit with this recipe is ensuring that the yeast gets frothy as without it you won’t get the fizzy effect of the lemonade. It will still taste good though.

The Best Lemonade Ever
UPDATE (6 Jan 2008): Check the first comment below regarding the possibility that this may be alcoholic…. in other words if you have a concern then keep this drink away from the kiddies.

  • 3 lemons
  • 500g sugar
  • extra tablespoon sugar
  • 8 grams yeast
  • raisins
  • 3 litres of boiled water
  1. Dissolve sugar in water.
  2. Peel the rind of the lemons and then remove the pith. Keep the rind and toss the pith.
  3. Slice the lemons.
  4. Add the rind and the lemon slices to the sugar syrup.
  5. Mix a tablespoon of sugar with the yeast into approximately 100ml of warm water.
  6. Wait until the yeast has gone frothy.
  7. Add the yeast mix to the syrup and stir in.
  8. Cover with a clean dish cloth and a tight fitting lid and leave for approximately 24 hours.
  9. Strain the mixture squeezing any extra juice out of the lemons as you go.
  10. Pour the strained liquid into plastic soda bottles (it should fill approximately 2 standard size bottles).
  11. Add 5 raisins to each bottle and cap.
  12. Refrigerate until cold. Preferably leave overnight before drinking.

Note that in the images below we have used a saucepan to make the lemonade. This is because it is the best pot in the house to make it but you can use anything as long as it seals nicely for when you leave it overnight.

Also it looks as though we are cooking the lemonade as we are working over a stove top but that just happens to be the most convenient spot to make the lemonade.

Peel the lemons and remove the pith Add the peeled lemons and skin to the sugar syrup. The yeast should be frothy. Pour the yeast mixture into the lemon and syrup mixture. Cover the mixture with a dish cloth and a tight lid. Strain the mixture into bottles and chill.

Recipe: Mint Chutney

Mint ChutneyRight out the front of my house I have a patch of mint growing.  Actually it grows like a weed so I have plenty of it.  Anyone who grows mint knows that it can take over the garden if you’re not careful. But fortunately it is in a patch of dirt separated from anything else so it can only grow so far.

So because I have tons of the stuff I went looking for a recipe that could use up at least some of it. Our main use is for our larb dish which we have at least once a week but I needed to get rid of a lot more than that.

One of the first recipes I came across was a recipe for Mint Chutney which I found on the Allrecipes website. It seemed perfect since it involved using lots of mint. So the cook in the house ended up giving it a go.

The result was just superb with a beautiful flavored puree. We adjusted the recipe a little so our version is below but if you want the original recipe you can head over to the AllRecipes website.

Mint Chutney

  • 1 bunch of cilantro/coriander
  • 20-30g fresh mint leaves
  • 1 green chile pepper
  • 3 g salt
  • 1 medium onion cut into chunks
  • 1 tsp tamarind puree
  • enough water to make a thickish paste

In a food processor, combine all the ingredients except the water. Process into a thick puree adding a little water at a time until this is achieved.

Enjoy!

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How to Shop at a French Food Market

French Food MarketOne of the secrets behind the culinary prowess of French cooks is the incredible freshness of the ingredients used to make their dishes.

If you are planning to visit France, you can partake in one of the vital steps used to create the very best meals by visiting a marchés (market), where fruits, meats, and vegetables are sold fresh from the country, and at prices far lower than the ultra-processed offerings at the local supermarkets. Here are some tips on how to shop at a food market in France.

1. Check the Opening Times

Most food markets in France are open only on certain days, so don’t head out without checking the schedule. Also consider the fact that the food markets often attract a large number of people with the same idea that you have. If you want to avoid busy crowds, skip the weekend markets and do your shopping during the week instead.

2. Visit the Marchés Early

If you want to have your pick of the best produce available, don’t plan on sleeping in. It’s highly likely that the wares will be picked over or completely gone by afternoon, especially if you’re looking for some of the more exotic offerings. Head out early for the best deals and the freshest produce.

3. Let the Sights and Aromas of the Market Inspire You

If you head to a French food market with a strict list of what you want to buy, you could be cheating yourself out of some amazing experiences. It’s far better to go with nothing more stringent than a general idea of the kinds of foods you’d like to make, and let the ever-changing offerings at the market decide your menu. Immerse yourself in the sights, colors, and aromas of a French food market, and let your taste buds guide you to what you want to buy.

4. Keep Your Eyes Open for Seasonal Wares

There’s no point in taking the time to go to a French food market just to buy forced or preserved produce. The freshest, best-tasting ingredients that you can get will be the ones that are freshly in season – and foods in season will also offer the best deals. You might want to get an idea of which foods are in season before you leave for the market.

5. Familiarize Yourself with Common Phrases

If you don’t know the language, arm yourself with a French guide book and learn at least a few of the phrases you’re likely to need. Some important terms include “biologique” (organic), “soldes” (sale), and “promotion” (special offer).

Dairy products, jams and jellies made by hand, fresh breads and cheeses, and patisserie are just a few of the enticing wares that you can find at a French food market. The next time you are in the country, make sure that you make the time to partake in shopping like the locals do, and enjoy the freshest flavors that France has to offer.

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