Sugar Cookie Recipe

The special things about sugar cookies is the extra softness you get from each bite. The reason behind that are the ingredients which include; sugar and other sweeteners. All the categories of dry sugar (granulated, brown, powder or confectioners) are hygroscopic in nature, they have a strong attraction when mixed with water.

The basic advantage they provide is that they safeguard the structure builders (starch and proteins present in flour and egg) from moisture and water. So the end product results in sugar cookies having a shelf life longer than normal cookies; along with maintaining the same tenderness, softness and moistness as when you first baked them. Just think of the situation in which you reduce the amount of granulated sugar, the result will be a larger amount of water content in the sugar cookies. This in turn will make the cookies crunchy because the dough is stiffer and won't spread.

When considering the crunchiness or softness of the sugar cookie you might also consider that the finer the granules the better it will be to spread the cookies on the table.

Also, bear in mind that the confectionery sugar has more of cornstarch which also reduces the ability for you to spread the cookie dough around. If the sugar is added in proper proportion then it also stabilizes the whipped egg whites. This is because of the following:

• The procedure of spreading out and the collection of the egg proteins slows down.
• It protects the air bubbles from collapsing by creating thick viscous syrup.

Also it is always good to know the sources of the granulated sugar so that we are in a better position of fusing the correct constituents.

The source is generally the sugarcane or the sugar beets. Sucrose is the chemical name of granulated sugar. The common usage is in baking sugar cookies.

Confectionery sugar is mixture of cornstarch (3%) and granulated sugar. The finesse of the sugar ranges anywhere from 6x to 10x. Confectionery sugar cannot be used as a substitute of the granular sugar because of following reasons:

• The air bubbles cannot be trapped
• The sweetness is lesser

The cookies that are made from brown sugar will have a softer texture & a darker color. The difference arises during the baking process where the melting of sugar crystal takes place & it moves to the surface. It is there where the dark color is provided and it caramelizes for added flavor. Adding or blowing air can be done for creaming softened butter with sugar.

Top 10 Food And Recipe Iphone Apps

It seems most everyone has an iPhone these days, and with that come Itunes, where users can download music, movies, and television shows. One of my favorite features on iTunes, though, is the Applications page where you can find a number of apps dedicated to recipes and cooking. I actually had no idea such a thing existed until I was exploring the site one day and my inner chef found a new home. Read on to discover my top ten favorite recipe apps on iTunes. Try them for yourself to broaden your recipe collection!

1. Allrecipes.com Dinner Spinner - Recipes, Drinks, and More!
This free application features thousands of recipes and can be searched by ingredient, type of dish, or cooking time. If you're unsure what you are looking for you can have the app randomly generate a recipe for you. Each recipe is a top-rated recipe from allrecipes.com.

2. BigOven
Featuring 170,000 recipes, this free application allows users to search for recipes by name or ingredients. Users may also post their own favorite recipes on the BigOven website and later access them on their iPod or iPhone. This app also features the BigOven Food Dictionary that includes tips on a number of food related items.

3. Easy Chef Recipes (15,000+ Recipes)
This app costs .99, but for the simplicity and ease, it is worth it. Over 15,000 recipes that can be searched or randomly generated. The catagory menu is extremely specific and makes recipes that much easier to find and browse through.

4. Epicurious Recipes & Shopping List
This free app from Conde Nast features a plethora of recipes from Conde Nast's most popular magazines such as Bon Appetit and Self. Recipes can be viewed step-by-step and can be searched by name or ingredient. WIth this app you can also create shopping lists.

5. Recipes
This app by EBSolutions allows users to create and store their own recipes - the only app to do so. Cost is .99. Recipes are included with this app, but the main feature is to allow user to create and store their own.

6. Gluten-Free Recipes
This is a wonderful app for those searching for gluten-free recipes. Cost is .99. Though there is not a large amount of recipes here, they are so tasty and perfect for those wishing to prove gluten-free does not mean taste-free.

7. Veggie Lovers Recipes
For those looking to incorporate more vegetables into their diet, or those already practicing a vegetarian lifestyle, this app features meatless dishes. Cost is $ .99. Though there are only 15 recipes in this app, the are quiet unique and varied.

8. iFood Assistant by KRAFT
This is a must have app for anyone interested in food! Cost is $ .99. Featuring recipes, videos, tips on budget friendly meals, as well as where local grocery stores are located and ingredients to buy, this app makes every aspect of the cooking process easy as pie!

9. The Betty Crocker Mobile Cookbook
This free app features over 4,000 of Betty Crocker's best loved dishes. Can be searched easily by ingredient or users can type in an ingredient they have on hand and a recipe will be located that uses that ingredient.

10. Middle Eastern Recipes
This app features over 130 Middle Eastern recipes. Cost is $ .99. Also included are tips to help make your meal easier to prepare. Brighthouse Labs have quite a few apps on iTunes exclusive to different regions.

Dog Food Recipe

If you are looking for ways to better the quality of your dog's life, then you should perhaps consider writing up your own dog food recipe. These recipes can be for just about anything that you think that your dog will enjoy eating, and they can all contain great fresh ingredients for the overall health of your dog. Knowing what it takes to make a good recipe work, will be the first step in building a good library of recipes. When you have established a decent library of recipes, you will then be able to mix things up a bit.

Different Meals For Different Days

When it comes to a dog food recipe, it might not hurt to try and be adventurous once in a while. This means that you can make different meals for different days, and this will keep the dog interested in what you are serving them. There are many great ideas that can be used for dog food, and you will seldom find that the dog will refuse what is being served.

You can basically use what you plan on serving your own family for meals when you are going to create a good dog food at home, and this means that you can use some fantastic ingredients. With choice cuts of meat and fresh produce, you have the opportunity to make something your dog will surely love. Dogs are capable of eating pretty much what we eat, but it is important to note that there are some exceptions to this rule. It is always a good idea to speak with your vet prior to making something.

Avoid Fruits

It might not be a bad idea to avoid fruits in your dog food recipe, as you simply do not know exactly how the dog is going to react to the fruit. It is well known that grapes are something that a dog should not have, as it can put them in renal failure.

This is because they are considered toxic for dogs, and can introduce symptoms such as: vomiting, diarrhea, and shaking. This is something that can be avoided however, by simply sticking with vegetables where the recipe is concerned. With beans, carrots, and other vegetables as the centerpiece for the recipe you can be sure that it will be healthy. Finding the right meat to include is nothing more than looking for small quality cuts that are inexpensive yet fresh.

Do It For Your Dog

Many people choose to make their own dog food recipe so they can save money, you really should consider this as a way to do your dog a big favor. There are many health benefits that can be attributed to homemade food, as everything that is included will be fresh and by product free. This is the best way to ensure that your dog is getting the best food possible, and you will not have to wonder what it is that they are eating.

Low Fat Apricot Angel Food Cake Recipe

What could be better for dessert than something that is tangy, tasty, light, and only contains a trace of fat per serving? Sound impossible? Of course not! Give this delicious Apricot Angel Cake a try today!

APRICOT ANGEL FOOD CAKE
1 1/2 cups egg whites (apprx 10)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup apricot preserves
2 tbsp water

Place egg whites in a large mixing bowl and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sift flour and 1/2 cup of the sugar together twice; set aside.

Add the cream of tartar, almond extract, vanilla extract, and salt to the egg whites. Beat mixture on medium speed of electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

Gradually add the remaining sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is completely dissolved. Gradually fold in the flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time.

In a small mixing bowl, beat the apricot preserves and water until frothy. Gently fold this into the egg white mixture. Gently spoon the mixture into a non greased 10-inch tube pan. Cut through the batter with a knife to remove air pockets then place in the 350 degree oven. Bake 50 to 60 minutes on the lowest oven rack or until the cake is lightly browned and the top appears dry. Immediately invert pan and cool completely. This will take about an hour. Run a knife around the sides and center tube of the pan to loosen the cake. Remove cake to your serving plate. Frost, serve with fruit, glaze, or finish off to suit yourself.

Serves 12

Health Benefits Of Food Recipe Articles

Health Benefits of Food Recipe Articles

The ancient seed of Quinoa is so versatile and such an important source of nutrients that it has been referred to as the "gold" of the Incas.Visit Here http://bbc-food-network.blogspot.com

 It is known to increase stamina, a useful aid in days gone by when "warriors" needed every bit of advantage they could get when their "people" were under attack.

However, such is the structure of Quinoa, it has the benefit of being a natural and complete protein. This means that it has all the amino acids like acid lysine which is very important for the repair and growth of body tissue. As shown below, it is known to be beneficial to the body in a number of ways - nature's natural remedy.

Migraines and hypertension

Riboflavin and magnesium are the natural aids in Quinoa for bad headaches.

They are known to help relax the blood vessels, which reduces constriction and so eases tension. Basically they help the body to function better which in turn eases the stress the body experiences when circumstances make it over work. While no one claims it makes headaches go away, it can help and is known to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.

Childhood Asthma

Many allergies are connected with grass seeds but Quinoa is not a grass. It is a plant but is not known to produce serious allergic reactions in people. Asthma is the result of breathing difficulties that are made worse by tension. It is known to have triggers and often there is a family history of asthma. It is known to have got worse over the years and many experts point to our modern living conditions as making it more prevalent.

While not all asthma attacks are caused by allergies which may or may not be avoidable, it is known that Quinoa helps to reduce body stress and helps to keep the airways open. It is recommended that children with asthma eat a whole food diet. Many of the nutrients that we need are in Quinoa such as Magnesium which naturally helps to reduce spasms in the bronchial tubes. We know that many asthma sufferers are short of vitamin b, minerals like magnesium, zinc and iron all of which can be found in Quinoa. Why not check out some of the recipes and see which ones are easiest to include in your child's diet.

Gallstones

This is another surprising area where Quinoa is known to be useful. It may not get rid of gallstones but it can help protect their development. Indeed this is another case where a wholesome diet rich in fiber can aid in the digestion of foodstuffs. As it is a soluble fiber it speeds through the intestines and reduces the need of increased bile production. Too much bile production helps to develop gallstones so this is another natural remedy for our bodies.

Type 2 Diabetes

Quinoa is rich in magnesium which is a mineral that is essential in the body's ability to deal with glucose and insulin. Yet again there is evidence that Quinoa, as part of a whole food diets aids in the digestion of foods. It is also known to increase Insulin sensitivity while reducing triglycerides (blood fats which need to be kept low in diabetics).

Heart Disease

Quinoa is known to prevent the clogging of arteries and veins which in turn helps to relieve stresses on the heart. The fat in Quinoa is good fat in that is low in cholesterol and can help reduce blood pressure thanks to the presence of potassium and magnesium. In other words it is a good source of protein without the drawbacks of too much saturated fat and cholesterol.

Pregnant Mums

Quinoa is known to be an endurance food which gives energy. It is also known to be a good source of Iron which pregnant mums are always advised to increase in their diet. It is good for tissue repair and development of teeth and bones. Along with the other benefits of Quinoa, it is a useful source of goodness that forming babies will demand in plenty as they grow. It is also good for Mums when they are feeding as it will improve the quality of milk for new-born infants.Visit Here http://bbc-food-network.blogspot.com