There is something truly special about receiving a homemade gift. Creating something from scratch carries a fantastic feeling when presenting it to someone. Taking time, something we all treasure, to make a special gift for any occasion shows how much you care. Choosing something off a shelf is too easy and superficial, there is something extra special about giving and receiving a handmade present. Shopping for presents can be difficult, especially when you aren’t sure what to buy. Head to the mall, and you will find tons of gift ideas to choose from, but if you want to show someone that you care, nothing beats homemade, especially if you make…
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Sabor Latin Street Grill Opens in Greenville
Sabor Latin Street Grill, a Charlotte-based restaurant, opened in Greenville this week. I used to wince when friends suggested going to any type of ethnic restaurant, – “if it ain’t American food, JoAnn won’t eat it,” they would say. However, I have learned to appreciate the culinary cultural differences, throughout the world. Inspired by traditional Latin-America street food, Sabor offers delicious, fresh food in a fast-paced environment, for those who want to experience an eclectic cuisine without a passport. Sabor’s Operation Patrons enter a vibrant, up-tempo restaurant and form a cue line, to place their order. Most menu items are á-la-carte, making it very easy to maintain portion control. A…
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10 Great Foodie Gifts for Under $35
Christmas is almost here! Are you scrambling to get everything you WANT done, done? Years ago, my husband and I agreed to not buy each other Christmas presents. Instead, if we want something, we discuss the financial feasibility, and if possible – we just get it when we want it. However, you may have a few people you are shopping for and if they like to cook – I have some great suggestions. Titan Peeler/Slicer I saw this tool demonstrated at a kitchen exposition several years ago. The ability to julienne vegetables is my favorite trick; for example squash or zucchini noodles. You can cut in any direction and they…
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5 Essential Cooking Skills Taught in Culinary School
Most home cooks wish we could afford culinary school. Not necessarily to get into the restaurant industry, but to “sharpen” our kitchen skills. Recently attending a cooking school function, I learned exactly what the syllabus of a culinary school includes. Here are 5 basic cooking skill elements taught in culinary school. I. Knife Skills for Cooking Knives are the most important tool in your kitchen. Using them properly and having proper technique will provide less risk of injury, faster prep times and better results in your cooking. When using a knife, watch the non-knife hand, keeping the food steady. The knife tip never leaves the cutting board surface. Use the…
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A Foodie Adventure in Salt Lake City
Despite suffering a broken right foot, just two days prior and a strong internal reluctance to shed my introvertedness, I flew to Salt Lake City, Utah and had an incredible foodie adventure, dining out and attending the Everything Food Conference. Because of my recent injury, I failed to plan a strict foodie itinerary; nevertheless, my husband and I found some excellent restaurants to recommend. Not only did I speak to strangers at the conference (a huge obstacle for me to overcome), I spoke to them about what I do for a living – write about food! Starting the Adventure was tough Reading about the 2018 Everything Food Conference last year,…
