The Perfect Brazilian BBQ Steak

BY Chef.FoodTwitter

2014-04-15

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Not long ago I visited Brazilian "Churrasco"­ Steakhouse and I loved  this Steakhouse and I decided to learn a bit how to make one!



So, what kind of steaks they had on the menu:

• Filet Wrapped in Bacon (Faixa Enrolado con Bacon)
• Prime Rib (Alcatra) - A Gauchos favorite!
• Flank Steak (Fraldinha)
• Short ribs (Costela)
• Sirloin (Picanha))
• Lamb (Cordero)
• Chicken (Frango)
• Chicken Wrapped in Bacon (Frango Enrolado con Bacon)
• Sausage (Lingüiça)
• Pork Loin (Lombo de Porco)
• Pork Ribs (Costela de Porco)
• Chicken Hearts (Coração de Frango)

Here is some pictures worth to show, then talk about them:
 
Also, these expertly-grilled meats served with the ubiquitous condiment known as chimichurri. In this simple yet boldly flavored recipe

Let's start with simple sirloin steak:
The ingredients required:

• 5 jalapeno peppers
• 2 teaspoons kosher or flake salt
• 2 white onions, chopped
• 9-10 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 (1/2 pound sirloin steaks, 1 1/2 inches thick)
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 3 limes)
• 1/3 cup dry red wine
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup chopped Italian parsley

How is it made:
The main thing is obviously the marinade that we are going to use:

• Combine the jalapenos, 1 teaspoon of the salt, half the onions, and half of the garlic in a blender and process until it turns into a pasta. You’ll have about 1/2 cup. Refrigerate!
• Place the steaks in a large dish. Mince the remaining onion and garlic. In a bowl, whisk together the lime juice, wine, minced onion, garlic, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and the pepper. Pour the marinade over the steaks, turning to coat each steak evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 5 hours.
• Preheat a charcoal or gas grill to 450ºF. Make sure the grill rack is clean and oil it thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray.
• Remove the marinade sauce from the refrigerator and set aside to bring to room temperature.
• Remove the steaks from the marinade and wipe off the excess. 
• Completely cover with salt.  Rock salt (usually for sale in grocery stores near the homemade ice-cream mixes) works best.
• Transfer the steaks to the grill over direct heat, and cook for five to six minutes per side.
• Place steaks on a heated platter, cover with foil, let stand for five minutes. Volah!

Tips How To Make Steak More Tender     
    Let the steak rest for 10-15 minutes after coming off the grill to help redistribute the juices before cutting.
    Most importantly, slice the steak against the grain which helps release the long fibers.
Enjoy your perfect, tender steak!
Similar recipes from FoodTwitter:
1. Sirloin Steak with Garlic Butter Recipe 
2. Flank Steak
3. Savory garlic marinated steak

Tags: bbq recipes , bbq sauce recipe , bbq ribs recipe , bbq marinade , barbecue , brazillian barbecue , brazillian steaks ,
Categories: pizza mania , BBQ , CHICKEN , BEEF , EASY RECIPES , Dessert ,

Original Roman Spaghetti alla Carbonara and all about Carbonara Pasta Recipe Sauce

BY Chef.FoodTwitter

2014-04-15

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The carbonara evolved from classic Roman dish called la greicia – pasta served with cured pork cheek and pecorino cheese. This dish is very popular in Rome and even had fans among the ecclesiasts is spaghetti alla carbonara.



I tend to always order carbonara at Italian restaurants because it is by far my favorite pasta, and here is the secret from the chef
Ingredients:
   1.  1 pound of imported dried spaghetti or bucatini(a thick spaghetti-like pasta with a hole running through the center)
   2.  8 ounces guanciale - it is a cured meat product prepared from pork jowl or cheeks or
           pancetta — Italian bacon made of pork belly meat that is salt cured and spiced with black pepper
   3.  1 clove of fresh garlic
   4.  2 medium eggs (organic)
   5. 100 grams mixed Parmigiano and pecorino Romano – grated
   6. extra-virgin olive oil
   7. salt and pepper


   NO CREAM!!

1. Fry the guanciale in a pan along with the peeled garlic in olive oil, until the guanciale is well colored. Remove the garlic.
2. Beat the eggs in a bowl with a little of the cheese and a bit of salt.

1. Cook the pasta, drain and add to the pan with the guanciale.
2. Lower the heat to a minimum and add the egg and cheese mixture. Mix all very well, but gently.  If the dish is a little dry, add some aerated add a touch of aqua gassata (carbonated mineral water) or even better if from pasta cooked water(this is the secret to render the egg mixture creamy. Just beat it through the egg mixture and you’ll notice the difference!) . Remove from the heat and add the rest of the cheese. The mixture is stirred vigorously over the heat and served immediately!

More Carbonara recipes from foodtwitter
http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/3406/quick-pasta-carbonara

http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/14375/rock-and-roll-spaghetti-carbonara
http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/15871/to-die-for-spaghetti-carbonara-by-tom-cruise
http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/15871/to-die-for-spaghetti-carbonara-by-tom-cruise

Tags: carbonara , spaghetti carbonara , pasta carbonara , zucchini pasta , pasta puttanesca , quinoa pasta , carbonara sauce ,
Categories: PASTA , Carbonara ,

Yummy Healthy Snacks

BY Chef.FoodTwitter

2014-04-15

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Eating healthy is an important part of leading a balanced and productive life, but is there any yummy and healthy snacks? Are there  many alternatives to chips, candy bars and cookies that are just as delicious, but a lot healthier. The Answer is YES! There are tons of healthy and yummy snacks.

1. Lets start with Vegan Snacks:
Abba Zabba, Airheads Taffy, Amy’s Spicy Chili, Anna’s Almond Cinnamon Thins, Whole Foods Dark Chocolate
Whole Foods Dark Chocolate with Almonds, Whole Foods Deli crackers,Whole Foods Rosemary crackers,
Whole Foods Sourdough crackers, Whole Foods Sunflower Kernels (raw),Whole Foods Sunflower Kernels (roasted & salted), Whole Foods Vanilla Twist cookies, Whole Foods Vegetable crackers, Whole Foods Veggie Chips

 Did you know that you can purchase a wide selection of dried fruits just by simply looking for an online store that sells healthy snacks?
2. Yogurt, fruits, vegetables, granola bars and of course, whole grains.


Vegetable cuts are excellent source of vitamins!



Yogurts

Fruits are the best snacks and you still won't lose your appetite for lunch.



Granola Bars are the king of snacks!

AWESOME is not it?

3. Pretzels, Ritz crackers, Wheat Thins, Graham crackers, Teddy Grahams




4. Cereal bars

5. The least but not last, the best snack, the one that you make yourself.
Here is my favorite snack recipe
Raisins Trail Bars
Required Ingredients: 1/4 cup butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup all purpose flour, 1/3 cup whole wheat flour, 2 eggs, beaten,1 cup almonds, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup flaked coconut, 1/2 cup raisins

Take butter in a mixing bowl and beat well. Add brown sugar and mix till it turns fluffy. Next add oats, flours, wheat germ and stir all. Take a baking pan and pour the mixture in it. Bake it in 300 degrees for 15 minutes. Beat the eggs with brown sugar, add coconut, raisins and almonds and spread over the baked layer. Bake this all for another 15 minutes. Cut it into pieces you like.

Oats
Oat is the best! Why? It lowers cholesterol levels, prevents heart failure, stabilizes blood sugar and enhances immune system.  Also, oats and other whole grains lower type 2 diabetes risks.

Wheat
Wheat is a good source of iron, magnesium and zinc. Wheat grain is good for skin, hair and nails and has anti aging properties.

Almonds
Almonds are considered as kings of nuts!
They are excellent source to keep your heart healthy,  maintain your weight. 
They reduce heart attack risk.  Almonds help build strong bones and teeth. They lower ‘bad’ cholesterol.
They help provide good brain function.  Did you know that almonds are stone fruits related to cherries and peaches?

More Healthy Recipes:
http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/833/healthy-banana-cookies
http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/index?keys=healthy+snacks
http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/1374/gobble-up-granola-snacks
http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/5860/healthy-garden-salad
http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/2742/jalapeno-snacks

Healthy Hummus


http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/11746/super-healthy-hummus
http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/12781/healthy-honey-oatmeal-cookies

Tags: healthy snacks , yummy healthy snacks ,
Categories: HEALTHY BREAKFAST , HEALTHY SNACKS , Dessert ,

Authentic Baklava & How to Make Easy Baklava

BY Chef.FoodTwitter

2014-04-17

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The baklava is fabulous even with a basic honey syrup; no need for cocoa nibs and cinnamon. All it needs is a bit of love to put on it.
There are many kinds of baklava recipes! Like chocolate baklava recipe, baklava cheesecake recipe, recipes baklava, persian baklava recipe,  homemade baklava recipe

Some pics of it different Baklava!
Turkish way!


looks very nice!

this is the original classic baklava!

But, as you already already guessed the Greek one is the authentic!

As a side note, the original recipe called for hazelnuts, but, my grocer was actually out of hazelnuts in bulk. So, I improvised with using different amounts of the other nuts (play around with this on your own, if you like) I figured since I had spent more than usual on ingredients, I was committed.  And so I began.

And you know what?  It came out as perfect baklava I ever tried!

Here is mine!!!
Enjoy!


I have long loved baklava, so I was thrilled when I eventually was able to perfect my skills!
Here is my easy and sexy looking Greek Baklava recipe with honey syrup and nuts

    1. Filo pastry 450 g
    2. Butter 150 g, melted
    3. Walnuts 300 g
    4. Almonds 200 g
    5. Pistachios 200 g
    6. Egg white 2 each
    7. Honey 70 ml
    8. Cinnamon 2.5 g, ground(optional)
    9. Rose water 15 ml
    10. Sugar 250 g
    11. Lemon 60 ml, juice

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Separate the sheets of pastry, cut to fit the baking tin and cover with a damp cloth.
• The filling: In a food processor, combine the nuts, cinnamon, allspice, and salt; pulse until finely chopped (don't over chop!). Transfer the nut mixture to a bowl and set aside.
• Whisk the egg whites until stiff and mix in the honey, nuts, cinnamon and rose water.
• Brush the baking tin with butter and fill with alternate layers of pastry and nut mixture, brushing each sheet of pastry with butter.
• Finish with a sheet of pastry. Bake in a preheated oven (200°C/400°F with fan) for about 30 minutes.
• Baklava syrup while baklava is baking, combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Stir in honey, vanilla and lemon zest, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
• Remove from the heat, let cool slightly and stir in the lemon juice.
• Rewarm the syrup over medium heat. Cut through the scored lines of the pastry and pour the syrup over the warm pastry. Sprinkle with the ground pistachios. Cut into squares or rectangles to serve.
• Set aside to cool for 1 hour.

Here more baklava recipes from www.foodtwitter.com

http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/13418/baklava
http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/14694/greek-baklava
http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/41904/cheesecake-baklava
http://www.foodtwitter.com/home/details/110/baklava

Tags: Black Forest Cake , baklava , baklava recipe , easy baklava recipe , how to make easy baklava , perfect baklava , authentic baklava , traditional baklava recipe , baklava rolls recipe , what is baklava recipe , baklava syrup recipe ,