Easy, Cheesy Snack or Appetizer

A easy, quick snack or appetizer that will make you smile.

I’m all about quick appetizers. You need to have some go-to recipes for entertaining. It’s hard enough to prepare a dinner, but then you need to have something for the guests to munch on when they arrive??? Or, maybe you just need something to snack on during the big football game. Why open a bag of chips when you can have something so much more tasty as a snack? You really don’t need to spend a lot of time, you just need to have a little creativity. Well, here’s your solution. This appetizer or snack can be prepared in 5 minutes. This concoction is quick, easy, and full on taste.

Prep Time: 5 min

INGREDIENTS:

• DeLallo Dipping Seasoning Spices
• Iliada Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 Loaf Fresh French Bread
• 1 Brie Cheese

DIRECTIONS:

• Add olive oil and balsamic vinegar into Olive Oil Dipping Bowls at ratio of 3/4 olive oil, 1/4 vinegar.
• Sprinkle oil and vinegar with dipping spices.
• Cut bread 1/2 inch slices.
• Arrange bread, cheese, oil and vinegar on a serving platter.
• Serve.

Products mentioned in this article:

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Photo Worthy Food – Cranberry Nut Bread

Cranberry nut bread, as prepared by Carole D.

We have a new Photo-Worthy Food submitter today.  Carole D. from West Leechburg, PA, submits to us Cranberry Nut Bread.  Wow, it sure does look delicious.  That is a very nice presentation as well.  I sure like the idea of putting the garland around the plate.  It really spices up the presentation.   If this plate doesn’t get you in the mood for the holidays, I’m not sure what will.  Thanks for the submission, Carole, and keep ’em coming!!!

Have you had a great meal that you want to share with everyone? Maybe you prepared it yourself, or you enjoyed a great meal at a restaurant. If so, we’d love to see it and post it on our website. So, please take a picture and submit it to us at triplogitalian@yahoo.com. Please include your first name, location, what it is, and why you took the picture. If you have a website, please include the web address; and we will be sure to mention it.

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Olive Oil Review: The Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Iliada Extra Virgin Olive Oil, best in taste.

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute recently held an olive oil tasting competition.  The winner of the tasting was Iliada Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Greece.  The Good Housekeeping Research Institute says, “It was a big hit with the tasters, the fresh, grassy aroma of this moderately priced Greek import was echoed in its clean, green flavor.  This peppery oil burns a little on the way down, making it hard to ignore those good-for-you polyphenols.”

Now, for the good news, this decorated extra virgin olive oil is very moderately priced.  I bet you didn’t know that it can be purchased from Amazon.  Three, 17 0z bottles go for $32.  You can also buy 101 oz for the very low price $39.  Why not treat yourself to an excellent olive oil for the holidays.  I’m sure it would take some of your recipes up a notch or two.  Just imagine dipping some fresh bread in it with a little balsamic vinegar and some grated romano cheese….

To read the full article please click the following link:  http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/food-products/best-olive-oil/iliada-extra-virgin-olive-oil

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What’s the best knife? Ceramic vs. Stainless Steel Knives

Ceramic vs Stainless steel knives, both have advantages and disadvantages. Photo courtesy of Amazon.com.

You want to buy some knives, however there are so many choices. Should you buy ceramic knives or stainless steel ? There are so many different brands as well. Where do you even start? Most people have no idea which way to go, so they just suffer with the same old knives that they have always used.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. The knife is the single most important item in the kitchen. Once you properly know how to use a knife, cooking becomes a lot easier. But before you can use it, you have to buy one. I know…I know, I am master of the obvious.

Let’s start by discussing the main differences between the two. Quite simply it is the materials. Ceramic knives are created often by dry pressing zirconia powder and firing at very high temperatures (1000 degrees). The resultant blade is then sharpened by grinding it on a diamond wheel. The result is a very hard edge that rarely necessitates sharpening. As for a stainless steel blade, they are made from alloys. Typical metals found in the alloys are carbon, iron, and chromium. The stainless steel prevents the knife from rusting away.

CERAMIC KNIVES PROS:

• Ceramic knives for all intents and purposes are sharper than steel knives.
• Extremely strong composition which allows for the sharp edge.
• Excellent for slicing vegetables, such as tomatoes, and boneless meat.
• Ceramic knives are non-porous and impervious to corrosive items, such as acids, and salts.
• Won’t have to sharpen very often as the blade won’t dull easily.
• They are almost impossible to stain.

CERAMIC KNIVES CONS:

• Their strength is their weakness. As a matter of fact, they can be brittle. Take care when dishwashing or storing as they can chip very easy.
• Very difficult to sharpen yourself. Probably will have to do professionally.
• Because of the brittleness, not recommended to press garlic or cut through bones or meat. As a matter of fact, Kyocera website says “avoid: carving, prying, and boning.”

STAINLESS STEEL PROS:

• Knives are very versatile, no restrictions.
• Knives can be professional sharpened (unless you really know how to do this) to get a very sharp edge.
• Can press garlic and cut though bones.
• Stain resistant, not quite at the same level as ceramic, but I have never had a problem.
• Able to wash in the dishwasher without breaking.

STAINLESS STEEL CONS:

• May require frequent sharpening.
• Stainless steel is porous and can harbor bacteria and odors.
• Blade unlikely to be as sharp as a ceramic knife.

CONCLUSION: There is no doubt that ceramic knives are significantly better than stainless steel knives in numerous situations. However, it comes with some limitations. When it comes to slicing items such as tomatoes and boneless meats, a ceramic knife is superior. But, the brittleness prevents the knives from being everyday knives. My advice is to buy a stainless steel knives set as your everyday knives. If you are budget conscious, stop there. If you still have a few extra dollars, or someone else wants to spoil you, add a two piece ceramic set to supplement the steel knives.

Below are pictures and links to a very nice stainless steel set from Chicago Cutlery and a two piece ceramic set from Kyocera, the first to sell ceramic knives in the US. Both are sold through amazon.com. So if you are in need of some new knives, feel free to head over to Amazon and check things out. I would highly recommend each of these for purchase.

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Photo Worthy Food – Thanksgiving Leftovers

What to do with Thanksgiving leftovers? Make a turkey sandwich.

This edition of Photo Worthy Food comes from Dr. Dino in Sarver, PA.  Dr. Dino has become a regular contributor.  Thanks Doc.  The Doctor says, “Sure, you can now get one of these at Denny’s, but I’ve been making these for decades.  Everyone used to think I was crazy, now they are begging for me to make them a sandwich.”  I have to say it looks pretty darn good.  To make, simply  layer all of your leftovers, turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, and don’t forget to top with the cranberry sauce.  Use whatever you have leftover.  I would add one thing, be sure to use some high quality, fresh bread.  Bread makes or breaks the sandwich.  You can’t have a great sandwich without fresh bread.  Thanks Dino, great submission.

Have you had a great meal that you want to share with everyone? Maybe you prepared it yourself, or you enjoyed a great meal at a restaurant. If so, we’d love to see it and post it on our website. So, please take a picture and submit it to us at triplogitalian@yahoo.com. Please include your first name, location, what it is, and why you took the picture. If you have a website, please include the web address; and we will be sure to mention it.

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