Pink Wusthof Paring Knife - for a Great Cause

The Wusthof collection of knives is OUR top pick for an outstanding, quality line of knives (Wusthof knives are still made in Germany). Pure and simple, when it comes to knives, you truly do get what you pay for!!

No Chef's kitchen is ever complete without a quality paring knife, so throw away that dollar store special and replace it with a Wusthof paring knife - perfect for precision peeling and slicing. As an added incentive, when you outfit your kitchen now with a great Wusthof knife, make sure it is a PINK Wusthof knife and Wusthof will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. A win-win situation for everyone - you own a top of the line pink Wusthof paring knife, and have the great feeling of knowing you have also helped to give something back to a worthwhile cause.

Don't compromise on the quality of your knives!! Wusthof all the way!!!

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Bailey's Godiva Chocolate Martini Recipe

A chocolate martini sounds great, doesn't it? Make that a Godiva Chocoate Martini, and it sounds yummy enough to eat. Now kick that up a notch, and make it a Bailey's Godiva Chocolate Martini, and NOW we're talking downright decadent!!! (but not too many of these, otherwise you won't be talking at all - this drink is all alcohol!)

I just couldn't resist sharing this fabulous recipe with you - just don't substitute any other chocolate flavored liqueur for the Godiva liqueurs as they are the key to the taste, and well worth the additonal cost.

So skip the cake and serve the ultimate dessert martini with the Bailey's Godiva Chocolate Martini recipe below and you will be the King or Queen of the Amateur Chef scene!!

Bailey's Godiva Chocolate Martini Recipe

1/2 oz Godiva chocolate liqueur
1/2 oz Godiva white chocolate liqueur
1/2 oz vanilla vodka
1/2 oz Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur
1/2 oz Kahula coffee liqueur

Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass and serve. If desired, drizzle chocolate syrup into glass before pouring martini.Enjoy!!

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Le Creuset - the Porche of Cookware!

Le Creuset (not le Crueset, as it is too often misspelled) Cookware is the Porche of all cookware!!! Le Creuset hails from France, and is the world's leading manufacturer of cast iron cookware. Each product is cast in its own sand mold which is then broken after casting, making each item unique. If you can afford to splurge on only one item for your kitchen, make it a Le Creuset dutch oven. Don’t compromise - the imitation companies just don’t stack up against the genuine thing!!

Great deals can often be found at a Le Creuset outlet store specializing in discontinued pieces and seconds. If you aren’t fixated on having the latest style of Le Creuset, you can also find good prices online (check out the 3 quart or 2 quart discontinued colors le Creuset dutch oven options). For a wide range of new Le Creuset products, click on the link for Kitchen University on our page.

Each piece from the Le Creuset line is designed for use with all styles of cooking and types of cooking appliances, and easily transitions from the stove to the table, making Le Creuset the most versatile piece in your kitchen. Always read the instructions for each piece before using. Although Le Creuset is dishwasher safe, hand washing with hot soapy water is always recommended, and although highly durable, Le Creuset can be damaged if dropped or knocked against a hard surface.

We could write for days about the virtues of Le Creuset, however, until you try it yourself, you just won’t appreciate the value of a great piece of enamelled cast iron cookware. Make Le Creuset your one ‘must-have’ luxury kitchen essential!!

For more great chef's tips and tools visit www.amateur-chef.net

Bistro Beet Borscht

We are always excited when we can share with you a recipe that not only tastes great, but packs a healthy punch as well! This Beet Borscht Recipe just happens to fit that bill! With this recipe, we combine the nutritional value of beets in a borscht bistro style soup, a perfect night time meatless dinner, and tasty enough to serve to your guests for lunch. Beets are LOADED with wonderful nutrients. In fact, just one glass of beet juice in the morning and one in the evening is a great way to promote regularity, alkalize the blood, aid in digestion, and is a simple and easy natural liver cleanse. Beet juice is also considered to be a good treatment for kidney stones and many other ailments that may afflict you.

If drinking beet juice every day just isn’t in the cards for you, then try this great Beet Borscht Recipe, and reap the health benefits of this ‘superfood’.

Bistro Beet Borscht (compliments of Epicurean Recipes)

Ingredients:
2 cups shredded fresh beets
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup chopped onion
2 cups water
½ teaspoon salt
2 cans (14-1/2 oz. each) beef broth
1 cup shredded cabbage
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Sour cream, optional

Directions:
In a saucepan, bring the beets, carrots, onion, water and salt to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add broth, cabbage and butter; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Just before serving, stir in lemon juice. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream, if desired. Yield:8 servings. (2 quarts)

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The Joy of Cooking with Instant Read Digital Thermometers

My family, friends, and co-workers (even the unsuspecting cashiers at the local grocery store) know that I absolutely SWEAR by the instant read digial thermometer. I could spend hours extolling the virtues of the lowly meat thermometer to anyone willing to listen (or unfortunate enough not to have the choice BUT to listen!). In this day and age, I don't know how (or WHY, for that matter) anyone could even function without this inexpensive kitchen and barbeque tool!

Instant read digital thermometers take the guesswork out of cooking!! No longer will you overcook (remember Grandma's roast-leather beef?) or undercook your meat, always ensuring that a safe and proper internal temperature has been reached and that any potentially harmful bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella have been destroyed.

The best news is that this 'mini wonder' will not break the bank. A decent instant read digital pocket thermometer can be purchased for under $10.00, with a more deluxe model going for under $20.00.

Do yourself a favour, and make sure you equip your kitchen with a digital instant read thermometer today - your tastebuds (and your guests!!) will love you for it!!

For more great Chef's tips and tools, visit http://www.amateur-chef.net/

Blueberry Daiquiri

A good friend of mine absolutely HATES the texture of blueberries, even though she recognizes the health benefits of these antioxident rich 'superfood' berries. Unfortunately, she just can't seem to choke down those berries whole. Well, being the GREAT friend that I am, I thought 'How do we rectify this situation?' Solution! - she LOVES rum, and would greatly benefit from the antioxident rich blueberries - combine her loves with her needs and voila -antioxident rich Blueberry Daiquiries!!

Check out this great recipe from Emeril Legasse for Blueberry Daiquiries - after a few of these, you will also have a few great laughs - another great health benefit!!.

Ingredients
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup light rum
1/2 lime, juiced
1/2 cup crushed ice
1/4 cup superfine sugar
Directions
In a blender, combine all ingredients and process for about 30 seconds. Pour into a chilled glass.

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