See if these ideas help you get the kitchen of your dreams. If you want to learn more about kitchen design, then please check out our Kitchen Design layouts Enjoy keeping your kitchen sexy!!
Mike

Modern Kitchen Design - 5 Great Ideas
By Thomas Baugh

Planning a modern kitchen design? Well, here are five great bits of advice I can offer you on getting every element of your plans bang on perfect.

Let’s start by talking about planning. A modern kitchen could look and feel any number of ways but what will determine how yours looks is your lifestyle. Think about how often you use your kitchen, what you use it for and the type of things you do in there. Then write down all the things you need to have in there to enable you to work better. Planning isn’t the most glamorous part of any kitchen design, but you’ll be rewarded for your work by the end of the process.

The second tip is choosing the right materials. You’ll want to invest money in strong materials that not only look beautiful and modern but also last for as long as you need them to. Things like stainless steel are popular in modern kitchen design and will also stand the test of time. Make sure you think about every little thing you put into your kitchen and consider if you’ll get your value out of it.

Next, incorporate an island into your kitchen. No modern kitchen design is complete without a central unit these days. An island can also be remarkably functional and you can have it purpose built to suit your own needs. For instance, if you do a lot of cooking you can have a sink or chopping board built in. An island is also useful for entertaining guests so if you have a lot of dinner parties, it will usually become the central hub of activity.

Make sure you keep those lines clean. When I say this I mean that in a [http://www.kitchendesignsite.com/category/modern-kitchen-design]modern kitchen design, all the surfaces should have very straight edges and line up perfectly. A nifty tip is to ensure you overhead cupboards reach the ceiling. This is something that easily gets overlooked but can really give you that streamline effect, which is essential for a modern looking kitchen.

Last but by no means least; involve yourself in the process from start to finish. If you’re passionate about how you want your kitchen to look then make sure you stay on top of the design process right through to the fitting. Designers and builders will take liberties and make key decisions if you don’t make yourself clear. Stay involved with the project and see it through to the finish. You’ll be rewarded with a stunning modern kitchen.

Thomas Baugh offers more advice on planning a modern kitchen at the Kitchen Design Site.

Article Source: www.ezinearticles.com Modern Kitchen Design

Check out this great article we found on making stock for your recipes. Delicious and easy!
Mike

How to Make Stock (And Why) - A Seriously Studly Kitchen Skill
By Mark Hewitt

Stock. It’s one of those vastly underrated and marginalized kitchen skills. And yet it’s the key to some truly awesome cooking, and it is an incredibly studly thing to be able to make. And since I’ve got a batch simmering right now, I reckon it’s a good time to write about it.

For those raised on stock cubes, stock is just another flavoring for meat, or it’s gravy. But once you’ve discovered the joy and power of real stock, you’ll see what an extraordinary thing it is.

When we cook, we use a whole bunch of different additives, of varying artificiality - salt and pepper, bay leaves, vinegar, 5-spice - to alter and enhance the flavor of our dishes. Each has it’s own characteristics of sweetness, saltiness, aroma, sharpness, and so on. But stock is like the condensed essence of a whole load of beautiful flavors, all in a compact little package (an ice cube, if like me you freeze it). So when you make a great stew and then throw in one of your stock cubes to boost it a little, it’s like you just added the best of a dozen ingredients in one go. That’s why it’s exciting.

ingredients.jpgThe key to great stock is the Three Holy Vegetables - celery, carrots and onion. Carrots for sweet veggieness, onion for that magical combination of sweetness, sharpness and aroma, and celery for magic - those of you who think of celery as a boring salad vegetable might like to know that it contains large amounts of a natural flavor enhancer very similar to monosodium glutamate.

All the amounts here are rough, you can play around with them to your heart’s content and experiment with additional flavor enhancements and adjustments.

Vegetable Stock (what I’m making today)

• 8 carrots (all about 6-8 inches long), peeled and with the top and bottom cut off
• 2 large onions, peeled and roughly chopped
• A bunch of celery (about 10 stalks), washed and roughly chopped
• Most of a head of garlic, peeled and flattened with the side of a knife
• A couple of tablespoons of tomato paste - not essential but it all helps boost the flavour
• 2 bay leaves
• 12 black peppercorns
• A handful of fresh thyme and one of basil (my windowsill herbs were looking a bit uppity so I trimmed them a bit and threw these in, they’re not essential but everything adds to the flavour)

All the vegetables should be sauteed for a few minutes, until the carrot and onion are a bit browned and the celery has wilted - this brings out the sweetness. Then sling everything into a big stockpot (they’re surprisingly cheap - I think mine was a fiver), add enough water to cover and let them simmer for 2-3 hours. It’s important that you don’t let them boil - the heat should be enough that the occasional bubble rises to the surface, but no more. Fast boiling leaches things out of the veggies that you don’t want and eventually shreds them into the liquid as a pulp, which can cause a muddy or sulfurous taste.

After the time’s up strain all the solid things out of the stock with something like a sieve, and ideally strain again through muslin or an equivalent. Then boil the liquid hard (it’s okay now there are no solids in it) until it reduces down to a thick rich fluid. There should be about enough to fill one and a half ice-cube trays, or a little less. The reduction concentrates all the flavors, and the taste should be dynamite!
WARNING: Don’t add salt until your stock is fully reduced. If you add it earlier, it will be unbearably salty once it’s reduced.

Vegetable stock can go into practically anything. I recommend adding it to bolognaise and other pasta sauces, soups, stews, anything with a complex rich flavor can benefit.

The exciting thing about stock, if you’re learning about food, is that it teaches your palate. A common characteristic of real quality food versus cheap processed stuff is that the flavors are more subtle, but more complex. A McDonalds burger or a supermarket breaded chicken wing leap on your tastebuds with the full force of artificial flavors and flavor enhancers, and that can seem pleasurable, but it’s a crude taste experience. Food made with real stock is milder, but the flavors gradually emerge as you move it around your mouth - you can really taste all the ingredients concentrated down into the food, but they’re subtle and don’t all emerge at once. Cooking with stock has helped me no end in developing my own palate, and it’s a really fun way to expand your cooking repertoire.

Mark Hewitt is an English foodie, cook, philosopher, geek, shaman and writer. At the start of 2007 he sold or gave away almost all his possessions and left on a backpacking journey round the world, the purpose being (at least in part) to figure out why he would want to do such a thing. You can follow his journey and find other articles at: http://www.scadindustries.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Hewitt
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Make-Stock-(And-Why)—A-Seriously-Studly-Kitchen-Skill&id=932155

This recipe has been graciously donated by our favorite dessert maker in the world. Katie is the owner/head baker for “SweetTooth Desserts” a Vancouver,BC Catering company specializing in what Else, Desserts. Give this recipe a try.

Almond Roca Bars:

1.Grease a 9×13 pan and line with graham wafers
2.Sprinkle with 1 cup of slivered almonds
3.Melt 1 cup of butter and add 3/4 cup of brown sugar
4.Boil the butter/sugar mixture for 3 minutes
5.Pour mixture over nuts
6.Bake at 350C oven for 8 minutes (until bubbling)
7.Remove from over and cover evenly with 1 cup of chocolate chips
8.Let it sit for a minute or two then spread with a metal spatula
9.Cut while warm (not hot)
10.Cool in pan

Notes:
The quantities above are the original recipe. I usually double recipe and use a 10×15 jelly roll pan. This makes everything a little thicker- which I love. It may require a little more time in the oven, just watch for the bubbling.

You should cut the squares twice, once when it’s warm, and then again when it has cooled. If you loose track of time it’s going to be really hard to get them out.

I love this recipe, it makes such a great holiday treat to have around the house. But you should stock up on the ingredients, because people tend to love it a little too much!!! If you have left overs for some reason, you can always freeze it for another time.

We have recently found this great wine site and have found that with video, it is much easier to teach wine and it’s virtues to the masses. Check this guy out…he seems to know his stuff…Cheers! Michael

Some previous episodes of Wine Library TV have aimed to help beginners (and even more experienced wine drinkers) better understand specific topics from the vast wine world. Below, we
’ve unearthed the most educational episodes in which Gary has given it to you straight.

read more | digg story

It is with great enthusiasm that we present an article dedicated to green kitchens and remodeling. When we first started our site we wanted to ensure that we added our environmental impact evaluations for the products we use in everyday reno’s. This article goes further helping you plan for a “green footprint” for your remodel. Enjoy!!
If yo have particular questions about the environmental impact of kitchen flooring and countertops, please check out our reviews at TheSexyKitchen.com

Interesting tips on creating a environmentally friendly “green” kitchen.

read more | digg story

“Enjoy these great tips for preparing a fantastic meal…Take the advice of a pro, they know! Enjoy!!”
Ever wonder what makes professional chefs’ food taste so good? Sure, they have great kitchens and tools and an army of people helping them, but more importantly they know lots of great steps to make food more special. These simple shortcuts will help you add great flavor when you cook, and might even save you some time and money!

read more | digg story

This Blog entry is dedicated to my mom,

As you all know Mothers day is around the corner. It usually signifies eating, celebrating and gift giving to and for our beloved mothers. This months entry is dedicated to all the different mothers out there.

Haven’t we all come across many different mothers over the years.
There is the handy mother who can fix a a leak as quickly as fixing your tears.
There is the nurturing mother, who fattened you and you’re friends with her baked goodies and treats as a child. (Some still to this day!)
There is the supportive mother who is there with a shoulder for you to cry on and of course, the tough mother who kept you in line long enough to turn you into the person you are today.

No matter what your mother is like, take the time on May 13th to tell her how much you love and respect her. If she has passed, share a moment or story of love about your mom with others. If you need some help in this sharing your gratitude, we have found a great article with 14 expressions of love for your mother on her special day.

Enjoy Mothers Day! I love you mom! Cheers!

14 Love Quotes To Honor Mom on Mother’s Day
By Noel Jameson

If anyone in our lives deserve to have love quotes dedicated to them, it’s our mothers. They not only carried us in their wombs for nine months, but they continue to put up with our craziness.

Here are 14 love quotes that go out to all of the moms of the world — just in time for Mother’s Day.

1. “Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.” ~ Marion C. Garretty

2. “So much of what we know of love we learn at home.” ~ Author Unknown

3. “A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest.” ~ Irish Proverb

4. “The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.” ~ Honore de Balzac

5. “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

6. “A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” ~ Washington Irving

7. “Every mother is like Moses. She does not enter the promised land. She prepares a world she will not see.” ~ Pope Paul VI

8. “Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.” ~ Lin Yutang

9. “Youth fades; love droops, the leaves of friendship fall; a mother’s secret hope outlives them all.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

10. “Who ran to help me when I fell, And would some pretty story tell, Or kiss the place to make it well? My Mother.” ~ Ann Taylor

11. “Is my mother my friend? I would have to say, first of all she is my Mother, with a capital ‘M’; she’s something sacred to me. I love her dearly… yes, she is also a good friend, someone I can talk openly with if I want to.” ~ Sophia Loren

12. “Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.” ~ Robert Browning

13. “The mother loves her child most divinely, not when she surrounds him with comfort and anticipates his wants, but when she resolutely holds him to the highest standards and is content with nothing less than his best.” ~ Hamilton Wright

14. “My mom is a never ending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune.” ~ Graycie Harmon

Your mother may be the one person who had the most influence on who you became as an adult. For many of us, everything we are we owe in part to our mothers. These 14 love quotes do justice in expressing this fact. Happy Mother’s Day!

For more love quotes, check out the popular love quotes section of Famous-Quotes-And-Quotations.com, a website that specializes in ‘Top 10′ lists of quotations in dozens of categories.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Noel_Jameson
http://EzineArticles.com/?14-Love-Quotes-To-Honor-Mom-on-Mothers-Day&id=539916

If you happen to be a fan of March Madness then you will definatley be attending or hosting a March Madness party of some sort over the next couple of weeks. Thinking about how people plan these parties, we came up with a fun menu planning idea to help you get through this exciting month.

Final Four Feast

When it gets down to the final four teams, find out what style of food is native to the regions of the teams playing and prepare your menu around them. For example, lets say UCLA makes the final four, prepare a fresh Avocado dip or West Coast Crab Cakes. If Florida makes the final four, prepare fresh Swordfish or Fresh Squeezed Orange juice Mimosa’s. Pick your recipes to mix and match and if your feeling really creative you can also pair the food with Beer or wine from that area as well.

If you can’t decide on a menu based on the teams playing, maybe try and find recipes from the host state of Georgia. This way, you won’t offend any party goers and die hard fans who may dispute your recipe claims.

No matter what you do, be sure to take the time to enjoy the games themselves. You can have alot of fun hosting a great NCAA tournament party if you stay open to ideas, creative in your menu and of course, supportive of your team. Cheers!

Fondue for Valentine Day

If you’re tired of doing the same thing every year for Valentines day and are looking for a great way to do something sexy for your partner, then this year instead of flowers and dinner, consider making that special someone a delicious and romantic fondue! It’s easy, takes only a little preparation and has a wow factor second to none. If you follow a few simple rules, you can score points and win some much needed loving for these next few cold months!

Buy a fondue Pot

You can find moderately priced fondue sets for under $50. Check Online for different prices and models. We suggest getting a dual fondue pot which can do both meat and of course, chocolate. If you are buying a cheese fondue set, make sure it can be cleaned easilyand is resistant to burning. Look for good ceramic Fondue sets for this

Get your Ingredients

If you’re thinking cheese, try and find flavors that will complement each other. Some of the most popular cheeses for fondues are Gruyere and Emmenthal. Look for kirsch or apple juice as a mix and you’ll have one delicious cheese fondue. Don’t forget to have some semi stale crusty bread for dipping!!

Learn more about pairing Cheese with Wine…

If meat fondue is more your style, be sure to get decent stewing beef, fresh chicken and firm seafoods. if you’re health conscious, you can substitute chicken stock or vegetable stock instead of canola oil. This will reduce calories but extend cooking times. Remember to have firm vegetables on hand as well. Think Mushrooms, Bok Choy, Carrots and beans. Avoid those veggies that will go to mush immediately. If you do choose meat, it is extremely important to have enough fondue forks to seperate cooked and raw meats, particularly chicken. Nothing will ruin a romantic evening like samonella. Be sure to use plates with dividers or even better, seperate plates entirely.

Location, Location, Location…

The best spot for a romatic Valentines day fondue is on the floor, picnic style. Find a nice tablecloth, grab some pillows and spread out on the floor. You can also sit at a low level table. This will add a sense of romance to your evening and bring you that intimate feeling you’ll be looking for. The closer you get to a fireplace the better! Don’t forget the candles and of course, the dessert!

Chocolate Fondue, Fresh Fruit & Strawberries

A great way to finish your evening is with a sexy chocolate fondue. Make sure you get the proper melting chocolate, add some cream and stir, stir, stir. Cut some fresh banana, pineapple and of course, fresh strawberries. Dip the fruit in the melting chocolate, let cool for a few seconds and enjoy. Remeber napkins as this portion can get messy! If you do the chocolate fondue right you will definetely reap the rewards tenfold.

Remember to keep it fun, relaxed and sexy. There’s nothing better than being alone with your lover, eating fondue by the fire, enjoying a beautiful glass of champagne and enjoying the sparkle of your lovers eyes? You can thank me later!! Have a very sexy Valentines day!! Cheers!

The party of the year is right around the corner and if we have learned anything over our past holiday experiences, avoiding the exuberant cost and chaos of restaurants and night clubs is an absolute.  This only means however the party has shifted to the home and why not?  With the right planning you can easily pull off the biggest party of the year without a sweat!

1.  Invitations

A successful party begins with a proper invitation.  The invitation process may take more time and possibly inflict a little more cost but it is a sure way to know the exact number of attending guests. Invitations also eliminate the party crashing folk that would otherwise be sure to arrive!  You will also be much better prepared for food, drink, and transportation this way.
An invitation can be your best friend during these stressful occasions and they are not limited to paper.  Who needs stamps when you can use your computer!  Create your invitation on-line.  There are several websites that will do all of the work for you.  Simply create your invitation and e-mail it to all of your guests.  It is wise to personally call your invitees to be sure they received the e-mail invite.
2.  The Menu

A successful party begins with a proper invitation.  The invitation process may take more time and possibly inflict a little more cost but it is a sure way to know the exact number of attending guests. Invitations also eliminate the party crashing folk that would otherwise be sure to arrive!  You will also be much better prepared for food, drink, and transportation this way.An invitation can be your best friend during these stressful occasions and they are not limited to paper.  Who needs stamps when you can use your computer!  Create your invitation on-line.  There are several websites that will do all of the work for you.  Simply create your invitation and e-mail it to all of your guests.  It is wise to personally call your invitees to be sure they received the e-mail invite.When planning a cocktail party you absolutely have to have great food.  This does not mean however that it all has to be prepared by you!  Search for recipes in your favorite magazines or on-line and find the perfect hors d’oeuvres and petit fours for your party.  Then all you have to do is attach these recipes to your invitations!!  It’s a brilliant idea to help take all of the pressure off of you the host.
When your guests prepare the food at home you have so much more time to focus on everything else.  This idea works better than potluck because you are still in control of the party.  You know what food will be attending so you can better prepare for it with appropriate serving utensils, toothpicks, napkins, and trays.
It is wise to take your plan even further by estimating the service time for your cold and hot dishes.  Remember you may only have one refrigerator for you party so beware of the dishes that you choose to serve!

3.  The Bar

Again another great way to take this party to another level is to specify in your invitations which alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages to bring.  Martinis are the drink of choice these days so why not ask your guests to bring a bottle that will contribute to your cocktail recipes?!
Champagne or sparkling wine is an absolute must for New Years Eve party’s so be sure to provide plenty of bubbles for the evening.  Although bubble is fantastic on its own, spice it up with a splash of flavored liquor for a new experience.  Such cocktails as Champagne cocktail, and Kir Royals make a perfectly festive treat for your guests.

Again another great way to take this party to another level is to specify in your invitations which alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages to bring.  Martinis are the drink of choice these days so why not ask your guests to bring a bottle that will contribute to your cocktail recipes?!Champagne or sparkling wine is an absolute must for New Years Eve party’s so be sure to provide plenty of bubbles for the evening.  Although bubble is fantastic on its own, spice it up with a splash of flavored liquor for a new experience.  Such cocktails as Champagne cocktail, and Kir Royals make a perfectly festive treat for your guests.Don’t forget to have plenty of glassware and of course lots of prepared garnish for your New Years Eve cocktails!

Here are a few martini recipes to help get you started!

Cosmopolitan Martini

1½oz Vodka
½oz Triple sec
2 oz Cranberry juice
1 oz Lime juice or 2 fresh squeezed lime wedges

1½oz Vodka½oz Triple sec2 oz Cranberry juice1 oz Lime juice or 2 fresh squeezed lime wedgesPour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously.  Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass, Shake to add ice chips No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks)

Garnish with lime or cranberries or both.

Lemon Drop Martini2oz Lemon Vodka
½oz Triple sec
4 - 8 squeezed lemons (Add used Lemons to tumbler)2oz Lemon Vodka½oz Triple sec4 - 8 squeezed lemons (Add used Lemons to tumbler)Pour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously Rim Martini Glass with Sugar
Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks)

Garnish with lemon twist.

Chocolate Martini1 oz Vodka
1 oz Crème de cacao
Pour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously. Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass - No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks) 1 oz Vodka1 oz Crème de cacaoPour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously. Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass - No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks)Garnish with cherries, cranberries or chocolate sprinkles.

Espresso Martini1 oz Vodka
1 oz Kahlua or Coffee Liquor
1 Shot of Espresso
Pour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously.  Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass - No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks)1 oz Vodka1 oz Kahlua or Coffee Liquor1 Shot of EspressoPour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously.  Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass - No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks)Garnish with 3 Espresso beans.

Champagne Cocktail

3/4 oz Brandy
1 sugar cube

3/4 oz Brandy,1 sugar cube,Fill remainder of glass with Champagne or Sparkling Wine

Garnish with lemon twist

Kir Royal

3/4 oz Cassis Liquor

3/4 oz Cassis LiquorFill remainder of glass with Champagne or Sparkling Wine

Garnish with lemon twist
When you include your guests in the party planning process you can be sure to have all the time and the energy to pull off all the stops.