The Professional Chef |

Has it ever occurred to you how the few Billion Dollar Multilevel Marketing Companies got to where they are today? Yes, they work on a proven methodology most of us wouldn’t begin to comprehend. So we investigated and came up with something you’re not expecting. And no it has nothing to do with duplication.

The fact of the matter is when you see companies like Avon and Pampered Chef, or newer Multilevel Marketing Companies (MLM companies) like NuSkin International, Melaluca, and Arbonne International all have fantastic products. These are what reps will not only try to sell but will use for themselves. Starting to make more sense?

The best thing you can do is use the Multilevel Marketing Companies retail product as part of your everyday use saving you from having to shop and buy it in the store. In doing so, you are not only believe in what they have to offer, but you are putting that passion into your voice when talking about the company. These organizations count on this method to work in the long run.

Why? Because not everyone is going to make it working with Multilevel Marketing Companies (MLM companies), in fact only about 3% of people that get involved in the MLM industry will become successful. However, many of the people that get out of the business still use the product, and in the end this keeps the businesses growing as others come in to spread the word.

Multilevel Marketing Companies are hip and ahead of the game. They know your buying habits, age, history, you never know when you’ll get that call if you ever filled out one of their automated internet forms. This should thought process should also trickle down to the independent representatives that help make these companies what they are today. In the sense that when you are building your own business you can use the same routines to an extent that is used in the overall company.

Like having home parties with groups of people are great, because it allows potential prospects to try out some of the products and get samples (which you should offer). Those people will associate with you and maybe even buy from you down the road sometime. Some like the companies warez and get so confident in the products, they start soliciting family and friends for a little side cash.

When a Network Marketing Company is forming and starting to build nationwide or even globally, there’s a much better chance of obtaining the billion dollar mark, maybe not all at once but in consistent strides. Just remember that most Multilevel Marketing Companies (MLM companies) will not have this happen for them, so be sure to find out all you can about ones you are interested in investing your time and money.

Also, think about getting involved with a company that you see this type of formula, especially one that you could see yourself using their product. It doesn’t necessarily need to be one of the popular Multilevel Marketing Companies (MLM companies) you see above, but it should be one you trust and feel comfortable giving your money to so we just want to say, do your research. You’ll thank us later, and when you do, we’ll thank you for letting us help.

Summer is here and that means it is the perfect time for grilling a tri tip roast. You too can barbeque a tri tip that will make your mouth water. Tri tip is such a perfect cut of meat to feed larger groups and it is very easy to grill if you know the right way.

If you aren’t from the West Coast then you may not be familiar with tri-tip. The tri-tip is cut from the bottom sirloin primal cut. It is considered a roast, but in truth it tastes much more like a great steak. That is why it is so popular.

You can prepare a tri-tip in different ways. You may want to marinade it overnight to seal in some great flavor (although tri tip has plenty of flavor on its own). Or you could use a dry rub the moment before you put it on the grill. Try doing a dry rub to start and then ten minutes before you pull it off, baste it with a nice helping of BBQ sauce of your choice. This will make a nice crust on the roast but it will still have that fantastic center flavor.

The right way to cook a tri-tip roast is over in-direct heat at 325 degrees. This is considered slow cooking as the time to cook it varies from 60 to 90 minutes depending on the pounds of the tip. A basic rule of thumb is to cook the tri-tip for approximately 30 minutes for every pound.

Don’t grill the tri-tip directly over burning coals. Tri-tips often release plenty of fat grease and these can fall on the hot coals causing flare-ups. Have an ice-cold beer on hand to keep the flames down (and for yourself, you are BBQing, right?).

Tri-tip should be cooked medium-rare to medium, so pull the tri tip roast off when the center of the tip reaches 140 degrees. Whatever you do, do not cover the tri-tip with aluminum foil as this turns the meat grey and you don’t get that nice steak-like crust that a tri-tip should have.

I’m not sure if this title needs any introduction at all. I mean, only casual games freshmen don’t know the Dash game series and Flo. With regard to those, Cooking Dash developed by Aliasworlds Entertainment and published by PlayFirst, is a new sequel in the series of time-management games.

And for the time-management veterans – you are going to meet Flo and Grandma themselves in this release. It’s not like Coco or Quinn weren’t good, it’s just that Flo is better…

Cookie is making his own reality show while Flo and Grandma feel in for him and later for other restaurants’ chefs. This time Cookie, Flo’s great chef, was offered to star in his own reality cooking show on TV. But who’s gonna take care of the diner?.. Yes, it’s Flo and Grandma.

After every level you are given some comments on how Cookie’s doing with his show. And he is doing only better and better. So soon (soon means 10 levels) Ahefs from other restaurants are invited to his show. And who’s gonna take care of their restaurants and customers?..Yes, it’s Flo and Grandma.

Every new restaurant means that you are going to start all over again. I mean you can’t rely on the upgrades you used to increase customers’ patience before just because you don’t have them here. You need to earn them again.

A new restaurant means a new cuisine, a new background, a new type of customers, which is always good. This time you get a chance to really cook. Going from one restaurant to another makes it interesting to have new dishes every once in a while.

One of the new twists in this release is that the place does look more like a diner because customers don’t seat at the tables, but side-by-side at the counter. The seats are colored and you get bonus points for matching the colors of the customers with those of the seats. But don’t focus on that a lot because you may lose more on waiting for the seat of the required color to be vacant.

The bigger part of the screen takes up the kitchen area. Grandma stands in the middle ready to prepare different cold foods. Flo is rushing all over the place making all kinds of dishes – smoothies, fried eggs, french fries, pizzas etc.

The process of serving is nothing new. You seat a customer, wait for him or her to make an order, cook it, serve it, take the money and take away the dirty dishes.

There is a shop in the game where you can buy things to upgrade your restaurant. Some of the things don’t improve your score or speed at all though like new doors or tiles. But there are those that add speed or add more equipment or increase customers’ patience.

The game is very interesting with the old well-known characters and different cuisines, and challenging with the speed you have to rush around on.

I was recently at an Applebees restaurant and I got to wondering how they make all their food. Not just how long it takes them to cook a chicken breast or anything like that, but how they prepare the whole dish. It bothered me like a buzzing fly that won’t stop swarming around your head. I finally had to do something about it. I got on the internet and started doing a little research, and now I can make the food that tastes so great, and it even saves me money!

My favorite copycat Applebees recipe is hot artichoke spinach dip. It’s so easy it can make the worst of cooks look good.

The ingredients are:

1 (10 oz.) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed

1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 cup shredded parmesan-romano cheese mix

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

10 oz. prepared alfredo sauce

1 tsp. minced garlic

4 oz. softened cream cheese

Pepper (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine ingredients thoroughly in a bowl and spread mixture into an 8″x8″ baking dish.

3. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheeses are bubbling and melted.

4. Serve with chips or bread.

It led me to copycat recipes from Applebees and many more restaurants and now I can eat in, impress my family with my cooking skills, and save some cash! What started as a pesky thought with a visit to Applebees has become a way for me to get my family together for food we can all enjoy. I would highly recommend you do the same!

There is nothing quite like a good, juicy steak cooked on a grill. But, many people don’t know grilling secrets such as the best cuts to use, what size they should be, how long to cook the steaks, and marinades to use.

Choosing the correct cut of meat is very important when grilling. Some of the best steaks for grilling are the premium cuts such as:

- Filet Mignon

The filet mignon is a stylish cut taken from the heart of the beef tenderloin that has outstanding taste as well as texture.

- Top Sirloin

The top sirloin is a juicy cut taken from the center of the sirloin – the tenderest part – and a great cut for grilling.

- T-Bone

The t-bone is a succulent cut that is a favorite of steak fans. It is both a strip sirloin (with the bone) and a tender filet mignon.

- New York Strip (sometimes known as Kansas City Strip)

The New York strip is such an excellent cut for grilling, many grilling experts refer to it as the “ultimate” steak for cooking out.

- Porterhouse

The Porterhouse is a very large steak that is actually a combination of two steaks: the New York strip on one side and a tender filet on the other.

- Rib Eye

Another classic cut, the rib eye has marbling throughout the meat – making it one of the juiciest cuts as well as very tender.

Thickness of the steak is very important. Each cut should be between 1 inch and 1 ½ inches thick. The strip steaks and top sirloin should be a little less expensive than the filet mignon, t-bone, porterhouse, and rib eye.

Many people like to marinate their steaks before cooking. You can purchase marinades in the grocery store (A1 brand offers several different types) or make your own. If you are not opposed to using alcohol, beer makes an excellent marinade. You can combine 1 12-ounce can of beer, ½ cup of chili sauce, ¼ up of salad oil, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, 2 gloves of crushed garlic, and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Let that simmer for 30 minutes over a medium heat. Marinate your meat in the mixture overnight in the refrigerator to tenderize and allow the meat to absorb the flavor. You can also brush your meat with the marinade as you cook. Another great homemade marinade includes 1 ½ cup of steak sauce, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1/3 cup of Italian salad dressing, 1/3 cup of honey, and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.

Many people prefer to use a rub on their steaks rather than marinate them. A rub is a combination of spice and herbs that is rubbed on the meat about an hour before grilling. It adds a great flavor to the meat, but is quicker than marinade as it does not require the overnight soaking. An excellent recipe for a rub that will give your steaks a smoky flavor is 1 tablespoon of chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, cracked black pepper, white pepper, and kosher salt plus 2 teaspoons of oregano, 1 teaspoon of coriander, and ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. If you use a rub, be sure to rub the mixture into the cut of meat, not just daub it across the top.

There are other options for cooking steaks other than marinades and rubs. Many times, filet mignons are served wrapped in bacon (held on by a skewer) or you can cut your steak and combine it on a skewer with vegetables like peppers, squash, and onion to make a shish kabob.

Coat your grill with non-stick kitchen spray before you begin to keep your steaks from sticking to the grill. Preheat your grill before placing your steaks on. Resist the temptation to put your steaks on before the grill is properly preheated. The proper temperature for grilling steaks should be around 550 degrees Fahrenheit. Trim any excess fat from the side of the cut to prevent flare-ups and curling when grilling.

You should only turn your steaks once on the grill to prevent drying them out. How long you will cook your steak depends on how well you want it cooked. You can use a grilling fork with a digital thermometer to see how well done your steak is. If you want your steak rare, the temperature should be no more than 150 degrees when done. If you want medium, the temperature should be no more than 160 degrees when done. Finally, if you want well done, you should have a temperature of at least 170 degrees.

After grilling your steak, allow it to set for five minutes before serving to let the juices settle. Serve with a baked potato, salad or other side dish and enjoy!

Singapore is a melting pot bubbling over with tourists, inhabitants and expatriates from all parts of the world, and these people naturally have diverse eating habits. Through the ages, the Chinese, Malay, Indians and the foreigners (westerners) have cast their influence on Singapore’s food recipes and there is no doubt that Singapore is a food lovers’ paradise.

Singaporeans love to eat out and there is a feast of multicultural cuisine waiting for them in restaurants and especially in hawker centers and food courts. Here is a list of the major types of foods you can feast on in Singapore:

1. Malaysian Food: Malaysian food, also known as Malay food, is a popular in Singapore simply because Malaysia is Singapore’s neighbor and there are a whole lot of Malaysians living there; Spicy Malaysian gravies are laced with belachan, which is made from baby shrimps and the Malaysian desserts are usually based on coconut milk, palm sugar and freshly grated coconut. Then, of course, there are the rice and noodles too, which any Malaysian cannot live without. All these go to make an exotic eating experience. Some Malaysian food you must try out in Singapore: Laksa (coconut-based gravies) and Satay (grilled and skewered meat).

2. Chinese Food: The Chinese have been in Singapore since the last seven centuries and their influence on Singapore’s food recipes is authoritative. Chinese food can be subtle and neutral (Cantonese), or it can be fiery (Szechuan). Rice is a staple food in any Chinese dish and you can try out the following dishes to get a flavor of the Chinese influence: Shark fin soup, spring rolls (Cantonese – subtle taste); Fried Hokkien Mee (vermicelli, noodles, chili gravy, garlic, prawns, pork and everything else); and, Teochew food such as steamed fish and braised duck.

3. Indian Food: South Indians (mostly Tamilians) migrated to Singapore in the 1940s and their influence on Singaporean cuisine is undeniable. In fact there is an area in Singapore (around Serangoon Road), which is know as Little India. You must try out the south Indian Dosas, Idlis, Vadas that are served with spicy gravy and chutneys as well as the north Indian Tandoori Chicken (chicken smothered with a spicy paste and cooked in a clay oven).

4. Nyonya Food: Nyonyas are half-Malay, half-Chinese people who cook very hot and spicy food loaded with ginger and turmeric. Their recipes are creative and the cooking methods are elaborate. Some of the famous Nyonya dishes you must savor are: Enche kabin (small chicken pieces marinated in soy and oyster sauce) and Chicken Kapitan (chicken curry made using tamarind juice, candlenut, fresh turmeric root and belachan (shrimp paste)).

These apart, Singapore also offers western cuisine comprising of American, British, and Italian dishes. There are fast food centers, food courts, hawker centers, restaurants and you-name-it. As we said earlier, Singapore’s food recipes cater to all kinds of food lovers. Bon Appetit.

We usually celebrate Halloween with lots of partying and drinking. And because it’s a Halloween party, everyone is expected to be in their most unique Halloween costumes. You surely don’t want to wear the same costume you use the other year for this year’s party. Finding a new costume would always be in your list if you plan on attending and celebrating Halloween.

Halloween costumes may not necessarily be scary. You don’t need to be in your Dracula costume every Halloween or be in your Witch costume. You might also want to try something new.

Halloween costume could be your favorite all time cartoon character like Bugs Bunny and Donald Duck or it could be your all time favorite super hero like Superman, Spider man or Wonder Woman Halloween costume.

Young women want to have their favorite fairly tale princess like Cinderella, Snow White, Bell of Beauty and the Best, and Rapunzel for Halloween costumes. Young men on the other hand, could wear costumes of fairly tale Prince and maybe in Harry Potter costume and act like a real wizard.

There are many kind of Halloween costume out there for you to choose from. You can have your own design too. However, if you are running out of time creating your own costume, you may just want to visit some Halloween costume stores on the World Wide Web and choose from their thousand of costumes available.

People who are attending Halloween parties do not care how you look, remember its Halloween. Just make sure that you are comfortable on whatever you are wearing.

If you have never tried a dirt dessert before you are missing out! This dirt desert recipe is truly easy to make, delicious and you will not be able to stop eating it! Don’t let the name fool you, this dessert is rich, tasty and full of flavor!

Ingredients for Dirt Dessert Recipe:
• 1 cup of cream cheese softened – or 1 package of 8 ounces
• 1/4 cup of margarine, softened
• 1 cup of confection sugar
• 3 1/2 cups of cold milk
• 2 packages of instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 carton or 12 ounces of frozen whipped topping that is thawed out completely
• 1 package of cream filled chocolate sandwich cookies that are crushed up

Directions for making Dirt Dessert recipe:
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the margarine, cream cheese and the confection sugar together until it is smooth
• In a large bowl, whisk the milk and pudding mix for about two minutes
• Let it stand for about two minutes or until it is set soft
• Gradually stir it into the cream cheese mixture
• Fold in the whipped topping
• Spread the 1 1/3 cups of crushed cookies into an un-greased pan – 13 x 9.
• Layer the pan with half of the pudding mix on the cookies and then alternated and repeat layers
• Refrigerate for about one hour

There are a lot of fun things you can do with this dirt dessert recipe. You can put the dessert into a flower pot instead of a pan and layer it. You can put a fake flower or two into the pot of dirt dessert for a fun and festive way to bring a dessert to a party. You can also get the kids involved and let your imagination run wild with different options for making this fun dirt dessert.

You can come up with all kinds of ways to make this a fun dessert to serve at parties and children’s parties. You can put gummy worms into the dessert to create a garden effect, or put little garden decorations into it to make it look like a festive garden. You can also put colorful flowers or icing on top of it and create the look of a beautiful flower bed. There are no limits as to what this fun and easy recipe can do.

You can also make the recipe a lighter and healthier version by using low-fat or fat-free cream cheese and even find lower fat or low calorie sandwich cookies to use. You can use low fat versions of the pudding mix and milk, and have yourself a tasty and healthy treat.

Congratulations! You have made it to the holiday season once again. This is the time of year to celebrate our good fortune and take some time out of our lives to spend time with our family and friends. The one thing that might be stressing you if you want to through a large party for your family or friends is the food. How do you plan to make enough food, without making too much?

Cooking for a large group can be a daunting experience, but, do not fear; here are a few recipes that have served me well when throwing a large party:

· Six Foot Party Sandwich
· Baked Beans for 50

Six Foot Party Sandwich

A six foot party sandwich is a great idea for a couple reasons. Firstly, everyone likes sandwiches, so everyone will be happy. Secondly, people will take a reasonable amount so there should be plenty for everyone. What you need is a lot of sandwich ingredients: a six foot long Italian bread, at least four pounds of pre-sliced cold cuts, of your choice, two pounds of cheese, one head of lettuce, a quart of mayonnaise, three onions, six tomatoes, a quart of pickles, salt, pepper, and a jar of mustard. It is also a good idea to have a couple boxes of toothpicks. Making a sandwich is easy, but one of this magnitude takes a little more time than usual, so leave time accordingly. You also want to clear off a large table so you can comfortable put your sandwich together. Enjoy!

Baked Beans for 50

If you are having a summer cookout, baked beans are an all-time favorite, and if you have a family like mine, you are going to need to make a large batch. This recipe is for fifty people. You need seven pounds of navy beans, a third cup of soda, three fourths of a cup molasses, a third cup sugar, a teaspoon and a half mustard and paprika, four tablespoons of sat, a pound and a half of pork and two cups of water. Make sure to give yourself enough time to soak all the beans over night, because the rest needs to cook for about three hours afterwards.

For More Information

If you need more information on how to cook for large groups or would like more general cooking tips, visit www.cdkitchen.com today to help prepare for the holiday season!

Even though a tea party should be sit down, it should also have some entertaining tea party games to keep the guests awake.

Tea Words:

Before the tea party games start, make up a list of unusual words from the dictionary. You can make each of the words you choose relatable to the theme of tea party if you like. Then create index cards with each word chosen placed on a separate card. Below that word you will place multiple choice options for the definition of said word. You could create an index card for the words, White Tea, with the following: A) A Chinese Tea created for foreigners, B) a tea made from leaves that are specially prepared to preserve the most antioxidants, C) a tea that has hallucenagenic properties. In the case of this word the correct definition would be, B.

Ask each person a word definition in turn and have them guess an answer. However is right at the tea party games gets a point. Keep a tally and the person with the most points is the winner.

Tea Mime:

These silly Tea party games are great to get a laugh out of your guests and it works best at tea parties where everyone knows each other. Write down the names of all the guests on pieces of paper and during the Tea party games have everyone draw a name from a hat. If a person draws their own name at the tea party games he or she must put it back.

Then tell the group that each player will mime the dominate emotion of the person whose name they’ve drawn at the party. If Aunt Joy is really happy then someone would act really happy and the other players at the tea party games would have to guess who the player is imitating.

Fun, fun, is all you‘ll have with these two tea party games for your guests. You never know when you’ll need them so keep the games handy for other impromptu events.