How to Make the Perfect Cappuccino

Posted in pizza by Allyson Scharff on November 25, 2011

If you think pizza, you think Italy. If you think Italy, you think Italian coffee. If you think Italian coffee, you think espresso.

Now, when I think espresso, I immediately think cappuccino, stiff milk froth and luxury. Just thinking about cappuccino, I can almost smell the luxury brands and the wonderful aroma that makes your mouth water.

I used to think that it was really hard to make a good cappuccino. Of course it all depends on the two main ingredients, the perfect coffee and the perfect froth. It took me a long time to find the best espresso maker and when I finally found the machine that allowed for a fabulous espresso, within my budget, I found that the froth maker on the side really did not work that well.

I would end up with the perfect espresso and the little froth I was able to make, would immediately collapse, turning my cappuccino in a regular cafe late. That was, until I came across a little milk frother capable of creating the most wonderful fluffy froth in a matter of only a few seconds. No longer did my cappuccino froth collapse, the froth I can make with this little appliance, is so dense that you can actually put a sugar cube on top and it will stay there, until you actually start mixing it with the hot espresso underneath.

American Recipes: Pizza

Posted in recipes by Allyson Scharff on August 2, 2011

Italian immigrants have had a huge influence on the United States, and one place this is evident is in American recipes. Think of all the foods that the average American cooks, eats, and enjoys: pizza, spaghetti, tiramisu, pasta dishes, meatballs, Italian sausage, dishes made with Italian cheeses, and many other dishes.

Americans love pizza! What we think of as pizza began in Italy, where a crust was covered with tomato sauce or tomatoes. This was known as “Neapolitan pie.” Ironically, the part that most of us love the most about a pizza, the cheese, wasn’t included in Neapolitan pies until the end of the 1800s. the pizza was brought to America by immigrants, and it caught on rapidly in cities like New York and Chicago.

Americans have embraced pizza and have come up with some rather unique pizza recipes, including Hawaiian pizza, BBQ chicken pizza, cheeseburger pizza, and pulled pork pizza. Just about every city and town in the USA has a pizzeria or two, or scores. Supermarkets, even those in tiny hamlets, sell frozen and refrigerated pizzas. Pizza slices can even be purchased in convenience stores, at sporting events, and at fairs and festivals. Most public school lunchrooms across the United States serve pizza on a regular basis, too.

How to Fry Flounder

Posted in cooking by Allyson Scharff on June 29, 2011

Are you searching for some great fish recipes? We love all sorts of lean fishes and use a lot of fish recipes. Some of our favorites are flounder recipes. We catch our own flounder, so they go right from the ocean into the pan or oven, unless we’re grilling them. In that case, we might marinate them first. Like any other fish, fresh is best. I will say, however, that if flounder are frozen properly, they’re still very good. We freeze our flounder in water and then double bag them.

As I said, I use several different flounder recipes. One of our favorite flounder recipes is for fried flounder. When catching your own flatfish, fillet it into four pieces of meat. Handle the fish as quickly as possible, and get in on ice or in the fridge as fast as you can. When purchasing fresh flounder, get them home as soon as possible. With frozen flounder fillets, thaw them in the refrigerator. Whichever form of flounder you use needs to be rinsed well in cool running water before cooking.

To fry flounder fillets, dry the fish well. Dip the fillets in milk, beaten eggs, or buttermilk. This will help the breading stick to the fillets. Shake of roll the fillets in flour, dry breadcrumbs, cornmeal, cracker crumbs, or a pre-made commercial seafood coating mix. Shake off any excess coating.

The breaded fish fillets need to be fried in several inches of hot oil. We like to use peanut oil for frying fish. The oil needs to be maintained at around 360 degrees. Fry the flounder until both sides are golden brown, which will take only a few minutes.