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This Floridian favorite — allegedly introduced by the Spanish who came over from the island of Minorca — is tomato-based and usuall y the hottest of all chowders. It contains several types of peppers, including habanero and, critically, datil chiles (hard to find anywhere except St. Augustine Florida). The Spanish were the first well-documented Europeans to settle the North American shores, there is no reason not to think that this was the first European clam chowder in the Americas. 1/8 pound salt pork or smoked bacon chopped fine 2 large onions chopped 1 bell pepper chopped 2 cups fresh clams, chopped fine, juice reserved 1-2 datil peppers, minced 3 cups canned plum tomatoes drained, seeded, and chopped 1/2 cup tomato puree 1/2 tablespoon thyme, crumbled 1/2 tablespoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1-2 bay leaves crushed 2- 8 ounce bottles clam juice 3 cups fish stock 2 cups new potatoes, diced Saute pork in large pot over medium heat unti

One cup of chopped kale contains 33 calories and 9% of the daily value of calcium, 206% of vitamin A, 134% of vitamin C, and a  whopping 684% of vitamin K. It is also a good source of minerals copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus. Kale’s health benefits are primarily linked to the high concentration and excellent source of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and K -- and sulphur-containing phytonutrients. Carotenoids and flavonoids are the specific types of antioxidants associated with many of the anti-cancer health benefits. Kale is also rich in the eye-health promoting lutein and zeaxanthin compounds. Beyond antioxidants, the fiber content of cruciferous kale binds bile acids and helps lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease, especially when kale is cooked instead of raw. Super-Rich in Vitamin K Eating a diet rich in the powerful antioxidant vitamin K can reduce the overall risk of developing or dying from cancer, according to a study in

Given how much oven temperature can fluctuate, it's no wonder that one of our most repeated bits of ki tchen advice is "Buy an oven thermometer!" But constantly compensating for an oven that runs hot or cold gets very tiresome, especially as we get into prime baking season. Here's what you can do: A disclaimer before we get into it: this solution is really just bringing the numbers on the oven dial into alignment with the temperature inside the oven. We're not actually adjusting any of the inner workings of the oven itself. If your oven temperature is off by more than 100° or fluctuates a lot in temperature, you'll need to call a professional. First, check the thermostat sensor bulb at the back of the oven. Make sure that this rod is secure and not touching the oven walls at all. This is something that could throw off the temperature reading. If it is touching, see if you can tighten the vises holding the bulb or otherwise position the bulb away fro

As with many recipes, the precise origin of Manhattan clam chowder is difficult to determine. It is believed the first restaurant  to serve it was the legendary Delmonico’s in New York. In 1889, Delmonico’s chef du maison Alessandro Filippini wrote down the first known recipe for what would become Manhattan clam chowder in his cookbook; The Table: How to Buy Food, How to Cook It, and How to Serve It. Here is his recipe word for word, we've added the list of ingredients. 6 Medium Potatoes 1 Medium Onion 1/4 Bunch of Parsley 2 Stalks Celery Pinch Salt 1 Tablespoon Butter Slice of Pork 1 Medium Tomatoes 24 Medium Clams with liquid in separate bowl Salt Spoon Black Pepper (about 1/4 teaspoon/1ml) 1 Tablespoon/15ml Worcestershire Sauce 2 Pilot Crackers or Gluten Free Crackers Wash six fine, medium sized potatoes, peel and cut them into small dice-shaped pieces, wash again in fresh water, take them up with a skimmer; place them in a stewpan large enough to h

How to make homemade baked tortilla chips. 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut the tortillas into wedges. 2 Spread the tortilla wedges out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake the tortilla wedges for about 6 minutes, then use tongs to turn the wedges over. Sprinkle with a little salt, and bake for another 6 to 9 minutes, until they are just beginning to color. Remove from the oven and let cool. Sprinkle with more salt to serve. ** You can use either corn or flour tortillas for this recipe. ** personal chefs and event catering Miami + Miami Beach + Fort Lauderdale + Palm Beach www.yadachef.com

Cleaning Your Coffee Pot The glass jug that comes with a coffeemaker can quickly develop a brown, b lotchy haze – especially when you leave it on for long periods of time. For the quickest cure, you will need some ice, salt and a lemon. Fill the empty jug a quarter full of ice. Cut the lemon into quarters and squeeze two of the quarters into the jug. Add 2 tablespoons of salt. Swirl the mixture in the jug for 2 minutes and the inside surface will quickly come clean. Rinse under the tap. This work with coffee percolators too. personal chefs and event catering Miami + Miami Beach + Fort Lauderdale + Palm Beach www.yadachef.com

English Muffins or Muffins as they are called throughout the UK are thought to be a variation of a crumpet made originally in the USA by Samuel B. Thomas. In  the USA muffins are “quick breads” made without the use of yeast and are more cake like than bread like. Muffins were sold by street vendors door to door in the UK in the 18 and 19th century before many houses had ovens, hence the ditty “do you know the muffin man, the muffin man ...” Makes 16 muffins 1 3/4 cups/435ml warm milk 1 packet instant yeast or 19.14g fresh yeast 2 tablespoons/25g sugar 3 tablespoons/43g butter, melted 1/2 teaspoon/2ml YaDa Chef Maya Natural salt 1 large egg, lightly beaten 4 1/2 cups/539g King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour semolina or farina, for sprinkling the griddle or pan (optional) If using instant yeast dissolve the yeast in small bowl with the milk and the sugar. Let “proof” for 5 minutes. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, add the milk yeast, butter and egg. Mix

From the book Best Recipes from the backs of bottles, boxes, cans and jars 15 ounce/425g can salmon or mackerel  (drained and flaked) 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons/183g dry bread crumbs* 1/2 cup/125ml Mayonnaise 1 small onion chopped 1 stalk celery chopped 1/2 red pepper chopped 1 egg beaten In a large bowl add the salmon/mackerel, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, onion, celery, pepper and egg.  Mix to combine well.  Place the mixture into lightly greased 9 x 5 inch/23 x 13 centimeter loaf pan.  Place in a pre-heated 350F/180C/Gas 4 oven.  Bake for 30-45 minutes. *Substitute 1/2 the amount of rice crumbs for a gluten free version While the salmon loaf is cooking combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, cucumber, onion and dill.  Taste for salt and pepper.  Let sit to marry the flavours. Cucumber Sauce 1/2 cup/125ml Mayonnaise 1/2 cup/125ml Sour Cream * 1/2 Cucumber finely chopped 1 small onion chopped 1 teaspoon/5ml dill weed * If you do not have s

The health benefits of pistachios include a  healthy heart , weight management, protection against  diabetes  and hypertension, and improved  digestion . The  vitamins ,  minerals , fats, and protein found in pistachio are all good for health. What Are Pistachios? Pistachios are one of the oldest edible  nuts  and are commonly used all over the world. They are native to Asia, particularly Iran and Iraq. Archaeological evidence  dates  the association of pistachios and man as early as 6,000 BC. They were cultivated in Iran, Iraq, and Syria and were introduced to the Romans only in 100 AD. Today, apart from Iran, Iraq, and Syria, pistachios are being produced in many countries such as the United States, Australia, Turkey, and China, among others. Pistachio nuts belong to the  Anacardiaceae  family from the genus  Pistacia . A pistachio tree takes about 10 to 12 years to produce the first crop. They are drupe, where the fruit has a large  seed  in the center, which is edible. T

2 cups/1lb/450g lobster meat 4 tablespoons/57g butter ¼ cup/60ml brandy 1 cup/250ml heavy cream 3 egg yolks salt/pepper to taste toast points or crostini Cut lobster meat into large pieces and sauté in butter for 5 minutes.  Add brandy, pull off burner and blaze it.  In a separate pan, blend the cream and egg yolks.  Place the pan in the top part of a double boiler stir constantly until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.  Combine with the lobster and season with salt and pepper.  Serve with toast points or Crostini. personal chefs and event catering Miami + Miami Beach + Fort Lauderdale + Palm Beach www.yadachef.com

Though many people are aware of the origins of chocolate in ancient Mesoamerica, fewer know that it was valued for more than its flavor: cacao beans, from which chocolate is made, were used as currency across Mesoamerica. Today, the idea of paying for goods and services with food seems foreign to most in the Western world. The practice of eating things that we consider currency, though, is certainly not unheard of:  a rising culinary trend  has restaurants and companies topping everything from sushi to Kit Kat bars with gold. The use of cacao beans as money was unique, even in the context of the barter-based trade economy that spanned the Americas, and reflects the elite status cacao held in Mesoamerican society. Cacao’s role as currency may have had a more important role than previously considered in its transition from the New World to the Old World. Cacao and the Maya Cacao had a central place in Maya society, one that is often overshadowed by its importance in the later