The Benefits of Dessert Parties

Dinner parties are a hot trend and a great way to get together with all of your friends. But do you and your friends have a serious sweet tooth? Do you get more enjoyment out of the desserts than dinner? Why not host an evening dessert party? A dessert party can actually be hosted any time of the day, but a late evening party is typically best. With desserts, the tiny touches really do completely the big pictures. For instance, doilies on dessert plates when serving a fine piece of cake is a ...
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Interview with Carlos Toraño

Carlos Toraño, the man with the name on the band, sits down for a brief chat to discuss his views on the cigar industry, whether another "cigar boom" is happening, his opinion on the anti-smoking efforts and new products from Toraño Cigars. Cigar Review: How long has the Toraño family been in the cigar business? Carlos Toraño: The Toraño Family has been in the TOBACCO business since 1916. We were growers of tobacco in Cuba. After the so called revolution, our family fled and my father, ...
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The Columbia Restaurant & Cigar Factory

The Columbia Restaurant is the nation's largest Spanish restaurant and Florida's oldest at 100 years old. Started in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez in the burgeoning cigar capitol of Ybor City Tampa, they now have 7 locations in Florida as well as their own cigar factory and store, where they make the "Gonzalez y Martinez" brand of cigars. I was on the West coast of Florida recently and decided to visit two of The Columbia's locations. On my way driving up the coast, I stopped in at ...
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Five Simply Delicious Holiday Appetizers

Holiday parties are wonderful but the vast array of rich and tempting foods can become a bit overwhelming. I have some recipes for this time of year that, while delicious, are not quite as rich as the standard fare. When asked to contribute a dish, I usually make one of these recipes. This way, I know there will be an alternative if I start to indulge too heartily in richer selections. Here are five alternatives. Shrimp Loaf. Place eight ounces of low fat cream cheese on a bed of chopped ...
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How To Enjoy the Season - Easy Tips and Delicious Recipes

b>Take Time to Enjoy the Season From the first day of winter to Christmas to Chanukah to Kwanzaa, December is totally filled with holidays to celebrate - well, except for that first day of winter. And so this article is also filled with lots of cooking and entertaining tips and holiday recipes just for you. With all of this celebrating, we tend to wear ourselves out pretty quickly. Already this past weekend, I saw people fighting over a parking space. How ridiculous did that look? And ...
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Clams A La Du Chef

/p> Are you a seafood lover well if you are here is something different, this recipe will tantalize your taste buds and make you scream for more, this is a great appetizer as well as a wonderful dinner, in this recipe you must use your judgment and use as much of a particular ingredient that you like or as little of each that you don't like but you will find that by adding all the ingredients gives a nice balance to this dish. Am I making you hungry? Well I hope so, now do stay with me because ...
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Making Spanish Paella The Easy Way

Paella is a saffron-flavored dish made with varying combinations of rice, vegetables, meat, chicken and seafood. Spain and the Catalan languages, paella means frying pan or pot. The traditional paella pan is flat and of large diameter, it can also have handles on each side. In fact, paella is one of the most versatile dishes to make. Paella also has the advantage of being great to clean out the fridge and use up leftover meats and vegetables. Any combination will eventually be great the secret ...
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Making Spanish Paella The Easy Way

Paella is a saffron-flavored dish made with varying combinations of rice, vegetables, meat, chicken and seafood. Spain and the Catalan languages, paella means frying pan or pot. The traditional paella pan is flat and of large diameter, it can also have handles on each side. In fact, paella is one of the most versatile dishes to make. Paella also has the advantage of being great to clean out the fridge and use up leftover meats and vegetables. Any combination will eventually be great the secret ...
Read the rest of this entry »

Setting A Festive Table - Tips For A Striking Presentation

You'll be slaving over a hot stove for hours, preparing a feast fit for kings this Christmas. From the turkey to the desserts, you put love into every recipe, and your family digs in with gusto. Why not add some festive touches to the table as well, and make the presentation as breathtaking as the dishes you'll be serving? It doesn't take much time or money to transform your table from humbug to very merry. Choosing a Theme The easiest way to coordinate your decor is to choose a theme. Your ...
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Setting A Festive Table - Tips For A Striking Presentation

You'll be slaving over a hot stove for hours, preparing a feast fit for kings this Christmas. From the turkey to the desserts, you put love into every recipe, and your family digs in with gusto. Why not add some festive touches to the table as well, and make the presentation as breathtaking as the dishes you'll be serving? It doesn't take much time or money to transform your table from humbug to very merry. Choosing a Theme The easiest way to coordinate your decor is to choose a theme. Your ...
Read the rest of this entry »