All About Gourmet Foods - Delicacies From the Heart

Gourmet food by definition means high standard of quality, delicate preparation and artistic preparation. The word gourmet is of French origin which means wine broker employed by a wine dealer. Also, a gourmet is a person who is someone with discriminating taste. They are food experts who know the taste of good food as compared to a regular one.

While most people think that gourmet delicacies are exotic and rare, they think correctly. The ingredients are quite expensive because they are rare. But what really separate gourmet food from all other kinds of food is in the manner that it is prepared. A very close attention to detail and lots of care is needed in preparing gourmet. It might not taste that good but the manner it is presented is the most important thing. Some think that gourmet preparation is like a work of art. Lots of hard work, effort and imagination are spent in its preparation.

One more common definition that people think when you say gourmet is that gourmet foods are expensive. For some reason, this point maybe valid. When you cook something which has ingredients that are not common and often have high prices, you call it gourmet. Also, food bought in high-class restaurants that costs much can be thought of as gourmet because of its expensive nature.

Both definitions and understanding of gourmet food is valid. But what people forget is what gourmet is all about. Quality is what defines gourmet food. The quality of ingredients and the manner in which they are prepared is the most perfect definition to describe gourmet food. Basically, the finer ingredients the food requires, and the tedious preparation it takes, makes gourmet food much more expensive as compared to foods sold in the supermarket.

One misconception though is that gourmet food is not healthy and has lots of fattening ingredients. For some reason, it may be true but so are all the other foods not prepared the "gourmet way". On the contrary, with all the high quality ingredients present in gourmet food, it should be good for the health. You can see that example in buying fruits and vegetables which have poor quality; of course, they won't be good to your health because of its poor quality. That is simple logic.

For all the conversations and all the definitions that has been said about gourmet; bottom line is that it is still food. And let us not forget the real value of food in our lives; gourmet or not. Food will always be the essential thing that keeps everybody living. Without food, there will be no life on earth. So let us start valuing the food we have in our table daily. Let us not discuss whether it is gourmet or not; as long as there is food on the plate, everybody lives.

We should not discount its taste, appearance, smell or ingredients that are in it. Learn to appreciate the food that we receive. Most especially if it's gourmet appetizers for parties food.

More Healthy Foods Are Included in the Best Restaurants

Dining out has become a regular part of most people's lifestyle. Whether we have had a busy day at work and are too tired to cook a big dinner, or are looking to spend time with friends and family, eating at a restaurant has become a quick and easy way to get a delicious meal without the hassle of cooking and cleaning up after the meal. Dine out with deep fried appetizers for parties for your selection of foods.

In recent years, more people have embraced a healthier lifestyle so their eating habits have undergone many changes. People are no longer grabbing a cheeseburger and fries for dinner. Most people are now looking for healthier meals when they dine out, not just for themselves, but also for their children.

Because more people want healthy food choices when they dine out such as foods that are low in calories and fat, the best restaurants are now including healthy foods on their menus. Ingredients are more natural and dishes are being prepared so they are low in salt, fat, calories, and sodium. The best restaurants are now offering dishes that are 'heart healthy.' This means that the meals that are prepared do not contain fat and salt so that health conscious consumers can keep their cholesterol levels low. As well, the best restaurants will offer foods that are low in fiber.

Ways in which restaurants offer healthy alternatives include: offering sugar substitutes, salads, baked or broiled foods instead of fried or deep fried food, fresh fruits and vegetables, decaffeinated coffee, fruit juices, milk, fish, and whole grain breads. As well, the best restaurants will offer a 'heart healthy' menu where they will provide the calories and fat for each healthy dish on the menu that allows diners to pick a dish that meets their health needs. They will even offer healthier appetizers instead of the traditional deep fried foods that are served as appetizers. Fresh veggies and dip, fruit dishes, and healthy soups are often offered as a healthier appetizer alternative.

Many people are now trying to decrease their red meat intake or cut meats out of their diet altogether. In response to this change in consumer eating habits, some of the best restaurants are offering vegetarian menus to meet their customers' demands. Restaurants will offer delicious and flavorful vegetarian meals that will satisfy anyone looking for a satisfying meal that does not contain any meat.

Many restaurant meals will provide rich sauces that are high in fat and calories. To make their sauces healthier, the best restaurants will create delicious and flavored sauces that are low in salt, calories, and fat. There are many ways of preparing healthy sauces using healthy ingredients that are bursting with flavor. The best restaurants with the best chefs are very creative with coming up with delicious healthy sauces. They will also give diners the option of substituting an unhealthy part of the meal with a healthy dish. For instance, one should have the option of substituting fries with a salad or baked potato.

With the increasing rise of obesity rates in our society, the health implications have led many people to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The best restaurants have responded to these consumer trends and are now offering healthier and tasty meals.

Simple Seafood Party Appetizers

The next time you are having a party, or need to take an appetizer to one, why not consider using seafood? Seafood is a healthy alternative and there are plenty of delicious recipes to make for your next gathering or get together. More of appetizers for parties.

Broil mild types of fish such as cod or halibut and add to salsa for a simple but tasty dip for vegetables or for putting on crackers. Alternatively, add pieces of fish to cream cheese and add ingredients such as beans, olives, peppers, and tomatoes for your own unique seafood dip.

Crab meat is perfect for appetizers as it can be bought fresh or canned and mixes well with many other ingredients. You can make baked crab cakes coated with your own mixture of bread crumbs to serve along with salads or with a dipping sauce. Alternatively, mix crab meat together with chopped celery, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and seasonings and blend in mayonnaise, salad dressing, or sour cream.

Crab legs are another good seafood party appetizer that is easy to prepare and serve. Brush crab legs with melted butter and lemon juice before broiling for 3 to 5 minutes or until cooked through.

Shrimp can be broiled, grilled, or fried and shrimp appetizers taste delicious with dipping sauces such as horseradish or cocktail sauce. Shrimp can also be garnished with cheeses and a wide variety of seasonings.

recipe for shrimp pizza on the grill

what you need

• 2 12 inch pizza crusts
• 1-1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound medium or large shrimp
• 1 tablespoon old bay seafood seasoning or similar spices
• 1 cup green chili sauce, crushed green chili peppers, or green salsa
• 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced thin
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 cup romano cheese, shredded
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 cup black olives, chopped
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest, grated

how to make it

preheat the grill to medium heat.
Drizzle olive oil all over both pizza crusts and put each one on a separate baking sheet.
Prepare the shrimp by peeling and deveining each piece. In a medium sized mixing bowl, drizzle more olive oil on top of the shrimp then sprinkle with the seafood seasoning coating each piece thoroughly.
Using a grill basket, grill the shrimp for about 5 minutes or until they turn pinkish.
While the shrimp is grilling, spread a half cup of green chili sauce or green salsa atop of each pizza. Layer each pizza with the slices of mozzarella cheese.

On a cutting board, dice the grilled shrimp then sprinkle on top of the pizzas. Add the parmesan and romano cheeses and half of the chopped green onions to the pizzas.

Grill the pizzas over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is slightly melted.
Garnish the top of the pizzas with the remaining green onions, the black olives, and the grated lemon zest.
Allow the shrimp pizzas to cool slightly before cutting into slices.
Serves 6 to 8 depending on the size of the pizza slices.

Cheese And Dressing Quick Easy Appetizers

Regardless of what time of year it is, there is always an occasion that calls for appetizers. There are so many fun things to make and they are even better when they are quick and easy to put together. If you are surprised with drop-in guests, enjoy your time together by serving delicious easy party appetizers. If this is the first time you have thought about searching for appetizer recipes, you are about to be pleasantly surprised. There are thousands designed for many different tastes, and many of them take very little time to put together while giving fantastic results.

Crackers, chips, pretzels and other finger food snacks are great things to place in bowls and on toss away paper and plastic plates. This not only allows variety in the appetizer selection, it lets you choose different designs and colors on the amazing disposable table service to mix and match. For instance, if it is a holiday celebration, choose white bowls, red plates, and blue cups with a mix of red, white, and blue plastic cutlery.
Easy Quick Pecan Walnut Cheese Balls
Cheese is always welcomed and this special cheese ball can be prepared the day before, giving you extra time the day of the party to take care of other last-minute details.
What You Need:

• 2 packages cream cheese (8 ounces each) softened
• 1 package blue cheese dressing mix
• 3 and 1/2 cups medium cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
• 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
• 12 small cubes of cheddar, jack, or pepper jack cheese for decoration
• 12 plastic toothpicks, such as those used to hold garnishes for drinks

How You Make It:
Take the cream cheese out of the refrigerator one hour before preparation to let it soften. Put the cream cheese, shredded cheese and dressing mix into a large bowl. Mix them together until blended. Shape into two balls.
Put the walnuts and pecans into a bowl or plastic bag and mix. Spread the nuts on a sheet of waxed paper and roll each ball around on the mix to completely cover. Spear each cheese cube and randomly place on the top and around the center of the ball. Put on a platter, cover with waxed paper, and place the cheese balls into the refrigerator to cool from a minimum of two hours to overnight.
Set the cheese balls in separate areas for wandering guests, with several plastic knives to help with cutting a portion to add to the snacks. Whether you serve the cheese balls on small plastic saucers or bowls, or place on two separate platters with chips, crackers, and pretzels surrounding each one, these easy party appetizers will be a hit. Other recipes you find will suggest different cheeses, coatings, and many will be quick easy appetizers for parties with crowd pleasing features.

When using the colorful wooden toothpicks to hold appetizers together, remember that moisture may cause some of the dye to bleed sandwiches, cheeses, and other absorbing snacks. Verify that the picks you choose have harmless coloring, or select the colorful plastic "spears" or "swords" that can be found at almost any store.
Depending on the season, fresh green seedless grapes or sliced kiwi fruit accompany these appetizers well. If fresh fruit season has ended, drain a large can of chunk pineapple and place the chunks on a platter with baby carrots and celery sticks, two items always great for spreading with the delicious cheese balls you have created.