Tag: Fruits And Vegetables

The Chocolatey World Of Belgian Seashell Chocolates

Believe it or not chocolates are good for your health. There have been studies that were conducted by major research institutes that people who constantly eat chocolates have a longer life span than those who dont usually eat them. Chocolates are also filled with antioxidants that fights off cancer, cardiovascular diseases, thwarts off strokes, and lowers down blood pressure. Chocolate also has large amounts of iron and magnesium.

Other than its health benefits, chocolates can make you feel much better in a more legal and tasty way compared to alcoholic beverages and medications. The ingestion of chocolates induces the release of hormones called endorphins which promotes a state of happiness or a feel-good emotional experience.

Chocolates are also believed to be an aphrodisiac. It has been so since the time of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations in South America. It is believed that ingestion of chocolates stimulates sexual energy and consequently makes people fertile. It is also said to relieve exhaustion because of its nutritional aspects. Energy bars of athletes are mostly chocolates mixed with another substance for energy enhancement.

The team up of chocolate’s health benefits with the best chocolate confection the world, Belgian chocolates, then there may be no more stopping for people who are still skeptics of the chocolate magic that has been driving people crazy since it’s coming to European shores.

With chocolates, nothing beats the Belgians in making this sweet taste of heaven make its way to salivating chocolate crazy individuals. Belgian chocolates are deemed to be the alpha male of all chocolates. Even its rival Swiss counterparts bow to its gastronomical powers. The distinctive factor of Belgian chocolates that makes it outstanding is the excellent quality of the ingredients and the perfect chocolate making techniques that has been refined through the centuries.

Belgian chocolates come in many shapes in sizes. One of the preferred forms of Belgian chocolates is the seashell shaped ones. After all, a seashell is a symbol of many positive things in life. Seashells are thought to be gifts from the ocean. With its various shapes and forms, it is the symbol of uniqueness and beauty. One great symbolism of the seashell is created by Boticelli in one of his artistic creations. In his painting of “The Birth of Venus”, the seashell is depicted as the vessel of beauty, rebirth, love, and godly attributes to the earth.

Therefore, seashell shaped Belgian chocolates are perfect for symbolizing the chocolate’s representation of heavenly experience of a sweet filling wrapped in a beautiful chocolate shell or praline. One bite will surely bring you to the heavens.

With the Belgian seashell chocolate’s rich in symbolism, it has become a popular item for gifts to loved ones. As gifts, packages for these chocolates should also be perfect. With the finesse of Belgian craftsmanship, chocolates are made of excellent materials which include top notch delicious fruits, high quality chocolate, and natural vanilla. Artificial flavoring, which is common among inferior types if chocolates, is never included in the ingredients of Belgian chocolates.

In the quest for Belgian seashell chocolates, do not just opt for ones that are sold in supermarkets that claims to be made by the use of Belgian techniques of chocolate making. The most likely that you will be having a taste of real Belgian chocolates is in Belgium. There are no other places here on this planet where you can perfectly eat Belgian chocolates. Plus, with the country’s fine tourist destinations, Belgian chocolates, especially the seashell shaped ones, are the perfect snack as you go on sightseeing in the beautiful country of Belgium.

Foods Eaten Around Easter in Mexico

Mexico has many Easter customs. Many of these customs derived from Spain. These customs vary throughout the different regions and cities. Catholics are forbidden to eat red meat on certain days during Lent, so meals that exclude it are consumed during these times. Dishes that involve fish become popular. The Nopal is also a popular food eaten during this time.

Nopal is a type of cactus that has flat leaves. It is very flexible. Part of it is considered a vegetable, while the other being a fruit. The nopal can be made fresh, canned, or dried. There are many dishes that include nopal. Salads with added shrimp are great when fasting during Lent. Eggs with nopal are common. They can also be put into tacos. Nopal is rich in fiber and vitamins. Romeritos is another vegetable eaten during Lent. It is a green leaf that resembles rosemary. It is made with whole shrimp with a touch of chile sauce or powder.

Naturally since corn is a popular vegetable in many Mexican dishes, it is eaten a lot during Lent. Chacales is a dish made that is dried white corn that is broken into pieces and prepared into a soup. One other vegetable that seems to top all other vegetables in popularity is the Italian squash. The squash is cut and placed in a cloth which is then laid out in the sun until the squash is fully dried. Once it is dry, the squash is fried with tomatoes and onions. Cheese is placed on the top of the vegetables and not served until it the cheese completely melts.

Fish is an easy way to fast from meat during this time of year. It can be prepared in many different ways. A fish soup that is made around this time includes lima beans with the fish in pieces. Shrimp is also eaten. Shrimp can be served raw, or even made into shrimp patties. These patties can be covered with a traditional Lenten sauce called Pipin. Pipin is made of different spices, and also pumpkin seeds.

One of the most well-known desserts served around lent is known as capirotada. Capirotada is a Mexican bread pudding. This pudding varies from home to home. It usually consists of toasted French bread, cheese, milk, butter, peanuts, and raisons. It is soaked in syrup that includes water, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a variety of other ingredients. Another dessert that is popular around Easter time in Mexico is Empanadas. They are turnovers with a flaky crust that is filled with fruit in the middle. Some fruits inside are cherry, and strawberry. They come in a variety of flavors, but the favorites are apricot, apple, and blackberry.

Even though Lent is a time to fast, that doesn’t mean the people doing the fasting cannot enjoy what they eat. There are many more foods that are eaten during this time. Some dishes date back from many centuries ago. It is no surprise as to why these dishes are still popular.

Risotto and the Veneto Region Italian Food

With so many different Italian food dishes it is hard to pick a favorite. However, for those who like risotto, Veneto is the region for you! Italian food varies greatly by region with each area presenting their own unique dishes and flavors. One of the most recognized Italian food dishes is Risotto and because of that Veneto is a must stop region for those travelers in Italy wanting to taste some excellent Italian food.

Risotto is most simply a rice dish cooked very precisely. It is one of the most commonly ordered appetizers at Italian food restaurants. Yet for its amazing popularity, it is also one of the most common Italian food dishes to be botched. The key to a good risotto is to first cook the rice briefly in olive oil or butter. It should be cooked until it is evenly coated and begins to turn translucent. After that, broth is added to the rice slowly, one spoonful at a time. The most defining quality of a risotto is that the rice is toasted. If the rice isn’t toasted than it’s not a risotto, no matter how fine the Italian food restaurant is that you’re in.

There are many different variations on risotto because it can be made and served with so many different Italian food favorites. In Veneto the ingredients added to the risotto are determined by location. For instance, in areas closer to the coast it will be made with fish and other seafood. As you move in from the coast you will see risotto made with different vegetables like pumpkin, asparagus, and radicchio. It is also commonly seen made with frogs’ legs which appear in Italian food more than most people think.

The Veneto region is also home to some unique foods. The dishes here are heavier and rely on exotic spices and sauces. One unique dish that originated here and is quickly gaining popularity as an Italian food dish is pasta and beans. Beans are used in many dishes here due to their ready availability. This is also an area of Italy where anchovies and stockfish are used extensively in Italian food. However, fish is not the dish of choice here, being beaten out by meats and sausages. A favorite meat is sopressata which is a dry-cured salami. It gets its name from the fact that while drying it is often pressed with a weight and comes out looking flat. It is most often made with pork, but sometimes beef is used. Another favorite Italian food meat is garlic salami. The Italian food here is also reliant on some of the prized vegetables of the area. Veneto is especially known for their high quality red radicchio and their asparagus. One last dish that is unique to the area is a rice dish with young peas.

The Italian food of Veneto clearly breaks the mold. It is full of diversity from dishes made wholly with vegetables and rice, to some of the most famous sausages in the world. If a night of Italian food for you must include risotto, than Veneto is the place to be. If you consider yourself a sausage connoisseur than the Italian food of Veneto will again be a must taste for you. The region truly offers something for everyone!

Dont Miss Having Belgian Chocolate Fondue for Your Party

Different celebrations call for chocolate goodies, and it’s already considered as a tradition. The importance of food can’t be denied, and a party isn’t complete without a chocolate or even a cake. While the party may be composed of different cuisines, the meal which families or friends gather around unites them on a common ground. Different foods have different meanings whether it’s a weekly meal, holiday meal, or simply a special recipe of the family. But when you want to celebrate sweetly, nothing can be compared to chocolates.

For the connoisseurs of chocolate, each person’s preference is unique from chocolate cakes with frosted vanilla icing, whipped cream, to chocolate icings and fondues. Oftentimes, you can find old recipes of chocolates handed down through generations.

Christopher Columbus was able to find chocolate during the 1400s, in a place called the New World. Many people believe that the Aztecs were the very first people ever to taste chocolate before its existence was known. The Aztec considered it as their sacred drink which only the elite could afford. They know the cocoa bean’s value and even used it to buy gold. The chocolate loved by the Aztecs wasnt actually sweet, but they really loved their chocolate drinks.

When chocolates arrived in Belgium, the local residents there considered it as a superb gift because of its history and medicinal effect. The Belgians were able to create a praline filling in 1912, and packed it for gift-giving purposes. Soon enough, it became well-known as Belgian chocolate because of its unique filling. The Belgians are quite choosy with their cocoa powder, and they made sure that it’s of the finest quality. Every procedure is done by hand because they strongly believe that it can bring out the finest chocolate. Now, they offer a wide range of chocolate products loved by many people from all over the world.

Fondue is also one of the favorites when it comes to dinner gatherings and parties. The chocolate fondue is loved by many people because of its sweetness. It is also compatible with almost any type of food including cakes and fruits. If you’re choosy with your fondue, then you can also try Belgian chocolate fondue.

If you’re planning to have a party of any occasion, dont forget to include Belgian chocolate fondue. It can go along with any of your prepared food for the party. It’s not even hard to find chocolate fondue. By doing a search online, you can actually find many online stores that offer such product.

You can also buy fondue refills. The Belgian chocolate fondue is a sensationally dark, delectable, and dunkalicious chocolate dip. If most of your party foods consist of mandarin oranges, buttery cakes, and succulent strawberries, this is truly an excellent dip. By adding heavy cream, you can now enjoy the delicious chocolate fondue. The price is also affordable, and it’s available in seven ounces for only $12.95 (for the refill).

If you want to bring family, friends, and loved-one closer together, dont ever forget your chocolate fondue, and be sure that you get a Belgian Chocolate Fondue so that you’re sure of its quality.

Chocolates can do wonders especially in gatherings. Young children and even adults will surely love the delicious chocolate fondue that you served. And thanks to the Belgians, you can have a high quality fondue served on your table that is perfect for dipping any food item.

Belgian Chocolate Bars: Great Tasting Chocolates

Chocolates have been around for quite a long time now and many people are still devoted to eating chocolate. Besides, you can never deny the fact that chocolates are very delicious treats that everybody loves. Perhaps even your sister going on a “strict” diet is hiding some in her bedroom to conceal her guilt for loving chocolate.

In fact, in the past, chocolates were considered to be a sacred drink in the Americas where only the elite society can afford. The Aztecs even made the cocoa bean as part of their monetary system in order to buy their gold. As you can see, chocolates have indeed been cherished by society and up until today, chocolates are still considered to be the best candy in the world.

A lot of countries have their own chocolates that they can be proud of. Today, the original recipe of the Spanish aristocrats has been kept for a secret for centuries and which is now called today as the Belgian chocolate. Belgian chocolates were originally in a fluid form where people drank it. Today, there are available Belgian chocolate bars and other kinds of Belgian chocolates. Some are even fruits and biscuits coated with Belgian chocolate.

Indeed, Belgian chocolates are considered to be high quality and expensive chocolates that everyone should taste. Some Belgian chocolates contains liqueur for additional taste.

The sweetness and the creaminess of Belgian chocolates are one of a kind and people from all over the world crave for Belgian chocolates. Although it is on the expensive side, Belgian chocolates are still brought because of its taste and creaminess. It is not too sweet and it is also very creamy that it will provide great sensation when you let it melt in your mouth.

Many people, especially chocolate lovers have testified that Belgian chocolates are meticulously crafted that it makes them want to eat more. One kind of Belgian chocolates is called Godiva and is considered to be one of the best chocolates in the world. Famous people were even reported to go to Belgium just to get a hold of one of the world famous chocolates.

Chocolates can also be considered to be a great gift idea to your loved one. So, if you are planning to give your wife a gift, and you know that she loves chocolates, you should consider purchasing one of the world’s finest chocolates produced in Belgium. You can be sure that this gift idea will be greatly appreciated and, another great thing about chocolates is that it has been found to be an aphrodisiac.

Although Belgian chocolates are very pricey, you can be sure that once you tasted one, you will say that it’s worth every penny. Today, there are available Belgian chocolate bars in the market. It is also recommended that you should shop for Belgian chocolates online as you can get great discounts on their promos. Belgian chocolates are now being sold in the internet. So, if you can’t find a Belgian chocolate in your area, you should try going online and with just a click of the mouse, you will find yourself with different choices of Belgian chocolates.

Another great thing about shopping for chocolates online is that you can avail of their buy one and get one free promos and big discounts.