Know Your Mexican Food — The Difference Between Flour and Corn Tortillas

Posted on February 12, 2017 by Francis Pitt

In America, one of the most important characteristics is the multicultural fabric of its society and the great things it brings to the table as far as cuisine is concerned. Since there are so many cultures bound together in the same location, the kind of food that is available in America and is consumed on a daily basis by millions of its citizens is interesting to say the least. Influences from multiple kinds of cuisines all over the world make it so exciting to be of food enthusiast in this country, and one of the most important staples when it comes to ethnic cuisine in the country is Mexican food. The best Mexican restaurants in the country serve the best Mexican food that you can find, and if you know how to spot authentic Mexican food, you can embark on a journey that involves exotic spices, a great depth of flavor and aromas, and visual presentation that makes the food even more worth it. One of the things that many people overlook, however, is the nutritional benefits of Mexican food. Not only is it extremely healthy and full of good food value and nutrients, but to the presence of integrated taste and flavors contributes to its appeal.

One of the most important ingredients when it comes to Mexican food is the tortilla. Used in a variety of ways and contributing to a lot of Mexican dishes that we now recognize as staples in the country, the tortilla is something very simple. It is essentially a flat bread, which is created by rolling the dough in a circular shape and then breaking it either in an oven or on the open heat. This creates a very simple, starchy flat bread which can be used with a variety of different ingredients to create amazing Mexican staples that are all well known in this country for their excellent and bold flavors. One of the most important things that decide the kind of tortilla that you end up with is the choice of flour. Tortilla can be made with many different kinds of flour, and the two most commonly used ones are regular flour and corn flour. Indeed, this is the main difference between flour and corn tortillas, and each of them brings something different to the table, and are consequently used in different kinds of recipes and creations.

Let us get more in-depth and explored the difference between flour and corn tortillas, and what each brings to the table in terms of characteristics as ingredients. To start off with, flour tortillas are in general very soft and quite pliable,and have it taste which is extremely neutral with a hint of sweetness. Since they are soft by nature, they are the ideal choice for things like tacos and enchiladas, and you can even use stable wants to create quesadillas. However, due to their soft texture, they are not great for frying. In most cases, they are used in recipes where you really want the feeling or the flavor inside to be the star of the show and the tortilla is just the shell that holds things together.

The other side of the contest in the difference between flour and corn tortillas is the interesting corn tortilla, which is also slightly pliable, but mostly firm. They have a more chewy texture, which makes them an interesting ingredient. The taste is also not as neutral as that of flour tortillas, as the corn flavor shines through. One of the main aspects of the difference between flour and corn tortillas is that corn tortillas are excellent for frying, and you can use them as tortillas chips. It can also be used as a shelf for tacos if you want the shell to be a part of the flavor profile and to contribute to the overall taste of the dish. Both of these are extremely interesting ingredients and can be used creatively in a variety of different ways to bring life to Mexican cuisine.

These are the main points of difference between flour and corn tortillas and you should choose accordingly when cooking great Mexican food.

How To Create The Ultimate Wedding Menu Diets, Allergies, Seasonal Options And More

Posted on February 9, 2017 by Francis Pitt

Weddings are one of the most beloved celebrations in the United States. They symbolize a union built on love and trust, creating warm memories that withstand the test of time. Because of this popularity it stands to reason every element of a wedding is held to a high standard, from designs to set-ups, and will be given the utmost quality. A quality menu for weddings is an incredibly involving feature that takes into account everything from unique tastes to particular diets, crafted to offer every guest something delicious to whet their appetite and create an evening to remember.

Food Services Never Go Out Of Style

Everyone loves a good spread. There are an estimated 321,000 American men and women working in both the food management and catering industry today — they do everything from cooking to baking to designing, working night and day to create the most brilliant weddings and after-parties imaginable. Good caterers should be aware of with the most up-to-date food safety regulations and should easily manage a staff of cooks, servers, dishwashers and cleaners. While everyone has different roles, some caterers are also in charge of decor, table arrangements and general presentation.

Seasonally Driven Menus Are Always In

No two seasons are the same. Neither are weddings! A good food catering menu for weddings should properly reflect the changing weather and passing holidays, all the better to cultivate an environment that feels relevant to all attending. A summer spread should have plenty of fun foods as well as classic spreads to cultivate the cheer of the season, while a winter spread should combine a proper mixture of filling and sweet.

Top It Off With A Good Drink

Drinks are so popular they have their own sections and guidelines. Should you be cultivating a menu for weddings in a more rural location, such as a vineyard or ranch, keep in mind your kitchen facilities may be inefficient to meet the challenges of providing a proper spread and drink selection for your guests. There should be a good range of non-alcoholic and alcoholic options for all and sundry, with martinis and vodka mixes still some of the most popular fun choices for adults. Even now ‘Great Gatsby-inspired’ weddings with champagne towers and cocktails are incredibly popular.

Better To Be Safe Than Sorry

A menu for weddings should never neglect allergies, alternate diets or food intolerance. Recipes should be adjusted to cope with the aforementioned issues and there should always be easy-to-find disclaimers so people know what they’re interacting with. Common food allergies include peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, shellfish and wheat. Common intolerance issues include soy, milk and eggs. Alternate diets should take into account vegetarians, vegans and pescatarians. Some allergies are rarer and, at the end of the day, it never hurts to double-check to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.

Creating A Good Menu For Weddings

Now for a little refresher. A dinner catering menu is one of the most essential elements to a successful wedding and easily takes up a significant amount of time for the couple in question. Seasonally driven menus are some of the most popular decisions, while good drinks should always be in heavy supply. Double-checking for allergies and alternative diets will go a long way in preventing trouble, while hiring the right outside catering services will reduce a lot of stress on your already busy schedule. Ready to create the ultimate wedding? It pays to be prepared!

Three Things To Know Before Choosing A Wedding Caterer

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Francis Pitt

When it comes to event planning and catering, few events are quite as important as a wedding. Yes, there may be some galas that welcome the rich and famous, and there may be some formal ceremonies that are technically more prestigious than the celebration of nuptials. But for a bride and groom, few days are going to top the one in which they exchanged vows and pledged their love to one another. As such, there’s a lot of pressure for the wedding to be as perfect as possible. And while you may find that your dress doesn’t fit quite the way you wanted, or perhaps that the weather isn’t what was expected, if you hire the right special event catering services, you can trust that your meal will go off without a hitch. With that being said, good caterers can’t do all of the work themselves. There are a few things that you, as the bride or groom, will have to know in advance in order to get the most out of your special day. For that matter, the more information you’re able to give professional catering services, the better they will be able to accommodate any specific issues or quirks surrounding your venue. With that being said, let’s look into what you should expect should you hire event planning and catering services for your wedding.

1. The Food Will Be Delicious — But There Won’t Be Any Leftovers

If you’re careful about the event planning and catering services you hire, the food they give you will most likely be amazing. Many catering services have made an art out of making great food in virtually any location; that’s what they’re known for, after all. But it’s likely that some won’t get eaten over the course of the wedding — and you won’t get to keep it. What you’re paying for with most catering services is the food that you eat, not the amount of food made total. Most catering services will take your guest list and add a certain amount of food that needs to be made, in order to accommodate those who want second helpings. As such, it’s not unusual for there to be food left afterwards, and the catering service will take that food with them. While you may think that you’re missing out on leftovers, the reality is that most people won’t be equipped to take it with them anyway — especially not the bride and groom, who are most likely about to set off on their honeymoon. The removal of food is part of cleanup, and the catering service is taking care of that for you.

2. Special Requirements Can Be Accommodated

Not everyone has the same dietary needs, and this is especially evident when you’re hosting a big wedding. In this day and age, many people are trying to be socially conscious with their meals, and therefore you may need to accommodate vegan and vegetarian guests. More crucially, some guests are vegetarian due to their religious practices, and you certainly don’t want to run into any problems in that respect. Other times, guests have dietary restrictions due to allergies. No matter what the reason, let your event planning and catering services know ahead of time and they will be able to adjust the recipes accordingly, of for that matter help you plan a special menu for your guests with specific restrictions. In this sense, it can be less expensive and more convenient to have pre-plated, pre-ordered meals than buffets or food stations when the caterer is off-site.

3. Caterers Can Help You Stay In Style

It can be difficult to keep up with all of the wedding trends, especially those that revolve around food. With that being said, a good caterer will make it a priority to stay up to date on all of the latest trends in wedding food, and they can help you plan a menu that will impress and delight. If you’re not sure about your wedding menu, feel free to ask your caterer for guidance.

Is Your Food Packaging Meeting Safety Regulations?

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Francis Pitt

So you’re ready to send your edible product out into the world, or at least onto the shelves of a local grocery store. Have you thought of the packaging? In today’s supermarkets, products are sent through packaging machines of all types, from shrink bags to plastic clamshell trays. But there is more to consider than what container will best catch the consumer’s eye. Finding good food safe plastics and detecting possible contamination from foreign objects are also vital.

Food Safe Plastics: BPA is Only the Beginning.

A container must be made to specifically hold a consumable substance to be considered safe. Otherwise, chemicals from the plastic could leach into the food or drink. This is where the BPA scare came from, as many artificially created chemicals cannot be eliminated from the body easily. Instead, the chemical compound builds up and causes problems.

Keep Unsafe Objects Out of Products: Use X-Ray Food Inspections.

Did you know that food can have metallic contaminants? Ferrous, non-ferrous, and even stainless steel can turn up in food. The good news is that x-ray food inspections can detect these contaminants. An x-ray food inspection machine is much more sensitive than a typical metal detector, which can only detect only 2.5 to 3.5 millimeters of matter. By contrast, an x-ray food inspection can detect 1.5 millimeters or even less, which keeps food much safer. You don’t want a customer to find a piece of metal no matter how tiny, especially with social media.

Customers Like Brands That Care About Their Carbon Footprint.

How much plastic do you throw away? We all know we should do our part and reduce, reuse, and recycle. Take the time to decide how your company will do their part, and more importantly, how that information will be made obvious to the customer. As much as 52% of shoppers look at how a brand gives back to the environment, and make their purchases accordingly. Use that to your advantage.

Packaging is an important part of marketing your product. Consumers want to know that the container is safe and will not poison their food. They also do not want to find anything in their food that does not belong there, such as bits of metal. Finally, think about what your company does to minimize their carbon footprint. And make sure the package states that, and loudly.

Thermoform Ready Made Plastic Trays

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Francis Pitt

Food awareness is growing. This awareness includes being cognizant of what we eat, where it comes from, what ingredients it contains, and how it affects our bodies and our environments, and making purchase choices based on those factors. But how often do we consider the packaging of the food? Boxes, bags, wraps and trays, among other items, are an important component of the food awareness spectrum. According to a recent study, 52 percent of people worldwide base purchase decisions partially due to packaging that exhibits social and environmental consciousness.

Indeed, food packaging has an impact on the environment. In 2011, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported that food waste worldwide was at about 1.3 billion tons yearly; one of their recommendations was to improve food packaging methods and materials. Properly designed and used, each pound of plastic packaging can reduce food waste by up to 1.7 pounds. Additionally, recyclable materials greatly reduce the amount of solid waste sitting in landfills. Thankfully, over 60 percent of the U.S. population has access to a plastics recycling program in their area.

What about food safety? Each year roughly 48 million Americans gets sick from foodborne diseases. How does packaging fit in to food safety? Usually defined in terms of food hazards that result in illness, food safety may refer to chemical or microbiological contaminations, but also the adequacy of the food, based on shelf life, condition of the packaging, and other factors.

Needless to say, the quality of primary packaging is crucial to safety, adequacy, and environmental impact of food. One of the most durable and safe materials for things like ready made plastic trays and food packaging containers is thermoform packaging. Used for a wide range of applications, thermoformed packaging is found in the food service industry, medical field, and toy manufacturing industry, among many others. From custom designed trays to plastic clamshell trays, lidding, medical kits and more, thermoform containers are everywhere.

One reason thermoform has such a wide range of applications is because it can be made with a variety of materials that have different strengths or features. Depending on the materials, potential strengths include resistance to hot or cold temperatures, flame retardancy, resistance to impact, ability to withstand harsh chemicals, and more. Custom ready made plastic trays are used as packaging for items, or for protection or organization during shipping. They are also often used on-site as permanent storage for items within a warehouse or factory.

Some additional benefits of ready made plastic trays include the following:
?A longer lifespan than many alternative materials so there is less waste
?Lightweight, reducing shipping costs overall and increasing convenience to the customer
?Lower tooling costs and rapid production mean the packaging is ready to use sooner
?Don?t fade or rust
?Easy to clean
?Durable

Product packaging, even the simple necessity of ready made plastic trays or sterile vacuum pouches, has to be of the same high quality of the product it contains. It needs to protect the product, as well as be visually appealing and practical in shape and design. That?s why one of the best benefits of thermoform packaging and trays is that they can be custom fitted to the product. Keep in mind that other materials, such as inks, labels, and adhesives used in additional packaging may have their own issue to consider, but with high quality, custom fitted ready made plastic trays and thermoform packaging, a good deal of safety and environmental concerns are covered.

For food safety especially, thermoform packaging helps ensure safe quality food and reduced waste.

Food Service Industries Rely on Fresh and Safe Products

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Francis Pitt

The things that we do for our children!
Who would have thought that when your daughter signed up for high school band it would mean that you would be learning how a vertical form fill seal machine and and pouch filling machine worked? These skills, however, were an important part of the beginning of your daughter’s high school career.
Because her freshman year coincided with the once every four year trip, working the concession stands at the College Baseball World Series would be even more important than other years. As a parent of a student who would be taking the trip to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, you would be required to cover the costs for your daughter’s airline ticket and hotel accommodations, but you still had to also help with the group’s largest fundraising requirement: working six sessions at the CWS concession stands. And while you anticipated that registering for band would teach your daughter more about musicianship and marching, you did not anticipate that you would be learning so much about the intricacies of a vertical form fill seal machine and other concession stand details. When you are selling food to thousands of people every hour, though, concession stand workers learn the difference between shrink sleeves and ready made plastic trays.
The Food Processing and Food Distribution Industry Makes Use of Many Specialized Machines
A vertical form fill seal machine is just one of many task specific items that helps run everything from a once a year concession stand to a 24 hour deli. The secure and sterile packaging of both food and liquid items is essential to the food service industry. Even the restaurants that pride themselves on using the freshest ingredients still use cooking materials that are vacuum sealed. It simply is not economical, for example, to purchase 100% coconut cooking oil in 18 ounce containers. For the sake of both quality and profit, many essential cooking ingredients are purchased in bulk, and these bulk items are packaged in pouches that have been kept sterile with the use of mechanism like a vertical form fill seal machine.
Did you know that packaging experts estimate that each pound of plastic packaging can reduce food waste by as much as 1.7 pounds? And while most home cooks understand the importance of properly sealing and storing food products in the home, food spoilage in a commercial kitchen setting can have a large impact on health and safety concerns for hundreds of customers.
Other types of machines and automation used in the food packaging industry screen for a variety of contaminates. Fir instance, a food metal detector can sense three main groups of metallic contaminants: ferrous, non-ferrous, and stainless steel. A typical metal detector application that uses either a conductive or wet product where 2.5 to 3.5 mm stainless steel can be detected uses an x-ray that can frequently detect 1.5 mm or less. This process also improves food safety and brand protection.
The safety of basic food ingredients can help ensure the safety of final products.
Could Tweaking Your Packaging Help You Increase Exposure of Your Quality Products?
Although food safety and health standards must be the priority for all food packaging decisions, the packages that you use to ensure the safety of your product can also promote your company. From printed shrink sleeves to food shrink bags, the constant exposure provided by the best marketing practices can make sure that day to day workers and occasional volunteers leave a work shift remembering the name of a food supplier or manufacturer.
It should come as no surprise that as many as 52% of people around the world make purchase decisions that are at least partially impacted by packaging that shows a brand making a positive social and environmental impact. In a time when a growing number of people are concerned not only about the products that they use, but also the best packaging practices of those products, companies that are making strong environmental decisions are moving to the top. The simple fact that President-elect Trump, a climate change denier, recently met with former Vice-President Al Gore, in fact, indicates just how much environmental and conservation image matters to the public.

Get More Uses Out of Your Used Ice Cream Containers

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Francis Pitt

With the state of the ecological balance precariously tipping toward disaster it is more important no, more than ever to be conscious of our individual impact on the earth. We have all seen the horrible sight of people walking down the street eating from a an ice cream containers, bags of chips and promptly dropping the empty containers on the ground after finishing its contents.

Litter is Not Just an Eyesore

While many people might rationalize this act away by relying on municipal street cleaning, the truth is that any type of litter has a greater a cost. Consider this, it takes gasoline to fuel street sweeping trucks, in turn this gasoline, once burned, leads to carbon emissions. Not too mention the tons and tons of reusable refuse that ends up in landfills every year. Being earth friendly does not have to mean forsaking all modern conveniences and living solely on the land there are small things that each individual can do each day to maintain that they are doing their part for mother earth.

Creative Uses for Your Used Ice Cream Containers

Even after you have finished your delicious ice cream treat you can still find use for your ice cream containers and yogurt cups. rozendessertsupplies.com/c-75.aspx?searchEngineName=all-ice-cream-frozen-yogurt-and-gelato-cups” Title=”Ice cream, Custom printed ice cream cups”>Plastic ice cream containers can be used to store bits and bobs, such as buttons change or even stationary like paperclips and tacks. Paper ice cream containers are a great way to start growing seedling plants before your transfer them to bigger pots.

Paper Ice Cream Cups Make Great Planters

Have you ever wanted to plant some herbs or flowers, but have run out of planters or pots. Luckily if you have a used paper ice cream container handy and some soil, you’ll never have to worry about getting started on your next horticultural project again. Not only do paper ice cream cups keep your ice cream cold they are also perfect ways to start plating seeds. To prepare your beginning planter, just make sure to poke a few holes into the bottom of the container for drainage before you begin to water your growing seeds. Once the root system is established cut the sides of the container and transplant it into a larger pot.

Yogurt Cup Can Be Used For Craft Projects

If you have children you know how expensive it can be to keep up with craft supplies. It is important for young minds to have materials that let them run wild with their imagination, but it shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. If you have budding architects or artists, try saving your used yogurt cups, yogurt cups are flexible enough, yet durable enough to be a part of any imagination project. Think about it a yogurt cup can be a house, a mountain or even a part of some mini bongos. Rather than spending money on generic building blocks, give your children something that will really give their imagination a work out.

As you can see it doesn’t take much to help the earth,just a little bit of imagination and innovation. Aside from plastic and paper containers, think of how much goes to waste in the average house every day. Most of the items that we take for granted or wind up in the trash can on a regular basis can actually have dozens of alternate uses. To find out how you can reuse and recycle more in your life, consult your local conservation society. There are also several internet forums that have useful information and tips as well.

Organic Food Benefits

live happily, healthily and deliciously in the fast food nation

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