Tips On How To Make A Delicious Banana Cake - Easy Tips For Beginners

Banana cake is one of the most versatile desserts today. You can eat right after it has cooled down from the oven or you can frost it with your desired frosting. You can even top it with fruit jams, syrups, nuts or anything that suits your fancy. In order to enjoy a lavishly frosted and topped cake, you need to have the perfectly baked banana cake.

Here are some tips on how to make a delicious banana cake:

1. First, gather all your ingredients, measured and weighed, and placed in separate bowls for easy and smooth flow of the preparation process. Keep your electric mixer, wooden spoons, rubber spatula, wire whisks and mixing bowls within reach.

2. Second, the butter should be softened but still cold. When you cream the butter and sugar, make sure that the sugar has been incorporated into the butter resulting into a creamy and fluffy mixture.

3. Another tip on how to make a delicious banana cake is that the eggs should be slightly beaten and added into the butter - sugar mixture one by one and mixed well every addition. You should have a smooth mixture after this stage.

4. When adding the dry and liquid (milk) ingredients into the egg mixture, always start with the dry ingredients and end with the dry ingredients also. In this step, the dry and liquid ingredients are added alternately into the egg mixture, mixing well after each addition. You can add in three batches of the flour mixture and the milk mixture in two batches. This is a very important process because the way you combine the ingredients will greatly affect the result of your cake. Over mixing the batter will result in a dry and crumbly cake.

5. Then lastly fold in the pureed or mashed bananas and food extract into the batter. Mix just until the mashed bananas are evenly distributed into the mixture.

6. One more great tip on how to make a delicious banana cake is to follow the oven temperature and baking time stated in your recipe. This is very vital in baking the banana cake so that there will be an even cooking time and the cake itself will result in a nice and delicious looking cake.

A great recipe will yield great results when followed strictly. These are just some tips on how to make a delicious banana cake as some banana cake recipes will call for different instructions. Always remember to measure and weigh the ingredients as stated in the recipe and follow the oven temperature and baking time written in the recipe.

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Proper Cleaning of the Garbage Area

We cannot deny the fact that pests do thrive in dirty places, especially if they can always find food to scavenge there.  Now, for restaurant owners, pest infestation is a big no-no, of course, and the reputation of the establishment could suffer greatly if they became known for such.  For this reason, the kitchen steward is taught not only how to properly segregate and discard garbage but to also clean the dumpster and garbage area.  After all, a clean garbage area reduces the risk of pest infestation, and it also greatly lessens the unpleasant smell coming from the trash.

Here are the steps on how to properly clean the garbage area.

Before you clean the dumpster, make sure that it is empty of any trash.  Once it is clear of any garbage, place it on its side and spray it with a hose.  You have to make sure though that the hose’s nozzle is set at the strongest level to remove clinging debris.  You also have to make sure that the water stream reaches all the sides of the dumpster, particularly the bottom.

After hosing it down with water, place the dumpster upright and fill it up with water, about six inches of it, then add about a couple of cups of liquid bleach and detergent.  You can also make use of a liquid disinfectant.

With a mop, scrub all the sides thoroughly, making sure that you scrub all the areas to remove any remaining debris.  Once done, let it sit for about half an hour before emptying the water out.

After removing all the water, place it on its side and rinse the dumpster with clean water, after which you have to drain the water out.  Once done, leave it open to allow it to dry.

After you have washed and cleaned the dumpster, be sure to clean the surrounding areas as well.  You can spray the corners with the hose to loosen up the debris, sweep the surrounding area, and place the trash on trash can.  You can also scrub the area with the mop, making sure that you remove the debris.

One note though.  Do not place any trash or garbage inside the dumpster, unless it is absolutely dry.  This way, you reduce the risk of bacterial growth as moisture and dirt are perfect habitat for germs and bacteria.
It is very important that the kitchen steward clean and wash the dumpsters thoroughly, and it is just as important that the dumpster area be cleaned as well.  This way, buildup of dirt and grime is reduced, and it also reduces bacterial growth.  A clean garbage area also greatly reduces the chances of it being inhabited by pests like flies and rats.

A good and reputable restaurant makes sure that it is protecting the health and safety not only of its diners but of its staff as well, and a clean garbage area is one way of ensuring that this need is met.  Plus, a clean garbage area also shows that the restaurant is complying with the strict rules and regulations of the health department.

How Are Wines Named?

Are you new to the world of wine? Do you find it confusing when you’re looking at the wine labels?

Wine names can sometimes be quite confusing since they are named in two different ways. In general, Old World (European) wines are named by the region of production, while New World (non-European) wines are named by the grape variety used.

Varietal Names

In the United States and Australia, wine makers tend to name their wines after the variety of grape used in the production. For example, a “Merlot” is made with Merlot grapes while a “Chardonnay” is made with Chardonnay. This type of wine is known as a varietal.

Sometimes, a varietal wine can be made with a combination of two or more grape varietals. In this case, the wine is named after the predominant grape (legally it should make up at least 75% of the blend). However, it should be kept in mind that the label only has to reveal the name of the predominant grape. The other minor grape varietals are not usually listed. In certain wine regions of the US, wine makers voluntarily list all the grape varietals on their labels. Sometimes they even show the percentage of each varietal used.

Regional Names

In Europe, wine makers prefer naming their wines by the region in which the grapes are grown instead of the types of grape used. In fact, most of these wines do not even mention what kind of grapes was used. However, in Europe there are wine laws that govern the types of grapes that can be used to make wine bearing the name of a specific region. Thus, by providing the name of the region alone, they are also telling you which grapes were used to make the wine. For example, a Burgundy red wine shall be made with Pinot Noir grapes, while a “Chianti” wine shall be made using Sangiovese grapes.

But why would they choose to name their wines by the region of production? Isn’t it easier and clearer to use the varietal names?

To understand this, you need to understand that the taste of a wine depends not only on the grape varietals, but also on the temperature, wind, amount of rain and sun exposure, soil conditions, and many other environmental factors. European wine makers believe that no two regions (or terroirs) are alike, and therefore wine produced in different regions may vary considerably in taste even if the same grape varietal was used. They believe that by telling you exactly where the grapes are grown, they are providing you with the most accurate information about their wines.

Joey Teng writes about wine in his blog “Red Wine & White Wine”. He has also written an eBook “Cheap Wine Makes Great Drinks” that reveals 26 quick and easy ways to turn your lousy wine into something really good. If you have bought a bottle of wine that doesn’t taste good enough, this ebook is certainly for you! Grab it now for FREE from his blog, “Red Wine & White Wine”!

Besides writing, Joey loves sketching and painting as well. You may find many of his beautiful illustrations in his blog posts.

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Chief Steward and Chemical Control Duties

Inventory and control of materials are one part of the stewarding department’s responsibility, particularly the chief steward’s.  This includes, of course, control of chemicals.  Now, the primary reason for controlling the use of chemicals is to save money.

Why Control the Use of Chemicals?

As stated above, the main reason why the stewarding department has to control their use of chemicals such as cleaning agents, detergents, sanitizers, etc. is to save money, of course.  Let us say for example that your restaurant is enjoying a lot of sales and is reaping huge profits, money wise.  Now, if your stewarding department is not using chemicals appropriately, then some of your profits could be wasted on buying chemicals.  Think of the money that you could have saved if your stewarding department only knew how to use chemicals the right way.  Look at it this way, if the stewarding department is using too much detergent when washing the dishes, you are sure to waste precious resources.  After all, you will need more water to rinse of the soap, and more electricity to make the dishwashing machine run.

Another reason why chemical control is very important is because you want to protect the health and safety of your guests.  If the stewarding department makes use of too much soap and detergent in cleaning and washing kitchen items such as dinnerware, silverware, glassware, etc., then there could be the risk of leaving soap residues on the items.  Now, if there are soap residues on the kitchen items, especially those that will come into contact with the mouth of the guests, then it could be very harmful to them.  On the other hand, use too little, and you run the risk of not washing and cleaning the kitchen items properly.  You may not be able to remove the soils and bacteria from the items, and again, this is harmful to your guests.

For this reason, the chief steward has to stress to his staff the importance of using the right amount of chemical as well as the appropriate chemical for a specific task.

Guidelines for Chemical Control

To have a very effective control over the chemicals, the chief steward has to first establish a par stock level, and this is done to each shift.  The chief steward also has to assign the shift leader the responsibility of appropriately handling and dispensing of the chemicals.  Fortunately, dispensing of chemicals is usually being done electronically by the kitchen machines such as the dishwashing machine as well as the pot washing machine.  The levels of the chemicals are monitored by the machine and dispensed accordingly, and all the kitchen steward has to do is to make sure that the chemicals are always at the appropriate levels.

However, for manual usage of the chemicals, the kitchen steward should know the proper usage of the chemical, especially when it comes to the dosage used.  Training for this is commonly provided by the stewarding department before a new kitchen steward starts.

To check and see if the chemicals are being used the right way, the Stewarding Department should work closely together with the accounting department.  These two departments could better monitor the use of chemicals by making a record of the monthly chemical consumption.

Sometimes, accidents happen.  For this reason, the stewarding department staff should be taught on what to do in case of emergencies.

Basic Info About White Wine

Wine has been a much favored drink across various cultures and numerous generations. However, wine too has its own varieties. One such type of wine that has come to be loved by young and old alike, across the globe, is that of white wine. White wine is wine that is made from grapes that are either green or black, but in a way that the juice from the pressed fruits is instantly separated out from the skins of the grapes. This process makes all the difference in red and white. The taste and the complexity of white type of wine depend on the manufacturing process, the grape variety and the area of cultivation.

Is White Wine Necessarily White?

This is an interesting question that hits many minds of wine drinkers and non drinkers alike. Generally, the wine is made from grapes having light colored skins. However, as mentioned earlier, the grapes may be dark skinned as well. Just like the grapes have variations in color from green to yellow to gold, the white type of wine too have their own variations. Mostly the white wine varies among the flowing colors- amber, pale gold, pale yellow, tuile and straw. However, one must remember that the variations in the colors of this kind of wine are not as much as those available in red wines.

Major Kinds Of White Wine

There are a large number of white types wines available. Depending on brands, vineyards and making process, the varieties can be increased to mind boggling number. However, the simplest classification- on the basis of grape varieties- categorizes the white kind of wine into seven distinct types. Read on. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Semillon, Moscato and Gewürztraminer are the most popular types of wine. Each of these white kind of wines is suited to either cooking or sipping. Some may be combined with fish while another may be best tasted independently.

Does White Wine Benefit Us?

Of course white type of wine has its own set of benefits. Just like its red cousin, it has its own share of benefits that have caused the health conscious to consume white kind of wine. It has been scientifically proved that white kind of wine reduces the chance of having a coronary condition. However, to avail the benefits of white or any wine, for that matter, there should be a moderate intake and not excess consumption. It also helps reduce the risk of cancer. White kind of wine has a number of other advantages like leading to strong bones, reduction in the risk of having a stroke as well as in improving the lung function.

White kind of wine also can be used in cooking. It leaves behind a subtle aroma and a unique flavor in the foods. In case you were wondering if white kind of wine would be the apt drink for the next bash you throw, go ahead. With the variety in tastes among the various types and the benefits, it is only on you to take a pick. White kind of wine can be made dry, still or even sparkling. There are a plethora of options to select from.

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Goals of Kitchen Steward Training

If you want to provide the best service for the guests, you have to have a very strong training program for your stewarding department.  You should remember that the stewarding department is the backbone of your restaurant, and without a good training program, it could spell chaos for your restaurant.

Who is responsible for the training program?

The person who is most responsible for the training program is, of course, the department head, the chief steward.  After all, as head of his department, he is the person who carries the whole department on his shoulders.  Aside from the chief steward, the next person responsible for the training program is the training manager.  The two of them should work closely together in ensuring an excellent training program.

Who should participate in the training program?

All kitchen stewards should participate in the training program, particularly the new staff.  They should be given the chance to benefit from the program so as to give better service to the guests.  For this reason, all employees should attend the orientation and training program geared towards their field of responsibility, and they should also give their utmost respect to the general training guidelines.
What are the goals of the kitchen steward training program?

As a respected restaurant and as a responsible Stewarding Department, the goal of the training program is to encourage the staff to be more initiative and more independent especially when it comes to decision-making processes involving the guests.

Its goal is to also provide the staff with excellent qualifications so as to carry out his or her duties and responsibilities accordingly, making sure that they are keeping the objectives of the establishment in sight.
Lastly, the goal of the training program is to develop the skills of the employees, especially when it comes to communication.  After all, without good communication between the employees and the heads of the department, there will be no teamwork; thus, the restaurant service can suffer.

What should the training program contain?

As stated above, it is the department head who makes the plans for the training program, and the training manager is the one who executes the program.

On the first working day, the employees will be given the chance to familiarize themselves with the establishment.  This includes knowing what the company is about, who the company heads are, who the department heads are, the rules and policies of the establishment, the rules and policies of his own department, his or her own duties and responsibilities as part of the stewarding department, etc.

As a kitchen steward, here are the areas that the training program should concentrate on:

1. The hygiene and sanitation of the workplace as well as his own self.  Because the restaurant deals with the health and safety of the guests, these areas are given the utmost importance to assure that the health and safety of the guest are always safeguarded.  This should also include proper cleaning instructions.
2. Equipment operating, handling, and maintenance.  The kitchen makes use of equipments, appliances, units, etc., and it is the responsibility of the kitchen steward to take care of these equipments.  This includes knowing how to properly operate, clean, sanitize, and maintain the equipments.
3. Control of breakage, wastage, and spoilage.  The whole aim of the establishment is to gain profit, aside from providing excellent service.  For this reason, the training program should also concentrate on how to save money through control of breakage as well as wastage and spoilage.
4. Mis en place and clean as you go policies.  The steward should always remember these two cardinal policies so as to make the job a whole lot easier for everybody.
   1. A place for everything and everything in its place.
   2. Clean as you go.

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10 Most Effective Raw Foods for Detoxification

Nowadays, people are conscious to be hale and hearty; they turn to a diet of raw foods for detoxification in order to cleanse their bodies well. Due to the fact that they provide enzymes, vitamins, nutrients and detoxifying properties that are lost during the cooking process, foods for detoxification are best eaten raw as they get easily eliminated from the high heat.

Below are 10 Raw Foods hailed as most effective for detoxification and have been known to help people improve their overall health, increase stamina, lose weight, and provide higher chances of prolonged existence.

1. Broccoli -A cruciferous vegetable, broccolis have phytonutrient glucoraphanin which, when converted to sulforaphane can boost the livers detoxification enzymes to clear substances that are known to cause cancer.

2. Cilantro - Also known as coriander, can cleanse the body from harmful bacteria, such as salmonella and effectively reduce mercury levels.

3. Prunes – A renowned source of soluble fiber and other nutrients, prunes are effective in treating chronic constipation and improving the overall health of the digestive system.

4. Garlic - Aged garlicin particular can quicken the enzymes in the liver to filter out toxic deposits in the digestive system

5. Onions - Like garlic, this allium vegetable are potent detoxification agent by stimulating the liver to produce more enzymes in cleaning out the digestive system from bacterial infestation.

6. Green Tea – An ancient cure in China and many Asian nations, green teas are known to fight free radicals which are the main cause of skin aging. Simply put these antioxidants are your shield against free radicals and chemicals that can potentially cause harm and make you look old. Green tea also contains another form of antioxidant known as catechins, which are proven to increase liver function.

7. Seeds – The fiber present in flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds helps remove unwanted toxins in the body. Additionally, these seeds contain Omega 3 EFA which are great for repairing damaged tissues caused by free radicals.

8. Nuts – Typically the best sources of vitamin E, an immune enhancing antioxidant and nerve protector. Nuts are also one of the rich sources of essential fatty acids, the good fats, which are effective in lowering blood pressure. Moreover, nuts have several more nutrients that tones and boosts the bodies resistance against diseases.

9. Omega-3 Oils – When detoxifying, preferably eat raw avocado, virgin olive oils or flax seed oil. This will aid in lubricating the intestinal walls, allowing the toxins to be absorbed by the oil, and eliminated by the body.

10. Artichoke – Simply one of the best foods for detoxification, artichokes increase bile production in the liver. It also helps purify and protect the liver from potential bacterial or viral threats. Likewise, artichokes have diuretic effect on the kidneys. The responsible component in artichokes is cynarin, a compound which are particularly concentrated in the leaves. Cynarin, along with another compound luteolinis, are found to reduce cholesterol. Artichoke extracts are effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive problems.

These are just a few of the best food for health and healing that your body deserves. To learn more about eating healthy food for your body visit http://www.foodforyourhealing.com

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