types of food

Dice butter by getting your exact amount out of your fridge. The butter should be cold before dicing.

Put the butter on a cutting board. Slice the butter using a knife every 1 cm.

Slice the butter the opposite way creating squares that are 1 cm in thickness.

Turn the butter onto it’s side, and slice the butter horizontally every 1 cm. Now you have diced your butter to create cubes of butter that are 1 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm.

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What is cold butter

Cold butter is butter that is in the fridge which has a temperature of 2-6 degrees Celsius. Typically cold butter is used to cut into recipes used for baking scones and pastry.

How to cut butter into flour using a food processor

Cutting butter into flour with a food processor is very simple.

1. Set up your food processor using your S blade.
2. Place all of your dry ingredients into the food processor.
3. Place cold butter that has been cubed into the food processor.
4. Pulse the food processor in short intervals until the butter/flour mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

How to slice butter

Butter that needs to be sliced must be at fridge temperature. Get a sharp knife and put the butter on a cutting board. Place your knife as close to the edge of the butter as possible and push down your knife into the butter. Your butter should cut nicely into sections.

What is the tool that cuts fat into flour

The tool that is used to cut fat into flour is called a pastry blender. A pastry blender has sharp metal running the length of the tool that cuts butter into sections. The pastry blender is pressed into the butter and then turn a 1/4 turn when in the dry ingredients. This creates the coarse crumbs.

How to grate butter without a grater

Have your butter in the freezer before you try to grate your butter. If you don’t have a grater, you can use a potato peeler to grate butter for your recipe. A potato peeler is an easy to use tool to grate butter without a grater. It will create longer strands of butter than a grater, but it will work in a pinch.

What can you bake with unsalted butter

Unsalted butter is used in baking for recipes that need a controlled amount of salt. Salt can add a lot of flavor in recipes which can ruin the flavor if you use salted butter instead of unsalted butter. Unsalted butter is much fresher than salted butter. Unsalted butter is only has a shelf life for 1 month, versus 3-4 months for salted butter.

You can bake several foods with unsalted butter:

• Croissant dough
• Pastry cream
• Scones
• Caramel sauce
• Pastry
• Pie crust
• Tart shells

Why do you cut butter into flour?

Butter is cut into flour to create small pieces of butter that resemble coarse crumbs. The small pieces of butter melt into the dough as it bakes. This creates flakes of buttery pastry that melt in your mouth. Pastries that are made with butter that is cut into flour need to be carefully mixed when adding liquid ingredients. The pastry dough should not be overmixed. Make sure you use gentle mixing for your making your pastry dough.

Serving ice cream at a dinner party can be a fun and exciting dessert to serve your guests. Dinner parties are typically fancy, formal, and people expect something more than the norm.

To impress your guests, there are a few ways to serve ice cream for your dinner party.

How to Serve Ice Cream Buffet Style for a Dinner Party

Serving ice cream buffet style is all in the preparation. You need to have a few small bowls for toppings for your ice cream. Select 4-5 toppings for your dinner party. Prepare your toppings in your small bowls before your guests arrive. Pick 1-3 flavors of ice cream for a bit of variety. Let your guests make their own buffet style ice cream.

25 Toppings for ice cream:

• Oreo crumbs
• sprinkles
• caramel sauce
• chocolate sauce
• strawberry sauce
• bananas
• mango
• kiwis
• strawberries
• blueberries
• blackberries
• apples
• pecans
• Rolos
• chocolate chips
• peanut butter cups
• whipped cream
• pretzels
• marshmallows
• salted caramel sauce
• toffee bits
• hot fudge
• slivered almonds
• mint chocolate chips
• brownie pieces

How to Serve Layered Ice Cream for a Dinner Party

Making a layered ice cream for a dinner party should be prepared 1 day in advance to have the ice cream freeze well before serving.

You’ll need:

• as many small half sphere silicone molds as guests coming to your party
• 3 types of ice cream that go well together, or 2 types of ice cream + chocolate ganache that has been frozen
• 1-3 toppings for the ice cream

Decide if you want to do 3 layers of ice cream, or 2 layers of ice cream and 1 inner layer of chocolate ganache. You could make dark chocolate ganache, milk chocolate ganache or white chocolate ganache as your center filling. This should be made the day before you’re preparing your molds, and then frozen so you’re ready to fill your silicone molds the following day.

Begin by selecting the ice cream for your outer layer. Your outer layer will be the one that will have your toppings on it.

Place your ice cream in the silicone mold. Use a metal spoon to press the ice cream around so that all of the sides are covered in ice cream. Try to make it a 1/2 cm in thickness. Place each silicone mold in the freezer in an airtight container as you complete them. They will start to melt very quickly and it will be messy.

Freeze for 30 min – 1 hour. Then you’re ready for your next layer. Select your inner layer of ice cream. Use a fresh metal spoon to put the ice cream in the molds. Press the ice cream into the first layer so it’s completely covered. The thickness isn’t as important for this one, just make sure you leave a bit of space for the center flavor.

Freeze for 30 min – 1 hour. Now you’re ready for your final layer. Use a melon baller or a fresh spoon to scoop your center layer of ice cream or ganache. Chocolate ganache is typically very hard when it comes right out of the freezer, so it’s best if you thaw it out for 5-8 min before trying to scoop it. Press your final layer into your silicone mold. It doesn’t have to be flat by any means, just make sure it’s filled and pressed into your second layer.

Freeze your silicone mold dessert overnight.

When you’re ready to serve your ice cream for your dinner party, first remove the silicone mold from your ice cream. Use your fingers on either side of the silicone mold to peel the outer silicone mold off of the ice cream, with your thumb on the top of the mold pushing the ice cream out. Try to take them out and place them directly onto your serving plate.

Once you have all of your desserts on their serving plates, you can top your ice cream. Use 1-2 toppings for your layered ice cream dessert.

Creating this layered ice cream dessert is called a “Tartufo”.

What is a Tartufo?

A tartufo is an Italian dessert made of 2 or more ice cream flavors. The center is usually fruit filled – raspberry, strawberry or cherry. It’s topped with chocolate, cocoa powder, cinnamon or nuts traditionally.

This is one of the most impressive desserts to serve at a dinner party. It’s fairly simple, but it is time consuming layering the ice cream. Your guests will love pressing their spoon into their dessert and seeing the layers.

You can make mouthwatering, chef worthy sandwich platters for your next party.

Preparing sandwiches for a party should be done in the morning on the day of the party, so that they can stay as fresh as possible. The bread will become soggy if sandwiches are prepared the day before.

You can pick 3-4 different types of sandwiches so you’ll have a variety for guests to choose from.

It’s best to prepare 1 sandwich per person attending your party.

Each sandwich you prepare can be cut into 4 triangles, 3 rectangles, or 2 circles so they are individually portioned and small in size.

Using a variety of types of bread will give your guests an eye-catching sandwich platter. Try using mini buns, crostini’s, open faced sandwiches, or different types of bread together.

Sandwiches can be prepared on sour dough, French bread, croissants, pumpernickel, multigrain, whole wheat, rye, or white bread.

Ham and Cheese

Ham and cheese sandwiches are creamy sandwiches with a hint of tart mustard.

You can make ham and cheese sandwiches by spreading mayo on one slice of bread, and whole grain mustard on the other slice of bread.

Layer Swiss cheese, and black forest ham on top of the whole grain mustard.

You can add sprouts, arugula, or slices of pickles to the sandwich if desired. Close the sandwich with the other slice of bread.

• Swiss cheese
• black forest ham
• sprouts
• arugula
• pickle slices
• whole grain mustard
• mayo

Cucumber and Cream Cheese

Cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches are refreshing sandwiches with a hint of dill and cream cheese.

Softened cream cheese is beat together using a hand mixer with mayo, sour cream, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dill, chives, onion powder, salt and pepper.

Each side of bread is coated in herbed cream cheese, and then slices of cucumber are placed on top.

• herbed cream cheese
• cucumber slices

Pesto Mozzarella

Pesto mozzarella sandwiches are caprese sandwiches with a few added veggies.

You can use fresh mozzarella for this creamy sandwich, and fresh pesto spread on each side of bread to make this delicious sandwich.

Arugula is added to pesto mozzarella sandwiches for an earthy toned sandwich.

Pesto mozzarella sandwiches are best served on focaccia bread.

• zucchini slices
• red pepper
• red onions
• tomatoes
• mozzarella
• arugula
• pesto 

Egg Salad

Egg salad sandwiches are filling tea sandwiches with a lovely creamy egg filling.

Eggs are hard boiled, cooled, and shelled. Hard boiled eggs can be cut into small cubes and then placed in a bowl.

Eggs are mixed together with a bit of mayo, mustard (whole grain or Dijon), salt and pepper to make the filling.

Cut the bread using a cookie cutter into circles if desired, or into rectangles or triangles.

Spread filling on one side of bread, then top with the other piece of bread.

Place a toothpick in the center of the sandwich to hold it together. Garnish with a sprig of parsley.

• hardboiled eggs
• mayo
• whole grain mustard or Dijon mustard
• salt and pepper

Apple and Brie

Apple and brie sandwiches are a rich and creamy sandwich with a hint of sweet fig jam and a little garlic finish to it.

Basil leaves and spinach add a bit of greenery and earthy flavors to the creamy brie sandwich.

Apple and brie sandwiches are best served on ciabatta bread.

• brie
• apple slices
• fig jam
• spinach
• basil leaves
• garlic mayo

Chicken Salad

Chicken salad sandwiches are creamy herbed chicken sandwiches with a nutty finish.

Chicken salad sandwiches are made by mixing together mayo, sour cream, parsley, green onions, tarragon, fresh dill weed, fresh lemon juice, garlic powder and salt and pepper.

Chicken salad is spread onto the bread in a thick layer, along with a few cucumber slices.

Cubed chicken, raisins, and toasted sliced almonds are mixed into sour cream mixture to full coat the chicken to made the chicken salad base.

Another slice of bread is placed on top, and a toothpick is placed into the center of the sandwich to hold it together.

Assemble the sandwich by spreading a thin layer of herbed cream cheese on one slice of bread, and top with smoked salmon, red onions, alfalfa sprouts, fresh dill weed, capers, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

• chicken
• cucumber
• raisins
• toasted sliced almonds
• mayo
• sour cream
• parsley
• green onions
• tarragon
• fresh dill weed
• fresh lemon juice
• garlic powder
• salt and pepper

Avocado and Cucumber

Avocado sandwiches can be served with garlic mayo, hummus, or balsamic reduction.

You can add a few greens such as red leaf lettuce or sprouts to your avocado sandwich.

• garlic mayo or hummus
• lettuce
• sprouts
• feta
• cilantro
• balsamic reduction

Tuna Salad

Tuna salad sandwiches are a favorite sandwich for many with its creamy and crunchy texture.

Tuna salad sandwiches are made by mixing together mayo, Dijon mustard, green relish, fresh lemon juice and pepper.

Add drained tuna and chopped celery to the mayo base and mix well.

Spread tuna salad on top of one slice and bread, and add the other piece of bread on top.

• drained tuna
• mayo
• Dijon mustard
• green relish
• lemon juice
• pepper
• chopped celery

Jalapeno Havarti and Sundried Tomato

Jalapeno Havarti cheese sandwiches are spicy sandwiches made with chipotle mayo to give it a bit of a kick.

You can even add a few slices of pickled jalapenos in your sandwich if desired.

Jalapeno Havarti and sundried tomato sandwiches are best served on sourdough bread.

• jalapeno Havarti
• sundried tomatoes (julienned)
• dill pickles (sliced thin)
• sprouts
• avocado slices
• red onions
• garlic mayo or chipotle mayo

Strawberry, Basil and Cream Cheese

Strawberry sandwiches have a light fruity flavor to them with a bit of earthy tones from the basil leaves.

Strawberry sandwiches are typically made on white bread.

Strawberry jam is spread over one slice of bread, and softened cream cheese is spread on the other side.

Strawberry slices are layered on top of the cream cheese slice of bread, along with a few fresh basil leaves.

The other slice of bread is placed on top, and is ready to serve.

You can use a cookie cutter to cut a heart out of one slice of bread, and have a strawberry poking through the window for an extra special treat for guests.

• strawberry slices
• basil leaves
• cream cheese
• strawberry jam

Mediterranean

Mediterranean sandwiches are filled with savory tzatziki sauce and feta cheese.

Mediterranean sandwiches are filled with juicy tomato and cucumber.

Feta and tzatziki sandwiches are best prepared on focaccia bread.

• feta
• tomato
• lettuce
• cucumber slices
• red onions
• tzatziki sauce

Cream Cheese, Smoked Salmon, and Capers

Smoked salmon sandwiches are creamy with a hint of smoke flavor with invigorating salmon.

Softened cream cheese is mixed together with minced garlic and fresh dill weed.

Add the other slice of bread on top, and place a toothpick in the center to hold it together.

• smoked salmon
• alfalfa sprouts
• red onions
• fresh dill weed
• capers
• herbed cream cheese
• salt and pepper

Horseradish and Roast Beef

Horseradish and roast beef sandwiches have a little bit of a bite to them, with creamy finish.

Roast beef sandwiches are made by spreading a thin layer of mayo on one side of the bread, and horseradish on the other slice of bread.

Cold thinly sliced roast beef placed on top of the horseradish, along with Swiss cheese, watercress, and tomato slices.

Place the other piece of bread on top and a toothpick in the center of the sandwich to hold it together.

• Swiss cheese
• roast beef
• horseradish
• mayo
• watercress
• tomato slices

How to make a sandwich platter

1. Select a large platter for your sandwiches.
2. Cut all the crusts off of a loaf of bread.
3. Prepare sandwiches – layer your condiments, vegetables, cheese and meats.
4. Arrange sandwiches on the platter.
5. Add a garnish to the sandwich platter.
6. Serve immediately.

How to display sandwiches on a platter

Display sandwiches on a platter by arranging them:

• side by side
• in a spiral
• triangle sandwiches faced with the base on the bottom, and the corner triangle face up

How to decorate a sandwich plate

Decorate a sandwich plate by placing a garnish on the plate:

• sliced strawberry
• piece of mint plant
• mandarin orange slices
• sliced apples – 3 pieces arranged as “steps”
• a couple of raspberries

Sandwich presentation ideas

Sandwiches can be presented on a 3 tier platter for an added visual effect.

Making ice cream at home without needing an ice cream maker is possible by using ice and salt together.

Is salt really necessary to make ice cream?

Yes. Salt lowers the freezing temperature of water. So your ice with salt together end up being colder than frozen ice cubes. This makes the ice cream freeze much faster than if you were just using ice cubes without the salt.

To make instant ice cream you’ll need to gather a few items:

• 4 trays of crushed ice cubes – approximately 1 Litre of ice cubes
• 90 mL coarse salt
• 1-3 L Ziplock bag
• 1-975 mL Ziplock bag

Instant Ice Cream

• 125 mL heavy cream
• 30 mL sugar
• 2 mL vanilla extract
• 50 mL fruit (chopped frozen fruit)

1. In a 3 L Ziplock bag, place both the salt and ice together.
2. In a 975 mL bag, place heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and frozen fruit and seal completely.
3. Place the small bag inside the big bag.
4. Massage the bags together for 5-10 min. Wear oven mitts to prevent your hands from getting too cold.
5. Serve immediately. Recipe has enough ice cream for up to 2 people.

Olive oil is one of the most commonly used oils for eating. It is the foundation of my different recipes. Extra virgin olive oil is best used for salads and pesto. If you want to be tasting olive oil, use extra virgin olive oil. If you don’t care about the flavor, you can use regular olive oil for cooking vegetables/meat, etc.

What are some recipe ideas for using olive oil?

• Spaghetti with olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese
• Pesto
• Greek salad dressing
• Vinaigrette dressing

How to use olive oil with bread?

Use a small plate and pour 3-4 tbsp of olive oil on it. Add a bit of balsamic reduction on top of the oil. It should be about 1/3 balsamic reduction to olive oil ratio. Dip focaccia bread into the olive oil and balsamic reduction. Toast the bread just a bit before serving.

What type of breads are best for dipping in olive oil?

• Focaccia bread
• French bread
• Baguette
• Ciabatta

How to use olive oil for salad dressings?

Making salad dressing is simple to do when using extra virgin olive oil as your base.

• Always air on the side of caution when adding vinegar to your salad dressing. Add it sparingly, otherwise it will be too powerful and will not taste sweet. It will be a more bitter, harsh flavor
• Olive oil to Vinegar ratio is 3:1
• Use red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar as your vinegar for your dressing
• Add a few drops of lemon juice if desired
• Pinch salt and pepper to taste
• Other possible additions and combinations to try out: Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey

What else can you make with olive oil?

Focaccia bread is made with infusing herbs into olive oil over heat. The smell of the infused oil will fill your kitchen. A small portion of the olive oil is then used within the bread dough. After the dough is done rising, the oil is used to oil the pan. The dough is then placed into the pan, dimpled with your fingers. After, the rest of the herb infused olive oil is placed on top of the dough. The oil will cover the dough completely, then it will bake and infuse into the dough. The dough will come out dry, with no remaining oil on top. The oil gives focaccia bread a moist, fresh, light bread texture that is perfect for dipping into more olive oil and balsamic reduction.