Category Archives: Fun Facts and History of Food

History of Tomatoes

History of Tomatoes Did you know that the humble tomato origins date back to the early Aztecs around 700 AD & is native to the Americas (South America). It took till the 16 century that European’s were introduced to the fruit when early explorers set sail to discover new lands. History of Tomatoes Did you know that there are more 10,000 tomato varieties available ? From pink to purple, yellow to white & some even as dark as black & others that are striped & spotted too. Did you also know when tomatoes were introduced to Europe it was the

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Catering using Bacon at one of our functions

‘BACON’ Catering using Bacon at one of our functions and feel that sweet smell of bacon wafting through the air on a beautiful Sunday morning or any other morning to be exact. Yes, you guessed it today’s topic is BACON !! & I’ll be sharing some history, interesting facts & serving suggestions for BACON. For starters did you know ‘bacon’ dates back thousands of years to 1500BC where the Chinese were curing pork bellies with salt thus creating an early form of bacon, although pigs(swine) were domesticated in China in 4900BC & were also being raised in Europe by 1500BC?

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Cannellini beans a healthy alternative

“Cannellini Beans” Today I’d like to share some fun facts, health, and nutrition & a recipe using cannellini beans Did you know that cannellini beans originated in South America, most likely in Argentina and Peru & like all beans in South America were exported to Europe in the 15th century by Spanish Explorers? Cannellini beans are a high-quality inexpensive source of protein & nutrition & have become diet staples in many cultures & are widely produced in Asia, Europe & North America. Cannellini beans are related to kidney beans & can also be known as white kidney beans. Eating Cannellini

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Slow cooked Beef Cheeks Stew in Red Wine

Slow cooked Beef Cheeks Stew in Red Wine. With winter just around the corner slow cooker beef cheeks stew in red wine is that perfect comfort food dinner for the whole family on those cold winter evenings. Did you know that there are records that show lamb & fish stew was being cooked by the Romans as far back as the 4th century AD. So to the recipe which serves 6 Ingredients  1/4 cup plain flour seasoned 1.2 kg of beef cheeks(can also use diced chuck or gravy beef) 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 medium brown onions cut into wedges

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Borscht, recipe and fun facts

Borscht, recipe and fun facts, Today I’d like to share a recipe for Borscht,a traditional Eastern European beetroot soup that incorporates a variety of other vegetables for extra nutrition. For me growing up with a Polish background Borscht was a great comfort food (cooked by my bubcha grandmother)during the cold winter months. Before I get to the recipe for Borscht I’d like to share some fun facts about the Beetroot(the main ingredient for Borscht) Did you know that beetroot can be traced back to the ancient greeks & egyptians who were cultivating beetroot way back in 300BC or that beetroot

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Origins of Garlic

Origins of Garlic. Today I’d like to share the origins & fun facts about garlic. But before I get into the origins & facts about garlic that it is the most widely used herb in cooking here in Australia & around the world today especially in Asian,Italian & Central Asian cuisine.. Garlic is one of the worlds oldest cultivated crops & can find its origins dating back thousands of years to Central Asia & Northern Iran & it was these garlic lovers that introduced the pungent herb into Egypt,Pakistan,India,China & Europe. Garlic has long been a common seasoning worldwide &

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Turmeric Origins & Fun Facts

Turmeric Origins & Fun Facts Today I’d like to give you some fun facts & origins of Turmeric.Its one the most popular spices in the world & can be bought at any supermarket or in bulk at any asian grocery store. To start Turmeric is a member of the ginger family & like ginger,turmeric are tropical plants,that originated in Southern India over 4 thousand years ago & to this day the region is still the world’s largest producer. We all know that turmeric is a natural in curries,stews & soups,but just as little as a teaspoon added to any dish will give you

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Tandoori Chicken Wings

Tandoori Chicken Wings, Wondering what’s for Dinner tonight ?? Just wing it as I’d like to share a recipe for Tandoori Chicken Wings steamed rice,leafy salad greens & cucumber yoghurt.   The origin of The origin of Tanoori Chicken https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tandoori_chicken This recipe serves 4 Ingredients 1/3 cup tandoori paste 1/2 cup plain yoghurt 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander 1.5 kg chicken wings (tips off) Steamed basmati rice to serve Leafy salad greens to serve Fresh mint leaves to serve Lime wedge to serve Cucumber Yoghurt 1 lebanese cucumber grated 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves 1 cup plain yoghurt Method 1 to

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Tournedos Rossini

The origins of the Classic French Dish ‘Tournedos Rossini’ by A Class Catering. The classic dish’Tournedo Rossini’ is something I learnt to cook years ago as a young apprentice at ‘Towers Restaurant’ & always knew it was one of the classics but didn’t know when or where it originated.It is even on our Fine Dining Menu for A Class Catering. By surfing the net I found out some interesting facts & origins of this classic dish’Tournedo Rossini’. The dish was created in honour for Gioacchino Antonio Rossini(1792 1868)who was at the time famous in the world of music & was widely

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Waldorf Salad

Today I’d like to share a recipe for a Waldorf Salad w/ Grilled Chicken. But before I get to the recipe I will start w/ some quick facts about the Waldorf Salad. Did you know that the Waldorf Salad was first made at New Yorks Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1896 & not by a Chef but by the Maitre’d Hotel(Restaurant Manager) Oscar Tschirky & his recipe contained only apples,celery & mayonnaise & was an instant success. To this day the Waldorf Astoria is still serving the salad w/20,000 Waldorf Salad’s served last year. http://waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/waldorf-astoria-new-york-NYCWAWA/index.htm So now to the recipe which serves 4 Ingredients 2/3 cups walnuts (very

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