McDonald's Menu - A Review

Who has not heard of McDonald's? It is one of the most popular food brands not only in India but all over the world. Talk about burgers and French fries, the first name to strike our mind are McDonald's. It is one of the oldest International fast food outlets in India. It became instantly hit after its launch. It has the largest network of fast food joints in India compared to other similar fast food chain. It offers scrumptious and nutritious food. The menu offers varieties of burgers, sides and drinks.

McDonald's has the best French fries. No meal is complete without this side order. It is perfectly fried and is less oily. A small McDonald's French fries which is about 68 g contains 210 calories while the large one, which is about 176 g, contains 540 calories. However, it contains large amount of fat from frying. Hence it should not be eaten daily.

McDonald's offers wide varieties of vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian burgers and many more. The vegetarian menu currently features Mc Aloo Tikki, Mc Veggie, Paneer Salsa wrap, Mc Puff and Mc Curry Pan. The non vegetarian menu features Chicken Mc grill, Mc Chicken, Chicken Maharaja, Chicken Mexican wrap and Filet-o-fish. It also offers iced tea, coffee, shakes, soft drinks and ice cream cones popularly known as Softies. Keeping the Hindu culture in mind, McDonald's in India does not serve beef and pork.

The vegetarian patty and chicken patty tastes just perfect. My personal favorite is Chicken Maharaja. As the name suggests, it is double layered big burger with not one but two slices of chicken patties between some melted cheese topped with onion, tomatoes, iceberg, cheese and mayonnaise, served in truly Maharaja Style. The burger can be a full meal option as it is very filling.

The menu is low priced and has various combo meals. 'HAPPY MEAL' is a famous meal option which includes a burger, French fries and a drink. McDonald's has various fun options for kids. The 'Happy Meal' boxes also contain merchandise of popular movies especially animated ones more like a movie memento. It also contains interesting innovative plastic toys for kids. McDonald's is a favorite amongst kids as well as adults. Every single time if you ask a kid what they want to have, they will scream 'Happy Meal'.

McDonald's also has a separate McDonald's menu for breakfast that is served everyday between 7 am to 11 am. The offerings include Hash browns, Veg Mcmuffin, Egg & Cheese Mcmuffin, Sausage Mcmuffin, hot cakes and many more. You get an option of vegetarian platter and non vegetarian platter. It can be a good break from idlis, vadas and parathas.

I must say, McDonald's constantly keeps inventing different menu options so they can keep up with the market demands. Due to its large network, it is located at every corner. And the incredible meals are available to you in minutes.

McDonald's is known as Fast food Giant of India.

Planning Your Game Day Food

For football fans, the ultimate game day is Super Bowl Sunday when the top two teams in the nation go head to head to battle it out for the title of champion. But the Super Bowl is more than just a game; it's the ultimate experience, party, and get-together for football fans. But even if you can't make it to the actual game, you can still celebrate it in style at home. For many, this is more enjoyable than actually attending the game. If you're hosting your own Super Bowl party this year, you might need a few ideas to make your party memorable.

One of the most important parts of any Super Bowl party is great food. It can take a lot of effort to try to cook all your food and snacks from scratch. And going to the grocery store to gather all of your food can be time-consuming and expensive. A great way to make sure you have the best food for your party is to have it catered. A catering service is one of the best ways to save time on game day and make sure that you have the most delicious for your guests. A place that specializes in tasty barbecued meats and spicy wings is a good choice for your guests on game day. This style of food is simple, delicious, and makes good finger food. You'll also want plenty of beverages on hand, including many different brands of soda and beer. Also, don't forget to have kid-friendly menu items on hand. A good caterer will eliminate a lot of game day hassle.

History of Mexican Cuisine

To examine the history of Mexican food, one has to travel back to the time before the 1300s when Mayan Indians were the habitants of what is now Mexico. In fact, Mayan use of corn, a staple in Mexican cooking, can be traced even further back, to 500BC. However, by the 1300s, the Aztecs were well entrenched and had become the dominant population. It is around this time that their use of chili peppers, salt, honey, and, chocolate started to appear in Mexican dishes.

Two hundred years later, the Spaniards invaded Mexico and so Spanish food also became entwined with Mexican cooking. It is easy to understand that after 200 years of rule by the Aztecs, Mexican food had already undergone huge changes. Yet, Spanish influence heralded the introduction of entirely new foods; dairy foods, exotic spices, herbs, and, garlic.

Over the next few hundred years, many countries influenced the development of Mexican cuisine. As a result of being invaded, or, due to trade with other continents, Mexican food combined with food and recipes from the Portuguese, French, Africans, and Filipinos'.

The Flan, a custard based dessert, has long been associated with traditional Mexican food, however, the flan came to Mexico through the European invaders and its history can be traced back to Medieval Europe. The Spanish influenced the development of quesadilla and the extensive use of avocado, hence, guacamole was concocted. The Mexican sweat tooth can be traced back to the invasion by the French who brought with them sweat breads and desserts.

And so, even in Mexico, what we consider to be traditional Mexican food is typically already influenced by the foods of many countries.

Outside of Mexico, cultural influences on Mexican cuisine continues. Tex-Mex cuisine originated in Texas and is a combination of Mexican and North American food. Tex-Mex food incorporates American cheese (Traditional Mexican food does not include cheese), beans, spices, and, tortillas. Even chili con carne and fajitas evolved from the combination of cooking from Mexico, Texas, and the Southern United States. Nachos are definitely an American invention and can only be found in parts of Mexico that attract high numbers of American tourist.

Originally and abbreviation for the Texas Mexican Railway train that ran from Texas to Mexico, the word Tex-Mex, when used in relationship to food, is said to have first appeared in the New York Times in 1963. Although Tex-Mex refers to a certain combination of food cultures, around the world it is a phrase that is synonymous with American-Mexican food. The dishes are based on the food available in the region of Texas and Northern Mexico - beef.

The mingling of food and the development of inspiring dishes continues. The food combination in the southwest, which includes the areas of Colorado, Utah, Nevada and, California, is known as New Mexican Cuisine and is very different to the Tex-Mex of the South. It combines more of what would be called regional American food, with Mexican food.

If You Want to Lose Weight Then an Easy Way to Achieve This Is With Weight Loss Smoothies

If you want to lose weight and quite frankly most people do then the next question is how to go about this. For most people they are looking for a simple and easy way that they can lose weight effectively while at the same time being able to fit it into their busy schedule and not having to putting too much effort into it. If that sounds like you then you need to look at smoothies for weight loss.

Weight loss smoothies are made of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables which are blended together to make a drink, they can also include other ingredients to help you lose weight such as whey powder or oats. Smoothies are designed to replace a regular meal and because they have fewer calories and help suppress appetite until the following meal you don't feel hungry. As part of your diet you need to ensure that you are consuming the right amount of vitamins and nutrients most of which you can get from drinking a smoothie each day.

Smoothies should not be used to replace your entire nutrition source rather they should be used in addition to a healthy diet and exercise routine. If you can then you should make your own smoothies at home, this allows you to control the ingredients and minimize any unnecessary calories. If you're completely new to smoothies, it is well worth your time search your cook books for a tried and tested smoothie recipe to start with and altering it to your taste as necessary. Most smoothies are seen as good ways to lose weight, as long as you avoid the ones loaded with chocolate or ice cream.

There is nothing magical about loosing weight, you achieve it through consuming less calories and research has found that people who consumed fruit smoothies have been able to lose up to 3 times more weight than those who consumed ate regular food. However, this decrease in calories can only happen if you replace one of your meals or large snacks with a smoothie.

One great ingredient to use in almost any smoothie is bananas, the texture of the banana makes the smoothie resemble a milk shake. The best way to use bananas in a smoothie is to let the bananas get to the point where they are lightly spotted, and then peel them and put them in freezer bag. The banana in a weight loss smoothie provides energy and if you add milk and yogurt they will provide calcium and protein.

If you use the right ingredients in your smoothie you can boost your energy and your metabolism as well as at the same time you are getting the essential vitamins and minerals that you need and curbing your appetite. If your smoothie is high in protein then it can help keep your metabolism high, which in turn can give you a boost of energy that can take you all the way to your next meal without the urge to snack. The higher your metabolism then the better the body processes fat into energy.

Adding low fat yogurt into a smoothie gives them a richer, creamier flavour. A rich creamy smoothie can be one of the best ways to lose weight. Homemade fruit smoothies are some of the most popular foods for weight loss, it is almost always better to make your own weight loss smoothies as you know what ingredients they contain.

How Commercial Induction Cooktops Work

Commercial cooking is very different from home cooking, as cooks and servers must fulfill high-volume orders to an ongoing stream of hungry guests, day in and day out. These guests expect quality food that is cooked to perfection and served to the table hot, fresh and fast. With induction cooking technology, commercial kitchens can achieve efficient service without sacrificing the quality of the food. Read on to learn how commercial induction cooktops enhance the cooking experience and improve back-of-house and front-of-house operation in any foodservice establishment.

What Is Induction Cooking?:
Most people are familiar with traditional gas and electric cooktops, which typically equip the home kitchen. However, many commercial kitchens are taking advantage of the speed, control and quality offered by induction cooking methods. Induction heating technology involves generating an electromagnetic current, which excites the iron molecules in the base of the pan, and releases this energy in the form of heat. Cooks that use induction heating products enjoy more precise, even and efficient cooking, which they cannot always obtain through traditional gas and electric cooking methods.

Commercial Induction Cooktops:
Commercial induction cooktops are designed and engineered to fit seamlessly into any existing cooking environment, with portable options for kitchens that require more flexible workspaces. With thick glass-ceramic tops, durable legs and stainless steel housings, these cooktops are built to withstand the everyday rigors of a busy commercial kitchen. Four burner and six burner induction ranges increase efficiency, while free standing large induction stock pot ranges have the ability to boil a gallon of water in just 150 seconds and five gallons of water in 12.5 minutes or less. There are also commercial induction wok ranges, with glass-ceramic bowls designed to efficiently heat wok pans. In addition to cooktops, commercial foodservice establishments can use induction technology for buffet warming and heated food delivery.

The Benefits of Induction Cooking:
Induction cooking offers a cleaner, safer and more energy-efficient method of heating, warming and serving food. Because induction cooktops heat the pan directly, not the unit or the air around the unit, the surface remains relatively cool to the touch. This leads to safer kitchens and more convenient cleanup, reducing the risk of burns and eliminating burnt-on foods. Induction cooktops also offer more precision and control when cooking. The cooktop heats food more evenly than traditional methods, and precise controls allow for consistent temperatures. The power of induction technology makes cooking faster and more efficient. All the while, less energy is wasted by induction cooktops, making kitchens greener and cheaper in the long run.

Induction Equipment Improves Hot Food Delivery Systems

Restaurants that offer delivery service focus on keeping food fresh. Delivery equipment is often a priority. Induction heating is considered a cutting-edge way to keep food fresh during delivery. Below, learn more about induction heating and how it is used for delivery equipment.

How is Induction Applied to Cooking and Heating Equipment?:
Induction heating relies on a system in which equipment is heated by transferring energy from a source to an inductive object. Electromagnetic energy is sent through the object that is to be heated, forcing individual molecules to shift back and forth very quickly. As they shift, heat is created. The system is comparable to a person rubbing his or her hands together very quickly to generate heat.

In a restaurant setting, induction can be used to heat cooking equipment, or it could be used to provide a source of warmth for heating and reheating.

How Can Induction Be Used to Heat Delivery Food?:
Induction heating has many practical uses, such as cooking and heating. It also has positive implications for delivery service. If used properly, an induction-heated delivery system can keep food hot for a long period of time, meaning customers are more likely to enjoy fresh food.

In some systems, a delivery bag is heated by materials charged with induction energy at a charging station. A heated disc rests at the bottom of a well-insulated bag, providing continuous heat, while the thermal bag locks in that heat. In some models, a single charge can keep food warm for 30 minutes or more, giving your delivery drivers plenty of time to get the food to your customers while it is still hot and ready to eat.

Because the heat created with induction can be easily controlled, a restaurant need not worry about the discs continuing to cook food. Rather, the system merely keeps food hot, fresh and delicious.

What Are the Benefits of Induction Hot Food Delivery Systems?:
Customers don't order cold, soggy food. They remember which restaurants deliver hot, fresh food, and they reward them with return business. The restaurants with the most effective delivery heating equipment are the ones who reap the rewards.

Standard delivery equipment often relies solely on insulation. While insulation can be effective for shorter trips, it's a system that depends on the food's ability to retain its own heat. Over time, food will cool off. Without the help of a heating source, customers will eventually receive a cold meal.

Induction heating provides food with a source of continued heat, meaning it stays warm and fresh for a longer period of time. Induction-heated discs provide steady, reliable heat.

With an induction heating system, food can stay piping hot. The system keeps both customers and delivery people happy.

Food Warmers for Home Parties

Keeping your cooked party food toasty warm helps it look and taste great, and, protects its safety. Your hot buffet needs to be at the right temperature (above 140 F.) Food warmers are designed to do just that. "Keep hot foods hot." Here are the most popular options:

Food Warmers (Chafers):

Food warmers, aka: "chafers" are portable food warmers, easy to rent, and for sale at party stores and online, from $35 and up. Food warmers often hold foods in 12" x 20" pans, using sterno fuel to heat water under your food. Usually polished and professional in appearance, they're similar to what you've seen in restaurants and catered events.

Disposable Food Warmers:

Disposable food warmers are the throwaway portable version, made for limited use - but fine for many home parties. Available at party stores, WalMart, etc., from $12 for a kit, they are the same size as the non-disposable version, also using sterno fuel - only made from lesser materials, and they don't look as nice. For larger home parties, we often recommend using both kinds. Keep the nicer looking warmers around your guests, while using the disposable ones nearer the kitchen to hold foods right out of the oven. This keeps your oven space available for more cooking, while cooked foods stays warm and ready to be served in the disposable warmers.

One big advantage of both disposable and non-disposable food warmers is that they use no electricity, with no wires to trip over. The sterno fuel burns for hours keeping food warm, no problem. Because they heat water under your food, the moist heat is evenly distributed and burning or drying is minimized.

Chafing Dishes:

Chafing dishes can be identical to food warmers, or they can be smaller and decorative. They can come in many shapes and sizes. They are heated either with a candle or with electricity. They tend to be smaller than food warmes, therefore they are generally popular for smaller parties. If you decide to keep your party buffet entrees hot using chafing dishes, watch those wires, and check foods for burning.

Coolers:

No, this is not a typo. You can keep food warm by using picnic coolers. They are, of course, designed to keep foods cold, however due to their outstanding insulating capacity, they contain heat as well as cold. Their volume is usually from 33 to 55 or so cubic feet. This is how you keep your food warm using the picnic coolers: Wrap 4 bricks (the kind used to build walls) with aluminum foil. Heat the bricks in a 350? oven for an hour. Using potholders, carefully place them on pieces of cardboard in the bottom of a cooler. Cover with more cardboard and use cloth towels for stability. Pans of food, straight from the oven will stay hot for hours when the lid of the "cooler" stays closed. This method works very well for outdoor parties and large parties. It's a very creative an inexpensive way to keep hot foods hot.

Find more information about food warmers at http://www.party-recipes-and-ideas.com/food-warmers.html