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In Italy, stylish dining has long been embraced as a relaxing way to unwind after a busy day. So before you order takeout and eat in front of the television, take a cue from the Italians and make each meal a treat.

Whether dining alone, with family or with your closest friends, turn an otherwise hurried meal into a chic expression of style with these tips from Ecco Domani Italian wines.

* Determine the décor. Whether you are dining at the kitchen table or in a more formal setting, it’s easy to add some pizzazz to your surroundings. Candles cast a warm glow once the sun goes down. Strands of small lights also enhance the mood; string them around the room or even bunch them in a Mason jar for a funky tabletop display.

Summer and fall - and the long weekends in-between - are ideal times to fire up the grill and bring the family together for some outdoor fun.
Burgers, the quintessential barbecue fare, are among America’s all-time favorite foods. For variety, top them with unconventional fixings, such as avocado slices, arugula, salsa and fresh basil.
For the best taste and optimum freshness, connoisseurs recommend organic ground beef.

“USDA-certified organic ground beef is made from animals that have not been injected with synthetic hormones or antibiotics, and that eat food free of animal byproducts and grown without pesticides,” said Michael Levine, president of Organic Prairie Family of Farms, one of the nation’s leading cooperatives of organic farmers and providers of organic meat.

For some families, Grandmother’s warm apple pie or Aunt Jean’s chocolate chip cookies are traditions without which family meals are not complete. But this season, Americans may be taking a different route to a great-tasting dessert.

Now, it is easier than ever before to cook and bake reduced-sugar treats by using the all-new SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend - a mix of brown sugar and Splenda Brand Sweetener - great for those looking to lower their sugar intake without sacrificing taste. Splenda Brown Sugar Blend can be used almost anywhere brown sugar is used because it retains its sweetness under high temperatures with a great molasses flavor and moistness.

CHOCOLATE TOFFEE BARS
(Makes 30 bars)

Preparation time: 15 to 20 minutes
Bake time: 30 minutes

You may already know that heart-healthy margarine spreads are great for topping foods to give them a tasty, buttery flavor. But did you know that they are good for cooking and baking, too?

To check if a spread is heart-healthy, look for a cholesterol-free soft tub spread that is made from 50 percent to 60 percent vegetable oils, has 2 grams or less of saturated fat and contains no trans fat per serving.

Dana Jacobi, author of the “12 Best Foods Cookbook,” offers these tips for cooking and baking with margarine spreads:

The following is an excerpt from the book Grill! by Pippa Cuthbert & Lindsay Cameron Wilson Published by Good Books; May 2006;$15.95US; 1-56148-518-7 Copyright © 2006 Pippa Cuthbert & Lindsay Cameron Wilson

Caramelized lamb chops Spectacular
Grilling meltingly tender, marinated lamb chops is one of life’s simple pleasures.

Serves 4
1 cup (20g) cilantro, roughly chopped 6 Tbsp brown sugar 4 Tbsp dark soy sauce 4 Tbsp mirin, Chinese rice wine or sherry 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 16 single-rib lamb chops

To serve: Grilled potatoes, green salad or steamed green beans

Combine the cilantro, brown sugar, soy sauce, mirin and garlic in a shallow baking dish. Add the chops, turning well to coat in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for up to 24 hours.

Most Americans would agree that nothing beats a perfectly grilled steak, a tender pork loin or a delicious cut of lamb - especially when paired with just the right glass of full-bodied wine.

Australians also share a genuine passion for barbecuing. While the folks down under are reaching for their “shrimp on the barbie” or their pork, ribs or steak, they also tend to reach for their favorite glass of wine. Quite often, that wine will be a Shiraz, the hallmark grape of Australia. Shiraz, with its rich fruit character, seems perfectly suited to take on any of the big, bold tastes coming off the grill.

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Nowadays most of us are busy with our schedules and get very less time to cook food. It is very difficult to prepare healthy meals in less time as you have to look after office, home, family and kids at the same time. Some planning in advance can help you a lot in preparing healthy meals for your family.

You must plan your meals considering some key foods that can be used with different recipes on other days also. This technique is far much better than preparing all food and once and keep eating that non healthy food all week.

There are some simple techniques for brewing tea that will make the difference between making a good cup of brew and enjoying a great one.

Sparkling Clean Equipage
Before making your tea, check to be sure your teapot and utensils are clean. While this seems obvious, kettles, teapots, cups, strainers and other tea accessories need to be gently washed on a regular basis with soap or baking soda (even if they are just used for water or tea) to remove mineral deposits and old residue that can taint the flavor of your freshly made brew.

Start with Cold, Good-Tasting Water
Since tea is comprised of 99% water, the type of water you use will affect the clarity and taste of your beverage. So if your water tastes good then your tea will taste good.