The FBI and Secret Service have launched a joint investigation into the apparent hacking of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s private e-mail account after a widely-read Web site published screen grabs from it on Wednesday.
The article posted on Gawker.com revealed snapshots of e-mail exchanges the Alaska governor had with colleagues as well as private family photos. The gossip site says the email account has since been shut down.
Rick Davis, campaign manager for John McCain, released a statement Wednesday calling the publication a “shocking invasion of the governor’s privacy and a violation of law.”
“The matter has been turned over to the appropriate authorities and we hope that anyone in possession of these e-mails will destroy them. We will have no further comment,” Davis said.
An FBI spokesman in Alaska later confirmed, “We are going to be working a joint investigation with Secret Service on this.”
The Secret Service contacted The Associated Press and asked for copies of the leaked e-mails, which circulated widely on the Internet. The AP did not comply.
The Gawker article boasts about the lengths to which the reporter went to verify the account, saying he or she even called a phone number listed for Palin’s teenage daughter, Bristol, which apparently went to her voicemail. The site also listed dozens of contact e-mails from the account.
“Here are the screenshots of the emails saved before the account went dark, along with the contact list. It’s newsworthy and we will not be taking it down!” the site declares.
Both WIRED and Gawker reported that members claiming to be with a group known as Anonymous took credit for hacking into Palin’s account. Screen grabs were published on other Web sites and then deleted, Gawker reported.
The hacking took place on a Yahoo e-mail account Palin uses — separate from another private account that was publicized in The Washington Post last week.
One person whose e-mail to Palin apparently was among those disclosed, Amy B. McCorkell, declined to discuss her correspondence. “I do not know anything about it,” McCorkell said. “I’m not giving you any comment.” Wired.com said McCorkell later confirmed that she did send the e-mail to Palin.
Another e-mail apparently revealed Wednesday was an exchange in July with Alaska Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell discussing a talk show host who had been critical of Parnell. Parnell declined to discuss the matter.
Gawker complained that Palin has since “deleted” the account, and suggested she was trying to “destroy evidence.”
It wasn’t immediately clear how hackers broke into Palin’s Yahoo! account, but it would have been possible to trick the service into revealing her password knowing personal details about Palin that include her birth date and ZIP code. A hacker also might have sent a forged e-mail to her account tricking her into revealing her own password.
Palin has faced scrutiny for using her private account to do government business. The Washington Post reported last week that a local Republican activist is trying to get Palin to release more than 1,100 e-mails she withheld from a public records request. The appeal reportedly questions why Palin and her aides shift between public and private e-mail accounts.
A spokeswoman in the governor’s office in Alaska declined to comment Wednesday, referring questions from FOXNews.com to the McCain-Palin campaign.
“Primarily we’re referring people to the campaign because honestly people wouldn’t be asking these questions if she wasn’t a candidate for [vice president],” spokeswoman Kate Morgan said.
The Palin family was subjected to intense scrutiny after she was selected as John McCain’s running mate on Aug. 29. Reporters descended on her home town of Wasilla, Alaska, as the media focused on her unwed teenage daughter’s pregnancy.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Palin’s hacked email account — what’s next?
The news buzz last night was all about Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s hacked email account.
Palin’s personal Yahoo account was apparently plundered late Tuesday evening and the contents of the account — personal emails, email addresses of her parents, children and friends, private family photos, and phone numbers — were published all over the Internet Wednesday.
Shocking invasion
News of the break-in received a harsh response from the McCain campaign.
“This is a shocking invasion of the governor’s privacy and a violation of law,” McCain’s campaign manager said. “The matter has been turned over to the appropriate authorities, and we hope that anyone in possession of these e-mails will destroy them.”
Those appropriate authorities are the FBI and the Secret Service as they’ve teamed up to investigate the breach.
Yeah, but…
The hacking community however isn’t really in to the “authority thing.”
Upon word of Davis’s statement, one blogger at Gawker.com said - we think with a touch of sarcasm - “I guess we’ll have to blow up the internet now?”
Ryan Tate over at Gawker doesn’t condone the break-in but said the hacker “succeeded in reviving the unanswered question of why the Alaska governor had two quasi-official email addresses.”
“This use of the accounts is a naked affront to public records laws in Alaska,” Tate writes. “But it’s not exceptional: It’s one battle in a 30-years war between conservatives and civil libertarians over government openness, during which the current presidential administration itself blurred the lines between public and private email. Is there any way to finally stop these hijinks?”
Why use Yahoo?
The topic of whether Palin should be using a personal account for state business has been subject of a lot of talk recently. Two days before the email account was hacked, the Anchorage Daily News discussed it.
“Even before the McCain campaign plucked Palin from Alaska, a controversy was brewing over e-mails in the governor’s office. Was the administration trying to get around the public records law through broad exemptions or private e-mail accounts?” the newspaper asked.
Pssssstttt
The British IT website The Register published an article early this morning with the wonderfully attractive headline: Memo to US Secret Service: Net proxy may pinpoint Palin email hackers.
Translation? If the feds were to contact an individual named Gabriel Ramuglia they might be able to track down the, as President Bush and Aquaman would say, “evil-doers.”
The 25-year-old webmaster and entrepreneur is the operator of Ctunnel.com, the browsing proxy service used by the group that hacked into the vice presidential candidate’s personal email account and exposed its contents to the world. While he has yet to examine his logs, he says there’s a good chance they will lead to those responsible, thanks to some carelessness on their part.
“Usually, this sort of thing would be hard to track down because it’s Yahoo email, and a lot of people use my service for that,” he told El Reg in a phone interview. “Since they were dumb enough to post a full screenshot
Act now and save
The article, written by a San Francisco based reporter named Dan Goodin, suggests the law enforcement communities get working now as the logs on the server which house this information expires in seven days.
Ramuglia told The Register he would “probably” comply with requests from law enforcement but has not yet been contacted.
Karl Rove
Former Bush strategist, Karl Rove, gets brought up nearly every time a controversy with a Republican candidate emerges. No different this morning. Farhad Manjoo, over at Slate, this morning says the use of the Yahoo based email is “Rovian” in nature.
“The Yahoo breach does raise a few questions about Palin’s e-mail habits,” Manjoo wrote. “Why was she using Yahoo? Critics say she was taking a page from Karl Rove, who cooked up the idea of using an off-site e-mail address to confound investigations of his activities in the Bush administration.”
Palin’s personal Yahoo account was apparently plundered late Tuesday evening and the contents of the account — personal emails, email addresses of her parents, children and friends, private family photos, and phone numbers — were published all over the Internet Wednesday.
Shocking invasion
News of the break-in received a harsh response from the McCain campaign.
“This is a shocking invasion of the governor’s privacy and a violation of law,” McCain’s campaign manager said. “The matter has been turned over to the appropriate authorities, and we hope that anyone in possession of these e-mails will destroy them.”
Those appropriate authorities are the FBI and the Secret Service as they’ve teamed up to investigate the breach.
Yeah, but…
The hacking community however isn’t really in to the “authority thing.”
Upon word of Davis’s statement, one blogger at Gawker.com said - we think with a touch of sarcasm - “I guess we’ll have to blow up the internet now?”
Ryan Tate over at Gawker doesn’t condone the break-in but said the hacker “succeeded in reviving the unanswered question of why the Alaska governor had two quasi-official email addresses.”
“This use of the accounts is a naked affront to public records laws in Alaska,” Tate writes. “But it’s not exceptional: It’s one battle in a 30-years war between conservatives and civil libertarians over government openness, during which the current presidential administration itself blurred the lines between public and private email. Is there any way to finally stop these hijinks?”
Why use Yahoo?
The topic of whether Palin should be using a personal account for state business has been subject of a lot of talk recently. Two days before the email account was hacked, the Anchorage Daily News discussed it.
“Even before the McCain campaign plucked Palin from Alaska, a controversy was brewing over e-mails in the governor’s office. Was the administration trying to get around the public records law through broad exemptions or private e-mail accounts?” the newspaper asked.
Pssssstttt
The British IT website The Register published an article early this morning with the wonderfully attractive headline: Memo to US Secret Service: Net proxy may pinpoint Palin email hackers.
Translation? If the feds were to contact an individual named Gabriel Ramuglia they might be able to track down the, as President Bush and Aquaman would say, “evil-doers.”
The 25-year-old webmaster and entrepreneur is the operator of Ctunnel.com, the browsing proxy service used by the group that hacked into the vice presidential candidate’s personal email account and exposed its contents to the world. While he has yet to examine his logs, he says there’s a good chance they will lead to those responsible, thanks to some carelessness on their part.
“Usually, this sort of thing would be hard to track down because it’s Yahoo email, and a lot of people use my service for that,” he told El Reg in a phone interview. “Since they were dumb enough to post a full screenshot
Act now and save
The article, written by a San Francisco based reporter named Dan Goodin, suggests the law enforcement communities get working now as the logs on the server which house this information expires in seven days.
Ramuglia told The Register he would “probably” comply with requests from law enforcement but has not yet been contacted.
Karl Rove
Former Bush strategist, Karl Rove, gets brought up nearly every time a controversy with a Republican candidate emerges. No different this morning. Farhad Manjoo, over at Slate, this morning says the use of the Yahoo based email is “Rovian” in nature.
“The Yahoo breach does raise a few questions about Palin’s e-mail habits,” Manjoo wrote. “Why was she using Yahoo? Critics say she was taking a page from Karl Rove, who cooked up the idea of using an off-site e-mail address to confound investigations of his activities in the Bush administration.”
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
How to Add Soy-Based Foods to Your Diet
Soy-based foods, such as tofu, tempeh, TVP, soy nuts and soy milk, contain protein and nifty chemicals called isoflavones. These help prevent heart disease; osteoporosis; and breast, ovarian and prostate cancers. Soy foods can also reduce symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes. It is easy to add soy foods to your diet.
Step1
Pour soy milk over your morning cereal.
Step2
Add texturized vegetable protein (TVP) to spaghetti sauce instead of ground beef.
Step3
Combine raisins with roasted soy nuts for a quick trail mix.
Step4
Chop firm tofu, then mix it with a chopped hard-boiled egg, chopped celery and mayonnaise for a tofu-salad sandwich.
Step5
Dice tempeh and add it to stir-fried vegetables during the last few minutes of cooking.
Step6
Substitute mashed soft tofu for ricotta cheese in lasagna and stuffed pasta shell recipes.
Step7
Grill soy burgers instead of hamburgers. Enjoy them in a bun with plenty of catsup, onions and lettuce.
Step8
Blend a smoothie out of a banana, a handful of frozen blueberries and 1/2 c. soft silken tofu.
Step9
Enjoy steamed green soybeans (edamame) in the pods as a snack or appetizer. Look for these fresh and frozen.
Find Real Lovers
Step1
Pour soy milk over your morning cereal.
Step2
Add texturized vegetable protein (TVP) to spaghetti sauce instead of ground beef.
Step3
Combine raisins with roasted soy nuts for a quick trail mix.
Step4
Chop firm tofu, then mix it with a chopped hard-boiled egg, chopped celery and mayonnaise for a tofu-salad sandwich.
Step5
Dice tempeh and add it to stir-fried vegetables during the last few minutes of cooking.
Step6
Substitute mashed soft tofu for ricotta cheese in lasagna and stuffed pasta shell recipes.
Step7
Grill soy burgers instead of hamburgers. Enjoy them in a bun with plenty of catsup, onions and lettuce.
Step8
Blend a smoothie out of a banana, a handful of frozen blueberries and 1/2 c. soft silken tofu.
Step9
Enjoy steamed green soybeans (edamame) in the pods as a snack or appetizer. Look for these fresh and frozen.
Find Real Lovers
Monday, August 25, 2008
How to Add Fruit to Your Diet
By adding fruit to your diet you'll not only be tapping into a rich source of nutrients, you'll be enjoying some delicious flavors as well. Fruits are terrific sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Step1
Blend an instant breakfast out of a frozen banana, a handful of frozen strawberries and a cup of milk.
Step2
Stir applesauce into hot oatmeal.
Step3
Choose an orange instead of potato chips with lunch.
Step4
Add bananas to vanilla yogurt for an afternoon snack.
Step5
Try some less-familiar fruits like guava, star fruit and kumquats.
Step6
Keep dried dates, apricots or cranberries in your desk for snacks.
Step7
Mix diced mango with red onion and cilantro for a fruit salsa.
Step8
Serve fruit salad for dessert.
Find and buy tickets by states
Step1
Blend an instant breakfast out of a frozen banana, a handful of frozen strawberries and a cup of milk.
Step2
Stir applesauce into hot oatmeal.
Step3
Choose an orange instead of potato chips with lunch.
Step4
Add bananas to vanilla yogurt for an afternoon snack.
Step5
Try some less-familiar fruits like guava, star fruit and kumquats.
Step6
Keep dried dates, apricots or cranberries in your desk for snacks.
Step7
Mix diced mango with red onion and cilantro for a fruit salsa.
Step8
Serve fruit salad for dessert.
Find and buy tickets by states
Thursday, August 21, 2008
How to Add Fining Material to Wine
Fining material is used to remove yeast, bacteria and other substances suspended in wine. If you buy a wine-making kit from a wine-making supply shop, it should include fining materials and directions. Follow the instructions below when using gelatin as a fining material.
Articles resource
Step1
Before adding fining material, add 1 1/4 tsp. tannin for every 5 gallons of wine. Stir and let sit for 24 hours.
Step2
Add 1 tsp. gelatin fining material to 1/2 c. cold water and let soak for 1 hour.
Step3
Stir vigorously.
Step4
Bring to a boil, either on the stove or in a microwave, then remove from heat.
Step5
Stir into wine and let stand for 10 to 15 days.
Step6
Rack the wine to remove the sediment at the bottom. (See "How to Rack Wine" in the Related eHows.)
Find and buy tickets by places
Articles resource
Step1
Before adding fining material, add 1 1/4 tsp. tannin for every 5 gallons of wine. Stir and let sit for 24 hours.
Step2
Add 1 tsp. gelatin fining material to 1/2 c. cold water and let soak for 1 hour.
Step3
Stir vigorously.
Step4
Bring to a boil, either on the stove or in a microwave, then remove from heat.
Step5
Stir into wine and let stand for 10 to 15 days.
Step6
Rack the wine to remove the sediment at the bottom. (See "How to Rack Wine" in the Related eHows.)
Find and buy tickets by places
Friday, August 15, 2008
How to Buy Tea
Tea has moved beyond the white-gloved pinky-high party scene. With one-half to one-third less caffeine than coffee, it's steeped with cancer-fighting antioxidants and is the beverage of choice for much of the world. While selecting and appreciating tea can be a life's work on its own, there are a few general tips for grabbing the right leaf.
More articles......
Step1
Look for loose and bagged tea in grocery stores, tea shops and specialty stores, ranging from $5 to $35 or more for a quarter of a pound.
Step2
Find out your regional preference. This is difficult to do because you may enjoy darjeeling tea from India and pu erh from China. But most countries have a few teas that are specific to their region. Understanding the area where the leaf was grown is important. The three biggest are India, China and Sri Lanka, but Japan is also known for its sencha. Still, there are seemingly countless teas from a number of regions. These are just good starting points.
Step3
Learn about tea varieties. Green, black and white teas are basics. But there are some hybrid teas (in appearance) that exist as their own category. Black teas generally have more caffeine, but not always. They are richer and malty in texture, and often earthy in taste. Green teas are typically a bit milder with a fragrant aroma and nutty taste. More specific black teas like oolong and darjeeling have a floral taste and are found somewhere between greens and blacks in terms of texture. Darjeeling, a delicate, clear-brewing black tea, is often called the "champagne teas" because of its high quality. White teas tend to be delicate and smooth, light as they go down. To be certain, there are degrees of this. Silver needle, a white tea from China, is lighter in color than White Peony, which also a subtle fragrance--a bit stronger than silver needle.
Step4
Try something knew each time. Tea is a bit easier to distinguish in taste and texture than coffee. For this reason, it's easier to branch out. Once you know you have a preference for white tea, try different flavors and leaves. Given the array of teas, though, you're not likely to be pinned down by one type or one region.
Find Real Lovers
More articles......
Step1
Look for loose and bagged tea in grocery stores, tea shops and specialty stores, ranging from $5 to $35 or more for a quarter of a pound.
Step2
Find out your regional preference. This is difficult to do because you may enjoy darjeeling tea from India and pu erh from China. But most countries have a few teas that are specific to their region. Understanding the area where the leaf was grown is important. The three biggest are India, China and Sri Lanka, but Japan is also known for its sencha. Still, there are seemingly countless teas from a number of regions. These are just good starting points.
Step3
Learn about tea varieties. Green, black and white teas are basics. But there are some hybrid teas (in appearance) that exist as their own category. Black teas generally have more caffeine, but not always. They are richer and malty in texture, and often earthy in taste. Green teas are typically a bit milder with a fragrant aroma and nutty taste. More specific black teas like oolong and darjeeling have a floral taste and are found somewhere between greens and blacks in terms of texture. Darjeeling, a delicate, clear-brewing black tea, is often called the "champagne teas" because of its high quality. White teas tend to be delicate and smooth, light as they go down. To be certain, there are degrees of this. Silver needle, a white tea from China, is lighter in color than White Peony, which also a subtle fragrance--a bit stronger than silver needle.
Step4
Try something knew each time. Tea is a bit easier to distinguish in taste and texture than coffee. For this reason, it's easier to branch out. Once you know you have a preference for white tea, try different flavors and leaves. Given the array of teas, though, you're not likely to be pinned down by one type or one region.
Find Real Lovers
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
How to Buy Rocky Mountain Oysters
Take the bull by the horn: Instead of the tenderloin, why not try the tendergroin? Also known as calf fries, Rocky Mountain oysters are the testicles of cows, buffalo, pigs, lamb, sheep or turkey. They can certainly humble even the brawniest group of guys.
Find and buy tickets by category
Step1
Ask your butcher a week in advance if he or she can order Rocky Mountain oysters. In the ranching communities of the West and Midwest (especially Montana, Wyoming and Colorado), tendergroin is easy to procure from butchers and meat shops.
Step2
Try specialty meat producers. One company that sells Rocky Mountain oysters to restaurants all over the country is Exotic Meats (exoticmeats.com), for $10.95 per lb. Or try Fairbury Lockers (fairburylockers.com) in Nebraska.
Step3
Look for pale, whitish-tan oysters that have been shipped frozen and vacuum-packed or stored cold at your butcher.
Step4
Remove the thick muscle surrounding the oyster with a sharp paring knife. Cut larger portions in half or quarters, and keep them wrapped in the refrigerator until you're ready to fry them up.
Find and buy tickets by cities
Find and buy tickets by category
Step1
Ask your butcher a week in advance if he or she can order Rocky Mountain oysters. In the ranching communities of the West and Midwest (especially Montana, Wyoming and Colorado), tendergroin is easy to procure from butchers and meat shops.
Step2
Try specialty meat producers. One company that sells Rocky Mountain oysters to restaurants all over the country is Exotic Meats (exoticmeats.com), for $10.95 per lb. Or try Fairbury Lockers (fairburylockers.com) in Nebraska.
Step3
Look for pale, whitish-tan oysters that have been shipped frozen and vacuum-packed or stored cold at your butcher.
Step4
Remove the thick muscle surrounding the oyster with a sharp paring knife. Cut larger portions in half or quarters, and keep them wrapped in the refrigerator until you're ready to fry them up.
Find and buy tickets by cities
Monday, August 11, 2008
How to Buy Natural Beef
The hottest trend among the carnivore cognoscenti is organic and grass-fed beef. Certified organic cows eat pesticide- and herbicide-free feed. Grass-fed cows (as opposed to industry-standard corn-fed) are free of hormones and chemicals, but not always organic. The beef is leaner and filled with heart-friendly omega-3 fatty acids.
Step1
Inquire with your local butcher, or ask your favorite steak house if it uses natural beef. If it does, ask for the farm's information.
Step2
Call cattle farms. Grass-fed beef is usually sold directly through small ranchers. A quarter includes steaks, short ribs, pot roast, ground beef and stew meat for $200 to $350.
Step3
Shop for beef online. Prather Ranch (pratherranch.com) is a great source for all-natural organic beef, or try grass-fed beef from Chileno Ranch (chilenobeef.com).
Step4
Look for grass-fed beef seasonally, in late spring and early summer.
Step5
Buy meat that's grown on a lot inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and dry-aged, vacuum-packed, frozen and shipped in insulated boxes with adequate refrigeration.
http://www.freewebtown.com/howtodothing/food-drink/5.htm#1
Step1
Inquire with your local butcher, or ask your favorite steak house if it uses natural beef. If it does, ask for the farm's information.
Step2
Call cattle farms. Grass-fed beef is usually sold directly through small ranchers. A quarter includes steaks, short ribs, pot roast, ground beef and stew meat for $200 to $350.
Step3
Shop for beef online. Prather Ranch (pratherranch.com) is a great source for all-natural organic beef, or try grass-fed beef from Chileno Ranch (chilenobeef.com).
Step4
Look for grass-fed beef seasonally, in late spring and early summer.
Step5
Buy meat that's grown on a lot inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and dry-aged, vacuum-packed, frozen and shipped in insulated boxes with adequate refrigeration.
http://www.freewebtown.com/howtodothing/food-drink/5.htm#1
Saturday, August 9, 2008
How to Buy Ethnic Ingredients
Why do Indian dal and Thai tom kha gai taste so much better at ethnic restaurants? Because of the quality and authenticity of the ingredients. If you want to re-create the flavors of your favorite cuisine, buy authentic condiments, grains and spices. The real thing makes all the difference in the world.
Step1
Because of the overwhelming number of international ingredients, it's best to explore by food or country of origin. For instance, Oaxacan tamales are banana leaf-wrapped (versus corn shuck), but banana leaves are commonly found in Thailand, as well as Mexico. From a western perspective, Asian cuisine offers particularly unique flavors. Buying a cuisine-specific cookbook or visiting a corresponding website usually gives a pretty in-depth breakdown.
Step2
Understand some of the common uses of different ingredients. Most often, what really differentiates a meal isn't the main ingredient--meat, fish, large vegetable. It's the herbs, spices, rices, small vegetable, liquids, etc., that takes your food abroad. These can be used to season or marinate. Combined with a simple broth, stock or even water, they can make soups. You'll soon find the most common ethnic ingredients are powders and leaves, both used to create flavors.
Step3
Find out where to buy them. Sometimes, spices like curry or chili paste can be found at the local supermarket. But many require a bit of a field trip. Seek out Indian grocers or hispanic mercados. In fact, many Middle Eastern and Asian items can only eb found in Asian markets. If you live in a larger metropolitan area, there's likely to be a section of town where Asian markets abound. In smaller areas, you may have one or two, or you might have to substitute with a specialty market. Most specialty markets can order items for you if you give them fair notice. If all else fails, find out what immediately available ingredients can be combined as a substitute flavor.
http://www.freewebtown.com/howtodothing/food-drink/4.htm#2
Step1
Because of the overwhelming number of international ingredients, it's best to explore by food or country of origin. For instance, Oaxacan tamales are banana leaf-wrapped (versus corn shuck), but banana leaves are commonly found in Thailand, as well as Mexico. From a western perspective, Asian cuisine offers particularly unique flavors. Buying a cuisine-specific cookbook or visiting a corresponding website usually gives a pretty in-depth breakdown.
Step2
Understand some of the common uses of different ingredients. Most often, what really differentiates a meal isn't the main ingredient--meat, fish, large vegetable. It's the herbs, spices, rices, small vegetable, liquids, etc., that takes your food abroad. These can be used to season or marinate. Combined with a simple broth, stock or even water, they can make soups. You'll soon find the most common ethnic ingredients are powders and leaves, both used to create flavors.
Step3
Find out where to buy them. Sometimes, spices like curry or chili paste can be found at the local supermarket. But many require a bit of a field trip. Seek out Indian grocers or hispanic mercados. In fact, many Middle Eastern and Asian items can only eb found in Asian markets. If you live in a larger metropolitan area, there's likely to be a section of town where Asian markets abound. In smaller areas, you may have one or two, or you might have to substitute with a specialty market. Most specialty markets can order items for you if you give them fair notice. If all else fails, find out what immediately available ingredients can be combined as a substitute flavor.
http://www.freewebtown.com/howtodothing/food-drink/4.htm#2
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
How to Buy Coffee
Coffee is one of our favorite legal addictions-- the rich scent, fullbodied flavor and jolt of caffeine that everyone from paralegals to poets relies on to kick start their morning. Follow this guide to find a daily grind that suits you best.
Step1
Select a grind that is suitable for your brewing method or coffee maker (See How to Buy a Coffeemaker or Espresso Machine). Whole beans retain their flavor better during storage but you will need to have a coffee grinder in your home.
Step2
Experiment with different roasting techniques. Coffee beans are roasted to remove moisture and add flavor, and different roasts produce different flavors. French roast results in a full-flavored, dark bean. Italian roast is usually medium dark. Anything lighter is usually identified simply as medium or light roast.
Step3
Decipher labels. Estate beans are grown and processed on a single farm. Some brands achieve a consistent flavor by blending beans from various sources. Flavored coffees are infused with liquid agents, such as chocolate, vanilla or nuts, but typically don't start with the highest-quality beans. Look for 100 percent Colombian or Hawaiian-blend beans for the best quality if you're buying canned coffee in a grocery store.
Step4
Buy coffee from a knowledgeable source. Premium roasters, like winemakers, are very proud of their blends. A pound of beans from a gourmet shop ranges from $8 to $30 but is of unbeatable quality. Peet's Coffee and Tea (peets.com), Tully's (tullys.com) and Starbucks (starbucks.com) are all good sources, as are countless local businesses.
Step5
Turn your coffee drinking into an entertaining research project by studying the general characteristics of different coffee producing regions. Coffee comes from many countries and coffee-growing regions. While it's true that soil and geography matters, any bean can be roasted in different ways, resulting in many possible flavor and blend combinations. Also, pay attention to prices, which are subject to fluctuation. For example, strong demand for Hawaiian beans may drive the price up while similar beans from another region may be available for much less.
Step6
Arabian: Often called mocha, this coffee is one of the most ancient, with a medium to full body, rich flavor and dry aftertaste, and chocolate tones.
Step7
Brazilian: A medium to moderately dark roast that goes down sweet and smooth.
Step8
Colombian: Full-bodied, fruity and acidic, with a dark roast.
Step9
Costa Rican: Dry and medium-bodied, with a dark roast.
Step10
Ethiopian: Sweet, medium-bodied and fruity, with a dark roast.
Step11
Hawaiian: Delicate, dry, slightly sweet and subtle, with a medium to moderately dark roast.
Step12
Kenyan: Dry and acidic, with a moderately dark to dark roast.
Step13
Sumatran: Full-bodied and slightly fermented, with a dark roast.
Step14
Light roast: Many areas produce beans suitable for light roasting, although Central American coffees frequently show up in light roasts.
http://www.freewebtown.com/howtodothing/food-drink/4.htm#1
Step1
Select a grind that is suitable for your brewing method or coffee maker (See How to Buy a Coffeemaker or Espresso Machine). Whole beans retain their flavor better during storage but you will need to have a coffee grinder in your home.
Step2
Experiment with different roasting techniques. Coffee beans are roasted to remove moisture and add flavor, and different roasts produce different flavors. French roast results in a full-flavored, dark bean. Italian roast is usually medium dark. Anything lighter is usually identified simply as medium or light roast.
Step3
Decipher labels. Estate beans are grown and processed on a single farm. Some brands achieve a consistent flavor by blending beans from various sources. Flavored coffees are infused with liquid agents, such as chocolate, vanilla or nuts, but typically don't start with the highest-quality beans. Look for 100 percent Colombian or Hawaiian-blend beans for the best quality if you're buying canned coffee in a grocery store.
Step4
Buy coffee from a knowledgeable source. Premium roasters, like winemakers, are very proud of their blends. A pound of beans from a gourmet shop ranges from $8 to $30 but is of unbeatable quality. Peet's Coffee and Tea (peets.com), Tully's (tullys.com) and Starbucks (starbucks.com) are all good sources, as are countless local businesses.
Step5
Turn your coffee drinking into an entertaining research project by studying the general characteristics of different coffee producing regions. Coffee comes from many countries and coffee-growing regions. While it's true that soil and geography matters, any bean can be roasted in different ways, resulting in many possible flavor and blend combinations. Also, pay attention to prices, which are subject to fluctuation. For example, strong demand for Hawaiian beans may drive the price up while similar beans from another region may be available for much less.
Step6
Arabian: Often called mocha, this coffee is one of the most ancient, with a medium to full body, rich flavor and dry aftertaste, and chocolate tones.
Step7
Brazilian: A medium to moderately dark roast that goes down sweet and smooth.
Step8
Colombian: Full-bodied, fruity and acidic, with a dark roast.
Step9
Costa Rican: Dry and medium-bodied, with a dark roast.
Step10
Ethiopian: Sweet, medium-bodied and fruity, with a dark roast.
Step11
Hawaiian: Delicate, dry, slightly sweet and subtle, with a medium to moderately dark roast.
Step12
Kenyan: Dry and acidic, with a moderately dark to dark roast.
Step13
Sumatran: Full-bodied and slightly fermented, with a dark roast.
Step14
Light roast: Many areas produce beans suitable for light roasting, although Central American coffees frequently show up in light roasts.
http://www.freewebtown.com/howtodothing/food-drink/4.htm#1
Saturday, August 2, 2008
How to Buy Artisan Cheeses
Instead of buying a waxy yellow block without much taste, why not indulge in handcrafted, high-flavor cheeses? Though many of the best cheeses are made in Europe, artisans everywhere are using the time-tested techniques of France and Italy to produce wonderful cheeses for cooking and tasting. Explore texture and taste, fresh to aged, as well as a variety of milk sources.
Step1
Be able to distinguish among the main types of cheese. Most cheeses fall under the following primary categories: Fresh cheese, natural rind, soft-white rind, semisoft, blue and hard cheese.
Step2
Learn where cheese comes from. This is sort of the "birds and the bees" talk of cheese. Of course, if comes from milk. But most cheeses come from three types of milk: Cow, goat and sheep's milk. Goat's milk is, for the most part, used in fresh cheeses like feta, ricotta, or chevre, and natural rinds like Crottin de Chavignol. Cow's milk is fairly versatile, with the ability to make nearly any kind of cheese. Most hard cheeses--cheddar, parmigiano, manchego, et al--come from cow's or sheep.
Step3
Familiarize yourself with the textures of the cheeses. It helps to know how they feel to better understand what they can be associated or eaten with. Fresh cheeses or typically soft. Feta is crumbly, while mozzarella is delicate and stringy. Blue cheeses are usually creamy with a pungent odor. Most hard cheese is firm, smooth and brittle. Even cheddar, which we so commonly link to sandwiches, breaks of in jagged chunks like limestone.
Step4
Educate yourself on when to eat cheese. Most cheeses are best at a specific part of the meal, yet few are done justice as a part of the entree. Many are good standalone cheeses, to be eaten off the cutting board. Others are a nice addition to salads. Most do well as spreads or with a cracker or piece of bread. Some, notably soft-white rind, are best alone, after a meal. They serve as great palette cleansers. Still others taste fantastic with a drink. Roquefort salty, bitter flavor is balanced nicely with a dessert wine. The thick, sweet feel of port enhances the flavor of the cheese. Gouda or edam is wonderful when washed down with a dark beer.
Step1
Be able to distinguish among the main types of cheese. Most cheeses fall under the following primary categories: Fresh cheese, natural rind, soft-white rind, semisoft, blue and hard cheese.
Step2
Learn where cheese comes from. This is sort of the "birds and the bees" talk of cheese. Of course, if comes from milk. But most cheeses come from three types of milk: Cow, goat and sheep's milk. Goat's milk is, for the most part, used in fresh cheeses like feta, ricotta, or chevre, and natural rinds like Crottin de Chavignol. Cow's milk is fairly versatile, with the ability to make nearly any kind of cheese. Most hard cheeses--cheddar, parmigiano, manchego, et al--come from cow's or sheep.
Step3
Familiarize yourself with the textures of the cheeses. It helps to know how they feel to better understand what they can be associated or eaten with. Fresh cheeses or typically soft. Feta is crumbly, while mozzarella is delicate and stringy. Blue cheeses are usually creamy with a pungent odor. Most hard cheese is firm, smooth and brittle. Even cheddar, which we so commonly link to sandwiches, breaks of in jagged chunks like limestone.
Step4
Educate yourself on when to eat cheese. Most cheeses are best at a specific part of the meal, yet few are done justice as a part of the entree. Many are good standalone cheeses, to be eaten off the cutting board. Others are a nice addition to salads. Most do well as spreads or with a cracker or piece of bread. Some, notably soft-white rind, are best alone, after a meal. They serve as great palette cleansers. Still others taste fantastic with a drink. Roquefort salty, bitter flavor is balanced nicely with a dessert wine. The thick, sweet feel of port enhances the flavor of the cheese. Gouda or edam is wonderful when washed down with a dark beer.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
How to Buy Artisan Breads
Handcrafted loaves of crunchy, hearty artisan breads are a world away from factory-made assembly line breads. These breads range in flavor from sweet and mild to pungent and rustic. Each loaf has its own distinct shape, texture and taste.
Step1
Read the ingredients. You'll easily recognize the short list of often organic, unbleached wheat flour, water, salt and yeast. If the bread is made with a sourdough starter, you may not see yeast.
Step2
Look for golden, ridged and crusty loaves. This is the telltale crust of bread baked in an artisan's wood-fired oven or hearth, which radiates high-temperature heat around the entire loaf.
Step3
Tap the crust. Listen for a hollow sound that means the bread is not dense and doughy. Inside, look for uneven webbed texture with lots of nooks and crannies of different shapes and sizes. This provides the unmistakable "mouth feel" of artisan bread.
Step4
Taste some samples. How the bread feels is secondary to the wonderful range of flavors available.
Step5
Eat promptly. Artisan loaves don't stay fresh as long as chemically preserved commercial breads do. Freeze stale portions to make French toast, bread pudding, croutons or bread crumbs.
Step1
Read the ingredients. You'll easily recognize the short list of often organic, unbleached wheat flour, water, salt and yeast. If the bread is made with a sourdough starter, you may not see yeast.
Step2
Look for golden, ridged and crusty loaves. This is the telltale crust of bread baked in an artisan's wood-fired oven or hearth, which radiates high-temperature heat around the entire loaf.
Step3
Tap the crust. Listen for a hollow sound that means the bread is not dense and doughy. Inside, look for uneven webbed texture with lots of nooks and crannies of different shapes and sizes. This provides the unmistakable "mouth feel" of artisan bread.
Step4
Taste some samples. How the bread feels is secondary to the wonderful range of flavors available.
Step5
Eat promptly. Artisan loaves don't stay fresh as long as chemically preserved commercial breads do. Freeze stale portions to make French toast, bread pudding, croutons or bread crumbs.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
How to Buy Alcohol in a Dry County
Back in 1920 when the United States went on the wagon, alcohol was hard to come by. Now it's almost ubiquitous. But in 17 states, they're still toeing the line. Beer, wine and hard liquor are sold by law only in designated outlets, such as liquor stores, bars, hotels and restaurants. Here's how to quench that thirst and stay on the right side of the law.
Step1
Crack open the Yellow Pages and look up "Liquor Stores." Some states confine the purchase of bottles and kegs to these outlets. Some restaurants may also sell six-packs for carry-out.
Step2
Head to a bar or pub. Most states allow alcohol to be sold and taken off the premises because of reasonable-access laws.
Step3
Fill 'er up. In some semidry states, gas stations or grocers can sell beer, while only liquor stores may sell distilled spirits and wine.
Step4
Check out the Clubs of America site (greatclubs.com) to find a beer- or wine-of-the-month club that suits your palette. Or order directly from a winery or a distillery. Wine clubs managed by vineyards or other retailers won't send you alcohol if you live in states where its shipment is illegal or questionable, however.
Step1
Crack open the Yellow Pages and look up "Liquor Stores." Some states confine the purchase of bottles and kegs to these outlets. Some restaurants may also sell six-packs for carry-out.
Step2
Head to a bar or pub. Most states allow alcohol to be sold and taken off the premises because of reasonable-access laws.
Step3
Fill 'er up. In some semidry states, gas stations or grocers can sell beer, while only liquor stores may sell distilled spirits and wine.
Step4
Check out the Clubs of America site (greatclubs.com) to find a beer- or wine-of-the-month club that suits your palette. Or order directly from a winery or a distillery. Wine clubs managed by vineyards or other retailers won't send you alcohol if you live in states where its shipment is illegal or questionable, however.
How to Boil an Egg
Eggs are a rich source of protein and vitamins and are generally healthy to eat, unless you have a high cholesterol level. You can eat eggs raw, boiled or cooked in a pan as scrambled eggs or an omelet. Boiling eggs is one of the easiest ways to prepare them; this eHow will provide instructions on how to boil an egg in six simple steps.
Step1
Place the raw egg in a saucepan.
Step2
Run cold water into the saucepan until the water is 1 inch above the egg.
Step3
Place the saucepan on a stove and cook over medium heat until the water begins to boil.
Step4
Reduce the heat to low.
Step5
Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes for soft-boiled eggs or 10 to 15 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.
Step6
Remove the egg with a spoon or ladle and let it cool slowly, or run cold water over it to cool it more quickly.
Step1
Place the raw egg in a saucepan.
Step2
Run cold water into the saucepan until the water is 1 inch above the egg.
Step3
Place the saucepan on a stove and cook over medium heat until the water begins to boil.
Step4
Reduce the heat to low.
Step5
Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes for soft-boiled eggs or 10 to 15 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.
Step6
Remove the egg with a spoon or ladle and let it cool slowly, or run cold water over it to cool it more quickly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
