Culinary Seductions

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2011-03-14T06:40:56Z

Culinary Seductions: A good, home cooked meal could be the key to opening her heart, and closing the bedroom door... ]]> By Dan Corrieri Most women love when guys cook for them. Why? There's a myriad of reasons, but most of all cooking a thoughtful, delicious meal, however simple, says to her, "Now here's a guy who's not into the old school idea that women should be barefoot, pregnant and chained to the stove." You immediately become "hip" and "open minded" to the contemporary reality that most women work just as hard as you and order in just as much as you. It frames you early on as a guy who's willing to pitch in. There are other benefits to cooking for the one you want. One is: it's a hell of a lot cheaper than taking her out and can be every bit as romantic as a five star restaurant. Two: it gets them over to your place. Better yet, It could get you over to hers. I started cooking for women when I realized it was a great excuse to invite her over, very early on in a courtship. Believe me, I was no Wolfgang Puck in those early days. I had only a few family recipes under my belt, but I found it was a good way to tell her and show her a bit of who I was. Besides, there were no websites like culinaryseductions.com to give me helpful advice and recipe ideas. And as I said, when I became more confident in the kitchen, I found that going over to her place worked even better. Imagine what is going through a woman's mind as you walk into her place carrying a bag of fresh groceries and a couple bottles of wine. A little effort can go a long way. I recently asked a very attractive young woman if she liked it when a guy cooked for her. She responded, "Is that a rhetorical question?" In fact, I've asked this question a lot over the past few years to many different women and not one of them said "no" or even commented that the meal had to be good. But the goal is to create the best meal and the best atmosphere your skill and budget can afford. Take everything into consideration: table settings, soft candle lighting, sensual or romantic music to feast by. Believe me when I say I've found cooking to be one of the best ways to reach her heart, soul and a whole lot more. My first adventure in culinary seduction happened while I was still in college. For three years I was courting a girl whom I had fallen madly in love with during my freshman year. We told each other our dreams and fears. I took care of her when she was sick, even wrote her love letters while she was studying abroad, but I was still just her "best friend." But one night, during my senior year, I invited her over for dinner and everything changed. It was like magic. I made her chicken cutlets and blanched vegetables. Simple but far better than any dorm food. I had also purchased a good, cheap bottle of wine to accompany the meal. Let me tell you, I was amazed at how comfortable it made her feel and even better-- how turned on. She suddenly saw me in a whole different light. By the time dessert was to be served, we were headed to the bedroom for one of the best nights of my young life. We ended up dating for a while, so it wasn't just another notch on my belt. Some people would say it was my years of persistence that took our relationship to the next level. I believe it had a lot to do with the power of food and the simple effort of cooking a good meal. After all, food is about sharing, comfort, community and great pleasure; it can gratify all five of the senses. And open the door to her heart. If you're in college or have a frugal financial situation, you can still create some wonderful meals to win her over. I recommend light pasta and salad dinners. Pasta is one of those things that most people can eat and you can add just about any ingredient to it. Don't make a tomato or cream sauce though, you might make a mess of yourself or your date. Also you definitely don't want to serve something she might be allergic to, that would be no fun at all. So you've been promoted at your job. You finally got your VP stripes or at least some substantial raise in pay. Still, you've never opened your oven door except to heat up a frozen pizza. What do you do? You up the ante of course. Get better table settings; nicer glasses, the best organic ingredients and classier beverages. There is no better way to impress a woman than with a great, home cooked meal and your own knowledge of putting it together. Experiment with the following ingredients: lobster, veal, truffles and caviar. Get great champagnes. If you go to the MENUS section of this website you will see a few suggestions for any difficulty and budget. Culinaryseductions.com has a wealth of great cooking 101 lessons, tips, entertainment and much more to help you get what you both want. Thank you for visiting our website.

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Penzey Spices

2008-08-27T15:40:19Z

I am a huge fan of Penzey Spices. Their products are top quality and for me that is most important. They have a huge selection of wonderful spices and dry herbs and they keep their products in quality containers blocking out air and sun which can effect the taste of the spices. There are several retail locations around the United States and you can get all of the spices online. Gents, I recommend that you get a gift box or crate for yourself. If you can afford it get the American Gift Crate and or the Kitchen of Provence Gift crate. They are fantastic. Actually all of the gift crates and jar sets are wonderful. Often, I give 4-8 jar sets to friends and family for stocking suffers and small gifts. I always love giving the gift of food. Check them out.

The All Inclusive Honeymoon

2008-08-21T14:54:46Z

“Excess” is how it can be summed up. Recently, I got hitched. That’s right, I now cook for one woman only. I wooed my wife with food. For example, on our 4th date, I hosted a five course-tasting menu for 17 of my friends. Yes, I got lucky that night. However, it took many years of culinary courtship before we wed. For our honeymoon we traveled to one of my favorite places, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We stayed at Dreams, which is an all-inclusive resort. Yes, the name is cheesy, but let me explain why we stayed there. Our first true vacation together while we were dating was to Puerto Vallarta where we stayed at Dreams. It was formally known as the Camino Real back then. It wasn’t an all-inclusive resort yet. We opted for a plan that included a great breakfast every morning and a free happy hour every afternoon that included drinks and fried Mexican appetizers such as tequitos. The value and accommodations were amazing! We went out to dinner every night and had some great meals and some mediocre meals in the town. During our excursions in town, several times locals pedaling time-share condos or other goods asked us if we were honeymooners. That trip was in 2004. So, naturally we wanted to go back to the same place for our honeymoon. The trip can be summed up with one word “excess” which is a great thing. The resort is all-inclusive (even 24 hour room service) with 5 restaurants, 3 pools (including a swim up bar) and the best beach in Puerto Vallarta. Also it’s only a five-minute taxi ride into town. We took advantage of our all-inclusive situation to the max. It was a great time. Neither us had been to an all-inclusive resort before. Breakfast and lunch were pretty good. The Mexican food they prepared was often delicious. Dinner was just ok. Which brings me to my point. All-inclusive resorts are not always known for great dining. However, Puerto Vallarta has over 1,000 restaurants. If you are a food fanatic or just want to impress your date with non-cheesy romance, then there is no need to go to an all inclusive resort as a couple unless there isn’t an actual town or city the resort is near so that you can find good eats. We went to this resort because it had meaning. We went out several times of course to get some authentic Mexican cuisine. Toronto is not known for Mexican food so we had to get our fill of it. Although Dreams was a fantastic place and our honeymoon was great, I would strongly steer away from the all-inclusive resort because the food is never that good. All-inclusive resorts may be best for young families, not young lovers who care about quality grub. ]]>

Blueberry Stoli

2008-08-15T14:53:10Z

There are a plethora of flavored vodkas to choose from. However, the originator of flavored vodkas, Stolichnaya has some of the best. My first flavored vodka drink was Stoli Vanilla vodka and ginger ale. I love it because it tastes like a cream soda. Why not try it out and add a frozen blueberry to the drink as a garnish? Blueberry vodka is the newest flavor. I love it simply with club soda or a lemon-lime soda. Check out this list of cocktails you and your date may love. Check out these blueberry cocktail recipes

The Auld Spot-Toronto

2008-08-11T00:12:00Z

The décor on the wall suggests this is a Scottish pub. However, with the exception of the fish and chips and the lamb bangers with mash, there is nothing else to suggest there is anything Scottish about it. They don’t even have any Scottish beer on tap. This small pub located on the Danforth in Greektown is a nice departure from the amazing Greek restaurants. It’s crowded after work professionals with the occasional regular that comes in. The place is clean and may be a decent place for a first date. Unfortunately the food isn't too memorable. However, I do recommend that you share the starters or tapas. These had the most flavor and interesting combinations. We had the tiger shrimp in a Cajun onion sauce which were delicious. The burgers were just a bit bland and the veggie burger was the same. The wait staff are pretty friendly and cute, which helps make up for mediocre food. I would say the Auld Spot isn’t my favorite gastro pub, but it has better eats than anything with Firkin in its name. ]]> XX - Not Sexy X - Frigid $$$$ - Expensive $$$ - Pretty Expensive $$ - Not Bad $ - Cheap

Measuring Spoons

2008-08-08T01:19:21Z

The gently curved handles allow these measuring spoons to sit upright, and their slender oval shape fits into narrow containers. The set of nine includes standard measurements and other useful measurements including "pinch," 2/3 teaspoon, and 1 1/2 teaspoon. Made of stainless steel and polypropylene. Dishwasher safe. Size: 'pinch' - 1 tablespoon; Spoon length 5.5-6.5"l. You can get it at Moma.

Il Gelatiere-Toronto

2008-08-05T03:13:23Z

Here's what I don’t understand. Why do three regular cones of gelato cost close to $20? Although this swank gelato creamery serves up silky smooth gelato it’s a bit pricey, but then again I have noticed these enhanced prices for sugar and chilled cream throughout Toronto. It’s a little more expensive than what I am used to paying for gelato, but the chocolate is delicious and the chocolate pepper is sweet with hint of spice that is quite nice. If you are going on an ice cream only date then I would suggest buying an ice cream maker and having her come over to your place for some liquor-covered creamy love. ]]> XXX - Sexy XX - Not Sexy X - Frigid $$$$ - Expensive $$$ - Pretty Expensive $$ - Not Bad $ - Cheap

IL Prosecco

2008-08-01T23:19:27Z

IL Prosecco is a light, dry, fruity sparkling wine from Mionetto. Clear, almost watery pale with a glint of gold, this lightly sparkling non-vintage wine froths in the glass, but the bubbles dissipate quickly. Its pleasant, delicate peachy aroma invites a taste, and the flavor shows peaches as well, yeasty and crisp, bubbles tickling the tongue even if they're not evident in the glass. It's delicious for summer sipping and fine with spicy fare. Closed with a beer-bottle-style "crown cap," not a cork or screwcap. FOOD MATCH: Fruity, bubbly and relatively light in alcohol, it's a first-rate aperitif, and goes well with a range of foods.

Houdini Wine Rack

2008-07-21T01:10:56Z

Ed Kilduff, 2003 This patented, modular wire wine rack expands and folds completely flat. The compact design fits most anywhere, even in the refrigerator. Each unit unfolds to reveal a four-bottle wine rack, and multiple racks may be purchased and connected to hold 12, 24, or 48 bottles of wine. Made of high tensile strength coated wire. Hand-wash only. Size: 8h x 7.75w x 5"d You can get it through MoMa

Little Blueberry Balls Pack a Big Punch

2008-07-20T21:17:46Z

How to select and cook with blueberries. The blueberry is a Native American species that is cultivated from mid May until September. Lucky for us, frozen blueberries are available all year. Luscious, sweet blueberries are not only lowfat, but also a good source of both fiber and vitamin C. The blueberry is a “superfood” which means it’s damn good for you. Based on data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA), blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are thought to help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals and chronic diseases associated with the aging process. How To Select Fresh Blueberries Look for: fresh blueberries that are firm, dry, plump, smooth-skinned and relatively free from leaves and stems. Size is not an indicator of maturity but color is - berries should be deep purple-blue to blue-black. Stay away from: containers of berries with juice stains which may be a sign that the berries are crushed and possibly moldy; soft, watery fruit that means the berries are overripe; dehydrated, and wrinkled fruit that means the berries have been stored too long. How To Store Fresh Blueberries Fresh berries should be stored covered, in the refrigerator and washed just before using. Use within 10 days of purchase. Frozen Blueberries Frozen blueberries are individually quick frozen so you can pull out a few or as many as needed. Blueberries may change color when cooked. Acids, such as lemon juice and vinegar, cause the blue pigment in the berries to turn reddish. Blueberries also contain a yellow pigment, which in an alkaline environment, such as a batter with too much baking soda, may give you greenish-blue berries. To reduce the amount of color streaking, stir your blueberries in last (right from your freezer, if frozen) into your cake or muffin batter. For pancakes and waffles, add the blueberries as soon as the batter has been poured on the griddle or waffle iron. This will make the pancakes prettier and they'll be easier to flip. If frozen blueberries are used, cooking time may have to be increased to be sure the berries are heated through. * Blueberries are friendly berries - they get along well with many types of foods and flavors. Though they can't be beat in all things sweet - such as cakes, puddings, muffins, pancakes, cookies, etc., don't forget, they're pretty impressive on the savory side, too. Their fresh, fruity flavor teams up perfectly with pork, chicken and game, and they're fantastic in fruit salsas and sauces accented with black or red pepper, thyme and mint. * Spices love blueberries; try them with cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, ginger and candled ginger, mace, nutmeg and vanilla beans or vanilla extract; also fresh herbs like cilantro, mint and basil. * Dairy foods are a natural mate for blueberries - cottage cheese, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, sour cream, heavy cream, ricotta cheese, or try blueberries as part of a fruit and cheese platter with mild cheeses such as Brie and goat cheese. * Almost any fruit pairs well with blueberries - apples, apricots, coconut, melons, citrus fruits and all other berries. * All kinds of nuts go well, especially almonds - almond paste. * Liqueurs, such as orange or raspberry are good companions; also rum or rum extract. * Try dried blueberries instead of raisins in your next granola mix, oatmeal cookies, gingerbread, cornbread or pound cake. Sources Produce Pete Wikipedia ]]>

Tacos El Asador-Toronto

2008-07-19T14:48:59Z

My quest for decent Mexican food in Toronto has led me to a small joint on Bloor Street West called Tacos El Asador. This is not a Mexican eatery, it’s an El Salvdorian one. I didn't know that until I got there. I tried to adapt. However, just for the record, I wanted Mexican food and not Latin American eats. The below review is jaded because I went way out of my way and got cheated. Read on to discover how. It involves what should have been warm, gooey love. The food here is o.k and it's cheap, but it's not a place to take a date unless you're far into your relationship and she already knows that you're a cheap bastard. Also this joint might be good if you just had sex with your friend and you want to go out for a mediocre (cheap) meal to go with that mediocre (cheap) sex you just had. Tacos El Asador is very far out of the way and has zero sex appeal. I sampled a few things but nothing really stood out. Don’t be fooled when they serve you a quesadilla without any cheese in it. Perhaps that is the El Salvadorian way. However, "queso" in Spanish means "cheese." I was pretty upset by that. I think I will open up my own quesadilla stand and serve mostly quesadillas, a few tacos, nachos and of course a large Mexican style burrito. I have a few names in mind like THERE IS CHEESE IN YOUR QUESADILLA or FREE CHEESE WITH ANY QUESADILLA PURCHASE. In addition to the questionable "quesadilla," I had a burrito which was not at all what I am used to. To me, a burrito is a large wheat tortilla folded with a lot of love in it and then rolled. The one they served here was the size of a taco and folded over like one. This doesn’t mean it’s not a burrito, I'm just not used to it that way. Basically, my quest for decent Mexican food in Toronto continues. I hope one day to find that it does exist. The last Mexican grub I had which was very good was at the La Salsa at Los Angeles International Airport. I had their beef nachos and they were fantastic. If an airport eatery can make it happen, so can the fourth largest city in North America. Let's get some great Mexican grub here soon! ]]> XX - Not Sexy X - Frigid $$$$ - Expensive $$$ - Pretty Expensive $$ - Not Bad $ - Cheap

Sustainable Seafood

2008-07-18T14:31:48Z

Sexy seafood you should eat. print out these wallet-sized lists that tell you what seafood is best to eat depending on where you are in North America. You can also go to the mobile site mobile.seafoodwatch.org . Care about your date. Care about your planet! ]]>

My Pro Kitchen

2008-07-15T17:01:59Z

My Pro Kitchen is the best getting started cooking kit I have seen. It’s fantastic because it has all of the utensils, skillets, pots and pans you will need to create that amazing meal to win her over with. I have seen kits like this before, but usually they are way too expensive or the quality of products in the kit are cheap. My Pro Kitchen is a great starter kit for those guys and girls who are just beginning to explore their culinary craft. If you’re in college or a recent grad this is perfect. I started my adventure for cooking for women in college with one pan and a casserole dish. I only cooked one meal with it but it worked out well. If I had this valuable kit, I think my love life might have quadrupled. Check it out!

Café Des Artistes – Hollywood

2008-07-14T19:16:58Z

Situated on a quiet street in Hollywood is Café Des Artists. It’s a French style bistro and a Hollywood celebrity hot spot. The atmosphere is definitely romantic and artistic. Large colorful canvases are displayed throughout the restaurant. The patio is ample and airy, making for a comfortable dining area. However, the food is over priced and merely mediocre. We sampled the goat cheese and beet salad which weren't anything special. Next we had the flank steak with an arugula salad and pommes frites (french fries). This dish came highly recommended by our waitress and internet food boards. The pommes frites were the best part of the dish. However the three cheese tort was also delicious. If you’re a big spender and aren't looking for gourmet cuisine, then check this place out. One of the benefits of going to Café Des Artists is that it’s open until 2:00 am. Not a lot of places are open for food this late in Hollywood these days. ]]> XX - Not Sexy X - Frigid $$$$ - Expensive $$$ - Pretty Expensive $$ - Not Bad $ - Cheap

Succulent Watermelons

2008-07-05T19:22:46Z

How to select and cook with watermelon. How to Select a Ripe Watermelon The best melons come in the summer months. The heavier the watermelon the better. Hit the side of the watermelon with your palm. If you hear a hollow ring, that is a good thing. It should not sound like a dull thud. If the seeds rattle when you shake that melon, then it’s too ripe. There shouldn’t be any soft spots on the melon. If the melon has a pale bottom, it means the melon was ripened on the vine and not in transit. “Most people have a hard time distinguishing a ‘thud’ from a ‘hollow’. To train your ear, try to thump a full bottle of vegetable oil, liquid laundry detergent or any other liquid that comes in a plastic bottle. Be sure to hold it at the neck. Compare that ‘thud’ with the ‘hollow’ sound of a bottle that is only about 1/3 to 1⁄2 full. Take your new-found thumping ear to the market and pick the perfect treat!” How to Store your Melons You can refrigerate them for up to 1 week or store in a cool, dark place for 3-4 days. If you cut your watermelon you should wrap it in plastic wrap or in an air tight container for 1-2 days. Health Benefits of Watermelon Recently, in Japan a black watermelon sold for $6,100. It’s rare color and sweet flesh made it a must buy for some wealthy dude. He must have known that watermelon is the lycopene leader in fresh produce, having higher concentrations of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. In fact, fresh watermelon contains higher levels of lycopene than fresh tomatoes - a 2-cup serving of watermelon contains an average of 18.16 mg and one medium-sized tomato contains 4 mg. The bottom line is that watermelons are very sexy! Uses of Watermelon Personally, I love watermelon that has been chilled in the refrigerator for about an hour. Just slice it and eat it in its naked state. Watermelon are great as desserts, in sauces, in salads, in virgin and alcoholic drinks such as martinis or margaritas. For a savory twist, try grilling it with some salt. Sources Ehow Brilliant Food Tips and Cooking Tricks Wikipedia Whfoods. ]]>