Saturday, 1 October 2011

Best Places to Eat in Clarksville


Natalie Jane's Cafe.

Clarkesville GA,is a fantastic part of America,set in the Southern Part of the Appalachian mountains,it is well known for it's outdoor activities.If you enjoy hiking,camping and other outdoor pursuits,then this is the place to come. This part of the country is well known for it's fantastic fishing,and attracts many fishermen,all year round. Maybe your looking to rent a cabin and get away from the city for a while,Either way Clarksville is the place to come and enjoy all the outdoor pursuits you desire.Based at the southern part of the mountains, it's a firm favourite for skiers in the winter months. Summer seasons see hikers from all parts of America come to walk the trails and camp in the many areas available.

Many of these hikers set out early to get a full day of walking around the many trails. Before they go,the best way to set up for the day is to eat a good,solid breakfast. There are 17 restaurants here in Clarksville but you will find the locals, and the people that come here year after year, no matter what the season, all seem to choose the same one. So i decided to check out the food and see what sort of service they offered.

Natalie Jane's Cafe opens at 8am every morning. Its located in Downtown Clarksville, on the square. Its two own,ers Natalie Hiesley and her mother, Jane own the restaurant and opened in 2009. Natalie has been a chef for most of her life and previously worked at Black Stock Winery in Cleveland, before realizing her dream and opened her restaurant here. As you look around you can see a bustling restaurant business, well supported by the locals. Its very clean and well presented and you can see a lot of time,money,and effort went into getting the place to look as good as this.

For breakfast the choice put in front of me is delicious, i look around and see other customers enjoying stuffed french toast, waffles and buttermilk pancakes The big eaters are enjoying a huge plate of eggs, sausage patties, bacon, ham, toast and fries. Its called Natalie Jane's duet, and you wont be hungry after eating that. I choose two blueberry waffles and they arrive every quickly. They are golden brown and cooked to perfection.I am told service is with a smile, and the locals were not wrong. I order a coffee, and at one point i have to say "no more thank you" as this was topped up on a continous basis.

Looking around there are some really good upcoming events being advertised such as an Italian night where they serve a good variety of pasta dishes. There is a open mic and music event on April 6th or a Jazz- Blues night on April 7th. These events all start around 10.30-11pm and provide a good nights entertainment for locals and visitors alike.

Overall i would say that i agree with the reviews i have read. This is a very nice cafe/restaurant and i will most certainly be returning here again in the future. Hopefully i will get chance to sample some of there evening entertainment next time.

Check out their fantastic menu here, Natalie Jane's Cafe.


Blueberries Nutrition – A Versatile Fruit


Powerhouse. Superfood. A handful a day keeps almost everything at bay yes, we're talking blueberries nutrition here. These delicious little purple-blue berries have it all. They've got more disease-fighting antioxidants (ellagic acid, flavenoids and carotenoids) than any other fruit or vegetable. And what are antioxidants? Antioxidants fight those free radicals which cause cell damage, disease and ageing. Blueberries help prevent macular degeneration and will boost eyesight. They also help reduce the risk of cancer they contain pterostilbene which can actually heal liver and colon cancer - and cardiovascular disease. The soluble fiber in blueberries helps lower bad cholesterol and raise levels of good cholesterol - and just like cranberries, they can prevent and relieve urinary tract infections by inhibiting bacteria from adhering to the walls of the bladder.

Researchers have recently found that blueberries nutrition can help reverse short term memory loss which comes with aging they preserve the nerve transmissions in the brain, thus helping to prevent Alzheimer disease and improve motor skills. It seems too, that eating wild blueberries is better for you than the farmed ones as they have 50% more of those antioxidants in them but don't let that stop you from eating commercially produced berries. You can buy frozen blueberries nutrition as this wonderful little fruit can safely undergo the freezing process without losing any of the vitamins, minerals and trace elements essential for a healthy body.

What other miracles can blueberries nutrition perform for you? Well, because of all the vitamins, blueberries can strengthen your immune system against colds, bacterial and viral diseases. They can help reduce belly fat which can lead to heart disease; eating blueberries regularly will help get rid of that flab. And blueberries nutrition is also an extremely effective anti-depressant; eat them every day and after a month or so, you may find that you can stop taking that expensive medication with all its side effects.

Blueberries nutrition is available all year round but their harvesting time is mid-July to the first frost in North America. Choose plump, firm berries with a rich purple-blue color they'll keep for several days in the fridge. The darker the color, the better. Don't wash them until you're ready to use them on your cereal, with ice-cream or blended with other berries into smoothies or juices. Of course, fresh ones are usually available in the winter months too as they've been kept in cold storage but if you're craving berries in January, you can always buy frozen ones just shake the bag to make sure they're loose and separate from each other. If they're embedded in ice, they may have been refrozen.

Blueberry pies, blueberry crumble, blueberry jams and jellies, cheesecakes try warmed blueberries on your French toast or waffles, toss a handful in your salads mix them with other berries because they taste of summer and sunshine. Blueberries are delicious to snack on while watching TV and take them to school or work. They really are a magical fruit with so many health benefits make sure that blueberries nutrition is a part of your everyday diet too. You can grow blueberry bushes in pots on your deck or in your backyard. You can pick your own, home-grown blueberries just minutes before you use them; your blueberries nutrition is fresher than fresh. And you can freeze them too; just wash and dry them, double-package them in freezer bags and enjoy them all winter.


Dessert Ideas Using a Belgian Waffle Iron


Do you like dessert? Most people love something sweet now and then, so here are some ideas for using waffles to make tasty dessert dishes. To do it up right, start with making your own Belgian waffles at home. There are several types of Belgian Waffle Irons such as a Flip-style or Classic style to choose from. Brands such as Chef's Choice, Cuisinart and Black and Decker make great waffle irons within everyone's budget range. Once you select and purchase a Belgian Waffle Iron, then it is time to experiment with different toppings to turn your waffle into a dessert.

The flip-style waffle iron such as the Waring Pro Professional Belgian Waffle Maker and the Oster Flip Belgian Waffle Maker mimic the waffle irons found in restaurants. They are easy to use and cook waffles evenly on both sides. Both brands come with indicator lights to let you know when your waffle maker is ready to use and an adjustable timer to guarantee the perfect crispness of your Belgian waffle. If you prefer the classic style, the Presto, Cuisinart and Villa Nova make excellent Belgian Waffle Irons. Cuisinart makes a professional style waffle iron that produces waffles that are square instead of round. The square or rectangle shapes make great dessert waffles using ideas such as adding ice cream, putting in the freezer to set and eat as an ice cream sandwich.

There are many, many ways to eat waffles, so experiment with some of these suggestions or make up your own. One of my favorite ways to eat a waffle is to spread a generous portion of peanut butter on a hot Belgian waffle until it melts and gets gooey. Then take maple syrup, add a touch water to thin it down and heat in a saucepan on the stove or in a glass pitcher in the microwave until it is piping hot and then pour over the waffle coated with peanut butter. Thinning the syrup causes it to be absorbed into the waffle easier, like marinating it. It also thins the peanut butter a bit which helps it go down easily. Peanut butter and maple syrup mixed together is a taste that is out of this world.

Another way I like to eat my wafflesis with nuts or chocolate chips mixed into the batter before baking. Adding chopped walnuts or sliced almonds gives the waffles a distinct nutty flavor which blends with maple syrup or other toppings such as fresh berries and whipped cream. If you want to be a little more creative with flavors, consider tossing dark or white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips or even small candy pieces such as M & M's or mini Hershey kisses.

If you are brave, purchase a waffle cone maker and make your own waffle cones right at home. Once you get the hang of rolling a hot waffle around the rolling cone, you will get hooked on serving ice cream in waffle cones at home. Lastly, try topping with your favorite waffle with ice cream adding fresh blueberries, strawberries, peaches, apples, raspberries or blackberries and finish with a bit of whipped cream. Once you own your own Belgian Waffle Iron, the dessert creation ideas are endless. Just imagine sliced bananas on top of a slathering of peanut butter, wow!


Friday, 30 September 2011

How To Make Your Own Pancake and Waffle Syrups


Do you know how easy it is to make your own gourmet flavored pancake and waffle syrup? Seriously, its a lot easier than you think and it only takes a few ingredients to get started.

You can serve these syrups over pancakes, french toast or waffles. The first two recipes are ready to use immediately, the third recipe should sit for 2 to 3 days to allow the flavors to infuse.

Tip: When it comes to making these recipes, I like to use a nonstick silicone spatula to prevent sticking. If you don't own one, then I recommend using a wooden spoon.

Homemade Maple Syrup

1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 teaspoon maple syrup 3/4 cup warm tap water

In a medium sized saucepan, combine the 3 above ingredients together over medium to high heat. Bring mixture to a full boil and reduce heat. You will need to stir this mixture often to prevent sticking. Simmer for approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

Blueberry Syrup

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 cups fresh or thawed blueberries

In a large saucepan, combine together the granulated sugar with the cornstarch. Stir in the water, corn syrup and lemon juice. Gently fold in the blueberries. Cook mixture over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until it has thickened. Serve immediately.

Pecan Honey Syrup

2 cups maple syrup
1/2 cup plain honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup pecans, finely chop

Tip: If you own a food processor, use it to fine ly chop your pecans.

In a medium sized bowl, combine together the maple syrup, honey and ground cinnamon. Gently fold in the finely chopped pecans. Pour mixture into an airtight container with a pouring seal. Store at room temperature in a cupboard for a few days to let the flavors infuse.


Homemade Waffle Recipe


Just about anyone can make homemade waffles with the right equipment. The most important thing that is needed to make homemade waffles is a waffle iron. Without a waffle iron, your waffles will not look or taste like waffles.

Generally, waffles are considered a breakfast item. But like other breakfast items, they can be served for any meal. Children love waffles because of the dips and valleys in them that create pools for syrup to sit in. Waffles are unique in that you can eat them on the go as well as sitting down to eat them covered in butter, syrup, jams and jellies or fruit toppings. Making waffles is not difficult. You just need to have a waffle iron and be sure to watch it so that it doesn't burn.

While there are many brands of frozen waffles that can just be popped in the toaster, none as are fluffy and crispy as homemade waffles. With homemade waffle recipes, you can choose to stir in anything you would like. Blueberries, chocolate chips, strawberries, and other things are often added to the waffle batter itself to create a unique taste. Spices are also added to the mix such as cinnamon. Children love waffles based on how they look. They can pick them up and eat them.

Finger foods are always a big hit with children.Waffles are great served with a fruit topping and whipped cream as well. Waffles have a lighter, fluffy consistency than pancakes, although you can use the same batter for both. Generally waffle batter will be a bit thicker than pancake batter because of the waffle iron. If you use very thin pancake batter it is likely to run out of the waffle iron and create a big mess. Many people use a slightly thicker pancake batter to make waffles for this reason.

Generally, a waffle recipes consists of flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, eggs, buttermilk and vegetable oil. Variations on this recipe would be to add sourdough starter or chopped pecans to the batter to change the flavor. With waffles as with pancakes, the possibilities of flavor are endless. Many people like to add in blueberries, cinnamon or chocolate chips. Children especially love the chocolate chips!