Barbera is a wine grape variety from Monferrato in Piemonte, Italy. Babera produces an intense red wine with deep color, low tannins and high acid and is used in California to provide “backbone” for so-called “jug wines”.

Century-old Barbera vines still exist in many regional vineyards and allow production of long-aging, robust red wines with intense fruit and enhanced tannic content. In Italy the best known varietals made from it is Barbera d’Asti, made in Asti, and Barbera d’Alba, made in Alba, which can produce a high quality wine with some ageing potential.

Probably one of the most underrated grapes in the world, Barbera can be used to make an incredible range of styles, ranging from young and spritzy to powerful and intense wines that need extended cellaring. It is a deep ruby color, full bodied, with low levels of tannins balanced by higher levels of acidity.

Barbera, the ultimate Italian summer red is also known as the perfect pizza wine for many. Barbera’s tooth jarring acidity, high alcohol, low tannin and lush fruit, make Barbera an ideal food wine that will stand up against anything you throw on the barbeque.

No other wine has the versatility that can cut through tomato sauce or compliment a steak as nicely as Barbera wine.

Wine Ratings - Wine ratings, wine and winery related information for the enjoyment of fine wines.

Coffee is generally prepared in two ways: espresso and drip brew. Drip brew coffee is prepared by pouring water over coffee which is contained in a filter. Espresso is an Italian coffee beverage prepared by forcing hot water through fine ground coffee beans.

Espresso is strong and has a robust flavor. Espresso coffee differs from the other variety of coffee, drip-brewed coffee, by its thick and concentrated consistency. Espresso is generally served in small amounts without any sweeteners or milk. Espresso should be consumed immediately after preparation, because it is highly reactive with oxygen.

There are various other types of espresso, like cafe latte, cafe mocha and cappuccino. All these can be made with one ’shot’ of espresso.

An Espresso machine is used to prepare the espresso coffee. The machine forces water at 195 F and 9 bar of pressure through a puck of finely ground coffee. It takes about twenty seconds for 1.5 ounces of espresso to be prepared. The time can be modified by increasing the grinding quality - using finer or coarser coffee. Espresso machines also have steam wands, which is used to froth and steam milk for preparing milk-based espresso beverages like cappuccino and latte.

The espresso machine comes in its true element at the hands of a Barista. There are a many elements on which the quality of espresso depends.

There are various types of Espresso machines available in the market. The various kinds are:

Stove Top Espresso Maker:

The stove top espresso maker is the simplest to use. It is made up of the base, brewing basket, basket screen and the collection chamber. It is small and easily transportable and is one of the main kinds of non-electrical espresso machines.

The coffee is placed in the brewing basket, once the base is filled with cold water. Once the basket screen is placed over the brewing basket, the collection chamber is attached back to the base of the machine, and the machine is placed over a heat source.

Steam Espresso Maker:

Though the steam espresso maker is similar to the stove top, it is a steam unit and works on the pump-power principle. It also has a portafilter, which is a filter holding/coffee dispensing unit.

Piston Driven Espresso Maker:

The piston driven espresso machine is the oldest type of espresso machines. They were first made when espresso was first discovered. The modern espresso maker machine is an upgrade of this retro espresso maker. Invented in 1938, it is used widely in thematic parties or shops.

Pump Driven Espresso Machine:

The pump-driven espresso machine is the most used type of espresso machine commercially. It is a variation/upgrade of the piston driven espresso maker, which has a pump instead of a piston.

Automatic Espresso Machine:

The automatic espresso machine produces a more consistent amount of espresso, as compared to the other types of machines. Water flows into the flowmeter, until it reaches the previously programmed level and then the ’shot’ is cut.

Super Automatic Espresso Machine:

This machine automatically grinds the coffee. Some machines can adjust the shot temperature and water flow.

When you have an important event to attend there are 7 great ways to make sure you perform at your very best. These tips are relevant for social events and business meetings. Discover how to communicate with confidence while making great conversation.

1. Decide what you want to say before the event. Review it in your mind to make sure it sounds okay. Keep rehearsing it until you can say it with conviction and confidence.

2. Consider your potential listeners. Who will you be talking to and which topics of conversation will be welcome? You need to make sure your message matches your audience.

3. Be yourself. The worst mistake is to pretend you are something you are not. People will see through you and distrust everything you say. Even if you communicate clearly and with confidence.

4. Never expect things to work out perfectly. Be ready to deal with problems by deciding in advance what you will do. What will you do if people ignore your input? Now is the time to decide and not later on in the heat of the moment.

5. Be flexible in your approach. Different people need to be treated differently. Pay very close attention to how people respond to what you say and keep adjusting your approach until you have a good rapport with your listener.

6. Make the other person the focus of your attention and let him lead the conversation in the early stages. Let that person steer the conversation onto topics that are of interest to him.

7. Anticipate what could go wrong. Then do what you can to make sure those scenarios do not occur. Adequate planning is the key to performing at your best in the moment.

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report: 10 Simple Steps to Developing Communication Confidence. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at: http://www.howtotalkwithconfidence.com/report.htm

peter1510@hotmail.com

Ingredients:
4 6 oz. fresh Ahi tuna steaks, about 3/4-inch thick
vegetable oil

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 Tbsp. cold unsalted butter

3 green onions, thinly sliced

1-2 Tbsp. fresh lime or lemon juice

3 Tbsp. soy sauce

1-2 Tbsp. prepared wasabi

Brush tuna steaks on both sides with the oil and season with salt and pepper.

Combine the butter, onion, lime juice, soy sauce and wasabi in a small pan.
Heat a heavy, nonstick frying pan over high heat. Place the tuna in the pan and sear until crispy and brown. Turn over and sear the other side. Be careful not to overcook the tuna. It’s best rare to medium rare. While the tuna is cooking, heat the butter mixture over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and emulsified. Serve the tuna immediately, drenched with the sauce.

Slow Roasted Herb and Spice Cured Pork Shoulder

Ingredients:
1 4-5 lb. boneless, skinless pork shoulder, not rolled or tied

2 Tbsp. coriander seeds

1 Tbsp. whole black peppercorns

12 whole cloves

1 Tbsp. sea salt

2 bay leaves, crumbled

2 Tbsp. fresh rosemary leaves, coarsely chopped
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

With a sharp knife, score the pork fat in a cross-hatch pattern.
Combine the coriander seeds, peppercorns and cloves in a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle. Grind coarsely and combine with the salt, bay leaves, rosemary and garlic. Spread half the mixture in the bottom of a glass or non-corrodible pan and place the pork on top. Cover with the remaining mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat the oven to 250F. Wash the pork and pat dry. Place fat side up in a baking pan and bake for 6 hours - that’s right, 6 hours. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
The carb count is actually negligible because the spices are washed off.

Mia LaCron is the founder of low-carb-diet-blog.info - http://www.low-carb-diet-blog.info - devoted to helping individuals eat a low carb diet.

One of my family’s favorite meals is called “little pizzas”. We take an English muffin and split it, put some tomato sauce on it, then some low fat mozzarella cheese with some pepperoni slices (hey sometimes you just have to splurge)! However, some healthier toppings would be ham (lean), Canadian bacon, turkey sausage, peppers, olives, or sliced or diced onions.

We toast our English muffins before we start the process and then pop them into the oven until the cheese melts. My husband’s parents had a toaster oven and they cooked theirs in that.

One night while at my girlfriends house the kids were hounding her for pizza for dinner and I suggested these instead. They loved them. They especially loved adding their own individual toppings (pepperoni slices were not available and you shouldn’t eat them on a consistent basis). Dessert was Jell-O with fruit. The kids got to have their pizza, and their mom was much happier with the healthier meal.

So, when they ask for pizza, give them the “little pizza” alternative.

Copyright 2005, DeFiore Enterprises

About the Author

Introducing Keep Kids Fit: How To Help Kids For Fun And Profit! Solutions for parents who want healthy children in body and mind!Our motto, “Eat Healthy, Live Healthy, Help Keep Kids Fit” Keep Kids Fit asks the question: Do You Want To Help Foster A Healthy Lifestyle For Your Child! Visit our website today at: http://www.keepkidsfit.com