Because of the French domination of the culinary scene since time began (or so it seems, anyway), it stands to reason the most famous chefs in history are – what else? – French, with the exception of one American woman (discussed later), who was, nevertheless, trained in classical French cooking.

Home cooking is a concept that has lost it importance in our fast paced society. However, recent ideas about the power and value of the family meal are changing as the dietary concerns in our country are growing. Current dietary studies have proven that childhood obesity is on the rise and with this is the increase in diabetes in both children and adults. We are a society that lives to the excess. Unfortunately rather than learn to appreciate our good fortune, we abuse the luxuries that our society and economy afford us and continue to abuse our bodies and our health. In the culinary circles, a "new" concept is taking the cooking industry by storm, "Quick Cooking" is the phrase of the 21st century and by the look of cookbook sales, everyone who cooks is paying attention.

Edible flowers are often used as a garnish or as an ingredient in salads. While not all flowers are edible, there are many out there that are. Very few supermarkets carry edible flowers, but they are available at specialty markets that carry gourmet produce. These flowers can be stored up to a week in the refrigerator as long as they are wrapped well. This is fine if they are to be used in a salad, but when they are used in cake decorating they need to be fresh.

You should never eat flowers that have been sprayed with pesticides. Some of the most popular edible flowers are:

NUT PUFFS.–An example of a thin batter not in equal proportions of liquid and flour is afforded by nut puffs. In hot breads of this kind, aeration is used as the leavening agent. In order to assist with the incorporation of air, the egg yolk is well beaten before it is added; but the greater part of the lightness that is produced is due to the egg white, which is beaten and folded in last. The addition of nuts to a batter of this kind considerably increases its food value.

NUT PUFFS (Sufficient to Serve Six)

GRIDDLES.–A style of griddle in common use is circular and has a projecting handle, griddles of different shapes and fitted with different handles are to be had. Such utensils are made of numerous materials, but the most satisfactory ones are constructed of steel, iron, soapstone, and aluminum. Steel and iron griddles must be greased before cakes are baked on them so as to prevent the cakes from sticking; for this reason they are less convenient than soapstone and aluminum griddles, which do not require any grease.

Pods are fast becoming the hot new method for home coffee brewing, and Folgers coffee pods are leading the way. Folgers coffee pods bring the taste of classic coffeehouse coffee and a very easy way to brew java to the comfort of your own home.

It is an amazing technology that allows you to take the self-contained, individual Folgers coffee pods and turn them into a delicious pot of coffee that you'll be proud to share with your houseguests. This technology is an exclusive system that forces hot water through the ground beans at an extremely high pressure. It's no coincidence that this technique is the one that most leading coffeehouses use the most. It's also no coincidence that this system makes consistently a top-notch, single serving of coffee in under a minute.

Makes: 4 Servings

Ingredients:

Whole Wheat Flour
1 Box Pizza Crust Mix
2/3 Cup Ricotta Cheese
1 Green Pepper – Sliced Thinly
1/3 Teaspoon Dried Basil
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
2 Cloves Garlic – Mashed
1/8 Teaspoon Salt
6 Oz Shredded Cheese (Your Choice)
1 Small White Onion – Sliced
4-5 White Mushrooms – Sliced Thinly

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degress.
2. Make pizza crust according to directions.
3. Mix ricotta cheese, vegetables and seasonings.
4. Sprinkle shredded cheese over pizza.
5. Add vegetables.
6. Cook in oven for at least 10 minutes.
7. Cool and serve!

Throughout the world, coffee is the second most popularly traded item on the globe. Behind oil, it is the most sought after commodity on the open market, but as more people focus on health, organic coffee is quickly gaining for market share.

From the time, in about 800 AD a goat herder in Ethiopia watched his goats literally dance after eating red berries from a coffee bush until Brazil took the honor of having the largest coffee crop in about 1800, coffee was a blend held only for royalty and the elite. No one then cared how the bean was grown, or processed, nor was organic coffee thought to be important.

Cooking is part art, part science, and part magic. I think these qualities are what attract so many people to cooking. In cooking you can really express yourself and be creative. You can use different, new ingredients and create exciting new dishes. Cooking is also very scientific. It requires precise measurements and follows the laws of physics. But cooking is also partially magic because before cooking you just have a jumble of unassociated ingredients and then you see after cooking, a beautiful and tasty dish or treat. Take a cake for example. It goes in the oven as a pan of soupy liquid and comes out a tall fluffy golden cake. Truly magical.

If, for dietary or ethical reasons, you have decided that you want to put your infant on a vegetarian diet, you should be very careful in choosing formulas and solid food for your child.

If you plan to breastfeed the infant and you are also a vegetarian, you may need to supplement breastmilk with additional sources of nutrition, depending on your dietary restrictions. If you are a vegan, or an ovo-vegetarian, you should add sources of vitamin B-12 to your child's diet.

Other than the B-12 supplements, your infant should be able to receive all micro and macronutrients through breastfeeding, even if you are on a strictly vegan diet.