Free Weekend Getaway with Chef Bonnie

Most of the schools in US have closed down for summer and people are frantic planning their family vacations as the heat turns up in Sunny California! For those of you who have not yet experienced the sunny shores and the cool waters of the Pacific, here's something that could get you closer to a romantic Southern California getaway, which also includes a surprise package for food-lovers like me!

As the economy vacillates between good and not-so-good forecasts, everyone is looking for a way to cut costs, or better yet, find free stuff! So I was really happy to receive this email in my inbox about a free weekend getaway in a Southern California vacation rental home, sponsored by VacationRentals. For those of you who haven't heard about them, it is a popular website for vacation homes that connects property owners with vacationers seeking a private, home-like atmosphere for their accommodations. Something like finding a hotel, except this is more like a private home or retreat, which I'm sure you'd enjoy on a vacation. I did find a great deal on something I was looking for, but what caught my eye, and got me into writing this post is the current sweepstakes that they are offering! Just a little something to test your luck!:)

They are sponsoring a giveaway which features a vacation getaway in a Southern California vacation rental home where Chef Bonnie, (yes, the chef from Food Network and Hells Kitchen) will cook a gourmet meal for you in the rental home that the winners book!! The Prize includes money towards airfare, rental, and the personal gourmet meal cooked just for you! Bonnie Muirhead is a 26-year-old nanny and personal chef from Los Angeles, CA, was a finalist in the hell's Kitchen-Season 3, and missed winning the title by a few inches. However, those who have seen her know she's a great cook, and if given a chance, who wouldn't wish to be served by a Gourmet Chef?

So for those who are interested, and who have a history of being lucky, can try a hand at winning the Chef Bonnie Weekend Getaway, or any other of their Golf & Spa vacations by entering the sweepstakes over at Vacation Rentals. It is free, it is valued at $5,000, and it only takes a few minutes of your time; but if you win it, those would be a few minutes very well-invested!

For those who think this is a waste of time, here are some other interesting weekend destinations in California, just in case your travel plans happen to bring you over to the west coast!

Lake Tahoe - All-Season Travel Guide
Napa & Sonoma Valley - Wine, Food & Scenic Countryside
A Visitor's Guide to San Francisco

Read more!

How To Carmelize Onions

If you love cooking as much as I do, I am pretty sure at some point of time, you must have been enthused by the flavor of Carmelized Onions, be it as a topping on your Pizza, or a garnish on your Pasta or Salad, and I've received several requests to post about how to make them at home. The first thing you notice about these Onions is that they are "Golden-Brown". But the more important fact is how they smell and taste; unlike regularly sauteed onions, Carmelized Onions have a unique flavor, fragrance and texture, which is brought upon by the chemical reactions between sugar, water content in the onions, and of course, the heat in your skillet. Here's a scientific explanation for carmelized onions, if you are interested, but for home cooks like me just looking for a simple tutorial on How to Carmelize Onions at home, just hop ahead and read on! [Image courtesy: Fine Cooking]

Making Caramelized Onions at home is not as difficult a job; the key is to cook them on medium-low heat, a process which is called Sweating, and which allows all the water to release into the pan and then evaporate slowly. ensuring that your onions will be soft and caramelized all the way through. Here's what you need, in addition to patience, and some spare time on your hand (not when the kids are cranky for dinner!!)

Ingredients
1/2 cup clarified butter or olive oil
2 cups of onions of your choice(white, yellow, or red) - chopped thin
2 tsp granulated sugar
Hot water as needed
Salt & Pepper - to taste

Method
Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté until golden-brown, about 4 minutes. Add the sugar as soon as the onions have been coated with butter.

Continue cooking until the onions are deep brown and candied, and look browned & crisper from the edges; this can take up to 35-45 minutes. Add an occasional tablespoon of hot water if the pan becomes too dry, or if you see that the onions are sticking to the pan. Season well with salt and pepper to overcome the sugar, and also to help preserve their sheen or gloss.

Now you can use them in any recipe that calls for Caramelized Onions. Remember, the trick is in the right amount of sugar, and using medium-low flame, and slowly letting the onions get cooked; patience is the key, so hurrying will not help you get those burnt edges that are so typical for caramelized onions.

Note: The more the quantity, the longer it will take to caramelize your onions! Also, the sugar helps to accelerate the browning process, but you can skip it or lower the quantity if using red onions, as they have more water content than their white counterparts.

Related Recipes
How to Make basic Onion Sauce
How to Cut a Pineapple
How to make Pie Crust at Home

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Masala Chhas (Spiced Buttermilk)

Summer has surely set its mark here in Northern California, and the temperatures are slowly rising to higher 80's! Its getting so hot all I want to do is sit back and lounge on my rocking chair, sipping gingerly from an array of cool summer drinks:) Juices, smoothies, ice-cream shakes are all preferred choices, but sometimes, the tongue craves for something "chatpata & masaledaar", and that's when this cooling and refreshing Masala Chaas, or Spicy Buttermilk comes to your rescue! Lots of people don't like buttermilk, but believe me, when you make it fresh at home, with regular curd, and jazz it up with a few Indian spices, you will be amazed at how something so simple can uplift your mood so much!

Ingredients
2 cups fresh curd (not too sour)
3 cup water
1/2 tsp salt - or adjust to your taste
a bunch of cilantro - chopped
8-10 fresh mint leaves
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
2 green chillies - chopped
1/2 tsp mango powder (aamchur) - optional

Method
Add the chopped cilantro, mint leaves, cumin, green chillies and amchur powder to a blender. Add 1/2 cup water and blend to form a smooth paste.

Now add the curd, salt and remaining water, and again blend to make a thick and smooth buttermilk. Add more water if needed to get desired consistency.

Pour into serving glasses, garnish the cool, green Spicy Buttermilk with some mint leaves, and sit back and relax as you allow it to cool and refresh your mind and senses!

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Orange Creme Soda
Refreshing Beetroot Juice
Tropical Fruit Punch Lemonade

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