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Sunday, August 21, 2011

11 Ways To Avoid Online Dating Scams

1. Avoid long distance relationships  Although long distance relationships sometimes work out, if you stay local, you drastically reduce the the odds of being scammed.

2. Never reveal personal data to someone until you meet them face to face  While its tempting to reveal personal info about yourself, that's what scammers are counting on.

3.Pay attention to language  Many people who commit dating scams are from West Africa or the former
Soveit republics. If their command of English is fuzzy, that's a BIG red flag!

4. Use search engines to check out potential suitors If someone online seems too good to be true, just cut and paste their e-mails in Google and their exact words might pop up on several websites devoted to romance scams.

5. Upload a potential suitors photo  to http://www.tinyeye.com/ This website will allow you to see where else the photo appeared. Many con artists just swipe a photo from Facebook and use it.

6. Stick to paid online dating services  If members pay to join a site, that means a credit card is on file
and these people are easier to trace. However, it does not mean that these sites are free of scammers.

7. Be suspicious if some wants to use instant messaging or e-mail immediately  They may rogues trying to hack into your computer.

8. Watch out for someone claiming to be a soldier  Lately, scammers have stolen photos of soldiers on social networking sites and pretend to be trustworthy members of the military.

9. Don't fall for a sob story Many scammers claim to have lost a spouse, child or parent in an accident or claim they have a relative that is very ill. Also, they might say say that they are at the airport and they are on their way to visit you, but their credit card has been declined. Don't give them your credit card number and never, ever wire money to a stranger!

10. Call your potential suitor by phone ASAP  Someone who sounds great online may not sound might be an obvious fraud on the phone.

11. Run a check on your suitor    on http://www.beenverified.com/, http://www.pigbusters.net/
 and ww.RomanceScams.Org . If your lover has conned others, he or she may show up on these sites.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

How To Prepare A Flawless Risotto

This risotto combines pears, goat cheese and crushed black peppercorns with a veggie stock:

To make it you'll need:

4 cups vegetable stock -buy a quality store bought brand or make your own ( recipe follows)
8 tbsp unsalted butter ( 1 stick) at room temperature
1/3 cup finely chopped shallots n
2 cups of Carnaroli or Arborio rice
2 cups white wine
2 cups ( 8oz ) finely crumbled goat cheese that's not aged
2 cups of peeled and diced pears ( 2 pears) preferably Bosc pears
Salt and freshly cracked peppercorns

In a medium saucepan , bring the vegetable stock to a simmer.  In a large sauce pan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp of butter. When it begins to sizzle, add the shallots and cook, stirring for about 2 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Add the wine to the pan to deglaze, and cook stirring occasionally, until the wine has evaporated, ab   out 5 to 7 minutes. Then add enough simmering stock to reach about 1/4 inch above the rice and cook, stirring, until the liquid begins to simmer. When the rice has absorbed almost all of the liquid,  add another ladle full of stock. Continue to cook in this fashion until all the liquid has been added ( about 14 to 16 minutes total ) Reduce heat to low. Add the goat cheese, pears and remaining 5 tbsp of butter and give the mixture a couple of stirs. The cheese and butter should melt, and the risotto should take on a smooth consistency in about a minute or so. serve immediately. Serves 6 to 8.

To make the vegetable stock, you'll need:

2 onions, peeled and halved
2 carrots, peeled and quartered lengthwise
2 stalks celery
2 leeks, halved lengthwise ( white and green parts)
5 qts ( 20 cups) of water
1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
1 bunch fresh rosemary
1 bunch fresh thyme
2 bay leaves

In a large stock pot, simmer veggies, water, and salt for 15 minutes, skimming surface of foam and particles.
Add herbs and simmer for another 20 minutes. Strain the stock, discarding solids. Makes about 15 cups.






















The Secret Of the South's Best Fried Chicken Recipe

To make it you'll need:

1  3-lb chicken , cut into 8 pieces
1/4 cup kosher salt
4 cups buttermilk
1 lb lard
8  tbsp ( 1 stick ) unsalted butter
1/2 cup country ham pieces
1 cup flour
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

The night before, place chicken in a large bowl and set aside. In a large pitcher, combine kosher salt with 6 cups of water and stir until the salt has dissolved. Pour salt water over chicken pieces until they are submerged. Cover and refrigerate over night. In the morning, drain chicken pieces and rinse chicken and the bowl. Return chicken to the bowl and cover with buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours. 

About 1 1/4 before serving, combine the lard, butter, and ham in a large heavy skillet. Cook over low heat, skimming as needed, until ham is lightly browned, about 30 to 45 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove ham and brown bits from fat. Increase heat to medium high and bring fat to 335 degrees.

In a shallow bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt and pepper and mix well..Dredge chicken pieces thoroughly in flour mixture, then pat well to remove excess flour. Working in batches, do not crowd pan, and place chicken pieces skin down on fat side. Cook 8 to 10 minutes on each side, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Drain on  crumpled paper towel. Serve hot, warm , room temperature  or cold. Serves 4 to 6.     










Saturday, August 6, 2011

Restuarants Offering Free Food On Your Birthday

ALFY'S PIZZA - free mini pizza


ALL-AMERICAN CAFE - free dessert

APPLEBEES - free dessert

AUSTIN GRILL - Register First - free meal

BAKERS SQUARE - free pie

BANDIDO'S - free entree

BANJARA INDIAN CUISINE - free meal

BASKIN ROBBINS - free ice cream treat

BEACHES RESTAURANT - free meal

BENIHANA'S JAPANESE RESTAURANT - free dinner WITH 3 other paying guests ( Verify first with your local )

BENNIGANS - free dessert + song

BERN'S - free meal

BILL KNAPP'S - gives adults a % discount equal to age; plus a free bday cake (w/purchase of a meal) during the week of your B-day

BLACK BRISKEE - free meal

BOB'S BIG BOY - free hot fudge ice cream

BRUSTER'S - free waffle cone on your birthday

BURGER KING - free kids meal to all kids club members

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN - Register First - free kids meal during the month of their birthday

CAPTAIN D'S BIRTHDAY CLUB - free two-piece meal at sign-up and once a year on your birthday

CAPTAIN DIZZY'S CAR WASH - free car wash

CARROWS - free cake

CATTLEMEN'S - free dessert and cowboy hat

CHARLIE BROWNS RESTAURANTS - free meal for "Handshake Club" members

CHARLIE'S SEAFOOD - free meal

CHEVY'S - free dessert and sombrero

CHILI'S - free desert on your birthday

CHIPS N GIGGLES - free meal

CLAIM JUMPER - Free Dessert

CROWN THEATRES - Buy One Movie Ticket, Get One Free

CRAZY BUFFET - free meal

DAVE AND BUSTERS - $5 game card credit

DENNY'S - free meal (said to be only kids under 10 now)

DESPARADOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT - free meal

DOCKSIDE RESTAURANT - free meal

DUKE'S CHOWDER HOUSE - b1g1 coupons (register first). FREE dinner for your birthday!

EL CHICOS - free dessert

ERNIE'S STEAKHOUSE - free meal

FAMOUS DAVE'S BARBEQUE - free meal (w/advance signup)

FIREHOUSE SUBS - free sub (must sign up for birthday club)

FUDDRUCKERS - free burger

FUNNY BONE COMEDY CLUB - free cake (party of 5 min.; 2 drink min.)

GRILLFISH - free meal

HANA JAPAN - free meal

HARD ROCK CAFE - free dessert

HOMETOWN BUFFET - free birthday cake

HOULIHAN'S RESTAURANT - free entree

HOLLYWOOD VIDEO - one free video rental

HOOTERS - free song + tshirt

HOSS'S STEAK HOUSE AND RESTAURANT - free cake + song

IHOP- free meal

JOE'S CRAB SHACK - free cake

JT WHEATFIELDS - free coupon in phone book

KING BUFFET - free meal

LADONNA - free meal

LOMBARDI'S IN BALLARD - Register First - free meal w/another during month of birthday

LOTUS - free meal

LUTHERS BBQ - free stuff (varies) for "Great Rewards" members

MACARONI GRILL - free dessert + OPERA-style "Happy birthday" song

MAGGIANOS - $10 Off purchase of $20 (sign up in advance)

MARIE CALENDERS - free dessert

MAX AND ERMA - free $5 dessert

MEXICAN VILLAGE - free meal

MOONIES DINER - free meal

MUCKLESHOOT CASINO - free sushi dinner + player's club points

NEWICK'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS - free entree

NITTY GRITTY - free drink + souvenir glass

OKAYAMA RESTAURANT - free meal

OLD SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE - free meal

ONAMI - free dinner WITH 3 other people paying

OUTBACK Steakhouse - free dessert + song

PANCAKE HOUSE - free entree

PAPPA'S RESTAURANTS - free dessert

PARADISO'S - free meal

PERKIN'S - free stack of pancakes

PF CHANGS - free cake or cheesecake

PIZZA EXPRESS - free meal

PONCHO'S - free meal, dessert & picture

PROVINO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - free $10.99 meal and ice cream dessert

Radisson - free entree in their 12th floor restaurant

REAL SEAFOOD COMPANY - free meal and dessert

RED ROBINS - Register First - free burger coupon / discount coupon

RICE & COMPANY - free meal for Robinson Rewards Club members

ROCK BOTTOM - free appetizer for Mug Club members

ROUND TABLE - free personal pizza

RUBY TUESDAY - free burger and fries (must sign up for their newsletter to receive this offer)

SCALINI'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - up to 10.95 off pasta specialties

SHEPARD'S BUFFET - free dinner buffet w/3 other paid customers

STEAK AND ALE - free mini choco cake

STEAK-N-SHAKE - free dinner for "birthday club" kids

TGI FRIDAYS - Free birthday Dessert

THE 99 - free meal

THE BARNSIDER'S/DEPOT RESTAURANTS - 1/2 off meal + cake & song

THE LOFT - free meal

THE PALM - 3lb lobster (must be a member/register first)

THE PARADISO - free entree + sombrero & song

THE VINE TAVERN - free meal

TODAI SEAFOOD BUFFET - Free Meal or voucher for Meal Next Visit

TONY ROMA'S - free dessert, free meal

UP THE CREEK - free meal and dessert

VACCARO'S ITALIAN PASTRY SHOP - free dessert and drink

WENDY'S - free kids meal to all kids club members

Z' TEJAS - Register First - $15 coupon for the month of your birthday

ZIO'S - free dessert mini pizza