How to Store Fresh Herbs & Spices
Herbs and spices add flavor to almost any dish, and fresh are usually best. Fresh herbs tend to have sharper, more distinct flavors, and fresh spices that you grind yourself are more potent than pre-ground alternatives. However, it can be tricky to store fresh herbs and spices. Learn a few techniques to extend the shelf life of your fresh herbs and spices.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Kitchen scissors
- Vase or other container for water
- Dry paper towel
- Plastic wrap
- Plastic freezer bags
- Ice cube trays
- Large pan or plate
Store at Room Temperature
- 1Trim the ends of long-stemmed herbs like basil, parsley and cilantro about 1/4 inch with kitchen scissors. Remove any dead leaves or stems.
- 2Place the herbs in a container (like a glass or a vase) with about 1 inch of water at the bottom--not enough to cover the leaves.
- 3Store the herbs at room temperature until use. This type of herb usually lasts two to seven days.
Refrigerate
- 1Remove any dead leaves or stems from most other herbs (aside from basil, parsley and cilantro) before refrigeration.
- 2Wrap the herbs gently with a dry paper towel.
- 3Wrap the herbs again in loose plastic wrap.
- 4Store the herbs in the refrigerator, preferably in a door compartment so they are not kept too cold. Rinse before using.
Freeze
- 1Clean herbs such as dill, fennel, parsley, basil and others thoroughly.
- 2Chop the leaves, if desired.
- 3Place small amounts of the leaves (2 to 3 tbsp. each) into small plastic freezer bags labeled with the name of the herb or spice. Store in the freezer up to six months and use as needed.
- 4Alternatively, freeze small amounts of chopped herbs in ice cube trays with a little water. Use later to season sauces or other recipes by simply melting an ice cube into the recipe.
Dry
- 1Chop large leaves (there is no need to chop small leaves like rosemary).
- 2Spread the leaves evenly in a single layer on a pan or plate. Store in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area for about three days until leaves dry thoroughly.
- 3Hang bunches of herbs upside down in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area until they are dry. Drying in this manner usually takes two to five days.
- 4Store the dried herbs in airtight containers in a cool, dry, dark place.
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Read more: How to Store Fresh Herbs & Spices | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7190886_store-fresh-herbs-spices.html#ixzz1USy78UHk
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How to Word a Destination Save the Date
Going away for your wedding? The Save-the-Date announcement is a critical element of any destination wedding, as guests typically require more details and more notice for weddings where travel is required. Many guests need to make travel arrangements and take time off work, so give them plenty of time by sending them out at least four to six months in advance. Save-the-dates also help create anticipation and excitement for your special day. Be sure you prepare everyone you want included in your special day with a few easy steps.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
- 1Feature your names prominently. This is typically the first thing you see on a save-the-date card. It can be formal or informal, as save-the-dates are typically more casual than wedding invitations. Example: "Mark and Annie are getting married! Save the date!" or "Save the date to celebrate the marriage of Annie Smith and Mark Adams."
- 2Include the date. This is all about the date, so the day and time of the wedding should be prominent. Consider making the date larger, bold, or a different font to highlight it appropriately.
- 3Be very specific about the location. For a destination wedding, guests will need to know exactly where the wedding will take place. Include the name and full address of your venue. If there is a separate venue for the reception, you may want to include those details as well.
- 4Be clear about who is invited. Guests who need to travel will want to be very sure if a guest is welcome, or if the whole family is invited. A good way to avoid confusion is to include every invited guest's name on the envelope. It is important that only guests who are invited to the wedding receive save-the-dates, so make sure your guest list is finalized before mailing your save-the-dates. Example: "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith" or Ms. Jane Smith and guest" or "Ms. Jane Smith and Mr. John Adams"
- 5Give guests help with accommodations. For out-of-town weddings, some savvy brides help their guests by researching hotels. Some hotels offer a discount for wedding guests if arranged ahead of time. If you can, include a separate card or a note at the end of your save-the-date with details for convenient accommodations. Example: "Accommodations are available at a special rate for our wedding guests at the Fess Parkers Doubletree Resort in Santa Barbara. Mention the Graham wedding while booking."
- 6If your wedding spans a weekend or several days with various activities, include a brief itinerary for your guests. Example: "Please join us for cocktails Friday night at the Hilton, the wedding ceremony Saturday at Kaanapali Beach Cabana, and Sunday morning brunch at the Hilton resort." You may also want to include clues for guests about dress code. Designating casual, formal, or black tie helps guests plan ahead.
- 7Websites are the thing to do for any modern bride. Include your wedding website address so guests can get more information online. This is particularly useful if you want to keep your save-the-date simple. Keep the bare minimum of date and location. Other details like the itinerary, accommodations, and dress code can be left off the card if you'd like. Example: For more details about our wedding, including accommodation information, itinerary, and more, visit our website at www.ourwedding.com."
- 8Always let guests know that your invitation is coming later. Otherwise, some guests may be confused and assume that the your save-the-date is actually your invitation. Example: "Invitation to follow."
- 9If desired, add any special details that guests would need to know ahead of time. Add your own personal touch, or give a hint to your wedding's theme. Example: "We can't wait to see you at the beach! Don't forget your sandals for a day of fun in the sun!"
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Read more: How to Word a Destination Save the Date | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7200778_word-destination-save-date.html#ixzz1USyRZt7m
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How to Compare U.S. Cities
If you're considering moving to a different city, or you want to learn more about what life is like in other places around the United States, there are ways to compare. Information about a city's cost of living, crime rate, population and more is available through online resources.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Internet access
- 1Compare cost of living. A host of websites offer cost of living comparisons. One of the most comprehensive calculators is at Bankrate.com. Simply connect to Bankrate.com and enter the names of the two cities you want to compare (select from the drop down list). Enter your current income in the box provided, and hit the "Refresh Listing" button. Bankrate.com will calculate the equivalent income from the first city to the second. It will also provide you with a list of products and their prices in each city, including everything from home prices and medical services to gasoline and a variety of food products.
- 2Compare crime rates. You can find this information at several sites, including AreaConnect.com. Connect to their website. Type in the names of the two cities you would like to compare, and select the respective states from the drop down menu. Hit "Compare Crime Rates," and AreaConnect.com will provide you with the most recent information on city crimes (based on 2006 FBI crime statistics). The clearly-marked chart lists number of murders, rape, robbery, assault, theft and more for each city in graph form, alongside the nationwide statistics.
- 3Compare population and culture. Find out more about the two cities by comparing a wider range of statistics. Connect to Moving.com to compare cities with ease. Simply enter the zip codes of the two cities you'd like to compare, and hit the "Get Report" button. Moving.com will provide a list of extensive statistics, including population, male/female ratio, relationship status statistics, median age, income, ethnicity, education, weather and transportation.
- 4For another way of comparing cities, CityMelt.com helps compare your personal date to data from cities around the United States and matches you with an appropriate city. Search by state or particular city, or use the sliders to select preferences on statistics like weather, population and education to narrow down your options. When you select a city (whether through narrowing your options or by simple searching), CityMelt.com provides very detailed statistics on your selected city, including detailed population analysis, economic analysis, housing, government, weather and crime. To truly compare two cities, you should consider saving your results from the first city, opening another web browser window, and repeating the process with a second city. View your windows side-by-side to compare.
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Read more: How to Compare U.S. Cities | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/how_7349735_compare-u_s_-cities.html
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How to Tour From Hanoi to Hue
Vietnam's focus on the environmental harmony of feng shui (or "phong thuy") lends the nation an unusual sense of balance, of opposites comfortably at home together. Keep this balance in mind and be kind to the environment while touring the quiet country villages and the noisy cities, which are unlikely but somehow harmonious neighbors. Temples and pagodas built on the principles of feng shui abound throughout Hue and Hanoi. A temple, like a western monument, is built to honor figures from history or society, while a pagoda is typically a place of worship. Get the most from a tour of the region by seeing many of both and by embracing both sides of the Vietnamese city-country dichotomy.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Guidebook
Decision-making
- 1Decide whether you prefer the ease of a guided tour or the adventure of going on your own. Planning varies depending on the option you choose, so decide carefully.
- 2Decide how many days you want to spend between the two cities. Most guidebooks recommend at least a couple of days per city. Think about how each city appeals to you and make a list of attractions you want to see. If you prefer the bustle of the city, you may want to set aside more time for Hanoi, or vice versa.
- 3Determine your travel style. Are you a budget traveler with a sense of adventure or a luxury traveler who likes to stay in style, for example. Answer these questions to determine where you stay, what you do and how much you spend.
Guided Tours
- 1Select an appropriate option for your tour. A number of tour companies will take care of the details for you; most guided tours of Vietnam include Hanoi and Hue along with other cities. If you want to spend more time visiting the entire country, it booking a guided tour is easier. Signature Travel Asia offers an abundance of options, including the "Best of Vietnam" tour, which includes four days in Hanoi and two days in Hue (along with a few days in Saigon, Sapa and other locales). Highlights include a cycle through Hanoi to see the Old Quarter, One Pillar Pagoda, the National History Museum, morning tai chi and shopping in Dong Ba market. Signature Travel Asia offers a variety of tours of Vietnam that vary in length from 12 to 21 days. Luxury Travel Vietnam also offers tours, which vary depending on your interests. Luxury Travel offers a cultural heritage tour, a culinary tour, a romantic honeymoon tour and an adventure tour, all with stops in Hanoi and Hue. For off-the-beaten-path tours, try Lotussia Active Vacations, with motorbike and cycling tours between Hanoi and Hue.
- 2Book your chosen tour online or over the phone. Most companies require at least a 30 percent deposit to reserve a tour, so use your credit card to book.
- 3Check your tour's details carefully as some tours include more extras than others. With most tours, bring extra money for some meals and souvenirs. Book a flight from your hometown to the tour's departure city, along with a cab, bus or train from the airport to the meet-up point (unless your tour company arranges that transportation for you).
- 4Pack your bags. Even on a guided tour, buy a good Vietnam guidebook and browse through it on your way, learning about the culture and attractions of Hanoi and Hue. The more informed you are before you go, the richer your experience will be.
Self-Guided Tours
- 1Plan your trip. If you prefer to go without a tour group, do a bit more planning. Decide what activities are important to you. Invest in a good guidebook (like "Lonely Planet") and do some research. Plan which attractions are the most important: art galleries and museums in Hanoi, for example, or culinary exploration in Hue or shopping and historical landmarks. Set aside time to see what you want to see.
- 2Book hotel stays. For hotels in Hanoi and Hue, try websites like landingvietnam.com or waytovietnam.com, which provide reasonable prices for the five-star and two-star traveler.
- 3Reserve transportation for the trip from Hanoi to Hue. Make careful decisions about how you wish to travel. The roads between Hanoi and Hue are notoriously treacherous, so driving is not for everyone. Bus fare is reasonably priced, but hectic driving conditions and a long trip (about 17 hours between cities) often tire travelers. Trains travel from Hanoi to Hue nightly, and the trip takes about 14 hours. For a quicker trip, book a flight. Vietnam Airlines has connecting flights from Hanoi to Hue daily, and you can book tickets ahead of time or upon arrival in Vietnam through your hotel's concierge.
- 4Budget your funding for meals, travel about-town and incidentals. Bring enough to get around. Costs in Vietnam are relatively low. Bus fares are typically about $5, and food costs vary from $5 and up per meal (in fall of 2010).
- 5Pack your bags, and go. Traveling on your own through Vietnam will be an adventure. Bring your guidebook, maps and travel information such as booking confirmations.
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Read more: How to Tour From Hanoi to Hue | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7462995_tour-hanoi-hue.html#ixzz1USxLadmU
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