A Big Glass Of Agua Fresca

With the warm weather coming you need somethign refreshing to quench your thirst.Water may be too bland. Soda is too sweet. Why not make a pitcher of agua fresca?It's perfect for those steamy days ahead.

What is agua fresca or fresh water. It's a combination of water, fresh fruit or even veggies and a sweetener. They originated in Mexico and the drink spread rapidly thorogh Latin America. Taquerias served them along with their tacos and tortillas.The drink is now all over the Americas, North and South.  You can even buy large cups of it at Panera.

Is it easy to recreate? Yes/

Recipe for agua fresca

4 cups of any fruit.Try pineapple or melon for a refreshing flavor but you can use strawberries too.

1/4 cup white sugar

4 cups water

Blend fruit , water and sugar. Strain through a strainer and then served chilled with sprigs of fresh mint.

Chinese Restaurants - A Go Or No Go

The coronoavirus has affected everything , from how we live to how we conduct business. Even eating out can be seen as risky. Now the focus on Chinese restaurants since the virus originated in Wuhan, China and everything Chinese is suspect. What should we do?

The dilemma is a double edged sword. If you boycott Chinese or any Asian restaurant, you're seen as racist and xenophobic. Staying away is understandable  since COVID-19 , the official name for the virus - is highly contagious. Families with young children along with the elderly and  autoimmune compromised are especially nervous and again, it's understandable. I hate to say avoid until the virus is eradicated but that may have to be the case. What about Asian markets? Again the answer may be stay away until everything is OK again. Keep in mind that also applies to grocery markets and other ethnic restaurants.Mall food courts are out too, since they're hangouts for all sorts of germs. Maybe the best bet is signing up for Peapod or any food delivery service.  Pick out what you need , by brand and quantity and have it delivered to you. Many swear by these and are satisfied with the quality of produce and meats they receive.

This brings up the question of take out. Can we order Chinese take out by phone or computer? Again, this sounds racist and xenophobic but if you can trust your restaurant, then the answer is yes. They know you and probably realize your fears. Maybe they'll wear plastic gloves when cooking. Face masks may help but they also hold in humidity which breeds germs. Yet all take out should be suspect as well. Can we trust our pizza delivery people or our Panera drivers just as much as we trust our Chinese take out deliverers? They too are human and just as susceptible to the coronavirus as any of us. One accidental sneeze or cough could contaminate our order of pizza sticks or tomato soup. Maybe the healthier choice is the unhealthy choice of frozen and processed foods. We can still get a variety of different ethnic choices.They may not be fresh made but they're just as easy to prepare as ordering  take out. If you do have the time, then you can create some of your take out favorites.

There is no easy answer to eating out right now. Be brave if you want to. Support local businesses. Just b e aware of what's going on in your neighborhoods and towns. Be aware. Be cautious.

Piggybacking Restaurants

There's a trend that's happening around big box stores such as Target. It's cutting up the store's parking lot to allow  space for fast food restaurants. Is it a good idea? Will it bring in more shoppers? Or diners?

Most big box stores such Target and Wal-Mart have huge parking lots that take up a lot of acreage. This is fine during the Christmas shopping season.It's really the only time when the area is used. In Bergen County, New Jersey any land, even if it's a parking lot is valuable. The land can be built on with some kind of business that will bring in not only diners but shoppers as well. This is the case with the Hackensack Target . A Taco Bell has been built in one of the parking lot's corners and has just opened. This is great for the area. Fairleigh Dickinson University is across the street and a charter high school is just down the road. Instead of being stuck with cafeteria food or the nearby Boston Market fare, kids can get cheap tasty burritos and tacos with beef or chicken fillings.Unlike Boston Market, and even the FDU Starbucks, Taco Bell offers cold  slushie like drinks that are going to be perfect when the Spring and summer  seasons arrive. There's a lovely outdoor area that's perfect for students as well. Imagine sipping frosted drinks and sharing snacks at the end of this Spring's semester.There's only one problem  with this Taco Bell - it will cut into Target's snack bar. The snack bar has had several blows in the last few years. Its' space was decreased to make way for a Starbucks. It cut back on its' variety. Forget getting their brand of a Slushie and chicken fingers. Hopefully their hot dogs and pizza will still be around.

The Hackensack Target isn't the only one. The Target in Clark, right off Parkway South in central eastern New Jersey  has to compete with not only an Italian restaurant but also a Duck Doughnuts built in their overly large parking lot.. These food hang outs are fun if you want to make a day or night of your visit, yet you can more or less get the same fare in the store's snack bar and Starbucks. A bigger version of parking lot piggybacking is over at the Teterboro , New Jersey's Wal-Mart where there is also a restaurant row plus two chain restaurants, Texas Roadhouse and BJ's Brewhouse. Again, the many diverse eateries, from Blaze Pizza to Panera's bring in not only diners but also those want a quick meal before shopping. Wal-Mart only has a Subway and some others don't even have these. The Garfield Wal-mart doesn't have any place to order a lunch or a quick snack. Their parking lot has an Applebee's and a McDonald's which helps. Most people who go to that shopping center, however, either head for Wal-Mart, Pet-Smart for their animal companions or even My Doc to handle colds and minor ailments. Food isn't necessarily on their minds. Should these eateries be there then? Would more stores be better instead. Or does this save that particular Wal-Mart from the pressure of adding some kind of fast food joint in their store?

Will piggybacking restaurants be the start of a trend? Will shoppers and diners like this combo? It's hard to say.  It all depends on the price and availability of  local real estate .

Are You Ready

Thanksgiving is only two days away. Are you ready to handle the year's biggest day of cooking? If not, it's time to assess what you have and also take a break.

By now you should have almost everything. The turkey should be in the freezer and on the way to defrosting tomorrow. The ingredients for the sides should all be bought too. Have you thought about the vegans and variations of that lifestyle? Have you bought the almond and soy milks and whipped creams? What about the family and guests with allergies? Keep in mind that the almond byproducts may cause trouble to those with nut allergies. Stick with soy milk and coconut milk whipped creams. Do you have the ingredients for everyone's favorite dishes?Make the green bean casserole without the fried onions on top and there may be a riot.People love and even swear by tradition. Thanksgiving Day is not the day to get arty or creative with the green beans or any beans for that matter. At best a new twist on a classic recipe may be met with a wrinkled nose and a polite "No, thank you." At worst a tantrum and someone leaving the table with their plate full of just turkey and gravy. Also make sure that you've bought the right amount of wine (although someone may bring a bottle as a gift) along with soda, juice and seltzer for kids and non-drinkers.

As for yourself, use tomorrow as a day off(or at least until it's time to bake the pies). If you have the day off from work, then treat yourself. Have lunch out, whether it's at your favorite cafe or fast food joint.  Feast on the Popeye's chicken sandwich, treat yourself to Dunkin Donut's new Beyond Meat sausage patty sandwich. Go for the mani and pedi, with a huge cup of hot or cold Dunkin's or Starbucks. Hang out at Panera's with a croissant and their signature hot chocolate. Just relax and don't think about the day until the day happens. Dinner should be easy too. It's actually the night when the most pizza is ordered throughout the US. Order the double pepperoni and sauce. Or go for sushi or burgers - whatever make you and your family happy. If you're still antsy about Thanksgiving, you could bring out all the linens and steam or iron them. Doing either is surprisingly relaxing. The spouse and kids can also help by polishing the silver and making sure the crystal sparkles. Most importantly get to bed at a reasonable hour. Sleep is your best friend , especially when you have to be bright eyed and bushy tailed the next morning. End the night with a soothing mint or chamomile tea (I"m loving the Nana mint teas from Wissotzky Teas) to get you drowsy and sleepy.

Are you fully ready for the Super Bowl of cooking? If not, make yourself ready but don't  sweat it. No meal  - not even Thanksgiving itself - is worth worry and angst.

The Veteran's Initiative

With today being Veteran's day, it's time to think of what we can do to honor them along with helping them.The best bet is working together as a community to make sure our vets are well fed and tended to. It may eve bring us together.

One of the best ways to honor them is reaching out. You can volunteer at veteran's homes , helping to cook and bake. Another pair of hands will be appreciated , especially when it comes to cutting and paring veggies.Also be on hand when the vets have birthdays, especially a milestone one. If you're a baker contribute a home made birthday cake or cupcakes, If they're on strict diets, then think about creating fruit bouquets similar to Edible Arrangements. They're easy to create , especially if you have metal cut out molds or paring knives. You can also contribute savory dishes such as veggies and dip or chips and homemade salsa. A homemade dinner is also a great way of saying thank you especially if you have vets in your neighborhood. It's also a great way of learning about history from someone  who has first hand experience. Another way of saying thank you is just taking him or her out for a meal or even a coffee. They'll probably enjoy the company more than the food.

The community can also come together to help vets. Think about having large communal holiday themed dinners like Thanksgiving at your schools. The school cafe or even gym can serve as the dining area. The cost can be diffused by turning it into a pot luck buffet. This is also a good lesson in inclusiveness as well. Have students and their families cook up or bake family favorites or heirloom recipes. It'll give vets a chance to try a possible array of Indian, Filipino and Caribbean dishes as well as such Thanksgiving classics as cranberry sauce and stuffing.  The students , especially the older ones, will gleam info about the country's involvement in recent wars. It may even inspire them to consider public service as a career choice. Another way of honoring them is having block parties. If the weather is mild in your area, then think about a holiday one. It's not just a good time for a plate of Christmas cookies but plaques thanking them for their service. Gift them with gift cards to their favorite restaurants or coffee houses like Panera, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts.

Don't honor veterans just on today. Honor them everyday. They fought  like the heroes they are. Celebrate them always.

Too Hot To Cook

We are in the middle of a heat wave. Temps will raise in the upcoming weeks. Cooking will be impossible. What to do? Not cook.

In this day and age, it's easy to get take out food. Despite all the uproar about eating burgers and fries,  they're handy and they are filling. What can be done is careful choosing. Luckily all chains list their calories on their online menus. You can choose wisely and have a low calorie, no fuss meal. Burger King offers the Morningstar Farms veggie burger which is only 390 calories. Have their onion rings which are only 150 calories for a small serving. Panera is another chain that delivers and they have healthy choices for the whole family. You can customize  salads with ingredients you like. Try their Caesar salad which is only 390 calories or their garden salad. Toss in some avocado and almonds for more flavor and protein. Panera's sandwiches are also light - perfect for these steamy days. Order a few of their Mediterranean veggie sandwiches. Tasty tomato basil bread holds hummus, and a slew of veggies like tomato , cucumber and onions. A plus is that Panera also has low calorie drinks too. Their iced teas are zero calorie while their prickly pear hibiscus agua fresca is 90 calories for a 20 fluid ounce glass.

Of course you can make no cook dishes. One of the easiest is hummus. It should be made with chickpeas, tahini sauce , garlic and a squirt of lemon juice. It's then mashing it or using an immersion blender to get a creamy texture. Hummus is one of those recipes that can be varied. Since I don't I usually add cannellini beans. Garlic is kept to a minimum and I usually nix the tahini. The flavor is actually milder without all the seasoning and to me more palatable. Cut pita into triangles, and serve with the hummus. If you can stand a little heat , place the pita triangles in a 350 degree F toaster oven for five minutes. Brush both sides with olive oil for a crispy ,crunchy  chip. Other spreads like cream cheese salad can make for a tasty and satisfying dip or sandwich filler. Add chopped green olives and pimentos for color and flavor or minced garlic for tang. Scallions and chives would also make for a colorful addition. The cream cheese spreads would also be perfect for Sunday morning bagels too.Another easy to make spread is bruschetta. Cut up Roma tomatoes and mix with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.Garlic and fresh basil are also added for spice and zest. Serve on slices of Italian bread.

It's hot . It's a chore to cook. Go for the no cooking option for a cool way to eat.

Put Down That Hot Latte

It may be September but it's still summer - and it's still devilishly hot.Thanks to the chain coffee shops, hot pumpkin spice and maple coffees and teas are being shoved down  our throats, despite the high temps. Forget those. Continue with the frosty and refreshing.

Many coffee shops like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, have discontinued some of their summer sellers. This is ridiculous. Summer ends in three weeks.We will still have hot,steamy days that require large cups full of something liquid poured over ice.Luckily there are places that still serve coolers. Panera is one of them. You can still enjoy an iced coffee, or better yet, one of their refreshing agua frescas.These are just infusions made with prickly pear or hibiscus, light flavors that are perfect during these steamy days. Despite it pushing its' fall drinks Starbucks actually does still offer cold drinks Luckily they haven't put their popular Cold Brew coffees on the shelf. For those who want to save money, buy yourself a fancy container and make your own iced coffee.It's nice to bring to a soccer game or a later summer Sunday at the beach. A plus about making your own iced brew is that you add anything you want, from a soy or almond milk creamer  to a squirt of chocolate or caramel syrup.

This is not the time for a cup of hot cider.Instead try  apple slices infused in spring water.Slice up a Granny Smith - you could use Roma's or Honeycrisps if you want a sweeter taste and drop in three cups of cold water.For more zing add in a sliced ginger and some lemongrass. It should last up to three days. Want sparkle? Then combine the slices with seltzer. The latest one to hit the shelves is Bubbly, a flavor soaked seltzer that packed with natural juices. Try the Granny Smith slices with the cherry or orange flavors.September  is also the second season for raspberries. Try these gems in either plain or sparkling water.Add one cup of rinsed raspberries and the juice of one lemon to a pitcherful of liquid. Let it sit in the fridge for an hour and then strain out the berries. These can be reused in smoothies. Serve with mint leaves. Mint is also refreshing . Stir in a few leaves  - not a lot otherwise it will taste like mouthwash, and let set for an hour. Strain and serve with a lemon wedge for color.

Don't touch those hot pumpkin spiced lattes.It's still hot. Stick with an icy cold refresher that will take this later summer heat away.

Mush Mouth

Having dental work and oral surgery is annoying along with being painful. The worst part is that you're on a really strict diet for a few days.Luckily you can make it work and more or less have the same foods you normally eat.

Unfortunately I had a back molar pulled today and was promptly told what to eat and not eat. No chewy meats like steak. No crunchy foods  like pretzels and chips. I can eat guacamole but not the corn chips that accompany them. Another  taboo - hot food which can dissolve the stitches in my mouth.Foods have to be tepid, room temperature or better yet cold foods. No crunchy Smarties (which got me into this mess in the first place). No popcorn - another culprit that could have damaged the tooth that needed to be pulled. Soft squishy tomatoes  are fine celery isn;t unless it's chopped up.Forget hot chocolate - way too hot and sugary. Very sugary drinks such as it and even icy sodas should be avoided for at least a day or two. They can irritate the raw extraction site. Warm coffee is fine  as is warm water . It 'll be another twenty-four hours before I can satisfy my Panera  and Starbucks cravings,

Of course my meals will be slightly altered. Thankfully I can have my daily breakfast of flavored oatmeal. My hot herbal tea will need a few ice cubes now. I can still have scrambled  or soft boiled eggs at home or at my favorite diner. Omelets are on the list too. I just can;t have a side of bacon and home fries.Corned beef hash is OK with it so I may try this new combo./ As for meals, clear soups such as vegetable broth is allowed along with pureed or mushy foods.Mashed potatoes are high on the list. They can be enhanced with a huge knob of butter or a few tablespoons of gravy. Polenta is also on the list. Cheesy polenta is even better.It's soft, creamy and chock full of protein.Baked mac and cheese is not just the comfort food that will get you through this but it's perfectly fine to eat. Another mushy pasta dish is pastina, those little stars  mixed with melted butter.It's also allowed. Yay! if you want something more nutritious  them have pureed beans and rice along with pureed yams.Finish with Hagen -Daz mini cups .


Extractions are a pain, both literally and figuratively, The restricted diet that goes with it is evne worse. Just - grin - and bear it  - and embrace the mushiness.

The Art Of Procrastibaking

It's much more fun to bake cupcakes than it is to clean the bathroom. Or knead dough instead of mowing the lawn. If you feel this way, you're probably a procrastibaker someone who opts for baking over mundane chores. You're not alone. There's more than a baker's dozen of them out there.

The great Julia Moskin wrote about this new trend in today's New York Times Food section.It probably was always a hobby(?) or vice (?) but Instagram gave it legs. It spikes in the weeks leading up to a annual rituals of anxiety like exams, tax day and Election Day.There's also a rush in seeing one's work praised and lauded on Instagram too.Let's face there is absolute fun in baking confetti cookies or making a great pie than there is in handling spread sheets or trying to finish writing that chapter. Many writers have taken to it (Not me- if I want to bake I'll wait til Christmas or someone's birthday), feeling it helps in the writing process. They enter a flow state which allows for more creative thinking.In a way, it's no different than heading to the local Starbucks or Panera for a coffee. One writer, Mia Hopkins, a Los Angeles based writer of racy romance novels,procrastinates by baking pies.It's helps in getting her out of an occasional writer's block Ms. Hopkins always go to pies.There more stimulating to the senses than other bakes. There's kneading the dough, slicing the fruit and crimping the crust. This gets her out of the tangle of words and into the real., allowing her to recharge.

Writers aren't the only procrastibakers. Med students are known for it too. Rachel Courville, a veterinary student at the University of Missouri has baking sessions along study ones. Dedicating a few hours to mixing, baking and decorating is like a mini vacation away from hours of memorization
and worrying about  about passing grades.It's hit the UK too. London medical student, Jonathan Martin wants recipes with many steps. This allows him and other procrastibakers to actually get some work done and give the illusion of efficiency. This would be sourdough bread which requires several proofings and final rising. He also likes the multi step millionaire's shortbread which is layers of shortbread baked and then topped with homemade caramel and melted chocolate. There's a window of time between the shortbread cooling off and making the caramel that allows for studying and chores.Surprisingly professional bakers are also procrastibakers.Erin Gardner, a pro decorator  in New Hampshire bakes recipes that require no thinking such as cookies, brownies and scones. This down time also allows her to get creative with chocolate flowers and stacking cake layers in
new ways.

Procrastibaking is a fun way to blow off chores and create a yummy bake. It's a great way to recharge the batteries too, and retackle a difficult job or study for an intense exam.  The reward is more than a slice of cake or a cookie - it's regaining one's sanity.

A Variety Of Breads

We eat it  almost every day of our lives  but we probably don't give it a second thought. What is this food we take for granted? Bread.One of the most ancient foods is literally the staff of life yet the average foodie or even home chef knows little about it.

Bread is one of the world's oldest prepared foods. There is evidence from 30,000 years ago in Europe of starch residue on rocks used for pounding plants.It is speculated that ferns and cattails were spread on a flat rock and then cooked over a fire.Around 10,000 BC, with the Neolithic Age also came agriculture. This brought grain farming which brought bread into the human diet. Yeast was introduced  then giving early bakers leavened dough. Yeast wasn't the only rising agent. Romans used a combination of grape juice and flour along with wheat fermented with wine. In Ancient France and Spain early bakers  used the foam skimmed from beer called barm. Wheat is the most common grain used to make the loaves however ancient grains such as spelt, einkorn, emmer and kamut.That crackly, chewy crust, usually the best part of a bread is created though the Maillard reaction, using sugars and amino acids to create a browned, delicious coating or crust.It's actually healthier than the loaf's interior simply because it has antioxidants along with having more fiber too.

There are so many breads out there/ We Americans grew up on white loaf. More adventurous parents bought the butter split loaves where the tops were ridged and melted butter drizzled on top before baking.wheat bread has always been a favorite along with multigrain.A deli favorite that has been in many a lunchbox is rye. It's a loaf made from rye flour and can range in color from a light brown to a rich chocolate-y hue. Delis also sell pumpernickel . This is another rich brown bread, made with a sourdough starter and rye.It started out as peasant fare, originating in the northwest region of Germany called Westphalia. It 's the perfect foil for the thin , buttery slices of Westphalian ham.One of its' components  sourdough is a popular bread here in the States.French bakers brought it with them when they went to California during the 1849 Gold Rush.It's a white bread with a pleasantly sour taste thanks to lactic acid bacteria or lactobacillus.It's popular at such places as Panera bread Company where you can get in loaf ,roll or bread bowl form.Most people love Italian and French baguettes. These long batons are tasty for breakfast, lunch,and dinner. They make for the best picnic sandwiches and accompaniments with soup. They also turn into the chewiest and tastiest French toast too.

Bread has always been a big part of the human existence. It connects us with our earliest ancestors along with sustaining our lives.It's not just a loaf  - it's history.

Can Fast Food Be Diet Food

We've been constantly told that fast food is bad food. Everyone from doctors to diet gurus warn of its' side affects. Yet some places do offer healthier , sometimes lower calories . Can these smart choices help in shedding pounds? Possibly.

Many of us love Wendy's . It's  fast food that tastes almost like home made. You can eat healthy here. Their famed baked potato is only 270 calories if there's nothing loaded on top. If you want something  to top it then go for the free sour cream and margarine. The bacon cheese potato is 480 calories.. Have it with their Honest iced tea which is thirst quenching and diet perfect at only five calories. Wendy's also offers salads. One of the most filling and good for anyone watching his or her weight is the Power Mediterranean Salad which is only 250 calories for a small portion. This is a mix of  quinoa, chicken feta and hummus.If you,re craving more meat then settle on their Buffalo ranch slider at 220 calories or their grilled chicken sandwich which has 270. Dieters can  even have their beef and eat it too.Wendy's has a junior double cheeseburger that's only 280 calories.Are the other famed fast food restaurants that calorie conscious? Chck-Fil-A and KFC do have food that can fit into a regimented meal plan.KFC has a combo of grilled chicken and mashed potatoes for 430 calories. Chick-fil-a has unbreaded chicken nuggets for only 240 calories for five pieces.

Other fast food places can also be advantageous too. One of the best for low calorie food with a lot of flavor is Sarku. Their miso soup is only fifty calories, a perfect lunch on a cold, rainy day. They also offer shrimp and sushi which are surprisingly hearty fare despite the lightness. Th shrimp comes with white or brown rice along with a good scoop of green vegetables. Their California roll sushi is only three hundred calories but packed with flavorful shards of crab meat and avocado. Panera Bread can also offer some low calorie  foods, despite the fact it primarily sells calorie rich breads,. muffins, and cookies. Yet their breads are between 120 and 160 calories a slice - however, it's hard to just stop at once slice. Their loaves are beyond delicious. Luckily the chain offers smaller versions of their soups and salads along with half sandwiches, Their  halved Mediterranean veggie sandwich on tomato basil bread is only 220 calories. Wash it down with ten calorie Spindrift raspberry lime seltzer. Finish it with a mouthful of their coconut macaroon at only 140 calories. Or have the last with a five calorie espresso for a quick afternoon pick me up. Panera's flavored coffees are only twenty calories a cup and you can probably get it iced as well as hot.

Fast food can also be a dieter's food. It's just choosing wisely with your mind - not your stomach. Then you can enjoy a meal out without any guilt