Dragonfruit Drama

 Dragon fruit or pitaya is a beauty of a fruit.A bright fuschia rind protects the black speckled creamy flesh. Yet as with all beauties it comes with drama. There's a war going on , leaving farmers with an excess and financial problems.

 Regular contributor Christina Morales wrote about the dragonfruit war between Floridian and Ecuadorian farmers in yesterday's New York Times Food section.dragon fruit is becoming popular, especially as a flavorer for drinks. Taco Bell uses it in their iced teas and Starbucks combines it with lemonade or mango juice in their refreshers. This would equate tremendous demands and top sales to those farmers in South Florida. Yet they were slapped in the face when Ecuadorian famers glutted the market with it. They extended their season which would be going into the Southern Hemisphere fall just as the June crops were coming into being. This overlap has been a major blow to the Americans whose budgets have been tightened by inflation and high labor costs.Dragon fruit grows from June to November, with the fruits grown at the end of the season being nourished by artifical sunlight along with lots of water, fertilizer and pruning.

The US has always had competition regarding the pitaya. It is grown in Vietnam and Peru besides Ecuador. Yet it's the Ecuadorans that are giving the farmers the most worry. In recent year the South Americans have provided a reliable supply in recent years, especially during the pandemic when the Florida farmers had to deal with labor shortages.It also has more appeal because it's larger than the Floridian ones. It's popularity has increased in the last twenty years thanks to it being nutrient dense according to Jonathan Crane , the associate director of the Tropical Research and Education Center at the UNiversity of Florida. The fruit also has a nice flavor. Think a not so sweet pear which makes it idea for all sorts of recipes from cold teas and refreshers to sorbets and even salads.The problem is that it's not as popular as other fruits which would create demand for it. Many farmers are now selling it directly, trying to make up for this excess.They  also had to deal with drought which ruined a good mumber of plants as well.

The dragonfruit wars are on hold now thanks to Hurricane Ian. Hopefully the fruit will gain in popularity and both American and South American farmers can benefit. It's a delicious tasty  fruit worth the drama

A Lenten Bonus For Your Diet

 If you're observing Lent then you're forgoing meats and some dairy until Easter. Doing such may be a nutritional bonus .The less red and fatty meats eaten, the less problems you have. Eating more fish and veggies can even lead to a pescatarian or vegetarian diet.

Salmon is usually the gateway fish for those fishless Fridays.It's an easy fish to cook and can be prepared in a variety of different ways. It is also a good source of protein and only two hundred calories.It's high in Vitamin B12 and potassium along with iron and vitamin D. One of the easiest ways to cook it is pan seared. Add melted plant butter like Melt along with salt, pepper and a squirt of fresh lemon juice. Some recipes add a touch of honey however that can make it a bit sweet. Dill works best with the flavor but you could also use rosemary and oregano too. Think about making salmon croquettes if you want to get the kids on board. These are a mix of  canned salmon along with flour and panko bread crumbs for body. Bell peppers, garlic and salt give it flavor. Mayonnaise provides moisture as does eggs. You can add Worcestershire sauce and cilantro for zing and color.It's then cooking them in olive or avocado oil as you would hamburgers. You can also make these in an air fryer .You can also go with a favorite - cod too.It can be prepared as the other. It's the basis of fish and chips which is an easy make ,especially if you use an air fryer. They're also good shredded in tacos too.

You can also try your hand at bean dishes too for Lenten Friday suppers.Bean tacos can be a tasty change up. You can do a mix of black and kidney beans for a more flavorful filling. They can be good cold or warmed in the microwave. Top with Greek yogurt , lettuce tomatoes and homemade guacamole for a substantial meal. Beans also work in a burrito too. Anyone can copy Taco Bells' recipe for it. The filling is a mix of red kidney beans, finely chopped onions and tomato sauce. Garlic salt and cumin are added for flavor while shredded Cheddar or American cheese adds creaminess to the texture What gives it that tang? Two teaspoons of  red wine vinegar. It's then mashed and spooned into microwave warmed tortillas. You could added chopped tomato and avocado slices to imitate Taco Bell's Grande version. You can also use this for tacos too. Another idea is using vegan "beef"crumbles for this too. Plant based "meats' are the rage right now. You can easily make a meatloaf  using Beyond Beef , complete with a mushroom gravy. Gardein has a wide variety of plant based meats, including cod filets and crab cakes.

Lenten Friday may actually help you and your family in eating healthier. Try a meatless meal one day a week then ramp it up to two or three. You'll still eat delicious but also better.

Get The App

 Apps rule our lives these days. We shop , seek advice and track our lives. Now we ca

n dine with them. 

I recently uploaded the Taco Bell app on my phone. There are a lot of pluses. Yiu can easily order from your house or car and then pay from it.Taco Bell offjers a lot of  bonuses too.I've already received free fries and a bean burrito. I/ve just downloaded Blaze Pizza and was delighted to see I have a free soda coming my way. 

Download apps from your favorite eateries. . They're an easy way to order and save money Do it today.

Taco Bell Chili

 Surprisingly enough Taco Bell doesn't make chili. It makes everything else Mexican, from chalupas  to burritos to tacos. For some reason chili has always been off the menu. This is odd because they probably could come up with a delicious one. However the average home chef can, using their sauce packets and the usual ingredients and come up with a tasty variation.

This was something I wanted to try. I have tons of Taco Bell sauce packets in my house , thanks to a tendre for their burritos. I used my Mom's chili recipe, and tweaked it. 

I used ten  packets of the mild hot sauce packets along with kidney beans and tomato sauce.

These actually gives the chili a spicy flavor but not overwhelming Ten packets work, You could try less or more. You can also try their extra hot or Diablo strength if you want a two or three alarm chili.

Then there was the usual Morningstar Farm soy beef crumbles

Water, olive oil and a tiny drop of maple syrup were added. I usually use honey but found that maple syrup also works if added in a tiny  amount (think one drop).

Cumin, onion and garlic powders are the spices used. A good dash of each  flavors the chili.

I decided that the kidney beans and crumbles weren't enough so I also added some red beans for more protein and to fill it out.

Everything was cooked in the crockpot on high for two hours. The end result was a flavorful chili, one of the best I've made.I am definitely making all future chilis with the  hot sauce packets from Taco Bell. 

Taco Bell could probably make a great chili but they don't  - and should. we can using their sauce packets to create a tasty variation that's rich in flavor. Use those leftover sauce packets and make it today for a yummy version on this Mexican classic!!!

Missing Your Restaurant Favorites

Everyone is missing their favorite fast foods and restaurants right now. It is tough because we're all sheltered in place . Yet we can make the most of a situation by recreating some of our favorite take outs at home.

One of the most missed is a hamburger. If you can get patties (try shopping early in the morning when the stores first open and supplies are in) then turn them into Whoppers and Big Macs. Add double the amount of meat along with lettuce and tomatoes along with pickles and sliced onions. As for the special sauce, it;s just a mix of mayo , ketchup , horseradish and mustard. Take a half cup of mayo and blend with a third of a cup of ketchup. It's then adding one fourth cup horseradish, and one fourth cup mustard. Also mix in one tablespoon white sugar or honey and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Keep in mind you can use this sauce for leftover cold meat loaf too. As for the fries, many stores have already sold out but you can make your own fries. Try to get Russet potatoes because they're the best and the meatiest. It's first cutting them into one quarter inch discs and then into one quarter inch sticks. Fry them in canola or vegetable oil. If you're using  an air fryer , then soak the uncooked fries in water for a whole hour. Dry them toss them in oil and salt and then put them in a 400 degree F air fryer for twenty minutes.

Of course everyone is missing their tacos and burritos right now. It's so easy to recreate a Taco Bell burrito. The filling is an easy mix of beans, tomato paste and chopped onions cooked together. What gives the filling its' zing is a tablespoon or two of red wine vinegar. Chopped cheddar cheese is added to the mix along with cumin and chili powder. Tacos are an easy make and you can fill them with a variety of different add ins. Use beans or chicken or any leftover meat or fish. Cook these fillings up with some sliced jalapenos and chili powder, top with homemade guacamole or sour cream along with sliced cherry tomatoes and shredded lettuce. You can even make a healthy one with such veggies as broccoli and cauliflower mixed with sliced carrots and green beans. Many love teriyaki and the sauce is easy to make. The base is soy sauce with a variety of different ingredients blended in. There's water , honey and brown sugar beaten into the soy sauce along with rice vinegar , sesame oil, ginger and garlic. Cornstarch is also added for thickening. Keep in mind any meat or veggie can be cooked with this flavorful sauce. Try tofu one night and salmon on another. serve with scallion rice which is an easy mix of chopped scallions cooked with rice boiled in either chicken or vegetable broth.

Everyone is missing their favorite restaurant and take out dishes right now. Try to recreate them with tasty replicas from your kitchen. You may just make them as regular dishes in the future.

Your Own Favorite Restaurant

People are even getting paranoid and understandably so about eating out. Yet, for many it's the highlight of the week or month. The food is tasty and fun. However you don't have to eat out. There are recipes for some of our favorite restaurant and fast food dishes. Why go out when you can bring the eatery to you.

Fast food is always a hit. Who doesn't love a burger with the works or a filled burrito? Yet you can easily make these at home. It's so easy to recreate the special sauce. It's just mayo with a dab of French dressing along with white vinegar and granulated sugar.This can be made healthier with using the vegan Nayonnaise and dark wildflower honey. Add sliced tomatoes , pickles and lettuce on a bun for the full effect. As for fries and onion rings use your air fryer.  You could get the bagged , frozen kinds but you can also buy already freshly cut crinkle potato and sweet potato fries.. Liven it up with some ground garlic and rosemary. Homemade onion rings are another easy make, thanks to panko bread crumbs and an egg wash. Love Taco Bell? Their bean burritos are so easy to whip up - as I know. It's easy to cook up kidney beans and chopped onions in a mix of vegetable and olive oil.Red wine vinegar gives it tang while chili pepper and cumin add flavor. Serve it on steamed tortillas. Have a side of melted nacho cheese  - basically a jalapeno cheese sauce. It's creating a roux of milk and flour and then adding chopped cheddar and butter. Diced jalapenos are then stirred in for fire.

Pizza and pizza sticks are always easy to recreate.The dough is a simple recipe of flour, water and yeast, along with olive oil, a touch of sugar or honey and salt for flavor. Top with already made pizza sauce also used for dipping with the pizza sticks  and a variety of veggies and meats. It's a fun way to teach the kids how to bake as well as create breads. Making a pizza can also be a great method of teaching nutrition and which is the best and healthiest to eat. Kids can learn about using vegan mozzarella and what veggies are the most nutritious and the tastiest for finishing a pizza. Another Italian classic that's always a take out is the hero. Yet these are so much fun to make at home.Take a good Italian or French bread, cut in half, and add slices of your favorite meats , cheeses and veggies.What really makes any hero sing is the dressing.it's just a mix of olive oil and red wine vinegar with a dash of oregano. So many chain restaurants have loaded potato skins.It's baking Russet potatoes and then scooping out the flesh so that there's a quarter of potato left inside. Then you can fill  them with anything you want, from bacon to pulled pork or shredded roasted chicken with taco spicing. You could also try topping them with  pizza sauce and mozzarella for a different spin.

Eat in if you have qualms about eating out. It's easy to recreate favorite recipes at home. You might even improve on them.

Plus Size Restaurants The Plus Side

Our society is supposed to be all inclusive. No matter who you are,or  what you look like should not matter. Yet it does  in of all places restaurants. Eateries are  surprisingly not up on accommodating  overweight and obese people. Yet they should. We all enjoy a meal out with family and friends. Where we eat shouldn't put a damper on that.

Regular contributor,Kim Severson, wrote this eye opening and thoughtful piece for today's New York Times Food section. She interviewed both customers and managers in exploring this. Eating out for any overweight person can be nerve wracking,There  so many problems that they could encounter. Smaller places like fast food joints and storefront restaurants have very little elbow room to begin with, cramping even those with small frames. The seats are tiny, almost belonging in a nursery school.Bar stools are another problem. They , too, are tiny - not to mention too high for an overweight  person to sit on. Many leave with bruises and marks on their arms and legs due to poor seating. Then there's the fear of breaking flimsy seats. It doesn't help that most restaurant managers don't want to deal with a weight challenged customer , fearing that singling them out may cause unease and embarrassment. if there is a seat for them, the table is usually out in the eatery's hinterlands, far away from the main crowd, and sometimes hidden away.

Luckily all this is changing. One there are apps dedicated to plus size dining such as AllGo by Rebecca Alexander that is sort of like Yelp for the overweight.It also works with corporations and conglomerates to create accommodating offices,  restrooms. theaters and most importantly restaurants that are all inclusive. The last is important because quite a few places have no clue as how to handle  plus sizes. They are loath to do it for two reasons, one, there is no strategy for dealing with them and two, they don't want their dishes linked to obesity. some places like Waffle House, the 2100 unit restaurant chain in Georgia offers booths and fixed counter seating.It also provides larger customers with freestanding chairs at tables and counters.Many other chains have followed suit, adding movable furniture , wider booths and chairs. The last meets industry standards for people who weight as much as 400 pounds. Some of the changes happened thanks to The Americans With Disabilities Act to satisfy their requirements. A few restaurants probably just wanted to expand on the inclusiveness. Golden Corral Buffets has expanded their space which means more space between tables and chairs. Taco Bell has stopped bolting down their chairs allowing for more room and movement. White Castle did the same after almost being sued by a lawyer who had trouble with their chairs.

Restaurants should be all inclusive. It will take time but eventually all people will feel welcomed in a favorite eatery. There should be no prejudice against what a person look like.

Taco Bell Revisited

It seems that one of America's top fast food chains is undergoing a change -literally. Taco Bell is redefining itself, with both its' overall look and food. It's appealing to the Twitter generation but what about everyone else? Will it lose it long time fans? Time will tell.

Taco Bell started out in - where else - southern California in 1948 by Glenn Bell. It was originally
a hamburger stand, much in the same vein as McDonald's and White Castle. The inspiration came from across the street , at Mitla Cafe, a Mexican restaurant known for its' hard shelled tacos. Mr. Bell saw how popular this was. he cleverly  ate there often enough that he became a regular. The proprietors let him watch them assemble tacos and cook other quick Mexican dishes. By late 1951 the prototype opened. He named it Taco-Tia. Four years later it was renamed El-Taco and was a fixture in SoCal towns. By 1962 the first Taco Bell had made its' debut in Downey California. The company grew rapidly and the first eastern eatery was opened in Springfield ,Ohio in 1970. Pepsico bought it from Mr. Bell in the late Seventies and then it went to Yumi Foods, the international conglomerate that owns Pizza Hut and Long John Silver's. For many, it was their first taste of Mexican food. a huge change of pace from the usual, burgers, fries and malteds. It was also cozy, Most Taco Bells were housed in cute So Cal mini haciendas, where there were booths with padded seating  and bright pastels like pink and purple abounded. The vibe was welcoming, like being in someone's house.

That all changed. The hacienda in my area was razed to the ground. Gone was that soft almost Play-Doh molded building and in its' place something colorless and industrial.It kind of looks like a Brooklyn hipster designed the new architecture. The outside has a boxy wood and steel front which works in urban areas - not in suburbia. The inside is just as bleak looking with uncomfortable wooden seats and metal tables. The only highlight is the charging tables where people can plug in their laptops and tablets, working as they eat. Even the outdoor dining area has industrial and far from cushy chairs and tables.Maybe Taco Bell is trying to be Chipotle's little sibling . Chipotle has relatively the same decor - factory inspired and somewhat bleak. Have the staff and recipes changed? Not really. My Taco Bell 's servers have  the same flabbergasted attitude as before.I ordered a chicken hard taco and wound up with a chicken burrito. It was still tasty  - and filling. They have spicy fries with a cheese sauce which was pretty good, with meaty fries and a satiny nacho sauce . There were not too  many fries,  perfect with a huge burrito. I would like to try their "rattlesnake" fries, , fries with cheese and steak bits and of course, their Dorito Cool Ranch taco, with the taco dusted with Doritos' seasoning. I know I'll be slurping on one of their freezes, a kind of Icee with either orange or Mountain Dew flavorings. Even the breakfast items seem inviting. with their mix of grilled breakfast burritos and Cinnabon balls of dough with an icing filling.

Taco Bell is still the same food but with a new look. Ignore the industrial vibe and concentrate on the food. It's still as flavorful as before.

Q'Doba Grill Possibly The Best Mexican Food

Mexican food out can be a dicey affair . It could be too bland - or worse too spicy and hot. Then there's the cookie cutter factor, creating the same dishes for every customer..Luckily there is the refreshing Qdoba Grill that offers freshness and variety.


This is my favorite Mexican fast food - although should it be called such? There's nothing even remotely "fast" about it. There are fresh cut  vegetables and grilled meats. Even the tortilla chips are crisp and crunchy, not soggy with oil.Qdoba's Grill's tastes and cooking style is similar to home chefs' cooking the cuisine. Why is it not like its' closest competitor, Taco Bell? Maybe because it''s not  part of an international fast food corporation. The restaurant chain was started in the mid 1990s by Anthony Hauser  and Robert Miller in Denver ,Colorado. Another competietor, Chipotle was also created there two years earlier.It was called Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill and made a million and a half in revenues alone during the first year.Four years later the name was changed to Qdoba . The chain is known for their San Francisco or Mission style where the burritos are overstuffed with rice and double the amount of meat and veggies.It's also known for other freshly made customized dishes , unlike Taco Bell and reasonable prices - unlike Chipotle with its' expensive tacos , burritos and even guacamole.

Again , the reason I love it  there  is a homey freshness to it. I love having the tacos made my way, without beans and corn, just loaded with their spiced chicken and chopped tomatoes. The servers add just the right dollop of guacamole to top it off. Another reason to like Qdoba is that every dish can customized to suit both meat lovers and vegans. The menu is not varied. There are only six choices such as the classic taco, burrito and nachos along with  the burrito bowl, tortilla  soup, and taco salad. Of course, they have guac and chips, a creamy mashed avocado lightly spiced with what tastes like tabasco sauce. The queso or cheese sauce is laced with beer as is the featured drunken chicken this month. I enjoy their regular grilled chicken, again lightly spiced and not overpowering. The burrito bowls are also tasty, Bean lovers can go crazy with it, having both pinto and black beans and nothing else. There's also corn and peppers to add to everything too. Another plus? The soda machine that has a huge variety of different sodas. It' where I get my Dr. Pepper cherry vanilla fix and I can get as many refills as I want.Qdoba also sells wrapped chocolate chip cookies to battle any leftover fire and spiciness.


Qqdoba Grill offers the best and most reasonably priced Mexican fare out there. It's no wonder so my, like myself, can;t get enough of their delicious tacos and yummy guac. It's the best south of the border style food.

In Praise Of Fast Food

Say what you will about fast food joints but they do come in handy. Yeah, they're make fatty and salty food yeah they;re nutritional deserts but they a great if you need a quick meal. There's nothing wrong with going to one every no and then.

My life is nothing but housework these days. There's cleaning dusting ironing sorting an various other duties associated with cat rearing. Throw in teaching class (really just talking to the one or two loyal students who actually do show up) and ther's even less time at the stove. That's when I can rely on my local KFC , Taco Bell or Wendy's for a tasty and filling meal.I may get red meat or fries but it;s still constitutes a hot dinner. That's fine by me. There's also little clean up and that means less time at the sink an more time - fun - cleaning.

For those who pooh pooh the whole fast food concept, think again. Do you actually have time during a busy day to clean veggies, thaw out a roast and then cook the whole thing? I thought not. Then think again about your local drive throuh window. It really is a lifesaver!

Welcome Back Taco Bell

In the last few years Taco bell has received a bad wrap. There was news of first rats wrecking havoc in its' Greenwich Village locale . A few weeks later it made the news again when just a few miles westward, its' Plainfield, NJ location was mixing contaminated scallions into the burritos and tacos.Every foodie, including myself,was afraid to step into their local Bell. It was eat at your own risk.



That's all changed. I recently rediscovered my local one and found it just as good as when I left it. To be honest I really did miss the chicken and steak burritos. The nachos and cheese are the same (much to my delight and my cat'S who's a big cheese lover too. She likes the leftover cheese from the small cup that goes with the chips). Taco Bell has added a fresca or fresh menu where everything is lower in calories. The food is healthy and also cheap. A full lunch for three people yesterday only cost me seven bucks. Not bad when you consider Green Leaf's or even Wendy's would cost double that.



I also like the way Taco Bell branches out. They add an icy treat called Fruitista in pina colada and strawberry mango flavors. I've tried both and love them more than Rita's ices (sorry Rita's). They're like frozen Slushies with a fresh fruit taste and just refreshing after a hot day. They're also good with a meal. Another good idea is that the Bell is relying more on grilling which imparts a better taste to the chicken and steak.




Drop your fears about Taco Bell. Go back to this worthy fast food giant and rediscover their great food. You'll be happy to chow down on old favorites. You'll also be happy to try their new foods and drinks. Most of all you'll just be happy to be back.

Food Icons

Food icons never really go away. Unlike celebrities, they are eternal, lasting from year to year and from decade to decade. We have them in our daily lives. We make them an important part of our holiday and daily traditions.


My food icons are of course what I grew up on. I was lucky to to have Piedmontese and Swabian food all the time as well as American classics.There is and will be nothing like polenta , especially when it's fried and topped with two sunnyside up eggs. There there is spaetzle with string beans. For any kid here in the States spaghetti is always the dish of choice. This icon follows us through adulthood, winding up one of our valued and cherished food icons, Another is Coke. It's not just an icon for us Yankees but also for anyone in the workd. Who hasn't popped open a can after a game or hard work? We even put another food icon in it, vanilla ice cream to make it more of a treat.


Of course fast food restuarants. are the epitome of any kind of icon. Take McDonald's with its' classic hamburgers shakes and fries. It symbolizes American eating at it's best(or worst depneding on how you look at it. Another is Taco Bell with it's south of the border menu, symbolizing Mexican food.Diners, especially here in the Garden State, are iconic of New Jersey. Who hasn't driven through this area without stopping for a three egg omlet or a stack of pancakes, complete with a host of sides at any time of the day?.



Food icons are eternal. They never really die. They're there for us when we need them to get through tough times and to celebrate the good ones.