Fall Refresh

 Now that we're on the cusp of fall it's time for a seasonal refresh.That means assessing and tossing, revamping and planning. It's time to get ready for the big baking and cooking season ahead.

As I've always pointed out every September, this is the time to remodel the kitchen, Do it now before November arrives. Replace the stove fridge and dishwasher now. right now Lowe's is having an excellent sales on stoves and you can easily get a Whirlpool model for four hundred dollars off The store is also having big sales on their refrigerators and a variety of dishwashers. This is also the time to invest in a good air fryers. These will come in very handy for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners when there are endless sides to make. Target has a pretty lavender one for $28.00 .This can fry up little sides like Brussels sprouts and smashed potatoes For bigger jobs think about the Ninja for $128, also at Target . Its' fry basket  is perfect for cooking yams and potatoes as well as baking cakes .It's really a versatile addition that you can use all year round  - not just in the fall.Another cool weather addition is the immersion blender. This is perfect for turning chunky soups into creamy ones, You can make some beautifully santiny textured potages with it.

Early fall is also the time for reassessing the spice rack and pantry, The average shelf life of a spice is about three months. Get rid of the older ones now and replace with fresher versions. These will give both sweet and savory recipes the much needed flavor that makes dishes and cakes so distinct. Keep plenty of cinnamon on hand for baking , cooking and topping lattes and cappuccinos. The same goes for nutmeg which can be used in everything from dressings to topping custards. If you still have last year's flour toss it. It can only last up to a year in the fridge. Get a new package because you will need it  for everything form bake sales to Christmas cookies. Also get yeast too. It's good for all those Friday night pizzas as well as creating fun Halloween pizzas too. new baking powder is a must as well. It too is used in all sorts of savory and sweet baked dishes.Now is a good time to check all those cans of beans in the pantry. Usually they will only stay fresh in the can for one or two years. If they're nearing experation time then turn into a tasty crockpot chili or a curried stew. Save the chickpea water or aquafaba for making meringues,

It a' new season. TIme to reassess what you have. Revitalize. Throw out  . Stock up.  Begin the fall season with fresh starts.

Sweet Treats For Less

 May is the time for parties and get togethers. Yet these can be expensive ,especially desserts. WHat to do? The old fashioned thing - make and bake yourself. You can have fun with with all sorts of treats from cakes to candy.

LIke yesterday with savory main courses and sides, a sumptuous dessert table is easy to create at home. This is  fun to do, especially to decorate. Customized sheet cakes are  very expensive at $28. at Acme while Wal-Mart sells one at a startling $24.96. A fully frosted and decorated vegan cake can go up to a jaw dropping $80. at the Vegan pastry Lab in Englewood, New Jersey(their cakes are phenomenal but stick to the occasional cupcake from them)THis is a time for bake your own.Before you bakes anything make sure you have the right pans. For a party think a throw away cake pans that makes for an easy cleanup. Also have a good cake carrier .Wal-Mart has the Mainstays cake and cupcakes carrier which makes it easy for you to transport dessert to any event. Also make sure your decorating Both Wal-Mart and Amazon has good prices on these and the icing bags. Home bakers can buy a fifteen piece cake decorating set for only $4.30. This a really complete set with cake scrapers to make wavy lines  and ruffles on the cakes sides like bakeries do.

As for the actual ingredients, it pays to shop around for the best prices for sugar and mixes. Again look to Wal-MArt for good prices and a good variety. The store seems to have almost every flavor of Duncan Hine's Dolly Parton's cakes and icing.They're is selling the mixes for $1.97 right now. These can be great for parties ,Create a chocolate covered strawberry treat by baking her strawberry cake and then frosting it with her chocolate frosting. You can create your own scratch cakes ,cupcakes and cookies.Target, Wal-mart and Acme have the cheapest prices on all purpose flour with Wal-Mart being the cheapest at $1.99  for a two pound bag. Target  has the  Good and Gathered unbleached variety at $2.59 for five pounds. What about confectioner's sugar.It's all important for creating perfect glazes and frostings. Acme has it in sale now for $2.49 a pound. ( heads up confectioner;s sugar or any sugar doesn't;t go bad,it will get lumpy and lose it;'s taste with age) As for frosting gels to write messages and names, Wal-Mart has the best bet at $1,56 a tube.As for other candy decorations, you can get creative with cheap bags of M&M,s Sour Patch kids and other small bite sized pieces.

Desserts can be made at a cost for any big shower or party. Best of all they';re fun to make and decorate. Save money by baking a fun slice or cupcake.

A Grand Party On A Budget

 May not only has flowers but also a ton of celebrations. From Mother's Day or grad parties and those showers and engagement parties., there will be planning and cooking for the entire month. The problem is the price of food. Even at at home party can be costly. The best bet is to budget wisely.

Of course the most important part of any party is the main course. What would be an elegant dish? Cornish hens with either an orange or lemon glaze. Keep in mind , due to their tininess one whole one is enough for a single person.  These can be bought as cheaply as $4.78  for one at Stop & Shop,If you're having a dinner for twenty them comes in at $95.60 which is much better than having a catered meal at $20 dollars a person. Another elegant crowd pleaser is shrimp. Again Acme has a ten ounce one for $5.99 .Buy five rings for just under thirty dollars at $29,95  You could also go to Acme again for their shrimp and crab legs platters which are a very good price at $24.99 each. The store will prepare it for you and include a centerpiece of lemon slices and cocktail sauce.  This is perfect for showers and small college graduation parties.A great hors' d'douevre is beef tips on toast. Look to Target to have them at $13.95  a pound. these are already seasoned with bourbon and black pepper so you don't have to worry about marinating them. Serve on buttered toast squares for an class bite.

Sides can be just as elegant and celebratory. Egg prices are going down so it is possible to create several different types of quiches.Even the drugstore Walgreens has a dozen going for $4.99. An average sized quiche needs six eggs so you can buy two dozen and make four quiches, These can be filled with everything  from various cheeses which you can buy at Lidl for a good price to fresh veggies and deviled or julienned ham.Mini beef Welllingtons may be a bit expensive to make (beef tenderloin will set you back sixteen to twenty dollars just for one package.) however you can create them will the less expensive but equally flavorful portabello mushrooms. Sliced portabellas are going or $2.99 a package at Wal-Mart. Chop these for the filling along with walnuts for more protein along with onions and garlic for more flavor. The mushrooms should be seared first for a smokier taste.Another elegant side, perfect for smaller gatherings is roasted asparagus. It's at its' cheapest right now at $2.99 at Acme and $2.97 at Wal-Mart. Roast them and serve  with a buttery lemon sauce.

Any type of party can be put together with budget pricing. It;s just shopping smart and knowing what to buy. The result is a Spring gathering that's full of elegant classic  foods.

Tabitha Brown At Target

 Vegan food can be hard to come by.It's hard to find good dips and snacks that satisfy the meat and dairy less lifestyle. That's where Tabitha Brown , a social media star and comedian comes in. A vegan herself she has created not vegan food for Target but a whole slew of other products.

I recently got to try her onion and garlic vegan spread. The  main ingredient is chickpea protein and two different yeasts.

I liked this.It was more of a cream cheese in texture than a dip.I spread it on a sliced roll for a tasty lunch.

It was very creamy and works both as a dip and as a spread. I am planning on buying her strawberry vegan cream cheese. I can see this on a croissant for a lovely dessert or even breakfast. Ms. Brown also has a caramelized onion one that again would be a good spread on a focaccio.Other products include flavored popcorns, flavored hummus , pickled okra (!!)  vegan potato salad  and a polenta and mushroom ravioli - which is definitely on my radar. Ms. Brown also has a line of kitchenware, stationery , home decor and gifting essentials. I have my eye on her blender and mini spatulas which will be a great addition to any kitchen,

Thanks to Tabitha Brown. Target has more vegan food choices. Check them out whether you want a pasta dish or a tasty spread.

Air Fried Bacon A Tasty Treat

 Air fryer and bacon strips are a marriage made in heaven. The  heated air flowing around the strips makes for crunchy crackly pieces.The result is a mouthful of crispy goodness, to be eaten on their own or in  a sandwich or salad.

I recently discoverd this when I had the air fryer out and was looking to cook something hot and quick for lunch. Luckily I had Lightlife plant based bacon (excuse the syrup puddle on the package). This bacon is usually a chore to cook.It requires a griddle and either oil or plant butter.It's hard to get the pieces crisp.

That is until I discovred the strips can be put into the air fryer for eight minutes at 400 degrees Farenheit.

 First they';re sprayed with a cooking spray.I used Target's Good and Gather olive oil one They then just have to be flipped over at the halfway mark of four minutes. The end result?

Slices of crispy, salty goodness. These were good on their own and in a sandwich. I can just imagine a BLT with them or crumbled in a salad. I will also make them as a great side to a Just Egg spinach omelet. Keep in mind regular bacon also crisps up very well in an air fryer xcept the strips usually take ten to twelve minutes to cook at about the same degree 400 Farenheit.

Want the perfect match? Just cook any kind of bacon in an air fryer. The end product is a plate full of crispy, browned well cooked strips  that are just wonderful on their own.

It's Crockpot Season

 It's January and that means one thing :time to get out  the crockpot or start using the one you received for Christmas. There's so much you cna make using it. Be rady for , easy, ribsticking meals  that warm you from yoru head to your toes.

I got mine out after a few seasons of not using it.I love it, from Classic which I bought at Target six years ago./ The handle is broken and it's seen better days after six years but it still works beautifully.

I spent a rainy , snowy Sunday making homemade vegan chili.It's my Mom';s recipe that I tweaked. It  has a cuo of both kidney and cannellini beans, a cup of vegan soy crumbles, crushed pepper infused tomatoes and tomato sauce. A mix of cumin, chili powder, along with onionand garlci powders were added. You can add real meat and just the tomato sauce. A bowl of it was perfect on a frosty, chilly day. You can jazz it up your own recipe by adding a layer of mixed Mexican cheeses, and sour cream or a dollop of guacamole.

Use your crockpot to make all sorts of warming dishes. My next big recipe with it will be homemade tomato sauce. This is bascially the chili recipe sans the cumin and chili powder. I can see  it on top of penne or spaghetti with vegan meatballs. I can also just serve meat balls and sauce over Italoan bread for a hot hearty, hero. Keep in mind that crockpots can also be used to make Swedish meatballs and a variety of homemade soups. Imagine a good leek and potato one being simmered in it. If you have apples, cut them up with some granulated sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon for a chunky applesauce. 

It's crockpot season. Use yours to make hot , tasty meals. It's such an easy cook that produces warming dishes for cold winter days and night.

Barbecue Ready

 With Memorial Day in a week it's time to get the backyard barbecue ready. Clean off the grill.Start shopping for food. Dust off the furniture. It's a simple cleaning that will make the first grill of the season fun and memorable.

If you haven;t already it's time to pull out the grill and give it a good assessment. Give the entire grill a good wiping down. You can power wash iif you have a sturdier grill like Weber. You still have to scrub and scrape the actual grill if you didn't last fall. The best soap to thoroughly clean is Dawn's Power wash.This is a concmentrated version of the classic soap and it just spritzes out of nozzle. Thoroughly drench with the soap and start scrubbing. Rinse and then thoroughly dry. Also make sure the ash grate is throughly emptied and cleaned too.It's nice to start off the season with an immaculate grill. What about the table and chairs Again a good wiping and dring is all you need for the table. The same goes for the chair. Sturdier plastic ones can also get a power wash too. have you checked  your plastic or melanine dishes and cup. You may want ot clean those too if you haven't used them since October or November.If those plates are ratty looking then think about getting new ones from Target, Kohl's or Walmart. A new tablecloth is always a nice way to freshen up the back yard table too.

For food, start buying now. People usually begin shopping a few days before which means there may be some shortages. Get those burgers and hot dogs now and freeze them. The same applies to chicken and steak. What about sides? The potatoes for potato salad can wait. Buy them Saturday or Sunday. You could get the canned version now, especially if your grocery has a sale on them. The same for macaroni or pasta is you're thinking of making those two barbecue classics, macaroni and pasta salad. Hold off on the fresh veggies and rolls. Again like the potatoes they can be bought just hours before you cook.Dessert ingredients can also be bought before hand.Ice cream cakes can be made the night before and frozen. Get the ice cream and cookies if they're on sale right now, The same for the sauces and decorations you may want to use. This also applies to those s'mores too, especially if there's a sale on chocolate and marshmallows. Save buying any fresh fruit until Sunday or Monday morning.

Memorial Day is almost here. Get ready for the most important barbecue of the year. It'll make for a memorable cookout.

Culinary Resolutions

 With the New Year starting it's time to think about what you want to change or keep in it. It could regard appliances or expanding your global cookbook. What's on the agenda?

Will the new year bring a new kitchen? If you've been dithering about a whole new makeover make 2023 the year to do it. Take a look at other kitchens on line  along with consulting with  a reputable remodeling company. Keep in mind to plan now and start renovations in the warmer weather when it's easier to cook outside. What about appliances? Take a good look at your ovens and fridges. If you feel they need to be replaced then  consider a state of the art replacement  . This is also the time to take advantage of those holiday gift cards. Get that air fryer or electric wok for new ways to cook. Many stores like Target and Wal-Mart have some great sales on most kitchenware  right now so take advantage of them. Are you looking to expand your global cookbook like I am?Then comsider buying some new spices such as Berbere spice and Szechuan pink peppers. I know I want to try more African and Asian dishes in 2023 so that means using different ingredients like teff in my cooking.

What other resolutions should you make? Cleaning out. My spice cabinet is overbrimming with all sorts of herbs and spcies that I rarely use. Open it and they come cascading out. All that cinnamon and sage has to go. It makes for a easy reach when I do need my most used spices like onion and garlic powders. Another must do throughout the year is cleaning out the refrigerator. It's a good habit to get into. Get rid of all those little containers with leftovers from who knows when.  Another good habit to begin ih the New Year is using up leftoivers a day or two after they've been cooked. It means less cooking , especially during a busy week and emptying out the fridge . Also don't save those little dribs and drabs of sauces and condiments. You can combine ketchup and barbecue sauce for a new dipping sauce or something to slather on barbecue ribs and chicken. Those packets of soy sauce from your Chinese take out can easily be used in homemade Asian dishes while those Taco Bell sauce packets can be used in making homemade chili. 

There are so many resolutions to make culinary wise. Will it be an expanded kitchen ?A new ovn? Or just tidying upa messy cooking space? It's your resolution. Stick to it.

YOur Very Chill Salad Bar

Sadly the pandemic closed a lot of those all ypu can eat buffets. One of the highlights was making your own salad, It was customizing a bowl of greens and creating something tasty and refreshing. You can easily replicate this at home.

Start with greens. I bought these mixed Spring greens from Target and really love the mix of textures and flavors.

It proved to be the perfect base for a salad that was rife with these tomatoes,also bought at Target. They're Roma which makes for a sweeter and fleshier slice.

I usually add olives but these artichokes hearts,another Target brand and chickpeas looked so good. I couldn't resist.

Once you have the tomatoes and lettuce base you can add anything. Try cold shrimp or leftover roasted chicken. Use that leftover grilled steak or London broil cut up into strips. Add some baby carrots and bean sprouts. Fruit is allowed. Try a handful of blueberries or grapes for some fun sweetness. Add crunch with almonds, and pecans mixed with croutons. 

What about dressings? Again get creative.

You can go with a simple olive oil and vinegar. If you want a traditional vinaigrette go with a red wine vinegar. Add traditional seasonings like oregano and garlic.  For a fruitier one sub in apple cider vinegar mixed with crushed strawberries. I like a good homemade French dressing.It starts with one of my faves, Hellman';s vegan mayo mixed with ketchup. Olive oil and a dash of apple cider vinegar is whirled in to create a creamy texture and tangy taste.
 

It's too hot to cook. Create a fun, creative salad, using the basics and imagination. You'll come up with one cool meal.

Pretty Dishes And Bowls

 Just like wine glasses dishes and bowls can make dining at home a wondrous affair. It;s just picking out the right pattern along with a good sturdy make. These can be the heirloom pieces that long and well treasured.

The big question is do you buy matching bowls and plates? Or go for a kind of mishmash  restaurant vibe of mismatched crockery?Personally  I like the mismatched effect.

This is one of  the china bowls I bought from Target >it doesn't really go with my plates also from Target. The plates are gray with a spattering of gray dots. They work together because they do share one thing in common : their square shape. You can get those that match , from Wedgewood , one of the most classic companies that's been in business since 1759.  There are some unadorned plates and bowls that you set together for a cool, elegant look. Keep in mind that this is the creme de la creme and one plate can range between $35 to $65 dollars while one bowl can range from $27 to $60. The craftsmanship on these is impeccable and they would be perfect for holidays and special occasions. 

There are other  top quality brands like Spode which is known for its' Christmas china and Royal Doulton.  Spode ware comes as a set with bowls, dessert plates and cups. Like Wedgewood, Spode has been around since the 18th Century as has Royal Doulton. A plus is that Spode is a lot less in price than the other with a twelve piece set coming in at $199. Royal Doulton is another sturdy brand with a much more modern look. The plates and bowls have bold geometric patterns as opposed to the usual Oriental, floral or nature patterns. Again they can cost anywhere from $175 to $225 a set. Not surprisingly Target and Kohl's also have reasonably priced crockery. Target has the brand Gibson Elite  which features  two sets of bowls along with dinner plates. An entire set costs only $82. They also have very luxe brands with a set costing close to $1,000. Kohls has Mikasa with a sixteen piece set costing only $119.

The plates you choose should be sturdy but also beautiful. Pick which is right for your decor and needs. It will be an heirloom, no matter what the choice.

Last Minute Kitchen Gifts

 Christmas is a week away and it's crunch time. Think anything kitchen , from cookbooks to gadgets. These are great presents that will keep on giving. They can be fun. They can be handy. They can be perfect.

A cookbook is always the most interesting gift to open.It not only gives recipes but the stories behind them as well as great tips. International cuisine ones are  also  travelogues with amazing pictures of the food, country and people. The New York Times Food section had an extensive list of them this past Wednesday.There are fourteen choices, from Mina Stone's Greek influenced Lemon,Love and Olive Oil  (Harper Collins) to Michael Twitty's  Rice  A Savor The South Cookbook 0 Noirth Carolina Press). There are cookbooks that revolve around baking like Cookies: The New Classics A Baking Book (Clarkson Potter) by Jesse Szewcyck and  Sheet Cake Easy One Pan Recipes For Every Day and Every Occasion  (Clarkson Potter) by Abigal Johnson Didge. There are cookbooks about Middle eastern sweets and Korean vegetarianism too,. If you do buy a cookbook, get extra little gifts that tie into the book. This can be a sushi mat or a pretty set of measuring cups and spoons. You could even arrange a fun basket full of the ingredients too.

Anyone loves a gadget. They're so much fun to receive and try out,An air fryer is a definite must give for any home chef. They can cook up anything from chicken nuggets to even cinnamon rolls. They will definitely be much appreciated and will be used for months to come. Another fun and necessary gift is an immersion blender. These can easily whip up smoothies but they're also great for creaming and blending soups and sauces. They're also very easy to handle as well as to clean. Bakers will appreciate fun baking gifts like cookie presses. A plus is that they're easily attainable. Everyone from Target to Walmart has them.Throw in a variety pack of sprinkles for decorating. For those non-bakers who still want a holiday treat think about giving a gingerbread kit. These are fun and also perfect for the budget. Five Below is selling them for around five dollars. Target and Walgreens also have them for as low as $2.99. There are also have sleds and trains too that already come with icing and candies to decorate.

Yes, Christmas is coming. There's no need to go frantic over what to give any home chef or baker. The list is endless , from cookbooks and gadgets to gingerbread house kits. Have fun picking out the right gift.

Gingerbread Housing

 The one food item that says holiday time is the gingerbread house. It''s warm and inviting looking, a classic treasure that's on every dessert table and under every tree. Yet times are changing and so is the gingerbread house.

You can still create an old fashioned gingerbread house complete with gumdrop wreath windows and snowy confectioner's sugar dusted roofs. You can easily find a number of scratch recipes on the internet. Gingerbread on its' own is a wonderful holiday treat. The recipe features the best of spices, the original recipe coming from Armenian monk Gregory of Nicopolis who later settled in Bondaroy in north central France. The recipe hasn't changed. much over the millennia .It's cinnamon , ginger nut meg and cloves mixed with molasses which gives it that lovely deep golden brown hue. Shortening ,sugar and eggs are added and then rolled out and cut according to templates. You can download these or draw your own.Get creative with the windows by cutting out circles or squares and then filling them in with crushed hard candies. They'll melt into pretty stained glass. As for decorations think everything from gum drops to unwrapped Hershey's kisses. You can also use Smarties, and candy canes too along with any kind of  Sour Patch strips.

Of course if you don't have the time or the effort to bake, then buy a kit. These have all the pieces already baked and the right amount of icing to glue them to gether along with the right amount of candy decorations, The good thing about these is that now they are varied. There is the gingerbread train and gingerbread treehouse ,both can be bought at Target, These are fun addition to any Christmas table. Five Below has even more. They have the Hershey's Chocolate Cookie House which looks easy to do and can be decorated any way you want. They also have the Oreo train, made from what else, Oreos icings and a variety of different candies. Five Below also has a very easy gingerbread reindeer and sleigh which has only four pieces for the sled and three for the reindeer. Candies also have their houses too. There are also Sour Patch Kids and Twizzlers ones too. These are regular gingerbread houses decorated with the candies. it makes for something different and fun too. Most of the Five Below kits are usually priced at around five dollars. 

it is gingerbread season. Make your own or buy a kit. Just have fun creating this festive and tasty Christmas tradition.

Gifts For The Culinary Adventurous Mom

 What's the best Mother's Day gift for the mom who loves her wok and buying escargots? Something fun and adventurous. Gift her with a present that appeals to her culinary wild side.  Expand her repertoire while treating her to something exciting.

Spices are the perfect gift for the culinary wild child. One of the best places to shop is The Online Spice Store. The site has blends from all over the world, from the Caribbean to Asia. They also offer some very nice gift sets. There are such collections that feature curry spices and Middle  Eastern ones. There are also traditional groupings for Italian dishes too. The prices for these range from $35. to $38. A much more cost efficient gift is their  flat packs which are small packets of freshly milled spices. They're great if you  want to give her a sample of any kind of spic.Of course you can just get her a gift certificate from there  along with a microplane spice mill. With this she can grind her own and create her own unique blends.If Mom is into gourmet seasonings then think about some various sea salts from Celtic Sea Salt. They have an amazing array of all sorts of salts. Their best is Flower of The Ocean or Fleur de sel. This is perfect in savory dishes but also great sprinkled on homemade caramels or caramel frosting. Another gift is the Makai sea salt which has both doses of calcium and magnesium in it.

If your mom love international cooking then, think about a crepe pan. Everyone from Williams and Sonoma to Wal-Mart sells them. Keep in mind that they come in a wide range of prices. You can buy one that's as costly as $290 for a Mauviel copper pan, crafted in France at the famed company of the same name to one that's only $24.95 from de Buyer, also French. This last has a simple design and looks like crepe pans from centuries past.  You could also add a container of crepe mix to get her started. Another idea is a wok. This Chinese and Southeast Asian  must have is a fun present, especially if Mom is into stir fries. Like the crepe pan it comes with different prices. Target has several with the least expensive starting at only $19.99 .It's a flat bottom carbon steel wok with wooden handles. Macy's has an inexpensive Kenmore -Hammond for only $33.99 on sale right now. The site Wok Accessories sells items that would make for interesting accessories. Pick up a slotted wok spatula or  stainless steal skimmers. There are also easy to slip on silicon handles that make handling the pot easier.

Give the adventurous cook something fun and exciting for Mother's Day. Mom will love experimenting with spices or creating fancy crepes. Appeal to her wild side with different and unusual gifts.

Wading Through The Soda Stream

 One of the best kitchen gadgets to have right now is the Soda Stream. This takes ordinary water and turns it into healthy plain or flavored seltzer as well as the base for homemade sodas. To be honest it took me a few years to actually get into mine. I'm sorry I came to the party late , wasting money on commercial sodas and seltzers.

This is the Soda Stream machine.

It's a long hollowed out canister with the charger being hooked up in the back. The machine itself ranges from $80.00 to an electric version costing $117. on sale. There's also the more deluxe version at $144.00 again on sale.  I bought mine at Target.All models come with a carbonating cylinder which lasts about three to four months, depending on how much you use it.  Bring back the empty to any store and you 'll receive a free replacement.  All come with a bottle or a carafe for the fizzy water.

You fill it with tap water and then set it into the canister.

My model has a large button on top and then it's just pressing so carbonation shoots (and I mean shoot - water does splash out of it) into it.  You can see the bubbles there. 

Afterwards it's then adding (and only adding afterwards) the flavors. 

I bought Soda Stream's cola flavor at my local Acme. I use only half a cap which give it a nice , light cola taste (and much better tasting than Coke or Pepsi.). I shake it up to mix and then pop into the fridge to chill. There are other flavors, like Dr Pete's which is a riff on Dr. Pepper along with their ginger ale. The company recently added Buble seltzer flavors - a definite must buy on my next Target trip. They also have fruit essences too - another must buy. Another plus  - I'm helping the environment by not buying all those cans and bottles. It's just one metal canister every few months.

Homemade soda is really the best. Get Soda Stream for a more refreshing take on soda and seltzer. Buy one today as an early Valentines' day gift for yourself. Then enjoy the fizz and bubbles.

Salsa Crudo A Summer Favorite Returns

One of my favorite summer time dishes is salsa crudo with rotelli pasta. I took the recipe from the blog A Sweet And Savory Life. and added some of my own twists. The basil is fresh from my pots in the yard and I also added a good dash of powdered garlic.

The tomatoes came from Target and Stop & Shop.I used six.

Six will give you the pound and a half required. They were coarsely chopped and added to a quarter cup of coarsely chopped fresh basil.

Then a good sprinkling of garlic powder and six tablespoons of  Filippo Berrio olive oil.

As for the pasta I used  Banza chickpea rotelli and cooked it for seven minutes.It has a slight chickpea flavor yet still as flavorful as ones made with white flour.

It's then draining the pasta and adding the raw sauce to it.

It was really delicious and the perfect summer dinner. It's one of my favorites to make and to eat.

You can use any kind of pasta but make sure it's the shaped kind like rotelli and fusilli along with shells. They hold the tomato chunks well.

If you want an easy and tasty summer meal, then make salsa cruda.It's a cinch to create , and the perfect way of using good for you summer produce. Try this delicious dish when the temps rise.

The Future Of Little Farms

Many states like New Jersey still have small family owned farms dotting the state. It's hard for families to keep them up. What will this summer hold? Can they survive? Will people visit them?

Small farms are still vital. Many provide produce and even meat to groceries in their states. They also provide fresh fruit and veggies to locals in their area as well as visitors just wanting a day in the country. Many also offer extras such as homemade jams and jellies and fresh baked goods like doughnuts and loaf cakes along with fresh from the oven breads and cookies.  These are just starting to open but to what? They won't have the crowds of previous Springs and  summers. There has to be social distancing which mean fewer people inside and out along with less staff. Kids can't have their pictures taken with farm animals as many farms offer nor will families go strawberry picking, the season coming up soon. These two offerings are sure draws and provide a good portion of income. A farm could bring in more by offering essentials such as toilet paper and towels, if they can get their hands on those items. Some stands offer handmade perfumes and soaps from local artisans. There may be more cash coming in if the artisans created scented hand sanitizers and even decorative masks. Yet , it may not be enough to sustain.

Then there is the staff. It's one thing when family pitches in and they all help. Most farms, despite their diminutive acreage, do require outside help for planting and harvesting. Are owners willing to pay as much as grocery stores for help?  Picking is a great job. It's being out in the fresh air, usually alone  and away from people. Everyone is positioned ten to fifteen feet away from each other and the only time to wear a mask and gloves is when the baskets and containers are filled and have to be taken to the farm stand. However when Wal-mart is offering $11 an hour and Target is offering $12.34 an hour plus bonuses how is a farm going to compete when at the most owners may pay only $7 - 8 an hour and  that's without any bonuses or perks. Maintenance also comes into play. Buildings and equipment need to be updated. Luckily New York State had Senator Kristin Gillibrand on their side. She pushed for the CARES Act which has debt forgiveness up to $250,000 for farms with an income of $300,000. This allows them to operate through this Corona virus and well into the fall. This can even get New York State farmers supported into the winter , the slow time for farmers. Hopefully other states will have this  CARES Act too.

What will happen to those small farms that we love? Will they be open this summer? Will we be able to get fresh corn and tomatoes? Hopefully we will for this summer and for many more to come.

Holidays In The Time Of Hardship

With April comes holidays along with the foods and traditions that shape them. Yet how can we celebrate together when we're so far apart? That's a good question with several answers.

Priya Krishna wrote extensively about this in today's New York Times Food section, Luckily we have Zoom and Skype so there can be virtual Seders, and Easter dinners along with Persian New Year and Ramadam. Rabbi Doug Kahn,a Reform rabbi in San Francisco is doing a virtual Seder this Passover with his wife Ellen. The group has been asked to email each other their favorite holiday recipes so they're all on the same page . The hardest part, however, is the afikoman , the piece of matzo that's usually hidden in the house for children to find.Rabbi Kahn will carry his computer through his house, going through each room. People have to guess where the piece is hidden. The same can be done for Easter, Families can have virtual brunches or dinners together. They can even make candy together as Marley Griggey of Cincinnati , Ohio is doing with her family members. This is a family tradition this graduate student will pass down to her own young children. Her husband, Phill, who works overnight at Target, also helps in getting the traditional ham and eggs both hard to get right now both for cooking and dying.

The Persian New Year  or Nowruz is also very big. It is a time when there ceremonial dishes to be cooked and shared. It's in full swing right now , starting on March 19th. It's a thirteen day celebration where people throw parties and set up haft-sins. This is a collection of seven items like garlic and vinegar that symbolize hope for the new year along with dishes such as sabzi polo ba mahi, fish with herbed rice. Katayoun Kishi, an Iranian living in Atlanta had to pare down her festivities. Her haft sin had to be cut down because of shortages and there were no sweets because the bakeries were shut down. As for Ramadam, many of the dinners have been cancelled. Hassan Chami, a Detroit pharmacist  and owner of the restaurant Terry Melt,usually runs the Ramadam Food Festival, an event where there are forty vendors including himself. It's where the city's sizable Muslim population communally breaks their fast. The vent has to be cancelled but the money he donated is going to local hospitals to buy much needed supplies. along with giving free food away to hospital workers.

This year follow these examples to make the best of your holidays and holy days. It will be different but still celebratory. Make it a tasty one , still full of good memories.

A Tomato Test

A can of tomatoes is our kitchen's best friend right now. It can be used for sauces, stews and soups during our duration inside. Which is the best as far as taste and texture? Let the experts tell you.

Sara Bonisteel a senior editor  and food writer at the Times, asked the same questions and gives us answers in yesterday's  Food section. Anything canned is your kitchen's best friend right now. There was a tasting long before the pandemic happened. Writers from the the papers' NYT Cooking section and its' subsidiary had an extensive taste test. Michael Sullivan , a kitchen writer at Wirecutter chose a dozen canned brands to sample. Keep in mind that even though these can usually be found at groceries and big box stores, now there are more shortages. Mr. Sullivan developed a ranking system that is based on color, flavor, sweetness, acidity, overall appearance and texture. They were first sampled raw from the can and as part of the famed chef Marcella Hazan's famously simple four ingredient sauce. Many cooks have prized the San Marzano kind grown in Italy as the ideal. There was only one kind with this, Most were San Marzano's grown in Italy. The panel included Mr. Sullivan, Ms. Bonisteel,Alexa Weibel, a recipe editor at NYT Cooking, Ligaya Mishan, the Hungry City columnist. Other panelists were from Wirecutter's Marguerite Preston, Marilyn Ong and Winnie Yang.

Which were the best? Surprisingly Target's Market Pantry made the best. Tasters found the taste to be pleasing with Ms. Weibel describing the flavor as "forward, bright and fresh". The two others were Bianco DiNapoli Organic Whole Peeled. It's the most balanced tomato as far as sweetness and acidity.Add basil and it's the best brand for any Italian recipe.Another top brand is San Merican SMT Whole Peeled. According to Ligaya Mishan the tomatoes were pleasantly firm without too much bite.  Then there were the Better Than Average. These were Cento Certified Peeled Tomatoes and Hunt's Whole Plum Tomatoes. The first had a delicate texture and the tasters found that the liquid, more than the solids had a more tomato-y taste. The second had a nice balance of sweetness and acidity. The brands that were voted just average were  Whole Foods 365 Organic Peeled Tomatoes and Rega Rega San Marzano Tomatoes. The least surprised me because one I use a lot and recommend was panned. This was Muir Glen Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes. The tasters found the tomatoes overly acidic and sour but I never had that problem with them. Other least favorites were Organico Bello Whole Peeled Tomatoes, Bella Terra Organic Whole Tomatoes and Contadina Whole Roma Tomatoes With Basil,  the last especially not good to extra panelist Julia Moskin.

These tomatoes represent the best and the least favorites of the panelists. It may be different for others, depending on their tastes. Try them and see. Any can of tomato sauce is worth testing these days.

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 .

Target's New Line Good And Gather

Target is always a fun place especially for foodies.  It's one of the most exciting places for finding different and new brands. Now the store has introduced a new line Good & Gather, which features tasty and organic foods.

The line was actually brought out in September however I discovered it when I bought their pretzels about a week ago on my annual Thanksgiving run.

This new line has 650 (!) new products and six categories from beverages to pantry. What is good about the line is that the products are made without high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and colors and no synthetic colors. It's a perfect brand for parents wanting their kids to have healthier foods without any harmful side effects. There's also enough variety that little ones - and big ones won't get bored. Good and Gather has some fun choices. It can provide you with a whole meal and dessert to boot. You can buy the basics like their butter and milk along with fresh fruit and veggies to create wholesome dishes.

As with anything Target I love it. The pretzels' ingredients are all organic and they're a bit chunkier than the average pretzel stick, perfect for the crunch factor. Other crunchy snacks I want to try is Good and Gather's  unsweetened mango strips and coconut chips. I think their baked pita chips and sea salt veggie straws will be making an appearance at my holiday party table.Their chocolate infused almond butter is definitely on my radar as is their strawberry-rhubarb jam, both perfect on toasted brioche bread. Good and Gather has lunch and dinner choices too. I want to try their  burrata lemon zest ravioli, a combination of lemon and four cheeses. I can see serving them with a lemon butter sauce for  a lighter take on a traditional dish. The ravioli also come stuffed with tomato , mozzarella and basil for a classic flavor.  The shredded chicken looks interesting and too good to pass up too.Another must try is their sparkling water. Target has put together some interesting pairings such as cranberry -citrus and blackberry-raspberry along with ginger peach and coconut pineapple. Their watermelon sparkling water looks refreshing too.

Check out Good and Gather while you're holiday shopping. Target's new brand can supply you with your Christmas dinner and holiday party fare. They are yet another in house brand to love.