There will always be trends in food just as there are trends in everything else. One season a certain food is popular, the next it's not. Is this what's happening with cauliflower? Is this good for you veggie becoming the new kale?
Cauliflower has been around for centuries. The ancient Turks first cooked with it and then the Europeans . Americans have had it on their tables sometimes reluctantly since the early 1900's. Even though it's good for us, our relationship with it has always been iffy. Kids have always hated it, wanting their moms to drench it in melted cheddar cheese while American home chefs have either undercooked or overcooked the creamy white florets. Yet it's becoming super popular thanks to the different ways in which it can be prepared. Maybe it was the Obamas' White House chef, the great Sam Kass who got us on this cauliflower kick. He started with cauliflower steaks , a easy sheet pan dish that can be spiced up in any way possible. America went wild for these. Then there was his cauliflower pizza which took off like wildfire. This healthy crust pie was the best thing to happen to the Neopolitan classic since pepperoni was added. Now you can buy premade crusts made by Green Giant along with ones with toppings. The company also cauliflower gnocchi (! - and definitely a must try!!!) along with riced cauliflower. This is meant to be a side but it can easily be made into a main course. Green Giant mixes it with cheese , along with pairing it with other veggies like sweet potatoes.
I tried the Green Giant premade crust the other night and it was very good. This gluten free square has no wheat flour, being made with the veggie and rice flour. I first brushed it olive oil then topped it with pizza sauce and vegan mozzarella .There was some of the strong brassicae taste, giving it a cauliflower flavor. Yet it worked. I have tried the riced cauliflower and again it's good and refreshingly not glutenous as real rice. Maybe that's why it's outshining kale at this point. It mixes so well with other flavors. It does have a distinct taste but not as overpowering as onions or Brussels sprouts. It blends in - a plus for any ingredient. Maybe another reason is its' many benefits. Cauliflower heads are loaded with sulfurophanes - molecules that have wide ranging protective effects. One important benefit of them is that they lower estrogen and can reduce the risk of breast cancer. Another benefit is that cauliflower can help in detoxing the liver, thanks to its' phytonutrients. However its' closest cousins, Brussels sprouts and broccoli also have these attributes and in Brussels sprouts even more so. Maybe they'll be the next big thing.
Is cauliflower having a moment? It sure is, shining bright in home kitchens across the US. Yet how could you not like it?It's wonderful to cook with and wonderful to eat, plus having a load of good for your health benefits.
Showing posts with label White House. Show all posts
Showing posts with label White House. Show all posts
Friday, February 21, 2020
Monday, February 20, 2017
White House Kitchen Meals Fit For A President
The White House is the base of many American institutions The West Wing and the Oval Office represent the sitting president while the second story represent the presidential family. However, it's the little written about White House kitchen that fuels the powers that be with favorite dishes and desserts.
There has always been a kitchen in the White House. The first cooks were enslaved African-Americans owned by George Washington. They continued on in the kitchen until President William Henry Harrison in the 1890's . As the 20th century progressed the kitchen became fancier and much more sophisticated . Updates such as a stainless steel makeover during FDR's tenure and an entire transformation thanks to Harry S. Truman seeing the room needed to be drastically updated. Gourmet chefs ushered in the 21st Century with the Obamas bringing in Cristata Comerford, a Filipino born to oversee the cooking. The White House kitchen is also responsible for hard boiling and dying the dozens of Easter eggs used for the annual Easter egg hunt and the annual Christmas gingerbread house, a copy of the White House with some personal touches representing the sitting First Families. They also create amazing banquets which reflect the countries of the foreign leaders feted. When former British Prime Minister David Cameron visited , the kitchen whipped up a bison Wellington , an American spin on the classic British dish and lemon sponge cake. another English classic for his state dinner.
What did our presidents like to nosh on? Not surprisingly, our first president George Washington had a fondness for cherries along with other fruits. John Adams and his wife Abigail preferred simple New England fare such as Indian pudding along with basic ingredients such as butter and molasses. Thomas Jefferson was the first gourmand president , bringing in ice cream and macaroni along with anchovies, souffle, and Parmesan cheese to the US palate. James Madison had his wife, the famed Dolly, to thank for White House teas. Abe Lincoln was a fan of his wife 's Mary's courting cake, a homemade , frothy meringue of a cake. Teddy Roosevelt loved sugar so much he put seven lumps in his coffee cup, described as a bathtub by one of his sons along with a kind of shortbread cookie called a sandtart., Cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a big fan of any kind of soup and homemade doughnuts.The first president who loved to cook and often made his own meals was Dwight D. Eisenhower. He had a thing for soups and beef stews. Haute cuisine took a holiday when Bill Clinton was elected.. His was a passion for cheeseburgers along with roast beef sandwiches , his mom's sweet potato casserole and carrot cake. President Obama loved scallops along with the healthier fare his wife Michelle recommended.,
The White House has fed and catered to all our presidents. They have nourished our leaders in times of crises and tempted then wth savory and sweet treats during difficult days. It is not just a kitchen where food is prepared but part of the net work that support all American preidents.
There has always been a kitchen in the White House. The first cooks were enslaved African-Americans owned by George Washington. They continued on in the kitchen until President William Henry Harrison in the 1890's . As the 20th century progressed the kitchen became fancier and much more sophisticated . Updates such as a stainless steel makeover during FDR's tenure and an entire transformation thanks to Harry S. Truman seeing the room needed to be drastically updated. Gourmet chefs ushered in the 21st Century with the Obamas bringing in Cristata Comerford, a Filipino born to oversee the cooking. The White House kitchen is also responsible for hard boiling and dying the dozens of Easter eggs used for the annual Easter egg hunt and the annual Christmas gingerbread house, a copy of the White House with some personal touches representing the sitting First Families. They also create amazing banquets which reflect the countries of the foreign leaders feted. When former British Prime Minister David Cameron visited , the kitchen whipped up a bison Wellington , an American spin on the classic British dish and lemon sponge cake. another English classic for his state dinner.
What did our presidents like to nosh on? Not surprisingly, our first president George Washington had a fondness for cherries along with other fruits. John Adams and his wife Abigail preferred simple New England fare such as Indian pudding along with basic ingredients such as butter and molasses. Thomas Jefferson was the first gourmand president , bringing in ice cream and macaroni along with anchovies, souffle, and Parmesan cheese to the US palate. James Madison had his wife, the famed Dolly, to thank for White House teas. Abe Lincoln was a fan of his wife 's Mary's courting cake, a homemade , frothy meringue of a cake. Teddy Roosevelt loved sugar so much he put seven lumps in his coffee cup, described as a bathtub by one of his sons along with a kind of shortbread cookie called a sandtart., Cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a big fan of any kind of soup and homemade doughnuts.The first president who loved to cook and often made his own meals was Dwight D. Eisenhower. He had a thing for soups and beef stews. Haute cuisine took a holiday when Bill Clinton was elected.. His was a passion for cheeseburgers along with roast beef sandwiches , his mom's sweet potato casserole and carrot cake. President Obama loved scallops along with the healthier fare his wife Michelle recommended.,
The White House has fed and catered to all our presidents. They have nourished our leaders in times of crises and tempted then wth savory and sweet treats during difficult days. It is not just a kitchen where food is prepared but part of the net work that support all American preidents.
Monday, November 7, 2016
A Soothing Cup Of Tea
This election has not only been the most contentious in US history, It's also the most anxiety causing too. Many are worried as to what Wednesday morning will bring. The solution to all of this - a soothing cup of tea or any comfort food to settle nerves.
Nothing beats a calming cup of tea the night before or even the day of a stress inducing event.The herbal ones are the best. One of my favorites is Twinings Nightly Calm. It's a non-caffeine herbal tea made with chamomile. It's a great tea too to have if you,ve got a nasty stomach flu or just ate too much. Chamomile calms the stomach along with boosting spirits - which may come in handy if your candidate loses.It also helps with sleep and insomnia. Another favorite is Celestial Seasonings Sleeptytime Extra Tea. This is a great tea for those who have problems sleeping, Along with chamomile and spearmint it also has valerian, a natural sleeping aid. To sweeten it try the Carmel Honey Company's Honey Stix. These are plastic straws filled with the company's signature wildflower honey, a sweet earthy taste that pairs well with the tea. As much as you want to indulge in a chocolate and caramel laced latte, don;t. All that sugar and caffeine will make you more wired than a kid with a mouthful of candy,The same goes for hot chocolate. It is comforting to drink when you;re watching the election however it'll keep you up until dawn Not the best thing, especially if you have a full schedule or an all important meeting or exam on Wednesday morning.
Are there any calming foods to watch as you're cheering on your candidate or cursing his or her opponent? Turkey comes to mind, thanks to it being loaded with tryptophan. Eat four ounces of it for dinner for a blissful night of sleep. If you can't roast a turkey,, then head to your grocery's deli counter to get it. Serve it with jarred gravy on top of a sliced roll or bread. Sub in Stovetop Stuffing or Arrowhead Mills All Natural stuffing.Have it with a side dish of asparagus which also is a calming food.It not only promotes sleep but also lessens stress and anxiety. Swiss chard is another green guaranteed to calm an antsy voter. It's loaded with magnesium which can also de-stress the body,Surprisingly olive oil is another stress buster. Create a salad with it, greens and turkey strips. Add pumpkin seeds which also help.Grains, too, can lessen that agita over who's going to be in the White House. Have a slice of toast with butter and honey along with a cup of tea as you're watching the intricacies of the electoral college. A big bowl of cereal is another dish that will help you chill. Just stay away from the sugary and chocolate laced ones. Stick with the all natural kinds like Moms Best brand, Plain cereal without milk is a nice nibble too.
Tomorrow the fate and history of the country will be decided. It has been a stressful nineteen months. Destress from it with a sleep inducing meal or a soothing cup of herbal tea.
Nothing beats a calming cup of tea the night before or even the day of a stress inducing event.The herbal ones are the best. One of my favorites is Twinings Nightly Calm. It's a non-caffeine herbal tea made with chamomile. It's a great tea too to have if you,ve got a nasty stomach flu or just ate too much. Chamomile calms the stomach along with boosting spirits - which may come in handy if your candidate loses.It also helps with sleep and insomnia. Another favorite is Celestial Seasonings Sleeptytime Extra Tea. This is a great tea for those who have problems sleeping, Along with chamomile and spearmint it also has valerian, a natural sleeping aid. To sweeten it try the Carmel Honey Company's Honey Stix. These are plastic straws filled with the company's signature wildflower honey, a sweet earthy taste that pairs well with the tea. As much as you want to indulge in a chocolate and caramel laced latte, don;t. All that sugar and caffeine will make you more wired than a kid with a mouthful of candy,The same goes for hot chocolate. It is comforting to drink when you;re watching the election however it'll keep you up until dawn Not the best thing, especially if you have a full schedule or an all important meeting or exam on Wednesday morning.
Are there any calming foods to watch as you're cheering on your candidate or cursing his or her opponent? Turkey comes to mind, thanks to it being loaded with tryptophan. Eat four ounces of it for dinner for a blissful night of sleep. If you can't roast a turkey,, then head to your grocery's deli counter to get it. Serve it with jarred gravy on top of a sliced roll or bread. Sub in Stovetop Stuffing or Arrowhead Mills All Natural stuffing.Have it with a side dish of asparagus which also is a calming food.It not only promotes sleep but also lessens stress and anxiety. Swiss chard is another green guaranteed to calm an antsy voter. It's loaded with magnesium which can also de-stress the body,Surprisingly olive oil is another stress buster. Create a salad with it, greens and turkey strips. Add pumpkin seeds which also help.Grains, too, can lessen that agita over who's going to be in the White House. Have a slice of toast with butter and honey along with a cup of tea as you're watching the intricacies of the electoral college. A big bowl of cereal is another dish that will help you chill. Just stay away from the sugary and chocolate laced ones. Stick with the all natural kinds like Moms Best brand, Plain cereal without milk is a nice nibble too.
Tomorrow the fate and history of the country will be decided. It has been a stressful nineteen months. Destress from it with a sleep inducing meal or a soothing cup of herbal tea.
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