School Ready

 School is going to start in the next few weeks or right now depending where you live. Are you ready with  school lunch?  while it's easy to get a fun container and bag  it's not so much fun to pack something that cylospora and salmonella free. Can school lunch ever be the same?

There are a few things that's= should cheer up any mom or student. Dollar Tree and Dollar General have some neat sandwich and Bento lunch box cases.Get the sandwich boxes that feature such a characters as Bluey, Stitch, Disney princesses and a baby Spderman. These hold a regular sandwich and keep it fresh.It's just so much fun to have too.  There are also checkered lid  food containers in pink sage and blue. (these are on my radar to get) Dollar Tree as Bento boxes that kids can use too. Other places to buy them is Amazon and Temu. Dollar General has food containers as well.Also look to Temu and Five Below for modern takes on lunchboxes. A more expensive version is the Stanley All Day Mini Lunch box for $33.75 on sale from Stanley. This looks like a designer purse and comes in a variety of different colors from deep burgundy to light aqua. You can get cheaper from Vera Bradley for $14.99 and has cute cat and dog prints along with a red quilt pattern. You could also just get sandwich bags and stas time in your kid's knapsack too.Stock up on sporks too for easy eating, whether for a cold pasta salad or pudding.

What to bring is a big trickier than what to bring it in. Cyclosporine makes it difficult to create salads and salmonella seems to be everywhere. Sometimes the best choice is the classic one. Peanut Butter and jelly should work if there are no peanut or nut allergies.A simple ham and cheese sandwich is also good . Also vary it with chicken and London Broil slices (Stop & Shop has this for a good price and it tastes like homemade)For both  big and little vegans there is plant based versions.One of the best is Tofukey's Peppered Tofurkey slices that have a nice black peppery bite and the texture of actual meat. This is one of my go to s and works well with vegan mayo on any kind of bread (rye really brings out the flavor).Try Tofurkey's turkey again good with mayo and the bologna. Have this last on white bread with a good dollop of sharp mustard.It would be tempting to add bite sized veggies like broccoli and carrots yet even these may be too risky.I would lean towards avocado , banana or orange slices . These have thick rounds that can protect the actual flesh. As for dessert get fresh apples and pears and peel the skin off . Also raisin oatlmeal cookies are great too and the occasional Hershey's kiss.

The school year is about to start. Be ready .Be smart about having a good lunch ready.

An Easy Fruit Sundae

 Sometimes you just want a sundae but without the ice cream. There's something about fruit and cream that magical tpgether. It can even be healthy.

The other day I was craving a healthy yet decadent dessert and this came to mind.

This is bananas, peaches and strawberries from Stop & Shop.It;s their brand of frozen fruit that;s perfect in sundaes but also in other desserts like crepes (which is definitely on my radar).

F course every Sundae has to be topped with whipped cream so I used dairy free coconut based Whipp.This is one of my favorite whipped creams. The non dairy versions are usually lighter and not as heavy tasting as the full cream ones.

This is the finished ,fluffy version. I love the mix of fruit with it and in the future I can add some chocolate chips or chocolate syrup to round it out. 

A fruit sundae is always a nice summery treat. It can be made from fresh or frozen ones .It;s a nice light flavor, perfect for the warm days ahead.

Foods To Thaw You Out

 The temps around the country have been monumnetally cold. Some areas like New england have even reached minus numbers. Wit this brings hypothermia and frostbite. Don;t panic with these. There are foods that hedlp for a  good thaw.]

What is hypothermia and is it connected to frostbite? Hypothermia is a condition that happens during very cold temps although it could even happen in forty degree Farenheit weather. it starts when a person becomes wet either from sweat, rain, sleet or snow.A person can become confused and exhausted with uncoordinated hand movements and slurred speech. Frostbite can happen with it.This is where body parts freeze due  to frigid temps and the  affected areas turn red. The skin could also change color from a healthy pink to a whitihs or gteyish yellow. There is also a firmness to the flesh as well. If both are extreme then head to your local hospital's ER where both can be treated right away. If it's relatively mild then the first thing to do is remove the person's wet clothes and then get them warm. frostbite victims should not be walking. DO NOT place the person by a fireplace, radiator, heat lamp or stove for warming. Heating pads are out too. They cause more harm than good. Also do not rub or massage frostbitten areas either. Again this can cause more problems. Wrap the person in a dryer warmed beach towel or blanket.

What about a warming drink. Alcohol is an absolute taboo!!! It could even cause hypothermia surpringly. What happens is that it may temporarily provide a feeling of heat and warmth thanks to explanding blood vessel. That feeling passes quickly when blood vessles constrict back to their normal size. Do have a big cup of hot cocoa on the ready. This will not only warm the affected person but also ptovide a much needed dose of sugar.It's also a comfort food which will be welcomed too. You can also try sweetened  decaf hot teas and coffees. If they're hungry then a cup of hot soup is necessary. It's easy to open up a can and microwave it.  What about just plain water? You could boil it and have the person drink it like any other hot drink.If they're hungry then break out the chocolate.It's an energy rich food that raises body temps as well as providing a burst of energy There are foods to eat during these wintry times to stave off hypothermia too. Eat more bananas, whether plain or as dessert with chocolate syrup. As bad as it's supposed to be for you a little red meat is good ofr these frosty times. Have a steak or hamburger every now and then. Sweet potatoes and butternut squash also raise body temps too. Think of them mashed or cut into wedges and air fried for a tasty side or snack. 

Frosty times bring about serious problems. Mild cases of hypothermia and frostbite can be treated with a good hot cup. Also eat temperature raising foods too. Keep yourself and your bisy warm and toasty when those arctic  temp aarive.

A Trio Of Goodness

Homemade treats are always welcomed, especially snack cakes. They're a great fix at work or after school, along with being a picker upper on weekends. The problem is that manufactured ones are loaded with all sort's of preservatives and have a plastic-y taste. The solution is three recipes for delicious cakes that can be easily made in a home kitchen.

Melissa Clark gives us these in her A Good Appetite column in yesterday's New York Times Food section. They're easy bakes, with all the ingredients that are probably on the pantry shelf already.
The flavors are on everyone's cake wish list.There's chocolate with a tangerine glaze (!), lemon with a coconut one , a banana one dripping with a salted caramel topping.The first two are made with a neutral oil such as canola or grapeseed while the banana cake has melted butter. The flour used for all three is all purpose  - nothing fancy. The chocolate one has both Dutch processed cocoa and chopped dark chocolate.For a really intense flavor buy the 70 to 80 percent bars as opposed to the chips. The recipe has a hit of hot coffee for a mocha vibe. Sour cream is added for a dense, moist crumb.The icing is a zippy tangerine- lemon fusion that compliments the chocolate.Ms. Clark recommends that if it's too sweet add a extra drop or two of lemon juice.

Lemons are the backbone of the second cake. Three of them give it a burst of tartness thanks to their juice and zests being used. Ms. Clark also adds coconut milk and shredded coconut. Two large eggs and again, sour cream give the cake body and a moist crumb.The glaze is a mirror of it as it , too, as it uses coconut and finely grated zest.The only difference is that it has melted coconut oil which makes for a smoother glaze. The last is a yummy mix of bananas and caramel. The snacking cake has two to three ripe bananas mixed with sour cream and brown sugar. Half a cup of melted butter is added to kind of give it a Bananas Foster flavor.The crumb will be incredibly moist , the perfect texture for a snack cake.It's then topped with a buttery homemade caramel glaze. Half a stick of more (!) butter is mixed with brown sugar and heavy cream.These are cooked in a large saucepan for a minute, cooled and then blended with confectioner's sugar. To cut the uber sweetness flaky sea salt is sprinkled over the icing. It's a nice pop of savory to counterbalance all that sweet.

Happiness is a snack cake that's delicious and filling. The three recipes fit that bill.They are full of homemade goodness and flavor from the kitchen.

Good Foods, Good Teeth

Our teeth usually are the last body part we think of when we eat. Yet they, like our bones, need  healthy foods to thrive . A bad diet can lead to  bad dental problems which could lead to bad heart problems. The best way to avoid these is to give your choppers a diet rich in nutrients . The reward? A bright white smile!

There are reasons why parents freak out over their kids eating too much candy or soda.  These are loaded in sugar which mixes with bacteria. This then turns into an acid which breaks down tooth enamel. Also , a passion for sweets lasts well into adulthood and it;s hard to get out  the habit of wanting them. Start the little ones early with healthier treats such as apple or  pear slices.  Surprisingly bananas and raisins are high in sugar and not good for developing teeth. Kids love colas and other fizzy sweet drinks.Even juices are suspect, Let them drink milk or chilled water. What about flavored seltzer? There' no sugar in it, true, but the carbonation resulting from a hit of carbon dioxide can cause acids to form in the mouth. Even if you make it at home using a SodaStream, there;s a huge risk of cavities forming. A better bet is a chilled decaf herbal tea however make sure it's distilled. It can create problems in children so you may want to stick with fruit infused waters. These are easy to make,It's just taking any kind of fruit like pineapples or berries and infusing them in chilled water for four hours.

It's not too late for any adult to adopt a tooth healthy diet. Unfortunately our sugar habits are very much ingrained in us. One of our worst habits is imbibing too much coffee. Thanks to all these coffee shops, we're a country hooked on it. Caffeine does cause problems as well as creating halitosis or bad breath . It reacts with the mouth's bacteria which forms the corrosive acid that destroys enamel. You can have  your java fix but drink it quickly. Don't spend the day sipping it. That can lead to more harm. Also brush your teeth or at least rinse them after your daily cup. The same advice applies to tea too. Avoid the sugary extras like those chocolate and caramel drizzles or that pound of sugar you put into  your cappuccino. We have a tendency to snack  and unfortunately on the wrong kinds of food. Nix the afternoon Skittles and Oreos. As with kids, apples and pears are the best for your teeth. The fruit's rough flesh scrape the teeth much like a toothbrush. They also stimulate the mouth to produce more saliva which washes away the bacteria.  Raw carrots and celery  are also good for the teeth and also scrape away bacteria. If you do seriously crave sweets then go for dark chocolate. It's rich in flavanoids which help in oral health.

A healthy diet means healthy teeth. Eat right and you can have that bright white smile. It's not good genes that produce good bicuspids and canines. It good food.

The Three Fruit Rule

Is there such a thing as having too little or to much fruit?We need it year round however buy too much and it's forgotten, left to spoil in the fridge. What's the best bet? Three fruits in the house, no matter if it's summer or winter, spring or fall.

It's easier to garner fruit in the warmer months. There's so much to choose from and there's the added bonus of picking them fresh. Still having too many can  clutter up the  fridge or  kitchen table. Try to buy fruits that you know will be eaten almost right away. Strawberries and blueberries are good summer fruits. They can be cut up in salads, along with being pureed into a salad dressing. They're also good mixed together with sliced bananas in a breakfast or brunch fruit salad.Summer fruits go well with summer cakes.Always have berries on the ready for angel food cakes and trifles.If you want to vary your intake, think melons. They're always refreshing, and can be used in a variety of different drinks such as agua fresca to chilled chunks after a barbecue. Since this is the time for other melons to be sold, vary choices from week to week.The family may not appreciate your melon kick. Think about buying cantaloupes one week, and casabas the next. Since August is peach season, have a few on the table.They'll be a nice change up from the berries and also can be used in a variety of dishes too.

The fall is also a good time for varying fruit in your diet. Many people are in awe of the different  types of apples offered and want to try every one. Again the family could get sick of eating them all the time, even though they're candied on a stick  or turned into tarts. It's also pear season and they're a refreshing switch from those Fujis and Winesaps. Pears  such  as the Asian and Bosc are perfect for dipping into caramel. and excellent for poaching. Grapes are harvested at this time too. Nothing beats them  as a snack , especially when hiking on a balmy September or October day, Winter and early Spring is citrus season and this is when everyone goes nut for those extra doses of Vitamin. C. The problem with eating too much of them can cause hives. Have oranges and tangerines around but also think of pineapple too. Pommelos, those bowling ball sized grapefruit, are great because they are the highest in Vitamin C and can feed an entire family. The dilemma is they may be too much. Vary them with he new fruit cups from Dole.These are mixed  combos, such as peach and mango in slightly sweetened coconut water. They make a great dessert or even breakfast when mixed with cottage cheese or Greek yogurt.

Three is your magic number when having fruit in the house. Any three types will do the trick, in providing nutrition and flavor. It's the perfect amount for any kitchen.

The Scoop On Ice Cream Creations

Now that's it's officially summer  it's time to get out the ice cream.Most people are happy with just a scoop of  vanilla i a waffle bowl/ Yet ice cream begs to be turned into something a bit more extravagant. Get out the scoop and get creative.

You 'll need ice cream, whether home made or store bought. If you're cranking it yourself, then go wild with different flavors. Mix rosemary and honey . Try cheesecake with pistachios.  Toss in Raisinets or Milk Duds in a homemade chocolate ice cream.  If you're buying it then stick strictly with ice cream.it holds up better ,  I think, with hot fudge and caramel. It's not as intense and works well with any add ins. One of the easiest ice cream creations to make is the sundae. It's usually just two or  three scoops , drenched in some kind of sauce  and then topped with whipped cream. For a different spin use  a homemade salted chocolate sauce  which is easy to make. It's just taking salted butter and a scant pinch of sea salt to  chopped dark chocolate  and brown sugar. Sundaes are sometimes layered with fruit. For a truly lush creation. have the first layer of strawberries or raspberries , then the ice cream. Top with the chocolate sauce and mounds of homemade whipped cream. Reserve some of the chocolate bar , and using a hasp, shave off  light puffy shards of it to decorate. You can sub in salted  caramel too for the chocolate sauce and topped with chopped  salted caramels .

Banana splits are the height of cool decadence.It's taking three scoops of the same ice cream or three different ones (usually, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry) and placing them on a long oval dish or banana boat. Slice a banana lengthwise and place on each side of the scoops. Top the vanilla with pineapple , the chocolate with chocolate sauce  and the strawberry with strawberries or strawberry topping. Generously cover with whipped cream, wet walnuts and maraschino cherries.  You can also create a Bananas Foster split too. with vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent dessert or snack. Another fun treat is the classic ice cream sandwich. Moms across the world usually plop ice cream between two giant cookies and then roll them in sprinkles or chopped nuts. Make it  bit more sophisticated. by using pound cake, (it can be store bought) Slice a slice in two and layer softened ice cream on it. It can be placed in a puddle of sauce or coulis and topped with either whipped cream or creme fraiche. For a fancier spin cut  the slices into quarters to make ice cream petit fours. Add a  puff of whipped cream, then top with chocolate shavings, sprinkles or even edible flowers.

It is summer and that means ice cream. Go all out and create something wonderful, cool and tasty . Then enjoy!

Cool And Calorie Free Frozen Fruit Treats

Is there a low cal alternative to ice cream for a summer treat? Yes, and they're even more delicious than a scoop of butter pecan. It's frozen fruit which is not only good for you but refreshing.

Fruit popsicles are a tasty and cooling treat on any muggy , not day,. They're  tasty as either a snack or a dessert after a barbecue. Take advantage of June's harvests. Cherries, strawberries, blueberries and peaches are out in abundance at farmer's markets and supermarkets.Use them to create sweet treats. Coarsely chop the fruits and pour into popsicle molds (there are some cute ones out there).Add low sugar grape juice or fruit punch to give them body. For a more festive look sub in fizzy flavored seltzer that will give the pops  "frozen" bubbles. These can also be dipped in dark chocolate for added flavor .A more sophisticated take is granita, the easiest ice to make. This is an Italian classic, even being served with a brioche for breakfast in Sicily. Try a lemon one for a cool, summery break from hot temps. It's cooking the lemons down with  both the  juice and zest with water and sugar and then freezing in metal pans.Let the liquid  sit for thirty minutes,take the pan out and stir the ice crystals, Repeat  this every half hour for three hours. The final result is an icy  slush that's served in goblets or bowls.

If you don't have time for this don't despair.There are some very tasty pops out there  that are chock full of fruit and goodness.A caveat though before shopping. Look to see what the ingredients are Avoid those with fructose. Outshine is a new company but it's giving the more traditional brands a run for their money. They have such delicious flavors as grape, watermelon and a host of berry flavored popsicles.. Get their variety pack to please the whole family. The company has also gotten on the coconut water bandwagon and is offering one made with the milk.It's also loaded with large pineapple chunks. Dole has put out a yummy treat  Dippers. The fruit company is dipping a toe in the froze treat department with their low calorie but sinfully good dark chocolate dipped frozen strawberries and bananas. The strawberries are the best and there are two slices one to a pack. It's a marriage of two great flavors in a refreshingly cold treat. Add them to low cal frozen yogurt for a fun sundae.Diana's Banana's  are another frosty treat  that perfect for the dog days ahead. They are  dark chocolate covered banana slices which make for some good snacking on a sweaty night.

Don't turn to ice cream when the temps rise. Go for frozen, fruity treats instead. They're healthier and goo for you , both for cooling off and for getting better nutrition.

An Ambrosial Cake

One of the best warm weather salads is ambrosia.It's a sweet concoction that usually finds it way to backyard barbecues and picnics. Take it one step further and transform this classic dish into a cake. It then becomes truly worthy of its' name - ambrosial food for the gods.

Melissa Clark wrote about it in her A Good Appetite Column in yesterday's New York Times Food section. I think it would be an excellent end to an Easter dinner, the cake's sweet fluffiness being a great foil to a salty ham and potato salad. Ambrosia, for those not familiar with this American classic, is a sweet salad that can be served before, with or after a meal. It's mostly made during barbecues or family buffets and every family has their own spin on the recipe. It's made with a heavy dose of tropical fruit, some kind of frosting and plenty of flaked coconut.Some go heavy with the  fruit, going  heavy with the orange slices and pineapple chunks along with adding extra banana slices. A few home chefs like the idea of crunch so pecans are thrown in while others turn their ambrosias technicolor with the addition of maraschino cherries Whipped cream is usually blended in but yogurt can be used as well. Of course, there's the flaked coconut that's added in by the cup (or cups).Imagine all this  modified in a cake with a tangy curd filling along with a slug of coconut rum.It's iced in a fluffy meringue and then doused with sweetened coconut flakes.

The ambrosia element is modified. Ms. Clark decided on fewer elements and uses them with a slight difference than from the original recipe. She skips the cloying pineapple and banana but keeps the zingy citrus, going for seedless clementines over mandarins and oranges.She juices them to go into a tangy curd that will be used as the cake's filling. She suggests if you like the pineapple and banana, then add them but only to the filling to get the taste, The flour used is all purpose  and there's only a tablespoon of baking powder added for leavening. It's a rich, eggy cake employing four of them.There's also a stick and a quarter of unsalted butter to give the crumb a  golden color.The filling is again a curd, zested up with clementines and a third of a cup of lemon juice. the filling is butter rich too  with a stick of unsalted butter used .The whites from the filling's yolks can go into making the frosting, a sweet fluff made over a simmering water bath.The frosting has to be immediately put on the cake and then press the coconut flakes on the sides and  top. You can decorate with sliced clementines and strawberries.

Ambrosia cake is the perfect cake to serve on Easter Sunday. It's a rich blend of butter cake, fruit and curd, wrapped in a sweet and light marshmallow coating. Serve this dish  - that's worthy of the gods/

Those Macgyver Kitchen Moments

We all have them, those times when we forgot a vital ingredient or wound up short with measuring.It's going to be even rougher for us East Coasters, thanks to the monster blizzard that will be crippling the entire Eastern Seaboard. We won't be able to get to the store, not a good thing,especiallyy if there's you've forgotten something from your grocery list.

This is where Macgyver thinking kicks in.Remember Macgyver? That Eighties TV action hero that could turn a twig into a Swiss Army knife. He's currently enjoying a reboot on CBS and this new millennial inventor still probably can turn a can of beans into a full meal and a weapon of mass destruction. Do the same when you're faced with shortages.If you've run out of eggs for baking,then turn to fruit. Applesauce and bananas make excellent sub ins for them Use a 1/4 cup of either unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana. Aquafaba or bean water can also be used because it has similar proteins and enzyme to egg whites.That can of beans Macgyver could turn into a weapon can also actually be used as meat if you forgot to get burgers or there was a run on them. You can use a variety of different beans.Black beans have an earthy flavor, while kidney beans impart a more milder one. Chickpeas can be made into burgers too,giving off a Middle Eastern vibe.They can also be made into falafel for something a little out of the ordinary.

What happens when the kids want pizza and you have no or little flour in the house? Head to the crisper and get out the cauliflower. This is a true Macgyver moment. It's taking the veggie's florets and shredding them in a food processor. You will need some kind of binder such as egg and processed cheese to bind it. The principle can be applied to making cauliflower bread too which can be used for breakfast and sandwiches too. Cauliflower can even be turned into breadsticks too, perfect if you're having spaghetti.Out of macaroni for baked mac? No sweat. Spaghetti can stand in ,creating a dish the whole family might enjoy.It's layering the pasta and cheese with a creamy roux  and then topping with pats of butter and paprika for color. Penne can also be used along with angel hair pasta too. If the kids are clamoring for ice cream, despite the freezing temps, don;t despair.Freeze banana slices over night  and then mash them in a food processor for a creamy, tasty banana flavored treat. Yogurt can also be turned into a frozen treat. It can be poured into an ice cream maker along with one teaspoon of  vanilla flavoring. It could also just be frozen too,for thirty to forty minutes.


Don't worry if you run out of ingredients or have forgotten to buy them. Go Macgyver and sub in whatever.It's amazing what you can do wit what's in your kitchen,

Medicinal Foods

Remember the old saying : feed  cold and starve a fever.It's true. What you eat can help or hinder your illness,whether it's a full-blown stomach virus or a slight sniffle.You need to be prepared since it's cold and flu season already.

One of the best elixirs I can recommend is that Jamaican classic ginger beer. It's great for taming a stomach virus along with helping to relieve gas and bloating.Many confuse it with its' milder cousin ginger ale. The beer is actually brewed and  another tummy settler - lemon juice - is added in.It's much stronger than ginger ale which is nothing more than fizzy water with ginger flavor added.The first was created surprisingly not in Jamaica but  in Ireland in 1851 while the other was created in 1907 by Canadian John McLaughlin. The company evolved into Canada Dry and they still make the mellow drink. Try to have one or the other (not many stores sell ginger beer,Stop &Shop has its;' own brand and Stewart's also makes it).Another must for virus season is any cola drink, whether it be Coke, Pepsi or a generic in house brand.Cola poured over crushed ice also helps soothe a troubled stomach, .All kitchen should have herbal teas, especially peppermint or chamomile.These not only help a stomach that's been ravaged by a nasty bug but great in calming a sore throat.Colds benefit from fresh pressed juices This is the time to get oranges along with apples and pears ad start juicing..

Boullion cubes should be in every kitchen. Individual cubes ca be turned into broths for one,They are a great bridge from not eating to be able to get down some food. It seems vegetable bouillon is the mildest. There's none of that slightly fatty aftertaste that you get with the chicken and beef kinds. They also make excellent bases for simple soups such as pastina, orzo and my all time favorite pompeist, the Piedmontese mix of broth, beaten egg and bread crumbs.Stay away from canned soup. They're not hat your stomach needs. Homemade is better. Have these with crackers and oysterettes.in fact these will probably be the only kinds of foods that you'll eat after a stomach virus. What about transitioning into regular food again.  Think dry as in sliced chicken or turkey.If you don;t feel like cooking a whole bird, remember that diners always have these two meats . Order a plain  no mayo sandwich from yours on toast.from your local one. The BRAT diet-bananas, rice, applesauce, toast  is a tried and true one for diarrhea. Bananas are chock full of potassium which will be depleted thanks to  it being forced out fo you. Rice with butter is another good transitional food. For more flavor cook the rice in broth as opposed to plain water. Use the applesauce if you're craving something sweet.


Be prepared this cold,  flu, and virus season with the right foods. These will help you get over those nasty bugs, sniffly noses and scratchy throats.Having them is your best for a speedy recovery.

The Popular Plum Torte

The New York Times have been giving us all sorts of excellent recipes for the past forty years. Many have made them, bringing gourmet and colorful cooking to home audiences. One of their most famous is plum torte. This mouth watering dessert is back again, delighting a whole new generation of home bakers and gourmands.

Margaux Laskey, author of Motherlode Blog,  wrote about this classic fall dessert in yesterday's New York Times Food section. The recipe originally was published by the famed food writer Marian Burros in 1983. It wasn't her own , though, belonging to her childhood friend Lois Levine. It first appeared in a self published cookbook , "Elegant but Easy" in 1960.The name was first Fruit Torte and it had a fortuitous note "This deserves a ten star rating on our list." As with most tortes, it was easily adaptable. There was a "New Age" version published eight years later, in 1991. The lush ingredients of butter and eggs were replaced by the healthier bananas and egg substitutes. There was also an apple cranberry version in 1994. Food contributor Melissa Clark had her own take on it for Rosh Hashana , subbing in whole wheat flour for white. Ms. Burros, now retired from The Times, still makes the torte, In the summer she uses blueberries and peaches. She doesn't use the summer plums, instead waiting for the smaller , more intensely flavored Italian plums that come in early autumn. Home chefs can use their own spin, and even tweak the recipe to put their thumbprint on it.

The plum torte is a an easy recipe. It's no wonder that a recent Google search yielded nearly 80,000 search results with links to popular food bloggers who laud its' easiness and versatility. It's basically taking 3/4 to a cup of sugar, then adding flour, baking powder salt and eggs. The batter is then spooned into a spring form pan of either eight, nine or ten inches. Then it's splitting and pitting  a dozen Italian plums to place them  skin side up on top of the batter. sprinkle lightly with sugar and lemon juice.Home bakers can add more sugar if they feel the plums aren't sweet enough (it pays to have a taster plum for this). Another dusting , this time ,of cinnamon, is sprinkled on the top. It's usually about a teaspoon but a pinch more is always welcomed. Baking time is one full hour. Let cool before serving with whipped cream.The Times Food site suggests variations  such as subbing in late season peaches and nectarines or apples and pears as the weather gets cooler. Try spicing it with any kind of spice from tame nutmeg to exotic cardamom  or  zingy rosemary. For a healthier spin  try spelt or whole wheat. flour instead of  white.The torte  can also be served with creme fraiche instead of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.. You can also bake it in a regular pan along with doubling the recipe for holiday gifts..

Nothing beats a classic. This include Marian Burros famed plum torte recipe. It' still delicious and the recipe still holds up for a new generation of home bakers ready to make it

Viki's Granola A Treat Throughout The Day

What can start off your day, be a great snack in the afternoon and top off your dessert? Viki's Granola. This tasty and good for you treat can be used so many different ways. Not only that -it's a spoonful of nutrition, thanks to it being packed with simple ingredients like oats, nuts and honey.

Viki's Granola was started by Viki Sater in 2011, mainly by popular demand. Ms. Sater often made her homemade granola for her kids' school's bake sales. It was the first item sold out with locals who wanted more.Even the principal called in requests.  The mix became the star of every bake sale, thanks to a growing fan base.What was a passion now had the potential to become a thriving business. It's now sold in Wegman's Whole Foods, Stop & Shop and Jewel Osco. Her success was meteoric and this year she was named one of New York Business Journal's Women of Influence. Her product is one of the few out there that uses all natural ingredients.Gluten free oats are blended with honey, and canola oil for flavor and binding.Coconut flakes are a main ingredient too in all the flavors. The blueberry and almond has the nut slivers and dried blueberries, Her maple cranberry not only has pure maple syrup and dried cranberries for color and flavor but also chopped walnuts. The banana walnut has healthy sized dried banana chips and large pieces of walnuts while the apple cinnamon has a good dollop of the dried fruit and spice but also raisins and pecans too. Even the original recipe has the perk of sunflower seeds, sliced almonds and pecans.

I love this granola, especially the banana walnut!It makes for not only a good snack but a nice way to start a day.It's sweet without being cloyingly so.The granola is also a nice nibble on its' own,With every pinch being loaded with nuts and fruit.I'm also going to be topping my banana "ice cream" with it for a healthier spin.I can also make pops and roll them in the granola for a tasty and crunchy coating. Home bakers can use the granola to top off banana bread or muffins.Jazz up pancakes and waffles with them or make a sweet breakfast pizza , sprinkling the granola over a sweet bread crust loaded with sliced bananas , strawberries and vanilla flavored Greek yogurt.Any of Viki's granola flavors can be used in making cookies too as seen on the recipe section of Viki's website. There are some yummy ones especially the granola truffles made with chocolate, heavy cream and butter, then rolled in the original recipe granola.. There are also fun granola bites which would add to a holiday cookie platter. It's just chocolate chips mixed with peanut butter and coated with granola. Kids will love the banana pops, frozen bananas dipped in chocolate  and then dipped again in the banana walnut mix. The granola can be used in salads, surprisingly and as a coating for chicken - and also for pork too..

Viki's Granola is a versatile blend of flavors and textures in a healthy mix that features oats ,honey and nuts. Try any of the flavors for breakfast or as a snack, Better yet add it to any dessert or baked treat for added goodness.It's not only healthy but versatile too.

The Alkaline Diet

Could a diet not only change your life but revitalize it? According to some homeopaths and nutritionists  it could. Ridding your diet of acids is supposedly beneficial . It's an interesting mix of veggies and fruits, that anyone can follow.

What is alkalinity? It's  defined as less acidity in the body, relating to pH levels.The higher the pH the lower the acidity. According to some doctors, this works in favor It supposedly can reduce the threat of cancer along with helping with arthritis and losing weight. The body should always maintain a  level of 7.4 Testing for acidity  is easy thanks to saliva strips from Hydrion (these can be bought from Micro Essential Labs).There are physical signs, too, such as shortness of breath, frequent sighing, muscle pain or cramping, especially after walking and feeling like you're not getting enough air.many people are more acidic thanks to their diets yet there are some that are purely alkaline. Like any diet, there are restrictions. The drinks everybody loves , soda and coffee are off limits dues to their high acidity along with artificial sweeteners. Surprisingly black tea is also on the list however all herbal teas are alkaline so they're a nice fall back. Tap water is neutral along with some spring waters such as Fiji and Evian.Milk also falls in this category however adding chocolate syrup or mix will amp up the acidity. Buttermilk, though, is very alkalizing so think about adding it to your drinking, baking and cooking.

The best bet for a more alkaline diet is to go completely vegan. Many meats are pure acid along with seafood. Beef, lobster and shrimp are restricted as are crab, lamb, pork and veal. Poultry, from chicken to turkey are in this category too, but not as bad as red meats. . For those who dread the idea of going cold turkey vegetarian there are slightly acidifying meats such as some breeds of  fish and liver, for those who can stand it. Salmon, sole, trout and flounder are the least and can be made into a variety of tasty dishes. The best bets for a truly alkalized diet are anything soy, namely beans , nuts and sprouts along with both navy and white beans, Red beans and chickpeas or garbanzos are slightly acidifying but allowed. Luckily there is a whole gamut of veggies to choose from, with avocados being the most alkaline.Tomatoes and sour pickles are in the strange category of being acidic but alkalizing.. Veggies that have some acidity are artichokes, Brussels sprouts, and lettuce along with cauliflower onions and peas. Most fruits are slightly acidic thanks to their fructose levels however there's no reason to give them up..The truly non acidic ones are watermelons, bananas, sour cherries and fresh coconut. Try to mix up this last to get all the health benefits they offer.

Alkaline diets are restrictive but the benefits are worth all the restrictions. It 's just eating more fish and veggies and cutting  out all the bad stuff. Doing this will drop acid levels, making for a better life.

Bananas For Banana "Ice Cream"

After writing about the ice cream made solely from bananas, I couldn't resist and made it.  As always it takes me a long time to jump on the bandwagon, The recipe has been around for a few years, I had seen it on every show  from Dr. Oz to my local Fox Channel 5 AM show "Good Morning".

 I think my initial resistance was that it's a fad and that people will forget about it. I just wrote about it in Monday's entry.I just had to try it after seeing all the pictures. It looked too creamy and luscious.

And you know what? I was hooked. It's easy to make. Just take a very ripe banana, the kind with a lot of brown and black spots., Slice into coins and then freeze , preferably overnight in a freezer bag.

I then added them to my mini food processor. Some recipes call either for this or a blender. Stick with the food processor. The blades are sharper and can handle the frozen fruit better.

                                 
                     Now pulse. It'll look like either oatmeal or flaked coconut.

It then goes through a gooey stage. Hang in there. I guess this is the part where the pectin in the banana melts with the ice crystals . It gets better.

Much better. See how creamy and airy it is? It really does look like soft serve ice cream.

Now, many people  would just end it there,but I didn't.

I turned my batch into a sundae and before any of you think it's counterproductive, look closely. The syrup is Hershey's Lite syrup with only 20 calories a serving and Stop & Shop's Lite Whipped Whipped Cream at only 10 (!!!) calories a serving. It's like the lowest calorie banana split ever.

What you do with it is up to you? Many add cocoa powder for chocolate "ice cream". Some add almonds or peanut butter. You can even sprinkle chocolate chips, jimmies or mini M&Msover it or blend them in. . It can even be plopped in a cone or waffle bowl if you like. You also don't have to just use one banana. Make a bigger batch with two or three. The  "ice cream" lasts for one week, however I know from experience - it won't. Make your own batch and see why.

Your Fun Low Fat Summer Diet

Low fat does not have to be boring. In fact, it can be fun, thanks to some innovative gadgets and recipes.This makes for  some exciting eating while losing weight and gaining important nutrients.

Since it is summer, take advantage of melons - any kind. Cantaloupes are big right now and these are perfect for any meal. Start off a sweltering day with a cool slice of one along with an iced coffee or tea. Another idea is filling the middle with vanilla flavored Greek yogurt. Add berries such as strawberries or blueberries for some color and a good shot of antioxidants . You can also turn it into a refreshing drink Take half of the melon and blend with a cup of low fat milk, soy or almond milk for a nice way to start the morning - or end the day,Watermelon is all over the place right now and we're going to see more of it as the season progresses. Try watermelon infused drinks  such as agua fresca. Puree chunks of it and add that along with lime juice to seltzer as an alternative to soda and iced tea. A melon salad is also a nice start to dinner or dessert. Shred some mint leaves on top for a shot of coolness. Peaches are also in season, They make great snacks  if you're craving something sweet. A decadent dessert is layering fresh peach slices with low fat whipped cream for a  not all that bad for you treat. You can also layer them along with the berries of the season with Greek yogurt and almonds for yummy low cal parfaits.Another fun treat is layering the fruit with  banana ice cream made with only frozen bananas.

This is the start of squash season too. Zucchini is always the star of the season, thanks to its' abundance in farmers markets and gardens.One cup of it is only thirty-six calories, so it's the perfect food for summer dieters.It's a hot veggie right now, thanks to the zuchetti maker or spiralizer. I highly recommend adding this gadget to any kitchen. It's an hourglass shaped grater that produces long spaghetti like spirals or strands called zoodles. You can make low calorie  zuchetti that has only sixty calories a plate and that includes the sauce .These squash noodles can even be turned into fries by batter dipping them in a low calorie batter and then baking them. Zoodles can also be used in stir fries too.  If you get zoodled out then chunk them up to be  roasted alongside other summer vegetables such as bell peppers and onions, for a healthier take on barbecue.These can be first cut up into chunks and marinated in olive oil and lemon. They can be grilled on their own or with chicken or lean cuts of beef. Add tomatoes and they can be part of a salsa crudo with the zoodles or whole wheat pasta. Tomatoes will soon be all over the place as we progress into July and August. They're great  in homemade salsas and also fresh sauces. Chop plum tomatoes and let them soak in some chopped garlic and olive oil  as you also boil pasta.Pour the cooked spaghetti or angel hair over them, The heat will cook up the tomatoes. You can also add capers and olives for more flavor.

Summer dieting is easy. There's a wide range of fruits vegetables and meats to choose from to help lose the weight and gain the nutrients. Best of all , they can be made in a variety of fun and exciting ways.

Scream For Healthy Ice Cream

With summer comes ice cream, and this summer will be no different. Yet too much of the creamy cold stuff is no good.Yet what to do? Switch to ices? Give up the good stuff and sub in fruit? The best option is look for ice creams that are not so sinful. Whether kitchen made or store bought, they 're still delicious.

The best way to have healthy ice cream is to make it yourself. It's easy to pick up an ice cream maker and get the right ingredients. The basic recipe is a custard however you can still make a rich one using unflavored gelatin and nonfat sweetened condensed milk.Another plus about making your own is adding healthy ingredients too.Liven it up with blueberries and strawberries, flavored honeys and dark chocolate shards. Just remember that homemade ice cream can get very hard after prolonged periods in the freezer. A twenty minute stay down below in the fridge part can remedy that. Many dieters swear by banana "ice cream". It's just first slicing a ripe banana into thin slices or coins, freezing them in an airtight container such as a freezer bag or freezer safe glass bowl. When ready ,pulse the slices in a food processor or blender.It takes a while for the fruit to transform into a creamy soft serve looking treat.it is worth it though. Many add cocoa powder to give it that chocolate dipped banana taste. Get daring with it too. Add spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg. Top it with semi-sweet  chocolate chips or chopped almonds or serve it with fresh sliced strawberries or crushed blueberries.

What about if you don't have time even to whip up the banana ice cream? Supermarkets such as Stop & Shop and Acme have extensive ice cream aisles so the choice is wide and varied. Yet which ones are the best for your diet? Surprisingly Ben and Jerry's. It's actually their frozen yogurt but it's still cold, sweet and creamy at 100 calories for the strawberries and cream flavor. Ice cream lovers should try Edy's slow churned kind. I love their  small cups in different flavors.The chocolate chip mint (always a favorite ) is only 190 calories while the vanilla is only 160 calories. You can also buy the larger gallon containers in many more flavors like Mississippi Mud Pie, Maine Blueberries and Cream along with Vermont Maple Syrup and the mousse like French Silk. A lot of people have Breyers in their fridge during these hot , steamy months, and now they have both low fat and no sugar variations of their classic chocolate, vanilla and cookies and cream. The sugar free has a little more variety, with their flavors that include mint chip swirl,butter pecan and salted caramel swirl along with a take on Neopolitan and vanilla. What about the king of ice creams, Haagen Daz? Stick with their frozen yogurts that have 100 calories less than their ice creams. They have the same rich flavor without  all the richness and fat.

Don't deny yourself a bowl of ice cream during these hotter than an oven days. Make or buy a low calorie one that's full of flavor but half the calories. You'll enjoy the treat without the guilt.

Food On The Go

Humans are eaters and snackers. We are also goers, meaning we're always moving somewhere, usually to and from work, usually in traffic.what happens when hunger comes along for the ride? Try sensible snacking.

A commuter's' best friend isn't his or her traffic app. It's their sandwich baggie . This little square can hold everything and anything. It's great for meals on the go and snacking. Many of us wind up eating breakfast on the road. There's not even time to stop for a coffee and doughnut or a breakfast sandwich. Put some granola into a baggie for a quick meal. Another idea is a healthy cereal like Mom's Best Cereal  which comes in a variety of flavors.They're made with whole grains and cane sugar - not refined. It's a good alternative to all those over sugared brands. Of course the best breakfast on the run is any piece of fruit. Bananas are the best They're easy to pack - you don't even need a baggie. -and chock full of vitamins and potassium. One is filling enough and will get you through to possibly or the first coffee break at eleven AM. Apples and pears are also good choices.. because they too are filling. Apples are higher in calories so if you 're watching your weight, stick with the pears.One is only eight six calories. Both can also be used as snacks when on a Saturday morning run to the soccer or baseball field or while running weekend chores.

That sandwich baggie can come in handy for lunch and snacks. Many people like sales reps and technicians have to eat on the road. Again you can go the fast food or deli route however that can get old quick. Then there's all those calories. Hamburgers and heroes are tasty but they're fattening. Salads and soups are great but messy and distracting when eating on the road. Try a healthy sandwich made with whole wheat or multi grained bread. and lean cold cuts.The best bet on the last is getting them from your supermarket's deli counter. Get freshly sliced roast beef or turkey . For an even neater sandwich try a wrap. You can swaddle in some lettuce or tomatoes along with a squirt of ketchup or mayo. Also have some savory snacks on the ready too. These come in handy on the drive home when you're hungry and stuck in traffic. Think Pepperidge Farm goldfish or pretzels.The pluses areboth nibbles are low in calories and not as greasy as potato chips.They're a nice way of staving off hunger and again they're also perfect for those Saturday afternoon runs or  Sunday's road trips. Fruit, too is good here  along with raisins, nuts or seeds like sunflower or pumpkin. They keep you satisfied until you reach home and a hot meal.

Hunger hits at any time - evne drive time. Be ready when you;re on the road and want to nibble or nosh. Have a sandwich bag filled with fruit or crackers, sandwiches or cereal to make it easier

Summer Cooking Checklist

It is summer  and surprisingly we should be stocking up on certain staples for the season ahead Usually this is done for fall and winter but there are also certain foods and ingredients that are vital for warm weather cooking. It makes for easy,breezy summer cooking.

One of the musts of any summer kitchen is olive oil. This can be used for salads , marinades and fries.it's perfect for making that French summer classic -bagnat-an olive oil drenched veggie and tuna sandwich. Mix it wit some hot pepper flakes , rosemary or even dried lavender for a dip  for French or Italian bread. Lemon is another summer must have. Again it is great as a vinegar alternative or in a marinade. Also have plenty of it around for home made lemonade and iced tea.(it can also be used for beauty too, in lightening hair for natural highlights and as a facial astringent). Tomatoes are another summer kitchen must. Luckily some of the first harvests are coming in. It can be chopped up for bruschetta or salsa or coarsely chopped for a fresh tomato sauce. Tomatoes Provencale are an excellent side , perfect with grilled steak. The grape and cherry ones make healthy and tasty snacks for the kids too. Strawberries and bananas should also be on hand. These are great in salads, smoothies and parfaits.

Always have rice on hand.It's an easy cook up in hot weather and it's versatile with almost everything. It can be added to bolster up soup or made into an interesting salad with peas and parsley. Rice can be used to make an easy pudding too.Any macaroni is another summer basic.  It can be the base  of so  many different salads as well as being turned into a hot ,tasty meal in one pot pasta. Combine it and broth for a quick soup on a rare chilly day. Bouillon cubes are another must They are great in making quick broths or instant homemade soups like minestrone. Every home chef should also have a box of crackers handy. These can be just plain Saltines or the more buttery Ritz. Apart from being a good snack for the beach or picnic, they can be ground into crumbs for coating  veggies and fried chicken. Cracker crumbs are also good for  breading shrimp and fresh caught crabs. I like to have flour too, It's great for making batters for squash flowers and crepes. Also have seltzer on hand too. Yes it's refreshing as a drink but it's superb to add to batters and dough for lightness and fluffiness.

It may be summer but you still need to stock up. Keep these basics on hand  to create tasty dishes and desserts. It'll make for easy cooking, grilling and baking

Your Spring Snack Guide

Spring brings a lot of changes.we dress lighter, We should eat lighter and we should snack lighter as well.Those whipped cream topped hot cocoas and cupcakes may have been great as we were bulking up for the cold however they may be heavy and calorie rich  during these warm days and nights.It's time to change to less dense treats.

One of the best snacks, both in cold and warm weather is popcorn . It's a better alternative to potato chips and dip .it's full of fiber and taste, perfect for filling up during games or a day at the beach.Another plus is that's it's easy to tote around - and if you have any left over is perfect for feeding the birds.a great Saturday night snack is nachos. The winter saw them piping hot with cheese and maybe chili on them. Go light  with a homemade salsa of chopped tomatoes, jalapenos and onions. You can even use this for crackers or a fiery spin on bruschetta.English muffin pizzas were also a great Sunday night supper or snack. Sub the canned sauce for fresh chopped tomatoes and replaced the heavy mozzarella with a hearty sprinkle of Parmesan. another healthy filler is cottage cheese blended with chopped veggies. Add some broccoli florets along with cut up snow pea pods  along with a few grape tomatoes and diced onion. Add a good dahs of fresh cracked pepper and a tiny dash of sea salt for more flavoring.You can also cut up soy hot dogs and wrap crescent dough around them for a low cal version of pigs in blankets.

This is the season of first harvests. That means fresh batches of peaches , strawberries and blueberries. Eat these when you're craving something sweet. They're full of fiber and vitamins,perfect after a winter of cookies and snack cakes. Fruit can be grilled too and it can be easily turned into shish kabobs. Brush the skewered pieces with honey before you put them over the fire.The fruit of the season can also be mixed into Greek yogurt for a nice pick me up at the office.As the temps shoot up you may be tempted by ice cream or even those whipped cream topped iced coffees. They may be cooling and a treat however they are fat bombs just waiting to go off. stick with ices or low calorie ice cream treat.You can even semi freeze bananas and strawberries and then have them with  chocolate syrup and low fat whipped toppings. As for the coffee- stick to iced black for a refreshing change. You'll taste the full rich flavor of the beans that way along with being enervated. You can also q8unech your thirst with BAI all natural juices and soda They're fresh and fruity, having only five calories each.

It's spring and that means lighter fare for snacking. enjoy ,kw calories sweets and treats as the temps  rise. You'll not only feel satisfied but also rewarded with good for you snacks.