A Salute To The Choco Taco

 Lovers of frosty treats may be sad this week. The Choco, Taco, the classic summer ice cream is no longer going to be made.fans are desolute about this demise of this mix of chocolate, muts and crunch,

For those who don't know what this is, it's a waffle cone in the shape of a taco , filled with fudge swirl ice cream. The tacos' edges are dipped in chocolate and topped with peanuts.It was invented by Alan Drazen in 1983.It was even sold at - where else - Taco Bell to commerate its' parent company 's Klondike 's centennial.Itn was first sold through ice cream trucks and became a beloved part of Gen X and Millenials' childhoods.Choco Taco was unusual because most ice cream treats are eaten in stages. The coating goes first followed by the ice cream and then the cone. Not so with the Choco Taco. Every bite contained each of those.It garnered a massive number of fans including Reddit founder and Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian who offered to keep the snack still going. You would think the other ice cream giant, Blue Bunny would step in and create their own version of this but Klondike who also produces those yummy ice cream sandwiches and bars may have the patent. This means no copies or variations by rival companies.

Don't despait though! You can easily make Choco Tacos at home. It's just taking waffle cones and heating themfor eighteen seconds in the microwave.  Wrap them up in a damp cloth and then shape into a taco shell when they come out fo the microwave. Allow it to cool and harden. Fill the tacos with fudge ripple ice cream to imitate the orgiinal recipe.Melt chocolate melting discs in microwave for thirty seconds. Stir and repeat until all the discs are smooth. Carefully spoon this over the tacos tops and then sprinkle on chopped peanuts. Return to freezer to harden. I realize that this recipe can have a lot of variations. For starters, why just have the fudge ripple? You can fill the tacos with any kind of ice cream. You can add in chopped berries , or flaked coconut for a fruity twist. Some nuts can also be tossed in for crunch. Skip the chcocolate and peanuts on top. Add a small bit of hot fudge  caramel or strawberry sauce. The tacos can be topped with wet walmuts or a layer of maraschino cherries instead of the peanuts. Of course sprinkles add a whole new level of fun and these would be perfect at any summer party.

There may be a movement to save this classic treat. Choco Tacos are a big part of the American landscape. Enjoy them and all their icy goodness.

The Humidity Diet

The humidity this time of year can be debilitating.It can leave you weak and loggy, ready to take a day long  nap instead of enjoying a summery day. Changing your diet can help tremendously .Doing such can help get you through these tropical times.

Ice cream would naturally be considered a treat when the temps reach the nineties.Yet it's one of the worst foods to have. Any sugar or cow's milk should be avoided.If you want something cold and refreshing think Italian ice,preferably the sugar free ones. If not , then just ice  cold bottled water with a squeeze of lemon or lime can do the trick to refresh. Oily and fried foods are another taboo. It may be easy to just order out burgers and fries along with a Coke but there's a price to pay afterwards.Also you may be tempted just to grill a steak or lamb chop too. Don't. Rich meats also affect your body. Try poached fish or steamed tofu in place or ribs or chicken wings. Any wheat product is also bad too so lay off those cookies and doughnuts.. One of the worst offenders is salt. As we all know it makes us retain water and bloating is the last thing anyone needs. Sea salt isn't as bad a culprit as regular table salt, but it is still salt. Go very easy with it. A tiny tiny pinch is all you need to flavor a dish.

What should you eat?Foods that keep the  moisture out of your body.Summer vegetables are here for a reason. Some of the best to eat are asparagus and cucumber along with summer squash and zucchini. Asparagus is great steamed  and cut into pieces  for a salad. Zucchini can be used in a ratatouille with tomatoes  for a tasty dinner. Cruciferous veggies such as arugula bok choy, cauliflower are also good to eat as are mustard greens, napa cabbage , radish and watercress. Think about a arugula salad graced with watercress and raw cauliflower. Napa cabbage can be made into a tangy Asian slaw with a light dressing of olive oil and ginger. Watercress salad is a nice alternative to regular Cobb lettuce.Try it with feta (a recommended dairy product OK to eat during these hot muggy days) and beets.If you're craving some kind of snack then think goat cheese on rice crackers or a fruity yogurt parfait layered with almonds . Berries also make a good treat because like other suggested fruits such as lemons and grapefruit.If the grapefruit is too tart then sprinkle stevia or the lesser sweet brown sugar on top.

Fight humidity with eating the right foods. You'll feel fresher and definitely more alive. Enjoy every summer day  without feeling draggy and tired.

Ricotta in The Summer

Ricotta is always associated with the winter dishes from dense lasagnas and manicotti to heavy cheesecakes. However ,it can also be used in very light and airy summer dishes too from simple pasta dishes to desserts. It's a great addition to a warm weather diet.

David Tanis knows this and wrote about it in his A City Kitchen Column in yesterday's New York Times Food section. He was also lucky to visit a sheep dairy on a recent trip to Sicily. Twice daily about five hundred sheep are milked which produces a normal one hundred gallons of milk into a large vat. After the cheese curds are ready and scooped into molds, the remaining whey , a thin watery looking liquid - is then poured into a huge kettle. It then takes an old school method, namely a wood fire to cook it. When the whey reaches the right temperature ricotta is formed , floating to the surface. This earns its' name ricotta or twice cooked This is not the usual stuff that supermarkets sell,this is the gourmet version. According to Mr. Tanis, sheep ricotta, like Greek yogurt is much lighter and also less in calories. Cheese shops and Italian import stores sell it. it has to be bought when fresh and only has a two day shelf life. You can use cow's milk ricotta but again, get  the artisanal kind, not the mass produced version.

Ricotta can be turned into both savory and sweet dishes. Mr. Tanis suggests using it for the traditional lasagna and ravioli but also as an ingredient for gnocchi.It is best in a light pasta dish. This is his recipe : Use any pasta  and while it is boiling,  soften a diced onion in olive oil.  Add chopped zucchini (or peas, or split cherry tomatoes) and let it soften as well. When the pasta is al dente, it joins the zucchini in the pan, followed by a good dollop of ricotta and a splash of the pasta’s cooking water. The ricotta melts to a creamy blanket  and a handful of grated pecorino or Parmesan brings it all together. A touch of lemon zest and a spoonful of basil pesto can also be tossed in for zing and color but that's up to you. A summery dessert is taking the same ricotta and mixing it with the berries of the season, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, along with three to four tablespoons of honey. Add a small splash of vanilla and lemon for more flavor. It can also be made into a creamy gelato as well and a different variation on ice pops.

Ricotta is not that heavy winter ingredient. It can be light and fresh and used in a variety of warm weather dishes. Try it in a summery pasta or dessert and taste its' delicate flavor.

Summer Food Gifts

What do you bring to summer parties? A bottle of wine or cake seems too wintry as does candy. You can take advantage of the warm weather harvests as well as lighter versions of cold weather hostess gifts.These are great for any barbecue or pool party.

Fruit trays are wonderful for any indoor or outdoor soiree. They're not only pretty but liked by almost everyone. A tray full of cut strawberries and melon is not only refreshing but elegant looking on any table. They're also soothing after a dinner of spicy ribs or fiery chicken wings.A fun gift is any kind of berry with either a can of whipped cream or a tub of Cool Whip.Layers these to create tasty and low calorie parfaits for the hosts and guests. Even more fun is bringing a whole watermelon.Everyone loves a sweet ,cool slice to finish after a feast. Ice cream is also a fun gift to bring to a summer party.You can treat everyone to sundaes by bringing not only a tub but also whipped cream ,syrups , nuts and candies.An ice cream cake such as the ones that Friendly's and Baskin Robbins sell.Baskin Robbins also sells mini cones that come twelve to a box.Bring these as a festive end to a get together.Friendly's also has ice cream cupcakes that are another neat hostess treat.If you can make homemade ice cream that's another sweet present that's always appreciated. Bringing sweet cool treats to a summer party are always fun.They're also thoughtful ways of saying thank you when you're invited to a warm weather get together.

Bibi'z Elegant NJ Dining

Elegant dining and New Jersey usually aren't used in the same sentence. However there are cities,such as Westwood, Red Bank , and Westfield that are known as restaurant towns. Westwood has several excellent places. one is Bibi'z an eatery that combines style with culinary savvy. I had the chance to eat there last night with friends. the vibe is Village trendy without the snobbery.There is a slant on Middle Eastern cooking .Hummus and lamb feature in the appetizers as the last is also prominent in the main courses too. The lamb appetizer I had was excellent. It was two small and meaty Tbone chops ,perfectly grilled. the inside was just tender to the point of melting in my mouth.I also had Bibi'z soup of the day, a bouillabaisse that had what tasted like duck and chicken in it. friends had the shrimp and braised lamb shanks ,which were said to be excellent. Of course the champagne we had with our meal added another special touch.It was the California Roederer Estate which was very brut Bibi'z dessert menu was as elegant as the rest of their menu.I could not resist their small bowl of jasmine infused sabayon over a trio of berries .It was delicate and creamy ,denser from the usual egg rich froth. The tiramisu also very good.What I also liked Bibi'z attention to their tea and coffee. I had the choice of seven or eight different flavors. With it came a small tray of additions such as lumps of both brown and white sugar ,a small flagon of honey and tiny lemon wedges. My friend's cappuccino came with the same sugar along with small bowls of shaved chocolate and ground cinnamon. New Jersey is known for its' raucous diners with their big platters of comfort food.However there are, small elegant restaurants - bistros really - that serve four star foods .Bibi'z is one of them. Bibi'z is located at 284 Center Ave., Westwood New Jersey 07675 go to www.bibi'z.com for reservations and to see the entire menu