Pre Party Eating

This is the season for parties - from office to home invites. The problem is that they start late - which is not good for those of us who like an early meal. Can we wait til eight or dine at nine? If we do , it's usually results in an attack on the hors d'ouevres or worse the booze. Both on an empty stomach can be hellish later on. What to do? Pre eat.

If you know you're going to party , then eat accordingly. It doesn't pay to snack through the afternoon and eveningon snacky kind of foods like chips and candy. (besides you don't want to when you're getting ready anyway - too messy). Your best bet is a light broth or even a Ramen soup. Both are light yet filling enough to sustain you until the festivites begin. Have them with crackers or Oysterettes. You could also have cheese such as Brie as a side This will give you some protein . This way you can nibble through the evening, having eaten something relatively substantial.

Another good idea is just a plain sandwich. Stick with a simple roast beef, chicken or turkey on white or whole wheat bread. If you want just add butter or mayo for some more taste. Some nutritionists recommend peanut butter which again is good. You can make a sandwich or have it with celery , bread sticks or on crackers . A healthy pre party snack are apple slices smeared with peanut butter.Another idea is eating a small fresh salad with a low calorie dressing or just fresh veggies with a dip. These are both good and light. Cut up apples and pears also are perfect foods to snack on as well. Again have with a light tea, gingerale or even water.

Eating late at a party is no big deal if you've already had something at your normal dinner time. Don't go overboard.Something light and filling with do the trick before tackling all those platters of goodies.

Budget Foodie Gifts

Last week I covered both high and mid priced foodie gifts. Today it's going to be all about completely affordable presents for your favorite food lover. The best part of this is that you can create your own or even just go to your local supermarket. Even better is that you can come up with a wide variety that suits every taste and passion.

Themed food baskets are always fun to give and receive.Your local grocery stores can make them up for you whether they 're cookies and brownies or fruits. However you can be equally creative as well. Buy baskets at your local craft or dollar store and start piling in all the good stuff. Soup lovers may appreciate the colorfully packaged bags of dry soup ingredients along with a variety of crackers such as Oysterettes and Ritz. You can even add bowls and spoons too. A variation of this is with chili. Create a basket full of different chilis along with cans of different beans. Toss in a bottle of water for some laughs too. A pasta lover could have a goodie basket with both regular and whole wheat pastas along with fancy jarred sauces. Toss in some inexpensive pasta tongs and some cheese to give it some polish

For sweets lovers think about holiday baking or even candy making. You can come up with some lovely cookie trays, interspersed with candy canes and Hershey's holiday wrapped kisses.Luckily even packaged cookie mixes can be turned into a variety of different treats. Chocolate chips can be dipped in chocolate and simple sugar cookies can be turned into snickerdoodles or almond twists. A fresh made batch of fudge or haystacks, coconut mounds are another present worth thinking about giving as are chocolate dipped pretzel rods. Another easy treat is chocolate bark. Just melt either white, dark, or milk chocolate chips , add nuts and other candies such as M&M's, peppermint shards and toffee. Let set and then break into pieces.Put into a festive tin or on a tray.

You can still give a lovely foodie gift for pennies. All it takes is creativity to come up with baskets or freshly made treats. These will make any food lover smile .

The Joy Of Japanese

There's nothing quite like Japanese food. It's a fun treat of textures melding with flavors and colors to create a different meal. The Japanese know how to blend simple ingredients to create just heavenly dishes. It's amazing how a few fried veggies can be turned into perfection.

After a long , dry spell I finally had the cuisine today! For me it's a welcome change from the usual Chinese and Italian lunches that I'm used to . What was even more fun is that it arrived in a bento box. The new local restaurant, Yama has brought authentic Japanese dishes and even dessert to my area. They have everything from the light but satisfying miso soup to teriyaki and tempura . What is even neat is that there is sushi included too. Their sushi bar has as much variety as larger Japanese restaurants, and their sushi chef can create both new and traditional rolls.

It was an absolute thrill to enjoy a crunchy tempura in a warmed soy teriyaki sauce . The light coating of panko breadcrumbs added instead of detracted as fried coatings often do. Another neat addition is adding broccoli to the mix which is delicious in tempura form.I also loved the fact that Yama gave veggie sushi rolls with the lunch. Again this was an added treat. It was chock full of carrots, avocado and cucumber. There was also a small salad with a special tomato dressing too.

Japanese food is always a fun treat. This local restaurant is a new favorite and I'm sure to be back soon. I'm looking forward to having their teriyaki and hibachi grilled dinners.

Yama is located on Main Street , Lodi New Jersey , 12 miles west of midtown Manhattan. Google or Bing for directions

A Soupcon of Soups

Cooler weather demands soups. Whether they be bisque or chowder, they are wonderful chill chasers, perfect for lunch or dinner. The question is what soup is what. Is a bisque easier to make than a chowder? Is a cream based one a bit more complicated than a regular one? What are the differences?

One of the easiest soups to make is broth. You can start off with either the easy or the hard method. The easy one just involves bouillon cubes and water. The hard way is boiling an entire chicken with onions and celery and then skimming off the fat. Making beef both is a little easier.It just involves soup bones and water, along with the required onions and celery. You can also add ground peppercorns, marjoram thyme and oregano along with garlic for flavor. This last is up to you .Fish stock is again like these other two except you add heads, fins and spines for a more fishier soup base. For a true soup you can then add other ingredients like the appropriate meats, more veggiessuch as tomatoes and peppers along with pasta. For cream soups add a cup or more of milk or cream . You can also add butter too for extra richness.

What's the difference between chowder and bisque? Chowder is chunkier, usually with chunks of any kind of vegetables and seafood, hence Manhattan , New England and Rhode Island clam chowders. However you can make a potato or corn chowder too , just by using these veggies alone. Bisque is more refined, being smoother in texture and creamier. Bisque is also made more with seafood and has the extra oomph of cognac or wine added. Both soups are French in origin. Chowder comes from chaudiere , the large pot French fisherman used to boil their catches along with foraged vegetables. They came to the New England coast in the 1750's bringing this recipe with them. Bisque is from the Bay of Biscay in southern France on the Atlantic and the word is a derivation of Biscay. There is also another similar soup called biscay where heavily spiced game birds are subbed in instead of the fish.

Nothing beats any kind of soup in this chilly weather. it's easy to make and is always a treat , whether for lunch or dinner. You can try your hand at any one, a chunky chowder or a refined bisque. You can even just make a simple chicken soup to warm up empty tummies.

Foodie Sick Day Kit

Yes it's that time of the year when flues and viruses make their debuts. It's also the time of year to stock up on the essentials, mandatory for any sick day. You'll feel better knowing that these are just at your fingertips. After all who wants to go grocery shopping with a high fever or a bad cold?

The most important item to have is bouillon cubes. These are priceless because they can just be boiled into broth or as the base for any soup. You can buy them in chicken, beef and even vegetable. The broth can also be used as the boiling water for rice when you're sick. Everyone recommends this grain however it's a bit blah when boiled in just plain water. The broth flavors it and it does become a tasty dinner.Stock up on rice as well. You can use it in soups or plain as well as your family having something easy to cook when you're down. Another grain is oatmeal. Again, it's a good and bland start to the day and also it's another easy thing your family can cook.

Another idea is stocking up on everything instant. If you're not big on making your own soups then buy a few cans of chicken soup with anything. These are so easy to heat up.Even your littlest cooks can make a nice bowl of satisfying soup.. Also buy a few extra canned veggies that are quick and easy to make. As you're coming out of your sickness, you want to cook foods that are easy to prepare. They're also easy for the family's non chefs to prepare as well. After all you can't screw up opening a tin and then nuking the contents.. Another ideal stock up are pasta and noodles. They can be easily boiled and served wit just a simple sauce of melted butter.

This is the time of year when all those nasty little flu bugs want you. Have your kitchen prepared with easy go to foods that are a cinch to cook. That way you can just concentrate on getting better instead of worrying about your meals.

From Hot To Cold

A favorite dish is a favorite dish no matter what the season. Yet what happens when those tummy warming meals are to be craved during these hot days? Adapt them to summer cooking. You can still have your delicious favorites yet prepare them in easy hot weather friendly ways. You not only enjoy them but also cook them in a way that’s comfortable during these sweltering times.

The microwave is the best way to make any quick version of a meal. You can still have a warm dinner but in half the time. A fun dish that can be adapted to the summer is baked mac and cheese. You can mix Velveeta along with already boiled macaroni and some milk. Add a quarter cup of flour for shortening and it’s an easy to do fave. If you want crunch, add some bacon croutons or a layer of bread crumbs on top for layering. Spaghetti is easy to. You can easily boil up some and for a fresh sauce just saute some basil garlic and sliced fresh tomatoes. It’s a different spin on a sauce, yet it still tastes the same but with a garden fresh tang.

You can even make a hot lunch during these sweltering days. A hot sandwich is a nice break from cold ones and wraps. You can buy already sliced cold cuts form your local deli or supermarket Put on sliced bread or roll and add some already made hot gravy. It’s not cooking but with a lot of flavor. Homemade soup is another noon favorite . You can make any stock on a stovetop. Then add whatever you want . if not just buy the already made ones. Then add fresh veggies for a nice garden vegetable or try making bisques using fresh seafood and meats.

Just because it’s summer it doesn’t mean you have to give up your winter favorites. Adopt recipes to fit these hot steamy days. It's surprisingly simple.

The Versatile Chickpea

Chickpeas are one of the most versatile beans a cook can use. They can be dried, mashed or fried. They can be used in dips or soups. They are the perfect ingredient for any dish , in any season.

Chickpeas have been around since our Neanderthal days. There is evidence of the dried beans in caves found in Southern France. It was first cultivated in Asia and the Middle East in larger quantities. The name comes from the Latin cicer and pease or pea. It was then called chichepea in Medieval France and then shortened to chick pea or by the English who called it the cavalance too.It is also called garbanzo by the Italians which comes from the old Spanish garroba or algarroba although another theory is that it's from the Basque garbantzu.

Chickpeas are a wonderful addition to any dish. They add a rich meatiness and texture to salads along with color .Mashed them and add olive oil and spices to make a creamy, smooth and nutty hummus for dips. Chickpeas are also a wonderful addition to minestrone and pasta e fagiole. They do not become soggy, or mushy. Another way of having them is dried and salted. This is a popular and addictive snack at Italian street fairs. The Greeks love them cooked with spinach and feta cheese ans a tasty side dish.

Chick peas are a wonderful addition to any meal. They add a nuttiness and a meatiness to any salad, soup ro dip. Try them for a delightful variation.

Summer Stock

How can you enjoy this summer's vegetables all year long? By turning them into delicious soups you can enjoy all year round. This is the time to turn that bumper crop into yummy chowders and bisques . Then you can freez e them for those blisteringly cold winter days when a steaming bowl is called for.

The best kind of soup to make is a vegetable. This is a great way of getting rid of extra tomatoes, celery and onions. You can make it vegetarian by creating your own or adding a store bought vegetarian bouillion. Finely chop the veggies and saute in olive oil until translucent. Add to stock. You can also throw in garlic and chopped leeks for flavor. If you want to make an Italian minestrone add some elbow macaroni along with red wine and kidney beans, Some minestrones call for spinach and cabbage. You can certainly add those for a heartier, thicker soup.

Your garden veggies also go well in bisques and chowders. Tomato bisque is a delicious turn on classic tomato soup. Bisques are more of a potage, usually made with milk and flour,although you can add cream. Tomatoes are then added , These are usually stewed thus giving the soups chunky texture. Veggie chowders are another wonderful dish to whip up. Chowders are, by definition a thick soup, usually made with seafood such as clam chowders and thickened with a potato or tomato base. However ex out the clams or any other fish and sub in corn. fresh from the ear niblets are the best for these because they give it a delicate sweetness. Also add garden fresh onions or scallions for some bite.

You can taste summer all year long in a homemade soup. Use the veggies you're growing now for a tasty winter dish that 'll warm you up like the summer sun. They are the perfect souvenir of a bountiful July or August.!

A Grateful Nod To Japan

As our hearts and prayers turn towards Japan we have to thank this ancient and interesting nation for their culinary gifts. They have contributed so much to the international table. They've brought to us favorites that are a big part of our lives . After all there's nothing like a Japanese dinner.

One of the biggest and most popular dishes from the Japanese islands is sushi. Everyone around the world has take the savory rolls to their hearts. Ironically enough the dish first came from China and made its' way over to Japan. Sushi became big int he last two centuries and it was first eaten as fish wrapped in rice. there was no artful presentation to it. That changed when the inventor of modern sushi, Hanaya Yohei, decided to put the fish on a little bed of rice. Now it;s fused with the west to create California rolls and variations using avocado and scallions. Sushi is a staple in every mall nowadays and its' garnered a worldwide cadre of fans.

The Japanese also give us the fragrant and delicious miso soup. This is simply a broth made with tofu and miso or dasho. it can be flavored with shiitake mushrooms kelp, sardines , bonito or seaweed. It's usually starts off a meal in a Japanese restaurant. Of course there are the two classics. tempura and teriyaki. tempura which comes from the Portuguese missionaries and from the Latin meaning times was eaten during the Lenten period. it is simply vegetables (and sometimes fish and meat such as chicken ) dipped in a fine coating and then fried. Teriyaki is grilled chicken or fish after its'; been soaked in a soy sauce marinade. It's usually served with rice.

Japan has given us a multitude of culinary gifts. Their food has given the world table some much beloved dishes over the years. Our thoughts are with them now.

Ash Wednesday Time For Changes

Today is Ash Wednesday in the Christian calendar. it;s a time when most give up their favorite foods or even necessities like butter and milk. It;s a season of fasting however it's may also be a time to look change dietary ways.

Most people usually give up some food that they love for Lent. Some even go vegan which is a good idea. This is the time to explore other options, such as soy and quorn. Once you've given up faves like bacon or burgers you can look into the soy alternatives which taste the same and are good for you. (let's face it we all will crave the foods we give up.)These are great subs if you;re completely dying for bacon and eggs or just a nice grilled cheese burger. If you're giving up dairy and butter, then then are also soy made alternatives. Not only is there soy milk , but also almond and rice. As for butter there is pure coconut oil to cook with and the old standard margarine.

For those of you who have given up sweets, think about the alternative - fresh fruit. This is the time to become reacquainted with bananas , apples and oranges. Instead of craving a Hershey's kiss , think about a nice , juicy, iron rich grape. If you feel like ice cream,. then then eat a fruit yogurt which has plenty of calcium but little calories. You'll also feel better too because you're eating fiber and protein as opposed to allergy inducing glutens. Forbidding yourself that piece of cake never felt so good - or so right. too

Lent should be the time of fasting and repentance but it can also be a time of rediscovery. Giving up the bad means eating healthy. You may just change over to this lifestyle year round.

Want Pure and Natural? Try Vegan Essentials

Years ago it was hard getting all natural food.You usually had to go to out of the way health food stores or scour your supermarket aisles Then came the Internet and with it search engine and goo s all natural food sites. One is Vegan Essentials which offers cruelty free and mostly all organic foods . You can get everything from breakfasts to snacks to party foods here.



Vegan Essentials is a great place for any vegetarian along with animal rights activist. here you can get tasty soy based main dishes like faux chicken nuggets and pulled pork . They taste like the real thing and are lifesavers when cooking for an all vegan household. There are even "chicken soup mixes that taste like the real thing with soy bits filling in for the bird. You can even buy fake soy meat loaf and fish flavored fingers too if you're craving them.Another plus is that Vegan Essentials also has some good cheese products as well as ethnic foods. They have a wide range of Indian and Mexican, perfect for vegans craving variety.



The site also offers some yummy sweets too. Here I found Sweet Money cookies as well as the Liz Lovely ones I wrote about yesterday. VE also offers some tasty all natural doughnuts and best of all that Midwestern treat Kringle! Theirs is rich and buttery , surprising, because it is dairy free (I don't know how they do it)! The site sells all natural gum and chocolate too! I think on my next visit , I'll order the all natural gumballs from Dylan and Delaney along with reordering these fantastic after dinner mints called Summerdown Pure Mints. These are bitter chocolate with a refreshing all natural mint added to them.


Vegan Essentials is perfect if you're looking for all natural, cruelty free foods. It's also good if you;re thinking of converting over to a healthier lifestyle. the food is still yummy whether it's a main meal or a snack. Visit them today and check out their other cool products too!

Holiday Roasts

With Christmas a week away and New Year's a mere two weeks its time to start thinking of what you;re going to be cooking. Moat of you have visited your butchers or your grocery;'s meat counter. Some of you are still in a quandary over what to serve. The best bet is the traditional roast. Here's the question. Roasted what?

Most people usually go for ham or turkey. If you're of German descent the first is always the preferred choice. Ham is relatively easy to bake or roast.It usually just takes an hour and can be glazed with a number of coverings. Pineapple juice and ginger ale are the most popular simply because they break down the pork enzymes, rendering the meat almost butter soft. Turkey again is a great choice because you can feed a large number of people with it it;s also more kid friendly too. Besides there's nothing like leftover turkey too the next day,.

For other ideas think about a whole roast pork or even London broil. Loin of pork can be intimidating to cook at first because of the size. However it;s really no different than any other roast. it takes about two hours to cook. and it's a dry roast. Unlike other roasts you can have fun flavoring it. Try a marinade in either lemon juice or vinegar to break down the enzyme s to make it tender. You can also use a flavorful rub for added taste. London broil is another good holiday choice. It does have to be marinaded for about four hours. You can use garlic, soy or even balsamic vinegar for flavor and then cook for half an hour. London broil is great for smaller dinner parties and just family gatherings.

A holiday roast is always special .You can have tradition with ham or turkey or something new with pork roast or London broil Whatever you choose will be perfect for your Christmas or New Year's table.

Pumpkin Goodness

This is the high season for pumpkins. People are gleefully picking them in pumpkin patches around the US, gathering up big ones and little ones, perfectly round one and lumpy bumpy ones. Yet the pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamins and beta carotene as well. It;s also a versatile gourd that can be use din everything from savory to sweet.



For savory dishes the gourd is versatile . One of my favorite recipes (as fans already know) is pumpkin soup. The recipe is my great grandmother's and is a staple of the Val Susa in western Piedmonte (on the French border)It is a rich creamy bisque like soup; redolent with pumpkin

onion and chicken broth. Another pumpkin savory dish is curry fritters. these are a fiery spicy dish , perfect fo r your Halloween party or even as a Thanksgiving appetizer.You can also use pumpkin as a filling for ravioli and lasagna. However if you do this go easy on the tomato sauce. I prefer pumpkin filled ravioli with a light sage and butter sauce.



Of course pumpkin is phenomenal in sweet dishes. Nothing beats a fresh made pumpkin bread, or muffins. These are staples of fall brunches and go well when topped with cream cheese. Pumpkin mousse is another yummy treat and it's a spin on the famous pie It;s made like pie filling yet without a heavy crust.It's usually served with whip cream and maybe a splash of brandy on top. Are there pumpkin cookies? Yes!!!! I found two recipes, one like gingerbread and th e other with an oatmeal base.



Go wild in the pumpkin patch. Don't just buy the gourds for decoration. Buy a few extra for some savory and sweet dishes. They are the perfect source of vitamins as well as being one of the most versatile fall vegetables!

Comfort Food For Chilly Days

As we glide from October to November it;s time to think about what warms us up and keeps us happy. What makes a good comfort food on a brisk , day or during a cold, rainy evening? All of us have our favorites. It could be a bowl of hot soup or a nice grilled cheese. Comfort food could star the day off or end it.

Soup is always a good warmer upper for these late October days. It's light yet filling and acts almost as antifreeze against the damp and nip. I always like pumpkin soup on those days. it;s filling and hearty while connecting me to my family and their past. There's also something soothing about the mix of the pumpkin blend with milk and butter as well. Another fall favourite is beef or mushroom barley soup. One of my favorite Jersey diners The Coach House in North Bergen has an excellent version of it, with the soup being more of a potage , rich with large beef and tomato chunks. Another comfort food that I like is a good bacon and eggs meal. Mind you, I eat soy bacon these days but the taste is the same as the real stuff. It makes for a great Sunday night dinner with toast and tea.

Other people have their own cold weather comfort foods. meat loaf is big this time of year. Some friends of mine find it their security blanket during rough times. Their version of it is a couple of slabs of it smothered in gravy with a side of mashed potatoes. others like the foods of their heritage such as my Greek friends with their passion for dolmades or Chinese students loving hot noodle dishes , reminiscent of ones that neighborhood street vendors back home sell

Everyone has their favorite cold weather comfort foods. What's yours? Is it a warm breakfast that prepares you for the day?A hot soup after a stressful business meeting? Or a childhood favorite to be savored over a Saturday of raking leaves? Every one has a go to comfort food. Let's hear from you foodies out there about makes you happy during these chill, brisk autumn days.
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Food Of The Rising Sun

Recently I wrote about Bento boxes , one small aspect of Japanese cuisine. However the Land of The Rising Sun has many different and delicious dishes. Some are native, some taken from the Portuguese sailors who once traded with the islands. It is a varied menu, full of soups, fried, raw and cooked foods.

Most Americans only know sushi and the Benihana style of Japanese cooking. Yet there's so much more. there's tempura, taken from the Portuguese which is fried batter dipped veggies. These are wonderful if done right and usually can be ordered as an appetizer or a main meal. There is also yakitori a savory sweet chicken kabob. Sometimes just the chicken is served sans skewers with just the yakitori sauce, It's usually made with mirin or sake and maple syrup or honey. Another favorite is miso soup, a clear broth made from fermented barley rice or soy beans seasoning,. Vegetables or tofu is usually added . A pork version called tonjiro is also popular.

Of course there is sushi. This is a staple now in American diet and is the fun Saturday night out go to meal. it's nothing more than vinegared rice with veggies or fish added. There are four different types of sushi, Nigiri-sushi: which is sushi with the ingredients on top of a block of rice.
Maki-zushi:or"roll sushi", this is where rice and seafood or other ingredients are placed on a sheet of seaweed or nori and rolled into a cylindrical shape on a bamboo mat and then cut into smaller pieces. Then there is temaki. It's basically the same as others except that it's rolled into a cone-shape with the ingredients placed inside. Sometimes referred to as a "hand-roll".
The last is chirashi: or"scattered". Chirashi involves fresh sea food, vegetables or other ingredients being placed on top of sushi rice in a bowl or dish.


Japanese food is an amazing and mouth watering array of different tastes and textures. it;'s been influenced b y tradition and foreigners, the land and the sea. It reflects the many facets of an ancient yet totally modern country in tune with itself and its' people.