The Maserati Of Coffee Machines

 A good coffee machine can last decades if treated properly. This is the case with La Marzocco coffee maker. It produces good coffee year after year.It can elevate any coffee shop, from a chain one to a small Indy one. Even the older ones are in strong demand.

Regular Contributor Priya Krishna wrote about this gem in yesterday's New York Times Wednesday Food section. La Marzocco has been around since 1927, first being made in Florence,Italy. Fifty years ago  a Seattle cafe owner, Kent Bakke,  visiting the city was amazed by a coffee machine that had two separate boilers.One was for steaming milk while the other was for brewing coffee, allowing the Emily to stay hot while not scorching the brew. A decade later he signed a deal with the company , then sold several machines to a local coffee start up named Starbucks . Thanks to the machine, the coffee and the cafes became big hits.Today La Marzocco is now in fifteen per cent of coffee shops according to Andrew Daday, the managing director of La Marzocco US; The name may not be known to most of America but Americans are well familiar with the machines and their sturdy clean lines, stainless steel finishes and the company name affixed in angular lettering.

While new ones are wanted by cafes wanting to make excellent coffee ,it;s the second hand retro ones that are in demand. Like classic Itlalian cars the need for them is intense ,competitive and brisk,News of their availability is mostly spread by word of mouth. There is a problem though. Scams abound. The deals can be great. A used one can sell for half the price of a new one., though for rare ones the price can exceed a brand new machine;It is cool to own a previously owned one.Nathan Smith who first repaired one back in 20 12 when he was working for Blue Bottle Coffee in Oakland California. A few years later he opened his own coffee shop in Old Fort North Carolina, he heard from a coworker that the same machine was up for sale.By that point it had made the rounds at several cafes. He had to have to and bought it for $2500 , but the price wasn't;t the main selling point. He compares ot to a Seventies Honda Civic. It;s rebuilt with different parts and retro cool.Some coffee shop owners have bought ones from the Fifties starting at $75,00,

A good machine will produce good coffee, La Marzocco is one of those machines.They give give America a great  cup for great comfort

Your Own Ice Cream Shop

 One of the most trips in summer is heading to the local ice cream shop. Yet these are becoming few and far between. Then there is the price. An average sundae can cost as much as six dollars just for two scoops with chocolate syrup. A better idea is making everything yourself .Besides it's more fun to create some sweet treats on your own.

The base of any ice cream shop is the ice cream itself. You can easily buy or make it depending on your schedule. Start with the basics  - vanilla and chocolate These work with any kind of ice cream dish. Vanilla and chocolate ice cream is easy to make.An easy vanilla recipe just calls for two cups heavy whipping cream, condensed milk and one tablespoon of vanilla extract.It's whipping the cream into soft peaks and then adding the remaining ingredients. There's no churning or even ice cream maker needed. Just place in a container and freeze for at least six hours or until firm. This also is the recipe for easy chocolate ice cream except there is also the addition of half a cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, whether regular or Dutch processed.If you want something a bit more adventurous then try a coffee which is great with chocolate syrup or a berry  - the perfect way to use up fresh strawberries or blueberries. For the coffee add  a chilled half cup of coffee . Sub in whole milk for condensed. As for an quick berry ice cream.mash berries and cook with a bit of water and sugar in a sauce pan. Let cool and add to the vanilla mix..

Can you make cones too? Yes! ice cream cones do require egg whites to give it to that stuff texture that holds up to melting ice cream scoops. You'll also need super fine sugar , whole milk, whole flour and vanilla extract.It's then cooking them in an oiled skillet not unlike a pancake. Once baked into little cakes they're then shaped with a cone roller (where you can find on Amazon).  Waffle cones are a bit more cakier thanks to the addition of one whole egg along with the white of another for a good stiff texture. .A quarter of a stick of melted butter is also added for richness.  You can't use a regular waffle maker for this You'll need a waffle cone maker to give you a thinner ,crispier cone.  what about waffle bones that hols more ice cream along with sauce and toppings. You can use a regular waffle maker for this  along with an  everyday waffle recipe. It;s then putting the hot waffles into a bowl to shape them. Any ice cream treat needs a good sauce for fun and flavor. CHocolate sauce just requires water sugar  , vanilla extract and sugar to create a thin syrup  that's also perfect in egg creams. A decadent hot fudge sauce requires     butter, corn syrup for texture along with heavy cream,vanilla extract and cocoa powder. Caramel sauce  is another yummy topping. For a truly rich one use six tablespoons of butter mixed with  half a cup of heavy cream granulated sugar and water along with a small pinch of  flaky sea salt for contrast.

Imagine having your own ice cream parlor with Tim's of homemade yummy treat, You can. It's easy to make your own ice cream and sauces, sugar  and waffle cones and bowls to create perfection.

Drinks Your Way

 Gone are the days of ord er ing a plain soda ,coffee or tea. Now drinks are c customized with a shot of this and a dash of that. Is customizing drinks the wave of the future? Absolutely.

Regular contributor Priya Krishna wrote about this phenomenon in today"s Wednesday New York Times Food section! Give Sonic and Starbucks f9r this.They were thefirstto co e up w8thcustomized drinks to suit customers` tastes. In fact many of Sonics more popular drink flavors started out as requests.Its the American need for individuality and energy that drives people to want to have a meld of flavors coupled with a boost of power.At CosMc, McDonald's new off shoot cafe customers can order all sort-of beverages31They are big om tossing in v erything from sprinkles and whipped cream to boba or tapioca pearls.There arestraight coffees and teas for those who aren t into this craze.Starbucks also sees that one in every three drinks gets modified.The three most popular are a shot of espresso, a pump of any flavored syrup and a cap of cold brew foam.Now independent coffee shops are also following through

According to Nic Modi a cohead of consumer research at RBC  Capitol Markets in Toronto Americans risk diversification have grown to vary widely.People love add ins in their beverages. However individual choices are not cheap.Ana Mills in Tallahassee Florida has so many extras in her coffee that the final product costs close to ten dollars at her local Starbucks. Her coffee is like a cake with its add ins of vanilla bean powder, vanilla syrup a lining of caramel syrup and cinnamon cold foam. Every month 200 dollars are gone because of desire.For some customized brews are an addiction.Adriana Loza of San Antonio visits her local Dutch Brothers Coffee for two mixed brews and one energy drink every day.She needs her cookie butter lattes for morning her Poppin Boba Fire Lizard drink for the afternoons and her Iced Caramel Pumpkin Brulee Breve for night.Without them she cannot cope with small kids or Texas heat, 

Is coffee just coffee, plain and dark and simple. Yes. However others c wan to add and add to this perfect on its own drink.Is this a trend. Yes.

Cold And Easy

 This is the time for a cold dessert or snack. Nothing beats soemthing that's a  snap to make  along with being eeasy to prepare. Look to some simple sweets that are frosty and delicious.

Many love homemade ice cream. Nothing beats the taste of a homemade chocolate or vanilla.Home chefs can create an eggless one using cocoa powder, whole milk, sugar and heavy cream . A dash of vanilla is thrown in to heighten the chocolate flavor. Everything is whisked together and the put in the fridge for thirty minutes before it s oured into an ice cream maker. You can add chocolate chips or even nuts for a Rocky Road flavor. Vanilla ice cream is also an easy make.I'ts just taking whole milk and combining it with heavy cream granulated sugar and vanilla. You can also make a vegan version using coocnut or plant based milk milk and cashew butter. It still uses vanilla as flavor. You could also try an ice cream that doesn;t require a machine.Melissa  Clark offers a  no churn caramel one in Wednesday's New York Times  Food section.It's an easy make of whipped cream,  blended with  a  can or jar of dukce de leche . A sprinkle of flaky sea salt cuts the sugariness. Serve ti in a cone of waffle bowl, with a spoonful of hot fudge for decadence.

That Italian classic granita is another cool treat that's super easy to make. A favorite is a coffee granita, a homemade ice that's served with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.Mix three cups of strong espresso with three fourths cup of sugar and teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir until everything is dissolved and pour into a nine by thirteen inch pan. Place the pan in the freezer for one hour until the mixture becomes slushy. Rake the crystals with a dinner fork to break up the crystals. Pop back into the freezer and then rake it every thirty minutes. Serve in parfait or martini glasses with a drizzle of chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Granita can be made with fruit too. You just need four cups of any cubed fruit, a quarter cup of any flavorful liquid and a quarter cup of granulated sugar. A pinch of salt can be added to bring out the fruit's flavor. As for the flavorful liquid, try lemon or lime juice but even wine or kombucha can do. Puree all the ingredients and then freeze in a metal pan. Freeze anywhere between thirty and forty five minutes and start to flake it with a fork afterwards. Keep doing this every thirty minute two or three times. It't then frozen for four hours before serving.

A sweet cold treat is just as easy to make as it is to eat. Make a quick ice cream or granita to beat the heat.It's great way to beat the summer heat.

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.

Your Main Baking Ingredient Ice Cream

 It is too hot to bake a cake or pie.What do you do though to celebrate birthdays or just finish a nice family barbecue? You can still have these treats just think cold. Using ice cream as the base for any treat is the perfect way to have your cake or pie and eat it too.

One of the most popular summertime cakes in the US is the Dairy Queen Ice cream cake. Yes, you can buy it at any Dairy Queen however you can make it with your favorite flavors. If you're making the original start with the chocolate layer first. Spread the ice cream into an either eight by three or nine inch cake pan. A springform pan would be your best bet because it will hold the shape more. After filling pop into the freezer for half an hour. The gooey middle section is actually a ganache with corn syrup added. Adding this prevents it form freezing and gives it that classic oozy texture. Freeze for then minutes.Then there is that layer of chocolate crunchies. This can be ground up Oreos or better yet Nabisco Chocolate Wafers. These last  work the best because it's a cleaner layer without the white filling clumping it up.After layering this on, frreze for another half hour. The vanilla layer is added on last and then the whole cake is frozen until firm. Real whipped cream is added on. Add confectioner's sugar to prevent the cream from wilting. Keep in mind you can add any kind of ice cream. Try mint and chocolate or coffee and vanilla for a different flavor. You can also do this with ice cream cupcakes too.

Ice cream pies are an easier make.You can create your own Graham cracker or chocolate wafer crust. This is just griniding up the cracker or wafers and adding four to six tablespoons of melted butter or plant based butter. Press into a pie plate and then put in any ice cream you want. Try a classic vanilla in a Graham cracker crust and topped with sea salt caramel and nuts. You can also use the chocolate wafer crust too. Peach ice cream would also work well in a Graham cracker crust too. Add fresh cut peach slices for extra deliciousness.For a mocchaccino vibe think filling a chocolate crust with coffee ice cream. Serve with a dolllop of hot fudge sauce and a puff of whipped cream. This also works for chocolate chip mint  and strawberry ice cream too. Of course it's sheer heaven with chocolate ice cream too.Add sprinkles, whipped cream or chocolate chips. Crushed toffee on both vanilla and chocolate pies is also a great topping. Keep in mind that that you can also make ice cream tarts too this way.

It's easy to make a cake or pie even though the temps are high. Just use your favorite ice cream as the base. Create a yummy dessert that's a cool, sweet treat.

One Steak Many Ways

 Steak is one of the most versatile cuts. It can be smoky, spicy, mellow. It can be grilled or sauteed. It's perfect on the grill or just air fried.It makes for the perfect summer dinner.

Before you buy know the different cuts. There are actually seventeen (!) types of steak.Decide which one fits what you want to do.Rib eye steak is the most famous and well loved.It's marbled with rich fat so all it needs is a good sprinkling of sea salt and freshly ground pepper. It's better cooked om a grill or in a cast iron skillet with some butter.Filet mignon is one of those luxurious cuts. It has a melt in your mouth quality and is usually the most expensive. It's good on it's own but you could add some lemon butter to it. Strip steak is one of the most popular . You can get it with the bone Kansas City style or New York , which is without the bone.This is a versatile  cuts You can grill, pan fry or air fry it. Yes it's good on it's own but you can also add  a spice rub or a marinade. A good spice one has brown sugar mixed with paprika and garlic powder. Some add coffee too , both in wet and dry marinades.It's better in wet marinades because the grounds can be a bit too much (and can give you a really wild buzz). A good coffee marinade has the drink mixed with soy sauce, sesame seeds and Worcestershire sauce.

If you want to treat yourself think a  juicy Porterhouse steak.This thick cut is perfect marinated in a herbal marinade and then grilled. You could also do a wet rub of olive oil and ground black pepper.Another popular cut is the flank steak. It  is served with a salsa verde sauce or chimichurri . This is a mix of fresh oregano, parsley and cilantro mixed with olive oil and red wine vinegar Garlic is also added as is hot pepper flakes. You could also try a blend of olive oil any citrus juice like lemon or lime plus soy sauce.A similar cut is the skirt steak. Thanks to the abundance of connective tissue (it comes from the cow's belly) it can be tough in texture. It needs a good marinade to soften it. Try one with olive oil and lemon juice. Add some herbs like rosemary and oregano for more flavor.One of the most affordable cuts is the flat iron steak. This truly is a versatile. cut.It can be pan cooked, air fried, grilled or even slow cooked. To get the best of its' flavor try a simple marinade of just olive oil , garlic and herbs.It's perfect like this, with a potato and salad but it can also be put into a fajiita too.Two other versatile pieces are sirloin steak and London Broil. These are best oven cooked, with just salt and pepper on them. They're great cold being made into sandwiches too,.

Any cut of steak is great for a warm summer night. It can be cooked any way and is delicious. Get the cut you want and create a tasty meal. 

A Brave New World

 As much as we need our gall bladders , we actually don't need them. Humans , surprisingly can live without them.There will changes to diet but life can continue on without thus tiny organ.

I'm about to find out how much I can live without this yellowish green little pear on Wednesday when I have it removed. A lot has changed since my grandfather's day when he had his (just two months before I was born). Gallbladder removal  usually required a week long hospital stay after a five inch incision was made in the upper right abdomen. Not anymore. The operation is now known as a "procedure" and treated much the same way as a tooth extraction (this is where I shake my head)It's laparoscopic and will only take an hour and a half.. A small video camera is in placed  in one of the four incisions in the upper right quadrant .Special, small surgical instruments are also inserted to sever the bile ducts. These are reattached to one leading into the upper intestine. You usually (and I'm hoping to go home) leave after four or five hours in the recovery unit unless something happens such as an infection. Then it's four days of hospital food.I'm hoping for the best, preparing for the worst. I'll be off for a week or two .

When I come back it's discovering and writing about a whole new world. Digestion is tricky at best without a gall bladder.I will have to eat smaller meals more often. Think grazing.This I don't mind.because I do this anyway.  My body won't  be able to process Fried foods such as potato chips and fries are definitely off the table. fried meats like chicken are also a lifelong ban (although I could sneak in a drumstick every now and then).Foods should be baked, steamed or broiled. There should be more fruits and veggies on my plate which is a plus. One,'I'm a big believer of using fresh fruits and veggies whenever the season and, two I do love them. I will have to put a kabosh on cookies and snack cakes (although like the chicken leg,I could sneak in one or two every now and then),Caffeine, whether in soda, coffee or tea is also not allowed. Caffeine increases the amount of stomach acid which in turn makes the stomach empty faster. There could be more gas, sharp pains and bloating. The same is said of chocolate which will be limited to once in a blue moon. My diet will be different but healthier.

This little pear has caused me trouble over the years but I will miss her. This new world is going to be scary and frustrating. As with any new venture.I will do the best I can.

Lambing Season

 It's easter and you know what that means - thousands of home bakers will be baking a variety of lamb, egg and bunny shaped cakes again. Is it time to go through another round of intense holiday baking? You bet it is!

Three years I was following my Mom's tradition of baking lamb cakes for everyone. The pandemic hit and for two years Easter was a small affair with a lovely small cake from my local Acme. Now that life is back to normal, I'll be back at the Acme in search of cake mixes, Dream Whip for body, confectioner's sugar and flour.This mold will see active duty again this week and next for Orthodox Easter,It also means a thorough oven cleaning as well.

Of course there are questions and planning. For one friend, maybe a vanilla cake with a strawberry icing. For my house - the ever popular chocolate cake with a coffee frosting for a little brown lamb. Greek Orthodox friends always want the traditional  vanilla cake and vanilla frosting - there can be no other.I've been checking out my go to and best website for frosting recipes Two Sisters to see if there's a different type of coating to try. Then there's the question of full vegan for friends. Do I add almond milk and Just Egg to their cakes as well or can I use real eggs and milk for a fuller bodied cake? The decorations also count.Luckily food coloring has an indefinite shelf life so I can use the ones from the last lamb cake frenzy. As for the chocolate lamb, chocolate decorations work best, so it's buying a new tin of cocoa (and plan making and baking everything from mole to chocolate meringues this Spring). I know I'm not doing a tester cake like I did the last time. There was so much cake by Easter time. I will also need cupcake papers because there will be extra batter  and icing. The overage will yield two or three little cakes which are fun to decorate.

Yes, lambing season is here. That means my oven will be busy once more creating the cake everyone loves.It is a lot of work, but to seeing smiles of gratitude are worth all the baking and frosting.

Shared Food Shared Thoughts

 It's hard during a pandemic and widening political divide to reach out Yet today is a reminder that we can do just that. What better way is there than sharing home grown crops or something from the oven. Food can unite us better than ideologies.

Sharing your back yard harvest is one way of reaching out. Consider splitting your late summer crops with those struggling with putting food on the table. Donate those extra carrots and tomatoes to your local food banks or just to neighbors , family and friends who need food If you're planting your fall crops such as turnips and beans, try to plant extra so you can give away the overage. This is the time to take all those tomatoes and make sauce.Save a few jars for your kids' teachers or even your postal workers. Include boxes of pasta and maybe a shaker of cheese. (It's even better if you can make the pasta) Baking is another way of showing thanks and unity. Bake some cupcakes for a elderly neighbor who has become a recluse thanks to the pandemic. If you're still into baking bread, then make extra loaves for neighbors. You may not see eye to eye on certain matters but at least you can agree on a warm and crusty loaf.

Another way of showing compassion and unity is by visiting struggling mom and pop eateries , These are still trying to survive even though some pandemic restrictions have been listed. Now many are just getting back on their feet thanks to Hurricane Ida closing or damaging them. Try to have a night out, possibly a Saturday or Sunday eating out or take out supper. Doing such is a nice weekend treat whether it's just a coffee and a croissant or a whole pizza or a plate of dim sum.Remember to generously tip the waitstaff and delivery people. They are struggling as well and just getting back their financial footing. Also consider buying gift certificates from these eateries as well. It's a a good make  up gift if you've been having political differences with friends or loved ones. Better yet take those out  for a dinner or even quick snack. You may forget why you were disagreeing in the first place.

Today reminds us that we were all united once. We all need to be that way again. What better than to close the divide with food, a symbol of togetherness , nurturing and peace

A Hot Cup On A Cold Night

 The weather around most of the country is frigid. The nights are even worse. We have to stay in anyway. Why not do it with a good hot cup a sweet treat and a good book. It's a perfect way to while away a blizzard or nor' easter. let it snow. You'll be inside, cozy and warm, a steaming mug by your side, with something sweet to nibble on.

As far as drinks, a nice herbal tea is the perfect cup for right now. There are a lot out there right now. What's the best to drink? Celestial Seasonings has the widest array of choices. One of their most popular is the Sleepytime which has a mix of soothing chamomile, spearmint and lemongrass. If you want something fruitier, then brew up a cup of their wild berry zinger or their new watermelon mint (it seems like an odd combo but it actually works.) Another choice is any Earl Grey tea . This pairs great with any sweet, from a simple pound cake to brownies. Twinings is the second tea company that has so many choices. You can try their black and green teas for your evening warm up or their many herbal teas. They have such interesting combinations as grapefruit and basil along with butter mint. Of course there's coffee too, now very popular thanks to the Keurig coffee maker. Remember to always drink decaf otherwise you'll still be wide awake at midnight and beyond. What's the best decaf? Trader Joe's in house brand tops many lists. It's flavorful and rich, the perfect cup on a frosty night. Another good brand is Volcanica which has coffees from around the world. You could easily buy their Jamaica blend or their Cameroonian one.

Sometimes the perfect drink on a frosty night is the most traditional. This is where hot cocoa comes in. You can easily buy the already mixed kind or make it yourself. One of the more popular is Swiss Miss which comes with or without marshmallows. It's a fun, sweet cup that's warming from head to toe. Land O' Lakes, usually know for their butter, also has ventured into hot chocolate. They have a huge amount of choices, from cinnamon and chocolate to raspberry and chocolate. There's even a white chocolate mix for something entirely different. Yet nothing beats the flavor of an old fashioned made hot cocoa. It starts with a really good hot cocoa powder. Droste is one of the best for this. It produces a rich, Parisian like hot cocoa that's full bodied and layered in taste. You could also use Ghiradelli's or Hershey's too. Add a quarter of a teaspoon of milk to moisten the powder into a paste and then cook the milk over a medium heat. DO not let it boil or it will produce a skin you'll have to skim off. Stir and sweeten to taste. You can  sub in almond, soy, cashew, or oat milk if you want a vegan or healthier version. A splash of mint  or hazelnut  flavoring can also be added. Toss a marshmallow or two or a dollop of whipped cream with grated dark chocolate for a lusher drink. 

This is the perfect weather for a cup of something hot. Make a steaming cup of tea, coffee or hot cocoa. Grab a plate of cookies and settle in. It's time to get cozy!

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The Kwanzaa Feast

 Kwanzaa is a relatively new holiday yet it's packed with centuries of tradition. It centers around seven principles  such as faith and  purpose that should be practiced year round. with this holiday comes the rich tradition of food. Families are celebrating and cooking at home. Their tables will be filled with good food and good deeds.

Nicole Taylor , chef and author of The Up South Cookbook interviewed five families around the country for today's New York Times Food section. The holiday starts Saturday , December 26th with families eating and free thinking. The holiday itself began in Los Angeles in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, an African American professor who taught African-American studies. Dishes are plentiful and some include slow cooked meatless collard greens Trinidadian grilled fish and bread puddings. The special meal, karamu is held on the day ,kuumba dedicated to creativity. For the Orr-Frasier family of Portland ,Oregon, the meal will be a nod to parents, Rashad and Keita  North Carolingian roots. There will be jelly cakes along with pineapple upside down and red velvet ones. His recipe for coffee rubbed branzino is also featured, highlighted with a rub of medium ground coffee,onion and garlic powders and cumin. There's also brown sugar to even out the spiciness and then it's grilled for five to six minutes on each side.

Folami Prescott-Adams, of Atlanta Georgia gave her BBQ tofu recipe which are slabs of tofu slathered in a mix of melted butter, tamari and barbecue sauces. They're broiled for a couple of minutes in the broiler for a crisp on the outside , tender on the inside main course. Ms. Prescott-Adams cooks ten(!) pounds of it along with nut based meatballs and a vegan Southern stringbean recipe. For Maati Keprimeni Angaza  it will be vegan foods in her Brooklyn apartment. The young dancer will have curry potatoes and black eyed peas along with her step-mother's bread pudding rife with sweet potatoes and raisins. In Richmond Virginia, Janice Bell will have her grandparents recipes of sweet potatoes and corn pudding. she is a pescatarian so there will be fish on her table. Sisters Kerry Coddett and Krystal Stark Kwanzza will be vegan pancakes, shrimp and a mushroom lasagna(made with homemade vegan ricotta) shared with their younger brother. They'll also take out from Sugarcane with such dishes as callaloo, roti and plantain. They will also drink champagne too.

Kwanzaa is a time of thought and creativity. It's also a time of food. The holiday will be different this year but the food will be homemade .

Your Own Ice Cream Parlor

Your house is now the main place for staycation. There's probably a pool set up along with a badminton ser or shuffleboard court. Add to the fun by creating your own ice cream parlor. There's so many good frozen products out there , the kids can have a field day.

Ice cream parlors were known for their elaborate sundaes and sodas. Make sure you have a variety of different fixings to begin. Start with the ice cream. There's always chocolate or vanilla but coffee works as does strawberry and chocolate chip mint. If you're worried about having two much dairy , then go for soy, almond or cashew milk ice creams. Oat milk ice cream is big right now and with good reason. Planet Oat's oat milk one tastes just like the dairy kind, creamy and rich. They not only have the usual chocolate and vanilla but also blueberry oat crumble,cookies and cream , chocolate peanut butter swirl and coffee fudge swirl. These work in any sundae or soda. As for the toppings, there are homemade and store bought. Hot fudge sauce is easy to make. Start with cocoa powder and cook with sugar , heavy cream and butter over a stove top. You can serve it freshly made or store it in a glass container. It can be reheated in the microwave or stove top for a second use. Caramel is another great topping, especially over vanilla ice cream. Smuckers has a sea salt caramel that's phenomenal. Of course there's whipped cream but now you can get non dairy  coconut  or almond nut milk Reddi-Whip, Toss a handful of nuts, M&M's or sprinkles for extra fun.Sliced fruit also is a nice topping too.

Ice cream sodas are  cool, refreshing treats. Many just plop a scoop or two into a glass filled with Coke or Pepsi. This is good but a real ice cream soda does have a bit more flair. Start with a root bear float. Put two scoops in a mug of well chilled root beer. It's the perfect marriage of flavors topped off with a good head of froth. As far as a true ice cream soda, start off with a seltzer. You can used a flavored one like cherry or raspberry for added taste. As for the ice cream, try a chocolate or vanilla one. Add one or two  tablespoons of chocolate syrup like U-Bet or Hershey's. Top with a fancy swirl of whipped cream. Add multi- colored sprinkles for extra fun. If you're not into ice cream then try an egg cream. This is the perfect summer treat. This deli special is just a mouthwatering mix of cold milk, chocolate syrup, namely U-Bet and seltzer. It's then just vigorous beating with a fork until a foam forms on top.Sip and enjoy.For coffee lovers there is the coffee float. It's just taking cold coffee, whether caffeinated or decaf, adding ice cream - try chocolate for a mocchacino vibe to it. Top with a generous squiggle of whipped cream. You can add a drizzle of chocolate or caramel too.

An at-home ice parlor is just one of the great aspects for a stay at home summer. Go wild with sundaes and sodas. Enjoy them as you catch sun and fun in your back yard.

Ramadan Apart Yet Together

Ramadan is one of those holidays that demands family eat together whether before or after the day's fast. Yet , now it's become a virtual holiday with families sharing delicious meals with family recipes. it is still a familial feast but done differently.

Amelia Nierenberg, a regular contributor wrote about the holiday of Eid al-Fitr for today's New York Times Food section. She interviewed various families throughout the country. Their backgrounds are assorted, from Muslims of Pakistan to Filipino ones. Ramadan holy days of observance consists of two daily meals, the suhoor meals before sunrise and the evening ones or iftars. Both are important, especially for those with large families who gather around tables groaning with dishes. Now it's all virtual. They're eating the same dishes with each other but miles, and even states apart. For Nieda Abbas of New Haven ,Connecticut has been through different Ramadans in different countries. There were fasts in her hometown of Baghdad during the American occupation, followed by observing the holiday in an Iran splintered in sectarianism. Then there was the refuge camp in Turkey. Nothing is as scary as being in New Haven, where going outside is scarier than being in a bombed out war zone. Yet she persists.There is homemade baklava for her children. During the day she cooks for Havenly Treats, a nonprofit organization that helps immigrants. For Imam Amr Dabour of Sacramento, California, the social distancing means praying on line with Zoom and drive through iftars on Friday nights. They get hot food , catered by local restaurants.

Doctors are have the double duty of caring for Covid-19 patients and fasting. Dearborn, Michigan's Zafar Shamoon is the chief of emergency services at the city's Beaumont Hospital. His schedule is hectic and tiring. He misses his cups of coffee that provide him with boosts of energy. Some non-Muslim colleagues  help him so he can take breaks to fast and pray. His six year old daughter brings him dates and water , what the prophet Mohammed ate to break his fast.Newly converted Shawn Grant and his Algerian wife Samah made North African foods. She made bourek , pastries filled with spiced ground meat, cheese and eggs. Sometimes fasting and feasting occur alone as with lawyer Zaheer Maskatia in Washington along with inmate Hassen Mostafa Hassen in Arlington Virginia.  Both have traditional food , especially dates for Mr. Hassen , the taste of sweetness he needs from his Eritrean parents. Yazan Natsheh of Plano, Texas usually celebrates with his frat brothers at the University of Texas at Dallas. This year he's with his parents making maqluba, a Palestinian meat and rice dish that's flipped upside down,  Then there is the Manhattan housekeeper who creates her Indonesian Ramadan dishes of kentang belado, potatoes with hot red sauce and ikan acar kuning, yellow fish. There is also tapioca to make bubble tea and a dish  made with it , ground beef, egg whites and garlic, salt and pepper.

Ramadan is the most holiest of Muslim holidays. It's celebrated in a variety of different ways. What holds them together is the traditional fasting and breaking the fasts. Food is their tradition, during unusual times and ordinary ones.

The Cirrhosis Diet

The liver is one of the most important digestive organs humans have. Yet it can be damaged, thanks to bad eating and that means a special diet. The cirrhosis diet can help and can even prevent liver damage.

I am interested in this because i may have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This is a the onset of cirrhosis and untreated  can lead to liver cancer or liver disease. It can be stopped or slowed down. The liver won't return to normal but the disease won't progress. How did this happen? Eating way too much sugar and fried foods along with an addictive passion to fast foods.I had been diagnosed seven years ago by a doctor who had a very cavalier attitude towards it. I did try to stave it off for years , taking milk thistle which helps every day.I plan on taking it up again and recommend others with CDL chronic liver disease to do the same. Dandelion also helps. Both can be bought at GNC  chain store around the country. I will also be cutting out fried foods  along with ones heavy in salt and sugar. It's no more cookies and candy - which were my downfalls. Soda and fruit juices are definitely out. In fact they cause more liver damage than alcohol. White grains such as refined flour and white rice are also off the table -literally. Potassium rich foods like bananas and cod should be nixed. Potassium contributes to liver disease so avoid other foods such as peas and sweet potatoes too.

What will I be able to eat? Luckily my favorites - cruciferous veggies are on the list. That means I can have them and Brussels sprouts with a small amount of butter. Other veggies include another favorite Brussels sprouts and avocados. Spinach is another must eat green that can help the liver. Have it in a salad  with olive oil and lemon. No vinegar because it's toxic to the organ.Tomatoes are a must eat and and a must drink. Tomato juice makes a great snack, especially if it's jazzed up with turmeric. If you have CLD please add this amazing spice to your spice rack. It can retard the disease thanks to its' anti-inflammatory properties.Ginger is another spice perfect in helping this disease. It, too has anti-inflammatory properties, namely proteins that help in reducing scar tissue. You can also make a ginger tea by slicing up the fresh root and boiling it. Keep in mind that it's also good for stomach aches and colds too. As for drinks it will be coffee, flavored seltzer and green tea. It will be hard to give up fruit juice and soda but this is something I have to do. To be honest in a few months I'll wonder why I even drank them at all.It'll be the same thing for all those bad foods too. I'll look at them and wonder what i saw in eating them.

I do not look forward to this diagnosis.I do look forward to healing myself with good foods and good beverages. Hopefully I can take myself back to what it was.

Snowstorm Scrounging

Any sudden snowstorm can throw anybody for a loop/ There's the craziness of trying to get home on icy roads along with unexpectedly being snowed in. What happens when you can't go to the store? Scrounge. It's time to get creative in the kitchen.

Every home kitchen should have the basics - bread, milk, and eggs.Of course these three make up the backbone of any French toast recipe but they're multipurpose on their own. Bread can be used to make croutons for soup, along with the crumbs being used as thickener for soups, stews and even gravies. Toasted bread drizzled with oil and grated cheese makes for a tasty lunch or dinner. Keep in mind that any Italian or French bread is the perfect base for French bread pizza. If you don't have pizza sauce ,  drained stewed tomatoes can do the trick. Pita bread is another versatile bread that can have a variety of uses in a pinch. Yes you can stuff it with salad, veggies and meats for a quick, low calorie lunch or even dinner. It can also be turned into a grilled cheese pocket. Raid the fridge for any kind of cheese, from cheddar to mozzarella along with  ham or Taylor ham to stuff into the pitas. This is a great snack ,especially when you're stuck indoors, watching movies. Also they make great breakfast pockets too.Fill with eggs, ham or bacon.It's the perfect breakfast before tackling shoveling snow.

Milk is another multipurpose ingredient. Use it and whatever fruit you have around to make smoothies. Apples and pears, usually not associated with the drink, can be tossed in if you don't have the usual bananas or strawberries. If you have any leftover pumpkin puree from Thanksgiving, blend it into a pumpkin spice smoothie, a nice change up from the berry based ones. Yogurt is also versatile too. Add fruit bits or chocolate chips for a fun dip with any kind of shortbread or plain vanilla or chocolate snaps. If you do run out of milk during a sudden snow storm, then hit your freezer. Melted vanilla ice cream can be used if you need it for coffee or cereal, however be warned. The melted stuff can be a breeding ground for bacteria because the sugar in it feeds the microbes. Use it sparingly. Eggs can be your best source of protein if you have no meat in the house. A favorite is the Italian frittata. Use any leftover veggies to create a delicious breakfast , lunch or dinner. Also break into your spice rack for extra flavoring. A pinch of turmeric or garlic salt elevates any egg dish. You could also make scrambled eggs with the addition of tomatoes , peppers or onions too.

Sudden snowstorm happening? Don't panic. Scrounge around your kitchen. You'll be amazed at what you'll come up with - delicious dishes that will be family favorites and classics.

Sharing The Pantry

Americans, like myself, have the tendency to overbuy. That's especially true with food. We wind up with too many boxes or packets,bags and containers. Will we eat all of it? No? Should we share it? Yes.

If you have overage in your pantry , then consider donating it to food drives. Of course cans are preferable. One they're easy to store and two, they do last a usual four or five years. There's also a lot that can be done with canned veggies and fruit. The first can be used as a side or mixed with rice or pasta for a more filling main course. Canned fruit is just good on its' own and the perfect snack instead of cookies and cakes, However there are other foodstuffs you can donate as well. Flour can be donated, even if you opened it back in June or July. Opened flour has a shelf life of eight months so even half a bag is good to give away. Just give it a sniff before donating. Toss if you smell any mustiness. One of the most sturdiest foods to donate is rice. It has an indefinite shelf life, meaning you can still use it two or three years from purchasing. One sign that is is bad is the appearance of the rice weevil. It's a tiny reddish-brown bug that can show up in the box or canister. Chuck the rice if those start showing up.

Many of us have those Keurig machines that use pods. That's great but there's also a dearth of leftover teabags and hot chocolate packets. Any tea bag will last between a year to two years. If you have a variety left over then put them in Mason jars, decorated with  pretty homespun bows and ribbons. Food pantries and senior centers would love to have these.Hot chocolate lasts for only six months but if you have extra that's under that time period , donate. Regular cocoa powder can last up to two years and can still be used for cooking and baking. Instant coffee has a shelf life of a whopping twenty years!!! This depends on the packaging  yet you can still donate it. Even longer lived than instant coffee is sugar. Both granulated and confectioner's can last forever as can brown sugar. White and brown sugar can turn hard and crunchy To restore them  put the crystals in a baggie and smash with a rolling pin to get rid of the hardness. Any of these will be much appreciated by bakers who want to create treats for their kids.Another baking necessity you may have over stocked is a bag of chocolate chips. Again, real chocolate is considered dry, meaning it 's not encumbered by any bacteria so it can last as long as the sugars. If your chips are hanging around donate them with your other foods.

A pantry cleaning is always necessary. Yet instead of throwing out your overage , just donate. it'll help not only declutter your kitchen but add to someone else's.

Natural Vs Chemical Kitchen Cleaners

Maybe more so than the bathroom, the kitchen is the dirtiest and messiest room in the house. This is the place where oil gets splattered and  mud gets scattered. It's a smelly fridge competing with a smelly sink. Kitchens need constant cleaning - and here is the dilemma - do you go for the safe all natural cleansers, versus the heavy duty super efficient industrial ones.

Everyone wants a clean and sparkling kitchen. Yet who has the time to whip up a natural cleanser when it's easier to go out and buy a bottle? The problem is that many cleaners have a whole host of bad for you chemicals.Any product that boast's it's antibacterial should be given a second glance. It's probably chock full of quarternary ammonium compounds or QUATS. Firstly they help in creating antibiotic resisting bacteria which can be lethal to the very young, very old and the immune challenged .On top of that , they are responsible  for creating asthma. What do you sub in then? Tea tree oil mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar and water can do the trick. Bleach can work too, as with hydrogen peroxide. Just wear old, ratty clothes when you're working with the last two. Bleach can get all over and there is a tendency to wipe our hands on our jeans after we clean (I know do). Even a tiny drop can ruin denim.

Bleach is my go to for cleaning the kitchen sink however I found another natural cleanser that also does the trick.Apple cider vinegar and baking soda  together has been my preference for cleaning stubbornly greasy pans . I thought , well if it works for metal, it could work for porcelain. It did. Use about a quarter of a cup of baking soda over the surface. Add about half a cup of vinegar over the baking soda. Stand back and enjoy the foamy reaction (really the best part of it) and then wipe down with a sponge.The result is the same as the bleach cleaning - a sparkling white and clean surface. Remember that baking soda is also very good at removing tea and coffee stains from cups and mugs.
As far as removing mold from underneath drying racks, I'd go with the bleach. Black mold can be very difficult  and bleach has the power to get rid of it.  You could use vinegar - white works well with an old toothbrush  to scrub it away. That is if you have the time.It can be labor intensive, however.

What's the best cleanser for your kitchen? Natural or chemical? Natural if you have the time to clean. However some of the chemical ones do come in handy when you;re pressed for time. Use whatever works for a clean , sparkling kitchen.

A Royal Breakfast

Tomorrow most of us Yanks will wake at the crack of dawn to watch one of our own marry into the British Royal family.How do we celebrate? By having a Brit breakfast - or at least one influenced by the United Kingdom

A British fry up breakfast is a great but heavy way to greet the day. It is an eye opener that does require mostly frying.It starts with meat. Most English like breakfast sausages, one made of pork called a banger. The best we have here is the Jimmy Dean sausages and for vegetarians - Morning Star Farms. Some like bacon - our bacon called streaky Irish with it. The bacon provides the perfect fat for frying up the other components.Every breakfast plate usually has one or two eggs, always cooked sunnyside up.This way the eater can dip either bread or a sausage into the yolk.About the bread. it cannot be toasted. It has to be fried, in the bacon drippings, or if that's all used up, butter.Iit shouldn't be too soggy with oil, A minute or two in the pan should do it.it wouldn't be a fry up without that Brit staple - beans. Heinz is the popular brand. Tomatoes give it some bite and also are a perfect foil for the meat and eggs. Usually the beefsteak kind are used but try the vine ripe for a sweeter , more vibrant flavor.Another must have is the vinegar laced HP sauce..It's kind of like a tart version of Worcester sauce  which can be used.If that's too intense at five in the morning, switch to ketchup.

Some Americans may feel that eating a huge meal that early may be too much. Try a Thomas' English muffin instead. These are based on the English , crumpet, a spongy kind of muffin brought to the US by Samuel Bath Thomas, from Plymouth in 1879. Slather clotted cream, another UK treat, on them, and then your favorite jam or marmalade. Clotted cream came from the Phoenicians who traded tin in Cornwall.It's cooked milk but has a wonderful buttery , nutty flavor. If not , try Kerry's Irish butter on a hot, toasty English muffin. Slather a rich , flavorful jam on top such as Aldi's Specialty Selected blackberry. You could celebrate the Scottish way with oatmeal.Don't go crazy with cooking the old fashioned rolled oats.. A packet of the instant will do.It may be too late to bake up a loaf of oatmeal bread but many stores do sell it. Toast up a few slices , slather on butter and that other English must have - marmalade. Tea is another must have. Coffee just won;t do.. One of the best is Typhoo tea which can be bought in the international section of some supermarkets like Stop& Shop.It's been around for over one hundred years and has a lovely , mellow flavor. If you can't find it, then go for Earl Grey or Lady Grey tea.

Celebrate an Anglo-American wedding with a Brit breakfast. Go wild with a full on fry up or nibble on an English muffin. Either way, it's a great way to enjoy Harry and Meghan's big day.

Jazzy Foods From The Jazzy Vegetarian

Everybody's gone green thanks to today being Saint Patrick's Day. Imagine going ecologically green all year round, thanks to being a vegetarian. You can, thanks to a new cookbook by the famed jazzy vegetarian, herself, Laura Theodore. She has created another fun cookbook , full of flavorful and filling meat, egg and dairy free dishes.

Ms. Theodore's latest cookbook, Deliciously Vegan (Scribe Publishing Company 2018) is a spin off of her famed PBS and radio shows "The Jazzy Vegetarian". This is her third cookbook that features her eco friendly dishes and treats.  She has also written Vegan Ease and The Jazzy Vegetarian's Classic Cookbook. All these are perfect for those omnivores transforming into herbivores. What's great about this newest is that the recipes can easily be made for a party and not even the meat eaters would complain about the lack of beef, chicken or fish on the menu.The book holds her story of  how she went from being a jazz singer (as well as a child actor) to a vegan chef. Chef Theodore actually has six jazz CDS under her belt (you can buy her album What Is This Thing Called Jazz? at Amazon) and could have easily turned to a career solely focused on music. However she is also an excellent cook and baker along with being a fervid vegan.This cookbook is full of good recipes and good advice. I love her section on lists, especially the one on egg substitutes and what to sub in for cheese. Novice home chefs will appreciate the two ingredient  dish list for quick vegan meals. she also has an extensive list on essential ingredients such as wheat flours along with nuts and seeds. She also has a list for what spices to sock up on., because flavor is key in creating a successful vegan meal and dessert.

The book,itself,  is divided into section, from breakfasts to baked treats and puddings. Another plus is the variety which is important if you want to have a vegan or vegetarian kitchen like I have. I know I will be making her delicious looking mini quiche cups ripe with tofu and vegan cheddar cheese along with potato and spinach frittata, made not with eggs but with rolled oats and tofu.  The smoothies are perfect pick me ups too,loaded with a happy marriage of fruits and veggies. Cooking a vegetarian main dish is always a problem. That's going to change with the addition of gingered portobello steaks spiked with fresh ginger and cayenne pepper along with a tasty loaf made with pecans, sunflower seeds and zucchini.The Sunny Black Bean Burgers will definitely become a staple, They are rich with walnuts and fresh onion and get a kick from marinara sauce. The sides are geared towards these main dishes. The red potato and cauliflower mash would be the perfect foil for any of Chef Theodore's dinner loaves. Colorful Confetti fries is a mix of russet and sweet potatoes, dusted with chili and garlic would be perfect with the burgers for a fun Saturday night dinner.  Most home chefs think baked goods can't be made with out eggs, butter and milk, but they can. Home bakers and muffin affectionados will love maple-coconut muffins with sweet grape filling., made with bananas and non dairy  milk to sub in for the eggs and regular milk.Her Better Than Apple Pie Crisp will surely be the new apple pie. in many a vegan household. .Im excited to try her Crazy Coffee Chocolate Mousse made creamy with tofu and non dairy milk. There is also the tasty chocolate, almond and cherry clusters, ideal for parties and gift giving.

It's easy to go green with  Deliciously Vegan. It makes going vegan fun  with delicious meals,drinks and tasty treats. Buy it today and start on a healthy diet., full of good food