A Real HalloweenTreat: The NYT Magazine Food Section

Foodies received a real Halloween treat today - the New York Times Magazine food issue. If you haven't received or bought it yet,HALT- go no further. If you're still curious , read on.It's one of the best compiled culinary centric so far. It's truly a goodie bag filled with yummy articles.

One of the best pieces was written by Francis Lam, who wrote about radical chef, Edna Lewis.Mr. lam himself, is pretty famous, having been a judge on Top Chef masters. Chef Lewis was an amazing woman, even  without the food aspect. She was part of the Harlem Renaissance ,along with being a seamstress to Marilyn Monroe and model Doe Avedon It is  her cooking and her quest for redefining Southern cooking that is her legacy. It is the cooking of both plantation and plantation kitchen, combining African vegan cooking with the elite French cooking that Thomas Jefferson brought from France.There are also good recipes that feature poached pears and biscuits It is  the fried chicken recipe though that sounds amazing. It involves frying the pieces with a slice of country ham for more flavor along with not frying in deep fat but rather a sautéing method  in which the pieces are piled on top of each other. Brown the breasts first and then lay on  top of the sizzling legs . Doing this will let the legs cook up evenly.

One of the most colorful is the reinterpretation of those wacky Betty Crocker recipes from the Fifties. Tamar Adler wrote the accompanying article but the real credit goes to photographers Maurizio Cattalan and Pierpaolo Ferrari, Their accompanying photo shoot is trippy and Fellinisque with gilded lobsters alongside a tongue in cheek made cheeseburger pie and chicken salad in melon rings.There is also a salute to fondues, from the original Swiss to a wild variation involving British breakfast meats. On the serious side there is also the story of food historian Barbara Ketcham Wheaton interviewed by Bee Wilson.MS Wheaton ,a former librarian , has quietly compiled a database entitled "The Cook's Oracle". Her goal is to catalog every recipe ever written along with every ingredient ever used and every technique that was ever employed. There are all sorts of interesting gems in this articles, such as food trends and long forgotten cooking methods. The issue also holds sweet personal essays on food that must be read as well.

Sit back, grab a handful of leftover Halloween candy and read this issue. This is New York Times Food reporting at it's best.It's definitely a yummy treat.

Lenten Diets All Year Round

Lent will be starting with this Wednesday.It 's a time when Christians give up certain foods, especially meat and dairy.It's an idea that's worth looking into as a year round diet.It means more fruit and veggies along with a step towards healthier living. Most Catholics and some Protestants give up meat on Wednesdays and Fridays.Starting with a day or two without meat is a good and easy way towards veganism.After a few months you can increase meatless days to four or five and then eventually have meat days one or twice a month.Since some religions allow fish this is a good time to explore the different types put there.Try a steamed salmon(easy to do in the microwave) or tuna which can be served hot or cold.This is also a convenient time to check into the many types of soy "meats"out there.You can easily make spaghetti and meatballs using mushroom based already prepared meatballs.There's also veggie burgers and veggie dogs to try on a Friday night.The Greek Orthodox also give up dairy during the forty days leading up to Easter.This paves the way to try both soy and rice milk,along with the soy and coconut based ice creams. Many people give up a favorite food for this time of fasting.It's usually cake, ice cream and cookies.If these can be given up for just a little over a month, then they can also be given up for good.Again,Lent is an excellent time to explore healthier desserts such as fruits.These are extremely versatile too.You can end a meal with apple sauce, sprinkled with cinnamon.Another treat is grilled pineapple kabobs.Make fruit salads using all sorts of fruits in your market,along with trying new ones such as kiwis and mangoes.Snacks too are usually given up.This is good way of switching over to simple snacks like crackers and rice cakes..Also think a bout having raw veggies with a lemon or lime vinaigrette as a daytime nibble.It's filling but also light. Lent is a time of giving up favorite and lush foods.It's also a chance for a healthier diet and to change unhealthy eating habits.Following one's beliefs is not only good for the soul but for the body as well.