The Comfort Of Food

Food is magical. It can bring families together for a brief moment of harmony. A bite can trigger so many memories of good times.A recipe can bring together generations and even friends.It's amazing what a simple dish can do.

The one action that unites us with every creature on the planet is eating.We share our food with family, friends and even animal companions. Sharing lets them into our world and vice a versa. One of the best things is having a neighborhood buffet(and yes it can even be done on a chilly autumn days.) Also adventurous home chefs can try their hands at making za'atar and tamari. Have everyone bring a dish that means something to them,whether a family one they made with their mom or grandmother or the most
 successful meal they ever made. Dinners with are another way of sharing. A girl's night in  could consist of fun foods such fajitas washed down with slushy margaritas or homemade pizza with a variety of toppings. Crack open a good bottle of Pinot Grigio to go with it. It's a great time to dish on bosses and coworkers and diss those annoying family members. Finish with tiramisu and coffee  to gear up for the ride home.

Sometimes just a picnic for two is all that's needed. If you have a friend or relative who has suffered any kind of loss, time away from his or her house can be a blessing. Make their favorite recipes for lunch or dinner and then provide a good listening ear and a warm plate. Think a Sunday afternoon at the mountains or the beach. The weather in some areas is perfect for a brisk outdoor nosh, Pack a picnic basket with sandwiches, chips and something to drink. If it's a bit nippy think about a thermos of soup or filling it with hot coffee or hot tea. End with fruit of the season, such as crisp apples and/or pears. You can even include homemade cupcakes or ones from your favorite bakery. Another idea is going to a coffee shop and just sit outside to talk or people watch. Sometimes a person who is hurting just   wants to talk to  reminisce and seek out advice. He or she may need more than a shoulder to cry on. Spoil them with a cappuccino and a sweet treat.

Food unites us. It always has. It is the the great comforter and tie that connects us all.

If You're Tired Of Barbecue

We're into our fourth month of barbecuing and by now even the most stalwart grill lover is looking for a change.It's time to head back to the kitchen for some easy meat recipes.They're a snap to make ,especially in these steamy times.Not only that, they 're even better tasting than those dogs and burgers.

Ratatouille is usually just a veggie dish however meat can be added for more flavor and impact. Try it with cut up chicken breasts or Italian sausage. It's a tasty spin on the Provencale classic.Chicken breasts can also be done in a light garlicky- white wine saute. Use medallions when making this and serve with angel hair pasta or rice. Another idea is a quick stir fry. Punch it up with sliced ginger along with sliced zucchini , onions and green peppers. All of these recipes are good for leftovers too, so you've taken care of two nights. If the family is still craving burgers, then make chicken burgers. These are easy to make  as you can easy give them a quick fry in the frying pan.Serve with breaded zucchini sticks and tomato salad for a festive, colorful dinner. You can also make turkey burgers, which are,frankly, better cooked in a pan than on a grill. They're juicier cooked indoors and you can get that full turkey flavor too.

If you're still craving beef , then think pan fried steaks. These are a  snap to make and  simple but filing meal if served with salad. You can even cut it up and mix in the greens too. Fileto Piedmontese is also a no brainer  . This is cooking steak  in a variation of bagna cauda,, the Piedmontese anchovy dip. Make the sauce  first, it's a simple sautéed blend of anchovy filets melted down in a combo of butter and olive oil. Add a small minced clove of garlic and when it 's all melted, stir,  add the meat and cook until done. Serve on toasted bread slices (and have plenty of extra bread too for sopping up the sauce later).For those craving the taste of chopped meat, why not make sloppy joes or fajitas.Both are simple enough to make thanks to the sauce packets and fajita kits.Both are a refreshing change from the over grilled patties we're beginning to tire of this season.Another idea - is steak tartare, the exact opposite of any barbecued. This is mix of raw minced beef tenderloin and one raw egg mixed together with salt  and pepper along with a splash of brandy and Worcester sauce.  It 's served like a pate on rye bread but it can also be served on a toasted baguette too.

Kitchen cooked meat dishes are a refreshing change from the usual grilled fare. Try any of these recipes for an escape into good stove top cooking . It's a nice change up and doesn't require all that much work.

A Healthy Birthday

Can you have your birthday cake and eat it too? Most diet conscious people will say no and insist on a tiny sliver instead of a hearty slice.However even a decadent birthday meal can also be good for you healthy.You can go crazy for your birthday , but it can be backed up with reason and thought. One of the most wanted or desired birthday meals is lobster.It is rich in flavor and the height of decadence,as well as self indulgence,It isn't high in calories, and it is vitamin and mineral packed.It's loaded with magnesium, niacin or Vitamin and potassium.It is high in cholesterol however so if you do have cholesterol issues, rethink it.Yes, you can have it with butter but for a better choice, just ask for a lemon wedge to spritz on it.You can also turn the lobster into a salad, with a simple olive oil and lemon or lime dressing.Serve it with bright and crisp Romaine lettuce along with Campari tomatoes and corn kernels. You could also make a lobster wrap with a tarragon dressing. Roast beef is another birthday wish for.It's a low calorie meat with only fifty four calories a slice.Unfortunately so many people love their roast beef on bread or stuffing ,drenched in gravy.This is the height of tastiness but drenched in fat and cholesterol, not to mention starch.A better alternative is a steak salad ,with a bed of kale, beefsteak tomatoes ,and red peppers.Nothing beats a beef fajita .You can even make this at home for a festive in house party.Cook up onions and peppers and just top with fresh made guacamole and salsa .If you want a tad of creaminess add just a dollop of sour cream.You could also add steak to pasta sauce for a truly delicious meal. As for sweets, yes there is is the birthday cake.The best part is the icing.?Let's face it nothing beats the sweet creaminess of a well made buttercream and that absolute prize, the pink blue or yellow buttercream rose.Each tablespoon has about sixty calries of fat.If you truly want the traditional taste for your big day, then gofer a cupcake.One 'loaded" cupcake is about three hundred calories.The best part is no leftovers.If you do want. Cake then think about an angel food cake.This is only seventy two calories per slice.What is great abut angel food cake is that it pairs up well with everything. One of the best is strawberries or blueberries but you can also try sliced banana with dark chocolate sauce.Also have a big blob of Cool Whip on top too.Fruit pies are another low calorie birthday treat .Add Ginger for zing and if you're baking it yourself,, then go for farm picked ones.A fruit birthday cake is super healthy and super fun.All you need is a watermelon as the base and various other fruits as decorations.Ice cream cakes are also big. However you can make a healthier one using frozen Greek yogurt along with fruit, syrup and CoolWhip as the icing. You can have your birthday cake and meal and eat them too.Just have it on the healthy side.It's a birthday gift to yourself, one that"s good for your heart and taste buds.