August Bounties

 August is the time when all those late Spring plantings come into harvest. There;s so much right now in back yards and on farm stands. Best of al, there's so many dishes to make that involve fresh veggies and fruit.

Tomato plants are in fiull bloom right now. There one fo the most versatile fruits - yes fruits. . Nothing beats a sliced on on bread , slathered with mayo. Yet you can also put them in a variety of different salads. of course the best dishes for them also involve other bounties. Gazpacho, that cold and delicious Spanish soup called for fresh cucumbers, bell peppers and onions. Ratatouille has tomatoes as the star but there 's also eggplant or zucchini as well as peppers and onions. Cucumbers can  be turned into tasty pickles for the barbecue oe picnic along with being sliced into an  elegant salad .Add sprigs of dill for flavor. Eggplant is good in ratatouille but it';s also excellent grilled. Slice and coat each side with olive oil sprinkle with such herbs as rosemary and oregano and then char on the grill.it usually takes six minutes on each side before they;re ready to eat. Zucchini is also in abundance right now. This is another versatile veggie that can be cut into coins or slices  to be air fired or grilled. They're great air fried too and actually make for some crispy chips. Just sliced pat dry and then coat in a mix of olive oil and garlic powder. it does take about  twenty minutes to cook in the air fryer.

Of course fruit is in an August harvest too. Watermelon is big right now. It's excellent as a chilled dessert along with being refreshing. Keep in mind that it;s also excellent grilled with honey. A watermelon granita is an easy make.It just takes seedless watermelon chunks, lime juice and sugar.Th w fruit lime juice and half the sugar are put into a food processor and pulverized until smooth and then placed into a bowl or baking dish, Place into the freezer for two to three hours then begin the scraping process.Lightly scrape the topmost layer and then put back in the freezer. Repeat until the entire bowl is shaved . Store ,covered in Sran wrap until being served. This is also the time for stone fruits like peaches, plums and nectarines., These are good fresh,eaten as a snack or a healthy dessert,.  However these are wonderful in all sorts of baked desserts. Crisps are a perfect way to highlight their  flavors.It's also an easy dessert.Cut the fruit and put into a greased baking dish. The crisp is an easy mix of oatmeal or flour mixed with butter , brown  and white sugars. Cornstarch gives her topping its' customary crispiness. Serve with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat.

It's August. It;s harvest time. Take advantage and create delicious dishes with fresh fruits and veggies.

Helping During The Heat

 The heat way  that consuming the wolrd is horrible. everyone is suppfering from the young to the elderly. What we all can do to aalieviate the heat is just be there for each other, namely with a cool drink.

This is a good time to check on  elderly neighbors. The high temps may be too much for them (especially when they don't have air conditioning which is a big problem in Europe). Add their shopping list to theirs. Make sure they have the heat wave  staples  like ingredients for salads and bread for cold cuts. Get them the bounty of the season such as tomatoes and corn, as well as eggplants. water is a must. Try to get them a twenty-four pack of water. This will last them for a week and it will also come in handy if there are water shortages or problems. Also make sure they have plenty of ice. You can always give some of your own if you have multiple trays in the freezer or buy a bag at your local grocery. Also check in on them once or twice a day too. The same applies for those parents with little kids or newborns,. They may be too swamped to go out and get proper groceries. Make sure they and the little ones are getting enough hydration too. Of course the heat wave affects animals as well. Put out bowls of iced water twice a day for any feral cats or wild life like deer. Place their food in cool, shady spots in the yard or woods too.

Heat waves can bring about friendsships too. It doesn't take much to invite neighbors, friends and family over for barbecues. It's a chance for people to escape the humdrum of staying indoors and get some fresh if hot air. Make simple stuff everybody can eat. Think hamburgers and hot dogs on rolls. Have a table with two or three salads (or people can bring their own for a pot luck.) Macaroni and tomato salads will be much appreciated. along with salads full of greens and harvests from neighborhood backyard gardens.Kids can enjoy homemade popsicles ( consider storebought ones of if there are a lot of little ones about.) Young and old love s'mores, so have plenty of marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers on the ready. You can do a more sophisticated version by subbing in dark chocolate for the milk and chocolate graham crackers for the orginal ones. Also have bowls of washed berries for easy snacking too. Elderly neighbors or those on their own may appreciate just an invitation for dining al fresco in the backyard.

This heat wave is brutal. Yet it's a chance to reach out and help those who need it. Keep everyone cool with warm gestures.

Spring Cleaning Your Fridge

 Spring is here and that means one thing : cleaning. There are probably plans for the whole house, especially the kitchen. The fridge and freezer need also looking into. It's time to toss and make way for the holiday season ahead.

It's a good idea to look into the fridge and assess what's there. Most likely your fridge door is full of condiments from last year's grilling season. Surprisingly barbecue sauce only lasts for one month after opening. Toss any old gunky bottles. The stuff is probably too congealed to use anyway. Should you replace it with a brand new one? Only if you plan on barbecuing soon or like it over your burgers. ketchup lasts much longer , becoming dark and crusty after six months. This  you can replace because it is usable , especially as we approach grilling season. Mustard is the same. What about those packets of soy and duck sauces along with hot mustard that come with your Chinese take out. They're good as long as they're sealed. Use these to spice up your recipes. Add some hot mustard or soy sauce to a stir fry. The duck sauce is the  perfect sauce for chicken  nuggets or tenders.Leftovers should only be kept for three or four days. If not mold takes over and your fridge has some weird science experiment going on. Cut fruit like cantelope and melon are only good for forty-eight hours before they develop a sour taste. Cheeses on the other hand can lasts weeks. Cheddar is still good even after a month while Brie can last up to three weeks.

Once you've cleaned out the bottom portion, it's time to tackle the freezer. Not surprisingly ice cubes are one of the most durable foodstuffs. They can last up to two years without any noticeable change of taste. However this is not true for actual frozen foods and leftovers. Yes, green beans and Eggos can be stuck indefinitely in your freezer however after two or three years they will degrade in taste. This will make them un appetizing. What about those bumper crops from last summer? Frozen fresh fruits and veggies can really only last about eight months. It's best to have a plan for them before you freeze them as well as putting the date they were frozen on the freezer bags. That way you know what to toss and to keep. Many ask if they can keep their frozen meat leftovers. Yes, but only for s short while.Chicken needs to be trimmed of its' fat otherwise it can become rancid and spoil the meat.(rancidity won't make the chicken toxic but it will ruin its' flavor.) Cooked bacon and sausage will also last for eight weeks and again beware of rancidity.You can keep hamburger for that period of time  before it goes bad. Ice cream lasts only two or three months too, so chuck that ice cream you bought for Christmas or New Year's,

A good refrigerator cleaning is a must especially during this holiday month. Get rid of the old to prepare for the new.It'll make for more room to store all those great foods for celebrating.

Saving The Season

 How can you preserve the summer? By saving the flavors of that spectacular season whether in sauces or preserves. It's a great way of savoring those sun kissed veggies and fruits all yar long.

The easiest way to preserve the summer is by taking all those extra tomatoes and turning them into freezable sauces. One of the simplest ways to do this is cooking them in a crock pot.This fees you up to do other kitchen chores or just get ready the bags and containers. You can use resealable plastic freezer bags or even freezer proof glass jars.Plastic containers also work well here. These and the jars offer a little more protection against freezer burn.The bags won't however they do pack in better than the others.Basil is not a vegetable but this herb and its' summery taste can also be savored all year round in pesto This is an easy sauce that originated in Genoa. Use all those fresh basil leaves and grind  them in a food processor. Add a drizzle of olive oil to give it that creamy texture.The recipe calls for ground walnuts to be added along with Pecorino cheese bu these don't freeze well. The best bet is omits these when freezing and add to the sauce when you're ready to use it.

Your favorite summer fruits can also be preserved too. Raspberries are having a second season right now and they are perfect in jam. It's a simple recipe of four cups of granulated sugar and four cups of raspberries.Its' then first warm in the sugar and adding it to the fruit. The mix is mashed and ladled into sterilized jars. You can do the same with blackberries, another berry that lasts into the fall.Just remember that wild ones need to be soaked in salt water to remove any bugs. Dry them thoroughly before cooking.  Keep in mind that the wild ones have more pectin than the farm raised ones.Also blackberries are quick to foam when they're boiled. Add the tiniest sliver of butter(!) to prevent this. The taste will remain the same ,especially with the addition of one to two cups of granulated sugar. You can add a tablespoon of lemon juice to if you want. Grapes are also a late summr fruit and one of the tastiest to make into a jelly or jam.Decide what you want to make.Jelly is made solely from the juiced of cooked grapes, namely Concord drained through a fine mesh sieve or muslin cloth> Grape jams has bits of the grape and skin.it is sweet with seven cups of sugar added.

Yes, you can stretch the season out. Make sauces and jams with the sweet flavors of summer. It's a nice way of preserving those sun kissed days for all year long.

Freezer Restocking

 Once again the freezer is important , thanks to possible snowstorms and lockdowns. It's time to look into it and see what needs to be thrown out and what needs to be added.

Before stocking your freezer check to see what you have in there. Frozen foods will last forever but there's a caveat - freezer burn.If any food is left in the freezer for more than three months, it will lose its; flavor and shape even, Upon reheating or heating you'll have tasteless, mushy food. Some brands can withstand this but its'a a matter of freezer roulette. It's basically try and taste. Ice cream is much more delicate. It can only last two to three months in an unopened container or tub while an opened one is only good for one or two months. Sherbet is a little more hardier. It can survive three to fours months if left unopened, while an opened two to three months after being opened. Once you've cleaned out , then think about defrosting and cleaning too. Wash out those ice cube trays and soak the shelves in warm soapy water. Set aside to dry. As far as the freezer itself, a mild, natural cleaner will work the best. Use a spray of one part apple cider or white vinegar and one part of water . Spray liberally inside and then wipe down with a sponge. Dry it with a clean dish rag and then replace the shelves.

As for restocking it, you can easily make meals for the week ahead of time.Cook up family favorites that you know will go quickly. Think lasagna or baked mac. These are hearty and filling , perfect for a cold snowy night in. You can also make crock pot chili along with stews. These can be thawed out quickly and cooked for both lunch and dinner. As far as with frozen foods, pizza is always good. Get a few plain ones so the family can add some toppings and make it their own. Family style frozen dinners is another must stock.Stoueffer's is your best bet here. They have everything from chicken enchiladas to cheese manicotti. There's also chicken Alfredo for those night when you don't want to make a pasta dinner from scratch. Also stock up on hot lunches. Here you can always rely on Marie Callender. The company has tasty and filling chicken and turkey pot pies along with pasta and rice bowls. The company also has turkey and stuffing family meals along with meat loaf and Salisbury steak ones. Remember to also restock such sides as frozen veggies and French fries.  These are great for accompanying chicken or steak.

It's time to clean out the freezer and restock it for those days ahead. Fill it with tasty foods that are easy to thaw and easy to cook. They're perfect for time indoors.

Freezer Bingo, Cooking Roulette

Our freezers have taken on a new aspect in the past few months. They've been vaults to all sorts of frozen foods. Boxes of frozen essentials have been crowding out those containers of homemade sauce and ice cube trays. It's time to use them with interesting combinations for meals.

Many overbought waffles . They are tasty and make for a satisfying and comforting breakfast . However as the weather turns warmer, the kids may want cold cereal to start the day. Not to worry. There's always chicken and waffles.  You can easily make fried chicken or even buy tenders along with fake chicken such as Gardein's. Serve with maple syrup or syrup with a kick of cayenne added like Ree Drummond's recipe. They're also great as the bread for breakfast sandwiches holding scrambled eggs and sliced ham. They are also good stuffed with bacon and cheddar cheese as a fun lunch.  You may have also bought Texas toast during one of your grocery foraging trips. It's very versatile. It makes the base for pizza if you just add sauce and mozzarella. Have the kids add chopped fresh peppers and onions along with pepperoni and olives for a fun dinner. Another idea is spooning sloppy Joe mixture on top for a different take on this classic sandwich.

Your freezer must look like a frozen vegetable garden right now. You may have overbought a ton of those easy to steam packets. Now the freezer is  bursting with them. Luckily many can be turned into salads. Frozen green beans can be turned into a salad just in time for barbecue season. Broccoli can be turned into a flavorful salad or as part of a cheesy bake. It , along with other frozen veggies like peas can be cooked with rice along with fresh cut onions and soy sauce for an interesting side dish. Peas have a versatility too. You can make the classic dish risi e bisi which is arborio rice cooked with frozen peas and garlic. It's a great weekday dinner that's a snap to whip up. You could also just cook them up Italian style with olive oil and garlic along with onions and chicken stock. Cauliflower can also be turned into a salad or a side. Try roasting it in your air fryer or oven after it's been spiced up with turmeric and garam masala, that great blend of Indian spices. You can also pan roast it for a crunchy side or even snack with a ranch dressing.

Forage your freezer. You'll be surprised at what you'll find to make interesting dishes. It's a fun way to create new dishes from all that over buying..

Stockpiling Your Kitchen

There's all sorts of strange stories out there concerning the Corona virus. One odd one is about stockpiling various food stuffs in case there are shortages. That's the strange part - what shortages, especially here in the States. Is this some kind of media made panic or should we be worried? Then there's the other question, if this is true - what do we stockpile?

There's some small buzz in grocery stores in the New York City area. I heard today that water and salt are being grabbed off the shelves at local Wal-marts in the Northern New Jersey area. Storing water is kind of strange. It's not as if our supply or local reservoirs are being threatened with bio-warfare or they're compromised. The salt makes sense, People are being told to gargle, presumably by their healthcare providers. Doing such will kill some of the virus bacteria and it will also bring the bacteria to the surface of gums, tongue and teeth. It's then should be washed out with a strong mouth wash.As far as other foods, milk and eggs are also at the top of the list. It's sort of similar to what people buy before a big blizzard with the exception of bread.The United Kingdom has a bad case of stockpile fever. Brits are clearing the shelves of their local supermarkets, fighting over pasta, rice and long life milk according to the BBC.It is obviously worse in Hong Kong where life - and trade has ground to a halt.

It hopefully isn't that bad here. We may have problems with hand sanitizer and liquid hand soap. Again, that' s understandable. Yet if we do have shortages, what do we buy to survive? The best bet is all canned foods such as canned veggies and fruits. These are versatile to use in a variety of different dishes, from omelets to stews. Despite what you've heard from some natural food advocates canned  produce can be just as nutritious and vitamin packed as their fresh versions. However, try to eat as much of the fresh stuff while you can. If you do feel a bit panicky about shortages, then freeze fresh fruit and veggies.Don't worry about it losing its' nutritional value. Fruits and veggies start breaking down after a whole year in the freezer.  Your grapes and broccoli are still OK for a week in the deep freeze. Meats are another foodstuff that can be frozen for a year or two. Cereals last six to eight months while oatmeal lasts a year and a half if you want to stockpile on them. If you're in a warm weather zone, then consider starting a veggie garden. You'll always have fresh produce which helps in fighting any illness. Also buy and plant melon seeds and berry plants.

Should we listen to the crazy rumors and start stockpiling? That's up to you. If you feel better then get a few extra cans now and then. Just don't go wild and and into a frenzy of over buying.

And Then There's Plan B

Most of the times the best of holiday plans get messed up. That's kind of what happened to me when I just didn't have the time to bake, frost and decorate my Winterscape Cake. What happens when the best of menu plans go awry? Quickly leap to Plan B.

Every home chef should have an alternative plan ready to be deployed. I did, with this

Aldi's dessert saving panettone trio which has three minis : Classic, Tiramisu and Cranberry.  These can easily be toasted and served with marscapone or butter. If I didn't have these I might have tried Nigella Lawson's no churn salted caramel ice cream. This is just mixing dulce de leche with whole cream and flavoring with bourbon and flaky sea salt (think Malden's).I could also whip up a quick chocolate mousse using Cool Whip and Instant chocolate pudding. It's an easy dinner - penne with crockpot sauce so the meal in itself is flavorful. Dessert would only be gilding the lily. Just remember that whatever sweet you have  around can be made into some kind of dessert. Trifle is the easiest. You probably have most of the ingredients. Just add a good slug of brandy and it's a boozy fun end to a Christmas meal.

The same philosophy goes for the main meal. There are ways to fix a holiday cooking mistake. Those hams or beef roasts sometimes get burned. Cut away the burned part , cut up the roast into pieces and continue cooking. If the entire thing is completely charred then first put the pot into a larger pan than it. Fill this with ice cold water  to cool it and after a while taste the meat. If it's still bad, then emphasize the sides as the main meal. Rummage through the freezer quick or ask a guests (Namely family and friends who will help out in a pinch) what they have. You may have to cobble together frozen burgers and nuggets but at least it's something. If you still want to serve the main dish, then cut away as much as the burnt  roast as possible then stir fry it with veggies such as tomatoes from the salad or the Brussels sprouts. Add a dash of some flavorful spice like turmeric or cumin to minimize the burn taste. If your holiday turkey  is too dry then boil up some chicken bouillon with butter and pour over the bird to moisten up the meat. If the gravy is horrible add chicken broth to give it more flavor. Sides nor up to par? Sprinkle with Parmesan to make  them more palatable. Another idea just serve more salad with the along with plenty of bread.

There always has to be a Plan B when it comes to holiday baking and cooking. Just be prepared for whatever your kitchen and fate throws you. You can get through it and still have a pretty tasty holiday dinner.

Your Green Kitchen

Today is Earth Day, a day when we wonder how to reduce our carbon footprints and heal our planet. One way is "greening our kitchen'  making this energy sapping room into an environmentally sterling area.If you think it's hard, think again.It's simple to go green.

One of the easiest way is recycling kitchen waste. This is a good time to start a compost heap since planting season is only a week or two away. You can buy compost bins or buy them at any big box home improvement store and even Walmart. Keep the compost far away from the house  because t does give off  a funky kind of stink. To create what's known as a green compost, start with veggies and fruit. Use any leaves such as what you find on the top of strawberries along with banana peels and grape stems. These break down quickly and won't attract rats and raccoons the way baked goods and meats do (I wouldn't even put in cleaned bones because that still would attract critters. Egg shells can be added. They add much needed calcium and mineral to the blend. You can also us the shells in the soil around peppers and tomatoes. too.Coffee grinds also should go into your heap. They are loaded with nitrogen which helps the dirt. Also toss in the filters if they're biodegradable and made from natural fibers.

Another way to make your kitchen greener is by buying Energy Star appliances. Consider an Energy Star fridge if you're shopping for a new one. Make sure you get a traditional freezer top one. Fridges with freezers on the top won't suck up that much energy. Also size matters. One that is energy efficient should be between sixteen and twenty cubic feet. What about the old fridge? You could get rid of it or use it for storage in the basement or the garage. Your choice of stove also can affect the environment.Gas stoves consume less energy than electric ones.There are three types of gas burners: conventional burners with standing pilots,conventional ones with electric ignition which is the most common, and sealed burners where the burner is fused to the stove top.Another aspect to consider is the self cleaning oven. This sort is saves energy more the non-cleaning ones.What about microwaves and toaster ovens. Both  are vital to  a home chef.A microwave , surprisingly , is more energy efficient. However it doesn't toast or crisp up such leftovers as pizza and french fries. The best bet is buy both and use them sparingly.

It's easy to green your kitchen. Recycle the scraps and leftovers. Buy energy efficient appliances. You may think it's not so big a dent in healing the earth but it is. Keep on doing it for a somewhat better tomorrow.

Cooking It Old School

Nothing beats hand mashed potatoes or a scratch cake. These are relics of the recent past where women (and some men ) actually cooked and baked. Cooking old school may take time and much more effort than the modern microwaved stuff but it's worth it. Let's face it when homemade food is loved and devoured but the whole family then it's time to rethink one's cooking techniques.

In this day and age , we all tend to reach for anything that's can be cooked and eaten in minutes. While this is convenient, it's not necessarily good for you .Most food, are chock full of preservatives from simple safe chemicals to  to some that are questionable. If you feel your life is too busy and hectic , then start simply. One if you have the time cook and freeze on the weekend. Eat later in the week when time is too squeezed to whip up an entire home cooked meal..As far as baked goods bake and then store., or have the cake or pie that night as a special dessert. This last can be created once or twice a month.

What foods can be made the way our moms and grandmothers made them? An easy no brainer one is mashed potatoes. Now you can cheat and get microwaveable potato chunks. These can then be poured into a bowl and masked with milk or cream along with butter. You an serve this with sliced roast beef and jarred gravy. Meat loaf is another simple dish that even a child could make. All it takes is ground beef, an egg along with breadcrumbs.. This can also be turned into leftovers as sandwiches. Soups are another old school dish that can be made by hand. Stock is easy to make and freeze too. You can create a myriad of soups with any broth  , whether, it's chicken beef, vegetable or fish.

Cooking it old school doesn't only give you good food but healthier food. It's made with elbow grease and love as opposed to  chemicals. Try it today and see the results.

Hurricane Cuisine Part Two

Yesterday I wrote about hurricane cuisine - what do do during a hurricane and shortly after. That was for people who are going to ride out this catastrophe and its' aftermath at home . However there are those who are also in shelters and may be not be allowed home for a few days. What to do then? Again , just improvise but use your brains. be smart about your choices and what to do when you return home.

The first thing if you can read this or yesterday's column good. You have some power and access to the Internet. You may be reading this off your phone or IPad.Hopefully it's not in a shelter however if it is , just stay calm. Your backpack should have your favorite crackers and cookies along with bottled water and energy drinks. These are the best to take with you - after all they're portable comfort foods and feel like home. If you haven't and you still have time to shop,get some juice boxes and Gatorade for the kids.Bananas and apples are the fruits to take with you. They're not going to spoil as fast as other fruits and they're less messy too. Jello and pudding cups are another good choice. They're full of vitamins plus they're easy and fun to eat, especially for the kids.

When you get home be prepared to scour your fridge. Hopefully it was emptied before you left however if not , then clean out. Food can last up to two or three days in a closed fridge or freezer. Throw out any fresh cuts of meats and milk that smell bad. Mayo will keep twenty four hours as do some creamy salad dressings Toss those if there's an unusual or sour odor.Most cheeses will keep as some veggies. This also applies to some frozen foods and dinners. If your fridge has completely gone without power for more than tow or three days and you're not there to cook the food, then toss it. Start fresh with whatever your stores will have.

In a few days things will more or less get back to normal. In the meantime, make the best of this foodwise. Be creative but above all be smart. Make the right choices when you're in the shelter and when you return home.

Pantry Raid

October is the time to start stocking up your pantries as well as your freezers. You never know when you’ll have weekend guests or be stuck indoors due to weather. Be prepared with a fully stocked arsenal of canned goods.

What should a well stocked pantry have? Tomato sauce and paste are always good/. You can use these for sauce or chili. Another good stock are beans. These can be use din salads, chilis or on their own and are a good substitute for meat. Other good canned items canned corned, mushrooms or string beans are another must have. These are good sides or make wonderful additions to soups and stir fries. I always want rice and mashed potato mix in my pantry. Rice is a great accompaniment to any meal . Mashed potatoes are easy to make for a Saturday lunch or dinner along with being hearty. Tinned fruit is also good because you can use it as a snack or as part of a dessert for the holidays,

As for freezers, store some of your leftover pesto and homemade tomato sauce in it. You can make lasagnas and also store them there. If you’re anticipating guests you make want to make a few meals in advance to save you time and energy in the kitchen. These you can store in the freezer as well. Also keep a few steaks and chops on order for those snowy or sleety days when you can’t make it to the store.

Remember to keep both your pantry and freezer well stocked. Begin now by buying meat sand canned goods on sale. You’ll be glad you did.