Memorial Day Food for Thought

Today is Memoriall Day and it's a day when we should remember our service people. For the ones we have with us there are so many gestures we can do to show our gratitude and appreciation,

For our veterans, cook them their favorite. foodsTake  them  food shopping. Share your garden with them. They'll appreciate all that fresh fruit and veggies. Celebrate their achievements with parties and barbecues. Birthdays should be big deals too. Invite them over for an afternoon of talk with the kids so they can  learn history first hand.

For our servicepeople. give them gift certificates for that special. dinner out. Babysit their kids for that much needed romantic meal with their spouses.Celebrate them with block parties or quiet coffee times where they can open up about their experiences over a cup and a slice of cake. 

America was born out of war 250 years ago. We need to celebrate and appreciate service people past and present who preserved our ideals and Constitution. Celebrate the present generation with a plate and glass of something good

Helping Each Other

 This is Martin Luther King Day, a day when we need to remember Dr King's words and actions. We will need this in the next four years and possibly beyond. Keep in mind people , family friends, neighbors will need our support.

Despite all the promises, food prices will not go down. Thankfully there are stores like Lidl and Aldi that offer good food at lower prices. Shop at them to save money. They, especially Lidl ,offer deep discounts on such expensive items as  eggs and milk. Wal.mart also has some good buys on various food stuffs and appliances too. Be judicious. Be smart. Another way is supporting small farms. These too will suffer in the upcoming years. Support them in the summer and fall when their harvests are ready to sell. Bring your family,friends and neighbors to shop and show them how they can save too if they haven't;t discovered these discount grocery stores.Another way to combat rising prices is start your own gardens. Start planning now for Spring planting. beginners should stick with easy veggies to grow. Think radishes and tomatoes along with carrots and peas. Fruit trees take a few years to mature and produce harvests. You can grow these if you;re patient enough. Remember to donate some fo your harvest to those who need it , whether family friends or neighbors. 

IN that same vein, some programs will most undoubtedly be cut.Veterans and the disabled will be needing help too. Again do what you can to donate to food pantries. If you own a restaurant, donate any overage to soup kitchen s .Another idea is do what rocker Jon Bon Jovi as done, His Soul Kitchens allow people to pay what they can or help out in the restaurants. This gives those struggling a chance for a night out which for some is a luxury.Also consider hiring these people too. They'll appreciate the job as well as whatever food they can bring home with them. Mentoring will also be important too. Any shop in the food industry or restaurant can do this, helping those who are struggling to get started with their own careers.Smaller shops like bakeries and meat markets can perhaps offer discounts on day old products and also offer discounts to students and veterans.These shops should also promote and sell small time artesans, those who make their own honey or baked goods along with kitchen items like towels and ceramics.

Today we honor Martin Luthr King. We should honor his principles and generosity too.It will make the next four years bearable. 

Healthy Harvests

 This is the time when everyone's gardens and pick your own orchards are in full harvest. Take advantage of these for healthy eating. Fresh fruit ans veggies have so many benefits. Eat them fresh for even more benefits.

This is the time for peach picking. Orchards around the area are bursting with clusters of these golden gems.As good as they are in crumbles and crisps , they're even better eaten chilled and fresh from the fridge. They're loaded with important vitamins like C and K which your body uses to heal wounds. They're also the rare fruit that has Vitamin E which keeps eyes and skin healthy too.Surprisingly peaches also contain trace amounts of zinc and copper,Zinc helps in getting the thyroid to work properly as well as helping blood to clot. Copper helps your teeth and bones to grow along with protecting cells and the immune system. Eat the whole fruit because their skin is rich in cancer preventing antioxidants.  Another fruit in full bloom right now is watermelon.Nothing beats a cold, sweet wedge after a barbecue or picnic.It's low calorie - only forty-six per slice so you can indulge in a few slices . A slice also has a big dose of lycoprene which is usually found in tomatoes.It improves heart health and even helps in preventing sunburn.Keep in mind that water melon is ninety per cent water  so it's also perfect for hydration, Dust it with a tiny bit of sea salt. This not only improves the taste but also replenishes electrolytes and carbohydrates.

Gardens are full of all sorts of tomatoes right now too. This is on e of the most versatile harvests because there are so many recipes that call for just picked from the vine tomatoes. They're also good eaten fresh with just a tiny sprinkle of salt on them too. These are high in Vitamin C which brightens skin and reduces inflammation,Cooked tomatoes release lycoprene to which helps in preventing cancer. eating them any way in any recipe will also improve your brain and prostrate health.This fruit - and it is a fruit is also rich in magnesium, which supplies the body with electrolytes.Electrolytes help cell function normally.Magnesium also helps in easing sore muscles after exercising too. Gardens are also full of zucchini too. These can be sliced into coins and sauteed with garlic and butter for a tasty side or  air fried to create a fun snack. They are high in Vitamin A and manganese, the last vital for forming connective tissue and bones.It also plays a role in calcium absorption and blood sugar regulation.Eggplant is also another garden gem that's in full harvest right now. It too is rich in Vitamins A and K. Eating it also reduces the risk of heart problems as well.

Summer harvests are like a giant vitamin and much tastier. Eat as much as you can, They will definitely boost your health and make you feel better.

The Ideal Garden

 All home chefs and home owners dream of the ideal garden.it can be bursting with tomatoes. Have stalks of corn. Rows of asparagus.

Here's the question - what would be in your ideal garden? (Mine would be tomatoes and asparagus , possibly spinach.) Let us know and if you want include pictures of past harvests

Designer Harvests

This is the time when home chefs gather the last of their summer efforts. Gardens are picked through. Zucchini and squash are turned into healthy sides while tomatoes are cooked into sauces. Imagine, not having to do all the picking and clearing out. It's a reality in the every trendy Hamptons.

Hiring a gardening landscaper was all the rage in the eastern part of Long Island this summer. Stacey Stowe wrote about it in today's New York Times Food section.It used to be that farmers used the fertile sandy fields here to just pant potatoes. Now the trendsetters not only hire a landscaper to design the beds and designate what veggies go where, there are also a crew to plant the beds as well as a chef (seriously??!!.) to figure out how to cook the harvest as well as what recipes pare nicely with the fruits of their labors.It's an expensive hobby, with fees reaching as high as $100,000. It is bespoke  with "gardeners" telling their crews what they want growing along with it being always organic. The idea is not a new one. Long Island estates have always had a kitchen garden since the 1800's when cooks used estate grown produce and herbs to cook elaborate meals. Today's personal chefs , do much the same as their 19th Century counterparts, pick the freshest and ripest and turn them into tasty dishes.Unlike the estates, there are elaborate sheds that have fancy soapstone sinks, complete with Moroccan tiles. Some gardens even have raw concrete dining tables to eat at and to put the produce after picking.

This is a boon for personnel chefs who basically have their own farmer's markets to play with , thanks to generous bosses. One,Kevin Penner, who was a professional chef at East Hampton's 1770  House and Cittanuova, has the run of thirty-six (!) bed raised gardens on a three house compound at Meadowlark Lane in Bridgehampton. He can experiment, using exotic herbs  and heirloom La Ratte potatoes in creating lush but healthy dishes.Many residents, such as newswomen ,Katie Couric, keep it simple. Yes, she does have help however she only grows tomatoes, eggplants,zucchini, lettuces and herbs. She either uses these to cook for her daughters or gives them away to friends. Her garden is only ten by twenty feet and unlike her neighbors, she handles most of the garden work herself. Many rely on Paul Hamilton who is a gardening guru for these wealthy green thumbs. He plants and maintains them along with asking clients if he can donate the overage to East Hampton Senior Center. Donating veggies to City Harvest is common.Some  gardeners do feel they're blessed and send parcels of fresh veggies  via the Hampton Jitney to feed New York's homeless.

Even if they're designer and lush, gardens are still gardens. They provide fresh veggies and herbs, creating tasty dishes that are rich in nutrition. In the end, it's not the cost but the effect that matters.

Leeks On Toast - Pure Heaven

Leeks are flavorful and fragrant. They're a cousin of garlic, hence their strong taste and aroma which adds to any dish. Imagine cooked ones on toast, dripping with butter and Parmesan cheese. This is one of my family's favorite recipes, coming from my great aunt's in-laws from Biella, Italy. Leeks on toast have been one of my all time favorite ones, one I could eat it every few days if I could.

Leeks are an easy cook. They are expensive though , being almost nine dollars for just a bunch of three.They have to be thoroughly rinsed in cold water  to get the sand out(they grow best in sandy soil - for those who want to add them to their vegetable garden). Wash for two to three minutes. They then need to be cut into half inch pieces and then cooked in salted water for about twelve to fifteen minutes. They'll look like this

They're kind of soupy looking but there's a reason for it. but let's get to the recipe first. There will be a portion drained and reserved for the toast. This is about a cup of drained leeks,. Drain the excess water back into the pot. 

As the leeks are cooking, toast eight slices of white bread. Any good sandwich  bread such as Pepperidge Farm will do the trick. Once toasted, place the slices on an ungreased cookie sheet. Evenly spoon cooked leeks over the slices, followed by a liberal sprinkling of Parmesan cheese and a fat knob of butter. Bake for ten  minutes in preheated 325 degree oven Farenheit. 

This is the finished product

They are bites of pure pleasure with the almost garlicky greenness of the leeks married to the melted butter and baked Parmesan. It's seriously the most perfect taste!

As for those leftover leeks and water,wait until they're cooled, then drain. Keep the leeks for leeks on toast or soups. Keep the leek water for soup. It's more flavorful than vegetable stock and would be a great addition to potato soup or even making an onion soup with it. Some home chefs add potato peels to it for more flavor and depth - that's up to you.

Leeks are the most wonderful veggie on earth. They're fragrant and flavor. Use them for vichyssoise or better yet, spoon them on toast and bake them with butter and Parmesan cheese for a truly yum moment!

Michelle Obama's Great Legacy

First Ladies are not known for their rebelliousness. They have to be genteel and not rabble rousers. Yet our former First Lady , Michelle Obama rebelled - making our kids more diligent about what they ate. She gave us a generation of kids who will be healthier and wiser in food choices..

Her Let's Move program started out with parents protesting themselves about the interference of a First Lady. From all corners of the country they yelled and made snide remarks. Unfortunately, as they did this, their kids became fatter and lazier, junior candidates for diabetes, obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure. Folks acquiesced when they saw she was right, and only was emphasizing what their pediatricians had already told them. It was also what Alice Waters' credo
was too. Not only were parents starting to change their kids' diets but schools were too. Gone were those mystery meat lunches and sweet extras such as cookies and cake slices.Fresh veggies and fruit became the fuel that young minds needed. Sodas were also frowned upon with kids now reaching for bottles of spring water.Mrs Obama even applied these principles to her own girls. Malia and Sasha. The White House chef created tasty and low cal dishes for all the Obamas and may have even started the food craze of riced cauliflower. The girls definitely benefited , with them reaching for apples when other kids reach for chips.

Mrs. Obama even carried it one step further by turning  part of the White House lawn into a veggie garden. She invited school kids to help her plant and water, infusing them with her enthusiasm,. It also led her to have the first White House apiary where honey was produced. This was a great message too - to use natural sweeteners instead of refined sugar. The site is still up.It's still vital and important. It shows how schools can start their own gardens, teaching kids how to eat healthier along with learning about sustainability.There is also a section that features nutritional  meals from such sites as Good Housekeeping, Food Network , Delish, and Cooking Light. Parents can visit these and pick out fun recipes that are packed chock full of tasty recipes.Mrs. Obama also made those kids burn off those calories by starting the Let's Move movement. She emphasized the importance of families playing together , from taking jogs to a game of baseball. She also emphasized the importance of towns and cities have adequate and enticing play areas to get kids moving.

It's doubtful that the current First lady will continue on with this. Yet there are those who can and will continue Michelle Obama's legacy of good eating. It will not die, but continue on, helping our kids grow healthy and strong.

Planting Your Meals

Despite the weather it is actually planting season, Many home chefs also become home gardeners to guarantee their summer cooking has fresh vegetables. Planning is key to a great garden along with planting what will be eaten most.

Everybody goes wild when they see those seed packet displays. There's so many veggies, herbs and even fruits to choose from. Hold back. That enthusiasm may result in buying and growing produce
you"ll  never eat . Ask yourself and your family what do they like the best. Tomatoes are always welcome because they not only go in salads but can be used in ratatouilles and sauces. Also family and friends always love to receive a bag or basket of fresh picked tomatoes too. Lettuce is another plant that's always in the  garden. Buy several different types of lettuce seeds to grow (however be warned,critters like woodchucks love to nibble on lettuce leaves).Carrots are another garden must because they can be turned into  a great side or part of any salad. They're also very easy to grow as well.Some home gardeners like to grow green peppers and then cook the harvest with Italian sausages or make them stuffed. If your family loves corn, then consider adding it to your garden plot.Just remember that corn does require not only space but extra care.If the family doesn't commit to it then the best bet is buying ears at your local farmer's market.

Herbs are always welcome plants in any yards. Again evaluate what you cook with and need, then seek those seeds.Basil is one of the most versatile herbs. If you use a lot of it , consider an entire patch of it or buying three or four basil plants to transplant. After all, it won't just be an addition to pasta sauces, but it will be used in marinades, topping pizzas and being made into the main ingredient of homemade pesto sauce.It';ll also be given to family , friends and neighbors who will be constantly asking for it for their own cooking.Rosemary is another herb that's much in demand and it can be grown in any garden. Home chefs will do well by planting garlic cloves in the backyard too. They're easy to tend to and yield amazing shoots that can be subbed in for scallions. Also the idea of using fresh garlic is very appealing to any home chef. Like basil, it can be used in almost every savory dish out there, from salads to roasts.Home chefs should also consider growing fruit such as berries and melons. Strawberries are always on every home chef and home bakers list for summer ingredients, Adding  fresh from the garden ones will amp up homemade  strawberry shortcake or homemade ice cream. Watermelon is a great summer must have and it's fun to have a slew of them in the back yard. Just remember that melons do take up a lot of land so plant accordingly to allow for their growth.

This is the season for planting. Make a list of what you cook with the most and then plant them.There's nothing better than cooking and baking with fresh from the garden ingredients.

Ash Wednesday Giving And Giving Up

Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Western Christian holy period leading up to Easter Sunday. It's a time of giving up but can also be a time of giving. One of the pluses of this austere time is that our sacrifices can turn into habits that we can take with us through the year.

Volunteering is never really a Lenten idea yet is is a sacrifice of one's time. Many soup kitchens are understaffed at this time because volunteers usually drift away.  Our local media never  emphasizes this as they do around the Thanksgiving and Christmas when more people feel compelled to help out. To get rid of the mid  winter doldrums join your local kitchen and  hang out if you have the time. Get to know the regulars and listen to their stories.Buy them a coffee if you see them on the street, help them in whatever journey they're on. Another idea is baking for these kitchens . Have the offspring help so they can get an idea of what public service is.They can make brownies or cookies and bring them over to the kids (and there are many) that also frequent the kitchens.Smaller soup kitchen sometimes have parties so donate either food or drinks or even bake a cake or cupcakes to bring over as well as assisting setting up and cleaning up afterwards. Also donating seeds and gardening tools to community gardens are a huge help as well along with offering gardening advice. Right now many grocery stores are starting to sell seeds. Pick up a few packets, such as lettuce, peas and squash  to help them start.

Of course Lent means giving up the foods and drinks we love Many give up sweets such as cake or candy for these forty days. The good thing about giving up foods is that you lose your taste for them. These sweets can be replaced with healthier fruits for a burst of sweetness. After a while it's easier to reach for a handful of dark , flavorful grapes than cookies. It's also better for the body as well as for the soul, as we all know. You'll feel springier  after nixing the gluten and refined flours and replacing it with vitamins and fiber too. Many , especially the Greek Orthodox give up meats for Lenten fasting. There are so many bonuses win doing this. You'll lose weight  as well as not ingesting all those harmful antibiotics and hormones that are still being injected into farm animals. It's also a good deed , with saving animal's lives. Fasters will also enjoy broadening their diets by include all sorts of pastas and vegetable dishes. They'll  discover the variety of different faux meats from Morningstar Farms and Gardien brands. Remember though , that if you give up meat you need to supplant it with protein. This is where peanut butter or any nut along with green peas and edamame give you that punch of it. Even unsweetened cocoa powder which can be made into the Mexican mole sauce has huge quantities of it.

Ash Wednesday is a time to start  giving up whether time or favorite foods. It's a time of soul searching and wondering what you can do to make life better for yourself and your community. It's fasting but also also pondering too.

Your Own City Garden

Pity the poor apartment dweller.who doesn't have the luxury of fresh herbs or veggies. They have to go to their local farmer's markets or supermarkets for these culinary essentials. However that can change. City dwellers can grow their own greens and aromatics along with mushrooms! It's easy to do , even for brown thumbers.

It was the subject of an article by new writer Annie Raver in yesterday's New York Times Food section. Ms. Raver interviewed Kerry Trueman and Matt Rosenberg who are "urban gardeners" that first turned their roof into a rooftop garden. They started with tomatoes and them built large planters to hold roses and strawberries, Corn, blueberries and even hops followed.Sadly this had to be dismantled due to a 1998 legal dispute  to keep their building rent stabilized.Their window boxes now hold their greens. These are deeper than the typical windowbox with a length of 4.1/2 feet and a depth of 1 1/2 feet. The Trueman-Rosenbergs also made sure these were situated at the north, east and south to better capture the sun. They have sugar peas climbing up a homemade bamboo and yarn trellis. They have black edamame or panther soybeans as well along with Bright Light chard, a more heat resilient green than spinach. Apartment owners can also grow plant indoors, namely mushrooms. Home Depot sells kits  that can be easily set up Keep in mind that if city folk want eggplants and tomatoes, they do need eight hour of sun while lettuces and herbs need only two to three hours of light.

Many apartment and condo dwellers may have reservarions about starting a garden.After all it does involve- dirt - along with fertilizer and water. However nowadays its' extremely easy - and neat to maintain plants. The window boxes have only three sides instead of the traditional four.The open side faces the apartment where the roots are contained in malleable bags called Root Pouches. These can be moved around and easily washed.At the end of the season they can be cleaned, folded and stored for next Spring They also come in different sizes so herbs can be grown in the one gallon pouch while veggies can be grown in the bigger ones. The Root Pouches are also made from recycled plastic water bottles , another plus. As for potting soil, it now comes in lightweight compressed bricks. Just add water and it expands into ten pounds of potting soil.Another help is Rain Mat which helps seedlings grow deep, downward roots. This makes the plants heat and drought resistant. There is Better Than Rocks, a recycled plastic that prevents the plants from becoming waterlogged from storms and Terra Sorb which retains water and keeps the soil moist during heat waves.

Anyone can have a garden with fresh veggies and herbs. Apartment dwellers will love the idea of having their favorites at their fingertips.It's easy to have a high rise green spot.

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Celebrating Dr.King's Legacy

We celebrate Dr. King's legacy today with service acts. It should be do ne all year long in small and big ways.There are so many in which foodies can to help the community and make people's diets better and  more nutritious.It's not about spreading the good, it's about spreading the good food.

Again I can not emphasize the importance of volunteering at a soup kitchen especially throughout the year.Many tend to only remember the homeless and destitute  during the winter months and holidays. Poverty is 24/7  as is need. Contribute as much as you can when you can.Also volunteering at nursing homes, along with helping to arrange parties to break the boredom is always needed. If you're a restaurant owner ask if you  can  donate any leftover foods such as soups and salads. emphasize to your staff how great it would be  if all of you worked at the local soup kitchen. Even bakeries can help by donating overage. It's a sin to waste day old rolls and cakes when they'd be a big plus adding to lunches and dinners.

Home gardeners and farmers can also contribute. Depending on how the summer goes  donate any bumper crops you may have  . Tomatoes are always appreciated  because they can be turned into everything from salad to sauce. Onions and garlic are also welcomed because they ,too , are versatile as well can be kept for a substantial amount of time. Even herbs can be donated. They are perfect for seasoning sauces and meats. Vegetables can also be used in creating soups which can be made in the summer and then frozen for the fall and winter. Any garden produce can be donated via Ample Harvest (www.ampleharvest.org) to food pantries in your area. This organization is great because it allows home farmers to contribute as well as providing fresh fruit and veggies to families in  need.

Dr. King envisioned a world where everyone could reach out and help each other. Continue that dream by helping your community. It could be a Sunday morning at a soup kitchen.It could be donating your garden's bounty . As long as it's reaching out to give your community nutritious ingredients and healthy meals.

Plotting Your Summer Garden

There's nothing like fresh veggies and fruits.especially If they're organic and from lovingly tended gardens. The problem is that most stores don't offer this.This is why a backyard garden and even mini orchard pays off. You get fresh ,chemical free produce at any time that you want it.Growing and gardening are also fun hobbies too, connecting you with nature.

The first thing to do is plot your garden. Ask yourself what you want to plant. If your family loves pasta and salsa, then think about growing tomatoes. There are all sorts and they're relatively fuss free to raise. If you want something simple, then think radishes, They're the first veggies that kids grow because they're easy to tend to and sprout quickly. Carrots are too, however they grow the best in sandy soil.Another snap to grow is lettuce . It can even be cultivated in containers for those that want the simplicity of a patio garden.

If you;re planning on growing squash and melon, then start clearing out your garden. These require a lot of space , Melon requires a warm soil about seventy degrees Fahrenheit. Maintaining an even temperature is easy, Use a permeable black tarp to keep the plants toasty during cool late nights and early mornings.It's also important to have good irrigation as well. Squash requires a lot of ground as well, however they are a bit easier to grow than their vined cousins,the pumpkin. As with trees. if you;re think of planting any fruit trees, then get saplings, They;re easier to tend to than planting by seed. Apple and peach trees.give you fruit as soon as they reach puberty.which is the second year. Strawberries and blueberries yield quickly and they basically easy to care for.

This is the time of year to start thinking about your organic garden. Choose the veggies and fruits you know your family will like.Also keep in mind about their facility to grow.. This will give you the best garden and the best produce to enjoy.

Food Trend 2012

Now that the New Year is here , it;s time to see what will be the top food trends in 2012.there will be a lot of them from  what yesterday's Daily News Eats section predicts.Some are actually very predictable, some are sort of a surprise. However for now there is no new breed of animal we'll be eating or new strain of fruit or veggie to go wild over.It seems the New Year looks to the past as to what we'll be chowing down on.

The Eats section  interviewed several New York City chefs and they more or less answered the same way/. Local foods will be the biggest trend, carrying over from 2011.Both Robert Newton of  Brooklyn';s Seersucker Street Canteen and Jason Hilbert of Gwynnett Street, also of Brooklyn both feel that local produce will figure heavily in both restaurant and home cooking. This makes sense given that almost every town, and section of  New York now has a farmer's market. This also means that there's a good return to preservative free cooking too. People can pick up fresh spinach and tomatoes  along with herbs and spices. Locavore cooking may also figure heavily in the return to home gardening. There may be more tomato and pepper plants sold as there will be fruit tree saplings.

Another trend is once again taken from 2011 and that is comfort food.,In fact the  number one comfort food that may be the must have is the simple grill cheese sandwich. Daniel Holzman of  .Meatball Shop predicts that this gooey treat will be making the rounds of some of the best restaurants. Another trend is more sustainable seafood and a huge interest in seafood dishes. This last makes sense because , unlike beef and poultry, fish have  the necessary Omega threes along.It's also lower in fat and cholesterol. Another chef,Dan Silverman of Manhattan's The Standard Grill predicts North African and Moroccan cuisine will be hot. Thanks to the international coverage of the events of Arab Africa, more people are curious about the Arab lifestyles and what foods they make and eat.

The year has just begun however the trends are starting up. There will probably be a few new ones with each season. Like any other trend , food trends come and go. The ones mentioned may be hot, They may simply be predictions. It's hard to say.The year is brand new yet.