NO Bake Treats

Kids want cookies no matter what the temps are. There's nothing like a platter of homemade treats to satisfy a young sweet toot  - although adults feel the same way too Yet it's just too ot to bake . Wat do do? Try no bake treats that are perfect snacks.

One of the easiest is the classic Rice Krispie treats.This is an easy make that requires the traditional rice cereal mixed with marshmallows butter and a drop of vanilla. There are several debates on how to create this easy treat. Some home chefs claim that mini marshmallows make the best base instead of the bigger pillowy kind (probably because they melt better.)  Te second question is whether to use butter or margarine, margarine may melt better but butter gives that rich flavor tat works well with the other ingredients.[Adds ins are a fun too. Mulicolored sprinkles make the treats more festive and are perfect for summer birthdays, Semi sweet chocolate chips take away that intense sweetness as do nuts and pretzel bits. You can also dip the squares in microwaved chocolate too for a fancy after dinner treat. Can you vary the recipe? Yes! Cinnamon lovers can use Cinnamon Toast Squares and any brand of oat hoops like  Cheerios can be used too for a different take on the treat.

Cow patty may be a gross way to describe a cookie but this chocolate delight is bot easy and tasty. This is a stove top recipe in which sugar ,butter milk and cocoa powder are whisked together as they slow boil. Once whisked, oats, peanut butter and vanilla are added in.Lay out parchment paper and then spoon the mix onto the paper.They should be slightly thick and rounded. Set for half an hour before eating.Keep in mind when cooking tat the butter and the sugar can;t be cooked too long to they will burn . Do not use crunchy peanut for this .It';ll screw up the recipe. A vanilla version can be made subbing in vanilla pudding powder for the cocoa.Ice cream cupcakes are another cool treat on a  it day. The base is crumbled Oreos but I think Nabisco's chocolate wafers. Tis is mixed with melted butter to form the base. This mixture is stamped down in cupcake papers put in muffin tins.Tbe second layer is softened ice cream. Add whatever flavor you want, and the top with a tiny spoonful of hot fudge or caramel sauce.  Top with whipped cream and sprinkles when you;re ready to serve.

You can still have tasty  homemade treats without turning on the oven. These are quick stovetop or microwave treats. The result is a cool sweet on a nit day,

It's Cold Season

 Anyone can catch a cold at ny time of the year. Yet it seems that it's this time of year people are sneezing and coughing. It can be prevented - sort of and fed  - must do.

Preventing a cold can be tricky. There are other factors that play into getting one. Stale air in offices. People around you being careless when they sneeze or cough. However eating the right foods thought the season can help lower the chance of becoming sick.One is having a brightly colored diet. All those fruits and veggies actually do help. An easy way to have this , is sheet pan dinners. Serve a lean protein like chicken or salmon. Serve with roasted carrots and turnips along with broccoli and cauliflower. It's not just goof you ,it's good and tasty too. Add garlic and onion, to immune boosters for more flavor. Have dishes with a good portion of onions  like French onion soup and burgers with caramelized ones. Try to make garlic rich sauces for pasta . Eat more oats and barley.Oats stimulate glucan which boosts the immune system.Barley is also good, since it's full of Vitamin C and antioxidants. Barley soup is a wonderful dish to make and perfect for these frosty days ahead.  Fill it up with veggies too for more nutrients.

If you do wind up sneezing and sniffling, then be prepared. Warm liquids should be on a daily rotation. Hot tea with lemon can start the day(or add a splash of freshly squeezed orange juice to really boost the immune system). Warm apple juice is also good because it is so soothing on a raw throat.Any kind of broth is a must. Its not heavy and can go down easily. Eventually build up to a soup, preferably one with a lot of veggies and barley.What about fruit juices and that sickness must have  - ginger ale? Nix them. Fruit juices and ginger ale are loaded with sugar that have negative effects and zero nutrients. If you crave ginger then shave some ginger slices  into tea for the flavor. Snack on fruits with high water content. Watermelon is good if you can find this out of season fruit. However tomatoes and celery are still in abundance. You can easily create a light salad with either one or both. Chicken soup is good. Add noodles and veggies like carrots and celery for more flavor. Avoid spicy and greasy foods that can irritate nasal passages and upset already delicate stomachs.

it's cold season. Be prepared with having a good nutritious diet. If you do have the misfortune of getting sick, then boost your immune system with tasty and good for you ingredients.

Those Little Lunch Extras

 School lunches can be boring. School days can be stressful. How to ease both? By putting some fun lunch box treats that'll brighten the day and meal. Kids will love this and that you care.

A simple treat is just a Hershey 's Kiss. They now come in a variety of flavors form the original milk to dark chocolate. There's also the milk chocolate ones with almonds as well as white chocolate birthday cake ones., cookies and creme, ones with caramel and a white chocolate and milk chocolate blend called Hugs. Buy a few bags for these and vary them in the lunch box. There are some cute mini bars from Hershey's  as well that feature such classics as Mr. Goodbar loaded with nuts and Krackle. Another fun candy add in is miniature Tootsie rolls.  Two or three of these can go a long way in making a memorable lunch box treat. If you want the kids to eat healthy then grapes are a fun treat that are just as sweet.Another fun I love you treat is apple slices with a small cup of caramel such as Marzetti's individual caramel cups. you can do the same with sliced pears too since they'll be in season You can also go the savory route by adding some string cheese (always a kid favorite) or a handful of pretzel sticks or pretzel twists.

If you want to really show them some love, then think about baking. Of course cookies work every time.Slice and Bakes are handy if you don;t have time to get all the ingredients or have the tie to mix and bake. Add some red or pink icing hearts on them to let  the little ones know you love them.Scratch cookies are a fun weekend project that can  result in treats for the week(if they're not all gobbled up first). Some recipes are very easy and only require three ingredients like a brown sugar one. You only need salted butter, brown sugar and flour . That's it.  A sprinkling of cinnamon sugar can add another layer of flavor an d make them look decorative. Chocolate chip cookies are a classic and liven up any lunchbox or backpack. The recipe can be varied .Use almond flour to make them gluten free o r oatmeal for an earthier taste. Vary the chip size. One batch could have giant chips while the next could feature the mini ones. Snack cakes are another great treat that'll bring about a smile. There are so many different varieties. A square of chocolate or banana i s the perfect lunchroom dessert. You could add frosting to make even more special.

Add some love along with a sweet message or origami figure to your student's lunchbox it'll make a stressful day less stressful. It 'll make lunch tat much more interesting.

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.

A Highland Picnic

 Scotland and picnics may not seem to go together yet the Highlands are a beautiful place to enjoy the weather and scenery/. A hearty landscape requires hearty yet easy to carry foods.A dd a dream of whiskey too for a quiet buzz and to relax under sapphire skies,

A great picnic basket favorite is Scotch eggs. These weren't invented by the Scots but are much loved through the United Kingdom. it;s just hard boiling eggs and then wrapping them in layers of herb infused sausage and then bread crumbs.These are deep fried and can be eaten warn or cold. as for the herbs, try summer hetbs such as mint, thynes, rosemary and dill. You could add a tiny bit of hot sauce to give them zing.Anything cold and salmon also worked in a Scottish picnic. salmon runs throught the country and it's figures in many dishes.use a can of salmon instead of fresh for easiness.It's then mixing in mayo, chopped celery  and red onions or shallot.Add dill and lemon for more flavor and then chill.it could be served as a filling for sandwiches for a topping for water crackers. Keep in mind that you could add pasta or noodles to this. If you;re having a barbecue picnic then think salmon burgers.It's using the boneless fish mixed with lemon juice and bread crumbs along with Dijon mustard and shallots  . You do have to grind the salmon so that it forms a paste to mild into patty form. Its then grilling then on grill pan.They can't be put on a regular grill because the'll fall apart.

The Scots can turn oats into anything delicious. Think oat cakes to munch on with jam and butter along with a good thermos of tea. They only need a few ingredients such as oatmeal, butter and bicarbonate of soda. To this add a pinch of salt and hot water to bind. its' then creating a rolled out dough  and cutting out rounds with a large cookie cutter.Once cooked they can be slathered with a good homemade preserve and a rich butter. However a savory topping wouldn't go amiss. YOu could add salmon on top or even ham for a new spin on a pic nic sandwich.if you're feeling more adventurous then think of baking a loaf of oat bread.It's the same as white bread except made with oat flour and rolled oats. A fresh baked loaf is perfect for making sandwiches with ham. Another idea is store bought haggis than you can easily cook at home and bring along .It's more of a winter dish, being made at Hogmany or New Year's. Serve small bite soft it on the oat cakes. Of course shortbread is a must. You can make it or if it's too not then buy a package of Walker's it goes wonderfully with a cup of iced tea as a perfect end to the picnic. You can also make the whiskey infused white fudge called tablet too if you want.

A Highland picnic is a wonderful way to enjoy good food and nature around you. Create a good salmon salad and some oatcakes. Bring shortbread and tea .ENjoy a wonderful afternoon celebrating the best of Alba - Scotland.

Chilly Summer Days

 Those days will come - those chilly Summer Days when you;d prefer a hot chocolate to a chocolate gelato. Yet you can still enjoy picnics and days around the barbecue and campfire.The key is eating warming foods,They'll keep you toasty until the summer sun comes back,.

How do you stay the day on a cold summer morning? The same as you wound on a fall or winter day - oatmeal or farina. despite  the temps  berry harvests still thrive. Add some strawberry or any bertry butter with maple syrups. Also a good dose for cream with blueberries, strawberries and blackberries. Also warmed croissants with fresh made jam is another good way to start a below average temperature June or July morning.You could also make a hot sandwich with scrambled eggs, pork roll (Or Taylor ham) and and English muffin.A  hot sandwich is the  perfect way to chase off a chilly day especially if it's the first day of driving.Have a side for fruit to go with it.Omelets make for a good breakfast or even lunch. have them with peppers or cheese along with julienned ham r bacon bits. Shakshuka, the spicy Tunisian egg dish is a great family breakfast on a frosty Sunday. It's taking eggs and poaching them in a spicy tomato sauce that also has bell peppers onions and garlic. Omit these if they're too much for breakfast. Also it makes for a good brunch dish, especially with crusty bread.

What if your camping trips turns into a frost festival? You can still make hearty meals over a camp fire. Take already cooked spaghetti and already made meatballs. Add a sauce and you;re good to go.Surprisingly enough  garlic bread can be made over an open fire. You can buy a grill and and placed oiled and spiced slices of Italian bread on it and evenly toast both sides.The loaf can be cut into chunks , dipped in a garlicky oil and the toasted over the flames.Everyone knows you can cook hot dogs over a campfire but you can also cook hamburgers too. Patties are put into foil packets and then put over the flames for twelve to fifteen minutes. what about the beach? You can always bring hot soup in thermoses for a nice hot lunch.  Also instead of a cool drink, ring a thermos of coffee or hot tea to go with  sandwiches.Luckily there are  so many seafood restaurants that border seaside parks. Visit one for a good hot mug of chowder or a fresh  from the fryer fish and chips.As for a chilly evening at home,you can make a grilled steak but also have a jar of warmed gravy to go with it. Baked potatoes are a nice side on a chilly night. Serve with hot cheese sauce for an added treat.

Yes, there will be chilly summer days and nights. A hot meal would not go amiss during these days. Make a warming breakfast, lunch and dinner to chase anyway these cold days.

Coziness with Oats

 There is something about an airy dish that homey and satisfying. Maybe ti;s because of the grain being the most basic but also the most everyday.It's also lent itself to being good as an ingredientfor baked goods and hearty breakfasts.

Regular author and top baker Genevieve Ko wrote about it and gave two recipes in today;s New York Times Food section As she puts it oats can work miracles. Cooked otameal has a comforting and relaxing scent like clean fresh hay.There's also a natural sweetness to them that regular flour doesn;t have.They add to everything, from creating sweet crunchy toppings to extra chewy cookies like oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Chef Ko gives two recipes with them - honey oat pancakes and oatmeal chocolate chocolate chip muffins. Both are great ways to start a chilly Spring morning. There are so many different typrs of oats to use. What should home chefs use? She recommends quick cooking and instant oats are ideal for the pancakes because they;re small and flat, perfect for cooking. They;ve been finely chopped and steamed before packaging . They;re already made into flakes. Keep in mind that instant oats are going to be thinner than the quick cooking kind. They'll give the finished product s a chewier texture according to Sarina Shatseen , a culinary content specialist at the flour company Bob's Red Mill.

The recipes are perfect for breakfasts(or even for a Sunday lunch). The honey oat pancakes have the oatmeals soaked in buttermilk along with flax, honey and salt for a good ten minute. The longer the mixture sits the creamier and tender the pancakes. Use this time to make eggs and bacon . After the ten minutes add two tablespoons of canola or any flavorless oil. Baking soda and flour are then mixed in . They should be cooked in butter for a richer flavor.. Serve hot with more honey and definitely more butter for the ultimate treat.The oatmeal chocolate chip muffins can be perfect for breakfast or just a mid afternoon snack with coffee or tea. Use quick cooking oats for these along with flour and brown sugar. Cardomon is also added, giving the crumbs a lovely flavor. There is also eggs, butter and whole milk to give the muffins body. After the wet and dry ingredients are mixed the chips are gently added in. They're baked at 400 degrees Farenhit for twenty minutes. Use cupcake papers and bake in a muffin tin.

Oatmeal cna be a great addition to anything for breakfast or sweet. Try it in these pancakes or muffins. They;re a healthy and tasty addition to any recipe,

Mightlycious Cookies Mighty Good

 What happens when you're craving a really delicious cookie and you can't have one thanks to gluten allergies? You go to  the Mighylicious Cookies site and go wild with the wide array of gluten free cookies there.

I discovered these when I wanted something a little more healthier and better for my stomach. Finding them was like finding a treasure chest of flavorful gems. I ordered some fo my faves that I can have as a dessert or a fun beach snack.The brand's story started out of necessity when the creator Carolyn Haeler was diagnosed with celiac disease. This fellow cookie fiend tried finding gluten free cookie brands. After finding one and having it crumble on her she realized there was a need for a better gluten freen cookie. She came up with the Mightylicious and not only included flavors she liked but flavors that are always on the top of everyone else's lists

There are so many flavors to try. The oatmeal raisin and Double Dutch chocolate are my favorites. .Te Double Dutch is so rich and chocolate-ly it's like pudding.

I also liked the salted peanut butter - how novel - and the chocolate chip.

The oatmeal coconut became a fast favorite of mine and I really enjoyed the brown butter chocolate chip.Both were very flavorful.

Another plus is that the cookies come two to a packet so they're perfect with slipping into a lunch bag or bringin on vacatrion

                                           They're definitely beach or trip ready. Another plus is that they're very moist so they won't crumble so fast and won't leave a mess on a beac blanket or in the car.. What is surprising is that they're made with grape juice and apple cider vinegar but you can't taste either.

Want a mighty delicious cookie that won't upset your allergies? Then order some Mightylicious Cookies. They're flavorful treats that you're sure to enjoy.

Auga A New Kind Of Soup

 Everyone thinks soup are the most mundane food on the planet. Yet a new company is shaking up that belief. The Baltic area company Auga is creating interesting ones , full of good ingredients and flavors.  They're not the traditional canned ones. They're not even canned.

This is one of the soups that caught my eye at Stop & Shop. One it comes in a bag. You can reheat the soup in it if you';re in a hurry or don't want an extra pot to clean. It comes out very thick so it does need to be thinned out with about half a cup of water.

I tried the carrot soup first.

This was before I added the water. It looked like mashed squash and a bit too thick texture wise.. Adding water or even any kind of milk will make it silky and also reduce the intense carrot taste. There is coconut milk in it along with rice flour for thickening and sea salt and spices.  It just takes three  minutes to cook in the microwave.

                                It becomes lighter in color and thinner  even though it looks custardy, 

As for the taste, it tasted like steamed carrots with garlic. I add a huge tablespoon or two of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter since I'm used to cooking my carrots with butter. It tasted better and was a nice lunch. I also have the tomato but would like to try Auga's champignon or mushroom flavor along with their minestrone. The company has all natural "canned" (meaning plastic bagged) beans and veggies which also look interesting and healthy along with their organic eggs and milk. The company also produces breakfast products such as oatmeal cups.

Auga is shaking up the natural food market. Their soups are a nod to the traditional yet a departure . Try them for a fresher tasting bowl of soup.

Passover During A Pandemic

The holidays are entirely different this year, especially Passover. There are on line and streaming seders. Families are apart. It's certainly a strange time.

Amelia Nierenberg and Emma Goldberg both regular contributors  wrote this informative and interesting piece in yesterday's New York Food section. Passover means a time of ridding the house of unleavened bread along with other items. Vital pantry staples such as beans, bread and pasta fall into this category. Breads, cakes and cookies that are leavened with yeast are called chametz and are forbidden during this period. Usually a household's bread is either donated, eaten burned or sold to a non-Jewish person for a small fee and then bought back at the end of Passover. However bread is an important ingredient in today's kitchen and in high demand world wide. In Zichron Yaakov, a town north of Tel Aviv a Christian buyer told Rabbi Yair Silverman that he would actually keep the breads. The rabbi considered it a true sale then. Other items include foods like oatmeal and breads made with barley or kityinot. This also includes legumes and even corn and rice.

Many are adapting to this new holiday normal. One, Rachel Ringler,a food blogger, and challah baking instructor, had a Zoom seder in her Bridgehampton second home instead of her Manhattan apartment. She is serving rice and lentils a, custom of her half -Syrian son-in-law, who being a Sephardic Jew, can have corn, rice, and millet. This has been sanctioned by the Rabbinical Assembly, the international association of Conservative Rabbis. They have also offered suggestion for the Passover plate too. Try a roasted beet and rice instead of a shank bone and egg along with any fruit or vegetable that can bring a tear to the eye instead of horseradish. Use ginger which is just as sharp or hot peppers. Most home chefs have usually cooked brisket in the past to accommodate huge numbers of guests. Now families have roasted chicken. There are Seder to go boxes , supplied by Chabad.org. a worldwide Jewish organization. These have matzah, wine, grape juice, and even a plastic frog to symbolize the ten plagues along with a Haggadah, the telling of the Exodus from Egypt. One thing that is forbidden in some areas is the burning of the chametz. Some fires have gone out of control in the past and fire departments have been called in. Since they're needed  now , fires are banned.

Passover will certainly be different .  this year as Jews recite "next year in Jerusalem" there is also that hope that they will be there or at a seder with all their loved ones in the next  year. That's the best hope for this holiday.

The State Of Shopping Today

The way we shop has changed overnight. It's become a foraging expedition to be sure. Yet you can be savvy about what to buy. It's just knowing how to do it in without spending too much time in the store.

Know your store inside and out .It helps to map out your plan before you go (and hopefully you're only making shopping trips one or twice a week with a three day distance between). This will get you through quicker and out to your car faster. Figure out what you'll be making for four to five days in advance. If it's chili, then get plenty of red beans and tomato paste and stewed tomatoes. You should have pasta already  but if you don't get that and the ingredients to make sauce. Also include more staples such as milk, cheese , juice, and cold cuts along with frozen dinners too. Of course stock on the other essentials that make life somewhat easier. Get everything in one fell shop. Don't feel so bad if you have to buy some products in multiples. This reduces any additional trips back. It may seem hoggish but not so much if  you buy say two or three packs of teabags or three boxes of spaghetti. If you see it , basically buy it. Of course always have a pair of latex gloves ready to put on, and a mask if you feel more comfortable.

Keep in mind that there will be shortages for the basics. Chicken and beef have been going fast and it's almost impossible for the stores to keep up with the demand. Go for the vegan kind instead. Gardein has some very good chicken strips and tenders that the kids will love. The last is good with barbecue sauce and tastes like the real thing. Beyond Burgers does have great burgers and they can be turned into Whopper and Big Mac look and taste alikes. Don't fret if there's no more pizza. There seems to always be Green Giant's Cauliflower crust pizzas. I usually buy the plain ones and then load them up with favorite toppings.The crusts are a bit labor intensive. meaning you have to bake them for sixteen to eighteen minutes before you put the toppings on. The end result is good though. A tasty pizza with a super thin crust. Oatmeal is another item that seems to be scooped up in a second. Don't be alarmed if your favorite brand isn't there Sub in with the store brands or those little cups which do the trick quite nicely. Also get steel cut oats which can be used in such recipes as oat bread and oatmeal cookies.

The grocery store now is a lesson in quick foraging. Know what you want , buy enough to last a few weeks and leave. It's an aggressive kind of shopping for a new era.

Easy Comfort Food

This is the time for easy recipes from the pantry. Even if you're new to cooking there are some simple recipes you can whip up like a pro. They're tasty , relying on what you have stocked up. Another plus?   They're not labor intensive so you can spend time home schooling or working from home.

This was the subject of Melissa Clark's article in today's New York Times Food section. She also has some recipes on The Times live blog if you'd like to visit. The dishes, some are riffs on old favorites, keep perishables in mind. Some do ask for fresh ingredients but that's only if you have them handy. Subs are also welcome too.One recipe is pasta with canned tuna, anchovies and capers. Ms. Clark recommends using a twirly kind of pasta like spaghetti, linguini, or the thicker, chewier bucatini but any will do.It's then sauteing the anchovies with oil and garlic. Capers give it a salty tang but you can also use canned olives if you don't have the first or don't like them. Another dish revolves around that perpetual pantry staple. It's dried red beans. Use salted water with enough salt in it that it tastes like a mouthful of the ocean. Another flavoring is  garlic cloves , along with a celery stalk - but you can use celery salt too.  Throw in a Parmesan rind or a hunk of smoked meat. Bacon would be good here or do as Ms Clark does, throw in keilbasa. The base can any grain from rice to polenta. There is also a soup recipe.It uses the sturdy stock of root veggies such as rutabegas, turnips, carrots and even radishes. Toss in any fragrant allium like onions and throw in some herbal sprigs. Add bay leaves and a base of cold water Add some greens such as kale or spinach along with the cubed and peeled root veggies. It's then pureed and garnished with anything from a drizzle of olive oil to red pepper flakes.

Sweet recipes are also represented here. Ms. Clark gives us the ultimate comfort treat - coffee cake. It could be your snack after a work session or breakfast with a big mug of coffee. The topping is the best part and the first part made.It's melted butter, rolled oats and flour, each a quarter cup. Add in brown sugar and cinnamon. You can toss in other spices such as cardamon and allspice for some zing. The batter is a simple one , enhanced with some kinds of fermented dairy product. You can employ anything from sour cream to creme fraiche however there's also milk or non dairy yogurt acidified with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Fruit can be added to the batter such as pineapple or fresh blueberries. For a subtler flavor grate in some lemon or orange. Oatmeal also gets an upgrade. It's baked in a casserole dish with some peanut or almond butter and some cinnamon. Serve with cream and some maple syrup or just with bananas.  There's another pantry dessert, this time by another Food section contributor, Margeaux Laskey. It's a made in a pan chocolate cake that's made from scratch with cocoa powder. It's an easy bake  little chefs will love making in one bowl. Add some chocolate chips and dust with powdered sugar.

The pantry is your best friend these days. Use it to come up with satisfying meals and treats. It'll get you cooking and baking amazing recipes you and your family will love.

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.

Sweet For Voortman Sugar Free Cookies

If you're trying to watch your weight or you just want to cut back, then consider Voortman Cookies. These gems are sugar free yet taste just as delicious as a regular sugar filled cookie. Honest. These are a great boon to those on restricted diets. They satisfy both the sweet tooth and the need for crunch.

Being on a cirrhosis diet I had to give up regular cookies. Not that I'm a big Mallomar or Oreo fan but once in a while I do want a cookie or two as a dessert or a snack.I looked up and down on my local cookie aisle.I found Voortman's with a a big sugar free sign on them. I had to try them, dreading the taste. Turns out the shortbread I bought was just like regular shortbread.I had to try more.

I love oatmeal so I had to get the oatmeal which was amazing. They tasted liked my Mom's old fashioned oatmeal cookies, buttery ,oaty and crunchy,

Of course I had to try anything chocolate too.

I bought their fudge brownie chocolate chip which was a thousand times better than the regular sugar kind. The flavor was a rich, earthy cocoa with a satisfying number of chips.

Voortman is actually a Toronto bakery started in 1951 by two young brothers, William and Henry Voortman, fresh from Holland. They brought Dutch recipes with them and created such classic cookies as their almond windmills and Simply Social sugar cookies. Their array of cookies and wafers are as varied as any other cookie company. They have oatmeal stripes and fudge striped almondettes.They are known for their variety of wafers that include citrus flavors. Yet it's their sugar frees that shine. The flavor comes from maltilol, a sugar alcohol used in gum and mouthwash to sweeten them. I want to tr y their orange creme and lemon wafers along with their fudge stripes next. A bonus is that maltilol is actually O.K. for cirrhosis (however not OK for diabetics).

If you crave a cookie but can't have one because of dietary restrictions, think again. Reach for a Voortman's sugar free cookie. They're even better than the sugar kind,a truly tasty treat for any sweet tooth.

Breakfast Treats

The holidays are still with it and with them, long lazy breakfasts with the family. what better to celebrate this time together with a fun and tasty breakfast dish. Savory or sweet, it's a nice relaxed way to gather with the family.

Melissa Clark knows this and featured tasty breakfast dishes in her Christmas Day A Good Appetite Column  in The New York Times Wednesday Food section. These recipes are perfect for any winter weekend or for a New Year's brunch. There are savory and sweet along with a side that could even see its' way to dessert with a light supper. What is great about all of them is that they're simple enough to put together, especially if you're still fuzzy minded from the night before. The one that intrigues me the most is her take on oatmeal. She turns it into an oatmeal lace cookie with six tablespoons of butter sauteing the oats. Cardamon and cinnamon are added for spice  and then water, heavy cream and salt. This luscious combination is then baked for forty minutes. There's some stirring and more butter (!) is dotted on before baking for another fifteen to twenty minutes.You could serve it with more cream (yes!) and crunchy sugar. Guaranteed, there will not be any leftovers.

Another show stopper is a savory Dutch baby. Usually these giant popovers are sweet, being made with apples and cinnamon. Ms. Clark goes the savory route here. Bacon and Camembert flavor it , a perfect combination. There's also chives and Parmesan for more flavor boost.Many home chefs may have reservations about making the Dutch baby, because it's all about the puffy presentation. Yet it's an easy make with this savory pancake being baked in a skillet. Another savory dish, that could even work for lunch.It's baked eggs with creme fraiche and smoked salmon. It's the classic  two baked eggs in buttered rameklns with the cooked creme fraiche poured over them. The creme fraiche is cooked first with shallots for flavor. Smoked salmon and dill tops off each cup. With these savory dishes Ms. Clark offers a sweet-salty side of broiled grapefruit with flaky  sea salt and brown sugar. This is an easy cook,It's just sliced grapefruit sprinkled with brown sugar along with being drizzled with melted butter and honey. After a quick broil, serve with flaky sea salt. This would be a nice end to light lunch or dinner too.

Breakfasts during this holiday time should be rich and flavorful. It doesn't matter if they're savory or sweet, as long as they're delicious. Try making one or two for family and friends.

Into The Mix

Cake and cookie mixes can be time saving yet they really don't let home bakers get all too creative. However there's nothing wrong with adding to the mixes, spiking them up with flavor or color. It makes for fun baking and eating.

One of the easiest mixes to doctor are brownie ones.Yes, they're good on their own but they can be amped up. I recently did this with Duncan Hines Milk Chocolate Brownie mix. The mix does produce a delicious treat but I wanted something extra. Walnuts are the perfect nut for brownies, they go hand in hand.I added a small package of broken pieces or chips and they gave so much to the recipe.  You could add pecans or peanuts too if you wanted to. The Duncan Hines site has recipes for amaretto brownies along with ones spiked with ground red pepper. If you're adding this, experiment with various pinches of pepper. What you may think is not hot may be a four alarm fire for someone else. Cake mixes can also have an add in or two. Coffee granules can elevate any dark chocolate cake. A small dash of liquor  or even soaking a cake mix cake in rum. The last is the ultimate holiday cake, especially with a homemade hard sauce. Sprinkle cakes are still the cake of the moment. Just remember to add ONLY  quarter of a cup.  I used a full cup once and ended up with  two layers of unbaked disaster. Keep in mind that the sprinkles don't always have to be multicolored. Have all pink or all blue for reveal cakes. Use red and green for Christmas and orange ones in a chocolate cake for Halloween.

Cookie mixes can also be zinged up with all sorts of add ins. Over the years I've added mini chocolate chips to the Betty Crocker oatmeal cookie mix and red and green sprinkles to their sugar cookie mix. Any of these are fun add ins  - especially for a holiday tray or bake sale. M &M's are another great add in, whether they're the regular size or  the mini ones.One of the best additions is Hershey's Kisses to make Blossom cookies. They can be the traditional peanut butter ones or use a sugar cookie mix. Dust with cocoa powder after they're baked for an extra layer of flavor.If you're craving something healthier then think about tossing in some Raisins or Craisins - dried cranberries. They both add an old fashioned sweetness and color to any cookie, especially the spice and oatmeal ones. Nuts can also be a nice add in.  Put the nuts in a chopper first for a finer texture.Think pecans or walnuts to add more of a buttery flavor. Another fun idea is turning the cookies into sandwich ones.The filling is an easy mix of confectioner's sugar, vegetable shortening, butter and a few drops of vanilla extract. You could sub in cocoa powder for vanilla for a fudge-y kind of frosting.

Don't be afraid to add to any cake or cookie mix. Put your own spin on these. A half cup of sprinkles or raisins, a shot of brandy or red pepper will make these average ingredients your signature mark

Heart healthy Love

Give your heart some  love this Valentine's Day by treating it to heart healthy foods.We tend to overindulge in the bad stuff when we 're shut in. All that fat and sugar will not only cause heart burn but heart ache - literally.  It's time to rethink mid winter eating.

A hot breakfast is a great way to start a bone chilling February day. Most would appreciate a first meal of French toast or pancakes, two or three eggs, and of, course , bacon. Calorie wise it's about six to seven hundred calories. That isn't so bad but there is sugar , nitrates salt and fat  to deal with - and that's not good for the arteries. You can  edit this and wind up with a first meal that's not only low in calories but rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.Try buttermilk buckwheat pancakes. Two plain pancakes are 195 calories together  Add a scant tablespoon of maple syrup and small pat of butter. Can't start the morning without eggs? Then try them fiesta or calico style.It's a scramble zinged up with tomatoes, onions and pepper. You can add spicy soy chorizo for heat.For a really fun breakfast think mini quiches. These are loaded  made with sausages and cheese which can be made even healthier by subbing in soy.One of the healthiest is fruit with warmed Greek yogurt.This also makes a good snack too.
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Lunch is another important meal.It should not only good for your heart but the fuel to propel you through a chilly afternoon. If you have to take the meal to the office then, think outside the salad box. A vegan hot cheese sandwich is always welcome. Start with already toasted whole wheat which has double the fiber of white bread. Then the cheese . Cabot 's 50 percent reduced fat cheddar cheese brick is about the best. You can also go for soy cheese which only has forty calories. Add some sliced tomatoes or turkey bacon to liven it up.Nothing says summery and exotic like Salad Nicoise. Fill it with hard boiled eggs, florets of broccoli and cauliflower along with olives and carrots. A simple vinaigrette is all it needs. What about a dinner sure to please your heart? Grilled or seared salmon is only 157 calories. Pair it with a lemony brown rice and grilled mixed carrots and squash. Turkey breast is another lean main course, made even more delicious with roasted Brussels sprouts and asparagus. As for dessert,  think all sorts of  fruits dipped in melted dark chocolate. Keep away from the original recipe which contains heavy cream. Just stick with the chocolate.

Treat your heart with love this Valentine's Day. Eat healthier and it will love you back. That's the perfect romance.

Gourmet Gift Baskets The Perfect Gift

Even though Halloween is only two days away, it's not too early to think about holiday presents. One of the best one - even for Thanksgiving is a gift basket. There 's always a treat for everyone, from candy loving kids to cheese loving grandparents.A basket full of goodies is the perfect family gift.

What's the best place to go? Hands down, its's Gourmet Gift Baskets. This Exeter, New Hampshire family owned company has been shipping all sorts of sweets and savories for the last ten years. The company covers all events from the joy of a new baby to losing a loved one. There are even towers of food to celebrate newly wed couples and new neighbors.Another plus about Gourmet Gift Baskets is that you can even order flowers for Valentine's Day. along with several other occasions. The Thanksgiving  gifts are perfect, especially if you can't attend a family gathering. There are even apple and pumpkin pies which will be appreciated on a busy holiday cooking day. For a really lux gift send a bottle of Veuve Cliquot to a tired , over worked home chef. Even more impressive are their holiday towers. A perfect gift for any foodie is the $200 mega basket of every snack imaginable.There's chocolates, pretzels and even trail mix. This will last well into January .Another impressive present is the cookie basket. It has every sweet bite from chocolate chunk brownies to whoopie pies. Gourmet Gifts also sells healthy baskets too , full of low calories treats like wheat crackers and popcorn.


 I recently received their Halloween Witch's Baked Goods. Below is their chocolate chunk brownie

peanut butter and chocolate chip. The cookies were tasty and I liked the variety. The chocolate chip were buttery with a homemade taste as were the oatmeal raisin, that didn't have that many raisins. One of the best were the sweet, buttery butterscotch blondies were were a lovely blend of sweet and creamy. The peanut butter ones were also tasty - surprising for me  because I'm not overly fond of them. The cookies arrived , individually wrapped in cellophane so each bite was fresh. I also liked the box which will be used for either Halloween decorations or my embroidery and sewing gear.

What to get the food lovers and oenophiles in your life? Anything from Gourmet Gift Baskets. They have a wide variety of treats and drinks that can suit any taste. Put them high on your list when holiday shopping.

Mush Mouth

Having dental work and oral surgery is annoying along with being painful. The worst part is that you're on a really strict diet for a few days.Luckily you can make it work and more or less have the same foods you normally eat.

Unfortunately I had a back molar pulled today and was promptly told what to eat and not eat. No chewy meats like steak. No crunchy foods  like pretzels and chips. I can eat guacamole but not the corn chips that accompany them. Another  taboo - hot food which can dissolve the stitches in my mouth.Foods have to be tepid, room temperature or better yet cold foods. No crunchy Smarties (which got me into this mess in the first place). No popcorn - another culprit that could have damaged the tooth that needed to be pulled. Soft squishy tomatoes  are fine celery isn;t unless it's chopped up.Forget hot chocolate - way too hot and sugary. Very sugary drinks such as it and even icy sodas should be avoided for at least a day or two. They can irritate the raw extraction site. Warm coffee is fine  as is warm water . It 'll be another twenty-four hours before I can satisfy my Panera  and Starbucks cravings,

Of course my meals will be slightly altered. Thankfully I can have my daily breakfast of flavored oatmeal. My hot herbal tea will need a few ice cubes now. I can still have scrambled  or soft boiled eggs at home or at my favorite diner. Omelets are on the list too. I just can;t have a side of bacon and home fries.Corned beef hash is OK with it so I may try this new combo./ As for meals, clear soups such as vegetable broth is allowed along with pureed or mushy foods.Mashed potatoes are high on the list. They can be enhanced with a huge knob of butter or a few tablespoons of gravy. Polenta is also on the list. Cheesy polenta is even better.It's soft, creamy and chock full of protein.Baked mac and cheese is not just the comfort food that will get you through this but it's perfectly fine to eat. Another mushy pasta dish is pastina, those little stars  mixed with melted butter.It's also allowed. Yay! if you want something more nutritious  them have pureed beans and rice along with pureed yams.Finish with Hagen -Daz mini cups .


Extractions are a pain, both literally and figuratively, The restricted diet that goes with it is evne worse. Just - grin - and bear it  - and embrace the mushiness.

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.