And Cylospora Rages On

 It is not a good summer for veggie and fruit lovers. Thanks to Cylospora, that nasty little parasite , everyone's favorite produce is now off limits. What to do> What to avoid? f you eat carefully you can beat this.

Many people still don;t know what Cylospora is.They often confuse it with salmonella or food poisoning. As far as digestive track upset (and that's the  kindest that can be written about both) both can cause a lot of trouble. Yet Cylospora is a parasite - and it relies on only humans to thrive. Animals are free from it.On the surface of any herb,veggie or berry the parasites lie dormant in pods called oocytes.One hundred of them can fit comfortably on a pinhead .Once swallowed they trek through the esopha  gus, then  to the stomach and finally landing in the intestines. The pods respond to everything from gut signals to bile to digestive enzymes. The parasites go straight to the small intestine's lining where they take over the cells. They make copies of themselves; after awhile they form egg like and sperm like organisms which mess up the intestinal lining/ They reduce nutrient absorption which can cause massive diarrhea in foods and water. How people get the parasite is by ingesting water contaminated with them. Germany hands can also cause it which may explain the large contamination.Infected workers touch fresh;y picked produces and ;eave the tiny pods behind. 

What can you eat during this outbreak?Fresh salads are definitely off the table. Yet there are so many delicious veggie meals you can make.If you do want fresh lettuce get the heads as opposed to the bag mixes.Amy stores have pulled these, namely from Taylor Farms off their shelves. Get the heads and then scrub thoroughly in warn water for a few minutes. DO NOT use soap or bleach when washing.This will just  ruin the taste.Then pull off two to three out leaves (you can also go as high as four for extra safety).This also applies to cabbage too. Lettuce from our garden or even a neighbors'garden should be safe to eat whole.Saute ,grill or roast vegetables. Gazpacho should be put on hold this summer while tomatoes Provencale and ratatouille should be on dinner rotation. Used canned or frozen fruits and veggies for recipes Start foraging local fruit trees and forests for wild apples and strawberries. Buy thick skinned fruits like avocados, bananas and  anything citrus. The skins save the fruit from the Cylospora pods and these should be discarded right away.

How long will cylospora be with us? That's hard to say. Yet play  it safe. Cook safe and eat safe and you should be all right.

Yet Another Summer Outbreak

 Summer is supposed to be the time for good eating and healthy harvests. Unfortunately there are some summer s that re overwhelmed by an unwanted visitor - a  nasty little parasite. This year cyclosora makes an appearance  - right when vacation time kicks in.

This little bug has been bothering stomachs and plans for the past few weeks.It's been hitting the US hard however thankfully it's avoided Europe, Africa and South America.Asia has been spared as well along with Australia It may seem into Canada and Mexico so be careful when visiting those neighboring countries.This is not the first outbreak.There have been several over the years, usually. coming out every two years or so. What is this bug?It's a microscopic organism usually spread through contaminated food or water. It can easily be contracted by swimming as well as eating.It spreads fast through berries, lettuce and cilantro. The symptoms are downright nasty, resembling those of stomach flu.There are bouts of watery and explosive diarrhea, along with stomach cramps, bloating and gas. Sometimes there is also low grade fatigue and fatigue . Weight loss and lack of appetite is also common too.Keep in mind that the parasite doesn't go into effect right away. It does take two to three weeks after ingesting contaminated food for it to kick in. Focus on the BRAT diet, bananasa,rice applesauce and tea. Drink plenty of fluids to replace what fluid has been lost.

How to avoid it. Stay away from lettuce ,especially the bagged kind and salad kits. Go for the heads of fresh lettuce  but remove the outer layers first. Usually handpicked veggies  and fruits may have  it, thanks to workers having poor sanitary conditions while picking.Wash all store bought produce in hot or warm water for twenty minutes and then thoroughly dry. Should you use apple cider or white vinegar  to wash them? Contrary to popular belief ,this was not help. It has the same efficiency as hot water. Another good idea is to have the veggies cooked. Forget the gazpacho  - as delicious as it is_ and go for the ratatouille. This is an easy bake or saute of tomatoes, eggplants and peppers. It;s perfect served with thick slices of French bread. Grilled veggies are another way to go. Brush them in olive oil and pop on the grill. As for fruit, stick to rind or peel  ones like bananas, avocados and oranges. If you do have a hankering for berries then think frozen ones .These are cleaned thoroughly then treated with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and then frozen. You could also cook fruit and create compotes and crisps.Also try baking fruits into pies or bread if you truly crave them/

Yet another bug to ruin the summer. Be smart . Be savvy in what you eat. Avoiding cylospora is avoiding major trouble.

Healthy Summer Eating

 After a weekend of celebrating - and still some celebrating it;s time to look at good , healthy eating. Tis is the perfect time of year for it. There are so many fruits and veggies to use.It;s impossible NOT to eat nutritiously .

Look to the fruits of the season for dessert. A simple peach or plum is the perfect breakfast on the go.  Slice them into the latest morning craze = overnight oats. Put the oats in a small container with enough milk. These will soak the grains until they;re a pudding like mash. The oats themselves are healthy and using plant, nut or low fat milk also adds toteir nutritional value. Slice any often stone or pitted fruits in them along with berries  such as strawberries,raspberries and blueberries Sweeten with all natural honey or agave. Hot oatmeal can benefit from fresh fruit slices as well along with cold cerial such as Rice Krispies  and Cheerios. Even a meal as decadent as brunch can be made healthy. Think the egg substitute Just Egg with such fresh veggies as spinach and bell peppers in a tasty omelet Whole wheat Crepes can be made and filled with both sauteed veggies for a savory main  course or fresh fruit and Greek yogurt for the dessert. Serve with mocktails for added fun.

Lunches and dinners can be made with the harvests of the season. The Spanish cold soup gazpacho is the perfect lunch or dinner course.It is so delicious that you'll want to put in on your meal rotation two to three times a week.It's a blended mix f tomatoes, green bell peppers, cucumber ,olive oil and red wine vinegar.Chill it for two to three hours in the fridge before serving .I;ts great with a crusty whole wheat bread but also crackers work too. Another favorite veggie dish is ratatouille. This Southern French classic starts with sliced eggplants, tomatoes , onions and garlic. I prefer the stovetop method where the veggies are cooked in a skillet in olive oil plus a tablespoon of the plant butter Melt. I also sub in zucchini - which is in abundance right now for the eggplant since the eggplant sometimes has a bitter taste. Do use fresh picked herbs to flavor this. It goes well with a crusty bread but try a whole wheat boule wit it to sop up the sauces.Any stuffed veggie is a good lunch or dinner. Us brown rice and spicing for fillings for tomatoes , peppers and mushrooms

It;s time to eat healthy again.It;s easy to do in the summer. The harvests are in full force right now and it's time to take advantage of them.

Zucchini Zip

 Soon farmer's markets and backyard gardens are going to be overflowing with zucchini. This tasty veggie can be used in everything from an elegant ratatouille to  raw or grilled. There are some great recipes to appreciate this green gem even more.

Regular contributor  Ali Slagle wrote about this versatile veggie in today's New York Times Wednesday Food section. There is so many different ways to have it. Surprisingly it can be eaten raw. Fans can avoid the usual mushiness that unfortunately comes with cooked veggies. Think of it as a firmer cucumber and slicec it like one - into coins.For a prettier look cut in into batons or ribbons. Add a pinch of salt to mute the bitterness and bring out its' sweetness. Ms. Slagle suggests mixing it with feta or lemon and Parmesan for  a light summery taste. Another tasty idea is combining them with sliced tomatoes and mozzarella for a great side dish. It can also be used in place of pickles in a sandwich for crunch and flavor.Zucchini are perfect in sauces/ That mush turns to a caramelized jam making it perfect to meld with olive oil, cheeses and herbs. These sauces are perfect if there's an abundance of the squash. Usually two pounds of zucchini are used to make a sauce,Lemon can be added for brightness.A basil crop will come in handy too  since; ts a great flavoring for any veggie sauce.

Of course the best way to have them is as pancakes.They have a lighter and greener flavor than potatoes  which is perfect  for a hot weather meal. A good recipe is mucvar, the Turkish version.Eggs and flour are also added  a long with baking powder for lift. Feta crumbles are added a long with dill. Serve with a  cooling yogurt sauce that's rich with garlic. This is a great appetizer for an outdoor party.Ms. Slagle also recommends slicing the squash lengthwise.This creates thick batons which are perfect for grilling.Slather with miso ,flavored butters such as garlic or basil and then sprinkled with Parmesan.Zucchini is a perfect accompaniment when cooking meat. The veggie releases steam and keeps any meat from drying out. It s  a perfect add into any meatball or burger recipe (along with give both a good dose of green). Another good pairing is adding slices to any cooked tomato dish. It;s also a great sub in for eggplant when making ratatouille. It doesn't;t have that intense flavor and heaviness. It keeps the dish very light in flavor. 

Zucchinis are going to be in abundance soon enough. Have  them in salads and sauces. Try them in a crunchy crispy pancake. Enjoy them in ratatouille with a crusty French bread. They;'re all perfect thanks to this versatile squash.

A Good Veggie Dish

 It is Lent along with being Ramadan. It's a time for feasting and giving up. Yet there are still delicious dishes to be had, namely veggie based ones. There is the delicious Impossible Meat stuffed peppers or the veggie rich ratatouille (always perfect with warm, crusty French bread)Steaming bowls of leek and potato or minestrone soup are perfect for these cold days.

What is your favorite veggie dish? Mine will always be ratatouille. There's something about the marriage between eggplant, tomatoes, and even squash in a bubbling tomato rich sauce that does it for me.

Let us know and enjoy your veggies anyway you can!

Le Cuisine Pour Ete

 it is Bastille Day , the French Independence Day/while some are enjoying steake Diane and pomme frites in Paris cafes there are many who have escaped the city and headed to the country side. There are also the suburbs throughout the country where there are fresh gardens and fresh summer eating. The French do know how to do summer eating right. There are so many savory and sweet dishes, perfect for anywhere in the world.

One of the most famous French dishes is ratatouille. This is made all year round but it takes on extra freshness in the summer. This is when gardeners harvest eggp;ants,onions bell  peppers and tomatoes. The recipe can be varied,with zucchini being subbed in for the eggplant. THis is Avery tasty variations because the squash adds a sweetness that the other doesn';t have.Also you can use cherry tomatoes along with onion powder for a whole onion. It can be created in a skillet for a quick dinner and served with a crusty baguette to soak up the garlicky ,buttery sauces or juices. The other classic French summer dish comes from Prpvence Salad Nicoise reminds people of sun drenched days in Marseilles or San Tropez, leisurely eating this lush salad before taking a dip in the Mediterranean .This is a fun and easy make.It si a regular salad but has tuna and hard boiled eggs added in. There are also small boiled potatoes and green beans too.Olives give it that salty tang while a lemony vinaigrette adds citrussy bright notes.Some add in chickpeas and artichoke hearts too. That's up to you.It may be too crowded and too overwhelming with all the flavors.

The French aren';t really known for ices and gelati like the Italians yet they do have some good summer desserts. You could easily make rich French vanilla ice cream. This is a custardy recipe that has six whole egg yolks, heavy cream and whole milk.It's sweetened with three quarters of a cup with sugar  ,It cooking on the stove top creating a thick custard that will be put into an ice cream maker. You could use this as a filling for eclairs and cream  puffs if you feel like making a choux paste.Choux paste should be made on a humidity free day  - which can be rare depending where you live. French style ice cream goes well with galette, those free style pies with the rolled crust. The dough consists of all purpose flour sugar and eightt tablespoons of butter along with orange zest and cold milk. A pinch of salt adds flavor as well. Use good Kerry Gold which is the closest to French butter in s or grab a few sticks of Pluegra if your grocery sells it. You want a buttery  crust that works well with whatever fruit you use. Most use strawberries at this time but a plum galette would be equally delicious as well. Serve it with a side of creme fraiche or the homemade French ice cream.

France has some great summer time recipes. ENjoy them, whether they're a bowl of ratatouille or a scoop of ice cream. They're tres delicioux.!!

Friday Sub Ins

 Lenten Fridays mean one thing - no meat of any kind. years ago this was a hard fix with families winding up with either pizza or a veggie and egg dish for their supper. Nowadays it's an entirely diffrent ball game. This is where plant based products easily can step in.

Of course Lenten dishes will always have some kind of fresh vegetable at their core. For any easy beginning of the weekend supper think ratatouille.  The good thing about this is that if you make enough it can well go into a Saturday lunch or dinner. It's a simple cook of tomatoes eggplants, red and yellow peppers and white onions sauteed or baked with oliv oil and a variety of spices and herbs. You could easily make in on the stove as you saute the veggies in a mix of olive oil and butter or plant butter. Serve with sliced baguette for a filling meal. Vega lasagna can also work here if you have the time. Buy the lasagna sheets already cooked to save more time on arranging and layering the veggies in them. Keep in mind that you can add in plant based beef crumbles or meatballs for more protein and substance. Any pasta dish is worth trying on a Friday  and again the leftovers make for a tasty weekend lunch. Make the kids a big bowl of spaghetti to celebrate the start of the weekned. Have a nice sald and a loaf of fresh, hot garlic bread to found it out.

Plant based meats will definitely sub in for the real thing until Lent is over. Gardein  offers some excellent choices . Their chick'n nuuggets and tenders taste like the real thing. Serve them with dipping sauces and fries for a fun Friday  night meal. There's also chicken filets which like the other too can be easily air fried . Turn those into Popeye style sandwiches with a slice of tomato and lettuce on a bun. Gardein also has Mandarin style chicken with a tangy sweet and sour sace that can be made ina skillet. Serve with  homemade veggie fried rice. Their ultimate plant based burger is pretty tasty too and it's a easy fry up on a grill or in the air fryer. The company also has microwaveable meal bowls as well as soups and chili for a lighter fare.Morningstar Farms is another brand that offers a wide range of meat sub ins. They too have chicken tenders and nuggets as well as a variety of bean burgers. Their bacon and sausage patties are excellent , especially if you want to make breakfast for dinner.

You don;t have to resort to pizza and fish every Friday during this time. Try some other alternatives for a filling meal. You'll be amazed at the wide assortment out there.

A Half Priced Valentine's Day

 Prices have gone crazy and that may impact your Valentine's Day. What to do? Create a warm cozy meal for pennies.There's no fancy restaurant,s no dressing up. Just the two of you ,cozied up, with good food at a good price.

One fo these places is Lidl. I can't say enough about having a good meal - ones' that easy to make and easy t eat.I recently discovered their El Tequito  Avocado fritters. tehse are avocado fries that can be air fried in less than twenty minutes.

These were fin, little fries that were  crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside.

They paired well with Lidl's vegan chili which as pant based beef crunbles.

Again this is the same as their pizza (ano9ther yummy Valentine's Day choice).it has everythign under the sun in in from beans and corn.

This was perfect with the avocado fritters and would make a perfect dinner for two. Add Corona beef followed by a dessert of spicy Mexican hot cocoa spiked with Kahlua and topped with whipped cream. You can also go to Aldi and buy theri vegetables at a much lower price than the average grocery store Whip up a delicious ratatouille.serve with French bread and a good French red. Buy meringues from Lidl  Acme , Stop and Shopfor a sweet, Gallic ending along with homemade truffles if you have the time to make them.

Don't btreak the bank this Valentine's Day . Create a tasty and easy dinner for two.You can still have a romantic evning but for much less.

Budgeting 101

 Many kids are going to be settling into their first apartments for the first time. They may be leaving the dorms nd living off campus or finally getting that place with the first job. That means shopping - and that could be a big shock.It's time for budgeting basics.

Kids usually imitate their parents and pick up their habits. If you're a thrifty shopper , the your kids most surely will be too. Take homor her on comparison shopping. Some farmers markets will be cheaper than grocery stores , especially when it comes to produce. Another good idea is taking them to various grocery stores and showing them the difference in prices. Aldi has the best prices for veggies and fruit along with for ice cream and boxes of rice and pasta. If there's no Also, then head to Wal-Mart. Thousands every day rely on it's lower prices and they do have good deals on various meat cuts along with veggies and breads. They also offer specials on non food items likes paper towels and dish soap too. while they're there they should also look into buying kitchen basics like microwave, towels, dishes , and air fryers. You can also pick up good deals on kitchen inplements such as spatulas and whisks too along with utensils and knife sets. Local groceries such as Acme also have some of the most expensive deals around too. They're usually to or three dollar cheaper than the other groceries.

Another must have is the grocery story app. All of them have this and you can save a lot on them. They offer rewards towards massive discounts and free food.The app tracks what you buy the most and gives you discounts on those items. Also scour the store for bargains. Most days stores will have a buy one get one  free or the second one half price. Look for these. The extras can be frozen and eaten on another day. Never discount the day old items too. You can still eat those leftover breads and muffins along with fruits and veggies. Also always go for the generic brands. Their flavor is actually much better because they have to compete with the national brands. They also have flavors that the national brands may not have. Acme has garlic butter pretzel twists that brands like Bachmann's don't. Diet changes can also mean lower grocery bills. Meat and seafood can be cut out or cut down to maybe two or three times a month. Think of veggie dinners like ratatouille or bean burritos to stretch the dollar.

Budgeting is important when you're just starting out. Be smart. Be savvy to create good meals with very little.

Classic Summer Recipes

This is the time of year when classic summer recipes come in handy. They make good use of the produce of the season, from zucchini to corn, from fresh fruit to fresh herbs. These are what make summer eating memorable.

Farms and farmer's markets are selling corn right now. Og course there is classic corn on the cob (made easier with an air fryer) but there's also the deliciou corn chowder which can be made now and then frozen for the colder weather. This is a creamy soup made with crispy bacon  which gives the fat to saute the onion. Potatoes and chicken broth are added to this along with flour mixed with milk and heavy cream. Three cups  of fresh corn along with a pound of Russet potatoes are added. A cup of white Cheddar cheese is added for more richness along with salt and pepper. It's a perfect soup to make on one of those rare cool summer days. Another classic using the ears is corn salad. This is made with fresh tomatoes from the garden, sliced cucumber and chopped red onion. Dress with a simple oil and red wine vinaigrette. Another summer staple is zucchini. Sliced zuccnini coils sauteed in a mix of butter and oil  infused with chopped garlic. This is a perfect side for any grilled meat. Also consider subbing in the squash for eggplant when you make ratatouille too.

Fresh herbs are in bloom right now. It's definitely time to create pesto, the basil sauce from Genoa. This is taking two cups of fresh basil and blending them with half a cup of  olive oil. You could add pine nuts or walnuts if you want but this may cause the sauce to become rancid quickly. Add some Parmesan before you serve it. What's pesto good on? Try it on any kind of pasta from spaghetti to ravioli.It's also good on gnocchi too but even better on grilled chicken and pork chops. MInt is in abundance right now. It can be used in everything from salads to cocktails and mocktails. A refreshing picnic side dish are peas with mint. You could also add a sqwueeze of lemon to this. Try a simple syrup infused with mint. THis is just cooking water and granulated sugar together. A cup of freshly picked leaves is added to this and then strained out. Of course fruit is being harvested right now. It's the time for crisps and crumbles with all sorts of buttery , sweet toppings over cooked blueberries and blackberries,. However  bake classic fruit  muffins chock full of these gems that also include peaches. These are a great breakfast treat, especially slathered with butter.

This is the season that begs for classic recipes from summers past. Use the bounty of the season to create memorable dishes. It's time to make culinary memories.

A Low Budget Barbecue

 It's grilling season and that means barbecue and outdoors parties. There is a problemwith them. The rising cost of food. Can you have a decent and satisfying time outdoors.? With the right budgeting , yes.

Befire any barbecue you have to ask are there items that you can do without? Steak is one of them, with it coming in at $16  cut. Buy four of these and that's eighty dollars gone.even that money saver Costco, is selling a pack ofr four for a whopping $55, It's ridiculous.  Forget Wal-mart . Their ribeyes comes in at $23. Your only bet is sticking with hamburgers Acme is selling a pound of ground beef for $14.97  while wal-mart s brands are a few dollars cheaper. You can jazz up ground beef too  by adding butter or ground onions for a more flavorful bite. Are the already made burgers worth buying? Yes, if you don't have the time to make your. The best proice are the inhouse brands. Look to Acme's Signature which also has tasty turkey burgers and Stop and Shop's organic Nature's Promise one. Another idea is to go plant based. These are relatively cheaper than the real thing and they do taste like beef. Think about getting Beyond Meat's package of patties.

Keep in mind that turkey is also the way to go too.It's usually half the price of  red meat and is better for you healthwise. You could even served it on an opened faced bun with jarred gravy if you want to make them special.Is chicken a good buy for your barbecue?Most of the time chicken wings are the same price as red meat. Target does have the occassional sale with a pack of their Good & Gather wings selling for only $3.99. They're perfect if you are having a lot of people over or just love wings. What about chicken breasts? They're just as expensive as red meat.Acme is selling a pack for $17.45 for a three pound pack. Reserve these for a special occasion. If you really want togo cheap, then think of veggies. You can do a lot more with them than meat. Another plus about using veggies? Taking them from your garden for a fresh off the vine taste.Also leftover grilled ones can be put into salads the next day.You could even make them into a roasted version of ratatouille too.

You can have a bountiful barbecue without spending too much. Shop wisely. You'll wind up with an ourdoor meal that's both filling and tasty.

Easing Into Lent

 With Lent comes sacrifice. Many swear off meat , dairy or sweets .This is their way of fasting which is good and mindful. However it can be a shock to the taste buds to give up beloved foods. There are ways to ease into it.

Luckily there has been an explosion of all sorts of vegan meats in the  last few years.It's easy to give up beef , poultry and even seafood. Gardein has been a leader in this and you can visit any grocery or Target to buy their products. Their hamburgers taste exactly like the real ones and they're even good grilled outdoors. They also have meatballs, which are perfect for subs or if you're thinking of making Swedish meatballs and egg noodles. The company also produces chicien nuggets  and thick crispy tenders. These are so much like chicken itself that KFC is even putting out Gardein nuggets in various locations.Try their fish filets which are beer battered along with fries ro their crab cakes. If you're also thinking about giving up egg then go to Just Egg. This a substitute , using mung beans to get that eggy flavor and rich beaten yolk yellow color. Make a scramble for the family using it and spinach. Add Morningstar Farm's soy bacon which can get as crisp as actual bacon when microwaved.Also incorporate more beans such as kidney and chickpea for protein boosts. Think more dishes with veggies and rice like stuffed cabbage or a filling ratatouille.

As extreme as it sounds giving up dairy is also doable for Lent. There are so many plant and nut milks out there. If the kids do have a nut alllergy then use soy or oat milk. Both work in many recipes calling for dairy along with satisfying an afterschool need for a glass fo chocolate milk. (in fact many of these milks also come in chocolate now and can be bought in small bottles or boxes for lunch boxes), Almond milk is a nice ,creamy alternative and can be bought in gallon containers. If you do cave in and want a treat remember there are non diary yogurts and ice creams to snack on. You may even like these so well that you'll be eating them after Lent has finished. As for butter , try Melt. This plant based spread tastes exactly like the real deal and can be used in eveything form baking to cooking to being spread on toast or bagels. Maybe the hardest Lenten sacrifuce is giving up sweets. This is where a push for a healthier diet comes in. Try an apple for dessert. You could slice it and then dip in cinnamon for something different. PIneapple cubes are another great meal ender along with being a good snack. Think about getting fruit cups like Aldi's pears in syrup which are light tasting or any fruit salad cup like Acme's Signature brand mixed fruit ones. As for candy, nuts can do the trick if you want a snack or popcorn. Raisins or Craisins are fun snackables that you can eat by the handful.

It's a good and mindful thing to have some sort of sacrifuce during this important time in the Christian calendar. However it's best to ease into this new diet .Use these sub for meat , daiiry and sweets tomake that time effortless.

Easy Veggie Meals

 This is the season of grilling and meats. The problem is home chefs can fall into the rut of barbecuing steak and chicken all the time. A refreshing change up is having vegetables only  dishes. They're easy and tasty,plus being good for you.

One of my summer favorites is ratatouille. This is not the traditional one, with roasted in the oven veggies.

Mine has five Roma tomatoes cooked with one  diced green bell pepper and one sliced zucchini.It should have an onion in it which you can add. It can be intense though so I added a good sprinkling of onion powder along with garlic powder. The veggies were sauteed and simmered in a mix of Miyoko's  Creamery oat butter and olive oil. 

It was an easy fifteen minute simmer which was delicious with a brioche roll on the side. Another easy veggie dish is salsa cruda. Again this is a delicious and easy make, with just pasta to cook. The sauce is just sliced Roma tomatoes mixed with the cherry kind. Chopped onion can be added (or omitted depending on your taste) along with olive oil and fresh basil. Make it super simple by just buying pre cooked pasta. A really chill summer veggie dish is gazpacho. This favorite Spanish dish is a cold soup of blended tomatoes, cucumber garlic and green bell peppers. It's blended with a cup of olive oil and about three tablespoons of red wine vinegar. This is the perfect meal on a steamy hot day. It's refreshing and flavorful , each mouthful a summer harvest. I usually like to serve with slices of Italian or French bread dipped in olive oil.

A meal of fresh summer, veggies is a refreshing turn away from the usual barbecued meats. It's a nice way to enjoy summer's bounty with easy recipes. They're perfect for these sweltering days.

Add Veggies Make Sauce

 You don't have to spend time to make sauce for pasta.Nor do you need just tomatoes. You can use anything to create a great sauce for any kind of pasta.It just takes some creativity and whatever in the vegetable crisper.

Tomatoes have always been the basis of Southern Italian sauces. This wasn't always the case until the Sixteenth Century when the Spanish introduced these Mexican beauties into the Italian diet. They taught the Italians how to fry them in a pan along with onions, squash and eggplant , a sort of prototype of ratatouille. The ingredient caught on because it could flavor other foods without having to use spices which were  costly and rare at the time. Tomato sauce can be good, especially homemade but it does take time to make. You can make a crockpot version if you want. I feel this is fine during the fall and winter when you need a heavier sauce for spaghetti and even gnocchi, The Spring and summer call for a different , much lighter sauce. I am a big fan of Sam Sifton's burst tomato sauce. This is a fresh take and I've add a twist to it. Fresh spinach leaves not only give it color and flavor but also much needed iron and folate. The recipe is super easy.It's just sauteing grape  or cherry tomatoes in a mix olive oil and butter (I use Melt) Add some chopped and washed spinach leaves. About ten minutes in start bursting or popping the tomatoes. The juices will mix with the oil and butter and create a wonderful tasting sauce.There's a light ness and freshness.

You don;t have to have tomatoes  to create a great sauce. One of my favorites involves baby bellas and spinach. This sauce is a nice change up from the traditional tomato sauce. Again this starts with sauteing washed and chopped spinach leaves in an oil and butter mix. Baby bellas are added and cooked until there's a crispness to them. Add about half a cup of either chicken or veggie stock to give it that saucy quality. You could add chicken breasts if you want to give it more heft. You could also go the arriabiata route and give it a dash of red pepper. A Spring primavera sauce is always a nice change up. This has a whole slew of fresh veggies that can compliment any kind of pasta. The basic sauce is a mix of red onions, carrots,  broccoli, bell peppers, squash and zucchini. Tomatoes and garlic are also added but you can omit the tomatoes if you want. The veggies are sauteed in olive oil (but add a knob of butter for more flavor) and mixed into the cooked pasta. Another fresh idea is asparagus and peas. Both are sauteed in olive oil with shallots and garlic. The sauce is ready when the asparagus turns a bright green.

All you need is veggies, garlic and olive oil to create the perfect pasta sauce. See what's in the fridge and run with it.Be creative. You'll wind up with a tasty, fun sauce for any type of pasta.

 

Ease Into Fall Cooking

The temps may not be as hot as they once were. The days are starting to get shorter. Autumn is coming and it's time to ease into cooler weather cooking. What does that mean? Adding different ingredients and thinking about more complex cooking.

One thing to do is take advantage of the harvests out now. Tomatoes plants are still yielding an amazing amount.It's a great time to make sauce and freeze it. You can also use herbs from the garden, such as oregano and rosemary as well. Tomatoes can also be turned into salsas and chili too and these can be frozen for later.If you want to be more adventurous try making ketchup. Many are put off by the idea of making  a condiment in their kitchens but it's pretty easy. It can be done in a slow cooker and you could easily have a bowl of ketchup for dinner that same day. Also take advantage of other harvests such as eggplants and onions. Again late summer and early fall is the perfect time for ratatouille, the mix of those veggies plus tomatoes. It has a fresh summery taste yet warming on nippy nights when the temps drop. Have it with warmed, sliced French bread and olive oil. Eggplant is also good sliced , breaded and air fried . You could slice it into sticks for a different and fun lunch or dinner.

Cooler days mean more elaborate yet still fun meals. Think tacos with different fillings. You can still have barbecued beef but shred it and use it as the main filling. The same with barbecued chicken. You can also grill salmon or tilapia for a different variation.A vegetarian option would be mashed kidney beans topped with  shredded cabbage instead of lettuce or even broken cauliflower or broccoli florets. This is nice way of using up the first of the fall harvests.Hamburgers can still be made but why not turn them into Salisbury steaks with gravy? They can be served on toast or with a side of homemade mashed potatoes.Ground beef or even vegan beef crumbles can also be turned into the Szechuan classic Ants Climbing A Tree. This is an exciting combo of cellophane noodles cooked with beef and soy sauce, zinged up with scallions. Kids will love this variation of hamburger and a fresh take on takeout food. It's also a time to start those sheet pan dinners. You can follow recipes or make up some combo of meat and veggies or just veggies for dinner. Try chicken with potatoes and sliced Brussels sprouts or  salmon with bok choy and green beans.

Ease into fall cooking with fun dishes that are warming and delicious. You can use the last of the summer harvest for ingredient as well as the first of the autumn ones. It's time for some serious cooking!

Hurricane Hampers

Bad enough we still have a pandemic to deal with, we now have hurricanes. What makes it worse is that we can't really rely on friends, family and neighbors now for food or supplies. We have to build our own stores , with whatever we have around.

One of the worse things about any bad storm is that the electricity is usually cut off. That means all that frozen food you stocked up on may go bad. Keep in mind that those burgers can be grilled on your barbecue (which may be your only way of cooking for a few days).Frozen veggies can be thawed out and boiled for sides or then cooled for salads.Also have a hurricane hamper or cooler where you can put any of the frozen packages for a few days. Store your milk and dairy here as well as your eggs. Nearby streams can also be used for refrigeration. Just make sure the wildlife doesn't get to the food first. Eggs  should be used first, whether in dishes or as scrambled and omelets. Refrigerated eggs can easily turn bad and the yolks and whites become breeding ground for bacteria. The shell doesn't even have to be broken. Try also, to cook the leftovers first. They too can turn bad quickly. Repurpose them into different dishes with different spins. Again these can be reheated on your outdoor grill. Just put them into foil packets and roast for fifteen to twenty minutes.

As for your hurricane hamper. make sure you have enough for three meals. Think beef , chicken,pork or turkey jerky for lunch or dinner. They provides protein as well as something filling. There are several different brands such as Jack Links and Oberto's, the last features turkey.  Some cold cuts such as pepperoni will keep too and make great fillings for sandwiches.Cheeses will keep without refrigeration and, are again excellent sources of protein. The kids will love any kind of cheddar but adults will appreciate Gouda and Edam. Have crackers and bread for the slices and squares. Veggies will keep for a few days and should be added to the hurricane hamper.Salad dressings don't have to be refrigerated and you can buy a few to liven up the  produce. You can also make your own with using olive oil, any kind of vinegar and different herbs and spices. Try a garlic infused one with red wine vinegar or a honey one with apple cider vinegar.Veggies can be grilled too. Stock up on grillables like eggplant, tomatoes, cauliflower and onions These can be turned into tasty sheet pan meals or spins on ratatouille. Ice cream is off the table but you can satisfy sweet tooths with fresh fruit such as cherries, blueberries and peaches. These will keep. Another treats are cookies and for a healthier bite graham crackers. Get marshmallows and chocolate to make a special treat s'mores. These will be a welcome bite.

Hurricane hampers are a must during these strange days. Be prepared. Be stocked up and ready for whatever the weather brings you.

The Power Of Summer Produce

Summer came and the rules became lax regarding the lockdown.After months of fortifying ourselves on good home cooked food, we went wild when restrictions were lifted. We're going back to our old habits of eating junk and overly processed food. Yet that's not good. We still have Covid-19. We still need to eat healthy to be healthy and reduce our risks.

One of the best ways to eat healthy is to take advantage of summer's bounty. This is tomato season and these gems can provide us with Vitamins C and K and a good dose of needed potassium. They're also versatile.Roasted tomatoes are delicious on flatbread  drizzled with another good for you ingredient  olive oil. They can be a great extra in all kinds of sandwiches and great on their own in a tomato sandwich.Make salsa cruda with them,a pasta sauce that is cooked  when it's mixed with freshly boiled pasta.  Another great summer dish featuring fresh produce is the French Provencale ratatouille. This is a delicious mix of tomatoes, eggplant , peppers and onion sauteed in olive oil and garlic. Different herbs such as basil and thyme are added for extra flavor. Cucumbers are another summertime fave that are also a must eat. They can keep you hydrated due to their high water content as well as lowering blood sugar and weight. Think about slicing them and serving them with a mix of Greek yogurt, chopped dill and olive oil as a side salad. You can also turn them into all sorts of variations on dill pickles.

Keep in mind to eat the fruits of the season too. Blueberries are big right now. Have a bowl of them for breakfast or dessert for a sweet treat. They are also the source of the most powerful antioxidants in the plant world. Again, they high in vitamins C and K as well as manganese, the last good for improving bone health and lowering blood sugar. Don't miss out on strawberries either. They too are loaded in nutrients, especially folates. They aid in heart health as well. If you're craving a chocolate treat then think about chilled strawberries dipped in dark chocolate for a decadent snack or dessert. They're also good sliced and blended into a smoothie with  bananas. Don't forget any berry is good added to a salad. Blackberries are also in abundance right now. These ebony gems are rife in Vitamin A and good for brain functioning. A lovely dessert is a cup of them drizzled with raw honey. They're also tasty in Greek yogurt that's been sweetened with maple syrup or  honey. Peaches are a summertime favorite too. They're great for preventing certain kinds of cancer as well as aiding the skin and digestion. Just slice one up for a healthy snack.

Take advantage of the bounty of the season. Eat right and healthfully for better immunity.  It's easy to do with  so many tasty fruits and veggies out there now.

Fourteen Days In

There's so much talk of quarantine and basically life shutting down these days. It brings the question - what do you do for those two weeks - especially if you have kids? It boils down to  eating healthy and  creatin enough projects to keep everyone relatively happy.

The Coronavirus is part of the common cold family. It is stronger and deadlier yet it can be buffered by having a boosted immune system. Think of the cold diet, foods that can help alleviate the ailment. Try to have plenty of colorful veggies such as tomatoes, peppers and different kinds of squash. Onions and garlic are also must haves. Make a big pan of ratatouille which can be made in double batches for freezing and later eating. Another healthy dish is crockpot tomato sauce, made with fresh tomatoes and garlic, the last the more the better. Serve with whole wheat pasta for a different healthier spin. Since you may be stuck in with kids of all ages, you may want to have some fun food plans in place.Spaghetti is one dish.Pizza is another. It's so easy to create a healthy pie.Use liberal amounts of olive oil as a first layer before you put on any sauce. It's good for colds and sore throats so you may want to incorporate more into your cooking. A pizza needs a good sauce. You can buy the already made ones or make it on your own. Add a healthy array of toppings, from slices peppers to roasted garlic. Mexican food is another healthy cuisine. Make sure you add potassium rich avocados which help in boosting the immune system along with tomatoes and a variety of beans.

Besides cooking healthy foods , a quarantine period can mean time to clean the kitchen if you're up to it. Cleaning the fridge helps. You can finally throw out those moldy cheeses and salads that you though the family would finish but didn't. It's also time to take stock of what you have and what you need for a healthier household. Make sure you have plenty of fruit  - actually more of that than cookies for the kids. We all know that oranges are great for colds and flu. They're rich in  Vitamin C and all those antioxidants. However apples are also good for treating all sorts of sicknesses. They're rich in flavonoids - which treat inflammatory problems. Another plus is that there are so many different kinds, from the sweet Mount Fuji to the deliciously tart Granny Smiths. Kids will love dipping apple slices in almond or peanut butter. These butters can be made at home for a fun family project. Both taste better homemade and it gives the kids a lesson in creating organic.Keep sweets at a limit. If the kids want to bake cookies, then stick to all organic recipes, one that call for whole wheat or nut flours and all natural sugars. As for candy - think healthy nut clusters loaded with raisins and dark chocolate chips. These are easy to make and they'll have fun making them.

Get ready for quarantines and having the kids on a full time basis. It means staying at home and eating healthy.  It means fun and nutritious projects with the kids.  Learn from this time together.

Give Your Heart A Treat

This is the day when hearts abound. They're everywhere , from cards to the shape of  our chocolate packed candy boxes. Yet what about the real deal? What should we give our own hearts? Healthy and tasty foods, from meals to treats.

Since I've been on the cirrhosis diet (by the way, it turns out I have gallstones - which hopefully will break up naturally) I've discovered that healthy foods can be delicious. They're also easy to transform into all sorts of variations. Take plain Greek yogurt. Add maple syrup and put into a Slushie cup and becomes a yummy ice cream. For a savory spin stir in some cumin and onion powder for a really flavorsome dip for raw veggies. It also makes a great party dip for baked potato chips and pretzels.Veggies are other transformable ingredients. Of course the healthiest option is a salad, chock full of all sorts of goodness but veggies are also great cooked. A light but filling winter dish is ratatouille. This classic Provencale favorite is just a mix of eggplant, onions and tomatoes. They're sauteed in olive oil and flavored with garlic and herbes de Provence. It can be good on it's own, with the juices sopped up with a whole wheat baguette or as filling for whole wheat crepes or galettes.Don't discount your mom and granny's stuffed pepper recipes. Fill these vitamin packed gems with brown rice and beans. Season with garlic and oregano to really make the flavors pop.

Of course everyone is on the Beyond Beef bandwagon. The patties and crumbles are supposed to be healthy and good for you , right? Think again, Yes, they're purposely loaded with such mineral as zinc and Vitamin B12. Yes, they get you from eating bad for your heart beef but they have some drawbacks too. According to The Harvard Health Publishing from their medical school the burgers are also heavily over processed and high in saturated fats. A better substitute is a turkey burger which has 170 calories and only seven grams of sodium. Beyond Burger has a whopping 390 grams of the salty stuff while the Impossible Burger has 370 grams. If you do want a fast food burger then stick with a plain one. Ask for one with no mayo or ketchup because these are loaded with salt. Only have it with lettuce and tomatoes and nix the cheese and bacon. As far as with meats at home, think chicken breasts fried in an air fryer. (another treat for your heart an air fryer. This is a very good investment).Just pound the breasts firsts then brine them for a few hours. It's then rubbing them with olive oil first and a dry rub of your favorite spices and herbs. End your meals  with seventy to eighty percent dark chocolate. You can mix this in Greek yogurt or almond butter for a sweet heart healthy dessert.

This Valentine's Day treat your heart to  delicious dishes It's easy to  create tasty and healthy dishes. It;s just a bit of creativity and knowledge of what's good for it and you.

A Season Of Warm Dishes

One of the best aspects of November and cold weather is creating tasty , warm dishes. The salads days are over. It's time to think comfort food along with heart and gut warming recipes.

The first thing to do is dust off the crock pot. It probably hasn't been used since May or June. Now is the time to make all sorts of chilis and soups. What's so great about the first is that you can make it anyway you want. Feel like a meaty version? Then add ground beef or turkey. If you want vegan, thunk about using Boca's Crumbles which are the soy version of chopped meat. The taste is the same as is the texture.Make double and freeze for those busy days ahead. Another warm dish is homemade soup. One of the most popular right now is the easy to cook squash soup. It's just simmering cubed butternut in a chicken or vegetable broth. You can give it a folksy New England spin with a dash of apple cider and cinnamon. I prefer it Piedmontese style with the addition of milk , butter and rice. This can be turned vegan with the subbing in soy or almond milk and faux plant butters. Minestrone is another home made soup which is the perfect warm dish. It can have a base of veggie, beef or chicken broth. What is fun is using different small pastas such as orzo or ditalini to make it heartier. Add hot crusty Italian bread drizzled with olive oil as a  side.

What are other warm dishes to make during these nippy days?  One is ratatouille. This is a wonderful melange of eggplant, onions and tomatoes. If there are no decent tomatoes to be had, use the canned ones. A lot of the recipes call for squash and zucchini, however those may be hard to come by nowadays. Sub in acorn squash instead for color and some sweetness. As with the minestrone, have a hot , crusty Italian bread at the ready to dip into the sauce. Tomato sauce is another warm dish that can be used in a variety of different warm dishes. Try a crock pot version for lasagna or for a big platter of spaghetti and meatballs. Keep in mind that sauce would also work well for any hot meatball or Parm sub. Make double the amount of sauce for all these dishes. If you feel you 've made too much , remember it freezes well.The UK knows how create a warm dish, especially their shepherd's pie. A plus about it is that you can use leftover ground beef and mashed potatoes for the crust. The filling is a simple ground lamb or beef , cooked with corn and peas. Tomato paste makes it juicy while the crust is  thick layer of a tasty and buttery mashed potatoes. You can add a sprinkle of Parmesan, for a cheesier , crunchier crust.

Relish this season of warm dishes. It's the perfect time to make hot and soothing meals to take away the chill. Enjoy them with family and friends.