HelpThy Neighbor

 Americans  are helping others get through these terrible times.It could be governors declaring states of emergency to get more food to their constituents. It could be local restaurants stepping up ,proving free hot meals and drinks. We care for each other more than our government cares for us.

Gere's the question of the week. What are you doing to help friends and family in need? Are you buying their groceries for them? Are you protesting ? Are you a restaurant owner giving up hot delicious meals?Or a concerned teacher bringing in essentials for students' families?

My way is protesting - quietly although I would love to do more. Not only do people suffer but their animal companions do too. I'm donating at Pet Smart but I know I can do so much more to help everyone.

What are you doing? Let us know here and thank you for doing such.

Your Culinary Year Make It Your Best

 With a new year comes new posssibilities and hopes, especially in cooking and baking . Make this the year to try new recipes and ingredients. Be curious.  Be adventurous, but most of all be fun.

One way to try new dishes is to eat out.It's one thing to try recipes you see on the web it's another to experience them at an eatery. You can ask the server or chef what's in it  and how to create it.If the chef is mum with his ro her recipe then carefully look at it. How was it cooked? Broiled? Flambeed? What were the spices used? Did you detect a hint of red wine ro brandy in the sauce? What about the sides? Were they a simple vegetable sauteed in garlic and oil or did they come with their own sauce?Also think about the cuisines you haven't tried yet. Do you want to cook Szechuan? Or French? Do ants climbing a tree or creating scratch crepes appeal to you? if so , then tart cooking. Make sure you have the appropriate gear such as a wok or crepe maker (although a skillet pan can also do the trick for crepes). Do you want to try your hand at creating your own recipes? You can. There's nothing holding you back.

The same philosophy applies to cookbooks. Buy what interests you if you ddin;t receive a book on it for the holidays. I recently picked up The Great British Baking Show  recipe book at the Clark Shop Rite.

 it was intriguing and I thought why not.Hopefully I'll have the time to bake a few treats fromthis little volume.I do want to try Mary Berry's cheese straws as well as her zesty orange filled Jaffa cakes., a British classic. The breads are a must. I like the idea of a warm homemade bread slathered with butter and jam. It's challenging myself along with discovering tasty recipes I can also make for family and friends.

This is the year to have fun and challenge your cooking and baking skills.it could be adding a new spice or trying a new cuisine.It could even be making up a new recipe. Have fun. Be daring this year.

Extending The Gratitude

 Labor Day reminds us to be grateful of all those relted to the food and grocery industry. We need, however to extend that feeling to the rest of the year, epsecially with the upcoming holidays.

Remember to always give extra when tipping waitstaff. The extra money is always appreciated and is most certainly used for food and rent. It's used for toys and clothes for their kids around the holidays. Remember to always include the mom and pop eateries in your rota of places to eat.Again the business will be appreciated.

Also always thank your local grocery store workers too. If's a small market, think about giving them a gift card to a local restaurant to thank them for all their service. This can also apply to your local butcher , green grcoer and fishmonger too. Support your local farms too, Buy from them. If you have a pond or lake on your property don't think twice about sharing the water with  drought stricken farmers,especially in New Jersey.

You should be grateful to all laborers this Labor Day. entend that gratitude to the entire year. It'll will be greatly appreciated.

Good Deeds For Memorial Day

 Our US military forces should always be remembered. Today we do remember the sacrifices made from the Revolutionary War to the recent Afghan ones. However we should also remember out living vets as well.

For the older vets , a nice lunch out or even inviting them over for some sandwiches and iced tea would be appreciated. Spend the afternoon together chatting about all sorts of things. You could even treat him or her for a n ice cream in the park or a cold coffee , sipped at an outdoors cafe. Bring the kids along so they can hear the stories and appreciate what these service people have done to protect the country.

For newer, younger vets, offer to baby sit their kids so the couple can have a romantic date night out. Give them a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant and possibly tickets to a local concert or movie. Invite them over for a good meal and talk. Bake them a plate of cookies or a tray of cupcakes. Think nothing of making a few extra jars of homemade sauce. It's a small thank you for their sacrifices.

Our vets have given up and sacrificed so much for the good of the nation Let's remember them with big and small gestures not just for today , but for the entire year. It's time to honor their service.

Piggybacking Restaurants

There's a trend that's happening around big box stores such as Target. It's cutting up the store's parking lot to allow  space for fast food restaurants. Is it a good idea? Will it bring in more shoppers? Or diners?

Most big box stores such Target and Wal-Mart have huge parking lots that take up a lot of acreage. This is fine during the Christmas shopping season.It's really the only time when the area is used. In Bergen County, New Jersey any land, even if it's a parking lot is valuable. The land can be built on with some kind of business that will bring in not only diners but shoppers as well. This is the case with the Hackensack Target . A Taco Bell has been built in one of the parking lot's corners and has just opened. This is great for the area. Fairleigh Dickinson University is across the street and a charter high school is just down the road. Instead of being stuck with cafeteria food or the nearby Boston Market fare, kids can get cheap tasty burritos and tacos with beef or chicken fillings.Unlike Boston Market, and even the FDU Starbucks, Taco Bell offers cold  slushie like drinks that are going to be perfect when the Spring and summer  seasons arrive. There's a lovely outdoor area that's perfect for students as well. Imagine sipping frosted drinks and sharing snacks at the end of this Spring's semester.There's only one problem  with this Taco Bell - it will cut into Target's snack bar. The snack bar has had several blows in the last few years. Its' space was decreased to make way for a Starbucks. It cut back on its' variety. Forget getting their brand of a Slushie and chicken fingers. Hopefully their hot dogs and pizza will still be around.

The Hackensack Target isn't the only one. The Target in Clark, right off Parkway South in central eastern New Jersey  has to compete with not only an Italian restaurant but also a Duck Doughnuts built in their overly large parking lot.. These food hang outs are fun if you want to make a day or night of your visit, yet you can more or less get the same fare in the store's snack bar and Starbucks. A bigger version of parking lot piggybacking is over at the Teterboro , New Jersey's Wal-Mart where there is also a restaurant row plus two chain restaurants, Texas Roadhouse and BJ's Brewhouse. Again, the many diverse eateries, from Blaze Pizza to Panera's bring in not only diners but also those want a quick meal before shopping. Wal-Mart only has a Subway and some others don't even have these. The Garfield Wal-mart doesn't have any place to order a lunch or a quick snack. Their parking lot has an Applebee's and a McDonald's which helps. Most people who go to that shopping center, however, either head for Wal-Mart, Pet-Smart for their animal companions or even My Doc to handle colds and minor ailments. Food isn't necessarily on their minds. Should these eateries be there then? Would more stores be better instead. Or does this save that particular Wal-Mart from the pressure of adding some kind of fast food joint in their store?

Will piggybacking restaurants be the start of a trend? Will shoppers and diners like this combo? It's hard to say.  It all depends on the price and availability of  local real estate .

Labor Day Laborers

We celebrate laborers only today yet we should honor them all year round.Keep in mind that disregard, whether they're working at a sunscreen shack , or chain restaurant, are on their feet for eight hours a day .Some are working six day weeks or the overnight shift.Tip them an extra two or three dollars .Remember them also at Christmas time along with your favorite chefs.

Grocery workers such as those deli meat sliders and bakers should also get respect.Compliment them every time you visit. Check out clerks also deserve kindness.One, they're on their feet for six to seven hours with only a fifteen minute break, and two, they're being replaced by self check-outs. Treat them kindly, take the surveysa about them on line ,and write glowing letters about them to their store managers.They will appreciate it,

All workers around the US and the world should be remembered all year round not just today.They work hard everyday.Kee

The Essential Oil Diet

Can the addition of essential oils help in losing weight? According to one couple they can.Infusions of peppermint and grapefruit along with a balanced diet, clean lifestyle and prayer can aid in not only shedding pounds but in creating a better life? Is it true ? Or just hokum?

Chiropractor and aromatherapist Dr. Eric Zielinski  and his wife Sabrina Ann Zielinski , who's a health coach and group fitness instructor have written The Essential Oils Diet (Harmony Books 2019) , a follow up to their The Healing Power Of Essential Oils. What are essential oils? The best definition is a natural oil typically obtained by distillation and have the characteristic fragrance of the plant or source of the extraction. They're easy to make. Simply use olive oil or avocado oil and spiking it peppermint or grapefruit extract. The book is more than just making essential oils and creating diet dishes. The Zielinskis feel that everyone should follow their lifestyle - which to be  honest - can be obnoxious at times.I like their advice on the eight essential healthy habits and how they delve into the use of everyday pesticides and chemicals. However I do have an issue with some of their suggestions.They suggest bringing your own food to a restaurant and having the chef cook it for you. I'm sorry but I can't see the chain restaurants doing that. It may work with smaller family owned eateries. Another bone of contention is their advice on staying humble while Mrs. Zielinski writes about prepping for the Mrs Georgia pageant. There's also a part about dropping friends who don't follow a healthy lifestyle. That was also grating.

First and foremost this is a cookbook.That part has some excellent advice and ideas.Mrs. Zielinski or Mama Z as she wants to be called has an extensive list of healthy family must haves. There is everything from gluten free flour to green tea powder.Another plus is the fridge and freezer makeover with helpful suggestions.Butter can be replaced by coconut oil while nitrate free turkey bacon can replace the regular kind.The recipes are not really grouped. Instead there are headings with the appropriate recipes underneath. There are not only lunch and dinner recipes such as avocado (!) egg salad and Mama 's spaghetti with meat sauce. The book doesn't really feature long lists of recipes which would be a tad more beneficial. The lunches are either salads or soup with a pasta or falafel thrown in while dinners are lasagna or spaghetti. Kale salad is there too, for a summertime dinner along with a bok choy super stir fry. I would have liked to have seen more roasts or some kind of ancient grain mail course. The breakfasts are mostly shakes and smoothies with a waffle recipe thrown in. There are a surprisingly large number of dessert recipes from homemade ice creams and brownies to whipped cream and even confectioner's sugar.

Should you buy The Essential Oils Diet? I would say yes for some of the advice. Take from it what you find necessary to your lifestyle. It can help in creating a better diet  - which is what we all need.

The Gift Of Giving Back

Today s the 77th anniversary  of Pearl Harbor , a  time when people didn't weigh  the pluses and minuses of their actions. They just did, thinking of others before themselves. We have to do the same, feel the same way during this holiday season. Volunteer your culinary talents and time this winter.

One of the best ways to help is volunteering at your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen.For those without family,this is the best way to spend Christmas instead of at the movies or just home alone. Shelters and kitchens also throw small holiday parties and if they let you , bake something. Have the kids help. A fun sheet cake , plates of cookies and  trays of cupcakes help to make everyone's season brighter. It is also a good time for the kids to start on a lifetime of public service. They can also  make up stockings full of candy for kids there too. If they're older they can also assist, from serving food to washing up and drying.Another idea is organizing a holiday bake sale with the shelter or church . This is a chance for a kind of cookie swap where you can shine and bring your best recipes. A great idea that definitely gives back is having a group get together and bake a gingerbread village. Raffle it off with the proceeds going to the poor. Any one with a sweet tooth would love wining a munchable town.

The feeling can extend to neighbors and friends of friends.If you know they're alone for Christmas eve or Christmas day, then think nothing about inviting them. They'd appreciate a meal with family and lively discussions. Another idea is "adopting" a nursing home resident and baking him or her cookies or even creating a fruit basket tailored to their dietary needs. If you have more time them think about contributing to the nursing home holiday party.The families would greatly appreciate it and it would be like bringing a little bit of home back to them,Military families also need a bit of cheer . If there are any on your block, then invite them in for a cup of cheer and some holiday savories and sweets. For any  service person coming home surprise them and their spouse with a gift certificate to  fancy restaurant for  one of their favorite restaurants. It's a small  way of saying thank you. Another way is throwing  a holiday welcome home party where everyone in the neighborhood or family can contribute a sweet or savory  dish.

This holiday season - give  back. It's a way of spreading good will and good cheer. That's the best present of all.

Lou And His Special Diet

Kids today are beset with a plethora of allergies.They suffer from everything from gluten to nut allergies. Many along with their parents r don't know what to do or how to refuse. Luckily, there's a brand new book out there to help along. A smart boy, named Lou can help them.

The children's book, Lou Knows What To Do; Special Diet "Boystown Press 2017) was co-written by Kimberly Tice,MS CCC-SLP and Venita Livack MA, CCC-SLP who have encountered children who have had allergies. It is a plague of the modern world, with more and more children (along with adults) being diagnosed with severe food hypersensitivity. This book is a gentle tale about a young boy , named Lou who has to deal with the double onus of a peanut and gluten allergies. This wide eyed boy, expertly drawn by Andre Kerry ,discovers he has to change his diet. His magic bubble wand (and what kid - or adult for that matter wouldn't want this) shows him the type of foods that he can't have. There is a bubble depicting a table full of doughnuts, cereal, bread and cake along with a bubble showing Lou looking fretfully at a jar of peanut butter.There are also pictures of him checking out boxes with his mom in the their local supermarket. Another shows hin at a restaurant, scanning over a menu along with thanking a chef for creating a "safe" meal for him. More illustrations show Lou  at school , with him saying no to trading questionable snacks,. There's also him with his teacher and the explanation of how to use an epi pen.

This is the must have book for both parents and teachers. What I like about it is that every page starts with the red ink highlighted Lou knows. Ms. Tice and Ms. Livack also know not to talk down to kids, and explain everything in simple, uncomplicated terms. They  have written other "Lou" books" that features the hero at the supermarket and at a party.Another plus is that they stress the seriousness yet liveability of severe allergies without also showing the sometimes dire consequences. This book is definitely a learning tool, allowing for a dialogue to take place between teachers and students. There is even a page of tips for educators.It can also open a conversation  for healthy eating and what foods are good or bad.There's also a quiz at the back too to see if the kids really understood the story and if they retained anything.A nice bonus would have been a section on recipes that feature gluten and nut free dishes and snacks. Hopefully the authors will consider this in this future and include recipes for sunflower seed butter as well as for gluten pizzas and cupcakes.

Lou Knows What To Do, Special Diet, is a great book for kids with allergy. It is smartly and sensitively written by two authors who have a keen insight into children. This is a must have for any young person's library.,

Memories From Jacques Pepin

Jacques Pepin is one of the world's greatest chefs. He has contributed so much to the culinary world., giving us classic French recipes along with classic sound advice. As he turns eighty, he reflects on that in a special article in today's Food section of the New York Times, It's insightful and interesting, much like the chef himself

As with his fellow Frenchman, Marcel Proust, Chef Pepin, recounts his food memories, through taste and smell. He even calls to mind that moment when Proust's beloved madeleines bring the author back to his boyhood summers at his aunt's house in Normandy. The combined flavor of them mingled with the tea that they're dipped in, bring to mind, the heat of those summers, the family cook , the garden and finally the entire seaside town of Combray. Such is the sensual power of food. Chef Pepin has the same moments, many of them, in fact as he calls up his earliest culinary memories.He is, after all, a child of a restauranteur, He knows the power of a flavor or aroma. However his first strong memory was not in his mother's eatery but at  farm where he stayed during a school vacation. realizing he missed his mere, the farmer let him milk a cow,. The taste of warm, foamy , fresh milk seared into his memory, and forever shaped the way he looked at food.From there he waxes lyrically about his family's dishes, as he writes, our family recipes  are what shape us as people. They mold our tastes and define how we cook.It's obvious with Chef Pepin. He recalls his mother's treatment of fresh picked fingerling potatoes(skins that were simply rubbed off by gentle caressing and then sauteed in butter until crisp) and his Aunt Helene's chicken in cream sauce.

His life in America has also shaped his palate as well as his cooking style. Chef Pepin lives in Connecticut but has worked in some of the best kitchens in New York City. His recipes are linked to his local markets, in his town of Madison and the nearby town of Guilford. Eggs from a vibrant Jamaican named Nathalia also are part of the mix..He also credits a farm in Hammonnasset  for fresh peas and the Lobster Landing in nearby Clinton CT for lobster. The markets of his native southern France figure large in their influence, especially the ones from Provence such as Arles, Avignon and st. Remy. Seasons are another influence as well. He lovingly recalls the sensations and food that make up the year. Summer is walking in cool grass , picking up mushrooms or along the shore , gathering up tiny fish to be fried.It's picnics with a Gallic twist, lobster, corn, and fried chicken along with lukewarm tomatoes and cooled white wine , celebrated on the Hammonnasset River, Fall is the aroma of baking apple tarts, making cider, and the flavor of Concord grapes and his favorite holiday's Thanksgiving turkey.Winter brings him back to 1959 when he first arrived in New York City and smelled that Manhattan street classic roasted chestnuts.It's also the comforting aromas of bean stews and homemade split pea soup made with ham, along with cheese fondue. There is also fond remembrances of the holidays with oysters and foie gras, chocolate truffles and homemade caramel candies.

Chef Pepin could be considered the Proust of our age. He has such beautiful memories of the foods , flavors and aromas that have shaped his life. Every one should have those fond  and warm remembrances.

What Do I Eat Today?

It hits everybody, foodie and food hater alike. What do I eat today? Sometimes we just hit that culinary wall. We've tried almost every cuisine. Our favorite foods and eateries have all been done to death . Our taste buds have gone on holiday. What to do? One, it's time to think outside the box. Try cuisines you normally wouldn't. If you've gone through every Italian and Chinese dish in your favorite restaurants, then head over to your nearest Mexican or Indian. After all it's the same ingredients but they're done differently. If you go mad for diners then drive a little out of your way and try a new one. Go on line and look up restaurant reviews within a reasonable driving distance. You may just find a new favorite Another doldrums zapping thought is trying new brands when you grocery shop. Don't go whole hog right away but get a new brand every trip or every other trip. I did this with yogurts and found that I liked the Greek style ones with ewe's milk better than the American cow milk kind. I also discovered some good vegetarian brands and different meat alternatives. I went from soy to quorn , just by being daring. Do the same. Vary your diet for a more interesting and more delicious experience. Everyone gets the blahs and that includes our taste buds. Excite them by going 180 with your eating . Try that new restaurant or pick up abrand that's always intrigued you. Be daring with you food choices!

Have A Happy, Healthy, Tasty 2011

It's the New Year and I wish everyone a year filled with health, happiness and new treats and tastes. For myself I am going to be getting that juicer with my Target gift cards. I want to be healthier for this next year. I'm looking forward to making some dietary changes (goodbye white anything , hello brown and wholesome, good bye soda, helloooo fresh juice!!!!!!)

Hopefully there will be some kicks along the way. There are always new fads and trends to sample, along with new restaurants and cafes to try. I look forward to writing about all of them in "11 . (can you believe how fast this century is flying by???)

If there's anything you want to see or ask about feel free. Foodie Pantry is always open.

Liz

A Lusher Kiddie Meal

It's good to take the kids out to eat. They learn manners, discover new cuisines and cultures. However nowadays parents just don't trust them and relegate them to fast food joints and Happy meals. Not so anymore. there are some fancy restaurants that do encourage the littlest diners to come and enjoy their food.

In yesterday'sTimes' Dining section this idea was explored. The article, written by Glenn Collins tells about the famed Four Seasons opening its' doors to all ages. There are no kids menus, Kids can eat the same entrees as their elders. They can chow down on chicken croquettes or sirloin burgers. Best of all there's no phony niceness by servers. The waitstaff is genuinely kind to the kids which is a big plus in my book.

I am a big advocate of doing this because I was taken to three star restaurants as a child. I remember eating at some of New York's finest Northern Italian and French bistros. My folks believed that children should have great culinary experiences. My mother is still for this, advising anyone with kids to do such. Eating at good restaurants broadens young minds and young palates.

Take your kids out today. Just avoid the places with drive throughs and golden arches. Years later they'll thank you for that.

Ecco Pranza!

Most people are bored by a weekend lunch. It's usually just the week's left overs wrapped in sandwich or a diner brunch out after church. However you can make a Saturday or Sunday weekend meal a bit more enjoyable if you follow what the Italians do. Lunch is always a big deal, either elaborate pastas or memorable soups and sandwiches are served with a good wine, fresh baked bread and a vegetable rich salads. You too can create athese lunchtime gems in no time. for yourself or for family.

Frittatas are a wonderful and easy way to begin the afternoon. They are are crisper version of omelets. Instead of folding over the egg mixture , let it cover the entire pan, similar to making a pancake and fry. Flip over every so often so you have two golden sides. The Piedmontese fry them in butter and let the ends get crispy. Parmesan cheese is a good ingredient but you can also add fresh, chopped spinach, or peppers and mushrooms. For meat lovers, try ham or chopped sausage. Serve it with a mixed green salad and toasted Italian bread.

Panini are another good option. If you're lucky (and into the latest gadgets) you already should have a panini grill. Every store, from Williams and Sonoma to Target sells them. They're a take on a hot sandwich press and you can have fun filling paninis with all sorts of cold cuts , cheese and vegetables. The best bread to use is a thin sliced round loaf. It's already cut, with slices about the width of a wafer.Drizzle olive oil on two slices, add any Provolone or Parmesan, along with a good prociutto or salami, sliced tomatoes and grill. You can nix the cheese for a more healthier sandwich.

Soups are another big part of pranza or the midday meal. Pasta e fagioli is big with the Napolitans. This is a pasts and bean soup where elbow macaroni or ditaliniis are traditionally blended with chicken broth, tomato juice or pureed ones along with celery, onions and beans. The recipe varies from family to family and restaurant to restaurant. Italian wedding soup, a phenomenal melange of chicken stock, spinach and meatballs is another good luncheon treat. Go to any recipe site and download both soup recipes.

Pranza is always an important meal in any Italian household, from Lombardy to Calabria. It's time to make it an important weekend one at your house as well.