A Quick Check On Quik Chek

Gas station food does get a bad rap. It's known for salmonella laced sushi and hot dogs of questionable  origins.Yer one stands out for good food and a variety of all sorts of snacks.It's Quik Chek.It has some really good hot food and fun drinks for a summer's day.

There is a Quik Chek  down the road from me >It's attached to a gas station and place where you can also get your car vacuumed and free air from your tires. I;ts a great snack shop along with a quick meal.

Their soups are pretty tasty.They have a wide variety from chicken noodle to cheddar broccoli. 

It was very thick and creamy , not unlike something you;d make in you kitchen. It was loaded with broccoli and piping hot. Of course   got my Quik Chek favorite - frozen Coke. Who can resist this? They've changed their menu to be healthier with veggie heroes and three filling and tasty looking Caesar and  Italian  chef salads.I kn ow I'll be buying these for my next trip there.

Qik Chek is good food  that puts other gas station shops to shame. They have a wide variety of  hot fresh offerings. perfect for on the go people. Stop in for a bite to and enjoy.

Make Tofu Exciting

Many people want to eat healthier for the New Year. This includes switching from meat proteins to tofu. Yet there's a problem with this Asian staple. It can be too bland.It's white and creamy - and let's face it' tasteless. What to do? there are several ways to make it delicious and a great break from steak and chicken.

Regular contributor  and chef Ali  Slagle give recipes and tips on tofu in today's New York Times Wednesday Food section.Tofu is nothing more than coagulated soy milk, a kind of cheese which like cheese can be shaped and turned into pretty much anything.For the initiated its' flavor has a subtle nuttiness and the texture is creamy yet firm.(sort of like burrata) A simple sprinkling of salt will bring out its' flavor however it is soy sauce that makes it shine.Drizzle the patted dry blocks (it is sold in small blocks) with the condiment then roast it on a sheet pan or cook on a stove top. The soy sauce's sugars will caramelized into a crunchy crispy crust.Ms. Slagle does not recommend baking it . That could lead to either a floppy or tough brick.Broiling it for fifteen minutes will result in crisping the tofu blocks' soft edges and concentrating the marinade. Keep in m,ind that tofu doesn't; need to be cooked.It can be crumbled like feta into salads.It gives the greens a cool silkiness much like ricotta. Think about dressing it with a soy sauce based dressing or adding  sizzled garlic and ginger to it. Give it a Thai vibe by adding peanut butter.

How else can tofu be used? Surprisingly in sandwiches.Cook it as you would a chicken breast. Coat it with a combination of wet and dry seasonings and then fry in hot oil.It'll be craggy and golden, just like fried chicken or steak.It's a crunchy outside that shatters into a creamy bite. Serve it on a bin with mayo, lettuce and a sliced tomato.Tofu is also good in soups, especially in miso. The texture becomes very custardy when it's immersed into hot liquid and the tofu mixes well with the other ingredients.Crumble t up and then put it into a marinade .Tofu soaks up all sorts of marinades and rubs. It's also very easy to break apart since it's curds of soy milk. it makes for an excellent taco filling thanks to t absorbing the spices dried Chile, soy sauce and tomato paste. Tofu can also be easily whipped into a fluffy dip. extra form will give  a ricotta like dip while silken turns out to be like a heavy cream. Add whatever sugar or spices into it and dip everything from cookies to pound.cake to veggies in it.Ms. Slagle also gives four good recipes.One is a vegetable soup with tamarind and lemongrass while the other three are tofu with sizzling scallion oil and glazed tofu with Chile and star anise. A tasty one for a cold night is roasted broccoli;I and whipped tofu with chili crisp crunch.

Tofu isn;t bland or boring.It's a versatile ingredient, Use it in sandwichess ,salads or stirf fires.

Brother's Pizza Discount And Delicious

 It;s hard to eat out and find a dinner that is not only cheap but delicious. Somehow the two don;t go together. Yet there is one place Brother's Pizzeria that offers a great meal every day for only $5.95. 

THis is  local place for me, literally only around the corner on Rte 46 at the Saddle Brook Mall.

They're offering two slices of cheesey saucy pie and a small drink for under six bucks!!!!

I have a lot of Italian restaurants where I live (New Jersey has the best Italian food outside of Italy) but Brothers stands out. It was a popular go to on Superbowl Sunday, with people  even ordering ten pies to go. The restuarnat has a good lunch menu with sandwiches of all kinds being under eight dollars. They offer large soups for under four dollars and they are classic ones , from pasta e fagioli to chicken , perfect for a cold day. 

Brothers is a great place for a quick and filling lunch that won't break the bank. Stop into the mall, Stop at their place and enjoy good Italian food on a budget.

Brothers Pizzeriria is located at the Saddle Brook Mall, 189 US 46 West, Saddle Brook NJ

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Your Vacation Kitchen

A vacation in a house with a kitchen is a plus. You can cook and eat when you want. You're not at the mercy of local restaurants and their schedules. Yet you do have to be careful and mindful. This is not your kitchen,  treat it with respect.

Many vacationers head to foreign countries for a week or two away.There's a problem with foreign kitchens.They have stoves that have a Celsius temperature range. If you're not use to Celisus, you'll have to use the converter on your phone e or follow this formula subtract 32 from the Farenheit temp, then multiply by five and divide by nine. (Using Google conversion is much easier, it's more exact, If you do it with the calculator,it'll be off by about .02 degrees).Are the results the same? More or less. There is also the gas mark where one mark equals 275 degrees Farenheit. If your roast or cakes requires four makes to cook or bake you know it's going to be 350 degrees Farenheit .Again there are charts on  line to help you deal with the conversion,If you;re staying in any UK  home and you have a fan oven , don;t be alarmed. This just means a convection oven.It's usually twenty degrees Celsius lower than a regular Celsius temp stove. (you've probably heard Mary Berry use the phrase a fan oven on any of her PBS cooking shows). A fan oven is rather like a big air fryer. The food will be crunchier and crisper but cooked at a lower temperature.

What about other kitchen matters? Most European countries have very small fridges. They need the space for counters and food prep. They're not like the sometimes mammoth  restaurant style ones Americans have in their sometimes mammoth kitchens. Don;t tr y to over stuff yours . Most people overseas keep their milk and butter out instead of refrigerating them .Keep the frozen stuff down to a minimum since freezers are also tiny.. Think ice cream and popsicles or ice lollies if you;re vacationing in the UK.Vacationing in the US is different, but you still have to be mindful of the kitchen and fridge too whether you  stay in a house, apartment or efficiency apartment at the shore.Keep your food to the basics. Good choices are bacon, eggs and milk for breakfast along with butter and something drinkable. Have juice and milk ready for the kids.Most motels have a soda and snack machine on the premises so you don;t need to get a huge bottle of soda. If the kids want sandwiches, then consider having a packet of cold cuts and a small jar of mayo. Take advantage of local farmers markets for produce but don;t overbuy. Keep the kitchen tidy and not over flowing with food or food waste.

Your own private kitchen is a good thing on a vacation. Just be aware of temperature differences along with cultural ones too. It'll make for an easy time preparing home cooked meals for your family.

Back To School Bentos

 School lunch is on every parent's mind right now. What to give that fussy back to schooler? Should there be a treat? More protein than veggies? The opposite? Luckily there is a solution. The classic Japanese bento box - a must have for every student big or small.

Regular contributor and chef J Kenji Lopez-Alt write about this in yesterday's New York Times Food section. He is a father himself and uses the handy Bento box for his kids lunches. These are nothing new . originating during Japan's Edo period which was from 1603 to 1868.Travelers would pack rice balls into bamboo pouches carried around the waist according to Emiko Davies, author of Gohan, her upcoming book on Japanese cooking.In recent years Tupperware was used when transporting rice balls to picnics.Now there is a whole new gneration of fun and colorful Bento boxes. The food choices should be just as colorful. Namiko Chen of the blog Just One Cookbook recommneds this by pairing white rice with brown meats and red fruits. There should also be yellow eggs for more protein. The philosophy is that if its' colorful, then it's pleasing to the eye and fun to eat. Chef Lopez-Alt gives his daughter,s favorte Bento filler , a take on sanshoko-don, He gives the rice for  this three color rice bowl with chicken cooked with ginger mirin and shoyu or soy sauce. It's mixed with such healthy greens as spinach or kale. It's founded out wuth scambled eggs made with mirin, a sweet condiment that tastes like saki but without the alcohol.

What should parents put in their kids. Bentos? Chef Lopez-Alt recommneds deconstructed foods. Think homemade Luncables those easy lunches where kids can construct their own sandwiches and pizzas. Add cut pieces of carrots, avocados and cucumbers . Microwave sushi rice the night before and pack it in foil for the morning. Keep in mind that even salads and  salads can be constructed at school. Pack tuna salald  and bread separately. Pack salad ingredients separately too, with a small cup of dressing on the side. Parents should plan ahead but not that far ahead. He usually scours his fridge after doing the dishes or when the kids have gone to bed. There could be leftover meatballs or dumplings to microwave for the next day. He also gives four recomnedations. Kids could munch on rice with toppings along with having raw fruit and a cookie for dessert. A noodle Bento could include soba or udon noodles along with dumplings and a hard boiled egg. You could also go traditional with a sandwich , pickles or a treat. If they're not into that then think a pasta salad  along with fruit and cheese and a raw veggie. Include a treat like a brownie ro a cookie.

Bento boxes are kust as important as notebooks and pencils for the school year. Pack them with healthy and fun choices. The kids will definitely appreciate them and the work that went into them. 

Easy Fall Baking

As with fall cooking, fall baking should be an easy transition into more complex and complicated recipes leading up to the holiday baking extravaganza. After months of not stirring and whisking and staying away from the oven it's now time to head back into creating sweet treats.

Apples are big right now. Home bakers are probably itching to use those apples picked over the weekend. One simple recipe is apple crisp . This does require a tart apple like Granny Smith.It counterbalances the sweetness of the crisp made with just flour oats, sugar cinnamon and butter. The only labor intensive work is cutting the apples into wedges and then coating them with flour and cinnamon for the filling. Apple crumble is similar and can be quickly made for a same day dessert. This is also pie season however you can cheat at this by using already made crusts. These cut down on time and labor, producing a tender crusted pie that's just as delicious as one with a scratch crust.Baked apples are another easy dessert that just requires apple , cinnamon and some kind of nut. It's just coring the apple and filling it with a mix of spices, ground walnuts or pecans and butter. You can also sub in half a caramel for the butter for an inside out caramel apple. Pop these in the microwave for three minutes or until tender

Nothing beats a warm cinnamon roll on a frosty autumn morning,  You can easily makes these thanks to Pilsbury Grands Cinnamon rolls.These are an easy bake and perfect for mornings or an early afternoon snack. Not surprisingly you can make these from scratch too. This does require yeast but it's not as scary as it sounds. Use Fleischmann's fast rising yeast for this.  Once you've made yeast rolls you can graduate to easy yeast breads or rolls. The recipe only has a handful of ingredients such as the yeast, flour,, sugar salt and water. The bread can be the perfect accompaniment to dinner but it can also be toasted for breakfast and used for sandwiches for lunch or in a nice fall picnic.Once you've gotten in the swing of fall baking you can attempt cookies. Of course the easiest would be the Pillsbury slice and bake kind but there are some scratch recipes that are simple to whip up. Try a maple oatmeal one that combines chewy oatmeal with the earthy taste of another fall flavor. a maple cake with frosting is another simple dessert , perfect for  ending a Sunday dinner.

Ease into fall baking. start with easy to mix and easy to bake treats. Try  rolls or an apple crisp. experiment with baked apples or a maple cake. Jump into simple recipes that will sweeten your season.

Parties Separate But Apart

There are parties and gathering but they're different. We are celebrating but six feet apart. Does it work?  Sort of, for now anyway.

I recently went to a neighbor's twin granddaughters twelfth birthday party. An ice cream truck provided the treats and that was it. Everyone had the choice of whatever ice or ice cream along with going back for seconds. It was only one hundred dollars for their mom to rent plus the price of all the ice cream eaten. Neighbors were invited which was sweet and nice. There was a covered gazebo in the backyard where there was enough room for social distancing and eating. The girls had pizza earlier for their friends and saved the ice cream as the "cake. There was no Happy Birthday's sung, no games to win prizes. There were, however,  loosely clustered groups, all with masks and respecting social distancing. It seems this is common from what I heard from others.Many of their kids went to various ice cream or other food truck parties in the last months. Kids ate fun and tasty food while enjoying sorely missed company.  As for the twins' get together, neighbors caught up on gossip, masking up after they had their ice cream or ices. It worked. We all kept our distance and respected each other's new personal spaces.

Friends are also talking about socially distanced parties and get togethers. Of course, they'll be nothing grand. No one will be sharing salads and we definitely won't all be digging into one plate of dessert. We may just even bring our own prepared dishes , a kind of brown bag party. This wouldn't be a bad idea. Guests could bring their own sandwiches  and refreshments. After all it's the company not the food that matters.It's just a chance of being together and having some semblance of our former lives. If any host wants to supply food, then maybe brown bagging is the way to go. Subway and many grocery stores such as Acme have already made heroes, Serve these with individual bags of chips or sandwich bags of cherry tomatoes , broccoli and cauliflower florets and individual dip cups. Mini ice buckets filled with water and soda can be placed by chairs that are set six to seven feet apart. There should also be mini hand sanitizers and wipes too. As for dessert let people make their own s'mores. Have a little bag full of chocolate bars, graham crackers and marshmallows.

Parties are meant to be fun. In this new era, they still can be with guidelines and respect. There is still a time and a place for good food and good company,

The Art Of The New

This is the time to learn a new dish or cuisine. It gives us a chance to expand our talents and expertise. Not only that it helps us to change up the usual staying in menu.

There is a whole world out there of good recipes and interesting dishes. Many home chefs always have qualms about cooking a different cuisine. If that's the case then begin with the simplest recipes like stews and skillet dinners. Every country has easy dinners that are a snap to replicate. Another turn off is the array of strange spices, yet if you study the recipes you see that there are substitutions. A berbere spice can be replaced by that paprika you used last week or soy sauce can fill in for tamari sauce. Then there's the problem that you may not have the right pots and pans. You do. Again any pot or pan can sub in for a fancier or more specific one like a tangine or rice pot. Where can you find interesting and exotic recipes? Your library of cookbooks, of course. There is also the internet where there are literally thousands upon thousands of recipes. Just ask yourself - "what should I try?" Japanese teriyaki? Ethiopian doro wat?Svenska kottbullar or real Swedish meatballs?

Ethiopian food has fascinated me lately.It's an interesting country to begin with and the food also has a particular allure. I am going to be making the country's lentil stew. Am I worried that my Stop &Shop didn't have any lentils (and believe me I looked). Now I plan on using kidney beans. Of course there will be a slightly different taste but then I don't have some of the spices. I will improvise. I will also sub in. it calls for tomato paste but I feel that using vine ripe tomatoes may give it a fresher flavor. My Berbere spice blend will be slightly different than the one I found at Immaculate Eats where i discovered the stew recipe. Yet it's still exciting. When life and food shopping returns to normal , then I will get the appropriate ingredients. For now it's just the excitement of trying something different and not the usual tomato sauces or chilis.What will I try next? Maybe  chicken barbecue sandwiches with Morningstar Farms chicken strips and Acme's barbecue sauce, served on soft rolls.Or something French from Brittany or Normandy?

This is the time to try new recipes and taste new dishes. Be creative. Be curious. it will lead you on a culinary adventure to a new country with exotic flavors and delicious tastes.

Donate Your Talents

The front line needs us. The ones unemployed and food needy need us. What can you do? Donate food. Donate your cooking and baking.

If you have a restaurant and extra food, see if you can donate to emergency and front line workers . People still need to eat and a hot meal, whether pasta, pizza or even a burger or BLT is much welcomed. There are non profit organizations out there that are paying for essential workers to eat. Contact your local ones to see if they want to partner with your eatery for this. You can also contribute to feeding those in need of meals' the homeless and the recently unemployed. Again there are non profit organizations that can pay for this and set up a tab. You could also deliver to the elderly's homes too. Donate any fresh food you haven't used to food banks or leave it out in bags for those to take. Any extra, bread, lettuce  and tomatoes can feed a family for a few days. If there's extra cake or desserts throw them in too. It'll be a treat to the kids. Also throw in those fun kids place mats and crayons. These would be appreciated by fraught parents looking for something extra for their kids to do.

If you're a good cook and baker  then think about donating your talent to helping too. You can create large family dinners for essential workers' families whose parents are on the front lines. Create easy to make care packages like lasagnas and casseroles. Rice and pasta dishes are also simple to whip up and pack. Create a few for neighbors who are on the front lines. There is nothing liked fresh baked goods. These offer not just good cheer but a heart felt thank you. Bake a few loaves of bread. It's not only soul soothing but versatile. It can be used for sandwiches, stuffing and even turned into bread crumbs when stale. Experienced bread makers can try different kinds like honey and sourdough. You can even try rolls which always go over big. Another comfort treat is a plate of cookies. There's nothing like chocolate chips , fresh from the oven, with gooey chips and crunchy walnuts. Vary the plate with homemade oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookies or blossoms.

This is the time for all of us to step up. Donate anyway you can. Use your restaurant's kitchen. Use your own kitchen to help our during this time.

A Thoughtful Good Friday

This Good Friday is one where we are all thoughtful and prayerful. Our minds and hearts along with our souls  are with those who are sick with the Covid-19 virus along with those with other illnesses. Our thoughts and prayers are also those on the front lines too. If you want to do a good deed this Easter season along then donate food, whether pizzas, doughnuts or sandwiches to our brave doctors and nurses.  Do the same too  for Passover and Ramadam too. Be grateful for these healthcare professionals  who are giving up their holidays for us.  Thank those cashiers and food stockers at your grocery stores. They too are on the front lines as our the truckers, farmers, produce pickers and food plant workers.

This is the day to be thoughtful. Think of what you can do for your community. Sew masks, Donate food. Treat workers to a much needed slice of pizza or cup of coffee. Pray for an end to this, where everyone emerges happy and healthy.

A Holiday Buffet Of Sandwiches

Forget the canapes and mini bruschettas. Nix the pineapple and bacon sticks. Finger sandwiches are the way to go for your holiday party. They can be fun; they can be elegant. Most of all they are filling and tasty - two musts for any party food. Serve them and you'll have happy guests.

David Tanis was of this mindset when he created a variety of different sandwiches for his City Kitchen column in yesterday's New York Times Food section. His inspiration was the famed Nora Charles, Dashiell Hammett's heroine, portrayed by the great Myrna Loy. Nora and her husband, Nick, played by William Powell solve crimes in the glamourous Art Deco Thirties. During one wild Christmas party  she calls room service to order up a whole flock of sandwiches. This can work today. Mr. Tanis offers a whole flock of tasty ones that will suit everyone's tastes. They're tiny bites of flavor that can be prepared throughout the evening. The ingredients are interesting and guests as well as hosts will feel satisfied after three. It's also prudent, especially if you intend to also serve buzzy drinks and punches. Imbibing on a full stomach will cut down the threat of them getting buzzed or sick too quickly .Another plus, guests can bring home extra sandwiches or they can be served the next day for lunch (although there may not be any left). Just remember the bread is the most important part. Get Pullman or rye loaves. Challah and sourdough boules work too as do good brioche buns. If you can't get these, fall back on King's Hawaiian rolls that work for a vast variety of sandwich bases.

Of course there is the traditional sandwich. Mr. Tanis pairs steak with peppery watercress and jalapeno. on small whole wheat or brioche buns To moisten it try sweet butter (French and unsweetened) and sour cream. He also makes an egg salad without mayo! How does he do it? With olive oil combined with good green Spanish olives, scallions and celery. To give the mix more color  there's red pepper and parsley for a Christmas-y vibe. It's served on sliced, buttered challah bread (you could toast it if you want) and arugula. Anchovy can be added as can capers. There's a riff on the classic date and nut bread with cream cheese. The dates this time are in the cream cheese mixed with a little lime juice. Mr. Tanis recommends using soft juicy dates and natural cream cheese (which you can find at Wegman's). If you can find the last , then sub in ricotta cheese. Crispy salted rosemary herbed pecans are sprinkled on top to offset the sweetness. There is also my favorite croque monsiuer which is spiked with Dijon mustard. You have the choice of using Emmanthal, Gouda or Monterey Jack. Mr. Tanis tops it with a bechamel sauce but you can omit this if you want. These are also baked  which is traditional and served warm. If they do get cold, a quick heat in the oven will revive them.

As Nora Charles would say, have a flock of sandwiches at your holiday party. A small plate of different ones will make any guest happy. They're fun and festive , but best of all filling. Just make sure your Asta* doesn't steal a few.

 * Asta was the Charles' faithful terrier in "The Thin Man" series.

While I'm Away

Unfortunately , I will be going for major surgery and with that time away from the kitchen. It means prepping and cooking before hand.It also means taking out food too.

If you are facing anything from surgery to even a vacation away from the kids, make sure the pantry, fridge and freezer are well stocked. The obvious is making casseroles so the whole family can eat a rib sticking meal. If the weather is too hot then , just keep in mind about lighter fare and that includes salad. It may pay to have groceries home delivered with all the right ingredients for a fresh , vegetable dinner. Stop & Shop's  Peapod lets you get the same fresh produce and meats that you'd buy yourself. They also have meal prep kits that have all the ingredients plus instructions on how to make themThe choices are varied, from eggplant Parmesan to  baked mac. Even the kids can make their  honey Dijon chicken, steak au poivre or salmon with creamy lemon dill sauce. Peapod can also deliver toilet paper , cleaning supplies and pet food too.Definitely sign up with them if you're laid up and cannot go food shopping.They'll even throw in coupons too.

Eating take out is another option however be wary. Too much of a good thing may be a bad thing. It's great if you're friendly with diner owners and privately owned restaurants. The owners probably know your tastes and favorite dishes, They can easily cook up a healthy meal for the whole family., and even provide extras like more gravy or  napkins. Sometimes they'll even through in a dessert for free too. As for fast foods, be wary . It's easy and a treat to always order burgers, fried chicken and fries, Once or even twice in a week is fine, but not every night. One of the best is Wendy's. They have a good and varied selection of salads in different sizes from half and full. There are also baked potatoes that can be just sprinkled with salt and pepper for a healthy side.Another healthier fast food is Subway which can make up fresh, non-greasy sandwiches in all sorts of varieties. They now even have roasted chicken which can go well with their sliced tomatoes and avocados.Q'doba Grill is a good choice too. The ingredients are not frozen and you can create a more nutritious and fat free tacos and rice bowls.

If you're laid up, you have to rethink  how you cook and shop. Take it easy. Have a plan. Let others do your work. You deserve a break.

Food On The Go

Humans are eaters and snackers. We are also goers, meaning we're always moving somewhere, usually to and from work, usually in traffic.what happens when hunger comes along for the ride? Try sensible snacking.

A commuter's' best friend isn't his or her traffic app. It's their sandwich baggie . This little square can hold everything and anything. It's great for meals on the go and snacking. Many of us wind up eating breakfast on the road. There's not even time to stop for a coffee and doughnut or a breakfast sandwich. Put some granola into a baggie for a quick meal. Another idea is a healthy cereal like Mom's Best Cereal  which comes in a variety of flavors.They're made with whole grains and cane sugar - not refined. It's a good alternative to all those over sugared brands. Of course the best breakfast on the run is any piece of fruit. Bananas are the best They're easy to pack - you don't even need a baggie. -and chock full of vitamins and potassium. One is filling enough and will get you through to possibly or the first coffee break at eleven AM. Apples and pears are also good choices.. because they too are filling. Apples are higher in calories so if you 're watching your weight, stick with the pears.One is only eight six calories. Both can also be used as snacks when on a Saturday morning run to the soccer or baseball field or while running weekend chores.

That sandwich baggie can come in handy for lunch and snacks. Many people like sales reps and technicians have to eat on the road. Again you can go the fast food or deli route however that can get old quick. Then there's all those calories. Hamburgers and heroes are tasty but they're fattening. Salads and soups are great but messy and distracting when eating on the road. Try a healthy sandwich made with whole wheat or multi grained bread. and lean cold cuts.The best bet on the last is getting them from your supermarket's deli counter. Get freshly sliced roast beef or turkey . For an even neater sandwich try a wrap. You can swaddle in some lettuce or tomatoes along with a squirt of ketchup or mayo. Also have some savory snacks on the ready too. These come in handy on the drive home when you're hungry and stuck in traffic. Think Pepperidge Farm goldfish or pretzels.The pluses areboth nibbles are low in calories and not as greasy as potato chips.They're a nice way of staving off hunger and again they're also perfect for those Saturday afternoon runs or  Sunday's road trips. Fruit, too is good here  along with raisins, nuts or seeds like sunflower or pumpkin. They keep you satisfied until you reach home and a hot meal.

Hunger hits at any time - evne drive time. Be ready when you;re on the road and want to nibble or nosh. Have a sandwich bag filled with fruit or crackers, sandwiches or cereal to make it easier

An Apple Picking Outing

This is the season for apple picking .It can be a fun day of enjoying the crisp fall air and having the last picnic of the season.Many orchards have picnic tables set up along with stands selling all sorts of foods.The best part is th e picking itself. Everyone will enjoy it  - if done right.

One of the most important aspects of a day outdoors is the right clothing. October days run the gamut from summery to chilly and sometimes the temps change mid day. Be ready. A nippy day may heat up into one befitting July or August. It's OK to have both jeans, capris and shorts along. Everyone can wear their favorite tee but have a hoodie on hand if you or the little ones start feeling cold. Sneakers or even mocs are a must. Don't let your teens and tweens wear flip flops , no matter how comfortable or cool they feel. It's not safe. Fields have burrs and sharp twigs along with any stray nails left from any construction. Bring sun block too and lip balm.It may be the fall but the sun's rays are still strong and harmful. You can bring hats or visors if you want to protect your head and sunglasses to shield eyes from bright sunlight.Most orchards will supply pickers with bushel baskets or burlap sacks for their bounty. so you don't have to worry about bringing them. Just make sure there's plenty of room in your trunk for apples and whatever else you've picked.

This day out is the perfect day for a picnic. Always bring water along because picking is thirsty work. Juice boxes are a must if there are kids, as are bottles of unsweetened ice tea and sparkling water. Bring a thermos of hot tea, coffee or chocolate if it's a nippy day. You could even fill it with hot soup too. Bring hearty sandwiches along since both the brisk air and all that reaching and walking can work up an appetite.Have Kaiser rolls stuffed with ham and cheese or roast beef.  You can add mayo to them too,now that the weather isn;t sweltering which can spoil the spread. Also pack homemade macaroni and potato salad too to round out the meal.Power bars and pretzels are great snacks to bring along too. Many orchards do have stands that sell hot dogs and soda. Some like Colt's Neck New Jersey's Delicious Orchards show case everything from Serrano ham to fresh baked breads and rolls. Anyone can easily buy their picnic food there and have freshly made customized sandwiches.. The kids may want to snack on their bounty on the ride home. Thoroughly wash all apples before hand with extra bottles of water.

Nothing is more fun than a day of apple picking. Make it truly great and enjoyable with the right gear and a hearty lunch. Then get ready to pick!!!

A School Ready Kitchen

Many schools are starting this week (bummer, right?) and that means revamping the fridge and pantry to fit students needs.Those scholars will  need fun and nutritious foods to help them through the day and those all important study hours.Feed  them right  and they'll do better at school - hopefully,

Kicking off the school day can be  a pain, especially if the little and not so little ones have spent the summer starting off with junk cereals.It's time to go back to eating healthier breakfast foods. One of the best cereals to eat is Mom's Best Cereals. The company creates good for you spins on Cheerios,Coco Puffs and Lucky Charms. They are made with without any high fructose corn syrup along with no partially hydrogenated oil and best of all no artificial flavors or preservatives. The  cereals also taste better than the national brands and don't have their residual cloying sweetness. The boxes also are fun, having interesting and fun facts on ecology and animals. Pancakes and waffles are always in demand- however make them with whole wheat or buckwheat flour.That classic oatmeal is always good , even in hot weather. It's a warm fulfilling bowl that can be supplemented with the fruits of the season.What about eggs? Should kids eat them or not? The answer is yes, but only if they don't eat too much cholesterol on a weekly basis. A poached egg or an egg sunny side up served with bacon can be saved for a birthday or holiday breakfast and not a school day one.

Lunches can be made both fun and healthy. One good investment is a bento box. This Japanese classic is perfect for storing sandwiches and snacks. The compartments let eaters have the right amount of the main dish and sides or snacks.These are easy to be had and can be found everywhere from Target to Amazon.com This allows you to make  a nutritious main such as a mini salad or sandwich along with tasty veggie and fruit sides.For sandwiches , always have whole wheat or seven grain slices instead of white  and think beyond the usual baloney and mustard. Make a guacamole spread  for sandwiches instead of mayo and think tomato slices or broccoli florets.If you do have to serve protein then think leftover steak or chicken which don't have the preservatives or nitrates. Salads can be made fun and colorful too. Add carrots along with diced red and green peppers.Extras  can be whole wheat croutons or sunflower seeds.Look for dressings that are low in fat  but high in natural ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Have the student make the salad to suit their likings.

Get your kitchen ready for the new semester. Have healthy ingredients for nutritious breakfasts and lunches. It'll make for a better student and better grades.

Healthy Picnics

Yesterday's Times Food section  about sandwiches brought on ideas about picnics. The weather is perfect for a healthy meal outdoors whether at the park or the beach . Pack your basket with tasty but good for you sandwiches, snacks and drinks.

The sandwich is the main star of any picnic meal. Think healthy with meat from leftover roasts. Cold cuts can be good however try to get those that have less nitrates and fats in them. Although with leftover chicken and turkey , you can pack the wings and legs, if there any left over.Leftover ham, chicken and roast beef can also be devilled simply by adding chunks of leftover roasts to a food processor along with a teaspoon or two of water.This creates a nice paste that can be mixed with low calorie mayo or even olive oil for a spread. Veggie sandwiches are always good. Go Provencale by adding some sliced tomatoes on a whole wheat baguette. The Food Sandwich issue suggests not keeping the tomatoes in the fridge. This will make their flesh mushy. They should have a nice firmness and a chewy sort of meatiness to it . For the Southern French style, you can drizzle some olive oil on the bread along with some sprinklings of oregano and rosemary. For a Nicoise  use tuna, preferably tonno in olio, tuna packed in olive oil. This is both good for you and a luxury. Peeled and  sliced hard boiled eggs add another silken touch of lux,. If you have the time you can make either broccoli or mushroom pate. These are somewhat labor intensive spreads however they are yummy and delicious on artisanal rolls.

One of the most favorite aspects of picnicking are the snacks. Everyone feels like they can go wild on an outdoor jaunt. Bags of potato chips, and cheese puffs are always thrown in  along with every kind of available snack cake. These may be fun to  nibble on  but  whether they're eaten outdoors or indoors , they're still bad for you.Insteead try a bag of pretzels,. You can even pack some kind of mustard too for dipping. Nuts are always a good bring along. Nothing beats some crunchy almonds or lightly sea salted peanuts..As for sweets, dark chocolate  is always a good treat. It's full of antioxidants and flavonoids. Try fruits dipped in it for extra flavor. More natural are cuts fruit pieces such as watermelon and pineapple. Both are sweet endings full of vitamins and fiber.As Spring progresses , think about packing seasonal fruits such as strawberries and blueberries.Cookies are always fun to bring along and there are healthy ones out there such  as the Kashi brand or Fig Newtons. You can also bake a batch too but remember to use whole wheat flour and   brown sugar. All this food requires drink. Again skip the soda and bring the chilled water bottles. If you want flavor then think BAI and BAI5 juices and sodas. These are all natural  with the addition of the coffeefruit and come in tasty flavors like peach and blueberry.Their sodas are light and sparkling ,perfect thirst quenchers during a hot day.

Spring picnics are always fun.Make them healthier too, with  good for you sandwiches, snacks and drinks, It's a great way of enjoying the fresh air.

Road Trip Goodies

This is the time of year people take road trips.It's the perfect time to see the leaves or even have a picnic on the beach.Unfortunately the cooler temps not only generate wanderlust but also a healthy appetite.Pack sone hearty order to avoid trips to fast food joints and questionable diners. Sandwiches are always a good start, especially if you're planning on an all day trip.One of the best and most satisfying to create is a mini hero.Buy mini baguettes and then fill them with a variety of meats and fillings.Try ham and cheddar or roast beef and a tangy Worcester sauce.You can also make an Italian hero with caracole, salame and prosciutto along with a variety of different cheeses. if you do stop at a farm, then pick up bottle of cider.This is a nice accompaniment to the sandwiches.Another good cider go with is sharp cheddar with slices of whole wheat bread. Some big farms such as Delicious Orchards of Colts Neck ,New jErsey ,sell varieties of cheese along with breads that can make an on the road picnic possible..Some farms also have delis that can make sandwiches too, if you want something spur of the moment. Sometimes you just want nibbles when you're driving.I find that the best bring alongside are the dry stuff.Flavored crackers are always a good choice as are pretzels and plain cookies.These keep hunger at bay and are perfect for a quick stop.They're great for passengers and the kids won't create a mess with them during your break from driving.Popcorn is another fun snack,Feed the puffs to the gulls or whatever birds you chance upon.Fruit is another nice snack on a road trip.Black grapes are in season right now. And they"re refreshing to bring on a road trip.Keep them in a cooler because they're at their tastiest when chilled. Apples and pears also make excellent bring alongs.You can pick them yourself and munch on a few on the ride back home. Fall makes us want to visit farms and forests.Pile up the car with tasty snacks and the kids and explore.See the foliage, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy a sandwich or some fruit al fresco.

The Loving Kitchen,The Best Cookbook Ever!

Everyone should have at least one really good cookbook in their library.This should have a mix of comfort foods, fun dishes and culinary classics.If you don't have such a cookbook, there is one that has all of these components.TheLoving Kitchen (Nelson Books Publishers) is a great must have or must give. Leeann Rice has crafted this perfect cookbook.Every kind of dish is mentioned, Every meal is covered.What I like and that is so striking about it, is the the book is very homey.It's like a favorite relative or a best friend giving you both advice and recipes.Ms Rice's personality comes out strong ,a rarity in any cookbook.The end of the book is dedicated to creating memorable and fun family dinners along with ideas about reaching out to both neighbors and community, Ms. Rice a food blooger includes recipes that could easily be used in a church pot luck dinner or at a sophisticated summer party.This is a great book due to it's variety.Another plus is that she spells everything put.There may be many steps in a recipes but they are clearly written out so there will be no errors.Also there's no need torun down to some specialty food mar let to pick up an unusual spice or odd vegetable.Everything is readily available from the nearest grocery.To be honest you can have a whole day's worth of recipes from this cookbook.Start off with her eggs in a cradle, simple poached eggs cooked in dinner rolls, have one of her salads or soups for lunch and end the meal with either a casserole or meat dish ,followed by one of her many given desserts. Again the variety of The Loving Kitchen is just astounding.The breakfast dishes alone come in two categories and reflect her life in Nashville, TN?There is the must try sugared bacon that would go well with any egg dish along with the baked oatmeal.which is a kind of breakfast casserole.She laso has Sweidsh pancakes as well as the buttermilk kind too.Since she is a transplanted Southerner., Ms. Rice does have some good old fashioned casserole recipes.There is a chicken and rice one, great to make when there's dinner guests along with a hot chicken salad one.The Fiesta Noodle Bake is sure to be a family favorite.It is rich with simple spices like chile,cinnamon and red pepper.There are also very chic recipes too.Ms.Rice has penned down some excellent seafood ones such as pan seared scallops with orange butter sauce and lemon herb crusted fish filets.There are recipes on whole wheat pasta as well as on lasagna pinwheels.What is also unusual about this book is the special attention give to sides.To be honest, they could easily star as the main dish in a meal.She gives us the elegant green bean bundles, that are tied together with bacon and roasted Brussels sprouts with pancetta.Serve these with Ms Rice's roasted chicken for a truly simple yet classy dinner for guests.Sandwiches are not forgotten either and she includes a great guide to making different types of panini.Finish with any of her desserts such as her Nickerdoodles, her take on the classic cookie, nake after her son,Nick or her oh so sweet strawberry cupcakes.There are also yummy crisps and cobblers too along with a dark chocolate strawberry shortcake and frozen margarita pie. TheLovingKitchen is the must buy must have book.It is a great cookbook, chock full

The Fruits Of Late Winter

By now everyone is probably craving fresh fruits.It's been a long cold winter and for most of us , the only sweet treat has been and covered in icing.Luckily, you can buy a variety of fruits right now. Thanks to it being late Summer in the Southern Hemisphere, supermarkets can sell a variety of fruits.Of course we have oranges and grapefruits coming in from California and Florida.These have been great in not only providing us with Vitamin C but also fiber.Yet by now we craving the earthy sweetness of blue berries and strawberries and thanks to South American farms, we can have them.Many food writers urge people to eschew these, because they feel that these imports are somewhat inferior.Not true.The strawberries are just as juicy and tasty as their Jersey counterparts during the height of the season here..You can easily add them to cereal or enjoy them with unsweetened yogurt as a super heAlthy dessert.The same with the blueberries.Use them in salads or light desserts or just eat them plain.They're fine, they 're not harboring any life threatening bugs either. Apples and pears are also out there right now.Try to buy organic ,however even just the regular kind is fine.With the apples you can get several different types from Braeburns to Fujis.Apples are a great snack whether for the office or school.They're also perfect for when you're really craving sweet and reach forvthese instead of for a cookie or doughnut.Pears are another refreshing good for you nibble.They are also great as an unexpected ingredient in any salad as weldor gracing a chicken and mayo sandwich.Some markets are offering plums.Again these probably are being imported from South America.They are just as juicy and as candy sweet as their American cousins so buy them as a nutritious snack.Plums also make a nice change of pace from the other fruit. Break free from all those winter desserts of cakes, cookiesand pies.Get back into the habit of eating fruit again.They're a healthy and refreshing change of pace in a late winter diet.

Simple Sandwich Suppers

Sometimes you don't feel like making a hot dinner. Let's face it, many of us have busy lives and demanding jobs. Sometimes the family eats at different times from each other, thanks to sports or school activities or a late class.Then it's time to make sandwiches.

A sandwich can be just as nutritious as a regular full meal. There's nothing wrong with either getting or making heroes. for your family. These are not only loaded with tasty meats and cheeses, there are also the benefit of lettuce , tomatoes and other veggies such as peppers and onions. These last is chocked full of vitamins and nutrients.Add heart healthy olive oil along with healthy herbs such as rosemary and oregano for more boost.Even using a whole wheat bread or roll can be beneficial too.Stick to  low sodium cold cuts or better yet, leftovers such as chicken, turkey or roast beef. You can also create the French Provencale pan bagne, which is a yummy mix of tuna and tomatoes or just plain tomatoes sandwiches on baguettes.

If you or your family do want a hot meal but need something quick, then think about a hot open faced sandwich. There's nothing like slices of roast beef or London Broil on toasted wheat bread, smothered in gravy. The same can be said of a hot turkey sandwich which is a whole meal within itself.Many people (and kids) love a good grilled cheese.These are the simplest hot sandwich to make.Just take any cheese, preferably cheddar , and grill on any slice of bread.You can add bacon or tomato to it for more flavor and to create that diner fave The Happy Waitress.Of course if you want fancier then try the French croque monsieur. This is quick fried in butter grilled cheese, usually made with Swiss or Gruyere cheese with a slice of ham added.

Having just a sandwich for breakfast is not a sin. You can create or even take out a healthy hero or make a hot open one.It's just an easy way of having dinner after a hard day or during a busy schedule.