Lighter Meatballs For Spring

 Meatballs can be heavy, often thought of as being a winter dish,. Yet they can be made much lighter for The warmer months (along with making for great appetizers)Just sub in the turkey for beef and enjoy a lighter fare,

New contributor and famed nutritionist Samantha Cassetty gave this recipe for the Italian classic in today's New York Times  Wednesday Food section, These are low sodium healthy meatballs. Yes, they can go with a pasta, preferably an Anglia e olio one where the flavor would add to the simple sauce. They would also be great appetizers for an Easter brunch on their own. She keeps the sodium at a mere below 760 milligrams of salt, This is a third below of the required daily intake. However what they lack in saltiness, they do make up in flavor. Ms. Cassetty. There is za.atar , that spicy Middle Eastern blend and ground pepper. To give it some saltiness kosher salt, which is larger in grain size than table salt can be used.It contains less sodium too. Garlic and parsley will give the meatballs some flavor too. As for the sauce latter try a mix of Greek yogurt and tahini. How it;s served can be varied.Stuff a couple into a toasted pita or serve with brown rice or bulgar;A side of garlicky greens sauteed in olive soil is a nice since.

Is it hard to make meatballs? NO.This is a great recipe for novice home chefs. These are baked in a 400 degree Farenheit oven which is better than frying them (although they can be air fried too).What gives the meatballs their silkiness and flavor is the mix of yogurt tahini and garlic, bright with a squeeze of lemon juice. One egg is whisked into this and then the ground turkey is added. The spices such a  as za'atar is added a long with the parsley. Use just a teaspoon of the kosher salt and a few grinds of fresh pepper.Hands  should be oiled before rolling the meat into balls.Use two tablespoons of the meat mixture to make around eighteen balls. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake about ten minutes Drizzle the cooked meatballs with yogurt, tahini and lemon juice mixture and garnish with the remaining parsley.Consider these for a great Easter brunch appetizer or even at a shower.

These low salt turkey meatballs are a great alternative to the beef ones. Make them for a lighter Spring fare. They're perfect with pasta or with pita.

A Kiss Of Dumplings

 The Lunar New Year brings all sorts of good things, from celebrations to various foods. One is the simple dumpling. It's an easy make but full of complex flavors. A hot dish of them on a cold Frebruary night is such a treat. They are perfect, especially if they're homemade.

Regular contributor Genevieve KO amassed a good deal of dumpling recipes for the second annual Dumpling Week in yesterday's New York Times Wednesday section. The recipes were created by longtime New York Times cooking contributors.The recipes are built upons classic foundations and fu=filled with all sorts of stuffings and spicing. Sue Li gives a more traditional recipe in her pork and garlic chive pot stickers. This is a pan fried dumpling based on the ones that she would buy at the base of the Elephant Mountains in Taipei.It's a simple ground pork, egg  and garlic while the dumplings themselves are a simple blend of all purpose flour and baking powder. Eric Kin gives an untraditional one with a Korean dumpling. The wrapper itself is layered mix of yeast flour and sugar. The beef filling has a kick of jalapeno and large stemmed shiitake mushrooms Gochugaru is added for more zing. The dipping sauce redolent with jalapeno and egg yolks is even spicier. A pinch of sugar tempers it all.

Hetty Liu Mckinnin gives  the dumplings a different spin by making them vegetarian These are eaten throughout  Turkey ,Armenia and Central Asia. These are filled with Herby mushrooms and dipped into both a sharp ,garlicky yogurt and a spiced tomato sauce.There are also onions, love and the eye watering Aleppo peppers added to this.  As for the mushrooms use cremini button or shiitake. These can be mixed together.The yogurt sauce is simply Greek yogurt mixed with two grated garlic cloves while the tomato is a canned crushed tomatoes blended with mint and Aleppo peppers.The Thai's are also known for their dumplings too.China and Thailand have been trading for centuries and recipes also are swapped too. Genevieve Ko gives her interpretation on this with Napa cabbage and shallots and a different filling - chicken  namely all dark meat for more flavor . Basil is a big part of Thai cooking and it;s used here along with Serrano chilies for bite .There is also fish salt and sugar for a savory sweet flavor. The sauce also has sugar mixed with bird's eye Chiles, distilled white vinegar and two garlic cloves.

This cold weather calls for festive and comforting food. Make any of these dumplings for that. They are tasty and perfect for the Lunar New Year.

Tre Re DayTreats

 Today is the day when the Magi arrived in Bethlehem., bringing gifts for the Christ Child. The day isa holy day and and a fun extension of Christmas. Many countries celebrate the day and you can do.

Europe and South America celebrate the day as do the islands. Some immigrant communities do so here too. For us , its a special meal, varying from year to year. Tonight we had LIdl's veggie spring rolls that come with a sweet chili sauce.It's fun festive and finger food. I also bought Stewart's root beer to go with it. It's a party dinner with a frosty drink. Any party dish could do, from chicken wings to individual pizzas.The day, also called Epiphany or Dias de Reys centers around tasty foods and drinks.It's not too late to celebrate the Mexican way with turkey or chicken posole. You can buy a turkey breast or chicken parts from your local grocery store and mix the meat with already cooked chopped onions and poblano chiles. Chili powder, cumin and oregano is added for zing and flavor.Chicken broth, cannellini beans , chili peppers and hominy are added and simmered together for an hour. Celebrate with cold bottles of Corona beer or Mexican hot chocolate. This is hot cocoa with the kick of cinnamon,and sometimes chili and even a pinch of cayenne.

The day is also a day of sweet treats. Rosca de sReyes or Kings Cake,, which is sort of similar to the Mardi Gras staple King cake is also baked.(you can also buy it at Wal-Mart too). This is sort of like panettone too.It's an eggy bread, flavored with orange blossom water , and like panettone has candied fruit such a as citron in it along with slivered almonds.Unlike the famed Italian bread it has quince and guava paste,.It has a crackly glaze icing called craquelin and a baby Jesus figurine that goes into eh cake. Whoever finds the Christ Child has to make tamales for Candeleria Day or Candlemas on February 2nd. It's a wonder treat, perfect with hot cocoa or just a good cup of coffee or tea. there is also a  rich abuelita rice pudding made with Abuelita chocolate. It's melting g that with milk and adding  cooked white rice.A plain rice pudding studded with raisins and dusted with cinnamon is another Three Kings Day dessert that also makes for a nice snack.

There Kings Day is another Christmas. It's full of treats and gifts Enjoy it with savory or sweet foods.

 

Hearty Quick Meals For Dinner

 Everything is more or less back to normal. There are no more vacation days where everyone is home. Yet it's still cold. Everyone needs a hot dinner to come home to. This is where hearty and quick come in.

A hot dinner is a comforting relief when everyone comes home from a full day of school and work. Yet there's always not enough time to create a full  meal. This is where frozen food and shortcuts come in handy. Take advance of your frozen food section. Frozen lasagna comes in handy and it can be heated up quickly in the microwave. There are two types. the red with meat and the white ,usually with veggies. Lidl has both and both are great for an enjoyable hot supper. Stouffer's is the classic that everyone grew up on and it doesn't;t disappoint. ut;s still meaty and saucy. For a more authentic taste then buy Rao's which comes format eh restaurant of the same name. Have hot rolls and butter along with a simple tomato and lettuce salad as sides. Chili is another hearty and quick meal that just requires a few opened cans and a crockpot. This also can be made with it's to red, depending on taste. The white is usually made with turkey or chicken while the red is almost always made with beef pork or even plant based meat. Add a few beans such as kidney and red for a tasty spoonful. Tomato sauce is always needed for the red. You can add a can of fire roasted tomatoes too.

An easy hot stew can be rustled up in a few minutes thanks to a crockpot. Pick your meat. Toss in a few veggies along with broth and spicings and  in a few hours you have a great ,hot meal with leftovers that can be heated up for the next day. A beef one is especially rib sticking.Use  a good cut such as sirloin or brisket cut into cubes. Sliced Yukon potatoes are a great addition because they thicken the sauce. Carrots and peas add not only color but nutrition and flavor too.As for flavoring a dash of garlic powder does a lot but you can also add a chopped white onion, first sauteed in butter and oil. Again a simple salad is a great side and have warmed up slices of sourdough bread for dipping into your bowls. Chicken stew is an easy make .It's the same as the beef except you add some chicken stock.If you want a thicker stew then make a slurry of cornstarch and water. Add some homemade dumplings which is a simple mix of flour, baking powder, milk and butter.The dough is added to the top of the stew where it' bakes over the bubbling stew.The dumplings  are ready when a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean. This stew doesn't;t need bread or rolls but consider a salad on the side.

Hearty and quick are the requirements for January dinners. They provide nutrition and flavor while keeping stomachs filled and bodies warmed. They are perfect for these chilly nights ahead.

Are You Christnas Ready?

 Christmas is coming faster than a snowflake in a blizzard. For all thosehome chefs out there worldwide, are you ready? Do you have the major ingredients? Do you have the minor ones? are you ready for both Christmas Eve and Christmas? Take a deep breath and think.

Of course you have the main course - whether it be ham, turkey or crown rib. Do you have all the extras that make these meats tasty? Brown sugar is used for baking but t's also the key ingredient in ham glaze. Usually one ham requires two cups of brown sugar. You have enough time (really until Thursday until four to six PM depending upon your local store's hours)If you find your self short on Christmas use more honey or even white granulated sugar for the glaze.You could also add a splash of orange or apple juice instead of the sugar for less sweetness and more flavor. As for the turkey is there enough butter to rub under the skin for a flavorful meat.This usually requires a stick of butter but you can use a scant half cup of olive oil. Luckily crown rib doesn't;t require any prep but you may need string to tie it twine would be a better choice because of its' sturdiness. however if you don;t have this then use double cords of strings to mold  the meat into the classic crown shape.

What about the sides and desserts? Do you have enough potatoes for mashed or scalloped.If you're going old school and making them from scratch make sure you also have plenty of milk and butter.If you;re low on both then use olive oil.It provides a lighter , dairy free kind of mash that's still perfect for gravy. Do you have enough sweet potatoes or yams? Keep in mind that one yam or sweet potato is adequate for one person. Little ones could probably split them with the other smaller guests.If you're inviting ten people then have ten yams. if there are four kids  also then just buy two extra sweet potatoes or yams.What about the greens Do you have enough sprouts or green beans.If you're making the famed green bean casserole do you have the other ingredients like the cream of mushroom soup and the crunchy onion rings for the topping? There's also milk in this  so make sure you have enough for it. As for the desserts, Yes,C Christmas is cookie time and by now you should have a few trays of different types. However Christmas dinner deserves a spectacular ending. Do you have all the ingredients for Death By Chocolate or tiramisu? what about enough brandy for a boozy trifle? Or ice cream and syrup for  a fabulous Christmas sundae for the kids?

Christmas is coming. Take a deep breath and embrace it. Make sure you and your kitchen are ready for it. Then enjoy the day and the flavors of the season.

Still Up In the Air

 Christmas is a  week away and there are some home chefswho still have no clue as to what to make? Ham ? Turkey? Prime rib?  Should  it be vegan? What about the desserts? All cookies or something fancier.

It's OK to still be indecisive a week out.Plns change as do the guest list. You may have more leat lovers than originally planned or a few vegans and vegetarians were added to the list. There's also the tomec constraint. Many home chefs are working up until Tuesday next week. Between office Christmas parties and  end of the year work, there's little time to take off and go grocery shopping. Add in school pageants and tree trimming parties with family and friends and there's zero time to do a proper trip around the market. One way to look at this is to go simple. If it's only two people keep the amount  of food to four servings each. You could serve a tree pound breast which is more than adequate serinv wise. Add I stand stuffing like Stovetop or Lidl's version along with one or two frozen vegetables. It's still a festive dinner but without all the fuss.. For larger groups such a as three or four, what about a capon? This is a gelded (fixed )rooster and the bird can get as big as a small turkey. You can still have all the trimmings and add a jar of turkey dressing for the stuffing. 

What about sides? You could replicate Thanksgiving for an easy cook. There's stuffing cranberry sauce and some kind of veggie .Yams or sweet potatoes can be added too.  However you many want something fancier.Stringbeans amandine are a nice side. This Gallic classic involves toasting or sauteing almond sauces in butter and adding chopped shallots, a cousin of both garlic and onions. It's then mixing the sauce with the more tender haricot verts (if you can't find these then frozen green beans will do). This is the perfect side with any dish, from chicken to beef to fish. Another elegant side are Brussels sprouts Piedmontese style. This is from the northwestern part where butter and cheese figure prominently in cooking. The Brussells sprouts are cooked and then drenched with  melted butter(you can also use I Can't Believe It;'s Not Butter). Give them a liberal sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. What about pork or even ham as a main dish. Then try spiced apples. These are cubing apples and then cooking them in  a skillet.Add butter, brown sugar, maple syrup and cinnamon for a tasty sweet savory flavor. Cornstarch is stirred in to t hicken the sauce. This is perfect ladled by a slice of roast pork and perfect with its' dressing.

Christmas dinner menu still up in the air? Don;t sweat it. Make what you think is best. Get  the ingredients now or Christmas Eve. What matters is a tasty dinner that makes  for a good holiday dinner.

Thanksgiving Words

 There is all sorts of advice for tomororow's big feast. Should home chefs and host take them seriously? Yes and no.Advice is I just that - advice.Take what makes sense and use it.

That was the main article of  today's New York Times Wednesday Food section.New contributor Tanya Sichynsky . the paper's food and cooking sections editor gathered all sorts of gems and nuggets/Should they be followed?Maybe.Maybe not. There are sixty-one points to argue or agree with.  There is the Guest List. One , from Becky Hughes of Where To Eat suggests inviting someone you don;t like that ex or old high school bully. That's not going to work for a huge amount of people. A better suggestion regarding guests is everyone ,including family, should wear name tags. This is a good idea from Luke Fortney , also of What To Eat. There is also Vibes Management - with the best advice - from fashion designer Rachel Antonoff,. Don;t wear anything with a waistband. Everyone ets too much.Loose  comfy clothes, casual or Friday casual should be allowed and worn.Also please accept help.This is from Kia  Damon, recipe developer and chef. If someone wants to clear the table and wash dishes, let them.Chefs should have a moment of relaxation after a heavy day of cooking and prep.

Then there is the bird. Surprisingly a few have suggested other fowl.Melissa Clark suggests duck. She doesn't give a reason why but maybe it;s because the skin can cook up crispier and more burnished than turkey.If turkey isn't liked, then there is chicken. Another Foo section writer, Ali Slagle suggests having two of them. They're easier to store in the fridge.The meat is also juicier which means no dry areas like with turkey. There's also no spatchcocking.This from Katherine Lewn , the owner of BigNight.This method has been done to death.Yes, the meat is well cooked but it's a flat bird. Who wants a flat bird? The sides are also up for discussion too. Challah makes the best stuffing according to the author of this compilation, Tanya Sichynsky.It should be homemade too.Of course there is the marshmallow on yams debate. No, as per StacyMe Yan Fong, author of Fifty Pies and baker. Speaking of sweets what about those ubiquitous pies?There are two camps on this. Pro pie is Eddie Huang, chef , writer and director. Then there is the anti pie crowd.Vaughn Vreeland, who hosts Bake Times nixes it. Panna Cotta can be made according to Paola Velez, pastry chef and owner of Bar Provencia.

So what makes a good Thanksgiving. Everything a home chef wants it to be. A dinner shines when a chef shines. Only he and she can make it sparkle and memorable.

What's Your Favorite Dish To Make

 We all have our go to  Thanksgiving dishes that we're a whiz at making. It could be the actual turkey itself. It could be that green bean casserole.Some are great at creating homemade pie crusts and fillings.

What's your favorite dish to make? Mine is stuffing. I like either the easy stove top one or my family's time honored savory bread pudding version. It's redolent with sauteed onions and celery (the kitchen smells sooo good then) and baked to perfection with a nice crunchy crust.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving make? let us know and have fun creating it next week.

Budget Barbecues

 it;s getting warmer all around the country and that means one thing : barbecues!!! Yet can anyone afford them with all these high prices? The answer is yes - if you budget wisely.

Luckily charcoal briquettes are quite affordable. Lowe's is selling A ten  pound bag for Royal Oak  for only $4.98. Buy three or four bags and store up for the season ahead.Acme has their Signature long burning brand for $6.99 . Buy a few of these for those barbecues that last well into the night. Can you save extra money by just using twigs from your yard?Yes!  Try to find either cherry or apple wood for imparting a fruity flavor or hickory.Before adding the twigs, light  twists of paper around the barbecue basin and then add the wood.Many home chefs may want to get a new barbecue yet are worried about the price. They shouldn'r fret. Walmart, Lowe's and even Kohls have small but sturdy grills for under thirty dollars. Walmart has  a seventeen inch one for  $19.87, Lowe;s has the good brand name Master Forge with a twenty four inches grilled for $24.72 while Kohl's' has a portable Cuinart  fourteen inch out door grill for $24.99. These can last you a good two seasons if you are careful and caring with them.

Every barbecue needs to have burgers and hot dogs. It's best to get the house brands before thinking about the national ones. Acme has their own parries for only $6.24 for four. WalMart has the best buy one hundred(!!!!) burgers for 4.98 from their Specollect brand. This is perfect if you;re throwing a graduation party or an informal bridal or baby shower.If you;re still watching your pennies, then think turkey burgers instead of beef. Again look to Wal-Mart for the best price on these. They have Shady Brook Farms turkey patties  for $5.94 for four. As for extras, always check Lidl and Aldi fro good bargains on ketchup and mustard. Lidl' 's brand of ketchup is richer than Heintz and more tomato-y tasting. With salads, macaroni is a cheap ingredient that can be dressed a number of ways. Try elbow macaroni with slices of pepperoni  along with sliced bell peppers and cherry tomatoes drenched in a homemade Italian dressing. You can make bowls of this to last well into the week for leftover eating. Potato salad is another cheap side that has dozens of fun varieties.

You can have a tasty and filling barbecue  for less. Budget wisely. Shop wisely. You;ll have a great meal for less.

A Very Delicious Christmas

 Hopefully all my readers worldwide had the same delicious Christmas I had ( big thanks to Lidl for the sides and desserts - yum and Shop Rite for the Gardein turkey

The best Christmas gift is a good Christmas meal !!! HOpefully everyone had one, filled with good flavors and love.

Lidl's Potato Gratin's The Perfect Holiday Side

 What do you serve alongside a holiday turkey or ham> Scalloped potatoes are good bu they can be a pain to make. Ther'es mashed potatoes but they were probably served last month at Thanksgiving., What about something new and elegant? Think LIdl's Due de Couer's au gratin potato rounds.

I saw these during a recent Lidl trip and had to buy them. I loved Lidl's Duc de Couer's vegetable gratin and these had to be as good as those.

There's four in a package as as a main meal perfect. THus was a medium time cook in the air fryer. It was about seven minutes at 350 degrees Farenheit and then a second cook at ten minutes at 370 degrees Farenheit. The end result was a crispy crust and a creamy interior.

These were incredibly delicious with a smooth creamy inside , reminiscent of scalloped potatoes.

These are definitely going to be on my Christmas table, drenched in Lidl's turkey gravy. It's a potato dish but not overly so. I could taste the egginess and creaminess of eggs and dairy. The top has a satisfying crunch , not unlike potato chips. These would be perfect on any holiday table, whether with beef, chicken or ham. They're also good as a main meal with a  salad.

Lidl's Duc de Couer ' potato gratin rounds are a tasty addition to any holiday table. They are a blend of crisp and creamy. They elevate spuds to a whole new level.

Thanksgiving Advice Just Breathe

 The next two days will resemble a baking contest and the popular comedy"The Bear" . The best advice is to just breathe. Home chefs, you got this. Just take time to give yourself some culinary me tine.

List making helps. f you haven't;t bought anything, tomorrow is the day to do it. Try to find shortcuts to ease the cooking, especially if you're busy at work. Get a simple turkey breast  if  there's just two . It saves on having a ton of left overs. Besides the breast meat is the most tender anyway. Get jarred gravy and stove top stuffing too. This saves on a lot of work. As for mashed potatoes, instant is your best bet. Frozen Brussels sprouts or green beans can be your side. Most big supermarkets like Acme and Lidl sell in store baked pies and rolls. Buy these. If you're planning a bigger meal, then ask for help. Guests love to come early and help out in the kitchen. It's a great way to catch up and chat instead of trying to talk during the whirlwind of putting food on the table and the cacaphony of other guests.The same goes for pie baking. It's a fun way to gossip and share a coffee while rolling out dough and coring apples.You and your fellow bakers can also go in on the costs too if they're also part of the Thanksgiving guest list.

As for yourself - relax. It's so popular  (and traditional) to order a pizza the night before the big day. Consider it tomorrow. Hot slices are always a big hit with the kids too. Chinese food won;t go amiss either. Save your energy for the next day. Take a relaxing bath or drink and herbal tea to ensure a good night''s sleep. No one can function or a limited amount of shut eye. As for Thanksgiving morning, don;t go crazy and create a hearty breakfast or brunch. Keep it simple.There's cereal and instant oatmeal to tide the family over. If you have to cook something hot, stick to any kind of eggs and bacon, whether real or plant based. Check your lists as to what needs to be done first.  Is the bread torn for stuffing along with the celery being washed and cut for it? Again when it's time to start prep, ask for as much help as you can,  Are the pots and pan ready to go ? It's time to take the turkey out of the fridge and getting it ready for the oven. Keep in mind that holidays today are not the formal affairs of the past yet if you want to pamper yourself with  make up and fancy dress, then do so.It's a fun  break from kitchen duty. Grab a glass of wine but don;t go overboard. No one needs a tipsy cook.

It may be Thanksgiving with non stop cooking and breaking but it's also a time to enjoy family, friends and food. Take it easy. Take care of yourself. It'll ensure a less crazy ,less hectic cooking day.

Those TikTok Food Crazes

 Can one app dictate what people eat? Yes if it's Tiktok. It's responsible for all sorts of fads, trends and crazes regarding food.Do people follow them? Yes!

It seems everyone is on this app. It's responsible for some of the strangest food crazes lately that everyone is passionately following.One that is super popular now is the pickle sandwich one coming out of New York's Long Island. Back in January a deli called Seven Brothers Gourmet Food market started to sell subs that were not based on bread but pickles!!!! The sandwiches didn't;t blow up until May when a popular food blogger posted her review back in May. She posted a few more videos regarding her love for them and people were curious about this twist on the classic hero. Now a New Jersey deli Elsie's Sub Shop in Red Bank has created their version of this tangy bite.It can be made at home with halving a fat dill pickle , scooping out the guts (save these for snacking or salads) and then filling it with your favorite cold cuts. Seven Birthers has a turkey, cheese and bacon one that people are going mad for. There are two and three hour waits , with lines heading out of the deli and down the block.

What are other TikTok trends? This new Summerween is one. This is where Halloween is stretched out into four days from July 7th to the 11th and all sorts of fun Halloween foods are melded with summer classics. There are TikTok videos that show how to make Jack o lanterns out of watermelons and pineapples with the fruits' insides being turned into fun cocktails and mocktails. Then there's the Jack o lanterns burgers where a pumpkin face is cut out on  a slice of cheese and then placed on a sizzling on the grill burgers. They melt over the meat so the patties sort of look like decorations. Another fun Halloween treat, mummy dogs , hot dogs wrapped in dough strips also were big on Tiktok recently. Then there 's vampire ice, basically shaved ice with cranberry or cherry juice and bloody s'mores where the treats ooze cherry juice.Tiktok has also been respomsible for the Dalgona coffee craze which had coffee lovers whipping their brew into dark brown mousselike peaks and create a zingy French cake using yogurt. It also had followers putting cottage cheese in everything too.

Tiktok is one of the most influential apps in recent history. It really guides people around the world to different food trends.What will the latest trends be? Find out on Tiktok.

Uh Oh Those Holiday Disasters

 Anything made in the kitchen could go wrong. That doesn;t exclude holiday baking or cooking  What to do when this happens? First, don 't panic, Secondly you cna fix this

Baking is considered an exact art. The problem is sometimes that exactness can sometimes go awry. It's even worse when you have to have a platter all set for a holiday gathering.Lt's start at the beginning. You could wind up with gooey or badly textured cookies if the butter is not at room temperature. It needs to be taken out of the refrigerator fifteen minutes before using. DO NOT microwave it!. It'll become too melty and ruin the recipe. If it's too soft return it back to the fridge for a few minutes for it to harden. What happens when th eggs and butter clump instead of blending smoothly? Just keep mixing them on a medium speed. Eventually everything will come together in a lump free , smooth dough. What about if the dough is too thick or too thin? If it's too thick then add any liquid like milk or water to it. You could also add some melted butter too.If the dough is too thin or runny then add about a tablespoon or two of flour to thicken it.What happens when you accidentally leave them in the oven and the bottoms burn? You can scrape off the char  along with frosting this part.

Cooking that holiday ham or turkey should be a snap , right? Yet even these can wind up with a host of problems. Ham can easily go dry if you overcook it. Use chicken broth instead of water to moisten it. This will also give it more flavor. It's just simmering the cooked cut in the broth for about six minutes with eac side being in the borht for three minutes each.The ham is still pretty tasty if it burns. They're may even be fights for the crispy blackened parts. Suppose your turkey dries out when cooking? Slice it and ladle the slices with gravy to give them moisture.If the bird gets burned, just remove the singed meat and skin with a knife and serve with gravy. This also applies to the charred parts if you don;t wanrt to throw anything away. The classic green bean casserole could turn out to be a nightmare too. Using frozen string beans can cause the dish to be too runny or soupy. If that's the case make a quick roux or even add starch to thicken it. Sweet potatoes are always a great side but if thye're overcooked they can dry out and lose their nutrients. Pour melted butter over them to ge the flesh creamy and moist again.

Don;t worry if there's a holiday baking ro cooking disaster. You can fix it. The end result is a tasty cookie or meal that will be memorable.

Power Up With Power Bowls

 Now that the schools from grammar to univeristy are opening up it's time to start think about nutritious meals that are easy to prepare but packed with good nutrition.This is where the power bowl comes in.It can be made for breakfast lunch or dinner. Whatever meal you make it for, it is satisfying and filling.

I 'm a big pan of any power bowl. Right now I like Tattooed Chef's plant based beef burrito bowl. it also comes in plant based chicken too. This has everything a  vegan burrito has, the plant based cheddar with corn and riced cauliflower with a jalapeno infused crema.

This is the chicken with comes with a salsa verde, plant based chicken and roasted corn.

               

This was pretty tasty and it made for amnfilling , good for you dinner. A  homemade power bowl could have allmof these ingredienta or it could have some of these. That's the beauty of them. Tasty combos can be created depending on everyone's taste/A breakfast one can be sweet with a base of chia seeds, various fruits and a good drizzle of honey or vanilla Greek yogurt. A savory breakfast bowl can have layers of hash browns. eggs and avocaodoes. Strips of turkey bacon can be put on top. A lunch or dinner one can have rice , chicken or shrimp and a  variety of multi colored veggies. Use those late season tomatoes and peppers along with fresh corn for color and vitamins.Dress with a simple viniagrette. A heartier one could include left over grilled steak and tomatoes over any kind of bean, such as a red kidneys. Drizzle any hot sauce and cotillo cream over it for a tasty Mexican vibe.If you want a true portein power bowl, think shrimp mixed with crab. Add green veggies like bell peppers and broccoli over rice or quinoa. Top with a lemony vinaigrette for flavor.

Power bowls come in handy during now busy days. They're perfect for any meal. Be creative along with being mindful about putting together one that packed with flavor and nutrition.

Australia's Easter Treat

 Hot cross buns have alwasy been a Lenten treat. In Australia they're more than that. They're a passion and a harbinger of not only the Easter season but autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. These flavorful rolls are the perfect introduction to cooler days ahead.

Australian writer and Melbourne native Doosie Morris wrote about this Down Under passion in yesterday's New York Times Food section.In most countries hot crossed buns usually appear around Ash Wednesday. Not so with the Australian version, popping up as early as December 26th - Boxing Day.aussies have always had a soft spot for them however the pandemic supercharged the need for them. People want the comfort scent and flavor of citrus and spice. Then there's popping them in th e oven to warm up and slathered with butter and sprinkled with salt which makes them comfort food according t bakery owner Kate Reid.It also aligns with the changing weather. unlike Christmas where turkeys are roasted in mid summer, This British inheritance sort of lines up. with the changing season and the chill that comes with it.They're perfect with a hot cup of coffee or tea  and work as a breakfast or a snack, Melbourne's Falco's bakery had sold a whopping five thousand buns within an hour four days before the holiday.

How did they become so popular and part of the Australian diet? They came over with the British, first being commercially baked at Australia's oldest operating bakery, Maldon Bakery  ninety miles outside Melbourne.Their  first hot cross buns came out 170 years ago when Queen Victoria ruled the British Empire. The recipe hasn't changed according to owner  Rebecca Barnett, and if it had  she and her team would be "drawn and quartered " by the locals for doing such. It hasn't changed since the 1850's with the same  mixed spices, vine fruits and citrus peel. There are some bakers who do experiment with the recipe. Kate Reid of th famed Lune Croissantrie in Melbourne has creaed the  hot cross cruffin, a croissant muffin hybrid. it has the same flavor yet a different shape and mouth feel. There are even cereals and ice cream with the distinctive flavor along with even protein powder. The Aussies are so crazy for them that they have have hot cross bun scented candles, body butter, beard oils and even puppy probiotic!!!

Hot cross buns are a lovely way to celebrate Lent. Down Under they're so much more. They're a much beloved comfort food that not only welcones the Easter season but also fall.

Watch Party Fare

 Watch parties are as popular as ever. Whether it's watching March Madness or the premier of episode of Sanditon,Season Three there's nothing like gathering a group together for a fun times of bites, drinks and shared interests.

Watch parties are slightly different from regular parties because of the size. Watch parties can be big like an Oscars watch party however they're usually small. There are ten people at the most because of the narrowed interest of the party subject. Many a March Madness watch party consists of a small group of students or alumni. A specific TV program has may be  four or five diehard fans and it's usually for the series' grand finale. That's w hy watch parties are actually easy to plan for. You roast a London Broil or a  small turkey and set them out , already carved Here you can serve a bowl of homemade or jarred gravy along with bread or rolls for a hot sandwich. You can also go extra casual and create a fajita or taco bar with all the fixings. Slice up peppers and onions along with having a variety of shredded cheeses and homemade guacamole. Another idea is serving indvidiual pizzas. You can buy the dough already made like Boboli or create your own.It's a simple mix of olive oil, sugar, flour , water and yeast. Again since it's a small party the pies can be customized to  people's tastes.

Consider having a  themed watch party of Sanditon or the next season of Bridgerton. A English high tea can be copied for any time of day. This is light fare consisting of scones . finger sandwiches and an array of cookies and small cakes or fairy cakes. Scones are an easy bake and are usuaally made with a heavy cream or heavy whipped cream for a rich taste. Any sort of flavor , from cinnamon to raisins can be added for extra flavor.  Serve with clotted cream which you can buy on Amazon  or Myers of Keswick if you're in lower Manhattan.As for sandwiches use a good sandwich white like Pepperidge Farms.Cut in triangles filled with either deviled ham or chicken, watercress or  an egg salad. If you want a truly British treat to snack on then think fairy cakes. These are small cupcakes with the middles hollowed out and filled with whipped cream and raspberry jam. The top of the cupcake that was hollowed out is cut in two and placed like fairy's wings on top of the cakes. Cookies can be delicate bites of shortbread or spritz cookies.

A watch party is a great way to celebrate a favorite sport or show. They're easy to create and fun to throw. Have one and enjoy good food and good company.

Celebrating Turkey

 Turkey has alwasy been an interesting country with an interesting cuisine. The food is a remnant of the Ottoman Empire, an amagam of Balkan, Middle Eastern and Central Asian cuisines. It's a comforting array of recipes that reflect centuries of home cooking and local ingredients.

Our thoughts are with the Turks and Syrians who suffered from that massive earthquake today. Both countries have always have been known for their excellent home cooking and feasts. Turkish cuisine,itself varies across the country which straddles both Europe and Asia.  The recipes of Istanbul, Bursa , Izmer and the rest of the Anatolia (Asia Minor) inhetrited many aspects of Ottoman court cuisine. There was a moderate use of spices and a preference of rice over  bulgur, a kind of cracked wheat and koftes or meatballs. Other recipes like dolmades and eggplant  may also have dericed from the Greek influence and occupation of the  area. The Black Sea region has fish primarily in their dishes.especially the Black Sea anchovy or hamsi and many maize or corn dishes. A popular street food is batter  fried hamsi but the anchovies cna also be pickled or baked too. Turkey's southeast cuisine, from Urfa, Gazientep, Adiyanman and Adana are famous for their kebabas and mezes or appetizer plates. There is even an Eastern Asian influence thanks to the Mongols. There is steamed buns or manti , a regular staple of Chinese and even Korean cuisine.

Yes, the Turks have many desserts but Turkish taffy isn't one of them. That was created by the Bonomo family in the 1920's. The family was Turkish but lived in Coney Island where it became a big Boardwalk treat. Real Turkish delights are baklava and  even rice pudding, Baklava is a heavenly layering of phylo dough , brushed with melted butter and then filled with a cinnamon spiced chopped pistachio or walnut mix. I'ts then soaked in a fragrant syrup consisting of rose water, cinnamon and lemon. Every family however, puts their own special spin on this dessert.Their rice pudding is thicker in texture than the American version. the top is also slightly burned, sort of like creme brule. One of the all time favorite sweets is Turkish delight, These are little squares  also called lokum and they're made with sugar and starch. They're often flavored with nuts, fruits and rose water. The most common is the pink rose water kind, filled with pistacchios and walnuts. There are only four ingredients, from cornstarch and citric acid to water and sugar. You could add a small splash of lemon or orange juice for a fruitier flavor.

Turkish cuisine is an interesting marriage of East and West. Hopefully very soon, they will get back to their normal cooking and baking. Our thoughts and prayers for better times ahead are with then.

Sunday Dinner Monday Leftovers

 One of the best aspects of a Sunday dinner is that it can stretch into Monday. Tose roasts and sides can d double duty on a busy first day back to the office. It's amazing what a little stretching can do.

Of course one of the easiest leftovers is a hot sandwich. This is great if you have turkey or roast beef. It's just slicing what's left  and serving it with gravy on any kind of bread. You could even get  fresh dinner or kaiser rolls and split them. This makes for a satisfying meal , especially on a cold night. The same is true if you have leftover stuffing.Keep in mind any meat chopped up , which includes leftover ham or chicken can go into a salad too. This is even easier and quicker  than  sandwich , but just as satisfying. Another idea is chopping  up the roast and serving it with pasta. Many make turkey tetrrazzini after Thanksgiving but it's also good on a Monday night. This is simply blending the leftover bird with mushrooms, cream cheese and chicken broth and already cooked spaghetti ( you could also try fettuccini or angel hair for different textures). It's then baking i the tettrazzini in a greased casserole dish for a good forty five minutes. Another idea is devilling ham or chicken It's shredding the meat in a food processor ro chopper and then  adding a tablespoon of  mayonnaise to get that creamy texture. For the ham you could add some celery salt for more flavor while the chicken gets a pinch of tarragon. Serve on toasted bread for sandwiches.

Sides can also get a make over and even turn into the main course itself. Salads can be revitalized with more veggies added or evne cheese rounds or croutons. Leftover Idaho potatoes can be sliced and turned into air fryer chips . Spike them with some lemon juice and oregano for Greek style fries . These would be perfect if you're having hamburgers.If there are a lot left over then mash them. It's just adding milk or cream along with butter and seasonings. Again these are good with any leftover gravy. As for mashed potatoes themselves. think colcannon.It's taking the mash and frying it up with any leftover spinach , scallions and leeks plus a mashed up clove of garlic if you want more flavor.  You could also make another traditional Irish dish -, boxtie or potato pancake. This time combine the mashed potatoes with flour , one egg and a tablespoon of milk. The pancakes are just seeasoned with salt and pepper but you could add chopped onions or scalllions to them for color and taste . The pancakes are then fried in olive oil or butter. These can be made large and served like a crepe with mushrooms or tomatoes inside and a mushroom gravy on top.

Yes you ca stretch that Sunday supper into Monday's dinner. It's a quick and economical way of repurposing delicious food. Try it and create an enirely new meal.

The Well Rounded Cranberry

 Cranberries are just for jellies or juices. They can be used in everything from stuffings to mocktails along with being the star of many a dessert. They're more well rounded than you think.

Cranberries should be a part of the Thanksgiving dinner. Ditch that slimy jelly though and rethink them. A great idea using them as a glaze for the bird itaelf. It's cooking two pounds of the fresh berries in a sweet savory mix of onions,butter sugar rosemary and the cranberries along with vinegar and orange zest.It;s cooked over a low flame until the cranberries burst.It's simmered and then strained (save the mash for a side).The glaze is then brushed over the turkey after two hours of roasting. This can also be used for chicken too. Cranberries can also zing up stuffing too.Used the dried ones or Craisins for a filling that;s also redolent with walnuts too.It's still perfect with gravy thanks to the the traditional sage and thyme added. For this tormbread or bread cubes can be used.Surprisingly these bright gems can also be highlight veggie dishes too. Try a kale and cranberry salad. It's even more tastier with the addition of almonds and goat cheese. A zingy Dijon -orange viniagrette dewesses it. Brussels sprouts can also benefit from it.Roast the two together with a maple glaze for a unique  side.

Keep in min that cranberries are also great in a dessert. They're perfect in a pie , in a mousse like form with the addition of gelatin , heavy cream and coconut milk. Another dessert that the kids would love are cranberry bars with cream cheese frosting.This is combining fresh berries with a cookie dough and then decorating it with a creamy topping. You could even add a sprinkle of Craisins on top for an even more festive look. Another fun cranberry dessert recipe is tartlets. This is mix of a buttery crust made just butter cream cheese and flour. The filing is a custardy mix of egg, cranberries, vanilla and sugar. You could add a glaze but a puff of whipped cream would really give it that gilded edge. What about those fun mocktails and cocktails? A fun mocktail is mixng cranberry juice with any flavored seltzer like Waterloo Seltzers. Try it mixed with  their cherry or blackberry lemonade flavors. There's the perfect amount of fizz and sparkle. Add a sprig of mint or a stick of mixed otange wedges and cherries.The most famous cranberry ccoktail is the Cape Codder.This is mixing vodka with cranberry juice. You could also make a cheery cranberry sangria with red wine and triple sec. Add some orange juice for a sweet citrus-y kick. 

It would be a shame to just have jellied cranberries. Try them in either savory or sweet dishes. Wnjoy them in any drink. They're an incredibly versatile fruit that's perfect in anything and everything.