That In Between Season

 March can either be very cold and wintry one day and balmy and ready for Spring the next. As with what to wear , what to cook? It could be anything from a hot soup to a refreshing salad. Keep your pantry stocked for anything.

If you're still having cold weather , then think about creating homemade soups. These are alwasy good for a comforting dinner and makes for a great lunch the next day. Think of adding fresh vegetzables for a Spring'y verdant flavor. Try a creamy roasted carrot soup that not only has the roasted  roots but also coriander and cumin for flavor along wit garlic and onions.A  favorite of mine is homemade celery soup. Celery has such a bright summery flavor that you'll forget there's sleet outside. You could puree it for a creamier texture or leave it in  diced pieces. Of course stews and chilis follow this idea as well. Instead of heavier ones think to  a lighter one., One filled with mushrooms,lemtils and tomatoes makes for a hearty meal. Keep in mind that cold weather also means hearty casserole. A chicken one is a tasty treat on a day full fo snow and gusts. You cna add cheddar shreds for more flavor and top with breadcrumbs for crunch.If it's Friday then think a classic tuna casserole or even better a tuna melt for a warming Lenten meal.

This month  means you many have higher than average temps. Should you clean off trhe grill? If you want  but just remember that the next week could bring a ton fo snow. Use it, clean it and then cover it until the weather is more stable. If you can't find charcoal use twigs. These sould be dry enough to ignite and about six unches in height. Fom there you can easily grill up hamburgers and hot dogs along with steaks for a long awaited taste.You can carry on  with the summery vibe by serving slaws and macaroni salad too. March's warmer days can also mean lighter Sunday meals too. Think a roast chicken or capon with asparagus which is starting to be in season.  Fish , like salmon and tilapia are perfect early Spring dinners. These too can be grilled outdoors and served with a squeeze of lemon and light seasonings.A nice side  with grilled fish is is a Spring green salad, a welcome departure from those heavier ones, Create a lemon juice based vinaigrette, spiked with parsley and oregano. Another idea is quich.it's a quick mix of eggs, creama dn veggies, baked in a pre-made shell. It's filling but doesn't weight you down.

March is a tricky month.There could be snow one day, a summery one the next. Be prepared with tasty dishes for both hot and cold days.

Beans A Good Pantry Staple Part One.

One of the best foods to have in your pantry right now is a can or bag of beans. These versatile legumes can get us through this quarantine, thanks to their tastiness and versatility. There's so many ways to cook them and they're easy ways too.

Melissa Clark gives us the definitive bean guide in today's New York Times Food section. Everyone should be stocked up on them. They are the ultimate pantry food, standing in for meat - if we come to the dire crisis of meat shortages. Beans are also the perfect food. They're gluten free, along with being the best protein source for vegans and vegetarians. Another plus is that if you're soaking dried beans you can save the broth.It's a rich vegetarian broth that can be used for any kind of soup. Another plus is that it can freeze up to six months. Canned beans are an easy cook. Just open up a can and use in whatever recipe. As for dried beans, they're a little more labor intensive.First of all, Ms Clark, advises check the harvest dates. Dried beans can last up to two years however they're best cooked a year after harvest. Also always rinse to remove stones (!) twigs and leaves.Always leave time for soaking. If you're pressed for it, then switch to lentils which don't require soaking. As for soaking, again you soak them overnight,or quickly The difference is that overnight soaking doesn't boiling like quick soaking. You could also not soak them, just cook them longer.

Ms. Clark also gives suggestions for seasoning. There's good old salt and pepper.Add the salt in the beginning of the cook for a better flavor. Fresh ground pepper is also a good addition but you can also use such spices as cumin, coriander and even cinnamon. Chilies and chili powder work well in flavoring them as does allspice. You can also toast the spices first before adding the beans and water. Another flavoring agent? Herbs and aromatics. Try rosemary, thyme, oregano and sage leaves. Don't be afraid to toss a bouquet garni into the bean water. What's known as soft herbs such as cilantro, basil, parsley, and chives can be chopped up and sprinkled on cooked beans for garnishing and color. Keep in mind that aromatics such as garlic and onions along with celery, carrots and ginger can add really rich flavor to any bean dish.Remember to add them in the beginning of cooking. Of course what would make any bean dish tasty is cooking them in either chicken or vegetable broth instead of water. Don't put in too much salt because the broths already have them. Of course meat such as bacon and ham add wonderful smoky taste to beans , especially to pinto, cranberry and white ones. Again, add the ham or bacon pieces at the beginning of the cooking. When they're done , cut the meat into pieces for serving.

Beans are the perfect pantry food. They're great to store and versatile for any kind of dish. Stock up on them for the long haul ahead and get creative with how to cook them.

Your Hurricane Help Kit

We are in the most horrific hurricane season in recent history. First Harvey, now Irma and on her heels, Jose. Preparations have to be made and that includes a hurricane help kit stocked with the essentials to survive. These will help if you're staying in a shelter or even in your car.

One of the most important ingredients in any hurricane help kit is water.Get it before it becomes scarce, There are price gougers throughout Florida that are charging seventy dollars a bottle (and there is a special hell for these monsters). Get both large size and the nip size . The first can be also be used for mixing powdered ingredients like formula and soups. The nips can be used for the kids and animal companions. Remember to save some for brushing teeth and washing if you have to.Luckily milk can also be brought along in the form of boxes and drink boxes. Take along some chocolate flavored ones for the little ones as a treat.Most shelters do have coffee and tea however if you can't make it to one, then pack a jar or two of instant  coffee as well as your favorite teabags. Keep plastic bowls for the animals as well as for soup along with paper cups for hot beverages only. Soda and juice can be drunk out of bottles and cans.

Pack  up food essential too. Make sure that your cats and dogs also have their foods as well as medications packed. Dry food would be the easiest to stow. The bags are usually waterproof and it's easier to dispense than wet.Bring either a big sack or two smaller sacks. If you can fit it into your trunk , add a few cans of wet food. Some shelters will have both , however they may not have the ones your animal companion likes. As for the humans, protein bars are a good choice.They're easy to pack and easy to eat. They can be used as breakfast in a pinch or as a snack. Canned fruit is another must. It too can be used either for a quick nosh, dessert or even breakfast.Pack a small hibachi or camping grill if you can. Use twigs or broken branches if you can't bring along charcoal, and make sure you have plenty of matches.Another must have are metal plates to heat up food and with this it means canned chili or chicken a la king. Meat might be iffy to cook along with being scarce. Think grilled tomatoes with olive oil or even peppers and zucchini, If you do crave meat , think tuna in a can or preserved meat such as ham.

Be safe but also be hydrated and fed during this crazy season of monster hurricanes. Have enough water and packable food to survive for days and weeks to come. Be a force of nature to deal with these vile and destructable forces of nature.