Summer Food Fights

Hot weather usually brings about heated - no pun intended - debates. Namely it's about one summer fave versus another. What's the best way to make a tomato sandwich?Or ice cream versus ice What's is the best of the summer?

Sometimes it's just about a sandwich -namely a tomato one. There is a huge debate about adding mayo or no mayo. Without the condiment, the earthy sweetness of the tomato takes over yet with it, the fruit's flavor becomes more vibrant. It also adds a creaminess to the bite as well. A second debate is the bread. Toasted or  not toasted. Toasted gives the sandwich crunch and makes for a more solid base to sop up the juices. Not toasted, it's a nice chewy feeling. You could really throw a monkey wrench into the work by suggesting sourdough or French or Italian bread. These are perfect for chewiness and absorbing all the juices along with adding to the flavor. Yet so many would never try a tomato sandwich made this way. Forget about adding the garlicky aioli, Provencale's France's go to for everything from sandwiches to grilled fish and meats.Then there's the tomatoes themselves. Do you just go for the plump and luscious beefsteaks or try the ever sweet vine ripes? Should you think outside the box and used sliced grape or cherry tomatoes? Again, many have definite ideas about what sort to use.

Another summer debate is ice versus ice cream. Which is the cooler, literally and the most refreshing? Ices are basically just shaved or crushed frozen water with some kind of fruit syrup or puree added in. They've been around since Roman times when servants would run into the mountains outside of Rome and bring back buckets of snow. Honey or crushed fruit were then heaped on top. Personally, I like ice more, namely the Slushies you can create with the Slushie cups. There's something infinitely refreshing about a cola that being transformed into cooling spoonfuls of ice crystals. Ice cream may do that for some people but not for me. Yet that's always been a big debate. Many prefer the creamy flavor and mouth feel of a scoop of vanilla or chocolate. Ice  cream is versatile. It can be easily topped with fruit and syrups along with whipped cream, nuts and sprinkles for a special sundae or parfait.Add a blob of vanilla to root beer for a special foamy treat.Unfortunately the more you eat  the thirstier you become. This is do to the sugar particles in it sucking out the water from the cells. Ice , somehow doesn't do that. Maybe because there's a good deal of water in the mix.

There will always be summer food fights.  Yet it's up to the individual to decide . Taste is always ours , whether others agree or nor.

A Pescatarian Life

People are eschewing red meat in large quantities, preferring healthier and more sustainable eating habits.The problem is that they still crave the occasional burger or filet. There can be an alternative - an in between the carnivore and herbivore diets. It's pescatarianism -  a diet heavily relying on fish.

Pescatarian diets may be the best bet for those transitioning from meat eater to plant eater. It's actually more healthful than a vegan or vegetarian diet. It has all the good green stuff  like veggies but also the much needed omega-3 fatty acids that come from salmon, mackerel, herring, and fresh tuna. Adding more fish means lower risks of heart attacks, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Keep in mind that a pescatarian does have some risks.You will have to either take iron supplements or increase your intake of spinach and broccoli, veggies high in iron. Also consider eating more low sugar cereals which are also fortified with it.Another risk that may concern some is the threat of mercury. It's damaging to the central nervous system so eat no more than four helpings of oily fish a week. Stay away from swordfish and marlin because they contain the highest levels of the substance. Luckily tuna and shrimp have the lowest. As for shellfish, yes pescatarians can have all the "good" seafood like crab, shrimp and lobster. These are usually served with just lemon or cocktail sauce for dairy adverse eaters. Also another thing to keep in mind is that a fish only diet can be expensive, especially if you live a ways inland.

What dishes can pescatarians try? Grilled salmon is always delicious and there are so many different recipes out there. Try it pan fried with just salt and pepper or a squeeze of lemon. You could also add some grated ginger, sliced scallions and soy sauce. This would be a great dinner with rice and shredded cabbage salad. Salmon is also a great sheet pan ingredient. It's good roasted with asparagus and fingerling potatoes. Try it with peppers, tomatoes and eggplant in a kind of ratatouille base.Cod is another fish that's versatile and can be made a variety of different ways. Many love it battered and deep fried but you can also make it healthier with air frying. It just has to be well seasoned, namely with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Just spray the fillets with olive oil for moistness and to get them crisp without battering.. Of course pescatarians can treat themselves to the lush seafood - the crustaceans. Lobster fra diablo is a delicious treat and perfect for a holiday meal. It's a spicy blend of the lobster meat, fennel, garlic and red pepper flakes blended with tomatoes and tomato paste. It's served over spaghetti or angel hair pasta. Another luxe dinner is shrimp scampi. This garlic rich dish is usually made with butter but there are plant based butters, especially Miyokos' (sold at Target) that you can use to cook the shrimp.

A pescatarian life can be a good one. You may be giving up one type of protein but eating another. It's a healthy and delicious transition from meat eating to a kind of vegetarianism.