A FAmily Classic Gone Vegan

 One of the joys of Piedmontese cooking is the summery dish of pomodori e uovi, tomatoes and eggs. This dish can be made year round, using fresh or canned tomatoes. The problem in a vegan household? The eggs. However thanks to Just Egg, s plant based egg substitute the dish can be enjoyed again.

                                                                 It's just a mix of these two.

I used a whole can of Acme's Organic fire roasted tomatoes which had a more pasta sauce flavor.I think I'll stick with the regular crushed plum version. It was well married to an entire bottle of Just Egg.

First it was heating up drizzle of olive oil and a good two tablespoons of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter.

A clove of minced garlic was added to this. You can add a pinch of oregano if you wanted to.

The Just Egg is added first and stirred around until curds form, just as with real eggs.

The tomatoes are added and stirred until the mix takes on a creamy texture.

                           Again the end result was so good that there was almost nothing left.

This is a great lunch or dinner and it's so easy to make. It's also heaven on earth to eat and I'm seriously thinking of making this my Christmas dinner (the holiday is about making and eating your favorite foods, after all) It's is perfect eaten with thick chunky slices of either Italian or French bread.

Thanks to discovering Just Egg I can make a family classic and favorite again. Pomodori e uovi is a great summer dish. Yet it's even better when there's snow on the ground and a nip in the air. It reminds one of a summer harvest of warm ripe tomatoes married to eggs.

The Urge For Summer Food

Sometime in January or even February everyone gets a hankering for summer dishes, whether they be salads or ice cream. It could be that the cold weather is getting to us or we just miss those flavors. Don't deny yourself that grilled burger or ice pop. Go for it  - despite the temps

Who doesn't miss a juicy flame broiled  burger? You can still barbecue if the weather is crisp and cold. Fire up the grill, using any charcoal left from the previous summer. Wood chips can also be used too to give more flavor. The same goes for ribs and chicken too. Think of this method when you're busy with Super Bowl cooking too. If it's too snowy, sleety, or rainy, then use an indoor grill. There are some very good ones out there such as the Hamilton Beach or Proctor Silex . The  George Foreman Grill also has a panini press for sandwiches. If the weather thaws a bit then think of a picnic at your favorite park or beach. Even if the temps dip, you can still pack hoagies and salads, but also include a thermos of hot soup or hot beverage to warm you up. Salads too can be made. You don;t have to wait til Memorial Day to b real out the slaw and macaroni salad. The winter provide Savoy cabbage, a much more tastier leaf than the average cabbage.You can make it the same way as your warmer weather slaws. Macaroni salads are also welcome along with potato salads. In fact, these would be the preferred dishes for a pot luck football party.

The winter strangely also brings a taste for ice and ice cream. You can still have popsicles. Stores still sell them however you don't know how long they've been in the freezer section. Make your own by using molds and juice. Better yet try the Zoku Slushie Maker. This cup takes any drink and turns it into a refreshingly chill slushie. Use already made coffee drinks for a refreshing afternoon snack or a Pepsi for a bracing treat after grueling housework.If you;re on a healthier bent. then
use fresh juice r smoothies to pour into the chilled inner cup. For some reason we crave ice cream when the weathers gets frosty. Indulge yourself. Cones can still be bought so have fun with them.They're a rainy day treat . Dip the cones tops in melted chocolate and sprinkles for added flavor. Waffle bowls are a summery treat and they can be adapted for winter cravings. Hot fudge or hot caramel can always be poured in top. Hot fudge is easy to make and it's so good on something as simple as vanilla ice cream. The same goes for caramel sauce It's just three ingredients - butter , heavy whipping cream and sugar. Both sauces can also be drizzled over fruit or that most summery of cakes - the pound cake.

Indulge those summer cravings with summer foods. It's a nice break from heavy winter flavors and foods. Go for the burgers and ice cream while the weather is still chilly.

Springtime Diet Time

The calendar says April and that means only one thing bikini season is just a month away.It's time to give up those heavy yet comforting winter meals ,desserts and snacks.However this isn't necessarily a bad hinge.Going on a diet means eating healthy along with other benefits.Trading lush dishes for lighter ones means more nutrients and less carbs and fats. One of the biggest changes is going to be breakfast.How many of us have started off a snowy day with pancakes,French toast ,eggs and bacon.These were great when we had to grapple with shoveling snow or sledding with the kids.The weather is warmer now and that means egg white omelets ,chock full of veggies or just plain.Use the lighter in calories turkey bacon as opposed to the pork one.Berry season will be here before you know it and you can start the day off with puffed wheat or Special K cereal topped with blueberries or sliced strawberries.Another good for you start is mixing these fruits along with peaches (which will be in abundance in another month or so) with plain Greek yogurt.You can also lighten up on your snacks too.Nix all those cookies and cupcakes that kept you going when the temps dropped .Replace them with fresh fruit which is a great mid morning or mid afternoon boost.Fruit itself is also a better pick me up than that sugary donut with a mocha latte.You can also switch beverages too.Those cappuccinos and hot cocoas were great chill chasers, but now think about light passionfruit or mint teas.These have zero calories yet provide the same boost as any syrup laced java.Also add ice to them as the temps warm up for a refreshing break. Some of the biggest dietary changes are going to be with lunch and dinner.One of the best parts of Spring cooking is that it doesn't require labor intensive recipes.Instead of spending hours making a weekend roast,you can do a light sauté with steamed veggies.Not only is this healthier for you it's also a change of pace as well.Three or four months of meat drowned in gravy can be a bit wearing on the old taste buds.This is the season for asparagus with its fresh earthy flAvor.Make it as a side,drizzled lightly with butter or Parmesan or have it as part of a main dish inside a crepe or grill it with other vegetables.Lunch is also lighter.Instead of those big hearty sandwiches or even the occasional burger, you can go light with easy to make salads and wraps.Try different variations to mix it up.Think beet salad topped with goat cheese crumbles and dried onions .Tomatoes on their own make a good salad,especially if you add rosemary and a fresh sliced onion.Another light treat is a mini salad Nicoise, made with tuna, olives and artichoke hearts.Enjoy it outside on a warm Spring day and you'll feel like you're in Provence. Spring is here and with it comes lighter ,healthier eating. Leave the heavy food behind until nextbwinter.You'll feel and look better when you're ready to try on that bathing suit,

Winter Salads

Even though it's December you can still have a nice salad.It's a great alternatie to the usual hot soup or sandiwch fare most are eating.Besides there's nothing like a refreshing cool dish to revive you after a morning of X-mas shopping or after a  night of heavy eating.A homemade salad is a great perk during this season.

Salads can be made with a variety of different ingredients or just one. This is the season for cabbages and they can be shredded into a tasty main dish, If you want to make it more substantial, then added shredded cooked chicken along with water chestnuts .This is also the season for avocadoes.Use them, not in guacamole but a simple , refreshingsalad  where they're cubed and dressed with a vinaigrette.Another winter favorite, celery  can also be treated the same way as can be fennel. You can also mix these two for a tasty salad. Mixed salads are also good, Add some canned veggies such as corn niblets, string beans and beets.

What kind of dressing goes well with a cold weather salad? You can always go with a mayo based one.You many want to rethink that though if you feel heay and bloated after all those holiday buffets.A simple dressing is always the best because it brings out the veggie's sharp, earthy  flavors
have simple mixes of just olive oil blend with a red wine or apple cider vinegar.Toss in a small pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper.You can add some dried Rosemary or oregano if you want more taste. Even though it's the holidays , you can still indulge in a cool light salad.It's great antedate to all those hot , heavy holiday meals. Having greens now makes perfect sense, and a perfect alternative during these crazy days.

Summertime in The Snow

As much as winter dishes are hearty and satisfying, there's something about summertime cooking. It's lighter but also |more fun. In  some ways it's  also healthier too, with a plethora of veggies and fruits. What  to do if you're craving your warm weather faves?Make them.It's as easy to barbecue and make salads in January as it is in July.

Barbecued meat tastes great no matter what month you grill. Some supermarkets still sell briquettes however don't despair if you can;t find any. You or someone probably have some left over, if the kids haven't used them for a snowman. If there is absolutely none, use twigs and cut branches from your backyard. Fruit wood often imparts a sweet smoky taste that will enhance the meat. Also , if you haven't been regularly grilling, then thoroughly clean the grill and utensils you're going to use. You can still get the same cuts of meat you did in the summer. In fact grilled will be a nice change from roasted or baked.

What about those salads that everyone loves.Luckily grocers all over are always fully stocked. Granted, the tomatoes and corn aren't as nice as what we'd get during the summer but they'll suffice.You can also buy canned veggies and even fruit for different dishes. Summer faves such as potato and macaroni salads are easy to make because the ingredients  are always at hand. If you can't get fresh onions for the potato salad, use onion powder . For the macaroni that sometimes called for diced green and red peppers, then do a different spin by adding red pepper flakes. This give it a fiery twist that works well with barbecued ribs and  steaks.

If you;re craving your warm weather faves, then make then. Unless there's a blizzard outside you can still grill and barbecue. You can whip up your favorite salads too. It's easy having summertime in winter.