Springtime means fresh and with it means fresh tasting, fresh looking foods. This includes the green bean. Long a staple of American dinners, it can be seen as one of the components of healthier eating. It's also versatile . Green beans can be the base of a casserole or a salad. They can be a wonderful side dish as well or even a snack.
Green beans or haricots verts from the French have been around for a long time. They're grown almost everywhere in the world, primarily coming from South American . Conquistadors introduced them to Spain and the French court as early as 1597 . It was only until the 19th Century that they became widely available to the masses. There are two kinds, pole and bush. Bush beans come from short plants two feet long. while pole beans comes form vines that grow up to six feet (these require a lot of staking and tying up if you decide to add them to your backyard garden). All in all any kind of green bean is good for you. They're rich in Vitamin C and are only 34 calories per cup.
What's the best way of serving green beans? My favorite is my Mom's salad, redolent with chopped onions and dressed in a simple vinaigrette. To me this is the best way of bringing out the beans' flavor. Southerners batter dip and fry them 9to me a waste of time, sorry). There;s the ubiquitous green bean casserole made with mushroom soup and those frizzled onions by French's. This is fine if you're into casseroles but I think the soup and various seasonings hides the beans' taste. Again I think the best way to enjoy green beans are if they're freshly picked and in any kind of salad with a light dressing. That way you'll be able to enjoy their earthy, sweet flavor.
Green beans are a healthy way to welcome Spring and summer eating. there;s nothing like them in a salad. Make them a part of your diet this warm weather season.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Healthy Gardening Means Healthy Eating
We all know that planting a garden means one more step to better eating habits. Thanks to it, we'll get organic veggies and fruits , free of pesticides and salmonella risks. It also means we'll be picking up more vitamins and minerals as well as teaching ourselves and our kids the importance of an organic plant based diet.
You can't go wrong with any fruit or vegetable selection. After all they're all good for you. If you decide to grown melons along with apples and plums, you'll be weaning yourself and the family away from harmful sweets such as cakes and candies. Try to get your kids addicted to these freshly picked treats. They'll reach for a slice of watermelon more readily than for an ice cream soda or a cookie. A neat summer dessert is peaches or plums grilled on an outdoor barbecue and sprinkled with some freshly grated ginger or mint Also get the offspring involved in harvesting. This gets them out of the house and exercising. Veggies are even more fun and there are so many choices when it comes to planting and eating. Steer yourself towards tomatoes and broccoli. These have the most health benefits for you. Other good choices are beets and cauliflowers as well as Lima beans and summer corn. Peppers are a versatile vegetable as well. They can be used in salads or kabobs . Fresh picked veggies are also good in home made soups. Your recipes for potages and chowders are free of the sodium overdose that happens when you eat regular store bought soups.
Growing an herb garden is also good. Cultivate such standards as oregano and rosemary. This way you can use them instead of salt. They will make for much healthier eating and also leave a fresher flavor to marinades, salads and sauces. Also try growing garlic and chives along with scallions.These not only improve the flavor of dishes but also have several health benefits as well.
Healthy gardening leads to healthy eating. This means lowering weight as well as eliminating carbs, salt and processed sugars from your and your family's diets. By investing time and effort into your garden, you'll be ensuring a better lifestyle for your family.
You can't go wrong with any fruit or vegetable selection. After all they're all good for you. If you decide to grown melons along with apples and plums, you'll be weaning yourself and the family away from harmful sweets such as cakes and candies. Try to get your kids addicted to these freshly picked treats. They'll reach for a slice of watermelon more readily than for an ice cream soda or a cookie. A neat summer dessert is peaches or plums grilled on an outdoor barbecue and sprinkled with some freshly grated ginger or mint Also get the offspring involved in harvesting. This gets them out of the house and exercising. Veggies are even more fun and there are so many choices when it comes to planting and eating. Steer yourself towards tomatoes and broccoli. These have the most health benefits for you. Other good choices are beets and cauliflowers as well as Lima beans and summer corn. Peppers are a versatile vegetable as well. They can be used in salads or kabobs . Fresh picked veggies are also good in home made soups. Your recipes for potages and chowders are free of the sodium overdose that happens when you eat regular store bought soups.
Growing an herb garden is also good. Cultivate such standards as oregano and rosemary. This way you can use them instead of salt. They will make for much healthier eating and also leave a fresher flavor to marinades, salads and sauces. Also try growing garlic and chives along with scallions.These not only improve the flavor of dishes but also have several health benefits as well.
Healthy gardening leads to healthy eating. This means lowering weight as well as eliminating carbs, salt and processed sugars from your and your family's diets. By investing time and effort into your garden, you'll be ensuring a better lifestyle for your family.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sprinkle This On The Story of Sprinkles
Warm weather means ice cream and with it those rainbow or chocolate sprinkles or jimmies. How many times has a sundae or even a cone been made more special with the addition of these little candies? They’re’ also fun on cakes , cupcakes and cookies too.
Sprinkles were invented in the early 1930s by the man who gave us Peeps, Samuel Born . They were named jimmies after the inventor, Jimmy Bartholomew. In England and Australia sprinkles are called hundreds of thousands (what else???) The Dutch also lay claim to inventing sprinkles with a one Gerard de Vries who created them for a school boy who wanted chocolate on his buttered bread. The Dutch still like them thickly layered on a slice of butter slathered white bread.
Whether you like rainbow or chocolate ones, sprinkles are a welcome and fun addition to any dessert. There’s nothing like soft ice cream covered with them to provide a certain “crunchy” texture. They add a festive air to butter cookies (especially the big ones you get in a bakery). Sprinkles or jimmies are even neat on a chocolate or vanilla iced cake as well as in the filling. They’re also good for adding color to ice cream sandwiches.
Sprinkles are a fun way to eat ice cream or any dessert for that matter. Pile them on for real color or just ad a pinch for a small bit of a fun look.
Sprinkles were invented in the early 1930s by the man who gave us Peeps, Samuel Born . They were named jimmies after the inventor, Jimmy Bartholomew. In England and Australia sprinkles are called hundreds of thousands (what else???) The Dutch also lay claim to inventing sprinkles with a one Gerard de Vries who created them for a school boy who wanted chocolate on his buttered bread. The Dutch still like them thickly layered on a slice of butter slathered white bread.
Whether you like rainbow or chocolate ones, sprinkles are a welcome and fun addition to any dessert. There’s nothing like soft ice cream covered with them to provide a certain “crunchy” texture. They add a festive air to butter cookies (especially the big ones you get in a bakery). Sprinkles or jimmies are even neat on a chocolate or vanilla iced cake as well as in the filling. They’re also good for adding color to ice cream sandwiches.
Sprinkles are a fun way to eat ice cream or any dessert for that matter. Pile them on for real color or just ad a pinch for a small bit of a fun look.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Gummy Bears That Kid’s Classic For Everyone
Mention Gummy bears and foodies go into rhapsodies about them. Everyone loves these chewy little ursines . They’re the candy version of the fuzzy cousin Teddy. They come in almost all flavors and are fun to snack on no matter how old you are.
Gummi or gummy bears got their start in Germany in 1922 where they were christened Gummibars or rubber bears. Hans Reigel of Bonn first developed these tasty little treats where they were made from sugar ,glucose syrup and starch. Various fruit flavorings such as orange and pineapple are added along with citric acid , gelatin and food coloring. There is a vegetarian version which substitutes fruit pectin instead of gelatin (which is derived from horse or pig hooves). Most gummy bears come in orange, raspberry, pineapple, lime and strawberry The vegetarian version has more exotic flavors.
Gummy or gummi bears have spawned other gummy animals such as lobsters , octopi rings cola bottles and the like. There are even the fun but icky gummy worms and snakes along with sharks and hippos. (have yet to see these.) There is even a kid’s vitamin , called Bear Essentials, packed full of Vitamin C, that’s being offered now too (the original Gummies have no calories whatsoever and are considered empty by nutritionists).
Nothing says bliss and comfort like a handful of Gummy Bears . They’re a holdover from childhood that we all enjoy snacking on. They’re the candy version of a Teddy bear.
Gummi or gummy bears got their start in Germany in 1922 where they were christened Gummibars or rubber bears. Hans Reigel of Bonn first developed these tasty little treats where they were made from sugar ,glucose syrup and starch. Various fruit flavorings such as orange and pineapple are added along with citric acid , gelatin and food coloring. There is a vegetarian version which substitutes fruit pectin instead of gelatin (which is derived from horse or pig hooves). Most gummy bears come in orange, raspberry, pineapple, lime and strawberry The vegetarian version has more exotic flavors.
Gummy or gummi bears have spawned other gummy animals such as lobsters , octopi rings cola bottles and the like. There are even the fun but icky gummy worms and snakes along with sharks and hippos. (have yet to see these.) There is even a kid’s vitamin , called Bear Essentials, packed full of Vitamin C, that’s being offered now too (the original Gummies have no calories whatsoever and are considered empty by nutritionists).
Nothing says bliss and comfort like a handful of Gummy Bears . They’re a holdover from childhood that we all enjoy snacking on. They’re the candy version of a Teddy bear.
Friday, May 1, 2009
It's May Time For Picnics
Even though it's a rainy May1st where I am, nonetheless it's the start of picnic month. This is th etime of year to brush off the hampers and get the brain going on sandwich ideas. What to make? What to bring? What to drink? What goes with what ? What would go good where? These are all big picnic questions.
As always sandwiches are a good idea. You can create a provencale them with crusty baguettes, sundried tomatoes and aioli sauce (basically mayo with a touch of garlic and a few drops of olive oil added). With this you cana add a fresh onion salad. You can also bring a salad Nicoise, that lovely concoction of various lettuces , tuna, hard boiled eggs and black olives. Add some fresh tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower and you've got a good meal. Add a few bottles of Orangina or Italian lemonade and it's a a great meal for an early season beach day. if you're planning on going hiking then bring ham and roast beef sandwiches on some hearty rye along with a strong cup of coffee. to keep you alert. (you never know who you'll run into) some granola bars and oatmeal cookies.
For a more elegant evening kind of picnic, think about a small roast chicken you can get at your local grocery store. Add some asparagus or string bean salad. For sandwiches bring a small container of tarragon infused mayo or Dijon mustard and some pre cut croissants. You can also add a small bottle of champagne or white whine and finish off with a lovely chocolate or angel food gateau. Some fresh fruits would be appreciated here and you can bring some strawberries or raspberries to end the meal along with chocolates.
May is the perfect month to go out and enjoy the fine days. This includes packing a picnic and heading to the beach, mountains or your backyard. Enjoy the fresh air and warm temps with a good meal.
As always sandwiches are a good idea. You can create a provencale them with crusty baguettes, sundried tomatoes and aioli sauce (basically mayo with a touch of garlic and a few drops of olive oil added). With this you cana add a fresh onion salad. You can also bring a salad Nicoise, that lovely concoction of various lettuces , tuna, hard boiled eggs and black olives. Add some fresh tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower and you've got a good meal. Add a few bottles of Orangina or Italian lemonade and it's a a great meal for an early season beach day. if you're planning on going hiking then bring ham and roast beef sandwiches on some hearty rye along with a strong cup of coffee. to keep you alert. (you never know who you'll run into) some granola bars and oatmeal cookies.
For a more elegant evening kind of picnic, think about a small roast chicken you can get at your local grocery store. Add some asparagus or string bean salad. For sandwiches bring a small container of tarragon infused mayo or Dijon mustard and some pre cut croissants. You can also add a small bottle of champagne or white whine and finish off with a lovely chocolate or angel food gateau. Some fresh fruits would be appreciated here and you can bring some strawberries or raspberries to end the meal along with chocolates.
May is the perfect month to go out and enjoy the fine days. This includes packing a picnic and heading to the beach, mountains or your backyard. Enjoy the fresh air and warm temps with a good meal.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Ratio Thinking
In yesterday's New York Times' Wednesday Food section there was a big article about using ratios as opposed to cooking. is this the wave of the future for us cooks and foodies? Or is it just a fad? To be honest I;m hoping for the second. I'm not good with ratios.
The man behind all this,Michael Ruhlman, believes that employing rations to one's daily cooking makes for better dishes. No, it doesn't . Any cook, whether novice or experienced needs the exact recipes to make a recipe work. How can you tell how much to use. For example use the ratio way of cooking or baking for a cake and you can have a very dense, dry one. use it on a stew and you can wind up with a watery mess. Mr. Ruhlman does have a ratio chart, similar to a cookbook's measurements chart in the front of his book. Whether this helps or not, I don't know.
has anyone out there used or prefer ratios to just plain old fashioned recipes. Let us know here at Foodie Pantry. I'm curious as to how your cooking tums out and tastes.
The man behind all this,Michael Ruhlman, believes that employing rations to one's daily cooking makes for better dishes. No, it doesn't . Any cook, whether novice or experienced needs the exact recipes to make a recipe work. How can you tell how much to use. For example use the ratio way of cooking or baking for a cake and you can have a very dense, dry one. use it on a stew and you can wind up with a watery mess. Mr. Ruhlman does have a ratio chart, similar to a cookbook's measurements chart in the front of his book. Whether this helps or not, I don't know.
has anyone out there used or prefer ratios to just plain old fashioned recipes. Let us know here at Foodie Pantry. I'm curious as to how your cooking tums out and tastes.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Easy Goodness of Soup
With the coming of summer there 's going to be a bounty of fresh veggies . What to do with so many of these?
Make soup. There's nothing as satisfying as a bowl of fresh soup, full of organic vegetables. Thhis summer's harvest will provide us with corn for chowder and tomatoes, onions and peppers for regular soups. You can add meat or seafood as well along with cream and different stocks. Fresh picked herb such as thyme, sage, chives and mint can also be added for flavor and color. The best part of making homemade soup is that you can make enough for two or three meals and then freeze it. Also leftover soup is good to heat up on those hot summer days when you don;t feel like cooking.Another plus is that it doesn't have all the sodium that store bought soups have.
Homemade soup is easy to whip up. Start off with a good stock (either homemade or a low sodium one) and vegetables. You can puree them first such as with tomatoes or broccoli or leave them chunky , such as with corn or pepper. Depending on whether you want to make a cream soup or not you can add milk or whole cream (this is usually good in making some chowders) and a sprinkling of dried or fresh herbs. The best day to make soups is usually on a Saturday or Sunday . This way you can have it not just for the weekend but for t he week ahead. Soup is easy o thaw out and heat up in a microwave. To make it a more substantial meal, add some fresh crusty rolls and a garden salad.
There's nothing like a fresh made soup filled with the bounty of summer. It's also a nice addition to any table. Freshly made vegetable soup or chowder is an easy way to have a hot, filling meal without any fuss.
Make soup. There's nothing as satisfying as a bowl of fresh soup, full of organic vegetables. Thhis summer's harvest will provide us with corn for chowder and tomatoes, onions and peppers for regular soups. You can add meat or seafood as well along with cream and different stocks. Fresh picked herb such as thyme, sage, chives and mint can also be added for flavor and color. The best part of making homemade soup is that you can make enough for two or three meals and then freeze it. Also leftover soup is good to heat up on those hot summer days when you don;t feel like cooking.Another plus is that it doesn't have all the sodium that store bought soups have.
Homemade soup is easy to whip up. Start off with a good stock (either homemade or a low sodium one) and vegetables. You can puree them first such as with tomatoes or broccoli or leave them chunky , such as with corn or pepper. Depending on whether you want to make a cream soup or not you can add milk or whole cream (this is usually good in making some chowders) and a sprinkling of dried or fresh herbs. The best day to make soups is usually on a Saturday or Sunday . This way you can have it not just for the weekend but for t he week ahead. Soup is easy o thaw out and heat up in a microwave. To make it a more substantial meal, add some fresh crusty rolls and a garden salad.
There's nothing like a fresh made soup filled with the bounty of summer. It's also a nice addition to any table. Freshly made vegetable soup or chowder is an easy way to have a hot, filling meal without any fuss.
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