Today is memorial Day here in the US. We should take time out from our barbecues , picnics, movies and beach days to thank those who have served this amazing nation. Think of their sacrifices, their lives lost so we and the rest of the world can enjoy all our freedoms and liberties.
Celebrate their selflessness and valor and be inspired by these traits.
Think of their importance to world history and freedom when you're serving your kids ice pops or helping mom make her special potato salad.
Have a good Memorial Day.
Liz
Monday, May 25, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Cool Summer Cocktails
Nothing quite says summer like a cool cocktail sipped in the shade , by a pool or near the ocean's edge. There are so many different combos. What's the best summer thirst quencher? Is it a fruity mix of flavored drinks ? Or something with fruit added?
Summer cocktails usually evoke the tropics. A good one is a mai tai, a wild and fruity combination of three kinds of rum curacao, almond syrup and orange juice. Another is a pina colada, a yummy mix of rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream . Think of it as an adult malted or shake. Any rum mixer is good too . You can be creative and try your hand at different combos.
Vodka mixed with any fruit juice is tasty. You can try Cosmos, that Sex And The City classic made with Stoli, cranberry juice and Cointreau. Another chiller is a watermelon vodka slushie, a mix of pureed watermelon, vodka along with simple syrup and melon liqueur. Put into the watermelon into an ice cube tray, freeze until frozen and then mix with the other ingredients. A less labor intensive is the Cape Codder (and my favorite) which is only vodka and cranberry juice.
This is the season to chill out with a cool, relaxing drink. Don't worry about the temperature climbing. Enjoy the balmy breezes with drink in hand.
Remember to drink and act responsibly if you've have a few of your favorite coolers.
Summer cocktails usually evoke the tropics. A good one is a mai tai, a wild and fruity combination of three kinds of rum curacao, almond syrup and orange juice. Another is a pina colada, a yummy mix of rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream . Think of it as an adult malted or shake. Any rum mixer is good too . You can be creative and try your hand at different combos.
Vodka mixed with any fruit juice is tasty. You can try Cosmos, that Sex And The City classic made with Stoli, cranberry juice and Cointreau. Another chiller is a watermelon vodka slushie, a mix of pureed watermelon, vodka along with simple syrup and melon liqueur. Put into the watermelon into an ice cube tray, freeze until frozen and then mix with the other ingredients. A less labor intensive is the Cape Codder (and my favorite) which is only vodka and cranberry juice.
This is the season to chill out with a cool, relaxing drink. Don't worry about the temperature climbing. Enjoy the balmy breezes with drink in hand.
Remember to drink and act responsibly if you've have a few of your favorite coolers.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Chill Out Foods For A Long Weekend
It's the start of the Memorial Day weekend. Even though it should be and is considered a solemn holiday to remember our armed forces, it's also a time of just chilling out. After all it's the first official weekend of Summer 2009. You can relax with some hot weather favorites whether in the back yard or at the beach.
The one foodie indulgence must have is a cold drink. Soda is fine but it can put on the calories and doesn't thoroughly quench your thirst. Homemade lemonade or limeade would do the trick better. If you don't have the time (or the energy) to make it then buy a jug of it from your local supermarket. if you want to liven it up add a splash of vodka to it along with more ice. Iced tea is refreshing, especially if it's fresh brewed with just the right amount of lemon and ice.
What 's a good snack after a hard day of yard work or a fun time at the beach? Crispy tortilla chips with salsa. These are less fattening than potato chips and you can make your own guacamole or veggie salsa. Kabobs are good for you and fun to nosh on. You can vary the meats and add the veggies you like. This is also a great way of baptizing the grill for the summer ahead.
Finish off with some ice from your local Rita's or homemade granita.
This weekend chill out with fun foods . Enjoy the first rays of the summer sun with a drink or munchies . Relax and eat well.
The one foodie indulgence must have is a cold drink. Soda is fine but it can put on the calories and doesn't thoroughly quench your thirst. Homemade lemonade or limeade would do the trick better. If you don't have the time (or the energy) to make it then buy a jug of it from your local supermarket. if you want to liven it up add a splash of vodka to it along with more ice. Iced tea is refreshing, especially if it's fresh brewed with just the right amount of lemon and ice.
What 's a good snack after a hard day of yard work or a fun time at the beach? Crispy tortilla chips with salsa. These are less fattening than potato chips and you can make your own guacamole or veggie salsa. Kabobs are good for you and fun to nosh on. You can vary the meats and add the veggies you like. This is also a great way of baptizing the grill for the summer ahead.
Finish off with some ice from your local Rita's or homemade granita.
This weekend chill out with fun foods . Enjoy the first rays of the summer sun with a drink or munchies . Relax and eat well.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Burn Wood Not Coal
Yesterday's Food Section in the New York Times expressed the merits of a wood burning barbecue. While this is a bit more labor intensive than your average charcoal grill, it's better for you and the environment. There's not that overt threat of carcinogens and there's a better taste imparted on the food.
There s a few difference between wood and charcoal grilling. The first is what you use. You're better off at a hardware store like Lowe's than at Williams and Sonoma. You'll need long flame resistant gloves for one along with longhandled tong and an instant read thermometer. Instead of a spatula use a broad , stainless steel spackle knife to flip. As for wood, the article recommends starting off with pine but then quickly throwing on oak or applewood for flavor. Pine is good with getting a fire started but leaves an acrid flavor on the meats and veggies. Also get griddles to cook salmon and vegetables.
What kind of marinade should you grill with? Canola oil is probably the best bet. Don't use olive because it can quickly break down over high heat. Since the flavor is from the wood itself, try to use less herbs and avoid intense marinades. The wood, especially the applewood should give it a rich distinct aroma and taste.
Wood grilling is a better way to go for summer cooking. it's not only healthier for you but for the environment as well. Not only that your steak chicken and even vegetables will taste better cooked over an open flame.
There s a few difference between wood and charcoal grilling. The first is what you use. You're better off at a hardware store like Lowe's than at Williams and Sonoma. You'll need long flame resistant gloves for one along with longhandled tong and an instant read thermometer. Instead of a spatula use a broad , stainless steel spackle knife to flip. As for wood, the article recommends starting off with pine but then quickly throwing on oak or applewood for flavor. Pine is good with getting a fire started but leaves an acrid flavor on the meats and veggies. Also get griddles to cook salmon and vegetables.
What kind of marinade should you grill with? Canola oil is probably the best bet. Don't use olive because it can quickly break down over high heat. Since the flavor is from the wood itself, try to use less herbs and avoid intense marinades. The wood, especially the applewood should give it a rich distinct aroma and taste.
Wood grilling is a better way to go for summer cooking. it's not only healthier for you but for the environment as well. Not only that your steak chicken and even vegetables will taste better cooked over an open flame.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Our Children Are Starving Please Help
Yesterday I received an email from Share Our Strength. This organization which helps starving American children asked me if I could place their widget here on this blog. I decided to do more than that. This is the perfect moment to educate American foodies about the plight of so many children here in the richest country in the world. Our kids are starving.
Here are the plain facts. !2 million kids will go hungry tonight in the US. Poor nutrition will lead to all sorts of ills from the common cold to infections along with obesity and mental health problems. America's starving children are also prone to problems at school from aggression to absenteeism. They have impaired cognitive functioning along with the diminished incapacity to learn. Most live in the South but there are some in our major cities that need our help. A lot come from single parent households as well. If the parent loses his or her job, that's it.
What can you do to help?Host a bake sale. You can combine this with a garage sale to draw in more customers. Or you can try your local schools from high school down to day care. Get your religious organization involved too. You could also buy the Great American Bake Sale ebook or post a Chipin widget on your banner or blog.
This is America, land of good and healthy foods. It's a shame that 12 million of our children won't be eating any. Do what you can to stop this problem. Do so today.
To host a bake sale go to www.GreatAmericanBakeSale.org/vgabs
To buy the great American Bake Sale EBook http://StolenMomentsCooking.com/virtual-gabs
Post a Chipin widget www.greatAmericanBakeSale.org/bloggers.
Here are the plain facts. !2 million kids will go hungry tonight in the US. Poor nutrition will lead to all sorts of ills from the common cold to infections along with obesity and mental health problems. America's starving children are also prone to problems at school from aggression to absenteeism. They have impaired cognitive functioning along with the diminished incapacity to learn. Most live in the South but there are some in our major cities that need our help. A lot come from single parent households as well. If the parent loses his or her job, that's it.
What can you do to help?Host a bake sale. You can combine this with a garage sale to draw in more customers. Or you can try your local schools from high school down to day care. Get your religious organization involved too. You could also buy the Great American Bake Sale ebook or post a Chipin widget on your banner or blog.
This is America, land of good and healthy foods. It's a shame that 12 million of our children won't be eating any. Do what you can to stop this problem. Do so today.
To host a bake sale go to www.GreatAmericanBakeSale.org/vgabs
To buy the great American Bake Sale EBook http://StolenMomentsCooking.com/virtual-gabs
Post a Chipin widget www.greatAmericanBakeSale.org/bloggers.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Fun Foodie Gadgets
I love my Vidalia Chop Wizard. It's supposed to be for chopping onions and fruit but it"s also good at mincing hard boiled eggs for egg salad. it gets the egg pieces just right, small meaty bits that are what a good egg salad is all about. I'm not alone. other foodies go into raptures over other gadgets as well. These kitchen toys may look like fun but they're really a necessity. Besides they make the whole process fun and also time saving as well.
Another fun gadget are the Slurpee machines. these are great for the warm days just coming around . Pop in a few ice cubes and out comes ice chips ready to be drizzled with some kind of fruity syrup. These can also be used to make frosty margaritas as well. The Slurpee machine's cousin, the ice cream maker is another fun kitchen plaything. You can create all sorts of fantastic flavors as well as making your own fresh vanilla and chocolate ones.
Another fun gadget that foodies are now living are the salt grinders. Thanks to the increase in sea salt sales, these fun gadgets are in every kitchen. let's face it freshly ground salt tastes better than the plain iodized kind and it adds more crunch and texture than just the smaller grains. Pepper grinders are also big right now. There's nothing like the taste of freshly ground pepper in soups or even on roast beef or ham sandwiches. Like sea salt, it adds texture and a much needed zip you can't get with regular pepper.
OK , foodies, tell me what gadgets make your day. What do you like? Slicers? Melon ballers? Silicon bakeware (which really aren't gadgets). Let me know here.
Another fun gadget are the Slurpee machines. these are great for the warm days just coming around . Pop in a few ice cubes and out comes ice chips ready to be drizzled with some kind of fruity syrup. These can also be used to make frosty margaritas as well. The Slurpee machine's cousin, the ice cream maker is another fun kitchen plaything. You can create all sorts of fantastic flavors as well as making your own fresh vanilla and chocolate ones.
Another fun gadget that foodies are now living are the salt grinders. Thanks to the increase in sea salt sales, these fun gadgets are in every kitchen. let's face it freshly ground salt tastes better than the plain iodized kind and it adds more crunch and texture than just the smaller grains. Pepper grinders are also big right now. There's nothing like the taste of freshly ground pepper in soups or even on roast beef or ham sandwiches. Like sea salt, it adds texture and a much needed zip you can't get with regular pepper.
OK , foodies, tell me what gadgets make your day. What do you like? Slicers? Melon ballers? Silicon bakeware (which really aren't gadgets). Let me know here.
Monday, May 18, 2009
An English Tea Food Elegance At Its’ Best
There’s nothing like a proper English tea. It has all the feel of a Merchant Ivory or Masterpiece Theater period piece. There’s something inherently elegant about sipping a fine Darjeeling or Earl Gray out of bone china. The sandwiches and sweets are perfect, delicate yet satisfying. It’s not hard to recreate one. Even for us Yank foodies who love fast food and messy dishes.
There are actually three kinds of tea to consider. The first is the cream tea. This is where tea scones and jam are only served. For a more substantial fare there is light tea which has sweets added to the menu and then there is the full tea which adds savories and a dessert (possibly a light trifle or small cakes). Savories usually mean small sandwiches , usually watercress or egg salad. Most English hotels serve the last , and cater to American tastes. The entire tea idea started during the Victorian era when Anna Maria Stanhope, Duchess of Bedford and one of Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting felt a “sinking feeling around four in the afternoon. Borrowing from the Continental idea of having tea she arranged for the drink to be served with small sandwiches and cakes. This helped sustain her and her guests until the main meal which was probably served at seven or eight. Hence a British tradition was born.
Creating a full British tea is easy to do in this former colony. You can serve any kind of tea and have with it light sandwiches and scones. Supermarkets sell smaller loaves or what’s known as party loaves . These can be filled with cucumber, watercress, and cream cheese. You could put an American spin on them and use deviled ham or chicken as fillings too. Scones can be bought or made. The question is acquiring the clotted cream to go with them. Luckily it can be bought in any major city or on the Internet. As for having small cakes think cupcakes dusted with powdered sugar as opposed to being topped with a large mound of frosting.
An English tea is an elegant way of getting together with friends. It symbolizes timely elegance with delicate food. It's wonderful to indulge your foodie side while being civilized at the same time.
There are actually three kinds of tea to consider. The first is the cream tea. This is where tea scones and jam are only served. For a more substantial fare there is light tea which has sweets added to the menu and then there is the full tea which adds savories and a dessert (possibly a light trifle or small cakes). Savories usually mean small sandwiches , usually watercress or egg salad. Most English hotels serve the last , and cater to American tastes. The entire tea idea started during the Victorian era when Anna Maria Stanhope, Duchess of Bedford and one of Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting felt a “sinking feeling around four in the afternoon. Borrowing from the Continental idea of having tea she arranged for the drink to be served with small sandwiches and cakes. This helped sustain her and her guests until the main meal which was probably served at seven or eight. Hence a British tradition was born.
Creating a full British tea is easy to do in this former colony. You can serve any kind of tea and have with it light sandwiches and scones. Supermarkets sell smaller loaves or what’s known as party loaves . These can be filled with cucumber, watercress, and cream cheese. You could put an American spin on them and use deviled ham or chicken as fillings too. Scones can be bought or made. The question is acquiring the clotted cream to go with them. Luckily it can be bought in any major city or on the Internet. As for having small cakes think cupcakes dusted with powdered sugar as opposed to being topped with a large mound of frosting.
An English tea is an elegant way of getting together with friends. It symbolizes timely elegance with delicate food. It's wonderful to indulge your foodie side while being civilized at the same time.
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