Treating Our Veterans

 NO matter how this country turns out , we'll always have veterans to thank for our freedom. On this special day we should not only remember them but honor them. In fact this shouldn't be just for one day but for the entire year.

One way is by helping out any elderly veterans in your neighborhood. You can include them in your shopping trips - even make a fun day out of it by going for lunch or coffee. It not only helps them out with one chore but also occupies what could have been a long day. Another thank you could be shopping for them if the weather becomes too rainy or snowy.A home cooked meal wouldn't;t go amiss either. If you;re making a shepherd's pie then think about making a second smaller one if he or she is living alone.If it'sa couple then make a larger one. You could also try any other pie or casserole like lasagna or a baked macaroni and cheese.Any meal together would be nice too. If they have nowhere to go on Thanksgiving then put your veteran on the top of your guest list. Make sure they have a dinner to take home too.Include turkey and all the trimmings plus a slice of their favorite pie.

Some veterans have problems with shopping. benefits may be cut and there's no money. Donate to food pantries in your area. Ask your grocery stores to do the same if they can. Burger your local and favorite restaurants to offer half price days for service people. They can designate a day that veterans and their families can eat half price or buy one meal and get the second at half price.For younger veterans just coming home , give them and their spouses gift certificates not just to Restaurants but also grocery stores. These days fifty dollars  -even twenty-five dollars can be quite helpful. It can buy a few basics like eggs and milk.Thjnk a gift certificate to Wal-Mart or Lidl will go a a long way. Both not only have lower priced foods there's also clothes and hygiene basics they can buy. Giving them a gift certificate now could also mean them having a great Thanksgiving. They can splurge on a turkey or  a couple of their favorite pies. They can also save the gift certificate for Christmas or Hannukah and splurge on treats and sweets.

It's is Veteran's Day. Not only should we only those who fought but treat them with the utmost respect. They deserve it.

Getting Holiday Ready

 Thanksgiving is now less than three weeks away. Christmas and Hannukah  are a month afterwards, both being celebrated on the same day this year. It's time to think about all that cooking and baking.Are you ready?

First of all ask yourself what you want to do for Thanksgiving. Some singles may prefer to eat out but you can just get a turkey breast, a jar of gravy and instant stuffing. This and a yam are perfect for just celebrating for one. It can even apply to two people if they just want a quiet dinner in. You may want to make a salad and just buy a small pie for afterwards.As for families this is where celebrating and cooking get intensive and extensive. Do you have a sit down dinner or a buffet? Do you decide on a sit-down for Thanksgiving and then a holiday buffet a month afterwards or vice versa. ANother aspect to consider is will the dinner include vegetarians and vegans. Even though both shun meat , they're different. Vegetarians will and can eat eggs and dairy. Vegans strictly prohibit this. If you have a few vegans coming over then consider making a Tofurky along with the real thing -a turkey. Luckily Tofurky comes with it's own gravy packet and stuffing so vegans will be happy with this.Also include many vegetables on the menu too.Brussells sprouts are a tasty side with vegan butter and vegan Parmesan cheese drizzled on top. Green bean almandine, string beans with almonds is another crowd pleasing side vegetarians and vegans will love.

Of course there's always a children's table. The question is will it be at the end of the adult table or in the kitchen or enclosed porch. Designate someone to look in on them from time to time. You could also put the oldest child or children in charge. Keep in mind then there should be two of everything. The kid table needs a platter of sliced  turkey along with a gravy boat and sides. The high chair set can seat next to their parents at the main table. Another idea to consider is making it allergy free.Keep in mind there will always  guests with allergies. Have alternatives for them. Also try not to serve any nuts and offer both gluten free breads and rolls.This also applies to milk too so have either soy, almond and oat varieties out for coffee. These also come in chocolate versions so they're perfect for the kids.desserts are another topic worth thinking about right now.Of course everyone will want pies. The question is which ones.Pumpkin is always the favorite yet do you make a traditional one or have one with a twist? Do guests want  not only pumpkin but also apple or pecan? ANother question is does anyone want to bake? Say yes not just to be kind but it takes a lot of pressure off you in the kitchen.

It's never too early to think about the holidays. Its' time to really ponder your plans. Figuring out what to serve is the first step to creating a memorable Thanksgiving meal.

Holiday Tortes

 A different kind of cake to think about for holiday baking is a torte. It's a denser , more flavorful version of a cake and somewhat easy to create. it's an elegant sweet, perfect for any holiday table.

What is a torte exactly? It is a rich dense multilayered cake, usually made from ground nuts or breadcrumbs.Unlike a regular cake there is very little to no flour added.They're usually covered in a rich frosting and can be filledd with buttercream, whipped cream, jams or fruit. The Germans and the Austrians are best known for them, namely in the famed Black Forest Cake. This is chocolate and ream cake filled with whipped cream and cherries. The layers are made with ground walnuts and cocoa.This is one of the newest recipes to the sort, having been invented in the Spring of 1930. The actual sweet can from Eastern and Central Europe before becoming a standard in Viennese coffee houses. Many home bakers do shy away from them probably for two reasons. The first is that it does need a Springform pan fro some recipes. Sometimes spring form cakes can turn out to be flops The second reason is that it's labor intensive. It used to be both home and professional bakers had to grind the nuts (I remember my Mom doing this for her Black Forest torte. Nowadays though walnut and almond flours can even be had at Wal-mart. As for the breadcrumbs - Italian or French bread will give the torte its' best texture.Many recipes do call for regular flour to give the cake a silken crumb.

A torte can be an exciting and delicious treat to make. There are so many variations to choose from. The Black Forest is one of the  most popular and the first many home bakers choose.Some actually start off with a flour based cake but this really isn;t authentic. Use ground hazelnuts mixed with baking powder for the gateau or cake part.The filling is fresh or frozen pitted cherries cooked into a syrupy filling. Cornstarch is added to thicken it to a jam consistency. Depending on the recipe the layers are doused with kirsche a heady cherry liqueur made in Germany. It's assembled and frosted with fresh whipped. cream. The torte is liberally dusted with shaved dark chocolate and decorated with cherries.It's a show stopper for any holiday dinner or even dinner party. Another great torte is the Austrian Sacher torte. This is a mouthwatering marriage of apricot and chocolate.what gives the three tiered cake its' lightness is the addition of egg whites. The bite is airy and light.The filling is strained apricot preserves the fruit has t be removed (unless you want a chunky filling which would give it a more intense apricot flavor).Let it air dry and then pour the melted chocolate glaze over it and let the icing set. For a true Viennese experience serve with cups of strong coffee.

Think tortes instead of cakes for this holiday season.They're different but just as delicious. THey're also impressive , creating a sight , showing off your baking talent.

The Perfect Vegan Dinner Party

 Creating a dinner party is hard. Creating a vegan dinner party is even harder?Or is it. All you need is a good main course , sides and a show stopping dessert. Can it be perfect for those avoiding meat? Yes!!!

Regular contributor Dasvid Tanis created this in yesterday's New York Times Wednesday Food section. The most problematic question is what makes for a good main course? You can't have roasts or anything like cutlets.Mr. Tanis turned to Italy for inspiration. He has come up with a polenta and  roasted mushroom torta. This is a layered casserole, baked in a spring form pan that's usually reserved for cheesecakes. Creamy cheese such as mozzarella.Parmesan and Gorgonzola(you could use vegan cheeses if you want - just research their baking times). Roasted mushrooms and a bright green gemolata cover it. Keep in mind that the polenta should be made several hours  or even a day in advance to allow it to firm up.when it's ready spoon into the buttered spring form pan and then layer on the cheese.Bake on the oven's middle rack for forty-five minutes in a  350 degree Farenheit oven. Turn the heat up ten minutes until the cheese is brown and bubbly, Take out of the oven and set aside.The mushrooms are first pan sauteed in olive oil and then season with salt and pepper. Roast them and at the same time reheat the torta Make the gremolata  by combining parsley , lemon garlic and crushed red pepper. Add the roasted mushrooms and serve with the polenta.

Since this is such a big flavored dish, the salad with it should be mild.Try a radicchio salad with walnuts and the fruit of the season -pears. Use ruby red radicchio along with brown sugared walnuts. Its creating a buttery caramel sauce by cooking butter and brown sugar. It will turn into a syrup. and then add the walnuts. Cook until nuts are fragrant.The dressing is a mix of two vinegars -red and balsamic, walnut oil and olive oil.Mix the greens ,walnuts and sliced pears together.what makes for a good dessert? Try homemade chocolate amaretti cookies. These are a simple bake using cocoa, egg  whites. and a dash of almond extract. The texture is like crinkle cookies. Three large egg whites are used and they're they only liquid involved. The rest is dark Dutch cocoa and almond flour.This last and the almond extract blend well with the cocoa.Once the dough is made they're pinched into walnut sized balls and then rolled first in granulated sugar and then powdered sugar. A blanched almond is pushed into their middles and they're baked on parchment in a 325 degree Farenheit oven for fifteen to twenty minutes The dough will be sticky at first but the two sugars should remedy that. You can end with a dessert wine or a good espresso.

A vegetarian dinner possible rich with good food is possible. This is a great dinner for a SUnday or for a weekend dinner party. There's no meat yet its still tasty and filling.

Passion And Talent Equals Chef Kwame Owuachi

 More and more chefs are becoming celebrities yet only one who has heart.That's Kwame Onuwachi, the newest star in the American kitchen. His rise is metioric. His food is stellar. Chef Onuwachi will be a bright light that will never burn out.

Regular contributor Pete Wells got t interview this phenom in today's New York Times Wednesday Food section. He is not your ordinary rising culinary star. He;s like the Teflon chef. Unlike Tom Colicchio who took flak for his Diet COke commercial and Rick Bayless  was deemed for a pimp for the Evil EMpire when he promoted the Whopper for Burger King. Chef Onuwachi sailed through his Diet COke commercial without any problems along with working with McDonald;s  at their marketing event.He also has a charisma that spreads into his two restaurants Tatiana and Dogon's . When Snoop Dogg's song "Beautiful" played he and his clientele started singing the opening words "Oh,Oh, Oh." He dances with is customers and hugs then, an experience always seen at Black restaurants. He's also a go getter. His foray into the industry was Gorsha, a kind of "Ethiopian Chipotle" in Washington DC'

His food represents the NIgerian Diaspora.He wanted to to open a place that highlighted his mother's apartment in the Bronx, his father's family compound in NIgeria and the tenements of San Juan Hill, the area torn down to make way for Lincoln Center. Dogon's menu represents a fusion of African and Jamaican dishes. For new Yorkers he has Tatiana at Lincoln Center. His dishes can be shared. as they come in small and large shares. There are curried goat patties and shawarma roasted chicken.he also represents Manhattan desserts from bodegas.Fans enjoy his Bodega special, a cosmic brownie with powdered sugar donut ice cream and sorrel. He also has an Icee cart that features three flavors of ices and the Harlem CHocolate Factory white chocolate cheesecake.It  just pays to visit for these alone.he wants to open more restaurants but not a chain of Tatiana's. The'll be more reflective of the Black experience and culinary contributions.

Chef Onuwachi is a star, He will rise as will his recipes. His restaurants are worth visiting.

Gwtting To Know Hazelnuts

Nuts are such a big part of holiday baking. Usually its almonds and walnuts that shine. They grace everything from cakes and cookies to brownies. Yet there's another nut that gives baked good a sweet , luxurioous taste - hazelnuts. These little gems can be used to amp up chocolate cookies r give elegance to homemade tortes.

Most people are familiar with the nut through Nutella, that hazelnut - chocolate spread. This has been around since 1964 and was invented by the Ferrero Company of Alba Piemonte, Italy.The hazelnut figures large in Piedmontese baking especially with the baci de damage or lady's kiss, a hazelnut shortbread sandwich with a rich cocoa filling. Coffee lovers know it from it flavoring either coffee or creamer.The nuts are a good addition to any dessert, not just because of their taste but also their health benefits. Hazelnuts are rich in protein , Vitamins E and B and foliate acid. They';re also rich in arginine ,a nutrient that helps prevent heart attack. Yet it's their flavor that secuces everyone and the fact it blends so well with such equally demanding ones such as chocolate.Keep in mind they are delicate and can go rancid very quickly.They have to be stored in the freezer once their container is opened to keep them, You would think this freezes them but thanks to their high oil quality, they 're just as crunchy and tasty as room temperature ones.

Hazelnuts are the perfect oomph for double chocolate chip cookies. This is the recipe that has been on my radar ever since I bought a container from Lidl. Imagine a buttery homemade chocolate cookie with a taste that's been heightened by chopped hazelnuts. They'll be reminiscent of that great Piedmontese candy Baci gianduja from Perugina where it's trifecta of a whole hazelnut atop nocciola- hazelnut and cocoa creme and then enrobed in chocolate.The Baci de damage also are a great cookie to make.They are labor intensive though because the hazelnuts have to be first roasted and ground. They're added to a shortbread like dough that doesn't require any eggs. Once the cookies are baked and cooled , the filling is added.This is just melted chocolate chips (whether it;s milk or dark, that;s up to you)The Labor comes from rolling out the dough in long cords and them cutting it into small rounds for baking. Another holiday idea is a hazelnut torte , the perfect ending for any party. There are some wonderful ones with a dense , fudgey crumb, You could also make a hazelnut cake layered with a chocolate hazelnut frosting and filling.

Hazelnuts should have a seat at the holiday dessert table.They are perfect in cakes and cookies with their war buttery flavor. They'll be a welcome addition to any treat.

Comfort Food A Nocciola Sundae

 This is one of the most stressful elections in recent history.It;s no wonder that many are turning to comfort for  -well - comfort. For some it's large slices of cake or a big bowl of pasta. For others is a fun sundae that can make you forget the world outside. Nothing beats a nocciola sundae

I made one today as not only a good dessert after leftover Lidl gnocchi and sauce but also as a stress reliever for all the anxiety this presidential election is causing.

I couldn't resist the hazelnuts at Lidl. After I brought them home an idea formed in my head. Why not create a sweet similar to the much beloved Northern Italian treat.  It could be layered like a tin roof that famed sundae with a layer of salty Spanish peanuts then smothered in thick gooey fudge. why not create a more sophisitcated version?
One thing about hazelnuts they are little and hard to cut up.It can be done but carefully.

YOu can easily put them in a food processor or food chopper for a finer blend. It was then adding them to Oatly  oat milk vanilla ice cream.Then it's a good pour of Hershey's chocolate syrup.

The flavor of these three are so delicious. They are even better than the candy itself. I'm definitely going to make this again , possibly with chocolate ice cream the next time. I'm also planning on using the hazelnuts in holiday baking too.,

Yes, this is the time for comfort foods. This sundae is the perfect antidote for these stressful times. Make it,. sit back and just enjoy. Tune out the world with every bite.