Gourmet For All

Years ago certain foods were not available to the masses.It was hard to get French cheeses unless you went to France. Certain pastas were only made at homes. Exotic veggies and fruits were only found in travel Baedekers , not in your local market. Times have changed. It's amazing what's in the local supermarket these days. Sea salt, once considered a luxury item is now all over supermarkets. Just a few scant years ago only elite cookware stores like Williams and Sonoma sold it . Go to your local grocery and it's right there next to Morton's and the generic stuff. Looking for exotic quinoa and plantains? They're right next to the plum tomatoes and broccoli . Ugli fruit , a rarity a few years ago , sits next to oranges and apples in the fruit section. Will all this gourmet stuff make us jaded? No. It does mean a more sophisticated palate for us and for our children. Everyone from oldster to toddler has opinions about what peppercorns to put into one's soup or topping goes well with dulce de leche ice cream. It means that no one is afraid of foreign foods anymore and they can break away from the ordinary. The meat and potato days are well over with. Gourmet food is a big part of our everyday lives. It exists right next to our boxes of instant mashed potatoes and ketchup. Soon it won't be considered sophisticated or exotic. It'll just be considered food.

Healthy Fast Foods

There's been a trend in the last year or so in fast foods. They've gotten healthier. Gone are the bad for you specials or the dripping with grease burgers. It seems chains such as McDonald's and Wendy's are taking their customers' health seriously as well as their own menus. That weekly treat of fries may no longer be a bad thing. In fact. they may even be a good for you. Some fast food places such as Blimpie and especially Subway have been on the health kick for years. After all .it was Subway who introduced healthier heroes for the diet conscious. They were the first to have whole wheat bread along with the lesser calorie flat and pita breads. Both they and Blimpie can create a low fat, low sodium and low calorie lunch that is still delicious and filling. Of course they have the bonus that none of their products are deep fried . All sandwiches are made with fresh, ingredients and it's very easy to control what goes

into an order. McDonald's is making great strides as well. Diners can have a fruit and yogurt parfait as opposed to an Egg McMuffin. There's salads to choose from as well as wraps . Another big proponent of healthy eating is Wendy's. The chain has introduced fries with sea salt Fries are not the best choice however , with this new change they're just a bit healthier. The chain has even gone so far as replacing its' regular salt packets with ones containing sea salt.Wendy's also offers healthy salads as well as more chicken and fish than other fast food places. Burger King still has to jump on this trend. Hopefully it'll catch on to its' competition's healthy choices and start coming out with their own versions. Are fast foods bad for you? Yes and no. Nowadays the big chains are doing their best to create low fat , heart smart choices that will draw in customers. it may mean a few changes to the menu and the way something is cooked. Yet,there are benefits for everyone from the companies themselves right down to their fans

Restaurant Seders: Are They Kosher?

Passover will be here within a week's time.Many households,whether they be Orthodox, Conservative or just holiday observant only will be getting ready for these week of special eating and prayers. However there is growing minority that are nixing the holiday at home and eating out. Instead of celebrating at home, they will be turning to their favorite restaurants to provide them with tradition and good food. Restaurant seders was the big topic in Joan's Nathan;article in yesterday's New York Times Dining section. She wrote about different Manhattan restaurants that will provide everything a traditional first night of passover at home has. The entry way is open for the coming of Elijah, and the prayers books are on the tables. Food is a spin on the traditional. Charoset, which represents the slavery the Jews had known under the pharaohs, is taken to gourmet heights by replacing the traditional almonds with hazelnuts.. Also Manischewitz wine, another tradition in recipes has been replaced with Italian Moscato wine. A Passover favorite such as braised short ribs has a gourmet flair with the addition of of shiitaki and crimini mushrooms along with port wine and ginger. However not all the practices are strictly Kosher. Matzoh is fried instead of baked to give it a crispier , more palatable taste. It is also made with non Kosher or tref flours - a huge Passover taboo. However the chef who created it could not find any Kosher flour hence the discretion. While some very religious Jews may find this sacrilegious there are some who embrace the new spins. This updates the holiday and makes it fresh and exciting for younger generations. Eating out on Passover makes perfect sense. It allows for families to be together without the hassle of endless shopping, prepping and cooking. Dining out also provides delicious variations on holiday classics from forward thinking chefs who still respect the meaning of Passover. There is still tradition but with a new feel to it.

Discounted Dining

We all want to eat out at our favorite restaurants and bistros. The problem is we can;t due to rising food prices and a shrinking paycheck a good night out seems like a luxury . However there is a way out of it. Restaurant coupons.. They let us have one night of delicious food in a great atmosphere at lower prices. They may be a salvation to us ordinary diners . They're a pain and a drain to restaurant owners. This debate was the main article in today's New York Times Dining section. The article written by Dining regular Glenn Collins told of the restaurateurs' side. Most owners do not like the idea of discount dining. They don;t bring in the large amount of customers and some just feel the concept compromises their business' integrity.Some feel that regulars will come because they love the food and the atmosphere , no matter what the cost. They also feel that the ones who are paying full price for their meals are subsidising the ones with the coupons. This is the philosophy of famed Manhattan restaurateur Marc Murphy who owns the Landmarc. Are coupons that bad? No, Some owners feel they bring in more business. New customers come in after printing out coupons from sties like Groupon or VIllageVines. The owner of Manhattan's Piccolo Cafes, Michele Casadei Massari feel that they bring in customers who then come back a second times - sans any discounts. The practice doubles business and brings an otherwise unheard of eatery into the public eye. Also diners bring come with friends and family , thus enlarging the clientele and creating a new wave of loyal eaters. It really is a win situation. Are coupons really that bad? If they bring in business during these hard times, then restaurant owners should go for them. Coupons and discounted dining help fill up any restaurant and create more jobs for the community. Coupons also let those who are longing for a break take one at a great restaurant with top notch food. There's nothing wrong with that.

The Bass Are Running

It's April and the striped bass are running. That means dozens of fishermen all braving the April weather and cold water to catch the fish . However you can also get hybrid striped bass at your local grocery or fish store. It can make for some interesting dishes, from the delicate to the hearty. Striped bass or striper as it;s known by fishermen, is part of the Morondirae family and is usually found in bordering fresh water/salt water areas such as th e Raritan bay in New Jersey the Carolinas, New England and Maryland. Domesticated bass is an offshoot being a hybrid fo both the wild and white bass. The two varieties were first combined in the 1960s in South Carolina for a better meat. Hybrid bass has a delicate somewhat sweet flavor, ,and firm flaky flesh . Sometimes there is a "muddy"taste however the best way to avoid this is by cutting the fish into filets(or having your fish store do it for you) Bass is good a variety of ways. You can char it or blacken it for a Cajun dish , which would go well with dirty rice.You can also grill it and served it on a bed of also grilled veggies. Another recipe is Greek style with a honey and saffron glaze. Bass cheeks , those round fleshy discs on a fish's head are also a treat. Broiled and served with butter, they resemble sea scallops in texture. Most people would prefer just to have their bass in a delicate white wine sauce with green beans and new potatoes. This is a lovely, elegant way to serve it , especially at a dinner party. April is here and the bass are running. Run down to your local fish market or grocery store and pick up this versatile fish . Take advantage of the season with some interesting dishes ranging from hearty to elegant!

Go Green With Salad

The warm weather brings about salad days - those times when we crave a cool,refreshing bowl of greens. Surprisingly enough not many people know how to construct a good,well rounded one Most just think it's chucking a variety of veggies in a bowl and dumping store bought dressing on it.Not so! Anyone can create a healthy and delicious salad using the right lettuce and appropriate extras. First realize that there are three different types to work with: Romaine, Crisphead and Butterhead.Romaine is about the most popular right now being the base for Caesar salad. it is one of the healthiest types,beige rich in Vitamin. C.It is also one of the most flavorful with a sweet taste.The reason being is that only the tender inner leaves are picked for salad. Another flavorful leave is the Butterhead .called, this be use of the smooth, buttery texture off the leaves.it is rich in Vitamin K which are softer and sweeter in texture and taste.The famed Bibb lettuce is from this family.One of the least popular right now is the Crisphead. The variety that produces Iceburg Lettuce.The leaves are densely crowded together to form a cabbage like head.This kind doesn't have much flavor or nutrients as the other.however it can be salvaged to make decent bowlful. What goes well in a salad?Tomatoes are the obvious choice. vary them however to prevent banality. Grape tomatoes are a good addition. They're sweeter tasting than beefsteaks and the plum variety. Another option are artichoke hearts.These add real bite , flavor and color. Onions are also good, Agin they provide texture and flavor however use them sparingly. Too many could lead to heart burn. If you want to vary it added chopped shallots. For something different add snap beans for crunch or even toss a handful of edamame into your salad bowl. With the temps getting warmer and wamrer, more foodies will turn to eating cool bowls of salad. A dish of fresh greens is the perfect foil to hot, steamy days. Mx in homemade dressing and you have a great lunch or dinner.

Spring Holiday Food Shopping

With passover starting next week and both the Orthodox and Christian Easters occurring on the same Sunday , it's now time to start holiday food shopping. The weeks before are perfect for stocking up on both large and small items. Most supermarkets and box stores are are offering some good deals on everything from cuts of meat to candy as well as on tableware and decorations. Before you start , decide on what you want to have. In some parts of the world Easter is going to be a warm weather holy day. You may want to fire up the grill and have outdoor cooked lamb similar to how the Greek Orthodox celebrate. At this time spend the remaining days cleaning out the grill and prepping it. You could even host an outdoor sit down dinner as well. here again you can go for the traditional ham and asparagus or try different quiches and salads. As with any major holiday, decide on how many people you want to invite and work around the guest list. This always determines the amount of food you'll buy. After that start shopping. Take advantage of all the sale prices going on right now. Many stores have good two for one deals on everything from matzoh bread to Easter candy. Of course buy the veggies, fruits and veggies a day or two before your dinner but stock upon other products such as mayo for salads, raisins and almonds for charoset and any canned goods.This is also a good time stockpile soda and seltzers too as well as wines . You may also want to buy some new table linens and napkins for your holiday table too. Stores such as Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond are offering some amazing deals on fancy tablecloths, matching napkins, and napkins rings right now. The Spring holidays are quickly upon us. To have a memorable seder or Easter dinner start shopping now ! Cash in on deals at your local supermarket and box store. these deals will help you in having a sumptuous holiday feast.!