Masa Man

Tortillas and, especially corn, have been slowly introduced into mainstream America. However thanks to Mexican American Chingo Bling , tortillas are becoming cool. In fact they're a main event in his videos and music. He's introducing this south of the border standard along with classic food to the masses.

Senor BLing was featured in the New York Times Dining section yesterday. Dining regular, John T. Edge managed to catch up with this busy musician and culinary ambassador and get an interview. Mr Bling whose real name is Pedro Herrara is a Houston native has fun with his culinary roots. He made a video much like rapper 50 Cents' "Candy Shop" called "Taco Shop" in which he turned a girl into a taco filling. However he does have a lot of respect for the immigrantnworkers, such as his mom who used to make them to sell at his father's garage.

Tamales and tacos are a big part of Mexican life. It's how many immigrant women make their living. It's not uncommon to see them in parking lots, cooking tamales and masa or corn . Some can make fifty grand a month according to Mr Bling. This pays for a lot , including housing and necessities. It shouldn't be this way however being an independent tamale maker is a lot better and more satisfying than working at a mall restaurant. It may be illegal but it's part of survival.

Hopefully Senor Bling will be featured on more mainstream videos and more mainstream music shows. Even if you eat tamales and are well versed in Mexican food, he'll open your eyes. It's not just Taco Bell. Mexican food is heart and soul along with being hard work.

Good British Food

For those who are traveling to Britain , specifically London, you're in for a treat. There are a few go dd restaurants that serving very traditional food. In fact it;s a trip back into England's past when the meals were a combination of hearty and gourmet. Menus are reflecting a surprisingly glorious food Britannia past.

These restaurants were reviewed in today's New York Times Dining section. Lucky contributor , Sam Sifton, was able to go to Britain;s capital and sample a variety of delicious dishes . He went to Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, St John Hotel and Barbecoa. The first and last are owned by famed cooks Heston Blumental and Jamie Oliver. Blumenthal is something of celebrity chef to begin with; his creativity is revered on both sides of the Atlantic. He bases his newest menu on old cookery books recipes.Think cozy meals cooked in "Cranford" as opposed to Cool Britannia treats.

The other two restaurants, one at the famed St John Hotel and Barbecoa are simple yet amazing. The first offers traditional British beans but this time they're blended with bacon. There are also sweetbreads with butter beans and wild garlic, said to be too good to be true. At Oliver's restaurant )also co owned by American Perry Lang), Barbecoa, the offerings are barbecue. This is perfect for Yanks hankering for a taste of home. There is also cornbread and pulled pork.

If you're going to London this summer , then stop into any of these restaurants. They're are a window into Britain's past and its' future. All in all it's a chance to try some of the best food the city has to offer.

We Heart Missouri Food

Missourians are a brave tough crowd. From the pioneers who founded the state, to Harry Truman to the brave people who went through that devastating life shaking tornado,. They can make do with almost anything in any situation. The same goes for their food. They take risks with traditional dishes and create something bold and unique.. They are culinary warriors.

Missourians come from hardy immigrant stock. Their state is a mishmash of cultural finds from ribs to ravioli, from German to Chinese.. They have created a truly awe inspiring recipe book that puts their spin into time honored recipes. Take for example, St Louis. famed fried ravioli. Instead of served crispy and hot with a side o f marinara sauce for dipping. It's genius. They have put their on spin on classic Chinese cashew chicken renaming it Springfield. Here instead of marinating it in soy Missourians deep fry the chicken and then add the sauce. it's a tasty American spin on a traditional dish,.German food also plays an important part here thanks to many German immigrant settling the state in the 1840s; St. Louis offers as many different kinds of wurst s as Munich , Berlin or Hamburg does. Stollen is a popular Christmas and Easter cake here.

Missouri most famous city , St, Louis is known for its; ribs. it's a different style of cutting them ,mainly trimming away the brisket part or tips. These are usually slow cooked over a low heat to ensure a melt off the bone tenderness.Saucing the ribs with St Louis barbecue sauce is also needed to produce an authentic tasting treat. Since St Louis is a German town, beer is used in the sauce. This makes the meat butter soft and tasty. Horseradish and other piquant flavorings are also added to give the ribs some bite.

Missourians are a hardy race, forged from strong pioneer immigrant stock and buffered by their good food. They have contributed some unique and delicious food to America;s cookbook and table. The state is known as "The Show Me State" but it should be renamed "The Show Off State" for their strength and fortitude. - and good cooking.

Just Simple Desserts

Put away those frostings and meringue topping .Summer is here and it's time to start paring down desserts. You no longer have to have rich tortes or trifles. This is the time of year for simple sweets - homemade cakes and crumbles that involve fresh fruit and cream. It's also a time to think easy - fridge cakes and 1-2-3 puddings.

If you do insist on baking or even buying cake think pound. A slice of any flavor of pound cake with fresh berries and Cool Whip is a nice touch to any summer birthday meal. Pound cake is relatively easy to make . The only real headache is heating up the oven for almost two hours on a hot day. However many markets sell freshly made ones from plain to chocolate chip to marble . You can easily buy one and then dress it up anyway you like. Cobblers and crumbles are also a snap to whip up and fun to make; especially if you have fresh picked berries or peaches to add to them.

If you want something fancier, look no further than fridge cakes and rice pudding. There are some quick refrigerator cakes to make that suit any occasion from shower to barbecue. The most famous one is the chocolate wafer with whipped topping This log is wonderful and you and do so many variations with it. Add mint flavoring to the cream before assembling. Or serving raspberries with it on the side. Another great recipe is the Nilla wafer cake that involves Nabisco;s Nilla wafers and vanilla pudding. This last has graced many a picnic table. Rice pudding is a simple summer dessert that can also be varied. You can add pistachios for an Indian vibe or almonds and lemon. Some go the traditional route with raisins and cinnamon.

Summer is here and it;s a time for simple desserts. Try a slice of pound cake or a parfait glass of rice pudding at your next gathering. They are a sweet light ending to nay barbecue or picnic.

Healthy Food , Healthy Foodie

Ever notice how hospital food is always bland? ( I did after spending seven hours in my local one due to some silly stress today).There's a reason why it's so salt free and tasteless - it's healthy or supposed to be for you. No matter what age we are - whether seven or seventy we're all supposed to eat (and eat slowly because gobbling and wolfing are bad for you) organic , free range meats and wholesome healthy veggies and fruits.

This would work if there weren't so many temptations out there. There's snacks and cookies,, loaded with sodium and sugar, There's soda , pure sugar pure vice but oh so good, especially with ice on a hot day, How can we give up burgers and fries ? Or ice cream? Or chocolate. We're hard wired to love what's bad for us whether it's fast cars, fast men (or women) or fast food. If it's sinful bring it on.

Luckily there are compromises. Try flavored seltzer when you want a tasty and carbonated drink. There; no sugar as with a cola or root beer but it does quench your thirst and it is perfect on a hot day. For sweets there are some fun fruits out there like the pluot. This apricot plum hybrid is wonderful whether in a picnic basket or a lunch box. It has a candy like taste but it's fresh , organic fruit. Eat chocolate but go for the dakr kind than for the milk or white. For fun snacks try cut up veggies with Greek yogurt. Want burgers? Go for the turkey or veggie kind. Less calories, less cholesterol and they're still patties.

Healthy food doesn't mean sacrificing what you love. It just means a compromise for a better lifestyle and diet. You can still have what you crave but make it good for you

Amazing Tuna

Tuna is one of those foods that can simple or elegant. You can put it in salads or have it as steaks. It's great mixed in tomato sauce or blended with mayo. This fish is so versatile you can use it six or seven times a week and each time it will still be fresh.

Tuna has been eaten for centuries, mostly in Mediterranean countries such as Italy Greece and Spain.It's from the Latin word thunnus .It is a salt water fish mostly swimming in the warmer waters around the Equator, It' s abundant in both the Pacific and Mediterranean and most commercial tuna in the US is harvested from California. Americans eat about3.6 pounds of it a year whether in steaks ,salads, sandwiches or just straight from the can with crackers.

Tuna has several different recipes. It's now chic to throw it on the backyard grill. Tuna steak can be cooked a variety of ways and you can even make it rare. Most chefs marinate it to emphasize its' briny flavor. Canned tuna is great too. Bumblebee, that American kitchen standard, has even the yummy Italian style where the fish is preserved in oil and not water and also flavors such as lemon pepper and basil tomato. The flavored tunas are great in salads and make a neat twist on the traditional French Nicoise.

Tuna is a versatile fish that you can have as a tasty grilled steak or a salad. It always good to keep some on hand because it stretches a menu. It also adds variety to every day meals. Always plan on having it for summer dining.

A Very Low Calorie Diet

Ever think that eating cake and pizza could lose you a few pounds? Or diving into a whole plate of brownies could actually be good for your waistline? It is if you pantomime eating it. That's right. Do what you did when you were little and make believe you're eating.

This strange concept was the subject of an article by Henry Alford in yesterday's New York Times Dining section. Mr. Alford got himself to believe that he was actually snacking, He used utensils or his fingers imagining cutting into a tortilla or cake and then began to chew and even swallow. He tricked his body into thinking he was eating the actual thing. The best part of it - at then end of this experiment he actually lost weight - ten pounds to be exact. It seems that a recent Carnegie-Mellon study showed that people who repeatedly pretended to eat their favorite foods actually satisfied the craving for them. It started off with M&M's and then Mr. Alford took it a step further.

Is this a good idea? Actually the author also tried imagining eating high calorie treats when he was eating low calorie ones. he also conducted the test during trips to culinary rich countries such as France and Germany where many a diet was destroyed.I have a better idea. Why not let yourself have a small version of what you desire every now and then. It's a break from eating healthy foods and something to look forward to once in a while. Have that cream puff but once a month or every two months . Enjoy that overloaded bacon cheeseburger and fries but once a season.Don't deprive yourself of the things you love. Just cut down on them.

Dieters will do and try anything to shed pounds. Sometimes the best bet is just moderation. Don't go overboard every day with favorite foods. Stave off them. That's how you really lose the weight.