Unsalted

Salt makes up most of our diets, surprisingly enough.We use it in everything from caramels to fries. However as we all know the white stuff can be bad for us , we can change our habits.We can wean ourselves off NaCl by using other spices and even a form of salt itself. It may take willpower but the end result is worth it. Flavor can come in a variety of ways.There are spices, herbs and even veggies that will enhance any dish. Try using onions or onion juice when making burgers or meat loaf.Lime or lemon juice can be used for chicken.Even orange juice can be used in making dressings for slaws and salads more delicious. Spices are a must . Try cumin or chili for livening up everything from eggs to stews. Also giving everything a little dash of pepper creates a burst of flavor as well.Think herbs too ,from the tried and true oregano to mint for rubs or marinades. Even though salt should be taboo adding a small amount of it can bring some liveliness to bland dishes. Be judicious and add only a few flakes. These are more intense in taste than regular grains so only a small amount will do.Get into the habit of buying sea salt over regular salt. There are many different varieties from lavender infused to the famed black tinted one.Also using sea salt will get you into the good habit of using less regular salt in restaurants and fast food joints. Going salt free may seem easier than what foodies may think. All it takes is creativity and willpower. it's the first step for a healthier diet and healthier life.

Bibi'z Elegant NJ Dining

Elegant dining and New Jersey usually aren't used in the same sentence. However there are cities,such as Westwood, Red Bank , and Westfield that are known as restaurant towns. Westwood has several excellent places. one is Bibi'z an eatery that combines style with culinary savvy. I had the chance to eat there last night with friends. the vibe is Village trendy without the snobbery.There is a slant on Middle Eastern cooking .Hummus and lamb feature in the appetizers as the last is also prominent in the main courses too. The lamb appetizer I had was excellent. It was two small and meaty Tbone chops ,perfectly grilled. the inside was just tender to the point of melting in my mouth.I also had Bibi'z soup of the day, a bouillabaisse that had what tasted like duck and chicken in it. friends had the shrimp and braised lamb shanks ,which were said to be excellent. Of course the champagne we had with our meal added another special touch.It was the California Roederer Estate which was very brut Bibi'z dessert menu was as elegant as the rest of their menu.I could not resist their small bowl of jasmine infused sabayon over a trio of berries .It was delicate and creamy ,denser from the usual egg rich froth. The tiramisu also very good.What I also liked Bibi'z attention to their tea and coffee. I had the choice of seven or eight different flavors. With it came a small tray of additions such as lumps of both brown and white sugar ,a small flagon of honey and tiny lemon wedges. My friend's cappuccino came with the same sugar along with small bowls of shaved chocolate and ground cinnamon. New Jersey is known for its' raucous diners with their big platters of comfort food.However there are, small elegant restaurants - bistros really - that serve four star foods .Bibi'z is one of them. Bibi'z is located at 284 Center Ave., Westwood New Jersey 07675 go to www.bibi'z.com for reservations and to see the entire menu

Four Legged Foodies

who would think that our cats and dogs eat better than us? Surprisingly it's true' especially in America where animals reign supreme in people's hearts. In fact they seem to be getting a wider variety than some of us. They also seem to enjoy a four star meal better than any can of tuna or chewed up bone. This was the subject of an interesting article in yesterday's New York Times Home section(why it wasn't inWednesday's Dining section is a mystery). William Grimes wrote the piece and even assembled his own test kitchen. The dinners, especially, the dog food ,looks amazingly like ours with it's bits of potatoes and peas. other meals have prawns, chicken with brown rice,eggs ,kale and even garlic.Animals have always loved table scraps so it almost seems natural that their foods are based on them.Pet food companies such as Merrick and the giant,Purina, are planning more human like dishes . Already they've recently introduced chicken pot pie and beef brisket to great success. How are cats and dogs liking them.Mr.Grimes did his own taste test with three of each. The cats loved the brand Tiki Cats Manana Luau flavor which has ahi tuna with tiger prawns in tuna sauce.Although cats love anything fishy (as cat parents like myself will tell you),these devoured it with gusto.There was also a creation that involved chicken and beef in pumpkin soup that kind of got them excited.The dogs were treated to Fromm Family Foods shredded pork with carrots ,peas and potatoes. This was eaten with relish and ended up in cleaned bowls.Feelings were mixed about a Peking duck flavor and French country cafe duck as well. We love our cats and dogs so much that we give them the best and tastiest foods. It means we have turned them into furry doodies with discriminating tastes. However ,they are worth it.

Wintry Twists On Two Old Favorites

Winter can be a time for experimenting with favorite foods. There's nothing like tweaking to create a new or better dish, one that is satisfying for  dinner.  Yesterday's  New York Times Dining section does just this. it offers a really interesting spin on chili and also on a summer classic  - fennel. They're a variation of their classic selves  and variations that liven up chilly grey days.

The first is a lamb chili. Melissa Clark decided to add this usually Middle Eastern meat to the classic Mexican in her A Good Appetite column, She added some Gallic flair by using white beans , as they do what French lamb stews as opposed to the usual red ones.Also more jalapeno was added to give the mild meat some bite. Cumin and coriander were also thrown in, perhaps a nod to the meat's strong Eastern Mediterranean background. She served it not with sour cream but with yogurt made form ewe's milk. The result was a chili both earthy and light .

The article directly below it, David Tanis' City Kitchen was about that all time summer fave fennel. Fennel is a great licorice flavored root, perfect for dipping in a vinaigrette. Here he bakes it, in a fennel al forno. He briefly blanches the chopped root and then bakes it with Parmesan,  and mozzarella cheeses along with peperoncino, garlic and surprisingly enough fennel seed to accentuate its' sweet , resonant flavor.It's  the perfect dish for vegetarians or as a side to any chicken or pork loin. Remember that any vegetable - and not just fennel can be made this way. You can try an onion or even a potato al forno for something different.

One classic dish and one classic root get comepletely different twists. The result may sound shocking but in fac they're delicious.Creating these new dishes are a perfect way to chase away culinary winter doldrums.

Le Chien Chaud

Hot dogs and France are rarely used in the same sentence. However one French chef is making this German American standard haute cuisine.It may take some convincing but the food snobbish French may warm to this standard.

This was the subject of an article in today's New York Times Dining section. Elaine Sciolino had the lucky chance of interviewing hot dog fanatic and three star chef Yannick Alleno. Even though he creates some of the worlds' best dishes Chef Alleno prefers a New York dog above all else. He dcided to bring this love back to Paris and tweak up the recipe. The result is a gourmet version and a much tastier one. Instead of the traditional pork, he uses veal and renames the dog veau chaud or hot veal. Veal is his signature meat. He has made some amazing dishes such as his famous tete de veau. The hot dog will be in the same tradition with , delicate ground veal , held together with a gelatin as opposed to casing.it is also cooked in a vegatable broth full of savory leeks, carrots and cloves.

The dog is then served in a crusty mini whole wheat baguette and slathered with a gribiche. This is a light sauce that can be made with capers, cornichons and of course, mustard. I'm sure other variations will follow. The veau chaud could be served inside an elongated puff pastry or even grilled for a bistro dog. Whether it will be as popular as steak au poivre or crepes remains to be seen.

Veau chaud may take a while to catch on in both cities.However once it does, Americans may forget about their traditional weiner. TheFrench may take it to heart too, making it as beloved as their croque monsiuer and croque madames.

The Best Romantic Meals Ever

Romantic meals are not only for today, Valentine's Day but for all year round. A home cooked meal is a good  way to celebrate anything from an anniversary to a weekend without the kids. The best part is that it doesn't have to be an elaborate one. Sometimes just a simply made dish says it all - "I love you."

Everyone thinks that the more elaborate the prep, the better the meal. Not so. Sometimes just grilled chicken or pork chops is the perfect meal for two.Make these more exotic and romantic by adding an easy pilaf or couscous as sides. Another way to go is homespun. A small or indvidual shepherd's pie  is a lovely dinner as is fried chicken, gravy and biscuits .Want fun? Then think dimsum - Chinese dumplings filled with favorite meats and veggies. These can be fried or steamed.Whatever way they're fun to make and eat - especially with chopsticks.

Some people love to create an elaborate meal for their beloveds. Pasta is always a good choice .It's a sensual feast .with delicates aromas and flavors. There's nothing like a homemade fettuccine with a creamy Alfredo sauce or spaghetti with a lush, Bolognese sauce. For something different try a linguine with clam sauce.It's the perfect romantic meal no matter what the season. Cornish hen is another good dinner for two choice.It can be served elegantly with a wild rice stuffing and new potatoes.A small roasted duck is also great for dining in.Have it with a plum sauce and sauteed veggies.

Today is definitely the day for a homecooked romantic meal. However a romantic meal can be made any time of the year. After all love is year round  - not just one day.

Homemade Valentine's Treats

There's nothing like loving from the oven. This is never more true on Valentine's Day when any kind of sweet can capture a beloved's heart. Nowadays it;s easy to whip up a batch of this or a tin of that in just few hours. Home bakers and candy makers can also show their creative flair too and allow their loved  ones some unique homemade goodies.

Any baked good is always appreciated. There's nothing like homemade chocolate chip cookies to finish off a romantic meal.if there's no time to gather up ingredients just get a stick of pre made cookie dough. After they're done cooling , dip them in microwave melted chocolate for added decadence. Heart shaped sugar cookies again are a fun dessert and they can easily be iced with pre made frosting, Sweet, coy or even suggestive messages can be written on them as wel. Better yet turn these treats, into sandwiches. Make an easy ganache of dark semi sweet chocolate and heavy cream  . After it cools then spread on the cookies and assemble. Tartlets are also fun to make and you can fill them with everything from fruit to nuts to dulche de leche.

Don't forget homemade candy is another great Valentine's Day gift. Fudge is easy to make and there are so many variations to play with. Try a few drops of mint extract for chocolate mint flavor. Add walnuts or almonds for a truly nutty fudge. For a fruitier version, toss in some dried cherries or blueberries. Haystacks are another fun and super simple gift to make. Melt any kind of  chocolate , add toasted coconut(it can be toasted  in a toaster oven) , mix together, and then drop spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Pretzel rods are also a yummy sweet and ,again, they're easy to create. Take average sized pretzel logs, dip in either melted caramel first or just any kind of chocolate, then roll in either chopped nuts or pink, white and red sprinkles. 

Homemade gifts are always appreciated. Whip up something decadent and sweet for your sweetie this Valentine's Day. They'll enjoy that it was made especially for them with love.