Tacos have become a vital part of the American culinary landscape for a long time. People love them because of their ease and taste.Kids love them because they're just fun. This classic started off as other classics, as part of a regular diet.
The dish, as we know,started in Southern California, in San Bernardino, an hour east of Los Angeles. Its' history and evolution was the main topic of an article in today's New York Times' Wednesday Dining section. The piece, expertly investigated and researched by Times regular, Julia Moskin, tells how they were first made in Mitla, a Mexican cafe that has been around since 1937.Here, the tortillas were and still are fried golden yellow and stuffed with spicy beef and blanketed with iceberg lettuce. It's really a Cal Mex creation. There are other Mexican American combos such as bacon wrapped hot dogs wrapped in bollito rolls along with breakfast tacos (stuffed with Tater Tots) and Mexican hamburgers, pressed into a burrito (filled with pork rinds and beans).
Mitla is also known for inspiring the birth of that American classic fast food Taco Bell. It was in 1962 that entrepreneur Glenn Bell, was to cash in on the fast food craze. Jealous of his fellow Southern Californians, the Kroc Brothers of McDonalds fame. He had a stand across from Mitla and would watch the restaurants take out window garner long lines,Bell got the recipe from the cooks and the rest is history. He then went on to create one of the world's favorite dinners and also introduced the taco to the world.I'm glad he did.
The taco is a relatively healthy staple the wold loves, Thanks to CalMex cuisine it is a tasty reminder of the best of hybrid cultures. It is here to stay , in so many variations.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Food That Does Taste Good
It is hard to find a snack that's both tasty and healthy.However , the company Food Should Taste Better does just that.Ithas. Created tasty hybrid of chip and cracker that is simply delicious.Not only that it has made snack that leaves you feeling guilt free after a few nibbles.
Food Should Taste Good is relatively new in the world of snacks.Its creator Pete Lescoe came up with this healthy alternative to potato chips in 2006. These have no trans fats or artificial flavorings.Every flavor is made with all natural ingredients to produce a healthy and flavorful snack. They can be good with dips but also can be used in cassaroles or crumbling over a salad.
I recently bought their olive flavor.This was a tasty mix of black and green olives as well as the Greek Kalamata.There was also a hint of garlic salt as well.These would be perfect with a cream cheese garlic dip or even
A tapas spread. Food Should Taste Good also comes in a wide range of flavors from the sweet chocolate and kernel corn to hemp and white cheddar. The web site has a slew of great recipes that incorporate the chips into dishes as well as tasty spreads to try with them.
Food Should Taste Good is a revolutionary snack treat.It combines good ingredients and taste.It now is one of the most wholesome snacks on the market.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Bursts of Energy
The warmer weather brings about the need to exercise along with enjoying sports. With it comes the needs for both drinks and snacks . What are easy and fun to take with you? The first choice is the natural ones. These keep you energized and hydrated for as long as you;re exercising or just having fun.
Water is one of the most essential drinks to have with you for any activity. It keeps you cool and refreshed after a long bike ride or spirited softball game. It's also go for a quick wash if need be. There's nothing like a chilled bottle of clean , crisp spring water.Dasani and Aquafina have the best tasting ones although even a generic band like Stop and Shop's or the A&P's is also good. Another good thing about spring water is that it comes in a variety of bottle sizes from nips to the sports sizes. Water also comes in flavors too, if you want something sweet to go with your snacks. Gatorade is another excellent refresher it's multitude of types are perfect for everything from hikes to marathons.It also come sin a variety of flavors as well.
Food also plays an important part in re energizing. Protein is a must. It gives any active person a burst of energy. The best is either almonds or walnuts .They're easy to bring along and fun to eat. Another good snack are unsalted sunflower seeds.Again these are great because of the protein and vitamins. Fruit chunks or even a banana are other good snacks to breing along on a hike or to a sprting event game.. Melon is perfect because it also hydrates as well as [provides the essentials sugars to go on. Some people are into energy bars. Be warned however.They may be full of sugars along with preservatives. They also may not absorb into body as quickly as fruits
This is the season for activity. Keep hydrated and energized with the right drinks and foods. You;'ll not only feel better be play a better game!
Water is one of the most essential drinks to have with you for any activity. It keeps you cool and refreshed after a long bike ride or spirited softball game. It's also go for a quick wash if need be. There's nothing like a chilled bottle of clean , crisp spring water.Dasani and Aquafina have the best tasting ones although even a generic band like Stop and Shop's or the A&P's is also good. Another good thing about spring water is that it comes in a variety of bottle sizes from nips to the sports sizes. Water also comes in flavors too, if you want something sweet to go with your snacks. Gatorade is another excellent refresher it's multitude of types are perfect for everything from hikes to marathons.It also come sin a variety of flavors as well.
Food also plays an important part in re energizing. Protein is a must. It gives any active person a burst of energy. The best is either almonds or walnuts .They're easy to bring along and fun to eat. Another good snack are unsalted sunflower seeds.Again these are great because of the protein and vitamins. Fruit chunks or even a banana are other good snacks to breing along on a hike or to a sprting event game.. Melon is perfect because it also hydrates as well as [provides the essentials sugars to go on. Some people are into energy bars. Be warned however.They may be full of sugars along with preservatives. They also may not absorb into body as quickly as fruits
This is the season for activity. Keep hydrated and energized with the right drinks and foods. You;'ll not only feel better be play a better game!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Outdoor Movie Night
Drive ins used to the be the big thing in our American culture. However with only a handful left in the States , towns now are offering a movie night,.This is geared for the whole family from babies to grandparents.The problem is, unlike a regular movie theater, there is no ready and available food. What to bring that's good and tasty for the whole family? There are plenty of fun treats everyone will like.
Everyone likes some kind of cracker with a dip or topping. Rice chips are much more healthier than potato chips and they pack easily into a Styrofoam cooler or picnic basket. Serve with a store bought or homemade salsa for added fun. Pretzels are another easy bring along that everyone likes and they come in different shapes and sizes to suit individual tastes. Fruit and veggie kabobs also make wonderful snacks, especially for the tween set. Layer grape tomatoes , mozzarella cubes and olives or pearl onions for a savory fare. Try pineapple and melon chunks , interspersed with cherries or grapes for a sweeter snack.
Many families bring dinner to these events.Most usually just make the average sandwich and that's it/ Be a little more creative. Take Italian bread and fill it with everyone's favorite meats and cheeses along with a drizzle of olive oil and an sprinkle of oregano. Another idea, especially if there are adults is roasting a London broil or chicken beforehand and bringing it cold to the movies. These would be great with a chilled wine if you can sneak in a bottle or two. If not settle for some sparkling iced tea or juice. Add a cold roasted asparagus salad for a side or a red potato salad done Sicilian style with rosemary and olive oil.
A town's movie night is always fun . Make it even more so by bringing fun snacks and dinners that add more excitement. The family will appreciate a good classic movie and food that matches it.
Everyone likes some kind of cracker with a dip or topping. Rice chips are much more healthier than potato chips and they pack easily into a Styrofoam cooler or picnic basket. Serve with a store bought or homemade salsa for added fun. Pretzels are another easy bring along that everyone likes and they come in different shapes and sizes to suit individual tastes. Fruit and veggie kabobs also make wonderful snacks, especially for the tween set. Layer grape tomatoes , mozzarella cubes and olives or pearl onions for a savory fare. Try pineapple and melon chunks , interspersed with cherries or grapes for a sweeter snack.
Many families bring dinner to these events.Most usually just make the average sandwich and that's it/ Be a little more creative. Take Italian bread and fill it with everyone's favorite meats and cheeses along with a drizzle of olive oil and an sprinkle of oregano. Another idea, especially if there are adults is roasting a London broil or chicken beforehand and bringing it cold to the movies. These would be great with a chilled wine if you can sneak in a bottle or two. If not settle for some sparkling iced tea or juice. Add a cold roasted asparagus salad for a side or a red potato salad done Sicilian style with rosemary and olive oil.
A town's movie night is always fun . Make it even more so by bringing fun snacks and dinners that add more excitement. The family will appreciate a good classic movie and food that matches it.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Healthy Movie Food
The summer movie season is right around the corner and with it endless hours of eating. However most theaters offer a cornucopia of bad foods. There are ways to combat this and eat healthy while watching your favorite stars.
Popcorn , that perennial movie favorite and must have, is always at the movies. Unfortunately most have some kind of buttery coating which is loaded with transfat and calories. Depending on your movie theater you can decline the topping and just ask for just air popped or plain. You can also sneak some of your own home popped in too.Some theaters also offer snack sized bags of Planters nuts and almonds. Again these are better for you than the usual movie candy fare however be careful of the salt and whatever flavoring. Again sneak in a small baggie of plain almonds or even walnuts to tide you over. As for drinks, always opt for bottled water. It's the most refreshing and luckily theaters do push it more so than sodas these days.
What about sweets? Yes, those chocolate covered raisins and M and M s are tasty. They're not good. If you do want M &Ms see if they have the dark which has antioxidants and less fat than the milk chocolate and peanut ones. Some theaters do sell fruit strips or leathers which are great snacking.However again, think about bringing bags of "non messy" fruits, such as grapes or bananas(nothing too juicy because it could leave seats sticky). Also bags of Back to Nature cookies are always a fun treat . Remember to bring milk or all natural juice boxes with you to wash them down.
The summer movie season is coming and that means long hours sitting and snacking, Make those snacks healthy and enjoyable ones. They'll be as powerful and helpful as those super heroes on the screen.
Popcorn , that perennial movie favorite and must have, is always at the movies. Unfortunately most have some kind of buttery coating which is loaded with transfat and calories. Depending on your movie theater you can decline the topping and just ask for just air popped or plain. You can also sneak some of your own home popped in too.Some theaters also offer snack sized bags of Planters nuts and almonds. Again these are better for you than the usual movie candy fare however be careful of the salt and whatever flavoring. Again sneak in a small baggie of plain almonds or even walnuts to tide you over. As for drinks, always opt for bottled water. It's the most refreshing and luckily theaters do push it more so than sodas these days.
What about sweets? Yes, those chocolate covered raisins and M and M s are tasty. They're not good. If you do want M &Ms see if they have the dark which has antioxidants and less fat than the milk chocolate and peanut ones. Some theaters do sell fruit strips or leathers which are great snacking.However again, think about bringing bags of "non messy" fruits, such as grapes or bananas(nothing too juicy because it could leave seats sticky). Also bags of Back to Nature cookies are always a fun treat . Remember to bring milk or all natural juice boxes with you to wash them down.
The summer movie season is coming and that means long hours sitting and snacking, Make those snacks healthy and enjoyable ones. They'll be as powerful and helpful as those super heroes on the screen.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Kid Crusader For Healthy Food
Kids are usually the first to balk at healthy eating. However tween Marshall Reid is the first to actually promote it as well as relish it. This North Carolina kid is becoming a revolutionary force in the healthy eating campaign , pushing other school kids across the country to follow his example. The best part is it's working and he's able to change diets as well as attitudes.
Marshall's story was the highlight of yesterday's New York Times Dining section. The interview, conducted by Jan Hoffman tells of a bullied child, teased for his weight and how he took control of both. He decided to go the opposite of the movie"Supersize Me" and portion sized his eating habits. He lost weight and drove down his weight. Exercise also helped however switching from processed and fast foods was the real benefit. Gone was all the extra salt and sugar and in its' stead fresh fruit and veggies. It also helped that Marshall took an interest in cooking too. He also prepares healthy and fun dishes for himself and his family.
Marshall is now reaching out to kids throughout the US and the world with his good eating habits and advice. He has several You Tube videos that are entertaining and informative (it's no wonder this personable kid has a large fan following.) as well as his book Portion Size Me, that he wrote with his mom Alexandra.With her , his dad, Dan, and older sister, JordanMarshall holds quiz shows entitled Healthy Snack War Challenges in which grade schoolers have to answer questions about nutrition and food. He is doing as much as British chef, Jamie Oliver, is in trying to change our young's eating habit. He is succeeding and getting fellow grade schoolers away from burgers and fries, chips and soda..
Give Marshall Reid a few more months and this champion of kid's eating might even have his own TV show. Despite his age he is a maverick in getting America's youth to eat properly . Thanks to him , we just may have a generation of healthy eaters.
Marshall's story was the highlight of yesterday's New York Times Dining section. The interview, conducted by Jan Hoffman tells of a bullied child, teased for his weight and how he took control of both. He decided to go the opposite of the movie"Supersize Me" and portion sized his eating habits. He lost weight and drove down his weight. Exercise also helped however switching from processed and fast foods was the real benefit. Gone was all the extra salt and sugar and in its' stead fresh fruit and veggies. It also helped that Marshall took an interest in cooking too. He also prepares healthy and fun dishes for himself and his family.
Marshall is now reaching out to kids throughout the US and the world with his good eating habits and advice. He has several You Tube videos that are entertaining and informative (it's no wonder this personable kid has a large fan following.) as well as his book Portion Size Me, that he wrote with his mom Alexandra.With her , his dad, Dan, and older sister, JordanMarshall holds quiz shows entitled Healthy Snack War Challenges in which grade schoolers have to answer questions about nutrition and food. He is doing as much as British chef, Jamie Oliver, is in trying to change our young's eating habit. He is succeeding and getting fellow grade schoolers away from burgers and fries, chips and soda..
Give Marshall Reid a few more months and this champion of kid's eating might even have his own TV show. Despite his age he is a maverick in getting America's youth to eat properly . Thanks to him , we just may have a generation of healthy eaters.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Le Saison Du Poi
Spring brings about one of our most favorite vegetables - the pea.Like asparagus it means that warm weather is just around the corner.It also bursts with just picked flavor. Spring peas are wonderful in a variety of ways, from the traditional to the avante garde.
The legume was the subject of the Letter From Paris section in today's New York Times Dining section. The column;s author, Elaine Sciolino was lucky enough to travel to every foodie's fantasy - Provence where she dined at the famed eatery L'Oustau de Baumaniere . The restaurannt is mainly known for its' guests, ranging from Queen Elizabeth II to Saddam .Hussein. The famous and infamous aside the restaurant is known also for its' almost celestial tasting dishes.Right now the seasonal pea is its' star.This is peak season for the legume and there are a variety of dishes that L'Oustau's chef creates. The French love peas.In fact Charlemagne planted several plants in his garden.
The best way that Ms. Sciolino had them is probably the simplest. These were seasoned with pork belly and butter. She then returned to New York where she received lessons in how to cook them from Guy Savoy , chef at New York's famed Arc de Triomphe. For anyone who wants to cook fresh ones right now, remember that the smaller ones are the best. They have the sweetest flavor as opposed to the bigger ones. These are probably older and have a tough , mealy texture. She also learns how to cook pea pods which are usually discarded. The secret is to peel away the tough , translucent inner membrane, The best way is to have peas with butter which complements the sweet earthy taste. Some use them in soups and salads. There is even a green pea ice cream that capitalizes on its' sugary flavor.
Spring brings all sorts of greenery, including peas bursting with flavor. Add this seasonal treat to your Sunday dinners or weekday meals. They're a great way of celebrating the season!
The legume was the subject of the Letter From Paris section in today's New York Times Dining section. The column;s author, Elaine Sciolino was lucky enough to travel to every foodie's fantasy - Provence where she dined at the famed eatery L'Oustau de Baumaniere . The restaurannt is mainly known for its' guests, ranging from Queen Elizabeth II to Saddam .Hussein. The famous and infamous aside the restaurant is known also for its' almost celestial tasting dishes.Right now the seasonal pea is its' star.This is peak season for the legume and there are a variety of dishes that L'Oustau's chef creates. The French love peas.In fact Charlemagne planted several plants in his garden.
The best way that Ms. Sciolino had them is probably the simplest. These were seasoned with pork belly and butter. She then returned to New York where she received lessons in how to cook them from Guy Savoy , chef at New York's famed Arc de Triomphe. For anyone who wants to cook fresh ones right now, remember that the smaller ones are the best. They have the sweetest flavor as opposed to the bigger ones. These are probably older and have a tough , mealy texture. She also learns how to cook pea pods which are usually discarded. The secret is to peel away the tough , translucent inner membrane, The best way is to have peas with butter which complements the sweet earthy taste. Some use them in soups and salads. There is even a green pea ice cream that capitalizes on its' sugary flavor.
Spring brings all sorts of greenery, including peas bursting with flavor. Add this seasonal treat to your Sunday dinners or weekday meals. They're a great way of celebrating the season!
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