Polenta A Winter Favorite

Polenta is one of those dishes that signifies winter. It can accompany any main dish from chicken cacciatore to a good hunter's gravy filled with pork bits. One of the best aspects of it is that it's super easy to make  and like a fashion basic can go with anything. It's also versatile, going from steamed to grilled, the perfect all around ingredient.

This Northern Italian staple was the star of an article in yesterday's New York Times Dining section A City Kitchen. Dave Tanis, the column's author really wrote a valentine to this simple dish made only from ground corn mush. He gives really good advice (that I ,even growing up with it, didn;t even know)>Polenta comes in three types of fineness. course, medium and fine. Also the longer you cook it the better tasting it will be. The mush becomes too bitter of you take it away from the flame too early on. The longer in the pot th sweeter it will be because the cornmeal swells and basically burst with flavor.

Mr. Tanis gives some pretty good recipes aw well. He grills the polenta into squares and serves it with tomatoes and eggs. The last is classic Piedmontese, adding the polenta gives ti a new twist. He also stuffs it with spinach along with ricotta and fontina, letting the mash  have a crunchy top. For me the best is either stuffed in Savoy cabbage, popular in northwestern Torino where my great grandfather came from or reheated and served as a base with sunny side up eggs. This last is a great way of using leftover polenta (along with the heavenly taste of egg yolk mixing with the corn flavor)

Polenta is a great winter dish anyone can make. Try it a variety of different way to discovers it's creamy texture and taste. Once you;re hooked, that's it. You're a polenta affectionado for life.

Replacement Time

Let's face it. Appliances sometimes have a short life. Any kitchen one is considered ancient if it lasts more than fifteen years. When to replace? That depends on you and what you've bought. Refrigerators and stoves can be with you for decades. When they start smelling funny ,as when a fridge does, then it s time to look at new ones. if a part of your stove doesn't work, then start looking at new ones.Keep in mind though ,if it's under five years old, you will still have it's warranty. Even a ten heard old appliance can be fixed, especially if It's a minor part. dishwashers should be replaced every fifteen years, especially if you used them twice a day every day. What about those other gadgets that make our lives easier? Microwaves take a daily beating. We use them constantly , for almost everything.Sadly enough they 're only good for ten years and Should be replaced then.Toaster ovens are a different affair. the older ones can last for decades while the newer ones fizzle out after only two years. It depends on what brand you buy and the warranty. most should last five to ten years .If it's not heating properly or burning toast then replace it.Blenders can last twenty-five years. Good to know if you're thinking of getting one for a shower, wedding or anniversary gift. Appliances really never last forever. They do need to be replaced no matter what the brand or the quality. if you have it too long, think about replacing it.

An Old Fashioned Toaster

Every kitchen today has a million appliances. There are gadgets that slice dice and pit. We have appliances that shake , bake and make all sorts of treats. We have mini ovens for creating fresh pretzels and yummy cake pops. Yet nothing beats an old fashioned toaster. This was the first modern gadget used in kitchens around the world and is still being used today.

As long as there's been bread , there's been toasting. In fact the name comes from the Latin tostum  to scorch or to burn and it was a great way of prolonging the life of the family loaf.Before 1893 , most people using toasting prongs , thrusting their bread into open fires.The first electric toaster was made in Britain in 1893 in the United Kingdom. The company was Stephen J. Cook and Company., The gold standard of American toasters,General Electric introduced theirs in 1909. By mid century , toasters were a standard of every kitchen, being the housewarming or shower gift of choice.

Toasters today really haven't strayed from their first pop up ancestors, first made in 1919.There are four and two slots along with those who have allowances for bagels and waffles. Toasted bread is a great addition to any sandwich , adding crunch and texture. There's nothing like a lightly toasted BLT or ham and cheese. Also good is just starting the morning off with a toasted rye loaded with butter and jam or jelly to start off a morning. Some toasters allow you to toast rolls too. and these again are a great way to start off a day.

The toaster may not be as fancy as any of these modern gadgets. Yet it has stayed steadfast and true for over a century. It gets the job done without any bells and whistles while producing a tasty treat

Recrunching Granola

Granola has had crazy roller coaster ride since it's introduction to the American diet four decades ago.It has been loved by flower children and exploited by every cookie and cereal maker.it's taking on a new life with moms who want a healthier snack or breakfast for their kids. Granola is primarily an American invention, being First created by Dr. Connor Lacey In 1894. There were some name variations such as granula by Alex Lacey. Granola is a mix of oats , puffed rice raisin, honey along with dried fruits , nuts and even chocolate chips. first dismissed as a "hippie" food, it slowly gained acceptance as an alternative to those overly processed breakfast cereals. It's everywhere now from gracing brand name yogurts to the ubiquitous breakfast and energy bars. If it's made right , it is good for you. the best bet are the all natural brands coming from smaller or boutique companies. Most stores now sell all natural hand made granolas. This kind is good as a snack or breakfast. Just make sure that it is all natural and the ingredients are pure. Granola is easy to make and the Web is chock full of good recipes by both top chefs and ordinary home cooks. be creative. Add some fun surprises such as sunflower or pumpkins seeds for crunch and a kick of saltiness. for some sweetness think dried cherries or cut up dried apricots. You can also try the traditional route of adding raisins and almonds , along with walnuts. for sweetening ,go the natural route of honey, cinnamon and brown sugar. avoid using refined white sugar at all costs. Granola is a good and healthy addition to any diet. Make it or buy it.Either way' you and your family will enjoybthis good for you American classic.

ChicjPeas Versatile And Fun

Chickpeas are always a great addition to any dish. They can be tossed into a salad for texture and protein or added to a stewed Moroccan style lamb or chicken for extra flavor. They are also good on their own a tasty snack whether dried with sea salt or right out of the can and sprinkled with some olive oil and parsley.All in all they're not just good for you but also great for varying your diet.

They were the subject of A City Kitchen article. in yesterday's New York Times Dining section. Dave Tanis wrote about and explored this humble little legume's impact. It is primarily known for being the only ingredient in hummus. It's also  a main part of pasta e fagioli, adding a creaminess to this classic Italian soup while the French make a zesty salad with them. Chick peas also known as garbanzos in Spain make up most of the tapas snack dishes. They are a big part of Middle eastern cuisine where they originated in Turkey

Mr Tanis gives his readers and us good recipes . He does recommend using the fresh or dried ones as opposed to the canned variety.The taste is a lot better and definitely adds to whatever dish they're in. He offers a spicy Spanish soup with the Iberian sausage , chorizo and greens.He also recommends them in a the traditional Indian masala where you can use the black kind. Chickpeas can also be used in North African cuisine too and work well with the spices that are used.

Chickpeas are a wonderful and versatile ingredient. You can use them any way you want. They're one of the best legumes to use for any cuisine, whether for a homey pasta e fagioli or an exotic masal or tapas.

The Sweetness Of New Orleans

New Orleans has always been known for it's amazing mix of Cajun and Creole cuisine.The city rocks,and bubbles with theism,ells of blackened fish and fried chicken.What most people don't know is that this true American gem has a sweet side.Yup,Narleans has some of the best cakes and sweets in the United States.There are some delicious treats coming out of The Big Easy. The city's sweet side was the main article in today's New York Times Dining section.Julia Moskinhad the awesome task of reporting about some. Of the city's sweet history as well as sampling cakes and other treats.It was more than fate that made the city a sweet city.Many sugar plantations were located right outside New Orleans and the sugar was then shipped from there to the world.This probably led to the world's first candy sellers, the pralinieres, women who stood on street corners, selling pralines, a creamy mix of pecans and brown sugar. Later immigrants, such, as the Sicilians brought the cool treats of gelatonand granita which led to the city's passion for shaved ice. New Orleans is primarily known as for it's King Cake , a buttery ,flaky layer cake decorated with the Mardi Gras colors of gold, green and purple.It is sold between Epiphany and Mardi Gras and has a baby doll, representing the baby Jesus hidden inside. the one who finds the figure has to buy the next King cake. there is also the doberge cake, another sweet layered confection first created in the 1930's. This is filled with a creamy custard and has an icing.of course The city is known for beignets, those fluffy dough balls fried and then Dusted with powdered sugar. New Orleans has always been known as a culinary town. Now, it's also known as a sweet city, thanks to it's sweet treats. it is full of goodness and sugar.

Magic Mushrooms

Is there such a thing as a superfood? Yes, and it comes in the form of the mushroom.This humble mushroom can help you conquer life threatening diseases along with improving your quality of life. Too good to be true? No adding mushrooms to your life is definitely beneficial and tasty too. These fungi are chock full of health benefits. the Japanese versions, such as the maita and shiitake contain tumor suppressors.Others , such as the oyster help alleviate HIV symptoms.A lot of mushrooms help with lowering diabetes and weight.There is a caveatbthoigh. because the flesh is absorbent, they tend to pick up minerals and pesticides.Try to buy the organic version at all times. Can you grow them at home? You can but they won't be as successful a crop as your regular garden veggies.Do not try foraging unless you're an export. Most wild varieties are highly poisonous. There are so many different types of mushrooms that finding yummy recipe won't be much of a problem.Mushroom risotto is easy to make and always a crowd pleaser. You can use any kind however porcini are the best. Portobellos are one of the most versatile and tastiest(and , it is true, they do take like steak) Try them stove grilled or oven baked.You can even julienne them and toss into a fresh spinach salad. If you want a more exotic dish try stir frying shiitake or maita mushrooms with water chestnuts, Ginger and bean sprouts.Want simple? then try the old fashioned bread crumb stuffed white caps, bursting with flavored crumbs, chopped mushroom stems and parsley. Improve your diet by adding the many varieties of mushroom. This super food is super tasty. try it in a creamy risotto or grilled like steak. Any way you serve it, it 's good for you.