Hot Dogs Your Way

This is the season for those little doggies. Nothing goes better together than hot dogs and warm weather. What's great is you an cook them in variety of simple ways. What's even better is that you can have them anyway you like,with a variety of toppings on different breads. Hot dogs are the most versatile of summer foods.

Like most people prefer a plain hot dog. Unlike most other dog lovers I eat ones made from soy. I do crave the real kind and get them occasionally at my favorite place, The Galloping Hill Grill in Union ,New Jersey.However I have a mostly vegetarian household so real meat is out of the question.The soy pups aren't bad . I just fry them in margarine and serve on a toasted roll or on a slice of just plain white or rye bread.Since I am also German, they're served with sauerkraut although I prefer a gherkin or a spoonful of piccalilly on the side.

You can make hot dogs anyway. Another tasty variation is wrapping them with bacon and then grilling them..The bacon fat adds more flavor and they have a smokier, saltier taste.Also you can load up your dog and buns with chili, hot relish and hot peppers for a spicy treat. Cheddar dogs are also popular. I'd recommend using the sharpest cheddar out there to give them some bite.

Ho dogs are like the little black dress of summer cooking. You can dress them down or up, depending upon your tastes.have them plain on a a simple slice of bread on time. The next add anything you want and serve on a toasted bun. They let you be creative while having fun.

Strollo's Italian Ices A Jersey Shore Classic

The Jersey shore and Italian ices go hand in hand. After all , what's a perfect ending to a relaxing day at the beach than a cool, creamy and flavorful Italian ice. There are many that dot the shoreline but one stands out and that's Strollo's Lighthouse Ices of Long Branch ,New Jersey.The Strollo's have been serving ice since the 1930's They've added a few mor e locations and types n those seventy odd years but they still produce top quality frozen treats.

When I first discovered Strollo's Ices about twenty years ago, they not only had their trademark product but also sausage and pepper sandwiches to celebrate their Southern Italian heritage. There were also just a handful of flavors too. I loved their cherry and chocolate ices and it was always such a pleasure to get them.Now they've moved to a specially built ice stand with a large parking lot and table area. The sandwiches are gone however there are plenty of different ices and soft ice cream that you'll enjoy.

I decided to try their lime ice and it was worth it.It was cool and tangy, creamy and smooth Unlike some ices this was not grainy or watery. Plus the taste was refreshing. Strollo's has added mango , peanut butter(!) cappuccino and blueberry to their original list and strawberry ice cream to their original chocolate and vanilla ones. I plan on going to nearby Monmouth Beach at least one a week this summer so I ' will sample all of Strollo's flavors.

There's nothing like the Jersey shore for fun in the sun. Afterwards stop off at Strollo's for a refreshing frozen treat.It's the perfect end to a beach day!

Foodies Entrepreneurs

Yesterday's New York Times' Dining section had an interesting article about small time foodie entrepreneurs..It seems these hard economic times have pushed foodies to not only get creative but also down to business when selling their specialities. If you have a talent or specialty then sell it to the crowds.

The article written by Dining regular Julia Moskin tells of New York foodies who want to make it big in the food trade. Some are very creative selling cake pops ( specially made cakes that can be put on top of a Popsicles stick) to empanadas. A few even offer smaller versions of their wares to lure customers in. If you're in New York City ,whether living or visiting there, go to these markets such as the Greenpoint Food Market in Brooklyn, The New Amsterdam Market at the South Street Sea port or the Hester Street Fair. These places offer a unique variety of different homemade goodies from granolas to Mexican Popsicles.

Unfortunately these independent vendors may be endangered. As of May 25th the New York Department of Health decreed all food vendors must have a licence to sell their wares. They also can not cook or bake in their kitchen and must use commercial ones. This is all well and good for the consumer however for the food sellers this means paying up to $200 for use in a restaurant kitchen or bakery. It seems to me not worth it and I would either get a loan or backers for more cash to spend on a proper retail space.

You have to love foodie entrepreneur. When they have an idea , they'll go forth and cook and bake it no matter what the cost. The best part of their independent spirit? Other foodies get to taste and enjoy their fruits of labor.

Just Beachy Food

Summer is here and it's time to hit the beaches. What comes with that is the bathing suits, towels, sunblock and of course food. What to bring? The easiest would be sandwiches but if you can grill then bring burgers and dogs. Some beaches even have their own snack bars eliminating the what to eat problem.

I usually just go to my local Subway to get a hero and iced tea. I don't have to worry about lugging a cooler and loading it down with sandwiches and drinks. It satisfies me and it's a healthy alternative to getting something fried. Salads go well at the beach however avoid any dressing with a mayo base. Mayo turns quick in hot weather and that could lead to food poisoning (something you don't want when you're enjoying surf and sand) . Go for an herb infused vinaigrette that will keep better. You could also use this a dip for loose veggies such as broccoli florets, grape tomatoes and cauliflower bits.

What to drink with your beach meal? Soda is OK but it is dehydrating and you'll wind up drinking more.A better choice is any kind of water like Fyxx Hybrid Caffeinated water or Vitawater. The first is infused with caffeine and will give you the energy for swimming or volleyball games. The second comes in a variety of different flavors and has zero calories, perfect for keeping that bikini bod.

This is the season to hit the beach . Hit the surf and sand with good food and good drink for a more enjoyable day out.There's nothing like it!

Hot Weathr? Order Out!

No one feels like cooking when the temps soar. You're hot, you're tired,you;re sticky.Why stand over a grill or stove? That only adds to the uncomfortable feeling. Order out. You can splurge and get those fries you've been or enjoy that cool salad, a perfect reward after a day's work.

If you're worried about the sodium and fat in take out, then choose wisely.Every fast food chain has their dishes' calories long with other RDI's listed. Your local Italian and Chinese restaurants wont have this however. Try to get lunches and dinners without a lot of embellishment. Nix the heavy sauces and cheeses. Try boiled dim sum dumplings with just a scallion and soy sauce or an old fashioned pizza sans the mozzarella. These don't have any extra calories. They're just good simple foods that are made with fresh ingredients.

I also recommend going to your local grocery for dinners when it's just too hot. You can pick up some really nice stuff, like grilled chicken or turkey breast There's also a variety of other dishes. like crab cakes and meat loaf with gravy. A lot of supermarkets, like the A&P,feature a large variety of salads.I love the already prepared asparagus salad along with their potato salad.

Close the kitchen when the temps soar. Give yourself a break from cooking. There's nothing wrong with ending a summer day with take out food,

A Good Memorial Day

To all my American foodies out there:

Have a very good Memorial Day. Just remember that the barbecue you're enjoying was made possible by all those brave men and women throughout American history who gave their lives for freedom. Celebrate but do so with thoughtfulness.

Tea Time Tradition

I've recently gotten into the habit of putting sugar and lemon in my tea. I've always preferred plain but now I'm craving the tart sweet addition. I usually prefer my brew without anything. Now I no longer like the simple strong taste but want to amp up my cup.

Hot tea doesn't always have to have the addition of lemon and plain white sugar. You can sub lime juice for the lemon to make it more exotic . I thought of doing that and it would be refreshing in iced tea. You can also try brown granulated raw sugar too. Lavender infused honey is also a great sweetener and it can be used in both hot and iced teas. Another popular taste is mint. This too goes well in any kind of black tea . Wild mint grows in abundance so you can even pick some during a hike or from your backyard.

What teas go well with flavoring? I found just a simple black oolong goes well. I do like the slightly orange flavored Lady Grey for my morning cup however it doesn't need anything. Red or bush teas just require a simple sweentener like a half teaspoon of honey or sugar. I was drinking this last year thanks to the HBO series .The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency.It is a robust tea more suited to winter than summer.Other teas that require no additions are the soothing chamomile and the sturdy Earl Grey varieties.

Well, for now I'll enjoy my afternoon tea English style. I like the way my oolong mixes with lemon and sugar to create a relaxing drink. All I need to finish it are some scones and clotted cream.