Everyone's raving about the benefits of agave. Celebrities can't live without it. It's creeping into regular folks diet s, too. This low calorie sweetener could be a trend ,.it could also become mainstream and here to stay thanks to all its' positive claims.
What is agave exactly?It's part of the succulent family, sort of similar to aloe vera. It;s gown mostly in Mexico and in the American Southwest. The sugar comes from a rush of sap at the base and this is called agave nectar or agave syrup. The section is called pina and resembles a pineapples. Pinas can grow between 50 and150 pounds.The agave plant has long been used to make tequila however it;s only in recent years that the nectar is now prized.Agave nectar tastes like a milder form of honey.
Agave is the new love of dieters. It's low in calories and makes the perfect sugar substitute However research has found that it doe shave it;s detractors. According to some research it can cause everything from diabetes to liver problems to even heart attacks. It's not the guaranteed health food some may think it is. The plus is that you may not gain weight if you add it to your cooking or baking. if you are curious there are sites that offer free samples(however you do have to pay for shipping and handling)
Is agave here to stay? Probably - however it will lose its' popularity when the next greatest thing comes along.Use it now see what you think. As with all foods, it works best in moderation
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Gadget Crazy(And A Contest Too)
Are you addicted to anything that's going to make your cooking process simpler? Do you get more excited than a foodie in a gourmet shop at those infomercials? Do you have your credit card out , waiting to buy? Then you may be addicted to gadgets.Yes, those interesting items that supposedly whip, blend chop, fry, dice, whatever - that makes our prep time easier and much more fun,
Don't be ashamed. I'm the biggest gadget buyer out there. I recently had to buy a rotostirrer (actually I bought two for the price of one) I couldn't resist the commercial or the price ($19.99 without shipping.This little gadget which looks like a cross between an alien space craft and a whisk promised me a hands free stirring . That sounded intriguing and I knew I had to get it. After all it would be perfect for when I make gravy. it would stir for me while I did other things in the kitchen. I have to admit it works I've tried it for stirring thick soups and it did okay. I do have to watch that it doesn't scrape the enamel and that i always have fresh batteries in it)
The roto stirrer is the latest line for my gadgets. One of my favorites though is the Vidalia Chop Wizard which is used for chopping what else Vidalia onions. I've used it for the onion when I've made guacamole however fresh onion can be too strong for me. I've used the chopper more for hard boiled eggs for making egg salad. I have to admit it's the perfect machine for that. I get evenly cut hard boiled eggs all the time. It doesn't mash them which produces a chewier, more textured egg salad.
Gadgets are one of my favorite addictions. There are so many out there that I'd love to buy and probably will. I have to admit they do make kitchen work fun.
Here's a question for all you foodies: what's your favorite gadget. Write in to Foodie Pantry and you may win a prize!
Don't be ashamed. I'm the biggest gadget buyer out there. I recently had to buy a rotostirrer (actually I bought two for the price of one) I couldn't resist the commercial or the price ($19.99 without shipping.This little gadget which looks like a cross between an alien space craft and a whisk promised me a hands free stirring . That sounded intriguing and I knew I had to get it. After all it would be perfect for when I make gravy. it would stir for me while I did other things in the kitchen. I have to admit it works I've tried it for stirring thick soups and it did okay. I do have to watch that it doesn't scrape the enamel and that i always have fresh batteries in it)
The roto stirrer is the latest line for my gadgets. One of my favorites though is the Vidalia Chop Wizard which is used for chopping what else Vidalia onions. I've used it for the onion when I've made guacamole however fresh onion can be too strong for me. I've used the chopper more for hard boiled eggs for making egg salad. I have to admit it's the perfect machine for that. I get evenly cut hard boiled eggs all the time. It doesn't mash them which produces a chewier, more textured egg salad.
Gadgets are one of my favorite addictions. There are so many out there that I'd love to buy and probably will. I have to admit they do make kitchen work fun.
Here's a question for all you foodies: what's your favorite gadget. Write in to Foodie Pantry and you may win a prize!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Coconut Oil Redeemed
Once upon a time coconut nut oil was rendered bad for you. It was high int transfat and caused clotted arteries and heart attacks. it was considered a monster . Now it's been redeemed Pure coconut oil is making a comeback amongst chefs and bakers, Suddenly it's the number one oil, even outdoing olive and canola oils in sales.
it was investigated in yesterday;s new York Times Dining section by regular writer , Melissa Clark. She even baked and cooked with it,being impressed by the way it works with other ingredients and the coconut flavor it lends to anything. Best of all it is good for you, being chock full of lauric acid. This compound increases HDL levels or high density lipoproteins. It has anti viral and anti bacterial properties as well as anti microbial properties. Translated it means it could help in alleviating everything from the HIV virus to simple acne.
How does it taste? Well like coconut but with nutty vanilla taste added as well. The oil now being used as a butter substitute for icing on cupcakes as well as in baking pie crusts. It's also good for sauteing vegetables giving them a slightly sweet, aftertaste. Cook it with bittersweet chocolate to form one of those hard Magic Shells that you can pour over ice cream. Coconut oil is sold in health food stores but also at any Fresh Fields store too.
Coconut oil is not a villain anymore. Buy the pure variety and experiment with it. The oil can go into any dish from dinner to dessert . Another good thing - it tastes like a yummy blend of coconut and vanilla.
it was investigated in yesterday;s new York Times Dining section by regular writer , Melissa Clark. She even baked and cooked with it,being impressed by the way it works with other ingredients and the coconut flavor it lends to anything. Best of all it is good for you, being chock full of lauric acid. This compound increases HDL levels or high density lipoproteins. It has anti viral and anti bacterial properties as well as anti microbial properties. Translated it means it could help in alleviating everything from the HIV virus to simple acne.
How does it taste? Well like coconut but with nutty vanilla taste added as well. The oil now being used as a butter substitute for icing on cupcakes as well as in baking pie crusts. It's also good for sauteing vegetables giving them a slightly sweet, aftertaste. Cook it with bittersweet chocolate to form one of those hard Magic Shells that you can pour over ice cream. Coconut oil is sold in health food stores but also at any Fresh Fields store too.
Coconut oil is not a villain anymore. Buy the pure variety and experiment with it. The oil can go into any dish from dinner to dessert . Another good thing - it tastes like a yummy blend of coconut and vanilla.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Live Longer, Eat Junk
Forget the healthy diets.if you want to live longer eat what's bad for you. That's the big article in this week's New York Times Dining section. Several octogenarians and nonagenarians have been interviewed and their dietary tips may be startling. It's not all healthy veggies and fruits that's keeping them going.
The article, written by Henry Alford, tells about three or four of these golden agers who have a passion for the golden fried. They have nixed the sugar and salt free diets and heartily dive into dishes that are laden with all the wrong things. Too many calories. too much salt, too much sugar. They even have copious quantities of alcohol , lovely mixed cocktails that would put twenty year olds under the table. Yet they survive. Lets face it, if these foodies lived this long without any problems then they can eat and drink whatever they want.
The secret though is what the French believe in - moderation. Have the occasional salty fried chicken and fries but don't make it a habit. Indulge in steak every so often, however temper it with sides of healthy good for you vegetables like spinach or carrots . Both veggies are chock full of needed antioxidants and vitamins. Desserts are fine but also have some healthy fruits too. As for drinking a mixed cocktail every now and then it's OK, Just watch yourselves. Too much of a good drink can impair balance which is extremely important in the elderly . It's basically a question of treating yourself and knowing when to pull back - which is good advice for any age.
Getting to three digits these days isn't as rare as it used to be.Most attribute this to a healthy diet, however that's not necessarily the case. Some live to a ripe old age thanks to the fatty foods, sweets and snacks!
The article, written by Henry Alford, tells about three or four of these golden agers who have a passion for the golden fried. They have nixed the sugar and salt free diets and heartily dive into dishes that are laden with all the wrong things. Too many calories. too much salt, too much sugar. They even have copious quantities of alcohol , lovely mixed cocktails that would put twenty year olds under the table. Yet they survive. Lets face it, if these foodies lived this long without any problems then they can eat and drink whatever they want.
The secret though is what the French believe in - moderation. Have the occasional salty fried chicken and fries but don't make it a habit. Indulge in steak every so often, however temper it with sides of healthy good for you vegetables like spinach or carrots . Both veggies are chock full of needed antioxidants and vitamins. Desserts are fine but also have some healthy fruits too. As for drinking a mixed cocktail every now and then it's OK, Just watch yourselves. Too much of a good drink can impair balance which is extremely important in the elderly . It's basically a question of treating yourself and knowing when to pull back - which is good advice for any age.
Getting to three digits these days isn't as rare as it used to be.Most attribute this to a healthy diet, however that's not necessarily the case. Some live to a ripe old age thanks to the fatty foods, sweets and snacks!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Spring Cleaning Your Kitchen
It's almost time for Spring cleaning and that means getting the kitchen in good shape. Yup throw out that black gunky stuff that was party food at Christmas, get rid of the appliances that don't work and defrost the freezer. A cleaner kitchen makes for a better one and now is the time to do it.
The most important thing is getting rid of food. Cold cuts can last only up to three days unless they;re the vacuumed packed ones. Then you can keep them two to three weeks tops. veggies will get wilty and brown - not to mention nasty smelling. Check expiration dates. Those salsas you bought for the Superbowl are more or less OK, depending on how much air has been let into the jar (Oxidation is food's worst enemy. it;s causes a lot of bacterias to grow over night). Also check pantries too. Flours only last so long otherwise they get wormy (little weevils tend to appear). Sugar is more or less OK as is coffee.
Another idea for Spring kitchen cleaning is to check your appliances Make sure they work properly. If their cords are starting to look frayed then toss them. You can easily get replacements (and on sale too at this time of year!) . Another idea is sharpening your knives .It's always good to have them rehoned once o twice a year.Of course the big thing is defrosting the fridge. This is an excellent time to also make sure that it's working properly. Check wires and underneath.Spring is also a good time to reassess the stove to see if it too is working properly.
Spring cleaning extends to every corner of the house, especially the kitchen. Start fresh by reassessing and throwing out. You'll be able to enter the season with a healthier, updated cooking and eating area.
The most important thing is getting rid of food. Cold cuts can last only up to three days unless they;re the vacuumed packed ones. Then you can keep them two to three weeks tops. veggies will get wilty and brown - not to mention nasty smelling. Check expiration dates. Those salsas you bought for the Superbowl are more or less OK, depending on how much air has been let into the jar (Oxidation is food's worst enemy. it;s causes a lot of bacterias to grow over night). Also check pantries too. Flours only last so long otherwise they get wormy (little weevils tend to appear). Sugar is more or less OK as is coffee.
Another idea for Spring kitchen cleaning is to check your appliances Make sure they work properly. If their cords are starting to look frayed then toss them. You can easily get replacements (and on sale too at this time of year!) . Another idea is sharpening your knives .It's always good to have them rehoned once o twice a year.Of course the big thing is defrosting the fridge. This is an excellent time to also make sure that it's working properly. Check wires and underneath.Spring is also a good time to reassess the stove to see if it too is working properly.
Spring cleaning extends to every corner of the house, especially the kitchen. Start fresh by reassessing and throwing out. You'll be able to enter the season with a healthier, updated cooking and eating area.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Party Planning
Spring is coming and with it a wealth of parties. There will be showers, small weddings, graduations and everything large and small in between. What do you do? Do you throw a bash in a big hall, or restaurant? Can you try to have it at home? What about a small barbecue? Or a series of them? So many questions but luckily they all have answers.
For anyone planning any big events this season there are three choices , restaurant,hall or someone's house. The best bet is a restaurant for groups larger than twenty(I would even say groups larger than ten). A restaurant can work with you to have a variety of menus or just an all satisfying buffet. You can work with them to tailor to meet needs and dietary restrictions.They will also throw in a dessert buffet too , depending upon the place. A hail is nice too but you have to have a good caterer to go along with it. A good thing about renting a hall though is that you can decorate it the way you want. Restaurants do have restrictions. Someone's home is nice but it;s just that someone's home. There's only one kitchen and one bathroom. at times.
Private homes aren't bad for smaller get togethers. There's nothing like relaxing in your yard and celebrating some event. with a close cadre of friends and family. There;s nothing like making your own barbecue or buffet.Again you can incorporate your guests with yours. Remember to keep it small. A party can get out hand when you have too many . You'll be running out of food or worrying about people's allergies With smaller groups you'll be able to manage everything from cooking to cleaning up yourself. There's also more of a chance of guests chipping in to help too.
Yes, Spring is on the horizon and with it the party season. If you are planning one go over the available options. Think about what you want. Then start mapping out the festivities
For anyone planning any big events this season there are three choices , restaurant,hall or someone's house. The best bet is a restaurant for groups larger than twenty(I would even say groups larger than ten). A restaurant can work with you to have a variety of menus or just an all satisfying buffet. You can work with them to tailor to meet needs and dietary restrictions.They will also throw in a dessert buffet too , depending upon the place. A hail is nice too but you have to have a good caterer to go along with it. A good thing about renting a hall though is that you can decorate it the way you want. Restaurants do have restrictions. Someone's home is nice but it;s just that someone's home. There's only one kitchen and one bathroom. at times.
Private homes aren't bad for smaller get togethers. There's nothing like relaxing in your yard and celebrating some event. with a close cadre of friends and family. There;s nothing like making your own barbecue or buffet.Again you can incorporate your guests with yours. Remember to keep it small. A party can get out hand when you have too many . You'll be running out of food or worrying about people's allergies With smaller groups you'll be able to manage everything from cooking to cleaning up yourself. There's also more of a chance of guests chipping in to help too.
Yes, Spring is on the horizon and with it the party season. If you are planning one go over the available options. Think about what you want. Then start mapping out the festivities
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Want Pure and Natural? Try Vegan Essentials
Years ago it was hard getting all natural food.You usually had to go to out of the way health food stores or scour your supermarket aisles Then came the Internet and with it search engine and goo s all natural food sites. One is Vegan Essentials which offers cruelty free and mostly all organic foods . You can get everything from breakfasts to snacks to party foods here.
Vegan Essentials is a great place for any vegetarian along with animal rights activist. here you can get tasty soy based main dishes like faux chicken nuggets and pulled pork . They taste like the real thing and are lifesavers when cooking for an all vegan household. There are even "chicken soup mixes that taste like the real thing with soy bits filling in for the bird. You can even buy fake soy meat loaf and fish flavored fingers too if you're craving them.Another plus is that Vegan Essentials also has some good cheese products as well as ethnic foods. They have a wide range of Indian and Mexican, perfect for vegans craving variety.
The site also offers some yummy sweets too. Here I found Sweet Money cookies as well as the Liz Lovely ones I wrote about yesterday. VE also offers some tasty all natural doughnuts and best of all that Midwestern treat Kringle! Theirs is rich and buttery , surprising, because it is dairy free (I don't know how they do it)! The site sells all natural gum and chocolate too! I think on my next visit , I'll order the all natural gumballs from Dylan and Delaney along with reordering these fantastic after dinner mints called Summerdown Pure Mints. These are bitter chocolate with a refreshing all natural mint added to them.
Vegan Essentials is perfect if you're looking for all natural, cruelty free foods. It's also good if you;re thinking of converting over to a healthier lifestyle. the food is still yummy whether it's a main meal or a snack. Visit them today and check out their other cool products too!
Vegan Essentials is a great place for any vegetarian along with animal rights activist. here you can get tasty soy based main dishes like faux chicken nuggets and pulled pork . They taste like the real thing and are lifesavers when cooking for an all vegan household. There are even "chicken soup mixes that taste like the real thing with soy bits filling in for the bird. You can even buy fake soy meat loaf and fish flavored fingers too if you're craving them.Another plus is that Vegan Essentials also has some good cheese products as well as ethnic foods. They have a wide range of Indian and Mexican, perfect for vegans craving variety.
The site also offers some yummy sweets too. Here I found Sweet Money cookies as well as the Liz Lovely ones I wrote about yesterday. VE also offers some tasty all natural doughnuts and best of all that Midwestern treat Kringle! Theirs is rich and buttery , surprising, because it is dairy free (I don't know how they do it)! The site sells all natural gum and chocolate too! I think on my next visit , I'll order the all natural gumballs from Dylan and Delaney along with reordering these fantastic after dinner mints called Summerdown Pure Mints. These are bitter chocolate with a refreshing all natural mint added to them.
Vegan Essentials is perfect if you're looking for all natural, cruelty free foods. It's also good if you;re thinking of converting over to a healthier lifestyle. the food is still yummy whether it's a main meal or a snack. Visit them today and check out their other cool products too!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
