Be Daring In The New Year

This is the time for resolutions.Most go for a better and heather dietOthers vow to give up certain foods.Why not be different and be daring?Make 2013 the year of trying new and interesting dishes . There are so many different foods and cuisines out there that's it's easy to explore.If you're tired of Chinese, then go for Thai or Malaysian. the food dissimilar but there are differences that give the cuisines zing. African cuisine is always an adventure and you can always get any recipes on line if you don't live near a major city.Arabian food itself is welcome change with it's rich lamb dishes and exotic couscous. Sometimes it's just a matter of changing up a recipe. Instead of the usual pizza, try one with shrimp or duck. Add a huge dash of hot pepper to your sauces for a spicy arrabiata.Switch from regular hamburgers to emu or bison for a leaner but tastier treat. try exotic grains or classic ones like quinoa or millet for a different mix up.Use more sauces if you don't already.Vary your veggies too for excitement. add asparagus and artichokes to your salads. Be fun and daring this New Year. See cooking and eating as new adventures. it'll heat up your kitchen and spice up your life!

Healthy Party Snacks

With New Year's around the corner , most people will be making a variety of different treats.Unfortunately the can be laden with calories ,salts and sweets. the answer is having tasty yet healthy party snacks. Crackers are always a good starter. instead of the buttery rich kind think the Swedish flat brods and Japanese rice crackers, You can top with chopped cucumber along with salmon. bruschetta is also healthy, because it uses simply tomatoes garlic and olive oil on thin slices of Italian bread. take away the cheese to strip it of calories. Hot hors d'ouevres can also be both tasty and healthy. try rice nests stuffed with anchovies and veggies.You can also fill then with tuna too. mini whole wheat pizzas are also a healthy treat too.You can use soy cheese which is much healthier along with toppings of chicken, and eggplants. if yours is a more Oriental theme then think spring rolls whack are light fun and crispy. let your guests feast on healthy but tasty fare.Mhake treat a that not only taste good but are good for them.It a nice way to indulge without the calories and fat.

Holiday Detox

After weeks of goodies and more treats to come it's nice to have a day or two of food detox.Putting a cap on your diet can 've a good and healthy thing. you get away from the rich and decadent holiday grub.Your body will feel better and so will you. Consider starting with simple meals. Have a breakfast of hot oatmeal mixed with sliced apples and cinnamon. another simple breakfast is scrambled eggs with whole wheat toast. As for lunch, kiss good bye to rhose lush holiday noon meals. simple turkey salad or even an avocado and tomato on whole wheat.Broth and crackers are another smart choice too. dinner can be grilled chicken or salmon with aside of asparagus or green beans. keep the drinks to a scant minimum as well. holiday snacking can be the worst. This is cookie season where those little fat bombs abound.Instead of reaching for a handful, reach for a handful of grapes. these are high in iron which help in preventing colds and flus. pineapple is another sweet treat that healthy.Salty snacks are also putinfull force too. stick with almonds which are the best along with walnuts. if you want salty and crunchy nix the chips. eat pretzels and even celery for crunch. take sometime out from the holiday richness. Have a day of detoxing from those holiday goodies,You 'll feel better.

Holiday Luxuries Caviar And Champagne

This is the time of year when snacking on  caviar and champagne seems completely normal. Why not?Christmas week and New Year's Eve and day are the perfect time for indulging in these rich treats. There's nothing like a nibble of caviar washed down with a bubbly based punch and cocktail.

Both these culinary gold standards were the topics of articles in yesterday's New York Times DIning section. Dave Tanis of City Kitchen  wrote about blini, those light and delectable Russian pancakes topped with caviar . Blinis(the plural) can be topped with anything from fruit to lox  however spreading caviar on them takes them to a whole new level.Like any pancake they are easy to make,using buckwheat flour  eggs and water. with the eggs being separated so the whites give them a fluffy texture. Caviar can be pricy however., Domestic can cost as much as $70 an ounce. Fo cheaper varieties try salmon or even trout roe(although even herring and lox would just as well) which are just as delicious and even lighter in taste

What would work well with this dish? A champagne cocktail,Robert Simonson., a newcomer to the Dining section revitalizes old fashoned champagne punch recipes. These were popular over a century ago during New York's Giulded Age (think Edith Wharton).A strawberry cobbler is a great twist on a fruity cocktail. It; just is a strawberry  along with a lemon wheel and simple syrup added to champagne.You can also try an Andean Dusk made with Peruvean grappa, Pisco .For something tamer (and something that will go with the caviar and blini) try a Champagne Julep. This is bourbon , simple syrup and champagne graced with mint leaves. You could also try the suggested Mayfair Delight which has the freshness of cucumber and lemon juices mixed with Cognac and fresh ginger along with agave nectar for sweetening.A caveat though, use a brut champagne. A sweet one will only turn the punch into soda pop.

Nothing beats a glam dish like caviar and champagne. Treat yourself to these lush foods. Now is the perfect time t indulge in them.

Indulgent Truffles

This is the time of year for rich foods and wonderful treats. Truffles, those aromatic mushrooms definitely fall into that category. If you;re lucky to live in or near a big city such as New York  you can easily buy them. They are a lush addition to any dish.

The fungi were the subject of an extensive article in today's New York Times Dining section. The piece was written by newcomer Eugenia Bone.Truffles re usually found in the Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy how lucky are my relatives who live there!).However they can also be found in the Pacific Northwest in such places as Oregon and also , surprisingly enough the Southern US where the Pecan truffle proliferates.They are still expensive, no matter where they 're grown, Truffles are hard to  raise, hence the exorbitant prices. They can go up to $350 an ounce.

Most good groceries and gourmet stores sell truffles, including the Piedmontese ones. However the smell and taste dissipate after a few days. This is due to  the mushroom being past its; prime.Also most buyers also have the trouble of buying the wrong ones. What they wanted for a particular dish  is mostly the wrong oneThere are about six different varieties of the plant.The Perigord and the Burgundy truffles are probably the most desired because of their respected flavors.Sometimes the truffles are packed with salt rice and flour, with the intention of their aroma getting absorbed by these mediums.It doesm;t work, The consumer winds up with an flavorless fungi surrounded by just rice ,salt, and flour.


Truffles are a decadent holiday treat. If you have extra cash buy yourself an ounce or two. Enjoy them anyway you can.

Merry Christmas Feast Heartily And Joyously

Ti all my readers feast joyously today! Celebrate with egg nog or rum punch! Enjoy that cr own roast or turkey!Pray for those who need love and food!Happy Christmas to.all my foodies worldwide! Liz

Christmas Eve And Sauce

Right now I'm in the middle of making a vegan Bolognese sauce. you read right. a vegan one with soy meat crumbles. I t will go with the already made ravioli and fennel salad. this is what I love about Christmas Eve, the fact that most of the world celebrates with centuries old family recipes. it laso means celebrating with special foods and sweets, usually deemed too special for everyday fare.It could be thirteen fishes in honor of Apostles or a prime rib to set off family gathering.All in in it's a time to celebrate one's faith and family .Food is the best way of doing this. Have a good holiday.Enjoy the joy as well as the foods of the season.Remember why we rejoice for our Lord's Birth. As for me, it's time to get back to the sauce.It's really a special meal for a special night.