Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Mush Mouth

Having dental work and oral surgery is annoying along with being painful. The worst part is that you're on a really strict diet for a few days.Luckily you can make it work and more or less have the same foods you normally eat.

Unfortunately I had a back molar pulled today and was promptly told what to eat and not eat. No chewy meats like steak. No crunchy foods  like pretzels and chips. I can eat guacamole but not the corn chips that accompany them. Another  taboo - hot food which can dissolve the stitches in my mouth.Foods have to be tepid, room temperature or better yet cold foods. No crunchy Smarties (which got me into this mess in the first place). No popcorn - another culprit that could have damaged the tooth that needed to be pulled. Soft squishy tomatoes  are fine celery isn;t unless it's chopped up.Forget hot chocolate - way too hot and sugary. Very sugary drinks such as it and even icy sodas should be avoided for at least a day or two. They can irritate the raw extraction site. Warm coffee is fine  as is warm water . It 'll be another twenty-four hours before I can satisfy my Panera  and Starbucks cravings,

Of course my meals will be slightly altered. Thankfully I can have my daily breakfast of flavored oatmeal. My hot herbal tea will need a few ice cubes now. I can still have scrambled  or soft boiled eggs at home or at my favorite diner. Omelets are on the list too. I just can;t have a side of bacon and home fries.Corned beef hash is OK with it so I may try this new combo./ As for meals, clear soups such as vegetable broth is allowed along with pureed or mushy foods.Mashed potatoes are high on the list. They can be enhanced with a huge knob of butter or a few tablespoons of gravy. Polenta is also on the list. Cheesy polenta is even better.It's soft, creamy and chock full of protein.Baked mac and cheese is not just the comfort food that will get you through this but it's perfectly fine to eat. Another mushy pasta dish is pastina, those little stars  mixed with melted butter.It's also allowed. Yay! if you want something more nutritious  them have pureed beans and rice along with pureed yams.Finish with Hagen -Daz mini cups .


Extractions are a pain, both literally and figuratively, The restricted diet that goes with it is evne worse. Just - grin - and bear it  - and embrace the mushiness.

Monday, June 4, 2018

Starring Veggies

It is hard to be a chef in a vegetarian house. You have to be both creative and thoughtful  since there is no m eat as the main course. What takes over? The designated veggie. It s possible to have a rounded dinner or even holiday meal where veggies shine.

Most vegetarian and vegan home chefs usually fall back on tofu. There's Gardien and Morningstar Farms to give a sub in for the real thing. However , as any vegan home chef will tell you, these products get old quick.Gardien does have some delicious meat alternatives like   their burgers and beef tips, yet most of their products come with  accompanying sauces. These are only teriyaki and Mandarin sauce and there's not much to do with them ,other than serve them with broccoli and rice.Also many stores (such as mine) don't carry the full line so I'm stuck with making the same three or four dishes almost every day.Morningstar Farms is the same. Their soy beef crumbles are versatile ,I've put them in homemade tomato sauce, chili and some thrown together Chinese influenced  stir fries. Yet that's it. Pasta every day is not good.Again it gets old real quick. To vary my menu as well as adding color to  dishes I've  decided to have three different veggies each prepared different ways. One it get us out of the culinary doldrums, two, an all veggie meal means more nutrition and lower calories and three, it's a great way to enjoy a harvest of various flavors and textures. The key aspect to remember is use spices along with vegan butter and olive oil to create interesting main and side dishes.

One veggie that is recapturing the nation's attention is eggplant. It's not being turned in oil sodden Parmesan style but robust grill worthy steaks. These will definitely be the main course and they're easy to make..It's taking one eggplant and cutting it lengthwise into three planks or steaks. Drizzle olive oil and add dashes of sea salt and pepper. Just grill for four minutes on each side. You can also broil them for a couple of minutes too.What is great about eggplant is that's its a sponge. Marinate it however way you like and the marinade's flavor will soak in, creating a rich flavor. Spiralized zucchini is another good choice. Zoodles, as they're commonly called are easy to make along with being made by Birdseye . They are great just sauteed with butter and garlic. Since the veggie is heavily water laden, you don;t have to worry about the sauce. The water is cooked out and blends nicely with the oil and butter. You can sprinkle on some vegan Parmesan cheese for a pasta vibe. Cauliflower has become a main star thanks to the many ways to cook it. It's now a main dish as "risotto'. It has the same ingredients as a regular risotto, with white wine and sauteed onions. One dish on my radar is cauliflower risotto Milanese , the elegant Lombard dish made with saffron.

Let the veggies be the star of the dinner show. Get creative as you turn them into main dishes. They'll add color and zing to the meal.

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Good Foods, Good Teeth

Our teeth usually are the last body part we think of when we eat. Yet they, like our bones, need  healthy foods to thrive . A bad diet can lead to  bad dental problems which could lead to bad heart problems. The best way to avoid these is to give your choppers a diet rich in nutrients . The reward? A bright white smile!

There are reasons why parents freak out over their kids eating too much candy or soda.  These are loaded in sugar which mixes with bacteria. This then turns into an acid which breaks down tooth enamel. Also , a passion for sweets lasts well into adulthood and it;s hard to get out  the habit of wanting them. Start the little ones early with healthier treats such as apple or  pear slices.  Surprisingly bananas and raisins are high in sugar and not good for developing teeth. Kids love colas and other fizzy sweet drinks.Even juices are suspect, Let them drink milk or chilled water. What about flavored seltzer? There' no sugar in it, true, but the carbonation resulting from a hit of carbon dioxide can cause acids to form in the mouth. Even if you make it at home using a SodaStream, there;s a huge risk of cavities forming. A better bet is a chilled decaf herbal tea however make sure it's distilled. It can create problems in children so you may want to stick with fruit infused waters. These are easy to make,It's just taking any kind of fruit like pineapples or berries and infusing them in chilled water for four hours.

It's not too late for any adult to adopt a tooth healthy diet. Unfortunately our sugar habits are very much ingrained in us. One of our worst habits is imbibing too much coffee. Thanks to all these coffee shops, we're a country hooked on it. Caffeine does cause problems as well as creating halitosis or bad breath . It reacts with the mouth's bacteria which forms the corrosive acid that destroys enamel. You can have  your java fix but drink it quickly. Don't spend the day sipping it. That can lead to more harm. Also brush your teeth or at least rinse them after your daily cup. The same advice applies to tea too. Avoid the sugary extras like those chocolate and caramel drizzles or that pound of sugar you put into  your cappuccino. We have a tendency to snack  and unfortunately on the wrong kinds of food. Nix the afternoon Skittles and Oreos. As with kids, apples and pears are the best for your teeth. The fruit's rough flesh scrape the teeth much like a toothbrush. They also stimulate the mouth to produce more saliva which washes away the bacteria.  Raw carrots and celery  are also good for the teeth and also scrape away bacteria. If you do seriously crave sweets then go for dark chocolate. It's rich in flavanoids which help in oral health.

A healthy diet means healthy teeth. Eat right and you can have that bright white smile. It's not good genes that produce good bicuspids and canines. It good food.

Friday, June 1, 2018

Chicken Your Way

Chicken is one of the most versatile meats, especially now during barbecue season.It can be marinated , dipped in sauce or even coated to create a tasty lunch or dinner. What is great is that almost every flavor goes with it ,It could be citrus-y, garlicky or boozy. It will still come out flavorful.

Wings and legs are the best parts of the chicken for grilling. A whole one will have to be butterflied or spatchcocked to make sure every section is grilled. Grocery stores sell both and sometimes in a combined package. David Tanis wrote about wings in his City Kitchen column in Wednesday's New York Times Food section. He suggests getting the meatier wings or drumettes. It makes for a more filling eat. Less meatier pieces can be over marinated too , Meatier kinds soak a marinade but aren't overpowered by it. Do the pieces have to be prepped before being placed in any kind of sauce? No, in fact most chefs will tell you don't wash the pieces. Just start right away with what you want to do with them. The next step is deciding just what to do.. Longing for crunch ?  Then batter them and for a healthier chew  cook them on the grill. Marinating is another way to go. It's also a way to get creative with tweaking old recipes or create a new one. Another idea is just grilling the pieces and dipping them in any kind of sauce.

What ingredients work the best with wings and legs? Almost any kind. Mr. Tanis goes the Roman and Greek route with lemon and rosemary.Garlic and red pepper flakes give them zing. Although he bakes them on fingerling potatoes in the oven, they  can also be roasted on the grill. I would cook them separately and even would put the potatoes on the gill, for a crunchy , smoky side.  Lime can also be used  and is especially flavorful when mixed with soy and honey Orange can also add zing to chicken legs and wings. What is so great about this citrus fruit can be paired with honey for a sweet glaze or added to teriyaki sauce for a savory treat. Want more of a kick? Then use bourbon to spice it up.It's a sweet mix of the liquor and pineapple juice Hoisin and Worcestershire sauce are also added to balance out the flavors. Whiskey can also be used in a marinade. Just be sure that it's tempered with soy sauce or tamari.Another way to go is grill the chicken and dip the pieces into an old fashioned barbecue sauce. It 's a combination of ketchup, molasses and Worcestershire sauce with cayenne and garlic powders. You can add freshly chopped onions or onion powder along with shallots and scallions.


Chicken is a versatile meat that can be zinged up with any flavor.Try legs and wings in any combination for a tasty meal. Whatever ingredients work, go with them for a delicious barbecue.

Thursday, May 31, 2018

An Icebox Cake With Snap

Icebox cake is the de rigeur dessert of the summer. It 's the perfect end for a barbecue or even better  a warm weather birthday. It's a cool creamy treat, easy to assemble with already made ingredients. Now there's a new recipe with a snap to it.

Melissa Clark wrote about her creation - strawberry gingerbread icebox cake in her A Good Appetite column in yesterday's New York Times Food section. Usually America''s icebox cake consists of the ultra chocolate wafers mortared together with Cool Whip. Her version subs in Nabisco gingersnaps  "glued" together with a strawberry mascapone creme and topped with more strawberries, this time macerated with sugar, lime and ginger.Home chefs can use the chocolate wafers,also made by Nabisco. The taste is that of a chocolate covered strawberry - just omit the ginger and lime.Just remember, she warns, don't use any sandwich cookie like an Oreo. The middle stuffing will not soften and the cake will have hard, sugary pockets standing out in a sea of fluffiness. Another cookie that is good to use is the Nilla wafer. The effect is the same as the gingersnaps. Most of these cakes are held together by heavy whipped cream but marscapone. It's sturdier and mixes well with the strawberry puree. The final touch is  the macerated berries , with them being marinated them in white sugar, ginger and lime.The last adds a zing to a normally sweet treat.

One of the best aspects of making any icebox cake is that it doesn't require any skill. It's just layering  and building it up like bricks and mortar (not so with the Famous Chocolate Wafers. These have to be stood up to form a log)You could even increase the amount.Ms Clark has eight snaps per layer and the cake is four layers high. It could easily be expanded to serve a large crowd.Could graham crackers be used? Maybe not for this recipe but they can be a component for other icebox creations. Could home chefs change the fruit? Yes, but I'd use a tart fruit like blackberries simply because the cream is very sweet  thanks to the addition of a quarter of a cup of confectioner's sugar. Raspberries are another good choice thanks to their tartness.  What about mascapone? Many grocery stores only stock it occasionally. A good substitute is a homemade mix of  sour cream, cream cheese and heavy whipping cream.Blend together until smooth and use as the recipe directs.

A strawberry gingersnap ice box cake is a cool way to usher in the summer.It's different and fun full of spice and kick. Make this new hot weather classic to end a barbecue or celebrate a summer birthday.
.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Shyness and Sweetness Dolester Miles

To win the  James Beard award for pastry is an amazing feat. Usually the honor is bestowed on famed bakers whose' creations are known world wide. This year it went to a shy, self taught pastry chef from Alabama - not New York or Chicago or LA. The winner , Dolester Miles, is making a big impact in an understated way.

She was the subject of an article written by Kim Severson in today's New York Times Food section. Her recipes and work beat out ones by Margarita Manzke and Meg Galus. She had been nominated twice before but it was the third time that worked. She was in disbelief when her name called. It was a victory not just for her but for the restaurant where she worked , Highlands. It is a pricey restaurant located in Birmingham , Alabama .Chef Miles was not unlike Doria Ragland, Meghan Markle's mother - a secondary character in a larger , predominantly white narrative who emerged as an African-American beacon. Talent knows no color. Ms. Miles grew up, surrounded by excellent bakers she was taught by her mother.Cora Mae Miles, and aunt. Her aunt, Queen Ester Harris was the kind of woman who might make nine cakes , with them all going to people in nursing homes. Her brown sugar poundcake was a favorite growing up. The recipes were passed down, along with baking advice.

Surprisingly Ms. Miles background was not initially cooking, She studied computer science at college and left when her daughter arrived. It was at this time that Frank Sitt, the chef and owner of Highland came to Birmingham. A Southerner, himself, he invested in the community around him, Ms. Miles started working for him in 1981, starting off as a pantry chef dicing and chopping fruits and veggies. Chef Stitt soon recognized her talent with butter and sugar and soon she was creating such desserts as polenta pound cake tiramisu  for his Italian restaurant Bottega and blueberry cobbler for his French eatery Fonfon along with afters for Highlands. She is known for her coconut pecan cake, a take on the Southern coconut cake and her lemon meringue tart.  The recipes are featured in The Times article and they're a treat for home bakers. The cake and filling is loaded with coconut and is moistened with a simple syrup.The lemon meringue has white chocolate melted into it for a different vibe along with a buttery crust.  Both recipes are light and fluffy, the perfect dessert for a summer weekend dinner.

Dolester Miles is a quiet champion, yet her creations speak volumes. She represents both modern and traditional  Southern baking.It's a prize winning meld.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Debugging Your Kitchen

Warm weather brings about bugs. Kitchens become meccas for ants, flies and the occasional roach family. Many home chefs have to deal with this by product of higher temps. It is annoying but luckily can be brought under control with the right products.

The dilemma facing many a home owner is how to humanely get rid of these "visitors." Sure, you can use commercial ant sprays but do you want to? Insecticides have strong and always chemical ingredients. These require gloves because of their strength as well as diluting the powder or liquid with the recommended amount of water. Some leave a powdery white residue that could prove to be harmful to children and animals.Ant bait ,used for lure, is a granular sugar like substance that are filled with poison. A more humane and safer way to go is using natural repellents.Lemon juice works well. The sugar loving insects will be repulsed by the fruit's intense sourness.Another natural cure is cinnamon. You would think the spice's musky sweetness would attract them but that' s quite the opposite. Home chefs scatter it along with ground cloves around doorways and windows. Cinnamon oil can also be used. You can also use freshly picked peppermint leaves along with peppermint oil to repel them.

Roaches are year round and even worse to get rid of than ants.Again you can use roach spray and traps. There is the classic Raid which comes in sprays and foggers, It and similar products have a chemical known as pyrethroids which cause paralysis in bugs.Other chemicals used are carbamates and organophospates which render certain amino acids inactive. These cause the bugs to die.One dosing may be great however home chefs need to be very aware that constant use of these insecticides can cause problems in humans and companion animals.Again the best path is the all natural one.A better idea is putting cedar chips in the corners of your kitchen. A classic that has worked for decades is the bay leaf. You can buy them in your store's spice section and strew the leaves where the walls meet the floor.Flies are not so much in a summer kitchen but they are  a problem at outdoor picnics and barbecues. The easiest is having electronic pest devices on the tables. These emit a high pitch sound that scares the bugs away from the food.

Don't let the bugs of summer bug your cooking. Use all natural  remedies to get rid of these critters.It makes for easier and cleaner work.