I am a Clevelander and Michael Symon the famed Iron Chef and celebrity du jour also, hails from this mid-west town.
Along with his acolyte, Johathon Sawyer, cuisine in Cleveland continues to function as a pork delivery system, along side of french fries in duck fat and fois gras as garnish.
Food trends happen for many reasons and conspicuous consumption factors in, I’m sure.
But at what point do we question celebrating gratuitous overindulgence as a substitute for culinary genius?
I get it. If you like bacon then food cooked with or otherwise augmented with bacon is delicious.
Like ice cream? Like Bacon? Mix the two and, voila! Genius!
I think not.
It’s like putting a girl in a bikini on a car.
Is it a better car? Is the design imaginative or ground breaking?
Or is it just a car with a scantily clad girl astride?
A dish which is flavorful and healthy, appealing to the eye and created without death and suffering; now that takes some talent!
Make cauliflower sexy; without bacon! and make me lust for a fruit dessert over the chocolate molten, whatever and I’m impressed.
There is a place for everything, I will concede. However, the Malthusian mathematics will come back to haunt is all.
Technology aside, there is only so much land to fill the appetites of food porn addicts and the lowest common denominator of palates!
And while some of my favorites may be no more or less creative and unique, I would like to think that they are environmentally friendly and healthy.
Coconut milk soups, fruit purees, fried broccoli rabe with Marcona almonds, nut creams both sweet and savory and an endless array of spices and greens presented in inventive and unexpected ways will satisfy and delight time after time.
Check out the article below for a short list of tired favorites.
Halloween is a great holiday if you’re into trying new recipes. Everyone is familiar with pumpkin pie, but here are all kinds of pumpkin recipes out there. If you visit your local grocery store, you’re bound to see some Halloween treats made with pumpkin being promoted, and the brochure printing operations are busy this time of year putting together promotional materials for various recipes.
That said, the traditional pumpkin pie is an old favorite that everyone loves, so you can’t go wrong making it. You can always experiment by altering your favorite recipe, but sometimes it’s great to go back to old standards. Just keep working on perfecting what you already love!
Halloween is upon us, and it’s time to put the finishing touches on your party plans. If you’re looking for tasty, spooky treats for your guests, use the following recipes to make your Halloween party one they’ll never forget! If you are looking for more ideas for your Halloween soiree, do a search of Halloween recipes on Recipe Finder for inspiration and how-to’s. Enjoy!
Former President Clinton now considers himself a vegan. He’s dropped more than 20 pounds, and he says he’s healthier than ever. His dramatic dietary transformation took almost two decades and came about only after a pair of heart procedures and some advice from a trusted doctor.
Summertime around here has meant a huge flurry of activity.
The hot and steamy weather hasn’t slowed us down much but appetites tend more toward light and flavorful rather than rich and filling.
And the schedules are all over the place! From sport activities to musical gigs, weekend getaways and family gatherings I find that preparing and serving nutritious meals is more challanging than ever.
Especially when I am not there to supervise everything!
Well, I’ve learned to “let go” and create easy, ready to prepare and assemble food for my family; even the picky ones.
I have been in the habit of keeping a big container of cooked brown rice in the fridge.
I also will sautee corn with cilantro and onions and keep that around.
In addition, I’ll chop green onion and fresh cilantro and keep that in the fridge, also.
There are always cans of organic vegetarian beans or refried beans in the panty.
I also make sure to keep stocked up on ripe avocados and limes.
By having these ingredients handy eating on the fly is healthy and quick.
Even the little ones can do it; even the chronically lazy!
We also like to garnish with fresh salsa and a tangy homemade yogurt or sour cream.
This meal and it’s many variations has become a summertime staple that everyone can enjoy and customize to their own preference.
Burrito style for those who are always running late and eating on the way or pizza stlye with a little Manchego cheese for weekend movie night.
So, don’t get frustrated get creative!
These budget friendly meals are flexible. Use what you have around and get fancy when the budget allows.
They are built in to be nutritious so you just can’t go wrong!
With only healthy options even the least culinary inclined among you can’t help but choose something delicious and nutritious while you enjoy a little fun in the sun!
I remember growing up in my European immigrant family with great food.
Some from Italy and some from Eastern Europe but all of it driven by the freshest ingredients and much of it, meatless.
My grandmas and aunts always had their own gardens and were “putting up” or canning something at any given time.
For me summertime always means tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches.
These were not gourmet growing up.
They were just any bread with mayo, fresh tomato and “crunchy” salt on top.
I spruced these up a little by grilling artisan whole grain bread with olive oil to give crunch and texture to the bread and I’ve also added big fleshy leaves of basil for that peppery edge that basil can give.
Meat alternatives are essential to your diet if you are cutting out this source of protein. Having foods that are high in protein and amino acids is critical to giving your body the necessary nutrients to do its job. However, you do not need to do this just with meat. These non-meat alternatives are not just for vegetarians. For those who are trying to eat a healthier diet, these foods can provide a better source of nutrition without the high fat content that meat can have. Why It Matters
For many, eating a vegetarian diet is the only way to go. In addition, this is information that anyone can benefit from since these foods are healthy options ideal for a well-balanced diet. If you plan to work in nutrition, get your nutrition certification so you can learn how to teach others about getting the nutrients they need from meat alternatives.
The Options You Have
Look at the following meat alternatives. What you will notice is that many of them are healthy sources of nutrients. They often taste great, too. Add them to your diet to give your body a boost of protein, sans the meat.
Soy protein is one of the best solutions because it comes in various forms. Consume it in a milk form or buy tofu. Other options include Miso and temeph. These various sources of protein give everyone an option to consider for their diet.
Seitan is another solution and commonly called wheat gluten. It looks a lot like meat and has about the same texture. It is not a good option for those who suffer from celiac disease, though.
Legumes are perhaps the easiest solution to add to your diet if you want nutrients like protein, folate, magnesium and iron. Beans have plenty of nutrition but they are low in fat and have no cholesterol.
Nuts and seeds should be a part of your diet too, especially if you need more fiber and a source of omega 3 fatty acids. These foods contain a high level of good fats, giving your body, and specifically your heart, the nutrition it needs.
Depending on the variety, cheese is another great source of nutrition to substitute for meat. It has a significant level of protein in it. Choose an organic cheese instead of the other products on the market.
Eating a variety of foods is important. Those who are considering these meat alternatives need to remember that this is only part of your diet. You also need to consume fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, to balance it out. Knowing these facts will help you in helping others to eat healthy with delicious, new alternatives.
Cooking: whether you love it or hate it, it’s something you have to do every day. Why not make it a bit easier on yourself with some of the best appliances of 2011? These are all relatively inexpensive and will provide you with more fire power than you can imagine for your kitchen.
Give yourself a needed treat. Take out a small loan from plaingreenloans and see what a difference these handy, little, and powerful kitchen appliances can make in your everyday life.
1. KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer
More than a mixer, this kitchen appliance is like having a chef’s assistant around to do all your grueling work. The mixer comes with three different attachments (although more are available) to help you do all of the hard work that comes up when cooking. The flat beater is ideal for mixing up meatloaf, meatballs, or really anything with meat. The hook is perfect for pastry dough, and the wire whip makes a joke out of beating eggs or cream.
2. Hamilton Beach 33967 Set and Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
This is more than a slow cooker; it’s a kitchen in a pot. Get up in the morning and fill it up with whatever is for dinner. Set the timer to turn the machine on when you want it, to cook the food for the necessary time, and to keep everything warm and yummy until it’s time to eat. Even better, this slow cooker never dries anything out.
3. Cuisinart CSB-77 Smart Stick Hand Blender with Whisk and Chopper Attachments
You already have a blender because you read about it above, but this hand stick is a must have for one simple reason: the chopper attachment. Stick the attachment on the stick, put whatever you need chopped right in your pot and hit the “On” button. With no muss and no fuss, you can also use this powerful little hand blender to make organic baby food.
Kitchen appliances are not luxuries: they’re tools you will use every day. If you are having difficulty with the financial aspect, make sure you understand and research all of your options.
The best kitchen appliances of 2011 are stylish and designed to make kitchen work easier for you. The mixer, hand blender, and slow cooker described above are as revolutionary to the twenty-first century as the dishwasher was to the twentieth century.
When you find out you are having a baby, you know your entire life is going to change. From the amount of sleep you get to how long it takes you to get ready to leave the house, nothing will ever be the same. One way you can help yourself keep your sanity is to learn some tips, tricks and lists to plan family meals. Taking the stress out of this aspect of your daily life can save you time and help ensure your and your family get a hot meal every night.
You may want to consider integrating some of these four tips as soon as you find out your due date. Doing so will help you establish a routine that will be easier to manage once baby comes.
Plan your meals – Whether you shop once a week or every other week, take the time to plan out your meals for each day. Your meal plan should include a main entree and side dishes. It’s a good idea to come up with a few ‘extra’ meals in case you find a great sale on meat once you arrive at the store. Be sure to plan at least one ‘easy’ meal each week. Hamburgers or a crock-pot meal are great time savers for nights when you are in a bind.
Build a list – Use your meal plan to create a complete grocery list. Consider creating a separate list for each department, such as dairy, frozen, produce, and meats, in the grocery store. For each meal, fill in all of the needed ingredients, keeping in mind what you already have on hand. Not only will you actually buy everything you need, it will take you far less time to shop. Just make sure you don’t forget it at home.
Freeze meals – Whenever you are making soup, chili, or anything that can be frozen, double the batch and freeze it. Most foods will store for several months in the freezer. On busy days, a home cooked meal can simply be pulled out of the freezer. It’s the convenience of a prepared meal – just one you made yourself. Sloppy joes, meatloaf, meatballs, and more can be frozen.
Cut out the prep work – If you find yourself in a rush when you get home from work, consider cutting down some of the prep time by buying pre-cut veggies and other ingredients. Many grocery stores now offer diced onions, celery, mushrooms, carrots, peppers, and other ingredients. These may cost a bit more than the traditional kind, but can save you hours of work.
Making a home cooked meal each night can be a big task, but by breaking it down, making lists, and using some tips and tricks, you can do it. There is nothing better for you than a home cooked meal. When was the last time that you created a meal plan?
