Foodie Nuggets: Why I Like Black Food

Black jobs might be a figment of former President Trump’s imagination but black food is real! It is both delicious and nutritious.

AI_Generated Art Using DreamUp Free Art Tool

I never liked black food. Unless it’s ice cream. Just kidding.

When I used to think of black food I thought people were saying that the food was burnt. But that’s not so. I discovered that there is black ice cream, there are black vegetables, and people intentionally add certain ingredients, like charcoal or squid ink, to make the food black.

Doing research I discovered that in London, they have a Black Food Festival. But don’t be confused. The food isn’t the color “black”. It’s called Black Eats Fest and it celebrates food from Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. It’s a celebration of culinary diversity.

This content is about food that is the color “black”. It’s a brief introduction by way of sharing fun facts, which are the reasons why I like black food.

(1) Black foods are not just a novelty; they have great nutritional value. So when people tell you “eat the rainbow”, be sure to add black veggies to your diet. Learn more: Exotic Vegetables: Do You Include Black Veggies When You Eat the Rainbow?

(2) At one time, in ancient China, there was black rice (some say dark purple), which was also known as “forbidden rice”. It wasn’t forbidden to everyone. The emperors could have some and of course, the wealthy. But these days, it’s available to the masses and even shows up in U.S. restaurants. Black rice is the “perfect choice for vegetarians and vegans looking for additional protein”. Learn more: What Is Forbidden Rice? | Eating Well

(3) Black sesame seeds are not the lighter sesame seeds that are colored black. The black color comes from anthocyanins, which are a type of flavonoid with antioxidant properties. Plus, they are a great source of calcium and magnesium. Learn more: What is Black Sesame, Actually? | Sporked

22 Black Foods That Taste Amazing And Are Super Good For You

Black foods are anything but bland; they are full of nutrients and antioxidants! So if you're a fan of this classic…

www.sidechef.com

Foodie Nuggets: Homemade Gift Ideas: Air-Dried Herbs Make Great Food Gifts

Air-drying is better than heat-drying because the heat evaporates essential oils. Drying solves the problem of food waste, and learning how to air-dry herbs could become a hobby that you could turn into an income stream. Also, air-dried herbs make nice gifts. I would love to receive a jar of air-dried Herbs de Provence.

Learn how to air-dry and how to store the dried herbs. 

~ How To Air-Dry Herbs

Food Dehydrator - Electric 5 Tier Tray Machine with Adjustable Temperature Control & Hot Air Circulation - #Food #Dryer for Beef Jerky, #Vegetables, #Fruit & Dog #Snacks - Stainless Steel, 250W by VonShef ~ https://t.co/aZEeB892TP via @amazon #smallappliances #homeandkitchen pic.twitter.com/LfX0yMtnS9

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) August 21, 2021

(NOTE: Content below is AI-Generated using ChatGPT)

Here are three excellent step-by-step guides from 2020–2025 that walk you through how to air-dry herbs effectively:

🌿 1. Mama on the Homestead – Hang Drying Process

• Step-by-step highlights:

  • Harvest herbs in the morning before flowering.

  • Shake gently to remove insects; rinse if needed.

  • Remove lower leaves and bundle stems with twine.

  • Hang upside down in a dry, shaded area for 1–2 weeks.

  • Store in airtight containers once fully dry.

🌿 2. Decor With Style – Comprehensive Guide

• Step-by-step highlights:

  • Harvest healthy herbs before flowering.

  • Clean and prep herbs by removing excess moisture.

  • Bundle with twine and hang in a ventilated space.

  • Monitor drying progress and avoid overcrowding.

  • Store dried herbs in labeled jars away from light.

🌿 3. GardenerBible – Preserve Flavor Naturally

• Step-by-step highlights:

  • Choose herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano.

  • Clean thoroughly and pat dry.

  • Bundle and hang in a low-humidity area.

  • Avoid direct sunlight to preserve color and oils.

  • Check dryness after 1–2 weeks and store properly.

Foodie Nuggets: Substitute Turkey for Pork?

Several years ago, I had to make changes to my diet because of my late husband's health condition. There was no way I was going to prepare separate meals: a meal for him and a meal for me and the kids. It was easier to adjust to eating the type of food that was healthiest for my husband to eat. To my surprise making the adjustment was not that difficult. 

Have you ever tried JENNIE-O® turkey products? Jennie-O offers a wide range of turkey products, including whole turkeys, deli meats, sausages, and ground turkey. Jennie-O Turkey Store has been in business since 1940 and is a subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Willmar, Minnesota. Its products are distributed in over 49 countries.

Lots of people love to eat ham or bacon. But these are usually pork meats and there are lots of people with special dietary requirements who can not eat pork!  An important reason for many is that their particular religion forbids this food in their diet. This is a huge diet change for people like me. I really missed the taste of ham or bacon until I discovered turkey ham and turkey bacon.  If you have enjoyed eating ham or bacon but can no longer indulge, then try JENNIE-O® turkey products. The taste is very similar to pork only it really is made from turkey, a healthier poultry choice.

I have been using this pork substitute for over 10 years.

But you don't have to have a special diet. Taste these products and you will love them! I like to cut up the turkey ham in chunks and put the ingredients in my bean soups. Use the turkey bacon for the traditional BLT sandwich (BLT=bacon, lettuce, and tomato).

Visit the official website and find lots and lots of recipes.

>

If you can not find these products in your local grocery store, it is sold on Amazon.

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Original source

Foodie Nuggets: Strawberry Chocolate Cake

I watched this time travel Korean drama where an acupuncturist from the past (Joseon, 400 years ago) traveled to the future and met a lady doctor, a heart specialist. They fell in love and in one of the scenes, they were at a restaurant in Seoul. She told him to try the strawberry chocolate cake. She said it was one of the most popular desserts.  I have never had a strawberry chocolate cake, so that comment sent me searching for a recipe. Found one very easily published at one of my favorite food blogs. This looks like a dessert that should be made for a holiday or a special occasion.

Strawberry Chocolate Cake Recipe | two peas and their pod

Have you ever had strawberry chocolate cake?

Was it a holiday or special occasion? 

Were you dining out or dining in?

RELATED POST: Korean Drama TV Series: Live Up toYour Name (2017)

While you're here, check out some of my other food blurbs:

Japanese Fun Food

Zucchini Flowers

Who Invented Chicken Nuggets?

What Should Kids Drink?

WARNING: Delicacies Can Be Dangerous!

Five (5) healthy and holistic ways to get more energy

Foodie Nuggets: Indian Food for Diabetics

Do you like Indian food? I watch a lot of cooking shows and videos. One thing I noticed about Indian cooking is that they really know how to blend herbs and spices and do amazing things to enhance the flavor of vegetables. Whether the veggies are cooked or eaten raw in a salad, they are so tasty.

Methi Sprouts Salad Recipe - Delicious Diabetic Snack by Archana's Kitchen

FOLLOW THIS FOOD BLOG FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES:

Foodie Nuggets: Gourmet Sleuth is an Excellent Cooking Resource (Bye Bye!) [UPDATE]

UPDATE March 2025: APOLOGIES. Bad news I'm afraid. I don't know what happened. But this foodie website no longer exists. The domain name is available and is being used by another owner and it is not food-related.  The best I could do is find sites like the "old" Gourmet Sleuth used to be.  Sorry.

  

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Have you ever had a recipe that required a certain ingredient but that particular ingredient is not readily available where you live OR if it is available, it's really expensive.  This website called Gourmet Sleuth will share ingredients that you can substitute.  For example:

• If you don't have radicchio, use endive or arugula.
• If you don't have jack fruit, use plantains, summer squash or papaya. 

If the recipe calls for something exotic like Bhutanese Red Rice, you can substitute Black rice or brown rice.  (Found a recipe at a site other than Gourmet Sleuth.)

"Bhutanese Red Rice is a partially-milled short grain rice grown in the Himalayan mountains." 

You can easily look up what you need as the ingredients are arranged in alphabetical order.

The site also has HAD a blog and shares recipes, conversions, and articles.  Because I am interested in world cuisine, I really like the article section titled "Ethnic, Unique Foods, Ingredients".  Could not find another site.  Can only refer you to Amazon.  (Not like that's a bad thing.  There's actually some pretty cool stuff there. 😀)

Substituting Ingredients: The A to Z Kitchen Reference (Must-Have Kitchen Essential with 1,000 Easy-to-Find, Healthy, and Cheap Substitutions)

Foodie Nuggets: Herbs and Spices: 3 Spices for a Long Life

Mao Shing Ni (Dr. Mao), is a board-certified anti-aging expert who asserts that there are 3 spices that promote longevity. That’s right. They can help you live longer. Ginger, evergreen, and garlic.

Try These Secrets Of Eating for Longevity from Dr. Mao Shing Ni | Epicurious.com

(Archived article copy)

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Source: Virily.com

Foodie Nuggets: Cabbages (Without Kings)

If you are familiar with the 1904 novel by O. Henry, then you know it's not about collecting cabbage recipes for kings. 😊  It's just that in my high school Literature class we studied short stories and O. Henry was one of the writers we learned about. It was the year I learned that I liked short stories much better than reading books. You got to the ending quicker! 😊  

• Cabbages and Kings is a novel by O. Henry, a collection of short stories about political intrigue and corruption in a fictional Central American country. The title comes from the poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter" in Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll.  (SOURCE)

OK.  Back on point.  This food blurb is about cabbage recipes. 

If your goal is to eat more green leafy vegetables and you like cabbage anyway, then you'll probably enjoy this recipe. It's made with ground beef, but I vary it and use ground chicken or turkey. Also, I omit the cheese topping. For me, that's unnecessary extra calories. You could use a breadcrumb topping as a substitute or no topping at all. You might be able to also vary this recipe using escarole, napa cabbage, collards, or Swiss chard, instead of cabbage. You might try purple cabbage instead of green. Purple veggies are just as good as green!

Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe | EatingWell

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Eating Well is an excellent website. I subscribe to it. You find cooking tips and health tips. Here is a link to more cabbage recipes. If you're trying to lose weight, try the cabbage diet soup.

MORE Food Blurbs at Food Ways: 

• 100 Healthiest Foods ~ Is Your Favorite Food on the List?
• 3 Spices for a Long Life
• 5 Exotic Spices
• 6 Spices For Indian Cuisine
• Name the Sexy Spices
• Medical Advice About Super foods
• Top 10 List of Superfoods
• WARNING: Delicacies Can Be Dangerous!

Foodie Nuggets: Herbs and Spices: 6 Spices For Indian Cuisine

If you love Indian cuisine and want to learn how to cook Indian food then to get started you should have these 6 spices in your kitchen cabinet:

1. turmeric, 
2. saffron, 
3. ginger, 
4. cumin, 
5. coriander (seed or powder), and 
6. cardamon. 

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Beyond Turmeric: 5 Indian Spices You Need in Your Pantry Now @OneGreenPlanet ~ https://t.co/7ZvQIB61k0 ~ #Indiancuisine is so delicious because of the use of many #herbsandspices. In addition to turmeric, there are five other spices you will need to cook authentic #Indianfood. pic.twitter.com/28hAHs8IWZ

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) January 26, 2019

Source: Virily.com

Foodie Nuggets: The Key Ingredient in Nigerian Food

I love watching cooking shows on television. There is this one show where the host goes all over America and shines a spotlight on the various ethnic cuisines. I once lived in Houston, Texas and I wish I had know this but I did not. As most people do, whenever they move to a new place, they bring their customs and traditions with them. They especially bring their food. Because there nothing better than the taste of home when you are now living in a foreign land. It turns out that many Nigerians relocated from their country and there is a thriving community in Houston, Texas. There are some popular restaurants in Houston that serve Nigerian cuisine.

A key ingredient in many Nigerian #recipes are peppers. Here is link to an article that explains "The different types of peppers in Nigeria | Pulse Nigeria". 

• World Cuisine: Four (4) Nigerian Dishes You Must Try (Guest Post)

Taste of Nigeria was featured on "No Passport Required", a food show which airs on PBS.

Foodie Nuggets: Herbs and Spices: Angelica keiskei

I love watching Korean drama and love to learn about the teas they drink. In one K-drama, there was a lady who worked at the Commoners' Clinic, and she offered a man a tea called Angelica keiskei. Did you know:

~ Angelica keiskei, commonly known under the Japanese name of ashitaba (アシタバ or 明日葉), literally "tomorrow's leaf", is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family. It is native to Japan ...” (Per Wikipedia); AND

~ Some strawberry growers have shifted to growing ashitaba (or Angelica keiskei) because they say it's a better money-maker and easier to cultivate.

Various healthcare websites offer information about this plant's medicinal value. Of course, this is yet another one of those plants that holds the "key to extended youth".

ASHITABA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews  

It's edible and here is a video on ways to eat it. 

~ Ways To Eat Ashitaba ~ youtu.be/Sig5Nm8NHMk

"... a plant called ashitaba is important in supporting a person’s health & well-being. ... researchers are suggesting that a compound in this plant boosts cellular health and may prolong youth." This Japanese plant could hold the key to extended youth ~ https://t.co/TZ0qOrDsSk

— Rx4Wellness2018 (@Rx4Wellness2018) September 9, 2022

Ashitaba is a large herb that grows primarily in the central region of Japan. Its root, leaf, and stem are used to make medicine.

ASHITABA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews ~ https://t.co/32FKQZNJ0n

— Rx4Wellness2018 (@Rx4Wellness2018) September 9, 2022

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Foodie Nuggets: Herbs and Spices: 5 Exotic Spices

Asafetida, dried avocado leaves, epazote, grains of paradise, and juniper berries are 5 wonderful cooking ingredients. Which country should we thank for introducing these 5 exotic spices to the global community of food lovers?

• "Asafoetida was familiar in the early Mediterranean, having come by land across Iran." (Source)

• Dried avocado leaves are a secret Mexican ingredient.  (Source)

• "The epazote herb is commonly used in the cuisines and traditional medicines of central and southern Mexico and Guatemala." (Source)

• "Grains of paradise are native to Africa's West coast, namely the countries Ghana, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Togo and Nigeria." (Source)

• "The juniper is an evergreen tree native to Europe, Asia, and the northern parts of North America and it is especially abundant in central Texas and Eastern Oregon." It has an interesting history and folklore. (Source)

5 Exotic Spices: asafetida, dried avocado leaves, epazote, grains of paradise, and juniper berries. Do you know the country which introduced these marvelous cooking ingredients to the world? ~ https://t.co/Z4MjtPzEhF pic.twitter.com/H1O2Kgyh9O

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) January 26, 2019

Source: Virily.com

Foodie Nuggets: Much Ado About Mushrooms

If you have been following this foodie blog then you know that my love affair with mushrooms began the same time that I started dating my late husband, I shared those details in this blog post:

• Mushroom: Real Food of Fantasy and Fairy Tale.  

Geyee Vintage Mushroom Poster Fungus Wall Art Prints Rustic Mushroom Wall Hanging

This short post (or food blurb) is just an add-on to tell you more things I have discovered about this wonderful fungi!  Did you know that there is such a thing as a Mushroom of Immortality?

“Reishi/lingzhi has been referenced as far back as 100 B.C. as a supplement used to improve human health.” It is called a Mushroom of Immortality and you can grow it on your own. They're quite tasty. Just don't believe for one minute that they will make you live forever.  

😊  Read more: What Is The 'Mushroom Of Immortality'? 

Here is a wonderful veggie soup will get you through the winter months. Totally comfort food!  It includes a variety of mushrooms:  cremini, shiitake, and reishi. 

Reishi Mushroom Veggie Soup | CBC Life  

Also, if you love Asian noodles, you'll love this Reishi Mushroom Ramen Bowl.

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL MUSHROOM MONTH!

Foodie Nuggets: Traditional Meal on the Sabbath

I am always interested in learning about world cuisine.  I especially like Jewish food or Israeli cuisine.  In a social community where I am an active member, people love to share food-related posts.  One of the members, Vasya007, shared a post about cholent or hamin (see below).  I was inspired to look up some recipes and additional information..  

“Cholent or hamin is a traditional Jewish stew. It is usually simmered overnight for 12 hours or more, and eaten for lunch on Shabbat. Cholent was developed over the centuries to conform with Jewish laws that prohibit cooking on the Sabbath.”  (Wikipedia)

Image credit: Gilabrand - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

TRY THESE RECIPES:

What Is Cholent? Plus: A Tasty and Easy Cholent Recipe - Shabbat 

Authentic Hamin Recipe - Jamie Geller 

The Best Cholent Recipes From Around the Jewish World - Jewish World - Haaretz.com

Cholent: A Delicious History - aish.com Kosher Recipes, Family

Cholent: The Sabbath Stew | My Jewish Learning

Foodie Nuggets: Sharing a Soup Recipe That Soup Lovers Will Love

The classical music composer Ludwig van Beethoven once said, “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”

Do you believe that soup is good food?  I do!  I also believe it's a food of love for families, and having a pure heart when you make it for those you love, no doubt, adds substantially to the flavor.

In a previous post I shared information about miso, which is a key ingredient in Japanese cuisine.  You can it ready-made off the grocery store shelf or make your own.

Some say the reason the Japanese live so long is because miso is an integral part of their diet. Maybe. Maybe not. I also read that soup should be an important of one's daily diet. They say you should eat a bowl of soup every day. I'm OK with that dietary advice. Even though January is National Soup Month, I could eat soup every month of the year, whether the weather is hot or cold. And I don't mean cold soups, because I'm not really a fan of cold soup. But if I was given only one hot bowl of soup every day to survive off, I could totally do that and be content. 

For me, the best part of any soup is … THE BROTH! 

You could have all kinds of ingredients in a soup … meat or no meat. But if the broth is tasteless, the soup is useless. The broth is all about comfort. Don't you think so? 

That's why I know this recipe which I am sharing is awesome! The ingredients for the broth are: “garlic, ginger, scallions, toasted sesame oil, miso and fermented chile paste”. 

How could you not love this soup? LOL. 

Spicy Summer Miso Soup | 101 Cookbooks

Foodie Nuggets: Exotic Fruit: CUCAMELON

A cucamelon is known by many names, such as, Mexican sour gherkin, Mexican miniature watermelon, Mexican sour cucumber, mouse melon, or pepquino.  The taste is described as a cucumber with a touch of sour lime mixed in. Most people use it in salads, pickled, or used in salsa. They are usually eaten raw, but you can cook them lightly and add them to a stir-fry. They can be refrigerated (will last up to 1 month) and frozen (will last up to 3 months).

Image credit:  Amazon.com

Links below supply some additional information and a few recipes you may want to try.

• EverythingAbout Cucamelons | How to Grow In Your Garden
• CucamelonPickles | Love and Olive Oil  
• EasyCucamelon Pickle | South Indian Recipe - Cooking with Thas
• CucamelonSalad, lightly marinated and easy! - Feathers in the woods

Foodie Nuggets: For Newbie Cooks Who Want to Cook Chinese Food

Once upon a time when I was a newbie cook, I wanted so badly to cook Chinese food.  But no matter what I did my food just did not have that authentic Chinese flavor.  This was before TV cooking shows had become so pervasive. 

Hormel Foods Corporation is an American food business that has been around since 1891. Me personally? I have been enjoying Hormel food products for over 50 years; mainly, its canned chili. I stumbled upon a product at my local grocery store and it changed everything!

• House of Tsang^® sauces are stir-fry sauces for Asian cooking created by chef David Tsang.  It's a Hormel Foods brand.

There are 4 distinct flavors:

1. Classic Sauce
2. Szechuan Spicy
3. Bangkok Peanut Sauce
4. General Tsao

They are all delicious! But my favorite is the Classic Sauce. If these products are not on the shelf of your local grocery store, you might be able to find them at an Asian market in your area. If not they are sold via Amazon and are reasonably priced.

There are plenty more House of Tsang^® products.  These are the ones I'm familiar with.  I promise you! Use any of these sauces in your recipes and it will taste just like you went out to eat at an Asian restaurant.  

House of Tsang Sauce 11.5 Oz Variety 4-Pack : #Grocery & #Gourmet #Food
~ https://t.co/dlGswDQzhT
My favorite is the Classic Sauce but they are all delicious! #cooking #Asianfood #stirfry #sauces #kitchen #dining @EverydaySpices @goshoppingbees pic.twitter.com/QjtHPastEn

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) May 26, 2023

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(Food blurb? - a short post, not saying much, but saying enough!)

Check out some of the other food blurbs:

Za-atar Spice Blend on Flatbread

The Key Ingredient in Nigerian Food

What is  Angelica keiskei?

WARNING: Delicacies Can Be Dangerous!

Sharing a Soup Recipe That Soup Lovers Will Love

Five (5) healthy and holistic ways to get more energy

Foodie Nuggets: 100 Healthiest Foods ~ Is Your Favorite Food on the List?

It's great to review a Top 10 List of healthy foods to eat. But a list of the Top 100 healthy foods gives you more to choose from. That's 10 times YUM! YUM!   Pomegranates, one of my favorite fruits, is on this list. Spirulina is also on the list. To my surprise, certain meats, like bison, are also on the list.

♦♦ Diabetes Superfoods Cookbook and Meal Planner: Power-Packed Recipes and Meal Plans Designed to Help You Lose Weight and Control Your Blood Glucose

100 Healthiest Foods on the Planet | Eat This, Not That! ~ https://t.co/tLSBCmpK78 ~ #HealthyFood #healthyeating #eathealthy #fruitsandveggies @EatThisNotThat pic.twitter.com/MO9wWXQdRx

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) March 12, 2019

Source: Virily.com