Foodie Friday : Let's Do Sushi! Keep It Kosher!

Determined to make your own sushi? The four ingredients listed below are considered the "basic sushi essentials".

1. Gari, thinly sliced and pickled ginger.
2. Wasabi, aka Japanese horseradish
3. Nori, dried seaweed used to wrap the sushi roll
4. Sushi rice, a Japanese rice that is sticky and short-grained.

Got these tips from Bani Grill. Great basic information to get started. But beyond this point? Uuuhh ... Let's go together.

*
"Revolutionizing the way you eat sushi."

Starting with:

KOSHER SUSHI

• Enough With the Gefilte Fish. I'll Have Sushi. - The New York Times
• Sushi for Passover? With age-old ban lifted, rice is now kosher at ...
• How to Make Homemade Kosher Sushi [HD]| איך להכין סושי כשר ביתי - YouTube
• Sushi for Beginners : Five Steps to Making Sushi at Home

BambooWorx Sushi Making Kit – https://t.co/UWneYGaPeK
2 100% Bamboo Sushi Rolling Mats, Rice Paddle, Rice Spreader #1BestSeller pic.twitter.com/PsYl2YX3EA

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) May 29, 2020

To Beet or Not to Beet? is No Longer the Question

So here's my sad childhood story. Beets! Growing up, in my house the only person that ever ate beets was my late mother. The thing is … she didn't even try to encourage me or tempt me to taste them. No! SHE JUST ATE THEM ALL! As a kid, there was nothing appealing or appetizing about them. So … like broccoli and figs and other wonderful foods that looked questionable through a child's eyes … I just didn't eat them! Wasn't even curious.

In my adult years, forty-plus years ago, I met my husband. Would you believe it? He tells me a similar childhood story, except that both his mom and his dad ate beets. Beets and beets and beets. They just couldn't get enough of em!

Come to find out … beets are good for you! WHAT???!!

Why would our parents keep that a secret? We don't know! So they could have more for themselves?? Seems the only logical explanation!

Nevertheless, we love our parents and thank them for all of the other meaningful secrets of life that they did reveal to us. We'll overlook the best-kept beet secret.  :)

Anyway! …. Now that we've learned “the rest of the story”, the question of “To beet or not to beet?” has been answered. We just need to figure out a way to incorporate this awesomely nutritious superfood into our diet.

Found a treasure trove of beet recipes at Flipboard, a site where I am experimenting with publishing my own food magazine. (The magazine is called MyI Like Eating Channel.)

Sharing a few recipes from the Flipboard collection that look like they might be very tasty. However, the first share below was actually found elsewhere on the web. It's about beet juice. Did you know that it's drink of champions? Well it is!

As a parent myself, I know that no matter how good veggies may be, it's sometimes hard to get your kids (or yourself) to eat them! Thank the Lord for juice and juicers! Sometimes folks who won't EAT their veggies, don't have too much of a problem with DRINKING their veggies. 

• Beetroot Juice: The Drink Of Champions 
• Golden Beet and Pomegranate Salad Recipe
• Smoky Beet Hummus
• Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Beets and Siracha Dressing
• 38 Beet Recipes for Roasting, Frying and More Recipe

Beet Orange Salad with Honey Vinaigrette

Where to find more Beets on Flipboard

Chinese Fortune Cookies as American as Apple Pie

The Chinese fortune cookies are not an Asian invention, but rather an American one.  A conclusion based on my extensive research of Chinese history, tradition and culture (i.e. watching a lot of kung fu movies).  There was a story circulated about rebels in the 13th or 14th century, using them to pass secret messages to each other about their war plans to overthrow the Mongols. Pure fiction. But you must admit that plot sure has the makings of an epic saga.

Alas!  The truth is the Chinese fortune cookie is as American as apple pie, and they make great party favors.  


Would you like to make your own homemade fortune cookies?  


Well, you can!

This Sunbeam kitchen accessory is a must-have.

Content originally published at Daily Two Cents on April 30, 2014.

Related articles

• You've Been Wrong About Fortune Cookies Your Whole Life(motherjones.com)

  ---

• Classic Fortune Cookies Get a Much-Deserved Makeover This...(instagram.com)

  ---

• So what if Halloween is not traditionally linked with the fortune cookie ...(cmoneyspinner.blogspot.com)

  ---

Pomegranate Homemade Fortune Cookies - What Jew Wanna Eat

Homemade Fortune Cookies are easy to make! (Sort of.) Plus, when you make them yourself, you can make them pink! Did y'all have a great NYE? Did you stay at home and pass out before midnight, or frolic around in a glittery dress drinking champagne out of the bottle?

Foodie Friday : Happy Holidays! Who Wants Egg Nog?

Just creating this blog post as an excuse to share a pretty picture. In my house, a few of my kids really love eggnog. Funny because in the family I grew up in, I only remember one of my siblings making sure that there was eggnog to be served around Christmas time.  

December 24th is National EggNog Day!

I never make eggnog. If I do buy it or if my son buys it, we don't have a particular brand.  We get whatever is in the store.

Eggnog?  It's like fruitcake.  You either love it or you hate it. Sharing some links to eggnog recipes you may want to try and/or suggested brands you may want to buy.

And remember.

Alcoholic drinks become non-alcoholic drinks when you don't add the alcoholic beverage to the recipe! So if like the recipe but you don't want the alcohol, just don't put it in there!

If you have a recipe, would you care to share it?

APOLOGIES. Replacement link https://t.co/FhPrzgdJlS
~ Fitz and Floyd Cardinal Christmas Pitcher - 9307968 | HSN #HappyHolidays https://t.co/zI8Z36ckaY

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) October 24, 2019

♦ ♦ ♦

Previous #FoodieFriday posts? YACR ( Yet Another Chili Recipe )  Purple is the Color of Royalty and of Glorious Vegetables  Sampling Fast Food World Cuisine is a Fun Do!  Name Your Favorite Instant Noodle  YAPAS (Yet Another Post About Spinach)  Immune-boosting Smoothie ~ Order at Starbucks  Recipes | Desserts | Pineapple Stuffing and More!  Japan’s 10 weirdest ice cream flavors  The Right Blend of Spices for Cajun Food Lovers  Indian Food: Hot n Spicy Samosas (Reblog)  Candied Jalapeño Peppers  Chinese New Year Recipes and Dishes  Pesto Around the World  Experiencing the Joy of Salsa   Spice Spotlight: Cinnamon  It's Flipping Foodie Friday!  Raw Coconut Fig Slice (Reblog)  Winter Salad Binging  Banana Brownies - Back for Seconds  Cool Foodies and Food Lovers Celebrating Their “Firsts” on Twitter

Autumn is here! Is a Season Your Reason to Drink Tea?

My coffee addiction often keeps me from drinking and enjoying a cup of tea. But other members of my household love to brew! They are not tea experts (yet!) and are always experimenting with different flavors – from caramel apple to licorice to green tea to black tea to … on and on and on.

Photo by Gabi Miranda on Unsplash

I found an interesting blog post written by Ryan Frey who works as a GO TO tech guy for ShareASale, Inc., an established affiliate marketing network corporation. He not only knows his tech stuff but his office co-workers also think of him as a tea aficionado. He must be. Why else would he suggest drinking tea according to the seasons of the year?  In his post, How To Brew Different Tea Varieties for Fall, he recommended five (5) tips for how to enjoy your tea during the autumn season. All excellent advice.  A quick summary of the tips is below.

• 1. Rooibos or “red tea” ... makes a great neutral base for both sweet and nutty flavors. During the Fall, expect to see flavor blends like chestnut, pumpkin, and chai.
• 2. Black tea is a totally oxidized (but not “fermented” like Pu’erh tea) version of your everyday tea leaves ... like Earl Grey and English Breakfast.
• 3. Green and white teas are more delicate, partially or unoxidized tea leaves and buds. ... often fruity, sweet, and complex.
• 4. Herbal teas or “tisanes” are like rooibos, in that they aren’t from the tea plant at all. They contain alternatives like spices, herbs, flowers, and fruit.
• 5. Try other brewed beverages like Pu’erh tea and Mate.

glitter-graphics.com

Hiware Good Glass Teapot with Stainless Steel Infuser & Lid, Borosilicate Glass Teapots Stovetop Safe, 27 Ounce / 800 ml, Clear

What to get for the tea lover who also loves chocolate? Chocolate tea! Numi Organic Tea Chocolate Rooibos

Source:  Webnuggetz.com

Foodie Friday : YACR ( Yet Another Chili Recipe )

Whether or not it's the holiday season, any time is the time of the year folks in Texas love to eat chili.  But for some reason, they really like chili during the Christmas season.  At any rate, it took me years of experimenting to come up with this recipe and,  IMHO, it isn't half-bad.

Chili is Hearty Food. Love a good bowl of chili ?

So many variations on the #recipes for this wonderful comfort food !

In Austin, Texas, Tex-Mex cuisine is everywhere. This may or may not be Tex-Mex tradition but chili is a big deal! Everybody claims to know how to make thee best chili ever!!

After trying out different recipes, finally came up with one of my own that my family enjoyed. In fact, one Christmas holiday (because I know how much Texas folk love their chili), made Christmas cards with my chili recipe and let my daughter give them to her teachers.

So here is the recipe. Sorry. Don't have my own pictures. Took an image from Pixabay that looks similar to mine (only my chili is a little bit thicker and meatier).

* * * Fox's Chili Recipe * * *

 

1 to 2 lbs lean ground beef(or turkey)
One large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
Chopped red bell pepper (optional)


2 Seasoning (Low Sodium) Envelopes:
- McCormick Taco Seasoning
- McCormick Chili Seasoning
(Adjust to your taste. Don't use the entire packet if you don't want to.)


1 can (15.5 oz) Manwich Original Sloppy Joe Sauce
1 jar (16 oz) of Old El Paso Salsa (Medium heat)
1 small can (8 oz) Hunt's tomato sauce (roasted garlic flavor)
1 large can (32 oz) Bush's dark red kidney beans, drain liquid
1 large can (32 oz) Bush's black beans, drain liquid


High heat, large sauce pan or a dutch oven pot, brown ground meat and drain off any excess fat.


On medium heat add in onions (and bell pepper); and season the meat/onion/bellpepper mixture with the seasoning packets. Mix thoroughly.


Throw in the all the remaining ingredients, lower heat, let cook (about 15 - 20 minutes), stirring occasionally - until all the flavors come together.


Make a huge bowl of salad with: one head of iceberg lettuce, halved grape or cherry tomatoes, and large cucumber, thinly sliced. Avocado (if you can afford it.) Salad dressing? Your choice.


Serve chili in a bowl with the salad as a side.


Lay out the sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, more chopped onions, green onions, red onions, cornbread, tortilla chips, taco shells, whatever you like!


You don't have to use name brand products. I do because the quality of the product is usually consistent, so the recipe should taste the same every time! That's just me. Enjoy!!

Content first published at PersonaPaper, Aug 2015.

Related articles

• Christmas meals around the world(telegraph.co.uk)

  ---

Yet Another #ChiliRecipe ~ I know! I know! Your chili recipe is the best! But! So is mine! LOL. ~ Do you have a favorite bowl that you eat your chili in? Rae Dunn CHILI Soup bowls w/ Handle, Set of 2. https://t.co/fUUkn6Hv1N #gifts for #chililovers #chilislove #recipe pic.twitter.com/giHn0cNloT

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) February 28, 2020

♦ ♦ ♦

Previous #FoodieFriday posts? Purple is the Color of Royalty and of Glorious Vegetables  Sampling Fast Food World Cuisine is a Fun Do!  Name Your Favorite Instant Noodle  YAPAS (Yet Another Post About Spinach)  Immune-boosting Smoothie ~ Order at Starbucks  Recipes | Desserts | Pineapple Stuffing and More!  Japan’s 10 weirdest ice cream flavors  The Right Blend of Spices for Cajun Food Lovers  Indian Food: Hot n Spicy Samosas (Reblog)  Candied Jalapeño Peppers  Chinese New Year Recipes and Dishes  Pesto Around the World  Experiencing the Joy of Salsa   Spice Spotlight: Cinnamon  It's Flipping Foodie Friday!  Raw Coconut Fig Slice (Reblog)  Winter Salad Binging  Banana Brownies - Back for Seconds  Cool Foodies and Food Lovers Celebrating Their “Firsts” on Twitter

Oven-Baked Summer Squash Fries (Should Be in Your Winter Recipes)

Summer squash has a strong resemblance, in flavor and texture, to a zucchini. You can, in fact, substitute zucchini in this recipe, but it will probably bake a bit more quickly.

Not sure what the weather is like where you are.  In my city (Austin, TX USA), it's confusingly balmy and breezy, occasionally rainy, comfortably warm with no need for a sweater, and sometimes chilly.  It's climatically perfect! ☺ 

My friends elsewhere around the USA and the world are still complaining that Old Man Winter has overstayed his welcome and refuses to leave!  This recipe is fabulous no matter what the season of the year is or what kind of weather you're experiencing.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:


1 medium summer squash
2 eggs
1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (try panko breadcrumbs for a crunchier texture)
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon mustard powder
Salt and pepper
Olive oil


How to Make It:


Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease a large baking sheet with olive oil and set aside.


Cut your summer squash into wedges. Remove the seeds if they are quite large and set wedges aside.


Whisk the eggs in a dish and set aside.


In another dish, combine the breadcrumbs, paprika, mustard powder and salt and pepper.


Start by dipping the wedges, one by one, into the egg mixture and then the breadcrumb mixture. Place each wedge on the greased baking sheet. Continue until all the wedges are done.


You can bake the wedges as is for about 30-40 (until soft inside and golden brown on the outside) as is, but if you want a more golden texture, drizzle or spray some olive oil on top of the wedges. Flip halfway through baking.


Serve with ranch or another favorite dip.

There are many versions of oven-fried squash recipes?  Find more.

Related articles

• Gluten Free Baked Chicken Katsu (Easy Japanese Recipes)(justonecookbook.com)

  ---

• 19 Dinner Party Ideas That Look Fancy but Don't Take Much Effort(greatist.com)

  ---

• My top favourite squash to grow for flavour - and how to cook them(telegraph.co.uk)

  ---

This post was highlighted at the My Foodie Luv newsletter.

Foodie Friday : Figs ~ Enjoy a Raw Coconut Fig Slice ( and More Wonderful Way to Enjoy Figs)

It's another #FoodieFriday. Even though it's late in the day, this post will be published before midnight. If not, I might turn into fig! (Just kidding!) 

For this #FoodieFriday, the keyword is "fig".  (It was going to be "gumbo' but ... found this post about fig and went off in a completely different direction! :)  )  Before getting started, let me share this healthy tip.

TIP:  Need a pre-workout snack? Try figs! They are filled with calcium, magnesium and potassium.  (Source)

OK!  My first fig share is an awesome post found in a Google Plus Blogging community.  The G+ network was shut down do I'm glad I saved the link.

Raw Coconut Fig Slice (http://itislovelyfood.blogspot.ca)

I don't know if the fig was really the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. As far as I'm concerned it's a fruit that was heaven sent!

Here is a little bit about the fig. It's an excerpt from my article published at Wizzley.com. 

FIG TREES Genus Ficus The fig plant can be either a low-lying shrub or a tall tree.  They grow wild; or domesticated in the Mediterranean region and in California.  In Israel, the fig trees usually sprout buds in late spring; by the month of June (early summer) the tree is full of leaves; and in just a few more weeks, the figs are ready for picking. ... You can learn more about the ficus plant at PlanetFig.com

An additional fact.  In the Bible, the fig has two symbolic meanings.  Hope (if the fig tree fruitful): Desolation (if the fig tree is barren).



Here are more shares.  Enjoy!

The humble Fig.

The Fig...You can get it dried almost anywhere in the world and fresh and luscious from September through to autumn. There is nought like the taste of a fresh fig and dried they are different but sweet, with a chewy flesh and crunchy edible seeds.The fig tree has no blossoms on their branches ...The blossoms are inside the fig.

Dalmatia Spread Fig, 8.5 oz

Bring Me Some Figgy Fig Recipes. (shewearsmanyhats.com)

• Fig Jam with Vanilla and Black Pepper - Jenni Field's Pastry Chef Online
• Cracked Wheat Fig Halwa (affronplatter.blogspot.ca)
• 15 Sweet and Calcium-Rich Recipes With Figs
• Spiced fig, coffee & hazelnut cake
• Delicious Savory Melon and Fig Salad
• Fig Salad with Kale and Halloumi - Delicious Fig Salad Recipe

 

Holi Festival Recipes ~ Sweets

Several years ago I was active in an online community which had many members who hail from India.  Many of them celebrate a festival called Holi which usually occurs during the month of March (although I have seen some say April).  Although I am not Hindu, I do like the idea behind this holiday tradition as it is a celebration of love, happiness, and colors.  Who wouldn't want to celebrate that, regardless of our diverse religious beliefs? 

I read some of the members' posts and noted that one writer expressed great enthusiasm about the “sweets” they enjoyed during this holiday. So? So you guessed it! I went on a hunt for Holi recipes. No surprise that I was able to find plenty at popular food blogs that I already like and follow from time to time. 

Celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colors, With These 20 Vegan Recipes

Celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colors, With These 20 Vegan Recipes

Holi, also known as the " Festival of Colors " is a Hindu festival that marks the arrival of spring. For two or three days, there is a celebration of color, music, fertility, love, and the victory of good over evil. Holi is an ancient holiday celebrated all over the world but mostly in parts of India and Nepal.

Holi Recipes, Holi festival 2017 Sweets Recipes - Rachna's Kitchen

Holi Recipes, Holi festival 2017 Sweets Recipes - Rachna's Kitchen

When I hear word "HOLI" , first thing that comes to my mind is color. Holi is an important festival of Hindu culture. It is known as the festival of happiness, love and brotherhood. In my childhood, I remember that me and my brothers used to wake up early in ...

Holi Recipes - 80 Holi Special Recipes 2014 - Holi Sweets - Holi Snacks - Blend with Spices

Holi Recipes - 80 Holi Special Recipes 2014 - Holi Sweets - Holi Snacks - Blend with Spices

Holi Festival Special Recipes / Holi Sweets Recipes / Holi Snacks Recipes Holi Sweets Mawa Coconut Jaggery Laddu Doda Burfi Gulab Jamun Kova Kajjikayalu Mawa Til Ladoo Chocolate Mawa Burfi Gur Para Mohanthal Rooh Afza Lemon Sharbat 7 Cup Burfi Microwave Besan Laddu Khoya Besan Laddu Phool Makane Kheer Kakara Pitha Rajgira Burfi Aate Ke...

Aam Ka Panna Recipe | Raw Green Mango Drink - Sharmis Passions

Aam Ka Panna Recipe | Raw Green Mango Drink - Sharmis Passions

Aam Ka Panna,a refreshing summer juice made with raw green mangoes.This scorching summer makes me crave for juices often, I loved this idea of storing the preserve and making the juice as and when we want sure better than the store bought juice mixes / squashes with loads of preservatives.

NOTE:  Sharmis Passions has a treasure trove of Holi recipes, in addition to the mango drink shared above.

♦

Which Countries or Cultures Make the Best Cakes? Let's Discuss!

Which Countries or Cultures Make the Best Cakes? Would love to hear your thoughts on this foodie topic.  My husband says when it comes to baking, nobody beats out the Greeks and the Jews. Not that I'm a cake connoisseur, but I am tempted to agree with him; especially about the Greeks.  Did you know the Greeks invented cheesecake and that we have them to thank for the tradition of the birthday cake?

Sorry to say cake baking is not my forte. But I do love a great cake. It would be right to say that cake loving IS my forte.  💗

Honestly! If Queen Marie Antoinette had really said “Let them eat cake!” and I had been in earshot distance, I would have been “Where?!! Where??!! Where's the cake??!!”

Image credit:  Marie Antoinette | CheriesPit

Recently, I've been coming across recipes shared by my online friends from different countries and also from food newsletters that I subscribe to and it's got me dreaming and wishing I could enjoy all of these wonderful baked delights without having to concern myself with the possible ill effects of consuming too much sugar. Alas! There is diabetes in my family line and I just don't want to take any chances.

Most of the time, I enjoy cakes by just looking at them or maybe taste a teeny weeny sample. ☺

But some cakes are far too pretty and unusual to eat. Don't you think?  Like these incredible jelly cakes.

Stunning Edible Flower Jelly Cakes Blooming in Your Plate

These gorgeous jelly cakes came from 'La Floraison' in Sydney Australia. Like a Japanese rainbow cake these confections are almost too pretty to eat.

http://k-kyeopta-blog.tumblr.com/post/36270226635

Some cakes are not even cakes. They're masterpieces. Works of art!

• Like the cakes created by celebrated sugar artist Michelle Wibowo Seeing is believing!.

And then some cakes are dummy cakes. Dummy cakes? Yeah. Also called Fake Cakes.  New term I learned.  Apparently they have become popular at weddings as the wedding cake.  Check out this article in the New York Times about NY Cake.  Not edible but the artwork is incredible! 😆

But we all have our preferences and there is not one person in the world who can say that their specific food taste is “the right food taste”.

What about you? Do you 💗 cake?
If you were going to sing praises about a country or a culture that makes the best cakes what would your choice be?

I'd love to hear your picks. 
Do you agree or disagree with my husband? ☺

MARK YOUR CALENDARS.  

November 26 is #NationalCakeDay.

Custom Cakes by Rainbow Nourishments (Raw Vegan Cake Maker)

Foodie Friday : CHICKEN RECIPES – The Best of

Award-winning TV chef, Lidia Bastianich, says that “chicken” is the most searched for food term. There is no reason to think that fact needs to be checked out. Lots of people love chicken! Fried, stewed, baked, barbecued, grilled! There has got to be a million plus ways to prepare this delightful bird and make it taste like it's the first time you've ever eaten it! Agree?

 



What's your favorite part of the chicken? (Breasts or dark meat?)

• I like chicken thighs.

Do you also like chicken livers, gizzards, and hearts?

• If you tenderize them you can cook them in a stew with carrots, potatoes and green cabbage. It's a poor man's meal but very filling.

Do you have favorite way you like to eat chicken?

 
When people say “best of”, it's almost always purely subjective. However, for several years I have been collecting what, in my opinion is the “best” chicken recipes from wherever they can be found and as of today my Pinterest board boasts close to 600 recipes.

Here is a quick list of just a few of the best chicken dishes ever.

Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

Yeah mon!! :)

16-Spice Fried Chicken with Mango–Red Chile Honey

Mango makes everything taste good!

 

Easy Greek Marinated Chicken

Greek Chicken with Garlic and Feta

Grilled Thai Spice Chicken Sliders

Who doesn't like Greek or Thai food? (O.o) (???)

 

Honey Jalapeno Chicken Tenders

Finger food in its finest hour!

 

Best Ever Roast Chicken

* soy sauce, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, olive oil.

Just listing the seasonings makes my mouth water.

 

Chicken Rice Casserole Sunday Supper

The mighty one pot dish!

 

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

* use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.

Said the magic word. Easy!!

 

Lemon Chicken Rice Soup

Best Chicken Detox Soup

Don't resist chicken soup! It's good for the soul! :)

♦ ♦ ♦

More #FoodieFriday Posts Improve Boxed Mac-n-Cheese. Is that possible?  Little Things Shares Delightful Recipes and Cooking Tips  Raw Milk Cheese (Americans are Missing Out!)  Happy Holidays! Who Wants Egg Nog?  YACR ( Yet Another Chili Recipe )  Purple is the Color of Royalty and of Glorious Vegetables  Sampling Fast Food World Cuisine is a Fun Do!  Name Your Favorite Instant Noodle  YAPAS (Yet Another Post About Spinach)  Immune-boosting Smoothie ~ Order at Starbucks  Recipes | Desserts | Pineapple Stuffing and More!  Japan’s 10 weirdest ice cream flavors  The Right Blend of Spices for Cajun Food Lovers  Indian Food: Hot n Spicy Samosas (Reblog)  Candied Jalapeño Peppers  Chinese New Year Recipes and Dishes  Pesto Around the World  Experiencing the Joy of Salsa   Spice Spotlight: Cinnamon  It's Flipping Foodie Friday!  Raw Coconut Fig Slice (Reblog)  Winter Salad Binging  Banana Brownies - Back for Seconds