Food Blurb: Basil, the Sacred Herb

Basil has a revered status in various cultures, and some refer to it as “the sacred herb”. It serves as a symbol of spirituality, protection, and even divinity. References to basil's sacred nature are found in religious texts, historical manuscripts, and cultural literature.

Image credit: Basil Kitchen Herb Watercolor Wall Art

For example:

• In Hinduism, basil is considered sacred to the god Vishnu.

• In Greek Orthodox Christianity, basil is used to prepare holy water during the Feast of the Epiphany, symbolizing the blessing of the waters.

• In medieval European folklore and superstitions, basil was believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.

In traditional medicine, basil is praised for its potential health benefits. It is rich in essential oils, vitamins, and antioxidants, and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. People who prefer holistic herbal remedies use basil to treat address ailments such as, digestive issues and respiratory conditions,

Last, but not least, basil is a culinary delight. Its leaves are very aromatic leaves and the herb has a distinctive flavor. Basil's popularity extends to many countries and culinary traditions:

• Italy and Greece: Basil is a fundamental herb in the Mediterranean diet. It is a key ingredient in Italian cuisine, and complements the Mediterranean flavors commonly found in Greek food.

• India: Basil, known as tulsi in Hindi, is used in Indian cuisine, as well as, religious rituals and Ayurvedic medicine.

• Thailand and Vietnam: Thai cuisine incorporates basil in dishes such as Thai basil chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) and green curry. The herb is also common in Vietnamese cuisine, and featured in dishes like pho (Vietnamese noodle soup).

That short list includes just a few examples. But is it any wonder that basil is found in spice cabinets and herb gardens all over the world? 

Just a few quick notes about the mythology behind the wonderful herb basil.

~ Basil comes from the Greek word "basilikos", which means "herb worthy of a king". 

~ Hindus regard basil as a sacred plant. Historians say basil originated in India and was brought to the West. 

~ Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans were aware of this plant's medicinal qualities and as a flavoring for food. 

~ Pliny, a famous Roman citizen, friend to the emperor, a writer, philosopher, and a naturalist, was convinced that basil was a powerful aphrodisiac. Consequently, basil became a symbol for love and lovers. 

~ In the Middles Ages, in Europe, basil was used for exorcism, to drive out devils. But the Italians eventually figured out it made a great pesto! 

~ Napoleon Bonaparte believed the scent of basil made him smarter, so he would sniff it before preparing plans for battle. Interesting huh? 

REF: Sacred Plant of Eternal Love and Healing: The Mythology and Magic of Basil | Ancient Origins ~ www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/sacred-plant-eternal-love-and-healing-mythology-and-magic-basil-009395

October is National Pizza Month ~ Let's Celebrate!

October is National Pizza Month. Let's start the celebration with these fun pizza facts.

- - "The longest pizza delivery was from Cape Town, South Africa to Sydney, Australia."

- - "Scientists report that eating pizza once a week can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer. It's the tomatoes and olive oil in the pizza."

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Pesto - Tips for Preparing the Best and Healthiest Pesto (Guest Post)

Pesto is not only one of the tastiest condiments you can make, but it is also versatile and healthy. Made with fresh and pure ingredients, it includes some of the best things nature has to offer. The ingredients are simple and basic; They include fresh basil leaves, fresh garlic, olive oil, fresh walnuts (not roasted) or pine nuts, salt and pepper.

You can buy pesto in the supermarket, condiment stores or alternatively make it in a food processor, it will probably taste good, but our goal is excellence.

To produce really great pesto, you need to chop it by hand; when you put it in a food processor it becomes too doughy and too juicy. This is often the problem with commercial products, but when chopped by hand, you get the perfect consistency. The other reason to make it at home is that you can make sure you are using the highest quality ingredients. When choosing your ingredients, it is best to go to a farmers market or somewhere that has a particularly good turnover. There are many different varieties of basil leaves, lemon basil, clove basil, and cinnamon basil, to name just a few, sweet basil is primarily used for pesto, but ask your local grower for other varieties and see which one you prefer. The basil leaves should be a deep green color (avoid dark spots and yellowing). They are available all year round, but there is usually a big difference in size and flavor between the summer months, when it grows freely and abundantly, and in winter.

Fragrant and sweet, basil also has many health benefits, it has anticancer and antiviral properties, it is an excellent source of vitamin A, and a good source of magnesium, which promotes cardiovascular health. To prepare the basil, wash the plant and dry the leaves, once the leaves no longer drip remove the stems. It is best to cut the stems where there are no longer many leaves and then separate the leaves from the main branch. It’s fine to leave some of the smaller stalks behind, but putting the larger main stalks in the pesto is not recommended. Chop the leaves finely, for this recipe; It should have about 2 full cups of chopped basil. The next step is to take a handful of walnuts and chop them small, but not until they have a powdery consistency. After chopping, you should take half a cup of walnuts. The pesto will be better if you can taste the small pieces of nuts, they should not be larger than a grain of rice. As you prepare your pesto, take note of the healthy qualities of its ingredients. Walnuts are rich in vitamin E and an excellent source of healthy monounsaturated fats that are good for the heart. Some people use pine nuts; we’ve found walnuts to add a thicker, richer texture.

Drizzle with just enough virgin olive oil so it sticks like a paste. Extra virgin olive oil is one of the most beneficial oils for health on the market and has been shown to be highly protective against heart and chronic degenerative diseases. About two tablespoons of fresh garlic and salt and pepper should be added to taste. People are always surprised when they see how much garlic we put in, it not only adds wonderful flavor, but also has abundant health benefits. To name just a few, garlic has antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer properties and the ability to lower blood pressure. We found that a large amount of fresh garlic not only increases flavor, but also helps us introduce healthy foods into our bodies. Some people like to add Parmesan cheese to their pesto, we think this adds unnecessary fat content and therefore reduces the overall nutritional benefits. Pesto is delicious as a spread on bread or crackers, added to salads, or eaten with grains, pizza, or with any vegetable stew or dish. Pesto is truly versatile, capable of enhancing almost any meal.


Original Source: Content prepared by Anne Louis for Food Ways.

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Fun Pesto Recipes:

Korean Food: A Brief Introduction to Banchan

In Korean cuisine, banchan is a small side dish served along with rice as part of an everyday meal. No Korean meal is complete without at least 2 to 3 banchan.

If you are one of my followers or subscribers then you know that my guilty pleasure is watching Korean dramas. Not only are they entertaining but they are educational and the food they eat always looks so mouth-watering. Watching them makes me hungry. I always wish I could be right there with them enjoying the food! LOL.

Netflix is doing well these days helping me satisfy my appetite for K-dramas. This streaming platform has quite a selection of movies and TV series, historical period or modern, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and more! Crash Course in Romance is a Korean series that was released on Netflix in January 2023. This series introduced me to “banchan”. One of the main characters was Nam Haeng-seon (played by Jeon Do-yeon), a lady who owned and operated a shop called “Nation’s Best Banchan”. Customers could come into the store and pick whatever banchan dishes they wanted for lunch or dinner.

Not being very familiar with Korean cuisine, my first question was: What is banchan? My second question was: What is the best banchan? I did a little research and am sharing my notes below.

NOTE 1: “Banchan means side dish in Korean, but in reality, it’s a bunch of small dishes filled to the brim with pickles and the like that scatter the table at lunch or dinner.” (REF: Hills, S. W. (2022, January 13). The Funky, Flavorful Side Dishes to Complete Any Korean Meal. Food52. food52.com/blog/17598-the-funky-flavorful-sides-a-korean-meal-wouldn-t-be-complete-without)

NOTE 2: “There are generally three main types of banchan — fresh vegetable banchan like namul or muchim; braised or soy sauce-based banchan called jorim; and well-preserved mit banchan like kimchi or jeotgal, that’s usually on hand in large batches.” (REF: Yoo, Irene. “How to Cook a Bunch of Banchan.” Food Network, Food Network, 6 May 2021, www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/how-to-cook-banchan-side-dishes-crowd. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.)

NOTE 3: What are some popular banchan dishes? (REF: TasteAtlas. “46 Types of Banchan Sorted by Popularity.” Tasteatlas.com, TasteAtlas, 20 Nov. 2020, www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-types-of-banchan-in-the-world. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.)

N‌OTE 4: “Banchan dates back to the mid-Three Kingdom period, around 300s AD at a time when Buddhism was a heavy influence and meat consumption was highly discouraged. As a restyle, seasonal vegetable-based dishes became the focal point of Korean cuisine.” (REF: Angela, and admin. “Banchan History: All about Korea’s Famous Side Dishes.” FOODICLES, 2 June 2021, foodicles.com/banchan-history/. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.)

NOTE 5: Everything you need to know about the history, etiquette, and ingredients behind banchan. (REF: Spalding, Lavinia, and Mae Hamilton. “How to Eat Korean Banchan — and a Guide to the Most Iconic Dishes.” AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 30 Aug. 2021, www.afar.com/magazine/how-to-eat-korean-banchan-and-a-guide-to-the-most-iconic-dishes. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.)‌

Original source

♦♦♦ COOKING VIDEOS:

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Meal Kit Delivery Services: Spotlight on Hello Fresh

There are many people who have a very busy lifestyle.  They are on the run so much that they don't have time to expend on preparing a home-cooked meal.  In order to ao avoid eating fast food or junk food, Hello Fresh offers a valuable service.  They do the meal planning and grocery shopping for you.

Food is fresh, never frozen. In addition to meats and veggies, they have plant-based meals for vegans and vegetarians.

They deliver the meal kits once a week and you can skip deliveries if you need to, like if you're going out of town. You can also easily cancel your account.

The company owners, managers, and staff are very conscious of their social responsibilities. For example.

~ They promote healthy lifestyles

~ Their meal kits don't waste food.

~ They request that customers recycle the boxes the goods were delivered in.

Headquartered in Germany, and in business since 2011, Hello Fresh meal kits are extremely popular in America.

Desserts Made With My Favorite Ingredient. Cool Whip!

Desserts! YUM! There are very few people in the world who will refuse a delicious dessert.

• Parents tell their kids: “If you eat all your vegetables, you’ll get dessert!” or “Finish your food or you won’t get any dessert!

• Kids grow up and tell themselves: “Life is uncertain. Eat desserts first.” ☺

Sometimes It Is OK to Eat Desserts

If you live in the USA, then you know that there are certain times of the year when eating desserts is totally OK. From October through December, because many holidays are celebrated, indulging in and enjoying desserts is expected. Is it any wonder that these 3 months are my favorite time of the year?

A few years back I signed up to receive a free newsletter published by FaveSouthernRecipes. This publication supplies wonderful recipes that are submitted by various people. The contributors could be professional chefs or everyday cooks. One of the issues was loaded with recipes for desserts. There were twelve (12) easy recipes that used my favorite secret ingredient Cool Whip.

• REFERENCE: “12 Easy Southern Recipes with Cool Whip.” Edited by Terrie Hayes, FaveSouthernRecipes.com, Prime Publishing, LLC., 7 May 2015, www.favesouthernrecipes.com/Recipes-for-Dessert/Easy-Southern-Recipes-With-Cool-Whip.

Elvis Presley’s love of bananas, peanut butter, and bacon is legendary! One of the recipes is called the “Ode-to-Elvis Poke Cake”. Here is the description provided at the site: “The King’s favorite flavor combo of bananas, peanut butter, and bacon comes together in this easy Southern recipe with Cool Whip. Moist yellow cake (with peanut butter added) is topped with banana cream pudding, Cool Whip, crumbled bacon, and a peanut butter glaze.”

What??!!! This should be illegal. LOL.

Do You Like Cool Whip?

Who likes Cool Whip? Believe it or not, this is a question that causes a divide. There are those who view it as fake whipped cream and say it’s advertised as “imitation whipped cream”.

I say: Cool Whip is real enough for me! 

There are many Americans, including me, who are very pleased that William H. Mitchell, a chemist who worked at General Mills, invented this food product. I can quantify “many”. Statista.com reported that “126.43 million Americans consumed Cool Whip in 2018”.

♦ Do you have a favorite dessert?

♦ Do you have a favorite ingredient that you like with almost any dessert recipe?

Quick and easy strawberry #CoolWhip pie with a graham cracker crust and fluffy filling. Retro #nobakedessert recipe with sweet berry flavor in every bite! #strawberries https://t.co/A5GDZNKzqN

— Flour on My Fingers (@flouronfingers) June 10, 2020

Pink Pineapple Fluff is a perfect dish for a barbecue, even a great light dessert. Made with Cool Whip, cream cheese, pineapple & maraschino cherries.

Get the recipe here --> https://t.co/SmJTVmNTq2 pic.twitter.com/d60Zx4DdYT

— A Dash of Sanity (@ADashofSanity) June 21, 2019

This OREO POKE CAKE RECIPE is one of our favorite EASY and delicious cakes to throw together for any occasion. This moist and flavorful cookies and cream cake is layered with chocolate cake, Oreo pudding, cool whip, and crushed Oreos. OBSESSED! ?￰ﾟﾘﾍ? … https://t.co/rR6cdLYldW pic.twitter.com/8WnRYcbg8f

— The Cookie Rookie (@cookierookiebec) May 7, 2018

Peachy Keen Cake with Cool Whip Frosting #recipe @ https://t.co/nTcoa9Pxnv #cakeforbreakfast # dessert #homecooking #coolwhip #recipes #yum pic.twitter.com/p1YHJw6X5k

— Lee & Mindy (@mindycancook) February 13, 2017

Foodie Friday : Winter Salad Binging

There's #FoodieFriday, #FollowFriday, #FriendlyFollow … whatever! It's the weekend!  Just pick a food and drink topic to share and run with it! 

Connie Guttersen, author, dietitian, nutritionist, a lady on Twitter (@ConnieGuttersen) inspired me to pick salad for my topic.  She shared a Tweet (below) about all the different kinds of lettuce that are “worthy”.  Appreciated the info, but from there it was a leap into “winter salads”. Why? Because during the cold months, salad is not always on my menu. Bowls and bowls of warm and hearty soups. Yes!  But salad? Not so much.  That has to change.

Lettuce is lettuce, right? Not so fast! Some lettuces (like iceberg) have 0 nutrients, while others are worthy to be included in your salad. pic.twitter.com/2zAdfzUpLq

— Connie Guttersen (@ConnieGuttersen) October 3, 2016

Raw Vegan Blood Orange Winter Salad Recipe (frivolousgirl.com)

Oldie but a goodie: Raw Vegan Blood Orange Winter Salad Recipe https://t.co/oSeh5UzxCZ
#bblogger #greenbeauty

— Isabel Ⓥ (@frivolousgirl_) October 26, 2016

Asian Quinoa Slaw Salad with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette (thekitchengirl.com)

Eat #veggies during winter? Yup - Asian #Quinoa Slaw Salad #vegetarian #gluten free #recipe https://t.co/HTIa5Z2YF7 pic.twitter.com/qK6CpIKtG8

— TheKitchenGirl Traci (@the_kitchengirl) January 7, 2016

East Asian Chicken Salad (crumbsonthetable.co.uk)

Zingy East Asian Chicken Salad fights the winter blahs: recipe from Crumbs on the Table: https://t.co/Kv5yY5iLSC pic.twitter.com/b4TxOCvDcD

— CottageGardenCookery (@LauraDonohueCGC) February 23, 2016

Asian Napa Cabbage Salad (homebakedjoy.com)

Asian Napa Cabbage Salad - Home Baked Joy

18 Warm Salad Recipes to Keep It Healthy This Winter

18 Warm Salad Recipes to Keep It Healthy This Winter

15 Winter Salads to Make for Dinner - Recipes from The Kitchn

15 Winter Salads to Make for Dinner - Recipes from The Kitchn

Winter survival comes in the form of comfort food - the richer and heartier the meal, the easier it is to handle the cold. But we still need salad. In fact, with all those hefty stews and baked pastas, salads are imperative to keep things in balance.

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)

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

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

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This post was highlighted at the My Foodie Luv newsletter.

Customs, Traditions and Symbols : The Cornucopia

In the USA, since 1863, we have celebrated Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday of November.

Here is a little bit of background information about this national holiday:

POTUS George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation – Thursday, Nov 26, 1789 proclaimed a day of “public thanksgiving and prayer”. (* Source: The Heritage Foundation)


POTUS Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a National Day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens”, to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November, even though, at the time, the country was engaged in the Civil War. (** Source: National Archives)



Now to get the highlight of this post. The cornucopia. I love the cornucopia.

A cornucopia, also called “horn of plenty”, is a symbol of a harvest – usually pictured as goat’s horn overflowing with various fruits like apples, grapes, oranges, etc.; corn on the cob; pumpkin; and some even have flowers.

In America, the cornucopia is a symbol included in our celebration of Thanksgiving Day. People don’t usually like to break with familiar customs and traditions that have been accepted and practiced for years. But if I could, I would champion a change to the traditional filling of the cornucopia. My horn of plenty would reflect a harvest that included exotic or tropical fruits. Pomegranates, mangoes, kiwis, and pineapples are at the top of my list.


As for vegetables? Haven’t really given them much thought. Maybe some zucchini and a bunch of collard greens, kale or Swiss chard! 

What about you? Ever give any thought to refilling a cornucopia? What fruits and/or veggies and/or flowers would go into your horn of plenty? Don’t you think it makes an excellent gift? A customized cornucopia for a friend or family member. A horn of plenty loaded with fresh fruits and veggies that they like!


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◊ If your country does not celebrate a Thanksgiving Day, I’m sure there is a similar holiday where you take time to give thanks and show appreciation for the life you live. If you don’t use the cornucopia, do you have a symbol that represents the harvest of bountiful blessings of planet earth?

Link of Interest:
Cornucopia – American Thanksgiving


Waving flag image credit: glitter-graphics.com

* * Content first published at Literacy Base on April 9, 2017.



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Lenox Medium #Thanksgiving #Cornucopia ~ Elegant Centerpiece Figurine: Gateway https://t.co/oBDWInI9EL #homedecor #autumndecor #homeandkitchen #happyholidays #holidaydecor #unique #gifts #giftideas pic.twitter.com/ey6se3LOL2

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) August 30, 2019

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Collections Etc. Color-Changing #Cornucopia #Centerpiece with Inspirational Words, Light-Up #Thanksgiving Table Centerpiece ~ https://t.co/6PMhAAR8rF #homedecor #autumndecor #homeandkitchen #happyholidays #holidaydecor #unique #gifts #giftideas #holidayshopping @goshoppingbees pic.twitter.com/WjT0nQKdKR

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) August 30, 2019

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Foodie Friday : Improve Boxed Mac-n-Cheese. Is that possible?

Anybody who loves their macaroni and cheese would rather be thrown into a cage with starving lions than eat that boxed mac-n-cheese!! UUUGGG!!! YUK!!!

OK. Being tossed into a cage with starving lions is a bit of an exaggeration. But how many of you have ever had a choice between making your own macaroni and cheese or using the mac-n-cheese in a box and said: “Oh yes! Gimme that box stuff! I love it!”

Saw a headline (below) about “hacking your mac”.

• Hack your mac: 13 simple ways to make boxed mac and cheese even better

Well since it was in the food section, figured it wasn't about a Mac computer, so it had to be about macaroni!  13 ways to make boxed macaroni and cheese taste even better? Well!  Everybody has their own tastes, don't they?  In my humble opinion, speaking as a non-chef or non-official food person in any way, a newbie learning to cook might want to test these ways using the box.  If the end results pass muster, they can adapt some of these ideas and add a twist to a real tried and true homemade recipe.

My tried and true homemade recipe?

Prepare 1 lb of elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions

Pour drained macaroni into a casserole dish. While the pasta is still hot, mix in the following ingredients in this order.

• 1 lb of shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 stick of butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 can of evaporated milk

Once all ingredients are thoroughly combined, sprinkle more shredded cheddar cheese on top. (As much as you want.)

Bake in a preheated oven to 350 degrees F., for about 30 minutes.

This is how my late mother taught me and was really surprised when watching TV chef Paula Deen's cooking show one day and noticed that she prepared hers the same way. (I varied my mom's recipe a little by adding in chopped onions and bell peppers.)

Other Mac-n-Cheese Variations

Foodie Friday : Edible Flowers

From time to time I randomly choose food topics, publish posts and tag them “Foodie Friday”. I have been doing research on edible flowers and that's what this Foodie Friday post is about.

When I was a child we (my sibling, my friends, and me) ate the hibiscus flowers that grew in the front yard of my childhood home. Don't know why but the thought never occurred that there were lots and lots of edible flowers. Then one day I was watching a TV cooking show. It was Rachel Ray. She made this dish, garnished it with flowers, and pointed out that the flowers were not just for decoration. You could eat them! Part of me was happy and wondered what they tasted like. The other part of me was sad because the food was just so pretty. I hated to destroy the work of art. 

Anyway. The more I explore, the more I find. A fellow food lover who contributes articles to an online writing community where I have been a member for almost 10 years, published a list of 25 Flowers You Can Eat. At the end of the article, she shared a link and I made an amazing foodie discovery: Crystallized Flowers. The recipe is so simple. You don't have to be a professional baker or pastry chef and you can decorate all kinds of desserts with them.

• ImPORTaNT CooKING TiP: Use organic flowers that have not been sprayed with pesticides. 

I am very pleased with the progress of my research project. Hope you are happy with my findings as well.

Image credit: Uncle Roy's Twilight Edible Roses Petal Mix 250ml Jar

Interested in more Foodie Friday Posts?

• Candied Jalapeño Peppers
• Experience the Joy of Salsa
• Figs ~ Enjoy a Raw Coconut Fig Slice
• Improve Boxed Mac-n-Cheese. Is that possible?
• Indian Food: Hot n Spicy Samosas
• Let's Do Sushi! Keep It Kosher!
• Name Your Favorite Instant Noodle
• Pesto Around the World
• Raw Milk Cheese (Americans are Missing Out!)
• Winter Salad Binging
• Japan’s 10 weirdest ice cream flavors
• YAPAS (Yet Another Post About Spinach)

? 25 Flowers You Can Eat | Delishably https://t.co/3DW25HL8xY

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) August 7, 2020

Crystallized Flowers Recipe - Organic Authority https://t.co/qeZE9fw9Z0 #food #foodies #foodlovers #desserts #cooking #organicfood #recipe #recipesharing

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) August 7, 2020

Food Blog Spotlight: Tofu is the New Black on Tumblr

So glad such a thing as a spotlight was invented. The concept or idea of shining a light on something or someone worthy of being noticed comes in handy when you find a fantabulous food blog like “Tofu is the New Black”. 

My foodie adventures around the web often either begin here at this blog or at my complementary Tumblr micro-blog. Was scanning the posts stream and came across this amazing blog. Fortunately the publisher, “Irene”, introduces herself in both Italian and English. (No problem if she didn't. I keep my Google translator at the ready! ☺ ) 



Irene is a vegan and not only does she share great vegan recipes but the food images at her blog show off some of the prettiest food I've ever seen!  She scours the web and recycles recipes, cooking tips, healthcare tips, charts displaying food alternatives or substitutes, infographics, and other food finds.  She is PRO-Green and extremely environmentally conscious (as we all should be).  Her posts date back to August 2015. Got so excited just browsing January 2017, decided her food / foodie adventures needed to be shared with others.

Are you a tofu lover?
Do you have a favorite tofu recipe?

Please comment below. 

Pretty food!

http://happy-tofu.tumblr.com/post/135333234655/httphappy-tofutumblrcom

Healthcare Tips!

http://happy-tofu.tumblr.com/post/135333574570/httphappy-tofutumblrcom

Cheese Lovers!

http://happy-tofu.tumblr.com/post/135134167665/lemon-cranberry-pistachio-cashew-cheese-ball

Healthy Ways to Satisfy the Munchies!

http://happy-tofu.tumblr.com/post/125921885985/10-vegan-snacks-for-your-desk

Taste of the Islands - TV Cooking Show on PBS

Finally! Singing the Hallelujah chorus. AGAIN!

This time all the rejoicing is because of a food TV show.

We relocated to Austin, Texas in 1998 and my mate's first observation about living in this land-locked part of the state was that the city was missing a good Bahamian restaurant or at least someplace that serves dishes that look like island food!

Once we got cable TV hooked up and got settled in, his next complaint was that the #food channels didn't have a good cooking show to teach people how to prepare common island meals.

In 2015, his prayer was finally answered.  Although the series did not last for very long.  But it was fun while it lasted!

Our public television station (PBS) airs a show called “Taste the Islands”. Chef Irie (real name Hugh Sinclair) lives in South Florida but is from Jamaica.

My mate is from The Bahamas.

Close enough!





 
We're both very happy.
For now.  :)

* * * * * * PBS – Celebrating Food & Cooking

Similar posts:

• Experiencing the Joy of Salsa
• Love Me Some Nachos!
• Indian Food – Myth or Fact

Taste of the Islands first published at Persona Paper, Jul 20, 2015.

Top 10 Tweets for First Quarter of 2020

Food Ways Presented by Everyday Exotic Spices has a companion Twitter account which was started in 2015. As of April 2020, the account has about 500. The results of my examination of the Twitter analytics data indicate that even though the follower count is low, people who view my posts stream really like the tweets. 

For the first quarter of 2020 (January, February, and March) the Tweets earned 65.4K impressions. That may not sound impressive to Twitter influencers who have millions of followers. But impresses me. At least there are some people out there who like the EES tweets. Apparently, people really like avocados. LOL.

Below are the top 10 tweets for the first 3 months of 2020. If you are not already a follower of @EverydaySpices, you are invited to become one.

TWEET (1)

Crispy Fried Zucchini - Spend With Pennies @spendpennies https://t.co/PlQZCQU0Wv via @flipboard #partyfood #funfood #fingerfoods #food for #GameDay #eatyourveggies

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) January 26, 2020

TWEET (2)

7 Natural #Aphrodisiacs: Spice up your sex life with these sexy spices. (#GuestPost)https://t.co/Hj0xCPGvIq ~ Spices excite the taste buds, add an interesting taste to food, and make us HOT! ... Learn about #saffron #fenugreek #fennel #cloves #garlic #nutmeg #basil ~ #herbs pic.twitter.com/0RVrGbJszH

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) February 28, 2020

TWEET (3)

Avocado and Egg #BreakfastIdeas | POPSUGAR Food ~ https://t.co/dXVcn5PylD ~ 15 #Recipes That Combine #Avocados and #Eggs For the Greatest Breakfast Ever. View #slideshow. #Food #foodies #foodanddrink #avocadorecipes #breakfast pic.twitter.com/adDG13rbc8

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) January 8, 2020

TWEET (4)

40 World Cuisines https://t.co/hY2qwJwOBc How many different cuisines have you tried? #Mexican #Thai #Indian #Asian #American #Frenchfood #Cubanfood #Latvian ??? #worldcuisine #Food #foodanddrink pic.twitter.com/LFMya4reyz

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) January 6, 2020

TWEET (5)

Spicy Lime Avocado Soup Recipe ~ https://t.co/sqVh7I52zX via @Flipboard #recipes #avocadorecipes #souprecipes #soupsandstews #foodanddrink #spicyfood Serve with warm #tortillachips. pic.twitter.com/oby5pkMZiM

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) January 8, 2020

TWEET (6)

The Ultimate Herb & Spice Pairing Guide | Delishably) https://t.co/F92OBl0ZTB #cooking #cookingingredients

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) March 26, 2020

TWEET (7)

10 #AvocadoRecipes to Help You Slim Down for Summer ~ https://t.co/lvkYmLdDHJ @thedailymeal #dietandnutrition #healthyeating #recipes #foodies #foodanddrink #summertime #eatinglight ~ Delicious and filling and will help you eat healthier. View #slideshow. pic.twitter.com/FtBjqBNi5f

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) January 8, 2020

TWEET (8)

Get your morning boost w/ this Vegan Green #Matcha #Smoothie Bowl by @onehappyplace; made w/ spinach, avocado, & almond butter!
?To find the the #recipe, go to https://t.co/emEmp9mybk. https://t.co/c4Ob1oxK0F

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) February 28, 2020

TWEET (9)

HomeHere Gold Luster Dust Edible Cake Gold Dust, 1oz ~ https://t.co/IMCjpdTVrG Edible metallic flour for decorative #pastry. #foodanddrink #baking #gifts for #domestic #divas who enjoy #baking pic.twitter.com/GWHEtmrTUY

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) February 6, 2020

TWEET (10)

12 Traditional Greek dishes and food you have to try
https://t.co/IuPENKZLyw via @flipboard #Greekfood #recipes #cooking #food #worldcuisines

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) March 26, 2020