Food Blog Spotlight: Custom Cakes by Rainbow Nourishments (Raw Vegan Cake Maker)

Was watching a health infomercial and the gentleman was supplying a recipe for a cake.  He showed the cake and then said we wouldn't believe what the ingredients were.  Have to admit when I saw the recipe I thought that cake was the best disguise I've ever seen.  Indeed, until I had to change my eating habits, it never occurred to me that so many foods that I loved to eat could be prepared in a completely different way and still be enjoyed.  Who knew?  

Evidently, the vegans knew and were way ahead with this knowledge.  In one of my previous posts, I shared my love of cake ("Which Cultures Make the Best Cakes?").  Today while surfing the Internet, stumbled across these wonderful creations by a food blogger named Anthea, who published a blog is RainbowNourishments.com.  She makes custom cakes.  Sure!  There are a lot of custom cake makers out there.  But this lady specializes in raw vegan cakes that are indescribable!

Pink dragon fruit layer cake

  

Pink dragon fruit layer cake

This recipe captures pretty much everything that I love about cakes. I love taking a bite of a sponge cake and squashing the air out of it in my mouth (ok, that sounds weird and confronting, but it's the truth so I'll stick with it). I love the simplicity and smoothness of raw cakes.

Amazing Cake Stand Multifunctional Cake and Serving Stand For weddings,events, parties, 4-in-1 Crystal Cake Dome

Acai Bowl Cheesecakes

Smoothie bowls are a staple in my diet as they are quick to make, delicious and can be made out of pantry/freezer ingredients. Smoothie bowls are normally thick smoothies poured into bowls, made with some sort of frozen fruit, and topped with things like granola, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, coconut...

HABIBEE 6-in-1 Acrylic Cake Stand Multifunctional Serving Platter and Cake Plate With Dome (6-in-1 Cake Dome)

Rainbow nicecream cake

Whoever invented nicecream (aka icecr eam made of blended bananas) is a genius.I thought: what if I could combine my current favourite food (nicecream) with my favourite concept (rainbows) into something that could enjoy at ANY time of the day. This marbled nicecream cake reminds me that adults CAN have fun with their food.

Edible Butterflies © -Large Rainbow Variety Set of 12 - Cake and Cupcake Toppers, Decoration

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Favorite Delicatessen Food (Thanks to the Earl of Sandwich and the Jews)

We are all grateful to the Earl of Sandwich. Legend says he was in a hurry one day, slapped a piece of meat between two pieces of bread, and the sandwich was invented. Eh! That's the story I heard.  Some say he did not invent it, but he made it popular. Whoever! Thank you! :)

Anyway, here is a link to an archived post by a fellow freelance writer about favorite places to eat. The article writer recounts an experience at a restaurant in Palm Beach, Florida. It brought back nice memories. I am from Miami, Florida, and used to work in Miami Beach.  For me, the best place to eat a great sandwich is a Jewish kosher delicatessen. that was within 5-minute walking distance from my job. Maybe the Earl made the sandwich, but the Jews definitely took it up a notch!  The most difficult lunch decision for me to make was whether to order corned beef or pastrami. :)

Favorite Delicatessen Food

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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.

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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?

How Bread Dipping Oil Can Save Your Next Impromptu Gathering (Guest Post)

No one would argue with you if you claimed to have never thought about bread dipping oil outside of certain Italian restaurants. Then again, why would you? We’ve come to know this little tasty treat as something to help tide us over while we wait for our main course, and in some cases, the dipping oil was much more satisfying. The thing is that bread dipping oil is starting to make a name for itself in home entertainment as a way of jazzing up the snack game. No longer are big bowls of chips and dip acceptable as snacks for guests (actually, who are we kidding — they are). Even if you have surprise guests, the expectation of having a nice snack on-hand is enough to start making bread dipping oil very chic nowadays.

The fact is we are also a very social species that hates to disappoint. If you have family or friends come by your place without prior notice, it can be a little unnerving, but you still want to be a good host. Then again, maybe it’s more than just someone dropping by. Maybe you’re out with the gang and someone calls your place for the after-party. Everyone is stoked, and even though you’re “high-fiving” everyone, deep down, you’re terrified because you may not have enough Vienna sausages for a group.

So, how big a deal is bread dipping oil? Here are a few ways it can really save the day:

Simplicity to the Core — Good extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. That’s it. Have some nice bread available, and you’ve got all you need.

Keep Ingredients in the Pantry — Seasonings like salt and pepper are always a part of any kitchen, and along with these staples, you may already cook with olive oil. With such a perfect combination ready to go, it makes you wonder why you have some much other stuff in your pantry.

Save Money — There’s no need to order food or pilfer your fridge and freezer for snacks. And chances are that once you buy the ingredients you’d need for your dip, you probably won’t have to buy them again for a bit.

Can Set the Scene — Impromptu gatherings can sometimes come at the worst time because you’re just not up for it. Still, these are also the type of get-togethers that really turn into some happening parties. Your dip can play to each possibility.

Though the biggest selling point about bread dipping oil is its simplicity, you can really amp up the flavor in very unique ways. You can get a little crazy with the type of salt and pepper you use. Probably the biggest flavor bomb you can drop on your guests is using locally-sourced quality olive oil for the dip. Find the right bottle, and you can literally forget adding a single thing to the oil.

Texas Hill Country Olive Company in Dripping Springs, Texas has bread dipping oil that will make your next get-together the stuff of legends.

* * Article Writer: ALFRED MEARS

Image credit: Tuscan Herbs,Garlic, Basil, Truffle Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 8.5-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 4) by Grand'aroma

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! :)

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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

Foodie Friday : YAPAS (Yet Another Post About Spinach)

Tapas is that cool food you get to eat if you go to a restaurant in Spain. YAPAS is yet another post about spinach to try to encourage those who don't care too much for this veggie, to eat it anyway!

There was once a contestant in a beauty pageant and she was asked: “If you have one last thing to do before you die, what would it be?”

Her response was: “She would eat everything!”

That is a sister after my own heart! :)

I love to eat! But no matter how many “first food experiences” I have, I just know that there is a lot of delicious and tasty food in the world that I'm missing out on. :)

For example:

♦ I was either in my late 20s or early 30s before I knew that you could eat spinach raw!

Shocking??!!  I know!!!

More true stories and facts about spinach.

~ Per celebrity TV chef, Rachael Ray, frozen spinach is the best bargain buy for green leafy vegetables!

~ My late mother only ever fed us spinach from the can.

~ Popeye the Sailor Man is the reason one of my brothers starting eating spinach. My mom had tried everything to persuade him. The cartoon did the trick! :)

~ Recollection of my first food experience eating raw spinach?
When traveling on official government business you get a “meal allowance” and so you get the opportunity to eat out at restaurants. Can't remember the restaurant, but when I ordered my dinner, the salad was served first. That's a common practice. What was uncommon is that it was a spinach salad and it was delicious! I'm like: 'Oh my! You can eat spinach raw!'

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Would like to recommend an online publication called "The Science of Eating". It is loaded with healthy eating tips and information, like this article:

I don't really need to be convinced to eat my green leafy vegetables. But it's great to know that the foods I love are good for me too. Nothing more disheartening than being told you need to eat a certain food because it has what you need and it's a food that you can't stand eating!! Like carrots!  My mom had a rough time trying to get me to eat carrots.  Watching Bugs Bunny did not do the trick!  :) 

Thank goodness you can turn carrots into juice and mix it with other juices to mask the flavor. :)

Eat Your Greens! Drink Your Carrots!

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Previous #FoodieFriday posts? 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