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.

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Food Blog Spotlight: Dinner Ideas: Duck with Star Anise Broth – Chef Kevin Ashton

Have you ever tasted duck?  I have only had one food-tasting experience with duck. Wish I could have had more. Nevertheless, that one experience was more than enough to condition me. Now every time I even see a duck recipe or cooking video, I start salivating.

My Facebook Memories reminded that I shared this recipe with my network of followers several years ago.  It's an awesome duck recipe from a food blog published by a chef based in the UK.  He uses star anise, one of my favorite exotic spices.

Duck with Star Anise Broth
– Chef Kevin Ashton

English: Ilicium verum, Schisandraceae, Star Anise, Atar Aniseed, Badiane, Chinese Star Anise, fruits. The dried ripe fruits are used in homeopathy as remedy: Anisum stellatum (Anis.) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The spice star anise is distilled to make star anise oil (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SPICE SPOTLIGHT: Star Anise

Widely used in Chinese and Indian cuisine, this whole spice resembles anise in flavor. Some stars may be broken and not entirely whole.

See also: SPICE SPOTLIGHT: Peppercorns

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MORE FROM KEVIN'S FOOD BLOG

Related or Similar Content

• 8 of the UK's most famous chefs share exactly how to make their signature dishes(businessinsider.com)

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• You’ll Love Making These 5 Super-Easy Duck Recipes – Center of the Plate | D'Artagnan Blog(https://center-of-the-plate.com)

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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)

The Simple Joys of Italian Sausage

How did I come to know about the simple joys of Italian sausage.  The first time I ever used Italian sausage was when I made stuffing for Thanksgiving. I grew up with my mother using the turkey gizzards, so I thought that was “The Only Way”. When I made the stuffing with Italian sausage, it became the main side dish for our holiday meals. It was a memorable "first food experience".  From that time forward, I can leave out other side dishes for our turkey day meal.  But if I don't make stuffing … I will hear nothing but complaints!

My second simple way to enjoy Italian sausages?  I was in a grocery store one day and the chef was giving out free samples of a hearty soup he had made. Soup is such a comfort food. The soup was made with dark green veggies, legumes, chicken broth, and sausages.  It was delicious! That became my other simple way for using Italian sausage.

My 3^rd way is a simple sausage, onions and peppers, over rice.

I never make my own Italian sausage because the store-bought brand is inexpensive and tasty. Although I did watch an Italian cooking show one time and the chef showed how to make your own.

How to Cook Italian Sausage {3 different ways!} - Spend With Pennies

~ What are the 3 ways: Stovetop, Oven, or Grill.

I usually do my sausages in the oven so I don't have to watch them on the stove. I would grill them. But I don't have a grill.

Who likes Italian sausage?  What's your favorite way to eat them?

Looking for foodie friends? Have fun finding and sharing food-related content on Noise.Cash. It's a global social community. The PLUS is that you can make friends and earn Bitcoin Cash$.

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

Care To Share Your Eggplant (Aubergine) Recipe?

Do you love to watch cooking shows on television?  One of my favorite TV chefs is Nigella Lawson (nigella.com). She taught me what an aubergine was. Aubergine?? Oh! You mean eggplant!! :)

On the hunt for eggplant recipes.

Sharing a few recipes via this foodie blog. But ....

I want more eggplant recipes! More! More!!

Why?

The food experts say that for 2017 and beyond, “purple is the new green” and everybody is supposed to be eating more purple veggies. Sure! Eggplants are not the only purple plants out there. But it's a good purple food to start with! Agree?  :)

One quick question:

• Do you eat eggplant cooked or raw?

I enjoy listening to the music of smooth jazz vocalist Michael Franks. One of his songs that we really like is called “Eggplant”.

When my baby cooks her eggplant.

She don't read no book!

Yeah OK. He's not really singing about eggplant. But the lyrics are inspiring and might make you want to cook eggplant, even if you do have to read “how to” in a book!

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Links of Interest: 

Freedman, Joanna. "Start Eating Purple for Good Health: The Science behind 2017's New Food Trend." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 19 Dec. 2016. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/news/start-eating-purple-good-health-science-behind-2017s-new-food/ ).

Davis, Sara. "A History of Eggplant in Four Languages." Table Matters. N.p., 12 Sept. 2016. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. ( http://tablematters.com/2012/10/10/a-history-of-eggplant-in-four-languages/ ).

Ehler, James T. "Eggplant Trivia and Facts." Food Facts & Trivia: Eggplant. Food Reference, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. ( http://www.foodreference.com/html/feggplant.html ).

Meyer, Megan. "Eight Fascinating Facts About Eggplant." Earth Eats | Real Food | Green Living. The Trustees of Indiana University, 18 Jan. 2010. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. ( http://indianapublicmedia.org/eartheats/eggplant-facts/ ).

"Eggplant Food Facts." Belly Bytes. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2017. ( http://www.bellybytes.com/foodfacts/eggplant_facts.html#.WJI-fzjwnIU ).

Below are some recipes you might enjoy.

French style Roasted Eggplant

Ratatouille and Eggplant for Harvest Season

Marinated Eggplant - A Healthy Life For Me

Eggplant Patties with Olives and Herbs | Gourmandelle

Do you have an eggplant recipe that is the best ever?  

If so, please share.

Food Blurb: Gourmet Sleuth is an Excellent Cooking Resource

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.

"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 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".

World Cuisine : The India-Africa Cooking Connection

For me, a hearty stew has always been the ultimate family-style comfort food. Prepare a big pot, fill the bowls for family, friends, and honored guests, break bread, and chow down!! (Keep reading and you'll get the "bread" and "chow" references.)  Such a meal can unite family and friends, make strangers feel welcome, and dare I say ... connect countries?  Hey!  Nothing wrong with wishful thinking and dreams of world peace.

Indians love curry; in fact that's where it originated. Africans like peanuts; it was a food used to feed the slaves because it was an excellent source of protein. These tidbits of info gleaned from researching world cuisine, global flavors, and food history.  When the Indians and the Africans combined their food loves ... the "mix" was WOW!  Let the links shared below explain the impact.  They lead to recipes that introduce your palette to the blending of the cultures of  India and Africa in every delicious mouthful.  Not just dishes that use curry and peanuts but meals with other flavorful cultural ingredients.  It's family food, it's comfort food, it's "all kinds of deliciousness" food!! ☺

Let's Go to South Africa for Some Indian Food

Experience the flavors of Indian food in South Africa.

Indian cuisine South Africa style blends Indian and African foods

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African cuisine reflects the amalgamation of hundreds of different cultures and groups that inhabit the continent. The local culinary traditions are a fusion and it can be seen in the choice of ingredients, method of preparation and cooking techniques.

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Food Blog Spotlight: Honey Chai Cake Recipe | Arabic Food (Reblog)

Are you curious about global flavors?  You have wanderlust but can't wander too far because your travel budget is extremely limited?  Describing myself, of course.  My travel adventures are accomplished mainly through the Internet and television.  Was watching a TV cooking show and the host asked one of his guests who was a world traveler, which part of the world had the "best food" (in his opinion).  He said he enjoyed food prepared in the Middle East.  

Image credit:  Arabic Food I, photo by Victor Maia, found at Flickr.com



Connecting the dots.  

Several months back, began using the Google+ collections feature to maintain a collection of posts and links related to World Cuisine.  In the process, stumbled across the Arabic Food Recipes blog.  My husband and kids are turned on to chai tea. Even though I am a coffee fiend, having been encouraged by them to try a cup, it's very easy to understand why they are chai tea lovers.  At the aforementioned food blog found a cake recipe and thought to myself:

• 'Chai tea is delicious. Why not chai cake?'  

(See link shared below.)

Here is another thing to note about this blog.  When many of us are enjoying the holiday season, we say "Happy Holidays" to others.  Why?  It's not to be anti-Christmas.  America is a diverse nation.  Some folks do not celebrate Christmas.  But they do celebrate a holiday!  This blog has holiday recipes for Christmas, EID, and Ramadan.  Cool huh?

Honey Chai Cake Recipe

Honey Chai Cake Recipe

A delicious honey cake with tea, covered with vanilla and white chocolate icing, no one can resist it! Shaikha - founder of "When Shaikha Cooks" blog - prepared for you this unique recipe, to prepare it easily, especially for when you're expecting friends.

Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with flavours of shawarma recipe

“There’s nothing worse than being stuck in the kitchen on Christmas day while all your guests are enjoying themselves outside, so this DIY lamb shawarma recipe is the perfect solution. ...”

Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with flavours of shawarma recipe

The Arabic Food Recipes Kitchen (The home of Delicious Arabic Food) invites you to try Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with flavours of shawarma recipe. Enjoy the Arabic cuisine and learn how to make Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with flavours of shawarma.

Eid Kaak with Dates Recipe

Eid Kaak with Dates Recipe

Cooking time: 20 minutes servings: 100 Ingredients Dough: 2 cups very hot margarine7 cups flour2 tsp smell of kaak (special kaak spices)2 tbsp toasted sesame1/2 cup warm water1 tbsp yeast 1 tsp sugar1/2 cup milk Stuffing: 500 grams Ajwa (dates)1 tsp cinnamon For garnish: Fine powder sugar Directions 1.

Eggplant With Lamb, Tomato and Pine Nuts Recipe

“ … this traditional Lebanese dish is made for celebratory meals and gatherings.

Eggplant With Lamb, Tomato and Pine Nuts Recipe

With its layers of golden eggplant, cinnamon-scented lamb, and sweet tomato sauce topped with melted cheese, this traditional Lebanese dish is made for celebratory meals and gatherings. Even better, it's just as good served warm or room temperature as it is hot from the oven.

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How To Promote Diversity And Inclusion During A Month Of Multicultural Holidays

Looking for foodie friends? Have fun finding and sharing food-related content on Noise.Cash. It's a global social community. The PLUS is that you can make friends and earn Bitcoin Cash$.