Can You Guess the Healthiest Cuisines in the World?

Dear Blog Readers and Subscribers:

Missed me?  LOL. ☺❤  

I chilled out a bit for the 4th of July holiday but I have been (and still am) kind of busy with my various home biz projects.  Publishing this short post so that my readers know this is blog is still being maintained.

Found an interesting article today at Spices, Inc. that lists the 8 Healthiest Cuisines in the World.

It was no surprise to me that California Cuisine was on the list. I am a little upset that Caribbean cuisine did not make the list. But I understand. ☺ As to why kosher Jewish food isn't Number 1 on the list?  Your guess is as good as mine. ☺

JUST FOR FUN!

Before you check the official list at Spices, Inc., write down YOUR LIST of world cuisines that you think should be on this list and then compare to see if you guessed right!

8 Healthiest Cuisines in the World

Learn all about the 8 healthiest cuisines in the world ...

California Cuisine - History, Features and Fun Facts

Each bullet point presented below has been explored in much further detail by fellow freelance writer Om Paramapoonya and presented in an article titled: The term "California cuisine" was first used by food critics and magazine editors. California has diverse agriculture and people.

What Jew Wanna Eat - This Ain't Yo Bubbe's Blog

These Kofta Stuffed Dates from Millennial Kosher are a little sweet, a little salty, and make the perfect appetizer! If you like meat wrapped in more meat, then do I have a treat for you! Boy ...

World Cuisine: Great Recipes from Around the World (and Texas)

A handy reference list. Descriptive list of the different and popular dishes from the Philippines that every Filipino family have enjoyed cooking and serving on their dinner table. A Taste of the Caribbean: Make Jamaican Patties for Supper! This is a great recipe for authentic tasting Jamaican Patties; delicious golden pastry filled with curried beef and spices.

Indian Food - Myth or Fact

Do you like Indian food? I do! Although must admit, had to acquire a taste for it. My first time trying a so-called authentic Indian dish was at one of those American mall-type food courts, where there are all kinds of restaurants for you to choose from.

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 like " fantabulous food blog Tofu is the New Black ".

Vegan and Vegetarian Blogs: The Flaming Vegan

Many celebrities have gone the way of the vegan. to name just two (see "Links of Interest" below). Taking the leap and plunging myself into a vegan diet would be unrealistic. Taking baby steps toward modifying my diet to incorporate vegan food into my meals is a much more reasonable and sensible approach.

My Favorite Chinese TV Chefs

Growing up in my day (the 50s, 60s, and 70s) there were hardly any TV programs with cooks and chefs that taught you how to be a kitchen diva. But nowadays there are television networks wholly devoted to the topic of cooking techniques, sharing recipes and food diversity or world cuisine. Cooking shows are also all over YouTube. My husband searches for cooking videos. But I liked watching the public broadcast channels (like PBS) or the cooking channels on cable TV such as FoodNetwork.

These are my four favorite Chinese chefs.

1. Martin Yan
2. Ming Tsai
3. Ching He Huang
4. Kylie Kwong

Ever heard of them or watched their shows?

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#1 Martin Yan (“Remember! If Yan can cook, you can too!”)

“Back before the rise of the food-TV contests, the artificially heightened drama, the cult of the celebrity chef—there was a guy on PBS, armed with a wok, a cleaver, and a good sense of humor, just showing people how to cook.”https://t.co/lKSn5cPe4X

— epicurious (@epicurious) August 24, 2019

#2 Ming Tsai (in his early days with his mom)

The 10 Dishes That Made My Career: Ming Tsai ~ https://t.co/a8obQlSnEK via @flipboard ~ #favorites #favoriteTVchefs #cooksandchefs #Chinesechefs #Asianchefs #TVchefs #MingTsai #foodandcooking #cookingshows #foodanddrink #foodies #foodlovers

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) August 31, 2019

#3 Ching He Huang (She attended school but it is said she is self-taught.)  She was such a good chef they invited her to come to America to do a TV show. ~ “Easy Chinese San Francisco” with Ching He Huang

Cooking Chinese with Ching He Huang and Amoy sauces | Eat Cook Explore ~ https://t.co/91bO4nEGj7 via @flipboard ~ #favorites #favoriteTVchefs #cooksandchefs #Chinesechefs #Asianchefs #TVchefs #ChingHeHuang #foodandcooking #cookingshows #foodanddrink #foodies #foodlovers

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) August 31, 2019

#4 Kylie Kwong (She’s a popular Australian-Chinese chef)

Kylie Kwong recipes | Gourmet Traveller ~ https://t.co/AK80JzNC0J ~ Image is No 2 of 14: XO fried rice ~ #favorites #favoriteTVchefs #cooksandchefs #Chinesechefs #Asianchefs #TVchefs #KylieKwong #foodandcooking #cookingshows #foodanddrink #foodies #foodlovers pic.twitter.com/wznbjHSOCZ

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) August 31, 2019

Mark Your Calendars for November 1st to Celebrate World Vegan Day!

Happy World Vegan Day to all of those who are vegans. World Vegan Day has been celebrated every year on November 1st since 1994. 

To my vegan friends, I know that you are dedicated and committed to encouraging everyone to convert to a plant-based diet. Although I must confess that I have not fully crossed over, some significant changes have been made in my diet that you would be proud of. When it comes to being a vegan, in America (especially if you live in beef-eating Texas), it’s a challenge.

Celebrity Vegans:  Senator Cory Booker

There are many celebrities in the entertainment business who tout their vegan diet and try to influence others to make that change. I consider politicians a “type of celebrity” and they can also be influencers. However, Senator Cory Booker insists that he would never use his official public position to try to convert anyone else. Nevertheless, kudos to Cory Booker, an African-American Senator who is currently running for President in the 2020 Election. He is an outstanding role model, a shining example and proof positive that becoming a vegan is definitely doable. I mean … African-Americans are not known for preparing vegan-oriented meals. For him to make that kind of dietary change, it could not have been easy. Go bro!

Fast Food Restaurants in USA Should Have More Vegan Dishes

As I said, I have not fully changed over to a vegan or plant-based diet but it’s not for lack of recipes. Many of my online vegan friends share their recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, and snacks that you can make for yourself at home. But what about eating out? Like most Americans, I often eat at fast-food restaurants. I am of the opinion that it certainly wouldn’t hurt for America’s fast-food restaurants to add some vegan dishes to their menu. I know that it can be done because Wendy’s restaurants in India have paneer on their menu. They don’t have that in the USA. But they could and they should. If they did I would order it when I’m going through the drive-through! LOL.

Buddha Bowls Make Switching to Vegan Easy

My significant other is a YouTube junkie and he loves watching the cooking videos. Since we share the same bedroom I usually end up watching those videos with him. There is a wonderful YT channel called Tish Wonders and in one of her instructional videos, she prepares 3 mouthwatering Buddha Bowls. Her last recipe is my favorite. I personally believe that for someone to make the transition to a vegan diet, starting out by eating Buddha bowls for lunch or dinner is the best way! It’s an opinion, of course. But a very reasonable opinion. Don’t you agree?

Final Tip About Becoming Vegan

Changing over to a vegan diet is a good thing. But some people might make unhealthy decisions. Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition, published a very informative article about 8 vegan diet dangers and she cautions that one of them is irreversible. Before making any major diet and nutrition changes, you may want to seek professional medical advice.

Image credit: glitter-graphics.com

Original Source

Indian Food Cooking Basics: Indian Tempering

Respected food writer, Monica Bhide has written for well-known publications such as Food and Wine and Cooking Light. In her article, “The Crackling Spices Of Indian Tempering”, she writes about a cooking method common to Indian cuisine called “tempering”.

EXCERPT: ” … Tadka translates as “tempering.” It is a method widely used in Indian cuisine, in which whole or ground spices are heated in hot oil or ghee and the mixture is added to a dish. Hot fat has an amazing ability to extract and retain the essence, aroma and flavor of spices and herbs and then carry this essence with it when it is added to a dish. …”

Now before you frown and turn away because of the mention of two little words – “Hot fat” – it might interest you to know that tempering has nutritional benefits, as it helps the spices unlock their healing properties.

Typical Indian Buffet

The Crackling Spices Of Indian Tempering | Special Series: Kitchen Window | NPR

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Do you have a particular Indian dish you really enjoy? (It can be a dessert.)

Best Indian Dessert Recipes

Source: Webnuggetz.com

Irresistible Party Food: Deviled Eggs Recipes for Halloween

It's that time of the year again. Are you making your final preparations to celebrate the Halloween holiday? When not working on my blogs, my online activity sometimes involves chatting with friends on myLot.com, a social network that pays you to make friends and engage in friendly banter.


A member at that site asked what would I bring to a party. My response was two things: a fruit platter and deviled eggs. The question brought back a memory about all the church fellowships I've attended and all the office parties at my old jobs. Somebody always remembered to bring deviled eggs and that tray was usually the first party food to disappear! Decided to find some Halloween themed deviled eggs recipes to share. Hope you like them!!

LittleDevil Deviled Eggs (kraftrecipes.com)

Little Devil Deviled Eggs https://t.co/ToG7oZ9L9N via @flipboard #HappyHalloween #Halloween #Halloweenrecipes #foodfun #recipes

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) October 10, 2019

Spooky Monster Eyes | Avocado Deviled Eggs (scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com)

Spooky Monster Eyes Deviled Eggs for Halloween https://t.co/V0Okyz7kSl via @flipboard #HappyHalloween #Halloween #Halloweenrecipes #foodfun #recipes #lowcarb #eggrecipes

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) October 10, 2019

Halloween Deviled Spider Eggs (shockinglydelicious.com)

Halloween Deviled Spider Eggs https://t.co/v7vEuSRvQD via @flipboard #HappyHalloween #Halloween #Halloweenrecipes #foodfun #funfood #recipes #lowcarb #eggrecipes

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) October 10, 2019

Halloween Deviled Eggs-4 ideas (happierthanapiginmud.blogspot.com)

Halloween Deviled Eggs-4 ideas https://t.co/OTv0I3wYNa via @flipboard #HappyHalloween #Halloween #Halloweenrecipes #foodfun #recipes #lowcarb #eggrecipes

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) October 10, 2019

Halloween Food: Green Goblin Deviled Eggs | Fluster Buster

Halloween Food Idea: Green Goblin Deviled Eggs https://t.co/tS91ZQMsdK via @flipboard #HappyHalloween #Halloween #Halloweenrecipes #foodfun #funfood #partyfood #recipes #lowcarb #eggrecipes

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) October 10, 2019

Doubly Deviled Eggs - Rachael Ray Every Day

(NOTE:  This page is LOADED with deviled eggs recipes.)

Doubly Deviled Eggs https://t.co/IZhmDJexb5 via @flipboard #HappyHalloween #Halloween #Halloweenrecipes #foodfun #funfood #partyfood #recipes #lowcarb #eggrecipes

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) October 10, 2019

Halloween GIF found at glitter-graphics.com




© Photographer: Pratchaya Leelapatchayanont | Agency: Dreamstime.com

World Cuisine: Easy Dessert Recipe: Malpua

Do you love experimenting and tasting the food of other countries? Especially the desserts. Yum!

I'm sure I'm not the only foodie out there who loves global flavors. So I'll share this delightful recipe. It's a sweet treat popular in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Malpua is often served at holidays or festivals like Holi and Diwali.

You can find lots of variations of this recipe online. There is malpua served with rose and saffron syrup. There’s Bengali style. There’s banana malpua. There’s Mawa Malpua. (Image below.)

Cooking video: How To Make Malpua - Dessert Recipes



Related Link: How to make mawa - 5 ways of making mawa.

♦
If You Like This You Might Also Like:

• Sampling Fast Food World Cuisine is a Fun Do!
• Can You Name 5 British Desserts? (NO Googling!)
• Recipe for a Refreshing Summer Drink Made With Mango and Chia Seeds

Food and Nutrition: You Must Find Ways to Eat Your Veggies (It's Not That Hard)

Eat your veggies. I know this. But for me, it just required a little creativity. However, I learned that saying it and doing it was easy!

I Ate What My Mom Cooked!

My diet when I was growing up basically consisted of greens or legumes (black-eyed peas or lima beans) seasoned with ham hocks or smoked pork neck bones. That’s how my mother cooked. That’s what my mother cooked. And that’s what we ate. My mother let it be known that if we didn’t like what was on the stove, we were welcome to go out and try to find our own food. Or? We could hold out until we got hungry enough to eat it!!

Most of the time I was hungry enough!

But looking back, when I think about it, had my mother simply not added that one ingredient – the meat for seasoning – we could have been an almost vegetarian family. I say almost because of course for Christmas and Thanksgiving there was always turkey. For Easter, there was a ham. And for most of our Sunday dinners, there was fried chicken. Occasionally during the week we might have smothered pork chops or smothered liver.

I was blessed to receive government grant money which paid for my tuition and books, my dorm room, and my meals at the university cafeteria. It was in the cafeteria that I learned that it was perfectly normal to eat a large bowl of salad for lunch! A large bowl? Loaded with veggies? Really? My mom never served us a big bowl of salad!

Plant-Based Foods and Meatless Mondays

Nowadays plant-based food and meatless meals are all the rage. On Twitter, they circulate lots of recipes and meal ideas and hashtag them #MeatlessMonday. Not only are we treating our bodies well but we’re saving the planet too!

Life events actually forced me to completely change my dietary and eating habits. My late husband was diagnosed with heart disease. Consequently, when making out the grocery list beef and pork was no longer on the list. And we started adding more veggies to our meals. It wasn’t a difficult adjustment to make actually. Lots of times when I was at the grocery store there were certain veggies that I wanted to try. But we had a budget. By the time I finished buying all of the other foods on the list, there was no more money left for trying those veggies. But what do you know? Not buying beef or pork freed up $30 to $35. Now I had the money to buy zucchini, swiss chard, bok choy, cauliflower and lots of other fresh vegetables.

Cooking Tasty Veggie Dishes is Not That Hard

Now my only challenge was how to cook them and make the veggies tasty and not boring. TV cooking shows, food blogs, and Twitter to the rescue! There is no shortage of veggie recipes on the Internet. In fact, if you can find an Indian TV cooking show or YouTube video to watch, an Indian food blogger or an Indian food Twitter account to follow, you can learn all kinds of ways to prepare your veggies as a side dish or as the main meal. The spices they use to add flavor are amazing!!

Top 35 Indian Cooking Blogs For 2020
~ https://t.co/ruxAdER7fl via @flipboard @EverydaySpices
#indianfood #indiancuisine #worldcuisine #cooking #recpes #blogs #foodblogs #food #foodanddrink #cookingtips

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) March 9, 2020

However, if you’re not an adventurous cook and you just want a no-fuss way to cook and eat your veggies here is a way that is quick and easy.

Preheat your oven to 350 F. Chop up some veggies. What kind of veggies? Whatever you want. Pattypan squash (or any other squash), peppers, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, eggplant, etc. Season with fresh herbs like basil, parsley, oregano – whatever herbs you like. Add chopped garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss them in some olive oil. Mix all your ingredients, wrap in foil on a baking dish. Bake at 350 F for about 40 minutes. You can drizzle the roasted vegetables with your favorite balsamic reduction or not! You can serve over rice, quinoa, crusty bread, etc. or just eat them!

Most dietary experts say that you should eat 5 cups of fruits and veggies per day. Most people don’t have problems finding fruit to eat. We like fruit. It’s sweet! But when it comes to the veggies? We know it’s good for us. But we have to get creative.

10 Easy Ways to Eat More Vegetables Every Day @thekitchn ~ https://t.co/06MhwB3GkH via @flipboard
~ Sharing tips for #healthyeating. #eatyourveggies @EverybodySpices @Rx4Wellness2018

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) March 9, 2020

Content previously published at 100Springs.com

Popular Diets. Which is Best? French, Greek or Japanese?

Eat like zee French!  NO!  Like the Greek!  No No!  Like the Japanese!  

• Some say eat like the French. They knosh on cheese, drink red wine by the gallon, and cook with butter. They say it’s a healthy diet.

• Some say eat like the Greeks. It’s that Mediterranean diet. They use lots of olive oil and eat yogurt. It’s a healthy diet.

• Finally, others say we should eat like the Japanese. They claim the Japanese people live longer because they eat a lot of fish and pickle their vegetables.

Which country's diet have you copied?  Or do you just eat whatever is put on the table and ask no questions?

America’s food scene reflects a lot of cultural diversity so I can eat French, Greek, or Japanese. I don’t know if it will help me live longer, but the food sure does taste good! ☺

• Popular Diets of the World: The French Diet
• Why a Greek diet is considered Best in the World – Greek City Times
• How to Eat Like a Japanese Person | Time

♦

Content first published at Virily.com

Whilst we can't travel, what French food do you crave the most?! I'll try to source a recipe for your taste of France at home... Today: Tarte Flambee AKA Flammekueche...https://t.co/OzrObzrpSM#francechezvous #thegoodlifefrance pic.twitter.com/HZZMF7l5sx

— The Good Life France (@lifefrance) March 25, 2020

Exploring the French food scene in Palm Beach, Florida. Visit these standout restaurants and you’ll feel transported right back to France.https://t.co/JtQiYIkm4a#recipe #food #foodie #travel #PalmBeach #Florida #Frenchfood #foodphotography #foodmagazine #coqauvin pic.twitter.com/M3GFHyZufX

— France Today (@FranceToday) February 4, 2020

The best of French food at your fingertips? Magnifique! Sign up to our weekly newsletter for recipes, restaurant recommendations and culinary news from France! https://t.co/ghrnD6jo3A pic.twitter.com/SqWbkG9bWY

— Taste of France (@_TasteofFrance_) November 28, 2019

Greek tzatziki sauce - it’s a great addition to your BBQ!

Made with yogurt, cucumber, garlic + olive oil.

RECIPE: https://t.co/7qABOXD1fF#Greek #food pic.twitter.com/2WzJcownnx

— Louisa Clements (@Living_Lou) August 27, 2019

Today is our Independence Day here in Greece as well as the Annunciation and traditionally we cook fried cod & serve it with a garlic dip ?￰ﾟﾒﾕ?￰ﾟﾇﾷ
For the fried cod https://t.co/kI4Vbxrdsz
For the garlic dip ➡️https://t.co/VoujfZEdaT#lcookt #GreekIndependenceDay #recipe pic.twitter.com/Nqd2GIYOsI

— Little Cooking Tips - Greek Food Blog (@LittleCookingT) March 25, 2020

Feta Cheese in Olive Oil and Herbs https://t.co/QiTEV8ol8i pic.twitter.com/3M2SGdobGi

— Foodzesty (@sophie19621) September 23, 2019

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

Season 3-3 Kushiage & Wasabi Chicken - BENTO EXPO | NHK WORLD-JAPAN On Demand https://t.co/lUkRmRXTFQ @NHKWORLD_News #Bento #cookingvideos #japanesefood #worldcuisines #chickenrecipes #dinner #lunchtime pic.twitter.com/b1BT19e8AQ

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) March 26, 2020

Deep friend Japanese fish #recipehttps://t.co/F5CpP0YR5K pic.twitter.com/PIdfwIShsB

— Cooktube (@CooktubeIndia) August 23, 2017

Easy Japanese Pickled Vegetables (How to Recipe) - Cooking View - https://t.co/XNR4cSYFz4 pic.twitter.com/myWg143QZu

— CookingView (@cookingviewcom) September 5, 2019

Old-Fashioned Fruitcake Recipes | Vintage Recipes and Cookery (Reblog)

I have a fond memory of fruitcake. It dates back over 40 years and it was the time when my husband-to-be took me to his childhood home in The Bahamas to meet his parents. It was the Christmas holiday season.  His mother offered me a piece of fruitcake. I did not want to offend her but I really was not a fan of fruitcake. She served me a slice with a cup of coffee. I don't know where my mother-in-law got her fruitcake but to my surprise ... it was delicious!! That is a sweet memory and that's why I was happy to reblog this post. It evoked that memory and took me on a sentimental journey.

Most commercially-made fruitcakes are alcohol-free, but traditionally, fruitcakes usually contained alcohol; both for the flavor and to preserve the cakes for months. In the 1800s, wood burning stoves didn’t have temperature gauges, and oven temperatures varied based on the type and size wood used. You were supposed to learn how to determine the heat through experience. Some recipes ignored the oven temperature and others used terms such as a slow, moderate, or quick oven. ...

Continue reading ...

Old-Fashioned Fruitcake Recipes 

| Vintage Recipes and Cookery from the 1800s

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Did you know that food historians say fruitcakes were common in ancient Rome "when pomegranate seeds, pine nuts and barley mash were mixed together to form a ring-shaped dessert"? (Source)

Similar or Related Content from my Tumblr foodie blog:

https://foodways2017.tumblr.com/post/630978825451339776/four-winter-fruit-cake-recipes-henrietta-inman

>

https://foodways2017.tumblr.com/post/630978598344491008/fig-and-pomegranate-fruit-cake-healthy-and

Dinner Ideas: Chicken and Rice - Persian Style

Got rice? Got chicken? Let's do this!

Many cultures have a chicken and rice recipe.  The Cubans have arroz con pollo.  The Indians have chicken biryani.  A recipe that I really like is "Chicken and Rice - Persian Style".  It's the saffron spice and the dried cherries that makes this rice super good!!

Persian Roasted Chicken with Cherry-Saffron Rice

Tah-Chin - Persian Upside Down Layered Saffron Rice & Chicken

Persian Sour Cherry Saffron Rice (Polow)

World Cuisine : Potatoes or Rice? Rice! It Has Jewels!!

Search Olive Nation for "cherry AND saffron" products.

Pure Spanish Saffron Powder - $1.95 Pure Spanish Saffron Powder by OliveNation is 100 percent authentic Spanish Saffron powder. Featuring a distinctive flavor, aroma, and color, some culinary creations just wouldn't be the same without it. Use Saffron Powder in savory dishes like paella, risotto, and bouillabaisse. Or, make a saffron powder-infused dessert. OliveNation offers two options for Saffron Powder for your convenience. ...

Pure Spanish Saffron Threads - $8.95 Our Spanish saffron is authentic ISO 1 with a coloring power of more than 180. This is the real thing - SOIVRE certified that it "does not contain any additive, nor any natural or artificial colorant. ... SOIVRE is the acronym for Servicio Oficial de Inspeccion, Vigilancia y Regulaciones de las Exportaciones. All saffron exported out of Spain must go through SOIVRE and must prove (with a lab analysis) that the saffron being exported is authentic. Since the USA does not have regulations with regard to the authenticity of saffron, any country can export saffron to the US, label it as Spanish saffron but it may not even be saffron. Learn more. ...

Saffron Rice - $2.95 Saffron is a precious, expensive spice produced from the dried stigma of the saffron flower. This special ingredient adds delightful flavor and color to this dish, changing plain white rice into a delicacy. Our Saffron Rice is white rice infused with paprika, turmeric and saffron powder. You'll find that saffron rice is simple to prepare and will make your dinner extra special.

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A Good Cookbook is Never Out of of Season

When I was a newlywed (over 40 years ago), I was also a newbie at my job and my boss stopped by my desk one time just for general conversation.  That's what I thought.  I didn't realize that she was talking to me just to get an idea of what would make a really good Christmas gift for me.  She was also new at the job and wanted to make a good impression with her staff.  We were not allowed to give her gifts because she was our superior.  But she could get us gifts because we were her subordinates.  

Guess what she gave me for Christmas?  A cookbook!  It was the perfect gift for me.  I loved it and used it for years.  Based on that experience, I always say "a good cookbook is never out of season".  It's a practical gift idea for newlyweds, college students, aspiring chefs, etc. for the holiday season, a season of the year, or any other season. 

Here are some suggested cookbooks.

Cook without a Book: Meatless Meals: Recipes and Techniques for Part-Time and Full-Time Vegetarians Cooking for Geeks: Real Science, Great Hacks, and Good Food Cooking Without Borders Now Eat This! 100 Quick Calorie Cuts at Home / On-the-Go Special Diets for Special Kids, Volumes 1 and 2 Combined: Over 200 REVISED and NEW gluten-free casein-free recipes, plus research on the positive ... ADHD, allergies, celiac disease, and more! The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious - and Perplexing - City

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.

Matcha Tea is Body Fuel: Nutrition Trends: 2015 and Beyond!

Taking a quick look at the Nutrition Trends that started in 2015.  Health, fitness, and wellness experts identified food and drink they call "body fuel".  A car needs fuel to run properly and so does your body.  Matcha tea is body fuel.  Find out what other food and drink can power you up.

Many Americans strive daily to take extra steps to ensure their health and well-being. If Austin, Texas, “America's Fittest City”, is a representative sample of fitness habits around the USA, then nutrition trends show a shift in eating habits that will focus on partaking of food that can fuel the body.

In 2012, McCormick and Schwartz (well-known sellers of herbs and spices in the U.S. and the U.K.) released an 8-page report which stated that people would be moving towards honoring their roots; and their eating or dining habits would reflect a celebration of the origins of one’s own ethnic cuisine.

That was the forecast in 2012. Per Tori Jarzabkowski, who writes for Austin Fit Magazine, the nutrition trends for 2015 are in a direction just a tad bit different from eating the meals prepared by momma and grandma. This year (2015) there are five specific foods (listed below) that are “what's hot in the food and nutrition world”. Austin, Texas USA, boasts a very health-conscious community of citizens. Gyms are everywhere. People are into running, jogging, walking, biking, eating organic or whole foods, shopping at stores that specialize in homeopathic products, visiting the local alternative medicine practitioners for health check-ups, etc.

(1) Matcha Tea

Are you of Japanese heritage? The people of Japan have been enjoying this green tea since the 12 century. It was served as part of the traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. Not sure if they knew it was a super-food. If they did, they were way ahead of us.


(2) Bone Broth

Broth made from animal bones is loaded with nutrients. Bone broth improves immunity and has a host of other health benefits. Guess what? That's old news. My parents and my husband's parents always ate all the food on their plate, usually saved the meat serving for last, and when the meat was gone, they went after the bones. Sucked those bones dry! Like it was a religion. My dad and my husband's parents are from The Bahamas. My mother's roots are part African-American, part Native American, Cherokee.


(3) Fermented Foods

Everybody watches or has heard of that popular food show “Kimchi Chronicles”. Right? Well if you didn't know, you know now. Kimchi is a fermented food of Korean origin. Sauerkraut or “sour cabbage” is also a fermented food: German origin. Kombucha is a fermented drink, believed to have originated in China. They are good for healthy intestines and more.

SPOTLIGHT:  Clara Myers publishes Health and Wellness articles here at Writedge.com. In two of her posts she presents a thorough discussion on why we should eat fermented foods, and whether we should ferment our own food. Ms. Myers' expertise in the area of holistic health.

(4) Coconut Sugar

It must be coconut harvesting time. The coconut is being praised for everything! Coconut water. Coconut oil. Coconut jelly. Coconut fruit. Now there's coconut sugar. There is no need to sell me on coconut. Grew up in South Florida and we had a tree in our backyard. My brother used the climb the tree and throw down two or three coconuts. We'd whack them open and eat our fill. One year a hurricane knocked down the tree and my life has never been the same. Didn't realize there were so many good reasons why we were supposed to be eating coconuts.


(5) Seaweed Snacks

Last on the list for foods that fuel the body is seaweed. Seaweed is being touted as the “kale of the sea”. It's the new quinoa. It's green!! The rule is: the darker the green, the better! This particular food is not exactly the tastiest (my opinion) but after experimenting with flavors ranging from wasabi to coconut, check your grocery shelves for seaweed chips. It will be a healthy alternative snack to potato chips.


Gleaned a lot from reviewing the #AFMbestof article. Hope you liked my rehash. :)  

• REFERENCE: Jarzabkowski, Tori. "Nutrition Trends for 2015." Austin Fit Magazine: Best of 2014 Issue Jan. 2015: 22-23. Print. AFM Issue #207. Est. 1997. Official website: http://www.austinfitmagazine.com/

 ♦ ♦ ♦ Original content published January 10, 2015 at Writedge. ♦ ♦ ♦

Gifts for Tea Lovers : Do you Like Pretty Teapots?

Do you often find yourself reflecting back on many fond childhood memories? Many children, especially little girls, can probably remember having a tea party. My big sister had a blue and white tea set and she enjoyed pretending we were having a tea party. I wasn’t allowed to play with the toy dishes by myself since they were breakable. So when I wasn’t playing with my sister, my other memory is of playing with clay. What was an easy thing to make with clay? A teapot with teacups and saucers (which my sister taught me how to make). My clay creations did not look as pretty as her teapot, cups, and saucers. But creating those clay teapots encouraged my appreciation for pretty teapots.

Yixing is an area in China referred to as the Pottery Capital of China. The name (義兴) translated into English means “righteousness and prosperity”. The Yixing clay teapots date back to 1500 (or possibly 1300). A Chinese potter is to be credited for this invention; however, historical records do not provide a name. Originally made for individual use, they were molded from a single sheet of purple clay. Rather than use a separate drinking vessel, i.e. a cup, people often drank directly from the teapot. At first, the design was simple but later evolved into artistic creations. That was the beginning. In the late 1600s to early 1700s, teapots were exported to Europe. Eventually, the Europeans began to make their own. The earliest example of fine British tea-ware “may have been Josiah Wedgwood’s improved cream-coloured earthenware, which was introduced in the 1760s”. (Quote Source)


* More reading on the history and design of the teapot.


Nowadays teapots are commonplace and can be found in most homes all around the world. In fact, I think that the perfect gift for anyone is a lovely teapot or a tea set.


What about you? Do you fancy pretty teaware?

Click here.