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Wednesday, March 8, 2023

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. 









Beet Orange Salad with Honey Vinaigrette



Where to find more Beets on Flipboard


Wednesday, February 15, 2023

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 thatthe  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.



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?





Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Cooking Tips : No Need For a Special Diet to Use Ingredient Substitutes

Whether you believe eggs are good or bad, at least there are egg substitutes, in case you run out of eggs.



Imagine.
It's a holiday. 🎄
You're preparing a scrumptious meal. 
Many of the recipes require eggs. 
But! You run out of eggs! 
PANIC!! 
All the grocery stores are closed because ... it's a holiday! 
Can't borrow from the neighbors because every egg they have is CRITICAL!!  They're celebrating the holiday too.  

What do you do? 😨


This food chart (below) was made for vegans. But you don't have to be on a special diet to use cooking ingredient substitutes or alternatives.

By the way.  If this doesn't convince you to keep a ready supply of applesauce and tofu on hand, nothing will!  



Top 9 Plant-Based Egg Substitutes For A Healthy Diet



Similar links of Interest:

Za’atar is a spice mix or a spice blend used in Arab and Israeli cuisines. It is used in recipes the same way Westerners use salt.


Sure many recipes are tradition! But if you won’t eat a dish because of that one vegetable that you just don’t like, then go ahead and substitute the veggie for the one you do like! It’s OK. That’s not illegal!





Saturday, December 17, 2022

Fun Foods and Snacks For a Movie-at-Home Party

OK. So at one of my partner blogs, I came up with this corny, cheesy idea for a Saturday Afternoon at the Movies party. Corny and Cheesy? Hmmm? It makes me think of food!

What kind of food should be served at a movies-at-home party?



Of course, the easiest foods for me to think of were popcorn, pizza, and candy. But I wanted some good movie snacks besides popcorn.  Thank the Lord for the Internet. It was so easy to seek and find ideas for family movie night at home. Of course, you know Martha Stewart had to contribute her suggestions. And also, FoodNetwork. Where would be the food-loving world be without them? 

There are some websites, not well-known by way of TV shows, but they are popular on the world wide web. Sites like BuzzFeed, Brit+Co, Tasty, etc. They usually have lots of food-related stuff. 

So if you have plans for movie night (or an afternoon at the movies) at your house and you need any ideas on what to serve, here are just a few. Have at it! 

No matter what snacks you make, just don't forget the popcorn. Hey! It's tradition! 

Also ... break American tradition and throw in some sushi!  

Have fun!!


Image credit:  Amazon.com


















Friday, November 25, 2022

Foodie Friday : Happy Holidays! Who Wants Egg Nog?

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

December 24th is National EggNog Day!



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

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

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


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































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Previous #FoodieFriday posts?

Friday, November 11, 2022

Foodie Friday: Upside Down Cakes

Do you remember when you first learned how to cook?  Do you remember when you made a dish or a dessert that you thought was impossible to make with your limited culinary skills but when you followed the recipe you ACED IT!!  

I remember when I made my first Pineapple Upside Cake. 

I was a teenager and I was trying to teach myself how to prepare meals for my family, including dessert. I was quite proud of my cake even though I used a cake mix. I had not realized that the part of the recipe I thought was the most difficult ~ that is, getting the pineapple on the bottom to be on the top.  It was so easy! Once I learned what to do I started thinking: 'I can probably do this same recipe with fruit other than pineapple.'  I thought that but I've never done it! I'm not sure what fruit I would substitute for the pineapple.  Although I have seen a cooking videos upside down cakes for other than pineapple.

Below is a link to a great recipe for pineapple upside down cake, if you have never baked one.  And ...???  I'm just curious.  If you have already made such a cake, have you ever made an upside down cake with a fruit other than pineapple??  Mango? Nectarines? Peaches?  Bananas? Apples? Rhubarb?  Some exotic fruit that grows in abundance where you live?

cake

Pineapple Upside Down Cake - Sally's Baking Addiction


RELATED VIDEOS:




Friday, September 30, 2022

Foodie Nuggets: Herbs and Spices: Za-atar Spice Blend on Flatbread

I just recently discovered Za'atar. My friends from the Middle East say it's very common in their cuisine.


Here is a fun fact for foodies.

It is said that evidence of flatbreads has been found at ancient sites in Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, and the Indus civilization. Also there are historical records that indicate Persian soldiers baked a flatbread on their shields and covered it cheese and dates.

Baked it on their shields? Now that's genius survival skills!



RELATED LINKS:


If You Liked This, You Might Also Like Other EES Food Blurbs:

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

My Texas Foodie Blog Posts Round Up

Hi!  Thank you for visiting my foodie blog.  Stay here as long as you like.  Feel free to come back as often as you like.  I am originally from Florida but currently reside in Texas.  When I got here I mentally donned my cowboy hats and boots and dived into the food!  LOL. ☺  Here is a collection of my blog posts and various articles I have published around the web. 

chili


YACR ( Yet Another Chili Recipe )

  • Texans love their chili and everyone will tell you they have the best chili recipe.  Everybody but me.  I won't say mine is te best.  But I will tell you that after years of experimenting with various recipes, I finally cme up with one that everybody in my family liked.  

Chili Cornbread Salad (Guest Post)

  • Wait!  What??  You can make chili and cornbread into a salad???  

Candied Jalapeño Peppers

  • Some Texans will argue over whether fresh jalapeños are better than pickled jalapeños.  But just so the argument won't get boring, throw in candied jalapeños.

Who Loves Nachos?

  • I loved going to office parties in Texas.  Somebody always brought nachos!  ♦ Fun Food Fact: In America, National Nachos Day is celebrated on November 6.

nachos

Cinco de Mayo Holiday Recipes

  • Cinco de Mayo is a holiday in Texas mainly celebrated by people of Mexican heritage.  If you want to taste a sampling of Tex-Mex cuisine, get yourself invited to Cinco de Mayo festivities.

A Question About Salsa: Is There an Alternative?
  • In Texas salsa is a very common condiment. Nobody looks for alternatives. Just different salsa recipes.

Texas and Tacos are a Match Made in Texas!

  • One of the best things about moving to Texas was that my family got introduced to a fun food called tacos. Not only was it fun but it was very inexpensive.  Guess what?  You can make a taco salad or soup.  YUM!

World Cuisine: Great Recipes from Around the World (and Texas)
  There's Texas and then there's the rest of the world.  LOL.




Friday, September 2, 2022

Foodie Friday : YACR ( Yet Another Chili Recipe )

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



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

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

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

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

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


* * * Fox's Chili Recipe * * *

 

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


Content first published at PersonaPaper, Aug 2015.






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Monday, August 22, 2022

What Kind of Broth Do You Use in Your Ramen Noodles?

Ramen noodle, the instant noodle that the whole world now loves to eat, was invented by Momofuku Ando (1910 - 2007), a Taiwanese-Japanese inventor in Japan. It was first marketed in 1958 by his company, Nissin. Incredible! I can't remember exactly when I started eating Ramen noodles. I think it was in the 90s. I could get 5 packages for a dollar at the grocery store. I could eat a package every day. That's 20 cents for a meal. Why not?

At first I just followed the package directions and ate them that way. Later on I learned you could add meats, vegetables, eggs, etc. and come up with all kinds of recipe variations.

My favorite addition to Ramen noodles is cabbage; preferably bok choy; and also mushrooms. My daughter likes to add a bolied egg to the broth.


The broth! That's another thing I like about eating Ramen noodles. I prefer chicken broth. My daughter likes beef broth. This recipe makes a broth out of black tea and ginger. Interesting. I never even thought to change the broth flavor ... UNTIL NOW!

RamenRecipe (Made with Black Tea + Ginger Broth!) - Fit Foodie Finds

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

World Cuisine : French Cuisine - Appetizers : Eat Like Zee French!

Eat like zee French!! Better yet. Just eat the appetizers.

Have you been tasked with meal planning and preparation for the holidays?


My advice to you? Eat like they do in France.


A typical meal in France has 5 components or courses. The first course consists of appetizers (or aperitifs). For me, it's perfectly alright to make them my entire meal!! Examples of French cuisine appetizers include herbed cheese spread; Amiens pates (duck pate); fish soup; and a dish called pissaladiere. There are plenty more. The first two on the list are the most satisfying to my taste buds. But more than happy to taste and sample all the other entrées too! Learn more about this wonderful food that you would probably enjoy so much you would be perfectly fine with skipping the rest of the meal. :)


Michey LM, is a fellow freelance writer and information contained in an article she published inspired this “two cents”. She has chosen to however, to unpublish her content, but learning about delicious cuisine has me yearning (or craving) for everything French!!  

French Cuisine Appetizers

 

The Everything Easy French Cookbook: Includes Boeuf Bourguignon, Crepes Suzette, Croque-Monsieur Maison, Quiche Lorraine, Mousse au Chocolat...and Hundreds More! (Everything Series)

everything french 





Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Which do you choose? Potatoes, Pasta, or Rice?

No offense to all the potato and pasta lovers out there but if I have to choose, I’ll ask for rice dish any day. I love rice like Oprah loves bread! I know I’m not the only one. All around the world people love to share the rice recipes they serve at home. The dishes are so popular, locals will ask for it even when they’re out dining in a restaurant. It doesn’t matter that they can get the same dish at home.




Rice is the King of Crops

You could say that rice is the king of crops. Here’s why. According to historical records and documents, rice cultivation began in China and spread across Asia. As empires expanded and foreigners came to know one another via exploratory travels, the crop made its way to Africa and parts of Europe. The Europeans brought rice to America. Nowadays rice is everywhere. It is a staple food and many populations survive because the people are given a bowl of rice a day. “Rice has fed more people over a longer period of time than any other crop.” (Quote Source)


Bahamian Pigeon Peas and Rice

My family tree is Bahamian. I grew up eating pigeon peas and rice and always thought it was a uniquely Bahamian dish. But then my Puerto Rican friend told me they eat it a lot where she comes from too! The way they make it in Puerto Rico is slightly different but it’s still delicious. It is my all-time favorite rice recipe because it has ties to my heart.

Rice and peas or peas and rice is a traditional food in Africa. Everybody knows that Africans were brought to the Caribbean, The Bahamas, and the United States, by way of the slave trade. It makes sense that the people simply adapted and modified recipes they remembered from home, to suit their new environment. In The Bahamas, pigeon pea is a crop that is harvested regularly. Peas n’ rice started out as a one-pot meal, a sort of survival food for the islanders and those who farmed the land. Starch, meat, and veggies were all in one pot. The meat included in the recipe was usually salt pork or bacon. (You can change the recipe and do vegetarian or vegan-style. It’s OK!)

Over time, the locals and travelers or visitors to the island country grew to love peas n’ rice and as of today, it has become a common side dish. It almost always makes an appearance at everyday meals served at home and it is expected to be served as one of the sides at any restaurant, much like how American expect their french fries.
Would you be interested in trying this true Bahamian “must eat”? It’s easy to make! Bahamian Pigeon Peas & Rice




Other Rice Recipes and Food History

Even though I am familiar with Bahamian pigeon peas n’ rice because that’s my roots, there are other rice dishes I like eating just as much. Chinese fried rice. Paella. Biryani. Persian rice. ALL YUM!

No doubt each of these rice dishes have their own similar food history. Similar, that is to say, very likely started out as food for the commoners but tasted so good everybody wanted to eat some ~ the commoners and the aristocrats or rich folks.

Below are links to a collection of rice recipes that are sure to please, with a few historical tidbits mixed in to enhance the joy of eating.


Asian Rice Recipes

Chinese Fried Rice ~ You can do vegetarian-style or add small pieces of meat. The recipe actually came about as a way of using up leftover rice. The earliest historical records dates its origination to the Sui dynasty (589–618 CE).

Chicken Biryani ~ There are vegetarian versions, but I like the chicken. There are very strong opinions that biryani should be the National Dish of India, even though “biryani” is derived from the Persian word “birian” which means “fried before cooking.” Many give credit to the Mughals for creating the biryani dish, but some say there were similar dishes being eaten in India long before the establishment of the Mughal Empire. So let’s just say they took a common recipe and made it their own once they took over!


European and Middle-Eastern Rice Recipes

Seafood Paella ~ Paella originated in Valencia, Eastern Spain. It is a fusion of 2 cultures: Arab Moors and the natives of Spain. As to its history? One story goes that this rice dish was created by cooks using leftovers to give to the king’s guests to take home from the banquets.

Persian Rice ~ Also called Persian Wedding Rice or Iranian Jeweled Rice. It’s made with fruits and nuts. Iran which was once known as Persia, and was at one time an “ancient super power”; meaning the rulers conquered a lot of peoples who had different cultures. Iranian cuisine or Persian food has been influenced by many cultures. Hard to tell what originated from what resulted from the fusion or the blend. “Iran’s food has a rich and illustrious backstory that tells the tale of conquerors, explorers, and merchants all leaving their mark on Persian cuisine.” (Quote Source)




Which do you choose? Potatoes, Pasta, or Rice?



Original Source

Thursday, June 30, 2022

World Cuisine: Exotic Vegetables: Winter Melon

Thanks to being active in various global social communities, I'm learning about all kinds of food like the “winter melon”. This is not a produce that I am familiar with. Even when I checked to see if maybe I knew it by a different name, it turns out I did not know the alternative names either. I don't recall seeing this melon in my local grocery store but it is probably in the produce section at an Asian market. Nevertheless, now it's a food that I am curious to try. 


Image credit:  Amazon.com

OK. Let me explain myself. I like cucumbers and I like melons. But I say a cucumber is a vegetable and anything called melon has to be a fruit. Right? WRONG!!

The Spruce Eats is my favorite GO TO site for when I want to learn about anything food-related. They published content titled “What Is a Winter Melon?” and it tells you all about it.  


The winter melon is a large vine vegetable; a type of gourd and a distant cousin of the cucumber. Commonly called ash gourd, wax gourd, white gourd, white pumpkin, and Chinese watermelon. It is a native to parts of Southern Asia and used in both Indian and Chinese cuisine.

You can cook it, but don't over-cook it because it will become mushy. It pairs well with a lot of different foods: watermelon, mushrooms, scallions, pork, chicken, duck, and ham, seafood like shrimp and scallops. I love that it can be cooked in soups and stews because soup is on my unofficial list of Top 5 comfort foods.

  • Some sources say it can not be eaten RAW.
  • Other sources say, add it to salads RAW just like you would with a cucumber.

???????

Here are some additional food facts and most of the sources seem to be in agreement.

“Chinese people believe winter melon is a Yin food that can help our bodies to counter the summer heat and humidity.” This soup dish is so popular they even serve it at weddings.

Chinese Winter Melon Soup Recipe ~ TheSpruce Eats


Winter melon can also be used to make drinks. There are recipes for Winter Melon Tea and Bubble Tea Latte. Sounds interesting.

18 of the Absolute Best Winter MelonRecipes to Try This Year - Backyard Boss  


A few of the health websites sing praises about the health benefits of the winter melon. It's good for digestion; promotes heart health; can detox your body; can improve your vision; and more!

9 Surprising Benefits of Winter Melon |Organic Facts


FINAL LINK SHARE:

Figured there had to be a candy recipe.  Petha / Winter Melon soft Candy !!! | Shailja's Kitchen [ Meals & Memories Are Made Here ] 



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