"Food ways" is an expression that dates back to 1946. It refers to the eating habits and culinary practices of a people, region, or historical period. Food Ways Presented by Everyday Exotic Spices: Food finds for foodies and food lovers - curated content from around the web, sharing the ways we all like to enjoy our food! Food history, recipe sharing, and all things food-related. This foodie blog is aimed at newbie cooks or beginners. But everyone is welcome!
The spice trails taken by the Europeans can be traced backward from India to Arabia (formerly Asia Minor) to Africa to Egypt and all the way to the ancient Greco-Roman world. Wars were fought over precious spices and in the end … we all won! Because the end result of the wars and the global spice trade is that these days, exotic spices are readily available, either via online shopping or maybe even at your local grocery store. If you would like to learn about the history of spices, here are a couple of links of interest.
India is not the only country that supplies herbs and spices to Europe and the USA, however, these days, it is a major exporter. The spices which were introduced to the West by way of India include, but are not limited to, cardamom, cassia, ginger, tamarind, curry, and turmeric. Cardamon is referred to as the "queen of spices". Do you know which spice is called the “king of spices”? Saffron!
(Although some say it's black pepper. Not me! I'm in the saffron camp.)
The origins of saffron may be disputed. (History of Saffron.) But not its flavor, health benefits, or its recognition as the most valuable spice in the world.
Were I to recommend four (4) spices to turn my mundane everyday meals into extraordinary-everyday dining experiences, it would be:
If I were thinking of a gourmet food gift for an aspiring chef or a friend or relative who wants to improve their cooking skills, it would be one or more of these delightful spices.
Been dining out in American restaurants for practically all my life, and there are always two condiments you can find on any table: mustard and ketchup (or catsup). That’s what I thought, until I started traveling to various states in the United States.
When I got to Texas, I noticed that, in addition to mustard and ketchup, many restaurants have pickled jalapeno slices in a jar on the table, and you can always ask for salsa. Texans, have Tex-Mex fusion cuisine and they eat salsa with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My taste buds are not fussy; so now that we live in Texas, it was easy to make the adjustment and use jalapenos or salsa as my “extra flavor enhancer” or condiment.
♦ Did a little research to discover what people around the world use as condiments. Ever try Monkey Gland Sauce? It’s popular in South Africa.
* * *
NOTE: This post doesn’t really provide cooking tips. It’s about what people like to use to dress up food that’s already been cooked.
Do you have a certain condiment where you live that you like to put on your food, or that everybody likes to put on their food? Ketchup? Jalapenos? Whatever?
On September 20, 1519, Portuguese navigator, Ferdinand Magellan (c. 1489-1521), set sail from Spain on a mission to find a western route to the Spice Islands. He reached the coast of South America and then navigated the strait linking the Atlantic and the Pacific which now bears his name, the Strait of Magellan. He crossed the Pacific to the Philippines in1521, where he was killed in a battle with the natives. Juan Sebastian del Cano (c. 1460-1526), a Spanish navigator, stepped into the shoes of Commander after Magellan’s death and returned to Spain in 1522. Three of the five ships Magellan led on the expedition did return to Europe. But what became of the Spice Islands?
The year is 1945 and Indonesia has been proclaimed as a republic. The islands formerly known as the Spice Islands are known today as the Moluccan Islands. No doubt discovering these islands was quite an adventure for the explorers, but these days it is very easy to go on an exotic spice adventure and never leave your kitchen.
Today
is May 21st, and tea lovers around the world are
celebrating.
Even though I am a loyal coffee lover, tea holds a
special place in my heart because of my big sister. He made the tea
in the world. Iced tea or hot tea, whenever we spent time together,
tea was her drink of choice. I was so happy to be spending time with her, I drank the tea any way she served it – hot or cold. My tea
memories are under “precious moments in life to appreciate
FOREVER!”.
Tea
has a rich history, cultural significance, and there are countless
varieties or flavors. I used to think there was only one flavor,
i.e., black tea. Later on in my adult life, I discovered all kinds of
herbal teas. My Chinese friend often drank rice tea. My daughters drink everything from chamomile to matcha to … the list is too
long!
At
any rate, this blog post is a round-up of my various posts about tea. You probably think: 'For a person who loves coffee, you're sure do talk a lot about tea.' All I can say is: "Yeah! I do!" (O.o)
Learning about the medicinal uses and benefits of flowers and plants has become my new passion. It grew out of concern for not only my own health and well-being but mainly the health and wellness of some of my children. Some of them do not like going to the doctor and prefer to search out natural remedies for whatever is ailing them.
My late mother rarely went to see a doctor. She believed in herbal medicine and treated herself as much as she could before finally being persuaded to seek the advice of a medical professional. I have to say that many times her natural remedies really did work. Unfortunately, I did not pay attention to the various concoctions she used to mix when I was growing up, and so none of her knowledge was transferred to me.
When my children started strenuously objecting to visiting the doctor’s office and opted instead to find alternative health practitioners, I decided to do research. I started studying on my own because I wanted to know about the various remedies that were being suggested to my children. I say “children” as if they are minors, even though they are past 20 and 30 years of age. My late husband also began to use herbal remedies in addition to his prescribed medications for his health condition.
Please note that I am not a healthcare professional and when I speak about using these remedies I am only talking about my personal and family experience. You should always seek professional medical advice if you have an ailment. Don’t play guessing games with your health.
In this article, I want to share a summary of what I have learned about four (4) flowers or plants used for medicinal purposes:
honeysuckle flower;
hawthorn berries;
gynostemma plant; and
sophora flower.
Honeysuckle flower
Many people grow honeysuckle flowers in their home garden because not only do they have a wonderful fragrance but they attract hummingbirds and butterflies. There are close to 200 different varieties, but the most common is the Japanese honeysuckle. This variety grows profusely in Japan and Korea. Other varieties grow in China, Europe, and North America. They remind me of the hibiscus flower because you can suck the sweet nectar from the tubes. Since the Middle Ages, people in Europe would eat the stems to treat dysentery, for infections in the upper respiratory tract. The ancient Chinese used honeysuckle for snake bites. Be careful which variety of honeysuckle you pick because some are edible and some are toxic. Botanists say the ones that grow in Europe are usually poisonous. You are also advised not to go by the taste. Sometimes the sweet tasting berries are toxic, and the berries that are not sweet are not toxic at all.
Who says watching TV for entertainment isn’t educational? The first time I ever heard the word “hawthorn” mentioned, I was watching a Korean drama about a vampire. They didn’t use crucifixes in Korea to repel vampires. They used hawthorn. Interesting huh? The hawthorn berry grows in Asia, Europe and North America. Good to know! Suppose you’re in Europe or North America but you get attacked by an Asian vampire. It’s just humor. On a more serious note, hawthorn berries have many health benefits. To name a few: they can lower your blood pressure, reduce blood fats, and treat digestive problems. Is it any wonder it is used with traditional Western medicine to treat heart failure? You can make a tea using the entire plant: the flowers, the dried berries, and the leaves.
This perennial plant has been called the “immortality herb” Some say it’s the “new ginseng”. Ginseng, as you probably know, is credited with making you strong, smart, and sexy. The gynostemma plant is a climbing vine that grows in southern China and other parts of Asia. It grows and grows and grows. The Chinese simply chew the leaves, serve them in a salad, or make tea to drink. Advocates claim that this plant can improve your cardiovascular health. They say it enhances the “yin” and supports the “yang”. In Vietnam, they are researching to determine if traditional medicine and Western medicine can be integrated, and this plant can be recommended in mainstream medical practice to treat diabetic patients.
The sophora flower is often used as a Chinese herbal remedy, and that’s why whole, dried flowers and the flower buds can be found in Asian markets. They treat headaches, high blood pressure, and even bleeding hemorrhoids. Be warned. It may be an effective herbal remedy but an overdose can prove fatal. Women who are pregnant or lactating should not that not take any medicines that contain the sophora flower. It’s also called the Japanese Pagoda Tree. Those who practice Western medicine are also familiar with this flower, but say that even though people use the flower for such ailments as hemorrhoids, menopause symptoms, and vomiting, there is no reliable scientific proof of its efficacy.
♦ What do these 4 flowers and plants have in common? When dried and combined, they can be used to make a medicinal tea that reduces your cholesterol. But, according to health experts, many other foods and drinks can lower cholesterol.
Growing up, people used to always say to me: “Eat carrots! They're good for your eyes.” I believed what they said. Not dissing carrots, but they were and are not my favorite veggie. So, coming up with creative ways to enjoy them to receive the health benefits was always a challenge. What's the best way to respond to a food challenge? COMPROMISE! 😋
Now in my adulthood, come to find out that according to experts in diet and nutrition, zeaxanthin and lutein, which are the forms of beta-carotene that boost eye health, are found in high levels in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, and Swiss chard. That's fantastic! Because for me, greens are the best veggies!! Although, in defense of carrots, the juice mixes well with various other fruits and makes for a delicious, healthy drink!
RE: Carrots - DID YOU KNOW?
A carrot is not a vegetable. ...
The root is not the only edible part of a carrot. ...
Plant an actual carrot in the ground and it will make seeds. ...
Carrots are one of the best plants for pollinators. ...
♦♦ Carrot Juice Recipes | Juicing Carrots Carrot juice recipes are simply wonderful. If you've never had it before, you'll be surprised how sweet it is. It tastes NOTHING like you think it will taste. Its sweet, creamy and delicious. It has a milky texture and has no bitterness.
According to available information,tea was discovered accidentally. It seems that some guy in China was preparing a meal and had a pot of water boiling. It was a windy day, and leaves were blown into the pot of hot water. To the cook’s surprise, the water turned into an amazing drink. That’s how brewing tea began. The versions of this story or legend vary, but it sounds believable to me. Weren’t many of the wonderful things we enjoy in life discovered accidentally? Everybody knows tea is delicious and has great medicinal value. I want to talk about two of my favorite fruit-flavored teas: cranberry and black cherry.
A nurse once told me cranberry juice would restore the vitamins and minerals I had lost during childbirth. So I thought to myself: ‘If cranberry juice is good, cranberry tea is probably good too.’ Cranberry tea has lots of minerals and Vitamins C, K, and E. There are numerous health benefits, but what I mainly like about it is that it is good for weight loss. It helps burn fat and flushes toxins out of your body. It is considered a detox tea.
Black cherry juice and black cherry tea are in high demand. I discovered the health benefits accidentally. My late husband had a problem with his big toe. Turns out that it was gout, and eating black cherries helped. Cherry juice is kind of expensive. But the tea is reasonably priced. Cherry tea helps reduce inflammation, eases muscle pain, and decreases pain from gout, arthritis, and headaches. Maybe this is why a lot of medicine comes in cherry flavor. You think? Black cherry tea is also used for detoxification.
Do you have a favorite fruit topping for your toast? In the house that I grew up, there were only two choices: Welch's grape jelly or Smucker's strawberry preserves. That's what my mom bought. Since she was in charge of grocery shopping, that's what we ate!
So for most of my young life, it never occurred to me to eat something different. Until … one day, my mom brought home grape jam instead of grape jelly. It was still the brand name Welch's but it was jam instead of jelly. I don't know why! Maybe there was no more jelly on the store shelf. It was a mystery. But whatever the reason … we all went “WOW! It was amazing!” We kids made an incredible discovery. Jam spreads much smoother than jelly! It tastes just as good with peanut butter. Why didn't mom always buy this?
Well! All of the siblings, my sister, my brothers and me, decided to unite and requested that mom buy jam henceforth and forevermore! She complied. My mom was easy! (Sometimes.)
Fast forward to my life as a young adult. Got a job working for the federal government and was sent on an official assignment to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Usually, I ate breakfast in the hotel before leaving for work. I ordered a typical American breakfast: bacon, eggs, and toast. At this particular hotel, they had a basket of assorted jellies and jams on the table. Included in the assortment was pineapple preserves.
My life was changed forever!
Those pineapple preserves made the toast tastes like I was having a tropical party in my mouth! It got so that I looked forward to having breakfast every morning!
So now, if anybody asks what's my favorite jelly, jam, preserves or fruit spread?
Summer squash has a strong resemblance, in flavor and texture, to a zucchini. You can, in fact, substitute zucchini in this recipe, but it will probably bake a bit more quickly.
Not sure what the weather is like where you are. In my city (Austin, TX USA), it's confusingly balmy and breezy, occasionally rainy, comfortably warm with no need for a sweater, and sometimes chilly. It's climatically perfect! ☺ My friends elsewhere around the USA and the world are still complaining that Old Man Winter has overstayed his welcome and refuses to leave! This recipe is fabulous no matter what the season of the year is or what kind of weather you're experiencing. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 medium summer squash 2 eggs 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (try panko breadcrumbs for a crunchier texture) 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon mustard powder Salt and pepper Olive oil
How to Make It:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease a large baking sheet with olive oil and set aside.
Cut your summer squash into wedges. Remove the seeds if they are quite large and set wedges aside.
Whisk the eggs in a dish and set aside.
In another dish, combine the breadcrumbs, paprika, mustard powder and salt and pepper.
Start by dipping the wedges, one by one, into the egg mixture and then the breadcrumb mixture. Place each wedge on the greased baking sheet. Continue until all the wedges are done.
You can bake the wedges as is for about 30-40 (until soft inside and golden brown on the outside) as is, but if you want a more golden texture, drizzle or spray some olive oil on top of the wedges. Flip halfway through baking.
Serve with ranch or another favorite dip.
There are many versions of oven-fried squash recipes? Find more.
Another discovery has been made in the study of food, health, and science. Credit is being given to Professor Kazuyoshi Ukena of Hiroshima University for identifying NPGL, a protein in our brain which “apparently aims to maintain body mass at a constant, come feast or famine”.
The professor's finding eliminates the excuse of not being able to lose weight and stop yourself from overeating because you don't have any willpower, because the mechanisms for appetite control are literally ... all in your head. :)
When it comes to being health and fitness conscious, making quality of life choices, and developing healthy living habits, citizens of Austin, Texas, set the example for everyone else to follow; including the Californians. { IMHO ☺} Sharing a recap of key facts to peak your interest and some information links on health, wellness, and fitness, diet, nutrition, and exercise for further reading and research.
Do you like Indian food? I watch a lot of cooking shows and videos. One thing I noticed about Indian cooking is that they really know how to blend herbs and spices and do amazing things to enhance the flavor of vegetables. Whether the vegiies are cooked or eaten raw in a salad, they are so tasty.
