Popular Posts

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Green Leafy Vegetables : On a Roll With Escarole

Made a New Year's Resolution to eat more green leafy vegetables.  Been doing pretty good too!  It's September and this is, I confess, the only resolution I have managed to keep.  However, there is one green leafy vegetable I have yet to try.  So I collected some recipes.

Escarole a.k.a. common chicory, broad chicory, or Batavian endive, is a vegetable that I recently discovered can be cooked in a variety of delicious recipes.  Here is my collection.  

How about you?  Are you an escarole lover?  If you have more please feel free to share in the comments.



Here is my recipe collection.

Escarole and Bell Peppers With Olive Oil

  • By MARK BITTMAN
    New York Times Diner’s Journal
    ”This classic braised escarole dish, which uses a series of techniques that can be applied to almost any green vegetable, relies on a hefty amount of garlic and olive oil, which are added both at the beginning and at the end of cooking, the final additions to freshen and intensify flavors.”

Smoky Paprika Chicken and Crispy Chickpeas Over Escarole Salad Recipe

  • By: Jodie Kautzmann: “The contrast between cool, lemony greens, warm spice-rubbed chicken, and crispy oven-baked chickpeas makes this main-course salad especially satisfying.

Fettuccine with Pancetta, Brie, Escarole and Pine Nut Bread Crumbs

  • “saw a recipe at foodandwine.com … started out planning to make the recipe as written … ended up with adding goat’s cheese and a crunchy Italian breadcrumb and pine nut topping.”

Escarole Sausage Soup

  • “I’m a fan of escarole. It’s a crunchy green with a bit more heft than lettuce, and it makes a great salad: on it’s own simply dressed or tossed with 10 other things to make a grand main course salad. In my heart though I’m a cooked greens fan, always. I like escarole cooked up with garlic in my Standard Cooked Greens Recipe: garlic oil heat cleaned cooking green: apply together and you have a great side dish or taco stuffing.” –Julia

Escarole Siciliano

  • By: Tammy
    “This lemony salad is served hot from the wok. Escarole is a bitter green, but can be less so when grown shielded from the sun. In general, lighter green leaves indicate a milder flavor. Thinly sliced tomatoes are a great accompaniment. This recipe can be doubled. For a larger party, cook in batches.”

* * *  So many fabulous ways to enjoy this vegetable.   * * *  


Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Green Leafy Herbs are the Unsung Heroes

Green leafy herbs are the unsung heroes of both the kitchen and the apothecary. They’re not just flavor boosters—they’re cultural symbols, medicinal allies, and botanical marvels.  ๐ŸŒฟ 


๐Ÿง„ Culinary Staples

These herbs are prized for their fresh, aromatic leaves and are often used raw or lightly cooked to preserve their flavor and nutrients.


๐ŸŒฑ Medicinal & Cultural Significance


๐Ÿงช Fresh vs. Dried

  • Fresh herbs (aka “green herbs”) retain vibrant color and volatile oils—ideal for garnishes and quick-cook dishes.

  • Dried herbs have concentrated flavors and longer shelf lives—better for slow-cooked meals.


๐Ÿฝ️ Pro Tips for Use


EXTRA RESEARCH.

(I watch a lot of Korean dramas, and I'm always drooling over the food.  LOL.)

๐Ÿฒ Korean Culinary Traditions

Many of the herbs on your page play key roles in Korean cooking, often with layered meanings:

  • Perilla Leaves (Kkaennip) – Aromatic and slightly bitter, these are often eaten pickled or used as wraps. Their distinct flavor and versatility earn them a place in banchan spreads.
  • Garlic Chives (Buchu) – Stir-fried, added to pancakes, or tucked into dumplings, their pungency boosts richness in humble home-style dishes.
  • Mint – Known as "bang-ah" in Korean, mint isn’t as common in savory dishes but features in herbal teas that promote digestion and refreshment.
  • Mugwort (Ssuk) – Used in rice cakes like ssuk tteok and soups, mugwort lends an earthy flavor and is tied to spring rituals and cleansing traditions.

๐ŸŒฟ Historical and Medicinal Roles

Korean traditional medicine (Hanbang) reflects centuries of botanical wisdom:

  • Thyme and Sage – While not native to Korea, similar aromatic herbs have been used in teas and topical remedies for respiratory or skin-related ailments.
  • Mugwort (Ssuk) – Considered a sacred herb, used for everything from digestive tonics to women’s health treatments. It’s burned in cleansing rituals, much like sage in other cultures.
  • Perilla Seeds – Ground into pastes or oils, they're thought to support heart health and boost immune function.

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NOTE: This content is AI-generated.  Just testing. ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ‘

Monday, July 7, 2025

World Cuisine: Food History: Cuban Sandwich

Most people, most people in or from South Florida, have heard of Little Havana, a neighborhood in Miami, Florida, built up by Cuban immigrants who fled Cuba when Fidel Castro came to power. Everybody knows this is the place to go to partake of authentic Cuban cuisine. However, did you know that the oldest Cuban sandwich shop which opened its doors in 1947, is not located in Miami? The famous Silver Ring Cafe is in Tampa, Florida.




That was news to me. Also learned something else new. Very familiar with the Sandwich Cubano (Cuban sandwich) and Media Noche Sandwich (Midnight Sandwich); but did you know there are several variations of this sandwich? No doubt they’re all delicious! There is a third one called Elena Ruz (Cuban Turkey Sandwich). It has guava jelly as one of the ingredients. If you’ve never tried Cuban food, you must try the Cuban Sandwich. Even the world-famous chef, Bobby Flay has his own variation.

Eating food is one of life’s greatest joys. 
But learning food history is also great fun too!


References:

Internetwriter62. "The Art of the Cuban Sandwich." HUBPages.com. HUBPages Inc., 17 Sept. 2013. Web. 20 Jan. 2017. 

Bobby Flay Goes Cuban.” CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 1 Feb. 2007. Web. 27 Mar. 2015.  (Video.) 

Monday, June 30, 2025

Four (4) Uncommon Cooking Ingredients Explained (Guest Post)

Below is a short explanation of four (4) uncommon cooking ingredients and how to use them in cooking. 


1.  Clear Jel is a refined cornstarch that reacts better for freezing and canning recipes in particular; cornstarch tends to go cloudy in these situations. Clear Jel is used in the same proportion of cornstarch (1:1) in baking recipes. Like traditional cornstarch and the health store alternatives - arrowroot and potato powder, etc. - this product needs to be combined with the sugar (or flour) called for in the recipe prior to adding to any other ingredients in order to reduce clumps from forming.

2.  Sea salt is healthier than regular table salt; the fact that it requires less processing means it also has a smaller ecological impact. It is a natural source of iodine, which, along with other nutrients, is essential for a healthy sex life. A local herbal consultant once told us that sea salt can also be used in place of Epsom salts in your bathwater.

3.  Tamari is considered to be less salty than soy sauce and is often stocked in health food stores. You can find low-salt versions of both tamari and soy sauce. Tamari sauce, however, has enzymes that aid digestion and promote healthy intestinal bacteria.

4.  Orange Zest, citrus zest or citrus powder are all terms referring to a similar product - to simplify we personally call it 'citrus zest'. It is used to bring out other flavors and to condition flour. Chop lemon, orange or lime peel and allow to dry (or use a dehydrator) - turn this into a powder using a blender or grinder, and store in the cupboard as you would any spice or herb. 1 Tbsp of fresh zest is equal to 1 tsp. of dried; while 1 Tbsp of fresh zest is equal to 6 Tbsp. juice. As such, this one ingredient in the cupboard offers more ways of reducing grocery costs.  Making your own citrus zest at home is a fantastic way to move toward a more frugal kitchen, while reusing "waste" (the peels). 

Now that you know more about these ingredients, hopefully, it will give you the confidence to use them in your kitchen.


AUTHORS:  Lillian and her husband Dave are the team behind Brummet Media Group, high-fiving cheerfully as they pass each other on the way from checking off one item or other from their long to-do list. Their business includes Dave's music studio and percussion accessory products and graphic design work, as well as popular blogs and numerous award-winning non-fiction books

(Original Source: EzineArticles.com, republished with permission.)

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Do You Have a Favorite Condiment?

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?

Check out this list of:

Condiments From Around the World


Original source

Friday, June 20, 2025

Food and Drink : Veggie Spotlight : Veggie Substitutes

Is there a particular dish that you would absolutely love IF ONLY …

If only this particular recipe did not have this particular vegetable, I'd eat it all the time!

Face it. When it comes to vegetables, there are certain veggies you either love 'em or hate 'em.

I'm that way about okra. Oh yeah! I know all about fried okra, gumbo, and all those wonderful recipes where okra is the main ingredient.


For years, there were certain dishes I would avoid just because of the okra. Since I didn't really get into cooking until I got married and had to cook for my family to live, I never really thought too much about varying recipes or changing things up a bit.

Hey! Gumbo is made with okra. IT'S THE LAW!! Right?

Of course, when I look at it I realize that I was just not being flexible. Common sense. Some people have food allergies. They have to learn how to substitute certain foods for other foods.
~ Substitution Guide


But even if you don't have a food allergy, there are just some veggies you don't like! PERIOD!! And you're not flexible when it comes to that specific vegetable. :D

So! For me … since I don't really like (slimy) okra all that much, I found that zucchini is a great substitute veggie. Whenever I see a dish I want to try and it says okra, I go right out to the grocery store and buy zucchini! LOL. :lol:

(NOTE: Others have recommended asparagus or broccoli florets as okra substitutes. I respectfully disagree.)



Which veggies do you like to substitute?

* * *
Original source Forum Coin.


Tuesday, June 17, 2025

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

Potatoes are wonderful food.  There is no limit to the recipes for preparing them.  But if one were to ask me about rice.  I would say the same thing.  If someone were to ask me to choose between a potato dish and a rice dish, I would have to go with this rice dish.  How could I resist?  It so pretty and exotic!  Plus.  It has jewels!

Persian Jeweled Rice is a spectacular rice pilaf topped with colorful gem-like fruits and nuts ~ this popular wedding dish is a celebration in itself!




More rice dishes you'll love just as much!

This rice dish has cranberries is a perfect American Thanksgiving side dish. Don't you think so? 

PERSIAN CRANBERRY RICE PILAF | littlespicejar.com




Rosh Hashanah Sweet Basmati Rice with Carrots & Raisins | mayihavethatrecipe.com




Your Kids Are Going To LOVE These 4 Fried Rice Ideas | buzzfeed.com

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Stock Your Kitchen Cabinet or Pantry with Exotic Spices

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.

Just follow these spice trails:
- Allspice from Jamaica; an essential ingredient in Caribbean cuisine.
- Sweet and aromatic Turkish spices like Anise Seed.
- Organic Mace and Cinnamon sticks from Indonesia.
- Cloves originating from Madagascar.
- Rosemary originating from Spain.
- Herbs such as Dill Weed and Cilantro from Israel.
- Cardamon from Guatemala.
- Nutmeg from the East Indies. (Whole Nutmeg)
- Juniper Berries from Yugoslavia.
- Herbs and spices from India like Fennel, Ginger and Turmeric.
- Tellicherry peppercorns, the fruits of the Brazilian pepper tree.
- Commonly used herbs from France ~ Lavender, Tarragon, and Thyme.
- Brown and Yellow Mustard Seed from Canada.
- Garlic and Basil grown in California, USA.
- Rubbed Sage, an Albanian herb.
- Savory, a dried herb used Central European kitchens.
- Oregano from Greece.
- Caraway Seeds from Holland.
- Hungarian Paprika
- Egyptian Marjoram.


Related Links of Interest
♦ 10 Essential International Spices For Any Kitchen
♦ Top 12 Must-Have Herbs To Grow In Your Kitchen Garden
♦ 5 Best Spices Burn Fat

♦ 3 Spices That Hold the Secrets of Longevity Per Mao Shing Ni (Dr. Mao)
♦ 10 Best Spices For Healthy Cooking by Matthew Kaplan
♦ 5 Exotic Spices From Around the World by Melisa Marzett

Stock Your Kitchen Cabinet with Exotic Spices

Thursday, June 5, 2025

If you are learning to cook, do you know your caviar?

So tell me. What do you know about caviar? Well? In the old movies I like to watch, people usually always have champagne and caviar. Caviar looks like little small beads and comes in different colors. And uumm … only rich people eat caviar because it's really expensive! But if you search online, you can find quality but inexpensive caviar that you can give as a gift. 

Uh huh.  You know as much about caviar as me.  Cool!  We can learn together.  ☺

Like most foods that we enjoy today, caviar has ancient origins. Of course, the Persians and the Greeks enjoyed sturgeon roe. The word "caviar" comes from the Persian word "khavyar", which means "egg-bearing". And of course, Caviar was once considered a royal delicacy, i.e. food only eaten by the royals and the elites, who had wealth and status. But these days, ANYBODY can order caviar online or shop for it at their local grocery store (it's available at my local grocery stores)


FUN FACTS FOR FOODIES:

Persians created what we now recognize as caviar. They were the first to cure sturgeon roe and also introduced the practice of salting the roe to preserve it.

The Caspian Sea region (Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan) is known for producing some of the finest caviar (Beluga and Kaluga caviar and other type of caviar). Even today it is home to 90% of the world's caviar. Since this area borders Russia, no surprise it became popular in Russia, where it was a staple at royal feasts and banquets.

In the 19th Century, in the USA, sturgeon was abundant in American waters, especially in the rivers and lakes of the Midwest and East Coast. Would you believe that caviar was often served as a free appetizer in saloons and bars? Supposedly its salty flavor encouraged the customers to drink alcohol. A German immigrant named Henry Schacht get credit for making the United States a major exporter of caviar. He started a business in 1873 exporting caviar to Europe. Would you also believe a lot of that caviar shipped to Europe is then re-imported to the U.S. labeled as "Russian caviar"? (Unfreaking believable!)

At any rate, high demand resulted in an environmental impact: overfishing caused sturgeon numbers dwindled, the price of caviar skyrocketed, and it's back to being a luxury item again.

To help meet the demand AND preserve wild sturgeon populations, alternative sources of roe are being used: salmon, lumpfish, and whitefish. In addition, caviar is produced using sustainable aquaculture practices.

Even so, don't even dream about caviar going back to being an available free bar snack. It is a luxury delicacy, enjoyed by people around the world, and can be easily purchased if you know where to shop or buy.

Caviar has a rich history going from ancient delicacy to modern luxury food, with ongoing efforts to balance demand with conservation. 

REFERENCES:

Caviar Origin: The History of Caviar.” Imperia Caviar, 18 Aug. 2022, https://imperiacaviar.com/blogs/blog/caviar-origin-the-history-of-caviar.


Filippone, Peggy Trowbridge. “What You Didn’t Know About The Quirky History Of Caviar.” The Spruce Eats, 4 Aug. 2006, https://www.thespruceeats.com/history-of-caviar-as-food-1807579.


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Sunday, June 1, 2025

Foodie Nuggets: Homemade Gift Ideas: Air-Dried Herbs Make Great Food Gifts

Air-drying is better than heat-drying because the heat evaporates essential oils. Drying solves the problem of food waste, and learning how to air-dry herbs could become a hobby that you could turn into an income stream. Also, air-dried herbs make nice gifts. I would love to receive a jar of air-dried Herbs de Provence.

Learn how to air-dry and how to store the dried herbs

~ How To Air-Dry Herbs





(NOTE: Content below is AI-Generated using ChatGPT)

Here are three excellent step-by-step guides from 2020–2025 that walk you through how to air-dry herbs effectively:

๐ŸŒฟ 1. Mama on the Homestead – Hang Drying Process

  • Step-by-step highlights:

    • Harvest herbs in the morning before flowering.

    • Shake gently to remove insects; rinse if needed.

    • Remove lower leaves and bundle stems with twine.

    • Hang upside down in a dry, shaded area for 1–2 weeks.

    • Store in airtight containers once fully dry.

๐ŸŒฟ 2. Decor With Style – Comprehensive Guide

  • Step-by-step highlights:

    • Harvest healthy herbs before flowering.

    • Clean and prep herbs by removing excess moisture.

    • Bundle with twine and hang in a ventilated space.

    • Monitor drying progress and avoid overcrowding.

    • Store dried herbs in labeled jars away from light.

๐ŸŒฟ 3. GardenerBible – Preserve Flavor Naturally

  • Step-by-step highlights:

    • Choose herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano.

    • Clean thoroughly and pat dry.

    • Bundle and hang in a low-humidity area.

    • Avoid direct sunlight to preserve color and oils.

    • Check dryness after 1–2 weeks and store properly.


Friday, May 30, 2025

Foodie Nuggets: Substitute Turkey for Pork?

Several years ago, I had to make changes to my diet because of my late husband's health condition. There was no way I was going to prepare separate meals: a meal for him and a meal for me and the kids. It was easier to adjust to eating the type of food that was healthiest for my husband to eat. To my surprise making the adjustment was not that difficult. 

Have you ever tried JENNIE-O® turkey products? Jennie-O offers a wide range of turkey products, including whole turkeys, deli meats, sausages, and ground turkey. Jennie-O Turkey Store has been in business since 1940 and is a subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Willmar, Minnesota. Its products are distributed in over 49 countries.

Lots of people love to eat ham or bacon. But these are usually pork meats and there are lots of people with special dietary requirements who can not eat pork!  An important reason for many is that their particular religion forbids this food in their diet. This is a huge diet change for people like me. I really missed the taste of ham or bacon until I discovered turkey ham and turkey bacon.  If you have enjoyed eating ham or bacon but can no longer indulge, then try JENNIE-O® turkey products. The taste is very similar to pork only it really is made from turkey, a healthier poultry choice.

I have been using this pork substitute for over 10 years.

But you don't have to have a special diet. Taste these products and you will love them! I like to cut up the turkey ham in chunks and put the ingredients in my bean soups. Use the turkey bacon for the traditional BLT sandwich (BLT=bacon, lettuce, and tomato).

Visit the official website and find lots and lots of recipes.










>

If you can not find these products in your local grocery store, it is sold on Amazon.

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Original source



Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Seafood: Which is More Nutritional? Salmon or Trout?

Seafood is included in the diets of people all around the world because of its nutritional value.  Everyone will probably agree that trout and salmon are both highly valued food. Either that or the fishmonger at the local grocery store is charging a fortune for cheap goods. Just kidding. Love my local grocery store. There’s always lots of fresh quality foods and the free samples offered at the Cooking Connection and at other stations in the store are delish! Though we may agree that the price we pay is reasonable, we may not agree on the real value of this seafood. 

seafood


Do we know how these type of fish contribute to the human diet, nutrition and well being?

Seafood is not my specialty, so bear in mind that the information below is not being supplied by an expert. It’s just tidbits gleaned from a little bit of research. OK. Here we go!

Trout versus Salmon. A few quick facts.

May the best fish win!

Quick Nutrition Facts About Trout

“Trout is one of the healthiest fish you can include in your diet, says Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch. Farmed trout, especially farmed rainbow trout, is a better choice than wild lake trout since farmed trout are raised in freshwater ponds and raceways that are protected from environmental contaminants.” (Source Number 11)

Per Professor Paul Addis, University of Minnesota Department of Food Science and Nutrition, lake trouts are known to be the most beneficial source of omega-3 fatty acids and niacin. A 98-gram serving of trout provides 40% of our daily protein requirement, and the RDA or Recommended Dietary Allowance for humans is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (assuming the person is not overweight). Regards fat content: The average lake trout has 6 grams of total fat: 1.4 grams of saturated fat, and 60 milligrams of cholesterol in each 3-ounce serving.

Quick Nutrition Facts About Salmon

“The term “salmon” refers to a variety of species that are all “anadromous” fish, which means they are born in freshwater rivers and streams, migrate to the ocean to mature and spend much of their adult life, and then return to the streams and rivers in which they were born to spawn (reproduce) and then die. Six types of salmon are consumed in the United States including Atlantic, Chinook, Chum, Coho, Pink, and Sockeye Salmon. Of these, five species (Chinook, Chum, Coho, Pink, and Sockeye) are harvested from wild fisheries in the Pacific Ocean and one type, Atlantic salmon, is primarily farmed raised.” (Source ~ Archived content.)

Similar to lake trout, salmon from a lake (or river) is also a tremendous source of omega-3 fatty acids. However, salmon provides more total fat and less cholesterol in a 3-ounce serving. A 100 gram serving of consists of 231 calories, 25 grams of protein, 85 milligrams of cholesterol, and 3.2 grams of saturated fat. A 3-ounce serving consists of 10.5 grams of total fat and 54 milligrams of cholesterol. 

Conclusion of the Comparison 

Trout is more nutritious than salmon, in terms of total fat content and saturated fat content. But salmon consists of vitamin D which is the very vitamin trout lacks. Eat trout for your B vitamins and salmon for your D vitamin. In other words, neither one is better than the other. Me personally? I like the taste of trout better than salmon. But if you invited me to your place for lunch or dinner and served salmon, it would be gladly received with thanksgiving. As long as my seat isn’t next to the bear. 


(Image AI-generated using ChatGPT.)

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Additional Sources:

  1. Trout Nutrition Facts | A 2 Z of Health, Beauty and Fitness
  2. How much protein do you need every day? | Harvard Health Publications
  3. The health benefits of… salmon | BBC Good Food
  4. Is Trout Good for You? | Healthy Eating | SF Gate

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