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My Fabulous Five Favorite Red Foods
January 21, 2012 - 3:47pm
As Valentine's Day gets closer my favorite color red seems to be more prevalent every where I go. I am reminded to incorporate My Fabulous Five Favorite Red Foods into all my recipes. These ingredients will not only enhance your meals but make them even more nutritious. So remember to shop with red in mind for Tomatoes, Cherries, Pomegranate, Beets and Chili Peppers.
Sex-appeal comes from within and few things are sexier than being healthy. These 5 red foods are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that will help keep you and your lover going strong on Valentine's Day and all year long.
Cherries - known to fight diabetes, cancer, arthritis and gout. A great source of fiber, potassium and Vitamin A.
Pomegranate - Studies have shown that the fruit many help to reduce the buildup of plaque in arteries and lower blood pressure.
Beets - Earthy flavored that gets sweet when cooked and very nutritious including foliate, Vitamin B which needed for the growth of new cells. It's beautiful color comes from betanin, a phytochemical that's thought to boast immunity. Roast them, pickle them, or shred them raw and dress them with citrus for a great salad.
Chile Peppers - Capsaicin, an antioxidant in chiles, thwarts food spoilage and may protect blood vessels. Studies show that capsaicin increases the body's metabolic rate and stimulates the brain chemicals that help us feel less hungry.
Tomatoes - A terrific source of Vitamin C and rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that fights skin aging and may be beneficial against cancer and heart disease. Would you believe that at one time they were thought to be poisonous!
There are many ways to show "Amore" to the one you love on this day of romance. Choose a world of vibrant colors, choose to show your affection by starting from the inside out and go for the gusto and spice and add these Fabulous Five Red Foods to all your meals. Add a glass of red wine, strawberries and allow the color of love fill your world on Valentine's day and always.
Something Old & Something New
December 30, 2011 - 1:58pm
What can we take with us into the new year? Something old, something new (not just for weddings). Words of wisdom from my papa, "NEVER forget who you are and where you come from and know where you're going and press towards the mark." Now back to food.
Something Old - Freezing Sauce and Soups
Whenever you're going to make a basic sauce or soup bring out the big pot! With this one pot you'll make many meals and you'll have it whenever you need it. So when unexpected company drops by or your grown up children come by and visit and want doggies bags to take home, you'll be ready. The best way to freeze sauce is to let it cool once it's cooked, set a large zip lock bag in a pot and fill it with sauce and soup. Zip lock and freeze until ready to use. Click on Nonna's Marinara for my favorite 'go to' sauce you'll love.
Something New - Farro
Farro is one of the oldest grains and I'd love for you to try it. It cooks like pearl barley or rice. It has a wonderful nutty flavor and is very nutritious. It's sold in many specialty markets and easily ordered online. I hope this becomes your new 2012 staple in your pantry. Try my Mussels with Farro, Cannellini and Chickpeas.
Ricotta: Delicious in Dessert too!
December 22, 2011 - 6:41pm
Are you thinking that there are three more days until Christmas and you really don't want to shop? You still don't know what you're going to bring to someone's home for the holidays or what you're going to give them? Remember I'm the one that's still going to tell you that it's not too late to make a wonderful home made food gift they'll love. The most valuable commodity today is time, so the most appreciated gifts need not cost even a dime if we gave of ourselves to make them.
In the Italian cuisine, RICOTTA seems to be able to resurface deliciously in every course. Since it is a by-product of making cheese, the shepherds had plenty of ricotta. Hence, many desserts are still made from it, like these delicious cookies that are so easy to assemble. CLICK HERE to see the Ricotta Cookie recipe!
A Wonderful Home-made Food Gift!
December 9, 2011 - 12:46pm
There's nothing that says you care more than a special home made food gift. Check out these wonderful Hazelnut Truffles. You'll love giving them! Don't forget to make some for yourselves, perfect for when unexpected guests arrve.
Serves: 20 truffles
Ingredients
- 1 cup hazelnuts
- 3 1/2 ounces good bittersweet chocolate
- 3 1/2 ounces good semisweet chocolate
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 tablespoons hazelnut liqueur (recommended: Frangelico)
- 1 tablespoon prepared coffee
- 1/2 teaspoon good vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Chop the hazelnuts and place them on a sheet pan. Roast them in the oven for 10 minutes. (If the hazelnuts have skin on them, roast them for 25 minutes.) Set aside to cool.
Chop the chocolates finely and place in a bowl.
Heat the cream in a small saucepan until it boils. Immediately pour the hot cream through a fine-meshed sieve into the bowl with the chocolates. With a wire whisk, slowly stir the cream and chocolates together until the chocolate is completely melted. (If the chocolate doesn't melt completely, place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and stir for a few minutes just until it melts.) Whisk in the hazelnut liqueur, coffee, and vanilla. Cover and chill for 45 minutes to 1 hour until pliable but firm enough to scoop.
With 2 teaspoons or a 1 1/4-inch ice cream scoop, make dollops of the chocolate mixture and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes, until firm enough to roll into rough spheres. Roll the chocolate in the chopped hazelnuts and chill again. Truffles are best when they're allowed to set overnight in the refrigerator.