Tea: A Baptism for Your Mind & Soul

I don't like coffee.  I don't know if I have made this apparent in other writings on this site but that's the fact.

But not liking coffee in America is like not liking America which is a harsh way of looking at it.  Have you ever been asked by someone if you would like a cup of coffee and they seem appalled at the statement of "I really don't drink coffee."

This is Teaism.  It's not hatred technically but it is conditioned into most mainstream Americans without even thinking about it.

In America, once you hit a certain age, you should be drinking coffee.  It's like a coming of age scenario from some Great American novel.  So in this sense, I'm an oddity, but not a space oddity(yet).

I'm here to stand up for all those, like me, who have been separated or ostracized from a group for a dislike of coffee because our love for tea is much greater.

To me, tea is essential.  It is a great part of my life and I believe that it makes me part of who I am.  In many ways, tea is symbolic of self cleansing.  The heating of water and adding of tea can be likened to a warm shower with soap for the soul.  A baptism if you'd like.  Tea speaks volumes.  Whether it is Green Tea or English Tea or Ceylon Tea, it creates a sense of universalism.

And maybe that's what this world needs, universalism.  The idea that we are all more similar than we'd like to admit.

So enjoy a cup of tea.  Make a mental trip around the world with any tea that you'd like.  Your body will thank you and your mind will love the peace you have brought to it.

Caramel Apple Waffles

 

The transition of fall to winter is the perfect time for waffles especially when they involve caramel and apples. Check out this recipe for caramel apple waffles next time you’re having some guests over.

Caramel Apple Waffles

(4 servings)    

For The Sauce:

  • 1 and 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract


For The Apples:

  • 3 large apples - peeled / cored / cut into wedges
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg


For The Waffles:

  • 1 and 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 Tablespoon white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup milk
  • 3 Tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

To make the sauce:

In a small saucepan, mix the brown sugar and water together. Bring to a low-boil and cook 5 minutes. Add the butter and cook until dissolved. Remove from heat. Stir in whipping cream and vanilla. Set aside.

To prepare the apples:

In a bowl, toss the apples with the brown sugar and spices until well coated. In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the apples and saute for 5 minutes, or until the apples are tender yet still firm.

To make the waffles:

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the milk, oil and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Bake according to directions for your waffle maker.

To put it all together:

Top each waffles with apples and drizzle caramel sauce generously over each portion. Enjoy!

The Austerity Sandwich: Toast On Bread

World's cheapest - and worst - sandwich?

 

Some scientists in Britain have identified what they believe is the cheapest edible meal: the "toast sandwich," which is found in Mrs. Beeton's legendary text on housekeeping and entertaining. The meal consists of a toasted slice of bread, with a dab of butter plus salt and pepper, between two other slices of bread. It clocks in at 330 calories, and 7.5 pence - or about 12 cents US.
 
This has to be the most depressing sandwich of all time. What a sad lunch that would be, as you sprinkle salt and pepper on the slice of toast before putting it between two slices of bread.
 
I guess that puts it as the polar opposite of another British sandwich, the famed "shooter's sandwich," which is an ever-popular entrant at online foodie hangouts like Reddit's /r/food board. The shooter's sandwich is basically a Panini sandwich with a steak, sautee'd mushrooms, and shallots on a loaf of crusty bread. It looks absolutely mouth-watering, and is considered by some to be "the world's best sandwich."

 
The toast sandwich also recalls to mind an abomination put forth by M.F.K. Fisher in her seminal Depression-era book on cooking, How To Cook A Wolf. Dubbed "Sludge," the recipe is found in a chapter titled "How to Keep Alive." It is basically a porridge with a base of whole grain cereal (like oatmeal), some ground beef, and assorted vegetables (whatever you can find cheap). This brave food blogger ventured into Sludge territory, and reports back that "It looked like a sad soup, but it smelled fairly magnificent."
 
The question of what's the cheapest food is a contentious one. If the benchmark to beat is 330 calories and 12 cents, that leaves even the Dollar Menu at McDonald's (most people's vote for "cheapest calories per dollar") far beyond our budget. We're in desperation territory here, which means having to do a lot of math gymnastics to break down the per-meal prices. 
 
For example, yesterday at the grocery store I paid $4.99 for a 5lb bag of brown rice. The label informs me that one serving is ¼ cup dry, of which there are approximately 50 per bag, or 9 cents per serving. Each serving has 170 calories.
 
I also bought a tub of margarine for $1.79. Each tub has 30 servings of 1T apiece, or 5 cents apiece. Each serving has 50 calories. 
 
So my original contender for "cheapest meal," one serving of brown rice with one serving of margarine, actually clocks in at only 220 calories, and costs 14 cents. Damn, this is harder than I thought!
 

Fat Free Fruit Snacks

If you couldn’t tell, I have a sweet tooth, which does not necessarily work well with a fat free diet.  Fortunately, there are little things that save me and keep me on track, such as fat free fruit snacks like the kind Welch's makes.  These little gooey, tasty wonders are ideal not only for fat free diets, but also as a healthier snack for kids.

You can take fruit snacks on the go with you anywhere, a fact I appreciate very much.  Since they don't melt, don't go stale very easily and last a long time, they are excellent to pack away in a purse, diaper bag, or even the glove compartment of your car.

If you also suffer from blood sugar issues, these can be a quick boost to low blood sugar and help keep you going until you can get to something more substantial.

Aside from all those good things, Welch's fruit snacks are delicious!  They pack just the right amount of sweetness with just the right texture for a great snack anytime during the day.  The biggest problem with them is making them last.  As a reviewer on Amazon said, a huge 80-pack box only lasted four days at their house.

So if you have the discipline to make them last, and you should since you have the discipline to go fat free, consider adding Welch's fruit snacks to your pantry for those times when you need a little something sweet.  If you have a Costco nearby, you can get the 80-pack for about half what Amazon sells it for.

Baked Truffle and Goat Cheese Macaroni

Cheese lovers, unite!

With the inclusion of truffle oil, this entrée spans between the category of gourmet and comfort food, falling somewhere in between. As you dig into this dish, you’ll taste the complex notes of truffle oil baked within the dish.

Huxtables Baked Truffle & Goat Cheese Macaroni is the real deal. If the title doesn’t make your mouth water, the ingredients surely will. This delectable dish contains whole milk, penne pasta, cream, goat cheese, four cheese blend (parmesan, asiago, fontina and mild provolone), sourdough breadcrumbs, truffle oil, cornstarch, garlic, canola oil, sea salt, parmesan cheese and spices.

This gourmet macaroni and cheese dish can be picked up at your local Costco (known for quality bulk foods). Locate your nearest Costco here. The price is somewhat steep, almost 15 dollars according to my receipt. Though, I digress, this entree will serve a hungry family of four for two meals, not just one. Eight meals for that price don’t seem too bad when compensating for the initial cost. This entrée is very hardy and belly filling.

When I looked at the nutrition facts label, next to the instruction panel the fat content was pretty high. Each serving is about 500 calories. For those trying to watch their weight or be mindful of their calories, it might be best to save this for special occasions. However, this entrée is perfect for a cold autumn night when all you want is easy comfort food. Round it out with a salad or steamed vegetables.

This entrée can be either cooked in the oven at the standard 375 degrees for half an hour. Or it can be heated up in the microwave and ready for your family within ten minutes.

Hasselback Potatoes

Beautiful and delicious, but super-fiddly
I'll be honest with you: I tried making these, and I failed completely. Curious, I spent more time researching this recipe the next day. I might try making it again… or I might not!
 
Hasselback potatoes have nothing to do with David Hasselhoff, so don't let your mind take you anywhere in that direction. (Nothing good lies that way.) They are the specialty potatoes of a restaurant in Sweden called Hasselbackens, where they are on the menu as Hasselbackspotatis ("Hasselback's potatoes").

 
Having made these, I can totally believe that they sprang from a super-fancy restaurant. You know… the kind that has prep staff to do all the tedious work. 
 
The basic idea is that you slice a potato almost but not quite all the way, so that the slices are being held together by the bottom part of the potato. Then you shove stuff in between the slices to get them to fan out and be more delicious. And finally, you roast them for a while to make them crispy and delicious.
 
My interest in Hasselback potatoes was piqued by a Pinterest entry. It just showed a picture of the finished potatoes with the instructions to slice and bake. I might have had better results if I had practiced or researched first. Pfft! Research is for losers. (And I am clearly a loser. Now.)
 
Food blogs have been going nuts over Hasselback potatoes for a few years now. This makes sense, because it is the perfect combination of "pretty and photogenic" and "super fiddly and time-consuming." First you have to slice it correctly. Not all the way through! Guess how many times I sliced my potato all the way through by mistake. (Hint: 3.)
 
Protip: you might have better luck if you shave a slice off the back of the potato first, so that it has a flat spot to rest on. Mine rolled all around. INFURIATING.
 
Next, jab small splinters of stuff between the slices. I have seen people use slivers of garlic, alternate thin slices of butter with thin slices of romano cheese, matchsticks of onion, rosemary stems, and more. This gets the slices baked properly, and makes them fan out prettily.
 
In the final stage, you can also cover them with bread crumbs, cheese, cream, or whatever else delicious you want on there. I even found a recipe that simmers the potatoes in chicken stock and saffron, super fancy!
 
According to a comment I saw somewhere, the "real" Hasselback potatoes are just covered with butter and bread crumbs and baked like any other potato. Frankly, that is probably the approach I will take if I try this again.
 

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving


If you plan on cooking a big meal for your family on Thanksgiving, you may want to take advantage of the night before Thanksgiving. Preparing some foods before the big day will make Thanksgiving Day feel less hectic. That means less stress and most importantly, more time to spend with family.

First, make a list of all the cold foods you plan on serving. This may include coleslaw, marshmallow salad, 7-layer salad, cranberry sauce, applesauce, vegetable trays, cheese and pepperoni trays, and deviled eggs. Most of these can be prepared Wednesday night, wrapped in plastic wrap, and stored in the refrigerator until chow time on Thursday.

Next, plan your desserts. Almost all desserts can be made the night before Thanksgiving. Pumpkin pie, cheesecake, pudding, apple crisp, lemon squares, coconut custard pie, and brownies are all examples of desserts that still taste great when they are made ahead of time.

Now that you’ve gotten through the easy lists, consider all of the food items you think you have to cook on Thanksgiving morning. You will be surprised to discover that some of them can be made the night before, and then just heated up on Thanksgiving. Scalloped potatoes, for example, can be made on Wednesday night. If your children request homemade macaroni and cheese, put it together the night before and then just heat it up 45 minutes before dinner time.

Taking a few minutes to plan your Thanksgiving cooking schedule can save you from the morning rush to get everything done. Then you will have more time to appreciate the food and family that are gathered around your dining room table.

Spice Isn't Just For The Bedroom

In an effort to take on a healthy lifestyle, I have had to make conscious choices surrounding MOST of the things I would prefer to eat. I suppose on this journey towards healthiness, I have also realized that there are some things out there, that truly put a smile on my face, make my stomach grumble with pleasure, and in all honesty, not real sure I could live without. Some people probably say desserts or potato chips, etc. And although I cannot lie, because I love sweets and good ole’ fashion carbs, for me. My vice is condiments!

Ketchup, dressings, marinades, hot sauces etc. can be the life of my party. And although you can find low fat options lining the shelves of the grocery store, they are often packed with enough sodium to stop your heart. So, I have been scouring the health world trying to figure out what is the solution, what’s the trade off? How do I get great flavor without subjecting myself to fat and sodium?

Well, the consensus is SPICES. I have looked online and gathered information from my super healthy friends and family…and they all point to the same thing…dodge the traditional condiments and tap into natural spices. Not only do they have more overall nutritional value, they often times have various research showing their health characteristics as well. Using spices can season and dress up your fish, chicken, potatoes, and vegetables.

Stock up on rosemary, sage, chili pepper, ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric. According to an article on www.eatingwell.com , these six spices are deemed the healthiest of the spice group.  Outside of giving us a dash of deliciousness, each have health properties as well, such as improving memory or digestion. And for any of us that are aging, improving memory and keeping the rumble in tummy down, sounds like a pretty good thing to focus on as well.

There is no need to stick to these six spices alone, but next time you are tapping into the monthly or weekly groceries, look into the fresh basil, garlic, parsley, thyme…whatever floats your healthy boat. Incorporate them into recipes or dishes that may call for unhealthier options. One more tool to a healthier and happier you.

Everything has Some Type of History

Even the Waffle

 

The batter-based flat cake known as a waffle is a Belgian culinary specialty, where each region of the country has its own recipe. There are basic ingredients that remain the same such as flour, milk, eggs and some salt, but recipes vary when it comes to yeast, caramelized sugar, leavenings and fillings or toppings.

Prior to the waffle iron, there were variations of this food where they were mainly flat cakes made from oats and barley and were the size of a small pizza. The waffle became a popular food item rather quickly. It was something that was enjoyed by all social classes except the rich were able to add eggs, milk, and honey to flavor their doughy treats.

In 1789, just as the French Revolution started to take off, Thomas Jefferson’s second term as ambassador to France was ending. Jefferson left France after sharing some ideas with French revolutionary leaders to return to the United States and with him, he brought a pasta machine and a long-handled waffle iron. The introduction of this waffle iron set of a national waffle craze. After this, there were a lot of waffle parties where attendees could top waffles and enjoy them either sweet, using maple syrup or molasses or savory, usually under a heap of kidney stew.

Waffle parties are easy to start as long as you have some friends willing to send over some waffle recipes and some time for a Sunday morning get together. Everyone is able to bring their own toppings for the waffle and they are laid out buffet style where guests can pick and choose what they place on their waffles. 

Foods You Can Eat on a Fat-Free Diet

Last week, we talked about foods that don’t work on a fat-free diet.  As a fat-free dieter, you probably hear a lot about what you can’t have, so this week I thought I would lighten the mood with a focus on healthy, tasty choices that are perfectly acceptable on a fat-free diet.  When you look at all of the healthy choices available, dieting does not seem so restrictive.

Fruits
You can enjoy fruits without any worries.  Apples, bananas, cherries, blueberries, watermelon, pears and tomatoes are all free choices on a fat-free diet.

Beans
Beans should be a staple of any fat-free diet.  They provide essential fiber and protein while adding texture, flavor and color to main dishes.  Lentils, peas, garbanzo beans, navy beans, black beans and others are all excellent choices.

Vegetables
Vegetables provide fiber, vitamins and minerals and can be enjoyed any time you are hungry.  Broccoli, carrots, green beans, zucchini and other vegetables are tasty and healthy additions to a fat-free diet.

Grains
Rice, wheat, barley, buckwheat and other grains are high in fiber, filling and nutritious.  Oats for breakfast, a cold rice salad for lunch and a bean soup for dinner will get you lots of essential nutrients with little or no fat.

Consider combining these food groups into a healthy, hearty stew in the slow cooker for a low maintenance dinner choice.  Beans and rice in a tomato sauce base with green beans, corn, celery, onions and whatever other vegetables you like can be filling, nutritious and guilt-free.

Pages