Sunday, September 30, 2007
Hot Dog Grilling Tips
Want really juicy hot dogs? Start off by placing them in a pot of water with some garlic cloves. Cook them for a few minutes in the pot and then for the last few remaining minutes take them out of the water and place them directly on the grill long enough to get grill marks. That's it!
Did You Know?
Superfine Sugar also known as castor sugar is more finely granulated sugar that dissolves almost instantly. That's what makes it perfect for making meringues and sweetening cold liquids.
Easy Like Sunday Morning....
Isn't this a line from one of Lionel Richie's songs??? I just don't remember which one. So how is your Sunday coming along? I'm taking a little break to blog with you and breathe! Sometimes I forget just how much Saturdays can suck the life out of me! Last night I went to see the Wave JazzFest at the Greek Theater...what a great show! Ottmar Liebert rules my world with Barcelona Nights and India Arie...well, she rocks! I lover her! I stayed up way past my bedtime and I'm still paying for it...it's not as easy as it used to be! It's Sunday afternoon and I'm still crawling....maybe I'll go do some shopping..that'll perk me up!
Food Safety - Raw Meats
Don't put cooked meat on the same plate that was used for raw meat. This can cause bacterial contamination and make you really sick. The same danger applies to cooking utensils — use one set of tongs to pick up raw meat and a separate set of tongs to pick up cooked meat....if only everyone in my industry did this, I would never have experienced food poisoning!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Food Safety
The surfaces of some fruits and veggies may be contaminated with bacteria or coated with pesticides. Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables before eating. This goes for the inedible skins of fruits and veggies, like cantaloupe and avocados. Also, keep fruits and veggies away from raw meats, seafood, and eggs.
Recipe For You!
Here's a cool recipe for a really yummy breakfast treat that I think you'll love. And you don't have to feel guilty about eating these either...Just remember, everything in moderation...So if you are tempted to eat more than one give them away to your friends. Nothing says I care, more than a healthy treat!
Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins
*They glisten like sticky buns, but they're whole-grain muffins packed with pineapple, raisins, and carrots.
Here's what you'll need:
Topping
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1 10-ounce can pineapple slices
Muffins
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons pineapple juice or orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple (not drained)
1 cup grated carrot
(1 large)1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup raisins, preferably baking raisins
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat 12 muffin cups with cooking spray. 2. To prepare topping: Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar into each muffin cup. Sprinkle nuts, if using, over the sugar. Stack pineapple slices and cut into 6 wedges. Place 2 wedges in each muffin cup. 3. To prepare muffins: Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. 4. Whisk eggs and brown sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Whisk in oil, juice, and vanilla. Stir in crushed pineapple. Make a well in the dry ingredients; add the wet ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Stir in carrot, oats, raisins, and nuts, if using. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups (they'll be quite full). 5. Bake the muffins until the tops are golden brown and firm to the touch, 15 to 25 minutes. Immediately loosen edges and turn muffins out onto a baking sheet. Restore any stray pineapple pieces and nuts. Let cool for at least 10 minutes. Serve upside down, either warm or at room temperature. Makes 1 dozen muffins.
Happy Baking!
Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins
*They glisten like sticky buns, but they're whole-grain muffins packed with pineapple, raisins, and carrots.
Here's what you'll need:
Topping
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1 10-ounce can pineapple slices
Muffins
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons pineapple juice or orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple (not drained)
1 cup grated carrot
(1 large)1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup raisins, preferably baking raisins
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat 12 muffin cups with cooking spray. 2. To prepare topping: Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar into each muffin cup. Sprinkle nuts, if using, over the sugar. Stack pineapple slices and cut into 6 wedges. Place 2 wedges in each muffin cup. 3. To prepare muffins: Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. 4. Whisk eggs and brown sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Whisk in oil, juice, and vanilla. Stir in crushed pineapple. Make a well in the dry ingredients; add the wet ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Stir in carrot, oats, raisins, and nuts, if using. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups (they'll be quite full). 5. Bake the muffins until the tops are golden brown and firm to the touch, 15 to 25 minutes. Immediately loosen edges and turn muffins out onto a baking sheet. Restore any stray pineapple pieces and nuts. Let cool for at least 10 minutes. Serve upside down, either warm or at room temperature. Makes 1 dozen muffins.
Happy Baking!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Did You Know?
Did you know that white chocolate is not really chocolate at all? Yes, it's true! It is a mixture of sugar, cocoa butter, milk solids, lecithin and vanilla. The reason why it can't officially be classified as 'chocolate' is because it doesn't contain any chocolate liqueur, which which is why there's very little to no chocolate flavor. By the way, it should be melted slowly over a double boiler, low heat, to keep it from scorching.
Stone Fruits...
Do you know what a stone fruit is? It is a fruit with a pit....nectarines, peaches, plums, pluots, and apricots are all stone fruits. Don't forget to stock up before they are all out of season until next year!
Grilling Tips!
I don't know about you, but I love to grill all year round. And actually one of my favorite times to grill is in the cooler months. So I thought I would share some grilling tips with you!
1. When cooking skewered meat or vegetables, cut your food into equal-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Also, be sure to cut the pieces large enough so that they can't fall through the cracks in the grill.
2. If you are going to marinate your meat, do so for at least three hours prior to cooking. Marinating tenderizes the meat and reduces cooking time.
3. Brush sauces onto the food only during the last 20 minutes of grilling. Applying sauces earlier can lead to over browning or burning.
Good luck and let me know how these work for you!
1. When cooking skewered meat or vegetables, cut your food into equal-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Also, be sure to cut the pieces large enough so that they can't fall through the cracks in the grill.
2. If you are going to marinate your meat, do so for at least three hours prior to cooking. Marinating tenderizes the meat and reduces cooking time.
3. Brush sauces onto the food only during the last 20 minutes of grilling. Applying sauces earlier can lead to over browning or burning.
Good luck and let me know how these work for you!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Thank You
By the way, thank you for all those wonderful suggestions for monthly specials. I will do my best to use as many as possible. In the meantime, especially in this warm weather please remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle! If you can, carpool with someone or take public transportation (the train)...I know it's a pain sometimes, but every little bit really does help! Make it a great day!
Happy New Year!
I hope everyone has a great Rosh Hashana...I will do my best to post but if I don't please forgive!
Dining Recommendations - Amici's
If ever you are in the Bay Area, there are several great restaurants to try...but only a small few are my favorites! One of them is a great place called Amici's...with several locations to choose from (one of the really fun ones for me is the one on Union Street) they have a great menu, fabulous pizza and my favorite salad of all time, the Antipasto Salad. Try it! In the meantime you can check out their website, their menu, and find the most convenient location for you at amicis.com.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Cravings...
So what do you like to eat? Although I am constantly inspired by everything around me...it's nice to hear what you have to say about eating because we are cooking for you! What kinds of specials would you like to see for October, November, December, etc? Share some ideas with me! A few months ago someone suggested adding some really refreshing salads to our menu...which are now being used for a special. Share your ideas and maybe we'll feature it in an upcoming monthly special!
Eggs
How do you know if your eggs are fresh?
Place an egg at the bottom of a glass full of water and watch what happens:
If the egg lies at the bottom on its side, it's fresh.
If the egg sinks, but with one end up, it's getting old but is still edible.
If the egg floats at all, you should buy some fresh ones.
*Always check the expiration date on the side of the carton...I bought eggs at Trader Joe's once and they were to expire that day! So check, check, check! Especially if you are shopping at Trader Joe's...it's not the first time I have encountered expired product on their shelves!
Place an egg at the bottom of a glass full of water and watch what happens:
If the egg lies at the bottom on its side, it's fresh.
If the egg sinks, but with one end up, it's getting old but is still edible.
If the egg floats at all, you should buy some fresh ones.
*Always check the expiration date on the side of the carton...I bought eggs at Trader Joe's once and they were to expire that day! So check, check, check! Especially if you are shopping at Trader Joe's...it's not the first time I have encountered expired product on their shelves!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Labor Day Heat
So how was your Labor Day? Did you accomplish anything? I got a few things done, but I hate going out in the heat - fortunately it was a holiday weekend so no one expected much except me! I did however create a new really yummy recipe for black cod. I'm really trying hard to make friends with white fish - I'm not a big fan, but with recipes like this, I will be soon!
Dining Recommendations - Uncle Bill's
Need a cool little place to eat breakfast? Try Uncle Bill's Pancake House in Manhattan Beach...great place! Yummy food and a nice beachy atmosphere/ambiance. They have really comfy patio/outdoor seating as well as indoor. The have the best apple cinnamon pancakes and some really delicious egg entrees. I had a great scramble with spinach, cheese, mushrooms and sausage! These guys also offer fresh squeezed orange juice...if you are ever in the area, check it out! Uncle Bill's Pancake House is located at 1305 Highland Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 545-5177. It's two blocks up from Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Highland Ave. right on the corner of Highland and 13th.
(310) 545-5177. It's two blocks up from Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Highland Ave. right on the corner of Highland and 13th.
Money
"They say money is the root of all evil. Lack of money is the root of all evil. Money can't buy happiness. Then I say you must not have enough of it. I love you does not put food on the table, only cold, hard cash does."
~Gene Simmons~
~Gene Simmons~
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