Updated May 1, 2018 To understand food, we need to understand the history behind it and vice versa. According to historians, Cinco de Mayo marks the 1862 battle in Puebla, Mexico, when a small, outnumbered Mexican army defeated the French. Yet Cinco de Mayo isn’t the anniversary of the defeat and expulsion of the French […]
Updated April 23, 2018 THE FUSS ABOUT THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET The Mediterranean Diet is nothing new, yet it has been all over the Internet lately. And when a trend like that resurfaces overnight, I can’t help but wonder if it really is worth the attention. According to the Cardiovascular Institute of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical […]
Seeing figs on sale at the local market is nature’s reminder that we are approaching the last smoldering days of warm weather. I guess that’s why I get sort of excited and nostalgic at the same time. Fresh figs are fragile and delicate. They don’t last long; keep them refrigerated, do not crush them and […]
If someone asks me how I define summer, I would say stone fruits. Peaches, plums, cherries, nectarines.… I have loved them all since I remember. But mangoes or mango cobbler? Not really, except for those I’ve had on my trips to Brazil. While living in New York and even in Florida, past experience has taught […]
This summer I learned that not even the scorching blast of desert heat can keep me away from enjoying a succulent soup. In this case, it was a hearty mushroom soup, which brought to mind my favorite mushroom recipes. My love for mushrooms is kind of cyclical. There are times when I really crave them either […]
Who said cucumbers are lame and boring? Cucumbers are cool vegetables and not because they actually keep you cool and hydrated. They are literally cool! Cucumbers should be given a special, honorable, place in the green aisle. They are simply amazing. Growing up, it was a different story. I never liked them. My father loved […]
Chocolate truffles are sophisticated, rich, and very simple to make. They’re delicious as gifts or just as a treat for yourself. Why not? FANCY THEM UP, PAIR THEM WITH WINE The secret lies in matching strong chocolates with full-bodied wines and matching lighter chocolates with lighter-bodied wines. But don’t be afraid to try something new […]
I could eat casseroles any given day. Certainly, there’s nothing more comforting—especially during these cold winter days—than a rich casserole dish. Casseroles, not to be confused with stews or guisos, refer to the method of cooking and the cookware (casserole pan) used to prepare and serve this dish. SUPER-SAVERS In just one bite, casseroles take […]
Editor’s Note: See below for great tips and nutritional information on Chia Seeds. Summer has finally arrived and the last thing many of us might want to do is turn on the oven to bake a dessert. But there are always other creative alternatives to consider…like grilling. Most of our favorite sweet treats can be […]