Have you ever heard of nitrates and nitrites? Did you know, they are in almost ALL deli meats and processed meats? The only positive thing I can say about nitrates and nitrites; they inspired me to start my blog. Surprisingly, those harmful chemicals are throughout our food supply. Why isn’t someone screaming from the rooftops – “Hey, that crap causes cancer in you!” so…I started JoAnn’s Food Bites! What Are Nitrates and Nitrites? They are inorganic chemical compounds found naturally in all kinds of foods, including vegetables. Once these foods react with your stomach acids, they can help lower blood pressure. READ MORE ABOUT FOOD AND BLOOD PRESSURE HERE! HOWEVER, an…
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Does Milk Really Do a Body Good?
Humans have been consuming milk for thousands of years. Around the world, people drink milk from many different animals including cows, camels, goats, llamas, sheep and buffalo. During the depression, my mother said, they survived on fresh goat’s milk. Milk packs a nutritional punch, containing protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A and vitamin D. However, it also contains a very high amount of sodium. Most milk sold in the United States is PASTEURIZED, which means the microorganisms that cause salmonella and hepatitis, as well as spoilage, have been destroyed by heating, followed by a quick cooling. Pasteurization eliminates the possibility of diseases and gives the product a longer shelf life. Dairy…
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Peaches Are More Than Nutritious
Peaches are considered a “drupe” fruit in the culinary world. A drupe is a single seeded, fleshy fruit with a soft, juicy layer surround a hard endocarp, the seed protecting part. Besides peaches, apricots, plums, cherries and mangoes are all drupe fruit. In the culinary world, fruits are usually high in sugar content, however, this is counterbalanced by their rich load of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants, often concentrated in the skin of the fruit. Peaches are a wonderful ingredient due to their versatility in the kitchen. Propagation of the Peach The peach is a deciduous tree (meaning every fall, these trees lose their leaves) native to Northwest China, where it…
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5 Essential Cooking Skills Taught in Culinary School
Most home cooks wish we could afford culinary school. Not necessarily to get into the restaurant industry, but to “sharpen” our kitchen skills. Recently attending a cooking school function, I learned exactly what the syllabus of a culinary school includes. Here are 5 basic cooking skill elements taught in culinary school. I. Knife Skills for Cooking Knives are the most important tool in your kitchen. Using them properly and having proper technique will provide less risk of injury, faster prep times and better results in your cooking. When using a knife, watch the non-knife hand, keeping the food steady. The knife tip never leaves the cutting board surface. Use the…
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Labor Day: Cookout and Picnic Recipes
This post contains affiliate links, which I earn a small commission from each sale. Labor Day typically marks the end of the summer hiatus for families across the United States. Some schedule family cookouts or picnics as a celebratory send off to summer. Ribs, kebabs, barbecue chicken, baked beans and ice cream are just a few culinary concoctions prepared over the long weekend. In this post, I include some of my favorite recipes and tips for cooking outdoors. Picnic Foods These simple grilled steak kebabs are easy and can be prep ahead of times, transported to a park and cooked on a grill. Simple Grilled Steak Kebabs Everyone has their…
