When deciding what to prepare for dinner, I usually assess what ingredients I have in the kitchen and find a corresponding recipe. I hate anything to go to waste. Although I try to pre-schedule meals and make my shopping list accordingly, at the beginning of the week, somehow a wrench is always thrown in my wheel. Professional chefs suggest conjuring up my own recipes, I tend to stick to reliable sources; my mom’s recipe books or America’s Test Kitchen. After preparing a GOOD recipe a time or two, I might throw my own spin on things. Here are few suggestions when you are cooking from a recipe. Build your…
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National Beer Day: What About Wheat
It takes WHEAT to make beer… Today commemorates 83 years of being able to buy, sell and drink beer. What better day to talk about WHEAT and its role in sustenance and sustainability. According to the Brewers Association, at the end of 2015, there were over 4,000 craft breweries in the United States, some varietals by these local brew masters include wheat. Although most breweries incorporate barley, wheat beer is brewed with a larger proportion of wheat, compared to the amount of malted barley included in the mix. Wheat is considered a specialty grain and can create different flavors and levels of complexity in the beer. A beer made from…
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What you should know about the TOP 5 Root Vegetables
What is a Root Vegetable? Root vegetables are defined by being any fleshy, edible vegetable that grows underground or grows tubular. Grown worldwide, root vegetables differ in their concentration of carbohydrates (sugar and starches). In some countries, those root vegetables high in carbohydrates are viewed as a staple food item. Root vegetables such as carrots and potatoes can vary in size and color. Here are a list of lesser used root vegetables, but should be added to your repertoire. #5 Root Vegetable: BEETS Nutritious, tasting very sweet and earthy, golden varieties have a milder taste than the more common red. Picked between June and November for peak freshness. When buying…
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My Mama’s Frugal Meatloaf
My mom was an incredible cook! She prepared delicious meals on such a strict budget. Today, I made her classic meatloaf. As an avid deer hunter, my dad provided much of our protein, for the winter months, with Venison. I know there are animal lovers out there who would find this outrageous, but feeding a family of four on a firefighters salary in the ’70s and ’80s was very tough. Without deer meat or fish, caught from local lakes, we would have starved. Meatloaf was not one of my husband’s favorite meals, however, he changed his mind after trying my mom’s recipe. Made with pantry staples, it is not only…
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Concerns Over Chemicals in Soup Cans
Campbell Soup Company announces the elimination of Bisphenol-A in can linings. Despite the Federal Drug Administration assessment that current levels of Bisphenol-A, otherwise known as BPA are safe in our food supply, Campbell Soup Company has announced that by the middle of 2017, NONE of their products will include BPA in the container manufacturing. This includes all soups, gravies, Swanson broths and SpaghettiO products. They are incorporating acrylic and polyester options for can liners. Some medical studies have shown the consumption of BPA’s can raise the risk of cancer, brain damage and hormonal problems, especially in fetuses and pregnant women, and should be a major health concern. BPA is a…
