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Come Party With Me: Bike Ride - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:15:32 PDT

After a long bike ride, there's no reason my guests and I shouldn't indulge in a delicious dessert. However, since we are having dinner on the patio, I want to keep it light and informal. Grilled pineapple is a great Summertime dessert that comes together quickly and easily. This recipe kicks the classic variation up a notch by glazing the pineapple in a sugary molasses syrup that's infused with the exotic fragrance of cardamom. Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it's decadent, but not over-the-top rich. This sweet finish would be ideal at any August barbecue, so get the recipe after the break.

Spice It Up: Cardamom

FitSugar — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:49:29 PST

Tired of the same old flavors, then you really should try something new and spice up your life. Adding herbs and spices to food is a great low-calorie, low-sodium way to improve the taste of your meal while increasing the health benefits as well.

Lately, I have been craving cardamom. I'm not sure the cravings mean anything about my diet, but I like this spice when I am physically cold. Cardamom is part of the the ginger family, so it has a little zip and heat to it. Found predominantly in Indian cuisine and used in Ayurvedic medicine, the ancient Greeks and Roman appreciated this spice as well. They thought it was an aphrodisiac and put the spice in their "love" potions.

The spice is high in the phytochemical cineole, which can positively affect several bodily complaints. Cardamom is considered to have many health benefits, many relating to the digestive system, like stimulating the digestive system, reducing gas, and counteracting stomach acidity. It is said to even help with halitosis. It is considered beneficial to the urinary-tract system and is considered a kidney cleanser. Cardamom is used to improve the circulation of the lungs and to treat asthma in Ayurvedic medicine. While I am not sure it does all that, I really like the taste.

You can find the spice in chai tea and here's a great recipe for chai. It is also one of the spices used in garam masala used often in Indian cuisine. Cardamom is also popular in Scandinavia and can be found in many sweets.

Source

Definition: Cardamom

BellaSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:05:25 PDT

Want something delicious to eat and lovely to smell? Cardamom comes from seeds inside the husks of a flowering plant. Native to India, it has a strong scent and taste. It is used in both cooking and medicine and can be ground up and baked in a wood-burning oven, or it can be pressed to create an oil.

Cardamom also has a cooling property, similar to mint, however not quite as strong. It is one of the more expensive spices (actually, it's right behind saffron) and is in the same family as ginger. Medicinally, it is used as an antiseptic and to treat heartburn, nausea and stomach disorders. Chewing cardamom can improve bad breath, too.

In fragrances, the oil often used in small quantities (since it's aroma is so strong) and is typically blended with geranium and rose. Since it's such a powerful spice, those with sensitive skin should do a patch test before applying directly on your body.

Source

Going on the Lamb

YumSugar — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:33:31 PST

I'm not sure when it happened, but lamb has become one of my favorite meats to eat. I used to be weird about it, thinking it was far too gamy. However, I realized I was wrong. When prepared correctly, lamb can be absolutely delicious and positively tasty.

I've had this recipe for Cardamom-Scented Lamb With Mashed Sweet Potatoes in my to-make file for quite some time, and last night I finally got around to making it. It takes a little bit more time than a Fast & Easy Dinner, but if you're willing, it can definitely be accomplished on a school night. The meat is seared then finished in the oven, and the whole thing is served with a red-wine sauce. To get the recipe,

read more. While perfect on its own, I accompanied mine with the suggested mashed sweet potatoes and some lightly sautéed bok choy.

Cardamom-Scented Lamb With Mashed Sweet Potatoes
From Bon Appétit, December 1999

1 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. tomato paste
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
2 cups dry red wine
1 cup canned beef broth
1 cup canned low-salt chicken broth

2 tbsp. shelled cardamom seeds
2 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 lb. racks of lamb, trimmed
2 tbsp. olive oil

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
4 tsp. coarse-grained mustard
salt and pepper for seasoning
Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add tomato paste, garlic, and thyme; sauté 1 minute. Add wine and boil until reduced by half, about 8 minutes. Add both broths; boil until reduced to 1 1/4 cups, about 10 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Preheat oven to 450°F. Toast cardamom seeds in heavy small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Cool. Transfer to spice grinder; grind coarsely. [I used a mortar and pestle.]
Sprinkle lamb with cardamom, salt and pepper.
Heat oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add 1 lamb rack; sear until brown, turning occasionally, about 6 minutes. Transfer lamb, meat side up, to baking sheet. Repeat with second lamb rack. [I was actually only using one lamb rack and so I seared it in my heavy oven-proof skillet, moved the lamb out, drained some of the oil - careful it's hot! - and then put the lamb back on the skillet instead of a separate baking sheet.]
Roast until meat thermometer inserted into center registers 125°F for medium rare, about 18 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes. Cut lamb between bones into chops.
While chops are roasting: Bring sauce to simmer. Reduce heat to low. Add butter and mustard; whisk just until butter melts. Season with pepper.
Spoon sauce onto plates.
Top with sweet mashed potatoes and lamb and serve. [I also lightly sautéed thin strips of bok choy, and wrapped them around the plated sauce. Seen in top photo.]

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Chai Tea - Raise a Cup to Your Health

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 02:30:00 PST

What is not to like about tea? Tea and especially chai tea help prevent and fight many different kinds of cancer, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and may reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

The fact is - every ingredient in chai tea is good for you, and when you put them all together they pack a powerful punch for your immune system.

Chai is a great alternative to your morning cup of coffee - a 5 ounce cup of coffee contains 200 mg of caffeine and black tea contains half that.

In the winter, after a long day of playing out in the snow, it's nice to come home, take a hot shower and curl up on the couch with a steaming cup of chai tea. Of course you can buy chai tea packets, but nothing compares to making it yourself.

Want to see my recipe? Then

In Season: Meyer Lemons

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:14:48 PST

Thought to be a cross between a mandarin and a true lemon, Meyer lemons are rounder, smaller, and have a sweeter juice than the standard variety you'll find in the grocery store. This citrus fruit is native to China but eventually made its way to California, and its name comes from Frank N. Meyer, who first discovered this fragrant fruit in 1908. The moist, thin peel makes an incredible zest, which is praised by chefs everywhere.

Because the juice is much sweeter, Meyer lemons make a great cocktail starter. And whatever you do, don't throw away the peels! The zest of the Meyer lemon can be used in everything from vinaigrettes to gremolatas. Sprinkle the zest in pastas, rice, or orzo. Or, use Meyer lemons in place of true lemons in pastries like shortbread or lemon bars. Prepare to love these lemons – and be happy to make lemonade!

Keep reading for a few meyer lemon recipe ideas.

Injera, Berbere, Wat: A Guide to Ethiopian Food

Susannah Chen — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 03:23:04 PDT

This may come as a surprise, but if we had to eat one cuisine for the rest of our lives, my pick would be Ethiopian. There's something incredibly natural about the act of eating with one's hands, and the spiced, slow-cooked, home style preparations.

But to someone who's not familiar with East African cuisine, deciphering an Ethiopian recipe or the menu at an Eritrean restaurant can be sort of like trying to understand hieroglyphics in the year 2011. Continue reading to get to know a few staples of Ethiopian cooking.

Bollywood Basics: An Indian Food Primer

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:55:03 PDT

So many people in my life are terrified when I bring up the idea of going out to my favorite Indian spot in the city. Indian flavors are not for the faint of heart, but most people think that Indian food is just about a super-spicy curry; that couldn't be further from the truth. Indian food is bold, flavorful, and indicative of the country's rich and vibrant history.

The regional flavors are as valiant and varied as the different, beautiful layers of culture coexisting in the Indian subcontinent. If you're a little nervous about what to order, or you've never considered enjoying some Indian cuisine, here's a quick primer on some flavors you can probably find at your neighborhood haunt. Continue reading to get to know a few staples of Indian cuisine.

5 Must-Have Foods You Need Before Going Vegan

Lizzie Fuhr — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 03:06:04 PDT

I'm not sure whether it's the readily available resources online or the sheer number of food documentaries I've watched (Forks Over Knives was the latest viewing that gently pushed me over the edge), but I've officially decided to go vegan for 30 days. I realize this lifestyle change is not for everyone, but making the shift is something I feel ready to experiment with, if only for a limited time. After combing through resources and more than a few vegan must-have lists, I bravely headed out to my natural foods store to stock up on essentials. Feeling a little overwhelmed, it was like I had never been in a market before! In order to save you this struggle, I've prepared a beginner's guide for making the shift to a vegan diet.

Here are five items you'll definitely want to have before starting a vegan diet!

Legumes and grains. Beans and grains are going to become your new favorite friends. Beans are one of the options for vegans that are full of the nutrients we all need. Be sure to check out these five vegan dishes to help you create complete proteins. Similar to beans, whole grains are integral to a healthy diet. They're full of the fiber, protein, and vitamins our bodies need to run like a well-oiled machine. I've also learned that they really help fill you up. Quinoa is an awesome grain to start out with since it pairs well with just about anything!
Dairy substitutes. I've been a vegetarian for extended periods in the past, so giving up meat is a little less of a struggle. But going dairy-free is a whole new ball game! I've been absolutely amazed at the plethora of options I never knew existed for dairy-free divas. I am loving Follow Your Heart's nondairy dressings and vegan cheddar. Instead of cow's milk, try hemp, soy, or my personal favorite, almond milk. It's got the same smoothness and texture you love about the milk you used to douse your cereal with.

See the rest of my must-have vegan food items after the break!

Know Your Ingredients: Sofrito

Susannah Chen — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:40:53 PDT

If you found the term adobo to be a confusing catchall, then wait until you learn about sofrito. Generally speaking, the word describes a combination of aromatics that have been sautéed slowly in cooking oil to make a flavorful sauce. This is used to enhance everything from soups to meat dishes. But despite the fact that the cooking term is widely employed in Latin and Caribbean countries, its specific meaning can differ substantially from one nation's cuisine to another. To understand sofrito's regional differences, read more.