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Fall Pantry Favorite: Cranberry Hazelnut Raincoast Crisps

YumSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:00:41 -0700

At a recent happy hour hosted by a friend, I found myself conveniently placed near a certain charismatic snack: rustic crisps studded with slivers of dried cranberries and roasted hazelnuts. Despite my attempts to save my appetite for dinner, I couldn't pull myself away from the crackers, which were just as habit-forming when eaten alone as they were with a slather of good goat cheese.

After a little research, I learned that Lesley Stowe's Raincoast Crisps, as they're called, hail from Canada and come in a multitude of flavors, like Raisin Pecan, Fig and Olive, and Salty Date and Almond, and are sold at many Whole Foods stores. I tried several flavors, but the hazelnut, with its mild nuttiness, paired with the slightly chewy consistency of the cranberries, remains my hands-down favorite combination. I'm keeping some stocked to make a mark at impromptu gatherings this Fall.

Have you ever tried Lesley Stowe's Raincoast Crisps?

Wolfgang Puck's Newest Venture: Iced Coffee

YumSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:37:08 -0700

Watch out, Frappuccino. There's a new iced coffee in town, and it's been created by world famous chef Wolfgang Puck. Amidst a nasty lawsuit, guest judging on Top Chef, and juggling his nearly 20 restaurants, the celebrity chef is rolling out a new line of ready-to-drink iced coffees.

The bottled beverages, which will compete directly with products like POMx Iced Coffee, will cost $2.39 each or $7.99 for a four pack of Vanilla Fusion, Double Blend Mocha, Creme Caramel, or Café au Lait.

Puck explained how his drinks would be different from those on the market, citing the fact that the coffees are sourced from certified organic farms in Ethiopia, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico and contain certified organic and kosher ingredients.

Whole Foods stores nationwide will stock the coffee by the end of the year. Would you be more inclined to buy iced coffee because it's by Wolfgang Puck?

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:50:19 -0700

From 2003 to 2006, every October I hosted an annual pumpkin carving party. In 2007, I threw a huge Halloween bash, and last year, I didn't do anything!

Now, I've decided it's time to bring back my beloved pumpkin carving dinner. I supply the pumpkins and a hearty Fall dinner and ask everyone to bring a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer. Since the party is all about creating interesting pumpkin designs, I like to serve a menu that guests can enjoy at their leisure.

For starters, I'll offer an orange and black cheese ball and spicy sausages wrapped in pizza dough.

A huge pot of vegetarian chili will bubble on the stove, and in between carving pumpkins, guests can grab a bowl and top it with an assortment of items like cilantro, avocado, and sour cream. A side of jalapeño cornbread muffins are ideal for dipping. To look at these recipes, read more.

Cheddar Cheese Ball
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

1 1/4 pounds extra-sharp cheddar, shredded
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup dry sherry
1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1/3 cup poppy seeds

Directions

Process all ingredients except poppy seeds in a food processor until smooth.
Transfer to a large bowl lined with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Unmold onto a plate. Press poppy seeds evenly over surface, rounding top. Refrigerate until ready to use, up to 2 days.

Serves 12 to 15.

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Spicy Sausage in Carrozza
From Michael Chiarello

Ingredients

6 spicy Italian sausages
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for brushing
15 whole garlic cloves
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 (4-ounce) pieces pizza dough, store bought

Directions

In a saucepan add 1/2-inch water to the pan. Immerse sausages in water and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove sausage and dry the pan.
Return to the heat and add the olive oil on medium heat. When hot return the sausage to the pan with garlic cloves and saute until medium brown all over.
Remove garlic to a bowl. Remove sausage to a plate to cool.
Use a fork to mash the garlic with salt and pepper. Stir in mustard and set aside.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Cut each piece of dough into 2 and roll out until 1/4-inch thick. Cut 6 pieces of dough about 3 inches wide and 1/2-inch shorter than the length of sausage, just enough to wrap around sausage with the ends peeking out.
Spread bottom of each dough with a tablespoon of garlic/mustard paste. Set sausage on top, moisten 1 dough edge with a wet finger so it sticks together and roll. Press the seam firmly and set them on a lightly floured sheet pan, seam side down.
Brush with olive oil. Bake until brown all around.
Remove and let cool for 5 minutes. Cut into 3/4-inch long pieces and serve.

Serves 6.

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Spicy Vegetarian Chili
From Whole Foods

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 to 3 tablespoons finely chopped chipotles in adobo 1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their liquid
3 cups cooked red kidney beans, drained
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, drained

Directions

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, peppers and garlic and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until vegetables are softened but not browned.
Add chipotles, oregano, cumin, chili powder and salt. Stir to blend. Add tomatoes and 4 cups water. Gently simmer over low heat, uncovered, for 45 minutes.
Add beans and simmer an additional 30 minutes. Garnish individual bowls with green onions or sour cream, if desired.

Serves 6-8.

Nutrition Per serving (about 17oz/495g-wt.): 230 calories (45 from fat), 5g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 1200mg sodium, 37g total carbohydrate (13g dietary fiber, 9g sugar), 11g protein.

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Jalapeño Corn Muffins
From Everyday With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

One 8.5-ounce box corn muffin mix
1/2 cup milk
2 cups fresh corn kernels (3 ears)
4 ounces jalapeño jack cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
Salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°.
In a large bowl, prepare the mix according to the package directions, using the milk in place of water. Stir in the corn, cheese and basil; season with salt and pepper.
Grease a muffin pan and fill each cup with batter. Bake until lightly golden, 30 minutes; let cool.

Serves 6.

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Trend Alert: Hibiscus Drinks

YumSugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:00:45 -0800

Last June, I discovered the sweet virtue of dried hibiscus flowers. I picked them up at Trader Joe's and, on a whim, stirred them into a pitcher of lemonade. The hibiscus lent a sweet, tart flavor, as well as a beautiful blush color.

Perhaps by putting hibiscus flowers into that pitcher of sparkling ade, I was onto something: Hibiscus, with its fruity, tannic flavor, has been appearing in all sorts of beverages, from sparkling sodas to hot cocktails.

I've seen Ooba, a sparkling hibiscus soda, everywhere from this year's Fancy Foods Show to the drink aisle at the local Whole Foods Market. On her new show, Giada at Home, Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis entertained with a spiked hibiscus tea, made by boiling dried hibiscus in sugar water, straining out the flowers, and mixing in lemon juice and vodka. Both beverages, with their punchy pink color and notes of cranberry flavor, are drinks that would satisfy on a hot Summer day.

Not that hibiscus is only to be enjoyed during Summer. This month, Bon Appétit proclaims Winter cocktail The Laureate to be the "new hot toddy." In the mix? Añejo tequila, agave nectar, and - you guessed it - dried hibiscus flowers, which add "a bit of tartness and a rich ruby red color."

Can you see hibiscus drinks being a trend that really takes off? Have you enjoyed any hibiscus-flavored beverages lately?

Organics Industry Plagued by Recession and Scandal

YumSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:30:45 -0800

It's only January, and the organic industry is already having a bad year. Not only have producers been losing consumers due to the hefty price tag of organic food, but the industry has struggled to maintain its integrity.

With organic feed prices at an all-time high, farmers in the UK are lobbying the government to temporarily relax organic feed standards to assist livestock producers who are currently paying twice as much for organic feed as they would conventional. In California, state investigators have discovered that California Liquid Fertilizer, an organic farming treatment, had been spiking its fertilizer with a synthetic product banned from organic farms. The tainted fertilizer infiltrated up to a third of the organic market, including produce giants such as Earthbound Farms, for up to seven years. Following the incident, investigations have begun into other organic fertilizer distributors in different states.

With these issues now in the spotlight, it's my feeling that consumers will be left confused about organic standards of quality, and distrustful of industry practices. Does this affect your preferences about shopping organic?

Source

Sunday Slow Cooker: Split Pea Soup With Ham

YumSugar — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:00:13 -0800

As a kid, I thought the concept of pea soup was gross. But in my adulthood - and particularly this Winter - I've become obsessed with split pea soup.

With its complex characteristics - it's smoky, creamy, porky, and fresh flavored all at once - this soup is nothing short of sophisticated.

The only simple aspect of this rendition is the slow cooker preparation, it really requires no attention at all. To see the recipe, read more.

Split Pea Soup With Ham
From Whole Foods

Ingredients

1 (16-oz) package dried green split peas, rinsed
1 meaty ham bone, 2 ham hocks or 2 cups diced ham
1 cup sliced baby carrots
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2 ribs celery plus leaves, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
6 cups chicken broth

Directions

Layer ingredients in slow cooker in the order given, adding the broth last. Do not stir ingredients.
Cover and cook on high 4-5 hours or on low 8-10 hours until peas are very soft and ham falls off the bone.

Serves 4 as a meal or 8 as a starter.

Per serving (about 14oz/393g-wt.): 260 calories (40 from fat), 4g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 30mg cholesterol, 690mg sodium, 34g total carbohydrate (13g dietary fiber, 6g sugar), 23g protein

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Butternut Squash Panzanella

YumSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:45:45 -0800

Bread salad is a popular Summer dish, but that doesn't mean it can't be modified for Fall. Instead of the classic tomatoes and basil, this recipe calls for a more seasonal butternut squash and sage. To cut down kitchen prep, bake the butternut squash and the bread ahead of time. To get this comfort recipe, read more.

Butternut Squash Panzanella Salad
From Whole Foods

Ingredients

4 cups (1-inch) cubes peeled and seeded butternut squash
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 tablespoons capers, drained
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
Pepper to taste
4 cups (1-inch) cubes baguette or other crusty bread
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped sage
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
4 to 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
Queso fresco or feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven.
In a large bowl, toss together squash, 1 tablespoon of the oil, capers, garlic and pepper.
Transfer to a large baking sheet and bake, tossing occasionally, until tender and golden brown, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss together bread, 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil, sage and salt. Transfer to a second large baking sheet and bake, tossing halfway through, until toasted and golden brown, about 10 minutes.
Set both squash and bread aside as done to let cool to room temperature.
In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, zest, vinegar, remaining 3 tablespoons oil, salt and pepper to make a dressing. Add lettuce, onions, squash and bread and toss gently to coat. Transfer to plates, top with cheese (if using) and serve immediately.

Serves 4 to 6.

Nutrition per serving (about 9oz/242g-wt.): 290 calories (150 from fat), 17g total fat, 3g saturated fat, 5mg cholesterol, 610mg sodium, 32g total carbohydrate (4g dietary fiber, 5g sugar), 6g protein

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Monday's Leftovers: Sautéed Shrimp & Couscous

YumSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:45:32 -0700

If you've got leftover shrimp in your fridge, it's the perfect start of a weeknight meal. The quick-cooking shellfish, when combined with couscous and field greens, is a healthy, delicious meal.

It takes a minimal amount of time to make, so you can even prepare extra shrimp and field greens to put in a salad for the next day's lunch.

To add this recipe to your repertoire, read more.

Sautéed Shrimp And Couscous
From Whole Foods

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 to 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
8 cups loosely packed baby field greens
1/3 cup Italian-style vinaigrette dressing
1 1/4 cups uncooked couscous, prepared according to package directions
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add shrimp, garlic, salt and pepper and cook for about 5 minutes. Add lemon juice and stir well.
Arrange field greens in a serving bowl and toss with dressing.
Arrange salad on plates with shrimp and couscous, garnish with Parmesan cheese and serve.

Serves 4.

Nutrition per serving: (about 11oz/324g-wt.): 450 calories (110 from fat), 12g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 255mg cholesterol, 850mg sodium, 48g total carbohydrate (5g dietary fiber, 3g sugar), 36g protein

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Whole Foods Offering Bigger Discounts

YumSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:00:48 -0700

Natural and organic supermarket Whole Foods really wants to be there for you during tough times. In fact, the retailer wants to give you a deal so badly that it's posted a printable online coupon for $5 off.

The discount is part of a new Whole Foods value guide called the Whole Deal. According to Whole Foods, the program is about "giving you the whole story, so you'll know just how to get the most bang for your buck without sacrificing the benefits of natural and organic foods." The packet, available in stores, contains more coupons, budget recipes, and recession-proof cooking tips.

Will you be downloading the coupon and running to the nearest Whole Foods to get your hands on the Whole Deal, or do you think this is just another marketing ploy?

Source

Come Party With Me: My Birthday - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:00:09 -0700

Although my birthday starts at 9 p.m. on a Saturday, I want to offer my friends snacks to nibble on throughout the night. Since the kitchen at 15 Romolo is still under construction, I'll make an assortment of easy appetizers that are best served at room temperature.

Marinated mushrooms and prosciutto-wrapped breadsticks are delicious starters. Chicken liver pate on crostini will suit the palates of my foodie friends and pair nicely with a goat cheese pesto torta. For these wonderful recipes, read more.

Marinated Mushrooms
From Whole Foods

Ingredients

1 pound fresh cremini mushrooms
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2–4 tablespoons white wine vinegar, or to taste
1–2 cloves minced garlic (optional)
1/4 cup minced red onion
2 teaspoons fresh minced oregano
2 tablespoons fresh minced Italian parsley
sea salt, to taste
1/2 teaspoon each black peppercorns and coriander seeds

Directions

Clean mushrooms and remove stems.
Simmer mushroom caps in salted water for 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Drain and transfer to a bowl.
Add olive oil, vinegar, garlic, red onion, oregano, parsley, salt, peppercorns and coriander. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Marinate in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Serves 4.

Nutrition Info: Per serving (About 5oz/146g-wt.): 110 calories (70 from fat), 7g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 3g protein, 8g total carbohydrate (2g dietary fiber, 2g sugar), 0mg cholesterol, 160mg sodium

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Prosciutto Truffle Butter Breadsticks
From Robert Irvine

Ingredients

2 teaspoons chopped parsley leaves
2 teaspoons chopped chives
Salt and freshly ground white pepper
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
4 tablespoons white truffle oil
16 breadsticks
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
16 slices prosciutto, thinly sliced

Directions

Mix parsley, chives, salt and white pepper with softened butter and truffle oil, then spread on a flat plate.
Dip each breadstick in butter mixture so that 3/4 of the stick is covered to hold prosciutto in place.
Roll in Parmesan, then wrap a slice of prosciutto over the buttered 3/4 length of each stick, leaving a dry end of stick for guests to serve themselves.

Serves 8.

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Chicken Liver Crostini
From Food and Wine magazine

Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound chicken livers, trimmed and patted dry
2 ounces thickly sliced bacon, cut into 1-by-1/4-inch pieces
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 Golden Delicious apple-peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1/4 cup brandy
Salt and freshly ground pepper
24 baguette slices, toasted
Small sage leaves, for garnish

Directions

In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in the olive oil until foaming.
Add the chicken livers and cook over high heat, turning once or twice, until browned all over, about 3 minutes. Transfer the livers to a small bowl.
Add the bacon to the skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until browned and crisp, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel–lined plate to drain.
Add the onion to the skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until softened and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
Add the apple, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring, until very soft and just beginning to break down, about 10 minutes longer. Add the brandy to the skillet and carefully ignite with a long match; let the alcohol burn off.
Add 1/4 cup of the apple mixture to the bacon. Add the remaining apple mixture to a blender along with the chicken livers and blend until smooth.
With the machine on, add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and puree until creamy.
Pass the chicken liver mousse through a fine strainer into a bowl (omit this step for a chunkier mousse). Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.
Spread the chicken liver mousse on the baguette toasts. Garnish with a little of the bacon-apple mixture and the sage leaves and serve at once.

Makes 24.

Make ahead: the mousse and apple-bacon garnish can be refrigerated separately for up to 2 days. Return to room temperature before serving.

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Goat Cheese Pesto Torta
From Gourmet magazine

Ingredients

1/4 cup prepared basil pesto
Vegetable oil for brushing pan
1/4 cup finely chopped rinsed drained bottled roasted red peppers
20 oz soft mild goat cheese, softened at room temperature (2 cups)
3 tablespoons bottled black olive paste or tapenade
crackers or toasts

Directions

Drain pesto in a small fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl 15 minutes, then discard excess oil.
Lightly oil loaf pan and line with a sheet of plastic wrap large enough to allow a generous overhang on all 4 sides. For a smoother-looking torta, oiled loaf pan can be lined with parchment paper instead of plastic wrap. Cut 1 long piece of parchment to line bottom and ends, leaving a 2-inch overhang, then trace and cut out 2 more pieces for sides of pan plus a 2-inch overhang.
Blot peppers well between paper towels to remove excess liquid.
Spread about one fourth (1/2 cup) of cheese evenly over bottom of loaf pan and top with all of pesto, spreading evenly. Drop 1/2 cup cheese by tablespoons over pesto and spread gently to cover pesto.
Top with chopped peppers, spreading evenly. Drop another 1/2 cup cheese by tablespoons over peppers and spread gently to cover peppers.
Spread olive paste evenly on top, then drop remaining cheese by tablespoons over olive paste, spreading gently to cover olive paste. Cover pan with another sheet of plastic wrap and chill at least 8 hours.
Remove plastic wrap from top of pan and invert torta onto a serving plate, then peel off remaining plastic wrap. Let torta stand at room temperature 20 minutes before serving.

Serves 8-10.

Make ahead: torta can be chilled in pan up to 24 hours. Let torta stand at room temperature 20 minutes before serving.

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