I freely admit to a long-time fear of beets. Growing up, I would sooner have eaten pot roast (yuck!) than consume anything even remotely resembling such a weird-looking root vegetable. While my dislike of pot roast has not altered with time, my opinion of root vegetables in general (and beets in particular) has. Beet greens [...]
Gentle reader, I submit that people need to make their peace with chocolate. It should be recognized for what it is: a delicious dietary luxury. Instead, too many people feel guilty when they eat chocolate. The result? Manufacturers put all kinds of nonsense into chocolates, or label their chocolate in a particular matter, so that [...]
You’ve heard for years now that fish and seafood make for healthy eating. You’ve read up on their high quality protein and the other nutrients some species contain. You’ve resolved to get more seafood into your diet. But since you’re putting some thought into what ends up on your plate, you know there are matters [...]
I decided long ago that I didn’t particularly care for summer in the Northeastern US, which happens to be where I live. Summers here are too hot and muggy and buggy. When I was younger, I used to wish I could snap my fingers and have the weather go straight from spring-like to autumnal. But [...]
Yes, it’s a silly joke. The title reference here is not to the famed collie Lassie, but to Lassi, a traditional chilled drink that originated in southern Asia centuries ago, if not longer. Anyone who grew up in an area with a significant Indian population will recognize the word instantly. Lassi (pronounced luh-see) is a [...]
The 54th Summer Fancy Food Show recently took place at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. Despite the current recession (yes, I’m using the “r” word, President Bush!), there seemed to be no lack of exhibitors or attendees, and the Show (reserved for those in the food trade only) saw its usual mix [...]
We all know at least one dark chocolate snob. As a rule, they’re an easy breed to recognize. They argue over percentages of cacao solids, invariably insisting on very dark chocolate; they loudly discuss the merits of single-bean and single-estate varieties; and they disdain milk chocolate as a weak impostor. I must beg these elitists, [...]
Quick, how many different kinds of honey can you name? Do you simply buy whatever is on sale at the supermarket? If you know only orange blossom honey, or if you purchase whatever is cheapest, you’re really missing out on a range of great tastes and beautiful colors. Everyone knows that honey is produced by [...]
I know what you’re thinking. Either I’m secretly employed by a prune producer or this is all a big joke. Guess again! Though they are often maligned and the subject of crude jokes, prunes deserve better. Not only do they taste great, but they’re packed with nutrition. So let’s stop the jokes and get the [...]
Not only did I grow up in one of the last nuclear families in the US, but I was raised in a household where only one parent worked outside the home. My Mother was a full-time homemaker. She was also a great cook (and still is). With very few exceptions, the food for our meals [...]
