cdkitchen > feeddaily blog
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Arugula - a commonly misunderstood leafy lettuce; A spicy, peppery addition to salads and recipes; A surprising burst of flavor that takes the spotlight in every dish; An above-ground plant that grows wild and goes wild in my backyard. Arugula is taking over my backyard again. It pops up in my sectioned-off garden, then breaches its borders to become scattered haphazardly across my yard--all on its own. The arugula was here when I moved into my house in September, 2001. The previous owners had purposely planted it beside Italian parsley and...
by
Often bridesmaids, but hardly ever the bride, onions play a significant, and sometimes unrecognized, supporting role in the kitchen. While their contribution to our cooking may be taken for granted, many of our favorite recipes would be disappointingly bland without the addition of an onion or two. Onions, which come in over 500 varieties, are divided into three categories: spring, storage, and sweet. Spring onions, such as scallions, are characterized by their high water content which makes them sweet and mild, but it also makes them poor candidates for long term storage...
by
Ah, if anything evokes thoughts of a sunny summer, it's sitting outside sipping mint juleps out of silver cups under a cabana striped umbrella by the pool waiting for the barbecue to heat up, right? Personally, I've always fantasized about sipping a mint julep out of a silver cup while wearing a tremendous sunhat, and watching The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and fanning myself with my grandmother's antique folding fan. I know, I know. I am such a Northerner. OK, maybe it's more a bit of fantasy for most of us, but we can indulge in...
by
Just the other day, while grocery shopping in the produce department, an avocado caught my daughter's eye: "What is that? What does it taste like?" When I suggested we buy one and try it, her eyes lit up. She carried that bumpy avocado through the whole store, and by the time she deposited it carefully at the cashier, this avocado had a name and distinct personality. It was several days before we could even consider using it as food. When we did cut it open, the discovery of the soft, creamy, green interior and heavy, round pit set off more exclamations of delight...
by
I recently had the good fortune to travel to Mexico to celebrate a family destination wedding. While there, our hotel featured an evening of Mexican culture and food. What was really interesting is that the buffet featured food representing all the different regions of Mexico. There was everything from tamales to snapper in salsa veracruzana (a tomato and green olive sauce) to corn on the cob dipped in mayonnaise, cheese and spices. We got to try a broader variety of Mexican culinary specialties than just your usual expected nachos, quesadillas, and tacos that are more the staples...
by
Shortly after I returned from an expensive two-week research trip I realized I had yet to do my taxes. To my surprise I owed the federal government a hefty sum, and this was because I did a little moonlighting last year without withholding for tax. I had a sizable return last year, so I simply assumed I would have a smaller return this year. Apparently, however, my consulting work put me over a salary threshold, which meant I could not take my school loan interest credit, which meant that I got zapped - big time. Of course, the day after I paid Uncle Sam, I had scheduled...
by
Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico's victory over the French in the 1862 battle of Puebla. In Mexico this special day is honored with celebratory foods. In the United States Cinco de Mayo is enthusiastically embraced by Mexican descendants and non Mexican-Americans alike, and marked by celebrations featuring parades, mariachi bands, and folk music. Enjoying traditional Mexican and Mexican-American cuisine along with plenty of margaritas and cold Mexican beer is part of the fun. This year, you can use the slow cooker to help in cooking an exciting Friday night fiesta...
by
To peel or not to peel, that is sometimes the question with asparagus. Actually, in most American homes peeling almost never happens. It is an extra step, a fussy extravagance we are more likely to associate with fancy French restaurants than the sort of simple farm-to-table cooking we champion as American these days. Why would you peel asparagus anyway? Aren't the prized variety the kind that is thinner than a pencil and tender enough to be eaten raw? Certainly those slim green sticks are delightful. They cook quickly in salted water and need little...
by
It all started with a book of 50 salads. And at the dentist's office, no less. My daughter had been perusing the book while waiting for me to finish. And after a winning no-cavity visit, who could say no to a kid who was actually requesting salad for lunch? Plus, since I already had to make a run into the grocery store for some laundry detergent, it was no biggie to swing by the produce department and grab a large head of Romaine lettuce (too bad our garden variety isn't yet large enough to harvest) and real Parmesan cheese. The recipe also listed anchovies and egg...
by
With the recent celebration of Earth Day, being more environmentally conscious is on more than a few people's minds. Maybe your kids had a special activity at school and are bringing home new ideas on how to conserve our resources for a healthier planet. But you may be wondering, what exactly does the phrase being "green" mean? It's a relatively new term for the concept of more eco-conscious living. Basically to live green is to go by the mantra "reduce, reuse, recycle." The philosophy also incorporates the idea of making a smaller impact on the environment with the stuff...
by
As parents, we are always trying new tricks to get our kids to eat healthy foods. That strict and structured routine many of us grew up with (I, for one, had to clean my plate before leaving the table, and was never allowed to play with food) has gone out in favor of a more casual approach that makes eating more fun. I have read in several books that letting your young ones explore and get messy with a new food will help them to accept it into their repertoire. Finger paint with cottage cheese or pudding? Why not! Make a stack of cereal O's and slowly count them together as they...
by
At a workplace potluck recently I ate, for the first time, Texas chili. I have never really cared for the stuff because, where I'm from (Georgia), the chili has kidney beans in it, and I am not a fan of kidney beans in the least. I am not a fan because (a) they don't taste good to me, and I hate the texture; and (b) well, um, have you ever seen Blazing Saddles? At the potluck, however, the sign in front of the chili said "REAL Texas Chili," with the "REAL" underlined twice. "What makes it real?" I asked someone close by. "They ain't no beans, baby!" he replied. I tried...
by
Tomorrow the evils of Winter are conquered by Spring--but not before the custodians of that dark season have a little fun! The eve of May Day is the official evening of revelry for witches and the workers of the world, also known as Walpurgisnacht or the Night of Walpurgis. According to Goethe's Faust, legend has it that on Walpurgisnacht witches would congregate on the peaks of the Harz Mountains and party down, kiss up to the Devil, and renew their pacts. Now, the name of the holiday is derived from Saint Walpurga, a nun who died in Germany in 779. The actual...
by
Peaches. If I had to choose just one last fruit to indulge in, it would be the sun-kissed ginger-tinged sweetness of summer's best fruit. With their chin-dripping goodness, peaches make healthy dessert delicious. It really doesn't matter how they are prepared. Peach cobbler. Peach pie. Peach crunch. Peach coffee cake (now that's one I'll have to try - think pound cake layered with peach slices). Of course, fresh, drip-down-your-chin peaches are best. But when they're not in season, I'm reduced to buying unripe specimens in the produce department, hoping they'll...
by
There are some classic food combinations that just go so well together: peanut butter and jelly; apple pie and ice cream; and chicken and corn. You might ask--chicken and corn? Yes, I have found that chicken and corn make a very nice combination. One of the staple meals that we had almost every week growing up was baked chicken, rice and corn. I still think this is a very satisfactory meal, especially when my digestive system is feeling delicate. But another way to enjoy this great combo is in a soup, namely Amish Chicken and Corn Soup. This soup frequently made...
by
With food trends turning global, the kids and I have been spending more time exploring the international aisle of the market. This month we tried coconut milk. Sure, we've tried drilling, cracking and prying whole coconuts - and I've heard that fresh coconut milk is exceptional - but when you're looking for a quicker way to incorporate that exotic coconut flavor without the heavy-handed hassle, try coconut milk, handy and ready-to-use in a can. Although it's used in many Thai, African and Caribbean dishes, I wanted the kids' first taste of this beverage to be a bit...
From The Editors At CDKitchen: Feed Daily
by
Arugula - a commonly misunderstood leafy lettuce; A spicy, peppery addition to salads and recipes; A surprising burst of flavor that takes the spotlight in every dish; An above-ground plant that grows wild and goes wild in my backyard. Arugula is taking over my backyard again. It pops up in my sectioned-off garden, then breaches its borders to become scattered haphazardly across my yard--all on its own. The arugula was here when I moved into my house in September, 2001. The previous owners had purposely planted it beside Italian parsley and...
by
Often bridesmaids, but hardly ever the bride, onions play a significant, and sometimes unrecognized, supporting role in the kitchen. While their contribution to our cooking may be taken for granted, many of our favorite recipes would be disappointingly bland without the addition of an onion or two. Onions, which come in over 500 varieties, are divided into three categories: spring, storage, and sweet. Spring onions, such as scallions, are characterized by their high water content which makes them sweet and mild, but it also makes them poor candidates for long term storage...
by
Ah, if anything evokes thoughts of a sunny summer, it's sitting outside sipping mint juleps out of silver cups under a cabana striped umbrella by the pool waiting for the barbecue to heat up, right? Personally, I've always fantasized about sipping a mint julep out of a silver cup while wearing a tremendous sunhat, and watching The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and fanning myself with my grandmother's antique folding fan. I know, I know. I am such a Northerner. OK, maybe it's more a bit of fantasy for most of us, but we can indulge in...
by
Just the other day, while grocery shopping in the produce department, an avocado caught my daughter's eye: "What is that? What does it taste like?" When I suggested we buy one and try it, her eyes lit up. She carried that bumpy avocado through the whole store, and by the time she deposited it carefully at the cashier, this avocado had a name and distinct personality. It was several days before we could even consider using it as food. When we did cut it open, the discovery of the soft, creamy, green interior and heavy, round pit set off more exclamations of delight...
by
I recently had the good fortune to travel to Mexico to celebrate a family destination wedding. While there, our hotel featured an evening of Mexican culture and food. What was really interesting is that the buffet featured food representing all the different regions of Mexico. There was everything from tamales to snapper in salsa veracruzana (a tomato and green olive sauce) to corn on the cob dipped in mayonnaise, cheese and spices. We got to try a broader variety of Mexican culinary specialties than just your usual expected nachos, quesadillas, and tacos that are more the staples...
by
Shortly after I returned from an expensive two-week research trip I realized I had yet to do my taxes. To my surprise I owed the federal government a hefty sum, and this was because I did a little moonlighting last year without withholding for tax. I had a sizable return last year, so I simply assumed I would have a smaller return this year. Apparently, however, my consulting work put me over a salary threshold, which meant I could not take my school loan interest credit, which meant that I got zapped - big time. Of course, the day after I paid Uncle Sam, I had scheduled...
by
Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico's victory over the French in the 1862 battle of Puebla. In Mexico this special day is honored with celebratory foods. In the United States Cinco de Mayo is enthusiastically embraced by Mexican descendants and non Mexican-Americans alike, and marked by celebrations featuring parades, mariachi bands, and folk music. Enjoying traditional Mexican and Mexican-American cuisine along with plenty of margaritas and cold Mexican beer is part of the fun. This year, you can use the slow cooker to help in cooking an exciting Friday night fiesta...
by
To peel or not to peel, that is sometimes the question with asparagus. Actually, in most American homes peeling almost never happens. It is an extra step, a fussy extravagance we are more likely to associate with fancy French restaurants than the sort of simple farm-to-table cooking we champion as American these days. Why would you peel asparagus anyway? Aren't the prized variety the kind that is thinner than a pencil and tender enough to be eaten raw? Certainly those slim green sticks are delightful. They cook quickly in salted water and need little...
by
It all started with a book of 50 salads. And at the dentist's office, no less. My daughter had been perusing the book while waiting for me to finish. And after a winning no-cavity visit, who could say no to a kid who was actually requesting salad for lunch? Plus, since I already had to make a run into the grocery store for some laundry detergent, it was no biggie to swing by the produce department and grab a large head of Romaine lettuce (too bad our garden variety isn't yet large enough to harvest) and real Parmesan cheese. The recipe also listed anchovies and egg...
by
With the recent celebration of Earth Day, being more environmentally conscious is on more than a few people's minds. Maybe your kids had a special activity at school and are bringing home new ideas on how to conserve our resources for a healthier planet. But you may be wondering, what exactly does the phrase being "green" mean? It's a relatively new term for the concept of more eco-conscious living. Basically to live green is to go by the mantra "reduce, reuse, recycle." The philosophy also incorporates the idea of making a smaller impact on the environment with the stuff...
by
As parents, we are always trying new tricks to get our kids to eat healthy foods. That strict and structured routine many of us grew up with (I, for one, had to clean my plate before leaving the table, and was never allowed to play with food) has gone out in favor of a more casual approach that makes eating more fun. I have read in several books that letting your young ones explore and get messy with a new food will help them to accept it into their repertoire. Finger paint with cottage cheese or pudding? Why not! Make a stack of cereal O's and slowly count them together as they...
by
At a workplace potluck recently I ate, for the first time, Texas chili. I have never really cared for the stuff because, where I'm from (Georgia), the chili has kidney beans in it, and I am not a fan of kidney beans in the least. I am not a fan because (a) they don't taste good to me, and I hate the texture; and (b) well, um, have you ever seen Blazing Saddles? At the potluck, however, the sign in front of the chili said "REAL Texas Chili," with the "REAL" underlined twice. "What makes it real?" I asked someone close by. "They ain't no beans, baby!" he replied. I tried...
by
Tomorrow the evils of Winter are conquered by Spring--but not before the custodians of that dark season have a little fun! The eve of May Day is the official evening of revelry for witches and the workers of the world, also known as Walpurgisnacht or the Night of Walpurgis. According to Goethe's Faust, legend has it that on Walpurgisnacht witches would congregate on the peaks of the Harz Mountains and party down, kiss up to the Devil, and renew their pacts. Now, the name of the holiday is derived from Saint Walpurga, a nun who died in Germany in 779. The actual...
by
Peaches. If I had to choose just one last fruit to indulge in, it would be the sun-kissed ginger-tinged sweetness of summer's best fruit. With their chin-dripping goodness, peaches make healthy dessert delicious. It really doesn't matter how they are prepared. Peach cobbler. Peach pie. Peach crunch. Peach coffee cake (now that's one I'll have to try - think pound cake layered with peach slices). Of course, fresh, drip-down-your-chin peaches are best. But when they're not in season, I'm reduced to buying unripe specimens in the produce department, hoping they'll...
by
There are some classic food combinations that just go so well together: peanut butter and jelly; apple pie and ice cream; and chicken and corn. You might ask--chicken and corn? Yes, I have found that chicken and corn make a very nice combination. One of the staple meals that we had almost every week growing up was baked chicken, rice and corn. I still think this is a very satisfactory meal, especially when my digestive system is feeling delicate. But another way to enjoy this great combo is in a soup, namely Amish Chicken and Corn Soup. This soup frequently made...
by
With food trends turning global, the kids and I have been spending more time exploring the international aisle of the market. This month we tried coconut milk. Sure, we've tried drilling, cracking and prying whole coconuts - and I've heard that fresh coconut milk is exceptional - but when you're looking for a quicker way to incorporate that exotic coconut flavor without the heavy-handed hassle, try coconut milk, handy and ready-to-use in a can. Although it's used in many Thai, African and Caribbean dishes, I wanted the kids' first taste of this beverage to be a bit...