Author: Carma Spence

Carma Spence has been experimenting in the kitchen since she was four years old and loves trying out new recipe ideas. She is the author of Bonkers for Bundt Cakes and Your Perfect Pie, as well as author and contributor to several more non-food-related books. With Carma's Cookery, she is taking her passion for empowering people and blending it with her passion for cooking, gift-giving and entertaining.

Categories
Recipes

Oven-Baked Summer Squash Fries

squash fries

squash fries

A summer squash has a strong resemblance, in flavor and texture, to a zucchini. You can, in fact, substitute zucchini in this recipe, but it will probably bake a bit more quickly.

Ingrediets:

  • 1 medium summer squash
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (try panko breadcrumbs for a crunchier texture)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon mustard power
  • Salt and pepper
  • Olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Grease a large baking sheet with olive oil and set aside.
  2. Cut your summer squash into wedges. Remove the seeds if they are quite large and set wedges aside.
  3. Whisk the eggs in a dish and set aside.
  4. In another dish, combine the breadcrumbs, paprika, mustard powder and salt and pepper.
  5. Start by dipping the wedges, one by one, into the egg mixture and then the breadcrumb mixture. Place each wedge on the greased baking sheet. Continue until all the wedges are done.
  6. You can bake the wedges as is for about 30-40 minutes (until soft inside and golden brown on the outside), but if you want a more golden texture, drizzle or spray some olive oil on top of the wedges. Flip halfway through baking.
  7. Serve with ranch or another favorite dip.
Categories
Healthy Living

Organic Living: 5 Tips for a Healthier Diet

start your own organic garden with radishes, carrots and beets
Bonus tip!

start your own organic garden with radishes, carrots and beets
Bonus tip!
Continuing my Organic Living series, here are five tips to help you live a more healthy and organic life.

1. Start an organic garden.

If you live in a home with a nice big backyard, this can be simple and easy. However, if your space is more limited, you are not out in the non-organic cold. Setting up a vertical garden takes a week or two, but can pay off in organic produce for years. And you can set one up either indoors or outdoors. A vertical garden uses tiers to grow plants from the floor up, rather than taking up a large horizontal footprint. Here are some good resources for learning more about vertical gardening:

Articles:

Books:

Equipment:

 

2. Reduce or eliminate dairy products

Although it is a popular calcium source in the Western world, dairy cannot be properly digested by about 75 percent of the world’s population. This problem is called lactose intolerance and can lead to a lot of discomfort.

But it tastes so good — and is so prevalent in our food supply! What can you do?

Coconut or almond based ice cream is a fantastic way to indulge, without eating dairy. There are also a wide variety of non-dairy milks available on the market. I prefer almond milk, but you can also find soy milk, sunflower seed milk, coconut milk, hemp milk and more. Try them out and see which you prefer.

3. Buy free range eggs.

Alas, most organic eggs come from cooped up chickens fed organic produce. All that stres in the chickens’ lives affects the nutrition of the eggs. For true free range eggs, find a local farmer on localharvest.org.

4. Be aware of what labels mean.

“Organically made” is not the same as “Organic.” “Freely Traded” is not the same as “Free Trade.” Those former foods aren’t certified. Lack of certification can sometimes mean that corners are cut and loopholes are availed.

5. Choose oils wisely

Avoid cheap vegetable oils at all costs. They’re high in Omega-6 and very unhealthy. And, “canola” oil is made from modified rape seeds, so if you have certain allergies, this oil can be very bad for you.

 
Missed previous posts in this Organic Living series? Check them out here!

[divider]

[one_third] Healthy Eating Worksheet [/one_third]
[two_third_last]

Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

Download Now [/two_third_last]

Categories
Healthy Living

Organic Living Tips: Better Toothpaste

Tom's of Maine Toothpaste & Mouthwash

Tom's of Maine Toothpaste & MouthwashTom’s toothpaste is a great alternative to traditional toothpaste. It’s fluoride free and avoids many additive chemicals.

Last year, through the social media management website Klout.com, I received a “perk” from Tom’s of Maine. They sent me a sample of their toothpaste and mouthwash, along with a free toothbrush. And just so you know, I am under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

Anyway, I tried their toothpaste several years ago and thought it was foul. They must have changed their formulation because this last time I tried it, I thought it tasted just fine and would totally use it again. The flavor I samples was Tom’s of Maine Whole Care Fluoride Toothpaste Spearmint. However, if you prefer gel to paste, they don’t make one.

Their Long Lasting Wicked Fresh Cool Mountain Mint Mouth Wash was fantastic. I’ve made the switch to non-alcoholic mouthwash and this is one of the best tasting ones I’ve found.

Not only does Tom’s provide fluoride free and fairly chemical free products, they also stand for something worthwhile, including being socially and environmentally responsible.

Note: This is part of a series of tips about living more healthfully and organically. If you missed the first one. You can find it here.

[divider]

[one_third] Healthy Eating Worksheet [/one_third]
[two_third_last]

Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

Download Now [/two_third_last]

Categories
Recipes

Simple Grilled Fennel

Fennel has a very distinct licorice flavor and when it’s grilled becomes a tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience you don’t want to miss.

Ingredients:

  • Fennel
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Directions:

  1. Trim the tops off the fennel. The stringy parts can be used as an herb in your cooking, but aren’t needed for this recipe. You can even use the stalks in place of celery in some recipes, but realize they’ll have a much stronger flavor than celery.
  2. Trim the bottom of the bulb and then cut the remaining bulb lengthwise into quarters. Rub with olive oil, salt and pepper.
  3. Place on grill at medium heat to sear the fennel. Move to indirect heat, with the cut side up, and cook covered for about 45 minutes or until fennel is very soft. You can tell when it’s done by texture, rather than time. You definitely want to make sure it’s tender.

grilled-fennel-2-fix

Categories
Product Reviews Tools of the Trade

OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester with Channel Knife Product Review: Easiest way to zest and garnish with citrus

zesting with the OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester with Channel Knife
The OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester with Channel Knife makes zesting a lemon as easy as ... lemon pie!
Photo from Amazon.com.

OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester with Channel Knife
Photo from Amazon.com
A few years ago, I received the OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester with Channel Knife as a gift. Before that, I used the smallest side of a cheese grater to zest citrus. This product eradicated all the angst I felt about zesting — making it fun, too — and I never looked back.

Just in case you don’t know what zest or zesting is, zest is the outer, colored part of a citrus (lemon, lime, orange, etc.) peel. Zesting is the act of removing that layer. And the trick is to only get that colored layer and not get the white pith, which can be bitter-tasting. Zest is used for flavoring — it adds an oomph to your citrus-themed recipe. I’ve used it to intensify Orange Chicken, give more zip to a Lemom Bundt Cake and even add aroma to a cup of tea.

If you don’t have the right tool, zesting can be messy and, frankly, a pain in the ass. But the OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester with Channel Knife is a brilliantly designed right tool.

zesting with the OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester with Channel Knife
The OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester with Channel Knife makes zesting a lemon as easy as … lemon pie!
Photo from Amazon.com.
Features & Benefits

  • Large, oval and soft, non-slip handle not only fits securely in your hand, but is secure even if your hand is greasy. The size of the handle makes it really comfortable to hold, too, giving you more control over your zesting.
  • The stainless steel head lasts longer — I’ve had mine for over 10 years and it is still rust-free.
  • In addition to the zesting head, it also has a channel knife for creating thicker peels you can use for flavoring, texture and garnish.
  • The whole thing is dishwasher safe, so it can be convenient to clean if you use a dishwasher.
  • Both the zester and channel knife are sharp, so zesting is easy and smooth (unlike a few potato peelers I’ve had!)

Using the OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester's Channel Knife
The channel knife feature makes great garnishes, as well as solid zest for heavier recipes such as Orange Chicken.
Photo from Amazon.com
Other Data

  • Dimensions: 5″ x 1.38″ x 1″
  • Price: Between $7 and $8 new, depending on where you shop

Durability

As I’ve mentioned earlier, this product is durable. It is solidly made and easy to maintain. I’ve had mine for over a decade and it still looks new. I’ve used it on lemons, limes, tangerines and grape fruit, and it has traveled around the country with me. I’ve dropped it on the floor and all that happens is that it bounces and rolls — no damage to the zester or my linoleum floor.

Who This Product is Suitable For

If you zest only once a year, I’d still recommend this product for you. It is reasonably priced, so I can’t think of a reason not to have it — especially if you read this blog! Having this gadget handy has increased my kitchen creativity because now I’ll add zest to things I might not have before, because it used to be too much work. Whether you’re an experienced cook or just getting started, you’ll love the ease of using this product.

Where to Buy

The OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester with Channel Knife can be found anywhere they sell OXO brand kitchen gadgets. I’ve seen them at Bed, Bath & Beyond, as well as Target. You can also order one online from Amazon.com.

Kitchen Creativity Ideas

Because this product makes zesting so easy, I know add zest to more things that cook. Here are some suggestions I’ve tried and loved.

  • Take an orange and use the channel knife to create long strips of zest. When preparing a frozen bag of orange chicken in a skillet, add the strips to pump up the orange flavor. I used this with Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken and just loved it.
  • Add zest to your next box of lemon cake to pump up the lemon flavor. If you want make it a bit more fun, use the zest of a lime instead.
  • Garnish a serving of fruit or ambrosia salad with large curls of orange, grapefruit or tangerine zest using the channel knife.
Categories
Restaurant News & Reviews

World Peace through Food

Conflict CafeWill you be in London anytime between September 9 and October 3, 2015? If so, you’ll want to check out this cool event called Conflict Café. It is an innovative pop-up restaurant launched by peace-building charity International Alert and is returning to London for its second year to inspire more strangers to ‘break bread” and start conversations about peace through food.

“Food is the best way to educate people about other cultures,” said Rajiv KC, who runs a Nepali supper club Rajiv’s Kitchen. “We can learn a lot about a nation from its food, and once you understand them, you can build bridges.”

food2Food is often associated with conversation — think many a Thanksgiving diner — and so this event aims to showcase how food can unite, inform and provoke discussion.

The pop-up restaurant will be held at House of VANS in Waterloo, transforming this unique underground venue into a different region every week (see schedule below). In the wake of the ongoing Syria crisis, Conflict Café kicks off with a Middle Eastern theme, also featuring a special brunch by Honey & Co chefs Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich.

food1“Following the tremendous success of last year, we’re very excited that Conflict Café will be returning to celebrate the food and culture of even more countries affected by conflict,” said Ilaria Bianchi, Head of Communications at International Alert. “The restaurant provides an interesting and unique platform for breaking down barriers and getting people talking about peace and conflict issues around the world.”

In addition to Syria, conflict-torn regions included in this year’s Conflict Café are:

  • Nepal, which recently experienced earthquakes and the end of the civil war.
  • Columbia, a country that has been ravaged by civil conflict for the past 50 years.
  • Armenia and Turkey, divided countries that have been at war for generations.

food3“For us, food is beyond conflict,” said Honey & Co chefs Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich. “Our cooking is a labor of nothing but love and an extension of our home. Food has that priceless power to bring people together around a table for a shared moment in a hectic world.”

Conflict Café will run in partnership with Grub Club and Cult Events, and will be hosted at House of VANS. It is part of Alert’s annual Talking Peace Festival, a month-long series of events designed to spark conversations about peace through creativity.

nut-shellEvent in a Nutshell

 

What

Conflict Café

Where

House of VANS,
Arches 228 – 232 Station Approach Road,
London SE1 8SW

Schedule

  • Wednesday, September 9 and Saturday September 12: Middle East
  • Sunday, September 13: Middle East brunch special, feature Honey & Co chefs Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich
  • Thursday – Saturday, September 17-19: Nepal, featuring chef Rajiv KC
  • Wednesday – Friday, September 23-25: Colombia, featuring Esnayder Cuartas
  • Wednesday, September 30, Thursday October 1 and Saturday October 3: Armenia and Turkey, featuring established Turkish chef Önder Ṣahan and Armenian cook Natalie Griffith

Times

7pm onwards on dates listed above, except Sunday brunch, which takes place from 12 noon onwards

Tickets:

Tickets are available online at www.grubclub.com/conflict-cafe

Early bird ticket offer, priced at £30, ends tomorrow: Wednesday August 19, 2015

Social media tags:

  • Twitter: @talkpeacefest
  • Instagram: @international_alert
  • Hashtags: #ConflictCafe and #TalkingPeace

 
NOTE: All images for this post, except “In a Nut Shell,” were provided by Midas PR

Categories
Restaurant News & Reviews

A Cosmopolitan at the Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitans at The Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitans at The Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino, Las Vegas

Cosmopolitans at The Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitans at The Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino, Las Vegas
They say that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas — I wish that applied to the extra weight I add every time I go! Any way, although I’m not much of a drinker, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to have a Cosmopolitan while visiting the Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino located in the middle of the Strip in Las Vegas.

When I do drink, I like my drinks sweet with a touch of tart, so I tend to go for the fruity drinks like the Strawberry Margarita or a Banana Daiquiri. Most Cosmopolitans I’ve had in the past are pretty fruity, probably because they are made with cranberry juice. Here are the typical ingredients:

Vodka
TripleSec
Lime Juice
Cranberry Juice

The cosmopolitan does it slightly different. I’m pulling this from memory, so don’t get mad if it’s not exact.

Absolute Citron – lemon-flavored vodka
TripleSec
Pink Grapefruit Juice
Cranberry Juice

It was not as sweet as I usually like my drinks, but it was tasty — but also pricey. Two of them were $32! This is why I don’t drink a lot — I just don’t think I get $16 of value in a cocktail, no matter how tasty. But in that moment, it was something fun to do with my boyfriend, so it was OK.

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