Categories
Flavor Blending

Product Review: Bamboo Cutting Boards Set by Royal Craft Wood

Well, I’m at it again: Reviewing another bamboo product from Royal Craft Wood. This time, it is a 3-piece cutting board set, which I received yesterday — just as I was moving out to a new home. What timing! This empowers me to start my new kitchen with brand new cutting boards that turn out to be superior to what I had before.

bamboo cutting boards

Product Description: Bamboo Cutting Board Set

My previous cutting boards were made of the traditional wood and had numerous cut marks in them. From what I’ve learned through research, I won’t have to worry about that so much with these bamboo cutting boards. Bamboo resists absorbing the odors of various foods and is because of its hardness, bamboo resists knife scaring. Because of this, bamboo cutting boards are less likely to have pockets where moisture, food particles, and bacteria can accumulate. This makes bamboo boards much more sanitary than boards made of other materials.

Bamboo has a hard density, making cutting boards made from this material nearly maintenance-free. Bamboo resists absorbing water and therefore will not warp or crack as easily as other woods.

How to Care for Bamboo Products

I mentioned this in my previous review of a Royal Craft Wood product, but it bears repeating. To help your bamboo cutting boards last, simply follow these care recommendations:

  • Wash by hand — NOT in a dishwasher. The extreme heat can damage it.
  • Don’t let the board soak in water.
  • Wipe the board dry after washing by hand.

What I Liked About Royal Craft Wood’s Bamboo Cheese Board

This may sound odd, but when I first opened the package, removing the plastic, the aroma of wood wafted up and smelled so good!

Then, the look and feel of these bamboo cutting boards: They are beautifully crafted and have nice indentations on the bottom that will make them easy to pick up.

As with the cheese board I reviewed a few weeks ago, the quality is readily apparent. They feel durable and sturdy.

And addition to all the other benefits of bamboo, I like that they are made from a sustainable and renewable resource. Bamboo grows readily, making products made from bamboo more environmentally friendly.

What I didn’t like about Royal Craft Wood’s Bamboo Cheese Board

Frankly, I can’t think of anything other than Walmart’s poor shipping. The package was supposed to arrive earlier and thus the late arrival greatly inconvenienced me. That said, it may not be Walmart’s fault. Shipping has been wonky since the COVID-19 lockdown hit.

Recommendation

If you would like a long-lasting, durable, and versatile cutting board set, complete with small, medium, and large boards, this bamboo set fits the bill. It has a lovely design, is well designed, and includes pretty much all the sizes you’ll need for a typical kitchen.

Rating for the Bamboo Cutting Board Set by Royal Craft Wood

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Pick up your board on Walmart.com here.

NOTE: I was reimbursed the cost of this cheese board in exchange for an honest review. If you’ve read past product reviews, you’ll know that I don’t pull my punches when I believe they are warranted. I also try to provide balanced information so you can make your own decision to read or not read the book, even if you disagree with my opinion.

Categories
Cookbook Reviews

Cookook Review: “The Best Homemade Vegan Cheese & Ice Cream Recipes” by Marie Laforêt

The best pesto I’ve ever tasted was vegan. And I have enjoyed vegan mayo. Therefore, although I’m not vegan, I can appreciate that vegan recipes can be quite tasty. When the opportunity to review Marie Laforêt’s book, The Best Homemade Vegan Cheese and Ice Cream Recipes, came across my desk, I said, “Yes!”

Cookook Review: "The Best Homemade Vegan Cheese & Ice Cream Recipes" by Marie Laforêt

Summary of The Best Homemade Vegan Cheese and Ice Cream Recipes

Being deprived of the joys of dairy can be a terrible thing. Whether you’re vegan or just want (or need) to go dairy-free, do you have to live a life bereft of ice cream and cheese? Not if Ms. Laforêt has anything to say about it. Her cookbook is filled with vegan versions of cheeses and ice creams.

Part One covers vegan cheese, first giving you an overview of the basics and then diving into the recipes. With this book in hand, you can make vegan Parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, feta, ricotta and more. And that’s just the classics. She also has recipes for fermented cheeses such as Cashew Cheese and Kombucha Cheese; and specialty cheeses such as Nacho Cheese Sauce and Kimcheese.

Part One covers vegan ice cream. Again, she provides an overview of key ingredients and essential tools, as well as a recipe for making vegan ice cream cones. The recipes are organized by “Ice Cream and Sorbet,” “Ice Pops, Bars and Cones,” and “Delicious Frozen Desserts.” The recipes I’m looking forward to trying out the most include Pistachio Ice Cream, Banana Blueberry Milkshake Pops and Vanilla Pear Hazelnut Biscuit Log.

What Worked for Me

The Best Homemade Vegan Cheese and Ice Cream Recipes is a beautiful cookbook. The photography is mouthwatering and the design is pleasing to the eye. The recipes are easy to follow and provide both standard and metric measurements.

The organization is clear and it is fairly easy to find the recipe you want either by going to the appropriate section or using the index. The content makes bringing vegan recipes to life engaging and inviting.

What Didn’t Work for Me

This is my standard complaint. The book is printed on thick paper and is perfect bound, which means keeping a page open is like performing an acrobatic routine.

What I’d Love to See in the Second Edition

I would love to see a more flexible binding that made the book usable, rather than something you merely flip through for the pictures. Barring that, why not provide the recipes for download so readers can print out the recipe they want to follow. These could easily be provided in a membership site accessible only to those who have the book.

Recommendation

If you are vegan or dairy sensitive and have been missing the tang of good cheddar cheese or the creaminess of a scoop of vanilla ice cream, then get a copy of this book. You may have to fight to keep the book open, but the results just might be worth the effort. No one should be denied an ice cream sundae!

Rating for The Best Homemade Vegan Cheese and Ice Cream Recipes

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Specs

Full Title: The Best Homemade Vegan Cheese and Ice Cream Recipes
Author: Marie Laforêt
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Robert Rose
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0778805433
ISBN-13: 978-0778805434 [/one_half]
[one_half_last] The Best Homemade Vegan Cheese and Ice Cream Recipes cover [/one_half_last]

Pick up your copy on Amazon.com here.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. If you’ve read past book reviews, you’ll know that I don’t pull my punches when I believe they are warranted. I also try to provide balanced information so you can make your own decision to read or not read the book, even if you disagree with my opinion.

Categories
Cookbook Reviews

Cookook Review: “A Traveler’s Guide to Balinese Street Food” by David Barratt and I. Wayan Budiasa

More than just a cookbook, A Traveler’s Guide to Balinese Street Food takes you on a journey through the tropical island of Bali via way of food sold by street vendors. This book is a love letter to the food and culture of Bali, written by a many-times visitor and a local Bali-Hindu cultural guide.

Cookook Review: "A Traveler's Guide to Balinese Street Food" by David Barratt and I. Wayan Budiasa

Summary of A Traveler’s Guide to Balinese Street Food

Part traveler’s guide, part cookbook and part cultural primer, A Traveler’s Guide to Balinese Street Food provides you with some basic information about Bali and its unique street cuisine, as well as recipes for the most common dishes served by street vendors. The book is filled with candid photography taken by David Barratt on his many travels to the island.

What Worked for Me

The recipes are in large type and easy to read. I also like the travel photos that show Balinese people doing what they do in regards to food. All are smiling, so it makes Bali look like a friendly place.

What Didn’t Work for Me

There is no table of contents, which makes it hard to understand the organization without flipping through all the pages. However, there is a limited index, so I guess you’ll be able to find what you want.

What I’d Love to See in the Second Edition

A table of contents and a clearer organization.

Recommendation

If you’ve been to Bali, A Traveler’s Guide to Balinese Street Food could be a fun walk down memory lane. If you haven’t, it could be an introduction to a new favorite cuisine.

Rating for A Traveler’s Guide to Balinese Street Food

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Specs

Full Title: A Traveler’s Guide to Balinese Street Food
Author: David Barratt and I. Wayan Budiasa
Format: Paperback, 94 pages
Publisher: Xlibris
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1503509737
ISBN-13: 978-1503509733 [/one_half]
[one_half_last] A Traveler's Guide to Balinese Street Food cover [/one_half_last]

Pick up your copy on Amazon.com here.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. If you’ve read past book reviews, you’ll know that I don’t pull my punches when I believe they are warranted. I also try to provide balanced information so you can make your own decision to read or not read the book, even if you disagree with my opinion.

Categories
Recipes

Raspberry Chicken Mixed Green Salad

Summer is just around the corner and I’ve always thought of summer as Salad Season! Here’s a simple raspberry chicken salad you can use as a main dish for lunch or dinner. And because raspberries are in season during mid- to late summer — you can probably pick them up fresh at a local farmer’s market. You can use your favorite dressing, or use the one I’ve included below.

Raspberry Chicken Mixed Green Salad

Ingredients for Raspberry Chicken Mixed Green Salad

  • 4 cups mixed salad greens
  • 1 lb. rotisserie or other cooked chicken breast
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • 4 oz. goat cheese
  • Salad dressing

Directions for Raspberry Chicken Mixed Green Salad

  1. Rinse and pat dry the greens. Divide among four chilled individual serving plates.
  2. Slice chicken and arrange on greens.
  3. Arange raspberries around the edges.
  4. Crumble goat cheese and sprinkle on top of salad.
  5. Drizzle salad dressing on top and serve.

Ingredients for Suggested Salad Dressing

  • ½ cup lemon-flavored olive oil
  • ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions for Suggested Salad Dressing

  1. Place all ingredients in a mason jar. Cover and shake until well combined. Set aside until ready to use.

The Benefits of Raspberries

a cup of raspberriesDid you know that just one cup of raspberries provides more than half of the minimum daily target for vitamin C? This means that they can help support immunity and skin health, as well as help your body produce collagen. This bright red summer fruit also contains manganese, vitamin K, vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium, copper, iron, and potassium.

Despite their sweet taste, raspberries are low in sugar, containing only 5 grams of sugar per one cup of fresh raspberries. A single apple has about four times that amount! Raspberries also contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. They are high in fiber and linked to a reduced risk of diabetes.

Categories
Cookbook Reviews

Cookbook Review: “Anglo-Indian Cookery” by Errol Anderson

Anglo-Indians are either a mix of British and Indian ancestry, or of British descent and born in India. This cultural group has developed its own cuisine, fusing both British and Indian cooking techniques and flavors. Anglo-Indian Cookery shares a selection of well-known dishes from this culture.

Cookbook Review: "Anglo-Indian Cookery" by Errol Anderson

Summary of Anglo-Indian Cookery

The author immigrated from India to the U.K. and found himself missing the foods he had grown up with. So he learned from his mother how to cook them himself and gathered the best into this cookbook.

The book is organized into the following categories:

  • Soups
  • Fries
  • Curries
  • Sundries (sides)
  • Desserts
  • Homemade Wines

What Worked for Me

  • There is a nice variety of recipes and the photography is not intrusive.
  • There are guidelines and charts to help you understand the basics of Anglo-Indian cooking.
  • The book stays open for most pages, so it is easy to use while making a specific dish.
  • The recipes are laid out nicely and easy to follow.

What Didn’t Work for Me

The introduction and non-recipe text are very poorly written. I had to read them a few times to understand what Errol was trying to communicate. That said, that’s not why you’d buy this cookbook, so it shouldn’t make too much of a difference.

What I’d Love to See in the Second Edition

I would love to see the book professionally edited and the introductory text massaged so that it read well. The author has an interesting story to share, but the current writing just doesn’t do it justice.

Recommendation for Anglo-Indian Cookery

If you like Anglo-Indian food this might be a good addition to your cookbook library.

Rating for Anglo-Indian Cookery

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Specs

Full Title: Anglo-Indian Cookery – A Selection of well-known dishes
Author: Errol Anderson
Format: Paperback, 108 pages
Publisher: Grosvenor House Publishing Limited
Language: English
ISBN-10: 178148970X
ISBN-13: 978-1781489703 [/one_half]
[one_half_last] Anglo-Indian Cookery cover [/one_half_last]

Pick up your copy on Amazon.com here.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. If you’ve read past book reviews, you’ll know that I don’t pull my punches when I believe they are warranted. I also try to provide balanced information so you can make your own decision to read or not read the book, even if you disagree with my opinion.

Categories
Cookbook Reviews

Cookbook Review: “Good Cheap Eats” by Jessica Fisher

It is said that necessity is the mother of invention. I know that a tight budget certainly brings out the creativity in the kitchen. In her book Good Cheap Eats, Jessica Fisher provides 200 recipes that illustrate this point. The mother of six, she knows how to make the food dollar stretch and shares her experience with budget-friendly cooking in this book.

Cookbook Review: "Good Cheap Eats" by Jessica Fisher

Summary of Good Cheap Eats

The author describes her book this way: “This book is a road map toward shopping wisely, choosing ingredients carefully, and planning meals that your family will enjoy.” She also says it will help you do this with taste and style while staying under budget. She provides the reader with a quick overview of ingredients and tools that will be needed, then plunges into the recipe content.

The first chapter is all about going meatless. Plant-based meals, in general, tend to be more cost-efficient than those that are meat-based. In a logical progression, the next chapter helps the reader stretch meat out. This is where you’ll find dishes that may feature meat, however, they also give vegetables and starches equal billing. Next up is the chapter that focuses on meat as the star of the meal.

Once these three basics are out of the way, Fisher sets her eye on the environment of the meal, rather than the ingredients. The next chapters are about “Grilling and Eating Outdoors,” “Company Dinners,” “Make-Ahead Meals,” “Breakfast for Supper,” and “Meals on the Run.”

Sprinkled throughout are useful charts and helpful tips, such as knowing when meat is done and knowing what to do with leftovers.

What Worked for Me

I kind of enjoyed Fisher’s organizational framework for this. She eschewed the traditional organization based on time of meal or type of recipe, such as “Breakfast,” “Lunch”, and “Dinner,” or “Main Dishes,” “Sides,” and “Dessert” and did something all her own. I thought it was clever to look at meal planning through the lens of cost-effectiveness instead.

That said, if your brain works more in alignment with a traditional format, you can still find what you’re looking for using the index.

The photography is good. I like the icons that tell you when a recipe is meatless, gluten-free, make-ahead, and the like.

What Didn’t Work for Me

Because there is so much photography in the book, it is printed on glossy paper, which is pretty heavy. This cookbook has a heft. And, as is my wont, the trade paperback format makes it hard to keep the book open in the middle pages.

What I’d Love to See in the Second Edition

The suggested menus show up next to the main dish of the meal. This means you need to know what the main dish you want to make before you find the suggested sides. I would love to see a chapter that just lists the menus. I think it could be quite useful to peruse them first. Also, maybe include some suggestions for mixing and matching.

Recommendation

If you’re a busy mom, this could be the cookbook that helps take the chaos out of your kitchen and helps you keep the food budget manageable. It really is possible to eat well on a budget, and this book will help you do it.

Rating for Good Cheap Eats

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Specs

Full Title: Good Cheap Eats: Everyday Dinners and Fantastic Feasts for $10 or Less
Author: Jessica Fisher
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Harvard Common Press
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1558328432
ISBN-13: 978-1558328433 [/one_half]
[one_half_last] Good Cheap Eats: Everyday Dinners and Fantastic Feasts for $10 or Less cover [/one_half_last]

Pick up your copy on Amazon.com here.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. If you’ve read past book reviews, you’ll know that I don’t pull my punches when I believe they are warranted. I also try to provide balanced information so you can make your own decision to read or not read the book, even if you disagree with my opinion.

Categories
Healthy Living

Plant-Based Diet: How To Get Protein and Vitamins

Plant-based eating provides a number of health benefits. However, it can be challenging to get the recommended amounts of all nutrients, especially those that are easily found in non-plant foods. But this challenge can be overcome with a bit of planning. Here are some tips from James Collier, head of nutrition at Huel, to help you make sure that you get the protein and vitamins you need while on a plant-based diet.

Variety Is the Spice of Life

Eat a variety of foods, especially different colored foods as these contain different levels of nutrients. For example, the phytonutrient lycopene, which is an antioxidant that protects against cell damage and gives tomatoes its red color. Other carotenoids also act as antioxidants and give fruit and vegetables their orange and yellow colors; for example, carrots.

Be Aware of Your B12 Intake

Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in helping the body produce red blood cells and is perceived as tricky to get enough of with a plant-based diet. The good news is it need not be. As a start, try incorporating plant-based milks that are that are fortified with B12, as well as calcium and vitamin D. Cereals, meat alternatives, and some soy products are often fortified with B12, as well. Taking a B12 supplement also relieves any concerns.

Ensure Adequate Omega-3 Consumption

If oily fish is not part of your eating plan, then foods such as walnuts, soy products, and flaxseed are ways to obtain a good intake of omega-3s. Flaxseed is rich in the omega-3 essential fatty acid Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA). Omega-3 fats are generally low in a Western diet and adequate omega-3 consumption is crucial to support cardiovascular health.

Ironing Your Plant-Based Diet

Keep your intake of iron up. Iron is not just found in meat food sources. Dark leafy greens, such as spinach, nuts, and dried fruits are great sources of iron. Iron is crucial for oxygen transport, cognitive function, and the immune system. Iron from plant sources can be harder to absorb, but again, there’s no need to worry: Iron absorption can also be increased by the presence of vitamin C which is found in lots of fruits and vegetables such as oranges and peppers. It’s where the idea of having orange juice with breakfast comes from — to increase the absorption of iron that is in breakfast cereals.

Proper Nutrition on a Plant-Based Diet Is Possible

There are many protein-rich foods available to someone on a plant-based diet, for example, beans, lentils, soy products, hummus, nuts, and seeds. There are misconceptions about plant-based proteins in that people claim that they are inferior to meat, eggs and dairy proteins, which isn’t the case. Although the amino acid profile of a single plant-based protein source may be inferior to an animal protein, this is easy to get around simply by combining more than one source of plant protein in a meal. For example, beans and rice both contain good amounts of protein.

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[one_third] Healthy Eating Worksheet [/one_third]
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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]

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