So today lets talk about chicken!! Yes it is that blank canvas that is healthy and has the capacity to take on the flavor of any of the spices or marinades that you decide to throw at it. Now a days there are sooooooooooooo many labels being thrown at food that it is hard to keep them all straight, and exactly what do they really mean? Well we are going to find out together!!
Organic Chickens: Are fed a diet with no additives, not treated with antibiotics and raised under specific, humane conditions. Which are the requirements of the USDA.
Natural Chickens: Contain no artificial ingredients or added color. But unless the label reads "no antibiotics", there is no guarantee that there aren't any.
Free-Range Chickens: These are chickens that are allowed some room to roam outside the coop, but how much room isn't regulated. Not all free ranged chickens are raised on a natural diet.
Ok now we know what each means, but what does this really mean to you? It all comes down to what do you want to spend?!? Well I am a food snob and I don't buy my meat from Fry's or any other regular grocery store as the quality really does suck! What would I buy, I buy the Natural Chicken from Aj's or Fresh and Easy. AJ's and Fresh and Easy are here in AZ I am not sure if they are all over the country or not. The quality of meat is very apparent. Once you see a high quality product and compare it to what is in your regular grocery store you well be AMAZED at the difference. I have seen the Natural chicken and the Organic. They are both high quality, but I would rather spend $7 bucks a pound than $11.50.
Ok, Ok, close your mouth now....I know $7 bucks a pounds is a lot too! Here is what I figure, food is like going to the doctor. You don't want to got to an eye surgeon that is offering a BOGO free special...hello they are your eyes!! Food is the same, it is fuel for your body and provides you with the protein, vitamins etc that you need to keep on living. So this is NOT the place to be cheap, especially when it comes to your meats, fish and veggies!
If it makes you feel better spend the cash on the good meats, fish and veggies and then buy off brand cereals, soda's etc! Ok so this is my opinion, you all have the right to disagree...the 1st amendment and all......but do me one favor take a trip to your local grocery store and then go to an Aj's or a Fresh and Easy. Look at the color, the texture of the meat. It is completely different! Why you ask, because what is in the grocery store is older! Umm not thanks I want something that hasn't sat at the place that they butchered them for 2 weeks and then shipped them out and then has sat at the grocery store for lord knows how long....ok ok...I am back on my soap box again!
Well this concludes another tip/trick segment. Hopefully you have learned something useful!! Be safe, Be happy and go and LOOK at the difference in the meat........hehheheheh
*hugs
Angelica
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
You Can DOoo It.....Ricotta that is!!
Well who doesn't like cheese? I love the stuff, put it on a bumper and I would eat it bumper and all!! One of my favorite cheeses is Ricotta! Why you ask, well because it is a very versatile cheese it can be used in savory or sweet applications. I also like the texture some where between cottage cheese and cream cheese. Be it in a Lasagna or stuffed into a Ravioli I love me some Ricotta in my home made marinara........mmmmmm.... great it's 7 in the morning and I am already making myself hungry!!
So in honor of my favorite cheese I found instructions on how to make it your self at home!! Yes I said YOU can make your own Ricotta!! Alright lets' get to the good stuff and give you the skinny on how to wow your friends with your own homemade Ricotta!!
What you will need:
8 cups of whole milk
1 tsp salt
3 tbs fresh lemon juice
Makes: 1.5 cups
Execution:
1. Line a medium colander with for layers of cheesecloth. Set the cheesecloth-lined colander in the sink. You can purchase cheesecloth at your local grocery store, I bought some at Fry's.
2. Bring the whole milk and salt to a simmer in a large, heavy-duty saucepan over medium heat.
3. Stir in the fresh lemon juice. Reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer the milk mixture gently until curds form, usually one to two minutes.
4. Using a slotted spoon or mesh skimmer, transfer the curds to the prepared colander. Let them drain for only a minute.
5. Transfer the ricotta to a medium bowl. It can be served right away, or covered and chilled for up to two days.
Really 5 steps to have my own home made ricotta? That is just awesome! Ok so now you have all this ricotta lyin around your house.....what to do ....what to do......oh I know have a dinner party and WOW your guest with your mad Ricotta making skills!!! Try this recipe out and have your friends do a double take and beg to be invited to your house for dinner again!!!
Oh this little gem is from one of my most favorite mags, Bon Appetit!!
Appetizer: Figs and Onion Bruschetta (umm helllo cheese and bread.....)
Makes: 8
Ingredients:
Figs:
.5 cup dried black Mission figs, stemmed, halved (I have seen fresh figs at Costco, dried I would think my local AJ's would have them or Whole Foods)
1 cup boiling water
3/4 C dry red wine
2 tbs sugar
1 small bay leaf
1/8 tsp coarse kosher salt (you can buy this at Frys or Penzeys)
1 tsp red wine vinegar
Onion:
1.5 tsp butter
1.5 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium red onion, halved through core, cut lengthwise into .5" strips (take a whole onion, cut in half where the root knob thing is, once you have cut it in half take one half and with the root end pointing to the left start slicing slowly and care fully)
2 tbs red wine vinegar
.5 tsp sugar
pinch of coarse kosher salt
Ricotta:
1 cup fresh ricotta cheese (YES THE ONE THAT YOU MADE, this is where the double take comes in from your friends!!)
1 tbs extra-virgin olive oil plus additional for drizzling
1 tsp heavy whipping cream
pinch coarse kosher salt
8 1-inch-thick slices ciabatta bread (about 4.5x2 inches) (Cibatta is that big square bread)
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbs chopped fresh oregano
Execution:
Figs:
So in honor of my favorite cheese I found instructions on how to make it your self at home!! Yes I said YOU can make your own Ricotta!! Alright lets' get to the good stuff and give you the skinny on how to wow your friends with your own homemade Ricotta!!
What you will need:
8 cups of whole milk
1 tsp salt
3 tbs fresh lemon juice
Makes: 1.5 cups
Execution:
1. Line a medium colander with for layers of cheesecloth. Set the cheesecloth-lined colander in the sink. You can purchase cheesecloth at your local grocery store, I bought some at Fry's.
2. Bring the whole milk and salt to a simmer in a large, heavy-duty saucepan over medium heat.
3. Stir in the fresh lemon juice. Reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer the milk mixture gently until curds form, usually one to two minutes.
4. Using a slotted spoon or mesh skimmer, transfer the curds to the prepared colander. Let them drain for only a minute.
5. Transfer the ricotta to a medium bowl. It can be served right away, or covered and chilled for up to two days.
Really 5 steps to have my own home made ricotta? That is just awesome! Ok so now you have all this ricotta lyin around your house.....what to do ....what to do......oh I know have a dinner party and WOW your guest with your mad Ricotta making skills!!! Try this recipe out and have your friends do a double take and beg to be invited to your house for dinner again!!!
Oh this little gem is from one of my most favorite mags, Bon Appetit!!
Appetizer: Figs and Onion Bruschetta (umm helllo cheese and bread.....)
Makes: 8
Ingredients:
Figs:
.5 cup dried black Mission figs, stemmed, halved (I have seen fresh figs at Costco, dried I would think my local AJ's would have them or Whole Foods)
1 cup boiling water
3/4 C dry red wine
2 tbs sugar
1 small bay leaf
1/8 tsp coarse kosher salt (you can buy this at Frys or Penzeys)
1 tsp red wine vinegar
Onion:
1.5 tsp butter
1.5 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium red onion, halved through core, cut lengthwise into .5" strips (take a whole onion, cut in half where the root knob thing is, once you have cut it in half take one half and with the root end pointing to the left start slicing slowly and care fully)
2 tbs red wine vinegar
.5 tsp sugar
pinch of coarse kosher salt
Ricotta:
1 cup fresh ricotta cheese (YES THE ONE THAT YOU MADE, this is where the double take comes in from your friends!!)
1 tbs extra-virgin olive oil plus additional for drizzling
1 tsp heavy whipping cream
pinch coarse kosher salt
8 1-inch-thick slices ciabatta bread (about 4.5x2 inches) (Cibatta is that big square bread)
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbs chopped fresh oregano
Execution:
Figs:
- Place figs in small bowl. Pour 1c boiling water over; let soak 45 minutes
- Drain figs; place in a small saucepan.
- Add wine and next 3 ingredients from above; bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.
- Reduce heat to medium once sugar has dissolved (you will know sugar is dissolved when you don't feel that graininess when stirring)
- Simmer until figs are tender and liquid is syrupy, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Add vinegar and cook 1 minute longer. Remove pan from heat and cool.
- Melt butter with oil in medium skillet over medium high heat. Add onion; saute until beginning to soften and brown stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low; add vinegar and sugar, then sprinkle with coarse salt and pepper.
- Stir until vinegar has almost evaporated about 1 minute.
Ricotta:
- Whisk ricotta, 1 tbs oil, and cream in a medium bowl until fluffy.
- Season with coarse salt and pepper.
- Preheat broiler
- Drizzle Cibatta with some olive oil and sprinkle with coarse salt & pepper.
- Broil bread on both sides until toasted (ok don't walk away from the bread in the broiler it will brown VERY quickly...this means DON'T answer the phone, answer your kids questions, let the dog out etc...because your bread will burn!!!)
- Transfer to serving plate
Assembly:
Spread 2 tbs ricotta mixture on each bread slice.
Spoon glazed figs with some syrup over, top with onion mixture.
Sprinkle with Parmesan and oregano
Drizzle with oil and serve immediately (as for the oil, I would go to your local AJ's or Whole Foods and pick up some Meyer Lemon flavored olive oil, I think a little hint of citrus would help bring out the flavor in the Ricotta!!)
Hehhehe your friends are going to love you!! To keep that ricotta theme going you could always make some homemade lasagna. No time you say, well then that is when you visit my little shop, A Thyme To Bee Comforted. What do you know I have lasagna in there, yes yes I know you didn't make it....don't worry I won't tell!! Your friends won't know either just plate it and throw out the packaging evidence!!
Well I hope that you try your hand at making your own Ricotta and try the recipe above!! If you do, come and post and let us know how it all went!! Well here ends another tip and tricks segment, I hope that you enjoyed! Be safe! Be Happy!!
**Hugs
Angelica
Monday, January 5, 2009
Man's Best Friends also should enjoy Divine Treats!!
You know who they are those little guys or girls that follow you around with there big brown eyes. They love you unconditionally and you are the center of their world. Yes your pets!! They are members of your family too and they DESERVE special treats too!! Well I found a GREAT lady who makes divine treats for the smallest (or in some cases the largest) members of your family!! Here name is Jessica and she is the owner of Divine Canine.
I purchased some of Jessica's treats for my dog Bear. My Bear is a little poof of fur as he is a Pom! Let me tell you he LOVED her treats, he begs and sits with a twinkle in his eye each time I take out one of those little delectable treats!! The treats came with lab test results and were also packaged adorably! My suggestion is go for it, buy your little bud some treats from Divine Canine! He or she will only love you more!! I suggest the Carbo Dipped Peanut Butter Paws and the Bitty Bites, which are what I bought. Let me tell you I was tempted to take a bite out of the Peanut Butter Paws, and so was my son!! They smelled really tasty!!
Well I also did a little interview with Jessica, because I know you all are a curious sort! Here is the interview:
Tell us a little about yourself:
My name is Jessica, I am 38 years old and blind. I've only been totally blind about 8 years now. I have an awesome 7 year old boy, and a wonderful hubby. Not a picture perfect life, but getting there! I just started my own dog bakery business about 6 months ago. A bit slow going with the economy as it is...especially living in Michigan. I graduated from Western Michigan University with a grad degree in blind rehab teaching. Loosely translates to helping others who have
become blind to deal with and enjoy life, and function independently with their blindness/low vision. Oh, and I used to be a graphic design major, but sadly had to give it up once I lost my sight. Self-explanatory, right? Anyway, I love pets and have lots of them, and I love to make healthy treats and meals for my dogs, rats and sugar glider. I would cook for my snakes and lizards, but they have a very boring diet that they prefer to stick with. That's all I can think of for now! Oh, and I do lots of cooking and baking for my human family as well!
I purchased some of Jessica's treats for my dog Bear. My Bear is a little poof of fur as he is a Pom! Let me tell you he LOVED her treats, he begs and sits with a twinkle in his eye each time I take out one of those little delectable treats!! The treats came with lab test results and were also packaged adorably! My suggestion is go for it, buy your little bud some treats from Divine Canine! He or she will only love you more!! I suggest the Carbo Dipped Peanut Butter Paws and the Bitty Bites, which are what I bought. Let me tell you I was tempted to take a bite out of the Peanut Butter Paws, and so was my son!! They smelled really tasty!!
Well I also did a little interview with Jessica, because I know you all are a curious sort! Here is the interview:
Tell us a little about yourself:
My name is Jessica, I am 38 years old and blind. I've only been totally blind about 8 years now. I have an awesome 7 year old boy, and a wonderful hubby. Not a picture perfect life, but getting there! I just started my own dog bakery business about 6 months ago. A bit slow going with the economy as it is...especially living in Michigan. I graduated from Western Michigan University with a grad degree in blind rehab teaching. Loosely translates to helping others who have
become blind to deal with and enjoy life, and function independently with their blindness/low vision. Oh, and I used to be a graphic design major, but sadly had to give it up once I lost my sight. Self-explanatory, right? Anyway, I love pets and have lots of them, and I love to make healthy treats and meals for my dogs, rats and sugar glider. I would cook for my snakes and lizards, but they have a very boring diet that they prefer to stick with. That's all I can think of for now! Oh, and I do lots of cooking and baking for my human family as well!
What are your dogs fave treats?
Scarlet is not picky, we call her Scarlet the scarfer. India, however, is a bit more selective with her taste buds. She loves my pumpkin treats the most. She loves them so much that once after I'd taken out the pumpkin biscotti from the oven and left the room, I heard her pop the tray off the stove top. By the time I got to her, she had eaten the whole pan in less than 5 minutes! She goes absolutely crazy for pumpkin!
Well now you know a little about Jessica and her love for her pets!! She is really an amazing lady to be able to do all that she does given her situation. You also have to give her props for her positive outlook and very friendly personality!! If you want to know more about Jessica and her treats you can also visit her on her blog: http://divinecaninedogpantry.blogspot.com/
Well go on go buy some doggie treats, you know you want to. You can get here treats in two places on the web, Etsy and Art Fire. Here are her direct links: Divine Canine on Etsy and Divine Canine on AF
Well tune in tomorrow for my Tips and Tricks segement!! Be good and be safe!!
**Hugs
Angelica
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