There are many tasty carbs out there. Corn, sweet potato, white potato, pasta, bread, butternut squash, lima beans and more are in the high carb category. They also contain essential nutrients for good health. So, what to do? Enjoy them every day in a sensible portion. Why and How to Choose & Cook Tasty Carbs The essential nutrients in high carb foods are, yes, carbohydrates plus fiber plus vitamins and/or minerals. Since we're talking plant-based foods here, there are also the super important phytochemicals which are helpful in reducing the risk for chronic diseases, boosting the … [Read more...] about Corn is a Tasty, High Quality Carb!
10 Tasty Ways to Use Tomatoes
Where I live in North Carolina, late summer is overflowing with tomatoes. But, it isn't a big problem because there are so many ways to use them up! Nutrition of Tomatoes The nutrition resume of tomatoes is great. This includes abundant amounts of vitamin A and its pre-cursor, lycopene, as well as vitamin C, potassium and folic acid. Tomatoes are a very hydrating 95% water and they are one of the most versatile fruits out there. Yes, scientifically speaking, tomatoes are a fruit but most of us think of them as a juicy & sweet vegetable. 10 Ways to Use Tomatoes Here is a … [Read more...] about 10 Tasty Ways to Use Tomatoes
Blueberry Buckle Recipe
Are you a blueberry fan? Me, too, so here is a little background and then a yummy recipe for Blueberry Buckle which is a long-time family favorite! What's So Special About this Recipe? My recipe for Blueberry Buckle is super special because it came from my mother and years of picking blueberries in our yard out West with my sister and brother. In fact, growing up, a familiar summer chore was to go outside and pick blueberries. Even though we sometimes complained, our reward was that Mom would make us a pan of Buckle! In my yard in North Carolina, now, there are rows of mature and very … [Read more...] about Blueberry Buckle Recipe
Cooking in a New Kitchen
It takes determination and desire to break-in a new kitchen and the results are definitely worth it. My Cooking Mistakes While living in northwest Spain this fall, I'm finding out that cooking in a new kitchen is not so easy. I've already made a ton of mistakes like these: Letting the rice boil over and make a mess Burning part of the eggplant I was trying to sauté Measuring the salt incorrectly, without a proper measuring spoon Running out of eggs when I wanted to make a Spanish Tortilla Omelet Missing the spices I needed to make a chickpea burger … [Read more...] about Cooking in a New Kitchen
Spanish Tapas & 3 Easy Tapas Snack Ideas
Spanish Tapas are a food experience to love. While living in Salamanca, Spain - in the northwest part of the country, near Portugal - I am discovering a new world of food that I never knew before. It's called 'Tapas' which, in Spanish, is a small portion of food that's served as an accompaniment to a drink. The drink can be anything, like a glass of wine, beer, water, coffee, or tea. Tapas are traditional snacks full of color, flavor, and good nutrition. If you enjoy learning about food history then here's a story that describes the origin of the tapas tradition, from southern Spain in … [Read more...] about Spanish Tapas & 3 Easy Tapas Snack Ideas
Sweet Red Peppers and 3 Ways to Enjoy Them
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the sweet red peppers of Spain! Then I started seeing these beauties in every vegetable market and grocery store I visited around Salamanca, where I'm living this fall. Sweet red peppers are called 'Pimientos' in Spanish and I'm learning that they are a very important ingredient in every Spanish kitchen, restaurant, and tapas bar. How to Use Sweet Red Peppers - 3 Ways The natural sweetness of Spanish pimientos - sweet red peppers - brings bright flavors to all kinds of things. Here are a few examples: Wash, cut into strips and dip into … [Read more...] about Sweet Red Peppers and 3 Ways to Enjoy Them