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
Homemade Vegetable Broth in a Snap
In cooler seasons everyone wants soup, stews, and other comfort foods so one ingredient you'll need for sure is a tasty broth. In the true spirit of keeping it simple, let's go with a vegetarian broth since it will fit every recipe whether it's plant-based or a mixture of lean meat, chicken, and/or seafood. And, let's go with a homemade broth that isn't loaded with salt/sodium like so many broth products at the grocery store. When you make it yourself, you control how much salt goes in and letting the flavors of the vegetables and herbs shine is high priority. Cook it Low and … [Read more...] about Homemade Vegetable Broth in a Snap
Enjoy Cucumbers in Cool Soup and Fun Snacks
If you are looking for a reason to love cucumbers then read on. There's a very good reason for the saying, Cool as a Cucumber, as it describes this humble and refreshingly cool and crunchy vegetable when the weather is warm. Here are some fun facts, handy information about nutritional benefits, 5 ways to enjoy them as snacks, and an easy recipe for Summer Cucumber Soup. Fun Facts about Cucumbers Originally from India Related to watermelons Easy to grow with plenty of sun and water Nutritional Benefits of Cucumbers They are 95-96% water, making them a very hydrating … [Read more...] about Enjoy Cucumbers in Cool Soup and Fun Snacks
Food Textures and a Recipe for Fresh Pickles
Food textures can add to the enjoyment of eating so be sure to try all of them. Common Food Textures Do you notice the crunchy or squishy texture of a food when you eat it? Do you cook pasta to 'al dente' texture? Do you prefer a soft and juicy pear or one that is unripe and crunches like an apple? Have you overcooked a fish filet and noticed that its texture is tough? Crumbly, firm, mushy, creamy, chewy are a few other texture terms that we can use to describe a food, depending on what it is. For each of us, the food's texture can add to the enjoyment of the eating experience. Same … [Read more...] about Food Textures and a Recipe for Fresh Pickles
3 Things Everyone Can Do for a Healthier Gut
It's no fun to feel the bloating, gas, and pain that comes with GI upset. These strategies can help everyone with better gut health. Sometimes with food and nutrition, there are easy behavior shifts or slightly different food choices that can make a big difference and with gut (GI) health this is the case. When symptoms are severe, then medical-nutritional therapy may be diagnosed as a potential solution. When symptoms are mild yet bothersome then being proactive to address the problem is super smart. So, here are 3 things everyone can do for a healthier gut. 3 Things Everyone Can Do for a … [Read more...] about 3 Things Everyone Can Do for a Healthier Gut
Leafy Greens, Their Nutrition, and 10 Ways to Eat More
Leafy greens include many varieties and they give us quality nutrition so be sure to eat them often and all year long. There are fields of green, leafy vegetables poking up their heads in early spring. Are they growing in your home garden? Look for them at your local Farmer's Market or your favorite grocery store and learn about the varieties of these beautiful, nutritious and delicious leafy veggies. Eat them often. Enjoy them with breakfast, lunch, dinner. And, take a close look at their prices which are some of the cheapest in the fresh produce universe. The Quality of Nutrition in … [Read more...] about Leafy Greens, Their Nutrition, and 10 Ways to Eat More