The Benefits and Beauty of Tabasco ...

Hot drinking chocolate... spice it up with Tabasco sauce!

Did you know that a teaspoon of original Tabasco sauce contains zero calories and zero grams of fat? The sauce doesn't supply essential nutrients, such as protein, fiber, vitamin C, calcium or iron, but its lack of calories or fat means it can have a valuable place in your healthy eating plan. The green jalapeno flavor supplies 6 percent of your daily vitamin C needs. The sweet and spicy flavor contains 15 calories per teaspoon, but the other flavors, including buffalo, habanero and chipotle pepper, are calorie- and fat-free.

Tabasco sauce contains capsaicin, a pain reliever, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Capsaicin also aids in digestion and reduces the symptoms of indigestion, Michael T. Murray and Joseph E. Pizzorno note in their book "The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods." 

Capsaicin might also reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Capsaicin might be useful in weight loss, by activating satiety cues after eating, according to a 2005 article published in the "International Journal of Obesity." Though you don't eat topical capsaicin, it's interesting to note that it's often used as a pain reliever or to help treat skin conditions such as psoriasis.

*Online Source ! https://www.livestrong.com/article/487195-tabasco-pepper-sauce-benefits

Turmeric is Curcumin and its good for you!

There's a lot of exciting buzz around turmeric these days, and there's plenty of good reason for it. Hidden deep in the plant's bright yellow roots is an extraordinarily powerful compound called curcumin that has the unique ability to block an enzyme that causes inflammation, while combating free radical damage to highly sensitive vital organs like your heart and brain. In fact, curcumin's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits can revolutionize your health from head to toe.

Curcumin is so powerful that some are calling it the "natural remedy of the century. "If you think that inflammation is something that only happens when you're injured, or is simply a minor annoyance you're making a big mistake. Many experts now believe low-grade systemic (or "silent") inflammation is a major risk factor for a host of health concerns.

Is curcumin a simple way of reducing inflammation?  Well, its certainly an alternative way to reduce free radicals that cause inflammation. It can be used in cooking as well as directly... in coffee or tea. It also comes in capsules that can be taken by mouth. Combined with exercise and a diet of healthy food, its a brainy start for this new year.

*Source ~ online article by: Joshua Corn, Editor-in-Chief of the Live in the Now Newsletter.

Epiphany Cake for January 6...

This is a type of Epiphany Cake 'tarte' called - Galette des rois! 

In France, Christmas and New Year's Eve is all about oysters and foie gras, but on January 6th, it is all about the Galette des Rois (King’s Cake)! Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi, traditionally observed on January 6.

Here is a basic recipe...

Use ready-made butter puff pastry
4oz ground almonds
3oz sugar
2oz soft butter
1 egg (preserve a little of the yolk)
• Divide the pastry in two parts; roll each out into a circle about 9in across. Preheat the oven to 410F.
• Mix the almonds, sugar, butter and egg to a smooth paste.
• Place the first circle in a baking tray and spread the paste evenly across.
• Dampen the edge of the first disc and lay the second over it. Press down with a fork. Glaze the top with the egg yolk; decorate with a knife (a leaf pattern is traditional, but criss-crossing is easier).
• Bake for 30 minutes until golden. Serve slightly warm (5 minutes at 350F if reheating).

Brighten a Wintry Night with Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup...

Being frugal is key to being a brainy gourmet. Having said that, you know that I will be starting my tomato soup on a stock from either chicken, turkey, beef or pork... prepared earlier in the week or day.
And, yes, even pork can make a good stock. I like to use the pork butt 'shoulder' or picnic cut. It always has tender meat and though it has tasty fat, it is really leaner than you imagine.

So, if you have your stock, then just add one tube or small can of tomato paste. Stir and toss in some fresh dried herbs, cover, simmer on med heat for 30-40 min. As it bubbles away, prepare rice or any pasta that you prefer.

As for the grilled cheese, using sourdough bread is a favorite. I make em the brainy way or like  grandma used to make. Which means that even though its literally a sandwich to hand, it should be buttered on both sides of the bread.

Put one slice in the skillet, butter side down. On top of that slice of bread, lay on two slices of Sharp or Medium Cheddar cheese or Gouda. Cover the cheese with another slice, butter side up. Cover and let them sizzle.

Make a stack of sandwiches, put the soup on the table and call everybody around.

~ Tutti a Tavola!

What to do with Rice? ~ Brainy Italian Risotto...

Risotto is a delicious side dish to chicken, pork or fish. All you have to do is boil rice (1 cup) in 2 cups of chicken stock, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt to get it cooking on medium heat.

Once the rice is tender having absorbed most of the stock, drop in a pat of butter and pour in one small can of diced tomatoes or dice up fresh if you prefer. Lastly, add to that Parmesan cheese. Let this set on the stove covered for 6-8 min on low/warm.

~ Tutti a Tavola!

Good Housekeeping this New Year...

Did you know that housework and cooking are therapeutic? Its a time to think and get some exercise.

If you prefer your own cooking to eating out, then you know a kitchen well organized is worth its weight in gold. Whether you have a small cooktop or huge range all pots/pans and skillets should be easily accessible. 

It is wise not to stack Teflon pots/pans/skillets one inside the other without some kind of surface protection. Try using a cardboard cake bottom.

Often, a small prepping and cooking space is easier to manage and clean up. Did you know that you don't need gadgets, contraptions and or large heavy counter equipment to be a brainy gourmet?  A simple cutting board and a knife is enough.

The best prep surface is a European beach-wood round block. This wood cutting block has a tight, smooth surface and is easy to care for; just use a clean hot cloth with distilled white vinegar to clean deep. Finish the job with rub of olive oil.

Other brainy tips: When stacking glass bowls one inside the other take care to protect them. Try using either white or brown wrapping paper, bubble wrap or air-pack sheets that you can save from shipped packages to put between each bowl.

For cleaning stainless steel... try an antibacterial microfiber cloth. Remember, good housekeeping means you will eat and live better!

Turkey Sliders... slid into my New Year!

This New Year's Eve, I was treated to turkey sliders for the first time (most you probably already know about them). Its not a dish that I would normally make in the sense that the brainy gourmet does simple frugal dinners rather than appetizers and or ... hors d'oeuvres. 

So, when something like this comes along, I just have to share and in that case, best to just pass along the recipe and let you take it from there... adding or subtracting what you like and don't like as I do with most recipes I see or photos of food that I think I could make. 

For instance, this recipe called for cranberry sauce to be layered in the sandwich slider but to me that sounded like adding 'jelly' and not what I would prefer in a hot sandwich. But, you may want to add it. Here is a common recipe for turkey sliders - Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 package Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (12 count)
• 2 cups diced leftover turkey [or use sliced deli turkey or ham]
• 1 cup cranberry sauce or relish [or not]
• 6 slices Swiss (or favorite cheese)
• 6 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard [or not]
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tbsp dried minced onion
• salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• dried parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cover 9x13 baking pan with foil. Spray with cooking spray.
3. Remove rolls from package in one piece.
4. Cut entire slab of rolls in half lengthwise. (You will end up with one slab of "tops" and one slab of "bottoms".)
5. Place bottom slab in foiled cover pan.
6. Layer with turkey, cranberry sauce and cheese. (note: You may need to warm the cranberry sauce for a few seconds in the microwave to make it a spreadable consistency.)
7. Add top slab of rolls.
8. Melt butter in microwave and whisk in remaining ingredients (except parm. cheese and parsley). Pour evenly over rolls.
9. Cover with foil and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
10. Bake covered for 20 minutes.
11. Uncover and cook 5 additional minutes.
12. (Optional) Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
13. Slice into individual sliders and serve warm.