TIP OF THE DAY: Heirloom Tomato Salads: Russian-Style & Mediterranean-Style

Today’s tip showcases luscious summer heirloom tomatoes in two salads. Both are European-inspired, both are made without lettuce or other leafy greens.     RECIPE #1: RUSSIAN TOMATO & CUCUMBER SALAD Our Russian grandmother used a lot of sour cream, dill and scallions: as salad dressing, in borscht, on boiled potatoes and as a general…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Rambutan, Asian Fruit

[1] A bowl of rambutans, with some pieces peeled to reveal the white fruit inside (photo © HLB Specialties). [2] Rambutans ripening on the tree. The “haze” around the red fruits are green “hairs,” which have not yet ripened to red (photo © Bonayon). [3] A cluster of rambutans cut from the tree. They grow…
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TIP: Searching At The Farmers Market & The History Of Apples

When was the last time you ate something new? Most of us pursue a familiar grocery list, week in and week out. But a trip to the farmers’ market always yields new discoveries. It may be an apple; but it’s an apple you’ve never seen before, like the Pink Pearl apples in the photo. So…
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TOP OF THE DAY: Yellow Watermelon

[1] Yellow watermelon (photo © Good Eggs).   August 3rd is National Watermelon Day (July is National Watermelon Month). A summer favorite, watermelon so refreshing because of its extremely high water content. (Like a glass of ice water, it’s even more refreshing when chilled.) Watermelon is the juiciest of melons, about 92% water by weight.…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Produce Selection Tips ~ How To Pick The Best Fruits & Vegetables

Nature gives us much fresh produce in the summer, but selecting perfectly ripe fruits and vegetables isn’t always second nature to us. There is no uniform rule for choosing the best. Some produce should be stored in the fridge, others not. Sometimes a bit of stem attached is a good sign, sometimes not. And so…
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