TIP OF THE DAY: Decaf Coffee Facts

According to the National Coffee Association, 10% of coffee drinkers in the U.S. opt for decaf. Counter Culture Coffee, a coffee house in New York City, reports that 18% of its coffee sales come from decaffeinated coffee. There are good things about decaf, and less good. First, the good: In addition to avoiding jitters and…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Ways To Use Fresh Spring Peas

Lovers of green peas (also called English peas and garden peas), you’re in for a treat. Spring is the season. It’s time to serve sides of fresh-steamed green peas and make some delicious fresh pea soup. But what else should you be doing with these bright green jewels? Their sweet flavor and bright color can…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Baby Purple Artichokes (Fiesole)

In season now, these little artichokes are a treat for artichoke lovers and a lovely shade of vegetable for Easter dinner. Called fiesole (fee-YEH-so-lay) in Italian, the baby purple artichoke—the size of a large egg—belongs to the botanical genus and species, Cynara scolymus, which includes the green globe artichokes and purple globe artichokes. Artichokes are…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Leftover Grains As A Soup Garnish

When we have leftover cooked grains—barley, bulgur, kasha, quinoa, rice, etc.—we start using them the next morning in breakfast omelets. By the time lunch comes, we’re ready to make grain salad. If we don’t have enough for a salad, we add the grains to soup. They can make quite a handsome garnish, and most grains…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Grilled Fish Garnish

Dorado (mahi-mahi), garnished with creamed spinach, toasted breadcrumbs and crabmeat. Photo courtesy Bonefish Grill.   You may be eating more grilled, pan-sautéed or poached fish for health or for Lent. But it doesn’t have to be dull. The photo at left shows “Dorado Rockefeller,” a riff on Oysters Rockefeller, which tops oysters with creamed spinach…
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