TIP: Easy Appetizer Napoleons

Avocado-portabella napoleon with lavash layers. Photo © Delicious Knowledge | California Avocado Commission   When most of us think of napoleons, we think of a mille-feuille (millefoglie in Italian), filled with custard. Mille-feuille means “thousand leaves,” three rectangular sheets of puff pastry spread with Bavarian cream, pastry cream, whipped cream, custard, jam or fruit purée,…
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TIP OF THE DAY: How To Decipher Food Product Labels

How confusing is the verbiage on the front of a box, bag, jar or can of food? Actually, it can be pretty misleading. It’s called marketing: Companies want you to choose their product over the competition, so they do what they can to hype on their packaging (most purchase decisions are made at the “point…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Fruit Beer

Not hard cider, but apple (pomme) lambic, a style of Belgian beer. Photo courtesy Lindemans.   For a country so keen on fruity cocktails, we don’t drink much fruit beer. But summer is the perfect time for it, so plan to have a few before Labor Day. Fruit beers have been popular for centuries, beginning…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Eat More Mussels (How About Mussels Marinière?)

Today’s tip was inspired by a recent “Personal Health” column by Jane Brody in the New York Times called Relearning How To Eat Fish. Among other suggestions, the article urges that you expand your fish and seafood horizons, perhaps starting with a delicious bowl of good-for-you steamed mussels. Fish and shellfish are the most nutritious…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Eggplant, Three Ways

From noodle-free lasagna to vegetable soup or gumbo to a goat cheese and eggplant sandwich, eggplant is a versatile ingredient. It can find its way into caponata*, casseroles, dips, mixed grilled veggies, pasta dishes, stews and more. Eggplant is low in calories and fat, while boasting a high fiber content. While available year-round, summer is…
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