THE NIBBLE BLOG: Products, Recipes & Trends In Specialty Foods


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EARTH DAY: 10 Reasons To Eat More Organic Food


Fresh fruit is even better for you when you’re not consuming pesticides (photo © The Fruit Company).
  “Organic” doesn’t simply mean that the food is chemical-free; it’s also produced in ways that are good for the planet.

The USDA’s National Organic Program certifies products as organic based on farming, handling, manufacturing, distribution and labeling practices.

  • For crops, no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers containing synthetic chemicals are permitted, no sewage-sludge fertilizer, no bio-engineered foods or irradiation, and no GMOs (genetically modified organisms).
  • Farming practices should enhance and preserve soil and water. A government inspector must certify the farm after visiting it; farmers must keep detailed records on crops.
  • For animals, no antibiotics or growth hormones are permitted, animals must be raised on organic feed and have free range to graze.
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    Some products may be more expensive than conventional foods, but see how you can save money with bulk organic foods.

    April 22nd is Earth Day. According to EarthDay.org, more than one billion people in 192 countries are taking some action to save our planet. Eating organic food is one of them.

     
    HERE ARE 10 REASONS TO EAT MORE ORGANIC PRODUCTS—TODAY & EVERY DAY

    1. Nutrition without chemical pesticides and fertilizers. While no studies have yet proven that organically-grown produce has more vitamins and minerals, we know one thing they don’t have: chemicals.

    2. No GMOs. Organic products are governed by the USDA’s National Organic Program. When you buy organic, you’re guaranteed that no genetically modified organisms are in your food. Here’s the scoop about GMOs in food.

     

    3. No antibiotics. Humans consume unwanted antibiotics in conventional meats.

  • Conventional cattle and poultry are shot with antibiotics as a matter of course, so animals in crowded feedlots don’t become ill.
  • Conventional milk is loaded with rBST, recombinant bovine growth hormone, banned by all but three nations.
  • If an animal in an organic herd becomes ill and needs antibiotics, it is removed from the organic herd to a conventional herd.
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    4. No chemical additives. Organic food is free of colorings, artificial flavorings and chemical preservatives. Natural, organically-certified flavors can be used, as well as natural preservatives such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C, from citrus).

    5. No irradiation. Irradiation is used to color foods synthetically. Here’s more about food irradiation.

    6. Government inspected. Organic farms and production facilities must be inspected by the USDA at least once a year.

     
    Organic milk is free of antibiotics and hormones. Photo by Rob Waterhouse | SXC.
     
    7. Environmentally friendly. There are no chemical pesticides to not sink into the water table (from which we all drink); the land is farmed sustainably to prevent erosion and other degradation of the soil.

    8. Good for animals. Animal welfare is a key component of organic meat production. Here‘s the scoop on organic meat.

    9. Good for the climate. Organic production watches its carbon footprint and emits less carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that erodes the ozone layer.

    10. Better taste. While there are no scientific studies on flavor, most fans agree that the pure taste of nature simply tastes better. Maybe it’s the halo factor of knowing that the food has been produced in ways that are better for us and our planet.
     
     LEARN YOUR ORGANIC FOOD TERMS IN OUR ORGANIC FOODS GLOSSARY.
      

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    EARTH DAY: Bottled Water Infographic


    Do your part to cut down on bottled water landfill.

     

    If you regularly drink bottled water, today’s the day to consider alternatives. There are several types of water filtration units, each easy to switch to:

  • A portable refillable water bottle
  • A countertop filtration unit for your kitchen (no plumbing required)
  • A water filtration unit that fits in the fridge
  • A sink water filter for your home and workplace sinks (minor plumbing required); this one sits on the countertop)
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    These small moves can have a big impact on the environment, and make you feel good to be a part of the solution.

     

      

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    TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: King’s Hawaiian Sweet Breads & Rolls


    Bet you can‘t eat just one of King’s Hawaiian
    sweet dinner rolls. Photo by Elvira Kalviste |
    THE NIBBLE.
      Most Americans are not familiar with Portuguese sweet bread. But if the Taira family of Hawaii has its way, every home will be feasting on their version of it: King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Bread.

    A rave in Hawaii, where people line up around the block to purchase it and tourists send gift boxes of the bread back to the mainland, King’s Hawaiian is now produced on both coasts of the Continental U.S., ready to reach a grocer near you.

    When you see it, grab it: the dinner rolls, hamburger rolls, hot dog rolls, sandwich rolls and the round loaves that are just perfect to slice into French toast or scoop out to turn into a bread bowl for dips.

    Sweet and buttery, a fluffier cousin of brioche, we’re hooked.

    Read the full review.

    CHECK OUT THE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF BREADS IN OUR BREAD GLOSSARY.

     
    FIND MORE OF OUR FAVORITE BREADS & BREAD PRODUCTS IN OUR GOURMET BREADS SECTION.

      

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    RECIPE: Sweet Pea Deviled Eggs

    For all the deviled egg fans out there: Here‘s a springtime recipe for Sweet Pea Deviled Eggs from Del Monte. You can use cooked fresh spring peas in season (now!), or can use canned peas year-round. This recipe also works for St. Patrick’s Day and other green-theme occasions.

    Substituting peas and avocado for half of the egg yolks reduces the cholesterol load.

    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Makes: 24 stuffed egg halves
    RECIPE: Sweet Pea Deviled Eggs

    Ingredients

  • 12 eggs, hard-cooked
  • 1 cup cooked spring peas or 1 can (8.5 oz.) Del Monte Sweet Peas-No Salt Added, drained
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
  • 1 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Chopped fresh basil, chives or parsley
  • Optional: sweet paprika
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    These deviled eggs have reduced cholesterol: Only half of the yolks are used. Photo courtesy Del Monte.

     

    Preparation

    1. COOK eggs: Place in a large saucepan, completely covered in cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat, run under cold water briefly and peel. Peeling under cold running water helps to remove the shell more easily and helps to cool the eggs for handling. Cut in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks; set aside 6 of the 12 yolks for for another purpose (see below).

    2. PLACE 6 egg yolks in a blender or food processor with the peas, avocado, mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, mustard and salt and black pepper. Purée until smooth.

    3. SPOON equal amounts of the purée into each of the egg white halves. Garnish with parsley and/or paprika.

     


    If you have extra yolks, we know what to do
    with them. Photo courtesy American Egg
    Board.
      USES FOR COOKED EGG YOLKS

    If you’ve got extra egg yolks:

  • Mix into chicken salad, egg salad, potato salad or tuna salad.
  • Crumble, grate or sieve over green salad, cooked vegetables, rice and grains.
  • Mash with mayonnaise, relish, salt and pepper and serve on toast as a snack or first course, with crackers as a snack, or stuffed into celery or endive leaves.
  • Pennsylvania Dressing for a green salad (recipe follows).
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    We found this recipe for Pennsylvania Dressing, which was served in the dining cars of the Pennsylvania Railroad atop a salad of iceberg lettuce, tomato wedges, sliced cucumber, scallions, radishes and celery:

     

    PENNSYLVANIA DRESSING RECIPE

    Ingredients

  • 2 hard-cooked egg yolks
  • Tarragon vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1 heaping teaspoon powdered sugar (omit if you don’t like sweetness in your dressing)
  • 1 green pepper, chopped medium fine
  • 6 chives or small young onions, chopped very fine
  • 1 sprig parsley, chopped fine
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon, strained
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
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    Preparation

    1. MASH egg yolks with enough tarragon vinegar to make a smooth paste.

    2. ADD each ingredient in the order listed, mixing well before adding the next. Beat with a whisk until blended thoroughly, about 1 minute.

    3. POUR into a glass jar and cover tightly. Chill at least 1 hour before serving. Makes 1 pint.
     
    FOOD TRIVIA: WHY THE EGGS ARE HARD COOKED, NOT HARD BOILED

    It‘s a technicality: While the cooking water is brought to a boil, the eggs are actually simmered until cooked, not boiled.
      

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    TIP OF THE DAY: Recipes For Leftover Pasta

    We made one box too many of pasta last night, thinking our guests would eat as much as we did. Now, what to do with all that leftover pasta?

    If it hasn’t been sauced, there’s got lots of flexibility. Whether you have long form pasta (fettuccini, spaghetti, etc.) or short forms (elbows, penne, rigatoni, etc.), you can turn it into a completely different dish.

  • Buttered noodles. Season with garlic and/or fresh parsley and serve them as a side or a bed for grilled meats, fish, or stew.
  • Casserole. Casseroles are a catch-all for all types of ingredients. Toss the pasta in with whatever else you have in the fridge.
  • Cold sesame noodles. There’s no reason you have to use spaghetti in an Italian-style recipe. Thai peanut sauce, traditionally served with spaghetti, tastes equally delicious on bowties, wagon wheels and other short cuts.
  • Frittata. Combine the pasta with eggs, veggies and some cheese for a breakfast, lunch or light dinner dish. Here’s a recipe.
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    Leftover pasta is a delicious addition to soup.
    Photo courtesy House Foods.

     


    A spaghetti frittata. Photo courtesy
    HonestFare.com.

     
  • Green salad. Mix short cuts in with the greens, and trim long cuts into shorter bites.
  • Pasta cole slaw. Mix cut-up long form pasta with shredded cabbage and your favorite cole slaw dressing.
  • Pasta salad. Cut long pasta into bit-size pieces as needed. Mix the pasta with your favorite veggies and a delicious vinaigrette with balsamic vinegar or Dijon mustard (how to make vinaigrette). Fresh herbs add the magic. Here’s are recipes for an easy pasta salad with tomatoes and spinach, and a Caprese pasta salad with mozzarella.
  • Soup. Long cut or sort cut pasta works well in any soup or broth.
  • Tuna-pasta salad. Pasta stretches that can of tuna very nicely. Here’s a southwestern-style tuna pasta salad recipe.
  • Sauce switch. Serve the pasta with a completely different sauce—a white sauce like clam sauce if you originally served a tomato sauce, or a vegetable purée—they’re all delicious atop pasta, and pumpkin purée is a nice touch any time of the year.
  • Stir-fry. Toss the pasta into the pan or wok with the veggies and protein. If you’re using long cut pasta, trim it into manageable strands.
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    WHAT IF THE PASTA IS ALREADY SAUCED?

    Instead of simply reheating and serving, look for way to enhance the dish. For example:

  • Top with grilled, sautéed or steamed bell peppers, eggplant, mushrooms and/or onions.
  • Stir in sautéed spinach or chard.
  • Add capers, olives and optional anchovies.
  • Add a protein: crumbled bacon, diced chicken, prosciutto or ham, sliced sausage, etc.
  • Switch up the heat with minced chiles, hot sauce or salsa.
  • Use a non-traditional cheese, like crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese; or add diced mozzarella cubes.
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    Do you have a favorite use for leftover pasta? Let us know.
     
    SEE ALL THE TYPES OF PASTA IN OUR DELICIOUS PASTA GLOSSARY.

      

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