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TIP OF THE DAY: Uses For Rice Vinegar

June 10, 2014 at 8:34 am · Filed under Oil-Vinegar-Dressing, Tip Of The Day

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Rice vinegar: It’s not just for Asian dishes.
Photo courtesy Marukan.		   Sometimes you buy an ingredient for a particular recipe and then it sits on the shelf, forlorn, waiting for you to make that one dish again.

Such was the case with the rice vinegar we purchased. It took us a while to integrate it into our daily cooking, but the results have been splendid. It’s less acidic than other vinegars.

  • Its well-balanced acidity makes it compatible not only with Asian dishes, but also with classic American, European and Hispanic foods.
  • Rice vinegar is milder than other vinegars, with a hint of sweetness that comes from the rice. It can thus dress even fruit dishes without overpowering the taste buds.
  • The higher vinegar content of white rice vinegar makes it the best choice for sweet and/or tangy dishes.

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    WAYS TO USE RICE VINEGAR

    With zero fat and no calories, rice vinegar is a healthy way to add flavor to your dishes.

  • Substitute rice vinegar for other vinegar in salad dressings and for pickling vegetables. For a simple yet zingy salad dressing, combine two tablespoons of rice vinegar and one tablespoon of salad oil.
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  • Add a spoonful to liven up soups, stews, and stir-fries.
  • Sprinkle rice vinegar over cooked vegetables.
  • Zest up marinades, barbecue and dipping sauces.
  • Add a touch to stir frys, in addition to any other sauce.
  • Sautés: Cook beef, chicken, beef and vegetables in equal amounts of soy sauce and rice vinegar.
  • Fruit Salad: Use rice vinegar to make fruit salad dressing—it’s not only lighter, but lacks the saltiness of other vinegars.
  • Use it in place of lemon juice.
  • Perk up or heighten flavors in anything that needs a lift.

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    Do you have a favorite use for rice vinegar? Let us know!

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    Use rice vinegar in your marinades. Here’s the recipe. Photo courtesy Kikkoman.
     
      

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    PRODUCT: Vegan Pesto From Sauces ‘n Love

    June 10, 2014 at 8:00 am · Filed under Condiments, Lactose-Free, Pasta-Pizza, Sauces-Rubs-Marinades

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    Vegan, lactose free and cholesterol free
    pesto. Photo courtesy Sauces ‘n Love.    		  

    Keeping a good jar of pre-made pesto at hand can make any dish extraordinary in only a matter of minutes.

    Pesto sauce, traditionally consists of basil, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, Parmesan and Pecorino cheeses and salt for seasoning. Add a dollop to dinner and suddenly you’re a fancy cook who understands how to dazzle with delicate herbs. Pesto is vegetarian, low in carbs and packed with fresh ingredients: a bright, healthy addition to your meals.

    Pesto originated in the Italian province of Liguria, 220 miles of crescent-shaped Mediterranean coastline that is sometimes called the Italian Riviera. Liguria, the capital of which is Genoa, is home to superb produce, most notably the sweetest, mildest basil. Its people enjoy one of the freshest, healthiest cuisines in all of Italy.

    Just as pesto can be made with different nuts (hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts) and greens (arugula, spinach)—or even non-greens, like red pepper pesto—it can be made vegan instead of vegetarian. One way to do this is to substitute vegan Parmesan.

     
    But Sauces ‘n Love has creating a pesto condiment, dip and sauce that eliminates the cheese or cheese substitute. Using only extra virgin olive oil, sunflower oil, basil, pine nuts, garlic, salt and black pepper still creates a delicious pesto.

     

    Why vegan pesto? Aside from accommodating the growing number of vegans, it’s a boon for non-vegans who are lactose intolerant, those cutting back on cholesterol, and kosher consumers who want to serve pesto with meat-based meals.

    Sauces ‘n Love, a NIBBLE Top Pick of The Week is one of our favorite lines of Italian-style sauces, sold fresh in the refrigerator case. A sister line, Scarpetta, is shelf-stable and will stay fresh without refrigeration for nine months. Learn more at SaucesNLove.com.
     
    MORE ABOUT PESTO

  • Pesto Overview
  • The History Of Pesto
  • Pesto Serving Suggestions
  • Homemade Pesto Recipe and Pesto Prep Tips
  • More Favorite Pestos
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    Beyond pasta: Pesto can be used to enhance most savory dishes. Photo by Guyer Wood | IST.
     
      

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    FOOD FUN: Strawberry On A Stick

    June 9, 2014 at 9:24 am · Filed under Desserts, Food Fun, Snacks

    Here’s a new take on strawberry lollipops: fresh strawberry “lollipops.”

    Whole strawberries are speared on lollipop sticks, dipped into honey and rolled in chopped nuts.

    This better-for-you sweet treat looks very tempting, and delivers:

  • The heart-healthy and anti-cancer power of strawberries, rich in phytonutrients and potassium.
  • The heart-healthy oil and protein of your favorite chopped nuts.
  • The minerals and vitamins of honey: amino acids, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6 and zinc.

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    For a lower-glycemic natural sweetener, substitute agave for the honey.

    Serve them on a cake pop stand or repurpose a piece of styrofoam.

    		 
    A good-for-you dessert or snack. Photo courtesy MolecularRecipes.com.
     

      

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