New Food Stuffs Tried at Whole Foods Market, #83 Guacamole

Posted on January 25, 2010 | Leave a comment

With dozens of different store-bought dips and spreads, I decided to give myself plenty of time to taste test for Super Bowl Sunday. I’ve tried five kinds of hummus, including zesty lemon and chipotle, black bean dip, babaganoush (eggplant dip), and guacamole. The Whole Foods Guac is definitely your best choice. The recipe– a creamy blend of avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeño, and a bit of salt– looks like it could be served tableside in their produce section. No garlic– so this version is safe for lots of cheering and yelling, game day! The rating goes 1 to 10 (10 being the best).

Whole Foods Brand Guacamole
Verdict: 9


Appearance: This guac maintains its iconic green color because it’s packaged in an air-tight plastic container. Make sure it stays that way. You don’t want to serve brackish brown guac to your guests!
Texture: Buttery and thick texture, with nice chunks of fresh tomato
Flavor: Rich, fresh flavor. Packs some heat, so be prepared with extra dippers and water.
Cost: $ 5.59 for a pound, at Whole Foods Market stores
Health: Great source of potassium and vitamins E, A and C. Guacamole is a tasty, healthy snack. It’s really the fried chips and sour cream that pack on the pounds. For a more healthful Super Bowl party, serve the dip alongside red bell pepper slices and whole-wheat pita chips.
Recommendation: For a snack or appetizer, try a guacamole tostada. Spread the guac over mini toasts with fresh salsa, sliced tomato and a sharp cheese. Also, an ideal match for the classic chips and salsa. Definitely buy the guacamole the day of the game, because even with the acidity of the lime juice, the dip will eventually turn.


Resolution Stats: 23 new food stuffs tried, 82 more to go
Final Verdict: Everybody loves guacamole, so just make sure you have enough in the dip bowl!

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Baked Falafel Recipe with Israeli Salad

Posted on January 23, 2010 | Leave a comment

I had no idea that falafel balls were made with such healthy ingredients. Most falafel recipes start with chickpeas, garlic, onion, fresh cilantro and parsley. The deep fryer is what transforms these ingredients into delicious, crunchy, not-so-healthy fritters. So, I decided to experiment with baking rather than frying the batter. This recipe is adapted from a homemade falafel recipe from Mark Bittman’s Bitten Blog. Note: If you are looking for an authentic, deep-fried falafel experience, I recommend going to your favorite falafel joint or investing in a deep fryer.

INGREDIENTS:
Makes about 12 falafel patties

1 cup dried chickpeas (original recipe called for 1 3/4 cup)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (original recipe called for 2 cloves garlic, lightly crushed)
1 small onion, chopped
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 cup chopped parsley or cilantro leaves
a sprinkling of cayenne
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
juice of half a lemon
1 egg (added)
about 1 cup chickpea flour (added)
a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds (added)
a sprinkling of dried thyme (added)
a sprinkling of chopped walnuts (added)
olive oil cooking spray

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 425F degrees.
2. Put the beans in a large bowl and cover with water by 3 or 4 inches; they will triple in volume. Soak for 24 hours, adding water if needed to keep beans submerged.
3. Drain beans well and transfer to a food processor. Add garlic, onion, cumin, coriander, cilantro, salt, pepper, cayenne, chickpea flour, the egg, and lemon juice.
4. Pulse until minced but not pureed, scraping sides of bowl down. Keep pulsing until mixture comes together. Taste, adding salt, pepper, cayenne or lemon juice to taste.
5. Make the mixture into falafel balls or patties and put them on an oiled tray. Sprinkle sesame seeds, thyme and chopped nuts on top and bake in the oven for around 15 minutes, until the patties are golden brown on both sides.
6. Serve warm in a toasted pita, with tahini sauce and/or hummus, and a simple Israeli salad made with chopped tomato, chopped cucumber and chopped onion, a sprinkling of cilantro, simply dressed with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste (pictured below).

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Maoz Vegetarian; Turn to the Chain for the Best Falafel on the UWS

Posted on January 21, 2010 | 2 comments

You would think that the UWS neighborhood, home to a large Jewish community, would have lots of great, local falafel joints. But I have yet to find better chickpea fritters than at Maoz Vegetarian— the international veggie falafel chain, located on 70th and Amsterdam. For just $4.95 you can get a falafel sandwich with your choice of tasty toppings and sauces from their– the best part— do-it-yourself salad bar. Their falafel has the perfect balance of cilantro and parseley and is fried to perfection in heart-friendly canola oil. For more flavor– dress your sandwich with the classics, tabouli salad, hummus and tahini sauce, and add some spicy hot green chili dressing for heat. Stay tuned for a Creative Delites do-it-all-yourself falafel sandwich recipe!

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New Food Stuffs Tried at Whole Foods Market, #84 Jarlsberg Cheese

Posted on January 20, 2010 | 2 comments


Jarlsberg is nothing new, but right now, I can’t get enough of this Norwegian skim-milk cheese. It tastes like a mild form of Swiss. Apparently, I’m not the only one. Jarlsberg has it’s own facebook fan page! Most low-fat, no-fat and reduced-fat cheeses lack flavor and have a plastic texture, but Jarlsberg, even the lite variety, melts beautifully in grilled cheese. Is the reduced-fat version flavorful enough for your palate? The rating goes 1 to 10 (10 being the best).

Jarlsberg Lite
Verdict: 7

Appearance: Sold in a plastic wrapped block at Whole Foods Market. This cheese has large holes similar to Swiss, but thankfully, it doesn’t have the same stinky cheese smell


Texture: Semi-firm and smooth. Melts smoothly without being greasy.
Flavor: The overall taste is mild.  Since Jarlsberg is a skim-milk cheese, it lacks the same intensity as Swiss but has the same nutty, slightly sweet flavor. Great paired with other ingredients.
Cost: $ 3.59/lb
Health: Jarlsberg Lite is the low-fat version of Jarlsberg. High in calcium, and only has 70 calories and 3.5 grams of fat, while regular Swiss has about 100 calories and 8 grams of fat per serving.
Recommendation: You can use Jarlsberg (regular or lite) in any recipe that calls for Swiss. Store in the fridge. If eating in a cheese course, best served at room temperature. Delicious in a grilled cheese sandwich with a pumpernickel raisin roll and a drizzle of honey, melted over a veggie burger with sliced tomato and spicy mustard (pictured below), or shaved over scrambled eggs.


Resolution Stats: 22 new food stuffs tried, 83 more to go
Final Verdict: Doesn’t taste as flavorful as full-fat cheese, but if you are seeking a healthy alternative, Jarlsberg is great option for your everyday cheese fix.

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Leave Your Preconceptions at The Door, Try This Simply Delicious Veggie Burger Recipe

Posted on January 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

In a world where “veggie burger” means a flattened block of soy protein, studded with carrots and peas whose flavor is thankfully masked with ketchup, mustard and lots of relish, it doesn’t take a lot to build a better burger. All you really need to make a delicious, homemade one is a can of beans, some eggs, and rolled oats or breadcrumbs. The good news is that you probably have most, if not all, of these ingredients at home. Add some different spices and fresh herbs, and the burgers can be flavored in a variety of ways. My favorite one starts with lentils, fresh cilantro and ginger, and is topped with melted Jarlsberg cheese. Check out my recipe featured on Good Bite! If you are looking for more ingredient and preparation ideas for burgers, check out a recent blog post in The New York Times “The Burger Experience Without Beef”.

 
Baked Lentil Cheese Burgers

MAKES: 4 to 6 servings 
TIME: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

BURGER MIXTURE:
One 14-ounce can of lentils, drained (feel free to use a different kind of cooked bean)
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup rolled oats
1 egg
1 teaspoon chile powder (less or more depending on how spicey you want it) 
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon crushed fresh ginger
1 teaspoon chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon salt (less or more depending on how salty you want it)
1 teaspoon sugar in the raw or brown sugar
freshly ground black pepper
grapeseed oil spray (or any neutral oil)

TOPPINGS:
1 tomato, sliced
black sesame seeds
regular or lite Jarlsberg cheese, sliced
onion sandwich rolls

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and spray a baking sheet with the oil.
2. Combine the lentils, onion, oats, ginger, cilantro, spices, salt, pepper and sugar in a food processor and pulse until chunky. You want a mixture that is moist but not wet.
3. Let the mixture rest for a few minutes, then shape into patties.
4. Bake the burgers until they are deeply brown, about 8 – 10 minutes. Then flip and bake for 8 – 10 more minutes.
5. Serve with melted Jarlsberg cheese and sliced tomato on a toasted onion roll.

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NYC Chefs Share Their Healthy Recipes: Gary and Isabel MacGurn, Hampton Chutney Co.

Posted on January 15, 2010 | Leave a comment

One of my favorite Indian restaurants is Hampton Chutney Co., Upper West Side location. Their dosas are excellent, especially with the vegetarian masala filling and mango chutney. As you can imagine, I was delighted when the owners Gary and Isabel MacGurn decided to share a recipe that they make at home with Creative Delites. The recipe is for Punjabi Shrimp– a spicy, richly flavored dish, inspired by the tomato based sauces of northern India. In trying out the recipe I took Gary’s suggestion for making a vegetarian version, substituting eggplant (or you could use tofu) for the shrimp. Dosas and uttapas are the restaurant’s specialties, but if you would like to make Indian food at home and try out some of the classic spices, like turmeric and cumin, Punjabi is a great introduction.

Punjabi Eggplant Recipe
Makes: 4 servings
Courtesy of Gary & Isabel MacGurn, Hampton Chutney Co.

INGREDIENTS:
1 large eggplant
Salt to taste
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
3 tablespoons veggie oil
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
4 fresh curry leaves
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
½ jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped cilantro

DIRECTIONS:
1. Season the eggplant with salt. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil until shimmering. Add the eggplant and cook over moderately high heat until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Transfer the eggplant to a plate.
2. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet and reduce the heat to moderate.
3. Add the turmeric, cumin, and coriander and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Stir in the curry leaves and cook for 30 seconds longer.
5. Add the onion, ginger, jalapeno, and garlic and cook until the onion softens, about 5 minutes; if the mixture seems dry; add up to ¼ cup of water to prevent sticking.
6. Add the tomatoes and the tomato paste and cook until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes.
7. Return the eggplant to the skillet and cook, stirring, until they are opaque throughout, about 2 minutes. Season with salt.
8. Transfer the eggplant to a bowl, sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

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Contribute an Entry to The Pioneer Woman Food Blog and Help Haiti

Posted on January 15, 2010 | Leave a comment

Rather than post about cooking or recipes today, I’d like to draw your attention to the food blog, The Pioneer Woman, and what Ree Drummond is doing to help Haiti:

There’s not a person alive who doesn’t have Haiti on his mind today, and I encourage all of you to research the very best charities and aid organizations—those whose funds will go directly to help the people who need it—and give as your situation allows.
Today I’m having a different kind of giveaway here on Pioneer Woman. Rather than give away Amazon gift cards or an iPod or shiatsu massagers, I’m giving away two (2) $500 donations to the Haitian-related charity of the winners’ choice.
In addition, so that all of you can help make a difference, I will donate one dime (10 cents) for every entry received in this giveaway to Haitian recovery efforts.

So far, there are 16,253 Comments. Enter your comment here.

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New Food Stuffs Tried at Whole Foods Market, #85 Whole Wheat Naan

Posted on January 12, 2010 | Leave a comment

In the winter time, there is nothing like piping hot, flaky naan fresh from a tandoor oven. David and I are fortunate enough that we will be able to learn how to make naan and lots of other classic Indian vegetarian dishes– from an expert. My siblings bought us a two-hour private cooking class that we are taking January 30 (so stay tuned for our homemade naan). Until then, I’m trying out various store-bought brands to see which flavors and textures I like best. See the verdict. The rating goes 1 to 10 (10 being the best).

365 Everyday Value Whole Wheat Naan
Verdict: 5


Appearance: The bread is flat and shaped like an oval. The fluffy, well-browned bubbles give the bread a handmade appearance.  
Texture: Light but not as flaky as freshly baked restaurant naan.  The flatbread is thicker and more dense than it appears.

Flavor: A bit bland. There is just a faint sweetness. Also comes in original (plain) and garlic.  
Health: 260 calories and 7 grams of fat per flatbread. The whole wheat flavor is definitely your best bet in terms of nutrition. It’s tempting to eat more than one since the bread is so light. The challenge is eating just one serving.
Cost: $ 3.49 for the package of 4 flatbreads.
Recommendation: You can eat naan with any food, Indian or not. In fact, most of the time I like to use the naan to make pizzas on the grill.  
Resolution Stats: 21 new food stuffs tried, 84 more to go.
Final Verdict: If you are looking for authentic, flaky naan, try making your own or buying it from your favorite Indian restaurant. Sometimes you can buy pizza dough from a pizzeria, so see if you can also get naan dough. If you buy the store-bought stuff, I suggest getting the plain or whole wheat flavors, grilling it first, and then adding your own garlic or onion topping.

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Flatbreads with Fusion, Weekend in Washington DC-Inspired

Posted on January 11, 2010 | Leave a comment


This recipe for fusion flatbreads was inspired by a trip this weekend to visit my brother in Washington, DC. Knowing that I like good food, my brother tried to pack in as much eating as possible into the three days. After we finished our poached eggs and toast Sunday morning, we headed to ACKC Cocoa Bar Cafe for their dark chocolate bars with espresso nibs. Saturday night, I ate dinner for two and had dinner twice– First, dove into some spicy Thai dishes at Mai Thai and then enjoyed an unexpected late-night feast at his friend Angela’s place — she greeted us with warmed tortillas,  homemade vegetarian chile and creamy guacamole. Friday night, we packed in Asian and Latin food at the tapas restaurant Masa 14. The menu ran the gamut from chipotle miso black cod to a fruity-spicy coconut tuna ceviche, and most of the dishes succeeded at fusing the ingredients. The wild mushroom flatbread with Oaxaca cheese and avocado, however, had nothing Japanese about it,  except that I  picked out some of the super hot chiles with my chopsticks.  Back home in NYC, I decided to continue the weekend’s gastronomic delights with my own combination creation –Flatbreads with Fusion.

Latasian Flatbread Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

1 store-bought flatbread (options: Indian naan, store-bought pizza dough, flatbread crackers)
1/2 cup cooked and shelled edamame
2 habanero chiles, seeded and chopped
1 medium tomato, chopped
2 slices Monterey Jack Cheese
1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
1 teaspoon miso paste
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

DIRECTIONS:

1.Place a pizza stone in the bottom of the oven and preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Allow at least 30 minutes for the pizza stone to heat.
2. In a food processor, puree the edamame, chiles, miso, soy sauce, and sesame oil until smooth.
3. Spread the mixture over the flatbread.
4. Top with chopped tomato and Monteray Jack cheese.
5. Slide the flatbread onto the stone and bake for about 6 -8 minutes, until puffed and golden. Transfer the flatbread to a cutting board and let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.




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Mark Bittman’s Caramelized Spiced Nuts Recipe

Posted on January 8, 2010 | Leave a comment

I own three cookbooks, that’s it.  Most of the time I just try and recreate my favorite restaurant dishes. Even when the food doesn’t come out exactly right, I like knowing that it’s my creation. The only cookbook I use on a pretty regular basis is Mark Bittman’s ginormous vegetarian cookbook, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, and I’m not even a vegetarian! The part I love most about the book is that Bittman treats vegetarian food like a cuisine, rather than a series of substitutions. His cookbook presents ingredients that lend themselves to vegetarian cooking — everything from chickpeas to sushi rice and demonstrates how to use them in range of ways.  Take nuts. Bittman devotes an entire section to the lexicon of nuts and seeds and then offers various ways of how to season and cook with them. See the recipe for Caramelized Spiced Nuts below or feel free to experiment and make your own nutty creation!

Caramelized Spiced Nuts

Makes: 4 to 6 servings
Time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS: 

2 tablespoons peanut or neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn
2 cups of sugar (variation, sugar in the raw)
2 teaspoons garam masala
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups unsalted mixed shelled nuts (I just used almonds)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with the oil. Put a wide pot or deep skillet over high heat, and 2 cups of water and the sugar, and bring to boil. Stir in the spices, salt and nuts. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid is reduced to syrup, 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Turn the heat to low under the nuts and remove with a slotted spoon, letting the excess syrup drain off a bit and then spreading them on the baking sheet. 
3. Roast the nuts for 10 minutes, tossing once or twice with a spatula. Remove from the oven and let cool; the sugar coating will harden as the nuts cool. Serve or store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 or 3 days.

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