Avocados

Did you know that avocados grow on trees?  Ok, so you already knew that.
Did you know that they don't ripen on the tree like the way most fruit do?

Avocados are purposely harvested prior to ripening.
So, almost like the way florists have to plan for their event arrangements as far as
carefully considering how long it will take the flowers to come to full bloom or not full bloom
depending on the occasion and style... chefs have to do that as well when it comes to
the produce being just right!

When I go to the supermarket... I will search the produce items carefully through the bins.
When I want that perfect avocado I want one that is not green but black. I also
feel them gently pressing on them to see if there is one that is soft. I also want one that has no
cracks or sunken spots for those will be areas that are going to be black and going bad.
For those of you that feel like you have to shake everything--
if you happen to shake your avocado and you hear rattling... don't get that one for if you hear
rattling it means that the pit has pulled away from the flesh and it will be waaaay over ripe.

If you don't need your avocado right away and want to ripen it at home---
make sure you don't put it in the refrigerator because they will never ripen in cold temperature.
Place it in a brown bag so that the gas that is released that helps it to ripen basically gets trapped.
This should take about 4-6 days.
If you want to naturally ripen it even faster... you can throw an apple, banana or tomato
in the brown bag with the avocado and it should take anywhere from 1-3 days depending on
room temperature etc..

You can refrigerate avocados but only when they are finished ripening.
They should last up to 5 days in the refrigerator after they are ripened.


Zestfully, Let's Cultivate Food

Strawberry Iced Tea with Basil

Boil  a kettle of water and steep 8-10 green tea bags.
Add 1 pound of strawberries hulled and halved.
Cut leaves off basil stems (about 1 cup)
Add 1/2 cup agave nectar or liking of sweetness
Lastly, add a cup of cold water and a cup of ice.

(good to freeze some strawberries with a little tea in the ice trays to serve with)


      


Zestfully, Let's Cultivate Food

Cilantro is Coriander

Cilantro.... it seems that people either love it or hate it.

Cilantro is an herb with flat,
wide lacy green leaves and of course that strong flavor.
The seed of the cilantro plant is known as coriander.
Although cilantro and coriander come from the same plant, their flavors
are very different and shouldn't really be substituted for each other.

Coriander was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians.
The Bible actually mentions coriander in Exodus 16:31
"The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like
coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey."


Coriander, like many spices, contains antioxidants and is
used for herbal medicines along with soup broths, salsas,
wraps, tacos, bread, dips, garnishes & so much more!


Zestfully, Let's Cultivate Food

Coleslaw

The word "coleslaw" comes from the Dutch word, "koolsla", "kool"
meaning cabbage and sla, meaning salad.

This recipe will serve about 3-5 people as a side dish.
If you're looking for an easy and DELICIOUS coleslaw recipe... this is it!

Ingredients:
1 bag coleslaw mix (found in the produce section already shredded)
1/4 - 1/3 of medium sized red onion diced up really small - (almost minced)
1/3 cup (maybe 5-6 heaping Tbs) of Mayonnaise
drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil
1-1.5 Tbs of Agave Nectar or sub 4-5 Tbs white sugar or grate in half an apple
if you're staying away from sugar
1 .5 tsp white vinegar
sprinkle of salt (sea salt for best flavor)
sprinkle of poppy seeds (optional)


Zestfully, Let's Cultivate Food

El Limon

El Limon is located on Fayette Street- 

right in down town Conshy...  Conshohocken, PA.

If you want DELICIOUS tacos, quesadillas, sopas or "ships"  this is the place to go.

The seating is very limited but it's so worth the wait.

The food is all made to order and you will certainly be craving it the day after.

You literally hear other people raving about the food after they take a bite

of their food.... because it is that good!

They have Mexican Coca Cola which looks pretty much the same as regular Coca Cola

but has less carbonation. When you get there you also want to check out their other bottled

drinks in the cooler. They have a bottled apple drink that is carbonated and is great also!

They don't advertise it but they also have free Margaritas that are crazy strong....

and yes they are free!

El Limon is one of my favorite make to order taco and quesadilla places.

I give them a 2 thumbs up! Check them out the next time you are in Conshohocken.

Zestfully, Let's Cultivate Food

In Home "Dumplings" Cooking Party

Let's Cultivate Food's most recent "In Home Cooking Party" was with a group of
6 fabulous women who got together and  learned some tips and tricks in the kitchen.
The hostess chose several different dumplings from an array of 12 different types.

This class was not only about making dumplings but about pairing a different wine with each and every dumpling!  Hmm... which wine goes best with steamed tofu kimchi dumplings or pan fried 
Peking ravioli dumplings?

After learning several different ways of how to fold the dumplings- the ladies were busy 

folding and competing with whose dumplings were prettier...  (friendly competing of course!)

  

Here are a few steamed chicken dumplings....

The Peking ravioli dumplings...   (hmm I wonder what is in there?.... I guess you'll have to host a cooking party or a cooking class lesson to find out what makes these ravioli dumplings so yummy!)

Next we had some deep fried beef and veggie dumplings....
(that we dipped into some sauces we made)

The tofu kimchi dumplings were steamed as well....

We also learned how to make a dessert dumpling-- the apple banana fritter

Then---- there was more wine pairing....

  This party was serious on the wine pairing!

 

Here is part of the spread the wonderful ladies made!  This in home cooking party class was tremendously
fun because the ladies were so great and who doesn't love dumplings right!?!

Zestfully, Let's Cultivate Food

Pad Thai with Tofu

Ingredients:
about 1/2 lb shrimp (add more as you like)
1/2 container of tofu
1 handful of shredded cabbage
1 handful of shredded carrots
2 eggs scrambled
1 lime (cut into wedges for garnish)
1/2 bunch chopped cilantro
2 handful of peanuts (as you like)
1/2 bag of rice noodles

Ingredients for sauce:
2 Tbs sugar (brown if you have it)
3 Tbs lime juice
3 Tbs soy sauce
1/2 Tbs fish sauce
about 2 Tbs tamarind
1/2 Tbs red curry paste (add for spiciness)

Procedure:
1. soak rice noodles in warm to hot water (not scorching)
2. make sauce, de-vein shrimp, cut tofu, set all aside
3. scramble eggs & set aside in bowl
4. using little oil or butter, saute shrimp, set aside in bowl
5. with a little oil & drop of soy sauce- fry the tofu, set aside
6. fry cabbage & carrots in little oil
as vegetables are cooked, add tofu/shrimp,
scambled eggs & peanuts (stir in pan)
throw noodles into pan
(without the water it was sitting in)
7. add sauce
add the cilantro & cook until everything is mixed
& make sure the noodles are done
(noodles will be very limp, soft & saturated in the sauce)
8. garnish with a lime wedge
(squeeze lime at table for best flavor)

These noodles are great with Chicken Satays and a chilled or hot Thai Tea!

Zestfully, Let's Cultivate Food