July 7, 2015

What is Balsamic Vinegar made of?

I've been told that in Italy- where true Balsamic Vinegar
comes from-  it isn't used as an acidic ingredient for salad dressings
like it is here in the USA.  They use it more as a condiment on
grilled meats and of course drizzling on strawberries.


There are 3 different kinds of balsamic vinegar. 
Aceto balsamico tradizionale,  commerical  and lastly condimento. 
The Aceto balsamico tradizionale is the most pure and true for it is 
heavily regulated and takes on the underlying flavors of the wooden 
oak or chestnut barrels that the grapes are stored 
in after it is pressed into vinegar. Oh, by the way--- 
balsamic vinegar is boiled down sweet white grapes.  
This type was even used for medical purposes back in the day.

The mass marketed commercial balsamic is not aged like the 
aceto kind.  Many times the commerical type is labeled 
balsamic vinegar of Modena and a pinch of brown sugar is added 
to every cup of vinegar. 

The last type called condimento is kind of the in between 
one where it's not as  expensive as the Aceto but a higher quality 
than the commercial kind. 
  
                                   

The biggest difference between wine, wine vinegar and 
balsamic vinegar is that the grapes are pressed into make 
balsamic vinegar before the grapes start to ferment like the way 
it is before making wines.

Balsamic vinegar is really good when you mix a few drops 
with olive oil to smear your good, earthy and crusty bread 
into along with your flavorful soup and adding garlic to it is 
also another flavorful option.



Zestfully Let's Cultivate Food

June 24, 2015

Benefits of cucumbers.

Most of us know that veggies are good for us.
Even if you don't know much about each specific
type of vegetable or fruit-
we usually consider them to have vitamins
that are good for us and are healthy for our bodies.

Have you ever noticed that there are a lot of
lotions and creams with cucumber fragrances
or extracts?   Spas will often slice cucumbers
and have them infused in water as well.

Well!, there is a reason for this.




The most common cucumbers that we are familiar with are 
the regular American cucumbers,
the long (usually individually wrapped) English cucumbers
that have less seeds in them 
(often used in sushi because it can be used as one long piece)
and the shorter, plump cucumbers that are called Kirby cucumbers 
that are often made for cucumber kimchi in Korean cuisine 
and then there are also pickle cucumbers that are pickled 
to make pickles. There are these round cucumbers also that 
are not as common and have a thinner skin and therefore
not as flavorful and crisp like most cucumbers are. 


















And now on to the benefits of cucumbers!

1.  Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you
      need on a daily allowance.  One cucumber contains
      vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium,
      Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.


2.  Although it might not be the norm-
      eating a cucumber mid-day can provide a great pick-me up
      that can last hours in a healthy way rather than grabbing
      a soda or another cup of coffee.


3.  Have you ever notice when you take a hot shower-
     the mirrors fog up?  Well, try rubbing a few slices
     of cucumber along the mirror and it will help eliminate the
     fogging along with providing a spa like fragrance!  Win, Win!


4.  Do you have some  unwanted in your garden?
      Take a few cucumber slices and add it to an aluminum pan or foil.
      The natural chemicals in the cucumber react to the aluminum
      that garden pests don't like while we as humans can't detect.


5.  Especially since it's summer and pool and beach season-
      do you have some cellulite that you don't care to show?
      Rub a few cucumber slices in the problem area and the
      phytochemicals in the cucumber will help the skin (collagen)
      to tighten while you are at the pool/beach for the afternoon.


6.  Eating a cucumber before going to bed will help avoid a
      hangover or a terrible headache the next day.


7.  Cucumber slices will also do things like polish your shoes
      (a greener way to clean) or if you don't have shoe polish on hand.
      It also helps repel water off your shoes.


8.  When you are out of WD 40 and need a quick fix for the
      squeaky hinge- you can rub it along the problematic area.


9.  Are you about to have a business meeting or about to
     meet someone and you don't have any gum or mint?
     It's not that you would have slices of cucumber in
     your purse or pocket but for informational purposes-
     placing a slice or 2 of cucumbers on the roof of your mouth
     for about 30 seconds or so- the phytochemicals will
     kill the bacteria responsible for causing bad breath.


10.  If you are looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets,
     sinks and stainless steel- take a slice or 2 of cucumber and
     rub it on the desired surface- not only will it help bring
     back shine  and not leave streaks but it will be good on
     your hands and fingernails while you clean as well.







Who said you don't learn something new everyday,
Let's Cultivate Food

June 22, 2015

Asian Market ingredient and product tour!

Grab a friend and join me in my Asian Market TOUR!

You will learn what's REALLY in soy sauce, wasabi sauce,
the difference between fish sauce and oyster sauce
and information on 30+ ingredients and products.

Have you ever gone to a restaurant and favored a dish
and always wanted to make it at home?
You've even gone to the extent of looking that recipe up online
and have a recipe but aren't sure what's what once you
arrive at the Asian supermarket?
Maybe because many of the brands are written in Chinese,
Korean or Thai?... or you just aren't sure which brand is better
and more importantly healthiest for you.



Here is another opportunity to come learn about some ingredients
and products.  It'll be indoors with cold blasted air conditioning
so you've got nothing to lose!

The 3 dates that are available are:
Friday July 17th from 7-8:30 pm
Thursday July 23rd from 7-8:30 pm
Saturday Aug 1st from 11-12:30 pm

Oh! and don't forget you must sign up and register
so that there are enough spots/spaces and
so that I can prepare your free Goodie bag of goodies!

Link to REGISTER  and link for MORE DETAILS














Find your ingredients Let's Cultivate Food

June 10, 2015

Seasoned Corn.



















Sauteing corn for a side dish is always great especially in these
warmer months where you can grill it on an outdoor grill.

Using fresh corn on the cob is best for the best flavor.
You can use 2-3 cobs for 2 people. All you have to do is just take a
knife and slice the kernels right off the cob into a bowl.

















With a little butter, (I like to use butter made from olive oil)
-add the kernels of corn into the pan.

As the corn is starting to cook up, add a sprinkle of Old Bay season salt
and a handful of chopped cilantro. Even if you don't care for cilantro...
when the cilantro cooks up with the corn, it blends in really well
and you don't taste the distinct flavor of cilantro that some people dislike.
Lastly, add a little drizzle of vegetable or chicken stock to bring
all the flavors together. This corn is great with ribs and coleslaw
or any other entree actually. If you wanted to grill the corn
on the cob- you can certainly do that as well.


Grill it up,  Let's Cultivate Food

June 1, 2015

A few of my Company Catered Lunches!

Catered lunch boxes are individually 
packaged and personalized.  
Each comes with an entree + a side 
and a drink  (often fruit or herb infused).

(Menus can be customized for special diets & allergies)


Let's face it, your employees rock! 

Treat them to the company perk that keeps them 
fueled up and ready to work! 

When your company is ready to discuss 
your company’s lunch meal plans...

Please click the tab titled "To  SCHEDULE
where you will fill out some basic info
(location, how many employees, etc...)
so we can get a better idea of your 
company's needs and how we can 'satisfy'.

(pictured below are just a few samples)




























   

  

Individually packaged and personalized,   
Let's Cultivate Food

May 30, 2015

What can you infuse your water with?






































Lemons wedges or slices are probably the most common
things people put into their water.

Throw a mint or basil leaf or 2 or 3 in there with the lemon!

Lemon is good but change it up a little with a lime,
or orange slices and lime slices.




















A lime wedge or 2 with cucumber is good also or just plain cucumber slices.
Edible flowers believe it or not are good also to infuse
your water with. Have you ever heard of rose water.
(for infusing roses... make sure you wash the petals really well
and trim the white bottom area where the petals meet the stem
for that part is bitter)




















Rosemary, Mint and Basil are only a few herbs that
are good to steep in your water also.

Almost any fruit is good to infuse your water with...
peach slices, strawberry slivers, grape slivers,
pomegranate seeds, citrus slices, pineapple slices, melon balls....




















You can also take a stem of aloe vera, wash it and peel the
skin off with a veggie peeler and cut into small pieces
before you toss it into your water.




















 Zestfully Let's Cultivate Food

May 27, 2015

Asian Supermarket TOUR

Back by popular request!
Our Asian Supermarket Tour.
by a current restaurant consultant, food blogger, 
flavor creating goddess, former co-owner of a restaurant.



LetsCultivateFood.com is doing the 
Asian Supermarket Tour
AGAIN due to popular request!


Have you ever walked into an Asian Supermarket looking
for an exotic ingredient in a recipe that you'd love to try only
to quickly realize you have no clue where to get that item or
product OR what half the products are on those shelves ?!?

Well, here is another opportunity to participate in
my Asian Supermarket TOUR.

During your tour, you will learn about 
the most common products
in Asian cooking and brand differences.
(More than 30 + products and ingredients will be discussed)

For the summer Tour dates-- 
the tours will take place at H-Mart in Upper Darby 
(20 minutes from Center City & Main Line area)

How can I participate in a tour?
1. First, you MUST register which means signing up
    for which date you'd like to participate in. 
    Why do you need to register and sign up you ask?
    Well, there will be a limited number in each
    tour group as well as needing to keep track of how
    many goodie bags I need to fill for each date.

2. After you register, you will receive an email
    with information regarding your tour.


What does it cost?"
Great question! I'm glad you asked. 
The price for my "Asian Supermarket Tour " 
is  $48.00/pp.

Includes free goodies, a 90 minute tour 
chock-full of tips and information, 
pointing out which products and ingredients are the healthiest, 
most versatile and common in Asian kitchens, as well
as what you need for the Asian inspired dishes you want to cook.


Can I invite others and if so...
how many people can I invite?
You betcha! You can invite as many people
as you'd like.  We'd be glad to accommodate
your friends/family/co-workers/neighbors
as long as each person registers and sign up.
Children are welcome as well but just remember
they must be registered as well... simply
because they are taking a spot on the tour!


What should I wear?
Whatever you have that brings out your creative cooking juices. 
We won't be walking through any rocky trails,  over bridges, etc.
so whatever you feel is comfortable when you normally shop
will be great!  You don't have to get dressed up.
(Unless you want to!?!)  Whatever floats your boat.


When and how do I pay?
Payment needs to be prior to the arrival of the tour.
Payment can be through any of the options below.
~ Credit card  (Visa / MC / Discover)
~ Venmo
~ Paypal



click to REGISTER  ----->  LINK