April 1, 2015

Types of Tofu

I think  many people realize there is more than one
type of tofu especially as far as texture and soft or firmness.

Here is a picture of the different types.
The firmer they are it is easier to saute or fry
for they won't fall apart on you whereas the softer
or silken/silky they are- the better they are for soups.


















Everybody is TOFU-fighting,  Let's Cultivate Food

March 22, 2015

How to hard boil eggs perfectly.

How to cook hard boiled eggs perfectly every time.

Start with filling your sauce pan with cold water... 
enough water that your eggs are completely covered in water.


Turn your stove top to medium high 
with no lid on your pot and when the water 
comes to a  rapid boil,  let the eggs sit in the hot water 
for at least 10 full minutes with the lid on.
After the 10 minutes are up, take the lid off, carefully pour 
the hot water out and  run cold water over all the eggs.
You can also place the eggs in a bowl of cold water and ice cubes. 
Ice water will literally shrink the eggs away from 
their shells, making it super easy to peel.


















No more ring around the yolk, Let's Cultivate Food

March 3, 2015

SUPER HERO themed Catered Company Lunches

Our company catered lunches always have a fun theme.
This week's theme is  "Superhero Lunches"

Some of the food items that go into our personalized boxes this week are:

Super strength spinach and blue cheese burgers...

If you'd like it veggie friendly - we can make it with black beans, 
spinach and blue cheese as well! 

French onions and mushrooms sauteed for  Superman's French 
onion- shroom melt 

Wonder woman's Greek yogurt with fruit topping  

Here is a picture of  'Wonder dog's pepperoni pizza bites' 

our 'Kryptonite sweet potato fries

the 'Kryptonite sweet potato fries in the sauna...

Superman's French onion shroom melt.



KEEP CALM and be a SUPERHERO Let's Cultivate Food

March 2, 2015

Sugar can be sneaky!

Have you noticed as the time goes on-
our food becomes more and more unhealthy?

There are so many additives and sugars and preservatives
in food these days that it's really, really not healthy!

Today, I wanted to just talk about sugar.
You should ALWAYS read the labels.
If sugar isn't listed in the ingredients section
but listed in grams... often it can be natural sugar.

BUT! There are sneaky words for "added sugars"
BE on the look out for these words below.
These are ADDED sugars.

Agave
Barley malt
Beet sugar
Black strap molasses
Brown rice syrup
Brown sugar
Cane juice
Cane  sugar
Caramel
Carob sugar
Coconut sugar
Coconut palm
Confectioner's sugar
Corn sweetener
Corn syrup
Demerara sugar
Diatase
Date sugar
Dextrin
Dextrose
Diastatic malt
Evaporated cane juice
Fructose
Fruit sugar
Galactose
Glucomalt
Glucose
Grape juice concentrate
Grape juice
Honey
Invert sugar
Lactose
Maltodextrin
Maltose
Maple syrup
Palm sugar
Raw sugar
Rice syrup
Refiner's syrup
Saccharose
Sorghum syrup
HSucrose
Treacle
Turbinado sugar
Xylose



Stay naturally sweet Let's Cultivate Food

February 27, 2015

How to tell if your eggs are still good.

Do you know how to test the approximate age of an egg? 
When is it time to throw your eggs out?

All you need is a glass cup and cold water. 
Gently drop the egg into the water and if the egg:
~ sinks to the bottom and decides to stay there, 
    it is about 3-6 days old (good) 
~ if it sinks,  but floats at an angle, it's more than a week old  (ok)
~ your egg sinks, but then stands on end, it's about 2 weeks old (still ok)
~ if it floats, it's too old and should be discarded (not good)
 


February 25, 2015

Couples Cooking Classes in Philadelphia

Couples Cooking Classes are popular throughout
the Greater Philadelphia area.

We have couples cooking classes for birthdays, anniversaries,
Valentine's and any occasion for that matter.
Some couples just want to learn a few tips and tricks
on the weekend with no occasion except how
to learn how to cook the dishes they frequently
order from a restaurant.



  

















Zestfully Let's Cultivate Food

February 4, 2015

Mini Cinnamon Rolls

Have you ever heard about----girl math?
When you go shopping and something is on sale or if you return
something-- that extra money you save or have received
from your return is free money?  In the same mentality-
if something is mini you can eat more of them and it's.... ok?

Alright,  come to think of it... the "because it's mini- you can eat more"
is probably not just a girl thing.  It's a people who love food thing!

Whichever type of math it is or isn't...
it's super easy to create mini cinnamon rolls.

Take some dough (store bought Pillsbury works well)
especially to save time.
Roll it out into a rectangle as best you can.
Sprinkle some brown sugar and cinnamon and then roll again.
Cut them into 1/2 inch pieces almost as if you are cutting sushi rolls.
Lay them into your mini muffin/cupcake tins that you have
sprayed or paper toweled oil into to prevent from sticking
and making it easier to pop them out when done.

You will bake them on 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes.
(just until they are golden brown) and that is all!














Zestfully Let's Cultivate Food