I love to make food that looks pretty. As of late, I’ve with fallen in love with red lentils & turmeric. Who can resist the orange hue of the lentils and the deep golden color of turmeric? Simply Gorgeous… yet, not just another pretty face. Packed with protein and antioxidants, my Red Lentil Soup is both nutritious and hearty. An extra plus: it’s gluten free and vegan when made with veggie broth. Red lentils don’t need to be soaked overnight so you’ll save a lot of prep time, too. Try this. Make a double batch–it always gets snapped up quickly.
Red Lentil Soup
February 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
XyloSweet® Holiday Cranberry Walnut Cobbler
December 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Filling:
- 4 fresh cups fresh cranberries (two 8-oz. packages)
- 1 1/3 cups XyloSweet®
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
Nancy’s Sassy Salsa
December 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment
No secret, I’m a big fan of farmer’s markets. I especially enjoy going this time of year because of the tomatoes. Yes, I LOVE these babies that taste sweeter than anything you can buy in the “regular” grocery store. Of course, many of you grow your own and quite frankly, I’m jealous. Unfortunately, I did not inherit my dad’s green thumb, so instead, you’ll find me trolling the aisles of the market coveting the romas, beefsteaks, cherries & heirlooms. When I get my hands on these beauties, I LOVE to make salsa. You can’t beat FRESH salsa with super sweet tomatoes. My recipe’s got a little “kick” just enough to spice up your meal. Perfect with chips, tacos, fish, grilled chicken, tri-tip and more. Not only does it taste fabulous, it adds gorgeous color to any dinner table. Viva La Sassy Salsa!
Kids Who Love to Cook
December 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Producer Giselle Deiaco today announced the creation and launch of an innovative new webseries called “Kid Who Love to Cook.” The website and series, which feature cooking videos, recipes, food adventures and contests, for the beginner cook, future chefs, and foodies can be found online at Kids Who Love to Cook.
“This project has been something that I have wanted to create for a long time,” said Deiaco. “This program will not only teach kids how to make delicious dishes, but it will impart life lessons like being organized, budgeting, numbers and creativity, all done with lots of fun.”
The webseries features seven enthusiastic youngsters, ranging in age from 8 to 16, who have varied tastes and cultural influences that they bring to the series. “Kids Who Love to Cook” embraces personal preferences and encourages kids to prepare food from their family history, as well as new ideas and trends like gluten-free and vegetarian dishes. All dishes seen on “Kids Who Love to Cook” are easily prepared and enjoyed at home.
“Kids Who Love to Cook” is not just a webseries, but an online community that will hold cooking camps, events and auditions for new additions to the team. The dynamic web site takes user submissions and tips, as well as tips and how-tos along side the webisodes.
I thought this site was fantastic! Fun and inviting and a great place for your pre-teens and teens to learn how to get around the kitchen! Check it out!!
XyloSweet® Heavenly Spice Cake
November 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons prune puree
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
- 2 eggs, separated
- 1 ½ cups XyloSweet®
- 2/3 cup finely chopped prunes (cooked and drained)
XyloSweet® Pumpkin Bars
October 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Crust:
- 1 ¼ cups quick-cooking oats, uncooked
- 1 ¼ cups spelt flour or whole wheat pastry flour
- ¾ cup XyloSweet®
- ¾ teaspoon maple flavoring
- ½ cup finely chopped pecans
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
Hang on to Summer with Agua Frescas
September 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Summer may be over but in Southern California, we still have a couple months of sunshine and heat! One great way to hold onto to Summer is with some fun cold beverages, like fresh Agua Frescas. These Mexican coolers are a lot more exciting than their name, “water refreshments” suggests. They are actually a great way to feature super sweet and ripe late-summer fruit in a cold and refreshing beverage. All you need is fruit and water and you’re on your way! Best of all, it’s made in a blender so the kids can help put this recipe together!
XyloSweet® Banana-Nut Bread
September 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Xylitol is derived from the fibrous parts of plants. Many fruits, like raspberries, plums and bananas are rich in xylitol and as a result, substituting regular sugar with xylitol makes natural sense when baking with these types of fruit. This bread recipe yields a sweet bread with a wonderful, tropical aroma that makes the whole house smell inviting. Since it is “sugar-free” it is great for diabetics or anyone concerned about excess sugar consumption.
Sweet Summer Corn
June 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Fresh corn is starting to appear in tall piles at the grocery stores and Farmer’s Markets – that means summer it here! With all the talk about high-fructose corn syrup and the prevalence of corn in our diet, corn has gotten a bad rap in the last couple years. But while it’s true we get far too many corn-related products in our diet, 99% of that comes in the form of processed foods. Eating fresh corn from the cob is not only one of the great joys of summer but will actually give you a ton of nutrients. And pulling all of those silky hairs from fresh corn is a great job for your little ones in the kitchen!
We love the sweet white corn for cutting off the cob and eating raw, and the crunchy yellow corn for grilling and cooking. Here’s why we can’t get enough of this seasonal superstar:
New Potatoes for The Whole Family
May 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
You may think of potatoes as a Fall/Winter food because, for kids and parents alike, they conjure up comforting feelings of comfort food. What is a braised short rib, after all, but the ideal topping for a perfect pile of mashed potatoes heavy with the tang of buttermilk? But Spring has it’s own potato joy to offer – in the form of tiny, tender New Potatoes. As their name suggests, New Potatoes are simply the first potatoes to be harvested. They are smaller, more tender, and more flavorful versions of their heartier relatives that we enjoy later in the year. For me, new potatoes are almost less of a starch and more of a vegetable – their flavor is so nuanced that it can hardly be relegated to a starchy side dish. Bringing them into your kitchen is a great way to get your kids thinking about the huge variety of vegetables out there. Here are some things to know about these Springtime finds and how best to prepare them: [Read more...]
