Tag: Fruits And Vegetables

Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italian Food

Italian food varies greatly throughout Italy and pairing down Italian food to just the fifteen or so dishes that can be found at Italian food restaurants in the United States is very short sighted. There are many different regional cuisines in Italy that take their cues from surrounding countries and mix in a little local creativity in order to produce their own unique Italian food. One great example of this is the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.

This region shares a border with the former Yugoslavia and shares a lot of the same traditions, including culinary traditions. The Italian food here is strong with Austrian, Hungarian, Slovenian, and Croatian influences. One of places that this is most apparent is in the beer halls of the area. Here they feature such dishes as Viennese sausage and goulash. Goulash, which originated as a Hungarian dish, has taken on a distinct Italian taste here and can often be found in fine Italian food restaurants both in and out of Italy. Goulash is immensely popular in this region and is a thick stew of beef and local vegetables such as onions and red peppers. It is very thick and seasoned with paprika and can be served with pasta. Another dish that makes a frequent appearance at the beer halls in this area is Bohemian hare.

The most often used meat in this area is pork. In fact, if visiting this area it is essential to try one of their world famous San Daniele del Friuli hams. These hams are a staple of the local Italian food. The whole region is known for their bacon and sausages. In fact there is a local dish called jota that is unique to the region and is a stew dish made with beans and bacon. The pork in this area is spicy and this may come as a bit of a shock to foreigners not familiar with this brand of Italian food. The pork is often cooked over an open hearth and is seen in many dishes even if it is not the main entre.

There are many other foods specific to the area. The sweeter side of the Italian food here includes strudel. Most of the desserts here are flour based and so strudel is very common. One of the most common dishes found in the area is polenta. This is a dish of boiled cornmeal and is a staple of the regional diet and can be found served with all types of Italian food including both meat and cheese dishes. It is most similar to American grits. Another Italian food staple that must be mentioned in this region is the cheese. The world famous Montasio cheese comes from this region. If you like your Italian food with lots of cheese, and not just mozzarella, than this is the region for you. One last dish that must be mentioned is brovada. This is a dish that is unique to the region. It is most simply turnips that are preserved in marc. This most certainly is not a dish that most people think of when thinking about Italian food, but it is a dish that is unique to Italy and is therefore an important part of Italian food. So the next time you’re up for some Italian food, branch out and try some different regional cuisines.

What Are Some Mexican Spices

Mexican spices are used in many dishes found in Mexico. Some are spices you kind find anywhere, such as Garlic. Others give unique flavors. Epazote is a spice that is not as common. It is also known as “Mexican tea”. It is used to flavor beans and other foods, but should be used sparingly because it can be poisonous in large amounts. Even though it is strong, it is said to be good for intestinal discomfort.

Chile powder is a popular spice in Mexican foods. It is used to add flavor to vegetables, and meats. Another Chile powder that is popular is Chipotle. It is made from Jalapenos that have been dried and smoked. The flavor is one of a kind and goes well with many dishes. It is gaining popularity outside of Mexico. One other type of chile pepper is Ancho. It is different from the other peppers because it has a sweet flavor similar to dried fruit.

Common spices used in Mexico are Cumin, and Oregano. Mexican dishes that include tomatoes are perfect with oregano. It gives the dish an earthy flavor. Cumin gives Mexican dishes a taste that cannot be matched. Cumin takes three to four months of a long summer to grow. Cumin is a dry seed from the herb Cuminum Cyminum which is a member of the parsley family. This spice is the key component in curry power and chili powder. Cumin can also be boiled and served as a tea which is called “cumin cider”. Cumin is a spice that has been used for many centuries and will continue to be used by the people of Mexico.

Recado rojo is a special blend of spices that are from Mexico. It was used as long ago as the Mayans. It the spice mixture is red because of the added annatto seeds, which give food a red look to them when added. The blend contains spices such as cinnamon, clove, cumin, oregano garlic, and more. This blend is associated Mexican foods found in the Yucatan. It would be very easy to make this from your own home.

Achiote is the shrub that the annatto seeds come from which is added to the recado rojo mixture. This shrub is grown in Southeast Asia and was introduced to the Spanish in the 17th century. It is consider an inedible fruit that is used for its seeds. Long ago American Indians used the seeds to make body paints. Parts of the shrub can be used in medical remedies for health problems such as headaches and burns.

If you want to try these spices from your home, they are available at major grocery stores. You can even make your own blend of Mexican spices. Gather a few of the mentioned spices in this article, along with paprika and salt, and blend them together for a sensational burst of flavor. This is a great blend in chili. It can be added to foods that are baked, broiled and barbequed. It is perfect on chicken and pork. It is an excellent addition for your next barbeque. Let the grilling begin!

A Survival Guide to Overcome and Recover from a Food

A Survival Guide to Overcome and Recover from a Food Allergy

Selective eating you are to undergo such a phase when you are allergic to some kinds of food and beverages. A food allergy is the bodys immunologic reaction due to the presence of food protein.

Nowadays, there are several reading materials to help you understand the things you need to know about food allergy. One such example is the book called 5 Years without Food: The Food Allergy Survival Guide: How to Overcome Your Food Allergies and Recover Good Healthy. The book discusses overview of food allergy as well as the foods which you can and cannot eat and its alternatives. Additionally, you will also learn some necessary food allergy treatment from the book. Furthermore, a personal testimonial from the author makes the book credible as reviewed by readers.

Aside from the information which can be derived from the book, here are some helpful additional ideas you might want to add in your collection of thoughts.

Commonly, adults are allergic to foods such as eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish and fish. Kids, on the other hand, are inflicted with allergies to peanuts, milk and eggs. If you are aware that you have food allergy, what you need to undertake is to be well-informed about the allergy you have. By doing so, you will be able to overcome and recover from such allergy.

Some types of food allergies will be discussed for further reference:

Egg Allergy

An individual afflicted with the said allergy is hypersensitive to foods containing substance from eggs the white or the yolk.

For some time, you are restricted to consume foods containing eggs. These days, there are egg substitutes which you can use such as tapioca and starch from potatoes. Apple sauce can also be an alternative.

Nut Allergy

People who are oversensitive to tree nuts end up experiencing allergic attacks. Nut allergy should not be interchanged with peanut allergy. It is different from the latter since tree nuts are considered fruits that are dry.

Types of food prepared from soy nuts are considered to be a good alternative in the absence of tree nuts in your diet. A soy nut is not necessarily a nut; it is a soybean which undergoes the process of soaking and baking to achieve its crisp end result.

Milk Allergy

There are individuals who upon ingestion of proteins from a cows milk develop an allergic reaction. When this happens, such individuals are considered to be allergic in milk.

To obtain optimum result from milk allergy treatment, you need to completely avoid milk allergens. In order for you to fill in nutritional gap from milk, you can choose to include soy milk or rice milk in your diet.

Seafood Allergy

If you are hypersensitive to foods such as shellfish or flaky fishes then you are most likely allergic to seafood.

The only way to avoid allergic attacks is prevention from eating shellfish and fishes which you are allergic into. Moreover, you also need to be careful on selecting pre-packaged foods for its labeling may not declare that it contains seafood ingredients such as shellfish or fish.

There is a reason for you to undergo selective eating. It will make you overcome the allergic reaction which is happening into your system. Moreover, it will help you recover and survive. To some extent, it will help you cease your food allergy. Selective eating may vary. Some food allergies are treated on a short-term; others are not treated in their lifetime.

What Are Some Mexican Soups

If you love soup and you love Mexican food you are in luck. There are many different Mexican soups to discover and try. These would be perfect for special occasions such as Christmas dinners, and also anytime of the year. Some are sweet, while others are hot and spicy. Some are for dinner, while others are deserts. There is a soup that will please anyone!

Cream of Jalapeo soup is perfect for a cold day. It includes ingredients such as avocados, tomatoes, garlic, and of course jalapenos. Even though it calls for jalapenos, the soup isn’t extremely spicy. Another popular Mexican style soup is the Tortilla soup. There are different recipes for the soup, some making the soup creamy. Tortilla soup is a favorite, which is not a surprise. It contains many tasty ingredients. You will find the soup filled with different vegetables, chicken, and of course strips of corn tortillas.

Menudo is a traditional Mexican soup. It is usually full and spice and tripe. Long ago, poverty among the campesinos was common. This meant that when it came to food, they were not picky about what they had. They used just about everything from the cattle. This meant internal organs, brains, tails, hooves, and so on. The stomachs happened to be the lengthiest part of sheep and cattle so was used for the soup. Other foods that are added to this soup include onions, lime juice, oregano, and fresh cilantro.

It takes a long time to cook tripe in order for it to be good enough to eat, so typically Menudo is cooked in large batches and sold on certain days. In the Mexican state of Chihuahua, a soup called Pozole similar to Menudo is made, but uses a meat that is easier to cook. Menudo is so popular in Mexico, that the country gets shipments of tripe from the United States and Canada. This soup is often helps when someone is battling a hangover. It can also be seen served at special occasions.

Vegetables are throughout most of the soups. Pozole soup calls for traditional corn called maiz blanco. It is a large kernelled corn found throughout Mexico. The corn is soaked in a special solution of lime. The soup also includes pork, chilies, onions, and a variety of spices and seasonings. This soup is eaten in both Mexico and also the Southwestern United States, especially the state of New Mexico.

Mexican soups are also for dessert. Atole de Fresa is a strawberry desert soup. It includes milk, masa, cinnamon, and of course strawberries. The soup is usually served warm. Atole de Fresa can be found in Mexican restaurants.

There are so many more soups in Mexican cooking. Some include pumpkins, others include coconut. Before trying to make your own bowl, try a few different types at your local Mexican restaurants. Once you find one that you enjoy, try to make it at home for your family and friends to enjoy. It would be a crowd pleaser at your next party celebration.

What Are Some Mexican Frozen Treats

It can get very hot in Mexico. Mexicans have a variety of cool treats to enjoy. From ice cream sandwiches to popsicles, they have many to choose from. The treats consist of chocolate, cinnamon, and different fruits. Some men even sell the treats up and down the streets similar to in America where you will see ice cream trucks in the summer selling cold snacks.

Popsicles are popular in Mexico. Paletas which mean “little shovels” in Spanish can be found in Mexican grocery stores. They come in regular shapes, but their flavors are what differs them from American popsicles. Some paletas include milk and tropical fruits, while others are full of more ice and more tart flavors. Some flavors that are not very common in America are chili, and cucumber. The chili one is a bit spicy, so pepper lovers would enjoy this flavor. Paletas are easy to make at home and carry little fat. If you would prefer to buy them, paletas are sold at many street vendors in Hispanic neighborhoods. A California-based company named Palapa Azul makes paletas to sell to a much wider market, not just for Hispanics. You might even be able to purchase paletas at Walmart!

Mexican fried ice cream is another mouth watering treat. It is somewhat Americanized. You can find fried ice cream at Mexican restaurants in the United States and also at festivals. The ice cream used is more frozen than majority of ice creams. The ball of ice cream is rolled with different items such as cookie crumbs and then cooked in the deep fryer at a very low temperature. This allows the ice cream not to melt. Once it is fried, toppings can be added. Cinnamon is a common topping. Fried ice cream has become so common that it is also served in Chinese and Japanese restaurants. They add different flavors to the ice cream. You might find it green tea flavored.

If in the mood for just regular vanilla ice cream, cajeta would be a great topping. Cajeta is a Mexican confection of syrup most commonly made from caramelized milk that is sweetened. The syrup is made by the sweetened liquid being cooked slowly and breaking down until it is very thick. Some people use different liquids instead of sweetened milk. You might find cajeta made with juice or a different sweetened liquid. Different parts of Mexico may know the milk candy by different names such as leche quemada and dulce de leche. It is topped on ice cream. Even the Hershey Company produces cajeta which is targeted for Mexican food lovers. Cajeta is a great addition to ice cream, especially on a hot day in Mexico.

These cool treats are easy to make from your own home. Do some research on the different flavors and try to make a few. If you have a child, have some fun and both make them together and of course eat the finished treat. These are perfect on a warm day, but can still be enjoyable anytime of the year.