Spices Of Life
Spices of Life - Morimoto: Samurai or Chef? Pt. I
Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:52:54 +0000
For Chef Masaharu Morimoto, "cutting boards and knives are sacred." As a cook, I have been impressed with the importance of cleavers and knives, but never on the level as this Japanese chef. When I first met Morimoto two years ago, he was on a book tour, traveling to Boston. The airline had somehow misplaced his luggage with his magical knives inside. He couldn’t eat or sleep until they were found. Soon, apparently, you will be able to buy knives like the ones he uses through the website, www.chefmorimoto.com. According to Morimoto, his knives are superior to most commercially available knives. He feels as though they are an extension of his arm. Just as a samurai warrior feels passion and reverence for his sword, as you can see in the video, Morimoto has similar feelings for his knives.Enjoy! Nina
Spices of Life: Best Recipe Ever: Moon Cakes
Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:21:33 +0000
The Harvest Moon Festival and Moon Cakes are very special to me. First of all, it was one of the first foods I tasted many years ago when I went to live in Taiwan. If you happen to go to Chinatown, you will see the Chinese bakery shelves are filled with numerous varieties- each one with a different filling. The Chinese like their moon cakes stuffed with red bean paste, lotus seed paste, dried fruits and occasionally garnished with a salty duck egg yolk. Sound appetizing? They can be cloying and not as appealing to the western palate.I learned a wonderful version of moon cakes from a Chinese chef years ago in Taiwan and I’ve further adapted the recipe. My Five-Treasure Moon Cakes have a buttery-vanilla crust stuffed with a sumptuous apricot marmalade filling and it is one of my favorite recipes. I like to make a batch or two of the dough and filling and stuff them. I then freeze the uncooked, shaped cakes in plastic bags and bake them the day I am serving them. They are delicious served with tea.Let’s all celebrate this beautiful, but poignant time of year! (Winter’s on the way.)Enjoy the full, harvest moon and make moon cakes.NinaMoon cake presses can be ordered through Woks ‘n’ Things, 2234 S. Wentworth Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Phone: 312-842-0701
Spices of Life: The NEW Fried Rice with Ming Tsai
Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:36:38 +0000
According to celebrity chef Ming Tsai, shrimp fried rice was the first dish that he learned to cook as a child. Now, many years later, after training in France, Japan, and in restaurants around the country, the owner of Blue Ginger in Wellesley, Mass has updated the recipe to make it even more delicious and healthy. Ming created the recipe inspired by the Healthy Eating Pyramid. To learn more, go to NutritionSource.com at the Harvard School of Public Health website.Ming is not only a member of the Nutrition Roundtable, but a national spokesperson for the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), working to further education and research on food allergies. To learn more about Ming, his restaurant, books, and other activities, check out Ming.com. Ming’s shrimp fried rice is a sumptuous meal-in-one dinner and the leftovers are terrific for lunch or dinner the next day.Enjoy!Nina
Spices of Life: Easy Dinner, Pyramid-Style
Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:38:58 +0000
Let’s face it. When it comes to dinner, we want it all: EasyDeliciousHealthy I’m no different even though I’m a cookbook author with 10 books to my credit. Making dinner every night can be a drag. Dr. Lillian Cheung, a nutritionist from the Harvard School of Public Health, loves to cook, and she knows what’s good for you. Lillian and I went to a Farmer’s Market and were inspired. Using the HSPH newly-designed Food Pyramid (you can actually understand it!), Lillian and I give different ideas for a great autumn menu. Go to the Recipe section for Cantonese-style Microwave-Steamed Halibut with Scallions and GingerRoasted Ratatouille with Zucchini, Eggplant, and Cherry Tomatoes (great for leftovers)Roasted Brussels SproutsHerbal Brown Rice For information on the newly formed HSPH Pyramid, go to the News Section on SpicesofLife.com. Enjoy! Nina
Spices of Life: Secrets to Master Stir-Fry
Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:32:27 +0000
This is one of my basic recipes that I use with all fresh vegetables including broccolini, but you could substitute any vegetable from baby cabbage hearts, green beans, snow peas, zucchini to spinach. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Spices of Life: Easy Dinner, Roasted Chicken Three Ways (Part I)
Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:14:19 +0000
Have you checked out the variety of prepared foods in your supermarket lately? You can take a roasted chicken and dress it up or cut it down. Add a sauce or vegetable and make it look homemade.I make full use of many of the following convenience items: All kinds of ethnic staples and simmering sauces line the international aisleEnticing frozen produce and prepared meatsFresh and frozen pastasPre-cut and prepared fresh produceIt’s never been a better time for health-conscious cooks. Enjoy!!Nina
Spices of Life: Dinner Doctor in Odd Noggin Land
Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:37:45 +0000
Have you ever seen a hamburger or a bunch of French fries cook a delicious, healthy dinner?? Sounds crazy, huh?Well, that’s exactly what we did with the Odd Noggins, a creative and offbeat group of video artists. Like many families, they wanted some easy, healthy and delicious dinner ideas. Dinner Doctor to the rescue… Enjoy the fun. Nina
Spices of Life: Eating Italian with Lidia II
Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:15:09 +0000
Public Television Chef Lidia Bastianich is a pioneering chef, but she’s also down-to-earth, warm, serene, and brimming with enthusiasm for her native Italy and simple Italian food. I visited her at her flagship restaurant in New York City.
Spices of Life: Easy Dinner, Pyramid-Style with Jody Adams
Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:20:52 +0000
Jody Adams, chef/owner of Rialto restaurant in Cambridge, Mass., is a master at creating delicious Mediterranean and Italian dishes. She has also won a James Beard award for her cooking and has written a lovely book, In the Hands of a Chef. For her Easy Dinner, Pyramid-Style, Jody created a Pan-Seared Atlantic Char over Farro with Olives and Pistachios (plus lots of delicious vegetables). You can also use salmon or another firm-fleshed fish. The dish is smashing, and leftovers are delicious as well. Go to the recipe section for directions. Brighten up you winter menu with this easy, delicious, and (dare I say?) healthy meal! Enjoy!! Nina *Did you notice the days are getting longer? YAY!!!
The NEW Fried Rice with Ming Tsai
Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:16:20 +0000
Public Television Chef Ming Tsai wears many hats: He is the owner/chef of Blue Ginger, an awarding-winning East-West restaurant in Wellesley, MA The star of a popular TV show, Simply Ming, now in its sixth season Author of three books Product designer for his own line of East-West food products at Target Stores Active member of the Nutrition Round Table at the Harvard School of Public Health. MIng created a healthy, easy, and delicious version of Shrimp Fried Rice. Go to SpicesofLife.com for the recipe and www.ming.com for more information on the multi-talented Ming Tsai. Enjoy!!! Nina
How To Do Dim Sum
Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:15:25 +0000
Eating good dim sum is one of my favorite pastimes. I love the selection of delectable sweet and savory pastries - the dumplings, stuffed buns, and noodle dishes. And just in time for Chinese New Year - because on the evening of January 25th and the 26th, Chinese will usher in The Year of the Ox. Need a little help? Then come with me to the Winsor Dim Sum Cafe and you'll see some of my Cantonese dim sum. Then go to the News section to see the Dim Sum glossary. Happy New Year to you all! Nina
Spices of Life: Affordable Bubblies Part II
Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:38:08 +0000
New Year has come and gone, but January is the perfect month to treat yourself to a glass or two of some great wine -- especially to celebrate a new President and Chinese New Year (1/26). We are back with winemeister Howie Bauer, who chose another affordable sparkling wine. This one is slightly more elegant, with the flavor of fresh peaches. And it’s lovely with appetizers, seafood, or meat. Sound tempting? Splurge a little and enjoy!! Nina
Spices of Life: Affordable Bubblies Part I
Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:41:06 +0000
Champagne has become a little pricey. So we asked wine expert Howie Rubin, of Bauer Wine & Spirits, to recommend some affordable bubblies. We learned about the smashing, bargain sparkling wines that are dry, light, and ever so drinkable! Take advantage of Howie’s recommendation and you can splurge on the smoked salmon or lobster (which is also a bargain). Have a great time and enjoy! Nina
Chinese New Year - The Red Envelope
Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:05:22 +0000
Nina Simonds explains the meaning behind the red envelope while at the Imperial Seafood restaurant in Boston's Chinatown. Happy New Year! Gung Hay Fat Choy! Nina Says: I have been very lucky to have met some extraordinary people in my travels. One of them was a woman named Li-lian Chao, who I met in Taiwan in the 70’s. She was famous for teaching English to tens of thousands of students after arriving in Taiwan alone in 1948. She first hosted an English radio program using the persona "Mother Goose." Later, she taught at the National Taiwan Normal University, Even at age 90, Lillian continued to hold English classes for teenagers in her home to make ends meet. She wrote a small, wonderful book called ‘Chinese Customs and Traditions”. She also loved to talk about Chinese traditions and fairy tales and was also one of the first people to fill me in on the history of the custom of giving red envelopes. She explained to me and wrote in her book,” When married women pay New Year’s calls according to the custom, they must leave tips wrapped in red paper for the servants. All young children lso receive red packets of money called “ya-sui” meaning to push down the years or “to be ever young”. Children look forward to getting these packets of money and usually squander this income on fireworks and candy”. As I explained in my video blog, I prefer to stuff the envelopes with lottery tickets. It creates a little intrigue and allows less opportunity for my son and his friends to “squander the money on fireworks and candy. “
Steamed Pears with Jujubes and Honey
Tue, 16 Dec 2008 03:05:41 +0000
Asian pears, also called Chinese pears or pear apples, are firm, crunchy, and surprisingly juicy. When my body felt dry and my throat was scratchy, Dr. Zhu, my Chinese doctor, prescribed some “Steamed Pears with Honey and Jujubes (Dried red dates). Once steamed, the pears become tender and the resulting broth is soothing and not overly sweet. (It’s a great winter dessert!) When I am feeling indulgent, I add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. BTW, they are also delicious at room temperature or cold. And you can reheat them in the microwave. Enjoy! Nina
Black Bone Chicken Soup
Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:31:07 +0000
Dr. Chun Han Zhu -- and many other Chinese doctors -- praises this soup as being one of the most therapeutic foods you can eat in the fall and winter to strengthen the immune system.
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Momofuku 