Bacon, Maple Syrup and Coffee

There's nothing like some crispy bacon, pancakes with hot maple syrup and a piping hot cup of coffee for breakfast in the morning. Unfortunately I haven't had that in years just because if I start I'll never stop and the calories will just stick to my body.
















But what if you could have all that for virtually no calories at all? Sounds great doesn't it? Well now you can with Boca Java Maple Bacon Morning, a curiously efficient concoction that brings together syrup and bacon in roasted coffee form. Yes you heard that right - it's COFFEE!

Here's what the makers of this heavenly sounding coffee have to say about it:

Think of it as your three favorite food groups all in one place. (Feel free to add your fourth, whiskey, on your own time.) Just be prepared: from the moment you open the bag, your world will begin smelling of java, savory smoke and syrup, and it's going to be intoxicating. You might want to warn your neighbors.

In fact, once this stuff is brewing, that unmistakable potpourri of sweet, smoky coffee will only get more intense. Then, when you finally sip, you'll first detect a sugary (but not sticky) taste of syrup. After that, you'll get hit with a full-bodied, smoky flavor—that's the unmistakable taste of bacon, made all the more miraculous by the curious fact that no actual bacon's involved.

I don't know about the rest of you, but it would be nice to finally indulge in such a luscious meal without having to worry about the calories.

So where can you find Boca Java Maple Bacon Morning? Right here.

Cabbage and St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is this Wednesday and each year on this day millions of people buy cabbage and prepare it in a variety of ways. From plain simple cole slaw, to stuffed cabbage, corned beef and cabbage, in soups like cabbage borscht and even in those delicious Reuben Sandwiches.

But what do you actually know about this vegetable?

This underrated, inexpensive veggie is at its seasonal best in late fall and winter. But it's available year-round in many varieties. Cabbage is grown throughout the United States.

Cabbage is a member of the Cruciferae family and is loaded with vitamin C and fiber. Relatives include kale, broccoli, collards, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. The three main cabbage types are red, green and savoy.

Did you know that California is the #1 cabbage-producing state, harvesting nearly 500 million pounds in 2009? New York is #2 and Texas is #3, according to the USDA. The United States as a whole produced 2.3 billion pounds. China is the world's largest cabbage producer.

There are numerous ways to prepare cabbage. It's good braised, steamed, stir-fried, and grilled - or raw, of course, as coleslaw. It's a hearty addition to soups. Try stuffing the leaves with ground pork or rice (Sweet and Sour Cabbage Rolls). Blanching removes some of the sulfurous compounds people don't like.

When shopping for cabbage make sure to look for heads that are firm, tight and heavy for their size. The outer leaves should be crisp, shiny, and free of cracks. Savoy cabbage, however, has a looser head.





Here's a cole slaw recipe that I've been using for years. Add it in your Fish Tacos, Reuben Sandwiches - made with Corned Beef, Turkey or how about even Tuna? Or just have it alone as a side dish.





Cole Slaw

1 bag pre-shredded mixed cabbage
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard (depending on your taste)
white onion shredded (optional)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix sauce ingredients together and then add cole slaw mix and blend.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

As an alternative:

If you like it creamy add some mayo or kick it up a notch and add some horseradish.

Another great condiment I recently discovered is from the Robert Rothschild Farm. It's called Onion Blossom Horseradish Dip.

So instead of adding mayo add some of this or even better yet - Instead of adding thousand island dressing to your Reuben Sandwich add the Onion Blossom Horseradish Dip. It brings this sandwich to a whole new level.













Robert Rothschild Farm, "Onion Blossom Horseradish Dip" can be found in fine supermarkets nationwide or specialty markets.

Under the Tuscan Sun

This photo is from one of the many menus that I offer at my in-home culinary classes. However, I have to say that I need some photography classes so the dishes jump out at you.



Even still this menu is fantastic and oozes so much flavor that I've always had rave reviews. In fact most email me later to tell me how their family and friends enjoyed the dishes when they recreated them at home.

In the class Under the Tuscan Sun the students prepare Panzanella Salad, Eggplant Involtini, Pollo al Mattone (Chicken Under A Brick), and Macendonia di Frutte (photo not shown) which is a wonderful fruit dessert.

This class is a good 3 hours and well worth it. The food is superb!

If you'd like to find out how to take this class and others please contact me at:
vkb2@hotmail.com

Asian Appetizer Class

Recently I had the pleasure of teaching Maggie, Nicole and Anne the Asian Appetizer class. Last year they invited me into one of their homes to teach them the Spring Fling menu. We all had so much fun.

In this class I taught them how to make Chicken Satay with a Peanut Dipping Sauce; plus Sushi, which you can see in the photo below.

Here they are fanning the sushi rice in preparation to make various types of Sushi Rolls.














In this photo Anne is preparing one of many Potstickers.





















These are the potstickers that Maggie, Nicole and Anne made with a Soy Dipping Sauce.



In addition the girls also made Vietnamese Summer Rolls with two different sauces.

Everyone had a great time and had a few leftovers to bring home to their families.

I did take videos but since it was my first time filming I kept turning the camera sideways and of course that would have made you dizzy had I posted them. I'll know better for next time.

If you'd like to learn more about the Asian Appetizer class please contact me at:
vkb2@hotmail.com

Vietnamese Vegetarian Summer Rolls

It seems that when spring arrives everyone starts eating a bit healthier. Maybe it's in anticipation of summer coming and knowing you'll be putting on a bathing suit. Either way, healthy eating shouldn't just be reserved for the warm months of the year, but year-round. A refreshing recipe that you can make and take to work, pack in your childs lunchbox or have as a snack or appetizer is a Vietnamese Summer Roll. It's even a great way to eat a salad on the run! Whether you add seafood, chicken, beef or just prepare it with vegetables and herbs it makes for a delicious and light treat.

This month I will share from my Asian Appetizer Class how to make this healthy roll, in a video. If you're looking for a fun culinary class check this out. For more information please contact me: vkb2@hotmail.com

WARNING: This is the first video I've ever done and edited myself using my Flip HD video. Click on the arrow below to view.

Proper Hygiene When Handling Food

I received an email yesterday that had some very eye-opening, humerous, yet disgusting videos to share about how germs are passed on from one to another. Of course these are all things everyone needs to keep in mind when eating, preparing food for others and ourselves, or just protecting ourselves on a day to day basis. Here is just one of the videos regarding sneezing.

I'd love to hear your comments.

Dunkin' Donuts Design Contest

Dunkin’ Donuts 60th "birthDDay" celebration includes the return of the “Create Dunkin’s Next Donut” contest. If your ultimate donut creation is chosen, you’ll win $12,000 and the honor of having your donut sold at participating Dunkin’ Donuts nationwide. Create and enter your donut at DunkinDonuts.com. For more details click here.

A dozen finalists will be chosen to travel to Dunkin’ Donuts University, the company’s worldwide training center in Massachusetts. The grand prize winner will be announced—when else?—on National Donut Day, June 4th.

Can't get enough of Dunkin' Donuts? Then shop online at the DD store. Order coffee or get a subscription of their coffee (sent to you weekly, monthly, etc.), order tea, DD merchandise and even get gifts and coffee equipment. Check it out!

What are you waiting for? Create your donut today. Maybe you'll be the next Dunkin' Donut designer for 2010!