Have I mentioned? Springy stuff offers mood-boosting fun

 

Photo courtesy of FreshCut Paper 

Every season has perks. We love the bloom on spring. Culinary Thrill Seekers, play with these:  

 FreshCut Paper – You can’t beat forever flowers that mail flat and pop up into “planters” resembling pots, jars and vases. Artistic English Daffodils are among blooms for all occasions. They bring smiles, earth-friendly paper greetings and mangrove plantings in Madagascar. In the late ‘70s I found a pop-up card line I treasured. I can quit hoarding those… www.freshcutpaper.com has replenished my inventory.

Photo courtesy of Tea Forté

Photo courtesy of Tea Forté

 The Pyramid of Teas – When studying art and architecture, I’d imagined myself at a cocktail party at a Frank Lloyd Wright house. In a little black dress I’d make witty conversation. Even my glass would be curves and angles, like his work.  Well, guess what! Tea Forte’s famous steeping pyramids now come in a Frank Lloyd Write collection, and you can get a tea set to go with the lot. Honey Hojicha, Spiced Herbal Mate and Ceylon Gold is in this presentation box. Style and flavor!

Remember when Tea Forte collaborated with The New York Botanical Garden for the botanical bliss ranging from Cucumber Mint to Raspberry Nectar, Lemon Lavender to the new Pink Papaya Nectar? It came in an artistic floral box that opened up like an Advent calendar? That was now and you can get the Mariposa Collection from www.teaforte.com

 Let Me Modify –I should have tried ModifyHealth sooner. The easy+delicious+healthy combo is how we should enjoy flavorful food fuel daily. Working toward a healthier heart or against the carbs? Diabetes or FODMAP needs? Going Mediterranean?  There’s a pasta with meat sauce, spicy chicken with bell pepper and sweet potato, fish options and of course, greens. Savory pot roast tastes homemade for sure and paprika salmon is part of the “better health delivered” theme. It’s BAM in microwave minutes and delivers to your door. www.modifyhealth.com

 Royalty Sauce! - Maybe the rich folk of old-time Aleppo and Syria decided to get their most expensive and fancy ingredients together to make a delicious sauce so the commoners would be jealous. Muhammara is dubbed the dip-sauce-spread of royalty. King me please, with another serving. Imagine a rich red sauce of walnuts, roasted red peppers, garlic, Aleppo pepper and pomegranate molasses (did you even know this existed?). You don't have to imagine it because Ronda's Fine Foods sells jars of it. This made an impression at a Biblical spread I created this Easter season. This blend was “new” to people, and it was extremely good on bread and raw veggies. Feel like royalty:  www.rondasfinefoods.com 

 In the Cold – If you didn’t think you could love coffee any more, consider the Cold Brew 360 from Vinci. A clear carafe lets you watch your mesh cylinder of 12 scoops turn clear tap water into a smooth blend. Maybe I don’t know tasting notes, but I’d say this was thick and strong enough to call a near syrup, in a very good way. I tried sweet grounds for my first try. A little dab will do you and your overnight steep is so good over ice in the summer. It keeps for days. It’s better than adding ice to brewed coffee. www.vincihousewares.com

 Bigger Kitchen? – Some guy had a tiny kitchen and went upward. A Wisconsin-based warehouse is putting together StoveShelf, a stainless deal you literally magnetically click onto the back of your stove to make a handy shelf. For what? Some peppercorns, olive oil, etc. This guy sells glass jars for that, too. I’m keeping silicon potholders up there, too. If you have a rounded back on your stove, little stickers can help that. It’s affordable and easy and just lovely. I know that many folks will say that oils need a dark container far away from the hot stove. I. Don’t. Care. I use that stuff all the time so it goes quickly and now I have a beautiful display. Thanks guy who thought of this.  www.stoveshelf.com

 On the Run: Hey foodies, got your step counters on? Rember that the more you move, the more you can maybe enjoy a treat now and then? www.lovehershop.com has a pair of Everyday Joggers that are very soft and stretchy and described as “insanely comfortable joggers that are stylish enough to wear all day.” Go ahead, challenge me. From sneakers to black flats, you’re good to go in ultralight gear.

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie ready for this change of seasons. Share your tips with her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Did dinosaurs eat the rainbow? Jurassic World offers clues

 

Did dinosaurs eat the rainbow?

Did they eat grass? There wasn’t any grass yet!

Herbivores went for flowers and fruits.

 Among the first plants to colonize dry lands are cycads, some stubby, fernlike “gymnosperms,” is a “bite” of info I gleaned from Jurassic World: The Exhibition, now up in Katy, Texas.

What a fun deal, set up like you’re riding a ferry to get to the park and even the lab.

I craved salad the whole time while learning about some eating habits of those big guys:

  

·           The first trees evolved about 385 million years ago, but looked more like giant ferns.

·           Most ginkoes went extinct about two and a half million years ago and today only one species remains, the extremely stinky Ginkgo Bilboa

 

This park exhibit, set up at Katy Mills Mall’s parking lot, has  big old beasts behind gates and some terrific guides who let you pet a baby and put the scare into you as well. Kids loved researching dino leavings illustrating little bones in carnivore poop and a different texture for the plant eaters. Wouldn’t want to imagine IBS in none of those. But back to fine colorful eats:

 

 

How can you eat the rainbow?

This concept basically eating a variety of real foods to get your nutrients. Go beyond iceberg lettuce and tomatoes and experiment with vegetables and fruits. I think this rainbow phrase is great for getting children into the act.

 

Because purple is a favorite rainbow color, here’s some of these options: blueberries, blackberries, Concord grapes, red/purple cabbage, eggplant, plums and elderberries.

 

For more on what dinosaurs ate, get to this exhibit to experience a feeding gone wrong. You have to imagine that there’s an escape scenario, but don’t worry. Everyone is ushered safely into the gift shop. It was FUN! Learn more about this exhibit, in the area through Oct. 27, at https://jurassicworldexhibition.com/

 

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie eating the rainbow, especially if that includes red for crawfish and green for pistachio ice cream. darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Cheesy ideas for "Southern Pate"

 

We know pimento cheese is a “southern thing.”  When we see a platter featuring a cheerful orange peeping out from sandwiches or in the center of a dip spread, we know there is a party going on. I hear there are nicknames of our elixir, such as Carolina Caviar and Southern paté.

 

Imagine my surprise when a northern friend of ours recently told how when he moved down here, he wondered what was up with all the “yucky” cheese sandwiches.

 

 Bless his heart.

 

We’ll stick to the pimento cheese, thank you. I’m always up for variations.

 

 Here’s how we do it: My mom sometimes added chopped olives, either black or green, for color and flavor. This recipe lives on in my daughter’s memory.

We’ve also added shredded or ground carrots to promote healthy sandwiching, pecans and other surprises.

 

Crackers are classic for the crunch, and pretzels add visuals to your spread. For color and good health, I put out green apples, celery and green onions as dippers as well.

 

Here’s how Birdie’s does it:

I’ve been sampling some Birdie’s Pimento Cheese and these variations are all just right. Robin Allen was in the printing business when cheese called her. This Southern Virginia small batch company is at  www.birdiespimentocheese.com

 

Look there for ideas on transforming content from these little tubs from ready-to-go perfection into something bigger, like a potato topper, slider or adding sausage into the mix.

 

Pairings: So now, Southerners, let’s get fancy and discuss pimento cheese wine and beer pairings. Here’s what Birdie’s suggests, and who am I to argue?

 

Classic, Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato, Pilsners

Garlic Parmesan: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sour Ales

Jalapeno: Riesling, Syrah, Stouts

Olive: Champagne, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon

Smoked Gouda, Roasted Red Pepper: Merlot, Chardonnay, India Pale Ales

Cream Cheese, Black Pepper: Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, Ciders

Onion Dill: Dark Ales

 

Got Cheesy Ideas?

Share how you enjoy or jazz up pimento cheese, or any other sandwich, at by e-mailing me at the address below. Let me know if we can share your name and ideas with other readers.

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who recently shared a pimento cheese on croissant with zero regrets. Share your cheesy ideas with her at darraghcastillo@Icloud.com

Freeze! Are you ready for these eggs?

 

 

Eggs, the very symbol of fertility and spring, can frighten some. Maybe not on the “afraid of clowns” level, but I know my aunt is not a fan of a bright yellow yolk at any time of day, and sure won’t face one in the early morning. Horror director Alfred Hitchcock is on the record ad being frightened and revolted by eggs.

I’m aware that the thought of a frozen egg could deter some, but I’ll briefly mention my good fortune with them and let the reader continue with further research, if so desired. I heard chefs froze eggs, then defrosted them overnight in the fridge and came out with very creamy fried eggs in the pan for breakfast. It sounded weird, so of course I tried it. I wish I’d seen a note about cracking them into ice trays, first, but they peeled pretty easily. I enjoyed it, but go ahead and look up “right” ways to do this, because health comes first, even over taste and adventure.

 

Springing Ahead: Gardens and pools are in our future. Here are some goods to help us in each situation.

 

·       Some ants and I have been doing battle. They keep moving earth from little potted succulents on the kitchen counter and making a mess. I’m introducing them to Grandpa Gus in the form of ant, roach and fly killer with lemongrass oil. There’s an Austin connection to www.grandpagus.com and I like the thought of peppermint, cinnamon, etc. as natural repellents. The recipes, though are to get pests out of your life.

·       Benzeni Floating Coasters are like a floating beaded bracelet to cuff your beverage from full to empty. Adjustable, highly-stable, floating beverage coasters have their own video at www.thebenzeni.com, so see if your floaters stack up to these.

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie cracking down on her Lente resolutions. Share with her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

The Pepper Save

I picked up a batch of fresh peppers from the market and they were too hot for me. That’s nearly unheard-of, but it happens. I’ve been playing with running cottage cheese through the blender to make a smooth base, so I thought I’d make a pepper cheese. Something creamy, cooling and hot at the same time. A lovely green cream still turned out to be quite hot. So I spooned the green cheese into a bowl of still cottaged cheese and finally, I got a cracker spread. It was still a heat to be reckoned with. Never give up.

Date Night Snack? – Pinole powder mixed into water energized Copper Canyon Mexican athletes who ran 50 to 100-mile stretches. Pinole Chips are tortilla chips with masa harina corn flour, chia seeds and dates. If your date night is working out, consider this “snack fuel” that uniquely tasty and addictive. www.bobsnatural.com stocks these that I’ve shared with friends who like to join me in culinary thrill seeking. We’re onboard.

Dog Wellness – In this season of self improvement, does your dog need a boost? A healthy pet is a happy pet, say the people of Bailey’s, as in www.baileyscbd.com Drops and chews are designed to promote wellness. Read the labels and see if your canine would enjoy something like Immunity Dog Chews in bacon flavor, with no grain or soy but with mushroom adaptogens to lower stress levels. Your Wellness – So I found a recipe for Bufalo Chicken Sliders suggesting adding the desired amount of CBDelicious from CBDistillery.  It’s designed (for humans) to mix into dips, baked goods and morning coffee. Have you heard of everything now? 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie working on her kitchen scrap garden. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com