Cut to it: knives elevate the task

I know people always complaining about their home knives. Once I tried good ones, I understood all the pressure I’d been applying for a less-than-satisfying cut. A good slice is enjoyable in the making and your home-grown vegetables deserve no less than superior presentation. I’ve been using knives that were wedding gifts from 30 years ago. Many chef-quality knives are very expensive and some blades are pretty amazing for a very affordable price. Cutluxe has an Artisan Series with pakkawood and www.cutluxe.com offers tech terms such as full tang, German forged steel, talk of degrees… I’ll “cut” to the chase to go on about the Santoku and slicing-carving knives I’m trying that tackle recalcitrant meats and melons to my daily jalapeno with ease. They are ergonomic and a pleasure to use. I’m chopping/dicing smaller now,  because it is so much fun. Even salsas look better. I’d venture to guess these knives are a vast improvement to those most household cooks use daily and they come in $30-$40 ranges and up. Other series in this line are equally attractive and you may have a hard time choosing. But I can’t wait to carve the Thanksgiving turkey but I see lots of bell peppers and onions in my future before then.

Blue + Yellow – Everybody at the religious study group was talking about how much they loved parings of blueberry and lemon. If you think your computers are listening, they must have good taste. The next day I saw that woman-owned Rule Breaker Snacks has created the limited edition Blueberry Lemonade version of soft, plant-based snacks without the top 11 allergens. But, with real blueberries. I got some quick as I could and they put me in mind of at treat of my youth: Blueberry muffins at Luby’s after church. I think they are that good and they are for sure a 2022-adult version that is very good for kids, too. www.rulebreakersnacks.com

Steeped – The people at Steeped Coffee have doubtlessly earned countless merits since Culinary Thrill Seeking has last touted the freshly-ground, nitro-sealed single serve bags. Dunk, steep and go with great flavor. Did you know there was a specialty coffee expo in Boston? How could one sample at each station? I’m betting the Breakwater Blend organic French roast was a fave. These bags are conversation starters, travel companions and game changers. You don’t have to go to Santa Cruz to get yours. Take Your Moment at www.steepedcoffee.com

Fava Fave – My Taco Tuesday fused with a Meatless Monday with a box of Upton’s Naturals Fava Bean Protein Crumbles. You recall what a fictional character proposed with fava beans? The vintage mustachioed gentleman on the box is straight out of Chicago, and created fave crumbles that give you the flavor and mouthfeel of taco meat. They are “Vegan for a Reason” and these went nicely into lettuce wraps for an easy, fun meal. H-E-B can hook you up. www.uptonsnaturals.com for plenty more ideas.

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie “cutting up” with the best. Share your flavors with her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Passover Blessings, Amen

                  A Seder meal has become one of my Catholic Easter traditions, thanks to a couple who leads a study in their home. Zoom is another new ap that has come into my quarantined life. This family prepared their typical meal, ranging from boiled egg to matzo ball soup, and even chocolate-covered matzo for dessert. They dropped off meals at doorsteps of  their guests, including wine for four celebratory cups. Then we joined one another on computers from our home.

                             We heard the traditional Passover story and believe it or not, I was the youngest, therefore representing the “child” who would ask why on this night we eat bitter herbs. Our hosts even provided the horseradish and parsley to recreate this bitter time of Biblical history.

                             The love and work from this family touched our family in this great time. There is always a way to spread joy.

                  Make do update:

                             Why is a can of chicken noodle soup even in my house? I don’t like it! I poured in a can, noodles and all, and used the liquid to cook a pot of rice. The noodles just kind of naturally blended in and the tiny morsels of chicken, which would have fit with room to spare in a tablespoon, rose to the top. The rice was moist and flavorful.

                  Buy ‘em coffee!

                            Go to steepedcoffee.com to get your own coffee “tea” bags and gift some to front-line workers keeping us safer in this pandemic. Steepedcoffee.com is really gourmet and really easy. You just need hot water and not a special machine. So that’s how this on-the-go treat/staple is a very good option for these hard workers. I’ve gone into depth here before about Steeped. You’ll like it.

                            “Fast & Flavorful Paleo Cooking” – Want to hide that it’s kale soup? Call it Zuppa Toscana. But after enjoying the images in Amanda Torres’ book, you won’t have to trick family into dinner. Her food looks like the foods I already make, such as eggs on tortillas, but hers are totally Paleo. She used have health issues and she says eating this way has helped her. I love the ingredient combinations. Etheopian Cabbage features cumin and ginger. There’s a roux-less shrimp Creole and sautéed radish greens with ghee and rosemary. She’s among those making Brussels Sprout chips, but I’ve never heard of Beet Bolognese with Spaghetti Squash Noodles. What’s for Paleo dessert? Try freezer fudge.

                            Travel through books: 

                  While I’m all about the backyard birding while quarantined, I admit you won’t run into the birdy stars of “Puffins Take Flight,” because these Clowns of the Sea are in Iceland. Ra Anderson’s children’s book helps readers find errant young Puffins their parents are searching for. I knew of their crazy dance moves, but had never noticed triangular eyes. You can pick up on Icelandic language in this delightful book. “Puffins off the Beaten Path” and “Puffins Encounter Fire & Ice” take our friends on more adventures with the land’s beautiful scenery in photos. Travel there, in these books.

                            Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who understands, people still connect through food during the toughest of times. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Take your diabetes to the Mediterranean

Kale, okay. I'm getting used to it.

Okra, sure, but you're telling me that's a thing in "The Mediterranean Diabetes Cookbook?"

It is. Amy Riolo's second edition, shows beautiful, café-worthy spreads in this book with the American Diabetes Association seal.

If  you've heard for years these foods are good for you, and if you're newly diagnosed and were about to complain about "limited' food choices, get a copy and get cooking. I want Corsican Prawns with Chickpea Cream and Calamari Stuffed with Spinach. Serve some rose tea with that and tomorrow I'll have Greek-Style Rice with Spinach and Lemon. Ancient Roman Pizza is this crazy-cool deal with figs and honey.

I've picked a recipe to share with you, and I haven't even gotten to the eggs part. 

The following is from the book and it can go as chunky salsa or finely chopped salad.

Peach, Black Bean and Citrus Salsa

Serves 10, about 2/3 cup

2 cups cooked black beans

2 peaches, chopped

2 red bell peppers, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeno pepper, minced

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, then let chill in the refrigerator for several hours to allow the flavors to blend. Serve. 

 Cheese notes:

Chee

                  Are you interested in a young Dutch gouda from New Jersey? It kind of sounds like a pick-up line. It worked on me because I’m savoring Parrano® from Paramus, N.J. Pair with Parrano is a summer campaign and you can try their wares with “regular” people foods not necessarily associated with the word “pairing.” Burgers and jalapenos? We’re into that in Texas. So this not-too-hard and not-too-creamy white cheese has simply been a nice highlight of recent lunches and patio visits. The company’s description can’t be beat, so I won’t try to top it. Though I’d top a burger with the actual cheese. They say it’s a “

delicious cheese that is best described as capturing the nutty flavor and buttery aroma of fine, aged Italian Parmesan and the smooth, creamy texture of a young Dutch Gouda, bringing you the best of both worlds: a cheese that is full of flavor and versatile enough to cut, shred and melt.”

 That’s kinda funny, right? But this cheese is seriously good.

                             Steeped

                             Steeped Coffee is a start-to-finish escape from some good-thinking people of Santa Cruz, California. Using Business as a Force For Good makes is more than a motto as really fine flavors including Sunrise Blend, Eventide Decaf and Driftwood Blend come in guilt-free packaging with even eco-friendly water-based ink. Direct-trade coffee that tastes rich and full is memorable, as it comes in bags that work like tea bags. Just dunk California or Odyssey blends in hot water and the flavor of that coffee bean a farmer grew a world away is helping you begin a great day here in Southeast Texas. These bags ready in your pantry promise a slow-to-savor treat for yourself. You deserve it.

                  Darragh Castillo is a Port Arthur area foodie who would love to try the Mediterranean diet in the actual Mediterranean. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com