Food
Cinnamon buns
For brunch, dessert or simply to treat yourself, there’s never a bad time to indulge in a cinnamon bun. All the better if they’re homemade!
Start to finish: 3 hours (30 minutes active)
Servings: 12
Ingredients
Buns
• 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 packet instant yeast (or 2-1/4 teaspoons)
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 egg
Filling
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
Icing
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions
1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Set aside.
2. In a heat-resistant bowl, mix the milk, water, and butter. Using a water bath, double boiler, or microwave, heat the mixture until the butter melts and the ingredients are incorporated. Pour over the dry ingredients, then add the egg. Mix with a whisk or an electric beater until the batter has a smooth texture.
3. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for about 3 minutes. Place it in a clean, greased bowl, and cover it with a damp cloth. Let sit for about 30 minutes.
4. In the meantime, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.
5. After the 30 minutes are up, place the dough on a flat surface and roll it out into a rectangle (about 8 by 14 inches). Using a rubber spatula, spread the butter evenly over the dough, leaving half an inch uncovered around the edge. Use your fingers to sprinkle the buttered dough with the filling mixture.
6. Roll up the dough to create a tube. Use a knife to cut 12 even rounds. Place each round face up in a greased cake pan. Cover the pan with plastic wrap, and let sit for about 90 minutes.
7. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 375 F. In a bowl, add the icing sugar then mix in the milk 1 tablespoon at a time. Once the icing is smooth and creamy, add the vanilla extract and mix well. Set aside.
8. After the 90 minutes are up, the buns should have doubled in size. Bake them in the oven for about 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let the buns cool completely, then ice them using a spoon or piping bag.
Food
Summer Citrus Salad
This refreshing salad is delicious and healthy. Why not enjoy it with friends on your patio or in the park?
Ingredients (Servings: 2)
- Salad:
- 1/4 cup pearl barley
- 1 pomegranate
- 4 cups arugula or spring mix
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, roughly diced
- 1 orange, peeled and cut into thin slices
- 1 tablespoon crushed toasted almonds (for garnish)
- Dressing:
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 small clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Cook the Barley: In a small saucepan, simmer the barley for 25 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Pomegranate: Cut open the pomegranate and remove the seeds. If needed, watch an online tutorial. Set the seeds aside.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, rice vinegar, orange juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, orange zest, and maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large dish or salad bowl, gently toss the arugula or spring mix, chicken, orange slices, cooled barley, and pomegranate seeds.
- Dress and Serve: Add the dressing and toss to coat. Serve in salad bowls and garnish with crushed toasted almonds.
Tip: If you don’t eat meat, replace the chicken with another plant protein you choose!
Food
A Trip Down Memory Lane: Breakfasts of Yesteryears
Breakfast, often dubbed the day’s most important meal, has seen its share of evolutions and revolutions. While some dishes have stood the test of time, others serve as nostalgic reminders of the past. Here’s a look at five classic breakfast dishes that have either become timeless favorites or faded memories:
- Granula: The Original Cereal – Not to be confused with its modern-day cousin “Granola,” Granula was the brainchild of nutritionist Caleb Jackson in 1863. This early cereal was made by baking graham flour into hard cakes, then crumbling and baking them again. The result was so tough it required an overnight soak in milk to be palatable. Despite its initial inedibility, Granula paved the way for the breakfast cereals we know and love today.
- Milk Toast: Comfort in Simplicity – This quintessential New England dish is as straightforward as it sounds: warm milk poured over cubed pieces of buttered toast, with either sweet or savory seasonings added. Milk toast represented comfort food at its simplest, evoking a sense of warmth and home.
- Pork and Beans: A Hearty Start – In 1886, a cookbook suggested a breakfast of beans baked with salt pork and molasses, served hot or cold alongside a fried cornmeal pancake. This hearty dish was a testament to the creativity of cooks aiming to provide a filling meal at the start of the day.
- Codfish for Breakfast – At the turn of the 20th century, codfish was a popular breakfast choice in America. It could be found fried, in balls, or salted and cured. Even guests at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria in 1914 could enjoy creamed codfish on toast, highlighting its widespread appeal.
- Meat Hash: A Legacy of Resourcefulness – Hash has ancient roots but gained significant popularity during World War II when home cooks needed to be inventive with leftovers due to rationing. The tradition of transforming yesterday’s meals into a delicious breakfast hash has endured, proving that necessity is the mother of invention.
While some of these dishes might seem unusual or even unappetizing by today’s standards, they each hold a place in the culinary history of breakfast. From the hard-to-chew Granula to the comforting simplicity of milk toast and the inventive meat hash that has outlasted wartime rationing, these foods offer a glimpse into the tastes and traditions of the past. Whether they inspire a sense of nostalgia or curiosity, one thing is clear: the evolution of breakfast continues to mirror changes in society, technology, and taste.
Food
Decades-Long Delight: The 40-Year Wait for Asahiya’s Extreme Croquettes
Imagine eagerly awaiting to dine at a new hotspot in town, only to find out there’s an hour-long wait. Now, multiply that anticipation and patience by thousands because there’s a place where the wait isn’t just an hour, a day, or even a year—it’s an entire generation. Welcome to Asahiya, a humble family butcher shop in Takasago City, Japan, home to the legendary Extreme Croquettes with a waitlist of over 40 years!
Yes, you read that right. Suppose you’re in your 20s and dream of savoring Asahiya’s famed deep-fried beef, potato, and cheese croquettes. In that case, you might be able to tickle your taste buds with this culinary delight by the time you’re considering retirement. This extraordinary waitlist saga began not because Asahiya wanted to create an exclusive dining experience but because their croquettes became an overnight internet sensation in the early 2000s.
The secret to their mouthwatering appeal? Kobe beef. Asahiya began selling Kobe beef croquettes online for a mere $1.80 each, a price significantly less than the meat, around $2.70. To manage costs and maintain quality, Asahiya limited production to just 200 croquettes a week, inadvertently creating a demand far exceeding supply and leading to the legendary waitlist.
For those who can’t wait four decades for a taste of Asahiya’s Extreme Croquettes, there’s a slightly less elusive option: the premier croquettes, also made with Kobe beef, boast a shorter wait time of “only” four years. While still a testament to patience, it’s a blink of an eye compared to the marathon wait for their most exclusive offering.
Food
Navigating Portion Sizes for a Balanced Diet
Embarking on a diet or aiming to eat healthier can often be overwhelming, especially with the myriad of advice available. One key aspect of maintaining a balanced diet is understanding portion sizes. The American Cancer Society provides some easy-to-remember visual cues to help gauge serving sizes without the need for scales or measuring cups. Here’s a quick guide to what those serving sizes look like in everyday objects:
- Meat (3 to 4 ounces): Imagine a stack of matchboxes, not just one! This is the recommended serving size for meats, ensuring you’re getting enough protein without overdoing it.
- Fish (3 ounces): The size of a checkbook. This serving size for fish provides a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, important for heart health.
- Peanut Butter (2 tablespoons): Think of a ping-pong ball. This amount of peanut butter offers a good balance of protein and healthy fats.
- Cheese (1 ounce): Equivalent to four dice. Cheese is rich in calcium and protein but also high in fat, so moderation is key.
- Pasta (1/2 cup): The size of a tennis ball. Keeping pasta servings in check can help manage calorie intake while enjoying this staple.
- Apple or Orange: Also the size of a tennis ball. Fruits are important for vitamins and fiber, but remember to consider their sugar content, especially if you’re watching your intake.
- Vegetables or Fruit (1 cup): The size of a baseball. The more colorful your plate, the better, as you’ll be consuming a range of nutrients.
- Medium Potato: The size of a computer mouse. Potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
- Dried Fruit (1/4 cup): A small handful is enough. Dried fruits are nutrient-dense but high in sugar and calories, so it’s important to stick to this modest amount.
Understanding these visual cues can simplify measuring portions, making it easier to stick to a healthy eating plan. Remember, balance and moderation are key to a nutritious diet, and visualizing portion sizes can be a helpful tool in achieving dietary goals.
Food
5 Easy Steps to a Healthier You
Improving your health and fitness doesn’t have to be complicated or restrictive. Here are five simple and enjoyable ways to make a significant impact on your weight and overall well-being:
- Family Meals at the Table: Ditch the distractions of TV and smartphones during meals. Eating together at the table can help you consume less and enjoy your food more. Plus, it’s a great way to bond with family!
- Play and Move: Engage in playful activities like biking, jumping rope, or playing soccer with kids for at least 20 minutes daily. It’s fun, and it sneaks in some extra exercise for everyone.
- Enjoy Your Favorites Mindfully: You don’t have to give up your favorite foods. Opt for smaller portions or lower-calorie versions of the foods you love. This way, you won’t feel deprived while making healthier choices.
- Incorporate Soup into Your Diet: Soups are great “volume” foods, meaning they can make you feel fuller with fewer calories. Enjoying a bowl of soup before your meal can help you eat less overall.
- Eat More Home-Cooked Meals: Cooking at home allows you to control the ingredients and portions, resulting in meals lower in fat, calories, and sodium compared to restaurant fare.
Remember, transitioning to healthier habits takes time. Give yourself at least a month for these new practices to become part of your routine. If weight loss is your goal, avoid quick-fix diets. Instead, focus on gradually losing weight through sustainable, healthy habits. A healthier you is not just about losing weight; it’s about creating a lifestyle that enriches your overall well-being.
Food
Raisins: The Ancient Superfood Fueling Modern Lives
Raisins, one of humanity’s oldest known foods, are making a contemporary comeback as a snack and a potent source of sustained energy. These tiny, dried fruits have been recognized for their ability to maintain blood sugar levels without leading to the energy crash commonly associated with other high-energy snacks. Unlike the momentary spike in energy one might get from indulging in a donut, opting for a small box of raisins provides a longer-lasting, stable source of vitality.
The California Raisin Marketing Board highlights a growing list of health benefits tied to raisin consumption. In a study focused on cholesterol levels, individuals with high cholesterol who adopted a diet rich in fiber but low in fats — including raisins, which boast 4 grams of fiber per serving — saw a notable decrease in cholesterol levels and a reduced risk of heart disease.
Moreover, raisins are packed with antioxidants, which are crucial in the fight against heart disease and cancer. These benefits are supported by research sponsored by the World Health Organization, which identified raisins as a leading source of dietary boron. This trace mineral is essential for bone and brain health and plays a key role in the metabolism of other nutrients, including calcium, copper, and nitrogen.
For those looking to manage blood pressure, raisins emerge as an ideal snack. Thanks to their high potassium content, a mineral known for its blood pressure-lowering effects, raisins are a convenient, spoil-proof option for snacking anytime, anywhere.
In addition to their health benefits, raisins can add a delicious and nutritious twist to meals, such as the macaroni-raisin salad. This easy-to-prepare dish combines small elbow macaroni with raisins, green onions, celery, cheddar cheese, and a mix of seasonings, providing a delightful blend of flavors and textures and the healthful benefits of raisins.