this and that

This and That February 2010

Dinner is Waiting

I like to say that Relish is a food magazine about people—our celebrations, traditions and cultures. But it's also about how to cook. And that's something a lot of us don't know how to do. So in this issue, we're introducing a new column on how to make a classic dish. First up-Pot Roast.

The Pot Roast on blew us away-so much so that I posted the recipe on my blog months before this issue's publication date. It doesn't rely on expensive ingredients or fussy techniques, but a cheap cut of meat and . . . patience. The same goes for the Vegetable Bean Soup-inexpensive canned beans mingle with ordinary vegetables for some of the best soup we've had. Both are warming and perfect for a cold, stark month (when our pocketbooks probably feel the same).

Speaking of cold and people, my kids are crazy about hot chocolate, so when I saw the hot chocolate set (pictured with my daughter above), I knew it was perfect. She can make hot chocolate on her own and sip away happily in the privacy of her bedroom-studying, of course. It makes a great Valentine's Day gift. For more information on it, see my blog at relishmag.com/blog.

75 - The milligrams of vitamin C in one kiwifruit-as much as in one orange. And the recommended allowance for the day.

What is a foodie?
". . . a 'foodie' is someone who when reading a book, novel or nonfiction, and it is mentioned in the book that a character had a meal, we want to know, in great detail, what the meal was."-Nancy MM

"I think FOODIE people are great people, and every FOODIE I have known is a happy person."-Shirley Burchett

"Foodies think about food the same way some (most) people think about sex. All. The. Time." -chocolatelover

"A 'foodie' is discerning and won't settle for just 'something to eat.'" -Mary L. Finucane

If you're a foodie and have a hard time "settling" on what to eat, check out wherethelocalseat.com - a website and cell phone application to help you find the best local food haunts. It's put together by "certified foodies."

Sweet Heart Eat your way to a healthier heart with these three foods:

Avocados-monounsaturated fat
1 Scoop out 1 avocado into a small bowl. Add kosher salt and a sprinkle of lemon juice and mash with a fork. Use as a spread for bagels or hearty multi-grain toast.

Walnuts-omega-3s
2 Walnut-Olive Pesto: Place 2 cups walnuts, 1 cup large pimiento-stuffed green olives, 1 large garlic clove, 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped. Use as a topping for pasta, meat, fish or chicken, as a spread for crackers or as a sandwich spread. It's also a great flavor enhancer in sauces and chili.

Beans-fiber
3 Drain and rinse 1 (16-ounce) can white beans (such as Great Northerns or Cannellini). Place in a bowl with 1 jarred roasted red bell pepper, 1 crushed garlic clove, 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Mash with a fork. Spread on a wrap for a veggie sandwich, top with melted cheese as a side to chicken, pork or fish, or use as a dip for veggie sticks.

David Grotto is a registered dietitian, radio talk show host and author of 101 Optimal Life Foods.