Chef's Muse

New Years celebration includes New Years foods and traditions for New Year

Chef Carole — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 19:00:19 +0000

In many cultures throughout the world, New Year is an important occasion to celebrate luck, prosperity, a long life, and goals or resolutions for the coming year. The Preparation of New Years foods occurs in many New Years celebrations. The date of New Years celebrations varies for Western New Year, Chinese New Year and New Year . . . → Read More: New Years celebration includes New Years foods and traditions for New Year

Huitlacoche corn mushroom is corn smut in U.S., corn fungus delicacy in Mexico

Chef Carole — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:00:42 +0000

I don’t remember why I went on a hunt for information about huitlacoche. I get sidetracked pretty easily sometimes. Since I’m not a huge fan of mushrooms, I don’t plan on trying “corn mushrooms” anytime soon. I’m not afraid to try them. I’ve had everything from durian (“that stinky fruit from Asia”) and lamb brains to . . . → Read More: Huitlacoche corn mushroom is corn smut in U.S., corn fungus delicacy in Mexico

Clay pot cooking, recipe ideas for a bean pot, tagine, olla, or cazuela

Chef Carole — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 18:00:36 +0000

I think of clay pots as history’s crock pot or slow cooker. The types I own and use include a Chilean bean pot, tagine, Spanish cazuela, Japanese donabé, and others. I haven’t written down very many recipes, rather use recipes from the booklets that come with them or find recipes in books that are suited to . . . → Read More: Clay pot cooking, recipe ideas for a bean pot, tagine, olla, or cazuela

Types of sugar: white, raw, organic, brown, maple, palm, and others

Chef Carole — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 18:00:04 +0000

White Sugar, Raw Sugar, and Organic Sugar from Cane or Beets

Sugarcane . . . → Read More: Types of sugar: white, raw, organic, brown, maple, palm, and others

Remembering 9/11

Chef Carole — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 17:00:39 +0000

Touring Dubrovnik with friends - at the gate of the old city (K.Nakabayashi)

I don’t know why I woke up a few mornings ago thinking about Croatia. Back in 2001, my husband and I took a Mediterranean cruise with friends. We boarded the ship in Lisbon, Portugal, and then set sail for 2 weeks visiting Morocco, . . . → Read More: Remembering 9/11

Lately I’ve been enjoying pickled vegetable salads

Chef Carole — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:00:07 +0000

Fresh beans in 4 varieties from Growing Things at U-District farmers market (Cancler)

By pickled vegetable salads, I really mean any variety of veggies tossed with a vinaigrette dressing.

For one thing, it’s late summer and you don’t even have to throw a rock to find a fresh vegetable, they’re just jumping out at you all . . . → Read More: Lately I’ve been enjoying pickled vegetable salads

Vegetable Salad with sesame dressing

Chef Carole — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:00:36 +0000

Since it is late summer, I’ve got vegetables—and the many delicious ways to serve them—on the brain.

Here is an idea that I’ve taught in cooking classes.

You don’t have to serve a salad of greens in a bowl tossed with dressing. You can serve a platter of vegetables for guests, or your family to make . . . → Read More: Vegetable Salad with sesame dressing

Tips for fabulous food vacations

Chef Carole — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:59:10 +0000

My favorite vacations revolve around food. For the best possible experience, you need to venture beyond trendy, expensive restaurants, or for the budget-minded, avoid ubiquitous fast food joints.

Here are some tips if you want a more memorable immersion experience.

Shop the local grocery store. Whether you are in an out-of-the-way neighborhood in the U.S. or a . . . → Read More: Tips for fabulous food vacations

Food in History – Arab Muslims 700AD to 1400AD

Chef Carole — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:11:48 +0000

Sinach, apples, and plums were cultivated by Arab muslims 1300 years ago (Photo C.Cancler)

Interesting historical perspectives are realized through the study of food habits against the rise and fall of the world’s dynasties.

The Arab Muslims established an empire with a center in Baghdad almost 1300 years ago, long before Europeans began to spread to the . . . → Read More: Food in History – Arab Muslims 700AD to 1400AD

Definition: à la polonaise

Chef Carole — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:00:25 +0000

Recipes prepared “à la polonaise” generally refer to a hot vegetable served with a topping of browned butter and breadcrumbs. Early in the 20th century, “Polish style” referred to what Poles typically ate, boiled vegetables with “skwarki”—the bits of meat remaining after fat back has been rendered (melted down) to make lard (Strybel, Marianski). Skwarki . . . → Read More: Definition: à la polonaise