Tomato Sushi
Posted on | July 2, 2009 | 1 Comment
I’ve been exploring vegan and vegetarian offerings in restaurants and I have to tell you that I’m disappointed. Now I understand what my vegetarian customers must have felt when they came into the restaurant and saw filet Mignon, duck, chicken, and only one vegetarian offering. Very few restaurants realize the market opportunity they are missing from this vast market. I was in the mood for sushi but didn’t want to pay $60 to satisfy that craving so I whipped this dish up. It is simply the flesh from a tomato on sushi rice wrapped in a thinly sliced zucchini strip. On top is a single caper and some Himalayan red salt with a couple of drips of extra virgin olive oil. The caper (a fermented berry from the caperberry tree) gives this dish a little acidity along with a brine flavor expected from most fresh seafood, especially fish. The salt has a slightly sweet taste. Not surprisingly, it tastes like salt too! Those three tastes combined fool the mouth into thinking you are getting ready to eat fish until the tomato taste hits you. I use a propane torch to sear off the tomato skin although you could do it in an oven or by blanching the tomato in hot water for about 30 seconds and peeling the skin.
Tomatoes are low in Sodium, and very low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. They are also a good source of Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Copper, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Potassium and Manganese. Rice is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Folate and Manganese and a moderate anti-niflammatory.
Tags: Alzheimers > Arthritis > Cancer > Depression > Diabetes > Gluten Free > Heart > Low Calorie > Menopause > PMS > Stroke > Vegan > Vegetable > Vegetarian > Weight Loss > Women's Needs
New Veggie Lasagna
Posted on | June 23, 2009 | No Comments
In interest of dinner, speed, and hunger, I put together a veggie lasagna with spinach and lots of fresh herbs from the garden. I also wanted to make it as close to vegan as possible. They reason why is that the more I read and learn about the links between animal based proteins and cancer and heart disease the more I want to try eating as close to vegan as possible. I also realize I’m weak and my willpower lasts about as long as the gas tank in my GMC Yukon. Vegetarian, I can do that with relative ease (assuming Diet Coke falls somehow magically into the vegetarian category) because I do love vegetables. Tomatoes and watermelon from the garden help make it a lot easier. Going totally vegan probably isn’t gonna happen. I really like cold milk and although when I do drink it it’s fat free and organic, I know the casein in milk is bad for me. I know from continuing to read the China Study that result after result of its studies show strong links between animal proteins and cancer. I do try though.
This veggie lasagna dish is made with part-skim mozzarella cheese along with crumbled tofu. The tofu looks and tastes just like ricotta and I didn’t miss real ricotta cheese a bit (and I say that knowing that I could have been Sicilian in another life). I actually could have just sprinkled the mozzarella on the top instead of within the layers and done just fine. My secret in making this dish is lots of fresh herbs cooked with the garlic and onions while adding the crumbled tofu at the last minute. Trust me, this is another meal the family will love and they will swear the tofu is ricotta cheese.
Tags: Alzheimers > Anemia > Arthritis > Cancer > Depression > Diabetes > Heart > Iron Deficiency > Menopause > Minerals > PMS > Stroke > Vegetable > Vegetarian > Vitamins > Weight Loss > Women's Needs
Restaurant Review
Posted on | June 18, 2009 | No Comments
It may look like I’ve been slacking on the recipe publishing (and I have), however I have a good excuse. I’ve been reading a book called the China Study by T. Colin Campbell. It’s title “The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health” suggests only a portion of the content and research of the book. It is a fascinating study along with significant research that suggests the causality of cancer and heart disease and the ability through food to literally turn them on and off. Now, I’m the kind of person that doesn’t fall for the fad diets or quick fixes. And while I used to try things that seemed well researched and proven, I’ve learned a considerable amount about food and nutrition and about due diligence when researching. That skill comes not only from experiences from writing FoodMedic, but also doing business turnarounds and working with startup companies, because things are never what they appear. I am beginning to work recipes that are influenced from the content of this book and you will see those shortly. Now, on to a couple restaurant reviews.
If you live in or visit Austin, these will be helpful to you. If not, they will merely be entertaining 
. When I worked in restaurants, I cooked for all three major restaurant critics/reviewers here in Austin. Between the three of them, there is a wide variety of review styles, personal habits, and taste preferences. One of them in particular I find quite comical in the way they approach reviewing and working with restaurants. Much like a mafia Don, this reviewer eats for free, eats a lot, and brings the family when reviewing. And they seem to have some sort of deal worked out where restaurants can advertise on the reviewer’s blog page for a fee and get reviewed with a higher frequency than other restaurants. It’s a paid protection of sorts. I am not that kind of reviewer mainly because I don’t get free anything. I much prefer to be anonymous and simply another allow myself to be another customer on an average day hoping for exceptional service and great food.
The first restaurant I’ll mention reluctantly because of their location and that they are one of the only casual sit down restaurants in the general vicinity is Waterloo Icehouse. Waterloo gets it’s name from the original name for Austin, Texas. Waterloo Icehouse is a local sensation with a handful of locations. They are known for the beer, burger, Mexican fare commonly found in most Chili’s and Appleby style venues. This particular location is at the Shops Parkway Galleria near highway 71 and Highway 620. They have been open about a month and the newness shows. I sat at the bar to grab a quick lunch on a Saturday and although the bartender looked at me several times over a 5 minute period, he failed to realize I was waiting on him. Another older man finally appeared and realized I hadn’t had my order taken and I ordered my soda and a got a menu. I ordered the macaroni and cheese as a side and a cup of Mexican corn soup.
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By N2H
