We love cooking, and we try new recipes all the time, although we have our favorites. Nor do we eat like the average American. We eat more vegetables and grains than meat, and the meat is usually chicken or fish. We also go out, preferring Chinese to the occasional fat burger or anything deep fried, but even then we only do that about once a week.
We try to incorporate tofu and whole grains into our recipes when possible and reasonable. For example, one of Laurieann's favorite drinks uses tofu. You can create this healthy and refreshing summer drink by throwing into a blender one frozen banana, about 1/4 package of firm or soft tofu, a tsp. of vanilla, 3 or 4 icecubes, 1/2 cup milk (2% or no fat). Blend until smooth. Add more milk if you would like it thinner. It's great after a run, and even better for most women who could use a few more B vitamins and isoflavones, both added by the tofu.
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
JEFF'S TWO-CABBAGE COLE SLAW
I've found the basis for a good cole slaw is the dressing, and the refinements are the ingredients used in addition to cabbage. To begin, you go for the green cabbage of course; and add half as much red cabbage, mainly to brighten the color (not too much of the red as it tends to bleed into the dressing). The dressing I prefer is commercial: it's Marzetti's Slaw Dressing (available in a regular and a "Light" version), plus an equal amount of plain yogurt. It is the only dressing I've found with the "old time" flavor without a mayonnaise or vinegar flavor, which I want to avoid, and doesn't run to the bottom of the bowl.
1/4 large green/white cabbage, thinly sliced or using a slaw cutter or processor
1/4 small red cabbage, thinly sliced
1/2 cup Marzetti Slaw Dressing
1/2 cup plain yogurt
Mix all these ingredients throughly, chill and serve.
1. For a little zing, add 1/2 medium turnip, shredded
2. For a little zest, add 1 tablespoon of horseradish
3. For sweetness and flavor, add 1/2 apple, grated
4. For more sweetness and texture, add 1/2 cup of raisins
5. For color and carotenes, add 1 or 2 carrots, shredded
6. For more surprise and heat, add 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
Did you know . . .
The Turkish word for "drink" is sharbia, which gave us the word sherbert. In the middle east, before refrigeration, it was common to ice summertime fruit drinks. Turkish merchants often sold snow water, pieces of ice and fruit ices in the streets.
What is the best thing to put in a pie?
Answer at bottom of Arts page
