This salad came about while having a powow day with the AMAZING  Hungry Goddess – we were talking food of course and it was getting to be lunch time so I was going to throw some of the adorable honey gold potatoes in the oven for a quick fix – that is, until I saw the MASSIVE and gorgeous brussel sprouts in the fridge.  So, I decided that a roasted potato and brussel sprout salad was sounding pretty darn good. At first I was thinking of doing a traditional potato salad with the standard mayonnaise dressing, then I remembered her mentioning that she received a bottle of honey wine vinegar from Slide Ridge for review and upon tasting it,  I HAD to use it.  The sweet honey wine vinegar lent perfectly to the spicy fennel pollen and red pepper flake roasted potatoes creating a great balance of flavors. Finished with chopped bacon and toasted walnuts, this salad was a fantastic spur of the moment tapas.

INGREDIENTS: 

Roughly 15 honey gold potatoes (they come in tiny bags and I used about 1/3 of the bag)
10-15 brussel sprouts
5 tbs honey wine vinegar
3 tbs olive oil
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 1/2 tbs fennel pollen
2 tsp parsley flakes
1 tsp garlic powder
black pepper (to taste)
sea salt (to taste)
2 strips bacon, chopped
1 clove garlic

For the potatoes -

Cut potatoes in half

Drizzle with olive oil

Sprinkle with red pepper flakes, fennel pollen, garlic powder, parsley flakes, salt and pepper

Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes

Brussel Sprouts -

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil for 10 minutes.

Dresssing-

Whisk together olive oil, honey wine vinegar, salt, pepper, chopped garlic and bacon.

*** THANK YOU to Slide Ridge for providing the Honey Wine Vinegar. The sample in no way influenced our opinion of the product. ***

1. Antioxidant Protection: The fennel bulb is loaded with vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps protect your body from free radical damage, is antimicrobial and helps keep your immune system functioning effectively.
2. Phytonutrients: Fennel has the following phytonutrients: rutin, quercitin, anethole – these can contribute to reducing inflammation and preventing cancer.
3. Fiber: Get your fiber from Fennel! Can help to reduce cholesterol levels and assist in removing cancer-causing toxins from your colon.
4. Folate: Folate is a B vitamin that reduces your risk for heart attack and stroke!

Are you ready to eat some Fennel today?  Stay tuned to @FennelFriday and the hashtag #FennelFriday on twitter for great fennel recipes and ideas!

This dish always brings me to Christmas time in Venezuela.  Eating melon wrapped with prosciutto is a time honored tradition along with eating red grapes with seeds for fortune and good luck in the new year.

For Fennel Friday, I added a new twist, using an insanely sweet honeydew from the farmers market.  On top is a small piece of  Montchevre lemon goat cheese rolled in fresh cracked black pepper and fresh thyme delicately placed on top.

A drizzle of smooth Chile Extra Virgin Olive Oil and fresh shaved fennel for garnish finishes this visual stunner.

The inspiration for this dish came from my mother who has been the main spark behind my passion for food.

The meal as a whole is Cranberry Rice Pilaf with Vermicelli Noodles, Hangar Steak with dried lemon peel and caramelized plantains. Hearty and one of my childhood favorites that my Mom would make for me after she got out of Culinary School. I thought it was only appropriate to recreate it for my birthday dinner.

My mother is Venezuelan and my father is American and I think that this meal is the perfect mix of strong South American flavors and classic American cooking.

Thanks to Chile Olive Oil for being a main ingredient in this meal! Check out @ChileOliveOil for more exciting recipes!

The mini lemon goat cheese caprese was made as an ode to the passing summer season.  The mini caprese is a nice way to use some of the beautiful tomatoes at the peak of their sweetness.

The fresh basil and the lemon Montchevre goat cheese rolled in Pollen Ranch fennel pollen combine to make a near perfect flavor profile.

Top these cuties off with a drizzle of Chile Olive Oil to really amplify the flavors and you’ve got yourself a simple yet elegant snack that anyone can enjoy!

We also shared a link on Amee’s Fit and Fabulous Fridays – a great healthy recipe roundup!

Spread the word – MUSHROOMS have amazing health benefits and The Mushroom Council and City of Hope are doing amazing work!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – so what does that have to do with mushrooms?  EVERYTHING!

The Hungry Goddess is thrilled to be  partnering this October with The Mushroom Council, City of Hope (a cancer research institute) and Cooking with Caitlin to highlight fantastic recipes, mushroom information, and how you can get involved this month and beyond.

The Mushroom Council supports City of Hope’s breast cancer research, treatment and education programs through annual contributions $50,000 towards studies on breast cancer and mushrooms.  Mushrooms will be displayed in adorable pink tills nationwide the entire month of October in support of City of Hope’s efforts and in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Researchers at City of Hope, a leading cancer institute, have linked mushrooms with cancer fighting agents that may help slow the growth of breast tumors.

The Mushroom Council is know as The Mushroom Channel on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Blog.

City of Hope is also on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Growing up in Northern Delaware on the border of Pennsylvania meant two things:  we were occasionally downwind of the mushroom houses in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania and we ate the freshest and most delectable mushrooms in the world ALL THE TIME.  Frankly, I adore mushrooms so much that the downwind issue seemed a fair trade to me even then.The mushroom houses put out fresh mushrooms year round so they are always in season.

My appetite for mushrooms grew as I did – chanterelles, portobellos, shiitake, oyster, hen of the woods, cremini, oyster – I have not met a mushroom that I did not love.  The versatility of mushrooms is legend and a dream for recipe creation – soups, salads, pate, risotto, pasta, but did you know how healthy mushrooms are??  Mushrooms offer unique health benefits (from Mushroom info):

• Mushrooms are low in sodium, plus their umami counterbalances saltiness and allows for less salt to be used in a dish, without compromising flavor.
• Mushrooms are the only fresh fruit or vegetable with vitamin D.
• Mushrooms are low in calories, fat free, and can be an effective substitute for meats thanks to their hearty and fulfilling nature.
• Initial studies show compounds in mushrooms suppress the effects of aromatase, an enzyme that helps the body make estrogen. Blocking aromatase is a way physicians reduce circulating estrogen levels, which is important in addressing hormonedependent breast cancers.
• Mushrooms provide B vitamins, including riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid, which help to provide energy by breaking down proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
• Within the produce aisle, mushrooms are a leading source of the antioxidant selenium, which helps strengthen the immune system and protect body cells from damage that might lead to chronic diseases. Mushrooms are one of the best dietary sources of the antioxidant ergothioneine, which is known for its role in immunity.

The reason that mushrooms taste so incredible and savory is “Umami” – the fifth basic taste after sweet, salty, bitter and sour. Derived from the Japanese word umai, meaning “delicious,” umami is described as a savory, brothy, rich or meaty taste sensation.  Mushrooms are UMAMI and the darker the mushroom are, the more umami it contains.

Join Cooking with Caitlin and The Mushroom Council (@MushroomChannel) on Monday, October 15 at 4pm est for #FNICHAT ALL THINGS MUSHROOM – follow @CookingwCaitlin and hashtag #FNICHAT – we will be there with all of our Favorite Foodies!

Now for some Umami!  The recipe that we have to share with you today is compliments of City of Hope - Asparagus & Mushroom Pasta Recipe - but we had a blast making it and eating it!

This recipe is full of fresh and great flavors and City of Hope has the copyrights.  

City of Hope considers mushrooms to be a Super Food and so do we!

With Gluten Sensitivity on the rise in recent years, many people think that finding good tasting, gluten-free candy is an impossible task. Well, we’re here to show you how easy finding gluten-free Halloween Candy actually is. Many popular Halloween favorites such as Snickers, Almond Joy, and Dubble Bubble are all gluten-free! So, take some extra time this Halloween to consider those little gluten-free ghouls out there and pick candies that everyone can enjoy, it’s easy!

Some of our gluten-free Halloween Favorites:

Brach’s Candy Corn

Baby Bottle Pop (Watermelon, Strawberry, Berry Blast, and Blue Raspberry)

Now and Later (all flavors)

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Skittles (all varieties)

Starburst (original flavors)

Remember, unfortunately not all Halloween goodies are gluten-free so be sure to check your labels! Steer clear of anything containing wheat, barley, rye, oats, or malt.

Gluten Free Halloween Candy Resources:

From Celiac Family – Safe Gluten Free Halloween Candy

Gluten Free Halloween Candy updated for 2012

My Gluten Facts Gluten Free List (from 2011 so double check labels)

Here’s to a great Halloween and happy trick-or-treating!

Share your Gluten Free Halloween treats and recipes on the Foodies Unite Facebook Page!

After living in the UK, I began to understand the fascination of a good “cuppa”.  I also find that when I am not feeling up to snuff, a delicious cup of tea seems to be just the thing to perk me up.

The Tea Council of the USA just released some new findings that a cup of tea may also lead to smaller waistlines, sharper minds, stronger bones and healthier hearts!

Put the kettle on and check out the new findings released at 5th International Scientific Symposium on Tea & Human Health:

WASHINGTON, DC, September 20, 2012:  Leading nutrition scientists from around the world convened at the United States Department of Agriculture yesterday to present the latest research supporting the role of tea in promoting good health.  Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, next to water.  Interest in its potential health benefits has grown exponentially; in just the past five years there have been more than 5,600 scientific studies on tea, forming a substantial body of research on this ubiquitous beverage.

 “There is now an overwhelming body of research from around the world indicating that drinking tea can enhance human health,” said meeting chair, Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, Professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and Director, Antioxidants Research Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston. “The many bioactive compounds in tea appear to impact virtually every cell in the body to help improve health outcomes, which is why the consensus emerging from this symposium is that drinking at least a cup of green, black, white or oolong tea a day can contribute significantly to the promotion of public health.”

Tea and Heart Health

“Our studies build on previous work to clearly show that drinking as little as one cup of tea per day supports healthy arterial function and blood pressure.  These results suggest that on a population scale, drinking tea could help reduce significantly the incidence of stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases,” concluded Dr. Ferri.

Tea and Bone and Muscle Strength 

“The results of our study are consistent with earlier work suggesting that green tea flavanols exert bone health benefits by reducing inflammation and providing antioxidant protection. Our work suggests that green tea and weight bearing exercise like Tai Chi may be an effective way to help improve muscular strength, reduce inflammation and improve bone biomarkers, which may help reduce the risk for osteoporosis and fractures among older Americans,” said Chwan-Li (Leslie) Shen, PhD, lead researcher, at Texas Tech University Health  Sciences Center in Lubbock, TX.

Tea May Improve Mental Sharpness

Tea Provides Profound Health Benefits

“As the second most consumed beverage in the world next to water, tea accounts for a significant amount of the flavanol intake worldwide,” states Joe Simrany, President, Tea Council of the USA, which has been spear-heading this International Tea & Human Health Symposium since 1991.  “This gathering of renowned global nutrition scientists is the world’s leading platform to release new research on tea, and acts as a catalyst for continuing research on tea in areas as diverse and novel as cognitive function, bone growth, weight management, cancer and vascular function.”

Tasty Tuesday is falling for Autumn recipes this week!

Autumn officially arrived last weekend and our palates are ready to make the change to Fall.  We gathered scrumptious recipes that celebrate Fall and make us excited for the seasonal change …

Everything from Roasted Acorn Squash to Pumpkin Risotto to Pumpkin and Apple Cider Fizz will lead us marching into fall ready to eat!

We invite you to share a link to your favorite recipe on the 4virtu Facebook Page!

Welcome FALL!

Thanks to our Partners at 4virtu for sharing Tasty Tuesday – 15 Recipes to Welcome Fall with us!

Meatless Monday comes every week and is a perfect opportunity to give your family a break from meat.  A bit of creativity and inspiration (like our recipe list below) can make your Meatless Monday fun and delicious!

The history of Meatless Monday goes back almost 100 years to World War 1:

• During World War I, the U.S. Food Administration urged families to reduce consumption of key staples to aid the war effort. “Food Will Win the War,” the government proclaimed, and “Meatless Monday” and “Wheatless Wednesday” were introduced to encourage Americans to do their part.

• Herbert Hoover, then head of the Food Administration, spearheaded implementation of the campaign. In addition to advertising, his office created and distributed recipe booklets and menus in newspapers, magazines and pamphlets.

• The effect was overwhelming. Some 10 million families, 7,000 hotels and nearly 425,000 food dealers pledged to observe national meatless days. In November 1917, New York City hotels saved some 116 tons of meat over the course of just one week. According to a 1929 Saturday Evening Post article, “Americans began to look seriously into the question of what and how much they were eating. Lots of people discovered for the first time that they could eat less and feel no worse – frequently for the better”

Meatless Monday was implemented again during World War II to help feed Europe.  In 2003, Meatless Monday was revived once again and has become a country & worldwide movement.

Families everywhere are making the commitment to go meatless one day a week – we have some Tasty Tuesday inspiration to help your family start your own tradition deliciously …