December 14, National Bouillabaisse Day, A Traditional Fish Stew

Bouillabaisse is a traditional fish stew originating in Provence. Commonly used vegetables include leeks, onions, tomatoes, celery and potatoes. The vegetables are simmered together with the broth and served with the fish. What makes a bouillabaisse different from other fish soups is the selection of herbs and spices in the broth and the way the fish are added one at a time, in a certain order, and brought to a boil.

Bouillabaisse

Serves 6 (about 3 cups each)

Ingredients
8 cups water
3 (1 1/4-pound) whole lobsters
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups coarsely chopped celery
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped carrot
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups coarsely chopped tomato (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 bay leaves
1-pound skinned halibut fillets cut into 2-inch pieces
22 small clams, scrubbed
30 small mussels, scrubbed and debearded
1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Directions
1. Using an 8-quart stockpot, bring water to a boil.
2. Plunge lobsters headfirst into the water. Return to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 12 minutes.
3. Remove lobsters from water (do not drain); cool. Remove meat from cooked lobster tails and claws; cut into 1-inch pieces, reserving shells.
4. Cover and refrigerate lobster meat.
5. Return reserved shells to water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Drain through a colander over a large bowl, reserving broth; discard shells. Wipe pan dry with a paper towel.
6. Heat oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, and garlic; sauté 5 minutes.
7. Add reserved broth, tomato, saffron, thyme, pepper, and bay leaves; bring to a boil. 

8. Reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Discard bay leaves.
9. Bring to a boil; add halibut, reduce heat, and simmer 4 minutes. 

10. Add clams; cook 1 minute. 

11. Add mussels; cook 2 minutes. 

12. Add shrimp; cook 3 minutes. Bring to a boil. 

13. Add reserved lobster meat; cook until thoroughly heated. 

14. Discard unopened shells.

Nutritional Information

Ensure accurate nutritional analysis for your recipes utilizing an extensive research database and over 25 years experience. A great service for Recipe Bloggers, Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, and Recipe Websites. Your readers will benefit from the Nutrition information and a Registered Dietitian. Contact: Dietitians-Online.com; Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND at recipenews@gmail.com

The Edible Hanukkah Menorah

The Hanukkiah, also known as the Hanukkah “menorah,” is a candelabra designated specifically for the Hanukkah candles. The Hanukkah lamp contains room for nine candles — one for each night, plus the shammash or helper candle.

Menorah is the Hebrew word for a lamp. Lighting the candles is Hanukkah’s most central ritual. One candle is added on each night of the eight-night holiday until it is ablaze with light on the eighth evening.

Hanukkah menorahs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The eight candles should be the same height and at the same level, but the shammash is often placed higher or set off to the side.

Fruit and Vegetable Menorah

A fun project and a healthy snack for all. 
I used the following ingredients (but you can use your favorite fruits and vegetables):
1/2 cucumber
1/2 yellow squash, diced
1/2 zucchini diced
4 red seedless grapes
1/2 cup watermelon, diced
1/4 cup raspberries

1/4 cup cantaloupe, cubed
1/4 cup blueberries
4 strawberries, chopped
9 golden raisins

December 4, National Cookie Day Healthy Cookie Recipes and Tips

The Holiday reminds me of the wonderful aroma of fresh-baked cookies. My family owned a bakery in New York. This is my son Jake peering through the glass, wondering what cookie he wants.

Try healthy homemade cookies from EatingWell, Healthy Cookie Recipes, and Tips.
(You still need to watch how many cookies you eat.)

Resource

EatingWell, Healthy Cookie Recipes and Tips

My Favorites:

Meringues at 8 Calories per cookie.

For young and older - here is Cookie Monster,
sharing how he feels about cookies.

Sesame Street: 
Cookie Monster Sings C is for Cookie

Other Food Events This Week:
12/1 to 12/7. Cookie Cutter Week

12/5 to 12/11.  Recipe Greetings for the Holidays Week

   

Purple Basil

It’s a vibrant purple color with larger-than-normal leaves. It’s not as sweet as other basil varieties, and it has a strong clove flavor. Not recommended in cooking as it turns a black color when heated. Perfect for use in salads, pesto, or any of your other favorite ways to use fresh basil.

There are a few varieties of purple basil, but all are cultivars of the same basil plant, which is a true annual. Purple basil grows from seed and dies again all in one season, and does not return year after year. They may, however, self-seed if the flowers are left on until the seeds grow to maturity and fall from the plant. A healthy patch of self-seeding basil may return year after year almost as though it were the same plant.

Grow this basil along with tomato plants, as it encourages growth and repels pests of the tomato. Grow it in containers on the deck or near outdoor seating areas to help keep mosquitoes and stinging insects at bay. 

Store leaves, fresh or dried, for use during the time your plants no longer grow. Freeze them whole or preserve in layers of sea salt. You may also chop basil and combine with other herbs and oil to freeze in ice cube trays and save in freezer bags once frozen. This attractive purple color stands out in many dishes.

Purple Basil and Tomatoes with Mozzarella Cheese

National Peanut Butter Lovers Month

The American Peanut Council proclaims peanut butter one of America’s favorite foods. Peanut butter is a good source of protein, niacin, and folate. It is enjoyed by many of all ages.


Below are a few ways to enjoy peanut butter - be creative and enjoy.

The National Peanut Board has a fun website filled with recipes, classroom activities and fun facts. Did you know...

*It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.

*There are enough peanuts in one acre to make 30,000 peanut butter sandwiches.

*By law, any product labeled "peanut butter" in the United States must be at least 90 percent peanuts.

*Peanut butter has been banned in some schools due to peanut butter allergies. Make sure to read the ingredient label.

A Journey through the Years
with Peanut Butter

Peter Pan Peanut Butter, 1957

1960's Skippy Peanut Butter

Kraft Peanut Butter, 1987

Giving Tuesday Gifts that Make a Difference

You can purchase gifts to support causes, educate and foster awareness, and show you care about a loved one's health. These gifts make a difference in a person's life. The gifts listed below are just samples of what is available. Please check the websites to view the entire catalog.

Donate to a Food Bank

A Guide to Practical and/or Healthy Food Staples to your Local Food Bank.

Breakfast Foods to Donate
Whole Grain Cereal
Rolled Oats
Pancake Mix
Baby Cereal
Syrup

Lunch and Dinner Foods to Donate
Tuna Fish
Canned Chicken
Peanut Butter
No-Nut Butter
Jelly
Whole grain pasta
Brown Rice
Canned Beans
Dry Beans
Canned Vegetables (low sodium/no salt)
Canned Fruit (light syrup/in own juices)
Pasta Sauce
Condiments
Dry Goods – Sugar, Flour, Salt, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Spices
Baby Food

Snack Foods to Donate
Applesauce
Raisins
Dry Fruit
Granola Bars
Whole Grain Crackers
Trail Mix
Nuts

Fresh Foods (Not All Food Banks Offer)
Fresh Vegetables
Fresh Fruit
Yogurt
Milk
Eggs
Bread
Frozen Vegetables

What not to donate to a food bank

The number one rule to remember is this: if your donation is perishable, i.e., it’s something with a limited shelf life if not refrigerated, food banks won’t accept it. But there are other categories of food that you can’t donate.

Items needing refrigeration: Food like produce, dairy, and meat can spoil quickly, and your local food bank may require the refrigerator or freezer space needed to keep these items fresh. Many food banks work directly with farmers, retailers, restaurants, and other companies to source these perishable foods for donation. 

Expired food: When considering what to donate, think about what you’d be comfortable serving your family. Chances are, you don’t eat food past its “use-by” or “sell-by” date, so avoid donating anything past those dates to food banks as it could be unsafe to eat.

Leftovers: While sharing the bountiful food from big meals like Thanksgiving may be tempting, keeping leftovers for the family is best. To ensure the people they serve are safe, food banks can’t accept leftovers or anything made in personal kitchens because they aren’t individually sealed. The food bank can’t verify the ingredients or preparation process.

Food with packaging concerns: This includes food with damaged packaging, such as dented or bloated cans, packaging that is already open, or even items in glass containers, which can shatter and cause food safety concerns for any other food they’re stored near. A good rule of thumb is if you wouldn't consider buying it new, don't donate it.

Baked goods: Like leftovers, food banks can’t confirm how your baked goods were made or their ingredients, so they can’t be donated. However, food banks often have relationships with local restaurants or bakeries that donate extra food appropriately labeled and handled to nearby pantries, soup kitchens, or shelters.

Just a note: You can ‘clean out your cabinets’ and donate, and some food banks can use the food after it is expired, but think of the Golden Rule. Would you want someone to give YOU their expired food? It’s better than wasting it, but be gracious and loving.

Finding a Charity, You Can Trust
Charity Navigator

Shop UNICEF

American Cancer Society

Feeding America

The Humane Society of the United States Shops

National Nutrition Month Catalog

and more...

Gifts to Support a Cause

 Shop UNICEF

UNICEF Cards and Gifts

American Cancer Society Store

Feeding America

The Humane Society of the United States Shops

The Humane Society is the nation's largest animal protection organization. They work to reduce suffering and improve the lives of all animals by advocating for better laws, investigating animal cruelty, encouraging corporations to adopt animal-friendly policies, conducting disaster relief and animal rescue, and providing direct care for thousands of animals at our sanctuaries, emergency shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and mobile veterinary clinics.

Gifts to Educate and Foster Awareness

Books by Dietitians
 Dietitians-Online Books by RDNs 

National Nutrition Month®  at the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

 Check out the National Nutrition Month® catalog for exciting products featuring the Eat Right Campaign.

 Perfect for colleagues and clients alike!

National French Toast Day

Recipes


Nutritional Analysis Services. Ensure accurate and cost-effective nutritional analysis and food nutrition facts labels for your recipes and menus utilizing an extensive research database. A great service for the Media, Cookbook Publishers, Restaurants, Writers, Chefs, Recipe Websites, and Blogs. Your readers will enjoy and benefit from the Nutrition information.

For more information, visit Dietitians-Online Nutritional Analysis Services

Contact:
Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND
recipenews@gmail.com
954-294-6300

November, Sweet Potato Awareness Month: Stuffed Sweet Potato with Cranberry-Walnut Relish

Recipe: Stuffed Sweet Potato with Cranberry-Walnut Relish,
 serves 2
1 medium Sweet Potato
1 tablespoon Brown Sugar 
2 teaspoons Unsalted Margarine or Butter, room temperature 
1/8 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon 
Dash Ground Nutmeg 
1/4 cup Cranberry-Walnut Relish
2, 1 oz slice Raisin Bread
2 teaspoon Honey

Preheat oven to 400° F. Pierce the sweet potato several times with a fork.   Place sweet potato on baking sheet lined with foil. Bake for about 45 minutes or until soft. 

Cut the sweet potato in half lengthwise. Scoop out potato and place in a small bowl. Leave the potato skin intact. Add unsalted butter or margarine and the spices to the sweet potato and mash. 

Divide the mashed sweet potato in two and add back to the potato skins. Place on baking sheet and heat for about 10 minutes or until browned. Top each stuffed sweet potato half with 1 to 2 tablespoons of cranberry-walnut relish.

Nutrition Information

Sweet Potatoes are high in vitamin A, high in vitamin C, good source of dietary fiber and potassium. They are naturally fat-free; saturated fat free; low sodium; and cholesterol free.

Resources

1. Fruits and Veggies, More Matters: Sweet Potatoes

2. EatingWell, Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes

World Olive Tree Day

The history of olive trees is deeply rooted in ancient civilizations, tracing back thousands of years. Originating in the Mediterranean region, mainly present-day Greece and Syria, the olive tree symbolized peace, wisdom, and prosperity.

There are numerous varieties of olives worldwide, each with a unique flavor profile, size, and color. The exact number can be challenging to determine due to regional variations, local cultivars, and ongoing developments in olive cultivation. However, here are some popular olive varieties:

Arbequina: Small and brown, these olives are known for their mild, fruity flavor. They are commonly used to produce high-quality olive oil.


Kalamata: Large, dark purple to black olives with a distinctive almond shape. Hailing from Greece, they are often brine-cured and used in salads and Mediterranean dishes.


Manzanilla: Originating from Spain, these small, green olives taste slightly nutty and briny. They are frequently found in tapenades and as table olives.

Picual: A common variety in Spain, these olives are known for their high oil content and peppery flavor. They are often used to produce extra virgin olive oil.

Picholine: Originating from France, these green olives are elongated and have a mild, slightly sweet taste. They are often used as table olives or in cocktails.

Gordal: Hailing from Spain, these large, green olives are often stuffed with ingredients like pimento or garlic. They have a meaty texture and mild taste.

Nyon: Small, black olives from France, often used to produce high-quality olive oil. They have a rich, fruity flavor.

Hojiblanca: Another Spanish variety, these olives are medium-sized and round. They are often used to produce oil and table olives, known for their fruity taste.

Cerignola: In Italian, these large, bright green olives have a mild, sweet taste. They are often served as a snack or appetizer.

Mission: These black olives are famous in the United States, often found in cans or jars. They have a mild, slightly sweet flavor.

These are just a few examples, and many more local and regional varieties exist, each contributing to the rich tapestry of flavors in the world of olives.

National Leftover Day Do you have Thanksgiving leftovers?

Leftovers

Recipe: Thanksgiving Turkey Leftover Sandwich 

Ingredients
3 ounces Roasted Turkey, sliced
3 Tablespoons Cranberry Sauce
3 Tablespoons Homemade Stuffing
2 slices Whole Grain Bread

Leftovers
Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within two hours. Keep your freezer at 0°F and the fridge below 40°F. Foods held at temperatures above 40 °F for more than 2 hours should not be consumed. Use an appliance thermometer to monitor temperatures.

Use the chart below as a guide.

To learn more about food safety, visit http://www.homefoodsafety.org/

For the Refrigerator Door

Food Safety Musical - Don't Be a Gambler

National Cashew Day: Nutrition, Serving Ideas, and Recipes

Cashews are a good source of protein, copper, magnesium, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and heart-friendly unsaturated fats.

Nutrition Information

Recipes and Serving Suggestions

1. Eating Well, Healthy Cashew Recipes

2. Snack: eat alone; mix with other nuts and/or dried fruits
3. Add cashews to sauteed vegetables or salad greens
4. Sauté cashews with shrimp, beef or chicken
5. Add to hot cereals
6. Roast cashews
7. Use cashew butter to make a sauce for fish, vegetables, tofu, or rice.

Nutritional Analysis Services

Ensure accurate and cost effective nutritional analysis for your recipes utilizing an extensive research database and 25 years experience. A great service for the Recipe Bloggers, Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, and Recipe Websites. Your readers will enjoy and benefit from the Nutrition information.

For more information, visit Dietitians-Online Nutritional Analysis Services

contact:
Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND
recipenews@gmail.com
954-294-6300

National Sundae Day - Frozen Vanilla Greek Yogurt with a Variety of Fruit

Ingredients
1/2 cup (102 g) Frozen Vanilla Greek Yogurt
Variety of Fresh Fruits. 1 Tablespoon of each: Orange, Strawberries, Blueberries, Kiwi, Raspberries, & Mango

Happy Birthday Sesame Street Super Healthy Heroes

Sesame Street premiered on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations on November 10, 1969. 

Sesame Street: Healthy Habits with Grover PSA| #CaringForEachOther

To celebrate Sesame Street's commitment and dedication to children's education we created our Sesame Street Friends out of nutritious foods. Can you find the Artichoke Leaves, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Celery, Corn, Cottage Cheese, Eggs, Figs, Grapefruits, Green Beans, Guavas, Mushrooms, Onions, Orange, Parsley, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Red Peppers, Strawberries, Tomatoes, and Watermelon?

The Sesame Street sign is made from cottage cheese,
spinach, corn, and white beans.

Do you know other foods that are Green?

Can you name the foods that match
the letters in Happy Birthday?

To learn more about the Sesame Workshop, visit http://www.sesameworkshop.org/. Sesame Street is a production of Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful difference in the lives of children worldwide by developing innovative and engaging educational content delivered in various ways.

National Family Caregivers Month

National Family Caregivers Month celebrates caregivers everywhere. What caregivers do every day requires superpowers, and though we may not tell them often enough – the care they give matters to all of us.

We know you're focused on the health and well-being of others, but it's important to remember to take care of you. Caring for yourself isn't selfish; it's an essential part of making sure you can give your best every day.

Staying strong as a caregiver

*Stay healthy with proper nutrition

*Eating healthy is the best way to maintain your strength, energy, stamina, and immune system. It's also one of the most powerful things you can do to stay positive.

*Good nutrition for your care receiver helps make care easier

*Up to half of all older adults are at risk for malnutrition; that's why it's important to make sure those you care for have a healthy diet. It helps prevent muscle loss and supports Rest. Recharge. Respite.

*Make sure to take some time away to re-energize or ask for help. Caregiving can be stressful, and taking a breather ensures that you'll be ready to take on the challenges Find out if you and your care receiver are getting the right amount of nutrients. Complete this nutrition assessment and see how you are doing.

10 Tips for Family Caregivers

1. Seek support from other caregivers.  You are not alone!
2. Take care of your own health to be strong enough to care for your loved one.
3. Accept offers of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you.
4. Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors.
5. Caregiving is hard work so take respite breaks often.
6. Watch out for signs of depression, and don't delay getting professional help when needed.
7. Be open to new technologies to help you care for your loved one.
8. Organize medical information so it's up-to-date and easy to find.
9. Make sure legal documents are in order.
10. Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs there is!