Summer is in force and berries are in season.  Berries make a great snack and also go well as a side or in other foods.  I like to put fresh berries in my oatmeal and cereal in the morning.  In addition, I like to muddle berries in a small amount of port wine and sugar substitute.  For one pint of berries add about 2 teaspoons (10 mL) sugar substitute and ¼ cup (50 mL) port wine. Place all ingredients into a re-sealable bag then using your hands, gently massage the berries just enough to break the surface and then…

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I was doing my weekly grocery shopping and it is never a quick trip because I’m constantly scanning the aisles looking for new products.  In the baking aisle I discovered a new product by Duncan Hines called “Simple Mornings”.  The front of the box states real ingredients, nothing artificial.  I immediately went to the ingredient list and soon discovered what they meant was real ingredients you can only find at the Duncan Hines factory.  Dextrin, xanthan, and guar gum were in the ingredient list.  Well, I searched high and low at two grocery stores and even went to a…

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I live In Oklahoma where the largest tornadoes ever recorded on the planet have formed.  Springtime is tornado season because the cold fronts from Canada and the warm air from the Gulf of Mexico merge over the United States. I've been living in Oklahoma for over 8 years now and I still never get accustomed to them.  Over the past years our tornado shelter has been used quite a bit.   About a week ago we were under a tornado watch, and with warnings all night, the sirens almost never stopped.  It was frightening. The kids and I slept in…

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Ham is almost as American as apple pie.  It has been a staple in the United States since the early 18th century.  Most folks know that ham is pork but most don’t know that ham cuts come from the thigh and rump (butt) of the pig.

You can buy fresh ham, but the most common and preferred for its taste, are the smoked and cured versions.  Ham is traditional made salty.  Salt is a natural preservative and was used to extend the life of pork when refrigeration was not available.  Sugar cured ham is another way to preserve…

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Oriental sauces are sauces that derived from Asia.  These flavors are unique to Asian dishes and are typically derived from spices, fish, and soy.  Oriental cuisine doesn’t disappoint your taste buds and these sauces will bring the Asian flavor into your kitchen.

• Plum sauce is a sweet and sour sauce made with plums, sugar, vinegar, ginger and a small amount of chilies.  Plum sauce is typically used for egg rolls, noodles, and fried battered foods.
• Wasabi is Japanese horseradish and is extremely hot, and as I like to say, it will clear your nasal passages.  Wasabi…

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Almost weekly are grocery stores are bringing in the new and improved foods that are processed and/or made by large companies.  Recently going to the market I noticed that my particular brand of yogurt that I like had been improved.  It just so happened that some of the not improved yogurt was still on the shelf. I compared the two and realized the cane juice (juice extracted from sugar cane) had been replaced with normal refined sugar.  The difference was taste.  The old way was not as sweet and had a fresher natural taste.   So, what’s the difference between…

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