For the love of baking

Is there something in your life that when you are doing it, strike a chord inside you, transports you to a different place and lightens your soul?  For me, it is baking.  As I measure the ingredients, pre-heat my oven and create my edible masterpiece, I feel as if I have sprung these mythical wings and escaped to the enchanted forest.  My kitchen becomes a place where magic happens and fairy dust comes in the form of coloured sprinkles.  The sound of the mixer harmonizes with the quiet sifting and gentle folding of ingredients.  The warmth grows and the smells begin to fill the air.  The world around may be full of imperfections but, in this place only a gratifying sweetness exists.  An ingredient looses itself and becomes an emotion, a gift, a peace offering or moment to share with another.  Chocolate takes a new name, bliss...

Tartrazine a dye with many names!

Several years ago I had a allergic reaction that caused my lips to itch and swell until they made Angelina Jolie jealous.  After weeks of outbreaks and not having any idea what it could be and, even my doctor having a chuckle at my state I solved the mystery.  Not only had I been ingesting this but it was in almost every lip gloss, lipstick, and chapstick I owned. 

What is this terrible ingredient: Tartrazine.  Think that you don't eat this?  Ever had Kraft KD or fruit loops?  Not only can it be listed as tartrazine but also yellow dye#5, C.I. 19140, E102, and even as the non threatening ingredient:colour.  How much damage could this little dye do you wonder?  Aside from sever allergic reactions causing hives, swelling and extreme itchiness, it is also know to cause hyperactivity in children. 

I recently made a trip to the theatre to watch a movie and after having a couple of handfuls of popcorn goodness(or so I thought) I spent the rest of the evening in Claritin induced delirium trying not to scratch the hives that covered my wrists, chest and neck.  I awoke in a better state but a few hours later and, much before the claimed 24 hour dose time on the package,  the hives reared their ugly heads again.  Benadryl now became my drug of choice and amidst the fog in my brain every 4 hours new breakouts appeared as this toxic substance makes it's way through my body.  How long will it last, the kind ER doctor said it could take up to a month!

I'll share my word of warnings, walk through your pantry, or turn the labels on your next visit and see how many places you'll find this awful dye.  Make better selections for you and your families and hopefully you won't spend your days with oven mitts duck taped to your wrists to avoid tearing your skin off!!  YUCK!

Is Vegan a 4 letter word?

I love to bake and, when I find a good recipe I also like to share.  I am not prejudiced against a recipe by the side note: vegan or vegetarian but, I find it funny the reactions I get when I say this about something I've baked.  There are generally two different responses, the first of which is joy and excitement at the opportunity of a healthy alternative, that if coming from my kitchen is almost always a hit.  The second reaction is one that amuses me, it's the horror that spreads across the face of someone that just found out their soon to be treat will most likely, in their minds, taste like cardboard and they will have to come up with a convincing response as to why they must avoid consumption of such an item.  I have in the past been disappointed by the "healthy" alternatives and had my share of cardboard cookies and loaves of gluten free bread that could impale someone but have not let those disastrous encounters cloud my optimism.  So I turned to one of my favorite vegetarian cookbooks, ReBar, and began to find something I hadn't made yet.  Vegan, gluten free, trail bars and power spheres won out and I planned my trip to Whole Foods to pick up a few items.  By mid morning on Sunday my kitchen was full of the sweet smells of my vegan snacks.  Flavours of apple, apricot, pineapple and peanut butter, mixed with toasted hazelnuts and sesame seeds, filled my home and gave the neighbours something pleasant to smell while walking through the main lobby to the elevator.  I finished, wrapped and packed some up to share at work and voila, success!  Wrapped up little bundles of proof, that vegan is not a 4 letter word and some recipes can hold their own with the best of them even without animal by-products. 

Salad Cravings - Cajun Prawn Cesar

I commonly hear of people's cravings as being fried or sugary foods they should avoid rather than indulge.  I admit that sometimes mine would fall into that category.  Although believe it or not, I often crave things that would do me quite well and I should perhaps think to add to my menu more often.  The other night this was in the form of Cajun Prawn Cesar Salad.  Cesar dressing can often outdo french fries for saturated fat and caloies however, my healthy choice is a yogurt based one that I use on the side rather than drenching the taste of lettuce away.  I started with jumbo prawns, drizzled them with olive oil and added a little "Slap yo Mamma" Cajun seasoning.  A few minutes under the broiler, a quick flip and a few more minutes later "ta da".  Served on a bed of romaine, dressed with lemon juice, ciabatta croutons and fresh Parmesan cheese.  If you are looking for a meal that's easy and fantastic, look no further.  It was so yummy, I ate one for lunch the next day as well.  And for those who know me, this is saying a great deal! 

O Plantain, how do I love thee?

During my recent trip to Costa Rica I was again reminded of how much I enjoyed plantains.  It is not a common marketplace purchase here however, not as difficult to find as it once was.  So what do you do with this large ugly banana thing?  The possibilities are almost endless.  Bake, grill, pan-fry, deep-fry....  It can be eaten green or if you wait until it looks like something died and left its corpse behind it's pleasantly sweet.  More texture than its relative the common banana it can flavour your stew or stand alone as dessert. 

Visiting a restaurant on the outskirts of San Jose, their method of choice, as with all their food, was on the grill.  When this cheese covered, sweet delight arrived at our table, it shone despite the dated plastic plate it was served on.  Such a versatile ingredient it will be on my shopping list next time I'm out and about.  I will most likely stay away from deep-frying and grilling(still a little cold outside) but nothing says comfort food like a casserole dish lined with plantains and smothered with cream cheese.  I mean really, can you go wrong with cream cheese?