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Jan 11, 2013

Homemade Potato Gnocchi

Homemade gnocchi are a special treat because it’s rare to find them on restaurant menus, probably because they have to be made by hand. But they are so worth the effort and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these tender potato dumplings. In Polish, we call them “kluski” and they can be served with anything from meat sauce, pesto, red sauce, browned bread crumbs (Polish style) or just a little butter. Click here for the recipe. – Jenny Jones

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Jan 11, 2013

Spoonulas

Spoon + Spatula = SpoonulaSpat

It’s a spoon-shaped spatula, perfect for mixing, stirring, scraping, lifting, folding, even sauteeing if it’s silicone (heat resistant up to 500 degrees).

It’s the only thing I use when I saute because it can’t scratch my non-stick pans and it’s flexible so it fits into every curve and corner. A spoonula will also scrape out a bowl better than anything.

Thanks to whoever invented this!

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Jan 11, 2013

Darlene Asks About Green Tea

Dear Jenny,
My question to you is you mentioned that you sip green and white tea all day long, is it hot or iced? And is there a good way to make either a perfect cup? Thank you.

My response…

Darlene, I drink green, white, or black tea when it’s hot because I believe there are more antioxidants when it’s just newly brewed. If I let a cup of green or white tea sit out too long, the color darkens (oxidizes) and to me it won’t have the same benefits. One key thing is not to brew tea more than 2-3 minutes or it can get bitter.

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Jan 10, 2013

Chocolate Pudding

I’m not willing to give up my sweets and this easy healthy chocolate pudding is one of my favorite dessert recipes. It’s a low fat chocolate pudding that’s rich and creamy tasting and you’ll love my little surprise ingredient. This also makes a great chocolate pie filling. Click here for the recipe. – Jenny Jones

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Jan 10, 2013

Pickled pig’s feet, anyone?

pig_feetI grew up with eastern european parents who made things like Galaretka, also known as Zimne Nogi (translated: cold legs) This is basically jellied pig’s feet. It was a mixture of meat & things that sat in a giant pot and my dad loved it! Polish food includes things like pork knuckles in beer sauce with sauerkraut, and carp in aspic with raisins. We ate things like, “Śledzie,” (pickled herring), beetroot soup, lots of kielbasa and pickled anything. They like to pickle things in Poland –  there’s even pickle soup! I still love some Polish dishes like Gołąbki and Pierogi, both of which I make often. My parents cooked with sticks of butter and no meal was complete without sour cream but I make things my own way now. I still crave the things I ate growing up and although pig’s feet is not one of them, I found a recipe online for anyone curious enough to try:

http://easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/polishmaincourses/r/Jellied-Pigs-Feet-Recipe.htm

With a background like mine, I was bound to forge my own unique food trail and the things I eat seem normal to me, but maybe not to everyone.  For example, here are some of my favorite treats:

~Sauerkraut straight out of the jar

~Sardines, straight out of the can

~Pickled beets

~Pickled herring with onions

~A wedge of raw cabbage eaten like an apple

~Cold boiled potatoes with mayonnaise

~I could still eat some pigs feet but only after a beaker of czysta wodka, no ice.

If anybody has a more unique favorite snack, maybe I can add it to my repertoire. There’s nothing you people out there are eating that can scare me.  Bring it. – Jenny Jones

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Filed Under: Polish Cooking
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Jan 9, 2013

Oven-Baked Doughnuts

I saw this doughnut pan at Bed Bath & Beyond and although I was skeptical, I decided to try it. Well… THAT was a good idea! I love these healthy oven-baked doughnuts. The only down side is that they are so light, it’s too easy to eat three – I’m not kidding. Click here for the recipe. – Jenny Jones

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Jan 8, 2013

Healthy foods that can make you sick

It’s true. There are some foods that are usually healthy, but not always:

1. “Green” potatoes – When potatoes are exposed to too much light and turn green under the skin, they can develop a toxin called solanine. If ingested, it can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems. If you see any green, cut if off clean.

2. Rhubarb leaves – You never see rhubarb sold in the stores with the green leaves attached and there’s a reason.  Rhubarb leaves contain dangerously high levels of oxalic acid which can cause serious kidney damage potentially leading to death. You’d have to eat a lot to kill you, but even a little can make you sick.

3. Mushrooms – Certain types of mushrooms can be deadly. Just one bite from a Death Cap, Destroying Angel, or Deadly Webcap can kill  you. Death Caps alone contain over seven toxins and one bite can lead to a nasty death.

4. Cherries – If the seed inside a cherry is damaged in any way, it releases prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide), which can result in death.

5. Casu Marzu (Live maggot cheese) – It’s actually served in some fine restaurants in northern Italy. I won’t go into the details but you can google it.

Filed Under: Nutrition
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Jan 8, 2013

Nachos From Scratch

Yes! Nachos for dinner.. this from someone who promotes healthy eating? Yes. They are full of protein and fiber and are absolutely amazing! The chips and cheese are low fat and it’s all from scratch. These healthy nachos for dinner are unlike any you’ve ever had! Click here for the recipe. – Jenny Jones

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Jan 7, 2013

I’m still working on this one…

ApplPanc_7200It’s an oven-baked apple pancake and I’m still working on it before I post the recipe. I usually cook with Granny Smith apples but they were too tart for breakfast so I switched to Gala. I still have to figure out the right temperature for the edges not to burn… oh… I mean “not be so well done.”

I love cooking with apples!

The recipe is coming soon…

Filed Under: Breakfast
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Jan 7, 2013

Sweet Potato Fries – Oven Roasted

Did you know that oven roasting sweet potatoes (all vegetables in fact) brings out their sugars so these fries will be sweeter than the fried ones, and so much healthier? If you’re looking for healthy sweet potato fries, just roast them in the oven. It’s a simple, easy recipe. Click here for the recipe. – Jenny Jones

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