Showing posts with label Ingredients. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ingredients. Show all posts

Monday, August 04, 2008

What's up with tomatoes?


Did you know tomatoes are a wonderful... Fruit? Actually they are technically a berry! However, in 1893 the US Supreme Court ruled that the tomato should be legally be classified as a vegetable because it is used as a vegetable. Can you imagine being one of the lawyers in that case ;) Too funny!
Approximatly 80 years ago most Americans considered this odd, South American Food, to be poisonous. Today, tomatoes are the 3rd most common consumed 'vegetable' in the US. Tomatoes are produced in all 50 states. Texas, California, Florida and Ohio are the primary growers. In the winter months, most tomatoes are imported from Mexico and Cuba.
Why should tomatoes be apart of your diet?
*Large and regular consumption of tomatoes can help improve skin texture and color.
*Tomatoes are one of the highest food sources of Lycopene. Lycopene isn't naturally produced by the body. Lycopene is a vital anti-oxidant. It neutrilizes free radicles in our body helping the body to fight against cancerous cell formation.
*Tomatoes help purify the blood.
*Tomatoes are a natural antiseptic. They can help protect against infection.
*Tomatoes can help reduce cholesterol.
*Tomatoes are a great source of vit A, vit C,vit K, and Potassium
*Some studies are also showing that riboflavin, which is also found in tomatoes, helps with energy metabolism and fights against migraine headaches.
*A newer study is also showing that Lycopene in tomatoes helps protect the body from UV rays.

How do you enjoy your tomatoes? We like...
*Salsa
*Tomato Cucumber salad
*Sliced fresh with sea salt or sprinkled with sugar
*BLT's
*Pizza Sauce
*Pasta Sauce
*Zucchini Stir Fry
*Off the vine for an outdoor treat
*Or just plain, eaten like an apple, like my daughter in the picture.
With tomato season in full swing, eat up!


Sunday, June 08, 2008

Tenderquick


A few asked about tenderquick...

From the Morton Website "MORTON TENDERQUICK mix is a fast cure product that has been developed as a cure for meat, poultry, game, salmon, shad, and sablefish. It is a combination of high grade salt and other quality curing ingredients that can be used for both dry and sweet pickle curing."

Tenderquick can be found in the grocery isle with the salt and other spices.