Cold Shrimp With Tropical Fruit Salsa
I have an idea for a travel ad for Florida in the summer. Want to hear it? Here goes:Come to sunny Florida and experience temperatures found only in the fire and brimstone of Hell. Discover the delights of humidity ranges that are technically called icky, sticky, muggy and yucky. You will be amazed to find you have never sweated so much in your life, at how the most gossamer of fabrics feels like the heaviest of scratchy wool overcoats and how you practically grow gills trying to process the steamy tropical air.
Taking Stock
As the Organic Chef, organic beef farmer, nutritionist and organic consultant, one of the comments that I hear most often is that organics are too expensive. How can anyone afford to feed their family organically? My response is always “You’re not thinking pragmatically”.
There is a solution - the 80% solution. There are ways to feed your family organic, healthy and safer foods then what you are consuming right now and not blow that family budget. Being “Pragmatic Organic” begins with eliminating the “big three,” high fructose corn syrup, trans fats (hydrogenated oils), hormones and antibiotics.
When most families make the jump to an organic lifestyle, it is a leap that is too far for them to make and land safely. Many land hard and get hurt and consequently get angry at organics and vow not to get hurt again, fool me once. ….
If you are contemplating an organic lifestyle or if you are already enjoying one, some simple steps can help you to reap even more rewards by taking stock in your food.
A Taste of Spain: Marques de Valdueza Extra Virgin Olive Oil
I have experimented with more olive oils over the years than you can shake an olive branch at: refined olive oils, virgin olive oils, extra virgin olive oils, first cold pressed olive oils, infused olive oils… you name it, most of it has found its way into my pantry at one time or another.
And while I don’t disagree that you need one olive oil to do this (saute, grill or fry) and another olive oil to do that (salad dressings, finishing or marinades), I also believe there exists rare olive oils whose quality, taste, stability and viscosity make them capable of handling the majority of these tasks (and more) for most recreational cooks.
With that in mind, this particular extra virgin olive oil has become one of my all-around favorites: it is smooth, mild, buttery, and fruity yet peppery (i.e. well-balanced); performs well under a variety of circumstances; and has flavor beyond reproach that is so good, I could practically drink it from the bottle. Meet my latest discovery, Marques de Valdueza Extra Virgin Olive Oil…
Suggested to me by the executive chef at our local Dean & Deluca (sold at Dean & Deluca for $28, seen elsewhere for $32), this Marques de Valdueza Extra Virgin Olive Oil is among the best I’ve tasted and had the pleasure of cooking with. Over the past few weeks, I’ve put it through the paces, using it to: roast garlic, potatoes and an array of colorful vegetables; fry eggs and crab cakes; saute onions and celery; drizzle over salads and pasta dishes; create various dressings, dips and marinades; and grill chicken, seafood, fruits and veggies. All of it has turned out well whether cooking with high heat, low heat or no heat at all.
Produced in southwest Spain from olives grown on the family’s Perales de Miraflores estate near Merida (Badajoz), this extra virgin olive oil is (cold) extracted from olives grown in environmentally responsible groves. Blended from the Arbequina, Picual, Hojiblanca and Morisca olive varieties, this extra virgin oil has been specifically targeted to avid, recreational cooks who enjoy entertaining at home, yet was also intended for export as a premium olive oil capable of rivaling established Italian brands in the UK and US (it launched in 2004). In 2006, Marques de Valdueza Extra Virgin Olive Oil received the Mario Solinas Quality Award for medium fruitiness, as judged by the International Olive Oil Council.
When you have an extra moment, I invite you to check out the gorgeous site of Marques de Valdueza for more information on this versatile extra virgin olive oil. Beautifully designed, easy-to-navigate, and accompanied by stunning photos and classical music, visiting the site is an experience as lovely as the premium olive oil this producer creates.
FYI - Marques de Valdueza also produces Spanish wines and a more moderately priced, “second pressing” extra virgin olive oil by the name of Merula, which is available bottled or in an award-winning tin. Sold at gourmet purveyors such as Crate & Barrel and Dean & Deluca, after enjoying Marques de Valdueza Extra Virgin Olive Oil, I would feel confident giving the Merula Extra Virgin Olive Oil a spin in my kitchen as well.
Quality and Consistency - Perfectly Blended Drinks!
When the Margaritaville Fiji Frozen Concoction Machine arrived it was a very easy setup. The instructions were straightforward and in no time the step-by-step set up had the machine ready to produce some delicious frozen beverages. The craftsmanship and quality were apparent at the onset, and the weight of the machine gave a certain feel of durability. My guests commented that they loved the look of the machine, and the brushed-nickel finish really made it stand out.
I loaded it up with ice, utilizing bagged ice from a local grocery store mixed with ice from my refrigerator ice maker and looked at the instructions to see which drink I wanted to make. I then choose from four preprogrammed drink cycles; margaritas, daiquiris, slides, (mudslides) or smoothies, and then decided whether I wanted one, two or three drink settings. I then flipped the automatic Shave-N-Blend switch, and the machine automatically mixed the right proportion of ice with ingredients and timed it just right. If you decide at the end of the drink cycle that you need more ice or blending simply flip the switch to blend or shave to add what you so desire. I followed the instructions denoting exact amounts of liquids per drink as written in the included recipe book and the first batch of Margaritas came out perfectly.
It is truly a four step machine, add ice, select your drink and size, add your favorite mix, and flip the automatic Shave-n-Blend switch and within seconds your favorite concoction will be ready. The great part about this machine is that if you get guests that prefer thicker or thinner drinks simply flip the switch to blend a little more ice or just blend without adding ice. It’s just that simple, and best of all if you leave the ice sit in the ice bin for an extended period of time the melting runoff collects in a clear reservoir located on the back of the machine. No more thin flavored soupy Margaritas or watered down Mudslides!
The varieties of drinks are endless but the cleanup is not. The glass-blending jar has a unique retro look that lends itself to easy stability when in use with a large glass handle and drip free spout. It’s also great for simply shaving ice for snow cones and adding your favorite syrup and finishing off with a spoon. No matter what the size of your party this machine stands up to mountains of blending action. As long as you have ice to blend and mix to add the Fiji FCM will consistently churn out the proper Margarita, Daiquiri, Mudslide or Smoothie.
When you’ve mastered the Fiji FCM your friends will be asking you to be the Frozen Drink Master at their next party and with the FCM Carrying Bag you can take your machine on the road. The bag is made of water repellant canvas and designed to transport and store the Fiji FCM with straps that hold the pitcher in place during transportation. Simply slide your lost shaker of salt and fresh limes in the side pocket, grasp the nylon carrying handles and head to Margaritaville. You and your friends will have a blast using the Fiji FCM, so get one today, blend up a drink or two and hang on!
Green Clean Shopping List
An issue of Country Home magazine was packed with great ideas on “going green” recently. Whether it’s decorating your home, filling your kitchen or working in your garden, they have tons of inspiration on how to use recycled products, be mindful of the environment and how to go green.
Included is Country Home’s Green Clean Shopping list, containing items that can do double-duty in your kitchen and around your home.
- Toothpaste to remove lipstick stains- Reusable microfiber dusting cloths and mops
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