FRESH MULBERRY JAM

Yes "Here we go round the Mulberry Bush early in the morning".  In my drive way I have what use to be a Mulberry bush but over many years that bush has grown into a very big tree.  O course all the good Mulberries are at the top and the birds are having their annual uninterrupted feast.

I am learning so much about Mulberries and a all the Nutrients they have and just to think I have a very big tree in my front yard.   Here is some of what I have leaned about the benefits of Mulberries:

• They Prevent Macular degeneration and cataracts
• They are rich in antioxidants properties
• They aid in  Cancer prevention
• They improved digestive health
• They boost heart health and body metabolism.
• They reduce appearances of blemishes and age spots.

What I didn't know is that they are high in iron and vitamin C as well as many other nutrients.  They will also aid in lowering blood sugar but be careful it can be harmful if you don't have a blood sugar problem.  Mulberries aid in the production of red blood cells and in vision health,

This is the way the Mulberries look when you have washed them and are now mashing what you can before putting in the sugar to begin the cooking process.  For every cup of berries you have you have to put in i cup of sugar. If you are not using pectin then you must cook the berries longer in order for them to thicken.


When cooking process is complete then jar the jam up I used 4oz. jars for this small batch.

WHATS COOKING FOR LADIES (MOTHER'S) DAY!

Well I don't know what you are cooking for your Ladies Day celebration but my daughter Erika and I decided yesterday to cook what we have not had in a long while.

Yeah Roasted Chicken Butterflied.  This will be the first time I baked anything in my new Samsung oven and I an so excited.  Next on our Menu is Ranch Mashed Potatoes:

Now if you really want to taste something that will melt in your mouth then just plant your lips on these creamy, buttery, ranch mashed potatoes.  I am getting hungry just writing about dinner.  My family usually eats about 2pm on Sundays.

Next on our Menu are Glazed Carrots its been so long I cannot tell you the last time we have had glazed carrots.  Carrots are something we all like but do not think about as a side dish although they make great side dishes. The carrots right now are so sweet naturally and by me adding a glace makes then extra delicious.

Well whatever your family eats on this special day I want you to enjoy with friends and family and remember the ones that are not with us an more and if you don't have one then start a tradition so that the young people in your family have tons of wonderful Mothers Day Memories!

SUMMER SALADS/Pasta Salad

Yes! Let us not forget the Pasta Salad great for the Hot Summer afternoon.  There is just so many things you can do with a Pasta Salad.  Choose the Pasta that are not the usual shapes and go out on a limb and pick a pasta like Star Pasta, Shell Pasta, Tri-color Pasta. After choosing the pasta go in for the grape tomatoes the ones that are different colors they look good in this salad.  

The Mediterranean  Pasta Salad has proven to be a winner also.  This Greek salad is full of tomatoes, feta cheese meat chick peas olives red onions


The Mediterranean Salad below is filled with all types of wonderful vegetables like cucumbers black olives Bow Tie Pasta cherry tomatoes onions and even chicken.   So have fun be creative and look for fruit that is in season and add that to your Summer Salad!

SUMMER SALAD/TUNA FISH SALAD

The Classic Tuna Fish Salad on a hot Summer day is very refreshing and can be made many different ways.  Some people like to make tuna salad with boiled eggs. I just enjoy my Tuna Salad made with red onions,celery, mayonnaise, lemon juice salt and pepper.

A Mediterranean Tuna Fish Salad is always tasty too. Feel free to add your olives, your feta cheese your avocado.  You will be amazed at how light and satisfying Tuna salad can be.

Or you can have your Tuna Salad on a bed of curly lettuce with tomatoes and cucumbers.  With this salad you don't need any mayo. You can just sprinkle some olive oil on chop some red onions sprinkle some chopped basil salt and pepper.  You can add cherry tomatoes or just cut some tomato rounds however you decide to do it I guarantee you will enjoy each bite of this Summer Tuna Fish Salad!

GREEN CAULIFLOWER

Yes Green Cauliflower this is a combination of both Broccoli and Cauliflower,

This Cauliflower has the same physical attributes as its white color counterpart and the entire plant can be eaten. In green cauliflower the flavor is sweet, mild and nutty.

This is a hybrid of cauliflower much like the purple and orange cauliflowers.  the green cauliflower can be eaten both raw and cooked.

Colorful Cauliflower can be boiled. steamed, sauteed, roasted fried or steamed and pickled.  Its flavor pairs well with cheese, garlic, pine nuts, golden raisins, curry, cumin , cardamon.

The Green cauliflower has a sweet taste.  I think to get the best results as far as taste is to steaming method of cooking.  Roasting is also a good method to use.

One serving of cauliflower contains 77% recommended daily value of Vitamin C.  It is also a good source of vitamin K, vitamin B6 potassium and manganese.  Cauliflower is an excellent side dish to any meal chicken, beef or pork.  It is also good to serve this side dish with any grilled fish.  Go ahead be inventive and buy some colorful cauliflower!

SUMMER SALADS

During these Summer months if you are anything like myself, you don't feel like eating much of anything.  I usually just want to drink something COLD.  Now is the time that your ice machine on your refrigerator door comes in quite handy.

There are many varieties of salads you can make.  I like to incorporate fruit in my salads, it not only makes the salad interesting and colorful but it taste good too!  Next time you go to prepare your Summer salad try some cut up strawberries, blueberries, pears, peaches.  Vegetables to add also are broccoli florets, snap peas, cauliflower florets some corn kernels, and actually anything you want.

You will get all the necessary fruits and vegetables in one bowl.  Remember too to be  creative with your greens and don't just use iceberg lettuce but there is romaine, curly, spinach, butter head. Bib lettuce, Boston and loose leaf lettuce. You can even put nuts like cashews, walnuts, almonds or even pecans in your salad.  Don't for get the cheeses like feta, shredded cheddar, provolone etc just whatever you like.  This makes for a light taste summer meal.

So go ahead and be creative make a wonderful salad for yourself or for your family and enjoy!

To stay alive (We Must Consider LIFESTYLE CHANGES)

The time is already here, with Health Care gone haywire many people are sick with something, Stress, Diabetis, High Blood Pressure , Arthritis, Cancer and a Heart Condition, you name it .  I believe that all of our problems are caused by the food we eat.

Manufacturers have to produce more food to accommodate the population.  There are lots of fast food establishments and our time has become very precious, we do not seem to have enough time to cook, shop and feed ourselves properly.

In this age of computers most of us cannot get out to exercise, television has improved so most of us don't take walks anymore.  We all tend to snack more than we should. Most of us enjoy lots of Carbs and Sugary drinks, but in order for us to stay alive in this day and age SOMETHING HAS GOT TO CHANGE!

The medical profession states that people are living longer, (Sure) but what they don't tell you is that people are dying at a record pace also.  It all boils down to this if we want to live free from medication then we must make a LIFESTYLE CHANGE.

There are many people who have started by growing their own gardens, free from pesticides.  Others are eating more Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and less meat and dairy products, and this believe it or not is very hard to do.  I am trying!  I have begun CANNING some of my food so that I can same some money and eat things that I absolutely know what is in the jars.  If I want less sugar then I put less or no sugar at all.

In my upcoming blogs I will be showing some of the food that I will be canning and If you wish for me to can something for you just message me on Face book or email me at Kd6252000@gmail.com and for a reasonable fee I will be glad to do it for you,

I will be making Seasoned Oils also using Olive oil, Coconut Oil and Sesame Oil, I will be using fresh herbs.  This will enhance whatever recipes you make. Let me know if you are interested in the oils.

I will also be making Cakes, Fruit Pies, Pastries Fruit Tarts and Biscuits from scratch, this way if you want less sugar, no sugar or natural sugar, just let me know and I will make them to your specifications.

Canning is something I use to do about 30 yrs. ago in New York City.  I used to make Jellies and Apple Butter and sell them at street fairs, and I cant wait to get back into it!