Tuesday, February 21, 2012

KC CAKEFEST tomorrow on the What's Cooking! Radio Show!!

Tomorrows What's Cooking! Radio Show is going to be GREAT! 
The KC CAKEFEST founder;  Mike Elder will be live on the air to talk 
about this awesome event!!

Be sure to mark your calendar to come out and watch all the competitions!! March 3rd & 4th at the KC Convention Center. Baking classes, demos and competitions. May the BEST cake win!!!!

Catch the show live through the website Noon to 1pm CST

or listen to the podcast at your leisure.
 

Monday, February 20, 2012

Increasing Wine Exports to China


 We have and I imagine will continue to be consumers of Chinese goods for a very long time. So, it is appropriate that we should be exporting more products to the Chinese population. Why not wine?? Sounds lucrative to me! Click on the following link for an update on the work being done for that very purpose. It has long been discussed and the groundwork was being laid as far back as 10 years.

CALIFORNIA WINEMAKERS TRY  
TO CRACK CHINESE MARKET
Photo by Carlos Porto

Coming Soon! My Masters Baking Class!

Stay tuned as I will soon announce a Masters Baking Class. It will be the first of several Masters Classes and some will include guests Chefs for your learning!!

Here is a photo of my Cinnamon Raisin Pinwheels that is one of the recipes and techniques that will be taught.
                                     Photo by Chef Amber DiGiovanni (c) 2012 All Rights Reserved

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Seriously???? McDONALDS WHAT WERE YOU THINKING???!!!

You know advertising has reached all time low when they start targeting innocent animals to promote the consumption of their fast food. Call McDonalds and express your outrage. I AM. Additionally, I plan to boycott even driving through for a cup of coffee. Voice your opinion and hit them where it hurts the most..., at their bottom line.

McDonalds Number:  800.244.6227

READ THE ARTICLE IN FOOD MANUFACTURING NEWS HERE

Sprout Issues, again!

It bears revisiting at this juncture...... A couple of weeks ago I posted about sprouts being recalled and how very easy it is to sprout your own. Another outbreak of foodborne illness is linked to Jimmy Johns.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LATEST NEWS ON THIS SUBJECT

More BAD News for our Food Supply

The older I get the more I am aware that it is important to be your own advocate in all you do. There are many great places to get information about the food industry. Be concerned folks and write you Senators, Congressman/woman and certainly the President!
Obama's Budget Cuts Pathogen Testing In Produce

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Hot Spiced Creole Shrimp!!










Photo: luigi diamanti  


I am a widow and frequently dine alone, but does that mean I am going to eat endless bowls of cold cereal?? Absolutely not! My abundantly stocked spice cabinet  means that culinary delights from around the world await at my fingertips. Today is some Hot Spiced Creole Shrimp! Tomorrow may mean a culinary stroll ala a street market in Mumbai or a Mayan feast! Why? Because I can and I want to. Cooking for one or two or six is not difficult and takes less time than getting ready to go out. Don't forget it's a lot more cost effective and in these financial times, it is wise to watch every dollar. So take a few minutes and create my recipe for Hot Spiced Creole Shrimp!

Chef Amber's Hot Spiced Creole Shrimp

4 Tablespoons Butter
4 Tablespoons Flour
1 Can Petite Diced Tomatoes (14 ounces)
1/2 Cup Chopped Onion
1/2 Cup Sweet Red Pepper, diced
1/4 Cup Celery, diced
1 Tablespoons Tones Parsley
1/2 Teaspoon Tones Granulated Garlic
1 Tablespoon Tones Chesapeake Bay Seasoning
2 Cups hot water
1 Lb frozen, peeled and deveined shrimp, thawed

Make a Roux first by melting the butter large skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook until browned, stirring constantly to make a brown roux. Add the tomatoes, onion, red pepper, celery, parsley, garlic, water, Chesapeake Bay Seasoning into the roux. Bring to a heavy simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 20 minutes or until desired consistency is reached. Add shrimp and cook until the shrimp turn pink, this will happen in less than 5 minutes.

Serve over rice and put on a little Cajun music!

Taco Soup Recipe from today's What's Cooking! Radio Show

 TACO SOUP RECIPE...
        This recipe is great for a cold day in February.... This is a simple recipe with a LOT of flavor! Just brown 2 lbs of your favorite ground meat, (beef, chicken, pork, turkey, buffalo) and ½ cup of chopped onion over medium heat in a small stockpot then, drain. Add 3 tablespoons of Tone’s Ranch Buttermilk Dressing mix, ¼ cup of Tone’s Taco seasoning, three 4-oz cans of diced green chilies, 1 1/2 Cups frozen corn, three 15-ounce cans of drained kidney or pinto beans, and 1-1/2 cups of water to the pot. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
         Serve garnished with sour cream, shredded cheese, diced avocado or guacamole!

      All about Taco Seasoning.....
     
·         One of my favorite things to do in the wintertime is to make dishes that remind me of warmer times! 
·         I don’t know about you, but Mexican food reminds me of summer – Cinco de Mayo…margaritas…chips and salsa on the patio…you get the idea!   That’s why this week I want to talk about some wonderful Mexican dishes you can make your family.    Tone’s Taco Seasoning is a mild seasoning of chili peppers, Mexican oregano, onion, garlic salt and a hint of cayenne is a complete mix that thickens as you cook. Tone’s® Taco Seasoning contains no added MSG and just needs the addition of meat and water. Use this seasoning when you want to give ANY food a touch of Mexican taste! Try it in tacos, enchiladas, burritos, dips, salads, and nachos. Use with ground beef, chicken, turkey or pork to make taco meat. You can also add it to chili for a unique flavor!  Don’t worry about it being too spicy – even the youngest members of the family will love the flavor!

Monday, February 13, 2012

JOIN US at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art for a Food & the Arts Tour!!






March 4th, 2012
1-3pm
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art






JOIN US! The What's Cooking! Radio Show has arranged a terrific special tour of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art!

Join Chef Amber DiGiovanni and David Chartrand (co-host of the Food & the Arts segment of the show) for a special guided tour of food related art at the Nelson Atkins museum of Art! We will be guided by the museums professional staff for this free tour.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED email Chef Amber for reservations at:
ChefAmber@MidwesternSoulFood.com

Parking on Oak Street is free, but if you wish to park in their parking garage it costs $5. After the tour Chef Amber and David will be available in Rozzelle Court, everyone will be on their own for food and beverages.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

National Food Holidays TODAY!


Today is National Bagel and Lox Day and National Pizza Pie Day....

February 10th is National Cream Cheese Brownie Day
February 11th is National Peppermint Patty Day

Lox are Salmon fillets that have been cured and sliced very thin. Served with onion, capers, cream cheese, cucumbers on a toasted bagel. Ohhhh soooooo delicious!
Photo bypiyato/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Hmmmmm, who thinks up all the crazy food days?? It's not like I ever need an excuse to snarf down brownies or peppermint patty's. What is the correct spelling for peppermint patty's.... patties....?? According to the dictionary a "pattie" refers to meat products and "patty" refers to candies. I guess someone forgot to tell York.... A rose by any other name smells or tastes just as sweet!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cream Cheese Brownies
 To make your own Cream Cheese Brownies is super easy. Take your favorite brownie recipe and pour into a prepared pan. Take 8 ounces of cream cheese (room temperature), 1 teaspoon pure Tones Vanilla and 1/4 cup sugar. Mix well and drop by dollops into the brownie batter. Bake as usual.