Archive: November 27, 2005 - December 03, 2005
Feature Flavor: Pomegranate
When the December darkness gets me blue, I start seeing red. Actually, it's ruby I think of -- the glorious shade of the seeds of the pomegranate, fruit of the goddesses and all who need a Mother Nature-style antidepressant. I know it's got an uninviting, tough leathery rind that is impossible to peel. Slice the pom in half instead; inside, you'll be rewarded with hundreds of translucent jewel-like, juice-filled seeds (also called tendrils), and you'll begin to understand why I sing her praises. However, if you're a neat freak, the pom may not be for you. She's got juice that stains (it was once used as ink), so place both halves in a deep bowl. With your hands, break open the halves and loosen up the seeds so that they separate from the off-white, paper-like membrane, which you don't want to eat. Recent medical research has revealed the antioxidant prowess...
By kimodo | December 2, 2005; 09:59 AM ET | Comments (9)
Flavor Feature: Eggnog
It's Dec. 1, which means eggnog season has officially begun. But like white shoes in summer, the window of opportunity is small for this traditionally eggy drink that has been served at holiday soirees since the 19th century. A few questions inevitably come up whenever there's a punchbowl of eggnog:...
By kimodo | December 1, 2005; 12:30 PM ET | Comments (8)
Entertaining Clinic
I received the following e-mail from "Jennie," a reader in Alexandria, Va., who wants advice for throwing a holiday shindig away from home: "I've agreed to host a dinner party for 16 at a family apartment in Boston over the holidays ... there are relatively few kitchen tools up there, and I'll probably have to buy any ingredients I'll need. It's before a formal event, so everyone will be dressed up, but it's a smallish apartment so there won't be room at a table for everyone. We were thinking something buffet style but still elegant?"...
By kimodo | November 30, 2005; 11:21 AM ET | Comments (3)
Here, Cookie Cookie...
Two weeks ago, when this blog got going, I pledged to be your holiday wake-up call. This does not mean I'm wearing tinsel, flashing lights or big red ribbons that already are EVERYWHERE, nor does it mean that I'm encouraging you to get frantic and sucked up by the hype. For the month of December, there will be no countdown or group nail biting in this here blog. Instead, I'll offer calls to action in a gentle way, a soft nudge if you will. With several holidays to choose from and so many ways to celebrate, the last month of the year is a like a brunch buffet spread. So I'm following the lead of Baskin Robbins and offering up the 31 Flavors of December, with a new flavor rolling out each day. Get your tasting spoons ready. In preparation -- all I said was preparation, so don't start hyperventilating...
By kimodo | November 29, 2005; 10:11 AM ET | Comments (17)
Restoration of Your Hardware
After a long holiday weekend, it's difficult bouncing back into the fray. I'm betting that remnants of Thanksgiving are lingering in many o' fridge. A last bite of pumpkin pie, perhaps? Maybe it's not just the cooler that needs some cleaning out this week. With December just a few days away, there's a small window of opportunity to give our bodies a break from rich food and drink. I propose a toast to antioxidants, folate and fiber with a bowl of soul-warming soup, made with lima beans and spinach. Get over your childhood aversion to limas and listen up; in the recipe below, they're seasoned with onion, leek and rosemary and are a far cry from the mushy, tasteless beans that Mom served up....
By kimodo | November 28, 2005; 09:43 AM ET | Email a Comment
