Boots McBlog

It’s been awhile since I’ve made an entry under “boots’ camp”.   Frilly dress /bathing suit season is frightfully near.   The warmer weather reminds me that comfort food of the winter has made my spring duds a little less comfy to wear.   Never fear,  its a great time to make some more tweaks to my habits.   Confession – I’m a snacker.   I honestly could live on party food,  snacks and sweets.    Thankfully there are so many healthier options out there these days to make my afternoon crunch time – a little less guilt ridden.   I plan to start sharing a few more of my recipes and food finds along the way.  

In a complete about face from my previous ladylike post,  I have the sense of humor of a fourth grade boy….which is why I find this snack not only delicious – but  the name makes me giggle.       Pirates Booty is an all natural rice / corn puff.   No trans fats  ( those yucky globules that gum up your arteries)  and they are gluten free.  ( Gluten is a protein in wheat to which many many folks are developing an allergy signified by intestinal pain, joint pain, and/or skin rash).   I’ve been lovin’ the Aged white cheddar flavor for over a year now after I noticed my health conscious best friend feeding it to her two year old.   If you’ve never seen it, it is usally over in the “healthy/ natural” section of your local market.  When I shopped Whole Foods last week,  I was ecstatic to find the myriad of flavors available.   Salt & Vinegar, Veggie, Cheddar, BBQ.    They also have them available in snack bags of 1oz serving making them perfect for packing a lunch for kids or yourself or toting to the pool or ballfield.   A 1 oz serving has 130 calories and 5 gm fat which is comparable to baked chips – but these little puffs provide more volume and crunch time, plus all the flavor and NO orange dust all over your fingers when you are finished.      Just like the package says “thar be good”.    Silly name, low in calories  means  a perfect snack for a laughternoon break.

Disclosure: the FCC  prefers me to tell you that Pirates Booty nor Whole Foods is paying me to write this.  Of course,  I would be thrilled if they would.  But they aren’t  - these are strictly my lil ol opinions.

Cheers, Y’all!

Friday has come and gone …and well…  I think I missed a blog post.   Blame it on the sunshine.  Blame it on good friends.  Blame it on the mojito(s).

When dining al fresco becomes the norm,  most folks reach for the standard margarita.   Maybe it’s the southerner in me, but I prefer my lime muddled with mint and a little “shu-gah”.  Hola, Mojito!    I tasted my first mojito years ago at a little eatery in L.A. called Luna Park. I’ve been a fan of this cuban elixir ever since.   I’m not the only one,  it’s popularity has risen tremendously over the last decade – although it’s  actually been around for centuries.  Swashbucklers in search of golden treasures are said to have introduced it to Cuba in the 1600′s.    And in more recent history – it is said to have been the favorite drink of Ernest Hemingway.   I do not have the luxury of  traveling to La Bodequite del Medio – Hemingway’s watering hole  - to partake.     Thankfully deliciousness is being served locally on one of my favorite porches at Loca Luna. ( It appears having “Luna” in the name makes these even more scrumptious) 

The best thing about mojitos is the ease in which they can be made at home.   Many recipes abound – some with simple syrup.  Others call for shaking all the ingredients.  In my opinion,  the secret in is the muddling of the mint,  granular sugar, and lime together.  Here’s my recipe for

The Perfect Cuban Mojito

3 sprigs of fresh mint, clean and dry

3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice  = 1 lime cut into wedges

1 – 2 Tablespoon  of  superfine white granulated sugar

1 1/2 oz of light rum

chilled club soda / seltzer

ice

Using a pedstle, muddle  2 sprigs of lime with the lime  juice/ wedges and sugar.  Fill the glass with ice.  Pour rum into glass and then fill with chilled soda.  Garnish with a lime wedge & sprig of mint.   For a party, these are gorgeous served with a stalk of sugar cane in the glass.  Sugar cane stalks can often be special ordered through your grocer.

Perfect for an afternoon with friends.   Easy to make.  Even easier to order.  It may only be Monday – but you can still get lost with a mojito.

Cocktails on a Monday?  Do tell!  Just blame it on the swashbucklers.  Blame it on Hemingway.  Blame it on the luna /  (moon) .

Cheers, Y’all

Dear Miss Emily Post,

My deepest regrets for my next blog entry.

Sincerely,

Boots

When chewing gum was introduced to the United States in 1871, Emily Post would not even speak of the subject.  It was declasse, not to mention, to some  it was immoral.      Jump 140 years into the future and you are bound to see someone, somewhere smacking the stuff in public.  ( I use the word, “smacking” as it is the  word my mother used when I was growing up  to emphasize her disgust at the habit)  To mom’s dismay,  I happen to love to chew gum.  Many of us do.

The other night as I sat watching the Oscars,  I spied  Sarah Jessica Parker – queen of fashion – bedecked in her Haute Couture Chanel gown chewing away.    First I was horrified at her lack of civility, but  I then thought to myself – “That’s how she stays so skinny.”   Yes, chewing gum can actually shed some pounds.

The New England Journal of Medicine published a study citing the act of chewing gum can increase caloric expenditure each day  by 20%.   Eleven calories per hour were burned – not much-  but it adds up.    The study concluded that chewing sugar free gum every hour you are awake could possibly lead to an 11 pound weight loss in a year.   Wow!  11 pounds!!   Before you get too excited,  this means ALL waking hours – in the shower, at the gym, in that important, must -seal -the deal presentation.   Um -  the latter is not such a good idea.    It is still important to mind your manners.

While you may not be able to chew gum ALL the time to reach the full 11 pounds weight loss,   chewing sugar free gum can help you decrease cravings for higher calorie snacks and curb your appetite.  It can increase gastric motility by stimulating saliva production and may calm some symptoms of indigestion.  ( Warning – Obligatory negative medical news Note to follow: swallowing too much air may lead to increased indigestion or gas.  Some sugar free sweeteners such as sorbitol may cause gastric distress if taken in large quanitities.  Sorbitol is the key ingredient in most laxatives)   However – in more good news, gums sweetened with xylitol may help to reduce dental caries.    And perhaps the reason, I reach for it most often is that chewing gum in a rhythmic pattern can help to reduce anxiety and stress.   I happen to be that toe tapping, fidgety girl in meetings  and I always have a pack of Orbitz’s  flavor of the month on hand.

Of course, for Emily’s sake and my mother’s,  one should never blow bubbles in public,  “pop” it, or dispose of it by simply spitting it out.   Wrapping the used product in a paper and then disposing of it in a receptacle is best practice.  I can’t believe I actually feel the need to have to say that…. but  those of us who have ruined a pair of pumps by stepping in a bubblicious mess would appreciate if everyone would heed these common courtesies.

When in private – that’s a different story – smack away.  Blow a big ol bubble.  Have fun – and just think of all the good your are doing for yourself.  Now that’s something to chew on.

Cheers!

**special thanks to Hestands in the Heights for allowing me to snap a shot of their gum display that always makes me happy when I  see it.

Happy March!   A new month signifies a closer step to spring and the season for my favorite vegetable – ASPARAGUS.   Many of us are familiar with the canned or frozen version that has no semblance to the delicacy of fresh crunchy spears.  Again, fresh is best!   Asparagus is versatile and can be used in various dishes from salads, to omelets, used as a topper for a grilled steak or just  as a simple roasted side dish.   I often prepare these quickly grilled or roasted  just like the brussels sprouts I featured a few weeks ago.    (By the way,  our local market and I would like to thank those of you  who tried the fresh brussels sprouts..and LIKED them!)  Asparagus is a great source of fiber, folate, and vitamin C and extremely low in calories.

My preference for asparagus is to buy pencil thin stalks. I think they are more tender, however thicker stalks can be just as tasty.    Asparagus is best stored  standing in a dish of water in the refrigerator until it’s use. (no more than 5 days after purchase) To prepare, gently bend the stalk and allow it to naturally break and discard the tough end.  Prepare steamed, roasted, or grilled.   And by grilled this means, you can use that panini maker or Boxer named grill for a quick fix.

Last night,  I tossed them with a teaspoon of Olive Oil and sprinkled with Lemon Pepper and placed on my panini grill for approx 4 minutes.   Many times, I’ll stop here and use them as yummy side dish.  However, for Sunday Supper, I used them for a pizza!  (see below)

Grilled Chicken & Asparagus, Caramelized Onion Pizza.

My oldest brother, who is an excellent cook and a fellow foodie,  told me about this concoction.  Just like his Xanadu album years ago,   I’ve taken this recipe and have made it my own.   It is one of my favorite spring meals.

2  4oz chicken breast*

1/2 bundle of Asparagus

1 vidalia onion/ sweet onion,  sliced

1 prepared  12 inch Pizza crust ( i.e. Boboli Whole Wheat Crust)

1 cup Italian Blend Cheese or Grated Fresh Parmesan

Lemon Pepper Seasoning, to taste

1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

3 tsp Olive Oil, separated

1 tsp butter

Directions:

In a heavy saucepan or iron skillet  melt one tsp of butter with one teaspoon of Olive oil.   Place sliced onion in the pan over medium heat and slowly cook for 30 minutes until onions caramelize.  Remove from Heat.    ( While onions are cooking,  you will have time to prepare the chicken and the asparagus)

For uncooked chicken, sprinkle with Lemon Pepper Seasoning to taste and place on countertop grill.   Usually 5-7 minutes.  Remove from grill and allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes.  Then chop into bite size pieces and toss with 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice.

*For the chicken breast, you may choose to substitute rotisserie chicken breast or pre packaged grilled tenders to save time on preparation

Once Chicken is complete,  toss asparagus spears with 1 tsp of olive oil and lemon pepper to taste.  Place on counter top grill for 2-4 minutes.  Remove from grill and chop.

To prepare pizza, brush top of prepared pizza crust with 1 tsp of Olive Oil.  Top with chopped chicken,  chopped grilled asparagus, and caramelized onions.  Sprinkle with One cup of Italian blend cheese or Parmesan.  Bake according to Pizza crust instructions.  Usually 8-10 minutes at 450 degrees.  Yields: 6 slices

Calories per slice:  approx 225 calories.  Serve this with a side of citrus mixed fruit ( oranges and grapefruit)  for a colorful, vitamin packed, well balanced meal.

What an easy and delicious way to march into a healthy new season.

Cheers, Y’all!

p.s.   Of course, you know today’s soundtrack will definitely involve the Xanadu Soundtrack.

There are certain foods that always remind me of my grandmother.  Cinnamon apples are one of them. She always made them when I came to visit.  Mam-ma had the sweetest, most syrupy, yummiest recipe.  I’m afraid to think how much butter was used.
In college ( especially when I was particularly homesick),  I would prepare sliced apples in a healthier manner -  with lite butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar in the microwave.  It’s a flavor combination I have always enjoyed.   Tonight when struggling with the proverbial “what’s for dinner?”,  inspiration struck.  Cinnamon Apple Ham Paninis.    These turned out delicious!   This recipe would be ideal for a hot lunch next to a cup of not-so-healthy cheese soup or a tasty breakfast treat with a cup of joe.    Tonight I grilled ‘em up and served with very pedestrian baked potato chips and a good dose of memories.  How sweet it is!

Cinnamon Apple Ham Paninis

2 slices of Raisin Cinnamon Swirl Bread  ( testing purposes I used Pepperidge Farms)
1 tsp lite cream cheese
pinch of brown sugar
3-4 thin slices of green apple
2-3 thin slices of deli honey ham

Preheat panini maker to med high heat.  Spread lite cream cheese on one slice of bread.  Sprinkle with brown sugar.  Top with apple slices, ham, and remaining piece of bread.    Place sandwich on grill and cook until bread is well toasted  usually 4-5 minutes.  slice and serve.  yields:  1 serving,  approx  225 calories

Cheers, Y’all!