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Meaning of Memorial Day: Why do we celebrate?

BY JULIA GLUM Memorial Day may be the unofficial start of summer, but it's so much more than an excuse for a three-day weekend. It's a U.S. holiday with a lot of history and lasting significance. Held annually on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day dates back to the Civil War. Who exactly created it and where are unclear, but legend has it that the tradition began in 1864. That's when three women from Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, put flowers on the graves of loved ones who had died in the war, including a young man killed in the Battle of Gettysburg. By 1865, according to the Library of Congress, people in states such as South Carolina and Mississippi were participating in unofficial ceremonies that preceded Memorial Day. But Waterloo, New York, claims to be the birthplace of the holiday, given that it held what Nelson Rockefeller would later call the "first, formal, complete, well-planned, village-wide observance of a day entirely dedicated to honoring the wa

Kiwi the Super Fruit

Vitamin C boost? Here's a fruity tip: Eating one Kiwi fruit gives you approx. 112 percent of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin C! Here are the benefits of this super fruit: Phytonutrients: Kiwis have phytonutrients, which repair DNA, act as the body’s protection against some cancers, and function as antioxidants. Vitamin C: One serving of kiwi gives the body a boost of Vitamin C, which helps heal wounds, increase iron absorption, and boost the immune system. Fiber: Kiwi is a good source of fiber which has a role in the prevention of constipation and some cancers. Folic Acid: Kiwi provides 10% of the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for folic acid, which is important for expectant mothers and works to produce red blood cells. Vitamin E: Kiwi provides 10% RDA for Vitamin E and decreases the risk of heart disease. Who's having some of this super fruit today? personal chefs and event catering Miami + Miami Beach + Fort Lauderdale + Palm Beach info@yadachef.com | 954-367-Y

Fish Not As Carbon Friendly As Previously Thought

Darin Graham - Reporter, The Climate Question Eating fish could be worse for the climate than previously thought, according to a recent scientific study . Previous research indicated that seafood has a smaller carbon footprint than other animal proteins, because fishing doesn't require farmland or the care of livestock. But a new study claims that catching fish using heavy nets that drag across the seabed - known as bottom trawling - emits about the same amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) globally as the aviation industry. Seabed sediments that act as huge carbon sinks are churned up during this kind of trawling - and this results in CO2 being released. "The ocean is full of little creatures that we call the plankton, microscopic algae and microscopic shrimp and so forth," says Dr Sala, explorer-in-residence at National Geographic and leader of the study published in Nature. Speaking to the BBC World Service's, The Climate Question , he says "most of these creatu

Baklava Recipe

A staple in most Greek and Middle Eastern restaurants and bakeries. There is no mention of it until after 1299, which is the beginning of the Ottoman Empire. Filo/a dough originated in what is now Turkey, but it is the Greeks that refined it into the paper thin dough we know today. In Greece, baklava is supposed to be made with 33 dough layers, referring to the years of Christ's life. Any recipe we have ever found used no more than 24 (which is what is found in the pre-made 1 pound/450g packages. This recipe is a combination of two of our favourites. The one from Greece adds in cinnamon which the one from Turkey did not have. You choose. 1/2 pound/225g about 12 sheets thawed filo dough, covered with a damp towel 1 1/2 cups/174g chopped walnuts, pistachios or almonds 2 1/2 tablespoons/30g granulated sugar (you don’t need much the syrup is sweet) 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional) 1 stick/1/4 pound/8 tablespoons/113g melted butter For the syrup: 2/3 cup/1

White Fish Gravlax Recipe

White Fish Gravlax Serves 4 Here is a great starter, light lunch or a fantastic item for your holiday buffet. If you have problems with gluten substitute the wheat bread for a flax or millet bread or leave it out entirely and eat on some mixed greens. Gravlax 5 ounces/145 grams white fish, bass, snapper-I used tilapia (sushi grade) 2 tablespoons/34g coarse salt 2 tablespoons/25g caster sugar 1 tablespoon/7g of ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon/2g ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon/2g ground cloves 8-10 pieces of fresh dill fronds Mustard Butter 2 Tablespoons/28g of unsalted butter, softened 2 Tablespoons/28g of dijon mustard. Salad 1 handful of watercress dressed with simple vinaigrette Creme Fraiche or Sour Cream Mix salt, sugar, black pepper, allspice, and ground cloves. Liberally sprinkle on both sides of the fish. Lay half of the dill in a glass container. Place the fish on top and cover with rest of the dill. Leave out for 1-2 hours th

Dijon Chicken Salad with Zucchini and Grapes Recipe & How-To Video

Chef Joseph Cooking at Home We created this recipe for Winn-Dixie grand openings some years ago. Along with the tastings, we held cooking demonstrations. Was a lot of fun. Serves 4 1pound/450ml Grilled Chicken (1 3/4-2 cups/402-450ml diced) 2 cups/248g Zucchini/courgette 1/4 inch/6.35mm 3/4 cup/30g Watercress chopped (substitute parsley) 3-4 Scallions chopped 1 cup/92g Green grapes sliced in half 1 tablespoon/15ml Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon/1ml Sea salt 1/8 teaspoon/.5ml Black Pepper Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl making sure to coat everything evenly. *add ½ cup/58g walnuts if desired personal chefs and event catering Miami + Miami Beach + Fort Lauderdale + Palm Beach info@yadachef.com | 954-367-YADA (9232) www.yadachef.com

Thanksgiving Gravy aka Eat Your Veggies Gravy

A healthier and even tastier version of a classic gravy and be made for Beef, Chicken, Pork, and even Turkey. There is no need to add any extra fat. Instead of slathering your chicken or turkey with butter lightly brush with a little oil and prepare as usual. Same goes with the beef or pork. Cut up a couple of carrots, celery stalks and slice an onion. Rest your poultry or meat on top and roast. When the meat is done remove from the roasting pan and transfer to a cutting board. Loosely cover with some aluminum foil. While the meat is resting push the vegetables through a food mill/mouley or strainer. Separate the excess fat from the cooking liquids. Add the liquids and vegetables to a blender and whiz away. private chefs and event catering Palm Beach + West Palm Beach + Boca Raton + Miami Beach + Fort Lauderdale info@yadachef.com | 954-367-YADA (9232) www.yadachef.com south florida catering and personal chefs

Half Brined Polish Pickles

We love pickles and are often experimenting with different tastes and flavours. Recently we made some a new batch using no vinegar. This method is brining them. The longer they sit the more tangy they get. We also had some left over liquid from a previous batch with had vinegar. We combined 2 different methods to create a 1/2 brined 1/2 pickled cucumber. DELICIOUS! We added fresh horseradish root because we found in Poland it is a common practice. We had no grape leaves, so we substituted fresh bay leaves. Both will keep the cucumbers crisp and crunchy. The brine will get cloudy. Makes 10-16 half pickles 1 pound/500g small pickling pickles (5-6)* 1 cloves crushed garlic 1 thumb sized piece of fresh peeled horseradish root 1 teaspoon/5g yellow mustard seed Small handful fresh dill or 1 tablespoon/15ml dried dill weed 4 cups/1 liter water 1/4 cup/60ml white vinegar 1/4 cup/59ml/55g coarse sea salt OR 2 1/2 Tablespoons/37ml/41g table salt handful fresh dill or 3 tablespoons/45ml

Taco Days!

National Soft Taco Day October 3 / National Taco Day October 4 The word taco started in the 18th century silver mines in Mexico. Back then, a taco was just some paper wrapped around gunpowder. Taco Bell has tried to enter the Mexican market twice, failing both times, even after branding their food “American” food. Food Finds about Tacos A taco is a traditional Mexican dish composed of a corn or wheat tortilla folded or rolled around a filling. A taco can be made with a variety of fillings, including beef, chicken, seafood, vegetables and cheese, allowing for great versatility and variety. A taco is generally eaten without utensils and is often accompanied by garnishes such as salsa, avocado or guacamole, cilantro, tomatoes, minced meat, onions and lettuce. According to the Real Academia Española, publisher of Diccionario de la Lengua Española, the word taco describes a typical Mexican dish of a maize tortilla folded around food (“Tortilla de maíz enrollada con algún

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