Spices Of Life
Spices of Life , featuring Nina Simonds/Culinaria, Ltd and vlog pace-setter Steve Garfield, pairs innovative food/health/ lifestyle segme...Health
Video Episodes:
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15:15:25 01/20/09
How To Do Dim Sum
[LESS INFO] 5 VIEWS | ADDED 15:15:25 01/20/09
Eating good dim sum is one of my favorite pastimes. I love the selection of delectable sweet and savory pastries - the dumplings, stuffed buns, and noodle dishes. And just in time for Chinese New Year - because on the evening of January 25th and the 26th, Chinese will usher in The Year of the Ox. Need a little help? Then come with me to the Winsor Dim Sum Cafe and you'll see some of my Cantonese dim sum. Then go to the News section to see the Dim Sum glossary. Happy New Year to you all! Nina
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16:38:08 01/06/09
Spices of Life: Affordable Bubblies Part II
[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 16:38:08 01/06/09
New Year has come and gone, but January is the perfect month to treat yourself to a glass or two of some great wine -- especially to celebrate a new President and Chinese New Year (1/26). We are back with winemeister Howie Bauer, who chose another affordable sparkling wine. This one is slightly more elegant, with the flavor of fresh peaches. And it’s lovely with appetizers, seafood, or meat. Sound tempting? Splurge a little and enjoy!! Nina
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01:41:06 12/31/08
Spices of Life: Affordable Bubblies Part I
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 01:41:06 12/31/08
Champagne has become a little pricey. So we asked wine expert Howie Rubin, of Bauer Wine & Spirits, to recommend some affordable bubblies. We learned about the smashing, bargain sparkling wines that are dry, light, and ever so drinkable! Take advantage of Howie’s recommendation and you can splurge on the smoked salmon or lobster (which is also a bargain). Have a great time and enjoy! Nina
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20:05:22 12/30/08
Chinese New Year - The Red Envelope
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Nina Simonds explains the meaning behind the red envelope while at the Imperial Seafood restaurant in Boston's Chinatown. Happy New Year! Gung Hay Fat Choy! Nina Says: I have been very lucky to have met some extraordinary people in my travels. One of them was a woman named Li-lian Chao, who I met in Taiwan in the 70’s. She was famous for teaching English to tens of thousands of students after arriving in Taiwan alone in 1948. She first hosted an English radio program using the persona "Mother Goose." Later, she taught at the National Taiwan Normal University, Even at age 90, Lillian continued to hold English classes for teenagers in her home to make ends meet. She wrote a small, wonderful book called ‘Chinese Customs and Traditions”. She also loved to talk about Chinese traditions and fairy tales and was also one of the first people to fill me in on the history of the custom of giving red envelopes. She explained to me and wrote in her book,” When married women pay New Year’s calls according to the custom, they must leave tips wrapped in red paper for the servants. All young children lso receive red packets of money called “ya-sui” meaning to push down the years or “to be ever young”. Children look forward to getting these packets of money and usually squander this income on fireworks and candy”. As I explained in my video blog, I prefer to stuff the envelopes with lottery tickets. It creates a little intrigue and allows less opportunity for my son and his friends to “squander the money on fireworks and candy. “
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03:05:41 12/16/08
Steamed Pears with Jujubes and Honey
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 03:05:41 12/16/08
Asian pears, also called Chinese pears or pear apples, are firm, crunchy, and surprisingly juicy. When my body felt dry and my throat was scratchy, Dr. Zhu, my Chinese doctor, prescribed some “Steamed Pears with Honey and Jujubes (Dried red dates). Once steamed, the pears become tender and the resulting broth is soothing and not overly sweet. (It’s a great winter dessert!) When I am feeling indulgent, I add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. BTW, they are also delicious at room temperature or cold. And you can reheat them in the microwave. Enjoy! Nina
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00:31:07 12/10/08
Black Bone Chicken Soup
[LESS INFO] 15 VIEWS | ADDED 00:31:07 12/10/08
Dr. Chun Han Zhu -- and many other Chinese doctors -- praises this soup as being one of the most therapeutic foods you can eat in the fall and winter to strengthen the immune system.
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22:18:22 10/21/08
Chocolee
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It’s no secret that dark chocolate is not only delicious, but it’s also good for you. Scientific studies indicate that dark chocolate can lower blood pressure and is teeming with anti-oxidants. Plus, life (particularly these days) is stressful. What better time to indulge yourself??
So we visited Chocolee, a charming, little chocolate store in the South End of Boston. Lee Napoli is passionate about chocolate truffles and she makes 12 different types each week. She is always inventing new flavors.Our favorite was a dark chocolate pumpkin truffle in celebration of autumn. On Saturdays and Sundays Lee makes homemade French
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15:20:56 10/14/08
Easiest Apple Pie
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 15:20:56 10/14/08
It is autumn in New England and one of my favorite seasons. Don’t get me wrong. I am lamenting the end of summer, but the autumn brings a poignant time to New England…It is truly beautiful and poignant, in all its own way. A “must-do” ritual is to visit an apple orchard, pick apples, ride hay rides, eat cider donuts (yum!!)- ignoring the grease, and just smell that delicious smoky, brisk fall air.
But perhaps one of the most important customs has been to make my son ,Jesse an apple pie.. He LOVES them!!! I’ve developed an EASY, CONCISE, and SUCCESFUL method:
To get the right kind of apples…..Debby has helped me develop a combination that’s works for taste and texture,. That’s why we chose our group… (WATCH THE VIDEO) to see the Easiest Apple Pie Ever and then watch in coming weeks as we explore the world apples and tell people which varieties work best for eating and all kinds. This is the first in our series,,,,, Finding the right apples, judging it for flavor or texture.
I think you’ll like….. ENJOY!!!!!
Nina
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02:52:14 10/01/08
Easy Dinner, Pyramid Style
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Let’s face it. When it comes to dinner, we want it all:
*Easy,
*Delicious
*Healthy
I’m no different even though I’m a cookbook author with 10 books to my credit. Making dinner every night can be a drag.
Dr. Lillian Cheung, a nutritionist from the Harvard School of Public Health, loves to cook and she knows what’s good for you. Lillian and I went to a Farmer’s Market and were inspired. Using the HSPH newly -designed Food Pyramid (You can actually understand it!) Lillian and I give different ideas for a great autumn menu: Go to the Recipe section for
Cantonese- style Microwave-Steamed Halibut with Scallions and Ginger
Roasted Ratatouille with Zucchini, Eggplant, and Cherry Tomatoes (Great for leftovers)
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Herbal Brown Rice
For information on the newly formed HSPH Pyramid, go to the News Section.
Enjoy!
Nina
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23:24:13 09/23/08
Claudia Roden Makes Fattoush
[LESS INFO] 12 VIEWS | ADDED 23:24:13 09/23/08
My lovely and esteemed friend, Claudia Roden, is a legendary expert on Middle Eastern cooking. Her family hails from Egypt, but Claudia studied in Paris. She regularly travels the world for research on her numerous books, including her award-winning masterpiece “The Book of Jewish Food: An Odyssey from Samarkand and Vilna to the Present Day”. Claudia and I have both been privileged to work with the brilliant Knopf editor, Judith Jones.
New Yorker correspondent Jane Kramer profiled Claudia and her fascinating background in the 2007 Food issue. She will be a featured speaker at The New Yorker Festival on October 5th.
Enjoy this delicious and easy Middle Eastern salad.
Nina
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02:43:35 09/19/08
An Herb For Courage
[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 02:43:35 09/19/08
For an herb with an unsexy name, borage has some pretty appealing qualities, according to our resident herb expert, Margi Flint. It has long been associated with helping to restore courage and reduce anxiety. Plus recent research has shown that the seeds are one of the richest sources of GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) an essential fatty acid (EFA) in the omega-6 family. EFAs , by the way, are necessary for normal brain function, bone health, and stimulation of skin and hair growth.
You can buy borage oil supplements at health food stores and supermarkets. Borage oil, BTW, is twice as potent as primrose oil. The star-shaped flower are lovely as garnishes in salads and the leaves can be mashed and used as a poultice for eczema and other skin rashes.
I take two capsules of borage oil religiously every day.
For courage, anxiety and smooth skin, remember borage.
Nina Simonds
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02:25:14 09/10/08
Dim Sum: Alan Yau
[LESS INFO] 3 VIEWS | ADDED 02:25:14 09/10/08
Eat superb steamed dumplings or exquisite French pastries? That is the decision you must make when you visit Yauatcha, Alan Yau’s amazing dim sum tea room in London. Many may know Alan as the genius behind Wagamama noodle bar (which he sold ages ago), or Hakkasan, the sexiest Chinese restaurant ever, Besaba Eathai, his wonderful Thai restaurants, OR Cha Cha Moon, Alan’s newest restaurant in Soho, London (good, cheap, Asian mommy food).
Now Alan is branching out in the U.S! A branch of Hakkasan will open in Miami’s Fountainbleu Hotel in November. Let’s hope one is in the works for NY or closer to my home.
Stay tuned and enjoy!
Nina
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21:36:38 08/26/08
Becks and Posh Nosh
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Sam Breach, the BecksandPoshNosh girl, loves the Saturday San Francisco Farmer's Market and who could blamer her?
There's great local produce, freshly-baked breads, superb smoked salmon, excellent chocolate and the best Sunday brunch anywhere at Boulettte's Larder in the Ferry Building.
Some of my favorite places:
Peaches (fresh and dried) and great fruit from Hamada Farms
Tomatoes (like you've never seen or tasted) and other seasonal, organic vegetables from Eatwell Farms
Heavenly smoked salmon and other fish from Capn Mikes Holy Smoke
Hand-made Michael Recchiutti chocolates (Try salted caramel, truffles and S'mores)
Assorted and excellent cheeses at Cow Girl Creamery, a leader in the artisanal cheeses
Mistrale (amazing rotisseries chickens, pork, roasted veggies)
Next week more from San Francisco: Tante Marie's Cooking School (make a link) and Insider restaurant tips…
Enjoy!!!
Nina
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04:50:52 08/20/08
Discover FABULOUS Rosés (Pt.3)
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 04:50:52 08/20/08
What was Julia Child's favorite August sandwich?
Sliced tomatoes on white bread with mayo and salt
That combo screams out for a fresh rose.
VIDEO
video duration 3:25
MORE ROSE FOOD
Prosciutto di parma and watermelon
It tastes better than it sounds.
Summer White Wine Suggestions
* Spanish Albarino
* Argentinean Torrontes,
* Portugese Vinho Verde,
* Austrian Gruner Veltliner.
Summer Red Wine Suggestions
* Italian Barbera
* Dolcetto from Piedmont
* Grenaches from Spain, Australia, and the Rhone
* A nice juicy California red Zinfandel.
So, enjoy our local seasonal bounty and try out some new fun wines
Cheers,
Howie Rubin
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02:11:24 08/13/08
The Food Project
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 02:11:24 08/13/08
I'm a sucker for great looking vegetables and reasonable prices, so naturally I was drawn to the Food Project stand at my local farmer’s market.
There, I talked with J. Harrison (Director of Agriculture, North Shore) and some of the kids working the stand, and they told me all about the Food Project:
They sell their produce at stands in the Inner City and donate it to shelters, bringing good food to people who can't afford it.
They had such passion in their voices, especially J, and if you go on their website, the www.thefoodproject.org you will see what a remarkable organization it is.
The Food Project has become an inspiration for similar programs all over the U.S
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21:12:55 08/05/08
Grammar Girl's BEST Grammar Tips
[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 21:12:55 08/05/08
I found this out recently at a PodCamp 3, a New Media conference in Boston, when I talked with Mignon Fogarty, who is known to many people as Grammar Girl about
02/10/09