Vegan vs. Vegetarian?

I'm not a vegetarian, but I do try to eat meatless at least a couple of days per week, as I don't believe meat is supposed to comprise a huge portion of the human diet. As you probably know already, I believe if you want to eat meat, for health and other reasons, the only way to go is locally-raised organic meats. Nonetheless, I realize that some readers of this blog are vegetarian, and therefore I do try to include meatless recipes, as well as occasional tips on substitutions for meat in certain recipes. However, some may be wondering exactly what qualifies as "vegetarian" versus "vegan", etc. Hopefully this article will help clear up some of these terms.

Image via WikipediaIf you recently started reading about vegetarian diets, you have probably read all sorts of strange vegetarian terms and categories like "vegan," "ovo-lacto vegetarian," and "semi-vegetarian." You probably wondered what the big deal was. Afterall, what is so conceptually tough about not eating meat? Is it really that complicated?

And you were right!

The distinctions between these sub-categories of  vegetarian are actually small, but each is very important to members who belong to the groups. For them, these distinctions aren’t arbitrary lines; they are important dietary or ethical decisions.

Let’s take a look at some of these groups:

VEGETARIAN:
Vegetarian is a blanket term used to describe a person who does not consume meat, poultry, fish, or seafood. This grouping includes vegans and the various sub-categories of vegetarian; however, it generally implies someone who has less dietary restrictions than a vegan.

SEMI-VEGETARIAN:
The term semi-vegetarian is usually used to describe someone who is not actually a vegetarian. Semi-vegetarian generally implies someone who only eats meat occasionally or doesn’t eat meat, but eats poultry and fish.

OVO-LACTO-VEGETARIAN:
Ovo-lacto vegetarians are vegetarians who do not consume meat, poultry, fish, and seafood, but do consume eggs and milk. This is the largest group of vegetarians.

OVO-VEGETARIAN:
Ovo-vegetarian is a term used to describe someone who would be a vegan if they did not consume eggs.

Image via WikipediaLACTO-VEGETARIAN:
Lacto-vegetarian is a term used to describe someone who would be a vegan if they did not consume milk.

VEGAN:
Vegan is the strictest sub-category of vegetarians. Vegans do not consume any animal products or byproducts. Some even go as far as not consuming honey and yeast. Others do not wear any clothing made from animal products (leather, wool, or even silk).

Take some time to figure out what group you will belong to if you are considering becoming a vegetarian. You will want to consider both dietary and ethical reasons for choosing this lifestyle. And remember, as the picture above demonstrates nicely, you can still enjoy delicious meals without eating meat!

A Few Good Vegan & Vegetarian Cookbooks:
    

Recipe-Shitake & Spinach Pizza

Here is an absolutely yummy one I came up with last week, to use up some of my CSA veggies. To be fair, it's not ENTIRELY from scratch, as I did buy the crust - Giant Eagle was having a sale, and I couldn't resist (it was a really good crust, too). But it was super easy and pretty fast, and absolutely delicious! (Note: This week we are focusing on vegetarian cooking; this recipe is meatless, but not strictly vegan, as there are animal products in the crust, and it is topped with cheese; you could, of course,  make your own crust without animal products, and top with soy cheese if you want it vegan.)


Shitake Mushroom & Spinach Pizza

Ingredients:
1/2 lb shitake mushrooms, cleaned, sliced, stems removed
10-12 oz fresh spinach, rinsed and chopped
2 small cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 TB shredded Parmesan cheese
1 large pizza crust (from scratch or purchased - you can cheat, since I did!)

Directions:

1. In large skillet, heat 3 TB of the olive oil just until hot. Add sliced mushrooms, lower heat to medium-low, and saute, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. 
2. In the meantime, place crust in oven directly on oven rack, at 350-degrees (F), just until slightly crusty. Remove and place on baking sheet.
3. Add minced garlic to mushrooms and saute 1 minute more, stirring frequently.



Ready for oven.

4. Add spinach, cover, and let cook a few more minutes, 'til spinach is cooked through.
5. Meanwhile, brush top of crust all over with remaining 1 TB olive oil.
6. Stir vegetables, and spread evenly over crust.
7. Sprinkle with cheeses.
8. Place baking sheet in oven and bake at 375-degrees for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted, and crust is golden brown.
9. Devour! 

Wine pairing: Goes well with a Reisling or other lighter fruity white.

Jamie Oliver's From-Scratch Cookbooks

If you're struggling to learn to cook, or you've never enjoyed cooking but you know that you should because of the health (and cost) benefits, one of Jamie's cookbooks may be for you. Check out the quick video below to learn a bit more about his Ministry of Food cookbook. With step-by-step instructions, full-color photos of each step, and delicious from-scratch recipes made with fresh ingredients, this cookbook could make you and your family a whole lot healthier, and you can even learn to enjoy the process! He has some other equally excellent cookbooks as well - check them out below.

Jamie Oliver recipes - Ministry of Food cookbook
www.waterstones.com Synopsis 'The aim of this book is to completely inspire people who have no interest in food to have a go' - Jamie Oliver. Sixty years ago food was in short supply and malnutrition rates were high. "The Ministry of Food" was set up...


Pick Up One Of These Today:
   

Sloppy Joe Recipe from Jamie Oliver

Image via WikipediaAs you may know, I'm a big Jamie Oliver fan. In fact, I touted his "Food Revolution" TV show to all my friends last year, as "potentially the most influential TV show ever". I've heard rumors of Season 2, and I can't wait! I think what he is doing is such a great thing for the future health of America, and I love his simple, easy, fresh recipes. Here is a good one for you. If your kids love Sloppy Joe's but aren't that fond of veggies, try "hiding" them in this yummy version. This from-scratch recipe is quick to whip up, so it makes a great weeknight dinner. Feel free to substitute turkey for the beef if that is your preference.


Jamie Oliver's Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joe is an all-American classic, and here’s one you can easily make yourself at home. It won’t take you long and you’ll know exactly what’s in it....
http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/beef-recipes/sloppy-joe 

Related articles

• Latest news on Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution (kimatrest.wordpress.com)
• Jamie Oliver says his kids are teased because of his campaigning on TV (mirror.co.uk)
• 5 Weekday Dinners (josashimi.wordpress.com)
• Jamie Oliver: One year later, five major announcements (ted.com)
• Jamie Oliver: The chef's can-do attitude in a weary world is an inspiration (guardian.co.uk)

Recipe - Smoky Chipotle Chili with Maple Ham

Here is one I came up with last week. It's easy, hearty, and SO delicious! Feel free to modify to suit your spice preferences. I left it pretty simple to let the maple and chipotle flavors shine through, but if you wanted to add other spices you could. The ham I made the night before, and used the leftovers for this chili. I got a natural-cured ham steak in my CSA share, and when I asked what to do with this, the lady who runs the CSA suggested I bake it in the oven with maple syrup. So I smothered it with maple syrup and baked for about 30 minutes. I ate part of it with a green salad and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, and it was really delicious, but there is only so much ham I can take, so I diced the rest of it up, and added it, along with the maple syrup drippings, to this dish that I threw together the next morning in the crockpot. It turned out to be one of my favorite ham dishes ever!

Smoky Chipotle Chili with Maple Ham (serves 4-5)

Ingredients added to crockpot.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb diced natural/organic ham + 1/4 c. maple syrup (may be baked together ahead of time to deepen the flavor, but you don't have to)
1 1/2 c. dry pinto beans (soaked, rinsed, and drained)
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 canned chipotle chili, minced, + 1 spoonful of adobo sauce from the can
Water

Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients in crockpot. Add water until just barely covered.
2. Cover crockpot and cook on Low for 12 hours (or High for 7-8 hours).
3. Serve with steamed greens, cornbread, and a light refreshing beer (if desired).
4. Enjoy!

Note: This dish is pretty spicy. If you wish to reduce the spice some, use only part of the chipotle, or omit the adobo sauce.

Yum, yum, yum!

Video - Healthy Snack Ideas

If you read our last post and still need more healthy snack ideas, this quick video gives a number of great suggestions. If choosing fruits and veggies, be sure you are buying organic, to avoid introducing nasty chemicals into your body. (See our Toxic Load blog for more info on eating organic: http://nhltoxicloadgreenliving.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-you-should-eat-organic.html)

Most of his choices it looks like are organic or have no preservatives, but the one thing I would NOT recommend is the soymilk - there is lots of research out there showing that processed soy is really not good for your body, and may even cause weight gain. Edamame is the exception - it is a raw, unprocessed food, and may be steamed or boiled, then sprinkled with sea salt, for a healthy and delicious snack.

Healthy Eating Tips : Eating Healthy Snacks
Try not to go more than four or five hours without eating. Learn more about proper healthy snacking with tips from a certified nutritionist in this free health video. Expert: Ken Babal Bio: Ken Babal is a certified nutritionist. He now has his own pr...



Some Snacks Discussed in the Video:
  

Making Healthy Snacking Choices

Snacking can be the downfall of many otherwise healthy diets, but the good news is that you can learn to control this rather easily. Even if you still want to snack during the day, there are ways in which you can do so without killing your healthy diet. Staying on track with your diet when you like to snack might be hard, but it is worth that extra effort because it keeps your body healthy.

Image via Wikipedia

One way to prevent snacking is to simply eat more meals. Instead of eating three large meals every day, try eating smaller meals every few hours. If you are snacking because you are hungry, chances are that you are using more energy than you are ingesting and you need the extra fuel. By eating 6 smaller but healthy meals every day, you will not be tempted to snack very often, but will keep your high energy levels.

You can also help to stop your snacking simply by removing temptation. Before you reach for a snack, ask yourself if you are honestly hungry or if you are just eating because you are bored, because the food tastes good, or because you feel compelled to eat when doing a certain activity (like watching a movie). If you are snacking because you are really hungry, than it is probably fine to have something to eat, but if you are snacking for another reason, you should try to remove the temptation. Simply rid your house of junk foods and do not buy these items again when you go to the grocery store.

Image via Wikipedia

Instead, purchase healthy snacks. Think about the snacks you are eating. Would they fit easily into a food group as fruit, vegetable, grain, dairy, or protein? If the answer is no, then the snack is probably not good for you. For example, carrot sticks (vegetables), yogurt (dairy), or popcorn (grains) work well as snacks, while candy, potato chips, and processed foods do not. Keep some veggies like carrots and celery sticks on hand, so that when you do get hungry or are craving a snack, they will be easy to grab.

When you snack, remember to consider your beverages as well. Drinks like soda, fruit punch, iced tea, lemonade, "diet" drinks, and juice boxes can contain unnatural ingredients and/or lots of sugar. In short, they are high in calories but low in nutrients (and who needs that?). Instead, opt for drinks that supplement your healthy diet. Choose water most of the time, or 100% juice. If you are not used to drinking water, and have trouble with this, add just a splash of natural juice. This can add a bit of flavor without too much sweetness. Try to stay away from most kinds of alcohol. However, if you must have a glass of wine or a small drink after a long hard day, go for it - just don't feel guilty about it later, as that causes stress! Much evidence now suggests that a small amount of alcohol can be beneficial to your health in several ways. Just go easy - moderation is key!

 

Related Articles on Healthy Snacking:

• Healthy Midnight Snacks (everydayhealth.com)
• Healthy After-School Snacks (everydayhealth.com)
• Smarter Snacks Keep Off the Weight (everydayhealth.com)
• Healthy Snacks for Kids: Recipes, School Snacks, and More (webmd.com)
• How To Kill Your Addictions to Junk Food and Soda Pop (dumblittleman.com)

Homemade Pizza Recipe

Here is a great looking recipe for making your own pizza, with a from-scratch sourdough crust (if you don't like sourdough, just make a regular dough). This one is a bit more advanced, since you are making the crust from scratch, but it looks like it will be worth the extra effort. There are lots of great step-by-step pictures as well, so be warned that it will make you hungry!  If you've ever wanted to try homemade pizza, this one looks like it's worth a try.

Image via WikipediaCheck it out, and let me know how it turns out!

A New Pizza Recipe
I am endlessly looking for a perfect pizza recipe and I think I just found it. And best of all, it uses my sourdough starter. You start by placing 2 cups of starter in your mixer bowl. Then add 1 cup of water. Add 2 tsp. of salt. ...
Publish Date: 03/11/2011 11:52
http://octoberfarm.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-pizza-recipe.html

Food and Wine Pairing Ideas

To wrap up our wine week, of course there is one more thing we need to discuss - pairing your wine with all that great food you've been cooking! Wine pairing can seem challenging to some people - especially if you have not been cooking (or drinking wine) for long. But there is a lot of good information out there about how to choose wines that will go with the meals you have cooked, or for a special occasion or other event where the food is more ethnic or unusual. (I really liked the second article, and learned a lot from it - pairing wine with chocolate had always seemed difficult to me, and this article really cleared that up for me.)

Image via WikipediaHere are some recent interesting resources you may find of help in matching your great food to a great wine:

Food and Wine | Global PR & Article Submission Website
The process of pairing food and wine isn't as complex as some may believe. Don't think that you have to be a vineyard snob to appreciate a great glass that offers the right bouquet and texture for your meal. When it comes to food and ...
Publish Date: 03/06/2011 2:54
http://www.globalpr.co/03/06/food/food-and-wine/

Pairing Wine With Problem Foods | Pairing
Many people feel that pairing wine with chocolate is a bad idea because of the sweetness of the chocolate and many other people feel that pairing wine with.
Publish Date: 03/06/2011 4:08
http://pairing.blognows.com/2011/03/06/pairing-wine-with-problem-foods/

In the Land of Lynfred: Wine Pairings for St. Patty's Day
Wine Pairings for St. Patty's Day. Everyone always talks about beer when it comes to St. Patrick's Day but we think wine can be just as fun! Here's our suggestions for some fabulous wine and Irish pairings: ...
Publish Date: 03/02/2011 17:18
http://lynfredwinery.blogspot.com/2011/03/wine-pairings-for-st-pattys-day.html

winerelatedstuff: Wine Pairing Principles for Thanksgiving? and Beyond
Holidays like Thanksgiving can pose some serious wine pairing paralysis. With the cacophony of flavors and textures involved in a meal whose primary goal is to stuff oneself until bursting, what wine could possibly (1) complement the ...
Publish Date: 03/06/2011 1:30
http://winerelatedstuff.blogspot.com/2011/03/wine-pairing-principles-for.html

Video - Make Your Own Wine

Home brewing is ever more popular, as more and more people are discovering how easy and cheap it can be to make your own beer and wine at home. You can put together your own system of course, once you learn the basics, but to achieve more consistent results you may wish to start with a wine making kit, which provides all the equipment you need as well as step-by-step instructions. Below are some examples of wine making kits, and this free video will show you the basic items that come in the kit, and which you will need for making your wine (once you watch the video, there are more in the series so you can see what comes next in the process).

Enjoy, and drink responsibly!

Making Wine at Home From Kits Part 1 - Equipment
www.wandillawine.com A video detailing the equipment needed to make wine at home from kits.

Related Articles on Home Wine Making:

• Making Wine at Home: Getting Started (goldentable.wordpress.com)
• Winter and Wine Making (personalwinemaking.wordpress.com)
• Pairing Acidic and Sweet Wines with Food (video) (luxist.com)
• Making Wine at Home: Sanitizing (goldentable.wordpress.com)

Wine Making Kits:
    

The Making of Red Wine

Among the many types of wine available, red wine is a perennial favorite (of mine, as well!). There are many types of red wine available, although most are made using the same methods.  This complex type of wine is made from black grapes, drawing their color from the skins of the grapes. 

Image via WikipediaDuring the beginning stages of making red wine, the grapes that have been picked are put into a crusher.  Here, the crusher will gently break the skins of the grapes.  Depending on what type of wine is being made and the tannin that’s required, the stalks will either be crushed along with the grapes, or discarded.  Next, the grapes are put into a fermentation vat with the skins.  This can be a long process, taking several weeks to complete.  If a higher temperature is used, more tannin and color will be extracted from the grapes.

When making soft wines, the whole grapes are fermented using sealed vats.  The carbon dioxide that becomes trapped in the sealed vats ferments the grapes under pressure, which is normally a quick process, taking only a few days.  Keep in mind, the color and tannin content of the wine is based on how long the fermenting process takes.  If the fermenting process takes a long time, the wine will generally hold more flavor and color.

The remaining bulk of the grapes will go through a press, being crushed to create a tannic wine.  Sometimes, this tannic wine is added with a free run wine in order to add a bit more structure to the wine blend.  Both the press and vat wine are then mixed and transferred to either tanks or barrels for a second fermentation.  The second fermentation will take the longest, and it brings out the quality and taste in the wine.

Image via WikipediaAll types of fine red wine will spend a minimum of a year in the barrels.  Some types of red wine will spend a lot more time in the barrels, possibly several years.  Red wine is also fine tuned with egg whites, which will suspend the yeast and other solids found in the wine downwards, before the wine is racked, filtered, and eventually bottled.  Once the wine has been bottled, it is then shipped off and sold.  Some wine however, will be stored for a period of time in the bottle before it is offered for sale.

The time a wine spends in the bottle is very important, although not every wine needs to spend a lot of time in the bottle.  The more complex and more expensive types of red wine will benefit the most from aging in the bottle, to preserve flavor and color.  The more simple types of red wine however, don’t need to spend much time at all in the bottle before drinking.

Either way, red wine can be a very delicious accompaniment to many meals.

Italian Food: The History of Pizza

Since we were just talking bruschetta, I thought this might be a good time to expound upon another dearly loved Italian favorite.... Pizza!

Image via WikipediaItalian food is unique amongst world cuisines in that it has birthed not one, but two international sensations.  Of course I'm talking about pasta and pizza.  Pizza is one of the most widely eaten foods today.  While most people think of pizza in America as Italian food, it really is not like the pizza of authentic Italian food (having been to Italy more than once, I can definitely confirm this personally!).  It is said that with one taste of pizza made in the style of authentic Italian food, you will never go back to the Americanized version (I know I certainly had a hard time of it).  Even when eating at good Italian restaurants in the US, it is hard to capture the distinguished taste of true Italian pizza. 

Pizza is one Italian food that has been around in one form or another for centuries.  It has a long history in the Mediterranean where it began as a seasoned flatbread that was used more as an edible plate to hold other food, rather than as a food by itself.  However, these earlier pizzas established a name for Italian food very early on and were eaten in Greece, Rome, Egypt, and Babylon and were emphatically praised by many historians of the day.

Image via WikipediaIt was in the Middle Ages that pizza began to take a form that would be more familiar to Italian food lovers today.  Pizza started out being just a dough topped with herbs and olive oil.  Once mozzarella cheese began to be produced from Indian Water Buffalo it quickly became a signature aspect of pizza.  Today at any true Italian food eatery this fresh mozzarella di buffalo is nonnegotiable.  The dried shredded mozzarella that is often associated with Italian food would actually never be used on a pizza made by a true Italian food chef. 

It wouldn't be until the tomato became popular in Italian food in the 18th century that we would see modern pizza.  During this time pizza began to take an even more prominent role in Italian food.  In Naples pizza was sold on the streets for every meal.  This once peasant food was quickly taking hold of all of society, including the upper class.  In fact, by 1830 the first ever pizzeria was opened in Naples.  Ever since this time pizzerias have been found all over the world converting people to the love of Italian food. 

Image via WikipediaTraditional Italian pizza is cooked in a wood fired oven.  The reason American pizza is often not thought of as a true Italian food is because the large restaurant chains that specialize in pizza do not cook it in a wood-fired oven.  Pizzas featured in Italian food restaurants should use only the freshest ingredients.  In Italy pizzas change with the seasons as new ingredients become available.  The great thing about pizza that has made it so popular is the fact that it can be topped with a vast array of toppings.  Each region of Italy has its own particular style of pizza that they specialize in, making use of the ingredients most readily available to them.

So for real Italian food pizza it is necessary to step out of the confining ideas of just a few types of pizza and open your mind to the different possibilities.  Italian food is full of variety and you could literally spend a year in Italy just trying all the different styles of pizza that made Italian food so universally popular. (I would definitely enjoy that vacation!)  :-)    

Related articles on Pizza:

• How to Prepare an Authentic Italian Pizza (csahm.com)
• Pleasure Diet: My go-to meal at an Italian restaurant (self.com)
• Queen Margherita, Meet My Family. (katefromscratch.wordpress.com)

Making Pizza From Scratch:
 

Cooking From Scratch-Bruschetta Recipe

Here is a great and easy recipe for a tasty home-made bruschetta. Remember, cooking from scratch doesn't always have to be a big ordeal or a fancy 4-course meal - sometimes it's enough just to prepare a fresh and tasty snack, knowing that you're using the freshest ingredients, and you made it all yourself in just a few minutes. This can be all the reward you need to try something new - like this yummy little recipe!

Image via WikipediaCooking From Scratch: Bruschetta
Welcome to Cooking From Scratch. This blog is all about making great food from scratch. From the simple to the complex, I like to try it all. There's not much that can't be made at home, better and/or cheaper. I like to post new recipes ...
Publish Date: 02/20/2011 23:19
http://cooking-from-scratch.blogspot.com/2011/02/bruschetta.html

 

Related Articles on Making Bruschetta:

• Bruschetta Breakdown (lapetitepancake.wordpress.com)
• A Reader Recipe: Bruschetta With Tomato and Broccolini (fitsugar.com)
• Recipe Bruschetta with Mushrooms (notecook.com)

A Few Related Cookbooks: