FitSugar

Salmonella Update: Mystery Solved?

FitSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:10:00 PDT

We may be once again putting tomatoes on our plates, but the source of the salmonella outbreak has remained a mystery. The FDA just announced that a possible source of the salmonella outbreak – water. They found strains of salmonella in both irrigation water and serrano peppers at a Mexican farm in Nuevo Leon.

Since the tomato industry has lost over $300 million because so much produce had to be thrown out due to the government's warnings, the FDA has been hammered with questions, of course the most pressing one being, "Why did the investigation originally focus on tomatoes?" Officials said in the early part of the investigation, there was definitely a link to tomatoes, and that this red fruit still shouldn't be ruled out entirely. They also said it's possible that the salmonella outbreak was connected to several different kinds of produce. Well that would make sense if irrigation was the culprit.

As for now, two farms in Mexico are still under investigation: The Tamaulipas farm and the Nuevo Leon farm. People are still being advised to avoid raw jalapeño or serrano peppers from Mexico. I don't know about you, but something tells me this issue isn't a closed book. The Mexican government strongly disagrees with the FDA findings. First it was tomatoes, then it was hot peppers, and now the water. What element could possibly be implicated next?

Source

Salmonella Update: Not Just the Tomatoes Anymore!

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:30:00 PDT

If you've been avoiding tomatoes for fear of getting a salmonella infection then you're going to have to add serrano and jalapeno peppers, as well as cilantro to your "do not eat" list.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Food and Drug Administration has begun looking at serrano and jalapeno peppers and cilantro - basically the ingredients used to make salsa - as possible causes of the outbreak. Tomatoes continue to be investigated as well. With over a thousand folks infected at this point, some officials are calling this the worst foodborne illness outbreak in the US in a decade - yikes!

Me, I've starting eating tomatoes again, but I'm going to try to steer clear of the spicy peppers in question as well as the tasty herb. Most of you said you weren't avoiding tomatoes, so will you be avoiding the peppers and cilantro (perhaps even salsa) until this all is cleared up?

Source

Quintessentially Spanish: 12 Specialty Items For Your Spanish Kitchen

YumSugar — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:44:28 PST

After our post on Spanish cuisine, we're dreaming of mild white anchovies, serrano ham, and manchego cheese washed down with a glass of wine from La Rioja. So we thought we'd bring together all of our favorite Spanish specialty items that are musts for any Spanish kitchen. With the exception of Padrón peppers, all of of these items can be ordered online, making your Mediterranean fiestas totally attainable.

Fresh Flavor: A Spanish Food Primer

YumSugar — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:25:02 PST

I constantly crave the flavors of Spain. Though Spanish cuisine varies tremendously across the different regions, they all have one thing in common: the use of fresh, local flavors. Spanish cuisine is heavily influenced by its climate and geography.

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the best way to describe Spanish food is the generous use of olive oil and garlic in dishes. Spain is the number one producer of olive oil, so it seems fitting that this ingredient brings together so many delicious elements. Spain has direct and abundant access to some of the best seafood in the world, and the cuisine offers everything from octopus to razor clams. Meat is also an important part of the Spanish diet and culture, specifically cured pork like jamón serrano and beef (eaten more rarely). Wine is a regular part of mealtime, similar to other Mediterranean countries. Fresh ingredients are of the utmost importance in Spanish cuisine, and because of this, dishes tend to be on the healthier side.

In Spain, dinner is typically eaten late at night (beginning around 10 p.m., but some even sit down to eat as late as midnight), which explains why tapas are a very significant part of Spanish culture. Tapas are small little meals, usually packed full of flavor, meant to be enjoyed while slowly sipping wine and conversing with friends. The cultural phenomenon of tapas is an important reminder to slow down and savor all of the flavors of life.

As I mentioned before, regionality is hugely important when it comes to Spanish cuisine. Typical meals in Galicia are vastly different from those in the Basque region or Andalusia. Still, there are a few common dishes and terms you should know about. Keep reading to learn more!

12 Days of Edible Gifts: Homemade Hot Sauce

Mandy Harris — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:50:44 PST

Sugar cookies and peppermint bark are a dime a dozen during the holiday season, but this year, we've been bringing you some deliciously out-of-the-box edible gift ideas with our fourth annual 12 Days of Edible Gifts series. Haven't had time to whip up one of our easy, tasty ideas yet? If you've got 15 minutes and a handful of fiery peppers, we've got your answer: homemade hot sauce.

This recipe is so easy it almost can't be called a recipe, but your lucky recipients don't have to know that. It's also completely customizable: use whichever peppers you prefer (or whichever are easiest to get your hands on). Last year, I used a combination of green jalapeños and habaneros; the result was tangy, herbaceous, and blazing hot. This year's batch was made with ripe red jalapeños and red serranos, and while it still packs some heat, it's much milder and sweeter.

If you can't bear to give away all the fruits of your labor, you're in luck: the vinegar that rises to the top of the hot sauce as it cures can be skimmed off, bottled separately, and kept for yourself as a homemade Tabasco substitute.

Get ready to spice up your life - and get the recipe - after the break.

A Look at Laura Werlin's Lastest Cheesecapade

Guest Writer — Tue, 24 May 2011 03:42:15 PDT

Ever wonder what it would be like to travel the world teaching seminars on cheese? We have, so we asked the food industry's most glamorous cheese lady, Laura Werlin, to give us a glimpse at her delicious life! Here, she shares a recent experience.

Most people don’t feel sorry for me when I tell them I have to go to places like Aspen, Pebble Beach, South Beach and similar hardship locations to conduct cheese and wine pairings (not). This week’s trip was no exception. I got to go to the other mile-high city, Boulder, to talk grilled cheese and wine.

The event was a fundraiser for Attention Homes, which is a pretty amazing organization that provides residential treatment and shelter to at-risk kids between the ages of 12 and 18. Attention Homes is also heavily involved in helping the area’s approximately 150 homeless kids by getting them the help they need.

Who ever thinks much about the problem of homeless kids? Evidently it’s a much bigger problem than we knew. But I digress. What better way to shine the spotlight on such a great organization than through the joie de vivre that comes from an evening devoted to good cheese and wine in a fantastic setting?

To learn what kind of sandwiches she served, keep reading.

Know Your Ingredients: Chile Peppers

Susannah Chen — Tue, 03 May 2011 11:07:47 PDT

Cooking for a Cinco de Mayo celebration means utilizing different varieties of chiles, from habañeros to jalapeños to serranos. But you know what I began to realize? The more I cook with the little devils, the more I get confused about the differences between them - so I'm setting the record straight with a primer on peppers. Get to know them in one hot minute when you keep clicking.

A Reader Recipe: Thai Drunken Noodles

Fit Community — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 02:46:05 PDT

Love Thai takeout but hate the grease and fat that comes with it? FitSugar reader Dara8182 has just the fix for you. She posted her recipe for healthier Thai Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) in our Healthy Recipe community group.

This recipe is my clean and healthy version of the takeout staple. Called drunken noodles because the dish was designed for late night partiers who needed a pick-me-up, the basil, chilies, and lime create a unique flavor that is highly addictive. I made some changes to this dish, substituting brown rice vermicelli for broad rice noodles and adding lots of veggies.

Find out what goes into this delicious dish after the break!

Monday's Leftovers: Spicy Butter-Steamed Bass

YumSugar — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 09:00:49 PDT

A helter-skelter Monday doesn't have to equal a chaotic late night meal. One surefire way to save time is to use leftovers from yesterday to save yourself the hassle of shopping and prep.

Instead of grilling sea bass, opt for a steaming technique that poaches the fish, yielding a melt-in-your-mouth consistency. A pat of butter, serrano pepper, and ginger infuse the dish with fragrance, flavor, and richness. For the recipe - which doesn't even require a steamer! - keep on reading.