Monday, July 25, 2016

Roasted Broccoli: A Good Summer Staple

I know the idea of roasting in the heat of summer does not sound like a good one.  But, go with me here. 
 I roast my vegetables early in the morning. It's cooler outside, and I take advantage of multitasking, since the vegetables cook while I'm getting ready for the day. 
  Roasted broccoli especially can be served/ eaten at room temperature. So once the cooking is done-- no more heat. 
  Here's what I do:

One head of broccoli-- which in the Northeast has been stellar this summer
 Cut about two inches off the heavy stems and throw that part away. Then, with a sharp knife, slice the head from stem and strip the thick rind off the stem.
( I strip the rind off the smaller parts too, because that's how my Italian grandmother did it)
 Cut the head into smaller piece and place in a roasting pan or a pie tin. Rinse with water-- retaining a little water in the bottom  drizzle Olive oil over the broccoli and toss the pieces with a spoon or your hands to  them. Cover loosely with foil. 
  Roast in a 450 oven for 30 minutes. The last few you can remove the foil to get the vegetables more crispy. 
  I also roast-- separate from the broccoli-- carrots ( two inch "Fingers"), onions quartered, celery, potatoes ( halved them halved again), sweet potatoes, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower-- broken up. 
Some folks roast beets-- I'd quater or half them to help them cook-- or even cabbage, especially with onions. 
  So easy and ready to serve
With anything from fish, steak to 
Pasta.
  Or for those of you who like your vegetables raw: make a deconstructed salad and let your family build their own. Chopped lettuce, halved endive, sliced radishes , tomato chunks (if allowed) and
Ribbons of carrots, maybe olives and 
Cucumber rounds, jicama -- you get the picture: whatever!
Happy summer. 

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Newly Diagnosed with Food Allergies? It gets better

I remember sitting in the lobby of a large hospital complex in a city not my own totally exhausted trying to process the news the pediatric allergist had just leveled at us. My 18-month old son was allergic to: Dairy. Eggs. Tree nuts. Peanuts. Fish. Shellfish. Wheat. Soy. And sesame. And chickpeas. And melon and and and and and. The list just kept going. 

  I was stunned.  What can he eat?
 And, while that was the very last time I asked that question, it was actually a really good way to start taking charge of food allergies. 
1. Make a list of what your child can eat. 
Everything else follows. 
2. Remember you're not alone -- there's a tribe of us out there, eager to share our experiences. 
3. You can do this-- mainly because you have to, but also because you can.

And Happy Fourth of July!