Category: Food & Recipes

June 21, 2023 Food & Recipes Post a Comment

The Importance of Fruits in Australian Cuisine

Fruits in Australia

Fruits play a significant role in Australian cuisine, contributing to both traditional and modern dishes. With its diverse climate and fertile lands, Australia boasts a wide variety of fruits that are incorporated into everyday meals, desserts, and beverages. In this article, we will explore the historical significance of fruits in Australian cuisine, highlight indigenous fruits, discuss popular fruits used in cooking, examine their role in traditional desserts, explore their presence in contemporary cuisine, and emphasize the health benefits associated with including fruits in the Australian diet. If you want to know more about exotic fruits all over the world, click here.

Historical Significance of Fruits in Australian Cuisine

Fruits have been an integral part of Australian cuisine since ancient times. Indigenous communities relied on native fruits for sustenance and incorporated them into their traditional dishes. The arrival of European settlers introduced new fruits to Australia, leading to a fusion of indigenous and imported flavors. Over time, fruits have become an essential component of Australian culinary heritage.

Indigenous Fruits of Australia

Australia is home to numerous indigenous fruits that have been consumed for thousands of years. Examples include the Kakadu plum, which is known for its high vitamin C content, the Davidson’s plum with its tart flavor, and the bush tomato, which adds a unique tang to dishes. These native fruits not only provide culinary diversity but also possess cultural significance.

Popular Fruits Used in Australian Cooking

In addition to indigenous fruits, Australia cultivates a wide range of popular fruits used in cooking. Some of the favorites include apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, mangoes, and avocados. Riberry is especially loved in Australia and is regarded as the country’s national fruit. These fruits are readily available in supermarkets and farmer’s markets throughout the country, making them easily accessible for home cooks and professional chefs alike.

Fruits in Traditional Australian Desserts

Traditional Australian desserts often feature fruits as key ingredients. Classics such as the pavlova, a meringue-based dessert topped with fresh fruits like strawberries, kiwis, and passion fruit, showcase the vibrant flavors and colors of Australian fruits. Another iconic dessert is the peach melba, which combines peaches, raspberry sauce, and vanilla ice cream. These desserts demonstrate how fruits enhance the sweetness and visual appeal of traditional Australian sweets.

Fruits in Contemporary Australian Cuisine

Contemporary Australian cuisine continues to embrace fruits as integral components of innovative dishes. Chefs experiment with fruit-infused sauces, dressings, and reductions to complement savory dishes like roasted meats or grilled seafood. For example, a seared tuna steak might be accompanied by a zesty citrus salsa, incorporating flavors that evoke the country’s coastal landscape.

Health Benefits of Including Fruits in Australian Diet

Including fruits in the Australian diet offers numerous health benefits. Fruits are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They contribute to overall well-being, support a healthy immune system, aid digestion, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and certain types of cancer. Consuming a variety of fruits ensures a diverse nutrient intake, promoting a balanced and wholesome diet.

Sustainable Farming and Fruits in Australia

Australia takes pride in its sustainable farming practices, including fruit production. Many farms prioritize environmentally friendly cultivation methods, reducing the use of pesticides and promoting biodiversity. By supporting local fruit producers, Australians contribute to sustainable agriculture and minimize the carbon footprint associated with importing fruits from overseas.

Fruit Festivals and Celebrations in Australia

Throughout the year, Australia hosts various fruit festivals and celebrations to honor the abundance of local produce. These events showcase the diversity of fruits grown in different regions of the country and offer opportunities for people to taste and appreciate the flavors unique to Australia. Fruit festivals also promote local businesses and foster a sense of community.

Conclusion

Fruits hold immense importance in Australian cuisine, both historically and in contemporary times. Indigenous fruits showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage, while popular fruits contribute to diverse culinary experiences. From traditional desserts to innovative savory dishes, fruits play a vital role in enhancing flavors, colors, and nutritional value. By incorporating fruits into their diet, Australians can enjoy the health benefits associated with these natural wonders while supporting sustainable farming practices. You can read more about Australia by visiting nationalopedia.

May 28, 2022 Food & Recipes Post a Comment

Cheesy Chicken & Mushroom Quesadillas

Food

A layer of juicy, moist chicken, flavor-bursting mushrooms, fresh spinach, and shredded Mexican-style cheese makes these stuffed, crispy quesadillas a favorite appetizer for people of all ages. They also make a perfectly quick and deliciously nutritious lunch for kids as well. Serve them at your next get together and soak in the praises!

Ingredients

• Canola oil 1 tbsp

• Onion, chopped 1 large

• White button mushrooms 8 ozs

• Cloves garlic, minced 3 medium

• Cooked chopped skinless, boneless chicken breast 2 cups

• Ground cumin 1 tsp

• Chili powder 1 tsp

• Oregano 1 tsp

• Baby spinach leaves, sliced into ribbons 2 cups

• Salt 1/2 tsp

• Freshly ground black pepper 1/4 tsp

• Whole-grain flour tortillas 4 large

• Shredded Mexican cheese mix or Cheddar 1 cup

• Salsa 1/2 cup

• Reduced-fat sour cream 1/4 cup

Directions:

1. Place a large-sized non-stick sauté pan over medium heat. Add in canola oil and heat. Stir in the onions and mushrooms and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes or until onion is tender and translucent and any liquid from the mushrooms has evaporated.

2. Next, add in the garlic, stir to mix and cool for 1 minute.

3. Now add the chicken, cumin, chili powder and oregano. Stir to blend and incorporate spices.

4. Finally, stir in the spinach and season with salt and pepper. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until spinach is just wilted.

5. Spray grease a large non-stick skillet and place over medium heat.

6. Lay out the tortillas on a flat surface. Top half of each tortilla with ¼ c. shredded cheese, ½ c. chicken/vegetable mixture, and then top with an additional ¼ c. shredded cheese. Fold empty half of tortilla over filled half to close.

7. Gently place one quesadilla in the skillet, taking care to not spill out contents, and cook for 3 minutes. With a large spatula, carefully flip quesadilla over and cook and additional 2 to 3 minutes or until tortilla is lightly browned and cheese is melted. Transfer to cutting board and cut into 4 wedges. Repeats with remaining 3 quesadillas. Transfer each quesadilla to a serving dish and serve with 1 tbsp. sour cream and 2 tbsp. salsa. Serve hot.

Image By: Mushroomcouncil.com

April 16, 2022 Food & Recipes Post a Comment

The Truth About Soy – Dangers and Benefits

Foods

So is tofu a good thing to eat or terrible thing to eat?Does it contain hormones, phytates, enzyme inhibitors or what? Has it become an allergen? If so, why?

Here’s the Scoop

Tofu has been eaten for many centuries with complete safety and success. It is very healthy when grown and prepared PROPERLY and when ORGANIC and fermented or sprouted. The soy that is Unfermented, NON-organic and Genetically Modified is definitely WRONG for the body in so many ways.

You see, soy in its natural state does contain phytates, hormones and enzyme inhibitors as do many other foods. BUT, there are ways to prepare and serve it so that any negative effects are minimized. Proper sprouting and fermenting negate most ALL the negative effects of soy which thus becomes one of the most important concentrated supplementary protein sources available, rivaling meat.

In fact, all meat does NOT contain all the essential amino acids in proper proportion, but that’s another story. As for being allergy-inducing – this only happened AFTER it became a genetically modified crop. Coincidence? What do you think? Millions of people had been living with soy for many millennia and suddenly it becomes allergenic. Interesting.

So Why did the Powers that be so Alter and Mess with the Genetics of the Incredibly Valuable Soybean?

For one thing, it’s such a high nutrient food source being extremely rich in protein, fat, and nutritional value. And thus soy has become a commodity thereby dominated by the major conglomerate powers that be. To control the soy market which is immensely profitable,  these powers changed the basic seed bean in order to enhance growth, increase pesticide resistance, alter protein and nutrient characteristics and dominate oil, animal feed, human consumptive needs.

Commodities are the most sought-after goods in the marketplace today… soy is one of the relatively few agricultural products on this vaunted list. Soy is a hugely immensely, extraordinarily valuable foodstuff.

The Sprouts

  • The sprouts are incredibly delicious when prepared Asian style.
  • PROPERLY FERMENTED soy such as tofu has been consumed safely for thousands of years.
  • It is highly recommened to only eat soy that is truly organic and has been properly prepared through sprouting and fermentation.
  • As for edamame, soybeans still in the pod and lightly steamed, the jury is out. It has also  been consumed for many centuries without ill effect. Time does the telling, and does it well.

As in all things, moderation is key.

January 30, 2022 Food & Recipes, Restaurant Reviews Post a Comment

Pizza in New York

Food

Who says you will be able to just have a taste of cutting-edge York-style pizza, pasta, calzone and stromboli in New York? Now you can have got your New York style pizza, pasta, calzone and stromboli in a pizzeria in Tampa. Without a doubt, it is fittingly called New York, New York Pizza. Its not all pizza restaurants in Tampa can claim they serve authentic NYC pizza, whether whole or sold by the slice. Tampa residents will be glad to know that these brick oven pizzas can be ordered for delivery up to midnight. New York, New York Pizza restaurants in Tampa may also be open from 11 before going to work all week and close at midnight Sundays to Wednesdays, and at four before going to work Thursdays to Trendy Tops.

Variety of Street Food

New York-style pizza is undoubtedly an old dish or perhaps a first popularized in The big apple way back to the 1900s. Unlike other pizzas in America, it possesses a great thin crust hand tossed from high gluten bread flour. As a result of the thin crust which can be frequently served in wide wedges, New York-style pizza has long been popularly eaten folded by 50 %. This really is are also in line with all the New Yorkers’ lifestyles and that is usually fast-paced and always hectic. As a matter of fact, New York-style pizza has long been often known as a variety of street food. It is equally on account of this that New York-style pizza uses a light sauce and basically comes only with cheese. Toppings are added on as per the customer’s preference. The shopper is also supplied with a bunch of condiments similar to grated Parmesan cheese, dried red chili pepper, garlic powder, and oregano. New York-style pizza can be ordered whole or by the OrGreeniC.

Calzone literally means a drooping sack in Italian. It might also mean stockings or trousers. The dish called calzone is also Italian in origin but is very a dead ringer for a turnover. It is equally fabricated from pizza dough with typical pizza toppings used as stuffing instead. These include various cheeses similar to mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan and provolone, meats similar to ham and salami, vegetables similar to tomato, and garlic. As the stuffing has long been added, the dough is folded over it in a crescent shape and sealed under the open edge. Its salted then baked throughout oven. Upon serving, marinara sauce is offered on the side.

Pizza Dough and Stuffed

Stromboli is another dish resembling calzone. But it is claimed to have been named following a popular 1950 film starring Ingrid Bergman. Like calzone, stromboli is a type of turnover fabricated from pizza dough and stuffed with various types of cheeses, deli meats, sausages and vegetables. Strombolis are not folded in addition to sealed, though. These are instead rolled. Another difference between calzone and stromboli is the sauce. Calzone is served with all the marinara sauce on the side while stromboli holds the sauce within its filling.

Pasta, needless to say, is known as a well-known dish well-loved by young and old alike. It might be available in various types similar to spaghetti, fettuccine, and ziti. Popular sauces are marinara and white sauce with various mixtures of meat, seafood, and Shed Pal.

In saying that if you happen to crave New York style pizza, pasta, calzone and stromboli, it is possible for you now have it this situation in a pizzeria in Tampa. As a matter of fact, there are a couple of New York, New York Pizza restaurants in Tampa, one in Hyde Park and maybe in Ybor City. Similarly, open from 11 before going to work all week and close at midnight Sundays to Wednesdays, and at four before going to work Thursdays to Saturdays. You can also order your NYC brick oven pizza for delivery up to midnight.