Seasonal Cookery

Plan ahead when in the kitchen and use what nature provides for you. Using seasonal vegetables guarantees dishes with great flavors every time you cook. Use this guide to match recipes with the best each season has to offer.

 

spring Prepare light entrees and salads that emphasize spring vegetables like asparagus, leeks, and green onions. Also use fresh herbs, such as basil and cilantro.

 

summer Use your grill to prepare seafood, poultry, or meats and serve with the season's ample bell peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, green beans, greens like arugula and spinach, snow peas, tomatoes, and zucchini.

 

autumn During this time of the year include the best of the harvest in your menus with mushrooms, onions, potatoes, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes.

 

winter Use your broiler to prepare hearty recipes using winter's supply, including hearty greens, winter squash, and root vegetables. Incorporate the flavors of winter by using fresh herbs like sage and rosemary.

 

Got questions or comments? Email me!
 
-Matt
matt@themensfashionblog.com

Grilling Basics Made Easy

Grilling is an easy way to cook, and it turns out in wonderful flavors and appearances that are only possible when foods are exposed to the heat of an outdoor grill.

 

prepare in the morning  On days that you plan to use the grill for dinner, check supplies and get the grill set up and ready to use. You will have less to do when it's time to fire it up and cook.

 

clean the rack  Use a wire grilling brush with a scraping tool to clean the grill rack. Make sure to clean it twice. You never want to taste what was left on the grill the last time you cooked. When desperate measure calls and your tool is M.I.A., you can use an onion. Just cut the onion in half and use the open side face down. Before you begin cooking remove any accumulated debris. For future use after cooking while the rack is still hot, clean the grill again. Just before putting the food on grasp a wadded-up paper towel with tongs, dip it into some vegetable or olive oil, and use it to lightly oil the grill rack.

 

avoid flare-ups  Flare-ups, which occur hen the fat drips from the food onto the fire, can give food and unpleasant taste and appearance. If they occur, move the food to a cooler area on the grill, and be sure the grill is tightly covered.

 

give it a rest  Allow grilled foods to sit briefly before serving. This gives the juices time to redistribute themselves throughout the food, producing a more evenly moist result.   

 

Got questions or comments? Email me!
 
-Matt
matt@themensfashionblog.com

 

 

 

 

Save Your Life, Kill a Salmon.

You know that eating salmon helps prevent heart disease. Now there's another reason for the fish to swim away. It may also protect you from cancer. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who consumed two or more servings of fish per week had between 50 percent and 60 percent lower rates of stomach, colon, and pancreatic cancers. The researchers speculate that the fatty acids in fish such as salmon inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids. They are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by our bodies. For this reason, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from the food we eat. These acids can be found in fish. You can save your life and impress the ladies with your cooking skills. So guys, put down that greasy burger and let your taste buds try one of these:

Salmon Burgers with a lil' Pizazz

• MAYONNAISE SPREAD:
• 3 tablespoons nonfat mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and mustard. Mix well.

• SALMON BURGERS:
• 1 salmon fillet (1 pound), skin removed
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 5 whole-wheat hamburger buns (The 5^th is for breadcrumbs)
• 2 avocados, chopped
• 4 tomato slices
• 4 red onion slices
• 4 handfuls of spinach leaves

Directions:

1. To make the salmon burgers: Remove and discard any bones from the salmon. Using a sharp knife, finely chop the salmon. Place in a large bowl.

2. The patties need some support. So take some of your extra bread and crumble it up. Then take the breadcrumbs and sauté them in a little olive oil and minced garlic. Add the sautéed breadcrumbs, garlic, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, lemon juice, ginger, and pepper. Mix well. Shape into 4 patties.

3. Warm the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until the salmon is obscure and no longer bright pink.

4. Serve on lightly toasted buns, topped with the mayonnaise spread, tomatoes, avocado, onions, and spinach leaves.

Salmon is a deliciously lean alternative to high-fat ground beef in burgers like these. Serve with a side of mixed greens or fresh fruit and a nice cold drink. If you are a beer drinker, try a classic Pilsner with this meal. Pilsner goes very well with salmon. The final step is to sit back, relax and enjoy the meal.

Got questions or comments? Email me!

-Matt

matt@themensfashionblog.com