Steaz Iced Teaz Rocks the Canned Iced Tea Market

My favorite bottled/canned tea beverage brand changed this past year. I still enjoy the occasional Nantucket Nectars brand tea or half & half but now mostly enjoy the Steaz brand selection of teas.

I enjoy the fact that they have a less intrusive sweetness to their teas. They actually state on the cans that they are "lightly sweetened". Sugar, however, is still the second ingredient listed. The flavor I go for most often is the lime pomegranate white tea. I would rank all the flavors I have tried in the following order: 1. lime pomegranate, 2. blueberry pomegranate acai, 3. unsweetened lemon, 4. lemon, 5. mint, 6. peach.

Naturally they are available at Whole foods and other local whole foods stores. If you ask them, one of the crew at Whole Foods will pull a case of 12 for you, when they have them from the back. The usually keep them loose in an open refrigeration case near fresh baked good and prepared foods. Amazon has a case available for $19.30 that qualifies for free shipping. I think I pay around $1.40 a can at Whole Foods.

"I Am Love"

"I Am Love" is a welcomed relief between blockbusters. Current summer film season has not been one of the greatest when compared to past years. Comic book adaptations and sequels are more stale than usual. I would settle for day-old bread sequels verses ones not fit for croutons on a bland Cesar salad. Food, love and passion are the elements of this vivid Italian melodrama. American independent films often go for the bland looking and the tragic. Colors are on vibrant display and most beautifully worn by the films star. The director reminds us that film is a visual art that needs not rely on 3D (which can be wonderful) or cumbersome descriptive dialog. He chooses to show the audience the story rather than unravel it mater-of-fact like.

Review of music composed by John Adams used in film

T Meter Rating

More "Everyday Food" Success

Quick Chickpea Curry

A flavorful, protein rich alternative to a meat dinner option. May add more curry next time. I am also looking for canned chickpeas without salt added.

Recent "Everyday Food" Ideas for Dinner

Lately I have enjoyed several of their veggie options or dishes not centered around meat. Here are the favorites hits from the last few weeks.

Eggs with Mushrooms and Spinach This dish was much more satisfying than I thought and was all I needed for dinner. The parchment cooking packets make plating a breeze.

Broccoli, Asparagus, Snap Peas in Parchment An excellent way to not overcook veggies (esp. Broccoli). Like this trio together very much.

And if you just have to add chicken to the meal. The mustered panko crusted chicken breast from the Whole Foods meat department satisfies . The crunch factor is there without the heaviness of traditional breadcrumbs. They also sell the rub/coating for those that wish to make there own. I oven fry these. Brown on top of the stove on both sides in some olive oil then place in preheated 375 degree oven 12 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness. They make them in-house and run (depending on special pricing promos) aroun 6.00 per pound (two breasts).

Crane Beach, Ibswich, MA

Crane Beach is my first beach of choice to take Sadie to for a dog walk. They have a nice large, clean area (turn left once on the beach) designated for off-leash dog walking and playing. Area is clearly marked with signs. Horses are not allowed in this area - so no danger of Sadie eating horse pooh. The beach and the dunes go on forever. Dogs are not allowed on the trails or in the dunes due to bird habitat and dune preservation. Window for dog walking on the beach is relatively short considering the duration is mostly during the harsh winter months. Time frame is from October through March. We mostly visit with Sadie in October and March. A nice pristine day such as last Saturday is an added bonus.

On the way home, we stopped off at Woodman's for some fried clams and refreshments. They have the best clams, which I usually enjoy. This time I went in a different direction and choose a delicious lobster roll and an order of homemade onion rings with ice tea to wash it down.

PS: If you live in Massachusetts, becoming a member of The Trustees of Reservations, which manages Crane Beach, is good for the environment and will enliven your weekends/holidays.

More on Gourmet's Good Bye

Dining & Wine, NY Times
Closing the Book on Gourmet
By KIM SEVERSON
Published: October 7, 2009

"Killing Gourmet and keeping Bon Appétit may have made business sense for Condé Nast. But to the food elite, it felt like a gut punch."

Cream Puffs with Lemon Mousse and Blueberry Sauce

Here is another item from brunch this past Sunday. We capped off the afternoon with this very refreshing desert, which seems light despite all the eggs and heavy cream involved. I was perusing the June 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Living and found this in the From Martha's Home to Yours section. At first glance I was not a big fan of this current issue. Also, I should come clean in case it was not completely obvious before now that I am a follower of Ms. Stewart's. She's like a relative in the house. Well, I should make clear that I'm glad she's not a live-in one because I would be out of my mind with perfectionist worries. She inspires me though I cannot relate to being a supper wealthy owner of a company and many properties. Would I like to? Hell yes!!!

The cream puffs are the most labor intensive part of the recipe. The light confections would also go perfect with your favorite ice cream, sauce and toppings. Do not forget to add the egg wash at the end before applying sanding sugar for a crunchy, sweetness texture. Be liberal with the sugar. Also, do not skip straining the crud through a fine metal sieve after cooking.

The cream puffs were almost to pretty to cut open.

The recipes for the blueberry sauce and lemon curd mousse made enough to top 12 cream puffs. I had extra cream puffs that I made good use of with some strawberry jam.

Portobello and Asparagus Egg Strata aka Brunch with Ponch

We had a few friends over for brunch on Sunday. I have decided that a 1:00 p.m. start time works best for brunch. One of the dishes I prepared was a recipe from Whole Foods. The portobello and asparagus egg strata was quickly devoured. You make it the night before so that the bread soaks up all the flavors and some of the eggs. You can either use plain or herb goat cheese. I choose the herb kind and would up the garlic cloves - next time - from three to four for an added kick. On the day you bake it you sprinkle the remaining goat cheese on top and bake for 45 minutes, allowing it to stand 10 minutes before serving.

Some clever types at the table had to go there and mention Erik Estrada (Ponch on Chips). We had a short chuckle about it. Get it? Of course, and most likely you groaned. However, I will forever associate Ponch - now - with the tasty Strata severed for brunch. I hope you will try it. This one is going on the make again list.

Chocolate Love

Over the last couple of years I reintroduced myself to chocolate after a nearly 14 year hiatus from the wonderful food. I do try to exercise to allow myself these indulgences and mainly limit myself to the best dark chocolate and mostly skip milk chocolate. I find that I don't scarf down dark chocolate - unlike milk - as fast. This is another benefit of dark and limits consumption. My taste may not be the most expert but I have developed a fondness for a few brands and flavors. In other words, I know what I like as you may well too know. I like to find new chocolate to share the way other like to share wine. Please, post your favorites. Here is one brand to tempt the chocolate taste buds.

Chocolove

Yes, the name and packaging suggest love and poetry but it has a very manly dark chocolate flavor. They go the purist route as well as combine interesting flavors. Nationally you can find a limited selection of their flavors at Target and a wider selection at Whole Foods.

My Picks: Strong Dark 70% Cocoa, Cherries & Almonds 55% Cocoa, Chilies & Cherries 55 % Cocoa

Zen Soy Chocolate Pudding, MMMMM Good!

A nice refreshing snack I have grown fond of - addicted to - is Zen Soy's Chocolate Pudding. They make four flavors: chocolate, banana, vanilla, chocolate vanilla swirl. I prefer the chocolate both for its texture and taste. Thick and creamy with a dark chocolate flavor it has no strange after taste. Since the flavor is more dark chocolate than milk chocolate in richness the pudding seems twice as decadent. It serves up best cold directly from the fridge. The pudding is organic, and you can find it at most Wild Oats and Whole Foods locations. Each pudding has only 130 calories and one gram of fat.