Stevia and the Sugar Debate

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | May 30, 2011 | Food Knowledge & History |

There is a debate running about sugar and alternative sweeteners. The general agreement is that refined white sugar is unhealthy for our bodies. It contains empty calories and active agents that rot our teeth and help increase the rate of diabetes in our population. Yet we continue to purchase and consume sugar in mass quantities. The artificial sweeteners aren’t healthy for you either, causing side effects like cancer.

Along comes stevia, a plant from South America that took thirty some odd years to appear in American grocery stores. So what is the big buzz about stevia? It is a plant. You can use it much like curry leaves, right from the plant itself. It takes less amount of stevia than regular sugar to sweeten products. You can purchase stevia from your local market, it comes in the form of white powder, packaged in a box. read more

The Fear and Passion of Cooking

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | May 27, 2011 | Perspective |

julie and julia We just finished watching the movie Julie/Julia again, and the “Making of” on the DVD. I saw the movie when it came out in 2009, but didn’t think to read the book. I read the book in December, and found it funny, interesting, and a great story about learning how to cook. So I had to watch the movie again.

During the “Making of” part on the DVD, they mentioned how Julia Child was a fearless human being, and that cooking makes you fearless. The discipline demands it from you. read more

How to Make Simple Syrup

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | May 25, 2011 | Drinks, Recipes, Sauces |

This syrup is a great base for making lemonade, or any other sweetened home-made drink. I’m going to try it out with the Ginger-beer recipe I found over at Trinigourmet.com.

Simple syrup can keep for a long time. So don’t worry. If you want to make a big batch (like I’m going to for the ginger beer) use a bigger stock pot. Just remember to keep a close eye on the stuff.

This goes great with Fresh-made Lemonade.

5 Quick Tips on How to Handle Chilis

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | May 23, 2011 | Tips & Tricks |

We all know that chilis are hot. Some more than others. There are precautions you can take when handling chilis that will make it safer and easier.

If you've wanted to try a habanero, but did not want to risk burning yourself, here's what you do.

Watermelon as Gazpacho

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | May 18, 2011 | Recipes, Soups & Stocks |

Road trip food for a vegan can be challenging. Fortunately I have the skill set to pull off a pretty sweet cooler for traveling. Things that get packed before we slide out of town include, but are not limited to watermelon, jicama, oranges, hummus, carrot and celery sticks, tomatoes, olives, breads and tortillas, nuts and seeds, chips both potato and corn. This is just to get us started.

Changing The Way We Eat: Food Revolution

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | May 16, 2011 | Celebrity Chefs |

Chef Jamie Oliver is an engaging and entertaining chef. He earned this reputation on the television series The Naked Chef broadcast by the BBC. His boyish good looks and charm won over audiences around Britain. And then he came to America.

Chef Jamie is on a mission.

Weekday Vegetarian as an Option

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | May 13, 2011 | Books |

This is a guest post written by my Partner, D’Marie.

I have been a vegetarian for a long time, approaching twenty years now. I have been a full on vegan for three or four and wheat free for two. This has been a long process, not an overnight change.

Even the initial decision to become a vegetarian, back when I was in college, was a gradual one. I decided to slowly weed out different types of meat from my diet so that I could, one day, become a full vegetarian. At that point I couldn’t imagine becoming vegan. And, because the idea of leaving behind meat was such a scary one, I was even slow on that count. I remember explaining to friends that I was allowing myself to eat red meat only two days a week at first and poultry the rest of the week. read more

Worth the Trip? Veggie Grill in Hollywood

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | May 6, 2011 | Restaurant Reviews |

Our final excursion into Southern California vegan cuisine was the Veggie Grill. We went to the one in Hollywood, on Sunset Blvd, nestled inside a large retail building that included movie theatres. Again, we had difficulty with parking, but with it being Sunday and movie theatres in Hollywood at mid-day, it made sense that parking would be an issue.

This Week’s Experiment: Pickles

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | May 4, 2011 | Condiments, Recipes |

It is Springtime and that means pickling cucumbers are in abundance at the markets. Lots and lots of pickling cucumbers, on sale. Everywhere. Lately, I’ve been contemplating pickling, but I don’t own a canning system. You know, the pot, the rack, the tongs. Hopefully this is something that might be in my future, but for now, it’s about figuring out how to make pickles without all the gear.

An online search revealed a breakdown of a Kosher Dill Pickle recipe over at David Lebovitz’ blog It is his recap on Arthur Scharwtz’s Homemade Kosher Pickles. Looked easy enough, and only involves fermenting, not canning. read more

Pickling Spice Recipe

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | May 4, 2011 | Condiments, Recipes |

This recipe is for making Dill Pickles. I've scaled down the amounts, because I believe there are people like me who only want to make small quantities of certain food items, not gallons.

Month: May 2011