Spices Make the Pantry Go Round

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Apr 21, 2012 | Equipment |

I’m trying to figure out how many dried spices I use. In the spirit of reducing, reusing, and recycling, I’ve been using the small jars that jams come in, and the jars that the nut butters I buy come in. However, I’ve run out of the small jars because I make my own jam now. I’ve broken some, and some of them are in use.

I’m looking at needing to buy spice jars to organize the pantry. I’ve looked at Anchor Hocking, Oxo, Sur La Table, Bed Bath and Beyond, along with several on-line companies. I really really like the Anchor Hocking square jar. Problem: there is no price on their website. How can you be selling something and not show a price? Are they really that expensive? read more

Sweet Potato and Fennel Salad

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Apr 18, 2012 | Recipes, Salads |

I never know where a recipe will come from. This little gem came from one of those days when I had enough left over ingredients from Sunday Brunch to create this amazing flavor packed salad.

New Favorite Chili Sauce: Ancho Tamarind

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Apr 13, 2012 | Recipes, Sauces |

I love a good chili sauce. One that has punch, and a bit of acid, with salt to balance the heat and the sour. I've been making chili sauces for a few years now, some with dried, and some with fresh chilis. I don't make them all the time, but when I do watch out. Your taste buds won't be able to forgive you for seconds in the heat.

Simple Strawberry Syrup

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Apr 8, 2012 | Recipes, Sauces, Sweets and Treats |

When the Strawberry season hits, be ready with this versatile and satisfying recipe. Take the full, ripe berry, combine it with sugar,cook, puree, and you have a homemade treat for ice cream, lemonade, or waffles and pancakes.

A Bit of Vegan Heaven: 24 Carrots

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Mar 30, 2012 | Restaurant Reviews, Restaurants |

Once in a great while, I come across food that doesn't just speak to my mouth, or just hums for me, it sings in my soul. On the quest for great quality vegan food that holds the flavors I'm looking for, I have been disappointed. Yes, there is great food out there, and the partner and I frequent the places where we can eat without too much hassle. Me; no corn, no peanuts, Her; no gluten, no dairy (in case we are in vegetarian places). But they've all seemed to miss one or two notes.

Along came 24 Carrots, in Chandler, Arizona.

New Year, New Knives

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Mar 23, 2012 | Equipment, Knives |

As you know, I've been cooking for a while, quite a long while. My standard everyday knives have been Forschners (now under Vitorinox). They are getting up there in age. Since I moved into the land of fine dining, that means fine knife work, and that means new knives. I have secretly coveted Japanese knives, and though not trained in their usage, nor mentored by a chef who gave me permission to purchase them, I stepped out and bought new knives last week.

The Paleo Diet, Why it is a Fad and Why it’s not Healthy

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Jan 16, 2012 | Perspective |

I have a friend who came over the other night, and it was dinner time. I asked if she wanted to eat with us. I was cooking Mushroom Veggie burgers with all the fixings. The burgers had rice and other grains in them. She exclaimed that she is on the Paleo Diet and that she was only eating proteins and vegetables, but just this time she could eat with us.

The Paleo Diet confuses me. Why would anyone want eat like a caveman? Or revert to a diet of 30,000 to 40,000 years ago. I’m not even going to stand on defense of veganism here, it is just that basic question, “why go backwards?” read more

Food Challenges to Discover

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Jan 13, 2012 | Perspective |

It is a New Year, and I’ve been dodging writing for quite awhile. I want to write, but life and work get in the way. I’ve been taking care of some family stuff, and working on getting a different position at the Job. It’s an important step in my culinary career.

I want to share this information I just came across. You may already know about it, but I didn’t. Check out this blog about the 100 day Real Food Challenge. Lisa Leake and her family cut out processed foods, and realized how much better they felt. And then they blogged about it and built a Challenge that any of us can take. I think it’s fabulous, and fits right in with Jaime Oliver’s Food Revolution. There’s another site out there called Eating Rules, take a look at that as well. read more

Chocomole: Get Your Healthy Chocolate Fix in Minutes

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Dec 16, 2011 | Desserts, Recipes |

Yesterday I was reminded once again why the Partner does not go without chocolate. I found a recipe for a Chocolate Mousse that uses avocados, maple or agave syrup, and vanilla. My inspiration was adding a bit of orange zest. Chocolate and orange play nicely together, and since avocado is basically the "cream," I knew it would work well.

End of the Week Soup

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Dec 14, 2011 | Recipes, Soups & Stocks |

I had some left over vegetables from the weekly cooking, so I let loose a soup. I love making soups, and there is usually more soup made than can be eaten. Not this time. I’m sure this Weekly Kitchen Sink Soup will go fast. It’s been rainy and gloomy for two days now, perfect soup weather.

This soup goes great with salad, or when it’s cold and rainy. The combination of ginger and clove is powerful, add the fennel into the mix and it becomes a potent hummy soup guaranteed to satisfy even the heartiest appetite.

Author: Kitchen Shaman