bostonzest

Tag: raw

  • Habits That Work in the BostonZest Kitchen

    If you watch an experienced cook in the kitchen, you could pick up some good habits. There are things they do without thinking that should be part of all our cooking routines.

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    Work Clean

    Wash your hands when you enter the kitchen to prepare to cook. This habit should be part of your food safety plan. As a person who prepares food for yourself and your family, you should be as serious about the topic of food safety as the restaurant chef who holds a Food Safety Certification.

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    If you are making a number of items, prepare the ones that will be used raw (such as the compound butter above) before you work with items that will be cooked, like the carrots and celery in this photo.

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    Beware of cross contamination. Use separate cutting boards and knives for meat and fresh foods or wash these items completely in hot, soapy water before changing what you are cutting. And, work on these raw proteins last. Keep them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cut them.

    Cross contamination is also a factor if you are cooking for someone with a serious food allergy. 

    In our small space, we have to clean as we go or there wouldn’t be any counter space left. While involved in a major cooking session, you'll see a container with hot, soapy water for us to toss in soiled utensils as we work.

    Hand wash and dry your knives as soon as you finish using them. Knives in a bucket of soapy water are dangerous. Knives sitting on a counter among other cooking detritus are just waiting to cut someone.

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    Mise en Place and "Meanwhile"

    There are times, like when you’re making a stir-fry, risotto, or a complex new recipe, when you should set up a complete collection of ready-to-use ingredients. Chef Sara Moulton came up with the term “meanwhile” for times when you should gather all the ingredients and equipment you need to make a dish and then get started.

    Moulton suggests you, “Decide in what order you should prep the ingredients. For a pasta dish, for example, you should start by getting a large pot of water on to boil; meanwhile you can heat the oil in a skillet slowly while you chop the onion. Add the onion to the oil and cook it while you mince the garlic. Add the garlic to the onion while you chop the tomatoes, etc.”

    Do you have a favorite habit that works in your kitchen? Share with us and our readers in the comments below!

    Related Post:

    The Kitchn's "Kitchen Habits of Good Cooks" Series Is Our Friday Link

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our Fresh & Local newspaper columns.)

  • Judith Jones on Cooking for Her Dog

    Penny is a longtime fan of food writer and editor of many of her favorite cookbooks, Judith Jones who died recently. One of her books Penny bought before it disappears from stock was "Love Me, Feed Me: Sharing with Your Dog the Everyday Good Food You Cook and Enjoy."

    9780385352147

    As you may know, from our newspaper columns and some posts here, we feed our dog Poppy homemade food. Her diet is raw because of the many issues a Westie can have with food. Judith Jones, on the other hand, cooked meals that she shared with her dog Mabon.

    This book is a great place to begin a discussion about what we're feeding our dogs and if we have fallen for the marketing efforts of the dog food industry. Jones worked with her veterinarian who supported this alternative feeding style. 

    Here are a few quotes from reviews of this delightful book:

    • “Delightful….This sensible book reminded us of food writers like Elizabeth David and M. F. K. Fisher: recipes plus a pinch of life itself.”
      – The Bark
    • “Clever tips abound.”
      – BookPage
    • “As much about the unconditional friendship pets offer as it is about braised beef shanks and omelets, kasha and corn cakes, and as much about the nutritional requirements of caninehood…as about the companionable requirements….A loving salute to the dogs [Jones] has known and to a life filled to the brim with what they brought to her.”
      – Booklist
    • “An ingenious recipe collection…What’s fascinating about Love Me, Feed Me is that the recipes are relatively simple and good, prepared daily by Jones for herself and her dog Mabon, an adorable white curly-haired Havanese straight out of central casting.”
      – The Faith Middleton Show

    We highly recommend "Love Me, Feed Me" for you and your Sunday Dog or as a great gift anytime you visit someone who loves their dog.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

      

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Legendary Editor Judith Jones has Passed Away
    " Judith Jones Memorial – August 26th, 2017

  • Judith Jones on Cooking for Her Dog

    Penny is a longtime fan of food writer and editor of many of her favorite cookbooks, Judith Jones who died recently. One of her books Penny bought before it disappears from stock was "Love Me, Feed Me: Sharing with Your Dog the Everyday Good Food You Cook and Enjoy."

    9780385352147

    As you may know, from our newspaper columns and some posts here, we feed our dog Poppy homemade food. Her diet is raw because of the many issues a Westie can have with food. Judith Jones, on the other hand, cooked meals that she shared with her dog Mabon.

    This book is a great place to begin a discussion about what we're feeding our dogs and if we have fallen for the marketing efforts of the dog food industry. Jones worked with her veterinarian who supported this alternative feeding style. 

    Here are a few quotes from reviews of this delightful book:

    • “Delightful….This sensible book reminded us of food writers like Elizabeth David and M. F. K. Fisher: recipes plus a pinch of life itself.”
      – The Bark
    • “Clever tips abound.”
      – BookPage
    • “As much about the unconditional friendship pets offer as it is about braised beef shanks and omelets, kasha and corn cakes, and as much about the nutritional requirements of caninehood…as about the companionable requirements….A loving salute to the dogs [Jones] has known and to a life filled to the brim with what they brought to her.”
      – Booklist
    • “An ingenious recipe collection…What’s fascinating about Love Me, Feed Me is that the recipes are relatively simple and good, prepared daily by Jones for herself and her dog Mabon, an adorable white curly-haired Havanese straight out of central casting.”
      – The Faith Middleton Show

    We highly recommend "Love Me, Feed Me" for you and your Sunday Dog or as a great gift anytime you visit someone who loves their dog.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

      

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Legendary Editor Judith Jones has Passed Away
    " Judith Jones Memorial – August 26th, 2017

  • Preventive Care for Your Dog Can Save Money and Decrease Stress

    Are you doing all you can to keep your pets healthy and save money? Preventive care, early diagnosis, and good home health habits are a few ways to save both lives and money.

    Dental Care

    Daily dental care is one way to save substantial money over the course of your pal’s life. It can also help you avoid treatment for chronic illness that can come about from untreated dental problems. Brushing your cat or dog’s teeth once a day is a help. Twice a day is even better. Make it part of your morning and evening routines.

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    Poppy’s dental routine began the day she joined our family. She’s already a cooperative partner in her twice daily brushings.

    Either your veterinarian or groomer can give you tips for gaining your animal’s cooperation with tooth brushing. There are videos and pages of tips on the internet and most pet care books cover this topic. 

    Here's one good example, so take 5 minutes to watch this video on how to do it.

    An examination of the mouth and a report on its condition should be a routine part of veterinary care. When the time comes to have a professional dental cleaning performed, always ask about the price, shop around for the best value, and the most experienced team.

    For example, Angell Animal Medical Center has a dedicated “Dentistry Specialty Service.” Because this team performs more procedures and has the resources of the teaching hospital at hand, they can even treat some high-anesthesia-risk patients. They take referrals from veterinarians or you can make an appointment yourself.

    Feed High Quality Food

    Just as junk food can have an impact on human health, poor quality food can cause health issues in animals. Over the past few years, we’ve heard horror stories about the pet food industry.

    CHE_3461

    Food is one area where pet guardians need to educate themselves. Read about your options, make your best decision, and feed your dogs and cats the highest quality food possible. If you decide on a homemade diet, either cooked or raw, be sure to have the nutrition checked by a professional and add supplements if needed.

    Careful selection also applies to treats and ingestible chews. Obesity is a major health risk for dogs and cats. While you may measure meals and keep track of that caloric intake, you should also add the calories from treats and chews. 

    Try giving fresh vegetables as treats. Our Poppy loves raw cauliflower. She’ll sit quietly gnawing at a piece and not move until she has cleaned up every tiny bit. 

    Yes, higher quality food with fewer strange ingredients costs more. But, if you pay more for food now, you may pay less in future veterinary bills.

      CHE_0795

    Exercise for Physical and Mental Health

    The other half of the “keeping healthy” equation is exercise. Not only is it good for your dog or cat to have a regular exercise routine, but it’s also good for you. Taking a dog for regular long walks or runs will benefit both of you.

    Keeping a dog well socialized means that you are making contact with members of your community on a regular basis. Study after study shows that this is a healthy thing to do and it makes your dog happier.

    Some robust playtime with your cat and the laughs you’ll have during that activity will lighten your mood and supply a big dose of healthy endorphins.

    All of this does take time and effort, but that is part of the commitment you made when you adopted an animal. And the thought that doing things for and with your pal will save money should be an added incentive.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

    Related articles
    Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us

  • Preventive Care for Your Dog Can Save Money and Decrease Stress

    Are you doing all you can to keep your pets healthy and save money? Preventive care, early diagnosis, and good home health habits are a few ways to save both lives and money.

    Dental Care

    Daily dental care is one way to save substantial money over the course of your pal’s life. It can also help you avoid treatment for chronic illness that can come about from untreated dental problems. Brushing your cat or dog’s teeth once a day is a help. Twice a day is even better. Make it part of your morning and evening routines.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017ee848a2cb970d-800wi

    Poppy’s dental routine began the day she joined our family. She’s already a cooperative partner in her twice daily brushings.

    Either your veterinarian or groomer can give you tips for gaining your animal’s cooperation with tooth brushing. There are videos and pages of tips on the internet and most pet care books cover this topic. 

    Here's one good example, so take 5 minutes to watch this video on how to do it.

    An examination of the mouth and a report on its condition should be a routine part of veterinary care. When the time comes to have a professional dental cleaning performed, always ask about the price, shop around for the best value, and the most experienced team.

    For example, Angell Animal Medical Center has a dedicated “Dentistry Specialty Service.” Because this team performs more procedures and has the resources of the teaching hospital at hand, they can even treat some high-anesthesia-risk patients. They take referrals from veterinarians or you can make an appointment yourself.

    Feed High Quality Food

    Just as junk food can have an impact on human health, poor quality food can cause health issues in animals. Over the past few years, we’ve heard horror stories about the pet food industry.

    CHE_3461

    Food is one area where pet guardians need to educate themselves. Read about your options, make your best decision, and feed your dogs and cats the highest quality food possible. If you decide on a homemade diet, either cooked or raw, be sure to have the nutrition checked by a professional and add supplements if needed.

    Careful selection also applies to treats and ingestible chews. Obesity is a major health risk for dogs and cats. While you may measure meals and keep track of that caloric intake, you should also add the calories from treats and chews. 

    Try giving fresh vegetables as treats. Our Poppy loves raw cauliflower. She’ll sit quietly gnawing at a piece and not move until she has cleaned up every tiny bit. 

    Yes, higher quality food with fewer strange ingredients costs more. But, if you pay more for food now, you may pay less in future veterinary bills.

      CHE_0795

    Exercise for Physical and Mental Health

    The other half of the “keeping healthy” equation is exercise. Not only is it good for your dog or cat to have a regular exercise routine, but it’s also good for you. Taking a dog for regular long walks or runs will benefit both of you.

    Keeping a dog well socialized means that you are making contact with members of your community on a regular basis. Study after study shows that this is a healthy thing to do and it makes your dog happier.

    Some robust playtime with your cat and the laughs you’ll have during that activity will lighten your mood and supply a big dose of healthy endorphins.

    All of this does take time and effort, but that is part of the commitment you made when you adopted an animal. And the thought that doing things for and with your pal will save money should be an added incentive.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

    Related articles
    Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us