• Posted Feb. 2, 2013 12:01 a.m.
  • 'Hello Bento!' helps jazz up your lunch
  • The Dish On...



    "Hello, Bento! - A Collection of Simple Japanese Bento Recipes" by Cooking Penguin



    Japanese cuisine’s play on flavors and textures certainly puts that extra oomph to their meals. Not only that, it’s also recognized as one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. With the emphasis on rice, fresh fish, meat and vegetables, it’s no wonder that Japanese cuisine is amazingly low in fat and calories. Not only is Japanese food delicious, it’s also quite pleasing to the eye. And nowhere is this more visible than in the ubiquitous Japanese tradition of making bento or packed lunches. This book will feature yummy and easy-to-do Japanese bento recipes as well as a few quick tips on how you can decorate them.



    -- Amazon.com




    Food Quiz



    Which type of parsley is most commonly used in Italian cooking?



    A. Curly



    B. Flat-leaf



    C. Green-leaf



    Answer at bottom of blog post.



    Number to Know



    8: According ot the "2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans," eating about 8 ounces a week (less for young children) of a variety of seafood can help prevent heart disease. 



    Tip of the Week



    To get 8 ounces of seafood a week, use these as guides: A drained can of tuna is about 3 to 4 ounces, a salmon steak ranges from 4 to 6 ounces, and 1 small trout is about 3 ounces.



    -- ChooseMyPlate.gov



    Wise to the Word



    Creme fraiche: Similar to sour cream but not quite as thick, French crème fraîche is a heavy cream slightly soured with a bacterial culture. (It's much better than it sounds.)



    -- Cookthink.com



    Food Quiz Answer



    B. Flat-leaf. Otherwise known as Italian parsley, flat-leaf parsley (prezzemolo) is the most widely used fresh herb in Italian cooking. Its curly-leafed cousin is not considered a worthy substitute and is only used as garnish. Fresh flat-leaf parsley can grace everything from meatballs to pasta sauces and salads.



    -- Delish.com



    GateHouse News Service



     

    • About