A Sizzling Good Read:: "Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

"Ignorance Is Bliss" they say....but NOT when it comes to FOOD.. as Michael Pollan says - "I think we enjoy food much more if we take a little time to know what it is we're putting in our mouths".

So true!!! Food is such an integral part of our 'being',of our health, that it does deserve special attention and 'that' much importance. I always wonder, when people treat food as something like a 'chore' and take 'pride' in saying that they know little or have little interest in food/what they are eating or they are not interested in 'cooking' or learning to do so. I feel it's like saying - I don't care for myself and my family....Would you take pride in saying that?

In the book,there were many things about 'WHERE and HOW' our food comes from...many shocking facts....many eye openers!!! The book talks about 'Industrialization' of food, corn corn corn being everywhere, animal treatment in the factories (this was the hardest part to read)...no wonder many readers turned into 'Vegetarians' after reading the book...I might be on the verge....let's see.

I am glad...I am educating myself in this regard...but at the same time it's almost hard to think about food, as mere pleasure. All other thoughts keep lurking in my mind...it is indeed a Omnivore's Dilemma!

"1/2 Whole Wheat- Walnut-Cranberry" Biscotti

After an failed attempt of "Whole Wheat -Beet and white chocolate Biscottis", I finally made peace with myself and settled for a 1/2 whole wheat flour substitution!
 Failed attempt:

 I couldn't just like the texture and taste of the 'all' wheat flour biscottis. But in my opinion, 'mid-way' is better than 'no-way'!!! So here we go...a 1/2 whole wheat flour Biscotti with lots of nuts and dried cranberries!!!

Ingredients:
1.5 Cups Whole wheat flour
1.5 Cups All purpose flour
3/4 cup Chopped Walnuts
5 Tbsp unsalted butter at room temperature
1/3rd cup chopped dried Cranberries
2 large eggs
1/4cup olive oil or Canola oil
1and 1/4th cup granulated sugar
3tsp Baking Powder
1/4tsp salt
1tsp Vanilla essence

Method:
1) Cream together butter,oil,salt and sugar.Add the eggs and beat again till well blended and smooth
2)Preheat oven to 325F and grease a cookie sheet evenly. Otherwise the dough will stick.
3) Add rest of the ingredients to the creamed butter.Make into a soft dough.
4) Roll into logs and flatten them.

5) Bake at 325F for 25-27 min.(Check at 20 mins to see if they are done.The log will harden.But should brown too much at the bottom) Remove from oven and let cool for 10 mins.Turn the oven  down to 300F
6) Slice the baked log horizontally or at an angle with a sharp knife.

7) Place the cut-up Biscottis flat on the cookie sheet and 're bake' at 300 F for 8-10 mins until slight golden.Do not let them brown!! Remove from oven promptly.
8) Let them cool on the cookie sheet it self. Store in airtight container.

Veggie Chickens!

Aren't they cute??? These 'Veggie Chickens' are cute, easy to make and tasty too!!
It was Easter Egg hunt party and these made up one of the many treats for the kids. The base is bread with veggie cream cheese, topped with streamed sweet corn, olives for eyes,tomato for nose, strawberry for the tuft and carrots for the feet!!!

Method:
1) Cut the bread into circles with cookie cutter.
2) Spread a spoonful of  veggie cream cheese on the bread slice
Veggie cream cheese Recipe:
(Adjust the quantity as per how many slices you want to make.(You will approximately need 1tsp cream cheese per slice)
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2012/06/appetizers-red-bell-pepper-and-broccoli.html

3) Spread steamed sweet corn kernels on top

4) Place the olive rings, strawberry cut into tufts and carrot slices cut like chicken feet on the slice.
Keep chilled till served.

Oh..what looks like a 'plant in the pot' next to the chicken is actually...a Basket full of  Eggs;) Kiwi slice makes the pot and carrot slices with cream cheese make the eggs!