Category: Food

March 8 Is National Pancake Day

March 3, 2016
Heart-Shaped Pancakes

Tuesday, March 8 is National Pancake Day.  2016 is the 11th anniversary of  this culinary celebration.  The International House of Pancakes is offering a free stack of  Buttermilk Pancakes from 7 AM to 7 PM, to encourage diners to make a charitable contribution to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Pancake Batter

Did you ever wonder why a pancake is called a pancake?  Because you’re literally baking a cake in a pan.  Experienced cooks call a pan, a skillet.  The more baking powder you add, the more your pancake will rise.  It will have the look, and the texture of cake.

Extra-Thick Pancakes

For those who don’t have ovens, the pancake offers a quick and easy way to have your cake and eat it too.  Add favorite toppings, like blueberries, or molasses, to enhance the flavor.

Gluten-Free Pancakes

Try our Quick Gluten-Free Buckwheat-Rice Pancake Recipe to prepare high-rise pancakes, that have a light, fluffy texture, and crispy edges.

SPELT PANCAKE RECIPE

Dry Ingredients

1- 1/2 Cups Spelt Flour

3 – 1/2 Tablespoons Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon Salt

1 Tablespoon Sugar*

*Substution: 1 Heaping Tablespoon Xylitol

Moist Ingredients

1 – 1/4 Cups Milk (dairy, soy, hemp, or nutmilk)

1 Egg beaten (or egg  substitute)

3 Tablespoons Oil

Instructions

Combine dry ingredients into a flour sifter.  Combine moist ingredients.  Slowly add moist to dry ingredients, stirring mixture.  Stir well into a batter.  Heat up skillet on medium flame.  Add batter to skillet.  Cook until bottom is golden brown.  Flip pancake, and cook on reverse side.  Before flipping, be sure the top is dry, so that the batter doesn’t leak over the skillet.

Toppings That Transform Pancakes Into A Dessert

Cinnamon

Ice Cream

Rice Dream

Whip Cream

Whipped Bananas

Tofu Whip Cream

Chocolate Sauce

Sugar: powdered, white, xylitol, stevia, honey

Fruit: blueberries, strawberries, applesauce, bananas

Irene Pastore is a native New Yorker, health and fitness blogger, and personal trainer. Irene owns this website, and writes all the blog posts. For her complete bio, visit the About Page.

Copyright 2016 Irene Pastore and Tour De Core.com

 

Vegan Sloppy Joe Sandwich Recipe Using Textured Vegetable Protein

February 29, 2016

Textured Vegetable Protein Sloppy Joe Sandwich

Sloppy Joe With Zucchini & Carrots
 Sloppy Joe Sandwich With Zucchini & Carrots

SAUTÉ

2 Medium diced onions, and 2 diced medium green peppers, in 3 tablespoons oil.

BROWN

2 Cups Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) with onions, and green peppers for about 5 minutes.

ADD

1 Cup boiling water

4 Cups tomato sauce

1 Tablespoon salt

A pinch of black pepper

1 to 2 Tablespoons chili powder

1 Tablespoon Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (substitute soy sauce, or tamari)

1 Tablespoon mustard

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS

Add chopped cooked zucchini, cooked carrots, sautéed red peppers, or sautéed mushrooms.

Cook this mixture for one hour, or until it becomes thick enough to pour over hamburger buns.

Irene Pastore is a native New Yorker, health and fitness blogger, and personal trainer. Irene owns this website, and writes all the blog posts. For her complete bio, visit the About Page.

Copyright 2016 Irene Pastore and Tour De Core.com

Recommended Product: Textured Vegetable Protein

February 28, 2016

A Heart-Healthy Meat Alternative

Thinking of going vegetarian, or vegan? Want to cut down on your food budget? Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), will help you do both.

I use Bob’s Red Mill TVP in the 10 oz. bag, to make chile, burgers, pasta toppings, vegan tuna sandwich spread, and Asian dishes. Without added seasoning, TVP is bland, and has the texture of chop meat.

Healthier Than Chop Meat

TVP is as versatile as chop meat, but more economical, contains no trans or saturated fat, is very low in calories, and is high in potassium and protein.

Versatile And Easy To Prepare

TVP is very easy to prepare.  Just measure one cup, put it in a mixing bowl, add one cup hot water, and let the mixture set until all the water is absorbed.  Next, add your ingredients, like sautéed onions, cayenne, or sautéed garlic, to achieve the taste you’re looking for.  TVP can be flavored to taste like Mexican, Italian, or Asian dishes.

Combine rice, toasted sesame oil, sea vegetables, tofu, and Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, to TVP, for a quick Japanese style lunch, or dinner.

Where To Buy Bob’s Red Mill TVP

I buy TVP at Whole Foods Market – Bowery, in New York City. Visit Bob’s Red Mill website to find a store near you.

Irene Pastore is a native New Yorker, health and fitness blogger, and personal trainer. Irene owns this website, and writes all the blog posts. For her complete bio, visit the About Page.

Copyright 2016 Irene Pastore and Tour De Core.com

Recommended Products: Whole Organic Spelt Tortillas

February 28, 2016

An Organic Tortilla For Spelt-Lovers

Looking for an alternative to conventional wheat tortillas?  Then try a bag of Rudi’s Organic Southwestern Style, Whole Spelt Tortillas.  One tortilla contains 150 calories, and 4 grams of protein.

Warm them in a skillet and eat them plain, or add your favorite filling.

Does Spelt Contain Gluten?

Spelt is a form of ancient wheat. While spelt contains gluten, it is easier to digest than modern wheat.  When baking with spelt, I notice that cakes, cookies and breads have a much lighter consistency, than those made with modern wheat.

Where Can You Buy Rudi’s Organic Spelt Tortillas?

I found them in the refrigerated section at Whole Foods Market -Bowery in New York City.  Go to Rudi’s website to find store locations in your area.

Irene Pastore is a native New Yorker, health and fitness blogger, and personal trainer. Irene owns this website, and writes all the blog posts. For her complete bio, visit the About Page.

Copyright 2016 Irene Pastore and Tour De Core.com

 

Everyday Guide To Mushrooms

February 16, 2016

© Copyright 2013 CorbisCorporationWhite Button mushrooms are the most common variety of mushrooms sold in supermarkets.  While shopping the produce aisle, you may have noticed other varieties, but don’t know what they are, or how they’re used.  This post will help you identify other mushroom types, and inspire you to try something new.

Mushrooms are easy, and fast to prepare, and contain vitamins and minerals.  Surprise your friends or family  by serving a vegetarian hamburger made from a Portobello mushroom, or top a pizza with sautéed Shiitake mushrooms.

Mushroom stir fry corbis
Mushroom Vegetable Stir Fry

How To Use Mushrooms

Pizza Topping

Salads

Soups

Pasta Dishes

Vegetable Dishes

Stuffed with Parmesan Cheese

Vegetarian Mushroom Burger

Varieties of Mushrooms

© Copyright 2011 CorbisCorporationShiitake Mushrooms are tan to dark brown in color, have a meaty texture, and rich flavor.  The stems are curved, and the caps are shaped like an umbrella.  Either saute, or stir-fry. There are about 41 calories in 4-5 mushrooms, with zero fat.

Cremini Mushrooms, are also known as Baby Bellas.  They are the same size as White Button Mushrooms, but have a much firmer texture.  Cremini Mushrooms are light tan, to dark brown in color.  Four to five mushrooms contain about 23 calories, and zero fat. Saute, stir-fry, or broil.

Portabello Mushrooms have tan-colored tops, that measure up to 6″ in diameter. © Copyright 2011 CorbisCorporationTexture and flavor is like meat.  Grill, broil or roast.  One mushroom is about 22 calories,  with zero fat. Portabello mushrooms are used to make vegetarian hamburgers.

White Button Mushrooms are mild tasting.  Four to five mushrooms contain about 18 calories, and no fat.  When mushrooms are mentioned, this is the first one you’d think about,  because they are the ones most commonly found in everyday cooking.   Saute, or eat them raw.

Maitake Mushrooms have a rippling shape, and no cap.  The flavor is rich and woodsy. Four to five Maitake Mushrooms contain about 31 calories, and zero fat.  Saute.

Enoki Mushrooms have tiny button-shaped caps, with long, spindly stems.  The flavor is mild and crunchy.  Eat raw, or in miso soup. Four to five Enoki Mushrooms contain about 37 calories, and no fat.

Oyster Mushrooms are gray, pale yellow or blue, and have a delicate, velvet-like texture. Four to five Oyster Mushrooms contain about 25 calories, and no fat.  Saute.

Beech Mushrooms are very small, have a crunchy texture, and white or brown caps. They have a flavor that is mild and nutty. Stir-fry, roast, or saute.  Four ounces yields about 23 calories, and no fat.

Place your cursor over each photograph to identify the names of each mushroom group.

Shiitake Mushrooms
White Maitake Mushrooms
White Button Mushrooms
Beech Mushrooms
Cremini Mushrooms
Portabello Mushrooms
Oyster Mushrooms
Enoki Mushrooms

Irene Pastore is a native New Yorker, health and fitness blogger, and personal trainer. Irene owns this website, and writes all the blog posts. For her complete bio, visit the About Page.

Copyright 2016 Irene Pastore and Tour De Core.com

 

Recommended Product: Gluten Free Pizza Crust

February 15, 2016

If you’re in a hurry for a healthy meal, try this frozen pizza crust, madeSmart Flour Pizza Crust with teff flour, amaranth flour, and flaxseed.

The brand is Smart Flour Foods. One package contains two pizza crusts.

Add your favorite toppings, and place in a convection or conventional oven.  In 10 to 15 minutes your pizza is ready to eat.

Suggested Quick Pizza Toppings

Roasted Red Peppers

Tomato Sauce: Marinara or your favorite tomato sauce

Grated Hard Cheese: Pecorino Romano,  Parmesan

Soft Cheese: Mozzarella, Soy Mozzarella

Mushrooms: Shiitake, Cremini, or White Button

Herbs & Spices: Oregano, Basil, Black Pepper, Rosemary, Cayenne, Onion Granules, Garlic Granules

IRENE PORTRAIT picassa blue borderIrene Pastore is a native New Yorker, health and fitness blogger, and personal trainer. Irene owns this website, and writes all the blog posts. For her complete bio, visit the About Page.

Copyright 2016 Irene Pastore and Tour De Core.com