TTIMES WORLD: Today's News Report

Thursday, September 21, 2023
Washington, DC, USA


Name
 

Best of Brazil
chef Rafael Costa e Silva

Image/Video
It would be easy to tell you that chef Rafael Costa e Silva uses only ingredients from Rio de Janeiro state for his multi-course tasting menus at Lasai, and that many of those ingredients come from the chef’s own gardens. I could wax poetic about the airy modern feel of the town-house dining room and the vaguely Basque inspiration for the cooking. But none of those descriptions really do justice to the feel of this place, its subtle, delicious exuberance. There’s a studied vibrancy to everything that hits the table at Lasai, from the brightly flavored fruit-based cocktails to the elegant, architecturally plated dishes served throughout the evening to the diverse and thoughtfully chosen wine pairings. Mini empanadas, their casing dyed magenta and tasting of sweet beets, are stuffed with a luscious cashew filling; local fish is paired with hearts of palm and creamy coconut. Dishes arrive in a colorful whirlwind and leave you giddy. Costa e Silva is a master at contrasts, of hue and flavor and texture—everything tastes bright and vital. Eating there makes you feel bright and vital. What more could you want? lasai.com.br 

From Orlando in St Lucia
With all the love

Image/Video
“Welcome to Orlando’s! I’m Orlando.” This, along with a fist-bump, is the way your meal at Orlando’s is likely to start, with chef-owner Orlando Satchell welcoming you to his domain as if it were his home. Tucked into the hillside amongst the riotously colorful rooftops of Soufrière is a restaurant that beautifully expresses the spirit of St. Lucia and makes full use of the tropical produce and foodways of the Caribbean. It’s obvious that Satchell comes from the luxury-hospitality world—he worked in London hotels and then at Soufrière’s Ladera Resort before opening Orlando’s in 2012, and his plating is reminiscent of the upscale wedding food of the ’80s—in a really fun way! But his flavors are anything but retro. Soup made with local breadfruit and smoked fish is blended with coconut milk for a creamy, silky finish. Needlefish is battered and fried and served over a salsa made from sweet potato. Satchell’s dishes almost all have an element of sweetness, the tang of acid, and something hearty to ground the other elements. The brightly hued room is usually full of large family groups, taking advantage of the set menu and the endless hospitality of Satchell and his staff. instagram.com/orlandosstlucia 

Best Traditional America Dishes
American

Image/Video

Best traditional USA dishes: Top 10 must-try American foods

Everyone argues about where you'll find the best burger in America.

Everyone argues about where you'll find the best burger in America.

3. Clam Chowder

It is basically illegal to visit Boston without trying New England clam chowder. The fragrant soup is sold everywhere, and it looks hideous, being white and lumpy. But one taste is all it takes to fall in love. Whoever decided to mix the quahog shellfish with tender potatoes, salted pork, heavy cream and herbs is a total genius. There are many ways to eat it, but you may as well go all out and get a bread bowl at the Atlantic Fish Co., where the chefs carve out a cavity in a fresh boule, pour in the heavenly juice, then put the top back on. Edible dinnerware. 

4. Bagel and Lox

Trying to narrow New York down to a single representative cuisine is a fool's errand. A Nathan's hot dog? Pastrami from Katz's? A bad cup of diner coffee? Let's pay respects to the city's strong Jewish population and go with bagels and lox, a weekend staple on many Manhattan tables. Scientific studies have been conducted trying to work out why the New York bagel reigns supreme over all others; legend attributes it to the water. Whatever the cause, head to Russ and Daughters on the Lower East Side and tell them you want a selection of smoked fish, cream cheeses and, if you're feeling flash, caviar. See russanddaughters.com.

Russ & Daughters, New York.

Russ & Daughters, New York.

5. Deep-Dish Pizza

Pizza in Chicago looks and tastes different. The dish is deep, as the name suggests, meaning the crust rises high and allows for an artery-choking volume of cheese and tomato sauce. Unsurprisingly, they call it a "pie". It is not for the lighthearted and should only be attempted while wearing dark clothes or a large napkin. For a particularly authentic meal, pair the pie with sugary soda. You might like to do this at an Uno Pizzeria, which claims to have invented the Italian American hybrid dish in 1943. 

6. Drop Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

A biscuit in America means, essentially, a flaky scone often made with lard and buttermilk. In places such as Montana, where people burn energy working on horse ranches, biscuits are eaten at breakfast smothered in a thick white gravy that is studded with bits of sausage. It certainly wakes you up in the morning. For a fun twist, try a musical version in Austin, Texas, where Biscuits and Groovy offers varies with names like "the Aretha Franklin" (maple bacon, colby jack cheese). 

7. Texas Barbecue

Australians might like to stoke up a barbie on the weekend, but Texans live and die by the practice. Mesquite smoked meats and tenderising rubs are common obsessions, and it is not uncommon to go to football games and find people have brought entire ranges to the parking lots that are worth upwards of five or even ten thousand dollars – a pastime called "tailgating". For excellent brisket, head to the Dallas Farmers Market, stand in line for a bit, then find a seat at Pecan Lodge. Also good are the pork links, pulled pork, beef ribs and collard greens. Basically everything. See pecanlodge.com.

Texas barbecue, family style.

Texas barbecue, family style. Photo: Alamy

8. Hominy Grits

Southern food seems to exist in its own universe, and an entire list could be written just focusing on things like chicken and waffles (yes, you read that correctly). So perhaps it's a good idea to just go with one of the basics: hominy grits, which is essentially corn milled into a rough powder and then boiled up with butter or bacon grease. It sounds rough but it's actually sublime. For proof, try Blossom Restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, which offers Geechie Boy grits with shrimp and andouille sausage. Pair it with brussels sprouts and sweetened ice tea. See blossomcharleston.com.

Hominy Grill restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.

Hominy Grill restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.

9. Tacos

Los Angeles is a city with a taqueria on every street corner, basically. With so many Spanish-speakers it's possible to find anything from greasy nachos on Venice Beach to exquisite Michoacan-style goat stews. For a good sampler, forget the chain stuff and try El Huarache Azteca, a tiny, no-fuss eatery in the neighbourhood of Highland Park, where menus run the full gamut from fajitas to mole verde and "flautas" – fried crisp taquitos stuffed with chicken. (Guacamole is a no-brainer.) Keep in mind that Mexican food and Tex-Mex are two very different things. 

Chicken taquitos served on a bed of lettuce topped with sauce, salsa and cheese.

Chicken taquitos served on a bed of lettuce topped with sauce, salsa and cheese. Photo: Alamy

10. Thanksgiving

So "thanksgiving" isn't technically a food, but it's such a legendary date on the American culinary calendar (the fourth Thursday of each November), that it needs to be acknowledged. Officially, the holiday is about friends and family, but everybody knows it's really about turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, green bean casserole and bellyaches. While the recipes, like most things on this list, seem custom-made to give you a heart-attack or diabetes, they're all delicious, and taken together create one of the most ridiculous and enjoyable feasts you could ever attend. Many restaurants offer a menu, for the most special option is always a friend's house, even if they burn the bird.

Dinner Food USA : American Foods Idea
Face

Image/Video

Dinner Foods in USA- List of Top American Foods

What are the dinner food in USA? The answer is really simple. Foods, that average Americans eat for dinner can be considered as dinner foods in the USA.

The list of American dinner foods is not short. We can see many foods they usually eat for dinner.

We have a conception that they always eat hamburgers, French fries, and junk foods. Survey says, Americans spend 10% of their disposable income on fast food every year.[1] But, there is hope that everyone is different.

Many people in the USA like to have their dinner with healthy foods. In this discussion, we will know what foods an American eats for dinner.

“American cuisine was influenced by Europeans and Native Americans in its early history. Today, several foods are commonly identified as American.” However, today’s focal point of the discussion is only the dinner foods in the USA, not the origin of the foods.

Traditional Dinner Foods in USA

“Meat and potatoes of various styles dominate dinner plate in the USA…”[2] Americans usually choose meat, potatoes, bread, cheese, macaroni for their dinner. Here are some popular dinner foods in the USA. This list will help you to know what an American eats for dinner.

1. Meatloaf

 Meatloaf is a popular dinner dish to an American. It is a baked recipe. This recipe is made with   ground beef, egg, onion, milk, breadcrumbs, salt, brown sugar, and prepared mustard. Meat is mixed with other ingredients and shaped into a loaf.

Meatloaf

2. Macaroni and Cheese

This recipe is also called ‘mac and cheese’ or ‘mac n cheese’ in American English.[3] It is a dish of English origin. This recipe is prepared with cooked pasta and cheese sauceCheddar is usually used to prepare the recipe. You can save your time using ready pack of maccaroni and cheese.

Maccaroni

3. Fajitas

It is a Tex-Mex cuisine. Strips of spiced beef or chicken, chopped vegetables, and grated cheese are wrapped in a soft tortilla to prepare the recipe. It is served with sour cream.

Fajitas

4. Chicago’s Deep Dish Pizza 

The pizza is baked in a pan layered with cheese, meat filling, vegetables, and sauce.

Chicago’s Deep Dish Pizza

5. Tater Tots

This item is usually served as a side dish. It is a crunchy dish with deep-fried, grated potatoes.

Tater-tots

6. Wild Alaskan Salmon Fish 

The USA is considered as the Home of Salmon Fish. Americans are fond of this. Various types of recipes with Salmon fish are very common in an American dinner table.

Wild-Alaskan-Salmon

7. Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This sandwich is made with cheese on grilled or toasted bread. Tuna and ham are used also as additional ingredients.

Grilled- Cheese -Sandwich

8. Baked Beans

Baked beans is another popular dinner recipe for Americans. This recipe contains beans that are baked and in most cases, stewed in a sauce.

“American Boston baked beans use a sauce prepared with molasses and salt pork, the popularity of which has led to the city’s being nicknamed “Beantown”. Beans in a tomato and brown sugar, sugar, or corn syrup sauce are widely available throughout the US.”[4]

Baked Beans

9. Cornbread

Cornbread is another popular main dish in American’s dinner menu. Leaven and ground cornmeal mixed with baking powder is the major ingredient of cornbread. Americans take cornbread with meat, stew, or salad.

Cornbread

10. Cheesecake

Cheesecake is a popular and common dessert in the USA. It consists of one or more layers. This item is prepared with cookies of sponge cake base with cream cheese, eggs, sugar, nuts, and other condiments topping.

Americans usually eat these common foods for their dinner. These can be considered as traditional and typical dinner foods in the USA.

Baking powder vs. baking soda
How they’re different, which to use when and more

Image/Video
Baking powder and baking soda are two of the most important ingredients on the baker’s shelf. The advent of these chemical leaveners — as opposed to relying on naturally occurring yeast or the extensive beating of air into eggs or batter — put reliable, convenient baking into the hands of even the most novice cook.

The fact that they serve a similar purpose, and overlap in their composition, can be confusing. While both are used to generate rise in baked goods, they work in slightly different ways with different ingredients. Subbing one for the other, without accounting for those differences, can prove disastrous. Here’s what you need to know about these pantry staples.


Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate. It is alkaline, which means it has a pH above the neutral 7 and reacts with acidic ingredients. Think about the old baking soda-and-vinegar school experiment.
Baking powder is an all-in-one leavener, meaning it includes baking soda and the “exact amount of acid to use up all the soda,” Shirley Corriher says in “CookWise: The Hows and Whys of Successful Cooking.” Baking powder also includes a hefty amount of cornstarch, which helps absorb moisture to stave off premature reactions, as some of the acids in baking powder are activated in the presence of liquid.

How they work. Both leaveners work when they are broken down and release carbon dioxide. That gas is what contributes to the rise of baked goods. “Neither chemical leaveners nor steam create a single new bubble. They only enlarge bubbles that already exist in the dough,” Corriher says in “BakeWise:

The Hows and Whys of Successful Baking.” That means that adding them to your dough or batter won’t automatically make them rise. You must still pay attention to the mixing method in a recipe, such as creaming butter and sugar, to create the air bubbles that the leaveners will inflate.


Baking soda will begin acting immediately in the presence of an acid, which means you need to act quickly with recipes that rely on it alone. While buttermilk, citrus and yogurt are obvious triggers, baking employs a variety of other acidic ingredients that you should be aware of, including honey, brown sugar, molasses and chocolate.


How much to use. Corriher says she finds many recipes are over-leavened. People seem to think that fallen cakes, for example, mean they need more leavening, but the opposite is true. “The bubbles get big, float to the top and pop. The baked goods get heavy and fall,” she says.

Another problem is taste, which can be an issue if there’s too much soda or insufficiently mixed baking powder, says Harold McGee in “On Food and Cooking.” The result? “A bitter, soapy, or ‘chemical’ flavor.”
A good rule of thumb, according to Corriher, is that 1 cup of flour can be leavened by ¼ teaspoon baking soda or 1 to 1¼ teaspoons of baking powder. Corriher says you can neutralize 1 cup mildly acidic ingredient (sour cream, buttermilk) with ½ teaspoon of soda. That same amount of soda will neutralize 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or 1¼ teaspoons of cream of tartar, McGee says.


If you have a very heavy batter loaded with chopped dried fruit or nuts, you can try bumping up the leavening by 20 percent, Corriher says. If you’re changing the pan size in a recipe, from a deeper pan, such as a tube or Bundt, to something shallower, you’ll probably want to drop the leavener, too. And if you live at a high altitude, reducing it (and making other adjustments) is almost a given.


For every teaspoon of baking powder, suggests the Colorado State University Extension, reduce by ⅛ teaspoon at 3,500 to 6,500 feet; ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon at 6,500 to 8,500 feet; and ¼ teaspoon at 8,500 to 10,000 feet.

Another option at a higher altitude, King Arthur Baking says, is to aim for a less vigorous reaction, by using milk and baking powder, for instance, instead of buttermilk and baking

Are they interchangeable? In a word, no. Because baking soda needs an acid with which to react and baking powder already contains it, they can’t be used in place of each other, at least not without making other adjustments to the recipe. One of the most illustrative examples of the difference has to do with cocoa powder. Natural cocoa is inherently acidic, so baking soda will work well with it. Dutch-process cocoa powder, though, has been treated to reduce its acidity, or alkalized, meaning there’s nothing for the soda to react with, which is why baking powder is typically needed in recipes using it.


Baking powder and soda don’t have equal potency when compared by equal volumes, given the other ingredients added to the powder. As detailed above, you need four times as much baking powder to generate the same lift as baking soda.


That being said, there are ways to swap. If you’re out of baking powder, Corriher recommends mixing a batch of 1 tablespoon baking soda, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar and 1½ tablespoons cornstarch. Because of the fast-acting cream of tartar, this won’t be the same as double-acting baking powder, so be sure to work quickly.
You can also get around the substitution issue by adjusting the acidity of your other ingredients and the amount of the leavener, says Lauren Chattman in “The Baking Answer Book.”


Biscuits are one scenario. “If your recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of baking powder and ¾ cup of milk, you can adapt it by using ½ teaspoon baking soda and ¾ cup of buttermilk,” Chattman says. Need to use natural cocoa powder instead of Dutch process? “Replace the baking powder with one-quarter the amount of baking soda for an equivalent result.”


Why recipes might call for both. In recipes that call for both baking powder and soda, the powder is generally doing the heavy lifting, so to speak. The baking soda is there to help neutralize additional acid in the dough or batter to avoid interfering with the self-contained reaction created by the powder, says Chattman.


The baking soda has an additional benefit. Corriher notes that foods that are too acidic won’t brown well. That browning generated by the Maillard reaction, in which sugars and proteins interact to create new flavor and aroma compounds, is what helps baked goods taste great. Cookie recipes especially take advantage of this baking soda asset. Another point worth noting: Cookies relying on baking soda will spread more because the ingredient neutralizes the acidity that would otherwise cause them to set faster.


Storing. Keep both baking powder and baking soda sealed tightly, away from heat and humidity. I prefer canisters to boxes, and even if I purchase a box of baking soda, I typically transfer it to a canister I already have or another airtight container.The USDA’s FoodKeeper App says opened baking powder will last three to six months in the pantry after opening, baking soda six months.

Keep in mind that using old leaveners can really ruin your baked goods. To test the viability, Corriher recommends mixing ¼ teaspoon baking powder into ½ cup very hot water or ¼ teaspoon baking soda into ½ cup very hot water mixed with ¼ teaspoon white vinegar. If you see fine bubbles, you’re good to go. 

11 Traditional Pakistani Dishes You Need to Try
A delicious spread

Image/Video

Pakistan has some of the most diverse and flavorful recipes in the world due to the infinite amount of special herbs and spices available, and each traditional dish comes with a deep history that connects it to a particular province. The versatile geography, ranging from deserts to the world’s highest mountain peaks, creates a wide variety of different types of recipes, each with a unique taste.

Biryani

Biryani is a mixture of delicious yellow rice and either chicken or beef. The rice gets its color from an assortment of spices and herbs, which also adds an incredible flavor. To top it off, it contains perfectly cooked lemons, tomatoes, and potatoes.

Chicken Biryani | © Shyamveer.singh1982 / WikiCommons

Chicken Tikka

Chicken tikka is one of the most popular foods in Pakistan, both for its taste and its nutritional value—that is if it is not accompanied by “naan.” It is a sizable portion of chicken slathered in traditional spices and then grilled to perfection. For the ultimate experience, dip the pieces of chicken in the accompanying mint dressing.

Chicken Tikka | © Eatingeast / Flickr

Seekh Kabab

Seekh kababs usually feature well-seasoned beef. The grilling method used to cook them gives them a succulent quality. Pair them with some herb-infused rice—you won’t be disappointed.

BOOK THE TRAVEL YOU'VE MISSED
Grilled Seekh Kebabs | © Shirazonly / WikiCommons

Channa Chaat

“Channa” means chickpeas, and it is one of the most-loved snacks in Pakistan. In this tasty light dish, chickpeas are mixed with various vegetables, such as tomatoes and onions, and topped with a dressing that creates a bittersweet-eating experience.

Channa Chaat | © Czendon / Pixabay

Aloo Keema

This dish is served in almost every household in Pakistan because it is an excellent blend of potatoes and minced mutton or chicken curry. It’s simple but delicious.

Keema with rice | © nav in atl / Flickr

Samosas

Samosas are a filling snack made out of a flour-coated triangular crust filled with green chilies, an assortment of finely chopped herbs, and boiled potatoes. You can also stuff them with various meats, such as lamb, chicken, and beef mince. These flavorful bites are so filling that you may not want a main dish afterward.

Samosas |  © Kalyan Kanuri / Flickr

Sajji

Sajji is a dish that can attribute its origins to the province of Balochistan. It is one of the primary specialties of Pakistani traditional cuisine and consists of a large piece of either lamb or chicken stuffed with rice and topped with a tasty green papaya paste. It’s then placed on a skewer and roasted for several hours.

Chicken Sajji |  © Shoaib Ali Zahid / Flickr 

Haleem

Haleem is a mixture of a variety of traditional staples used in Pakistani cuisine, such as wheat, barley, minced beef, mutton or chicken. It is a dish that takes a long time to prepare because the lentils and special spices need ample time to properly combine with the minced beef and create a unique paste that will delight the senses.

Haleem served with garnish | © Halt123halt / WikiCommons

Halva Puri

A puri is a type of dough sprinkled with salt and rolled out in a circular form that is then fried in a small amount of oil. It is extremely fluffy and light and comes with a sweet dish called halva—a combination of sugar syrup, egg whites, and sesame seeds. The mixture of sweet and sour flavors results in a memorable dining experience.

Puri | © SpeedWeed / WikiCommons

Nihari

Nihari is one of the most famous stews in the entire country. It is served to guests on important occasions and contains meat that is slow cooked and simmered in spices overnight. The cooking process allows the dish to absorb the flavorful bone marrow fully, creating one of the best-tasting meat dishes in the world.

Nihari | © stu_spivack / Flickr 

Kheer

Kheer is the most famous traditional dessert in the country. It is a rice pudding made of rice, sugar, and milk. It combines an assortment of nuts, such as almonds, pistachios, and cashews, as well as saffron and cardamom to give it an alluring tinge that melts in your mouth with each bite.

Kheer | © stu_spivack / WikiCommons

How Vitamin C Works For The Body
What Its Defeciency Can Cause

Image/Video

Vitamin C plays a role in many vital functions in the body, including growth, maintenance, and repair of tissues like the skin, joints, blood vessels, bones, and teeth. It is critically important in wound healing and is also a powerful antioxidant.

Its antioxidant ability, or the ability to protect cells from free radicals, is the basis for all the hype about getting your vitamin C. Free radicals are created by exposure to environmental toxins like tobacco, heavy metals, and radiation, and are even released during normal cell metabolism.

Free radicals bombard healthy cells and can leave them (and their DNA) damaged, leading to sickness and disease. Antioxidants like vitamin C protect cells against cancer, heart disease, and arthritis by neutralizing free radicals in the body.

Severe vitamin C deficiency is called scurvy. Symptoms of scurvy include bruising, bleeding under the skin, poor wound healing, hair loss, tooth loss, swelling, joint pain, nosebleeds, anemia and eventually death, if the deficiency is not corrected. Today scurvy is rare because it takes such a small amount of vitamin C to prevent it. However, it is still present in some undernourished parts of the world.

Copyright © 2021 TTimes. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited