Spicy Meatless Buffalo Wings

For A healthy alternative to buffalo wings, slide the bone of a human finger into a block of tofu and bake – Giada De Laurentiis

Meatless Spicy Buffalo Wings

There are few of life’s simple pleasures as enjoyable as buffalo chicken wings. However they are not entirely the healthiest things we can eat. If you enjoy some buffalo wings on game day but need to keep it on the healthier side, try these amazing meatless spic y buffalo wings today. Making the switch from chicken wings and drumsticks to crispy tofu allows us to enjoy the flavor and texture of spicy buffalo wings any day of the week. To get that delicious chicken-like texture I like to use and extra firm tofu such as Mori-Nu Silken Tofu. It holds up well in the cooking process and really gives you something to chew, similar to chicken. Okay, okay, I hear the groan! A lot of people are thinking “please not another tofu recipe”. I wish I could travel from person to person toting a huge platter of these “wings” and dare them to stop after just one bite. LOL, I don’t think they would be able to.

About That Tofu

Tofu is a food prepared from soy milk. It is a great source of protein and contains all eight essential amino acids. From a nutritional and healthy standpoint, tofu is pretty hard to beat. So, let’s consider two things about tofu. The first is if prepared well it can make a great meat substitute. My case in point would be these very delicious meatless buffalo wings. The second is the fact that tofu is also relatively low in calories, with half a cup clocking in at less than one hundred. It would appear then the only con to consuming soy would be the genetically modified soy beans in widespread use today. To counteract these GMO’s I recommend using organic tofu only. It would be impossible to be both genetically modified and organic at the same time.

It’s All In The Buffalo Sauce

Spicy buffalo wings are something most people enjoy. Add to that a pitcher of a nice cold drink and we are good to go. We can bake wings all day long, but without the right sauce it is just not the same. Most restaurants today have joined the bandwagon and you can now buy a bottle of their branded hot sauce in grocery stores. The problem for me is when I read the ingredient labels on most hot sauce bottles they contain ingredients that I just do not recognize. As an alternative, cleaner method I make my own hot sauce simply by melting organic unsalted butter and combining it with a cayenne pepper.

Meatless Spicy Buffalo Wings

• CourseAppetizers, Lunch
• CuisineAmerican

Servings18 pieces

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time35-40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1lb extra-firm tofu block
• 5tbsp arrowroot starchmore if needed
• 1/4cup soy milk
• 1cup panko breadcrumbs
• 3tbsp Avocado Oil
• 1/4tsp garlic powder
• 1/2tsp salt
• 3tbsp vegan buttermelted
• 3tbsp hot sauce of choice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425° F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Squeeze out the excess water from your block of tofu. I do this by placing the block of tofu on a large plate lined with paper towels. cover with more paper towels and place a heavy pan on top ( I use my cast iron skillet). Allow this to sit for 30 minutes.
3. Slice the block of tofu widthwise into 6 even slabs. Then slice each slab lengthwise into 3 even sticks.
4. Place your arrowroot starch on a plate and your soy milk in a bowl.
5. In a separate bowl add together your breadcrumbs, avocado oil, garlic powder and salt and mix to combine.
6. Roll your tofu sticks one at a time through the arrowroot starch, then the soy milk and finally in the breadcrumb mix.
7. Place them on the baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Flip the wings and bake until crispy and golden, an additional 15 to 20 minutes.

Please, if anyone tries this recipe, let us know what you think in the comments below.

source https://www.recipecritique.com/spicy-meatless-buffalo-wings/

Learn How to Cook and Eat Artichokes with this Easy Artichoke Recipe

There is no greater joy than good family, friends and food

The Heart of the Artichoke

Artichokes are one of the world’s healthiest foods. Yet so many people are unfamiliar with them. Here we will learn about the heart of the artichoke, learn how to cook and eat them with this easy artichoke recipe. Interestingly enough, it should be noted that although they are long considered a vegetable, artichokes are actually flower buds.  Keep reading to learn why you can and should add artichokes to your diet, as well as how to cook and eat them. Spoiler alert; I am not talking about spinach artichoke dips, but the fresh ‘vegetable’ itself.

The Health Profile of Artichokes

Artichokes are considered a heart healthy food. One medium artichoke has about 60 calories, 6 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. Low in saturated fat and zero cholesterol, they are number one in antioxidants and contain healthy prebiotics.  One major additional benefit of artichoke consumption is their ability to help cleanse the liver.   Artichokes are said to stimulate bile flow, which in turn helps to remove toxins from your liver and out of the body.  Artichokes are also said to help with the prevention of stomach ulcers, cardiovascular disease and support healthy eyesight.

How to Prepare Artichokes

Simple; artichokes can be prepared by either steaming or boiling in a pot of lightly salted water. Prepare the artichoke by trimming the top of the flower buds. Bring a large cast iron pot of water to a boil and add the artichoke.  Reduce heat and simmer until cooked.  While artichokes can be served whole, the heart of the artichoke is covered in what is known as the choke. This is a fuzzy, almost hair like substance that is best removed. For this reason it is usual to cut the artichoke in half and use a spoon to scoop the choke off of the heart. This is the easiest method we have found for removing the choke before you start eating.

How to Eat Artichokes

Artichokes, for me, are one of the most absolute of finger foods.  Served with a healthy dipping sauce they are a pleasure to eat.  Sadly a lot of people do not understand how to eat artichokes. To eat an artichoke you will need to use your fingers to gently pull one petal off the flower bud at a time. Dip the base of the petal in your favorite sauce and then put it in your mouth and gently pull it through your teeth. This removes all of the flesh from within the petal. Continue in this manner until you reach the heart of the artichoke, and therein lies the prize. The heart of the artichoke is a very meaty bud at the base of each flower that is amazingly delectable. Dip it, eat it and feel the love.  Once you learn about the heart of the artichoke, you will never turn back.   Artichokes are destined to become one of your favorite snack items and the best part is that it is so wonderfully good for you.

How to Cook and Eat Artichokes

• CourseAppetizers

Servings2 servings

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time30 minutes

Ingredients

Boiled Artichoke

• 2large artichokes
• saltas needed

Artichoke Dipping Sauce

• 1/2cup plaine greek yogurt
• 1 lemonjuiced, plus zest of 1/2,
• 1clove garlicfinely minced
• salt and pepperif needed, to taste

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil
2. Remove the stems and cut about 1/2" from the top of the artichoke flower. Using kitchen shears trim the tip of each remaining petal.
3. Add artichoke to the boiling water, reduce heat to medium and simmer until cooked, about 30 minutes. You can tell when the artichoke is cooked as the outer leaves will be easy to pull off.

Artichoke Dipping Sauce

1. Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix to combine. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

Recipe Notes

For another idea see this amazing artichoke aioli dipping sauce. Make it vegan? Omit the dipping sauce.

Quote of the Dish:

“At least you’ll never be a vegetable – even artichokes have hearts.” – Amélie Poulain

source https://www.recipecritique.com/learn-how-to-cook-and-eat-artichokes-with-this-easy-artichoke-recipe/

Jamaican Ackee and Salt Fish with Fried Dumplings

“I go back five generations in Jamaica. My dad grew up in Port Royal, and my mom grew up in Kingston. My family is from the country like West Moreland and also in Manchester. I’ve been there countless times. As far as cuisine, there’s not really much that comes out of Jamaica that’s on a plate that I don’t like.” – Dule Hill 

Traditional Jamaican Ackee and Salt Fish

As the countries national dish, Jamaican ackee and salt fish is enjoyed by many around the world. Originating in Africa, the ackee fruit was imported into the Caribbean in the 1700;s. The fruit grows on trees in a red casing that resembles a small red bell pepper. When it ripens the red casing opens to reveal black seeds and yellow flesh. There is some stigma associated with the ackee fruit as it contains a poisonous toxin. The fruit must be allowed to open naturally to release that toxin before the yellow flesh can be eaten. The dark seeds inside the fruit are also inedible due to the toxicity. The jewel of the ackee fruit it the yellow flesh that we can and do enjoy eating.

Why Eat Ackee

You may wonder with the concerns of toxins and the safety of consuming ackee, people still choose to eat it. There are several amazing benefits to be had from consuming ackee. Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, improving the immune system, aiding in digestion and circulation are just a few. Ackee also contains vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc and a natural plant protein that we all need.

Salt Fish

Historically cod was salted as a means of preservation. When salt fish is mentioned it is more than likely a reference to salted cod fish, although other types of flaky white fish has been used to make ackee and salt fish. Much of the salt needs to be removed before the salt fish is edible. This is achieved by soaking the fish in water anywhere from 2 hours to overnight. Regularly changing of the water helps to expedite this process. The salt fish is traditionally cooked with onion, garlic and peppers, which makes it the perfect pairing for the mild flavored, buttery creaminess of the ackee fruit.

Jamaican Ackee and Saltfish

Ingredients

• 1/2lb boneless salted codfish
• 2tbsp Avocado Oil
• 1large yellow oniondiced
• 1cup bell peppersI used green and red
• 3cloves garlicfinely minced
• 2sprigs fresh thyme
• 1/4 scotch bonnet pepperseeded and finely chopped, if you like some heat
• 120-ounce can ackeedrained
• 1tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 2tsp tomato ketchup
• 1tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

1. Rinse the codfish in cold tap water to remove excess salt. Place in a large bowl and cover with cold water and soak for an hour. Drain the water and refill to soak for an additional hour. The soaking process can be repeated one more time if desired, to remove as much salt as you like.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the avocado oil and heat until hot.
3. Add the onions and sautee until translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the bell pepper, garlic and thyme and sautee and additional minute, until fragrant.
5. Reduce heat, add the saltfish, black pepper, ketchup and lemon juice. Stir to blend. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Add the ackee and gently mix to combine. Ackee is a very delicate fruit so mix gently so as not to crush it up.
7. Cover and simmer an additional 2 minutes or until heated through. Serve while hot.

Jamaican Ackee and Salt Fish

Ackee and salt fish is traditionally eaten as a breakfast dish in Jamaica, but can actually be eaten any time of the day. For breakfast it is typically served with fried foods such as dumplings and plantains, a sweet banana. For the evening meal you are more likely to find it paired with boiled dumplings or potatoes, and some boiled yam and banana. Either way, this is one dish you do not want to pass on. The dish will put you in the Caribbean mood in no time.

source https://www.recipecritique.com/jamaican-ackee-and-salt-fish-with-fried-dumplings/