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The Food Party!

By Laura Stec

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About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and en...  (More)

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Eve of Earth Day

Uploaded: Apr 21, 2021

Happy Earth Day :)

I am scared to see what happens as I start to write.

I’ve been lazy since covid about writing. Lost inspiration end of last year completely. Became dispirited.

Maybe you too?

But Earth Day got me up. To check back in and say I miss you and I hope to start Food Partying! again soon.

There are so many ways our food system effects the environment, and it’s wonderful to see so many people, especially young people interested in where their food comes from these days, and in healthy eating for people and planet.



One of the first Food Parties! we discussed Vegetable Secrets, a perfect Earth Day topic to revisit. We want to eat more vegetables, for our health and the health of the planet.

Did you know vegetables have secrets? Shhh The secret is they are sweet.

But you say, a raw onion is not sweet.

And I say, ahh yes Grasshopper, but sauté that onion and what happens? It sweetens, caramelizes. A scientific experiment that always happens when carbohydrates reach 330 F | 166 -ish C or higher, from the oven, grill, broiler and sauté pan.

So are you smarter than a 5th grader?

What temperature does water boil at?

212 F | 100 C

If you boil and steam all your vegetables, your temperature never gets hot enough to bring out the secrets.

What’s the secret?

Vegetables are sweet.

What temp does it take?

Don’t make me write it again, look above.

Earth Day eating and vibrant health means consuming more vegetables. Remember their secrets.

1) Caramelize your vegetable, let that brown stuff (fond) build up at the bottom of the pan.
2) Deglaze the pan with a little bit of liquid, such as stock, wine, but also try olive juice, apple juice, or that beer you are drinking. Any liquid will do. Don’t add too much though because it will reduce your caramelization temperature down to the boiling point of water and you will have to wait around till it boils off to get back to a temp of 330 F or higher.

Once your veggies are browned and yummy looking, with little, if any, fond (culinary gold) on the bottom of the pan, mix in any of the EZ Seasonings below (equal parts for the most part).




Variation causes us to eat more.

EZ seasoning offers vegetable cooking technique + many ways to change it up.

Earth Day gives us a chance to look into new ways to eat more in line with the planet. When we do that, we get the best tasting food.

So let’s change the world with great tasting food!

Together we can make a great meal, and a great difference.






Democracy.
What is it worth to you?

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