Cooking with Coley

Photo courtesy of Skaneateles Talk

Happy Memorial Day!

I just got back from a wonderful weekend in Syracuse filled with family, laughter and of course lots of food. From Dinosaur Bar-B-Que to Alto Cinco to multiple trips to Wegmans, I certainly hit up all my favorite spots.  In addition to food hopping (like the foodie version of bar hopping), I also visited one of my favorite kitchen stores in the beautiful Skaneateles, NY: Rhubarb Kitchen & Garden Shop.

One small room, probably not more than 300 square feet tops, this quaint but charming shop abounds with useful kitchen gadgets, cookware and gourmet foods.  Whether it’s something for yourself or a gift for a friend, you’re sure to find a kitchen treasure that you want to take home.

In fact, I’m not sure I’ve been able to step foot in Rhubarb without making a purchase of some sort. Among my recent favorites include: Skaneateles Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar and a “poachpod” (a silicone egg tool for the egg cooking handicapped).

If you haven’t already been to Skaneateles, NY, I highly suggest you check it out at some point in your life.  A gorgeous clean and serene lake surrounded by enchanting shops and delicious restaurants makes for a top weekend getaway spot.  And when you’re there, be sure to stop in Rhubarb to peruse the packed shelves of kitchen treats.

Rhubarb Kitchen & Garden Shop is located at 59 East Genesee Street in the village of Skaneateles, NY.  They unfortunately, do not have a website.

I’m not a parent yet, and maybe I won’t be in the foreseeable future, but I can tell you that when that day comes that my children can walk and talk, they will be alongside me in the kitchen.  Whether it’s learning to make smart snack choices, or just experimenting with ingredients, I want my kiddies to get hands on with food. And maybe even fall in love with it like me.

I’ve recently found a great resource for foodies or parents who want to get kids involved in the kitchen and inspire their family and friends around them to get healthy: Keep the Beat™ Recipes. Keep the Beat, from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, is beyond just a cookbook offering healthy family meals–it’s a resource for information and a collection of healhy-living tips.

Oatmeal Pecan Waffles

Keep the Beat reminds us that “healthy eating is important for the whole family as it can reduce risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and other conditions…and getting kids to eat healthy and be active are especially important since these habits are formed early in life.”

The book is jam packed with information.  Here’s a sampling of what you can find:

• Main meal recipes like shepherd’s pie and sweet-and-sour chicken
• Grain side dish ideas including roasted red pepper and toasted orzo
• Snack recipes like grapesicles and south western beef roll ups
• Chefs in Training, an online tool that helps you find ways to engage children in and out of the kitchen–from menu planning to grocery shopping to to mixing ingredients
• Super handy nutritional facts accompanying the recipes
• Tips on encouraging healthy eating and time-saving recommendations for busy family

Keep the Beat is available for download for free… yes free, as in no costs or fees attached.  So download it for yourself, or print it for your friend, and start getting smart about food today.

Mexican…pasta… two words that you rarely see together.  Yet, each word represents incredible opportunity for deliciousness in the kitchen.  So this weekend I thought, why not put them together? And that’s exactly what I did.

Although going into it with a bit of hesitation, it slowly came together, and  before I knew it, ay caramba it came out scrumptious! So just in time for BBQ season,  I present you a pasta salad with a total twist.  With spice, flair and lots of color, this dish is nothing short of a fiesta.

What you’ll need: (for 2 large servings)

• 2 servings of whole wheat pasta
• 1/3 cups salsa
• 1/2 cup black beans
• 1/2 cup yellow corn
• 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
• Handful of chopped cilantro
• Handful of chopped jarred jalapenos (optional)
• Sliced cherry tomatoes for garnish
• Green Tabasco or hot sauce of choice (optional)

Procedure:

• Cook pasta according to directions; drain, but do not rinse
• Toss pasta in 1/2 tbsp EVOO, chill
• Add salsa, black beans, corn, cilantro and jalapenos and toss with pasta
• Top with sliced tomatoes and extra cilantro as garnish
• Serve with a side of hot sauce for extra heat and flavor

With lots of fiber, protein and nutrients, I promise you’ll find this pasta salad both delicious and filling.