#SmoothieNumbers 27: Raspberry, Hibiscus Tea and Fresh Coconut

SmoothieNumbers 27: Raspberry, Hibiscus Tea and Fresh Coconut

In New York, most African-American festivals have a vendor chopping the tops of fresh coconuts, in which straws are inserted for a quick sip of refreshing coconut water. The heavy fruit is returned, in which the vendor splits it in half to scoop out the white flesh. Once home, thoroughly clean the pulp and chill or freeze until ready to use. For this Smoothie Number, the pulp is added to frozen raspberries and chilled hibiscus tea for a refreshing drink on a hot and humid day. The drink is tart and sweet with a subtle hint of coconut, but it has tons of vitamin C.

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What Makes a Happy Meal

West African-Inspired Salad

We initially didn’t eat want the healthy options on fast food menus, because it wasn’t going to be a happy meal. Today, chefs are creating healthy meals into exciting options. Such as Panera Bread announcing plans to eliminate chemical preservatives and artificial ingredients from their meals by 2016. It was an 11 year process of working with chefs and nutritionists to change how fast food corporations offer healthier options with tantalizing ingredients.

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What’s Not to Like About Okra?

Grilled Okra with Blueberry Spice Rub

Gotta love social media. Out of all the positive responses to the picture of grilled okra posted on My Life Runs On Food’s Facebook page, one person’s response was “yuck… not my cup of tea.” The response was annoying to read, but I wasn’t entirely mad. Okra isn’t my cup of tea, either.

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Parade’s Community Table: Moroccan Cuisine Swirls into the American Kitchen

Chicken Stew with Potatoes and Olives

Morocco’s sweet and savory fragrances of olives, tender meat, dried fruit and rich spices is swirling around American cuisine. As a North African country bordering the Mediterranean, it has for thousands of years imported Asian, European and Arabic flavors into its own rich culinary history. As an elegant and colorful cuisine, it’s a welcome addition to the forever expanding American palate. Caroline Hofberg’s cookbook, Morocco on a Plate, showcases various bread, vegetarian, meat and dessert recipes for curious minds who wish to explore Moroccan cuisine.

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