Honey I Love You

Your body is a marvelous machine that deserves optimum fuel everyday in order for it to perform its best. Why not take today, Valentine’s Day + treat yourself to sweet goodness. Yes, yourself. Treat yourself to something that's good for you. I'm thinking enjoying some honey - it's one of my top food picks.

Eat it local. it's so good for you, especially when made by your local bees. Much like how wines differ in flavor according to where the grapes are grown, so does honey. The benefits, in addition to building your immune system and an all natural aid to outdoor allergies; honey is one of the most precious all natural sweeteners on the market. 

Take good care of yourself + keep spreading the love. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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13 EPISODES on 4 HD-DVD Disk Set, season one
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13 EPISODES on 4 HD-DVD Disk Set, season one
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AS SEEN ON PUBLIC TELEVISION & CREATE TV- SEASON ONE
FEATURING CHEF GEORGE HIRSCH DEMONSTRATING HIS SAVORY COOKING, BAKING AND GRILLING RECIPES; WITH HIS EXPERT CULINARY TIPS & TECHNIQUES, ALONG WITH VISITS TO HIS INSPIRING HAMPTON LOCATIONS.

Buy Her Some Gold

Not so sure how well this will go over as a Vatlentine's Day present - but it could be accompanied by grilled steaks for two, a bottle of wine, candlelight + chocolates.

Circa 1932, New York's own Gold's Pure Food Products Horseradish is an important staple + condiment to have in the refrigerator. It can jazz up dressings, sauces and put a nice spin on a serving of mashed potatoes. Also it's great if you are committed to limiting the amount of butter to your meal portions. Horseradish also happens to be good for you too; it's fat free and less than 5 calories per tablespoon. If you don't have fresh horseradish on hand, the prepared version of grated horseradish is a great alternative.

 

Molcajete

The molcajeta is a Meso-American kitchen tool with origin from a few thousands years ago. You could say it was the original food processor or what we call the mortar + pestle today. An authentic molcajeta is carved from one solid piece of basalt, volcanic rock. The most common uses are crushing herbs, preparing salsas + guacamole. One thing to remember is that the molcajete is a porous rock that absorbs the flavor of whatever is ground in it, so the flavor of that crushed garlic will definitely be infused into the next recipe. Who doesn't like the flavor of garlic?

Rapini

Rapini, aka rabe + broccoli di rabe is a wonderful edible bouquet of florets and a great source of antioxidants vitamins A, C, as well as calcium, iron + potassium. The green buds of rabe, with broccoli-like characteristics is from the cabbage family. The edible yellow flowers with turnip-like foliage have a slightly bitter earthy flavor, and ideal compliments  to garlic + peperoncino, when sautéed in olive oil.   

Rabe is not to be limited to just Italian pastas or Asian style preparations; consider adding this cooked vegetable to sandwiches, salads, and soups. Here's a popular stew recipe from my TV series that is ideal dish during chilly weather. 

Broccoli Rabe & Sausage Stew
Recipe by Chef George Hirsch | George Hirsch Living it UP! TV series

1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 links Italian Sausage
1 cup sweet onion, chopped
1 each Red Pepper, cut into small pieces
8 cloves caramelized garlic
1 cup Broccoli Rabe flowers, cut into small pieces
1 cup Broccoli Rabe stems, peeled, chopped 
8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup Red New Potatoes, scrubbed skin on, cut into 1/4 inch slices 
Fresh ground black pepper
Grated Parmesan, cheese to taste
Pepperoncini, to taste

Pre heat a medium soup or stew pot to medium temperature.

Add olive oil and sausage, cook for several minutes turning sausage after each side browns. Add onion, garlic, red pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes until onion become tender.  Pour in broth and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and add broccoli rape and potatoes. Simmer sausage for 4-5 minutes, remove sausage from stew and allow to cool. Slice sausage and return to stew. Simmer until potatoes are tender and season with pepper, Parmesan cheese, and pepperoncini to taste.  

Tip: Grill sausage in place of searing in soup pot for an additional smoky flavor.