Ttogull

They are excellent raw. Even the stems. Cut it all up and top with a soft goat cheese. I too have found that people often give the greens away for free. Especially true for broccoli and cauliflower leaves. At the end of summer, I'm usually left with lots of beet roots I'll never eat because they came with the greens I do love to eat!

My experience is mostly with chickens. I dry brine those with spectacular results. The key for me is to cook the chickens at a high temp (600+ degrees F) in a cast iron pan. But they have to be small birds, no more than 3.5 lbs or else the outermost parts of the chicken get over cooked before the inside gets done. I have been working to translate the chicken method to turkey. I want juicy turkey with crispy skin. Skin that cracks when I put a fork in it. Turkeys are larger (I'm doing 13 lbs) and I get to practice only once per year. But what I've learned from chickens is that the advice given above to let the turkey sit in the fridge uncovered is a vital step. For chickens, I do this at least 24 hours. The skin visibly changes from loose and flabby to tight and thin. Serious Eats also suggests adding baking soda. This raises the Ph, making it easier to brown the skin at lower temps necessitated by the Larger bird size. I might try this this year. http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/11/quick-and-dirty-guide-to-brining-turkey-chicken-thanksgiving.html I've used baking soda to improve the Maillard reaction in other things like soups, so I hope it works here.

This is going to sound crazy, but do you eat kimchi or sauerkraut on a regular basis? https://mrheisenbug.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/l-plantarum-cured-my-eczema/ It has to be raw. There are also supplements. The link includes links to studies. I Had this problem for many years. It was very painful. Nothing provided relief. One year, it just went away all by itself. It wasn't until I read this article and thought back that it went away at the same time I became interested in fermenting vegetables. And I had not eaten them before then. I still eat fermented vegetables every day (right now, a tablespoon of beets and their green) and during the winter try to get a full serving at least once a week. You can't cook it though without killing the benefit. Also, other fermented products such as yogurt are different and don't count for this purpose. It's good for you for other reasons too, so no harm in trying! I know how painful it was so I'm hoping it helps someone here. If interested, also check out https://mrheisenbug.wordpress.com/2014/02/26/anthropology-science-is-l-plantarum-a-keystone-bacteria-for-human-health/

I have a ton of vegetarian cookbooks. I am a committed carnivore, but often like to make vegetables the main part of a meal with meat as a side complement. I'm only listing books that I find to be somewhat valuable to me, with descriptions as I recall them. (Others might think of the books differently.) I don't think they are obscure. I have Madhur Jaffrey's book you mentioned above - I consider it a mainstream classic. I have several other books by her, and they have lots of vegetarian recipes. Very good. If you can find it, there is a British TV show called River Cottage <something>. I last saw it on the European version of YouTube for free. A season was devoted to vegetarian food. Fantastic. There is an associated cookbook called "River Cottage Veg". I have the cookbook, but I don't use it often. The show was inspiring. "From a Breton Garden" has lots of interesting flavor combos. I think it is a classic. "Super Natural Cooking" is fantastic, and focused on grains. I think the author might have other books too. Probably worth getting. If you are into more complicated stuff, "The Millennium Cookbook", "The Artful Vegan," and "Candle 79 Cookbook" are great. I ate at Candle 79 and had probably the best nachos in my life. That's saying something because I grew up in Texas. For newer "cutting edge" stuff, maybe "Dirty Candy", "Vedge" or "Vedgetronic".

I'm not going to spend a lot of time debating this. I frankly don't care. I can't figure out your agenda. Everything I've said is correct. The immune system helps prevent tumors from developing. Here's an excerpt: "In 1909, a scientist by the name of Paul Ehrlich proposed that the incidence of cancer would be much greater were it not for the vigilance of our immune defense system in identifying and eliminating nascent tumor cells. This suggestion gave birth to the generally accepted concept that the immune system plays a vital role in the iden- tification and elimination of transformed cells. About 50 years later, two scientists, Lewis Thomas and Frank MacFarlane Burnet, took Paul Ehrlich’s original idea a step further and proposed that a special type of immune cell called a T cell was the pivotal sentinel in the immune system’s response against cancer. This elaboration led to the coinage of the term “immune surveillance or immunosurveillance” to describe the concept whereby the immune system is on perpetual alert against transformed cells. As dictated by the scientific method, theories must in the course of time either withstand rigorous experimental testing, crumble and be discarded or be improved upon. This basic requirement brought the theory of immunosurveillance under severe attack and great controversy when scientists like Osías Stutman showed in the 1970s that mice supposedly lacking an intact immune system (so-called nude mice) did not become more susceptible to tumor growth as predicted by the theory. Thus, the theory of immunosurveillance remained controversial until an important scientific article entitled “IFN-gamma and lymphocytes prevent primary tumor devel- opment and shape tumor immunogenicity” was published in the journal Nature on April 26, 2001. This breakthrough article was authored by Robert D. Schreiber, Ph.D., and his colleagues at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, in collaboration with Lloyd J. Old, M.D., of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. The experimental evidence presented in their paper unambiguously showed that the immune system can and often does prevent tumors from developing, and thus plays a strong protective role against cancer. These researchers also uncovered important new insights regarding the immune system and tumor development that they dubbed “immunoediting.”" From http://www.cancerresearch.org/CRI/media/Content/Cancer%20Immunotherapy/Cancer-and-the-Immune-System-The-Vital-Connection.pdf The connection with the gut might be highlighted by the fact that the gut can impact the efficacy of anti cancer treatments http://www.nature.com/cdd/journal/v22/n2/full/cdd201456a.html I don't claim that fiber is the holy grail. In fact, it most likely is not. It is most likely a healthy immune system, of which the gut is only a part. Fiber can help when it can, but there are other factors in many cases. Odd, though, that fiber is associated with lower early mortality http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/181/2/83 Again, my earlier question: Is it really the bacon?

The immune system is designed to clean up damaged cells. Lots of things create damaged cells that can create cancer. If bacon and processed meats damage cells and *simultaneously* impair the immune system (by reducing the quantity of fiber eaten), then there will be a correlation as described. BUT, and this is my question, what if one has a well-functioning immune system? Will bacon still be a problem? Let's do it another way. Alcohol. Alcohol damages cells, and high consumption is associated with cancers. Suppose we, loosely speaking, examine alcohol consumption relative to fiber (something not yet done with bacon, AFAIK). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/25994566/?i=3&from=/26269366/related Short version: Alcohol intake was associated with hormone-dependent cancers among the low fiber group, but not the high fiber. I've read lots of studies like that.

Sadly, what once might have been the case seems to have changed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4488807/ I know there are all kinds of problems with studies like this. And the many others like it. It makes it hard to use studies to make a point. But even in 1990, T Colin Campbell estimated g/day at a median of 33 g/day for Chinese. That's about the US recommended amount. I've seen other estimates at 20 g/day. That's not high fiber. I can't speak to other countries. High fiber is probably something closer to 75-100g/ day. In general, there is a crowding out effect. More meat crowds out more veggies and fruit. So my original question remains valid. Veggies and fruit can be linked to a stronger immune system which can be linked to better cancer protection. Maybe meat/fat/bacon are not the real problem.

I'm betting the microbiome is going to be a big factor. The microbiome is hugely influential on our immune system. Our immune system is a large part of our protection from cancer, helping to identify and destroy damaged cells. The gut microbiome is significantly impacted by our diets - carbohydrates that we don't digest directly help to feed it. These come primarily from plants and fruit in everyday situations. But if we don't eat enough fiber and stuff to adequately feed the gut, our immune systems can become compromised. When that happens, maybe our immune system loses its ability to help to ward off cancer. Here's my question: is it bacon's fault? Or is it that someone who eats a lot of bacon is more likely to have inadequate intake of fiber and stuff, and it's the latter that is the true culprit? I've read a lot of studies vilifying fat and meat, but not one I've read has compared diets with equal quantity and quality of fiber in the meat and non-meat diets. The problem is that there aren't too many people regularly consuming meat and fat and simultaneously eating lots of fiber. I know a few. We are all very healthy and have reversed many diseases (heart disease, high BP, diabetes, and many others connected to autoimmunity). I find it funny, though, that some of us have a distaste for bacon in large quantities - it's just too salty.

If sunchokes and burdock affect you, I'm betting that dandelion root and chicory root do too. All short chain inulins, as I understand. Inulin sweeteners might also be short chain, because it will taste sweeter than long chain. You might be able to overcome this, if you want. I did. You've got to grow the bacteria in your gut that eat the gases produced by the bacteria that ferment the short chain inulin. Every day, maybe twice per day, eat just a nibble of sunchoke. Not a whole one, just a small nibble. If it causes pain, eat half as much. If you get gas but it is tolerable (gas is normal, pain is not) stay at that level for a week or so. If it is painful, cut the dose by half and try again. Slowly work yourself up. Why? I started a diet focusing on the gut microbiome some time ago. The effect has been amazing. But after gaining the ability to digest short chain inulins from sunchokes, burdock, and dandelion root, my digestion has been amazing. Its worth it. Plus sunchokes taste really good.

Interesting thread. I've been interested in the gut microbiome for a while. As stated, Jersusalem artichokes are high in inulin. As are garlic, onions, and leeks. Few seem to complain about the gastrointestinal effects of the latter. Why? I do not know for sure. But as I understand things, not all inulin is the same. All inulin fails to be absorbed as food in the stomach and the small intestine. It is instead fermented by gut microbes in the large intestine. Some is short-chain, and other is long-chain. The short-chain is broken down quickly, and is very quickly fermented. Other is long chain and fermented later in the distal colon. My understanding is that Jerusalem artichokes have short chain inulins. They are digested easily by the gut microbes They produce by-products like CO-2, methane, sulfur, and other gases. Under normal circumstances, other microbes would feed on these gases, thus canceling the effect. But the average Western diet starves these canceling microbes, so in the short run eating Jersusalem artichokes produces an excess of gasses because there are insufficient gas consumers. Hence pain and suffering by the host by gasses produced but not consumed by the gut. So the response to something like Jersusalem artichokes is likely to be individualistic. I personally have no issues. But my diet includes all chain lengths of inulin (shorter chains including dandelion root, chicory root, and yacon root). A problem is an indication of imbalance. But adding Jersusalem artichokes slowly will help to restore an imbalance.

Perhaps that speaks to what a good recipe it is. I've made it many times, and loved it each time. Perhaps when you try it you will like it too.

I eat these very frequently. Love them! I call them cranberry beans. This is my favorite recipe. They go great with garlic http://localfoods.about.com/od/sidedishes/r/braisedcranberrybeans.htm

Yes, cheating on weight (adding to a preweighed box) and substituting qualities (nonorganic vs. organic) would be stealing. But swapping bad for good of approximately equal amount is not. It's this last thing I am talking about. As someone working in the produce department, I would have appreciated someone just setting the bad produce to the side or leaving the other carton's lid up. But not everyone would think of that. And you are funny if you think my germs hands are the worst thing to touch your produce. An orange that falls to the floor goes back on the shelf. I'd bet very few people wash their oranges before peeling them and subsequently eating the inside with their hands. Somebody drops a carton of strawberries - there's no way they go in the trash if they are ok. Those containers have holes, and people sneeze and cough all the time in the produce department. Food is dirty! I forgot to mention that stores know the trick of people grabbing the stuff in the back or the bottom. Often, then, some of the older stuff gets put in the back and the new stuff in the middle. The bread companies know this too and sometimes stock their bread accordingly. Sometimes too the new stuff is actually older because it might come from a different vendor or warehouse.

I personally do not see anything wrong with it. It's a pain for the people following, but not immoral or illegal. It's up to the store to set and enforce the rules. I do shop at a farm stand that has signs prohibiting this practice though. I respect the signs and would expect others to do so as well. But the farm stand makes sure the quality is uniformly good and the weights of the cartons/baskets are as stated. That being said, when I was much younger, I worked in and managed several grocery store produce departments. Like many things, the margins were thin and bonuses (or employment!) depended on how good the margins were and how they compared to other stores. People tend not to buy produce that is bruised or ugly. Yet to throw it away is wasteful (if it is edible) and counts against the margin. The only practical way to respond is to package it. Put slightly bruised apples or bananas at the bottom of a bag. Shrink wrap zucchini with the label strategically placed over a blemish. Use old or partially spoiled veggies and fruits for the crudités platters or fruit plates used for parties - the bad or spoiled parts cut off. This was perfectly fine produce being used, although some of those I worked with were more aggressive than others. I never saw anyone intentionally use rotten fruit. But this practice uses fruits and veggies that are on the edge, so to speak. So maybe something turns rotten before being noticed. Or maybe the buyer thinks the produce can sit for a few days. A funny thing: I worked produce long enough that I can smell that something is rotten. The give away is that it often smells too good. Potatoes, onions, strawberries, citrus, and others smell fantastic as they rot. A bag of potatoes, for instance, has a very potato-ey smell. Oranges smell super orange-y. Anyway, my number one rule in grocery stores is to never buy anything else ackaged for convenience if I can avoid it. Nothing shrink wrapped. No sliced watermelon or cantaloupe. No partially shucked corn in packages. No brown bags of peaches, apples, or bananas. Blueberries are a bit problematic, but I've never had an issue with the plastic see-through cartons. And, just to add, the customer before you might separate the dubious berries from the "good" ones in front of you. But that "untouched" carton might have come from several half-molded ones mixed in the back room by hands of dubious cleanliness. That is, the store itself might be doing what seems so objectionable when done by the customer. EDIT: I can't believe I forgot to say that in a large produce department I worked at, one guy's job was to save the produce with some hope of rescue we brought to him, and he'd trim, package, or otherwise save stuff that couldn't be sold. He was considered a master.

I'm no chemist, but many sources say to avoid the briquettes because of the binders and other chemicals they use. You might be right, but I cook only on natural charcoal anyway. For meat, I'm not sure about the smoky flavor myself. I find that it gives better caramelization and simply fantastic flavor. The fat smoke that comes off of, say, pork chops is overwhelming. I have to duck down under the cloud of smoke when taking the cover off to have any hope of seeing the meat. The difference between that and regular grilling is significant. I don't see it as better, just a different method. One that impresses people. I also don't remember if the article states it, but I find that usually you cannot cook the meat 100% on the coals. You'd burn the outside. So eventually I put the grate back on and use indirect heat to get to the desired doneness. Standard. But veggies I often do cook 100% on the coals. Potatoes, onions, eggplants, etc, all come away with burned black exteriors. Cut them open, and scoop out the insides. Now these ARE smoky. We have an outdoor fireplace and use hickory and oak. Steaks cooked on those coals are very smoky. I have cast iron and clay pots that I use to cook beans in, and those are very smoky even when the lid stays on. Black-eyed peas done like this are amazing. It's 90 degrees F, and I'm thinking about starting the fireplace! Edit: to be clear, the bean pots are nestled in the wood coals for a couple of hours. Edit 2: to get the steaks in lower heat in a fireplace, I use a few fireplace bricks and a small Weber replacement grill. I used to have an expensive Sante Fe grill, but it kept rusting. The bricks work great. Don't use regular bricks as they might explode.