Hot Out Of The Oven..... Hominy

Adapted from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixtamalization

*Note:Please continue to read this blog article.

Living Better Cafe is bring you Fresh out of the oven news, that you're going to love. That no other blog source will ever take you close into the story. I say more good reasons to love L.B.C, not only are you revising original recipes. Your saving money while eating the way you want in a healthier way.

Welcome to Hot Out Of The Oven food news, I have yet another edition of food news coming straight from no other source but, Living Better Cafe of course. As you have read through many editions of (H.O.T.O), since I have started this food news addition. You have become wiser about what you buy,and place into your mouth. While I am very happy to continue to keep "Hot of the oven" going as much as you keep enjoy reading it every Monday. In this First April edition.

This last April edition of Hot out of the oven, Living Better Cafe wants to help you understand " What is Hominy"? well as the creator of this awesome inexpensive food based blog. I will be helping you understand more clearly what is Hominy? as there are quite a few of clueless people still out there. Living Better Cafe will help those who have the slights idea to, What Hominy is? and where did it come from?

I will be laying out the history of hominy, and the beneficial factors of this grain based food. Well some of you may have seen a bowl of grit's, or some of you may not know what is grit's? once again it all relates back to Hominy. Hominy is a dried kernel which has been treated with an alikali called nixtamalization. Now nixatamalization is typically referred to a process for the preparations of maize (Corn), or other grain, in which the grain is soaked and cooked in an alkaline solution, mainly limewater, and hulled.

The alikali called nixatamalization has several benefits over unprocessed grains: it is more easier to ground; as its nutritional value does increase, its flavor and aroma are improved; and mycotoxins are reduced. The lime and ash are highly alikaline: which the alikalinity helps dissolution of hemicellulose, the major glue-like component of the maize cell walls, and loosens the hulls from the kernels and softens the corn.

Hominy is used in a lot of food's.such as Tortilla's, Grit's, Taco's, and Masa is the dough used to make corn tortillas ( along with other thing's). Not to confuse you but, you use can not make Masa with regular cornmeal. You can even add Hominy into soups, as it's more so popular in Mexican stews, called Posole. You can also find hominy in a can, or you can just make hominy yourself just by using dried corn kernels.

Like I have mention before about the benefits that hominy has. Hominy does have a very good source in a lot vitamins and minerals. Like, protein, Potassium, Iron and Magnesium. While the other vitamin's and minerals that is in hominy is very low count. But, they should not discourage you from eating this grain.

I am coming very to the end about Hominy. But, I want to make sure you hear about the good health benefits. Question? is Hominy good for you and why? Why yes it is because it's low in calories. Therefore, if you had only 1 cup of hominy, you would have a total of 119 calories within just that one cup. And this amount is lower then any other grain you may eat. For instant, if you have 1 cup of the not so good for you rice (White rice). That 1 cup will only provide you with 242 calories, now if you were to swap out the white rice for hominy then you would save 861 calories weekly. Now I am not a math scientist, I just did my research that's all.

Hominy is also low in fat, which make it a good choice if your planing to go on a low fat diet. While hominy is also low in carbohydrate. So, if your looking to go on a low carb diet hominy should be on your list of food to add into your diet plan.

High in fiber is a another benefit hominy has, and let not forget about that 1 cup measurement here. Let's take that measurement cup and fill it up each, you would have 4 grams of fiber in your cup. That enough to help you lose weight because it simulates satiety. Fiber plays a very good role in many different ways, as it helps lower blood sugar levels, help with digestions issues and get this helps with lower cholesterol levels.

Hominy is beneficial in low sugar content, if your looking for a grain with less sugar. Now Hominy has just one down sides to it, and that is the sodium factor it has a high level content. Therefore, if you do choice this grainy vegetable opt out salt. Especially, if you have health issues that revolve around salt intake.

Living Better Cafe Announcement:

If you have are a follower of Coffee Talk, do keep an eye out for what's coming very soon. Yes I am the creator of Living Better Cafe Presents......Coffee Talk, and I have been super busy with this BIG SURPRISE! that I will officially announce again coming very soon. So, if you haven't hit the "Like" button on Coffee Talk. Do consider because you do not want to miss out. here at www.facebook.com/coffeeoneonone And do not just keep this surprise to yourself "Share" it with family,friends and coworker.

Waffle Supreme

Adapted From: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/17681/belgian-waffles/

Inspired by: Grilled Cheese

This is not like any other waffle you have ever tasted.The inspiration of a grilled cheese plus more, then you ever thought of.

Serves: 4

Waffle
1/2 (.25 oz.) Pkg. active dry yeast
2 Tbsp. Warm milk
1/4 c. Organic sugar
1 1/2 egg yolks
3/4 tsp. Course Himalayan salt
1 tsp. Vanilla exact
2 c. all- purpose flour
1 1/2 egg whites
1 1/3 c. - 1 Tbsp. warm milk
1/4 c. - 2 Tbsp. Margarine, melted and cooled to lukewarm

Waffle Directions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in a 1/4 c warm milk. allow to stand until yeast becomes creamy, for about 10 minutes.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks, 1/4 c warm milk and the melted margarine. Stirring in yeast mixture, sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Stir in the remaining 2 1/2 c. milk alternating with the flour, ending with the flour. Beat in the egg whites until they form soft peaks; folding into the batter. Cover the glass mixing bowl tightly with plastic wrap. allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, for about 1 hour.

Waffle Filling
6 oz. Chorizo Sausage
1 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:
1. Crumble the sausage into a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until evenly brown. Set aside.
2. Waffle assembly: Add cheese and chorizo to the waffle, and top with the waffle.
3. Place waffle on a griddle pan, until the cheese melt.

Oriental Thai Pasta Salad

Oriental Thai

Thai Beef 

Serves: 1

1 pkg. Ramen Noodles
1 - 2 Tbsp.Peanut Butter (Chunky or Creamy)
1- 2 piece(s) garlic clove,chopped thinly
1 pkg. Oriental seasoning package * (If making Thai Beef use the Beef Seasoning Package)
2 c. water
Directions:

1. Boil 2 c. water in a small sauce pot. Add noodles (I like to separate the noodles) because it makes it look like you have more. Cook for 3 minutes or how ever you like it, stirring occasionally.

2. Remove from heat, and drain the water. Then add in cold water to stop the cooking process and drain. Add in Peanut Butter, seasoning package and garlic. Stir until well incorporated, and serve.



Living Better Cafe Tip:

Ramen seasoning package's come in handy for other meal purposes also.

* Adds flavor to homemade soups,stews, Sauce's
* Making your own marinade
* Add flavor to other dishes as well. But, do pay close attention to the sodium content. 800 mg within one package alone, and 33% Daily Value.


Note:

Sorry if your looking for the Asian Pasta Salad with Oyster sauce dressing. Consider checking Asian Pasta Salad.

Coffee Talk.....Special episode 4

I Katrina Smith the creator/ Administrator of Living Better Cafe, and the host of Living Better Cafe present.... Coffee Talk. Want's to apologize for having camera difficulty here at the Living Better Cafe Kitchen."Coffee Talk" is still having a bit of a problem with, the camera. But, that is not going to stop "Coffee Talk" from bring you a positive insight on food. Coffee Talk is bring you another video straight from You Tube. from Dr. Josh Axe .

Admin Corner:
Coffee Talk is in the process of getting a new camera. Therefore, Coffee Talk can get back on the road. So, until then Coffee Talk will be bring you Special episodes from other people sources.

Fruit salad Taco

you will never think about having fruit salad, the ordinary way again. This salad will put a whole new spin to your original way, of eating.


Serves: 24

24 Hard Taco shells
4- 3/4 c. Strawberries, hulled and sliced
2- 1/2 lbs. Seedless grapes, halves
7-1/4 Kiwis, peeled and sliced
7- 1/4 Bananas, sliced
4- 3/4 c. Blueberries, cleaned and sliced
8 (11 oz.) cans Mandarin oranges, drained
4 (20 oz.) cans Pineapple chucks, drained
6 lbs. cottages cheese
24 Romaine lettuces leaves


Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl combine strawberries, grapes, kiwi, bananas,Mandarin oranges,Pineapples and blueberries. let chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour until ready to serve.

2. Add the lettuce at the base of the taco,and then top with fruit mixture. add on cottage cheese and serve.

Nutella Cobbler

Adapted from: http://thesnackbox.blogspot.com/2012/08/chocolate-peanut-butter-cobblerwhaaaat.html

Serves: Varies

1 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. Pure Organic sugar, divided
1/2 c. milk * (Almond, Rice, Soy)- theses will work well to.
1/2 c. Nutella
6 Tbsp. melted Margarine
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. Organic brown sugar, loosely packed
1 c. hot water

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and 1/2 c sugar.

3. Stir in using a wooden spoon. milk, Nutella, Margarine and vanilla extract. Mixture should look like brownie mixture when blended.

4. Spread mixture out onto a prepared greased 8" baking dish and even mixture batter out with a spatula or wooden spoon.

5. In a small glass mixing bowl mix together 1/2 c. brown sugar, 1/2 c. sugar.

6. Sprinkle sugar mixture over the batter evenly. Poring water over the top. DO NOT STIR! AT THIS POINT.

7. Bake in the oven for about 40-45 minutes until the center is slightly firm, but not fluid like liquid. Serve with Magic (Ice Cream of course)

Apple and cinnamon brown rice

This is a perfect breakfast option if you're looking for a different alternative to getting your daily dose of "Fiber" in.

Serves: 4

1 1/2 c. water
3/4 c. Brown rice
3 Tbsp. Margarine
2 Apples, cored and chopped
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. - 1 tsp. organic brown sugar

Directions:

1. In a saucepan bring 1-1/2 cups water to boil, add rice and apples. allow it to come back to a boil, cover the pot, and simmer for about 45-50 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

2. After about 20 minutes before the rice is completely finished cooking. Add in the Margarine, Cinnamon, and Sugar and stir until incorporated.