~*~*~*~*~ Happy Easter ~*~*~*~*~

To You and Your Family~ Chef ~

~ Chef ~

~ An Apple A Day ~

In a study of 160 women who ate dried apples or prunes daily for one year their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the "bad" one) dropped 23% after 6 months. Their high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the "good" one) rose about 4%. The women participating in the study ate 2/3 cup of either dried apples or dried prunes each day. Even though the dried fruit added 240 calories to their daily intake most of the women lost an average of 3.3 pounds. This study was conducted by Florida State University. So go ahead and add some dried apples or prunes to your daily intake ladies! ~ Chef ~

~ Mother's Day in Britain ~

In the UK "Mothering Sunday" is also known as Simnel Sunday because of the tradition of baking Simnel cakes. It is a fruit cake with a flat layer of marzipan (sugar almond paste) placed on top of the cake and then decorated with 11 marzipan balls representing the 12 apostles - - - minus Judas, who betrayed Christ. It was not eaten on Mothering Sunday because of the rules of Lent, instead it was saved until Easter. The word simnel probably derived from the latin word ‘simila’, meaning fine, wheaten flour from which the cakes were made.

If you dare to bake one of these cakes here is a link to the recipe ... http://projectbritain.com/easter/simnelrecipe.html

~ Chef ~

~ It's Strawberry Planting Time ~

* 1. Check the pH of your soil using a testing kit. Strawberries thrive in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. You will need to amend your soil if the pH is higher or lower.

* 2. Loosen the soil with a pitchfork and remove any large sticks, stones or debris. Amend the soil if necessary using lime for a pH below 5.5 or peat moss for a pH that measures above 6.5.

* 3. Plant the strawberry plants after the final winter thaw, which is usually around mid to late April in Tennessee. Dig holes that match the size of the nursery containers holding the strawberries, each hole spaced 2 feet from the next. Space rows 4 feet apart.

* 4. Set one strawberry seedling in the center of each hole. Backfill the holes around the strawberry seedlings, patting the soil afterward to remove air pockets. Water the strawberries deeply using a soaker hose after planting.

* 5. Keep the soil moist throughout the growing season, to a depth of 1 inch. Tennessee sees a yearly rainfall total of 53 inches, which is plenty of rain to sustain crops. However, weekly supplemental waterings are necessary in lieu of rain.

* 6. Fertilize the strawberry plants approximately one month after planting in the Tennessee soil. Apply a 10-10-10 fertilizer according to manufacturer's directions. Tennessee strawberries appreciate a dose of fertilizer in the early spring and after harvesting.

* 7. Control weeds around the strawberry plants with a layer of mulch. A 3-inch layer of bark chips will also improve drainage and protect the roots of the strawberry plants from the Tennessee temperature changes.

All this work will be worth it come June!

~ Chef ~

~ Grillin' Time ~

Lick Your Lips!

~ Chef ~

~ Olives ~

The olive tree is an evergreen tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean. The trunk is typically gnarled and twisted. Olives are harvested in the green to purple stage. Canned black olives may contain chemicals (usually ferrous sulfate) that turn them black artificially. Olives contain substances that are believed to help ward off cancer, polyphenols. Polyphenols give the olive its taste and aroma. One of the polyphenols found in olives is thought to act as an anti-inflammatory. So eat up! ~ Chef ~