No Fuss --Mo Muss - meals in a Jiffy

Grilled  Jerked Drumsticks

Make your own Creole  jerk seasoning in a food processor by combining onion, jalapeño pepper, garlic, ginger, allspice and sugar. Add orange juice to make a marinade for these island-style grilled chicken drumsticks .
2            medium onions, chopped
1            jalapeño, halved and seeded
2           cloves garlic, chopped
1           2-inch-long piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
1/2       teaspoon salt
1/2       teaspoon pepper
1          tablespoon sugar
1          tablespoon ground allspice
1          cup orange juice
1          cup white wine vinegar
1/2       cup soy sauce
16        large chicken drumsticks (about 4 lb.)

1. Combine onions, jalapeño, garlic, ginger, salt, pepper, sugar and allspice in a food processor. Puree until smooth. Whisk orange juice, vinegar and soy sauce in a large measuring cup. Add juice mixture to food processor while motor is running; blend.

2. Place chicken in 2 large ziplock bags. Divide jerk mixture between bags and tightly seal them. Turn to coat drumsticks. Place in refrigerator and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

3. Preheat a gas grill to medium. Remove drumsticks from bags and pat dry. Pour jerk mixture from ziplock bags into a small pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes. Oil grates and grill drumsticks about 6 inches from heat source, turning and brushing often with jerk mixture, until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of a drumstick reaches 170°F and chicken is no longer pink at the bone, about 40 minutes. Serve hot.

Watermelon and Arugula Chicken Salad

If watermelon wedges are a mainstay at your summer cookouts, try dicing for this instant, gorgeous salad.
Serves 4 (serving size: 2-1/2 cups)   Total time: 14 Minutes
4            cups cubed fresh watermelon
1/3         cup thinly sliced red onion
2           tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1           (5-ounce) package arugula
1/4        cup sliced almonds, toasted
8           ounces skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast, shredded (about 2 cups)
2           tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1           teaspoon grated lemon rind
2           tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2        teaspoon kosher salt
1/4        teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Combine watermelon, onion, mint, and arugula in a large bowl. Add almonds and chicken; toss to combine. Combine oil, rind, juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add oil mixture to watermelon mixture; toss gently to coat.

Tabernacle Crush

This light and refreshing cocktail is as reminiscent of the American South as it is of the South of France.

Prep: 10 Minutes     Makes : 1 Drink
1/2         large peach, sliced
6           small basil leaves, plus more for garnish
1/2        ounce fresh lemon juice
1-1/2     ounces gin
1            ounce Lillet
1/2         ounce simple syrup
Ice
Club soda

In a tall glass, muddle the peach with the 6 basil leaves and the lemon juice. Add the gin, Lillet and simple syrup. Add ice cubes and top with club soda. Garnish with basil.

Food Funnies

Salad ------Drink ----- Dessert ----- For a lite summer dinner

Shrimp, Snap Pea, and Chervil Salad

This salad is easy to vary depending on what you have on hand; crumbled fresh goat cheese, chicken, or smoked trout can all be subbed in for the shrimp. It's especially refreshing when the ingredients are cold.
Prep : 40 minutes         Makes  4 serving       (makes 6-1/2 cups)
(serving size: 1-1/2 cups)
8            ounces sugar snap peas, strings removed (snap each pea's stem and pull down sharply along the straight side), cut diagonally into 1-in. pieces
1/4        cup plus 1 1/2 tsp. anise-flavored liqueur, such as Pernod
1           tablespoon plus 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
2           bay leaves
1           lemon, halved, plus 3 tbsp. juice
1           pound medium (36 to 42 per lb.) raw peeled and deveined shrimp
3           tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1-1/2     tablespoons mayonnaise
3/4        teaspoon pepper
1/2        cup chopped chervil*, plus 1/2 cup small chervil sprigs 
(1-3/4 ounces total)
6          medium radishes, sliced
1          small fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced
Leaves from 1 small head butter lettuce

1.    Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Boil snap peas until bright green (15 to 20 seconds), then drain. Rinse with cold water and add to ice water.

2.   Meanwhile, in another large saucepan, combine 1/4 cup liqueur, 1 tbsp. salt, the bay leaves, and 1 qt. water. Squeeze juice from lemon halves into pan and add halves as well. Bring to a boil, stir in shrimp, and remove from heat. Let stand until shrimp are cooked through, about 3 minutes. Drain, rinse shrimp with cold water, and add to ice water with peas. Let stand until cold, then drain peas and shrimp well.

3.    Whisk remaining 1 1/2 tsp. liqueur, 3 tbsp. lemon juice, the oil, mayonnaise, remaining 3/4 tsp. salt, and the pepper in a large bowl. Add peas, shrimp, chervil, radishes, and fennel, tossing to coat.

4.      Serve with lettuce for people to use as a base for their salads if they like.
TIP :
If you can't find chervil, use equal parts fresh tarragon and flat-leaf parsley.
Sour-Cherry Gin Slings 

This sweet-tart concoction is based on the classic Singapore sling, replacing the traditional cherry brandy with an intensely vibrant homemade sour-cherry syrup. With a squirt of sparkling water, the syrup also makes a great base for kid-friendly cherry soda.

SOUR-CHERRY SYRUP
1           pound sour cherries, stemmed
3/4       cup sugar
1          cup water
Strips of zest from 1/2 lemon
Strips of zest from 1/2 orange
GIN SLING
2           cups gin
2/3        cup Cointreau
2/3        cup fresh lime juice
2-1/4     cups sour-cherry syrup
Angostura bitters
Ice
Sparkling water
Lime wheels and fresh cherries, for garnish

1 .     MAKE THE GIN SLINGS: In a large saucepan, combine the cherries with the sugar, water and citrus zests and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat for 40 minutes. Pass the mixture through a fine strainer, pressing on the solids; you should have 2 1/2 cups. Let cool.
2 .      MAKE THE GIN SLINGS: In a pitcher, combine the gin with the Cointreau, lime juice, sour-cherry syrup and a few dashes of bitters and stir well. Pour into ice-filled glasses and top each drink with sparkling water. Garnish with the lime wheels and fresh cherries and serve.
MAKE AHEAD
The sour-cherry syrup can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Passion Fruit Ice Cream Pie with a Ginger Crust

Prep: 30 minutes : Total 3 hours   Serves: 8 TO 10
This isn't the kind of ice cream pie you'd make for a kiddie birthday party. Instead of a plain cookie crust, you can  create a crispy, chewy one with crumbled gingersnaps, dried pineapple and candied ginger. And instead of the usual caramel or chocolate sauce on top, you can  prepare a delectable mix of dulce de leche and passion fruit nectar from the supermarket.

1           8-ounce box gingersnaps, lightly crushed
1          dried sweetened pineapple ring (1 1/2 ounces), coarsely chopped
2          tablespoons coarsely chopped candied ginger
4          tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1-1/4    cups dulce de leche (16-ounce jar)
1/2      cup passion fruit nectar (see Note)
3          pints vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
1/4       cup salted roasted pistachios, coarsely chopped
2          tablespoons shredded sweetened coconut

1 .    In a food processor, combine the crushed gingersnaps with the pineapple, candied ginger and butter and process until fine crumbs form. Press the crumbs evenly over the bottom and 1 inch up the side of a 9-inch springform pan. Freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.
2 .    In a blender, blend the dulce de leche and passion fruit nectar until smooth.
3 .    Spread 1 pint of ice cream in the chilled crust. Using a very small ice cream scoop (2 tablespoons), scoop the remaining 2 pints of ice cream into the crust, leaving some nooks and crannies.   Drizzle 3/4 cup of the dulce de leche sauce over the ice cream, allowing it to pool in spots. Sprinkle with the pistachios and coconut and freeze until firm, at least 2-1/2 hours.
Remove the ring and cut the pie into wedges. Serve the extra dulce de leche sauce at the table.
TIP :
The pie can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
TIP :
Look for passion fruit nectar at supermarkets, preferably the Looza brand.

Maxy sez :Foods to Prevent or Manage Diabetes

 A diabetes-friendly diet is one key to effectively managing the disease. Read on to find which foods to eat, and which ones to avoid.

Healthy eating is one of the best ways to manage type 2 diabetes. Because this type of diabetes is strongly linked to excess weight, cutting calories and following the right kind of diabetes diet will go a long way toward improving your health.

One of the most important aspects of good nutrition when you have type 2 diabetes is eating meals with the right mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to keep blood sugars as normal as possible throughout the day. The next step is choosing among the foods and beverages that can give you an extra edge in managing type 2 diabetes, says dietitian Beth Reardon, MS, RD, an integrative nutritionist and food researcher at Duke University Integrative Medicine in Durham, N.C.

Eat Pre-Germinated Brown Rice and Fiber:
White rice has long been known to be a bad food for diabetes. Like most "white" foods, it causes blood sugar spikes. However, adding healthy whole grains and fiber to a diabetes diet may reduce the risk of complications, such as diabetic neuropathy, which is nerve damage resulting from high blood sugars. Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia found that a diet rich in pre-germinated brown rice protected animals with diabetes from this common complication. To make pre-germinated rice, you soak the rice in warm water overnight before cooking. This stimulates the rice to germinate, producing tiny shoots that are invisible, but contain chemical complexes that appear to be protective against neuropathy.

This rice is also packed with fiber, an important component for diabetes management. “Because fiber takes a long time to digest, sugars are released slowly,” Reardon says. “That helps keep blood sugar levels steady and prevents glucose spikes.”

Another way to add fiber to your diet is through beans. A recent study published in Nutrition Journal found that beans and rice eaten together prevent the blood sugar spikes caused by white rice alone.

Add Oranges and Spinach to Your Diabetes Diet :

In a recent study of men and women ages 40 to 75, those with the most vitamin C in their bodies had the lowest incidence of type 2 diabetes. Oranges and orange juice are one of the best sources of vitamin C, Reardon says. Other foods with generous amounts of vitamin C are grapefruit, strawberries, and tomatoes. (If you are on a statin drug for high cholesterol, check with your doctor or pharmacist before eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice, as it can cause dangerously increased levels of atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin.)

When it comes to leafy greens, just one cup of spinach contains 40 percent of your daily value of magnesium, a mineral that can help regulate blood sugar levels — important because people with type 2 diabetes frequently have low levels of magnesium. To get more of this magnesium-rich green veggie into your diet, substitute spinach for lettuce on sandwiches and in salads, Reardon suggests. Not a big fan of spinach? Nuts, beans, and low-fat diary products are also good sources of magnesium.

Drink Low-Fat Milk :
Milk is loaded with calcium and vitamin D. This double whammy of essential nutrients may help in your quest to keep type 2 diabetes under control. In a 20-year study of almost 84,000 women, those who consumed the most calcium and vitamin D gained the most protection from type 2 diabetes. Just be sure it’s low- or nonfat — skim or 1 percent milk will control your intake of saturated fats and help prevent weight gain.

Spice Up Your Diabetes Diet :
Several studies have documented that cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels. But for an even bigger punch of diabetes protection, sprinkle cinnamon in your morning coffee. Coffee consumption has been associated better type 2 diabetes management, possibly due to its antioxidant properties. Having both cinnamon and coffee can give you double the ammunition to fight type 2 diabetes.

A hearty bowl of curry could also help control your type 2 diabetes. That’s because turmeric, a spice used in curry, can help prevent the inflammation associated with type 2 diabetes. “Turmeric contains a chemical called curcumin, which is a natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as some anti-inflammatory drugs,” Reardon says. Curry typically contains a heaping helping of turmeric, but you can spice up other dishes with turmeric as well.

Diabetes Diet: Foods to Avoid :
It’s just as important to steer clear of foods that can make managing type 2 diabetes more difficult, or at least eat them sparingly. First and foremost, don’t feast on foods that are high on the glycemic index (GI), which is a system that ranks foods by how they affect blood sugar. High GI foods, such as white rice, doughnuts, soda, and white bread, can cause glucose levels to skyrocket. The same goes for sweets and desserts. “Because these foods are high in carbohydrates, they can cause blood sugar levels to go up considerably,” Reardon says.

That doesn’t mean you can never have a slice of pie or a few cookies. Just be smart about eating foods that can make controlling your type 2 diabetes more challenging. Having a piece of cake with a low-carb meal (such as baked chicken and broccoli) won’t raise glucose levels as much as cake after a big pasta meal.

It’s also wise to watch your saturated fat intake when you are living with diabetes. Fatty cuts of meat and full-fat dairy raise cholesterol and promote inflammation throughout the body in both healthy people and people with type 2 diabetes. But recent research found that the effects of this inflammation may be more damaging for people with the disease. And because diabetics already have an increased risk of heart disease, consuming saturated fat in moderation is especially important. Studies have also shown that fatty foods may increase insulin resistance in women with diabetes.

Managing type 2 diabetes involves paying careful attention to what you eat. If you start with a base of good-for-you foods, building a healthy diet will be that much easier.

Salad ---- Drink --- Dessert ----- Enjoy

Chile-Lime  Tuna Salad with Tomato and Avocado

PREP: 30 MINUTES               SERVES: 4
The mix of fresh broiled or grill tuna , avocado and juicy heirloom tomatoes here is a classic combination. You can make it your own  by tossing the salad with a vibrant, spicy dressing spiked with jalapeno.

 5               tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 -1/2        tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 -1/2        tablespoons vegetable oil
1                tablespoon very finely chopped jalapeño
1                tablespoon chopped cilantro, plus cilantro leaves for garnish
1/2            tablespoon honey
1/2            teaspoon minced garlic
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2             pound lump tuna, picked over
1-1/2         Hass avocados, diced ( 1/2 inch)
1/3            cup minced red onion
1               large heirloom tomato, cut into four 1/2-inch-thick slices
Tortilla chips, for serving

1 .  In a small bowl, combine the lime juice with the olive oil, vegetable oil, jalapeño, chopped cilantro, honey and garlic. Season the dressing with salt and pepper.
2 .  In a small bowl, toss the Tuna  with 3 tablespoons of the dressing and season with salt and pepper. In a medium bowl, gently toss the avocado with the red onion and 2 tablespoons of the dressing; season with salt and pepper.
3 .  Place a tomato slice on each plate and season with salt. Top with the avocado and the crab and garnish with the cilantro. Drizzle the remaining dressing on top and serve with tortilla chips.
TIP:
Variation: If entertaining , spoon chopped cherry tomatoes into glasses; top with the tuna, avocado and remaining dressing and serve.
SUGGESTED PAIRING:
Tuna  and avocado demand a white wine with substantial body; at the same time, only a white with good acidity will stand up to a  sweet-spicy-tart dressing and tuna . Serve a Chardonnay  with a firm line of acidity under their rich fruit.

Watermelon-Strawberry Agua Fresca :

PREP: 25 MINUTES       SERVINGS: MAKES 8 DRINKS

1/2           cup water
1/4           cup sugar
2              mint sprigs, plus more for garnish
1              1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
Pinch of salt
2             cups seedless watermelon cubes
2             cups hulled strawberries
Ice and chilled sparkling water, for serving

1 .  In a small saucepan, combine the water with the sugar. Simmer over moderate heat until the sugar has dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Add the 2 mint sprigs, ginger and salt and let stand for 10 minutes.
2 .  Strain the syrup into a blender. Add the watermelon and strawberries and puree until smooth.
3 .  Fill 8 glasses with ice. Pour the agua fresca into the glasses and top off with sparkling water. Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.

Bourbon Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Streusel :

PREP: 50 MINUTES           TOTAL TIME: 3 HOURS          SERVINGS: MAKES ONE 10-INCH PIE
This take on the classic pumpkin pie elevates the dish's flavor to new heights.
1-1/2          sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1                cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2             cup all-purpose flour
1/2             cup pecans halves
1-1/4          cups canned pumpkin puree
3                large eggs, separated
1-1/2          tablespoons cornstarch
1/2             teaspoon cinnamon
1/4             teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4             teaspoon ground cloves
1/4             teaspoon salt
1/2             cup milk
1/4             cup bourbon
1                Flaky Pie Shell

1 .  Preheat the oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of the butter and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar with the flour and pinch into moist crumbs. Stir in the pecans.
2 .  In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the remaining stick of butter and 3/4 cup of brown sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Beat in the pumpkin puree, egg yolks, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt, then beat in the milk and bourbon.
3 .  In a stainless steel bowl, using clean beaters, beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry, then fold into the pumpkin mixture until no white streaks remain.
4 .  Pour the custard into the baked Flaky Pie Shell. Sprinkle the pecan streusel on top. Bake the pie in the middle of the oven for 1 hour, or until risen and golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached. Let cool and serve.
TIP :
The pie can be refrigerated overnight.
Serve with      Sweetened whipped cream.
SUGGESTED PAIRING :
A spicy-sweet, intense and fragrant Muscat ice wine will echo the rich texture and nutty flavors in this pie.
Heart Healthy

Maxy sez : Type 2 Diabetes Glossary

By Madeline Vann, MPH | Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH
Type 2 diabetes has its own vocabulary and other concepts you'll need to understand to help manage the disease.
Learning to live with type 2 diabetes may seem like a crash college course, complete with new vocabulary words and lifestyle changes. But you and your family will want to become familiar with them all so you’ll be able to understand what is going on and participate in devising a plan to manage your disease.

Type 2 Diabetes: Definitions
Here is your new vocabulary, in alphabetical order:

A1C. The A1C test is the gold standard for tracking how well your blood sugar is controlled. “The A1C blood test is a good indicator of your average glucose over the past three months,” explains Vivian Fonseca, MD, chief of endocrinology at Tulane University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. You may also hear this referred to as the hemoglobin A1C test or the glycohemoglobin test. You will have to take this test twice a year.

Beta cells. These insulin-making cells are found in the pancreas, the organ in your body that produces insulin.

Carbohydrates. These are the primary sources of fuel used by your body to make blood sugar. Carbohydrates are sugars or starches found in foods such as rice, pasta, potatoes, and bread.

Gestational diabetes. This is a type of diabetes that is diagnosed during pregnancy and usually goes away after the birth (although it must be controlled during the pregnancy.) Women who have had gestational diabetes are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, as are their children.

Glucose. It’s just another word for the sugar in your blood that provides fuel for your cells. High levels of blood glucose — or blood sugar — are a sign of type 2 diabetes.

Hyperglycemia. Another name for high blood sugar. High blood sugar occurs when your blood sugar (or blood glucose) levels are above normal.
Hypertension. Another name for high blood pressure.

Hypoglycemia. This is low blood sugar (or blood glucose); it occurs when your blood sugar levels drop below normal and your body, because of your diabetes, can’t get back to normal blood sugar levels. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood facts of living with type 2 diabetes, says Paul Robertson, MD, president of medicine and science, American Diabetes Association, and professor of medicine and pharmacology at the University of Washington in Seattle: Hypoglycemia is actually very rare, except as a side effect of some type 2 diabetes treatments. However, your friends and family may worry unduly about your risk of low blood sugar.

Insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. It helps your body turn blood glucose into fuel. If your body doesn’t make enough or doesn’t use it efficiently, you develop insulin resistance and then diabetes. Some people with diabetes take insulin to make up for what their body doesn’t produce.

Microalbumin. This protein’s presence in your urine may indicate diabetes-related kidney damage.

Neuropathy. Neuropathy can be brought on by diabetes. Over time, out-of-control high blood sugar can cause damage to your nervous system, leading to diabetic neuropathy, a weakness or painful sensation in the nerves damaged by diabetes. It can affect your hands, feet, and other organs.

Pancreas. This body organ produces insulin.

Retinopathy. Over time, high blood sugar can affect the blood flow to your eyes, which can cause the retina to deteriorate, leading to blindness.
Type 1 diabetes. A type of diabetes that usually begins at birth or in childhood. With this condition, the person’s pancreas does not make enough insulin to manage blood glucose. This is also called “insulin-dependent diabetes.” People with type 1 diabetes must use insulin to treat their condition.

Type 2 diabetes. It’s also called “adult-onset diabetes,” though increasing numbers are children are now developing it. With this condition, your body isn’t making enough insulin to control your blood sugar levels or can’t use insulin effectively. Although some people have to take medication for type 2 diabetes, many can control their blood sugar levels with changes in diet and exercise.
Type 2 Diabetes: Share Your Knowledge
Despite the learning curve, people who have diabetes understand the disease fairly well, says Dr. Robertson. “The people who don’t understand the diabetes jargon are the families,” he explains.

People with diabetes can eat what they want, as long as they eat it in the right portions, Robertson says. But many people with diabetes find that worried family and friends can make it difficult for them to enjoy even a tiny taste of birthday cake.

So encourage your loved ones to learn more about diabetes — a little education will help all of you.

Food Funnies