SUPER FOODS- THAT FIGHT ILLNESS 

Winter Health Starts with Stocking the Pantry, and “Signature Style" of cooking is about experimentation.      
By Ryan Balas

The next time you are at the grocery store, pick up White or Brown Basmati Rice, Jasmine Rice, Quinoa, polenta cornmeal, couscous, bulgur and steel cut/rolled oats. If you have found you prefer a red or black rice or a lean wild rice combination, go for it.  This is your pantry and you and your family are going to be eating whatever you select and prepare.
The rice, quinoa, bulgur and oats can all be taken care of in a rice cooker/vegetable steamer. You don't even need to think about it.  Scoop-Pour-Click-Cook.  Measure out the dry ingredients, add the liquid, hit the switch and walk away

THE MYTH OF BOXED FOOD                                                                                                      If you plan well fresh food takes just as long to fix and serve as pre-packaged food, mostly you still have nutrition!

If you are eating upon arrival from work or errands, set the rice cooker and let the grain cook while you are gone. It will be ready to go when you are ready to eat.  If you like it hot - measure the rice before you go to work or school - once you walk in the door - rinse, add water set the timer and NOW go unwind and get changed. Please, don't ever buy or use instant rice again.  The number of dead Culinarians worldwide spinning in their graves each time you do that could cause a problem with the space time continuum.

For those that enjoy oatmeal but, feel you don't have the time - same thing - measure the oats the night before.  Once you climb out of bed, stumble to the kitchen, add the water - set the timer and NOW go shower, shave and get ready.  Add the raisins, dried cranberries, etc. at the beginning.  They will plump up and add a wonderful flavor to the finished product. The longer your oats NEED to cook, the better they are for you.  The instant packets of oatmeal are not the best for you. They are mainly sugar and don't offer enough of the grain to help you. If you are pressed for time - make the maximum amount the cooker can handle (usually 4-6 servings) and portion it out - refrigerate.  Heat up each portion in the am or when you get to work.  I have found that if you add your milk (rice, soy, cow, goat, etc.) when the oats are still hot, the blend is perfect and just needs reheating (you may need to add a bit more liquid at this time).

Invest in a Rice Cooker/Vegetable Steamer  If you buy or have a Rice Cooker, Vegetable Steamer with the locking lid - the product will remain fresher, longer and you will consistently end up with a quality product.  I have found through much personal experience, buy a cooker a bit larger than you think you will need and pay for a quality product. Those of you that have Oriental Markets in your area, go there and discuss in detail with the person about your needs.  For those that live in smaller areas, go online – find markets in New York, Chicago, etc. and give them a call – ask them what their best seller is and why.  With the proliferation of cell phones – long distance doesn’t mean as much as it used to.  Answers are a phone call away.

If you have the typical clear Lucite vegetable steamers/rice cookers that allow air access (also for the steam to escape out the top), your product will cool faster and you run the risk of whatever is in the air - getting into your food.  For those with this type of steamer - be around for when the product is finished cooking - cool properly and safely and store with lids.Especially with the Lucite steamers, don't get excited and think bigger is better. I know of two steamer/cookers out there that are practically worthless for home use.  Unless you have a large family, keep it around a 10-12 cups capacity.  There is one - endorsed by an exercise guru - that is set up to make it impossible to make a meal for less than 8 people.  What do you need with six compartments and a machine the size of a roaster oven? The other tells you that stacking is better!  Okayyyyyy, as long as the flavor of the top items make the lower ones taste better.

Winter is here and its time to turn our focus to preparing things that will help you get through the rest of the year.   Chef Ryan

FUN WITH SUPER FOODS GRAINS – SIGNATURE STYLE

“They power your brain, and correctly and efficiently fuel your body. Super foods fight infection, enhance your immune system, and protect against diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, respiratory infections, and winter issues we are all prone to face.”

KatStyle Tips for creative cooking:

What grain haven’t you tried? Winter is a great time to experiment with "SUPER FOOD" style combinations.

When shopping with Chef Ryan’s suggestions, here are the grains to put on your list of "Super Foods"

Amaranth, Arborio rice, Barley, Brown rice, Buckwheat, Bulgur, Corn/ Polenta, Jasmine, Millet, Oats, Quinoa, Rye, Spelt, Triticale, Wheat berries, Whole grain breads, Whole wheat breads, Wild Rice