3 Cups of Tea

Book Review by Eliza Chute:
copyright 2009, art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc
Greg Mortenson believes in changing the world and creating peace through education. His book Three Cups of Tea is about an actual life changing experience he had which inspired him to start the Central Asia Institute, and organization that builds schools in the middle east. The story starts with him climbing K2, but he gets lost and winds up in a small village in Pakistan starving and Exhausted. The villagers took him in and fed him, where he learns the significance of the three cups of tea. It was then that he made a promise that would change his life forever. He promised to return to the village and build them a school. When he returns to the States he starts raising money for his school, teaching climbing lessons while living out of his car. When he finally returns to Pakistan to build the village he is met with a surprise. The village head has decided instead of a school they first need a bridge, so that they do not have to walk miles around to be able to trade goods and such. Mortenson agrees and they build that bridge. As the story progresses, he comes to learn the value of education in creating peace in how that if children are learning to think for themselves, they are not being taught that killing is necessary. He goes on to tell the story of the hardships in raising money for the CAI, and in actually building schools and getting the materials. He also faces protests from fellow Americans especially after September 11th, receiving hate mail and even death threats for his work in the middle east. I really reveals the ignorance of blind hatred after a tragedy.
The book itself is heartwarming and inspiring, and gives a highly involved American’s view on issues in the middle eat, and promotes a way of using education to disarm hatred, a definite must read.

Hope to see you at a The Basic Art of Italian Cooking school event with Celebrity Chef Maria Liberati. Here are some coming up:
July 16th- Whole Foods Market-Annapolis Md, 7 PM, A Tuscan Picnic Cla lstore or email:events@marialiberati.com for more info

July 18th Whole Foods Market, Fair Lakes/Fairfax, Va. A Tuscan Picnic with wine pairing, 1PM. Must pre -registe. Call store or email: events@marialiberati.com

July 31-August 2-Atlantic City Food & Wine Show, Bally's Casino. Email:events@marialiberati.com

Hot Fun in the Summertime

Written by: Eliza Chute
Summer time means one thing, grilling. It is the best form of cooking in the hot heat of the season. Nothing is better than sitting around a picnic table in the warm sun, and waiting for those burgers to cook. Then waiting an hour before you can jump in a pool, or some sort of body of water. But what’s the best way to grill? Can you just throw some stuff on and leave it there until you smell burning? Well, not if you want to eat something that tastes good. There are two books that have served my family well when it comes to grilling. First is Williams Sonoma’s Complete Grilling Cookbook and the second is the less conventional Steven Raichlen’s How To Grill. But let me give them some individual attention.


1.Wiliams Sonoma Complete Grilling Cookbook
Let me first say that this book sure is complete, from vegetables to meat to even dessert, it doesn’t miss a beat. And, as most of their cookbooks are they are not without an array of beautiful pictures of what the food should look like, but doesn’t often, especially if the person making it isn’t a professional chef. But nonetheless is a great and useful tool to help you out on that perfect summer day when you just gotta grill.

2.Steven Raichlen’s How to Grill
Raichlin’s is also very complete, but seems to have a greater emphasis on the meat aspect, as shown by the cover (just check it out) . This guide doesn’t just show you reipes, but has a 30 page intro on the art of grilling. In addition it outlays your rubs sauces and condiments, as well as the gear. So not only does it have great recipes, but it provides you with all the necessary knowledge to really look like you know what you’re doing and sound like you know what you are talking about.

But the best grilling recipe that I have found, and by found I mean the much more experienced chef that is my mother showed me is in the Food Editor’s Hometown Favorites Cookbook. It is called Delmarva Barbecued Chicken, and it is delicious. I can’t give you the full recipe, because I think that might be illegal or copyright infringement or something but I can tell you that it involves an egg, and vinegar cider and you should pick up a copy of this recipe book if you have a chance.
Join me for The Basic Art of Italian cooking Programs at:
July 9th- WHole Foods Markte, Jenkintown, Pa- The Outdoor Kitchen, recipes for the beach, a picnic or dining al fresco. 6:15 PM call store at 215-481-0800 to register or email:events@marialiberti.com
July 11th-Chestnut Hill Book Festival, 2PM at Magarity's Warehouse at Germantown Avenue,Chetnut Hill, Pa. Email events@marialiberati.com for more info

July 16th-Whole Foods, Annapolis Md. A Tuscan Picnic, call store or email events@marialiberati.com

July 18th- Whole Foods, Fairfax, Va., A Tuscan Picnic and wine pairing. 1:30 PM Cal lstore or email events@marialiberati.com

July 25th- book signing and tasting, Whole Foods, Devon, Pa 1 PM Email events@marialiberati.com for more info

July 31 -August 2nd- Atlantic City Food And Wine SHow, email events@marialiberati.com for more info
Get your copy of the best sellling book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking at www.marialiberati.com

Are You a Coffee or Tea Person?

Written by :Eliza Chute

There is an age old question, and the answer is usually based on preference. Are you a coffee person or a tea person? But which one is better for you? People love having pearly white teeth. That is why there is a multi-million dollar industry dedicated to teeth whitening, and brushing making sure those pearly whites stay white. Coffee and Tea can stain teeth but does one do it more than the other ? Although it isn’t scientific research, I scoured the internet for answers, because I didn’t have two friends with the exact same whiteness who were willing to sacrifice their teeth for science. Though there were no official press releases from the American Dental Association, the general consensus of the web-sites I looked at, was that tea stains teeth more, more specifically dark tea. I mean just look at your mug after you drink either of them and the tea cup will be stained more. Thus, one point for coffee.
The question I really thought I would be answering was: which is worse for you; coffee or tea. For years people have been talking about the downfalls of the two. That both are really bad for you, but recent studies have shown that there are actually health benefits to both. An article in ABC news that came out in 2006 reveals that there are benefits to both the drinks, more than just the extra boos of alertness. Apparently anti-oxidants in tea and coffee “can prevent inflammation of the blood vessels, and it has been linked to reduced risk for cancer.” In terms of what has the most, the list, in order, goes white tea, green tea, black tea then coffee. So, a point for tea. In addition, “Daily cups of coffee have been linked to a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease, liver cancer, gallstones and type 2 diabetes. In addition, green tea and white tea have been touted for their health benefits”. However, they do not recommend more than four eight ounce cups a day.
At the end of the day, most people choose their drinks based on the taste. I personally choose chocolaty coffee drinks, even though I know that that is one of the worst things for me. And even though I know it is bad for me, I always think, “just this once,” but when “just this once” starts to become every day, I’m going to need to make a change.


For more information on the benefits of coffee and tea:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Diet/story?id=2123324


July 9th- Whole Foods Market, Jenkintown, Pa The Basic Art of Italian Cooking School and The Outdoor Kitchen, recipes perfect for the picnic, the beach and dining al fresco.. Call store at 215-481-0800 to register or email: events@marialiberati.com

July 16th, Whole Foods Annapolis Maryland
http://www.prlog.org/10256011-celebrity-chef-maria-liberati-cooks-for-the-crowd-at-new-whole-foods-market-culinary-center.html
July 18th- Whole Foods Fairfax/ Fair Lakes, Virginia
http://cuisinewire.org/10256021/maria-liberati-cooking-demonstration-and-wine-pairing-at-whole-foods-market-fairfaxfair-lakes.html
July 31-August 2-Atlantic City food and wine festival
http://www.prlog.org/10264998-celebrity-chef-maria-liberati-emeril-lagasse-guy-fieri-at-atlantic-city-food-and-wine-festival.html

Get your copy of the best selling book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking at http://www.marialiberati.com

Follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/Marialiberati

Quick & Yummy Picnic Ideas

Written & Edited by Eliza Chute

Who can have a bad day, when the sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky? But better question is, who wants to be inside? Picnics are a great outdoor activity, whether it’s taking lunch in the park nearby your office, or hiking through the mountains to a beautiful peak point, and settling in there. If you are tired of the same old portable food options you have always been bringing, and looking for easy alternatives, try reading The New York Times article by Mark Bittman (link below) that outlines 101 20-minute dishes for picnics. My personal favorite thing to bring on a picnic, is a pesto and mozzarella sandwich. It’s fast and easy to make and even good cold. All you do is spread pesto on toasted bread, add the cheese. I also like to add tomato or sun dried tomato for a little extra flavor. (It also makes a nice pesto grilled cheese if you are at home, in that case it is especially
good with Monterey Jack.)
Although picnics are a great summer activity, picnics on the beach get a little bit more complicated, sandy food is less than desirable. There is nothing worse than the crunch of sand as you bite into a sandwich you’ve been waiting all morning to eat. The key to avoiding such a catastrophe: packaging. First and most common mistake: baskets. Although they are cute and the quintessential picnic accessory, there are holes in them, so sand gets in. Due to the environment of the Beach, I doubt you will be able to have a salad without every bite getting ever more crunchy as it travels from your Tupperware to your mouth. Sandwiches are probably the best way to go, however if you are really craving a salad try putting it in a whole wheat wrap for a healthier lunch.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/02/dining/02mini.html


For more recipes & articles

To get your copy of the best selling book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking go to www.marialiberati.com

June 15th 7 PM-Join Celebrity Chef Maria Liberati at the Cooking Cafe at the Willingboro Library in Wilingboro, NJ for a book signing and cooking demo with sampling. Free and open to the public. Call the library or email: events@marialiberati.com

July 11th- 2PM_Chestnut Hill Book Festival, Maria Wil be on a pane lfo cookbook authors to discuss writing your cookbook.

July 16th- Whole Foods market, Annapolis Md, A Tuscan Picnic, book signing and cooking demo from the best selling book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking. Open to the public, call the store for info or email events@marialiberati.com

July 18th- Whole Foods Market, Fairfax, Virginia, Tuscan Picnic & wine Pairing will include a cooking demo of recipes from the best selling book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking and wine pairing with 4 wines and 4 recipes, samples, book signing. Free and open to the public. Call store or email: events@marialiberati.com

Raspberries Everywhere & National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month ..a month to remind us to eat more fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains ,nuts, legumes and delicious, nutritious foods.
The Basic Art of Italian Cooking Kitchen was filled with the scent of the recipe below..thanks to the folks at Driscoll's and their delicious fresh raspberries. The recipe is courtesy of Driscoll's..tried and tasted here...and delizioso!!
Raspberries are an excellent source of antioxidants..so eat them plain or in this recipe but any way you can enjoy them..do so!



Raspberry ­ Orange Muffins
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 20 Minutes
Cool Time: 5 minutes
Makes: 10 Muffins

1 6 ounce package Driscoll¹s Raspberries
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2-3 teaspoons grated orange zest (about 1 orange)
1/4 cup orange juice
1 large egg

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Line a muffin tin with 10 paper liners or coat with cooking spray.
Rinse and drain berries. Pat dry with paper towel.
Stir together flour, baking powder and baking soda in a small bowl.
Combine sour cream, brown sugar, oil, zest, juice and egg in a large bowl.
Stir in flour until partially moistened. Add raspberries and stir in gently
until evenly mixed. Do not over-stir.
Divide batter evenly between muffin cups, filling each about 3Ž4 full.
Bake 20 minutes until golden brown and toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool in pan 5 minutes.
Serve warm or remove and place on wire rack to cool completely.

Lighten Up this recipe by replacing the sour cream with the equivalent
amount of fat free sour cream or plain low fat yogurt.

For more recipes and articles

April 4 at 11:30- Whole Foods Market, Jenkintown, Pa-Join me for a book signing and Cooking on A Budget with The Basic Art of Italian Cooking Class. Email events@marialiberati.com or call the store at 215-481-0800 to reserve your spot.

Join me Sept 23-Oct 6th at
The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati Cooking School in Italy.. Experience Italy!! Is 6 nights and 7 days that you will never forget..Filled not only with cooking classes ,but tours to local vineyards, wine tastings, oilve oil tastings, nature walks, a stay at the Villa that houses the school and more. Register with deposit by May 1st and receive $200 off full price. Email us at events@marialiberati.com