Happy Wednesday Everyone! Things have really been picking up here at Tastebuds! With business picking up and everyone being so busy, I realized that sometimes it can be hard to get a decent meal in. I know this can be the case for a lot of people, not just us. Everyone always seems to be on the go: taking kids to sports or activities, going to the gym, staying late at work because there is a ton to do, there always seems to be something. During these extremely busy times, preparing a meal, whether it is for one or an entire family, does not always seem like the best option. 

Why take more time out of your hectic day to prepare, cook, THEN clean up when it is so much easier to just order out or throw pre-made meal in the over? I'll tell you what I think...Yes, it is easier to have someone else cook the food and you just pick it up and bring it home. But fueling your body is important, especially when you are constantly on the go. Your body needs that good, healthy foods to it keep energized so you do not crash. So, why not fuel your body (and your family's or whoever) with a meal that you know is good for you? Restaurants do offer healthy choices, yes, but nothing beats a home cooked meal. You know what you are putting into it, therefore, healthier choices can be made. 

Between google and pinterest alone, there are an uncountable amount of healthy recipe ideas out there. Not only that, but you can even narrow it down to anything you like. For example, since I have been so busy lately, I went to pinterest and typed in simple, quick meals. There was so many enticing recipes, I did not know where to start. But with time being very pressing lately, at least for me, quick choices need to be made. When it comes to eating, I try to make better choices, this way I am always feeling good and energized. 

Here is a simple recipe that everyone would enjoy. (There are also some other great recipes on this site for a quick meal fix. The link is at the bottom of the post.)

Sysco gave us a calendar for the 2013 year and it somehow ended up hanging next to my desk. I look at it every day, multiple times a day. Each month has a different ingredient for the month and a couple featured recipes, accommodated by a delicious looking picture. This month's ingredient is orange juice. For the past 16 days, I have been staring at the picture that is shown. It is a picture of Cashew Chicken Skewers with an Orange-Ginger Sauce. It gets more and more yummy looking as each day passes. So, I thought I would look into the recipe they have for it. (Maybe I will even cook it one night this week!)











Cashew Chicken Skewers with Orange-Ginger Sauce

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 2 cups salted cashews
  
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  
• 3 large eggs
  
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  
• Nonstick cooking spray
  
• 1 3/4 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
  
• (8-inch) bamboo or wooden skewers (about 44)
  
• 1 cup orange marmalade
  
• 1 cup refrigerated orange juice
  
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  

Preparation

1. Place cashews in a large zip-top plastic bag; lightly pound cashews with meat mallet or rolling pin until coarsely crushed. In 2-inch half hotel pan, combine flour and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. In second 2-inch half hotel pan, whisk together eggs and 3 tablespoons water. In third 2-inch half hotel pan, combine breadcrumbs and crushed cashews. 
   
2. Spray 2 sheet trays with nonstick cooking spray. Cut tenderloins lengthwise in half. Thread chicken onto skewers; dip in flour mixture, shaking off excess, then egg and cashew mixtures. Place on prepared sheet trays. Bake skewers at 400 degrees for 12 minutes or until lightly browned and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
   
3. Meanwhile, puree marmalade, orange juice, ginger, lemon juice and remaining 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper in blender until smooth. Serve sauce with chicken skewers. 
   

Here is the website with the recipe and a few other recipes: 

http://www.sysco.com/supplier-opportunities/calendar-january-2013.html

Back in mid-November (2012), we had the honor of catering a 60th birthday dinner. The dinner took place in the Asian Garden at Naples Botanical Gardens. As you can see from the photos below, the garden was decorated beautifully. The people, the food, and the atmosphere made for a great evening for celebrating a birthday. 

The evening started with some passed hors d'oeuvres consisting of hot parmesan puffs and house cured pork belly and double creme brie atop delicate green apple chips, as well as a signature cocktail prepared especially for the birthday guest of honor called "sweet surrender." 

After everyone mingled for a bit, people started taking their seats and dinner was ready to get under way. Greg came to the table to introduce each course, giving the meal an extra special touch. Dinner started with a roasted butternut squash soup infused with fresh ginger, thai basil, and a hint of coconut milk, topped with two sugar and spice prawns. The second course was a non-traditional carpaccio, shaved pickled fennel and toasted sesame seeds. After that, the guests were presented with sous vide petite filet infused with tarragon, roasted baby root vegetable, and a hollandaise sauce base. Following dinner was a delectable dessert of roasted pineapple with a coconut cilantro dressing, macadamia nut brittle and key-lime buttermilk sorbet. 

By the end of the night, everyone's bellies were full and satisfied. We are so grateful to have been able to cater such a wonderful group of people. We hope that everyone enjoyed themselves just as much as we did. Here are some pictures from the evening.

(The photos below were taken by Luminaire Foto. Nanette and Karl hosted the birthday dinner for Nanette's father. They do really amazing work! If you have an extra minute, go check out their website: http://www.luminairefoto.com)

Goodbye 2012 -- HELLO 2013! It is that time where everyone starts their journey to accomplish whatever goals they have set for themselves this upcoming year. Here, at the Tastebuds kitchen, we have already started working hard on our goals for 2013, and we have some exciting and tasty things in store for us! Food is always on my mind, especially since I sit next to a kitchen all day, so looking ahead at the upcoming year, I thought it would be fitting to look into what 2013 will be bringing to fill our bellies. 

These are some food trends I have found for 2013:

It looks like this year is (brace yourselves)...the year of the vegetable! Moove over beef, chicken, and all the other meats out here, the veggies are here to take their place in the center of the plate. It seems farmer's markets are popping up all over the place, produce selections are growing in grocery stores, and we have more information than ever before about the health benefits of vegetables being incorporated into our meals. Options like cauliflower steaks and squash noodles are just a few items that are becoming more and more popular. 

Just because vegetables are taking over, does not mean that meat is completely off the plate. Chicken appears to be sticking it's beak in the spotlight this year too. With other meat prices seeming to rise, chicken is becoming trendy. Whether fried or grilled, Southern-style or spicy, chicken meals are on the rise!

Another new trend this year: Grown up kids' meals. Kids' menus are taking a turn towards kid friendly adult options. Hot dogs and mac 'n cheese are so last year! This year expect to see a variety of fruits and veggies, protein-rich grains, and Asian flavors on your little ones' plates.

Healthy, healthy, healthy! Chefs in kitchens everywhere are working hard to make dishes better for you. Vitamin rich vegetable stock, brown rice, and high-fiber grains are replacing the more unhealthy ingredients. Healthy foods are going to be a big hit this year. Super-foods and super-grains are being used more by Chefs, and grocers are doing whatever they can do expand their healthy, natural, and organic food sections. 

One other food trend I wanted to mention, and one that I was very excited about is the snack of the year for 2013. (Drumroll please!) POPCORN! Popcorn will be popping up (literally) in all kinds of dishes -- popcorn ice cream and croutons are just a few examples. Sweet or savory, it is an all-time favorite snack, and another plus -- it is pretty healthy too!

So, there you have it...A few things you can expect to see more of this upcoming year. There are a whole bunch of food trends out there, these were just a few that really caught my eye and got me excited. Check out the links below for some more information on what else our bellies will be filled with in 2013. 

http://www.srg.com/permanent/2012/10/2013-culinary-predictions
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/blogs/editor/2012/11/epicurious-predicts-the-top-food-trends-of-2013.html
http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/January-2013/Whats-Popping/http://www.restaurant.org/pdfs/research/WhatsHotFood2013.pdf
http://www.foodchannel.com/articles/article/top-ten-food-trends-2013/