The downfall of many tomato sauces is a flavor more akin to tomato puree with sugar than a fresh, tangy and zesty tomato sauce. That sweet, cloying, school cafeteria-like sauce is completely unnecessary. Although fresh tomatoes are preferable, they are not a requirement. Tomatoes, botanically a fruit, are blessed with an incredibe balance of flavor. That is, provided that they are ripe, and not a genetically modified, hybridized clone. There are endless varieties with subtleties differentiating them. When allowed to ripen on the vine, the flesh becomes sweet and its juice tangy. Adding a …

The wonderful thing about the transition from the heat of summer to the cool evenings of fall are the late harvests of zucchini, corn and green beans with the addition of pumpkins and various other squashes. Pumpkins big and small, butternut, acorn and spaghetti squashes are filling bins and lining hay stacks in Whole Foods Market and Straub's in Town and Country and Walmart, Schnucks and Dierbergs in Manchester. Pumpkins and winter squash store well and are available through fall and winter. At room temperature, they last at least one month. Squash is also very affordable, which makes it …

Traveling around Town and Country, Manchester, and the other West County patches for Food Fight articles, I learned a few things. Gianfabio's Italian Cafe, The Pasta House and Candicci's each presented different ingredients and techniques to make a great eggplant parmigiana. In order to develop the sweet, nutty and complex flavor of eggplant, it needs to be cooked. There are several varieties of eggplant—from the pear-shaped, deep purplelish-black to the lavender colored, long cucumber-shaped variety. Eggplant is a fruit, botanically classified as a berry. The soft seeds in the flesh are …

Chocolate, in all of its variations—white, milk, dark—is a luscious, sexy, delicious treat. It has been associated with feelings of well-being, relaxation, euphoria, and most commonly, feelings of being in love—some even consider it an aphrodisiac. Recently in the news,  there are claims that chocolate improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure and may lower LDL cholesterol. Chocolate comes from the theobroma cacao (or cocoa) tree. Facts-about-chocolate.com explains the different types of chocolate. White chocolate is not technically one of the types of chocolate, because it does …

Apple season is upon us.Those crispy, refreshing, crunchy balls of juicy goodness will be lining the shelves of Walmart, Schnucks and Dierbergs in Manchester and Whole Foods Market and Straub's in Town and Country. There are many varieties, each having characteristics best suited for different cooking methods—pie, tart, sauce and cider among them. Some of the best for eating raw are the McIntosh and Honeycrisp varieties. Tangy and juicy McIntosh apples have a thin, tight skin and a fine, white flesh. Despite their superior flavor, McIntoshs cook down quickly and make for a mushy pie. …

The small fishing villages, olive trees, and multitudinous vegetables along with the easy and relaxed meal times are enough to convince many of the benefits and ease of the Mediterranean diet. The diet uses the cuisines bordering the Mediterranean Sea: France, Spain, Italy, Greece or Middle Eastern countries. Yet it is not one cuisine specific to one country. It is characteristic of similar terroir between these countries, and from it is borne an endless variety of delicious options. Mediterranean diets include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes, and substitute oils such as…

The kids are going back to school, and the hustle and bustle of activities, sports and homework will fill up the family schedule, so it is important to manage meals in an efficient and healthy way. It is possible to make fresh food that everyone will want to eat without cooking for hours every day. One of the best tips is using some prepared foods with fresh additions to make it healthier, easier and more delicious. Making a large pot of tomato sauce for a variety of uses is a great base to start with. Walmart in Manchester sells peeled garlic cloves in a jar for $2.48. Mix the cloves with a …

The daily drudgery of planning a menu for your children's school lunches can be trying, especially when it has to be something they will actually eat, healthy and easily eaten in 30 minutes or less. Variety is also important, so kids come back for more. Buying the school-offered lunch can be so unhealthy, that it has become a last resort for many parents I know. Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution and Michelle Obama's initiatives have put pressure on schools and parents alike to make healthier meals for children. Healthy food is conducive to creating great students. Complex carbohydrates, low fat …

Imagine the heat of the July sun beating down and peach trees as far as the eye can see. The glory is in climbing that V-shaped viney tree and reaching the top to pluck a peach as big as a cantaloupe. This is the case at Eckert's Farm in Belleville and my husband, a native to the Midwest, had never visited the farm. He plucked the giant peach, still warm from the beating sun and bit into it. The juice exploded and covered his face. He turned and said, "This is the best peach I have ever had." Fortunately, Eckerts provides Missouri markets such as Dierbergs in Manchester with some of their …

To make a chicken breast juicier, give a salmon more tang, or complete a Mexican dish—salsa is often the answer. Although salsa, by other names in other countries is similar, the variation that includes tomatoes, chilies and other spices or ingredients can be traced to the Ancient Aztecs, Mayans and Incas. In fact, the name "tomato" is derived from the Nahuatl word "tomatl," the language of the Aztecs. The tomato, as well as the chile pepper, were cultivated by the Mayans and Aztecs to create the beautiful fruits we have today. Many different varieties of salsa can be found on the Mexican …

During these days of oppressive heat and humidity, the oven becomes the enemy. A yearning for simple, fresh and healthy meals becomes a necessity. Instead of succumbing to the fast food drive-through, consider going to Whole Foods Market, Schnucks or Straub's in Town and Country or Dierbergs, Schnucks and even Walmart in Manchester. All of these local stores offer already prepared foods that you can put together to create a sumptuous and healthy feast. Doing this is much more delicious and allows you to avoid eating foods laden artificial preservatives, colors, sugar and hydrogenated fats. …

Many fruits and vegetables are in their prime for harvesting: apricots, berries, beans, cantaloupes, cherries, cucumbers, rhubarb and strawberries. This past week at the farmers markets there were also onions, beets, kale, herbs, spinach, lettuce, and heirloom carrots and tomatoes. Especially beautiful, colorful and diverse, heirloom tomatoes are sweet, unprocessed and irresistibly fresh. The abundance of the harvest demands pies, tarts, jams, jellies and salads. The culinary possibilities are endless. A zesty temptation, an heirloom tomato has been defined as one whose seeds have been passed…

Whole Foods Market, Schnucks and Straub's in Town and Country and Schnucks and Dierbergs in Manchester, along with area farmers markets, are brimming with berries. A delicious and guilt-free treat, berries are flavorful and juicy, with unmistakable sweetness. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are visually captivating with reds, pinks, blues and purples. The pigments that give berries their beautiful hues are also good for your health. Requiring little or no chopping or preparation, at approximately 60 calories per cup, berries contain a generous amount of vitamin C. Also…

One of my favorite things to do is shop for spices and herbs. There is something about the colors, scents and inherent possibility of flavors that attract me. The deep red hues of paprika and the golden yellows of turmeric, as well as the feathery texture of dill and the bold scent of rosemary all draw me in. But this is just a drop in the bucket in the multitude of spices and herbs. This time of year is a treat because farmers markets are filled with freshly picked herbs. If you can't make it to one of the markets, Walmart, Dierbergs and Schnucks in Manchester sell fresh herbs. Walmart also …

Torta has many culinary definitions, depending on the geographical area where it is being used. In several countries in South America and Europe, torte or torta, is a cake or sweet cake. In Spain a torta is also a fried mixture of scrambled eggs and fillings like potatoes, onions, peppers, etc.In Mexico, a torta is a sandwich which is commonly served on a bolillo or pan telera. A bolillo is a football-shaped roll about 6-inches long. A bolillo is similar to French bread in that they are both crusty on the outside and have a soft, uneven crumb inside. Pan telera (telera bread) is more like …

Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer. It is time to take the covers off the grill and avoid the heat of the kitchen. It signals a time to push away the comforting carbohydrates of winter and to consider grilled meats and fish. Even the flavors and colors of fruits and vegetables brighten on the embers of the grill.This might be the best time to indulge in a gaucho steak. The word "gaucho" refers to chimichurri, a sauce commonly served in Argentina with steak, although chimichurri can be used to marinate or accompany chicken or fish as well. Chimichurri is a deeply flavorful sauce made …

We are in the throws of spring. With buds bursting, vegetables are waiting for that warm breeze and drowning spring shower to allow them to blossom and provide fruit. Walking through Whole Foods Market and Schnucks in Town and Country and Walmart, Dierbergs and Schnucks in Manchester, the vegetable bins are brimming with artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, varieties of lettuces, snow peas, sweet onions, mangoes, oranges, lemons, limes, strawberries and much more. This is the time to let our stoves cool, shed the blanket of warm winter stews and begin to enjoy the gifts of spring.This time of …

The price of gas is hovering around $4 a gallon, and food (and restaurant) prices are climbing. Show mom you love her by making her life a little easier and a little more delicious. This year, practical gifts might be more in line with the economy and the mood of families all across Town and Country and Manchester. Of course, this doesn't mean you should skimp on mom. In fact, it's just the opposite.Instead of fresh cut flowers that will only last a week, give mom a gift that will last all summer. Plant a vegetable, herb or flower garden for mom. For the rest of the season she can enjoy fresh…

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory of Mexican troops in La Batalla de Puebla, on May 5, 1862, over the French Army of Napoleon III. France invaded Mexico to collect debts owed to them after President Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in 1861 stopping  payments on Mexican foreign debt. (During the 1850s, Mexico had a financial crisis.) The Mexican army forced the larger French army to secede. The victory at the Battle of Puebla was an opportunity for the Mexican people to come together and celebrate their heritage. A large number of Chicanos, or Americans of Mexican decent, like myself, …

The cherry blossoms and magnolias are blooming, all this rain has given us the gift of lush green lawns (and allergies). It is a perfect time to uncover the patio furniture and enjoy an Easter celebration outside. Spring cleaning is in order. Out with the old and in with the new. Refresh your home with new table linens from Bed, Bath & Beyond or a fresh coat of citrus green paint in the kitchen or dining room. If paint is too much of a commitment, throw pillows or patio chair cushions in vibrant colors of the season can do the trick.Invite friends and family, especially kids, and throw an egg…