Martha A. Cheves's Blog, page 73
August 6, 2012
Senior Discounts - Over Night Accommodations
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
August 3, 2012
Beefy Onion Casserole
Another great recipe has been removed from my site Martha's Recipe Cabinet and placed in my manuscript file for Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef. This is, of course, a simple yet delicious dish that you won't want to miss when this cookbook comes out this winter.
August 2, 2012
Senior Discounts - Restaurants
One of my author friends, Joe Parente, sent me a list of Senior Discounts. There are a lot of these so I'll be posting them in groups. Today's list covers Restaurants. If you have additions that can be added to this list, please pass them along and I'll add. We seniors can use all the breaks we can get!
You MUST ask for your discount!
Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby's: 10% off (55+)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
Chili's: 10% off (55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
Gatti's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off (55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations (55+)
McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney's: 10% off Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off (55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off (55+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+)
August 1, 2012
Slow Cooker Spaghetti
This delicious dish has just been added to my manuscript file for Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef. The only prep required is cooking the beef. Everything is then placed in your slow cooker and cooked on low for 8 hrs. Can't get any simplier than that. And the flavor is wonderful! Mark this recipe as one you must try when Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef comes out this winter. In the meantime don't forget to get your copy of Think With Your Taste Buds - Desserts on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
July 31, 2012
Essential Spices
Ground Red Pepper
Also known as cayenne gives a kick to everything from deviled eggs to roasted veggies but use within 6 months because it loses its potency.
Oregano
This is often the key herb that is added to long-simmering pasta sauces, soups and stews so always add it early to draw out all of it's flavor.
Black Peppercorns
When freshly ground they have more flavor than pre-ground. When grinding you might want to adjust the coarseness of the grinder for a texture variety in pan sauces or rubs.
Nutmeg
This versatile spice is used in both sweet and savory dishes. It can be grated fresh and added in small amounts to milk-based sauces, cheesy gratins and braised meat dishes.
Cumin Seeds
Has an earthy, pleasantly musty taste that fits many curisines. Due to the seeds being tough, pulverize them using a coffee or spice grinder.
Cinnamon
This is a must have for sweetness and warmth. It works well in savory applications. Use part of a stick to infuse stews or chilis or grind a bit into Asian or Middle Eastern dishes.
Fennel Seeds
Its slightly sweet, anise-like taste that works great with pork, fish and Mediterranean dishes. Lightly crush the seeds with a mortar and pestle so seeds retain some of their texture.
Coriander Seed
Gives a slightly sour, almost citrus-like flavor to Mediterranean, Latin American and Middle East dishes. Intensify the flavor by toasting before grinding.
July 28, 2012
Shelf Life - 1 Year and More
1 Year:
Flour if stored properly in an airtight container, can last up to 1 year. One exception is flours with high fat content such as whole-wheat which should be used within 6 months and stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer.
Grains such as barley, rolled oats and quinoa needs to be stored in airtight containers to prevent spoilage for it to keep for a year.
More than 1 Year:
Canned goods - High acid foods such as fruit can be stored for 18 months; low acid foods such as meats and vegetables can last 2 - 5 years. But discard if the can has leaks, rust, cracks or large dents.
Dried beans kept at room temperatures will keep indefinitely.
Honey even thought it's been said that it will last forever it is best used within 2 years. It can crystallize, which is a natural process in which the sugar solidifies. To remedy this, remove the lid from the jar and place it in a pan of simmering water over low heat until it decrystallizes.
Sugar - granulated will last up to 2 years when sealed tightly and stores away from moisture. Brown sugar should be used within 6 months.
Vinegar - because of its acidic nature, unopened can be kept indefinitely. Once opened, it needs to be used with 6 months.
Another tip - when storing food in the pantry, cabinets and even freezer, make sure you follow the rule 'first in, first out. Example - pasta is on sale, you buy 2 boxes, make sure you store them behind the what you may already have in the pantry. Use the oldest 1st!
July 25, 2012
Shelf Life - 6 Months
Now and then I go through my pantry and decide what needs to be replaced. To do that, I go to my 'throw-away' lists which I decided to share.
Baking soda and baking powder. Both last up to 6 months.
Brown rice is richer in oil than white and is more susceptible to rancidity. Always store brown rice in airtight containers for up to 6 months.
Nuts - If your pantry is cool,k dark and dry, nuts should be fine for about 6 months in an air tight container or 1 year in the freezer.
Oil turns rancid quickly so keep it away from heat and light. Unopened containers last up to 6 months but once opened need to be used with 3 months.
Peanut butter - Store natural peanut butters, which often separate, in the refrigerator. The regular kind will keep in the pantry up to 6 months after opening.
Best advice I can give is to buy SMALL. If it's a product I seldom use I'll buy the smallest container possible. By weight it will cost more but when you consider how much of the larger container I'll end up throwing away, it usually costs less.
July 15, 2012
Good Seeds
Pumpkin – One serving has almost as much potassium as a small banana plus it has seven times the magnesium. Potassium helps regulate your heartbeat and blood pressure. Magnesium helps boost your immune system. Delicious added to trail mix.
Black Sesame – These have more antioxidants than the pale ones, they have include a dose of iron and bone-building calcium. They may even help prevent high blood pressure. Black sesame seeds taste better toasted than their pale sisters. Good sprinkled over stir-fry.
Flax – These seeds are a great source of lignans, a plant chemical that may lower your risk of heart disease. Grinding the whole seed lets you absorb the nutrients more easily. Great when ground and mixed in flour when making muffins, breads, cookies or just added to soups and casseroles.
Chia – Full of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Sprinkle them over oatmeal, granola and sliced fruit.
Sunflower – This is one of the richest sources of the disease-fighting antioxidant vitamin E. Try these sprinkled over your salad.
July 13, 2012
Olive Oil
Olive Oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. It contains antioxidants such as flavonoids and polyphenols which have anti-aging and other disease-fighting properties. Polyphenols also aid in lowering blood pressure. So, how can you tell them apart?
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil – Produced from the first cold pressing of olives that have been picked the same day. Best used for salads and as a condiment. This is the most expensive and has the most pronounced flavor and fruitiness with a dark green coloring.
Pure (Regular) Olive Oil – Made with subsequent pressings of the olives with some additional filtering and refining. It can be blended with extra-virgin olive oil to boost flavor lost in processing. It’s less expensive and a good choice for cooking with a golden yellow coloring with green hues.
Light Olive Oil – This doesn’t mean it’s light in calories but light in color, fragrance and flavor. It has been finely filtered and is suited for high-temperature frying due to its higher smoke point. The coloring is pale yellow.
July 8, 2012
Nutella Banana Bread
This recipe can be found by going to Chef in Training The only change I made was to use a tube/bundt pan instead of the suggested 8 x 1 loaf pan. It's a bread well worth making.
