Foodies Blog

4 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons nuoc mam (vietname; se fish sauce)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
6 shallots, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
8 ounces lump crab meat, picked over; and drained
1 freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot, mixed with
2 tablespoon cold water
1 egg, lightly beaten
15 oz white asparagus spears *
1 tablespoon shredded coriander
1 scallion, thinly sliced

* cut into 1-inch sections with canning liquid reserved.

This soup was probably created by some homesick Frenchman. White asparagus(a French import), packed in jars or cans, is used for this recipe. Traditionally, crumbled, salted duck egg yolk is added to season the soup.

If white asparagus is unavailable, use frozen or fresh asparagus (in this case, add the fresh asparagus to the broth from the very beginning and cookuntil tender, before adding the remaining ingredients).

Combine the broth, 1 tablespoon of the fish sauce, the sugar and salt in a 3 quart soup pot. Bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat and simmer.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet.
Add the shallots and garlic and stir-fry until aromatic. Add the crab meat, the remaining 2 teaspoons fishsauce and black pepper to taste.
Stirfry over high heat for 1 minute. Set aside.

Bring the soup to a boil. Add the cornstarch mixture and stir gently untilthe soup thickens and is clear.
While the soup is actively boiling, add the egg and stir gently.
Continue to stir for about 1 minute. Add the crabmeat mixture and asparagus with its canning liquid; cook gently until heated through.

Transfer the soup to a heated tureen. Sprinkle on the coriander, scallion and freshly ground black pepper.
Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

Technorati Tags: asparagus, crab meat, recipe, shoup

This is not a good era for all of us. With the shrinking economics due to financial crisis, we are living in the difficult times. However, Federal Government offers stimulus packages to give American people a chance to rise again from the crisis. Home buyer tax credit is one of them.

Homebuyer tax credit designed to give tax credit to first time homebuyer eligible for this stimulus package. This year, the Federal Government will extend the stimulus package until 30 April, 2010 and up to $8,000 Tax Credit for first time home buyer. If you are wondering how this homebuyer tax credit could give you better chance to have a home and could give better effect to our economics, Coldwell Banker could give you the information. In their website, there is learning center about real estate tax benefit from homebuyer tax credit. However, the best way to learn is by watching the informative video available in this site.

This video is featuring Coldwell Banker executive giving overview about homebuyer tax credit real estate benefit. Inside this video, you will find an overview about this stimulus package and all basic information need for prospective homebuyers to be eligible to this stimulus package. Inside this video you will find helpful graphics and charts to help you easier to understand this topic.

Technorati Tags: first time buyer, home buyer tax credit

Vegetables, fruits, and grains are normally low in fat and have no cholesterol.  Most are great sources of dietary fiber, complex carbs, and vitamins.  The American Heart Association recommends that you eat foods that are high in complex carbs and fiber.

Below are some tips for making healthy food choices:

-  Coconut is high in saturated fat, while olives are high in monounsaturated fats and calories.  You  should use these items sparingly to avoid getting too many calories from fat.

-  When vegetable grains are cooked, saturated fat or cholesterol is often added.  For example, egg yolks may be added to bread or even pasta.

-  Processed, canned, or preserved vegetables may also contain added sodium.  With some people, too much sodium (salt) may lead to high blood pressure. There are some food companies that are actually canning vegetables with less salt.  You can look for these in the market area or choose fresh and even frozen vegetables.

-  Nuts and seeds tend to be high in calories and fat, although a majority of the fat is polyunsaturated or monounsaturated.  There are some varieties, macadamie nuts for example, that are also high in saturated fat.

Foods that are high in soluble fiber are a great choice as well.  Examples include oat bran,  oatmeal, beans, peas, rice bran, barley, and even apple pulp.

Whenever you are looking for healthy food choices, always make sure you read the nutrition label or information about the food.  You can then determine what the food contains and how healthy it truly is for your body.  By taking your time  and making your healthy food choices wisely, you’ll have a lifetime to enjoy the foods that will take care of you.

Technorati Tags: food choice, healthy food