Itinerant Muse

Acai ~ The New Miracle Food?

  I don't know about you, but I know I get as much spam mail about acai (ah-SIGH-ee) as the miracle diet food, as I do about Viagra.  I don't need to diet and I certainly don't need Viagra.  But I did decide to research the acai berry and what I learned was really, really interesting.

Acai is the high-energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree.  It is harvested in the rainforests of Brazil and, reputedly, tastes like a lively blend of berries and chocolate ~ yummy!  It is called the next miracle food (replacing pomegranate)because this little royal purple berry is nature's perfect energy fruit.  Yes, energy!  It has been used by athletes in South America for centuries to increase their energy and stamina during competition.  Additionally, acai is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids.  It is nature's perfect source of nutrition and carbohydrates and, taken on a regular basis, strengthens the immune system.

And, there's more to this little powerhouse of a berry.  Because it is jam packed full of powerful antioxidants, studies show its ability to fight off cancer and disease.  Acai is also known  to help maintain good cholesterol and fight off heart disease.  Also found in the berry's antioxidants, is anthocyanin known to fight various eye-related diseases and improve vision.

The list of health benefits go on from aiding digestion to promoting a more peaceful sleep.  Since spending so much time on my computer, my vision has really weakened, and many more nights than not, I can't sleep ~ either because my mind is aflurry with "to-do's tomorrow" or I am having an allergy attack.

So I decided to try acai ~ but, always careful about trying a new product, I delved deeper into my research, read the caveats, about scams with mail orders, etc. and found a product called Acai Puree, purely organic, at Amazon Thunder ™.  The puree contains essential fatty acids, Omegas 3,6 and 9, antioxidants, essential amino acids, sterols, and Vitamins A and C.  Just two ounces a day  is all that is required to give you all the essentials needed in a healthy diet.

  I'll let you know the results after I have tried the puree for a week.  I hope I will be sleeping like a baby and waking with the roar and energy of a tiger!

Raising the bar, the first acai-based spirit has been created. VeeV takes on the exotic flavor of acai with intense chocolate overtones, and hints of prickly pear and cherry.  Bartenders at Manhattan's Library Bar, Hudson Hotel and Asia De Cuba at Hotel Morgan are serving up a trendy new drink called Brazilian Rose.  Here's the recipe: 2 oz. VeeV Acai Spirit, 1/2 bar spoon Rose Water, 1/2 oz. grenadine, 1 oz. heavy cream, and 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice.  Shake all ingredients well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with a rose petal.  Salud!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Culinary Awakening in Asbury Park

Art is drama beside the stage at Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park.  The cuisine is described as "vacation inspired cuisine" and is a mix of Caribbean flavors mingled with Southwestern tastes.  Situated right on the boardwalk, the glass-enclosed restaurant offers magnificent views of the Atlantic.  Curiosity of what's happening in Asbury has caused me to take a self-guided culinary tour of the city by the sea that for years has struggled with fighting a bad rep ~ run down boardwalk, misguided politicians, drugs, street crime ~ the list goes on.  The good news is, the culinary scene has truly awakened the city bringing a diverse ethnic mix ranging from Spanish/Portuguese to Trinidadian and Japanese.  Culinary tastes span the globe as Asbury Park is revived.

Finally, the city is realizing a renaissance, thanks largely to the devoted and loyal business owners and residents who refused to give up and to the arrival of Madison Marquette Investors, developers and operators of retail mixed-use real estate.  Partnered with Asbury Park Partners, LLC, the firm is revitalizing the entire Asbury Park waterfront.

Restaurateurs have taken heart and have seen the vision of the future of a booming seaside resort once again.  The boardwalk is brimming with great restaurants, fabulous uncluttered views of the ocean and sights of fantasy as seen in this gigantic table sculpture evoking memories of a shrinking Alice at the Mad   Hatter's Tea Party. The table is part of a project by the Rockwell Group out of New York City that is to be a children's waterpark.

Another great sculpture is on site now as the project continues ~ this brilliant water pitcher.

Back to my restaurant excursion ~ I lunched at the Salt Water Beach Cafe, another spectacular ocean viewing restaurant, one of several owned by Tim McCloone, a legendary shore personality.  The views were definitely more rewarding than the food ~ must have been an off day for the kitchen.  Another wonderful and welcoming restaurant is Market in the Middle, a very inviting, cozy dining spot with excellent food that is promoted as "ever environmentally conscious." Market in the Middle serves only organic poultry, sustainable fish and locally grown produce. The owners call the menu creative world cuisine and offers a wide selection of wines and cheeses that vary seasonally. Every Thursday night, Market in the Middle features a blues band and jazz every Sunday afternoon. Definitely a spot not to be missed when visiting Asbury Park.

Last Sunday, we celebrated my son's birthday at another great restaurant , Stella Marina Bar & Restaurant ~ aptly named as it offers spectacular vistas of the ocean.  And, the temperature was in the 50's so the Boardwalk was bustling and springlike air came wafting through the open doors. The interior is reminiscent of Tuscany with decorative tiles in sandy tones that are framed with terra cotta brick and artfully intermingled with what looked like sandstone.  An open kitchen with hanging sausages and garlands of peppers and garlic greet you as you enter.  Chefs are bustling behind the open air culinary theater and a friendly hostess and servers eagerly welcome you to your table.

The menu offers a wide variety of Italian specialties, antipasti, pizzas, pastas and pesce with traditional Italian desserts to culminate the meal.  I can truly say the Tiramisu was to die for ~ one of the best I have tasted.  The menu is fairly priced and a wide selection of fine wines are cleverly grouped by price.  We had a fine, rich and smooth Montelpuciano d'Abruzzo for $25.

As the weather begins to warm, I strongly suggest you awaken your palate by taking a culinary adventure to Asbury Park.  You'll definitely enjoy the ride!

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A Heart Full of Chocolates

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's time to think about loved ones and givng an expression of your love with chocolates.  Unfortunately many of our loved ones can't eat chocolate because they are allergic to nuts.  I have a friend who started her own business in her kitchen making gourmet chocolates without any nuts in the cocoa powder, specifically created for people allergic to nuts.  No Nuts About It! is a home crafted business with Ariane making the rich, delicious chocolates by hand.  She creates truffles filled with caramel, mint and orange pastes ~ so succulent, they just melt in your mouth.  Juicy ripe strawberries are dipped in dark chocolate combining the sweet sugary taste of the strawberries with the slightly pungent taste of dark chocolate. 

In case you're not up on your chocolatiering studies, it has been said that chocolate is one of the most perfect foods consumed by man.  It contains essentilal vitamins and minerals, is high in antioxidants, and is good for cholesterol and cardiac health.

And, if none of your family and friends are allergic to nuts, there is still time to order delicious chocolates online from L.A. Burdick in New Hampshire.  These absolutely fabulous, gourmet artisan chocolates were rated among the top ten best chocolates in the United States by The New York Times.  They are truly the best ~ better than Belgian or Swiss chocolates, beautifully and artistically gift wrapped as well.

And for a bit of whimsical romance, try these delicious pudgy penguins that Burdick's pays homage to and describes as a ganache of dark chocolate and lemon with almond arms and dark chocolate dressing accented with white chocolate.  Who could resist these little fellas?

Remember chocolate in moderation is good for you!  Bon Appetit and Happy Valentine's Day!

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