Published: November 03, 2009 08:15 pm      

Check your caller ID and don’t answer the phone

Janis Saunders, Democrat Food Critic

Sunday morning I received the following e-mail asking for help. Since I hadn’t started composing yet, I was glad to help this young woman.

“Dear Mrs. Saunders – I read your column every week and enjoy it very much. The reason I am writing you is I need help and Quick!

My college roommate called Saturday night saying she and her new husband would be in Dallas Sunday evening and were hoping we would be home Monday so they could drive over to Weatherford to visit. Now that was okay with me. Glenda was a great girl in college but her husband is something else. Glenda said her husband, Brett, being from New York, didn’t want any southern cooking. Also, they were on a low, low fat eating program designed for them by Brett’s fitness instructor. My family and I don’t eat low fat. I don’t even know what is or isn’t low fat. Can you give me some simple quick recipes so that I will not offend Brett? Also, Glenda mentioned she and Brett can’t sleep on pillows with feathers of any type. They also drink nothing but bottled water. Help and Thanks, Sharon D.”

Well, how could I not help out Sharon. But first, Sharon, consider this. People who travel and drop in on people should take pot luck and eat what their host family is eating. Also, did you notice how slick Glenda invited herself and Brett to spend the night by giving their pillow preferences. Do you have a Holiday Inn sign in your front yard?

I remember my Mother being in the same spot as you. My Dad had a nephew who lived in Arizona but he and his family would take his 3 week vacation visiting around with the relatives. They had 3 of the meanest boys I’ve ever seen. I hated to see them coming in the door. They would come in and first thing Irene, Norris’ wife, would tell Norris to “go get the luggage and bring it in.” She would quickly say, “Now Ruby, we’re not going to spend the night. I just wanted the luggage in case the boys got dirty.” Of course, Norris put the luggage in the spare bedroom and they did spend the night, as we knew they would. One of the boys (age 7) wasn’t potty trained so we would find wet sheets behind the door, on the floor the morning after they left. Mother always enjoyed finding that and the wall paper in the bedroom would be peeled off behind the closet door.

I hope your friend doesn’t travel around with any children. People who do travel with their kids seem to be oblivious to their kids problems.

I don’t want to interfere in your visit but I couldn’t help picking up on these key words. You know … pillow, sleep, bottled water, fitness instructor, etc. Are they working their way across the U.S. of A by eating and staying with friends, family and acquaintances?

I will try and give you some help on Low Fat cooking. You can try these recipes on for size and see how it goes.

They probably eat fish so try this:



Grilled tuna with vinagrette

4 Tuna filets, 3/4 inch thick

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Pam

Use a ridged iron griddle or iron frying pan Spray lightly with Pam and when quite hot, lay the tuna filets on carefully. Cook 4 minutes then carefully turn over and cook for 4 minutes on the other side. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately. Total fat – 7 grams



Warm coriander vinagrette

1/2 Tsp. Hungarian paprika

1/4 tsp. Cayenne

1 tsp. Ground cumin

3 tsp. Minced garlic

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup chopped parsley, preferably Italian

1/4 cup fresh coriander, chopped

3 Tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup tomato juice

Combine all ingredients and stir well. Be sure it is of a spreadable consistency. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before using. (will keep in fridge for up to a week). Warm the vinaigrette gently before serving. Spread over broiled fish. Total fat – 3 grams



Salmon in foil with vegetables

6 Salmon filets

Coarse salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 inch chunk fresh ginger, finely chopped

Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

1 bulb fresh fennel, finely sliced

1-2 large zucchini, cut in 1/2 inch slices

2 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped

12 large basil leaves or Italian parsley, chopped

Pam

Use 6 squares heavy duty foil, spray with Pam. Season fish with salt and pepper, ginger and zest and juice of lemon. Mix rest of ingredients and season with salt and pepper.

Distribute the vegetable mixture evenly on foil packets, then top with salmon filets and seasoning mixture. Fold foil and crimp to close. This recipe can be refrigerated at this point until ready to cook. Return to room temperature before cooking. Place foil packets on cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes in oven preheated to 400 degrees. May be served in foil pouch or remove vegetables and fish and place on your good china. Fat content – 10 grams



Low-fat mashed potatoes

Peel and cook potatoes as usual. When done, drain the potatoes in a colander. Sprinkle with Butter Buds, cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Mash potatoes then mix in enough evaporated skim milk to give a pleasing consistency. Season to taste and before serving, sprinkle with more Butter Buds.

Total fat .2 grams



Fresh fruit with ginger & citrus syrup

Choose any type of fruit available such as fresh, seedless grapes, strawberries, fresh pineapple, bananas, apples, fresh orange segments.

Dress with the following:

1 each of lemon, lime and orange

5 quarter size pieces of fresh ginger, sliced thin

3/4 cup cold water

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/4 tsp. Cream of tartar

Zest the lemon, lime and orange. Place zest in small saucepan. Add ginger to zest. Cover with water, bring to boil, then simmer gently for 5 minutes. Pour through a strainer and set aside.

Combine sugar, water and cream of tartar. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves and the syrup is clear. Add the zest mixture to syrup. Bring to second boil and simmer 5 minutes. Cool and refrigerate syrup until ready to use.

Place fruit into serving bowl and pour ginger-citrus syrup over fruit and toss. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with mint leaves. Total fat 1 gram.



Now, if this food doesn’t satisfy them, direct them to the nearest drive through.

One hint – in order to limit their stay to 1 night, tell them you have jury duty for the rest of the week, your husband will be doctoring sick calves, but would welcome their help and the kids are quarantined until the doctor can identify those funny colored spots on their stomach and backs.

If you want them to leave quickly, tell them dinner the second night; you will be serving your husband’s favorites; southern fried chicken, black-eye peas with hog jowl, sweet potatoes in butter and sugar sauce, potatoes fried in hog lard and Blue Bell ice cream. Fat content – 831 grams per serving

That’ll get them moving on to their next free spot for the night. Hope I helped. The next best thing you can do is turn off the porch light, put the dog out and sit around in the dark. After pounding on the door for 10 minutes, they’ll leave and you’re home free. Try these recipes though. They really are good. Hope this email helps.

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Janis may be reached at jks4417@aol.com