All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: Mustard, Adding Zest to Food Since Time of Romans

All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: Mustard, Adding Zest to Food Since Time of Romans: Mustard is a condiment made from the seeds of a mustard plant. The whole, ground, or cracked, or bruised mustard seeds are mixed with wat...

Mustard, Adding Zest to Food Since Time of Romans

Mustard is a condiment made from the seeds of a mustard plant. The whole, ground, or cracked, or bruised mustard seeds are mixed with water, salt, lemon juice, or other liquids, and sometimes with other flavorings and spices. Commonly paired with meats and cheeses, mustard is a popular addition to sandwiches, salads, steaks, hamburgers and, of course, hot dogs or bratwursts.

The Romans were more than likely the first to experiment with the preparation of mustard as a condiment. They mixed unfermented grape juice (“must”) with ground mustard seeds (sinapis) to make “burning must” or mustum ardens – hence “must ard”. The first appearance of mustard makers on the royal registers in Paris dates back to 1292 in Dijon, France. In 1777, one of the most famous mustard makers, Grey-Poupon, was established as a partnership between Maurice Grey, a mustard maker with a unique recipe containing white wine, and Auguste Poupon, his financial backer.

The use of of mustard as a hot dog condiment was first said  to be in the U.S. at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, when the bright-yellow French’s mustard was introduced by the R.T. French Company.

The word “mustard” derives from the Anglo-Norman mustarde and Old French mostarde. The first element is ultimately from Latin mustum (“must”, young wine), the second element comes from Latin ardes (hot, flaming). It is first attested in English in the late 13^th century.

If you’re looking for some mustards to add some zest to your favorite sandwich or meal visit O’Meagher Farms.

All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: Chicken Noodle Soup, The Ultimate Comfort Soup

All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: Chicken Noodle Soup, The Ultimate Comfort Food: Chicken soup is a soup made from chicken, simmered in water, usually with a variety of other ingredients. The classic chicken soup consis...

Chicken Noodle Soup, The Ultimate Comfort Food

Chicken soup is a soup made from chicken, simmered in water, usually with a variety of other ingredients. The classic chicken soup consists of a clear broth containing pieces of chicken and vegetables, as well as, a starch such as pasta, dumplings, rice or barley. Over the years chicken soup has acquired a reputation, handed down from generation to generation, as a folk remedy for treating colds and flu.

In 2000, scientists at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha studied the effects of chicken soup on the inflammatory response in vitro. They found that some components of the chicken soup inhibit neutrophil migration, which may have an anti-inflammatory effect that could hypothetically lead to temporary ease from the symptoms of illness. However, since these results have been obtained from purified cells (and directly applied) the diluted soup in vitro effect is debatable. The New York Times reviewed the University of Nebraska study, among others, in 2007 and concluded that none of the research in conclusive, and it’s not known whether the changes measured in the laboratory really have a meaningful effect on people with cold symptoms.

It is also been shown that chicken soup contains the Amino acid cysteine, which is very similar to acetylcysteine, which is used by doctors for patients with bronchitis and other respiratory infections to help clear them.

Cold cure or not, there’s no doubt that chicken soup is a favorite comfort food for millions every cold season.  If you’re looking to enjoy some comforting chicken noodle soup, check out Frontier’s All Natural Connecticut Cottage Chicken NoodleSoup at O’Meagher Farms.

All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: French Onion Soup, Dish Fit for Paupers and Kings

All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: French Onion Soup, Dish Fit for Paupers and Kings: French onion soup (soupe a Poignon) is a soup based on meat stock and onion, and often served gratineed with croutons and cheese on top. ...

All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: Lenti...

All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: Lenti...: All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: Lentil Soup a Favorite Since Biblical Times : Lentil soup refers to a variety of vegetarian and...

French Onion Soup, Dish Fit for Paupers and Kings

French onion soup (soupe a Poignon) is a soup based on meat stock and onion, and often served gratineed with croutons and cheese on top. Although ancient in origin, the soups underwent a significant resurgence in popularity in the 1960’s in the United States due to a greater interest in French cuisine. Like most soups, French onion soup is usually served as a starter.

Onion soups have been popular at least as far back as Roman times. Throughout history, they were seen as food for poor people, as onions were plentiful and easy to cultivate. The modern version of French onion soup originated in the 18^th century, made from beef broth, and caramelized onions. It is most often flourished by being placed under a grill in a ceramic bowl with croutons and comte or gruyere cheese melted on top. The crouton on top is reminiscent of many ancient soups.

Legend has it that the first French onion soup was created by King Louis the XV of France when all that could be found in the pantry of his hunting lodge was butter, onions and champagne. It is said that he combined these ingredients to create the first French onion soup.

If you have a hankering for some French onion soup check out Frontier’s All Natural Chicago Bistro French Onion Soup available at O’Meagher Farms.http://www.omeagherfarms.com/shop/all-natural-chicago-bistro-french-onion-soup-mix/

All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: Lentil Soup a Favorite Since Biblical Times

All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: Lentil Soup a Favorite Since Biblical Times: Lentil soup refers to a variety of vegetarian and meat soups made with lentils. The soup may consist of green, brown, red, yellow, or bla...

Lentil Soup a Favorite Since Biblical Times

Lentil soup refers to a variety of vegetarian and meat soups made with lentils. The soup may consist of green, brown, red, yellow, or black lentils. Lentil soups may contain vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, celery, parsley, tomato and onion. The most common flavorings include garlic, bay leaf, cumin, olive oil and vinegar. Lentil soup is sometimes garnished with croutons or chopped herbs or butter, olive oil, cream or yogurt.

Lentils were first unearthed in the Paleolithic and Mesolithic layers of the Franchthi Cave in Greece (9,500 to 13,000 years ago), in the Mesolithic at Mureybet and Tel Abu Hureyia in Syria, and sites dating back to 8,000 BC in the area of Jericho. The ancient Greeks were apparently lovers of lentil soup as attested  by a comment by Aristophanes: "You, who dare insult lentil soup, sweetest of delicacies." Lentil soup is also mentioned in the Bible in 

Genesis 25:30-34, where Esau is prepared to give up his birthright for a pot of fragrant red lentil soup being cooked by his brother Jacob. In Jewish tradition, lentil soup has been served at times of mourning, the roundness of the lentil representing the complete cycle of life.

Lentil soup is recognized as highly nutritious, a good source of protein, dietary fiber, iron and potassium. Hippocrates actually prescribed lentils for patients with liver ailments.

Anyone looking to enjoy some lentil soup should check out Frontier's Indiana Harvest Sausage Lentil Soup at O'Meagher Farms.

All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: Minestrone Soup Has Long, Nourishing History

All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: Minestrone Soup Has Long, Nourishing History: Ask anyone to name an Italian soup and they’ll probably put minestrone at the top of their list. Minestrone is a thick soup of Italian or...

All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: Wedding Soup "Marries" Contents

All-Natural Foods for Improving Your Health: Wedding Soup "Marries" Contents: The term "wedding soup" is a mis-translation of the Italian language phrase, minestra mariata ("married soup")whic...

Wedding Soup "Marries" Contents

The term "wedding soup" is a mis-translation of the Italian language phrase, minestra mariata ("married soup")which is a reference to the fact that green vegetables and meats go well together. Wedding soup consists of green vegetables (usually endive and escarole or cabbage, lettuce, kale and/or spinach) and meat (usually meatballs and/or sausage) in a clear chicken-based broth. Wedding soup sometimes contains cavatelli, acini di pepe, pastina, orzo, other pasta, lentils or shredded chicken.

Contrary to popular belief, the concensus among informed food people is that Italian wedding soup (originally known as Minestra Maritata or Pignato Grasso) has nothing to do with wedding ceremonies. This particular "marriage" (maritata is the Italian word for marriage) is between vegetables, or, depending upon the region, sometimes pork and vegetables, in soup. The phrase "Italian wedding soup" appears to be a recent addition to our gastronomic vocabulary. Culinary evidence confirms recipes for soups of this type were simply called (at least in American cookbooks) minestrone.

Minestra maritata is thought to be based upon ancient Roman soup traditions. Although we do not find recipes with this exact name referenced by Apicius (Ancient Roman cooking text) or Platina (On the Right Pleasure and Good Health, 1475 Italian cook book) there is ample evidence of the existence of vegetable soup during these times. The minestra mriata recipe is also prepared by the families of Lazio and Campania during the Christmas season (a tradition started from the Spanish domination of Italy to the present days). Some form of minestra maritata was long popular in Toledo, Spain, before pasta became an affordable commodity to most Spaniards. The modern wedding soup is quite a bit lighter than the old Spanish form, which contained more meats than just the meatballs of modern Italian-American versions.

At one time the minestra term referred to any first course, but today it refers to soup, specifically one with pieces of vegetable or grain in broth. From the word, minestare (to administer), probably because the food was portioned out as the only dish served at a meal. Minestra has a more liquid consistency than zuppa, which is often poured over roasted or fried stale bread.

Wedding ceremony, or not, Italian Wedding Soup can take the chill out of any winter’s day. Check out Frontier’s Italian Wedding Soup at the O’Meagher Farms website.

Minestrone Soup Has Long, Nourishing History

Ask anyone to name an Italian soup and they’ll probably put minestrone at the top of their list. Minestrone is a thick soup of Italian origin usually made with vegetables with rice or pasta added to it. The most common vegetables include beans, onions, celery, carrots, stock and tomatoes. Believe it or not, there is no set recipe for minestrone as it is made out of whatever vegetables are in season. It can be strictly vegetarian, contain meat, or be made with a meat-based broth, such as chicken broth.

The earliest origins of minestrone soup actually pre-date the expansion of the Latin tribes into what would later become the Roman Empire, when the local diet was vegetarian by necessity and consisted mostly of vegetables such as onions, lentils, cabbage, garlic, broad beans, mushrooms, carrots, asparagus, and turnips.

During this time period the main dish of a meal would have been pulte, a simple but filling porridge of spelt flour cooked in salt water to whatever vegetables that were in season. Spelt flour was eventually removed from soups as the Greeks introduced bread into the Roman diet and pulte became a meal primarily for the poor.

The introduction of tomatoes and potatoes from the Americas on the mid-16^th century changed the soup by adding two vegetables which have now become staples for the Italian dish. In Italy today minestrone belongs to the style of cooking call “cucina povera” (“poor kitchen”) meaning dishes that have rustic rural roots.

Like many Italian dishes, minestrone was not a dish originally made for its own sake. Instead, the ingredients were pooled from ingredients for other dishes, often side dishes or contorni plus whatever was left over. The word minestrone is from the Italian augmentative form of minestra, soup, or more literally, “that which is served” from minestrare, “to serve”.

If you’re looking for a tasty minestrone soup to warm your family up during the cold winter season check out Frontier’s All Natural NewYork Corner Café Minestrone at O’Meagher Farms.