Tag Archives: choosing produce

Choosing Strawberries

Yummy, yummy strawberries. Who can resist the plump sweetness of a great strawberry. There is nothing like this great fruit when it is ripe and perfect. Enjoy them with chocolate, with cream, or in one of the many great recipes here in the Food Blog. But, one of the things about strawberries is that when they go wrong, they go very wrong. From tough bitter berries to rotten moldy berries, you could be in for a nasty surprise if you aren’t careful. And strawberries have some special concerns when it comes to choosing where and how the strawberries are grown. … Continue reading →

How to Select Onions

How many people does it take to select an onion? I thought about this take on an old joke when I overheard a mother and daughter having an onion debate at a local produce store. The each had their own take on how to select the best onions. I use onions all of the time in my cooking. They are versatile and an easy way to add a flavor to cooking that is a common part of most everyone’s pallet. Onions can be used in many different cooking devices and techniques, from the grill to the crockpot. Chopped or diced … Continue reading →

How to Select Grapes

Mmmm grapes. Nature’s candy. Grapes are one thing that I don’t have to beg my children to eat them out of hand. And, they are also wonderful in fruit salads, chicken salads, and of course, traditional leafy salads. But some grapes can be, well, less than desirable. Do you know how to select the best grapes? Do you want a quick, easy refresher? Read on to find out some great tips about selecting wonderful grapes at the store. First, you should decide what type of grapes you would like. Yes, some are seeded and other seedless, but there are three … Continue reading →

How to Choose Cherries

Summer is a great time to pick up some cherries. They are definitely in season right now. But how can you choose the best fruit? Read this article to find out the three different types of cherries and what to look for when buying them. At my house right now, barely a day goes by without some little mouth covered with the pink juice stains of ripe cherries. I think I’ve probably spent hours cutting them up and removing the pits. There are three types of cherries, and they aren’t all best used for the same purposes. The cherries that … Continue reading →

Secrets to Choosing Corn

Corn season is here. From yellow corn to white corn to sugar corn, the cobs are just calling your name. Personally, I love corn on the cob slathered with real butter and a good dose of salt. And the temptation of corn seems to be everywhere, from a New York City street fair we recently attended where it was grilled to perfection out in the open air, to the numerous road side farm stands where you can get it fresh picked the same day. Some people swear by eating fresh corn raw. We are lucky enough to live not too … Continue reading →