Onion Rings!!!

I consider myself a pretty healthy eater: vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and fresh fruits are the staples of my diet. However, this does not mean that I do not indulge in greasy, sugary, fatty foods every now and then. For the past few weeks I have been craving deep-fried onion rings and I have finally learned to make them myself. This is the first recipe I have tried, so feel free to let me know if there is a better recipe out there.

The onion ring recipe comes from AllRecipes.com (submitted by Jean Marie) and received 5/5 stars. Making the onion rings was pretty easy and straightforward overall. I do recommend double dipping the raw onions in the egg and flour mixtures (egg mixture, then flour mixture, then egg mixture, then flour mixture) to get an even coating; dipping the onions just once wasn't working. I ended up serving the onion rings with a ketchup-mayonnaise dip to complete the assault on my arteries. If you're really adventurous, you can throw in some beer.

Fry, enjoy, and indulge!

Old Fashioned Onion Rings
INGREDIENTS
1 large onion, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup milk, or as needed
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
seasoned salt to taste
1 quart oil for frying, or as needed

DIRECTIONS
Heat the oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).

Separate the onion slices into rings, and set aside. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.

Dip the onion slices into the flour mixture until they are all coated; set aside. Whisk the egg and milk into the flour mixture using a fork. Dip the floured rings into the batter to coat, then place on a wire rack to drain until the batter stops dripping. The wire rack may be placed over a sheet of aluminum foil for easier clean up. Spread the bread crumbs out on a plate or shallow dish.

Place rings one at a time into the crumbs, and scoop the crumbs up over the ring to coat. Give it a hard tap as you remove it from the crumbs. The coating should cling very well. Repeat with remaining rings.

Deep fry the rings a few at a time for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove to paper towels to drain. Season with seasoning salt, and serve.

Best Recipe: Fast and Easy Ratatouille

Many of us are on the go, and it becomes quite difficult to get enough vegetables into our everyday diet. This is one of the best veggie recipes I've tried recently and comes from a book called, Without Reservations, by Joey Altman. It's quick, fast, tasty, and really fun to say: ra-ta-too-ee. Enjoy!

Fast and Easy Ratatouille (or Fresh Basil Ratatouille)

INGREDIENTS:
1 med-small globe eggplant
1 med green zucchini
1 med golden zucchini or crooked-neck squash
1 med red onion
1 med red bell pepper
6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil (more if needed)
Kosher salt
1 heaping tbsp. minced garlic
1, 14 oz can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup roughly chopped or torn fresh basil
Freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Cut eggplant, zucchini, pepper, and onion into 1/4 inch dice, placing each in a separate bowl.

Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over med-hi heat. When oil is hot, add eggplant with 1 tsp. salt. Cook until eggplant softens and is slightly browned all over. Remove eggplant and place in a large serving bowl; set aside.

Add remaining 2 tbsp. olive ol to the pan, then add onions and garlic. When onions are softened and light golden, add the red peppers. Saute peppers until softened, then add the zucchini and 1 tsp. salt. Add more olive oil as needed. When finished cooking, vegetables should be tender, but not mushy.

Return the eggplant tot he pan and add the tomatoes with their juices. Stir and saute to heat everything through and combine the mixture well.

Stir in the torn basil and season with pepper and salt to taste before transferring to a serving bowl.

Eating Better In the Midst of Finals Week

Well it's here. That special time of year that everyone has been waiting for: Finals.

All across America, students are gearing down for the most stressful week of their lives. It gets a lot harder this time of the year to make sure I've got my head straight and my priorities in order. That said, in favor of not failing my classes, I often neglect myself and my eating habits.

To compensate for lack of preparation time in my schedule, I've made many a meal in bulk. Thanks to the greatest invention known to man--the crockpot-- I've managed to make sure that I get three (healthy) meals a day, without wasting precious study time.

Even though most of my friends do not have crockpots, we've all been trying to eat better. Foods on our latest grocery lists include sweet potatoes, bananas, nutri-grain bars, Quaker oat squares, and many, many Healthy Choice frozen meals.

Besides, eating better helps you do better on exams-- right? (Please do not correct me.)

Food for Thought: Blagojevich is an idiot

Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich, is the new stupid person of the day.

The whole business of selling the senate seat is reprehensible. What is also astonishing is how much evidence there is against the governor. To be in such a prominent public position and attempt something so criminal is not only idiotic, it's a complete slap in the face to the people that Blagojevich, as governor, represents.

His actions tell the story of a man, whose position has gone to his head, and who thinks he is above the law and common decency.

Rod Blagojevich, you are a moron.

Best recipe: Garlic Broth

A good alternative to chicken stock or just to have on its own. Very healthy and very soothing.

Ingredients:

• 2 heads garlic
• 2 quarts water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• A bouquet of bay leaf, sprigs of thyme and parsley and a fresh sage leaf
• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Separate the head of garlic into cloves and slightly crush each clove with the flat end of a knife. Drop the slightly crushed cloves into the boiling water with the rest of the ingredients and bring water to a gentle boil.
3. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Strain. Taste and adjust salt as desired.

Restaurant Rave: Joy Yee's Noodle Shop -- Chicago

Chicago, like any big city, has its fair share of good restaurants.

Joy Yee's Noodle Shop is one of them.

I've been to the Joy Yee's in Chinatown twice, and I have never been disappointed. Joy Yee's is a Pan-Asian restaurant that is famous for its bubble drinks and for its phenomenal food presentation.

If you're not quite familiar with Asian cuisine, or if you are having trouble deciding what to get, Joy Yee's takes the guess work out of ordering. Every dish they serve is shown, picture form, in their extensive menu. The one catch to this, is, that with so many choices (and so many pictures) you may get bombarded. It is best to come with friends; this way, everyone can order a different dish and share. Having friends with you can also help you from getting too stuffed-- the portion sizes are hefty.

The Joy Yee's in Chinatown is located in the China Plaza and can get quite busy-- and quite crowded. To compensate for popular demand, the restaurant provides small, square, black tables that can be arranged to provide for large or intimate groups of people. Beware that you may find yourself sitting too close to other patrons from other tables.

Don't forget to order one of their famous bubble drinks. They are a perfect way to complement a perfect Asian meal. Overall, Joy Yee's is very affordable with entree prices ranging from $8-$20; if you want to try some of their more extravagant seafood dishes, your check will depend on the market price of the fish. Joy Yee's is a great way to end a day in Chicago, to relax with good friends, or to just enjoy a fantastic meal.

Food for thought: Mr. Barack Obama

So we now have a new president elect: Barack Obama.

I was not glued to my television-- like so many others-- for election coverage last night. Instead, I engaged in the art of baking peanut butter cookies from a well-loved recipe. I found out about our new president this November morning from my neighbor's children; the kids were on their way to the bus stop chanting: "Bama Bama! Bama Bama!." CNN.com later confirmed my suspicion that our new president was the Democratic nominee.

I am not a political person. The one thing that really gets my blood flowing is when people are closeminded-- about food (yes, you CAN put salt on cherries and it is DELICIOUS.) All I really heard about Barack Obama is that he is out to make changes... and that he lived in Hawaii for a period of time. All I really have to say is this: as long as I can still bake peanut butter cookies, hear the kids in my neighborhood frolic, carefree, to the bus stop, and know that my world and the world of the people around me can keep turning--without threat--then, Mr. President, you are OK by me.

Congratulations to Barack Obama. Let's hear it for the President of the United States.