A Bit of Tomato History

A Native of South America
According to The Oxford Companion to Food, the tomato, or Solanum lycopersicum, the tomato originated in north western South America, but not in its present form of course. It is thought that the original tomato was L. cerasiforme, or perhaps the "currant tomato," which bears a long spray of tiny red fruits which split on the plant. L. cerasiforme has the greatest genetic similarity, however.
The edible descendant of our tomato ancestor made it's way up to Mexico and was eventually domesticated/cultivated by the Aztec. There is no evidence that the wild variety of tomato was eaten in their lands of origin. All tomatoes consumed in South America were reintroduced after the Spanish Conquest.

How the Tomato Became "Tomato"
There was a bit of a misunderstanding on the Spandiards' part regarding the name of the tomato. The Aztecs called the tomato "xitomatl," which meant "plump fruit. The tomatillo, or husk tomato, was "miltomatl." The Spaniards didn't recognize the importance of the prefixes, however, and just called it "tomatl." That then turned into "tomate."

Four Techniques To Get Rid Of Cellulite After Having Lost Weight. Diet plays a major role in erasing cellulite after drastic weight loss.

In a bid to lose weight, many resort to crash dieting and rigorous exercise. Diet and exercise helps for weight loss, but often leaves one struggling with another cosmetic issue - Cellulite. The inner and outer thighs bear the worst telltale signs of this skin problem. It is defined as the puckered appearance of skin on the hips, thighs and buttocks. It is also called "cottage cheese" or "orange peel" phenomenon because of its dimpled appearance. If you have developed cellulite as a result of sudden weight loss, here are 4 techniques to reverse the problem.
Cellulite does not affect obese and overweight individuals only. It affects all expect that its appearance varies based on the distribution of fat. If you are overweight, weight loss you will see the best reductions. However, if you are at optimum weight and then drop pounds your cellulite condition will likely get worse instead of improving. Weight loss loosens skin and makes the dimples more conspicuous.

4 Techniques to Get Rid of Cellulite

Tastes From an Authentic Tagine: Moroccan Lamb With Couscous!

I've been experimenting with my cooking tagine! I was so delighted with the results, I wanted to share with you the recipe I used.
I own one of the cooking tagines you can find online, and decided to document the preparation process for you, as well.
Tagines require an initial "seasoning" before you cook with one for the first time. Seasoning is as follows:
First, submerge your new tagine in water for at least an hour.
After soaking, rub the interior of the base and lid generously with olive oil.
Place the tagine in a cold oven, and set temperature to about 300 degrees F (150C). Leave the tagine in the oven for two hours, then remove and let cool.
When completely cool, wash in warm, soapy water, and dry with a clean cloth.
Admittedly, I was timid about putting my tagine over a stove burner for browning onions and meat, although I was reassured the tagine is perfectly safe over low to medium heat on a stove or gas burner. Still, I started my dish in a deep fry pan, then transferred my meat and onions to the tagine, and added the remaining ingredients.
Following is the recipe I used. It filled the house with the most delicious cooking aromas! Exotic and distinct, and utterly mouth-watering.

Banana Muffins Could Be Your Secret to Healthy Weight Loss

A lot of muffins sold in stores and restaurants are really closer to cupcakes. They're packed with refined flour, white sugar and lots of fat. That makes them enjoyable to eat, but also a danger to your waistline. In fact, some muffins pack in as many calories as an ordinary full meal! Not every baked good is this detrimental to your diet, however. In fact, it's possible to eat banana muffins every day and still lose weight. You just need to choose the right ones. Here's a look at the best banana muffins for weight loss and better health.

Real Fruit
Bananas offer plenty of health benefits, but only if you can get the real thing. They provide natural sweetness, potassium and plenty of other nutrients. Artificial sources might give you plenty of banana flavor, but they'll be missing out on the health benefits that can only come from genuine fruit. If you really want to control the fruit content of your muffins, you can make your own at home. Otherwise, read ingredient lists to make sure the banana flavor in your baked goods comes from natural sources.

Indian Ice Cream

Kulfi - picture by http://flickr.com/photos/35034346243@N01

They Call it Kulfi
It was in 1976 that I was first introduced to Madhur Jaffrey - and I loved her from the start. An Indian from India, she had recently had her first cookbook published, and I had the good fortune to get it to review. Needless to say, this amazing author and Indian chef got a rave review from me.
To get this into perspective, I was living in Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa, which has become a natural home for Indians since they were shipped there as indentured labourers long ago. They've been there as long as the British and the Dutch, who make up the cast of colonists in our country. But this isn't a history lesson.
With Madhur Jaffrey's hardcover book in hand - at that time with it's curry-coloured dust-jacket still intact - I not only gave it a rave review, but proceeded to try recipe after recipe, night after night... usually long into the night. My partner (who later married me for my sins - or perhaps it was my MJ cooking skills) seldom got to eat before midnight. We ate well.
I quickly had kheema and korma nailed, and I could turn out a range of her recipes with aplomb. I don't follow the recipes any longer, but cook adapted versions all the time - and always acknowledge (at least in my head) where they originally came from. I also only ever cook long-grain rice her way.
Then I decided to try making Indian ice cream, better known as kulfi. It was good, really good; but I won't ever do it again, never ever. The process even put me off making regular ice cream forever. This is sad, but true.