Ingredient of the Month
The Ingredient of the Month presentation offers downloadable tools featuring a different nutritional ingredient each month for chefs to incorporate into their menus and use in community events. The presentation provides an in-depth look at the ingredient, a delicious recipe, and a content-based quiz. Recipes range from simple recipes that kids can make to more detailed recipes for chefs. Download these tools, share with colleagues, and start creating your IOTM recipe collection.
New Ingredient of the Month
January 2023 - Plantains
Although they grow in bunches and may look like bananas, they’re not! Native to Southeast Asia, plantains are grown in tropical regions and when fully ripe they taste like a slightly less-sweet banana. Plantains are an important part of many cuisines, but unlike technically being a fruit like bananas, they are most often cooked before consuming due to their starch content. No matter their stage of ripeness, chefs have created an imaginative list of uses for plantains. Complete the quiz by logging on to the ACF Online Learning Center to earn one hour of continuing-education credits toward ACF certification.
December 2022 - Garlic
Records show that garlic has been cultivated in Mesopotamia for at least 4,000 years. Garlic is a perennial flowering plant grown from a bulb sometimes producing pink to purple flowers. Raw garlic has a characteristic pungent, spicy flavor that mellows and sweetens considerably with cooking. With the use of garlic on the rise, in both savory and some sweet dishes, the average person eats about two pounds of garlic each year. That equates to over 300 cloves! Complete the quiz by logging on to the ACF Online Learning Center to earn one hour of continuing-education credits toward ACF certification.
November 2022 - Mulberries
Contrary to the childhood song, mulberries grow on trees, not bushes. These fast-growing trees produce a massive amount of fruit each season, ranging in color from white to deep red to almost black. The berries have a mild flavor that is both tart and sweet. In most recipes, blackberries can be substituted for mulberries as they have similar flavor profiles. Complete the quiz by logging on to the ACF Online Learning Center to earn one hour of continuing-education credits toward ACF certification.
October 2022 - Kiwi
The kiwifruit, or kiwi, is the edible berry of several species of woody vines in the genus Actinidia. Kiwi has a refreshingly citrus taste, with a touch of sweetness. The flesh has a creamy consistency with crunchy edible seeds. Although not commonly consumed, the skin is edible. Complete the quiz by logging on to the ACF Online Learning Center to earn one hour of continuing-education credits toward ACF certification.
September 2022 - Pecans
Pecans are the product of a species of Hickory trees known as Carya illinoinensis. The United States produces 80% of the world’s pecan crop. Complete the quiz by logging on to the ACF Online Learning Center to earn one hour of continuing-education credits toward ACF certification.
August 2022 - Watercress
Watercress has a unique peppery flavor but once cooked, the sharpness of watercress diminishes. Watercress is available year-round, but its peak season is from April until September. Complete the quiz by logging on to the ACF Online Learning Center to earn one hour of continuing-education credits toward ACF certification.
July 2022 - Capers
Capers are the un-ripened flower buds of the caper bush. To make them palatable, the immature buds are either cured in salt or pickled in brine. Complete the quiz by logging on to the ACF Online Learning Center to earn one hour of continuing-education credits toward ACF certification.
June 2022 - Cherries
Cherries are classified as drupes or stone fruits. Their color ranges from yellow to deep red-black. Complete the quiz by logging on to the ACF Online Learning Center to earn one hour of continuing-education credits toward ACF certification.
May 2022 - Tea
The term tea refers to both the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant and the beverage made from those leaves. Complete the quiz by logging on to the ACF Online Learning Center to earn one hour of continuing-education credits toward ACF certification.
April 2022 - Lamb
Sheep are one of mankind’s oldest domesticated animals, raised for meat, fiber and milk. Lamb is meat that comes from sheep that are less than one year old. Complete the quiz by logging on to the ACF Online Learning Center to earn one hour of continuing-education credits toward ACF certification.
March 2022 - Oats
Oat is one of the major cereal grains produced worldwide. Oats are grown for both human and animal consumption. While oats have a bland, slightly earthy taste they also have a great ability to absorb the flavor of other ingredients. Complete the quiz by logging on to the ACF Online Learning Center to earn one hour of continuing-education credits toward ACF certification.
February 2022 - Cardamom
Cardamom is considered to be one of the world’s oldest spices. They are recognized by their small seed pods: triangular in cross-section and spindle-shaped, with a thin, papery outer shell and small, black seeds. The spice can be found as a whole pod, shelled whole seeds, or ground powder. Complete the quiz by logging on to the ACF Online Learning Center to earn one hour of continuing-education credits toward ACF certification.
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