The Food Blog
Spinach And Ricotta Gnocchi (0 Comments)
The Spectacular Spinach!! OH how I love spinach. Do you?
We all know that spinach is healthy for us, but the research is quite surprising.
Spinach is a power house of nutrients, it is the highest vegetable protein around, with just one cup of 12% of this super food! It has an excellent source of folate and folic acid, high in Vitamin K, super duper high in Vitamin A, a good source of fiber and over 20% D.V. of magnesium, Iron, potassium, Vitamin C and manganese.
This essential ingredient improves your health by protecting you against heart disease (makes heart and muscles stronger), anti-diabetes, regulates blood pressure, protects against age related memory loss, cancer fighting, an anti-inflammatory, good for the skin, reduces frequency of migraine attacks, and also fights constipation.
Which is better in retaining nutrients in spinach; Cooked or raw? The answer is both. The benefits of cooking spinach is that it releases beta-carotene and lutein, it also neutralizes oxalic acid or oxalate, a compound that inhibits absorption of both calcium and Iron. And to consume in the raw, you will obtain maximum benefits of Vitamin C and folate, which is heat sensitive, have spinach in your salad. So, make sure to incorporate this beautiful greens into your natural diet.
Here is a super simple recipe I had come across, in a cook book of mine, of vegetarian dishes. It’s amazing what you are able to create with plant based ingredients that are fun, creative, and most of all, increasing your overall well-being. And, who says….. veggies aren’t fun?! Hope you try it out. It was definitely a two thumbs up with my husband and I.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPINACH: Spinach plays many roles in maintaining your overall well being. Below are some of the benefits of this super food item.
Helps to improve sight
Treats macular degeneration
Increases metabolism
Provides neurological benefits
Helps with fetal development
Maintains blood pressure
Protects the skin
Treats and prevents cancer
Strengthens muscles
Prep time: 45 minutes + 1 hr refrigeration time
total cooking time: 15 minutes
serves about 6
INGREDIENTS:
4 slices of whole wheat bread
1/2 cup plant based milk
1 pound of frozen certified organic spinach, thawed
8 oz ricotta cheese
2 eggs
2 oz Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 cup flour
Parmesan shavings, to serve
GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE
3 oz unsalted organic butter
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 tbsp fresh basil, or parsley
1 ripe tomato, diced
INSTRUCTIONS:
Remove crusts from the bread and soak in milk in a shallow dish, for 10 minutes. Squeeze out any excess milk from the bread and the spinach.
Place the bread, spinach, ricotta, eggs and Parmesan in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate, covered, for 1 hour. Then fold flour in well.
Lightly dust your hands in flour and roll heaped teaspoons of the mixture into dumplings. lower batches of the gnocchi into a large saucepan of boiling salted water. Cook for about two minutes, or until gnocchi rise to the surface. transfer to the serving plate and keep warm.
To make the sauce, combine all ingredients and cook over medium high heat for 3 minutes, or until the butter is nutty brown. Drizzle over gnocchi and sprinkle with the shaved Parmesan.
NUTRITION PER SERVE (6)
Protein 17g; Fat 26g; Carbohydrate 16g; Dietary Fiber 5g; Cholesterol 137mg; Calories 360
Super Simple Strawberry Shortcake (0 Comments)
This simple super food ingredient is in season and nothing tastes better than a spectacular strawberry shortcake. This is a healthier version than your ordinary shortcake style, with a twist of stone ground whole wheat flour, coconut milk, local Rhode Island wildflower honey, fresh strawberry compote and real fresh whipped cream. What a simple and wonderful treat for Mother’s Day!!!
Oh…red, juicy, delicious strawberries are one of the healthiest fruits to incorporate into your natural diet. Strawberries are chock full of antioxidants and other essential nutrients that will reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, inflammatory diseases, and birth defects as well as managing your weight in the process. So, no reason not to have this amazing fruit, especially when it is fresh in season. Delicious!!
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/3 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/3 cup local honey
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup coconut milk
4-5 cups fresh strawberries
whipped cream
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix together the flour and baking powder. Add in the eggs, honey, oil and milk. Stir well, either with a hand mixer or manual. Pour mixture into a greased 8×8 inch baking pan, Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Allow cake to completely cool. Top with fresh strawberries and cream.
STRAWBERRY COMPOTE:
2 cups fresh strawberries
1/4 cup sugar
lemon zest
INSTRUCTIONS:
Combine strawberries, sugar and zest in a small sauce pan. Heat on medium high, begin cooking the strawberries, stirring occasionally. You will begin to notice, it giving out liquid and bubbling. Continue to stir until mixture thickens slightly. Turn off the heat and allow to cool. Refrigerate before serving.
WHIPPED CREAM:
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp sugar
INSTRUCTIONS:
Chill the clean bowl of a stand mixer and whisk attachment in the freezer for 10 minutes. Add all the ingredients to the bowl and whisk on high speed until medium peaks form, about 1 minute. Serve immediately. Easy breezy.
Banana-Coconut Cream Pie (0 Comments)
This heavenly pie is topped with a swirl of homemade whipped cream, sprinkled with sliced almonds and bananas, a layer of sweet bananas on the bottom with a creamy dreamy coconut filling. So so dangerously delicious!!
Banana and coconut – what a great combination of these two simple super foods. They both have amazing health benefits!
Did you know that this once-exotic fruit has 11% of RDA of dietary fiber and only 108 calories in one whole banana?! Studies have shown that high amounts of potassium in this simple super food can lower blood pressure, which reduces the signs of atherosclerosis, heart attacks and stroke. Potassium also neutralizes the high amounts of sodium in one’s diet meanwhile allowing for healthy amounts of calcium to remain within the body. Bananas are high in Vitamin B6, just one banana has an impressive 34%, which serves many important roles in the body’s health. For example, it protects the body from infections, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, as well as obesity. Another two reasons to go ahead and have that banana, it prevents the weakening of bones and it can diminish uncomfortable effects of diarrhea and constipation. So many reasons why to incorporate four bananas a week into your daily diet.
Now, onto the next factoids of coconut milk. Did you know it is known to relieve symptoms of sore throat and ulcers?! Coconut milk contains many vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, including potassium, calcium and chloride. It can aid in weight loss due to it’s short and medium chain fatty acids, which the body quickly turns into energy instead of storing as fat. It is a great alternative to those who are lactose intolerant or just have allergies to milk. It is also soy, gluten and a nut free drink. And, of course, a great moisturizer for skin and hair.
Here is my recipe. Enjoy!!
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup corn starch or agar agar
1/4 tsp sea salt
3 cups coconut milk
2 eggs, beaten lightly
3 tbsp unsalted butter
2 large firm bananas
pastry shell
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tbsp sliced almonds
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a large saucepan, combine sugar, starch, salt and milk until smooth. Cook and stir on medium high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat: cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat. Stir in a small amount of hot filling into the eggs; return all to the pan. Bring to a gentle boil, cook and stir 2 minutes longer.
Remove from heat. Gently stir in butter. Press plastic wrap onto the surface of the custard. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Slice bananas into the pastry shell; pour custard over the top. Spread the whipped cream on top and sprinkle with sliced almonds. Let chill for about 6 to 8 hours before serving.
Mixed Berry Rhubarb Crumble (0 Comments)
What I have for you is a super simple rhubarb and oat dessert that is not too sweet, a little tart with infusing a citrus taste. Around this time of the year, rhubarb is quite popular and easily utilized in many dishes. Although it tastes sweet like a fruit, it’s considered a vegetable with wonderful nutritional properties. This my first time using this beautiful rhubarb in a recipe. Rhubarb crumble is quite easy to prepare and create in your own kitchen with little effort. This recipe was a two thumbs up with my family. Hope you give rhubarb a try. It is simply delicious!
INGREDIENTS :
4 cups rhubarb, washed, sliced and cubed
4 cups strawberries, washed and quatered
1/2 cup blueberries, washed and drained
1/3 pure maple syrup
3 Tbsp flour
1 orange zest
CRUMBLE TOPPING:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
2 cups rolled oats
DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, toss the fruit with the sugar and flour. Toss gently if using blueberries.
In another bowl, mixing with a fork, add the butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Mix in the oats last.
Pour fruit mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Evenly distribute the crumble mixture over the fruit.
Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown. Serve warm or chilled. Enjoy!!
All about Rhubarb (0 Comments)
Oh RHUBARB, how do I love thee!!!!
To tell you the truth, I haven’t utilized this simple super food until now. Always like to try something new and I must say it is absolutely my favorite!! Did you know that rhubarb dates back to 2700 BC where it was grown and used in China for medicinal purposes?! It is thought to make it’s way to America in the late 1700’s and began growing in Maine, then spread all the way into Massachusetts. Rhubarb looks a lot like celery but pink in color and the leaves of the plant are quite toxic. This plant contains oxalate, toxic substance, which has been reported to cause poisoning when large quantities of raw or cooked leaves are consumed, especially the green leaves.
It is indeed an excellent source of Vitamin C, which promotes a healthy immune system. It’s high in dietary fiber and calcium. Low in sodium and saturated fat which makes it very good food to prevent heart related diseases. Also very high in Vitamin K, which is thought to prevent diabetes.
Healthy ways in preparing this super food is by baking or stewing for a long period of time. It can be cooked with oranges and apples sprinkled with spices. Rhubarb can be used in a variety of ways from pies to putting on pizza and also makes excellent sauces and jams.
Rhubarb is an unusual vegetable and often thought of as a fruit. It is quite popular in the culinary world and so very versatile in utilizing this nutritional powerhouse ingredient. Go ahead be creative and create something wonderful. This past week, I created a Strawberry-blueberry rhubarb crumble for the family, which i will share in my next blog. It was a hit!! It was tart and sweet. Next, I will create a rhubarb jam and tart. I think I’m in love with rhubarb!!! Try them, try them!! You may like them!!
Chocolate Almond Pudding Pie (0 Comments)
Who LOVES chocolate?! I don’t know anyone that does not enjoy chocolate. It is so good and good for you. This simple super food has so many positive health benefits. Dark chocolate contains many vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, promotes sun protection, reduces cravings, relief in diarrhea, helps to control blood sugar, good for your brain and good for your heart. And, studies have shown that this chemical, theobromine, helps to harden tooth enamel and quiets coughing almost as well as codeine. Need i say more?! So, go ahead and have that chocolate!! So GOOD and so GOOD for you!!
My recipe is a non-dairy dessert!! A smooth, light and creamy pudding in a classic graham cracker crust. A delicious dish!! In this recipe, you may utilize any other nut or plant based options such as hazelnut, cashew, rice, or coconut milk. To elevate the flavors, use fresh fruit and whipped cream for garnishing. Have fun and be creative!
INGREDIENTS ( yields 1 9 inch pie or tart)
1 recipe for graham cracker crust, homemade or store bought.
PUDDING
1/3 cup unsweetened cacao powder, milk or dark
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup corn starch
sea salt, to taste
3 cups almond milk
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, remove from oven and let cool.
In a medium saucepan, combine all dry ingredients. Stir well until blended. Slowly add in the nut milk, while stirring consistently, on medium heat.
Bring the mixture up to a boil; whisking occasionally. Keep a close eye once boiling, you’ll want to lower the heat on low and bring to a slow rolling boil. Whisking continually until mixture is thickening, about 7-10 minutes.
Add in desired chocolate chips and mix to melt. Pour pudding into a prepared pie shell and let cool for about 15 minutes, until steaming has reduced. To prevent a skin from forming, place parchment paper over the filling. Place in refrigerator and let set for about 2-3 hours. And voila! An homemade delicious dessert for the whole family to enjoy.