Category Archives: Recipes

Flavorful Christmas Dinner Ideas

Invite the Outdoors to a Holiday Dinner

Celebrating Christmas with family and friends can be even more enjoyable with a planned menu and recipes that are easy to make and have traveled around the world.  Mint flavored Welsh Lamb , Italian Potato Pie, Creamy Zucchini Soup from Venezuela and many more. With only 2 recipes that must be made on the special holiday the other 4 dishes can be made a day in advance. Choose your ideal Recipes to enhance your holiday dinner! Several dishes can be made 1-2 days in advance so that you may also enjoy your party.

Avocado Shrimp Salad

Creamy Zucchini Soup

Seasoned Mint Lamb

Zesty Moroccan Carrots

Italian Potato Pie

Cindy's Basic Cheesecake

Recipes

 

 

 

Shrimp Mango Salad  and the Flavorful Welsh Lamb should be made the day of your celebration.

Creamy Venezolana Zucchini Soup and  Cindy’s Cheesecake! can both be made one day in advance

 

 

Moroccan Carrots and the Italian Potato Pie can be made 2 days in advance stored and served warm or room temperature. To warm Italian Potato Pie, pre heat oven to 400 F (180 C). Place in oven for 20 minutes to heat and serve warm. The carrots can be served cold.

 

 

Drinks enhance the flavor of the food. For nonalcoholic beverages choose 100% Pomegranate Blueberry Juice which will add to the meal and excite the taste buds. For wine, consider serving Cabernet Sauvignon whose gentle  savor will compliment and not overpower the menu.

Bitter coffee, black tea or a Brut Spumante are all excellent choices to off set the sweet cheesecake.

Stuffed Sirloin Steak

Stuffed Thin Sirloin Steak

Thin Sirloin Steak filled with vegetable of choice! May be grilled or prepared in skillet. Serves 4

  • Choose 2-3 vegetables: peppers, beans, carrots, mushrooms, asparagus, *arugula, *tomatoes (*use fresh)
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
  • Garlic Clove (minced)
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Thinly slice vegetables of choice

Directions for Vegetables

In a skillet, over medium heat add oil and minced garlic clove.
Wash and thinly slice vegetables of choice. Add vegetables to skillet, cover and allow to saute` for 5 minutes. (*for Arugula and tomatoes use fresh and do not cook.) Remove vegetables from heat to cool.

Select thinly sliced Sirloin Tip

Ingredients for Meat

  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1/8 tsp Pepper to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Dried Mint Leaves
  • 1/4 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 8 thin slices of sirloin steak
  • 8 Toothpicks OR Skewers

Combine in a bowl all salt, garlic, pepper, mint and thyme.

Season Meat

Place Sirloin on a plate, rub seasonings into meat slices on both sides. Set aside.

Place about 5 thinly sliced vegetables into center of meat and wrap meat around securing roll with large tooth picks or skewers.

Place skillet on medium-high heat. Add butter.
Add each roll to skillet (or place meat directly onto pre heated 500 F grill). Allow to sear in pan for 1 minute per side. Total of 3 minute cooking time for each roll.

Serve with side of Mustard, Horseradish or Greek Yogurt. Enjoy a side dish Fresh Vegetable Salad

Savory Seasoned Sirloin

Savory Seasoned Sirloin is high in Vitamin B, Omega 3, Potassium and Potassium. Fantastic dinner anytime! Suggested Salad for a Surf and Turf meal included at end of recipe.

Seasoned Sirloin Steak with Mushrooms

  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/8 tsp Pepper to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Dried Mint Leaves
  • 1/4 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 oz Sirloin Steak
  •  2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Tbsp butter

    10 oz Sirloin Steak Serves 2

  • Peeled and Sliced ½  Onion
  • Sliced Portabella Mushroom
  • ¼ cup  Red Wine (optional)

Directions

Combine in a bowl all salt pepper, mint and thyme.
Place Sirloin on a plate, rub seasonings into meat slices on both sides. Set aside.
Place skillet on medium-high heat.
Add olive oil, butter, sliced onion and sliced portabella mushroom. Remove vegetables from pan place into a serving dish and set aside.
Allow to cook covered for 2-3 minutes.
With fork turn meat to other side and cook another 2-3 minutes.
Consider a Surf and Turf meal. Serve meat with mushrooms/onions along side  Skillet Scallops Citrus Almond Salad

Almond Spinach Pasta with Burrata

Almond Spinach Pasta with Burrata Cheese

  Burrata is a luscious Italian cheese made by mixing cream and unspun mozzarella curds together, having the consistency of Ricotta/Cottage Cheese. The mixture is then inserted into the center of fresh smooth mozzarella, making a ball.
A nutrient rich recipe, packed with Calcium, Vitamin B, C & D, Omega 3 and an assortment of minerals.
Burrata can be found in some supermarkets (Krogers, Fresh Market and Trader Joes) or at specialty foods shops and at Italian markets. Substitute fresh mozzarella for this recipe if you can not find Burrata.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (480 g) Fusilli (spiral-shaped pasta)
  • 1 tablespoons  butter
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • lemon juice of 1 whole lemon
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
  • 4 cups Fresh Leaves Baby Spinach (may substitute with Champagne Mushrooms)
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • 1 pound burrata cheese, cut into 1-inch chunks (or Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella)
  • 1/4 tsp Red Pepper flakes
  1. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite (9 minutes), stirring occasionally.

    Saute`: Butter, Olive Oil, Garlic, Lemon

  2. Meanwhile, melt butter with oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; sauté until soft, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to warm. Add lemon juice and lemon peel.
  3. Drain water from pasta. Add pasta back into a pan. Place spinach and almonds a on top of hot pasta. Pour hot lemon mixture over spinach. Toss until spinach is wilted, about 1 minute.
  4. Divide pasta among plates. Top with burrata cheese, sprinkle with salt and red pepper flakes, and serve.

More great Information on how to improve your skin.

Home Remedy Facial! Stimulate Your Skins Collagen & Elastin

Turmeric & Saffron to Cleanse & Heal Body

Turmeric cleanses the body

Go for it….Spice up your life!  Scientific research has revealed what the people of India have known for centuries! Turmeric and Saffron, whether combined with pharmaceuticals, or taken by themselves, cleanse the skin and cure what ails you; both spices functioning as natures prized antibiotics.

Turmeric and its cousin Saffron contain a polyphenol called “curcumin”, an  antioxidant that is associated with reducing nutrition related pathologies. They are bland tasting, turmeric has a rich yellow color that we associate with “Curry”  and saffron is orange and string-like. These wonderful seasonings are slowly taking on the health importance that they deserve.

Studies have determined that “Curcumin” impacts health as an: “antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities and thus has a potential against various malignant diseases, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and other chronic illnesses.

The positive impact of the medicinal properties are mediated through the regulation of various:  transcription factors, growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, protein kinases, and other enzymes”, states The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. They further attest curcumin to be the “Spice of Life” saying that, “Curcumin exhibits activities similar to recently discovered tumor necrosis factor blockers (e.g., HUMIRA, REMICADE, and ENBREL), a vascular endothelial cell growth factor blocker (e.g., AVASTIN), human epidermal growth factor receptor blockers (e.g., ERBITUX, ERLOTINIB, and GEFTINIB), and a HER2 blocker (e.g., HERCEPTIN).”   All evidenced in the country of India which has been duly of having lower occurrences of heart disease and cancer.

Saffron comes from the crocus flower

Many comparisons have shown that individuals who leave India are diagnosed with a health disease, not otherwise documented in previous family history, after moving into a western society.  Duly noted, the main difference in dietary intake was a lower to “no” amounts of turmeric being consumed in their meals.

Turmeric is not as costly as saffron and is readily available with other herbs and seasonings in stores, or in 300 mg capsule form in the vitamin and mineral grocery isle.

Introducing turmeric into meal preparation is very easy to do. 1 teaspoon added to rice, pasta, potato’s, soups and vegetables are good ways to switch from the salt shaker to a healthier spice that heals and makes your body work and function better. Saffron is more costly and commonly used in the Italian dish Risotto Milanese, however, it also provides the same healing benefit as its close relative.

MANY HOME REMEDIES USING TURMERIC

  • With a few grains, turmeric’s antiseptic properties help to heal cuts, wounds, kitchen burns and abrasions. Make a paste of Turmeric and Raw Honey; 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon turmeric.  Adjust amount to wound, apply to wound and cover with a gauze. 3 x’s/day.
  • Gently rub a small dusting of turmeric onto area of face to reduce facial hair growth. Massage into skin with a dampened tea bag.
  • A mixture of 1 teaspoon turmeric and 1/4 cup yogurt rubbed onto the abdomen to reduce stretch marks during pregnancy. Rinse off after 5 minutes.
  • Added 1/4 teaspoon to individual meals through out the day, keeps various diseases a bay.
  • Mixture of 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon mustard oil rubbed into gums to combat gum infections. Rinse with warm water.
  • Accredited for reducing anemia and sore throats by eating a paste made of 1 teaspoon raw honey & 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric. 3 x’s/day.
  • Stop diarrhea by drinking, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric to 1 glass of water
  • Sick with an infection? Combine: glass of milk  and stir in 1/2 teaspoon turmeric , 1 teaspoon honey. Drink this natural antibiotic 2 times a day.
  • Medicinal use for pathologies have duly noted an intake of 1-2 teaspoons of turmeric  3x’s a day inhibits growth of tumors, improves function of pancreas, reduces incidence of heart attack.
  • Combat GERD or “Acid Reflux” by consuming 1/8 teaspoon turmeric (a 300 mg capsule) before dinner. Also consider Fast Relief: Fennel Seeds Combat Digestive Problems and

Gas Pains Drink Lemon Water

  • Heal Acne by combining in a bowl 1/2 tsp water, 1/4 tsp turmeric and 1/8 tsp salt. With a cotton ball gently dab a small amount of  paste onto acne and allow skin to absorb ingredients overnight. In the morning, gently cleanse to remove and refresh skin.
For modern western medicine practices, the excitement around the ancient asian spices brings hope on the horizon for how meal preparation can enhance an individuals overall health. The many benefits of polyphenol curcumin are continuously being researched: Inflammation, Arthritis, Irritated Bowel Syndrome, Kidney Disease etc. Present studies  have shown that curcumin inhibits the proliferation of tumor cells in cultures, human and animal studies. Curcumin’s many strengths and limitations are being seriously explored and are bringing new opportunities to healing ones body.
By, Kim Crocker-Scardicchio
Recipes

Lentil Soup
Replace the Salt Shaker
Chicken Curry
Pork or Beef Roast with Vegetables
Risotto Milanese
Spices to Lower Inflammation
Health Benefits of Saffron

References
 1.  Food Chem Toxicol. 2011 Aug;49(8):1834-42. Epub 2011 May 6.
 Safety Assessment of a Solid Lipid Curcumin Particle Preparation: Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Studies.
 Dadhaniya P, Patel C, Muchhara J, Bhadja N, Mathuria N, Vachhani K Soni MG.
 Pre-Clinical Department, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Dholka 387 810, India.
 website:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=benefits%20turmeric%20body
2  .Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2011 Aug;25(4-5):519-34.
 Curcumin: The Potential for Efficacy in Gastrointestinal Diseases.
 Irving GR, Karmokar A, Berry DP, Brown K, Steward University of Leicester, Department of Cancer Studies, Room 503, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK.
 website:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22122768
3. J Fam Pract. 2011 Mar;60(3):155-6.
 Clinical Inquiry. Does turmeric relieve inflammatory conditions?
 White B, Judkins DZ.
 Oregon Health & Science University, Family Medicine, Portland, USA.
 website:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21369559
4.  Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2011 Oct 25. [Epub ahead of print]
 Curcumin and its Formulations: Potential Anti-Cancer Agents
 Zhu HL, Ji JL, Huang XF
 zhuhl@nju.edu.cn.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22044005
5. Nutr Cancer. 2010;62(7):919-30.
 Curcumin, the golden spice from Indian saffron, is a chemosensitizer and radiosensitizer for tumors and chemoprotector and radioprotector for normal organs.
 Goel A
 Aggarwal BB
 Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
6. Curcumin; Indian Solid Gold http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17569205