Root Veggie Stir Fry ~ Nutty and Savory!

Fresh roots are a good source of vitamin-C which is a powerful water-soluble anti-oxidant, easily available to us from natural sources. It helps the human body maintain healthy connective tissue, teeth, and gum. Their  anti-oxidant property helps protect from diseases and cancers by scavenging harmful free radicals from the body.

As in carrots and other members of apiaceae family vegetables, parsnips too contain many poly-acetylene anti-oxidants such as falcarinol, falcarindiol, panaxydiol, and methyl-falcarindiol.
Several research studies from scientists at the University of Newcastle at Tyne found that these compounds have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer function.

















* Sources~  http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/parsnips.html
 http://www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/Plant_Families/Apiaceae.htm

Homemade Minestrone with Fresh Green Zucchini!

Nothing is more delicious than homemade soup: you will need to buy: 1 lb. beef stew meat, tortellini pasta, and fresh green zucchini. If you don't have in the pantry these items, then head to the grocer: small can of diced tomatoes, onion, beef stock, one small can of pinto beans and grated parmesan cheese. Its urban brainy cause its simple and clean.

This soup can be done right on the stove top, though some recipes use a crockpot. First, begin by sauteing one whole chopped onion in olive oil in a covered stock pot on med. heat. Add your chunked beef stew meat stirring among the chopped onion letting the meat brown on all sides. Pour in 2 cups of beef stock, one small can of diced tomatoes, 1 cup or one small can of drained pinto beans, and washed diced fresh green zucchini. Toss in a dash of salt, black pepper, garlic powder and dried herbs: rosemary, mint,oregano and parsley.

Give the soup a good stir, reduce the heat to low, cover and let it simmer for 1 hour. When you are ready to eat, boil salted water for the tortellini pasta. I don't ever mix my pasta into a soup. Get some garlic bread going in the oven or toaster oven, set the table with some green olives, grated and even a chunk of parmesan cheese and you're good to go.

 with parmesan

without parmesan

~ Tutti a Tavola!

Potato Mash with Homemade Apple Sauce!

Looking for a quick and delicious side dish...look no further!

Boil as many potatoes as you will need per person. Once the potatoes are tender, drain and mash with a dollop of fresh creamy butter and 1/4 cup of heavy cream. Then grab a jar of homemade applesauce or any organic brand you prefer and add half the jar to the mashed potatoes.

Scoop out the potato/ apple mash into a glass dish and either microwave with grated cheddar on top until melted or put into the oven on 425 for as long as it takes to melt the cheese and get it crusty on top.

Lightly Buttered Fish or Chicken Broil with Squash and Peppers on Angel Pasta!

In no time at all, you can create an urban brainy dish that will wow guests and family. Choose either your favorite fresh caught or on ice fish (fillets) or use natural farm ranged chicken (selecting the breast-skinless/boneless).

Broil on med in the broiler with a dollop or two of fresh creamy butter (unsalted if you prefer), before sliding in your chicken (using a glass dish drizzled with a bit of olive oil) lay over the top julienne cut green pepper and zucchini, topping with a dash of dried herbs: rosemary, mint and oregano.

Prepare a side of angel hair pasta and your are set to serve in less than 30 min.

Light and Delicate Fresh Caught Salmon!

For this dish, you will need frozen fresh caught salmon which most grocers have in the freezer section. Lemon, fresh chive, heavy cream and as a side... a mixture of buckwheat groats and white or wild rice.

To begin, marinate your salmon in half of a fresh squeezed lemon for 45 min to an hour. If there is a dark vein in the meat, take it out before cooking as tonight we are not eating sushi. Melt into a covered skillet, 3 tbs of butter and 1 tbs of coconut oil. Season with red pepper flakes, garlic powder, white or green pepper fresh ground pepper corn and a bit of coriander. Lay in your salmon and let the fillets sizzle on high heat searing both sides. Cover and steam in the juices for 6 min on low heat adding 1/4 of heavy cream on the end. Turn off heat, toss in a hand full of fresh chopped chive and a pinch of dried mint, keep covered while you prepare the side.
















Set 2 cups of water to boil your rice and groats in which should be started at the same time you begin cooking the fish. Once the water rolls, add 1/2 cup of rice first letting it boil for 3 min alone and then the same amount of groats as they tend to cook faster. When both are tender, drain and ladle onto a low lipped serving plate, placing the salmon along side.

~Tutti a Tavola!

Eating Healthy Means NO GMO

Its hard to find 'original' foods. So many of our food is either fully modified or tainted with GMOs.
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) urges doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets for all patients. They cite animal studies showing organ damage, gastrointestinal and immune system disorders, accelerated aging, and infertility. Human studies show how genetically modified (GM) food can leave material behind inside us, possibly causing long-term problems. ~ http://responsibletechnology.org/10-Reasons-to-Avoid-GMOs/

What can you do? That is a difficult question to answer considering what is being offered at your local super grocer. Sure you can shop at the local health food stores but most of that is in capsule form or powdered and what is offered in the fresh packaged or frozen section is expensive. What can you do? You can and should have plant your own backyard garden and raise chickens.

It is important to get non genetically modified seeds which are called heirloom seeds and the same goes for chickens though sometimes I have heard them also called 'heritage'. Where do you get such seeds and  chickens? There are many online sources that provide such quality. You can also ask at your local garden and or pet/farm animal supply store.

Mushroom Infused Tagliatelle with Fresh Grated Zucchini

No pasta dish could be faster or more frugal. Mushroom infused tagliatelle is deliciously light and easy to prepare, just boil in salted water until tender. Once it is tender, drain and add a dollop of butter and 1/4 cup of heavy cream or if want to cut calories use only the butter. Fresh grate julienne style a young 'washed' zucchini. Quickly saute the grated zucchini in a bit of olive oil, no longer than 2 min. and top your pasta. Sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese and you are good to go.