Thursday, October 22, 2015

Classic French Mussels


This is a very straight-forward classic French method for serving mussels.  It takes about 25 minutes to prep and cook the mussels and this amount serves two.

When cleaning and de-bearding the mussels, inspect each one, if a mussel is partly open give it a tap or a gentle squeeze and watch that the mussel closes its shell - the mussel does not need to snap shut but it should close, if the mussel does not close then discard it.  Similarly, discard any mussels that have not opened during the cooking process.

The 'beards' are the wiry filaments that may protrude from a mussel shell, they take a little effort to pull out but do so - a properly pulled beard has a white tip of a root.

Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio are excellent choices for a dry white wine to cook the mussels in.



Ingredients:
  • 3 tbsps. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 shallots, chopped finely
  • 4 cloves of garlic, chopped finely
  • 2 pounds of mussels, cleaned and de-bearded
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 4 tbsps. butter, cut into pieces
  • 1/2 of a bunch parsley, chopped
  • Sea salt
Directions:
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high.
  • Add the chopped shallots and garlic, cook until they are soft, about 5 minutes
  • Add to the pot the mussels, wine, cream, butter and the parsley and season with sea salt.
  • Cook until the mussels open and are cooked right through, about 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Portion the broth between two bowls then divide up the mussels over the broth.
  • Serve with a crusty bread such as baguette.
Enjoy!

Monday, October 5, 2015

Banana For Breakfast Anyone???


After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again. Bananas are high in fiber, which can help keep you regular. One banana can provide nearly 10 percent of your daily fiber requirement. Vitamin B6 can also help protect against Type 2 diabetes and aid in weight loss.


Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.


There's nothing like a banana at breakfast to keep those mid-morning cravings at bay. Thanks to a healthy dose of potassium, an electrolyte that helps lower blood pressure naturally, bananas are a particularly good choice for people with hypertension.


Study has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.


DEPRESSION:
Recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.


PMS:
Forget the pills - eat a banana.The vitamin B6 in bananas helps convert the tryptophan into serotonin while soothing your nervous system. Bananas also have melatonin, which aids sleep and regulates our body's natural rhythms, as well as iron, which can help fight the fatigue associated with PMS.


ANEMIA:
Bananas are particularly beneficial as they also contain besides easily assimilable iron, folic acid and B12, all of which are extremely useful in the treatment of anemia. Drizzle honey over the bananas as it is rich in copper which helps in iron absorption.


BLOOD PRESSURE:
The filling fruit is loaded with potassium yet low in salt, which is known to help with lowering blood pressure. The mineral helps balance the effects of salt on the body, and helps the kidneys function properly


BRAIN POWER:
There is a reason that bananas are often referred to as brain food. Rich in potassium and magnesium, bananas give the brain energy and help sharpen the brain's focus, increasing the ability to pay attention and learn. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.


CONSTIPATION:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives. Fiber has long been claimed to help prevent and relieve constipation. Soluble fiber absorbs water, helping stools stay large and soft. This may help improve the movement of stool through your digestive tract.


HANGOVERS:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.


HEARTBURN:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief. This low-acid fruit can help those with acid reflux by coating an irritated esophageal lining and thereby helping to combat discomfort. One soluble fiber found in bananas is pectin, which helps move stomach contents through your digestive tract


MORNING SICKNESS:
Bananas provide lots of dietary fiber and potassium. Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.


MOSQUITO BITES:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.


NERVES:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood.


ULCERS:
The sitoindosides in dried, unripe bananas increase mucus in the digestive tract, which provides a strong protective coating to help prevent and heal ulcers. Unripe bananas also promote cell growth in the intestinal tract. The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.


WEIGHT LOSS:
About half of the fiber content in bananas is soluble. When soluble fiber reaches your digestive tract, it absorbs water and slows digestion. Food is forced to sit in your stomach for a while, making you feel full. If you have a banana before lunch, you'll be less likely to overeat when your food comes to the table.


THE BOTTOM LINE:
Bananas are a popular fruit that happens to provide numerous health benefits. A banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. They may even aid weight loss, as they're relatively low-calorie and nutrient-dense. Ripe bananas are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth. What’s more, both yellow and green bananas can keep you healthy and feeling full.


Bananas are delicious by themselves, you may want to consider getting creative when serving them at snack or mealtimes. Try tossing half a banana in a blender with some fresh berries, ice and a plain yogurt for a creamy smoothie. For breakfast, combine two large eggs, a ripe banana and 1/8 teaspoon of baking powder. Use this batter to make a yummy stack of pancakes. You can even use bananas to make a healthy dessert. Blend a banana, half a cup of coconut milk, two tablespoons of chia seeds and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Pour into individuals serving cups and chill in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat.


When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!