Strawberry Orange and Soy Smoothie

A smoothie is a thick beverage made from blended raw fruit and vegetables, with other ingredients such as water, ice, dairy products or sweeteners. In addition to blended fruit/vegetables, smoothies may include other ingredients such as water, crushed ice, fruit juice, sweeteners (e.g. honey,sugar, syrup), dairy products (e.g. milk, yogurt, low fat or cottage cheese, whey powder), plant milk, nuts, nut butter, seeds, tea, chocolate, herbal supplements, or nutritional supplements.

Smoothies include dietary fiber (e.g. pulp, often also skin and seeds) and so are thicker than fruit juice, with a consistency similar to a milkshake. The fiber makes smoothies healthier than fruit juice alone. Smoothies—particularly green smoothies (which include vegetables)—are often marketed to health-conscious people, for example as a healthier alternative to milkshakes.

Healthy smoothies are an awesome way to pack tons of nutrition into a delicious, convenient treat that you can enjoy anywhere. Whether you’re looking for a filling and flavorful boost of energy in the morning, a protein and nutrient dense pre- or post-workout shake, or just a tasty beverage for a hot afternoon, this healthy smoothie recipes will give you plenty of reasons to put your blender and juicer to good use. And even if you’ve never tried making smoothies before or haven’t made too many this recipe will guide you how to make a healthy smoothie.

 

Health Benefits of Soy Milk:

• Soy milk contains only vegetables proteins which have the advantage that they cause less loss of calcium through the kidneys. It is known that a diet rich in animal (and dairy protein) creates a higher risk for osteoporosis.

•  Soy milk contains no lactose which is beneficial for lactose intolerant people. For example 75 percent of Africans and 90 percent of Asians have lactose intolerance. 

•  Soy milk is rich in isoflavones which is the most important and unique benefit of soy milk. Each cup of soy milk contains about 20 mg isoflavones (mainly genistein and daidzein). Cow's milk does not contain isoflavones. Isoflavones have many health benefits including reduction of cholesterol, easing of menopause symptoms, prevention of osteoporosis and reduction of risk for certain cancers (prostate cancer and breast cancer). Incidents of these cancers are very low in countries with high intake of soy products, including soy milk. Isoflavones are also antioxidants which protect our cells and DNA against oxidation. 

• The saturated fats in cow's milk are unhealthy and increase your cholesterol. The protein in cow's milk has no benefits for the cholesterol. Soy protein can decrease cholesterol levels. 

Strawberry and Orange Soy Smoothie is a power drink that keeps one going through the rigors of a busy day. Soy is rich in good quality protein. Oranges and strawberries are rich in minerals, vitamins and fibre.

Ingredients:

•  4 tbsp strawberry crush
• 6 tbsp Orange squash
• 4 cups chilled Soy milk
• 4 tsp Honey
• 4 scoops of vanilla ice-cream
• 2 cups of crushed ice
• Grapes for garnishing

 Let’s learn how to do it:

• Place the strawberry crush, orange squash, soy milk, honey and vanilla ice cream in a blender and process till smooth.
• Place the crushed ice in four glasses. Put  2 tbsp of strawberry crush in each glass. Pour the strawberry orange soy smoothie over it.
• Top with some grapes and serve  immediately.

 

Sending this recipe to Foodie Monday Blog Hop theme- Smoothies....

Green Papaya & Carrot Salad

A salad is a dish consisting of small pieces of food, which may be mixed with a sauce or salad dressing. Salads can incorporate a variety of foods including vegetables, fruits, cheese, cooked meat, eggs and grains. Some of the common  types of salads  include bean salad, tuna salad, fattoush, Greek salad.The sauce used to flavor a salad is commonly called salad dressing and well-known types of salad dressing includes  ranch, Thousand Island, and vinaigrette.Most salads are served cold, although some, such as south German potato salad, are served warm. Salads may be served at any point during a meal, such as:

• Appetizer salads, light salads to stimulate the appetiter as the first course of the meal.

• Side salads, to accompany the main course as a side dish.

• Main course salads, usually containing a portion of heartier fare, such as chicken breast or slices of beef.

• Dessert salads, sweet versions often containing fruit, gelatin and/or whipped cream.

There are various types of salads available such as

• Green salad or garden salad which is most often composed of leafy vegetables such as lettuce varieties, spinach, or rocket (arugula). Due to their low caloric density, green salads are considered a common diet food. The salad leaves may be cut or torn into bite-sized fragments and tossed together (called a tossed salad), or may be placed in a predetermined arrangement (a composed salad). They are often adorned with garnishes such as nuts or croutons.

• In Vegetable salad, vegetables other than greens may be used in a salad. Common raw vegetables used in a salad  include cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, onions, spring onions, red onions, carrots, celery, and radishes. Other ingredients, such as mushrooms, avocado, olives, hard boiled egg, artichoke hearts, heart of palm, roasted red bell peppers, green beans, croutons, cheeses, meat (e.g. bacon, chicken), or seafood (e.g.tuna, shrimp), are sometimes added to salads.                                                                                                                                                                    

• Bound salad   can be composed or (arranged) or tossed (put in a bowl and mixed with a thick dressing). They are assembled with thick sauces such as mayonnaise. One portion of a true bound salad will hold its shape when placed on a plate with an ice-cream scoop. Examples of bound salad include tuna salad, pasta salad, chicken salad, egg salad, and potato salad. Bound salads are often used as sandwich fillings. They are popular at picnics and barbecues, because they can be made ahead of time and refrigerated.

• Main course salads also known as "dinner salads and commonly known as "entrée salads" in North America) may contain grilled or fried chicken pieces, seafood such as grilled or fried shrimp or a fish steak such as tuna, mahi-mahi, or salmon or sliced steak,  Caesar salad, Chef salad, Cobb salad, Greek salad, Chinese chicken salad and Michigan salad are dinner salads.

• Fruit salads are made of fruit, and include the fruit cocktail that can be made fresh or from canned fruit.

• Dessert saladsrarely include leafy greens and are often sweet. Common variants are made with gelatin or whipped cream; e.g. jello salad, pistachio salad, and ambrosia. Other forms of dessert salads include snickers salad, glorified rice, and cookie salad popular in parts of the Midwestern United States.

• Composed salad is a salad arranged on a plate rather than put into a bowl. It can be used as a meal in itself rather than as a part of a meal.

Sauces for salads are often called "dressings". The concept of salad dressing varies across cultures.In Western culture, there are two basic types of salad dressing:

• Vinaigrette  is a mixture of salad oil and vinegar, often flavored with herbs, spices, salt, pepper, sugar, and other ingredients. It is also used as a sauce or marinade.

• Creamy dressings, usually based on mayonnaise or fermented milk products, such as yogurt, sour cream (crème fraîche, smetana),buttermilk. 

In North America, mayonnaise-based Ranch dressing is most popular, with vinaigrettes and Caesar-style dressing following close behind. Traditional dressings in France are vinaigrettes, typically mustard-based, while sour cream (smetana) and mayonnaise are predominant in eastern European countries and Russia. In Denmark, dressings are often based on crème fraîche. In southern Europe, salad is generally dressed by the diner with olive oil and vinegar.In Asia, it is common to add sesame oil, fish sauce, citrus juice, or soy sauce to salad dressings.

Today’s fast paced lives leaves most people with little time to sit down to a meal leave alone about what they eat in that meal. Meals are gobbled on the go, with no regard to their nutritive content. Salads add crunch, freshness and vitality to a meal. A bowlful of this salad is low in calories but high in carbohydrates, antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids…….  perfect for a healthy living and lifestyle. 

Ingredients

• Raw papaya- 1 cup grated
• Carrot-1 grated
• 4 -5  black olives
• 4-5 green olives
• 1/4 cup cheese cubes
• ¼ cup dry roasted peanuts
• ¼ cup of green gram sprouts
• Brown bread toast
• Mint leaves for garnish
• 
  

For the salad Dressing

• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp freshly crushed pepper
• 11/2 tsp chilli flakes
• 1 tsp chopped garlic
• 1 tbsp honey
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

Method:

• Dry roast peanuts in a pan, crush them, and keep them aside.
• Grate the papaya and carrots , refrigerate till required for use.
• Combine the lemon juice, pepper corn, honey, salt and olive oil to make the salad dressing.
• Cut the brown breads and toast them and keep aside.
• Just before serving, add the salad dressing to the grated papaya and carrot and toss.
•  Add the sprouts, roasted peanuts and bread toast to it and toss well.
•  Pour extra virgin olive oil on top , sprinkle a little chilly flakes .
• Garnish with mint leaves and serve immediately.

Bruschetta- An Italian Appetizer

Bruschetta is an antipasto (starter dish) from Italy consisting of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil and salt. Variations may include toppings of tomato, vegetables, beans, cured meat, or cheese, a popular dish is Bruschetta  pomodoro; the most popular recipe outside of Italy involves basil, fresh tomato, garlic and onion or mozzarella. Bruschetta is usually served as a snack or appetizer. In some countries, a topping of chopped tomato, olive oil and herbs is marketed under the bruschetta name. 

Bruschetta is a fresh, simple and delicious Italian appetizer that can be prepared in minutes and enjoyed any time of the year. In its simplest Italian form, Bruschetta requires that bread be toasted over real coals, then rubbed down with slices of raw garlic, drizzled with olive oil and finished with a little bit of sea salt and fresh pepper. 

Variations evolved to further incorporate things like chopped tomatoes, beans and fresh herbs.  This recipe recreates the standard Italian tomato Bruschetta that you'd often be served in an Italian restaurant to start off your favorite Italian meal, quickly and easily in your own kitchen. Since Bruschetta is made up of very simple flavors, it is therefore best if you make it with highest quality and freshest ingredients you can find.

Course: Antipasto

Cuisine: Italian

For the Toppings:

Ingredients:

• 4 fresh tomatoes chopped
• 1 small green bell pepper chopped
• 1/4 cup cheese cubes
• 4 to 5 green olives
• 4 to 5 black olives
• 1/2 onion chopped
• 4 cloves fresh garlic finely chopped
• 1 bunch fresh basil chopped
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• salt and 1/2tsp freshly ground pepper
• Grated cheese for garnishing
• 12 slices of Italian bread or baguette

Fresh Green Pesto

Pesto is a popular Italian sauce that's hard to miss, what with Italian cuisine being such a popular one globally. Pesto  is a sauce originating in Genoa in the Liguria region of northern Italy and traditionally consists of crushed garlic, basil, and European pine nuts blended with olive oil,  Parmesan cheese, and Fiore Sardo (cheese made from sheep's milk).

Pesto is traditionally prepared in a marble mortar with a wooden pestle. First, garlic and pine nuts are placed in the mortar and reduced to a cream, then the washed and dried basil leaves are added with coarse salt and ground to a creamy consistency. After which Parmesan cheese is added. To help incorporate the cheese a little extra-virgin olive oil is added. This can be stored In an air-tight container, covered by a layer of extra-virgin olive oil, up to a week, and can be frozen for later use.

I have stayed with the recipe for the most part except to replace pine nuts with roasted groundnuts and replaced the normal garlic with roasted garlic to give it’s a smoky feeling. I must say the roasted garlic really enhance the flavor of the pesto.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 4 cloves roasted garlic
• 1/4 cup roasted groundnuts
• 1 tbsp  lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 
• Salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

• Combine the basil, garlic, lemon juice, and groundnuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground. Add ¼ cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Add the remaining oil, cheese and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl.
•  Fresh basil walnut pesto is ready. Taste and see if it needs more pepper or salt and add as needed.Remember that the Parmesan cheese will add some saltiness too, so go light on salt in the beginning, you can always add more as needed. Pesto tastes great as a dip with crackers or cut up vegetable sticks. Go ahead, make yourself some!

Let's learn how to prepare Bruschetta:

• Preheat oven to 250°C.
•  Combine tomato, bell pepper, onion, garlic, green and black olives, cheese, basil, oregano, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste in medium bowl and set aside.
•  Arrange bread slices on baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
•  Now spread the green pesto on each bread slices and top with tomato mixture and grated cheese.
•  Serve immediately.

 

Sending this recipe to Foodie Monday Blog Hop theme#"International Cuisine-Starters"