Avocados have potassium, vitamin E, C, and B6. Although it is known to have a high fat content, it actually helps to lower cholesterol in our bodies. That advantage, and the vitamin content, shows we should keep this green fruit in our diets. Fat is needed in our bodies, and moderation, as with most healthy diets, is the key. Many of us stay away from this high fat fruit, but the positive far outweighs the negative benefits of its use.
Avocados have medicinal qualities as well. They are used in alternative medicine to treat arthritis, high cholesterol, and gum disease. Its pulp can be used to treat skin rashes and sunburns.
One avocado gives us up to fifteen percent of the vitamin E our body requires daily. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that provides the needed nutrients for the prevention of the breaking down of our body tissues and helps with the metabolism of the cells in our body. It protects our cells from damage. It is also used to protect our skin against damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun. If our body is deficient in vitamin A, we can have digestive problems ,caused by malabsorption (defective or inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract, as defined by answers.com) and gall bladder or liver problems.
Making a avocado dip is an excellent way to add this green fruit to any diet. This Low Fat Mexican Bean Dip will astound you with it’s flavor. This bean dip uses refried beans, which have zero fat content, and fresh avocados.
1 Large Can Refried Beans
1 Package Taco Seasoning
1 Small Can Chopped Chilies
2 Ripe Avocados
2 1/2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
1 Large Jar Salsa (Medium or Mild version)
1 1/2 Cups Low Fat Sour Cream
3 1/2 Cups Shredded Iceberg Lettuce
2 Cups Shredded Low Fat Cheddar Cheese
1 Can Black Olives, sliced and drained
Tortilla Chips
First soak your lettuce for 30 minutes in ice water. This secret is why lettuce and salads taste so much better at restaurant’s than at home. While the lettuce is soaking, mix beans chilies and taco seasoning. Spread out evenly in a 9 x 13-inch dish. Cut up the avocado and mix lemon juice. Layer this over bean mixture. Spread sour cream on top. Then add lettuce, cheese, salsa and sliced olives. Serve with your favorite beverage and tortilla chips.
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Showing posts with label fresh salsa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fresh salsa. Show all posts
Monday, October 8, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
The Wonders of Chutney
Chutney originated in India. Hindu is one of the main practiced religions in India, and vegetarianism is one of the beliefs of that religion. The original popularity of Chutney makes sense knowing that fact. Authentically made fresh, sugar was not used until wanting to preserve it for storage. Having made its way across continents, it eventually became commercialized.
To define it specifically, it is a pungent relish made of fruits, spices and herbs. A popular version is made with mangoes, but it can be made with pears or apples, or just about any kind of fruit. Depending on your mood, whether its sweet, sour, zesty, or spicy, chutney can be made to satisfy your taste buds. Served cold or warm, it compliments all meats. As an appetizer, Chutney makes a scrumptious salsa or dip. With over 2000 varieties made, it will be easy to find your own personal favorite.
Chicken Salad with Chutney
Ingredients:
2 boneless chicken breasts
3 medium size apples
3 tbsp. mango-ginger chutney
1 1/2 cup grapes
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup toasted coconut
3 cups romaine lettuce
2 tablespoons vanilla flavoring
1 1/2 to 2 cups mayonnaise. You can substitute Low-fat mayonnaise for fewer calories.
In a large frying pan cook chicken breasts after spraying pan with non-stick oil. Let pan heat up. Add orange juice and vanilla flavoring to pan and cover. Cook on medium heat allowing juice and flavoring to seep into chicken until liquid is gone. Turn off heat and allow chicken to cool.
Peel and chop up apples to desired size, after rinsing them. For better taste, cut apples into small cubes.
Rinse and drain grapes and cut each grape in half. You can also cut in thirds if you prefer.
Cut up your chicken breasts. A good way to do this is too cut diagonally across each chicken breast and then horizontally.
In medium sized salad bowl, add chicken, lettuce, apples and grapes. You can toast the coconut easily by spreading it out thinly on a cookie sheet and putting in oven at 350 degrees for about one minute. Watch closely since every oven is different. You will be able to tell by looking at it, if that is sufficient time by how brown the coconut is. If not brown enough, stick in oven again, but watch it carefully so it doesn't burn. Once cooled, add coconut to your salad mixture.
Add 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise and mix well. If you like a more slippery salad add additional mayonnaise until satisfied with result. Now add your mango-ginger chutney on top.
Put covered salad into refrigerator and let cool completely. It will take approximately 3 hours for it to be completely chilled and ready to eat. This serves 2-3 people. Divide salad into 2 or 3 salad bowls when ready to serve.
Tomato Pepper Chutney
This is an easy recipe that is excellent served with tortilla chips, or as a zesty dressing on salads or poultry.
Ingredients:
4 large tomatoes, skinned and diced finely2 tablespoons finely chopped white onion1 1/2 tsp. green pepper, seeded and finely chopped 1 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice2 teaspoon sugar1/4 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 tsp. cilantro (optional more according to taste preference)
Mix all ingredients in medium sized bowl. Place in refrigerator. This is excellent with tortilla chips, or as a zesty dressing on salads or chicken.
Cranberry Pear Chutney
Ingredients:
3 Pears, peeled and diced
3 tbsp. fresh cranberries, rinsed
1 medium onion, rinsed, diced finely
1 tsp. grated fresh orange peel
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1/4 cup apple vinegar (red wine vinegar can be used as well)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. all spice
1/4 tsp. salt
Put all ingredients in medium sized pan. Cover and allow simmering for approximately one hour. Allow cooling in refrigerator. This Chutney would accompany English muffins or toast in the morning.
It is really just up to your imagination for recipes and uses for Chutney. Let your creativity roam and make up your own version.
If you like my work and would like to buy me a cup of tea
click here
Try Dove Body Wash revitalize your skin today!
Sources:
http://www.ask.com/reference/dictionary/ahdict/65531/chutney (definition)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/india/indiaback.html
To define it specifically, it is a pungent relish made of fruits, spices and herbs. A popular version is made with mangoes, but it can be made with pears or apples, or just about any kind of fruit. Depending on your mood, whether its sweet, sour, zesty, or spicy, chutney can be made to satisfy your taste buds. Served cold or warm, it compliments all meats. As an appetizer, Chutney makes a scrumptious salsa or dip. With over 2000 varieties made, it will be easy to find your own personal favorite.
Chicken Salad with Chutney
Ingredients:
2 boneless chicken breasts
3 medium size apples
3 tbsp. mango-ginger chutney
1 1/2 cup grapes
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup toasted coconut
3 cups romaine lettuce
2 tablespoons vanilla flavoring
1 1/2 to 2 cups mayonnaise. You can substitute Low-fat mayonnaise for fewer calories.
In a large frying pan cook chicken breasts after spraying pan with non-stick oil. Let pan heat up. Add orange juice and vanilla flavoring to pan and cover. Cook on medium heat allowing juice and flavoring to seep into chicken until liquid is gone. Turn off heat and allow chicken to cool.
Peel and chop up apples to desired size, after rinsing them. For better taste, cut apples into small cubes.
Rinse and drain grapes and cut each grape in half. You can also cut in thirds if you prefer.
Cut up your chicken breasts. A good way to do this is too cut diagonally across each chicken breast and then horizontally.
In medium sized salad bowl, add chicken, lettuce, apples and grapes. You can toast the coconut easily by spreading it out thinly on a cookie sheet and putting in oven at 350 degrees for about one minute. Watch closely since every oven is different. You will be able to tell by looking at it, if that is sufficient time by how brown the coconut is. If not brown enough, stick in oven again, but watch it carefully so it doesn't burn. Once cooled, add coconut to your salad mixture.
Add 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise and mix well. If you like a more slippery salad add additional mayonnaise until satisfied with result. Now add your mango-ginger chutney on top.
Put covered salad into refrigerator and let cool completely. It will take approximately 3 hours for it to be completely chilled and ready to eat. This serves 2-3 people. Divide salad into 2 or 3 salad bowls when ready to serve.
Tomato Pepper Chutney
This is an easy recipe that is excellent served with tortilla chips, or as a zesty dressing on salads or poultry.
Ingredients:
4 large tomatoes, skinned and diced finely2 tablespoons finely chopped white onion1 1/2 tsp. green pepper, seeded and finely chopped 1 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice2 teaspoon sugar1/4 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 tsp. cilantro (optional more according to taste preference)
Mix all ingredients in medium sized bowl. Place in refrigerator. This is excellent with tortilla chips, or as a zesty dressing on salads or chicken.
Cranberry Pear Chutney
Ingredients:
3 Pears, peeled and diced
3 tbsp. fresh cranberries, rinsed
1 medium onion, rinsed, diced finely
1 tsp. grated fresh orange peel
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1/4 cup apple vinegar (red wine vinegar can be used as well)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. all spice
1/4 tsp. salt
Put all ingredients in medium sized pan. Cover and allow simmering for approximately one hour. Allow cooling in refrigerator. This Chutney would accompany English muffins or toast in the morning.
It is really just up to your imagination for recipes and uses for Chutney. Let your creativity roam and make up your own version.
If you like my work and would like to buy me a cup of tea
click here
Try Dove Body Wash revitalize your skin today!
Sources:
http://www.ask.com/reference/dictionary/ahdict/65531/chutney (definition)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/india/indiaback.html
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