Healthy Smoothies in Diet Recipes

Benefits of Smoothies are hot off the internet. Smoothie diet recipes are also on the market. A lot of people have come to enjoy smoothies and enjoy its benefits. To learn more about what a smoothie is and its benefits continue reading down below.

First of all, a smoothie is similar to a shake when it comes to it being pureed. It can contain simple or mixed ingredients such as fruits or vegetables. Liquid is needed too and it can be in the form of juice, fresh milk, and the option of yogurt.

Three things make up a smoothie. The most obvious one is the kind of fruit or vegetables that you use. The second part of a smoothie is the kind of liquid used. In smoothie recipes this liquid is commonly referred to as the base. The last component of a smoothie is the ice.

You can have a thick or thin smoothie. You can control this by the amount of liquid you put in or cutting back on the fruits or vegetables. For those who may be working out or following a diet, they may also add a certain powder which is a supplement to their meal. This powder can also increase the thickness of your drink.

Smoothies can definitely be appealing to the eye. You can have a lot of fun topping off your drink with garnishes such as part of a fruit or some leaves. When decorating a smoothie, you can be as creative as you like. Recipe apps are available for you to see what could be on your next smoothie creation list and for you to get fun ideas about how to make your smoothie eye catching.

So why is everyone getting so caught up with smoothies? Why is there an increase of available smoothies or menus and it also appearing in some coffee shops and drive-through? There are several benefits of smoothies listed below.

1. It is a simple way to make sure that you are getting nutrition. For example, you can create a smoothie which adults and children will love. Whether it is a vegetable or fruit smoothie, it will find its way into their tummies to give them additional nutrients.

2. Having a smoothie will make it easier to make sure that you are getting your daily dose of fruits. For example, mixing a banana with an apple will immediately give you your daily serving of fruit.

3. You can introduce other ingredients to your diet through smoothies. You can put in spinach, almonds, blueberries, cucumbers, and more. You will be able to find that you will be able to take in a bigger variety of healthy ingredients.

4. Not only do smoothies have to be about the greens and fruits. It is a way to help you get more protein into your body. You can make it with soy or rice powder. There are protein powders also. This is a good way for vegetarians to find a way to take in protein during the day.

Smoothies can be bought or made at home with the use of recipe apps. For a healthier choice, is better to choose your ingredients and make it at home. You can substitute table sugar for honey and choose skim milk over whole if you prefer. Making one at home also ensures that you can be sure that you're taking in real fruits as opposed to fruit syrups.

Making Dirty Eggs

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! The first thing you need to do is get yourself some egg whites, bacon, sea salt, black pepper, a spatula and cheese (optional), a frying pan, and a measuring cup. I prefer white American cheese. I don't like the texture of the yellow American cheese. Get your frying pan and turn the stove on high to heat it up before you add the bacon. When the pan is hot, add four slices of bacon and reduce the heat so the bacon doesn't cook too fast. I usually flip the bacon every few seconds after it begins to cook so neither side has the chance to burn one of these awesome breakfast recipes.

When you have cooked the bacon, lay it aside and pour 3/4 of the bacon grease into a measuring cup. The remainder of the grease stays in the pan. Now add your egg whites. I usually pour about 1/4 of a carton into the pan. You can use your judgement about how much you want to add, but my suggestion is to add enough to make the eggs the star, so to speak.

Sprinkle some sea salt and black pepper over the egg whites. I actually think the sea salt slows the whites from cooking so fast. The egg whites will begin to cook quickly so you want to stir them until they turn to a solid, remove the frying pan from the stove top and continue to stir them. They will still cook even if they are not on the stove top. Stir until the whites are cooked to your satisfaction. Now you are ready to enjoy your bacon and egg whites, or as I call them, "dirty eggs." The bacon grease mixed with the egg whites makes them look dirty, so that's where I got the nickname.

Now you're wondering, "What about the cheese?" No worries! If you are adding cheese, place it in the center of the egg whites as they begin to cook and stir them into the whites. Continue to stir so the cheese is mixed in well with the egg whites. Remember to remove the egg whites from the stove top when they become solid and continue to stir until the whites are scrambled.

Healthy Food: Coconut Rice

For a flavorful and magical dish cook rice in coconut milk instead of water. Jasmine rice is cooked in cream of coconut and coconut milk and seasoned with sugar and salt in this recipe. The result is a sumptuous rice dish. It is perfect with curry dishes as well as fried fish or spicy seafood and meats. This makes a dinner or lunch extra special.

Jasmine rice is one of the most aromatic and flavorful rice available in the market. It is also known as Thai fragrant rice. It is a long-grain rice variety with a nutty aroma and a subtle flavor like pandan. Originally from Thailand, Jasmine rice is also known as Than Hom Mali and is available in both brown and white variety. For this healthy food recipe, it is best to use the white variety of Jasmine rice although for a healthier version you can still make this recipe with the brown rice.

Popular in Asian cooking, Jasmine rice and coconut milk is a very Oriental dish. It is best enjoyed with Asian fares, particularly Southeast Asian and Indian cuisine. This is also very delicious with spicy food since it is a bit sweet and can counter the hotness or spiciness of a dish. With steamed or sautéed vegetables for a light and healthy snack top a bowl of coconut milk flavored rice. Also making a delicious topping for this rice are stir-fried mushrooms and tofu. A simple stir-fry of ground meat, wither beef or chicken or a combination of both, in onions and garlic and seasoned with salt and pepper (or some cumin for and chili powder for spice) already makes an unforgettable meal topped over this rice recipe.

Find a good brand of Jasmine rice, preferably one that is from Thailand, when making this recipe. Before using, rinse the rice once until the water runs clear without milkiness. Before adding in with the other ingredients drain the rice well.

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups jasmine rice

2/5 cup cream of coconut

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup coconut milk

1. Wash the rice by changing water several times in a large bowl. Set aside.

2. Boil the coconut cream in a saucepan. Once it boils add rice, sugar, salt, and coconut milk and allow it to boil again. Cover the pan and allow to simmer about 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked. Stir often.

3. Remove from heat. Serve warm or hot with any curry.

Veggies and Rabitis

The mild and mostly white meat of rabbit is simply seasoned with salt and pepper and browned in butter in this gourmet recipe. The sautéed rabbits are covered in sumptuous gravy make with vegetables, rabbit meat, tomato concentrate, white wine, herbs, thick cream, and butter giving flavor to the dish and creating an extraordinarily unforgettable meal. The rabbit in a gravy sauce is served on a bed of lentils for a complete and satisfying healthy dinner ideas or lunch. Pair this with a good bottle of red wine such as Merlot, Pinot Noir or Shiraz. Bordeaux and Burgundy wines also go perfectly well with rabbit dishes.

Rabbit has very little fat and can quickly dry out and become tough. To avoid this, the rabbit meat should be cooked quickly on high heat sealing its juices and keeping it moist and tender. The creamy gravy used in this recipe also helps flavor the meat and give it additional moisture. For safety, cook the rabbit meat until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Do not poke or pierce the rabbit meat unnecessarily, however, since the little juices that it has will leak out and you end up with tough and dry meat.

When choosing rabbit for sautéing, choose a young rabbit, also known as a fryer, as opposed to a mature rabbit or a roaster. Young rabbit is more tender and moist than the older varieties, which are more appropriate for stewing or braising. Fryers have a fine grain and a bright pink flavor and can be cooked similarly to chicken. They are usually between 1 and 3 pounds in weight and are less than 12 weeks old. Roasters are generally over 8 months old and a little darker in color.

Don’t forget to soak the lentils overnight before cooking. The lentils will absorb the flavors from the gravy, vegetables and spices and make a perfect contrast and complement to the sautéed rabbit.

Ingredients

2/3 lb. green lentils

mixed greens (thyme, parsley, laurel)

3 rabbit fillets (about 2 2/3 lbs.)

5 large carrots

1 leek

1 tip of baking soda

2 shallots, butter

2 tablespoons cream

½ cup rabbit gravy

For the Rabbit gravy:

oil

1 lb. rabbit carcass - rabbit pieces (front, head) cut into small pieces

1 diced onion

sliced carrot

1 crushed garlic clove

1 tablespoon tomato concentrate

1 1/4 cups white wine

1 1/4 cups water

salt, pepper

1. Start preparing the rabbit gravy by heating oil in a large Dutch oven or similar an. Brown the rabbit pieces. Add the vegetables, allowing them to brown, stirring constantly. Add water, tomato concentrate, and white wine. Simer for 30 minutes. Allow to cool. Strain in a fine sieve. You should obtain about 1 1/4 cups gravy, which you can refrigerate for about 1 week or place in the freezer.

2. The night before preparing the meal, soak the lentils in lukewarm water. Cook the lentils in salted water with the mixed greens for about 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. Prepare the rabbit fillets and cut each into 5 or 6 large cubes. Wrap in foil and refrigerate. Peel the carrots and dice one of them. Cut the other carrots into small balls, using a special knife. Cook in boiling, salted water. Keep only the white part from the leek. Cut it a la julienne (into long, thin strips) and cook in boiling, salted water with a pinch of baking soda. Refresh in ice cold water and drain. Mince the shallots and place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

4. Heat a small amount of butter and the minced shallots in a saucepan. Allow shallots sweat for a moment. Add the diced carrot, lentils, 2 spoons cream, 2 spoons rabbit gravy, and 1 oz. butter. Allow to gently simmer until the whole is smoothly bound. Season.

5. Season the rabbit pieces with salt and pepper. Place them in a pan with 1 ½ tablespoons butter. Sautee on low heat for 6 to 8 minutes (without browning), stirring regularly. Simultaneously, sauté the carrot balls in butter. Season. Sauté the leek a la julienne in some butter. Season. Boil the rabbit gravy for 1 minute. Bind on high heat by incorporating 3 tablespoons butter. Season.

6. Place the lentils in the middle of preheated serving dishes. Lay the rabbit pieces on top of them and sprinkle with the leek and carrot balls. Pour a spoon of gravy over each side.

Healthy Meal Recipes: Strawberry Salads

Strawberries are among the tastiest of fruits. They're sweet and make for an excellent treat on their own. But within this small berry, there lie many benefits and a versatility that makes it a great addition to just about any healthy meal recipes that you can serve. A single cup of strawberries result in astounding health benefits. Within this small berry, there are large quantities of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that are needed to ensure quality health and ongoing wellness. One benefit is that it helps ensure good healthy digestion with valuable dietary fiber. In addition to vitamin C, antioxidants known as phenols help to remove toxins from the body. They also contain the mineral, manganese, which is used to not only detoxify the body, but decrease cellular inflammation and oxidation, which are often causes of heart disease. Manganese, vitamin K, and the potassium found in strawberries also help ensure proper bone growth and continuing health throughout life. Strawberries are renowned for their ability to inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) which affects those suffering from arthritis, asthma, and other inflammatory issues in the body. While small in size, these tiny fruits can make a huge difference in our daily lives.

But, the benefits aren't just in health, they're tasty as well. Strawberries are famous for their incorporation into pies and desserts like Strawberry shortcake and Strawberry lemon pie. Even cold desserts, like strawberry and yogurt, and other parfait desserts that don't require any baking or cooking, make for an increasingly tasty dessert table. But, did you know that chicken and strawberry salads are another way to enjoy a main course? That makes for a healthy treat for your mouth and body. There's even the tasty strawberry and avocado salsa that can make for an excellent dip at your next party or event.

Famous classics would have to incorporate the favorite strawberry daiquiri, whether or not alcohol is involved. Strawberry ice cream is a familiar treat to many children, as well as the strawberry jam which makes for a great addition to sandwiches and salads or just about anything you want to sweeten up.

Preparing an assortment of the many sides of strawberries can take some time, and not everybody preparing for their next event will be able to focus on preparing and taking advantage of the many recipes that a strawberry can offer. Consider catering to your fellow west Texans by involving a Midland caterer to help you create a fantastic meal arrangement for your next event. Not only can you enjoy the tasty strawberry desserts, but you can incorporate a variety of main courses that put strawberries at the front of your mealtime special.

Strawberries aren't just good for you, they're possibly one of the most flavorful, and yet such healthy treats that you can add them to any meal. Whether you want a sweet dessert or have the desire for a healthy main course and appetizer, strawberries can find their way onto just about any part of your table.

A Healthy Recipe with Peas and Endives

In this healthy recipe the sharp and bitter taste of endives is mellowed with the combination of delicately sweet green peas. Serve this as a side dish to meats and fish. Or serve this as a very light and nutritious meal topped over rice. For a healthy lunch or dinner this also makes an excellent appetizer. Only basic ingredients are used in this recipe including green peas, endives, onions, water, butter, and salt and pepper to taste.

The green peas need to be shelled or removed from the pod and washed well before making this recipe. The endives need to be also washed and shredded. Slice the onions into thin strips. Both endives and peas are low in calories and make a highly nutritious dish that can be made part of a healthy diet. Often added to salads endives are eaten raw. It is cooked in butter until tender in this recipe together with the peas. Use fresh peas instead of frozen, canned or dried peas for superior flavor.

Endive is a good source of minerals and vitamins, particularly vitamins A and K and folate. It helps maintain a healthy digestive system and is also high in fiber. There are different varieties of endives. Sometimes chicory and endive are used interchangeably. Curly endive or frisée and escarole or broad-leaved endive are the two main varieties of cultivated endive. The curly endive has narrow leaves that is bright green in color and is curly on the edges. Curly endive is also known as chicory in the United States. It is called chicorée frisée in French. Escarole, on the other hand, has broad leaves that are pale green in color and are less bitter than the curly endive. It also include many varieties known by different names like Bavarian endive, Belgian endive, Batavian endive, scarola, grumolo, and scarole.

 

Ingredients

14 oz. green peas, shelled

2 endives, washed, shredded

1 medium onion, sliced

4 cups water

1 tablespoon butter

Seasonings to taste

1. To a pan add all ingredients and cook for 20-25 minutes. Stir often. Cook covered over medium heat.

2. Add the seasonings near the end of the cooking. Stir well. Serve hot in a soup bowl.

Time for Some Charcoal Grilling

I am old enough to remember the days of yore when propane grills hadn't even hit the market yet and charcoal was the only way to go when grilling cooking recipes outside. I loved those days and that is why I have reverted to using charcoal instead of propane. Believe me, I certainly understand the benefits of using a propane tank. The most attractive feature is the speed in which you can get grilling. Yeah, I certainly understand that benefit but I love the process of building a charcoal fire and waiting for it to get ready for the grill.

OK, maybe I am strange but I think there are a lot of folks out there who would prefer charcoal grilling to propane grilling. If time is the issue, propane is your best option. If you can wait 20 minutes or so, you can use charcoal without having to use lighter fluid. What is kind of strange to me is that they still sell today charcoal with lighter fluid already added. The main drawback of lighter fluid is that it can affect the taste of the food that you are grilling or barbecuing your favorite meat. A chimney starter is a cylindrical unit that will allow you to add either lump charcoal or charcoal briquettes along with either paper or wax cubes underneath the charcoal. Simply light the wax cubes or the crumpled newspaper and open yourself up a beer and sit next to the fire while it makes its way up the metal unit.

Once you have noticed that the fire starts shooting out the top of the cylinder and that the top charcoal briquettes have a whitish hue to them, you are ready to pour them into your barbecue grill. I own two Weber grills and I love them. I also own a Brinkmann water smoker which allows me to cook a chicken or roast low and slow over many hours until it is a barbecue feast. I use the chimney starter whenever I cook with charcoal and it always works perfectly.