Summer Smoothies

Greek yogurt, strawberries, mango and banana are especially blended together to come up with an ultra refreshing and super Pink Sunrise Summer Smoothie healthy recipe. This smoothie is naturally sweet in the sense that there is no sugar added in the preparation rather it is sweetened with the use of agave honey unless the fruits are already sweet enough then the agave honey is not needed at all. Vanilla extract may be used to flavor the smoothie, and with flax oil, this recipe is even made healthier and smoother. The blender and crushed ice are primarily needed in this preparation for the consistent smoothness and thickness up to the last drop of the luscious smoothie. Although the crushed ice is necessary in the preparation, it is not needed when the fruits are frozen before the preparation of this healthy recipe. This is done by washing the fruits thoroughly starting off with the bananas that should be peeled, sliced into pieces and kept in an airtight container before freezing to harden. The strawberries with each green stem removed should also be washed in like manner as the bananas and cut in halves before placing them in a freezer. The mangoes are peeled, seeded and sliced into several chunks then kept in an airtight container before finally placing the container in the freezer. All these fruits in this healthy recipe make for a very refreshing and delicious smoothie after they are frozen and put into the blender for processing. When put in the freezer, the fruits however are to be separated from fish, meat, any product or food to avoid any alteration in their fragrance and taste. When they turn into big lumps when frozen, the fruits cannot fit into the blender. To avoid this, spread out each chunk or slice of every fruit while freezing. When the pieces are already frozen, you can store them in Ziploc bags since they will remain separated already. Nothing beats having a refreshing, cool smoothie at breakfast on a scorching day in the summer! Begin with strawberries, a banana, Greek yogurt, mango and so on. Recipe prepared by: Reinhold, Dorothy.

Ingredients

1 ripe banana (if it is huge, you can use one-half a banana)

1 ripe large mango

seeded and peeled

15 or so strawberries, stemmed

½ cup or so Greek yogurt (prefer Oikos Organic Greek Non-fat Yogurt, Vanilla Flavored, but use whatever you like)

1-2 tablespoons agave (optional 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon flax oil (or 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds)

1 cup (or more) crushed ice

1.Put all ingredients in a blender. Then whirl for 30 to 60 seconds until frosty and thick. Note:You may not use the crushed ice if the sliced banana is frozen.

The Scorpion Pepper

Ever wonder what the hottest pepper in the world is? It has changed a few times over the years, most recently from the Naga Bhut Jolokia, commonly known as the Ghost Pepper, to the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, also known by its shorter name, the Scorpion Pepper, as reported by Susan Bryan of the Associated Press. Anyone that has ever investigated peppers, whether they are hot, medium or mild, will be familiar with the Scoville Unit Scale. This scale is a charted system that documents the average heat levels of peppers, so pepper fans can get an idea of what they will be enjoying (or not enjoying) before taking that first bite.

The average size of your typical scorpion is the size of a golf ball and it is bright red in color. Scoville units of this pepper clock in at a little over 2,000,000 according to ThePepperSeed.com Ironically, even though this is the hottest pepper on record, it has a very sweet and tasty flavor to it once the seeds and intensity components are removed. Keep this in mind when cooking. If you are trying to find a unique spin for your cooking recipes, the exterior of the scorpion may be for you if your a creative and sharp chef.

Remember two things when preparing your Scorpion pepper for a dish:

1. These peppers are no joke, and should be handled with gloves.

2. The only time you should eat these (if you are not a hot food lover) is if they are de-seeded and properly inspected so there are no remnants of the inner core remaining.

Now that you know a bit about the scorpion pepper, let's talk about a few cooking recipes use for it. A favorite dish in Mexican culture is stuffed peppers. Typically these will be filled with a variety of cheeses and seasonings teamed with the most common stuffed pepper dish, the Poblano. You can actually use any pepper you like when stuffing, the scorpion pepper is a unique choice but can offer a smooth and sweet flavor after the core is removed. If you decide to use the scorpion for a stuffed pepper, we recommend adding a few seasonings to the cheese that you stuff inside, sweet ingredients will often subside heat. A dash of lime powder or sprinkle of sugar can help prepare the palette for any rouge heat it may encounter from the exterior of the Scorpion.

A common use with peppers is obviously in cooking recipes for salsa. It is very universal for salsa manufacturers to dabble in the likes of ghost and scorpion peppers to get that outlandish level of heat for their salsa fans. If you have the patience and knowledge of this famed pepper it can really make for a one-of-a-kind salsa.

The heat intensity of each pepper is different, and can have a variety of reactions to one's palette based on its placement within the Scoville Scale. When using dry heat ingredients like crushed red pepper seeds or chipotle powder, expect to have a minor delayed reaction to the heat when mixed with other ingredients for a recipe for salsa, guacamole, tacos or chicken tortilla soup. Depending on the ingredients that you use, you will actually receive a steady build-up until the intensity reaches its climax; the more you eat, the hotter it gets.

Gluten Free Soups

Honey, I'm home! rang the familiar phrase as the man entered the home after a hard day at work. The father and husband would be greeted by a loving wife who had slaved over a hot stove to make a pleasant meal after his exhausting day. He would sit down at the table and indulge in the home cooked feast. Does this really have to be a fantasy or an image of the past? Or, can there still be a permeating smell that envelops the house and excites all who enter in the present? Yes this can be a reality. After the savory scent is detected, the mouth waters as the salivary glands are activated. Then, the stomach grumbles in anticipation of the upcoming dinner. No matter what gluten-free soup recipes are on the menu; whether it is Chicken Noodle, Hamburger, or Potato, it is sure to please the palate.

The best way to make a fabulous gluten-free Chicken Noodle Soup is to add homemade broth. Homemade chicken broth has a soft enticing taste that is free of added flavor enhancers. It is so pleasant that it brings on nostalgia from the days when grandma always slaved away at the stove for hours making her own broth. All that is needed is two cups of broth, along with one cup of water. Just dice one long carrot and one celery rib and add it to the mixed liquids. Next, add 1 cup of shredded chicken, 3/4 teaspoon of thyme, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt, and some gluten-free noodles. It is as simple as it sounds and those who consume this savory meal will suppose that it took hours to create. Let them assume that, and in the meantime enjoy this delightful recipe.

For a more labor intensive (yet worth all of the effort) recipe, attempt the gluten-free Hamburger Soup. While chopping all of the luscious vegetables that grace this filling meal, turn on some music to take pleasure in during this process. Chop one cup of carrots, celery, green cabbage, and potatoes. Add these vegetables to one pound of cooked ground beef and 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice. In order to obtain liquid, use one quart of home canned tomatoes and water. Then to enhance the flavor, add thyme, basil, sea salt and black pepper. After listening and dancing away to music during the preparation of this soup, take a hot bath while it simmers. After an hour of relaxation, dinner will be ready and the fragrance of the ground beef, vegetables, and spices will entice everyone to the table to begin the feast.

Another great tasting recipe is gluten-free Potato Soup. The wonderful feature of this recipe is that it can be made dairy-free and vegan as well. I make it gluten-free and dairy-free to meet the special needs of my family, but regular milk can easily be substituted. Simply pour four cups of coconut milk into a large pan. Then, chop three red potatoes, two long carrots, and two celery ribs. Combine these vegetables with the milk and add paprika, sea salt, and pepper. Once the vegetables have simmered for 45 minutes, add four tablespoons cornstarch to a half cup of water and mix well. Add the mixture to the completed meal and thicken. The blend of spices combined with the coconut milk gives this soup a unique taste that will lure those present back for seconds.

With the choice of these three gluten-free soups, dinner will be a smashing hit for those who indulge in it. The permeating smells that induce the salivary glands to be excited and the stomach to beg for food will leave everyone ecstatic for dinner. "Honey, I'm home," will now be a phrase that everyone excitedly recites as they enter the walls of their home knowing that a luscious meal waits.

Barbecue Day Out

Now, not every barbecue enthusiast is going to have the luxury that I do of being able to set the grill up in a natural setting like in the woods or by a lake for healthy lunch ideas. Of course, people that live in cities like Chicago or New York are going to be the ones that most likely are not going to have access to some of these more beautiful environmental settings, which means that the most passionate urban grillers will simply have to make do with the barbecue spaces that they do have available to them. It is not unusual for individuals or couples living in the apartments to have a grill setup on the small porch of their living space. Some city folk that are really fortunate are able to use the roof of their building to cook up some delicious meat that is covered in some form of a bbq sauce. Even with if these possibilities are not doable, every big metropolitan area will have small parks located around the city, some of which may allow groups to bring a bag of charcoal and enjoy a barbecue. Worst case scenario? Hit up the local restaurant that offers some of your favorite barbecue items on the menu to get your fix.

As any barbecue veteran will tell you, having all the appropriate barbecue essentials beforehand will allow the group to focus on the more appealing elements of the grill-out like the company or the scenery. However, in order to recreate this enjoyable setting, outdoor chefs need to actually go through the process of finding the right barbecue tools and accessories in order to perfect the art of grilling and impress their comrades as the opportunity presents itself. The necessary grilling tools depends on the setting for which the barbecue is taking place and the cuisine that they are interested in roasting up. For example, if friends and family is barbecuing poolside in their back yard, they are going to have access to certain necessities that a group who has lit up the grill in a state park may have. 

One of the best things about a good old fashion barbecue is that all you really need is a hot flame, something to cook and some sort of tool to make sure the food item is cooking thoroughly. For example, this could consist of a small flame, a stick and a hot dog and just like that, you have a barbecue. Now, in today's barbecue world, outdoor folk would much rather have fancy grills, with stainless steel prongs and spatulas and a large amount of

steaks or burgers. Similar to barbecue tool sets, there are so many different grills available to the consumer, it just depends on what the chef is willing to spend, what qualities they want in the grill and what they plan on doing with it. In regards to the actual BBQ tool set, one could survive with a spatula, a fork and some tongs.

However, the more advanced grill master will want to have included in this set a basting brush, a chef's knife, a grill brush and a handful of skewers. No matter what the items that come in the set, products made of high-quality material like stainless steel will usually last for an extended period of time and will be a much better investment for grill operators of all skill levels.

One of the biggest assumptions that people often make regarding a barbecue is that there will be cold beverages involved, more specifically ice cold beers and more often than not, those assumptions are actually factual. From my grilling experiences, beer drinking has actually been a very common reasoning to have a barbecue. However, one could argue that it works both ways in that not only can a barbecue lead into beer drinking but also, consuming alcohol may progress into a grill session. The popularity of this common practice may have been the result of the numerous beer commercials on television for name brand brews where the entire advertisement is taking place in a barbecue-like setting. Even if a barbecue were to not incorporate non-alcoholic drinks, having a cooler next to the grill is only going to better the barbecue experience.

Similar to most any cooking experience, a barbecue can be a very enjoyable event for an individual, a family or just a big group of friends, especially if the host has the right tools for the occasion. Today, a barbecue has become a lot more than just the meat being served, but rather a showcase of the outdoor grill setup to where the meal is prepared. With just a simple internet search on Google or Yahoo, one can find pictures of very unique and stylish backyard barbecue setups. To the average consumer, these types of outdoor arrangements may seem too expensive and unobtainable, but with the right knowledge, a sufficient amount of research and patience, any grill master can create his ideal barbecue setting.

Lamb Chops and Deep Fried

Deep friend lamb chops are a yummy, fun way to add crunch to your family recipes or snack. And, needless to say, they are best when they are properly seasoned. Seasoning is one of the most basic steps of cooking any kind of dish. Although most other dishes incorporate seasoning as a part of the cooking process, in the case of lamb chops, it makes sense to pay a little attention to the best ways to season them for a deep fry.

Step one - choose your flavours. The crispness of your deep fried lamb chops and their outer coating, are qualities you can make use of when choosing a seasoning. Choose a strong, rich, or savory flavor to go with the crispness of the coating, and the essential sweetness of the lamb.

Step two - Begin seasoning with a light sprinkle of basic salt and pepper on both sides of the chops and let them rest for a while so that they absorb the flavors. Sea salt, or pink salt, combined with yellow pepper or a pepper blend can be interesting. Dust with some herbs at this stage to make the chops more savory.

Step three - Mix eggs and milk in a dish, and beat them together. You can add in some spices at this stage to add to the overall richness. Choices can range from rosemary, fennel, and thyme to garlic, or mint. Adding them to the egg mix will infuse the flavors into the lamb chop as it fries.

Step four - Take some bread crumbs, or flour in another dish. Consider enriching the flour with spices like curry powder, coriander, paprika, or tarragon. This is especially useful if you are not adding spices to the egg mix, or coating your chops with flour.

Step five - Dip the chops in the milk and egg mixture then coat them in the flour or the bread crumbs. Drop them in hot oil, and fry them until golden brown. Fry only about 4 at a time so that you ca prevent them from burning, and it is easy to turn them as needed.

Step six - Season the deep fried lamb chops, again, immediately after you take them out of the fryer to add a second layer of seasoning to your chops. The herbs or spices will not stick to the chops well if they cool. Sprinkle on your chosen herbs and spices, and pat them gently into the outer crust.

Tips for Re-heating

Brush some oil flavored with garlic or rosemary onto the lamb chops while re-heating. Once they have cooled after frying, they will lose some of their flavor, and it helps to enhance them at this stage.

Italian Potato Gnocchi

A classic Italian dish, potato gnocchi is one the best easy recipes that requires only a few ingredients including potatoes, egg yolk, flour, and Parmesan cheese. The gnocchi is dressed with pesto sauce made with fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil. His potato dumpling makes a fun snack, appetizer or side dish to Italian meals. This also makes a delicious substitute to the regular mashed potatoes and a healthier alternative to French fries.

You can make the pesto sauce ahead of time so that it develops in flavor as the ingredients meld together. To make the gnocchi, the potatoes are boiled, peeled, and then mashed and combined with whole eggs, flour, salt, and Parmesan. You can also flavor the gnocchi with nutmeg for a bit of spice. The ingredients should be well combined until you get a smooth and even consistency. Use a potato masher or a fork to get the desired consistency. You can also pass the boiled and peeled potatoes through a sieve to get any lumps out. Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to press out the mashed potatoes.

The potato mixture is rolled out and sliced into balls, dusted with a bit of flour and cooked in boiled salted water. While it sounds simple enough, making gnocchi requires technique so as not to ruin it. Done wrong, it might turn out soggy or rubbery. The timing is crucial when cooking the potatoes or they may end up crumbly. The potato dumpling should be delicately handled and shaped. Use a sharp knife to cut the rolls into soft pillows. Press the lines of the fork on the surface pillows with a light yet confident touch. Press down on the fork against the pillow with your thumb. The dumpling should form into a semi-C shape with ridges on the surface where the pesto sauce will stick.

Ingredients

1 1/3 lbs. potatoes (with skins intact)

1 egg yolk

2/3 cup flour

1.8 oz. Parmesan cheese

nutmeg

pistou (fresh basil, garlic, olive oil)

1. Pour olive oil in the blender and add the garlic first and then the pine nuts. Blend. Add the basil and then the Parmesan cheese. Pulse very quickly and place in a bowl then set aside.

2. Boil the potatoes in water with the skin still on until tender. Peel them after cooked and mash them with a fork in a large bowl. Add flour, whole eggs, some salt and Parmesan. Blend all the ingredients well until you get a smooth and even consistency.

3. With some flour, roll the dough in the shape of bread sticks. Using a fork, press the surface lightly to make ridges on the surface. Cook the dumplings in boiling water with nothing but salted water. Cook for just one minute. When the gnocchi floats to the surface this means they are done.

4. Drain gnocchi, arrange them on a plate and dress them with some pesto sauce.

Healthy Mangosteen

As we people are getting too much dependent upon technology with every passing day, our life is growing longer. But the quality of life is not improving, in fact, it is getting worse. Stress, depression, mental or physical exertion and various other health problems have become a part of our daily life. Even the people who work out on daily basis are not able to attain complete fitness. It is mainly because of unhealthy eating practices like eating in bulk, eating at wrong time, following a random diet plan etc. So, if you really want to become fit then, you need to stop all these practices and add healthy foods to your diet recipes.

By healthy foods, we do not mean protein shakes and chocolate bars. Rather, we mean adding multi-beneficial fruits and vegetables to your diet recipes. One such fruit is mangosteen which is super beneficial for human health. This fibrous fruit has a sweet and tangy taste. This super fruit is founded in tropical areas of South East Asia. Consuming mangosteen fruit juice on a daily basis can do wonders for your fitness regime. But since it is an Asian fruit, therefore it can be rarely seen at grocery stores of North America.

Though, there are some fruit supplement manufacturer companies who manufactures fruit juice from the exotic super fruit mangosteen. But, the quantity of mangosteen juice varies from brand to brand. And thus, it is imperative to compare all the fruit juices and select one that can provide you with maximum nutritional benefits.

Mangoxan fruit juice is much more beneficial than the pure juice of mangosteen as it fulfills the shortcomings of our daily diet. It is especially beneficial for the people who have a sweet tooth as sugary taste sensation with none of the drawbacks of candy, chocolate, cookies or cake. Hence, you will remain satisfied without snacking on sweet foods. The health benefits of this fruit juice are immense because it contains some highly vitamin and nutrients like Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate and Vitamin C.

Mangoxan is the best tasting mangosteen beverage available in the market. This fruit juice contains many types of antioxidants. The best among all of them is xanthones, a super beneficial antioxidant which is rarely found in other fruits. In fact, this is an antioxidant which is not found in human body also. This antioxidant can cure various kind of human illness; it is effective on the major ones like cancer. By consuming such rich mixture of fruit juices on a regular basis will help you to achieve that level of fitness that you have always dreamt about.