Zucchini nut muffins

1 medium zucchini
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp molasses
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp each of baking soda and powder
1 cup chopped walnuts


zucchini, shred and measure out 2 cups. Spread out on paper towel to drain

Beat together the eggs

Beat into the eggs, oil, vanilla, sugar and molasses until light. In separate bowl mix together the flour cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Blend the zucchini into the egg mix switching with the flour. Do not over mix it. Fold in the nuts, and then spoon into the muffin pans.


Bake them at 375f for 20 minutes {check them after 15}

Source: All Foods Natural
© Allabor 2006, reprinted by permission

Peach Sorbet

It is starting to get hot here, so I thought I would share one of my favorite summer afternoon treats.

• 4 cups sliced, peeled, ripe peaches
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 tbl lemon juice

1. Puree peaches in a blender. In a four quart saucepan, combine O.J., sugar and lemon juice. Stirring over a medium heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in pureed peaches. Pour into a 13x9 inch pan and freeze until firm.
2. In several batches, process the firm peach mix in blender until light and fluffy {1 minute} I then pour it into half pint jelly jars, leaving a ½ inch head space. Screw lids on tightly then freeze until firm.

Makes 7 half pints.

Source: Forum at All Foods Natural

All Foods Natural :: View topic - Recipe request

All Foods Natural :: View topic - Recipe request: "I'm looking for a new recipe for pasta salad. Any suggestions?"

3 cups cut-up fresh vegetables (tomato, shredded carrots, lettuce)
2 oz dry penne o rigatoni, cooked and drained
1/4 cup any light creamy dressing or mayonnaise
1/2 cup olives (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate salad until ready to serve.

Servings: 1

For a quick vinaigrette mix 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp water, 1/2 tsp sugar and 1/2 tsp salt.

CRAB MEAT CANAPES

¾ cup cream cheese
¼ cup sour cream
2 tbs capers
2 tbs chopped chives
½ tsp curry powder
1 cup finely shredder crab meat
salt and pepper to taste.
Serves: 4

1. Combine cream cheese and sour cream thoroughly in mixing bowl. Add curry powder, capers, and chives. Season.
2. Add the crab meat to the cheese mixture. Blend well. Spread on toasted bread or crackers.

More recipes in our cookbook and forum.

HEALTHIER SOUTHERN WHITE GRAVY

Southern white gravy is a basic white sauce using bacon lard, or sausage grease, instead of butter.

¼ cup shortening (lard or sausage grease)
¼ cup flour
1 pint milk
½ teaspoon salt

Using butter, as it is less “solid,” is a first step to health:

¼ cup butter
¼ cup flour
1 pint milk
½ teaspoon salt

Using olive oils is even healthier:

3 tbsp olive oil
¼ cup flour
1 pint milk
½ teaspoon salt

Serves: 4

1. Heat grease until fairly hot. Slowly add flour, stirring until smooth and well mixed. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
2. Gradually add milk, stirring fast each time until sauce thickens. Simmer for 2 minutes if using corn starch, 5 minutes if using wheat flour, stirring continuously.

Check for more recipes in All Foods Natural cookbook and forums.

GROUND MEAT PIE

1 lb. ground beef, veal, turkey, or chicken
1 small  onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (8 oz.) can organic tomato sauce
1 (8 oz) can organic green beans
2 cup mashed potatoes
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

Serves: 4

1. Preheat oven to 400˚ F
2. Heat up 1 tbsp olive oil in a fry-pan. Brown onions for 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until it starts turning gold.
3. Add beef and cook until brown.  Add tomato sauce, bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Place half of this mixture in 2 quart casserole dish. Layer green beans on top, then the rest of the meat and finish with a layer of potato mash. Sprinkle over grated cheese.
5. Bake in the middle of the oven for 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Tips – Use corn or your favorite vegetable instead of green beans. Substitute cheddar for your favorite cheese.

More recipes in our cookbook and forum.

COULD CHOCOLATE BE THE NEXT HEART MEDICINE?

A daily dose of chocolate could help prevent heart diseases, according to the latest research. It has to be dark, bitter chocolate, though. The anti-oxidants from chocolate might prevent the narrowing of blood veins.

A Swiss research team reached this conclusion after a test performed on a group of 20 volunteers, all of them smokers without health problems. The participants were asked not to eat any other kind of anti-oxidant rich aliments -such as apples, onions, broccoli or cabbage- and they were given afterwards 40 grams of different types nf chocolate.

Tests performed two hours after consuming the chocolate, confirmed that dark chocolate, with a cocoa mass of at least 74%, improved the blood flow. Following tests showed that the risk of blood clots had decreased by half. Unhappily, white chocolate –my favorite- did not achieve the same results. Apparently, dark chocolate has the largest amount of anti-oxidants per gram between the foods famous by their anti-oxidant power -red vine, green tea or forests fruits, to name a few.

I am sharing this with you as I have read it. Probably more research needs to be done to confirm the results. So don’t leap for the chocolate bar just yet.

Chocolate contains, it is true, many anti-oxidant compounds. Remember that is also carries large amounts of fats and sugars. This could lead to weight problems when consumed in excess. What is more, chocolate is tough on the liver. Consuming too much could create a problem as bad as the one being prevented.

Adjust the portion to your weight and level of physical activity. Very active people can have chocolate without any fear of excessive weight gain. People sitting all day on a chair and not doing any kind of sports cannot afford the luxury of eating too much chocolate. Sometimes we crave sweets, and when we are cold, tired, or worn out we can give in a little bit; otherwise the chocolate portion should be minimal.

And, remember, if you are seeking heart benefits, it has to be dark chocolate. Milk chocolate or white chocolate do not –sob- have the same effect.