.
Tzimmes is a traditional stew
for Passover, made from a combination of sweet potatoes and dried fruit. I’ve
added a few other roots and chicken for variation.
Per portion serving:
Prepare:
Peel and cut 1 carrot into 2”
pieces
Peel half a small sweet potato
and cut into 2” pieces
Peel half a white potato and
cut into 2” pieces
Peel 1 parsnip and cut into 2”
pieces
Skin 2 chicken thighs and
leave whole
Steam all of the above veg in
a 3 tiered steamer with the sweet potato, carrot and chicken in the top tier
for 15 minutes. Alternatively just cover the veg and chicken with water, bring
to the boil in a saucepan and simmer for 20 minutes.
Meantime prepare the sauce:
In a baking / serving dish mix
3 chopped pitted prunes, 1tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp blossom honey, 1tbsp rapeseed
oil, 1tsp orange zest, 3 chopped dried apricots, the juice from a squeezed
orange, 1 tsp cinnamon, quarter tsp each of black pepper, cumin, cayenne
pepper, salt.
Preheate the oven to 160fan /
180 C / 350F for 10 minutes.
At the end of the steaming
time:
Remove and discard the bone
from the chicken thighs and cut into bitesized pieces. Carefully cut the veg
into 1” pieces and add both chicken and veg to the sauce and stir in well to
coat. Cover the dish with a piece of tin foil and bake for 30 minutes, basting
with the sauce juices after 15 minutes.
Serve immediately.
.
What's awesome about apricots:
.
Fabulous Apricots
.
.
1. Good Source of Vitamin A:
Apricots are packed with Vitamin A, which is also known as retinol. It’s fat soluble, and helps in the enhancement of vision, among other things. And it keeps the immune system in check, protecting your skin in the process. Retinol and Beta Carotene (also present in apricots) also reduces the chances of you developing a serious eye-related disorder called Neovascular ARMD – an age-related macular degeneration that causes loss of vision over the years.
Apricots are packed with Vitamin A, which is also known as retinol. It’s fat soluble, and helps in the enhancement of vision, among other things. And it keeps the immune system in check, protecting your skin in the process. Retinol and Beta Carotene (also present in apricots) also reduces the chances of you developing a serious eye-related disorder called Neovascular ARMD – an age-related macular degeneration that causes loss of vision over the years.
2. Rich in Fibre:
Whether you eat it dried, or fresh, apricots are a good source of dietary fibre. Given that the retinol in apricot is fat soluble, the fruit dissolves in the body easily, and the important nutrients are easily absorbed by the system. And it breaks down fatty acids fast, which means your digestion is in order. And not only that, the fruit protects you from gastrointestinal concerns by cleaning out the intestines regularly.
3. Good for Your Heart
Given that the fruit is high in fibre content it helps to reduce the bad cholesterol content in the body, and that means your heart is protected. And at the same time, it increases the good cholesterol. Plus the potassium content in the fruit balances the electrolyte levels in our system, keeping our heart muscles in order. All you have to do is eat one or two fresh apricots every day, or a handful of dried ones.
4. Treasure Chest of Antioxidants:
Ripe apricots are natural sources of antioxidants. When consumed daily, it helps the body to get rid of toxins that we tend to collect over time. Antioxidants in turn also kill free radicals that damage our cells.
5. Good for Your Blood:
Any plant produce that contains iron has non-heme iron, and that includes apricot. This type of iron takes its time to be absorbed by the body, and the longer it stays in the system, the better your chances in preventing anaemia. It’s recommended that you take some vitamin C along with it to ensure better absorption of the non-heme iron.
6. Good for the Skin:
The combination of Vitamin C, A, and phytonutrients ensures good skin. And did you know that the antioxidants in the apricot also slow the ageing process? So apart from a good skin care regime, don’t forget to eat some apricots every day.
7. It’s Diet Friendly:
The dietary fibre in the fruit improves your digestive system, which helps to increase your metabolism. And it’s often recommended that you eat a few apricots as a snack when you’re feeling peckish, especially if you’re on a diet. It fills you up but doesn’t add unnecessary calories. However, remember to rinse your mouth after you eat the dried version. Dried fruits contain more sugar, and you don’t want that to affect your dental health.
8. It Strengthens Your Bones:
Calcium is much required in the formation and development of bones, and apricot has lots of it. What’s also interesting to note that without enough potassium in the body, the calcium is not absorbed and disposed of uniformly. And the good news is that the apricot has both of them!
How to Add Apricots to Your Diet
Like most tasty fruits, the apricot can be eaten in multiple ways. The dried and the fresh version are the easiest. But you could also chop apricots up and add them to your morning cereal. You can even make a blend of it with yoghurt and make a dip or a spread for bread (if you don’t mind a sweetish sandwich that is).
Whether you eat it dried, or fresh, apricots are a good source of dietary fibre. Given that the retinol in apricot is fat soluble, the fruit dissolves in the body easily, and the important nutrients are easily absorbed by the system. And it breaks down fatty acids fast, which means your digestion is in order. And not only that, the fruit protects you from gastrointestinal concerns by cleaning out the intestines regularly.
3. Good for Your Heart
Given that the fruit is high in fibre content it helps to reduce the bad cholesterol content in the body, and that means your heart is protected. And at the same time, it increases the good cholesterol. Plus the potassium content in the fruit balances the electrolyte levels in our system, keeping our heart muscles in order. All you have to do is eat one or two fresh apricots every day, or a handful of dried ones.
4. Treasure Chest of Antioxidants:
Ripe apricots are natural sources of antioxidants. When consumed daily, it helps the body to get rid of toxins that we tend to collect over time. Antioxidants in turn also kill free radicals that damage our cells.
5. Good for Your Blood:
Any plant produce that contains iron has non-heme iron, and that includes apricot. This type of iron takes its time to be absorbed by the body, and the longer it stays in the system, the better your chances in preventing anaemia. It’s recommended that you take some vitamin C along with it to ensure better absorption of the non-heme iron.
6. Good for the Skin:
The combination of Vitamin C, A, and phytonutrients ensures good skin. And did you know that the antioxidants in the apricot also slow the ageing process? So apart from a good skin care regime, don’t forget to eat some apricots every day.
7. It’s Diet Friendly:
The dietary fibre in the fruit improves your digestive system, which helps to increase your metabolism. And it’s often recommended that you eat a few apricots as a snack when you’re feeling peckish, especially if you’re on a diet. It fills you up but doesn’t add unnecessary calories. However, remember to rinse your mouth after you eat the dried version. Dried fruits contain more sugar, and you don’t want that to affect your dental health.
8. It Strengthens Your Bones:
Calcium is much required in the formation and development of bones, and apricot has lots of it. What’s also interesting to note that without enough potassium in the body, the calcium is not absorbed and disposed of uniformly. And the good news is that the apricot has both of them!
How to Add Apricots to Your Diet
Like most tasty fruits, the apricot can be eaten in multiple ways. The dried and the fresh version are the easiest. But you could also chop apricots up and add them to your morning cereal. You can even make a blend of it with yoghurt and make a dip or a spread for bread (if you don’t mind a sweetish sandwich that is).
Apricots are also used liberally in jams and preserves, and if you can figure out a recipe that uses little or no sugar, you can eat it without feeling too guilty.
Dried apricots are easier to store so long as you don’t keep them under in too much light.
Fresh apricots need to be eaten more quickly as the skin may wrinkle and lose its efficiency.
.
My April 2018 recipes:
Beefburger in the hole
My March 2018 recipes:
Classic Ratatouille
Pulled lamb pie with kalettes, carrot and mushroom
Greek style pulled lamb
Cheese soufflé using left over mash
Pork apple meatballs with quinoa crisped base and roasted bell peppers
Stuffed squash with homemade red pesto / Provolone Dolce topping
One pan Ostrich and mushroom orzo
Turkey Shepherd’s pie with a kick
Red Kidney bean and buckwheat curry
Beefburger in the hole
.
Squash tomato tagliatelle
My March 2018 recipes:
Spatchedcocked chicken with mustard and honey glaze
Rich aubergine sauce with wholemeal pastaClassic Ratatouille
Pulled lamb pie with kalettes, carrot and mushroom
Greek style pulled lamb
Cheese soufflé using left over mash
Pork apple meatballs with quinoa crisped base and roasted bell peppers
Chicken and mushroom puff pastry pie
Stuffed sweet long pointed
red peppers with herby
greensStuffed squash with homemade red pesto / Provolone Dolce topping
One pan Ostrich and mushroom orzo
My February 2018 recipes:
Teriyaki tofu bakeTurkey Shepherd’s pie with a kick
Red Kidney bean and buckwheat curry
Tandoori chicken with roast veg and chickpeas
Tomato and rosemary focaccia
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