.
Why go to the trouble of cutting chillies and risk getting some in your eye when manufacturers produce a perfectly usable product of diced mixed chillies.
A teaspoonful of this product is equivalent to one medium diced chilli.
.
Another quick to cook
with preparation taking more time.
Prepare:
Rinse 6 snap peas and 6
fresh green beans. Top and tail them and dice small
Rinse and dice one
quarter leek
Rinse and dice quarter of
each red, yellow and orange bell peppers
Slice half inch round
of turnip and sweet potatoes, peel and use the peeler to make ribbons by
continuing to peel in rounds. Dice the very last chunky pieces
Soak 2 tbsp dried egg
noodles just covered in boiling water for at least 5 minutes
Rinsed handful leaves
mix of spinach and rocket.
Half a chunky piece of
loin pork centrally on the side, cut both into 2 equal pieces and use scissors
to make strips. Sprinkle 3 drops of tabasco sauce over the pork.
2 dried apricots diced
2 whole apricots diced
Put a deep pan onto
highest hob heat and brush pan with oil on the bottom and sides of the pan. Add
the pork and move in the pan to brown all sides for 3 minutes. Add the leek and
bell peppers and1tsp light soy sauce and stir around for 1 minute.
Add snap peas, green
beans and ribbons along with 1 tsp easy mixed chillies and stir for 3 minutes.
Add 1 tbsp good apricot conserve. Splash
1tbsp water around the sides of the pan, add the lid to steam the food for 1
minute.
Stir in the apricots, 1
tsp dark soy sauce and the leaves mix. Put a lid on top, turn off the heat and
leave for 5 minutes before serving with a handful of toasted squash seeds on
the side (continuous stirring in dry in a pan over hot heat for 2 minutes).
.
.
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//
My fruit of the month:
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 January 2018 recipes:
Asian spiced squid n roasted peppers
Sweet and sour blacktiger king prawns
Bacon chop with leek / pear topping
Baked stuffed squash
Chicken andsausage bites with home made chutney
Baked tamarind ginger king prawns
