Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Aphrodisiac

 

When life gets busy, sometimes it’s hard to get inspired. Our days can be so repetitious and we all need a way to clear our heads every once in a while. I am always trying to think of fun and delicious recipes; sometimes I forget this is what I like doing the most! Food can be so complex, with each ingredient originating from a different life, they’re taste and benefits to your body can come together in amazing ways. I mean, think about it! Different foods can change your mood, energy, alertness, and even sexuality! There are so many ways to use food to your own advantage.

 

Today food aphrodisiacs inspired me and there are many of them. But the region that came to mind was Italy; the Italians are very sexual people! And what is there food like? What makes an Italian meal so romantic? The main key in Italian cooking is simple ingredients and keeping it fresh. Using the right, fresh ingredients=more nutrients=better meal!

Even the most basic of Italian sauce recipes is very benefifial to the libido, like fresh basil pesto, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, basil, all work in libido boosting harmony.

 

For example, pine nuts are rich in zinc and have been used to boost the libido as far back as medieval times. Garlic has many essencial oils and cell-activating effects, and has been used for this purpose as far back as the Egyptians! Combining this recipe with simple pasta, such as linguine, and mixing in sun-dried tomatoes to serve creates a visually appealing, colorful dish. But don’t forget that the act of eating the meal is very important as an aphrodisiac. The long noodles twirl around your fork ending up in your mouth. Totally sexy!

So if you want to avoid restaurants for a date and want to make something easy yet impressive and sexy, try this recipe! Oh yea! And definitely pair this with some wine, I prefer a dry white wine, but its up to you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh Basil Pesto with Pasta

 

INGREDIENTS

2 cups fresh basil leaves

½-cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese

½-cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3-cup pine nuts or walnuts

3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

 

Directions

 Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a food processor. Add the garlic, pulse a few times more. Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

 

Serve with pasta, or over baked potatoes, or spread over toasted baguette slices.

Monday, January 10, 2011

New Year Solutions!

Well it’s the New Year and that means a new fresh start! For most people a new years resolution is to eat healthier or loose weight and for many that means cutting out the foods they love. You could do that and stick with boring salads or diet fad shakes, OR you can think of your favorite foods you order out, look up ingredients and recipes on them and just simply replace high caloric/sugar ingredients with less fatting ingredients. I love to take recipes that seem difficult and fattening and make them easy to cook and healthy.

Now, Indian food is not my forte, but that doesn’t stop me from trying out recipes and experimenting with the flavors. On special occasions I LOVE to sit down at an Indian restaurant and order a big bowl of curry and white rice! And you may think that it isn’t that bad for you and its not. But with curries having large amounts of sugar and calories from the coconut milk and meats usually consisting of dark, bone in meat, a dish can range from several hundred calories to a thousand! With my recipe I have used lite coconut milk witch is less than half the calories and sugar per serving than the regular coconut milk, also using white chicken meat cuts fat significantly.  Naturally, the spices used in Indian cuisine remain beneficial, for example,

Coriander treats high cholesterol levels, anemia, digestion, menstrual pain, skin disorders etc. Curry powder serves to purify the blood, also stimulating new blood tissue. Cumin is extremely good for the digestive system and related problems, and all 3 of these spices aid in metabolism. Coconut milk contains many vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, which give you energy through out the day.  Plus, with a recipe like this you can pretty much add any veggie you like, and it will be fresher and better than ordering out.

 

Chicken Masala Curry

Ingredients:

2 tbsp vegetable oil

2 large onions, chopped

4 garlic cloves, smashed and chopped

1 piece fresh gingerroot, about 2 inches long, peeled and chopped

3 tbsp curry powder 

1 tbsp fresh cumin

1tbsp fresh coriander 

1-cup water

4 tbsp tomato paste, about one whole small can

1 can lite coconut milk 

1 zucchini, sliced

2 large carrots, peeled and sliced

2 chicken breasts cooked and cubed.

 

Directions:

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot.

Cook the onions over medium heat until softened.

Add garlic and ginger; continue to cook until fragrant and softened.

Remove from heat; add Curry powder, cumin, and coriander. Stir until mixed, and then add tomato paste.

Add 1-cup water into the pot. Blend with an emersion blender (or regular blender) until smooth.

Add vegetables, cover, but allowing a little steam to release, and cook for at least 30 minutes on low, but no more than an hour. Stir in coconut milk. Add chicken pieces, stir and serve with healthy brown rice.