Tag Archive for: Recipe

What is all the talk about Farro

What is all the talk about Farro and why has it taken the US by storm?

Farro is a type of wheat often referred to as an “ancient grain,”.   I consider it one of the true healing foods.

Farro originated in the Fertile Crescent, (also known as the cradle of civilization) Western Asia, the Nile Valley and Nile Delta . Many cultures across the world have been eating Farro for centuries. According to Maria Speck, author of Ancient Grains for Modern Meals:  Mediterranean Whole Grain Recipes for to Barley, Farro, Kamut, Polenta, Wheat Berries & More , Americans’ mounting interest in farro got ignited by our passion for Italian food”

A Nutritional All Star

From a nutritional standpoint, farro is an all-star grain that outperforms brown rice and whole-grain pasta. Farro contains about 100 calories, packs a 3+ grams of protein and 3.5 grams of fiber into a single serving. One cannot help but be impressed by the incredible number of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, niacin, and zinc. Farro is delicious and quite filling. I l cook up a big batch all at once, and then add it to dishes throughout the week for a quick and easy protein rich go to.

Now that you’ve gotten the skinny, add this recipe to your arsenal of powerful healing foods courtesy of Jame Burnett, Rd and Delicious Living  Get the recipe right here http://bit.ly/2wag8b4 

Carol / My Sage Gourmet

 

The Bottom Line
Love and Respect for your body- it is the only one you have in this life. Support your body by putting into it fuel and medicine in the form of good clean food.

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Want to learn more? Drop me a line or give me a call. I am happy to meet with you to discuss your best solutions.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER–The views and opinions expressed here are based solely on personal experience, research and my interactions other professionals in the field of health and wellness. This article is not a diagnose, or medically based advise. Your experiences and sentiments may differ from my own. If you are suffering from any serious medical condition, you should consult your doctor or naturopath for a diagnosis.

Special thanks to our sources:

Recipe by Jane Burnett, RD | Photo by Jennifer Olson | Delicious Living  | http://bit.ly/2wag8b4 to

Laura B Weiss for NPR/http://n.pr/2wqcAwS

Fertile Crescent – Wikipedia http://bit.ly/2fjdW6L

 

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Italian Herbed Farro Bowls

Shows an image of a white bowl containing Italian Herbed Farro

Italian Herbed Farro Bowls

Yield: 6

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked farro
  • 6 cups water
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 large fennel bulb (cut into ⅛-inch slices)
  • 2 cups ¼-inch carrot slices (3 large carrots)
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • ½ teaspoon fennel seed (crushed)
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • Juice and peel of 1 lemon, divided
  • 1 tablespoon dried, mixed Italian herbs
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach
  • ¼–½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup snipped flat-leaf parsley
  • ½ cup coarsely chopped almonds (toasted)
  • ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Rinse farro. In a large saucepan, place farro and water. Water should cover farro. Bring to a boil; then reduce heat and simmer until tender, stirring once or twice, about 30 minutes. Drain excess water.
  2. Meanwhile, in a very large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add Garlic and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Add another 1 tablespoon oil, along with sliced fennel and carrots. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until vegetables are crisp-tender and browned, 10–12 minutes. Remove skillet from heat, and add wine and fennel seed.
  3. Return to heat, and cook until almost all the liquid has evaporated and tomatoes are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons lemon juice, lemon peel, Italian herbs, salt and pepper. Remove from heat, and add spinach leaves; toss until spinach is slightly wilted.
  4. To farro, add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, red pepper flakes and parsley; toss.
  5. To serve, divide farro mixture among bowls and top with vegetable mixture. Garnish each bowl with almonds and Parmesan.

Notes

This recipe is being shared courtesy of Delicious Living

Many thanks to the recipe author Jane Burnett,RD. 

Photo credit to Jennifer Olson/Delicious Living

Please visit the Delicious Living Blog today.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 498Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 372mgCarbohydrates: 74gFiber: 13gSugar: 15gProtein: 17g

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© Jane Burnett, RD
Cuisine: Italian / Category: Grains

 

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Chilled Soba Noodle Soup

Chilled Soba Noodle Soup

Chilled Soba Noodle Soup

Yield: 2
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes

CAUTION: The pure yummy-ness of this dish may cause you to dance happily and uncontrollably around the room.

Ingredients

  • 1 Package of Soba (or Somen) Noodles
  • 1 cup seedless cucumber, peeled, chopped-bite size
  • 2 green onions chopped finely
  • 1/4 teaspoon Asian tea Rub
  • Handful of freshly chopped spinach or baby bok choy
  • 2 tablespoons each serving Soba Noodle soup base
  • Sesame Seeds (as garnish)
  • Cilantro (as optional garnish)
  • Cooked shrimp or crab (protein add )
  • 2 finely chopped bite size roma or grape tomatoes (optional)
  • A dash of Ponzu sauce optional)
  • A Dash or two Sriracha hot sauce or Furikake Seasoning (optional)
  • 2 Nori Sea Weed wrappers ripped into bit size pieces (packaged type used for sushi rolls (as optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. This dish is meant to be served cold.
  2. Cook your Somen Noodles, (per package directions. Be careful, they quick fast).
  3. Rinse /soak for a few minutes in an ice bath, then drain noodles.
  4. Place a 1/2-3/4 cup drained Somen noodles in each serving bowl, top with cucumber, green onion, Asian Tea Rub, spinach or bok choy, and bit of seed weed and sesame seeds along with 1-2 Tbsp. Soba Noodle Base.
  5. Add on any of the other suggestions that you might like or add you own ideas

Notes

Soba is the Japanese name for buckwheat. It usually refers to thin noodles made from buckwheat flour, or a combination of buckwheat and wheat flours. They contrast to thick wheat noodles, called udon. In Japan, the word can refer to any thin noodle.

You can learn more about Buckwheat here.

Pre-packaged noodle soups are a kiddie favorite because they're quick and tasty. The downside is that the prepackaged versions aren't exactly healthy with all of that sodium loaded into their spice packets. Using this soba noodle base with the ponzu adds a rich tangy flavor. Using only a bit reduces much of the sodium. It only takes a few minutes to make your own, and it’s fun to serve them in a cup alongside kid friendly chopsticks. You can add different vegetables, shrimp or crab to make this heartier or get a protein bump. So good as an after school snack or a meal.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 213Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 1016mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 20g

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© Carol Takakura
Cuisine: Healthy / Category: Soup

 

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Pesto Zucchini Caprese Salad

Pesto Zucchini Caprese Salad

Pesto Zucchini Caprese Salad

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Easy and Delicious. The perfect garden fresh summer dish.

Ingredients

  • PESTO SAUCE:
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • 2 packed cup of organic basil
  • 3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 small garlic cloves minced
  • My Sage Gourmet Tuscan Herb Seasoning
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ZUCCHINI NOODLES:
  • 2 medium zucchini
  • CAPRESE:
  • 4 half-inch thick slices of tomato
  • 4 quarter-inch thick slice of mozzarella cheese (2oz each)
  • 1 Tablespoon Basil or Garlic infused olive oil, to drizzle overtop.
  • My Sage Gourmet Tuscan Herb Seasoning and freshly ground black pepper- to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 4 basil leaves, cut chiffonade style (in thin ribbons)

Instructions

PESTO

  1. Place all of the pesto ingredients into a food processor and pulse until creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

ZUCCHINI NOODLES (We use a spiral slicer for these. See NOTES below .)

  1. In a big bowl, combine zucchini noodles and pesto sauce. Using hands or rubber spatula, Gently combine until noodles are well coated.
  2. Strain off excess liquid then place zucchini noodles on four small plates, followed by one tomato slice, one slice of mozzarella and a light drizzle of olive oil/balsamic vinegar mixture
  3. Add a pinch My Sage Gourmet Tuscan Herb Seasoning and freshly ground black pepper. Top with basil, evenly distributed.

Notes

Zuke Tips to consider-
Don’t peel your zucchini before spiraling. When you peel the zucchini, moisture leaches out, causing it to become mushy. Keeping the skin also retains nutrients in the skin!
Don’t pre-salt or salt your zucchini once in the pan salting renders the zucchini lifeless and salty.
Don’t overcook. The longer zucchini cooks, the more moisture sneaks out and becomes mushy. A little crunch retains the fresh tasting flavor.

We recommend the VEGETTI SPIRAL SLICER

Recommended Products

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 314Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 131mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 6g

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© Carol Takakura
Cuisine: Healthy,American / Category: Vegetarian
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The Olivique Olive Oil-Love At First Bite

Eating good food is a joyful experience for me. It’s like basking in a symphony of flavors. So, I’m always thrilled when I encounter a new product that performs so well it makes my palette sing. Such is the case with The Olivique, a new brand of Spanish Mediterranean Extra Virgin Olive Oil. For me it was love at first bite. This flavorful oil is so delicious, I’ve been incorporating it into just about every dish I conjure up.

What makes it so special?

Flavor and simplicity. There are  four distinct varieties from which to choose: Arbequina, Picual, Koroneiki and Cornicabra.  All four are subtly textured and their unique flavors range from a woody herb blend to a peppery finish. (You can visit The Olivique web site for a full description of all four varieties.) Each one brings out the richness of a dish without overpowering it. That, my friends, is an impressive feat!

Currently, I’m smitten with the Arbequina, a delicate and fruity blend flavored with apples and almonds.  Try it with my simple recipe, Sautéed Scallops over Spaghetti Squash.  You can also drizzle it over freshly grilled fish: Amazing! Or be adventurous with any recipe of your choice.

Calling all foodies!

Anyone who is a lover of good food will love this product. These olive oils are delicious.

Health conscious? The oils are also beneficial for your health. High in oleic acid, they’ve been credited with improving heart and liver performance and overall health. So, tasty and healthy. Does it get any better than that?

Where does this delicious olive oil come from?

Just like its unique flavors, the location of its source is also unique. The Olivique is produced in the Old Monastery of El Bercial de San Rafael in Toledo, Spain. Local family farms provide the olives which are sourced  from trees up to one hundred years old or more. Some of the older orchards are still harvested by hand.

The Olivique prides itself on the purity of its product and their label says it all. “Truth, Simplicity & Olive Oil”

I couldn’t agree more.

The good news is, you don’t have to travel to Spain to find The Olivique.

WHERE TO BUY

Visit The Olivique web site for location info

DISCLAIMER–As a food and fitness blogger, I often receive free samples to review but I am never paid for my opinions. The views expressed here are based solely on personal experience with the products and my interactions with the company’s staff. Your experiences and sentiments may differ from my own.

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