Foodie Friday
Research all week, then put it into practice this weekend.
Ready, Set, Mmm...
Ready, Set, Mmm...
It's Pumpkin Season! We'll come close to ODing on pumpkin this month.
But for now, bring on the pumpkin!
Drinks...
In the vein of everything in moderation, we bring you a special treat for the weekend...
Pumpkin Cordial & Pumpkin Martini
My favorite way to drink it is just as you would drink a cordial.
A little poured into the bottom of a small glass, room temperature.
A little poured into the bottom of a small glass, room temperature.
It also makes an awesome martini served up.
Appetizers
Pumpkin Seeds
Protect your cells & keep cell membranes flexible.
Protect your heart. High in omega 3
High in antioxidants
Head over to She Wears Many Hats for the recipe
Roasted Garbanzo Beans
High in protein, fiber, folate, iron, zinc and B1.
Head over to When Pigs Fly for the recipe
Head over to When Pigs Fly for the recipe
The Meal
Roast Chicken
High in protein- duh- also Vitamin B3 and Selenium (helps your body detox and protects against oxidative stress.)
This is the ultimate fall meal. It is also a very good skill to master.
(just make sure it reads 165 degrees before you pull it from the oven. No food poisoning here please.)
If you mess it up then send your fiance over to the local grocer for a rotisserie chicken. Or if you're short on time or desire then just do that in the first place.
Head over to Number 2 Pencil for the recipe
Photo: ilovebutter
Roasted Vegetables
Vivid vegetables, like Red Peppers, Tomatoes & Carrots- rich in Carotenoids which reduce risk of heart disease. (Add a small amount of ‘good fats’ to increase absorption of Carotenoids- hey your olive oil!)
My favorite side- or sometimes as a meal itself.
Green & Red Vegetables...Protect blood vessels, Help your Vitamin C work better, Prevent inflammation in your body, Help prevent osteoporosis, diabetes and other diseases.
Cruciferous vegetables; broccoli, cauliflower, kale, watercress, cabbage and bok choy are the cancer warriors of the food world.
My favorite side- or sometimes as a meal itself.
Use any vegetables you want
Cut to approximately the same size
Drop them onto a jelly roll sheet and cover in olive oil & sprinkle with salt.
(and other spices if you like.)
(and other spices if you like.)
Roast at 450 degrees until they are brown and sweet and crispy
- or until your liking.
- or until your liking.
Photo: Alpha
Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Made all by yourself.
Can lower your bad cholesterol (or LDL).may help treat Type 2 Diabetes, has anti-fungal properties, can reduce the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells, has an anti-clotting effect on the blood, Honey and Cinnamon combined have been found to relieve arthritis pain, inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative, smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory, fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices, has been found to be an effective natural remedy for eliminating headaches and migraine relief, stabilizes blood sugar- which is great for weight loss. 1.
Beforehand...
Pumpkin Spice Syrup (oh the places you could use this.)
Simmer
-1C Sugar
-1C Water
when the sugar has dissolved add
-2T Pumpkin Puree
-1 T Pumpkin Pie Spice
Make you own by mixing ...
-3 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
-2 teaspoons ground ginger
-2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
-1½ teaspoons ground allspice
-1½ teaspoons ground cloves
-½ teaspoon ground cardamom
Simmer 10 minutes. Cool.
If you want to be really cool you could keep your pumpkin spice syrup
in a cleaned Roundhouse Pumpkin bottle (since they're only 375ml) Just don't confuse the two!
in a cleaned Roundhouse Pumpkin bottle (since they're only 375ml) Just don't confuse the two!
Draw your espresso as usual.
Add foamed organic whole milk to your liking.
Add 2 ounce syrup.
Mmm, now that's a good night.
Happy Cooking!