When I am not busy taking care of my two energetic little boys, or working on an interior design project~ I play in the kitchen! For the last 15 years, I have been juxtaposing new flavors and ideas; it’s finally time to document my recipes...

I believe in fresh & affordable meals.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Simple GREEN salad


This salad tastes healthy~ cause it is! Buy FRESH greens and cheese for this recipe.

What you need... 
Asparagus
Fancy Mixed Greens
Balsamic Vinegar (or a lemon)
Olive Oil
Dijon Mustard
Parm Cheese (sometimes I use hard (shaved) goat cheese- OMG, FANTASTIC!! if you adore goat cheese like me, go that route. The Carlsbad Costo has a phenomenal hard goat cheese right now)
Salt/Pepper
Pine nuts

Make it...
Wash and trim asparagus. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Broil in the oven (500 deg.) on middle rack for 5 minutes. Take out & sprinkle with your cheese of choice. Put back under the broiler- top rack- for 2-4 minutes till cheese turns golden (the goat cheese does not really golden like parm, just melts). Set aside.

Toss your greens with 1/2 olive oil & 1/2 balsamic (or lemon juice). I LOVE lemons- but some people find them too tart. Use your good olive oil on this dish. Add nuts. Toss. Top with lots of pepper. Add salt to your liking. If you like garlic- add fresh crushed garlic to this salad. It would taste sooo good. Garlic and I don't get along these days. 

Put Asparagus on top of tossed salad. 

Drizzle asparagus with Dijon mustard. Dijon mustard has a very intense flavor. If you are unsure- leave it off!


The Reasons Asparagus Keeps Us Healthy:
1 - As a detox - asparagus has 288 milligrams of potassium per cup. Potassium is known for reducing belly fat (see belly fat link below). It also contains 3 grams of fiber which cleanses the digestive system. It has virtually no natural sodium so no bloating during PMS, has no fat or cholesterol, and one cup has only 40 calories. According to a clinical dietician at UCLA Medical Center, asparagus in the ultimate in detox vegetables.
2 - For anti-aging purposes - asparagus is rich in potassium, vitamin A, and folate. It is also very high in glutathione - an amino acid compound with protent antioxidant properties; a must as an anti-aging deterrent. Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant that protects cells from toxins such as free radicals.
3 - As an aphrodisiac - the asparagus is considered a psycho-physiological aphrodisiac because of its shape. It is said to trigger the mind to have a physiological response. The French word for asparagus is asperge; asperge is a slang word for penis.
4 - Against cancer - asparagus in high in folate which is now known to be an important protection against cancer. Note: Folate is found naturally in leafy green vegetables, and citrus fruits. While folic acid is said to be the same as folate, folic acid is the supplemental form. It is always recommeded that you get health benefits from eating healthy whole foods.
5 - Reducing pain and inflammation - it is the folate that helps reduce inflammation.
6 - Preventing osteoporosis and osteoarthritis - asparagus has vitamin K which studies have shown can help prevent osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Vitamin K aids in bone formation and repair. It is also necessary for the synthesis of osteocalcin. Osteocalcin is the protein in bone tissue on which calcium crystallizes. Asparagus has been listed as the number one source of vitamin K.
7 - Reducing the risk of heart disease - it is the folate that has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
8 - Preventing birth defects - getting enough folate (doctors often recommend the folic acid supplement) is especially important for women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Having a folate deficiency has been correlated with increased risk of Spina Bifida (a spinal cord birth defect) and also anencephaly (a neural tube defect). Folate helps to regulate embryonic and fetal nerve cell formation and may also help to prevent premature births.
Additionally, studies have shown that the nutritional benefits of asparagus can help prevent and treat urinary tract infections and kidney stones. Overall, asparagus is rich in potassium, vitamin A, folate, glutathione, and vitamin K. It is high in fiber, has no sodium, is low in calories and has no cholesterol or fat.
thank you for the information::: http://hubpages.com/hub/10-Super-Health-Benefits-of-Asparagus

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