Ingredients for fish: 4-6 oz. tilapia filets, red snapper or seabass Cooking spray 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice ½ teaspoon ground cumin ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon salt, optional
*Ingredients for salsa:
1 cup tomatoes, seeded and diced
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
¼ cup pitted green olives, sliced thin
¼ cup green onions, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
Few dashes of Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce
Directions:
1 Preheat broiler. Rinse fish well and pat dry. Spray both sides of fish lightly with cooking spray then sprinkle with lime juice, cumin, pepper and salt. Place fish on pre-sprayed broiler pan then broil 4-5 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
(Time will vary according to thickness. Most tilapia is quite thin and may need less time and often does not need to be turned over or it will fall apart. Use a slotted spatula when carefully turning if needed. Be careful not to overcook this delicate fish or it will become dry.)
2 In a medium bowl mix together all ingredients for salsa, toss gently and chill. Serve fish over Spanish rice and black beans topped with salsa and fresh limes.
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Summertime Greens and Fresh Fruit Salad
tossed w/ Honey- Dijon Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
Ingredients for salad
blend:4 cups mixed greens*
2 tablespoons fresh dill weed, snipped
½ cup strawberries, cut into slices
½ cup cantaloupe, cut into small bite-size pieces
½ cup seedless red grapes, cut in half
2 kiwis, peeled and cut in half slices
2 tablespoons low-fat feta cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds, unsalted
Fresh ground pepper to taste
Ingredients for Dressing
½ cup fresh orange juice
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 teaspoon liquid lecithin*, optional
¼ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepperDirections:
1 In a small bowl whisk together orange juice, vinegar, mustard, olive oil, honey, poppy seeds, lecithin and salt & pepper. Chill well. (If pressed for time throw a couple ice cubes in the dressing and shake well for a couple minutes.)2 Next, in a large bowl toss gently together lettuce mix, dill weed and fresh fruit with ¼ cup salad dressing until coated well. Divide salad among chilled plates and sprinkle each with feta cheese and sunflower seeds. Enjoy!
*Liquid lecithin is a pure vegetable product in its natural liquid state that is a healthy vegetable substitute for oils in certain recipes and is also used as an a thickener (emulsifier of fats) for sauces, gravies and dressings. It's also commonly used as a non-stick coating on pots and pans.
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Did you know???
...that coriander is also mentioned as an aphrodisiac in "The Tales of the Arabian Nights"?
Yes, that's true! The book of The Arabian nights tells a tale of a merchant who had been childless for 40 years and was cured by a concoction that included coriander. That book is over 1000 years old so the history of coriander as an aphrodisiac dates back far into history. Cilantro was also known to be used as an "appetite" stimulant.
Aphrodisiacs were first sought out as a remedy for various sexual anxieties including fears of inadequate performance as well as a need to increase fertility. Procreation was an important moral and religious issue and back then aphrodisiacs were sought to insure both male and female potency.
Why Certain Foods?
In ancient times a distinction was made between a substance that increased fertility versus one that simply increased sex drive. One of the key issues in early times was nutrition. Food was not so readily available as it is today. Undernourishment creates a loss of libido as well as reduces fertility rates. Substances that "by nature" represent "seed or semen" such as bulbs, eggs, snails" were considered inherently to have sexual powers. For more interesting food facts check out www.hungrymonster.com.
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Preparation Tips:
·Always wash your greens thoroughly whether they come wrapped or not. It is best to be sure those pesticides are not lingering on the leaves as well as to remove any sand or grit. Try using a veggie wash-they work great on all veggies.
·It is best to tear the leaves apart and into bit size pieces. Using a knife could cause blackening around the edges and it may also alter the flavor.
·A salad spinner can be a great investment to dry the leaves and makes the chore of preparing healthy salads much more enjoyable.
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