Baked Ratatouille (Fırında Ratatouille)

2 yellow squashes, cut in thin rounds
3 zucchinis, cut in thin rounds
4-5 small tomatoes, cut in thin rounds
1 big or two medium tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp fresh basil
2 tbsp dill
3 tbsp parsley
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp red pepper flakes
salt

 -Put olive oil, vinegar, 2 medium tomatoes, tomato paste, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 tbsp fresh basil, dill, oregano, black pepper, pepper flakes, and salt in a food processor and blend. You'll have nice smelling tomato + herby sauce.
-Wet the bottom of an oven dish with this sauce.
-Place thin rounds of zucchini, yellow squash, and tomato one after the other in an order you like.
-Pour the rest of the tomato sauce on top. (Don't add extra water; the vegetables will release more than necessary) Scatter finely chopped parsley.
-Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375 for approximately an hour.
Serve as a side dish with meat or serve as a main dish with any kind of rice.




Zucchini not only offers delightful taste and texture to many dishes, but also carries with it many health benefits. Here are eight reasons why you and should include it in your diet:

Diet

One cup of zucchini has 36 calories and 10% of the RDA of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, prevents constipation, maintains low blood sugar and curbs overeating.

Lower Cholesterol

The dietary fiber in zucchini helps lower cholesterol by attaching itself to bile acids that the liver makes from cholesterol for digesting fat. Because fiber binds so well with bile acid, thus crowding its ability to immediately digest fat, the liver is charged with producing more bile acid.

The liver then draws upon even more cholesterol to produce bile acid, consequently lowering the overall cholesterol level in the body. Furthermore, the high levels of vitamin C and vitamin A prevent cholesterol from oxidizing in the body's blood vessels, thus hampering the onset of atherosclerosis.

Cancer Prevention
Because dietary fiber promotes healthy and regular bowel movements, the high amounts of fiber in zucchini also help prevent carcinogenic toxins from settling in the colon. Moreover, the vitamins C and A, as well as folate, found in zucchini act as powerful antioxidants that fight oxidative stress that can lead to many different types of cancer.

Prostate Health
Studies show that the phytonutrients in zucchini aid in reducing the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BOH), a condition in which the prostate gland enlarges and leads to complications with urination and sexual functions in men.

Anti-Inflammatory Vitamins C and A not only serve the body as powerful antioxidants, but also as effective anti-inflammatory agents. Along with the copper found in zucchini, these vitamins deter the development of many hyper-inflammatory disorders, including asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention

A one cup serving of zucchini contains over 10% of the RDA of magnesium, a mineral proven to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Zucchini also provides folate, a vitamin needed to break down the dangerous amino acid homocysteine, which - if levels in the body shoot up - can contribute to heart attack and stroke.

Lower Blood Pressure

Along with magnesium, the potassium found in zucchini helps lower blood pressure.If unchecked, hyper tension, or high blood pressure, can lead to arteriosclerosis (blood vessel damage), heart attack, stoke, and many other serious medical conditions. Both the potassium and magnesium in zucchini, however, can help alleviate the stress on the body's circulatory system.

High in Manganese

A trace mineral and essential nutrient, manganese provides many health benefits and contributes to a slew of normal physiological functions. One cup of zucchini contains 19% of the RDA of manganese, which helps the body metabolize protein and carbohydrates, participates in the production of sex hormones, and catalyzes the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol.

The manganese in zucchini also increases the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), the enzyme responsible for protecting mitochondria against oxidative stress. Finally, manganese is essential for the production of proline, and amino acid that allows collagen to form, thus allowing for healthy skin and proper wound-healing

Sarap Soslu Midye

Uzun zamandir denemek istedigim bir tarifi bugun pisirme sansi buldum.Lezzetli ve saglikli bir aksam yemegi olabilecek bu tarifi sizlerle paylasmak istedim.

MALZEMELER

• 500 gr. midye
• 1 kuru soğanın yarısı
• 5 diş sarmısak
• 4 tane domates
• 1 bardak beyaz şarap(ben sarap yerine sirke kullandim)
• tuz,karabiber,pul biber (Chilli flakes)
• kıyılmış fesleğen ( maydonozda olabilir)

1. Küçük doğranmış soğan ve sarmısakları zeytinyağında birkaç dakika şeffaflaşana kadar çevirin.
2. Küçük doğranmış domatesleri kıyılmış fesleğeni ve şarabı(sirkeyi) ekleyip 10 dk. kadar kaynatın. tuzunu biberini ekleyin.
3. Midyeleri tencereye koyup ağzını kapatın, arada sirada sallayarak midyelerin ağzı açilana kadar 2-3 dk. pişirin.
4. 
   Ekmekle yada önceden pişirdiğiniz spagetti ile servis edebilirsiniz.

Not: Midyeyi eklemeden önce domates sosunun kalınlaşması gerekir çünkü ne kadar iyi süzsenizde midyelerin suyu domatese geçip sosu zaten sulandıracaktır.

Farkli ama Guzel bir Tat

•   Baget ekmek ince dilimlenmis
• Brie peyniri(Target tan bulabilirsiniz)
• 8 adet hurma( kabularını soyup ezin)
• 1/4bardak ince dövülmüşceviz
• 1 kaşık balsamic sirkesi
• 1 kasik bal
   zeytinyağı

1. Bagetlere zeytinyağı sürüp fırında 500 derecede kızartın
2. Üstlerine birer dilim brie peyniri koyup tekrar fırına verin, peynirler fazla erimeden çikartın fırından.
3. Ezilmiş hurma ile cevizi ve balsamic sirkesini iyice karıştırıp peynirli ekmeklerin üstlerine paylaştırın.

Easy (and Quick) Macaroon Recipe

Macaroons

1 C Flaked Cocoanut
2 Egg Whites
1 C Powdered Sugar
2 Tsp. Vanilla Extract

Preheat oven to 350˚
Combine Egg Whites, Vanilla and Sugar in bowl, and mix.

 Add Cocoanut flakes.

  Make small cocoanut balls (if you want more precise 'balls', chop cocoanut flakes before adding to mixture) and set on cookie sheet.

    

Bake 20 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Dip in chocolate if you'd like and enjoy!

Firinda Buryan

Ingilizce yazmaya usendigim icin bu tarifimi Turkce vemek istedim sizlere. Bizim ailede cocukken pistigini hatirladigim bir tarifti suan sizlerle paylastigim yemek tarifi.

Büryan
 
6-7 adet çarliston biber
2 büyük soğan
2 büyük domates
1 su bardağı pirinç
1 çay bardağı sıvı yağ
8-10 parça tavuk but
1 tatlı kaşığı tuz
1 tatlı kaşığı pulbiber

Hazırlanışı:

Tepsi sıvıyağ ile yağlanır. Daha sonra tavuk butları haşlanır. Haşlanmış pirincin içine soğan, domates, çarliston biber, tuz ve pulbiber de ekleyip karıştırılır. Tepsinin içine tavuk butları yerleştirilir ve üzerine yapılmış olan karışım da ilave edilir ve fırına verilir. 120 derecede 20 dakika pişirilir.

Neden Tavuk Yemeliyiz?

• Bedensel ve zihinsel gelişim, sağlıklı ve dengeli beslenme için tüketilmesi gereken hayvansal protein kaynaklarının en önemlilerinden biri de tavuk eti...
• Tavuk eti proteinleri, insan beslenmesinde gerekli olan tüm amino asitleri yeteri miktarda içermektedir. 
• Kolesterol seviyesinin, tavuk etinden zengin beslenme düzeninde düşük olduğu ve buna bağlı olarak da “damar sertliği” riskinin azaldığı saptanmıştır. Çünkü, tavuk etindeki doymamış yağ asitleri oranı, kırmızı ete göre daha yüksektir. 
• Sodyum içeriğinin  çok düşük olması, tavuk etini düşük sodyumlu diyetlere son derece uygun bir besin kaynağı durumuna getiriyor. 
• B2, B6, B12 gibi  sinir sistemini besleyen ve destekleyen vitaminler yönünden de zengin bir besin kaynağı olarak biliniyor tavuk eti. 
• Sindirimi kolay: Liflerinin kısa olması nedeniyle tavuk eti, sindirim sorunu olan kişilere tavsiye edilen bir  protein kaynağı. 
• Yüksek düzeyde biyolojik değere sahip olan tavuk eti; bütün bu özellikleri nedeniyle; gastrit, ülser, spastik kolon, kalp ve damar hastalıkları gibi birçok sağlık sorununu aşmayı hedefleyen diyetlerde yer alıyor.
• Çocuk, yaşlı ve hasta tedavisinde, tavuk eti tüketilmesi, örneğin tavuk suyuna çorba verilmesi özellikle tavsiye ediliyor.

Mushroom Frittata

 

 

8-10 mushrooms, sliced

4-5 eggs, whisked

1/3 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

2-3 Tbsp parmesan cheese, shredded

¼ cup milk

1 Tbsp olive oil

½ tsp salt to taste

½ tsp thyme

Black pepper to taste

Saute mushrooms with olive oil over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Then, In a bowl, combine whisked egges, milk, salt, thyme and cheese. Mix well.

Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C) and grease a round pyrex. Transfer the mushrooms and then add the egg-milk mixture. Gently give a toss for an even frittata. Sprinkle some black pepper on top. Bake for about 5 minutes and then broil for 3-4 minutes or until the eggs settles.

Slice and serve hot.

 

Health Benefits of Mushroom

The health benefits of mushroom include relief from high cholesterol levels, breast cancer, prostrate cancer, and diabetes. It also helps in weight loss, increasing immunity. Almost all of us are familiar with mushrooms and their miraculous and magical powers. Particularly those who have read or heard a lot of fairy-tales such as Alice in Wonderland.

 You have seen mushrooms making somebody big or playing shields against the dreaded monsters. Actually, these are just symbolic representations of the actual health benefits of mushrooms. Believe me! They can really make you big and protect you against diseases and infections, as they are full of proteins, vitamins and minerals, amino acids, anti biotic and anti oxidants.


The health benefits of mushroom include the following:

Cholesterol Levels: Mushrooms themselvesprovide you with lean proteins as they have zero cholesterol, fats and very low carbohydrates. The fiber and certain enzymes in them also help lower cholesterol level. Moreover, the high lean protein content in mushrooms helps burn cholesterol when they are digested

Breast Cancer & Prostrate Cancer: Mushrooms are very effective in preventing cancer of breast and prostrate due to presence of Beta-Glucans and conjugated Linoleic Acid having anti carcinogenic effects. Out of these two, linoleic acid is particularly helpful in suppressing effects of estrogen. This estrogen is the prime reason for breast cancer in women after menopause. The Beta-Glucans, on the other hand, inhibit growth of cancerous cells in cases of prostrate cancer. Selenium in mushrooms is very effective in inhibiting cancerous cells. 

Diabetes: Mushrooms can be an ideal low energy diet for diabetics. They have no fats, no cholesterol, very low carbohydrates, high proteins, vitamins and minerals, a lot of water and fiber. Moreover, they contain natural insulin and enzymes which help breaking down of sugar or starch of the food. Again, they are known to contain certain compounds which help proper functioning of liver, pancreas and the other endocrinal glands, thereby promoting formation of insulin and its proper flow. Diabetics often suffer from infections, particularly in their limbs, which tend to continue for long. The natural antibiotics in mushrooms can help protect them from this dreaded situation too. 

Immunity: Ergothioneine, a powerful anti oxidant present in mushrooms is very effective in giving protection from free radicals as well as boosting up immunity. Mushrooms contain natural antibiotics (similar to penicillin, which itself is extracted from mushrooms) which inhibit microbial and other fungal infections. They also help heal ulcers and ulcerous wounds and protect them from infections. A good combination of vitamins A, B-Complex and C, found in mushrooms also strengthens immune system. 

Weight Loss: Would you believe me if I say that a totally lean protein diet is ideal for losing fat and building muscle mass? Perhaps no! But it is true. A lot of fats are burnt to digest (break-down) proteins in the food, more so when the protein is accompanied by a very low carbohydrate, zero fats and cholesterol and a good amount of fiber. This is exactly what mushrooms offer. 

Other Benefits: Mushrooms are the only vegetable and the second known source (after cod liver oil) to contain vitamin-D in edible form. They are rich in calcium (good for bones), iron (benefits in anemia), potassium (very good for lowering blood pressure), copper (anti bacterial) and selenium (very good for health of bones, teeth, nails, hair and as an anti oxidant). The best source of selenium is animal proteins. So, mushrooms can be the best choice for vegetarians to obtain selenium.

Lutenitsa-something from Bulgaria

Lutenitsa is a sauce-like “salad” and a special spread for bread and other food that is made from tomatoes and peppers, sometimes eggplant pureed together. It looks like a thick ketchup or a thick salsa, but it tastes a little more peppery.

It is very commonly used in Balkan countries especially in Bulgaria. My recipe is for Bulgarian Lutenitsa which I’ve grown up with and still loving it!

900-1000 gr(~2 lb) roasted red pepper /red pepper paste

6 lb tomato, crushed

1 ½ lb roasted eggplant

1 cup canola oil

1 ½ cup sugar

4 Tbsp salt to taste

4 Tbsp dried summer (balkan) savory

Take tomatoes in a big pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Then, turn the heat low and cook for about 15 minutes stirring occasionally.

If using roasted red peppers take the skins and seeds out. Puree them in a food processor. Stir in the pot. If using red pepper paste, just stir it in. Cook for 10 minutes stirring constantly. Take the skins of roasted eggplants out and puree them in the food processor as well. Stir them into the pot.

Once the mixture gets thicker and boils, add salt and sugar. Cook over low medium heat stirring constantly for about 10 minutes (or you can adjust the thickness as you like). Finally, add canola oil and summer (Balkan) savory. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Fill either glass jars or glass containers, close the lids and store in the refrigerator. This recipe makes for about 8-9 lb Lutenitsa.

ENJOY

Tiramisu

All the world knows tiramisu. It's luxurious cream and espresso soaked ladyfinger cookies melt in your mouth. I never could imagine that it could be made at home. It is rich and creamy and chocolaty. I was so intimidated to make this dessert. All the preparations and step not to mention the dirty dishes. In the end it was all worth it.

1 ½ package lady finger cookies
½ cup sugar
1 cup Nescafe, hot
2 eggs
200gr/ ½ lb cream cheese
300 gr whipped cream
1 tbsp cocoa for garnish

In a big bowl, whisk eggs and sugar with a mixer till it gets foamy. Add cream cheese, whipped cream and mix for additional 15 minutes. Cover and leave it in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. Meanwhile, make 1 cup of coffee, dissolving ½-1 tbsp of instant Nescafe in 1 cup of hot water. If desired add some sugar in.
Dip lady fingers into the coffee and arrange them side by side over a Pyrex dish. Take the cream mixture out of the fridge and spread half of it over the lady fingers. Then dip the rest of the lady fingers in the coffee and arrange them over. Spread the remaining cream mixture all over evenly. Cover and store the Tiramisu in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. Before serving, cover the surface with cocoa using a small strainer.