Marjoram - Don't Overlook This Sweet Herb

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Sweet marjoram is a must in your herb cupboard. It has a sweeter and milder flavor than oregano, with a slightly balsamic flavor. It is one of the essential herbs in Italian cooking, and a main ingredient in herbes de provence along with basil, tarragon, thyme, lavender and fennel. If you haven't tried this particular herb mix, it is absolutely wonderful. Marjoram also pairs well with parsley and dill.

Crush in your hand or with a mortar and pestle before using. It won't overpower most foods, but start with 1/2 teaspoon per 4 servings. To my taste, 2 teaspoons fresh marjoram leaves are about equal to 1 teaspoon dried, but use your own judgement. Fresh or dried, marjoram is excellent. Take care to not overcook; add near the end of cooking so it doesn't lose its flavor.

Marjoram's mellow taste and enticing fragrance make it compatible with a wide variety of foods. Here are some ways to easily incorporate marjoram into your everyday cooking.

Sprinkle one or two teaspoons marjoram leaves over a green salad.
Add liberally to your next omelette, scrambled eggs, or even shake on fried or boiled eggs.
Having macaroni and cheese? Add some marjoram when you mix the cheese powder, milk and butter together.
Chicken, lamb and pork especially like this mild-mannered herb. If you eat a lot of those low-cal chicken dishes, leave the basil out and add marjoram instead.
Almost any kind of sauce, gravy or milk gravy is brightened by marjoram.
For a lightning-fast side dish on a weeknight, heat up the right number of servings of frozen corn in the microwave and sprinkle on some marjoram on the way to the table.
Bean soup, lentil soup, and most any kind of bean dish is improved by a little touch of this sweet herb. Do you find that canned beans and soups lack almost every flavor but salt? Take out your herb shakers and dress them up.
Excellent with cooked apples. Sprinkle a little marjoram on your next apple pie (1/2 teaspoon dried per 9 inch pie).
Enlivens plain buttered toast.
Put a sprig in your next micro-brew or homebrewed beer for a snappy twist.

It's interesting to note that Oil of Sweet Marjoram has been used as furniture polish, and that marjoram and mint tea is a good combination.

Here's a quick and easy recipe that will have you using marjoram in no time:

Herb Marinade for Veggies

Makes 1 cup

Ingredients

3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white vinegar or lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients and whisk well. Marinate chunks of sweet pepper, zucchini or summer squash, onion, eggplant, whole mushrooms, etc. for about 1 hour. Skewer veggies and grill like kabobs.

Would you like to find a great source for herbes de provence herb mix? Try out the Herb and Spice Adventures Clubs available at the website below. Herbes de Provence is available in the Five Star Food Adventure. Stop in for a look today, and see where your kitchen adventures lead you.

Breast cancer and turmeric

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I received a call from the other day, a good friend of thirty years, has suffered with the devastating effects of a virulent form of breast cancer. She wanted to ask me what they are reviewed breast cancer, which is read. Among the exhibitions and informative articles on the treatment of breast cancer, is a recommendation that is also something of turmeric in their diet, and wanted to know what it is and how to incorporate it in the simplestto plan their meals. I was so happy to oblige them with information, because I think that can really help!

Turmeric is the yellow spice that gives mustard its characteristic yellow color and is used in Indian curry. It comes from the root of the plant Curcuma Longa, and is sometimes referred to as "Indian saffron". It originated in India and Southeast Asia, although its hot, spicy flavor from around the world. Although turmeric is used by thousands of years, was recently addedthe list of "super" foods for a number of reasons:

Anti-inflammatory

Inflammation is your body's response to cellular injury that, if prolonged, may cause the disease. The pigment in turmeric, called "curcumin," has been shown that effective anti-inflammatory without the side effects of many drugs that are sold for this purpose. According to a study conducted at the University of Michigan, curcumin in cells and makes them well so that the cellMembranes have a better control of substances flowing into and out of the cell, and thus have a protective effect against cancer and infections. This has implications in the prevention of cancer, arthritis and other diseases.

Antioxidant

The curcumin in turmeric has anti-oxidant capacity that protects the body against cell damage caused by free radicals. The bright yellow color of turmeric is an indication of its antioxidant properties, as the bright pigmentsfood seem to have this protective effect.

Aids in liver detoxification

The liver works hard 24 / 7 to keep your body from all toxic substances that you inhale, absorb and showing off your body. There are strong indications that curcumin in turmeric may help the liver to detoxify certain toxic chemicals present. This is important, since our air, water and food, more and more toxic.

Cancer Prevention

Because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and detoxifyingProperties can help, curcumin found in turmeric, protects against cancer. There is also evidence that curcumin helps the body to destroy cancer cells and therefore growth of tumors can be verified. There have been studies that show that people who consume turmeric regularly in a lower incidence of breast, prostate, colon and lung.

Help in the prevention of Alzheimer's

As the aging population, increases the concern about the incidence of mental disorders such asAlzheimer's disease. A series of studies that show that some compounds in turmeric may affect the ability of your body to ward off Alzheimer's, including the promotion affect your immune system gene, the brain and the improvement of chemistry. Interestingly, the incidence of this devastating condition is very low among the elderly in India, and this may be, at least in part, for the daily intake of turmeric curry foods that are very popular in IndiaKitchen.

Helps the heart

Curcumin found in turmeric has proven to eliminate your body to the "bad" cholesterol (LDL), as well as help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. This protects the blood vessels from damage and helps prevent the accumulation of plaques in arteries. This is to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other cardiovascular disease significantly.

To control weight, too!

A recent study showed that curcumin could also play a rolein weight control! Apparently, curcumin found in turmeric may help the formation of body fat slowly, although a significant portion is absorbed into fat in the diet. Although I am not recommending a new "turmeric Weight Loss Plan", including turmeric in your diet can only help, especially when considering all its other advantages.

What about vitamins and minerals?

Like many other herbs and spices, turmeric is a good source of minerals, manganese. It also has significant amounts ofIron, potassium and vitamin B6.

How do I get turmeric in my diet?

Although some fine Indian curry to enjoy a road that can be achieved with a little 'of turmeric in your diet, is not the only way. In fact, the curry powder, turmeric, often have less in them than you might think.

Here are some ideas for the integration of turmeric in your diet:

You can make tea with a teaspoon of powdered turmeric Simmering about four cups of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Strainsweeten the tea and, if desired. (There are also commercial turmeric tea available if you prefer.) A few packets of ginger or ginger tea can be added for additional performance and taste.

Add turmeric to egg salad, deviled eggs and pasta salads. Add turmeric to soups, chili, meatloaf or sloppy Joes. Turmeric is a good seasoning for steamed cauliflower with a little oil and salt. Found to contain the Indian and Indonesian dishes, brown rice, turmeric or curryPowder. (If you want curry powder, turmeric, you can add some extra.)

My friend with breast cancer, she wondered if he could take, turmeric as a supplement. This is of course a possibility, but with all the pills, is already, why add more when it integrates so many ways, turmeric in their diet? I also want to integrate within a curcumin ", as the whole food chain may be necessary to have suspected all the benefits that wonderful.

Although I am glad that my friendTurmeric is added, have their own system, I can not say that turmeric is a cure for breast cancer. But every little thing we can do to our bodies in the fight against this disease is wild, a step on the road towards them. In the case of turmeric, is obtained for the hot taste along with many advantages.

Old Fashion Chicken Recipes - chicken breast roast chicken and macaroni pie and Miz Rowena

Chicken has a family and a favorite chef waiting since our early days. It is sometimes very difficult to improve with the old way of my grandmother's recipes. Here are two chicken recipes from my vintage recipe collection. Roasted chicken breast is a plate of chicken rice. Add a salad or a side dish of vegetables and have a meal. This dish goes together quickly and bake for 2 hours. Put in oven and forget about dinner until just a few minutes before it happens. Casserole Miz Rowena'sis an ideal way for diabetics to enjoy macaroni and cheese.

OVEN chicken breasts

8 chicken breasts
Salt
Pepper
1 can of cream of celery
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 1 / 4 cups milk
2 cups instant rice
1 / 2 envelope dry onion soup mix

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Place chicken, skin-side in a greased oblong baking dish. Season with salt and pepper. In a medium bowl, whisk together both soups, milkand rice. The mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle dry soup mix over the top. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake at 325 degrees for 2 hours.

MIZ Rowena's MACARONI CHICKEN & Casserole
This recipe is an old newspaper clipping Southern Indiana.

2 to 3 cups diced chicken (or turkey), which has been boiled
2 cups, including elbow macaroni
1 can chicken broth, undiluted
1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
2 cups milk
1 / 2 poundVelveeta cheese, cubed
1st / 2 cup diced onion
4 boiled eggs, optional

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl with a lid. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least a half day. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before the cooking time. A little 'grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan or dish. Spoon mixture into the pan and bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Note: modern day advantage: You can melt the cheese in milk in the microwave before mixing theIngredients.

Enjoy!