January 26, 2021

Asian Fusion Shrimp and Quinoa

Asian fusion cooking is about using Mediterranean or American ingredients and, possibly, French techniques in classical Chinese, Thai, or Filipino recipes. I’m not intimidated by exotic ingredients, but I know that many of my American friends can be. For them, I try to use more familiar spices to simplify the cooking process. I also look at trends in the healthy cooking sector and add my own delicious Southeast Asian spin to the recipes that are sometimes bland. Quinoa has become a popular ingredient because of its detoxifying, gut healthy fiber, but it has almost no flavor. I’ve created a way […]
April 26, 2020

Fresh Turmeric Juice

Fresh turmeric root fights inflammation and contains antioxidants. The best way to enjoy fresh turmeric is to juice it. Once juiced and strained, it can be stored in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Once juiced and strained, it can be used in Grace’s Turmeric Rice, Turkey in Turmeric Sauce and Turmeric Orange Juice. YIELD ½ cup (4 oz.) Ingredients ¼ lb. turmeric root, peeled ½ cup water Procedure 1.Slice the turmeric root until it measures about 1 cup. 2. Place the turmeric slices in a food processor or blender. Add a bit of the water […]
April 7, 2020

Try Some Natural Swaps for These Medications

While you may think of prescription medications as being created by scientists in a lab, the truth is that many drugs started as natural products. These plant-derived compounds are refined, isolated, and replicated in a lab where they become the common medications you’re familiar with. Many natural products can still offer health-promoting support and have powerful effects, just like medications. Keep in mind that you’ll need to work with your doctor on this for safety but here are some examples of natural counterparts to pharmaceutical drugs you may already be using. 1. PHARMACEUTICAL DRUG: IBUPROFEN Ibuprofen is one type of […]
March 24, 2020

Turmeric Is a Top Anti-Inflammatory

Turmeric is a root, like ginger, that has anti-inflammatory properties. Growing up in southeast Asia, I became very familiar with turmeric root. I love its bright yellow-orange color and its zingy flavor. In India, turmeric is used to give curry its yellow color. In America, it’s mostly seen as a dried powder and added to chicken-flavored soups or sauces. Turmeric is so good for us, I think it’s time we expanded our diets to include spicing fish and other foods with it. Anti-inflammatories help keep our arteries young and less likely to clog, our skin from turning red or scaly, […]
December 17, 2019

Turmeric Boosts Brain Power

Want to start your day right? Add turmeric to your breakfast. Turmeric is a spice that’s commonly used in Indian dishes. Not only can it perk up your meal, but it may also stimulate your brain due to an antioxidant it contains called curcumin. A recent study found that turmeric enhanced memory in adults. The results were published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Turmeric Boosts Memory for Six Hours People aged 60 and older were recruited for the study. They were given a bland breakfast consisting of white bread along with a placebo, 2 grams of cinnamon, 1 gram […]
December 10, 2019

Add Life To the Menu With Spice Mixes

As you probably know from history, North America was discovered by Columbus’ expedition in the 15th century because Europe wanted to find a shortcut to India, with whom they had been trading in valuable spices. Back then, spices were mostly used to help preserve food in the days before refrigeration and to mask the off flavor of food starting to spoil. In general, herbs are the fresh leaves of a plant, such as sage, oregano and basil. Spices are usually considered the seed, berry, bark, root or rhizome (creeping root) of a plant. In common practice, once fresh herbs are […]
May 28, 2019

Turmeric-Garlic Potato Salad

Potatoes are versatile and packed full of nutrients: a perfect side dish. Think outside the typical, rich potato salad to create this lightened up, non-traditional version. Unexpected flavors including turmeric and tahini blend together in a fresh sauce that complements the roasted flavor of the potatoes. By adding cabbage, this potato salad gets crunchy. Roast these small potatoes with the skin on then serve with a light, tangy, antioxidant-packed sauce for an irresistible side-dish sure to please. The fiber from the veggies and the yogurt’s probiotics lead to good gut health. Serves 6 Ingredients 1 lb. fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise […]
April 2, 2019

Whitefish with Turmeric

This is another of my cross-cultural wonders. It’s like a veal scaloppini, but substituting fish for meat and marinating it in turmeric juice makes this dish much more healthful. The Omega-3s in the fish are great for skin hydration and elasticity, and turmeric is known the world over for its amazing anti-inflammatory benefits. Tilapia fillets work best because they’re so thin and cook quickly, but you can use other thin whitefish fillets if you prefer. Serve these fillets over my Whole-Wheat Garlic Noodles. Serves 4 Ingredients 1/3 cup Fresh Turmeric Juice 2 Tbs. mirin (seasoned rice wine) Sea salt and […]
January 29, 2019

This Ancient Spice Now Proven To Boost Memory

Have you noticed some “senior moments” occurring here and there?  You forgot what you came into a room for or you draw blanks on someone’s name.  These are all pretty common memory glitches that don’t mean much.  But, I’d like to tell you about a simple way to boost your “working memory” for at least several hours.  And it doesn’t take any more time than taking a pill… Ward off Senior Moments with This Common Spice As you get older, your body’s metabolic processes don’t work as efficiently as they did when you were younger.  One of these processes is […]