FRUTAS OF THE WEEK: Guanabana fruit, also called graviola or soursop

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soursop

HEALTH BENEFITS:

Nutritionally, the fruit is high in carbohydrates, particularly fructose. The fruit also contains significant amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2.

Natural Therapy Pages: 

http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/the_health_benefits_of_soursop_fruit

The Health Benefits of Soursop Fruit

Soursop fruit is packed with vitamins and other healthy ingredients. These include:

Vitamin C

Vitamin B 1

Vitamin B12

Calcium

Iron

Healthy fats

Protein

Healthy carbohydrates

In addition, soursop fruit is cholesterol free and low in calories, making it an ideal snack or flavourful addition to a dessert.

Culinary Uses for Soursop Fruit

• The white pulp is eaten along with the black seeds. 
• Drink squeezed and chilled soursop juice. 
• Soursop cheesecake has a distinctively delicious flavour and texture and it is used in homemade ice creams. 

Benefits of:

http://benefitof.net/benefits-of-guanabana/

Benefits of Guanabana

1. Anti-bacterial properties

Guanabana fruit is thought to have potent anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It is therefore useful in preventing infections caused by bacteria and viruses in the body. Actually, a mixture made of immature guanabana fruits is used in certain areas like a treatment for dysentery. Frequent guanabana fruit intake may further help to eliminate intestinal parasites and worms.

2. Cancer treatment

In herbal medicine, guanabana fruit consumption is said to have the benefit of controlling cancer cell growth.

3. High carbohydrate content

Guanabana fruits have rich carbohydrate content, particularly fructose. Other than carbohydrates, these fruits also possess various beneficial nutrients like B vitamins, calcium, vitamin C and dietary fiber among others. The high carbohydrate amount found in this fruit increases energy and lowers cholesterol in the body.

4. Sedative effects

The strong sedative effects of guanabana fruit make it effective in controlling blood pressure in individuals with hypertension.
It also calms erratic heartbeats, preventing strokes and heart attacks.
treat their disorders and enhance their sleep cycles.
An additional benefit of consuming guanabana is that it reduces convulsions and spasms.

Possible side effects related to guanabana intake include:

vomiting and nausea, particularly following the consumption of large doses.

Photo courtesy of:
https://www.google.com/search?q=guanabana&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=vyIqUdnZOoPa8ASFuoHQAQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1122&bih=579#imgrc=DFRmwHLeVHpNMM%3A%3B6XP40Rz_z4XD2M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fiscly.files.wordpress.com%252F2012%252F08%252Fguanabana2.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fiscly.wordpress.com%252F2012%252F08%252F28%252Fla-guanabana-prevencion-del-cancer%252F%3B266%3B225

SALAD: Arugula and Ginger Beets and Pecans

For the beets, I used this:
http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-honey-ginger-balsamic-g-155611

Then, I did the TicoFusion twist:
1 jungle-sized beet, scrubbed and boiled, then removed skin
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons peeled and chopped ginger
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon of the syrup I created from the brown-molasses+ lemongrass & ginger that I usually use for tea, instead of honey

Served with Arugula tossed in a oil & vinegar dressing + toasted pecans.

Hummus

I begin the journey...
*1) THE DECISION: I could have bought canned Garbanzo beans...but why? when I don't have to. I'm thinking this is healthier without the preservatives?

*2) THE GARBANZO BEANS: I googled "how to cook garbanzo beans in a slow cooker"
I found this: http://freshslowcooking.com/88/cooking_chickpeas_in_your_crock-pot
Cooking dry chickpeas (or other dry beans) in your slow cooker is as easy as it gets. It also has many advantages over using canned beans. If you have a large slow cooker, you can cook big batches and freeze them in ‘can-size’ portions to make them convenient too.


Cooking Chickpeas in Your Slow Cooker
Dissolve 3 tablespoons of salt in 16 cups (4L) of cold water.
Soak 1 pound (2½ cups) dry chickpeas in the salted water overnight in a covered bowl or pot.
In the morning, drain the water and rinse the chickpeas. Place them in your slow cooker, cover them with about 1-inch of water and cook until tender. Low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

Shrimp Fettucine Alfredo

I started with the AllRecipes "To Die For" and "Shrimp Fettucine Alfredo", and...:
- Used half a stick of butter (somewhere between healthier and richer)
- 5 cloves on garlic
- Took out the shrimp after 12 minutes
- Put 1/2 cup white wine at the end
- Mixed the pasta, then put the shrimp back on top...looks better for presentation as well!

Great with!
- Boiled carrots with butter & lime
- Toasted buttered Toasties

TEA: Agua Fresca - Jamaica Hibiscus

I googled "Agua Fresca- Jamaica Hibiscus" and found this:
MY PICKS!
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/agua_de_jamaica_hibiscus_tea/
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/agua-de-jamaica-hibiscus-water/

THIS IS WHAT I DID:

• 10*3/4 cups water (I couldn't find my 1 cup)

Boiled with:

• 1/2 cup sugar, or 1/4 brown sugar cone
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• a few bits of ginger to give it a zing

• Remove from heat and throw in the prepared ~10*3/4 cups Jamaica Hibiscus
• Let sit overnight or longer in the fridge before straining
• Mix with optional soda for a bubbly delight

BENEFITS:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/426215-what-are-the-benefits-of-jamaica-flower-tea/

BLOOD PRESSURE 

Drinking a tea made from a standardized hibiscus flower extract may lower mild to moderate hypertension. 

IMMUNE SYSTEM

Jamaica flower tea has antioxidant properties and is a source of ascorbic acid, or vitamin C. Antioxidants are important for protecting your cells and organs from harmful free radicals.

http://www.ehow.com/list_5814709_benefits-jamaica-flower-tea_.html

OTHER LINKS:

http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/bebidasdrinks/r/aguahibiscus.htm
You can use it as a diuretic, a laxative or a digestive supplement. A diuretic increases the excretion of water from the body through elevating the rate of urination. A laxative induces bowel movements to help loosen stool, and you can take it to relieve constipation. A digestive supplement catalyzes the body's digestive system and enhances the normal digestive process.





I got distracted from task, and also found this beautiful flower when I searched.
http://flirtyfleurs.com/flower-science/nightfire2/

RECIPE: Fried Rice with a shrimp flavor

This recipe was totally by accident! I put shrimp seasoning in my rice cooker when I meant to put Safron...to go with our rosemary baked chicken. But, I think I can make it work...breakthroughs happen from breakdowns!

These ingredients are what I happen to have at home.
- Beat 2 eggs & fry with thinly sliced onions. Set aside.
- Fry in oil: diced garlic, diced carrots, chopped ham, pineapple
- Put the cooked rice-mistake which had shrimp seasoning and diced mushrooms
- Soy and sesame oil to taste
- Add egg & frozen peas
- No need to add salt because shrimp seasoning is salty enough

I was inspired by the following recipes.
I googled "ham pineapple fried rice recipe" and "recipe for shrimp fried rice"
http://chinesefood.about.com/od/shrimprecipes/r/shrimpfriedrice.htm
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/shrimp_fried_rice/
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/shrimp-fried-rice-ii/
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pineapple-fried-rice-ii/

RECIPE: Double French Toast

This was inspired by a breakfast we had in the Gravenstein Inn, Mendocino CA area back in the early 1990s.

This breakfast goes very well with TicoFusion(tm) coffee!

Starting with the AllRecipes.com recipes:

Caramelized French Toast:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/caramelized-french-toast/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=caramelized%20french%20toast&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=%2frecipe-tools%2fprint%2frecipe.aspx

Creme Brulee French Toast: 

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/creme-brulee-french-toast/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=creme%20brulee%20french%20toast&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=%2frecipe-tools%2fprint%2frecipe.aspx

• Pre-heat oven 350 degrees F
• Beat together:
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp orange liqueur
• pinch of salt
• Dip bread in egg mixture and fry in 1TB butter, Medium heat (no more than dial-4)
• In baking dish, mix & melt in oven while pre-heating:
• 1/3 brown sugar
• 2 tsp corn syrup
• Lay 1 bread slice, spread cream cheese.
• TicoFusion(tm) time! Speared local jam like pineapple or Mangostene from neighbor Caroline's tree.
• Lay the other bread slice on top - the DOUBLE french toast!
• Bake for 20 minutes.

Double the recipe for 5 people!

• Each gets 2 double french toasts with a small/medium sized baguette.
• When dipping in the egg mixture, don't dip too long or it will get soggy.
• Use the Del Prado queso crema(cream cheese) 220 grams.

Buen provecho!