Pasta with Creamy Brocolli Sauce

Ingredients:

1/3 cup olive oil
1 carrot, sliced
1/4 cup garlic
2-3 cups broth
1 cup chopped onion
2 cups cream, whipped
1/4 kilo tomatoes, quartered
1 big broccoli, cut into flowerettes, blanched
Salt and pepper to taste

How to cook Pasta with Creamy Brocolli Sauce:

• Cook 1/2 kilo pasta of your choice according to package directions. Toss with olive oil. Saute garlic, onion, carrots, tomatoes and broccoli. Set aside.

• In the same pan, stir in whipped cream and broth. Season to taste. Return sauteed vegetables and let cook for a few seconds before tossing in cooked pasta.

• Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve.

COOKING AND HEALTH TIPS:
Crisper Veggies
Line the bottom of crisper with a paper towel to absorb liquids that make veggies wilt.

Frozen Vegetables
A quick way to separate vegetables is to pour boiling water over them in a colander and then add them to your casserole or stove-top dish to finish cooking.

[Taken from Filipino Vegetarian Recipe.com]

Have a Vegetarian Christmas!!!

With Christmas just around the corner and preparations in full swing, you might be starting to think of meal planning for the big day. It can often be challenging for vegetarians and those catering for them to get a meat-free Christmas dinner just right, especially since not all vegetarians will be happy with just roast potatoes and vegetables. Even for non-vegetarians, a meat-free dinner can be a heart-healthier option and can eliminate the pressure of finding oven space and waiting for the turkey to cook.

Meat-free mycoprotein roasts or fillets with stuffing and all the trimmings make a delightful dinner and you can marinade them with garlic and red chillies for an extra kick.

Serve up veggie burgers made with beans and lentils for a tasty fibre fix.

A nut roast made with walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts can be a delicious way to get a heart-healthy omega-3 boost.

Stuff large mushrooms and peppers with a mixture of couscous, onions, sliced peppers, carrots, almonds and fresh herbs. Mushrooms are a good source of potassium, which is great for a healthy blood pressure Butternut squash is low in fat and full of fibre and can be roasted and served with quinoa, spinach, courgettes and tomatoes.

Although roasted vegetables are traditional accompaniments to a Christmas dinner, why not go for something fresh and different such as a salad with spinach, red onion and pomegranate. Avocados can be a heart-healthy addition to a salad as they may help lower cholesterol.

A homemade tomato, basil and oregano sauce can be a heart friendly alternative to the high fat, high salt gravy. If you're feeling really adventurous why not try a tomato, cucumber and onion relish.

It doesn't matter if you're having a vegetarian dinner or not, remember to include a wide variety of vegetables and use herbs instead of salt to help keep your heart healthy this Christmas.

[From Medical News Today 10 Dec]

Banana Blossom Ginataan

Banana Blossom Ginataan

2 banana blossoms (I just used the ones in the can, 10 oz drained)
1 cup pure coconut milk
2 tbsp vinegar (if using 5% acidity vinegar, try 1:1 vinegar/water)
1/4 cup sliced tomatoes
1/4 cup sliced onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tbsp veg oil
2 dried red chillies (optional if you want this slightly spicy)
salt and pepper to taste

If using fresh puso ng saging (banana blossoms): remove the tough covering of the blossoms. Slice thin crosswise. Add 2 tbsp salt and squeeze off bitter juice. Rinse in water and squeeze dry. Set aside.

If using canned puso ng saging: drain, rinse then drain again. Slice thin crosswise. Set aside.

Heat oil in skillet, if using dried red chillies, add them when the oil is hot but not smoking and let the skins darken somewhat before you add the garlic. Saute garlic until light brown. Add onion, fry till translucent, then add tomatoes. Cook for around 3 minutes. Add banana blossoms and vinegar/water mixture and then bring to boil without stirring. Simmer for around 3 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste and stir. Continue to cook until banana blossom is tender. Add pure coconut cream and remove from heat. Let stand for a few minutes to help develop the flavours.