Whether you crave a healthy strawberry-avocado salad or a sugar free pie filling made with fresh strawberries, your heart will thank you. According to RealAge.com, strawberries and just about any other colorful fruit or veggie you can find, like red grapes, cranberries, oranges, plums, and tomatoes are bursting with flavonoids — antioxidants that help quell inflammation. And that’s a good thing, because inflammation is one of the many processes involved in heart disease. Eat them fresh — sliced or whole. What could be easier? Aim for 2 1/2 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit a day.
Try this delicious Strawberry-Avocado Salad:
Ingredients:
* 2 tablespoons white sugar
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 4 teaspoons honey
* 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
* 1 teaspoon lemon juice
* 1/4 teaspoon crushed celery seed
* 1/2 teaspoon chopped basil
* 1 Tblsp. minced red onion
* 2 cups torn salad greens
* 1 avocado – peeled, pitted and sliced
* 10 strawberries, sliced
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Whisk together the sugar, olive oil, honey, vinegar, lemon juice, celery seed, basil and onion. Set aside. Place salad greens on each salad plate and top with sliced strawberries and avocado. Drizzle the dressing over all. Sprinkle the chopped pecans on top and serve.
What heart-healthy recipes do you serve to family and friends?
Dessert recipes smothered in rich creams like this one are a crowd favorite.
Ingredients:
1 pint vanilla ice cream
1 cup whipped cream
1 cup sour cream
any flavored liqueur to taste
assorted fresh berries
powdered sugar
chocolate shavings for garnish
Whip vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, sour cream and liquer together. Arrange fresh assorted berries on a serving platter. Dust with powdered sugar, then pour ice cream mixture over to cover. Sprinkle chocolate shavings over all and serve at once.
What’s your favorite berries recipe?
Ingredients:
2 Tblsp lemon juice
water
2 cups fresh (skinned) or frozen peach slices
Combine 2 Tblsp lemon juice & enough water to make 1/4 cup of liquid. Add to peach slices and freeze until firm. Using electric mixer or food processor,
beat mixture until smooth, then refreeze for 2 hours, or until firm. To serve, let stand at room temperature 15-20 minutes, or until slightly softened. Spoon into dessert dishes and garnish with fresh fruit if desired.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups peaches, chopped *
2 Tblsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 – 2/3 cup sugar
1 pkg. unflavored gelatin (1 1/2 Tblsp.)
1/2 cup water
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
Combine the first four ingredients, then let it stand for about one hour. In the meantime, soften unflavored gelatine in cold water about 5 minutes, then heat in microwave on 50% power until dissolved. Add to peach mixture. Chill until thickened, then fold whipped cream and flavorings into mixture. Chill until firm. Can be molded for a special presentation and garnished with colorful fresh fruit. * Fresh skinned peaches are best.
Do you have a favorite peach recipe?
Want a little something sweet after dinner ? Try this quick and easy dessert. Fresh peaches are said to be a low-calorie source of antioxidant vitamins. There are only thirty five calories in a medium size fruit. They are also high in fiber that aids in lowering high blood cholesterol. Canned peaches are higher in calories, about 110 in juice packed brands.
Ingredients:
2 peaches with skin removed, sliced
2 Tbls. brown sugar
2 Tbls. dry oatmeal
2 Tbls. all purpose flour
2 Tbls. chopped pecans
1 Tbls. real butter
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Put sliced peaches in microwaveable bowl. In a separate bowl, combine next five ingredients and mix until crumbly. Scatter over peaches, then sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 5 minutes, or until peaches are tender. Serve while still warm. Add some whipped topping or ice cream, if desired.
What’s your favorite peach recipe?
