Communicable Disease Safety Plan

Archive for March, 2012

Rosemary Roasted Apples, Beets and Butternut Squash

Monday, March 12th, 2012

This warm and nutritious dish would be a colorful addition to a Valentine’s dinner.
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 large beets, peeled, quartered and cooked
  • 3 apples, unpeeled, seeded, halved
  • 375 mL (1-1/2 cups) butternut squash, peeled and cut into small cubes
  • 30 mL (2 Tbsp) olive oil
  • 15 mL (1 Tbsp) balsamic vinegar
  • 15 mL (1 Tbsp) fresh rosemary, minced salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)
  2. In large bowl, combine all ingredients and toss well to coat.
  3. Spray a large baking dish with cooking oil spray. Transfer apple beet mixture into baking dish. Cook for 35-40 minutes or until apples are soft but hold their shape.

Pear and Cranberry Wild Rice

Monday, March 12th, 2012

This recipe gives colour and texture to wild rice, which can sometimes be a very plain side dish. The addition of the pear and the cranberries provide a nice sweet and savoury contrast.
Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups chicken broth or water
  • 1 tsp butter or margarine
  • 1/4 tsp thyme
  • 2/3 cup brown rice
  • 1/3 cup wild rice
  • 1 pear, peeled, seeded and diced into small pieces
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped
  • 1 medium carrot finely grated
  • 1/3 of one zucchini sliced and finely diced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped Pinch of black pepper

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine chicken broth, butter and thyme. Bring to a boil. Stir in rice, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 50 to 55 minutes until rice is fork tender and all of the liquid has been absorbed. Turn off heat and allow to rest, covered, for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, fluff rice with fork.
  2. While rice is cooking, prepare pear, cranberries, carrot, zucchini and parsley. Add to rice and toss well. Serve warm as a side dish to any meal

Cherryaki Stirfry

Monday, March 12th, 2012

The sweet, yet tart flavour of fresh cherries, makes them a wonderful addition to this stirfry meal.
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons (60 ml) Teriyaki sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cooking sherry
  • 1/2 tablespoon (7.5 ml) fresh lime juice
  • 0.75 pound (0.35 kilograms) pork*, cubed
  • 1/2 tablespoon (7.5 ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 small white onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 cups whole cherries, pits removed
  • 1-14 oz (398ml) can miniature corn cobs
  • 1 cup snow peas
  • 1 cup sliced red pepper
  • 1 cup (250 ml) chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) corn starch
  • 2 green onions, chopped (optional)

Directions

  1. Combine first 5 ingredients and mix well. Add pork cubes. Set in fridge to marinate. Prepare cherries, corn, snow peas and red pepper. Heat vegetable oil in wok or large saucepan on medium. Add onion and garlic. Heat for 1-2 minutes to soften slightly. Add pork marinade mixture and cook for 5 minutes. Increase the heat, add snow peas and red pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes. In small bowl, stir cornstarch into chicken broth until dissolved. Add to wok, cooking for 2 minutes until sauce begins to thicken. Add cherries and corn and cook until warm. Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped green onion.

The delicate flavour of this stirfry works well over angel hair pasta. *Chicken can easily be substituted for pork in this recipe if preferred.

Blueberry Soy Shake

Monday, March 12th, 2012

If preferred, regular 1% milk can be used in place of the soy milk in this recipe.
Makes 2 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (250 ml) fresh BC blueberries
  • 1 cup (250 ml) vanilla-flavoured soy milk
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla
  • 1 cup (250 ml) ice cubes

Directions

  1. Starting with liquids, combine all ingredients in blender until smooth.
  2. Serve in a summertime glass with a straw, garnished with 2 or 3 fresh blueberries.

Apples with Sweet and Sour Pork

Monday, March 12th, 2012

With pork and apples as a base, this dish can be varied with different colored peppers, pineapple cubes, broccoli or carrots.

Ingredients

  • 500 g (1 lb) boneless pork loin, cut into cubes
  • 30 mL (2 Tbsp) canola oil
  • 2 apples, unpeeled, cut into wedges
  • 1/2 medium onion, cut into wedges
  • 1 red or green bell pepper, chopped
  • 15 mL (1 Tbsp) cornstarch
  • 60 mL (1/4 cup) brown sugar
  • 80 mL (1/3 cup) apple cider vinegar
  • 160 mL (2/3 cup) water
  • 125 mL (1/2 cup) ketchup

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375° F (190° C).
  2. In skillet, heat oil over medium. Add pork and brown until almost cooked through. Remove from heat and transfer to a large casserole dish sprayed with cooking oil. Add apples, onions and peppers and set aside.
  3. In medium saucepan, combine brown sugar and cornstarch. Stir in vinegar, water and ketchup. Cook over medium-high heat until boiling and beginning to thicken. Remove from heat and pour over pork-apple mixture.
  4. Cover dish and bake for 40 minutes or until apples are soft but keep their shape.
  5. Serve over steamed rice. Accompany with a salad or green vegetables.

Strawberry

Monday, March 12th, 2012

Strawberry

Strawberry plants are shallow rooted, with most of the roots in the top 15 cm of soil, and require a well-drained soil at least 20 cm deep. Strawberry can be grown in coarse, sandy soils, but it cannot tolerate drought, therefore, fertilization and irrigation are very important in
strawberry farming. In Canada, Strawberry planting usually starts in March; fruits are ripened and harvested in June. In North America, strawberries have been grown for fruit production since about 1835; Strawberries are grown in all provinces of Canada, and Quebec is accounted as the biggest strawberry producing province amongst the provinces.

Nutritional Facts

Strawberry is low in calories and fat free. It is an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Potassium, fiber, and various antioxidants. It detoxifies body and helps to reduce the risk of heart diseases and cancers. Also, its antioxidants help to improve skin and hair condition.

Reference

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. (2005, April). Crop Profile For Strawberry In Canada.
Retrieved from http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2009/agr/A118-10-17-
2005E.pdf

Articlesbase. (2007). Nutrients Found in Strawberries. Retrieved from http://
www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/nutrients-found-in-strawberries-
256625.html

Asparagus

Monday, March 12th, 2012

Asparagus

Since ancient times, asparagus was considered a luxury and praised for its delicate flavour and diuretic properties by different famous historical figures, such as Julius Caesar, Louis XIV and Thomas Jefferson. Asparagus is usually in green, while it can also be white due to the process of etiolation. White asparagus stalk is mounded with dirt to deprive its intake of light, so it
cannot produce chlorophyll. As a result, the stalk is white. White asparagus is considered to be slightly milder in flavor and a bit tenderer than green asparagus. Only fresh young asparagus stalks are commonly eaten; older and thicker stalks are woody, and their flavor is lost.

Nutritional Facts

Asparagus is a good source of potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, dietary fiber and folacin. It is low in calories and carbohydrates. One-half cup of cooked asparagus contains 24 calories. Its fiber helps to clean our gastrointestinal tract and gets rid of the excess water.

Reference

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture. (2010) Food Fact. Retrieved from http://
www.foodland.gov.on.ca/english/vegetables/asparagus/index.html

Squash

Sunday, March 11th, 2012

Squash

In Canada, squash is loosely grouped into summer squash and winter squash. Summer squash, such as summer crookneck, vegetable marrow, zucchini, and patty pan, is harvested when the fruit is immature during the growing season. The skin of summer squash is normally soft, and the size of the fruit is comparably small. Winter squash, such as butternut squash, acorn, spaghetti squash and pumpkin, is harvested when the fruit is mature, usually at the end of summer. The skin of winter squash is hard and the fruit is comparably bigger in size. Squash usually has sweet and nutty flesh, and numerous edible seeds in the center of the fruit.

Nutritional Facts

Squash is an excellent source of beta carotene and potassium and a source of Vitamin C and folacin. One half cup of cooked summer squash contains 16 calories, 1 gram of protein, 3 grams of carbohydrates, some vitamin A and C, and some fibre. Pumpkin seeds are rich in protein and a good source of iron.

Reference

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture. (2010) Food Fact. Retrieved from http://www.foodland.gov.on.ca/english/vegetables/summersquash/index.html

Apples

Sunday, March 11th, 2012

Apples

There are over 5,000 apple varieties in the world. China, United States, and Iran are the three top apple growing countries; Canada is also one of the top apple growing countries in the world. There are about 50 varieties of apples that are locally grown in Canada, such as, Spartan, Red Delicious, Mcintosh, Ambrosia, Golden Delicious, Golden Russett, Paula Red, Fuji, etc. Each variety has its own taste, texture and appearance. In British Columbia, apples are available year around because they are stored in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) rooms after they are picked from the trees. This process helps to control the breakdown and ripening of fruit.

Nutritional Facts

“An Apple a day keeps the doctor away”
Apples are very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium; and are a rich source of antioxidant compounds, dietary fiber and Vitamin C. Therefore, apples may help to reduce risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, colon cancer, and lung cancer.

Reference

Unite States International Trade Commission. (February, 2010). Apples – Industry And Trade Summary. Retrived from http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/ITS_4.pdf

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. (2008, May 27). Agri-Food Trade Service – Canadian Apple Industry. Retrived from http://www.ats-sea.agr.gc.ca/can/4480000-eng.htm.

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Sunday, March 11th, 2012

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