Legends from Europe Recipe Contest

I am super excited to have been chosen as one of the contestants to participate in the Legends from Europe recipe contest!!!

 

My assignment was to create a dish using Prosciutto di Parma and here's what I came up with... 

 

 

 

Prosciutto di Parma Wrapped Halibut Over a Mushroom Medley Risotto with Brown Butter Sage Sauce

 

 

Serves: 2

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 45-50 minutes

 

Ingredients:

3 c. chicken stock

1 c. mixed dried mushrooms

2 T. olive oil, divided

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 c. Arborio rice

1/4 c. heavy cream

1/4 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 pinch cracked black pepper, to taste

 

2 (6 oz.) Halibut fillets, about 1 inch thick

1/4 lb. Prosciutto di Parma, sliced thin

 

1/2 c. unsalted butter

2 T. fresh sage, minced

2 fresh whole sage leaves

 

Directions:

For the risotto combine stock and mushrooms in a medium pot and bring to a boil to begin to reconstitute the dried mushrooms for about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and keep warm. In a large pot heat one tablespoon of oil over medium and add onions. Cook until almost tender about 3 to 5 minutes. Add Arborio rice and stir to coat. Continue to cook another 3 to 5 minutes until rice becomes slightly golden, stirring often. Slowly begin adding broth to the rice one ladle at a time and allow for the liquid to dissolve almost completely before adding more. Complete process until broth is gone. This will take about 25 to 30 minutes. Roughly chop mushrooms and stir into risotto along with the heavy cream, parmesan and pepper.

 

In the meantime prepare halibut by wrapping each fillet evenly with the Prosciutto di Parma. Heat remaining oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium and add wrapped halibut. Cook on each four sides for about 5 minutes each to ensure a crisp crust and cooked through fish. This will take about 20 minutes total. Remove fillet and set aside, keeping them warm.

 

In the same skillet add butter and let melt over medium-low. Add whole sage leaves and cook just until crisp, about a couple minutes. Remove and drain on paper towel. Add minced sage to butter and continue cooking to release flavor into the butter another couple minutes and until a nutty aroma fills the air.

 

Assemble dish by spooning mushroom risotto onto the bottom of a bowl or plate, place the Prosciutto di Parma wrapped halibut on top of the risotto, drizzle with brown butter sage sauce and garnish with one crisp sage leaf. Enjoy!

 

For more information about the Legends from Europe visit http://legendsfromeurope.com/about/!!!

Green Leaf's & Bananas

 

The folks at Green Leaf's & Bananas are giving away a Vitamix, just like them on their Facebook page to enter!   

Fresh tossed salads made-to-order, delicious wraps, grilled panini sandwiches and hearty homemade soups make Green Leaf's the perfect choice for a fresh, healthy, great-tasting meal.

The refreshing fruit smoothies, cool fresh fruit frosties and delicious frozen yogurt at Bananas make for the perfect assortment of fun treats. Bananas will delight the entire family with products that offer traditional goodies and health conscious options as well.

Founded in 1976, Green Leaf's continues to offer guests a healthy meal made from the freshest, top-quality ingredients. It's the perfect healthy alternative to fast foods. Green Leaf's 'Pick & Mix' salad bar offers dozens of fresh ingredients and countless possibilities to make sure our customers get exactly what they want. A garden fresh salad made to their taste and tossed especially for them. 

 

Get in the mix and win a Vitamix!
Just head on over to the Green Leaf's & Bananas Facebook page to enter for the Vitamix Giveaway!


This sponsorship is brought to you by Green Leaf's & Bananas who we have partnered with for this promotion.

Kleenex Hand Towels Brand Fan Program

#1 Kleenex Hand Towels!!!

 

 

 

With the flu season approaching it's important that we keep our families and friends healthy by keeping the germs to a minimum. A good way that could help make this happen would be to give Kleenex Hand Towels a try in your home, work place or child's school. Check out some of the benefits of Kleenex Hand Towels:

 

- In the U.S. alone, people dry their hands on cloth bathroom towels approximately 200 billion times per year. Just because a towel looks clean doesn't mean it is. Even after they're washed, hands are only as clean as the towel used to dry them.

 

- Skip the damp, overused cloth towel because with a fresh, dry hand towel for every use, you can cut down on the spread of germs in your home when you have those extra guests.

 

- Kleenex Hand Towels' Dry-Touch fibers are absorbent enough to dry hands but also have enough left over for quick clean-ups around the bathroom sink. They'll save you time and cut down on overall post-party mess.

 

Everyone want his or her loved ones to stay healthy and germ-free, especially when opening up his or her home to guests. For more information about Kleenex Hand Towels and how to join the Clean Hands Campaign visit www.kleenex.com/HandTowels!

Marx Foods Cocktails & Mocktails Mixology Contest: Silly-Dilly Salty Dogtini and Pineapple Mojito Mocktail

Marx Foods Cocktail & Mocktail Mixology Contest!!!

 

 ~ Silly-Dilly Salty Dogtini ~

 

~ Pineapple Mojito Mocktail ~

 

I always have so much fun participating in Marx Foods recipe contests, they have the most unique gourmet ingredients (which they send you for FREE!) you can get super creative with. Here's what I came up with...

 

Silly-Dilly Salty Dogtini

 

 

3 oz. quality vodka

1 large grapefruit, juiced
ice, as needed
1 t. salt
1/2 t. Marx Foods dill pollen

Combine vodka, grapefruit juice and ice in a mixer and shake well. In a small shallow dish combine salt and dill pollen and mix well. Use the grapefruit to wet the rim of a martini glass and dip into the salt and dill pollen mixture to lightly coat. Pour cocktail into glass and serve.


Pineapple Mojito Mocktail

2 T. fresh mint leaves
1 t. Marx Foods demerara sugar
1 Marx Foods dried pineapple ring, half minced and half reserved for garnish
1 c. pineapple juice
1/4 c. sparkling water

Combine mint, sugar and minced dried pineapple in a glass and using a muddler smash well to release aromas and blend flaovrs. Add pineapple juice and sparkling water and mix. Garnish with reserved dried pineapple half and a sprig of mint.

To vote for my recipes visit http://marxfood.com/cocktails-and-mocktails-recipe-challenge/, thanks!!!

Introducing Guest Blogger Jillian McKee: Special Diets in Cancer Treatment Plans

Jillian McKee

Complementary Medicine Advocate

Bringing a wealth of personal and professional experience to the organization, Jillian McKee has worked as the Complementary Medicine Advocate at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance since June of 2009. Jillian spends most her time on outreach efforts and spreading information about the integration of complementary and alternative medicine when used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatment.

Read more: http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/jillian/bio.htm#ixzz25cCLWvTl

Special Diets in Cancer Treatment Plans

Cancer takes a lot out of someone and patients need special diet plans to help them cope with their disease. Not all cancers are the same and likewise, nutritional needs vary by patient. Women preparing for breast cancer surgery need foods that provide strength. Those facing treatment for mesothelioma need foods that fight treatment side effects.

All cancer patients have a high risk for nutrient deficiencies. The cancer itself causes some of these deficiencies. More often, deficiencies result from physical changes caused by rigorous treatments like radiation and chemotherapy.

Unfortunately, cancer directly affects a patient’s nutritional status. Cancers change the way the body metabolizes fats, carbohydrates and proteins. As a result of metabolism changes, food no longer tastes the same and patients often lose their appetite. Cancer-related anorexia, a very common treatment symptom, is likely caused by physical changes and mental responses.

Although the body uses more energy during cancer treatment, a lost appetite usually leads to weight loss and muscle wasting. To prevent these problems, most cancer patients require high-calorie meals. Many doctors prescribe a high-protein diet that is low in fat content.

Scientists and researchers have conducted numerous studies on the link between nutrition and cancer. The same foods that can assist cancer prevention also help during cancer treatment. Fruits, vegetables, grains and beans are the mainstays in a cancer-fighting diet. These natural foods contain healthy fiber, antioxidants and other important nutrients.

The medical treatments that destroy aggressive cancer cells produce unwanted and unpleasant side effects for many patients. The symptoms vary by the cancer type, treatment method and affected area of the body. Cancer nutrition plans are tailor-made diets that address some of the side effects of cancer treatment. These special diets cannot cure cancer or replace the drugs prescribed for treatment, but they offer welcome relief for some symptoms.

Thick liquids and semi-solid foods are good choices for patients with chewing or swallowing problems. Thickeners make liquids easier to swallow and prevent aspiration. High-calorie, high-protein shakes and foods may prevent the weight loss and muscle wasting associated with cancer treatments. Frequent snacks and small meals provide nutrition throughout the day.

Eating nutritious foods right before or after treatment may ease nausea, vomiting and diarrhea symptoms. However, it may also lessen the pain associated with chemotherapy and other treatments.  

To combat loss of appetite, patients can adjust their diets to include appealing foods. If necessary, doctors can prescribe drugs to stimulate the appetite. Because each cancer experience is unique, healthy nutrition means different things to different patients. Doctors and dietitians should work with patients to develop diets that meet specific nutritional needs. Good cancer diets allow patients to receive the most treatment benefits possible.