Thursday, January 3, 2013

8 Reasons Why You Should Order Gazpacho Soup


If you have not thought of Gazpacho soup as a nourishing recipe in a restaurant, it is time for you to do so and call the waiter for it. Let’s take a look at what our body will get from each of the ingredients that composes this nutritious recipe.

Tomatoes

Gazpacho soup comes with a refreshing puree of vine-ripened tomatoes. And if you must know, comparing to their green-picked counterparts, this type of tomatoes contains nearly twice the vitamin C and beta-carotene. This is simply because as this sweet treat ripens, the vitamin C content increases. They are also a good source of vitamin A.
Cucumbers

Next to tomatoes, cucumbers are among the most widely cultivated vegetable around the world. But that’s not the reason why you need to eat them. It’s the lignans that cucumbers have. Lignans, such as secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol and pinoresinol, are unique polyphenols known to help reduce the risk of a cardiovascular disease, not to mention it also combats several cancer types, such as ovarian, uterine, breast and prostate cancers.

Bell peppers

Bell peppers contain a significant amount of phytochemicals such as coumeric acid, zeaxanthin and chlorogenic acid that have outstanding antioxidant activity. Gazpacho soup has sweet bell peppers, which not only improves the flavor, but also carries a significantly higher level of nutrients than green, not to mention it has lycopene – a carotene known to help protect the body against heart disease and cancer.

Garlic

Known for its medicinal and culinary properties, garlic is probably present in every nutritious recipe nowadays. Its phyto-nutrient content is proven to help protect the body against coronary artery diseases. Also, the allicin content, which is formed by enzymatic reaction of organic thio-sulfinite compounds in garlic bulbs, is identified to reduce cholesterol production.

Chiles

Chiles are a good source of calcium, which is a recommended intake for those who want to avoid arm and leg muscles' spasms. It also contains magnesium, which plays an important part in neuromuscular heart activity regulation. The spicy feeling you get is just the bonus of all the vitamins and minerals it contains.

Citrus juice

Citrus juice not only boosts the vitamin C content of any given recipe, but also packs it with folate, potassium and phytochemicals, such as monoterpenes, limonoids, flavanoids, carotenoids and hydroxycinnamic acid. Folate is recommended for expecting mothers as it helps reduce the risk of severe birth defects, such as anencephaly and spina bifida.

Herbs

Herbs make the Gazpacho soup recipe a delicious medicine, giving relief to rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis and ulcerative colitis. Essential oils in herbs have anti-inflammatory function, which intervene to resolve conflict inflammatory cascade reactions in the body. Also, its curcumin content is known to help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Avocado

This fruit is not only packed with 20 essential nutrients, but also act as a “nutrient booster” by allowing the body to soak up more fat-soluble nourishing substances in foods that are eaten with it, making it a great addition in the Gazpacho recipe. Some of the nutrients include vitamin K, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, pantothenic acid, potassium, riboflavin, niacin and fiber.

There you go. Now that you obviously know what your body can enjoy when you order gazpacho soup, it’s time to call the waiter’s attention and benefit from this nourishing treat. Happy nutritious sipping!

Friday, December 28, 2012

Need Immunity Boost? Find These Vegetables

If you are feeling low in energy and could get sick anytime soon, you are surely in trouble and need something to pump you up. There are specific vegetables that could help rejuvenate your body before it falls on to sickness. Let’s dive in and see what we have in the list to help you boost your immunity.

Broccoli

Broccoli tops our list for it is rich in dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants that will surely keep your body shielded against sickness. On top of vitamin A and phyto-nutrients, Broccoli is a good source of vitamin C, which is all you need for a powerful natural anti-oxidant and immune modulator to help your body fight against viruses causing flu.

Sweet Potatoes

If you are looking for a low in sodium, fat-free, low in calories sweet snack, grab some sweet potatoes. Not only does this sweet vegetable is high in dietary fiber, but it is already rich in antioxidants, which help protect your body against cancer, stroke and heart disease. Your body will enjoy about 29 mg of vitamin C per serving of medium-size sweet potatoes.

Spinach

Not only does this vibrant-looking leafy vegetable is appealing, but nourishing as well. However, if you need a greater concentration of vitamin C from spinach, you will need to look for its leaves that look fully alive and vital. Aside from it’s a great help in boosting your immune system, spinach was identified as well to help protect your body against the aggressive prostate cancer compared to other vegetables tested in a study, including broccoli and cabbage.

Cabbage

While cabbage may not offer your body a comparable protection against aggressive prostate cancer that spinach has, it remains one of the recommended vegetables for boosting the immunity of the body.  In fact, it is a good source of vitamin K, which gives you healthy bones, not to mention it limits neuronal damage in the brain for Alzheimer’s disease patients. B vitamins are also present in cabbage, which are essential in keeping the body in shape.

Mushrooms

The essential antioxidant selenium is basically the reason why you need to eat mushrooms. Selenium, like many other antioxidants, protects body cells from injury that might lead to habitual diseases. It also helps in strengthening your body’s immune system.

Garlic

Another source of selenium is the garlic bulbs. Each bulb is a great source of iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc and manganese, which is an essential cofactor for superoxide dismutase - an antioxidant enzyme. Above all, garlic bulbs are rich in many flavonoid anti-oxidants, including zea-xanthin, beta-carotene and vitamin C, which is one of the vitamins you need for an infection-resistant body.

So there you have it. Now that you know the vegetables that could help boost your immune system, it’s time to go to a restaurant or to any fine-dining place and order some recipes that have them. Good luck!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

List of Best Miami Recipes


After a couple of hours driving around the city, or after all day fun activities at the beach of Miami, only one thing comes to mind, food. Yes, it is! Your Miami experience won’t be complete if you haven’t tasted the best-selling dishes in the city.

Let’s name them one by one to stir up your appetite, so the next time you go on a joy ride, and hit a restaurant, these foods will first bump into your mind.

Cuban Ropa Vieja

Made with tender shredded beef and served with rice or tortillas, Cuban Ropa Vieja is one of the top-selling Cuban recipes that you can find at almost every restaurant in Miami. It’s also best served with cheese or sour cream and some fresh cilantros on the side.

Sea Bass Cuban Style

How about some sea bass cooked in a mixture of tomatoes, onions, capers, and white wine sauce? A hearty meal that’s best for health-conscious people. Sea Bass Cuban Style is also considered as one of the best cooked fish in Miami.

Carne Con Papas

Tender succulent meat, plus flavorful potatoes, and what you get is an irresistible meal. This old-fashioned Cuban dish is a true charmer for meat and potato fans. Cooked in a pressure cooker, you can enjoy the moist and tender meat.

Avocado-Lime Shrimp Salad

The tangy kick of the lime turns this simple shrimp salad into an one-of-a-kind delight. You can enjoy it with your own choice of dressing if you want to replace the lime juice. It’s the perfect side dish for barbeques.

Classic Cuban-style Picadillo

Sazon seasoning is the secret ingredient of this classic Cuban dish. Imagine, ground beef cooked with onions, garlic, green olives and bell pepper with the sweetness of raisins. It’s a mouth-watering meal!

Classic Cuban Medianoche Sandwich

Midnight cravings? This is the best sandwich to have for a midnight snack, which you will find in most restaurants in Miami. It’s best paired with fried plantain chips and a cold milkshake.

Arroz Con Leche

Care for some sweets? The Cuban version of rice pudding, Arroz con leche, is sweeter and richer than your ordinary rice pudding; therefore, it’s more delicious. Perfect, if you are craving for something sweet.

Cuban Pork Roast

An earthy marinade mix of peppercorns, spicy cumin and oregano splashed with sherry fused in citrus juices, plus pork, leave it overnight, and you’ve got the ideal pork roast.

Cuban Black Beans

For the beans lovers out there, this black beans recipe is the best side dish for almost every meal. Being not too spicy, with a dash of sweetness, this is an extraordinary bean dish.

The Real Mojito

Now for some cocktail mix, Mojito is the ideal cocktail if you’re planning to dine in any of the Miami restaurants. It’s considered as the national drink of Cuba, and made with five main ingredients. White rum, lime juice, sugar, sparkling water and mint, are mixed to create a refreshing minty cocktail.

If you want to experience adventure and taste some of the finest dishes, you’ve come to the ideal place. Discover the Cuban cuisine in the streets of Miami, where the foods are bursting with flavors and aroma. You don’t even have to fly to Cuba; you just need to take a drive and enjoy your ride.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Must-Try Recipes You Can Find in Miami


Looking for something new to try or something usual with a twist? There are restaurants in Miami that are not only good at welcoming customers, but expert at keeping them happy and coming back with their irresistible recipes.

Fiocchi di Pera e Taleggio

First stop is the recipe that made Fratelli Milano a memorable restaurant, the Fiocchi di Pera e Taleggio. It’s a pear and taleggio cheese stuffed pasta in a fresh sage and butter sauce. Patrons tagged it as a must-try for its not so sweet and perfectly combine ingredients. The sage and pear combination made it a mouth-watering goodness.

Fried shrimp

There is a reason why La Camaronera is synonymous with the name “The Shrimp Lady.” Customers who have tried their fried shrimp just can resist sharing the goodness it brought them, not to mention that La Camaronera is actually a home for a myriad list of seafood kindness. If you are craving for seafood lately, you should try the fried shrimp at La Camaronera or any of the recipes they cater.

Miso-Glazed Chilean Seabass

Just looking at the picture of the Miso-Glazed Seabass recipe in the menu at Truluck’s makes you want to have it right away. It’s a South Georgia Chilean seabass served with crab fried rice and chilled cucumber slaw. Truluck’s has been known for the delight they offer to their patrons, and this one is what most of the customers are talking about.

Osso Bucco with Mushroom Risotto

Not drooling yet? Next stop we have the ever so tender Chatharsis Restaurant’s offering, the Osso Bucco with Mushroom Risotto. Plates that come with this recipe usually were left just with the bone, which only means it is that good. Patrons speak for the goodness of the tender lamb. If you want to pamper your tongue with tenderly prepared lamb meat, you should give this a try.

Kangaroo, Alligator and Octopus dishes

Yes! You read that right. Nemesis Urban Bistro is known for its distinct offerings on top of other known restaurants. If you want to try something different; as different as the aforementioned dishes, you know the name of the place to visit. Melting your brain for the delight you will experience is basically the goal in this restaurant from my point of view. Their food creativity simply exceeds expectations.

Versailles Combo

Clueless? Well, that’s because Versailles Restaurant branded the combination of greatness into one simple yet attractive name. Versailles Combo is ham and beef empanadas, ham and chicken croquettes and yuca fries served with cilantro sauce. Yep! That’s truly a combo of mouth-watering pleasure, and it is no more than $8 if you must.

Pork Dishes

Are you a pork lover? La Rosa Restaurant knows exactly how to satisfy your taste buds. With their list of sumptuous pork recipes, you have another place to add to your list of worth-a-visit restaurants. Oh, by the way, did I mention that their “EL Toro” Corte Especial is full of mouth-watering greatness? You should try it.

So there you have it. Now that you learned the must-try recipes that can be found in Miami, it is time to set a food trip date with friends and family for some quality time and memorable dining experience.