Saturday, November 6, 2010

Organic Harvest Box for November 5, 2010

This week's Organic Harvest Box is full of colourful and nutritious goodies:


I thought I would revisit the good ole' avocado this week.  I am always interested in new recipes that incorporate avocado, but the truth be told, I love to eat it plain, or to simply add it to a sandwich.  Avocado offers the nutritional benefits of monounsaturated fat, which may help to lower cholesterol.  They are also are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure.  Some people steer clear of avocado because they worry it is too high in fat, but remember that monounsaturated fat is the "good" kind of fat that your body needs.

Avocados are often enjoyed in salads, sandwiches or other cold meals or snacks.  This Avocado and Roasted Corn Salsa is a lovely addition to many meals, including chicken, beef, and even fish.  A light and easy meal can be made from these Avocado Salad Wraps which are free from grain products and are gluten-free.  Other tasty alternatives are this Avocado Beet Pea Shoot Salad or this Mango, Avocado and Arugula Salad. I stumbled upon this recipe for Carrot, Avocado, and Cilantro Soup and am quite intrigued by it.  Also grabbing my eye was this Avocado and Chocolate Shake  - and I'm not sure how feel about this.  A shake?  That you drink?  With avocado in it?  That seems to bring a whole new level to the term "green smoothie" for me.  If you try it, please let me know how you like it!


Spinach is another nutrient-dense food that is full of goodness and so healthy.  I try to include it in our diet whenever we can.  Spinach is lovely to eat both raw or cooked, and one of the simplest recipes I've ever tried is this Sauteed Spinach from the Food Network.  With only a couple of ingredients this is a fast and basic side dish that can be served with any meal.  Also delicious is this Spinach with Feta Dressing, with just the right amount of feta to give this dish some zing.  If you like spinach in your main dish, then I have definitely got some recipes for you!  How about a rich Spinach Bisque Soup?  Or a Spinach and Tofu Paneer?  Nothing beats a traditional vegetarian Spinach Lasagna, and if you enjoy pasta then you must check out this delicious Angel Hair Pasta in Creamy Spinach Sauce.

Still looking for ideas on how to make those beets just a little more exciting?  Well, look no further!  Spice up your menu this week with these Spiced Pickled Beets and and you'll never look at this purple-coloured root vegetable the same again.  Or better yet, why not try a Red Beet Ravioli or Red Beets on Pasta?  Beets are also fantastic in salads, and two great ones are Red Beet, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Salad and Roasted Beet Salad - why not try one this week?

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