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Celery Juice | Edie’s Tip of the day

Drinking celery juice in the morning is another way to reap dietary health benefits.

Celery Juice

What are the benefits?
Celery juice contains important vitamins and minerals including magnesium, potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Excellent for bone and heart health, the immune system, eliminating toxicity from the body, and it possesses anti-cancer properties. The drink is especially powerful in its ability to reduce inflammation and improve gut health, which can help heal a number of ailments including chronic pain, skin problems, and digestive issues.  Celery juice does and can help with detoxification, especially because you’ll be getting some fiber and a lot of antioxidants.

Let me add, making celery juice is actually really easy! You only need fresh celery stalks and a juicer. There are a lot of claims that drinking celery juice can help reduce bloating and help with digestion.  However, it really depends on the individual and what your digestive system is used to. Celery juice can help with digestion, but it kind of depends on what you’re used to and what state of health your gut is in when you start. I had started with 4 ounces per day and increased up to 16 ounces per day.  I personally do recommend to drink celery juice in the morning hours and if you want to venture out with different favors please add apples, mango or carrots.

Replies to emails: Celery Juicing 
Q: Can I drink celery juice on an empty stomach?

A: It’s thought that drinking celery juice on an empty stomach helps the body absorb more of the nourishing and healing micro nutrients. Yes, do so!

Q: Will I like the taste and what does celery juice taste like?

A: Not surprisingly, it tastes like celery. I am a huge fan of the flavor, but sometimes I’ll add apples or mango for added sweetness.  Don’t forget to peel before juicing.

 

INGREDIENTS:
1. Grab two bunches of celery and cut off the base (I like to use the top of the stalks).
2. Wash them gently in a colander.
3. Feed the celery through the juicer machine.
4. Serve the juice immediately and keep any leftovers try to drink thought out the day or keep in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge.

Enjoy,

Chef EdieM

Celery Stalk Healthy Benefits | Wasabi Bloody Mary

CELERY

Apples walk away with most health accolades, and spinach leads the healthy veggie brigade. Compared to them, celery is somewhat unsung, but once you read it’s incredible–and nearly endless–list of health benefits, you will quickly join its growing list of lovers.

• Celery is a great choice if you are watching your weight. One large stalk contains only 10 calories! So, add celery to your shopping list and enjoy it in your salads, soups and stir-fries.
• Celery reduces inflammation. If you are suffering from joint pains, lung infections, asthma, or acne, eating more celery will bring much-needed relief.
• It helps you calm down: Celery for stress-relief? Oh yes! The minerals in celery, especially magnesium, and the essential oil in it, soothe the nervous system. If you enjoy a celery-based snack in the evening, you will sleep better.
• It regulates the body’s alkaline balance, thus protecting you from problems such as acidity.
• Celery aids digestion: some say celery tastes like “crunchy water,” and that is the reason it is so good for your digestive system. The high water content of celery, combined with the insoluble fiber in it, makes it a great tool for easy passage of stool. Note: because celery has diuretic and cleansing properties, those with diarrhea should avoid eating it.
• It contains “good” salts. Yes, celery does contain sodium, but it is not the same thing as table salt. The salt in celery is organic, natural and essential for your health.
• It cares for your eyes. One large stalk of celery can deliver up to 10 percent of your daily need for Vitamin A, a group of nutrients that protects the eyes and prevents age-related degeneration of vision.
• Celery reduces “bad” cholesterol: There is a component in celery called butylphthalide. It gives the vegetable its flavor and scent. Guess what: this component also reduces bad cholesterol! A Chicago University research shows that just two stalks of celery a day can reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) by up to 7 points!
• It lowers blood pressure: An active compound called phthalides in celery has been proven to boost circulatory health. Raw, whole celery reduces high blood pressure.
• It can amp up your sex life: and this is not just hearsay. Dr. Alan R. Hirsch, Director of the Smeel and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, says two pheromones in celery–androstenone and androstenol–boost your arousal levels. They are released when you chew on a celery stalk.
• Celery can combat cancer: Two studies at the University of Illinois show that a powerful flavonoid in celery, called luteolin, inhibits the growth of cancer cells, especially in the pancreas. Another study suggests that the regular intake of celery could significantly delay the formation of breast cancer cells.

Useful Tips: Choose celery with upright stalks that snap when bent. The leaves should be fresh and crisp. When selecting celery, remember this rule of thumb: The darker the color, the stronger the flavor. Freshly chopped celery retains its nutrients much better than if you chop and store it even for a few hours. Steamed celery not only retains its flavor, but also most of its nutrients–up to 99 percent of them, in fact!

Sake Bloody Mary

Making new traditions for the past two years with my sister, Felicia. Day trips at the beach are among the most honored family traditions with my sister. Excitement, with very little stress, and over all fun times at the beach. Our day starts at our favorite spot Pop’s Garage on the boardwalk in Asbury Park down at the Jersey Shore. Felicia will have her Mimosa and I the Bloody Mary. By the way Asbury Park is a great place to shop, dine, stroll the boardwalk or enjoy the beach and surf. The city has a wonderful downtown mixed with restaurants, clubs with a mix of art galleries, antique and retail shops. After several hours in the sun, we head out to McLoone’s Asbury Grille for our afternoon drinks and lunch with it’s fine casual menu in a relaxed atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating. Great!!

 

Bloody Mary | Two of my favorites

Wasabi Bloody Mary

• 1 OZ SMIRNOFF PROOF VODKA
• 3 OZ TOMATO JUICE
• 6 DASH(ES) WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
• 3 DASH(ES) HOT SAUCE
• 1 PINCH(ES) PEPPER
• 1 SQUEEZE(S) WASABI
• 1 Celery Stalk

1. Combine lime juice and Wasabi with a whisk, until Wasabi dissolves.
2. Pour into a pitcher, and add tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, pepper sauce and salt. Chill.
3. Stir in vodka and serve over ice in tall glass, with a stalk of celery or pickled asparagus. Serves 8.

 

Sake & Shōchū Bloody Mary

• 3 cups tomato juice or V8
• 1 1/2 cups Shōchū
• 3 tablespoons Sake
• 2 tablespoons Teriyaki sauce
• 2 tablespoons pickled Ginger brine
• 2 tablespoons Mso paste
• 1 tablespoon lime juice from 1 lime
• 2 teaspoons Wasabi powder, plus more to taste
• 2 tablespoons Togarashi (red chili peppers Japanese condiment)
• 6 lime wedges from 1 lime
• 1/4 cup Kosher salt
• 12 pieces pickled ginger

1. In a large pitcher, combine tomato juice, sochu, sake, teriyaki sauce, ginger brine, miso paste, lime juice, wasabi powder, and 1 tablespoon togarashi. Stir well until miso paste is fully dissolved.
2. On a small plate, combine salt and 1 tablespoon togarashi. Run a lime wedge around the rim of 6 tall beer or Collins glasses and coat edge with salt-togarashi mixture. Place a lime wedge on the edge of each glass and fill with ice.
3. Pour cocktail into glasses and garnish with a cocktail skewer threaded with 2 pieces of pickled ginger.

 

 

Chef EdieM

Ensalada de Bacalao | Cod Fish Salad with Mojito

Ensalada de Bacalao (Codfish Salad)

Ingredients
2 lbs, dry/salted bacalao, desalted
4 white potatoes, boiled and cubed
1 large red onion, peeled and sliced into rings
3 tomatoes, sliced
½ green bell pepper, thinly sliced
½ red bell pepper, thinly sliced
3 hard boiled eggs, shelled cooled and sliced
4 Fresh garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 avocados, sliced
1 small jar of red pimientos, sliced
½ cup Spanish olives ½ cup olive oil 1 tbsp of white vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Let’s make this happen…

1. Rinse codfish under warm running water to rinse off excess salt. Then add to a pot of boiling water, let it boil for about ½ hour. Drain the water, add fresh water and boil again for 20 minutes. Drain and let it cool.
2. Shred or pull apart into bite size pieces using your fingers. Set aside to let drain and cool again.
3. Clean, peel and dice potatoes into large cubes. Boil the potatoes for only 20 minutes. Let potatoes, sit and cool.
4. Boil the eggs.
5. Place the fish in the salad bowl as the first layer. Add the other ingredients except for the olive oil, vinegar & hard boiled eggs. Make other layers with the codfish and all the ingredients until all is used up., salt, and pepper. Combine vinegar & olive and drizzle over the salad. Gently toss until all ingredients are well coated with the dressing. Add sliced boiled eggs, & garnish with red pimientos.

Serves 6

Pairing: Ice Cold Mojito

Mojito Ingredients: Original recipe makes 1 cocktail Change Servings

10 Fresh mint leaves

½ Lime cut into 4 wedges

2 tablespoons white sugar, or to taste

1 cup ice cubes

1 ½ Ounces White Bacardi Rum

1/2 cup Club Soda

Let’s make this happen…

1. Place mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a sturdy glass. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release the mint oils and lime juice.
2. Add 2 more lime wedges and the sugar, and muddle again to release the lime juice. Do not strain the mixture.
3. Fill the glass almost to the top with ice.
4. Pour the rum over the ice, and fill the glass with carbonated water. Stir, taste, and add more sugar if desired.
5. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge.

Note: If you’re going to muddle the mint leaves in the glass, add a little sugar to it too. The sugar is an abrasive and will grind up the leaves very well

 

 

Enjoy Chef EdieM