Posts Tagged With: steamers

Rainbow ‘Slaw and Rosehip Tea

Posted on April 18, 2012 by leroy watson

Beets and 'Rots

Today the sky is the deepest of greys, the washing nearly blew away and Jane poured a pint of water all over her computer. We both held the stricken machine in our hands, then noticed the water pouring out of the side with the plug still in the wall…the penny dropped…we placed it in-front of the fire and thanked our lucky stars for not getting frazzled.

We put on some Vashti Bunyan and started to make lunch……….

Out of this peaceful state came this wonderful combination of vibrant colours and flavours. The salad is an old friend from past summer days, the beetroot, carrot and orange is a tantalising combination and packed full of good things. Preparation could not be easier, this is a real raw food delight. The tea is fairly straightforward also!

From a potential near-death experience, to a rainbow lunch and ‘Rosehip November’ (in April). Happy days at the Beach House.

The ‘Slaw

The Bits

1 large beetroot, 1 large carrot, 1 large chunk of butternut squash (optional, just increase the carrot by one), juice of half an orange, handful of chopped coriander.

Do It

Grate all veggies, we used a hand grater, or plug-in your food processor. I appreciated the exercise actually. I peeled the beetroot and the squash. Squeeze in the OJ and throw in the greenery. Add the finely chopped pith of the orange for even more of a citrus POW! Mix up and leave at room temp for a while, let the flavours mingle a little.

Serve

We made a lunch out of it with some toasted leek oatbread (recipe soon to appear on the blog) and cucumber raita. This is a versatile ‘slaw that will brighten up any plate.

We spiced it up with a couple of pinches of Ras El- Hanout spice and a splash of olive oil. Our raw life starts in June, why not live dangerously for a while!

The Tea

Clipper Rose hip (and Hibiscus)

It’s a Clipper Tea. An organically grown infusion, fruity, with a deep colour and plenty of vitamin C. The good people of Clipper are in all of our supermarkets in the UK and always good value.

They use unbleached bags and have an awesome range. Their black tea is a winner with a splash of soya milk (and lashings of honey, B.H.K style). We have also tried the tasty Dandelion and Burdock Tea, which took us back to our childhood days, drinking the fizzy sweet version out of glass bottles in bracken, near streams.

Buy the Rose hip tea here:

http://shop.clipper-teas.com/teas/fruit/organic-rosehip-infusion

And check out the new Clipper Green Room, for offers on the range of teas and loads of top giveaways:

http://www.clippergreenroom.com/

Foodie Fact

Rose hip has been used for years for its health properties, the fruit of the Rose is especially good for the joints. The Vikings used it on long sea voyages to ward off scurvy, its packed with Vitamin C. It also contains most of the B vitamins and the mighty vitamin K, with antioxidants and rich fatty acids surely making this a real superfood.

Rosehip November/ April

Categories: B.H.K Reviews, Infusions, Low G.I. (glycemic index), Lunch, Organic, Raw Food, Recipes, Salads, Side Dish, Snacks and Inbetweens, Superfoods, Tea, Vegan | Tags: B.H.K Review, clipper, clipper teas, dairy free, food, gluten-free, good fats, health, hibiscus, high nutrients, music, organic, product review, raw, raw food, recipes, rose, rosehip, rosehip tea, salads, snacks, steamers, superfoods, vashti bunyan, vegan, vegetarian, vikings, Vitamin C, vitamin K | 1 Comment

Apple Mull Steamer

Posted on February 10, 2012 by leroy watson

Apple juice made by local kids

If you live on the grey island, it’s probably snowing where you are. This is the ideal tonic for a chill, we’ve been spiced up on this all winter.

It’s an intense cordial that glows with the spices of distant lands (as you look out at the grey drizzle). We will normally have a cordial in the fridge and it will change with the seasons. I’m looking forward to something elderflower soon………

Heres a ‘steamer’ of pure Beach House loveX

The Bits

One bottle of good quality cloudy apple juice. Glass is best in this situation (you can re-use it) or use a corked old wine bottle (clear glass looks very cool).

Zest of a lemon (or orange) in long slices, not chopped.

2 star anise, one stick of cinnamon, 2 cloves, 1 bashed liquorice root, a finger of ginger in large chunks, a little splash of good vanilla essence.

1 large tablespoon of honey (or to taste)

Do It

Pour the apple juice into a pan, add all ingredients.

Bring to a steam, close to boiling, then lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes (or longer, the flavours will only get more infused), do not boil, leave to cool. Wash bottle well.

When cooled, pour back in bottle, I like to add all the bits into the bottle also. Keeps well in the fridges for a week, but won’t last that long!

Serve

Use it like a cordial, with hot water. Or take it to the next level with a glug of dark rum.

We Love It

Its gives the body a big warm hug and if drank with rum, this potion will send the most stressed mind to a blissed out place of calm.

Foodie Fact

You’ll get a big kick of Star Anise in this mull. It has been used in China and India to treat disorders of the nervous conditions. Cloves are powerful! Not just in flavour. they are anti-oxidant, anti-flammatory, anti-septic, as well as calming and warming. Ahhhhhhh

Categories: Infusions, Recipes, Relax | Tags: fruit, relax, soothing, steamers, vegetarian | Leave a comment

Magic Morning Lemon Water

Posted on January 31, 2012 by leroy watson

I have always known that a glass of hot water and lemon is a good idea first thing. It just feels right (especially after a whiskey the night before). I thought I’d read into exactly why and was pleasantly surprised.

A glass of hot(ish) water and lemon will stimulate your digestive system, the potassium in lemons will help to give the brain and nervous systems a wake up call. The vitamin C boosts the immune system and reduces the signs of aging by purging toxins from the blood. The citric acid, when metabolised, will help lower your bodies acidity. Most of us are too acidic (in many ways!).

Lemons are high in pectin fibre, which helps fight hunger pangs. They help to stimulate the liver into producing more bile, which aids digestion, helping against heartburn and indigestion. Your peeing rate will increase, flushing out more toxins.

The fructose is lemon will give you a gradual sugar kick. Fructose levels are relatively low in fruit and vegetables and release sugar into the blood slowly (a low glycemic index), so its better than most other sugar***.

Fresh lemon will help to beat chest infections and has been known to help with allergies and asthma. You will be more chilled, Vitamin C is one of the first things to be depleted by a stressful life.

Most of all, it starts the day of with a zing! A real citrus wake up call.

As of this very day, I will almost definately, be drinking this every morning (maybe).

Remember – use the lemon peel. Its bursting with flavour and it’s such a waste to just use the juice.

***However, there is an increased use of high fructose corn syrup in processed foods. We can end up eating too much fructose, which can be a problem. Fructose is processed in the liver and avoids the normal appetite stimulators. This means that we feel like scoffing more and put on weight. If the liver processes too much frustose it begins to form triglycerides which may lead to heart disease. Diabetes is another potential concern.

The Hit List

HFCS is found in processed cereals, sweets (candy), soft drinks, ice cream, tinnned fruits, cakes, even some cough syrups. Thankfully its used less in Europe than the U.S.A, but its still there and ever increasing. It’s a cheap way for big business to sweeten food. Stay away from food wrapped in plastic and you are on the right track.

Categories: Breakfast, Healthy Living, Infusions, Nutrition | Tags: digestive system, fruit, frustose, glycemic index, good sugars, healthy living, high fructose corn syrup, high nutrients, lemon, nutrition, steamers, Vitamin C | Leave a comment

Morning ‘Steamers’

Posted on January 31, 2012 by leroy watson

My mug

Fresh and clean. These steamers are the perfect way to get the body hydrated and feeling vibrant in the morning and are easier than making a cup of tea.

There must be something in the ether because two friends, Julie and Gwen, have sent me their style of ‘steamer’ through today. I felt prompted to share.

A steamer is basically an infusion of anything with hot water. I regularly used ginger, mint, lemon, rosemary (a little), add a little honey if you’re a sweet one. I would not drink them very hot, let them cool a little, be gentle with your poor old body, especially in the morning.

There is not much to this.

The bits

Your favourite mug that brings you the most happiness.

Choose from:

– A couple of teaspoons of sliced ginger (no need to peel, just wash)

– A nice wedge of lemon (squeezed into water and plopped in)

– A small handful of torn mint leaves.

– A classic. Teaspoon of honey, squeezed wedge of lemon, teaspoon of sliced ginger.

Julie’s Steamer

Add one stick of bashed lemongrass

Gwen’s Steamer

Add one stick of peel liquorice root and a small handful of mint leaves.

Do It

Drop in bits and leave to steam for a few minutes. Then aaaaahhhhhhhenjoy.

We Love It

As Gwen rightly put it, a fresh steamer will beat any tea bag, any day, forever. Viva steamers!

Foodie Fact

There are many health benefits to drinking warm water when you first rise, especially with a slice of lemon in (see the post ‘Magic Morning Lemon Water’). Warm water will flush out the kidneys and prepare the stomach for food by stimulate the glands on its walls, helping the bowels move regularly (hoorah!).

Warm water can be used easier by the body, it’s not such a shock to the system, because it doesn’t need to be warmed up. Drinking water at mealtimes can dilute gastric juices and slow digestion. It’s a good idea to drink water half an hour before eating. Drinking water is different from getting water via food or juice, clear water helps to cleanse the body internally.

The ‘Steamer’ variations are many. Have a play and let me know of your favourites……star anise, sticks of cinnamon, grapefruit juice etcetcetc……….How do you like yours?

I truly believe that after a good stretch, they are the best way to start the day.

If you like this kind of thing, Gwen has a great vegan and freegan blog, have a wee look: http://peasandloveblog.blogspot.com/