I'm a Pepper

Bell peppers have a lot going for them. Shall we say they are one of the best lookin veggie out there? Red ones, green ones, yellow and orange...even purple.

Among it's long list of nutritional attributes, they are crazy high in vitamin C. It is said that the more brightly coloured a food is, the more anti-oxidant power it has. Peppers are definitely top of the list. Red peppers also contain lycopene, a carotenoid that is linked to the prevention of many types of cancers (it's also in tomatoes).

They are also super tasty!

Peppers are one of those produce items that is best enjoyed organic. They tend to be sprayed. It is best to look for ones with relatively blemish-free flesh. I like to smell my peppers and if they smell like a pepper, they're probably fresh.

One of the biggest things with bell peppers is knowing how to cut them. I've witnessed many a friend struggle with cutting out the stem and fighting with those little seeds making a huge mess. Allow me to attempt a little tutorial on:


HOW TO CUT A PEPPER
(this is one of the many things I have learned from "Mr. Brown")

1.

slice off the top of the pepper (right where the flat part meets the "bell" part.

2.


pull out the seed bit. it should come out very easily and all in one piece

it now looks like this:


the stem will easily fall out of the top

4.
Voila!

the only thing wasted is the seeds. you can slice it so you get lovely rounds, or slice it into long strips.


EASY!!


Take care,

THE NUTRITIONISTA

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HATE THEM

What am I talking about? I'm talking about brussel sprouts. So many people claim to not like them. I know! Those who love them find it incomprehensible. My theory is that those who claim them to be vile are those people who have only had them boiled or cooked in some other horrible manner.

So this post goes out to all those B-sprout haters. These little green wonders are members of the Brassica family, along with cabbage and broccoli. They are very high in Vitamin C and have many anti-oxidant and cancer fighting properties. They are also high in Vitamin A which is key in healthy skin. What's best is that they are in season right now so get out there and buy some.

I bring you the best way to easily cook them and make them taste wonderful.

right out of the oven


ROASTED BRUSSEL SPROUTS

What you need:
- however many sprouts you have. The more the merrier. - Trim off the white end bit and either cut them in slices or leave them whole
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
- an oven or toaster oven pre-heated to broil

In a bowl, toss sprouts in a little bit of olive oil (so they are coated. Place them on a cooking tray and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Place tray in oven and let them broil until they are just brown. They are sooo delicious and sweet. TRUST ME.


Take care,
THE NUTRITIONISTA