IMMUNITY BOOSTER
Immunity boosters are those foods which support the body's resistance to infection and strengthen immune vigilance and response.
Recipes that include immune-boosting ingredients are below.
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August 15, 2024
The feta cheese in the salad provides protein and calcium. Hint: if you can buy the feta in bulk from a Greek, Persian, or other Middle Eastern deli, do it! Packaged feta will do, but feta from the deli case tastes better. Pine nuts are a good source of B vitamins, folate, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, and manganese. You can buy pine nuts pre-toasted. Leafy green arugula and extra virgin olive oil provide anti-inflammatory properties as do the berries. The salty feta and the sweet berries play beautifully together! Serves 4 Ingredients 1 cup Greek feta cheese, cubed ½ cup extra […]
August 14, 2024
Caramelized onions are wonderful with just about any beef dish. They can go on top of burgers, into beef stroganoff, or used for French onion soup. These onions can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for about a week. I add them to my American Steakhouse Potatoes. Benefits Onions are good at supporting the immune system. Yields about ¾ cup Ingredients 1 sweet onion (Maui or Vidalia), sliced into thin rings 2 Tbs. butter ¼ tsp. Himalayan salt Freshly ground black pepper to taste Scant ¼ cup Sherry wine (I prefer Harvey’s Bristol Cream) Procedure Preheat the […]
July 2, 2024
Summertime Grilled Chicken This Mexican-inspired dish just screams “summer!” The chicken is marinated in my Honey-Lime Dressing, grilled, and paired with my refreshing Strawberry-Avocado Relish for an immunity boost, a dose of antioxidants, and detoxifying support. Serve it with corn on the cob or tortillas. SERVES 2 Ingredients 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 recipe Honey-Lime Dressing 1 recipe Strawberry-Avocado Relish Procedure 1. Marinate the chicken breasts in the Honey-Lime Dressing in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. The easiest way to ensure that the marinade coats the chicken evenly is to put both in a resealable plastic […]
May 7, 2024
Beet and Potato Salad This recipe is my take on the Russian version of potato salad. The wonderful deep-purple color of beets signifies the presence of helpful betalains, which are phytonutrients that support your body’s detoxification systems. Beets are also a great source of folate and fiber. Potatoes are a good source of vitamin B6 and vitamin-C. Serve 6 Ingredients 6 medium red beets, skin on 8 quartered small white potatoes 1⁄4 lb. diced carrots 1⁄4 lb. diced string beans 1 cup white wine vinegar 1⁄4 cup sugar 2 tsp. kosher salt 1⁄4 tsp. white pepper 1 seeded, peeled, and […]
April 23, 2024
GARLIC CRAB ROYALE When served in martini glasses, these crab cocktails make elegant appetizers for dinner parties. I use Alaskan king crab legs, but you can use grilled shrimp instead. Semi-ripe mangoes are more tart than fully ripe mangoes and hold their shape better. Depending on your taste for spicy food and drink, adjust the amount of hot sauce and jalapenos, or omit them. These cocktails are delicious alongside my Guacamole with Pomegranate Seeds and tortilla chips. HEALTH BENEFITS: Crab and other shellfish contain selenium, an antioxidant that increases resistance to infection. The mango, lime, and hot sauce deliver plenty […]
April 23, 2024
This hearty, filling salad has a nice mix of textures thanks to the chewy grains, crunchy raw vegetables, and soft-cooked vegetables. The vinaigrette and dried golden berries add a sweet-sour tang. You can chill this salad for an hour or two to let the flavors blend, but I typically serve it right away. BENEFITS: Whole grains like brown rice, wild rice, and quinoa provide detoxifying fiber, which keeps you feeling full to help you lose weight. Quinoa and wild rice are good sources of Omega-3s, which keep your skin looking fresh and youthful. Golden berries and red bell peppers contain […]
March 12, 2024
Savory Vegan Mushroom Soup Mushroom soup is a fall and winter favorite but now you can make a light, healthy version low in calories and fat yet packed with flavor and nutrients. Whole food ingredients like detoxifying mushrooms, onion and garlic make the base for this simple soup you can make in minutes. Vegetable broth and the secret ingredient, rolled oats, blend together to create a creamy smooth, savory soup. Every ingredient in this recipe lends itself to health; mushrooms in particular are packed with immune boosting compounds called beta-glucans and are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Excellent […]
February 26, 2024
Shrimp and tomatoes are a very Mediterranean combination. I use soy sauce in place of salt and add Worcestershire sauce to create a nice depth of flavor. You’ll get selenium from the shrimp, allicin from the garlic, and lycopene from the tomatoes. Serves 2 Ingredients 3 Tbs. olive oil 1 Tbs. chopped garlic 1 cup chopped onion 1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce 2 tsp. soy sauce 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 3⁄4 lb. peeled shrimp (devein, if desired) Chopped parsley as garnish Chopped chives as garnish Procedure Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add […]
February 26, 2024
Even though the calendar (and the groundhog) says we’re less than six weeks from spring, we’re still in the middle of cold, flu, and Covid season. It’s important to boost your immune system to help ward off these nagging afflictions. It’s much easier to keep them at bay than to fight them off once they’ve settled in. If you haven’t already, you should read the article by our contributing writer and nutritionist Ginger Hultin. It provides in-depth descriptions of foods that contain vitamins, minerals, and compounds that help your body fight diseases. These FoodTrients can be found in delicious recipes […]
February 26, 2024
Cornish Game Hen and Brown Rice Stew This thick and hearty stew is my take on the classic Asian chicken soup. The brown rice makes it even healthier thanks to its high-fiber, selenium-rich properties. Feel free to add carrots, celery, or spinach to the mix. Add hard vegetables earlier in the cooking process and greens or herbs later. I like to soak the brown rice overnight before cooking it. This shortens the cooking time by about 20 minutes. Serves 4-8 Ingredients 1 inch peeled gingerroot 1 Tbs. canola oil 1⁄4 cup chopped onion 1 whole Cornish game hen, cut into […]
February 13, 2024
Apple Barley Salad Barley is a great source of detoxifying fiber, B vitamins, and selenium. I pair it with apples in this bright, crunchy salad. For the corn kernels, I prefer fresh-roasted corn, but you can use thawed frozen corn kernels, too. The apples can be any variety or color that you like, or even a combination. All apples contain quercetin, a compound that helps support the immune system, thereby “keeping the doctor away.” Raisins provide antioxidants and resveratrol, the same heart-healthy compound found in red wine. My Honey-Lime Dressing increases the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunity-boosting components of this recipe. […]
January 31, 2024
This recipe uses a procedure that allows you to create smoked fish at home without using a smoker. Though it takes approximately 6 hours to brine, marinate, and bake the fish, it does not require considerable effort. The secret ingredient is hickory-flavored liquid smoke. Leaving the bones in the fish keeps it firm while it’s “smoking.” Serves 4-6 Ingredients 4 lb. fresh trout, salmon, or mackerel, cleaned and gutted 1 cup kosher salt dissolved in 4 cups water 1 cup olive oil 1⁄4 cup hickory-flavored liquid smoke Lemon slices as garnish Rock salt (optional) Fresh herbs (optional) Procedures Leave […]
January 31, 2024
Lobster not only tastes delicious, but its succulent flesh is loaded with Omega-3s, selenium, zinc, and B vitamins, which protect the brain and fight against cancer cells. The olive oil mayonnaise brings additional anti-inflammatory benefits while helping to prevent the tender lobster meat from drying out in the oven. Serves 2 Ingredients 2 lobster tails Sea salt and ground pepper to taste 2 Tbs. lemon juice (about 1 lemon) 1–2 Tbs. olive oil mayonnaise 1 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese Lemon wedges as garnish Chopped parsley as garnish Procedure Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange the lobster tails shell side […]