April 18, 2010
How to Boil Artichokes
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Boiling artichokes is one of the easiest ways to cook them. You can boil them plain or stuff them and boil them. Prepare the Artichokes Cut off the stems so the artichokes can stand upright in the pan. Next, remove the tough outer leaves near the stem. Rinse the artichokes
April 18, 2010
16 Facts About Artichokes
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The artichoke is a perennial thistle that originated in the Mediterranean. The artichoke is technically a flower bud that has not yet bloomed. The first mention of artichokes in literature was around 40-70 AD in The Greek Herbal of Dioscorides, a book on the medicinal uses of plants. The Greeks
April 10, 2010
8 Quotes About Artichokes
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"Life is like eating artichokes, you have got to go through so much to get so little." - Thomas Aloysius Dorgan "His memoir is a splendid artichoke of anecdotes, in which not merely the heart and leaves but the thistles as well are edible." - John Leonard "Remind me to
Low Fat Artichoke Dipping Sauce Recipe with Dill
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Everyone who loves artichokes has their preferred sauce in which to dip the fleshy part of the leaves. I've read that in the United States lemon butter is most popular on the east coast while mayonnaise is preferred in the west. Of course, there are many variations on both. Here's
April 8, 2010
Castroville Artichoke Festival - May 2010
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I live about a forty-five minute drive from Castroville, California, the artichoke capital of the world. This is great for me because I love artichokes and can buy a bag of 12 medium sized artichokes for about a dollar at the farms around Castroville. The local restaurants and stores in
January 12, 2010
12 Facts About Pizza
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Pizza originated in Naples, Italy. The first pizzas were just dough and tomato sauce - no cheese. Antica Pizzeria was the world's first pizzeria. It opened in Naples, Italy in 1738. It wasn't until 1889 that cheese was first added to pizza in Italy, when famous pizza chef Raffaele Esposito
December 14, 2009
10 Facts About Lasagna
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Lasagna is a dish made of alternating layers of pasta, cheese, sauce, and meat and/or vegetables. Lasagna is believed to have originated in Italy. The plural of lasagna is lasagne. In Italy, the plural form, lasagne, is always used when referring to lasagna. The word lasagna originally referred to the
December 13, 2009
Quotes About Italian Food
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"Everything you see I owe to pasta." - Sophia Loren "I do love Italian food. Any kind of pasta or pizza." - Jennifer Love Hewitt "I love pasta with the homemade marinara sauce I had as a kid." - Bernadette Peters "Life is a combination of magic and pasta." -
December 11, 2009
The Different Types of Lentils
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There are many different types of lentils. Here's a description of some of the most popular varieties. Brown Lentils These are the most common type of lentils found in stores. The have a mild flavor and can be used in many different types of recipes. They tend to get mushy
20 Facts About Lentils
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The lentil (Lens ensculenta) is a legume that grows in pods containing one or two lentil seeds. They are believed to have originated in central Asia. Lentils have been eaten by humans since Neolithic times and were one of the first domesticated crops. In the Middle East, lentil seeds have
Lentil Tomato Soup Recipe
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Lentil soup is a hearty, delicious staple that will keep you healthy and warm through the winter. Adding tomatoes makes it even more nutritious and hearty. Ingredients 2 1/2 cups uncooked lentils 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes 2 yellow onions, diced 1 green pepper, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced
How to Store Lentils
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Dried lentils can be stored indefinitely but for best flavor they should be used within a year. For best results, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place. Cooked lentils will stay good for about a week in the refrigerator if kept in a covered container.
Soaking Lentils - Why You Don't Need to Soak Lentils
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Many people wonder if it is necessary to soak lentils before using them. The answer is no. Unlike other legumes that need to be soaked before use, lentils can be used right away. They cook much faster than other beans and soaking them will make them mushy. Just place them
December 10, 2009
How Many Calories in Lentils?
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A cup of lentils has about 229 calories. One cup also has 198% of the daily recommended value of molybdenum and 89.5% of the recommended daily amount of folate. Related Content How Many Calories in Lima Beans?
December 8, 2009
How Many Calories in Green Beans?
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A cup of green beans has about 43 calories, making it a great low calorie, filling side dish. The same amount of green beans is also a great source of Vitamin C (30% of the recommended daily value) and Vitamin K (20% of the recommended daily value). Related Content How
How Many Calories in Lima Beans?
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One cup of lima beans has about 602 calories. Lima beans are a great source of iron and protein, with one cup providing 74% of the recommended daily value of iron and 72% of the daily value of protein. Related Content 12 Facts About Lima Beans
12 Facts About Lima Beans
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The lima bean is a legume. Its official name is phaseolus lunatus. They are named after the city of Lima, Peru. They are also often called butter beans or chad beans. The three main varieties are dwarf, small, and large. The lima bean is believed to have originated in either
December 1, 2009
Papaya Allergy
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Papaya can cause an allergic reaction in people with a latex allergy. People who are allergic to latex may be allergic to some fruits like papaya as well as avocados, tomatoes, melons, bananas, figs, grapes, and several other fruits. Raw papaya causes a stronger allergic reaction than cooked papaya. Handling
November 29, 2009
Pomegranate Juice and Blood Pressure
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Pomegranate juice has shown promise in early studies for its blood pressure lowering effects. According to the Mayo Clinic, more research needs to be done to determine how well pomegranate juice works in lowering blood pressure but the evidence so far looks promising. It is believed that the high level
Pomegranate Juice and Prostate Cancer
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Research has shown that pomegranate juice inhibits prostate cancer in mice. A 2005 study done at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences also found that PSA markers were lower in mice given pomegranate juice. It was the first published study to
How to Open a Pomegranate
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To open a pomegranate, place it on a cutting board covered with a towel you don't mind getting stained. Cut the top part off (the crown) like you would cut off the top of a pumpkin. Remove the "lid" you have created. You'll see five membranes inside. Cut the outside
November 28, 2009
Where to Buy Green Papaya
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I just posted a recipe for Thai Green Papaya Salad that calls for green, unripe papaya. However, it can be hard to find unripened papaya in western markets. Most papayas for sale are ripe or in varying stage of ripeness. Your best bet for finding green papayas is your local
Thai Green Papaya Salad Recipe | Som Tam Recipe
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Green Papaya Salad is a Thai dish made with unripened papayas. It is called Som tam in Thailand. Som tam translates to "sour pounded" in English. There are many variations on Som tam throughout Thailand and the world. The traditional version includes fish sauce and dried shrimp but Som tam
Papaya Seed Salad Dressing Recipe
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Ingredients 1/4 cup fresh papaya seeds 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 c. yellow onion, chopped 1 tsp. ground, dry mustard 1/4 cup sugar salt to taste Directions Put mustard, sugar, salt, and vinegar and blend until mixed. Add olive oil and blend. Finally, add the
How to Store Papaya
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To store ripe papayas, place them in a plastic bag and put them in the refrigerator. If they are left at room temperature they will continue to ripen and become overripe. They will keep up to a week in the fridge but they are at their best if eaten within
November 27, 2009
How Many Calories in a Papaya?
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Papaya is one of the healthiest foods you can eat, but how many calories does it have? One medium papaya has about 119 calories, 0 grams of fat, and 313% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C. One cup of raw papaya cubes has about 55 calories and 144%
How to Ripen Papaya
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The best way to ripen a slightly green papaya is to place it in a paper bag and place it in the refrigerator until it is ripe. You can also place an apple or a banana in the bag to make them ripen faster. Once it has turned mostly yellow
How to Eat Papaya | Eating Papaya
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What's the easiest way to eat a fresh, ripe papaya? First, cut it in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds (or leave them in - they are safe to eat). Now simply eat the fruit out of the peel with a spoon or a melon baller. Or you can peel
20 Facts About Papaya
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The papaya is the fruit of the Carica Papaya tree. It is native to southern Mexico and Central America and is now cultivated in many tropical regions. The fruit sometimes used to be referred to as a "tree melon." In Australia it is called Papaw or Paw Paw. Today there
Can You Eat Papaya Seeds?
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Papaya seeds are black and resemble peppercorns. Many people wonder if they are edible. The answer is yes. In fact, papaya seeds are used in many recipes and have several health benefits (see link at the end of this article for a list of papaya seed health benefits). They have
4 Health Benefits of Papaya Seeds
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Not only are papaya seeds edible, but they are also good for you. Here are four health benefits of papaya seeds. Antibacterial Properties Research has found that papaya seeds are effective against E. coli, Salmonella, and Staph infections. Kidney Protection Research has found that papaya seed extract may protect the
