Well, my New Year's Resolution begins with a commitment to super healthy foods for January and more morning walks in the snow. Now that the holiday season
is over, I'll also cut back to moderate wine consumption. Moderate wine
consumption is still considered healthy and even medicinal by many
doctors.
In order to enjoy the benefits of wine, such as its antioxidants and other health benefits, consider choosing reds over whites. But keep in mind that a moderate amount of alcohol (from white wines or beer), alcohol in general, is now believed to also be good for the body. Moderate alcohol is believed to raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the 'good' cholesterol. Moderate alcohol is also believed to reduce the form of blood clots and help prevent artery damage caused by high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the bad stuff.
Moderate wine consumption is defined as an average of 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women. One drink is measured as 12 ounces (355 mL) of beer, 5 ounces (148 mL) of wine or 1.5 ounces (44 mL) of 80-proof distilled spirits.
Crisp, dry white wines include Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, bone-dry Riesling, Vinho Verde and Soave. They can be partnered to a variety of healthy hors d'oeuvres to enjoy before your entree.
Edamame is a green soy bean and should be considered a super food. It is a natural source of antioxidants and isoflavones. This bean is 36 percent protein, which is 86 percent higher than mature soybeans. It is high in vitamin C and B and E and contains calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and copper. Edamame is also low in saturated fat and has no cholesterol.
To make a taste Edamame Dip, cook 1 (10 ounce) packages of edamame beans in a large pot of boiling, salted water for 3 to 5 minutes until tender. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beans to a bowl of iced water. Return water in pot to boil again and add 2 (10 ounce) packages of frozen green peas. Heat up the peas for about 2 minutes. Transfer the peas to the bowl with the edamame beans. Let them cool. Working in batches in a food processor or blender, puree the beans and peas, adding vegetable oil as needed but sparingly to give the mixture a smooth texture. Also add into the blender 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup of fresh mint, 2 cloves of garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin. The most important ingredient is the lemon juice as it acts as a bridging ingredient between the dip and the wine. Add the fresh juice from 1 lemon. Transfer the pureed mixture to a clean bowl, cover and refrigerate until dinner time.
The tangy flavour of this dip, due to the lemon, harmonizes with the crisp acidity in all the wines listed above.
In order to enjoy the benefits of wine, such as its antioxidants and other health benefits, consider choosing reds over whites. But keep in mind that a moderate amount of alcohol (from white wines or beer), alcohol in general, is now believed to also be good for the body. Moderate alcohol is believed to raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the 'good' cholesterol. Moderate alcohol is also believed to reduce the form of blood clots and help prevent artery damage caused by high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the bad stuff.
Moderate wine consumption is defined as an average of 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women. One drink is measured as 12 ounces (355 mL) of beer, 5 ounces (148 mL) of wine or 1.5 ounces (44 mL) of 80-proof distilled spirits.
Crisp, dry white wines include Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, bone-dry Riesling, Vinho Verde and Soave. They can be partnered to a variety of healthy hors d'oeuvres to enjoy before your entree.
Edamame is a green soy bean and should be considered a super food. It is a natural source of antioxidants and isoflavones. This bean is 36 percent protein, which is 86 percent higher than mature soybeans. It is high in vitamin C and B and E and contains calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and copper. Edamame is also low in saturated fat and has no cholesterol.
To make a taste Edamame Dip, cook 1 (10 ounce) packages of edamame beans in a large pot of boiling, salted water for 3 to 5 minutes until tender. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beans to a bowl of iced water. Return water in pot to boil again and add 2 (10 ounce) packages of frozen green peas. Heat up the peas for about 2 minutes. Transfer the peas to the bowl with the edamame beans. Let them cool. Working in batches in a food processor or blender, puree the beans and peas, adding vegetable oil as needed but sparingly to give the mixture a smooth texture. Also add into the blender 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup of fresh mint, 2 cloves of garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin. The most important ingredient is the lemon juice as it acts as a bridging ingredient between the dip and the wine. Add the fresh juice from 1 lemon. Transfer the pureed mixture to a clean bowl, cover and refrigerate until dinner time.
The tangy flavour of this dip, due to the lemon, harmonizes with the crisp acidity in all the wines listed above.
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