Watermelon Gazpacho

I actually got this recipe from a classmate Christina Dwyer and she got this recipe from the Food Network.  It is super easy.  It is perfect for hot hot days that are 90+ and also days with a killer hangover.  I cooked it this week because of the weather, no hangover for me : ) 

The recipe has a great taste and the ingredients blend well together.  I would suggest if you are cooking for yourself to make a small portion.  Although it tastes amazing, around the third day of eating this I was soooo sick of it.  As a single cooker, I try to make things that I don't get tired of eating.  This is not one of those recipes. So impress your friends, make this as an appetizer for a dinner party.  They will love it!


Watermelon Gazpacho
Level: Easy
Yields: 4 servings
Cooking Time: 15 min
Source: Food Network

Ingredients:
1 large tomato or 2 small Plum Tomatoes
½ Serrano Chile, finely diced
2 cups cubed fresh watermelon
1 tsp red wine vinegar
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp minced red onion
½ cucumber, seeded and minced
2 tbsp minced fresh dill, plus more for garnish
Kosher/Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Directions:
In a blender/food processor, puree the tomatoes, and ½ of the watermelon. Pour in the red wine vinegar and olive oil. Pulse to mix. Add the onion, cucumber, dill, salt and pepper. Puree until smooth. Pour into chilled bowls, sprinkle with dill, and the remaining watermelon.

Ingredient Analysis:
Tomatoes: Sweet, sour, cold; ST, LI; Promotes Fluids, Clears heat, Promotes urination, supplements the KD
Chile Peppers: Hot, pungent; SP, HT; Warms middle jiao, expels cold, invigorates blood, dispersing esp. for the LU
Watermelon: Sweet, cold; UB, ST, HT; Relieves summerheat, generates fluids and relieves thirst, promotes urination, reduces jaundice, clears heat toxins
Red Wine Vinegar: Warm, sour, bitter; promotes circulation, removes stagnant blood and qi, reduces accumulations in the LV, relieves dampness, stops bleeding, astringent
Olive Oil: Sl. Warm, sweet; moistens dryness, anti-inflammatory
Red Onion: Acrid, Warm; LU, ST, LI; promotes circulation of qi, expels cold, promotes sweating, diuretic
Cucumbers: Cool, sweet; HT, SP, ST, LI, LU; Promotes urination, Clears heat toxins, lifts depression, cleanses the blood, moistens the LU, purifies skin, Treats summerheat
Dill: Digestive aid, eradicates flatulence, detoxifies LV, reduces toxins and carcinogens in the body
Salt: Salty, cold; KD; clears heat and cools blood, eases bowel movement, nourishes KD
Pepper: Warm; Stimulates the flow of qi, esp. warming for the middle jiao, treats diarrhea and watery stool, opens the pores, counteracts food poisoning and indigestion

Overall Recipe Analysis:

Summer Heat/ Damp Heat Disorders

The main bulk of ingredients in this recipe are the watermelon, tomatoes, and cucumbers. These three ingredients are all cold or cooling , so are most likely to be used for conditions that are hot in nature. Watermelon and tomatoes are the predominant ingredients, so they will help clear heat, and resolve dampness by promoting urination.This is why I suggest it for hangovers.  It will clear out the toxicity of the alcohol will engendering natural fluids of the body. Watermelon is by far the best summer fruit to clear sweating, ravenous hunger and just that feeling of heat you get on the 90 degrees and up days.  If you suffer from loose stools meaning you having any bowel movements that are not formed, watery or you find undigested food or phlegm this recipe is NOT for you.  It WILL make these symptoms worse.   

Chizakaya Restaurant Review.

Chicago Restaurant Review

So I went to Chizakaya a Japanese Restaurant and Pub.  Chicago doesn't have too many Japanese Restaurants so I was thrilled to check it out.  The restaurant had a quick- ass mural on their wall/ceiling, and the overall feel was modern asian but still quaint.  There was a back room that seemed to be for larger parties or private parties I wasn't too sure, but was awesome is the back party gets to see the kitchen cook the food from their table. 

I went with a friend.  We shared Sake, which was overpriced.  I can admit I am a little spoiled by the Sushi madness in Lakeview...  I wanted to try everything on the menu because they had a lot of crazy things beef tongue, pig ear, black edamame...Oh, and the menu had a little glossary of items from the menu to help you figure out what things were. 

We ordered:
Bonito (skipjack tuna) tataki, spicy ponzu-this was my least favorite.  The tuna flakes kinda tasted fishey and I don't like fish that is fishy.   Hamachi, bone marrow, garlic, ume boshi-this was AMAZING.  The roasted garlic was so good.  All of the flavors came together quite nicely.  This was my friend's least favorite.  

Crab crusted salmon, asparagus, tare gelee-this dish was full of flavor. The salmon was too die for but the other two dishes were way more original with different tastes.
Ramen Noodles- yup, you can order noodles and broth.  Can't go wrong with Ramen.

Overall, I would recommend the place to check out as an experience BUT I found it to be too pricey.  I am student but with these small choices our bill came out to $90! A little too much in my opinion.  Service was ok to good, food wait was SLLLLLOOOOOOOWW. BUT it was 8 on a Friday so to be expected.  Good thing for the sake!

Grandmother's Banana Nut Bread-The perfect comfort food

NOTE: I made this recipe recently and think when I scanned this recipe in I messed up on the ingredients.  I will fix sooon!

4   to 5 tsp. Salt-KD- clears heat, cools blood, nourishes Kidneys 

5   c. Whole wheat flour- SP HT KD-Supplements Qi, Nourishes Heart and calms the spirit

                 6   Tbsp. Butter, softened-similar to milk and moistens dryness, supplements Qi 
                 3 eggs-SP ST LU-Nourishes Yin and blood, calms the spirit

1/2 c. milk-SP ST LU-boosts Lung and Stomach, engenders fluids

1/4 tsp. baking soda-

3-5 mashed bananas-LU LV ST-Clears heat, cools blood, moistens intestines

¹/2 cup of crushed walnuts-LU LI KD-Tonfies Kidney and Lung, Lubricates Large Intestine

Sprinkle baking soda over 3 mashed bananas. Add some chopped nuts.Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Mix sugar and but­ter. Add eggs, milk, bananas, vanilla and sifted flour mixture. Mix well. Bake in a 5 x 9-inch loaf pan at 350° for 1 hour or until well done.

The largest ingredient in this recipe, the 5 cups of whole wheat flour, nourish the heart and calm the spirit.  The bananas and salt clear heat and cool the blood which furthers the action of calming the spirit by draining any irritability.  The eggs also calm the spirit by nourishing yin and blood so I would think this is a huge feel-good recipe.  Anyone suffering from emotional turmoil feel free to partake in this amazing comfort feel good banana bread!

A Flurry of Curry

This is a great recipe for a woman after her period.  In Chinese Medicine, it is important for a woman to get protein sources after her period to make up for the blood that she lost through her cycle.  Sources with protein and iron help replenish the blood in the body.

2-3 Tablespoons of Cooking Oil of your Choice-moistens dryness
3 cloves of Garlic, peeled and minced-SP ST LI- moves stuck Qi, warms the Spleen
1 Medium Leek- sliced-LV LU-Boosts Qi and Yang, moves blood, expels cold
I small onion-diced into pieces-LU SP ST LV LI-Warms the interior, scatters cold, moves Qi and blood
1 pound of meat, however to go along with other ingredients I suggest a red meat Beef-SP LV KD ST LI-Replenishes Qi and blood Yin and fluids.
2-3 tablespoons of Curry-dispels cold and moves Qi and blood
1 can of coconut milk-SP ST LI- engneders fluids
2 tablespoons of Soy sauce-SP ST KD- harmonizes the middle jiao and clears heat
2-3 carrots, sliced-SP LV LU HT-strenthens spleen and heart, nourishes and soothes liver, Drains damp and corrects flow of Qi
1 head of broccoli, cut into florets-SP LV- Nourishes Liver Blood, strenghtens spleen, clears heat
3 medium tomatoes-ST SP UB KD- promotes fluids, clears heat, supplements Kidneys
1/2 Cup of Peas-HT SP ST LI-fortifies spleen, disinhibits urination, moistens intestines.

Heat cooking oil in wok or saute pan on high heat and add ginger and garlic.  Cook 30-60 seconds.  Add leek and onion and cook for 3-4 minutes.  After cooked, transfer to a different pan and set aside.  Add meat and cook until done.  Return onion mixture and add curry powder.  Cook for another minute.  Add cocunut milk, soy sauce, carrots and cook for another 3-4 minutes.  Add broccoli, tomato and peas and cook for 8-10 minutes.  You can serve it over white or brown rice or just leave it plain.

Overall, the two main ingredients in this recipe, the meat and broccoli, both nourish blood.  Anemia sufferers, woman with menstrual irregularities, dizziness, low energy, poor memory, palpitations will feel good after this recipe.  Overall, it also is strenghtening and warming to digestion without creating a sensation of heat in the body.  Bloating, feeling of food sitting in stomach after eating, belching, acid reflux suffers should try this recipe.  

Edamame and Asparagus Couscous Salad

1 Cup of Stock-supplements Qi
1 Cup of Couscous-supplements qi and nourishes heart and calms shen.
1/4 Cup of Shallots, finely chopped-LU LI-releases exterior, drains damp, invigorates blood
1 Small Red Onion-LU ST LI clears heat and resolves toxicity, transforms phlegm and damp
1 tbsp of olive oil-moistens intestines
1 bunch of Asparagus- LU SP KD strengthens spleen, nourishes yin and relieves toxicity
2 tbsp of Balsamic Vinegar- LV invigorates blood, clears toxins, astringes
1 tsp tamari or soy sauce-SP ST KD harmonizes middle jiao, clears heat
1tsp maple syrup-SP LU LI boosts Qi
1 cup of edamame beans-strengthens spleen, promotes urination, and resolves toxicity

In a small pot, cook couscous as instructed on box except using stock instead of water.  While cooking couscous, in a seperate saute pan, cook the shallots and onions on medium heat untill transluscent.  Add asparagus and cook for another 4-6 minutes.  Turn of heat.  Stir in vinager, soy sauce, maple syrup and edamame and let sit for 5 minutes.  When couscous is done, toss it in with the vegetables.  Serve warm or cold. 

Overall, this recipe seems to be clearing phlegm from the lung, releasing the exterior, clearing heat and nourishing yin.  Feeling like a cold is coming on?  Do you get frequent colds, or have a phlegmy cough?  Try this recipe!

Corn vs. Flour Tortilla

This one is easy for me: CORN!  I have a few reasons why:

1.) I dated a mexican for 2 years.  If there is anything he taught me, he taught me how to make hell-uv good tacos, and he taught me that when making mexican food you always get the MAIZE tortilla if you want authentic taste.

2.)  It is cheaper.  Corn tortillas are always cheaper then the flour ones.  I mean crazy cheaper.  You can get a pack of 10 corn tortillas for like .49 at some stores while flour tortillas cost $2-3.00.  This seems like a no-brainer to me.  Now I will say, cheaper isn't always better in a grocery store.  There are certain items that really should be purchased Natural/Organic, but save some money with this one.

3.)  Always read the ingredients on the back of your food.  When you look at the back of a corn tortilla package, it lists: Corn, Lime, Salt, Water.  This is great! 4 ingredients that you can read and understand.  I dare you to look at the back of a flour tortilla package to see the same thing.  When picking food, we really want to aim for "less is more"/"simple is better."  The less ingredients that are made to process the food means the less the digestive tract has to break down of these processed foods.  What will make you thin?  Eating foods the body can identify and easily break down. 

Now one thing that people may say is a reason for buying flour are the enriched grams of fiber that are put in.  I would say don't worry about the fiber content of the tortilla, that is what the beans are for.  : ) 

Gingery Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients:
10-12 ounces of pumpkin-Supplements Qi and warms MJ, transforms phlegm.
6 whole cloves-Warms MJ, dispels cold, and warms the kidneys.
2 1/2 cups of stock-supplements Qi.
2 tbsp of olive oil-moistens Intenstines.
1 small onion-clears heat and resolves toxicity, clears phlegm and damp.
2-3 cloves of Garlic-moves Qi and warms spleen
1 piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced- disperse cold, transforms phlegm.
1/2 cup of Regular or Soy Milk-boosts lung and stomach, engenders fluids
Pinch of Salt-clears heat and cools blood, Nourishes Kindeys and ease bowel movements
Pinch of Pepper- Warms Stomach and descends Stomach Qi, dispels cold
1/4 cup of cilantro-balances Qi, and promotes Sweating

Seed, Peel and chop pumpkin into 1 inch cubes. Combine pumpkin, cloves, and stock into pot, Bring to boil and lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes. In separate pan cook onion, garlic and ginger, Cook for another 5 minutes or until onions are soft and translucent. When pumpkin floats it is done, and remove cloves from the broth. Combine pumpkin and onion mixture with soy milk to a blender and blend til its a puree. Add salt and pepper and cilantro for taste.

Resource: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen
In Chinese Medicine, soup is recommended on a regular basis for anyone that suffers from ANY type of indigestion.  Why?  Because everything is already broken down into liquid form making it so easy on the body to break up the nutrients it needs.  Pumpkin boosts the center so it is a natural energizer.  Low energy from working all day? This will help.  Pumpkin also helps with edema, and can treat inflammation and pain of the body. 

Curry Fennel Cauliflower Bake

Resource: La Dolce Vegan
Level: Easy

Brown Rice- Supplements Qi and drains damp.
3 Cups of Cauliflower-Strengthens Spleen, disperses cold and relieves pain.
1 Small Red Onion-clears heat and resolves toxicity, transforms phlegm and damp.
1 Garlic Clove- moves qi, warms spleen and resolves toxicity.
1/2 pound of firm tofu or Chicken-both tonify Qi. Tofu engenders fluids, while Chicken boosts blood.
2 tbsp of Olive Oil-moistens Intestines.
1 tsp of Curry Powder-moves blood and Qi, resolves toxicity.
1 tsp of garam masala-this mixture of spices can easily be made at home- overall it warms and moves Qi and blood.
1 tsp of fennel seeds-disperses cold, rectifies Qi, harmonizes Stomach.
1 tsp of salt-clears heat and cools blood, Nourishes Kidneys, eases Bowel movements.
1/2 tsp of black pepper- warms Stomach and descends Stomach Qi, expels cold, invigorates blood
1/2 cup of peas- Harmonizes MJ and promotes urination
1/4 cup of cilantro-balances Qi and promotes Sweating

Preheat oven to 400F. In a medium pot, cook rice. While rice is cooking, in a baking pan toss together cauliflower, onion, garlic tofu or chicken( pre cook any way you want), curry, garam masala, fennel seeds, salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 to avoid burning. Once cooked, stir in cilantro and peas and let sit for 5 minutes. Serve over rice.

Overall, this recipe is dispersing cold in the Stomach/Spleen. Cold in the MJ may cause nausea, vomiting, and pain in the abdomen, and loose stools. The cauliflower, cloves, , fennel seeds, pepper, and garam masala dispel cold while the onions, garlic, curry, peas, and cilantro move and harmonize Qi.

Simple Whole Roasted Chicken

This recipe is easy-peas-ey Japanese-ey. Well actually, the hour baking takes a lot of tending. Man, is it amazing though.

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons salt-clears heat and cools blood. Nourishes Kidneys.
  
• 1 teaspoon sugar-boosts Qi and moistens the Lungs.
  
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves-Warms the MJ, dispels cold, and Warms the Kidneys.
  
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice-Warms the center and moves Qi
  
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg-Warms the center and moves Qi
  
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon-Invigorates Yang, dispels cold,, invigorates blood, and tonifies the Kidneys.
  
• 1 (4 pound) whole chicken-Supplements Qi, nourishes blood, and consolodates Kidneys.
  
• 5 cloves garlic, crushed-moves Qi, warms spleen and resolves toxicity.
  

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix the salt, sugar, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Rub the chicken with the mixture. Cover chicken, and place in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
3. Stuff the chicken cavity with the garlic. Place the chicken, breast side down, on a rack in a roasting pan.
4. Roast 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce heat to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C), and continue roasting 15 minutes. Baste chicken with pan drippings, reduce heat to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C), and continue roasting 30 minutes, to an internal temperature of 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Let stand 20 minutes before serving.

Resource: Allrecipes.com-published by user

TCM: Overall, this recipes seems to have an action of tonifying Yang, and Qi.  This is a great dish to enjoy for everyone!!  It is a natural energizer for low energy sufferers.  All of the spices are very warm and moving so this is a great recipe for pain of the joints or any where in the body.

Loving food too much