Barbara Karafokas - Holistic Nutritionist MSc.
  • Home
  • About Barbara
  • Work With Me
  • Store
  • E-Courses
  • Blog
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Freebies
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Benefits of Basil / My Super Quick Easy Pesto Recipe / Chili Marinated Aubergines. 

18/1/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
 My dad gave me a huge bunch of his home grown basil along with another two bagfuls of fresh, aromatic herbs (rosemary, sage, mint, dill and parsley),  lollo rosso lettuces, spinach, spring onions and aubergines.

Had to come up with a quick plan to use some of it up and quick. Our fridge is already packed and trying to fit anything else in it is like playing a really challenging game of Tetris.

Plan A : 

Made the Chilli Marinated Aubergines. That helped me use up the aubergines and the good thing is that you don't have to keep them in the fridge ! Changed the recipe slightly and added a lot more  fresh herbs than was recommended. I ended up adding parsley, garlic, chilli, basil, rosemary  and sage. Friends, they smell really good. Hope to have a first taste of them in a week when they are ready... hmmm .... wonder if we will stick out the week before we try them.





Plan B:

Super Quick and Easy Pesto: I used up the big bunch of basil to make this and some of the parsley.  All I did was take the leaves off the basil stalks,  threw them in a blender. Added about a quarter bunch of parsley, 2 cloves garlic, juice of two lemons, 1/2 cup olive oil, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup sunflower seeds. You may add some grated parmesan cheese (1/4 cup) to this for a non vegan version.  Blend and store in a jar. I love pesto and eat it with anything. I pour it over my vegetables for flavour, add it in salad dressings, use it as a spread with sandwiches, or with pasta. Use your imagination and you can use it with anything ! Yummy !By the way you can't get Pesto in Zambia. Tried to find it in a couple of the local supermarkets from Kitwe to Ndola right the way to Lusaka.... nope - was no where to be found ! 

The health benefits of basil are many.... it has anti-inflammatory properties making it ideal for people suffering from arthritis, it is a powerful antioxidant that can protect the body from premmature aging, anti-bacterial properties. It is high in beta-carotene, protects the eyes from age related macular disease especially in the elderly, protects against oral and lung cancers, and is high in minerals such as potassium, manganese, copper, magnesium and iron.


Plan C:

The rest of the herbs I washed and placed in a large tray to dry them out. Again they can be stored in jars to be used while cooking.

Enjoy !


If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics.


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Barbara is a qualified nutritionist offering Health, Nutrition & Lifestyle Counseling. She gives Healthy weight loss advice and promotes the Mediterranean diet. She is the author of the Med Life Diet - creating healthy lifestyle habits and attitudes for life !

    Archives

    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About Barbara
  • Work With Me
  • Store
  • E-Courses
  • Blog
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Freebies
  • Testimonials
  • Contact