Truffle Heaven

Truffle Heaven

Dish: Truffled Orzo with Asparagus
Creamy and delicious, it's like a comforting mac and cheese but elevated (more elegant and a bit lighter)

Serves 4
-1bunch stardard-size asparagus (or use broccoli if you can't find asparagus)
-1 1/2 cups orzo
-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
-3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
-1/2 cup heavy cream
-1 tbsp unsalted butter
-2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
-1 tbsp grated pecorino Romano
-2 tbsp black truffle butter* (found in dairy section at Whole Foods and other organic markets)
 Salt to taste
-1 tsp cracked black pepper

*If truffle butter is unavailable , you can make your own by combining 2 tbsp softened (not melted)
  unsalted butter with 1/2 tsp of black truffle oil.

1. In a 5-quart pot, bring salted water to a boil
2. Place washed asparagus in boiling water for 1 minute, remove with tongs and set aside, keeping water
 boiling
3. Cook orzo in same pot for 7-9 minutes; drain in a colander. Set aside.
4. Trim the tough stem ends off asparagus and discard. cut remaining asparagus into 1/4-inch thick slices
   and reserve.
5. In a medium pan, heat oil, then saute garlic until golden brown.
6. Add asparagus to pan; add cooked orzo.
7. Continue cooking orzo ove low heat and add heavy cream and butter, stirring constantly
8. Add cheeses and stir until they melt and combine
9. Stir in truffle butter, salt, and pepper. Serve in a bowl family-style; top with more Parmesan if desired.

Credits: The Harrison in NYC
Chef Amanda Freitag

Cantaloupe Salsa

CANTALOUPE SALSA


-1/2 large recipe cantaloupe
-3/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper
-1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
-3 Tbsp. finely chopped scallions, white and green parts
-Juice of lime
-Pinch of salt and hot pepper flakes

Remove seeds and rind from cantaloupe. Chop cantaloupe into very small dice. Put in bowl. Add diced red pepper, cilantro, scallions and lime juice. Stir.  Add pinch of salt and pepper flakes. Chill. Serve with grilled fish. Makes 4 servings.

Thanks Lakeside Organic Gardens!

Watermelon Lemonade

WATERMELON LEMONADE

fat free, low sodium, gluten free, dairy free
-Be sure to taste the watermelon first. If it's very sweet, reduce the sugar.

-6 cups 1"cubes seedless watermelon (from about a 5-lb melon)
-1 bottle (10oz) 365 Everyday Value Organic Lemon Juice
-6 cups of water
-3/4 cup cane sugar
-Crushed ice
-Mint sprigs, for garnish

Working in batches as necessary, puree watermelon and lemon juice in blender until smooth; transfer to a large container. Add water and sugar; stir until dissolved.  Pour or ladle over ice in tall glasses, garnish with mint and thin slices of watermelon, if desired, and serve.

Serves 16.

Did you know?!!!!

Did you know there are more than 80,000 chemicals used in consumer products and manufacturing in the United States- and more than 2,000 new chemicals are introduced each year. Only about 200 have been tested for safety.

The government DOES NOT REQUIRE testing or health studies for chemicals including those found in household cleaners, pesticides, paints and stains, skin and hair care products, and the hormones used in the meat and dairy industries.

Your health is at risk! 


3 Steps to Reduces Dangerous Toxins in Your Home Today

1. GET RID OF CONVENTIONAL CLEANERS:
Most conventional cleaners contain dangerous ingredients including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, harsh acids and hormone disrupters linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, and eye and respiratory irritation.

THE SOLUTION:Use nontoxic, biodegradable cleaners free of synthetic fragrances. Most cleaning jobs can also be done with baking soda and vinegar.

2. FILTER YOUR WATER:
The public water supplies in 19 of America's largest cities delivered drinking water that contained contaminant levels exceeding EPA limits, including rocket fuel, arsenic, lead, fecal waste, and chemical byproducts created during water treatment.

THE SOLUTION:Get a water filter and ask your water utility for its "Consumer Confidence Report." But avoid bottled water-most brands are not much better than tap water and the bottles contribute to mountains of waste. Carry and refill your own reusable water bottle instead.

3. USE CARE WITH PAINTS/STAINS:
Conventional pains contain three dangerous chemicals: VOCs, fungicides and biocides.

THE SOLUTION: Use super-low or even zero-VOC paints and stains. Look also for "biocide-free" paints and those that use natural pigments. If your home was built before 1970, consider having both your home and your children's blood lead levels tested. Paint over lead-based paint to minimize dust and chipping.

Access more tips on eliminating toxins in your home by joining Green America.
www.GreenAmericaToday.org
(Thanks to Green America for this information)

Grilled Potato Salad

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients
-Dressing, recipe follows
-6 red potatoes, par-boiled and quartered
-3 tsps olive oil
-1/2 tsp kosher salt
-1/4 tsp black pepper
-2 tsps red pepper flakes
-1/2 Vidalia union, thinly sliced
-2 strips veggie bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Chives, chopped, for garnish

Directions
-Preheat grill to medium
-Place potatoes into a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Combine until well coated.
-Put the potatoes directly on the grill and close grill top. Turn potatoes onto the other side after 3 to 5 minutes. When ready, place back into the bowl and add the unions and veggie bacon. Drizzle potatoes with dressing, toss and serve garnished with chives.

Dressing:
-1/4 tsp stone-ground mustard
-1/4 cup mayonnaise
-2 tsps red wine vinegar
-Whisk ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside.

Yield: approximately 1/2 cup
(recipe by the Neelys)

Pistachio-Crusted Salmon with Orange-Lime Spinach Salad

Pistachio-Crusted Salmon with Orange-Lime Spinach Salad
Salmon
-3 slices whole-wheat bread, untoasted
-6 tbsp shelled pistachios
-2 tbsp packed fresh parsley
-1/2 tsp garlic powder
-4 salmon fillets (4 oz each), skin removed
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp ground black pepper
-1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt

Salad
-Zest and juice of 1 small orange
-Zest and juice of 1 large lime
-1 large shallot, quartered
-2 tsp olive oil
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp ground black pepper
-1/4 tsp mild chili powder
-1 lb raw baby spinach

-Heat oven to 400'F. Puree salad ingredients except spinach in blender. Pulse bread, nuts parsley and garlic powder in food processor until nuts are roughly chopped; pour onto waxed paper. Season salmon with salt and pepper. coat tops with yogurt; press into breadcrumbs. Place breadcrumb-side up on baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake until fish is no longer translucent in center, 15 minutes. Divide spinach among 4 plates; top each with 2 tbsp dressing and 1 fillet.
400 calories, 21 g fat per serving
(recipe from self.com)

Ever wanted to do volunteer work?

I have done volunteer work since high school and I absolutely love it. It can be very rewarding to touch other's lives in such a loving and positive way. If you are in the Los Angeles area St. Vincent Meals on Wheels are in need of drivers, meal delivery runners and kitchen helpers. It takes about three hours a week....and lunch is included! Please call the director of volunteers Carol Martinez at 213-484-7494

"Be the change you want to see in the world"~Mahatma Gandhi

Cash Rebates

Cash Rebates
Help You Save Energy and Money
-$500 on a high efficiency variable speed pool pump and motor
-$100 per ton on 15 seer and above, or $120 per ton on 16 seer and above central air unit or heat pump
-$50 for recycling your old refrigerator
-$2 per sq. ft. of glass on Energy Star windows
-$65 for Energy Star refrigerators
-$50 for Energy Star room air conditioners

LADWP also offers rebates for whole house fans and cool roofs!

For more info. visit www.ladwp.com/crp or call 1800-374-2224

Here goes the fine print:
Rebate amounts apply only to qualifying purchases made after September 30, 2010. Rebates are offered for qualifying products only. Terms and conditions apply.