Pumpkin Seed Crusted Tuna

After hallowing a pumpkin,its seeds are simply too good to be thrown away ,the slimy seeds can be cleaned and roasted whole for a nutritious snack.Although there is a way to get the seeds off the shell,but I like to leave the shell on,that gets the crunch after roasting.I decided to create something new this season with the roasted seeds,by using it for a crust on fish fillet.I have tried and loved the almond crusted fish,the pumpkin one was light but just as appetizing.Feel free to use any kind of firm fish instead of Tuna.



Recipe : Pumpkin Seed Crusted Tuna
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 (4-ounce) Tuna Steaks or other firm fish like Salmon or Tilapia
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon spice mix of choice(I use garam masala - ground Cumin,cinnamon,coriander and cloves)
1/2 teaspoon fresh minced ginger

For Crust
1 cup Roasted pumpkin seeds
2 slices of whole grain bread
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon spice mix of choice(I use garam masala - ground Cumin,cinnamon,coriander and cloves)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme , chopped

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Method
Marinate the fish in spices and salt for few minutes.

Coarsely grind the pumpkin seeds in a food processor.Tear the bread slices and transfer in the food processor along with the spices,thyme and salt,pulse until the mixture comes together.Lay the mixture on a plate

Preheat oven to 400F.Heat a cast-iron pan on medium heat,add oil.Dredge the fish steaks\fillets on both sides in the mixture and remove. Sear in the hot pan for 2 minutes on each side until crust is golden brown.Then place in oven for another 10-15 minutes until fish is cooked through(takes longer for tuna steak,salmon will cook faster).Slice and serve with salad or vegetables.I served with sauteed broccoli and polenta.



This is my entry for Weekend Herb Blogging # 259,hosted this week by Susan of Well Seasoned Cook

Eat and Beat Diabetes Book Review and Brownies

Ever craved for a brownie that's healthy? well,this is it.

The Eat and Beat Diabetes with Picture Perfect Weight Loss by Dr.Howard M.Shapiro and Chef Franklin Becker is complete with such healthy transformations of foods otherwise considered taboo for diabetics.But wait,you don't have to be diabetic to try these wholesome ,low calorie,low fat and low sugar recipes.Those over weight ,diabetic,pre-diabetic or at risk for diabetes and also those worried about heart disease or looking for options to lower weight, blood pressure or cholesterol or simply a health nut determined to find alternatives to unhealthy eating,would cherish this book.The book is an eye opener of healthy yet most delicious foods imaginable.

The Beat Diabetes Team
In Eat & Beat Diabetes with picture perfect Weight Loss,Dr.Howard Shapiro uses the same visual method of food comparisons that made his best selling weigh loss books so popular and easy to use.Now he has teamed with executive chef,Franklin Becker,a diabetic himself,and together they reveal the secrets to a diet that can actually help you prevent and beat diabetes - without depriving yourself of delicious foods.
Besides Chef Franklin Becker,other premier chefs from major restaurants around the country have contributed their shared of healthfully transformed tasty recipes.Also includes a 7 day sample meal plan.

Beat Diabetes Pyramid
Dr.Shapiro's Beat Diabetes Pyramid depicts a simple understanding of food groups that fight diabetes and lose weight.It not about depriving food but about making the right choices from the bounty of foods that can provide good defense to stay healthy.The pyramid reveals the secret weapons,the specific nutrients that actually targets diabetes,beating back its potential side effects and maintaining the healthy weight that is key to controlling the disease.

A Call to Action for Parents of Kids at risk
Children pay the terrible price of being overweight ,by being at risk for type 2 diabetes ,heart disease ,asthma,digestive disorders,joint problems,vision problems,liver disease besides the psychologically painful toll.
The books offers the solution of changing the unhappy unhealthy state of kids,by asking parents to take the responsibility,teaching them to make the right choices through the beat diabetes pyramid,while keeping in mind the dos and don'ts for building a strong foundation of healthy eating for children.

The Food comparisons
A picture is worth thousand words,that so true with this book.Includes more than 100 capturing photos of picture-perfect food comparisons(calories,fiber,fat and sugar) that help you make the right choices.
Visually compare your favorite foods loaded with calories and fat to much healthier and equally tempting choices.Like the kiddie treat even a mother can love ,a scoop of frozen yogurt with cone 140 calories instead of 4 ounce chocolate chip cookie with 640 calories and 40 grams of fat!.
You actually get a more satisfying healthy food portion if including more fruits and vegetables than the unhealthy meal concentrated with fats or sugar.For example ,the small breakfast of a muffin and chai latte with as high as 840 calories can be substituted with 2 whole grain low sugar waffles,generous serving of berries and coffee with low cal sweetener totaling just 205 calories.
A glimpse of the picture perfect food comparisions :

Did You Know That You Can Eat and Beat Diabetes?

View more presentations from FSB Associates.

Sweeteners
Contrary to the assumption of abandoning the sweet foods for diabetics,Dr.Shapiro's beat diabetes pyramid allows indulgence in right kind of sweets- that includes fruits,no sugar added frozen treats and no added sugar candies.The lo-cal sweeteners(including the artificial) pose no fear as long as the sweetener is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA)

Soy Power
The book highlights the Soy protein and its good role in beating or preventing the disease.The phytonutrients in soy protein are power houses of blood vessel protection,preventing weight gain and regulating insulin levels,hence said to be heart's best friend and a key diabetic fighter.

The Diabetic recipes
The recipes have been prepared keeping in mind the guidelines of the beat diabetes pyramid,by including whole some grains,soy products,good fats, low calorie or sugar free sweeteners and lots of fruits or vegetables.While I cannot reveal all of them but to get the picture here is one of my personal best recipes in the book.

The Beat Diabetes Brownies

I never doubted Heart Healthy dark chocolate's good benefits,Dr.Shapiro resonates the same love for pure dark chocolate and cocoa.My first recipe to test was obvious,the richly chocolate beat diabetes brownies.
I follow the original recipe in most parts except for the sweetener.I don't use any artificial sweetener(Splenda as in this recipe) in my cooking,with liberty to choose a low calorie sweetener,I chose the agave nectar,that has low glycemic Index,and is 25% sweeter than sugar,so you use less,in fact for a cup of sugar you will need only about half cup of agave nectar.Rest of the ingredients remain as in the original recipe.

Be sure to use 100% cocoa powder to get the most of the benefits,Pure canola oil and the soy protein powder used in the recipe is available in health food stores and many super markets in the health foods aisle.


Recipe : Beat Diabetes Brownies
Yields 12 brownies
Ingredients
1/2 cup fine ground whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup unsweetened soy protein powder
5 tablespoon unsweetened 100% cocoa powder
1 cup granulated Splenda(or 1/2 cup agave nectar)
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup brewed coffee regular or decaffeinated
1/2 cup sugar-free syrup(preferably chocolate,but any flavor is fine)
1/3 canola oil
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup roasted nuts and seeds of choice(Almonds,walnuts,peacans,sunflower seeds,pumpkin seeds etc)
1 tablespoon raisins(optional)

Method
Preheat oven to 350F.
Oil an 8 or 9 inch square or round baking pan,coat with non stick spray and line the bottom with parchment paper.
In a large bowl combine flour,soy powder,baking powder and salt.Add the sweetener(splenda or agave nectar),coffee,syrup,oil and vanilla,stir until well blended.
Pour mixture in to the prepared pan.Sprinkle the nuts,seeds and raisins evenly over top and press gently in to batter.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.Cool for 15-10 minutes on a rack.Flip on a cutting board,flip again with nuts side up,peel the parchment and cut in squares.Can be refrigerated for 2 weeks in air tight container.



The ingredients sure speak out loud about health.When it comes to taste and texture, moist with crunchy topping and intensely chocolate and coffee flavor,I could skip my morning coffee for these.Diabetic or not,enjoy them with a glass of light in calories soy milk for a completely healthy snack.

Order your copy of this phenomenal book at Amazon,Barnes & noble,Borders,Books-a-million,Walmart and Target.

Butternut Squash Ravioli with Pumpkin Seed Pesto Sauce

Butternut squash is one of those nourishing staple vegetables available throughout fall and winter.The vegetable is uber-rich in vitamin A and has the nutrients to promote over all good health.It can be incorporated in many dishes just as the pumpkins.

The puree of roasted squash is a fine filling for ravioli.With little experience of home made pasta making ,I used the American short-cut method by using store-bought ready to use wonton wraps for the pasta.The seeds in the squash when toasted and combine with fresh herbs and olive oil,served as excellent sauce with the ravioli.

To Roast the Butternut Squash
Cut the squash in to half lengthwise, lightly brushed with cooking oil, and place cut side down on a baking sheet.Bake at 375F for 45 minutes or until softened.

Recipe Butternut Squash Ravioli with Pumpkin Seed Parsley Pesto Sauce
Serves 3-4
Ingredients
For the Ravioli
1 cup Roasted Butternut Squash Puree
2 tablespoon onions,finely chopped
1 clove Garlic,finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon hot chili powder or freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoon partially skimmed Parmigiano-Reggiano(Parmesan) cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
pinch of nutmeg
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or canola oil

For Pasta Dough(ready to use wonton wraps work as well)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large organic or free range egg
2 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

For Toasted Pumpkin seed Parsley Pesto sauce
1 cup fresh parsley(or cilantro)
1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds or squash seeds
2 cloves garlic,crushed
1 tablespoon Parmigiano-Reggiano(Parmesan) cheese
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest



Method
Make the Pasta Dough
Combine all the pasta ingredient in mixing bowl until a smooth dough is formed.

Prepare the filling
Heat oil in pan on medium heat,add the onions saute a minute.Add the garlic saute until aromatic, about a minute.Add the squash puree,chili powder or black pepper and salt,cook until the mixture is slightly dry, about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt. Turn the heat off.Mix in the cheese and nutmeg and cool completely.
Prepare the pesto sauce
While the filling cools make the pesto sauce.Combine all ingredients in a food processor, blending just until smooth.Add some more water if needed.Cover and let rest for 30 minutes before rolling.

Make the Ravioli
Roll the pasta dough(use pasta machine if you have one),cut the pasta into 3-inch squares . Place about 2 teaspoon of the filling in the center of each pasta square or wonton wrap.Spread some water around the edges of the square and cover with another square,press to seal.Use a fork to seal all the square.
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil salted.Carefully drop the stuffed pasta squares 5-6 at a time depending on the size of the pot.Cook about 2 minutes,when it starts to float that when it get to strain them out. Set aside.

To serve,lay some of the pasta and spoon the pesto sauce over the pasta.

This is my entry for Weekend Herb Blogging #214,host of the week is Halo of Cook Almost Anything Once

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Greek Yogurt

Old man winter's is knocking on the door.With bare trees,chill in the air,the brilliance of sun is at least intensity.While bundling up in woolly attire essentially protects us from outside ,a warm soothing meal nurtures the body from within to pull through the cold season.


The butternut squash is among the staple winter squashes available through the season.A member of pumpkin family butter squash has smooth almost buttery texture,that makes it ideal in soups and stews.The lightly sweet taste of the squash is a good complement with the spices and the tang from the Greek yogurt used in this warm nourishing soup.

Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Greek Yogurt
Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash
2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup low fat Organic Greek Yogurt
1/2 a medium onion(about 1/4 cup),finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon of hot chili powder
1 clove garlic,peeled and finely chopped
half-inch fresh ginger,peeled and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
few leaves of fresh herbs, sage or rosemary
Few toasted pumpkin or squash seeds for garnish
2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

Method

To Roast the Butternut Squash

Cut the squash in to half lengthwise, lightly brushed with cooking oil, and place cut side down on a baking sheet.Bake at 375F for 45 minutes or until softened.The roasted squash can be used in variety of different ways just as the pumpkins.The roasted seeds are good for snacking or making pesto sauce or garnish on the soup as in this recipe.
To make the soup
Heat the oil in a medium pan,saute the onions for a minute,add the garlic and spices(chili powder,ginger and garlic),saute another minute.Blend this onion mixture with the 2 cups of roasted butternut squash,salt and fresh herbs while adding 2 cups of broth until smooth.Return the mixture back to the pan and bring to a slow boil.Reduce the heat and stir in the yogurt.Simmer on low heat for 2 minutes.Serve warm with some toasted pumpkin or squash seeds and some more Greek yogurt on top.And a whole grain bread on side.

Share your the heart warming "Soups for Happy Soul" at Monthly Mingle hosted this month by Sunshine mom.

Baked Crunchies :Spiced Plantain chips and Pumpkin seeds

Baking is a good alternative to frying or deep frying ,with lesser oil used the food has lesser fat calories.Deep frying(or even over cooking)destroys some of the essentials nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants.Also prolonged heating(at temperature greater than 375F) or repeated reusing of vegetable oil at high temperatures can turn the fat into trans-fatty acids.Even though there are some guidelines to detect the number of times oil can be reused depending on the kind of oil used or temperatures it heated,but to be on safe side,I avoid deep frying as much as possible.

With that said,two of my favorite baked crunchies that are totally guilt free any time munchies.I used the same spice mix for both of them.The chips can lose the Crunch pretty fast ,so make sure its stored in air tight container.

Ingredients
1 plantain,peeled and thinly sliced or 1 cup pumpkin seeds,cleaned and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon each of ground cumin and coriander
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ginger and garlic paste(optional)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Extra virgin olive oil or canola oil,1 and 1/2 tablespoon for the chips and 2 teaspoons for the seeds.

Method
Preheat oven to 400F.
Mix the ingredient number 1 with all the spices and oil,coat the chips completely.Let sit for 2-3 minutes while the oven heats up.
Spread on a baking sheet and bake ,while turning once ,for about 15-18 minutes for the chips and 10-12 minutes for the seeds.Cool and immediately transfer in air tight containers.Chips tasted best on the same day,if store properly are good for a week or two.The seeds are good for over a month.



Interesting read: Reusing deep fried oil?

One more week to go for the last date of sending in theGuilt-free snacks.Big thanks to those who already did.

Autumn Salad With Pumpkin seeds ,Nuts,Fresh Fruits and Pita Chips

With pumpkins abundant in the season ,I'm having a jolly good time cooking and baking with it.The nutritious beneficial seeds bounteous in its core should never be ignored. Toast them and use in Breads, salads ,add in your bowl of oatmeal or cereals ,candy(I'll post that recipe soon) and or simply munch'em for snacks. The Autumn salad gets a sensational flavor from crunchy pumpkin seeds along fresh apples,oranges,toasty almonds and home made pita chips.

How to Toast Pumpkin seeds?
Separate all the strings from the seeds. Rinse in water until all clean. Simmer in boiling water with little bit of salt for 5-10 minutes. Preheat Oven to 375F. Drain all the water and lay the seeds on a baking sheet. Drizzle about a table spoon of Olive oil evenly and bake until toasty about 20 minutes.

Autumn Salad
Ingredients
4 leaves of Romaine lettuce
1 red skinned Apple
1 navel Orange
1/4 cup roasted Pumpkin seeds
handful of roasted Almonds or walnuts
For dressing
2 tablespoon apple juice concentrate
1 tablespoon Olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin(zeera)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup pita chips(same as in the recipe,just cut in smaller bite-size squares)[use rice cracker for gluten-free salad]

Method
In a small bowl whisk together the apple juice concentrate,lime juice,Olive oil,cumin and black pepper until blended
Wash , dry and cut the lettuce leaves.Peel the oranges and remove the white pith. Cut the oranges and apples in half lengthwise. Before serving ,drizzle the dressing over the salad. Top with roasted almonds,pita chips and pumpkin seeds.

Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits of Pumpkins Seeds Pumpkin seeds are good source of protein and minerals like zinc and magnesium. Lowering cholesterol ,protection against certain kinds of cancer and reducing inflammation in conditions like arthritis are few of many health benefits of these wondrous seeds.
Autum Salad with fresh autumn ingredients is my entry for Kalyn'sWeekend Herb Blogging.Hosted this week by Laurie Helen Constantino of Mediterranean Cooking in Alaska

Multi Seed(Pumpkin,Flax and Sesame) Bread

If I survive, I will spend my whole life at the oven door seeing that no one is denied bread and, so as to give a lesson of charity, especially those who did not bring flour.-Jose Marti


Bread is part of every household around the world, each region its prepared with a distinct variation. Parathas\Chapati in Indian Sub-continent, Pita in middle east, Ciabatta from Italy, Baguette from France ,Bing from China and Rye bread from Russia are some of the breads around the world.
Today is the World Bread day, an event started by baking queen Zorra ,inviting all baking enthusiasts around the world to bake bread or simply post about a store bought bread.

How did I become a baking enthusiast?, since I migrated to US and discovered an Oven in the Kitchen. There was no stopping to my experiments. Mistakes were made, but lesson are learned eventually.For the event, I baked a simple bread with all the seeds I could gather from my pantry. I hallowed a pumpkin recently for a pie and saved its seeds,roasted it for snacking and used some in this bread recipe. Also used Sesame seeds and Flax seeds to add more crunch and loads of nutrition to the bread.Recipe is that of an Italian bread with standard ingredients Yeast, flour and Olive oil.

Ingredients
3 cups Whole wheat flour(Fine ground) or Whole wheat pastry flour
1 active dry yeast pack,about 1 1/2 teaspoon
1/2 tsp sugar
1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon Flax seeds
3 tablespoon Olive oil
1 cup warm water
3/4 teaspoon Salt


Method
Prepare the dough
Dissolve the yeast in warm water, stir in the sugar and allow the yeast to get frothy, about 10 minutes.In a large bowl combine the flour, 1 1/2 teaspoon sesame(reserve rest for topping), Flax seeds and pumpkin seeds(reserve 2 teaspoon for topping). Add the yeast mixture and olive oil and knead until well combined.Apply some more oil on the sides of the bowl cover and allow to rise until double it size about 3-4 hours or leave it overnight in a dark corner.
Bake
Preheat oven to 450F.
Shape the dough in to a circle and place on a greased baking sheet and brush some egg white and sprinkle the reserved sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds. Proof for another hour by covering allowing to rise one last time before baking.
Place in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.Cool for at least 10 minutes on a rack and slice with a serrated knife.
Slather some spread or fruit preserves.

Or Make a sandwich for lunch


Nutrition facts
Pumpkin seeds >>Excellent source of minerals Magnesium, Manganese and Phosphorus. Good source of Iron, vitamin K,zinc,protein and copper.
Flax seeds >> Its a super food with excellent health benefits of lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Good source of Omega 3s ,calcium ,Iron and antioxidants.
Sesame seeds >>Its an alternate calcium source for milk allergic. Also a good source of Iron and minerals like magnesium ,copper and zinc.

Similar tempting bakes :

Sweet Focaccia


Spicy Veggie Buns