Author: Basil Bandwagon

  • 8 amazing health benefits of mushrooms

    8 amazing health benefits of mushrooms

    8 amazing health benefits of mushrooms

    A delicious food that is functional too

    Whether added to a salad, soup, or stir-fry, or taken in supplement form, there are a myriad of ways to add mushrooms to your diet—and why not? In addition to mushrooms’ delicious taste, their polyphenol, polysaccharide (a specialized type of carbohydrate), vitamin, and mineral contents can provide you with a bounty of health benefits.

    1. Boost immune system

    Research has shown that mushrooms help to stimulate the activity of microphages—white blood cells within the immune system—to help fight off foreign bodies more effectively. At the same time, anti-inflammatory effects of mushrooms can work to enhance the immune system’s overall efficiency.

    2. Fight inflammation

    Rich in antioxidants, mushrooms offer significant anti-inflammatory effects. Research indicates that eating mushrooms regularly can help reduce inflammation associated with the development of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

    3. Offer anti-cancer properties

    Polysaccharides, contained in mushrooms, have been found to induce apoptosis—cancer cell death. Further, anti-inflammatory effects of mushrooms can help reduce chronic inflammation that can lead to the development of cancer.

    4. May help fight diabetes

    Mushrooms have been found to help lower blood sugar levels. Their bioactive metabolites, such as their polysaccharides and proteins, have been found to work as successful anti-hyperglycemic agents in diabetes treatment studies. Still, more research is needed to discern how mushrooms may be effectively used in the fight against diabetes.

    5. Support gut health

    Mushrooms can help support your gut health in two ways. First, they provide your body with prebiotics—nutrients that act as food for the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Second, mushrooms, such as cremini mushrooms, provide your system with helpful bacteria that can help populate your gut to improve your digestion and immune responses.

    6. Offer antifungal and antibacterial effects

    Mushrooms possess both antibacterial and antifungal compounds that help them survive, making them a natural source of antibiotics and antifungals that can be utilized by humans. Some mushrooms have been found to offer compounds with considerable activity against bacteria such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis.

    7. Protect the liver

    Some mushroom extracts have been found to provide liver-protecting properties. Study findings suggest that eating mushrooms on a regular basis can alleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These findings are believed to be linked to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of mushrooms.

    8. Reduce allergies

    While mushrooms have been found to stimulate the immune system in certain circumstances, they have also been found to help suppress immune response in other instances—making them potentially beneficial in the battle against allergies. Beta-glucans, which are contained in mushrooms, have been found to help reduce the severity of symptoms in those with ragweed allergies by 52 percent when taken as a supplement.

    Article courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Julia Child’s French Onion Soup with Christine Waltermyer!

    Julia Child’s French Onion Soup with Christine Waltermyer!

    Julia Child’s French Onion Soup

    Thanks to Christine Waltermyer & The Natural Kitchen Cooking School!

    Christine Waltermyer is a local and renowned Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to subscribe to her email newsletter for new recipes, tips, and FREE access to the Power of Veggies mini-course!

    We’re celebrating Women’s History Month with a tribute to a classic chef and her take on a time-honored dish. Bon Appétit!

    French Onion Soup (Adapted Julia Child recipe)

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    Servings: 6
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1½-2 pounds onions thinly sliced (5-6 cups)
    • 3 tablespoons butter
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil plus extra for drizzling
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon sugar
    • 3 tablespoons flour
    • 6 cups beef stock or bone broth
    • ½-1 cup white wine (I used mirin rice wine)
    • 1 Bay leaf optional
    • 8 slices French baguette 1-inch thick
    • White pepper
    • ½ Small onion grated (raw)
    • 12 ounces Swiss cheese grated
    • 4 ounces Parmesan cheese
    • ½ teaspoon ground sage optional
    • 2-3 tablespoons cognac optional

    Method
     

    1. Heat a dutch oven or heavy bottom stock pot over medium-low heat. Once the dutch oven is hot, add the butter and olive oil. Add the onions. Cook and stir for a few minutes. Cover the pot and cook on medium low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The onions will become very soft.
    2. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the sea salt and sugar. Cook and stir until the onions have caramelized. They should turn brown and be very soft. The volume will also cook down.
    3. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the flour and stir. Cook for a few minutes, until it thickens. If it gets too thick you can add a little butter.
    4. Stir in 1 cup of the beef stock. Cook and stir for a few seconds. Add the remaining beef stock, white wine, and optional sage and bay left, if using. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to simmer on low for 30 minutes.
    5. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and lightly drizzle or brush each side of the bread with some olive oi. Bake for 15 minutes. Turn the bread over and bake for another 15 minutes.
    6. Season the soup with sea salt andn pepper. Remove the optional bay leaf if you used one. Add optional cognac, grated raw oniobn, and a small amount of the Swiss cheese.
    7. Place the toasted bread on top of the souip. Sprinkle with the remaining Swiss cheese and the Parmesan cheese. Drizzle the cheese with a little olive oil, or you can use some melted butter. Place the Dutch oven in a preheated oven, uncovered. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese melts. You can turn on the broiler if you with to brown the cheese.
    8. Remove the soup from the oven and let it cool a bit.
    9. Enjoy!

    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • Beauty fruits

    Beauty fruits

    Beauty fruits

    Fruit recipes to get the glow

    Bountiful, beautiful, and bursting with flavor, these fruit-filled recipes deliver your body what it wants without sacrificing great taste. Incorporating fruit into meals with a variety of colors, textures, and flavors keeps you feeling satisfied so you can focus on enjoying every bite. How sweet is that?

    Berry and Rhubarb Granola Crisp

    A one-dish solution to busy mornings, it’s fruit and granola in a single delicious bake.
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    Servings: 8
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    Topping
    • 1½ cups quick-cooking rolled oats
    • 1 cup blanched whole almonds
    • ⅓ cup lightly packed brown sugar or coconut sugar
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 7 tablespoons coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted
    Fruit filling
    • 3 cups fresh or frozen sliced strawberries
    • 2 cups fresh rhubarb, sliced into 1/2 in pieces
    • ⅓ cup maple syrup
    • 3 tablespoons orange juice
    • 3 tablespoons arrowroot starch

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
    2. For Topping: To blender or food processor, add all topping ingredients except coconut oil and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Pulse in coconut oil until combined; the mixture will stick together when pressed between two fingers.
    3. For Filling: In large bowl, mix to fully combine all filling ingredients. Tip into 8 x 8 in baking dish or 9 to 10 in round baking dish, spreading fruit evenly. Distribute topping loosely over fruit.
    4. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until rhubarb is tender when pierced with knife, and filling is bubbling around edges. Cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.
    5. Enjoy!

    Grapefruit and Fennel Salad with Chicken and Avocado

    A riot of textures and flavors, this salad offers something new in every bite.
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    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    Dressing
    • ⅓ cup olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    Salad
    • 4 cups baby arugula
    • 1 Small bulb fennel, cored and shaved or thinly sliced
    • ½ Head radicchio, cored and torn into medium pieces
    • 2 cups cooked chicken breasts or thighs, shredded
    • 1 Ripe avocado, flesh cut into cubes and scooped out
    • 1 Large grapefruit or navel orange, peeled and segmented or sliced
    • ¼ Red onion, thinly sliced
    • 2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

    Method
     

    1. In medium glass jar, shake to emulsify all dressing ingredients.
    2. In large bowl, toss together arugula, fennel, and radicchio with two-thirds of dressing. Transfer to platter or divide among 4 shallow bowls. Top arugula mixture evenly with chicken, avocado, grapefruit, and red onion, and then drizzle over remaining dressing. Sprinkle each serving with sunflower seeds and dill, and serve immediately.
    3. Enjoy!

    Whipped Yogurt with Lime and Fruit

    Lime, vanilla, and soothing honey turn Greek yogurt into a special occasion-worthy dessert.
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    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (at least 2% milk fat, without thickeners or gums), cold
    • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream (at last 35% milk fat) or chilled coconut cream, cold
    • 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, plus more for serving
    • ½ teaspoon lime zest, plus more for serving
    • 2 teaspoons lime juice
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
    • Pinch of salt
    • 2 cups fresh fruit such as diced kiwi and mango, blueberries, and cherries, cold

    Method
     

    1. To stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, add yogurt, cream, honey or syrup, lime zest, lime juice, vanilla, and salt. Begin whisking on low to incorporate ingredients, then slowly turn the speed up to high and whip until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. Cover and chill completely for 2 hours or up to 1 day, or serve right away (it will not be as thick if you skip the chilling).
    2. To serve, spoon and swoop whipped yogurt into small bowls and top with fruit. Drizzle with additional honey and top with an extra sprinkle of lime zest. Serve immediately.
    3. Enjoy!

    Article Provided by Alive Magazine

  • Emerald Lentil Salad

    Emerald Lentil Salad

    Emerald Lentil Salad

    This is what we call a spoon salad! Use a spoon to make sure you don’t miss a drop. We’ve got all the shades of green in this salad, with no soggy lettuce in sight. Perfect for meal planning, potlucks, or feeding a crowd. Roasted pumpkin seeds add a salty crunch. Creamy avocado keeps you satisfied. Thinly sliced broccoli is perfect raw, but if you have leftover roasted broccoli, you can use that instead. The bulk of this salad comes from the French green lentils. Unlike red lentils, these will keep their shape and ensure this hearty salad satisfies. 

    Emerald Lentil Salad

    This is what we call a spoon salad! We’ve got all the shades of green in this salad, with no soggy lettuce in sight. Perfect for meal planning, potlucks, or feeding a crowd.
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    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • ¾ cup green or French lentils
    • 1 pound broccoli florets, thinly sliced
    • 1 Avocado, chopped
    • ⅓ cup roasted and salted pumpkin seeds
    • 4 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ cup micro greens

    Method
     

    1. Place lentils and five cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until lentils are just tender, approximately 35 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool. 
    2. In a medium mixing bowl, place cooled lentils, broccoli, avocado, and pumpkin seeds.
    3. Whisk together dressing ingredients and toss with salad. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve garnished with micro greens.
    4. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Double Chocolate Stout Brownies

    Double Chocolate Stout Brownies

    Double Chocolate Stout Brownies

    This brownie recipe is pulling double duty. Equally at home at a St. Patrick’s Day celebration as it is a girl’s night in, these brownies deserve a spot in your dessert rotation. Use your favorite chocolate stout in the batter and the glaze. The deep malty beer will enhance the chocolate of the brownies without overpowering them. A can of black beans helps fill out the batter with extra protein and fiber. Who says you can’t have your brownie and eat it too? 

    Double Chocolate Stout Brownies

    Try a brownie recipe with TWO secret ingredients! Chocolate stout beer adds depth and complexity, while black beans add protein and fiber. 
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    Servings: 9 brownies
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
    • ⅔ cup chocolate stout beer
    • ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup cane sugar
    • ¾ cup cocoa powder
    • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
    • 1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled
    • 3 Large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
    Glaze
    • 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
    • 1 tablespoon milk
    • 1 tablespoon chocolate stout beer

    Method
     

    1. Preheat over to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
    2. Using a blender or food processor, blend beans and stout until smooth. In a mixing bowl, combine bean mixture, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Stir until mixed.
    3. In another mixing bowl whisk together flour, cane sugar, cocoa powder, and brown sugar.
    4. Add dry into wet ingredients and mix together until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
    5. Pour batter in prepared baking pan and bake for 48 minutes. Cool completely before glazing.
    6. For glaze, stir together confectioner’s sugar, milk, and stout. Drizzle over cooled brownies and serve.
    7. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Potato Leek Soup

    Potato Leek Soup

    Potato Leek Soup

    With just a few ingredients, you can make this luxurious, creamy soup. Perfect for days that don’t quite feel like spring, take storage potatoes, spring leeks, and the best vegetable stock you can find, whether it’s homemade or boxed. Adding a hefty pour of cream brings decadence that will satisfy you even if you’d rather soup season were behind you. An immersion blender makes quick work of creating the smooth texture, but don’t be afraid to leave the soup chunky or use a countertop blender if that’s what you’ve got. Crusty bread makes this soup a meal! 

    Potato Leek Soup

    With just a few ingredients, you can make this luxurious, creamy soup. Perfect for days that don’t quite feel like spring.
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    Servings: 6 people
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 cups russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
    • 6 cups leeks, chopped, white and light green parts only
    • 3 quarts vegetable stock
    • 2 cups cream
    • 4 teaspoons sea salt

    Method
     

    1. Place potatoes, leeks, and stock in a large stockpot and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
    2. Using an immersion blender, blend soup until smooth.
    3. Turn off heat and add cream and salt.
    4. Serve with crusty bread.
    5. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA