Cranberry-Walnut Pie

January 4, 2007


Inspired by California Home Cooking, by Michele Anna Jordan (Harvard Common Press, 1997).

Simple Solution
This easy recipe gives us extra Omega-3 and beneficial antioxidants along with tangy-sweet taste and vibrant color. You can use a store-bought crust to save time; either way, Cranberry-Walnut Pie is one gorgeous dessert.

INGREDIENTS

Dough for 1 bottom crust
3 eggs
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup organic unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon brandy
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
3/4 cup fresh cranberries, minced
1/4 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped

1. Roll out dough and place in a 9-inch pie plate. Refrigerate 30 minutes or more.

2. Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs until frothy, then whisk in the brown sugar and corn syrup. Add butter, orange zest, vanilla, brandy, orange juice, cinnamon, and salt, whisking to combine. Gently fold in the cranberries and walnuts and pour this filling into the crust.

3. Bake until pie is set and edges are golden, around 45 minutes. Allow pie to sit at least 2 hours before serving.

Serves 6 to 8.

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Warm Winter Bean Supper Salad
 
Inspired by The Spirited Vegetarian, by Paulette Mitchell (Rodale Press, 2005).

Simple and satisfying without a lot of calories, this main meal salad fills the bill for good taste, good health, and superior nutrition. If you want to eat on the lighter side in 2007, try this great supper salad recipe with sautéed vegetables, beans, and feta.

 


 
INGREDIENTS

8 leaves romaine lettuce, shredded coarsely
16 leaves arugula, well-washed
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 carrots shredded coarsely 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped coarsely
1/4 cup coarsely chopped red onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups cooked or canned butter beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup vinaigrette
Freshly ground black pepper and crumbled feta cheese, for garnish

1. Divide lettuce evenly on 4 salad plates, then arrange the arugula leaves on top, in a sunburst if you like.

2. In a skillet over medium heat, heat the oil, then add carrots, bell pepper, and onion. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pepper is crisp-tender. Add garlic, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low and add beans and vinaigrette, stirring about 4 minutes until warm.

3. Spoon bean and vegetable mixture over the arugula and serve warm, garnished with freshly-ground pepper and crumbled feta.

Serves 4.

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Detox Vegetable Broth

Adapted from The Tao of Detox, by Daniel Reid (Inner Traditions, 2006).

Help clear away the ill effects of holiday over-indulgence with this nourishing and effective detoxifying broth! It is filled with vitalizing seasonal ingredients like pumpkin and carrots.

 


 
INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 quarts pure water
1 teaspoon Celtic Sea Salt
5 slices ginger root
2 finely chopped carrots
3 stalks finely chopped celery
1 cup finely chopped cabbage
1 cup finely chopped spinach
1 cup finely diced pumpkin
1 finely chopped squash
5 finely sliced shiitake mushrooms (fresh or dried)
1 cup chopped parsley

1. Place all ingredients in a non-reactive cooking pot. Bring to a full boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover partially, and let cook until liquid is reduced to about half.

2. Line a colander with a piece of cloth and strain the broth into a bowl. Discard the vegetable pulp and drink the broth with meals or as a snack between meals.

 
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Going to see “Bodyworlds” on Tuesday

http://www.scienceworld.bc.ca/bodyworlds/

Real humans. Real science. Really amazing!

Never before has an exhibition offered such an intimate look at the human body. Approximately 200 real human specimens—whole body plastinates, individual organs, transparent body slices and healthy and diseased organs—present a one-of-a-kind anatomy and physiology lesson. See how your body’s systems relate to one another and work together to help you function and survive. View firsthand how lifestyle choices impact your health and how muscles and joints work together during athletic performance.

BODY WORLDS 3 was created by anatomist, Dr. Gunther von Hagens, inventor of Plastination—the groundbreaking method of anatomical specimen preservation. This technology allows authentic specimens to be displayed in a lifelike fashion for instruction and education, giving you an opportunity to appreciate what it really means to be human.

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appropriation of ideas and research without reference

I don’t know how many times now I have had my ideas employed/used by others without reference.  The last time was when someone appropriated my idea about a conference presentation and presented my research that ended up on a power-point presentation where my name was not mentioned at all.  As I was on record via the web as having presented this material the year before it was very easy for me to say to the parties involved - this does not work for me as my work is not recognized at all.  The material had to be re-posted on the web with my participation recognized in terms of the research but I fought for this and the person involved probably hates my guts (but I notice that she copyrights the material she is now producing!) 

I had a 1980s experience of someone taking the issue I was involved with and the research I provided and getting his article published in Z Magazine (without even an acknowledgement of my contribution).  Oi.

This kind of appropriation of ideas and knowledge seems to occur more often when women generate the ideas … or at least this has been my experience. 

I did notice Joel Bakan’s meticulous footnotes with credits when I read ‘The Corporation’ but he is a lawyer and knows about such niceties I expect.  It is such a small thing to acknowledge people’s contributions but so often people fail to do so.  Perhaps because I come from an academic/researcher/writer perspective, I credit anyone who had anything to do with a written work that is going to be in the public domain (and am thankful for the input freely given from others).

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