Eating this mostly plant based diet, I’ve been determined to choose a wide variety of fruits and vegetable,s and to keep a good mix of nutrients. Incorporating lots of RED fruits and veggies has been important. Their high levels of anti-oxidants are a bonus for immunity and wellness. And wouldn’t you just know it, RED stimulates the appetite! I’m thinking a very wise Creator colored these highly nutrient dense varieties RED to entice us to eat more tomatoes, pomegranates, cherries, berries, red peppers, cranberries, red grapes, watermelon, carrots……. No wonder the saying goes, “Life is a bowl full of cherries,” and restaurants often paint their walls RED.
Whether you’re cooking a special Valentine meal this week, or are looking to incorporate more RED into your meal preparations, we’re including one of my family’s favorite (not really healthy – but quite yummy) RED recipes, and we’re adding links to sites featuring RED fruits and veggies prepared in some scrumptious looking fare. Yes, I believe. RED does stimulate the appetite. Enjoy!!!
My Mom’s recipe — She called it Baking Powder Coffee Cake, but Cherry Crumb Cake is much more descriptive.
Cherry Crumb Cake
Blend with pastry blender:
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
In a measuring cup place
1 egg
+ enough milk to make 1 Cup
Add the milk and egg to the first mixture.
Spread batter on 1 10 x 15 jelly roll pan.
Cover with Cherry Pie Filling (I use 2 cans, and other flavors work well, too.)
For topping blend well (your hands will work great for this):
1 stick butter
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
Spread topping over pie filling
Bake 350 for 45-50 minutes
Last night we enjoyed dinner with friends at Bruno’s, an Italian restaurant in our town of Bartlett, TN. Their food is always fresh and very tasty. We shared an appetizer of fresh bruschetta. Bread was sliced from a skinny Italian loaf and toasted so only the edges were crisp. Tomato and veggie mix was served separately. Find a recipe for Red Hot Bruschetta here. Often bruschetta is served with bread that has been toasted quite crispy all over. This recipe notes to toast just until the edges are crisp. It was that little touch that made all the difference in the bruschetta we enjoyed at Bruno’s.
More RED recipes found at these links. Some of these recipes are healthier than others, but all are RED. Remember you may always choose to substitute ingredients in any recipe to make it a healthier option.
5 Best Foods for Heart Health
Bon Appetit
5 Red Foods for Health (from Eating Well — slide show with links to red food recipes)
Red Recipes
To learn more about nutritional values of RED foods, visit WebMD’s article: Red Foods: The New Health Powerhouse?
Photo: Can Stock Photo
