Onion

Shallots, as the finest member of this family, is used for refined dishes, such as the classic sauces bérnaise, or espagnole sauce with mushrooms and wine. By adding the shallots into a high quality wine vinegar produces a perfect ingredient for salad dressing.

Description and Origin

Onions are among the oldest vegetable crops, and from time immemorial have been used for human consumption. Its smell is aromatic, and the taste of a strong, more or less angry. Taste of ports depends on the climate in which to grow - which is a milder climate, it is a sweeter onion.

The Latin name for the arch in translation means "one", "unique", and there are two reasons. One is that the arc has a single head, unlike its relatives garlic, while the second reason is that the onion itself consists of a number of United, concentrically arranged sheets that make up an onion. It belongs to the kind of vegetables (such as the parsley, celery, pasternjak, leeks ...) which are used as spices, so it is sometimes difficult to determine the real border between the vegetables and spices.

Varieties ports differ in color, size and taste. In spring and summer there is a high variety of spring onion, which has a sweet or medium-strong taste. In autumn harvested onion major peaks that are dried, so after a few months have dry and fragile shell. It has the aroma, and is named by its color - white, yellow and red (purple). This includes shallots, sorta ports with smaller heads.

Onions originated in Asia and the Middle East, and is cultivated over 5000 years. Egyptians are particularly appreciated the value of such a port as it paid the workers who built the pyramids, and the pharaohs (eg Tutankhamun) put onions in tombs to serve them in the afterlife.

In India it is still in the sixth century arch, except in the kitchen, used for treatment. Popularity held in the port of the ancient Greeks and Romans, in particular, have used the poorer classes of people in addition to its simple dishes.

In the Middle Ages it was irreplaceable vegetables in many European countries, and even served as part of a healthy breakfast. Christopher Columbus has extended arc to the west, and today are the largest growers in this widely vegetables China, India, the United States, Russia and Spain.

Salubrity

Particularly strong odor port give substance rich in sulfur, which are also responsible for its medicinal properties. In addition, the arc is rich in chromium, a trace mineral that helps in the cellular reaction to insulin, then vitamin C and numerous flavonoids, especially quercitin.

Angry specific taste and smell of onions due to the essential oils. Their ingredients arc increases appetite and improves digestion of food.

Higher intake port in the body reduces blood glucose levels. In this process the additional element is the presence of chromium in the harbor, which helps cells respond properly to insulin is released. Studies in diabetic patients have shown that chromium can decrease rapidly raise blood sugar, increase the tolerance of cells to glucose, lower insulin levels, and lower cholesterol and triglycerides. One cup of fresh port (about 250 g) contains almost 20% of daily needs for this mineral.

Regular consumption of onions and garlic in the diet reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the blood, which indirectly affects the prevention of atherosclerosis and heart attack and stroke. Such prevention is the result of a combination of substances rich in sulfur, chromium and vitamin B6 from ports. The research, conducted on 100 000 patients who were eating often entered onions, tea, apples and broccoli, are rich sources of flavonoids, found that they reduce the risk of heart disease by 20%.

Also, using ports in the diet two or more times a week can significantly lower the risk of colon cancer. It turned out that the meat is prepared with onions greatly reduces the amount of carcinogens in relation to meat prepared without onions.

In addition, the arc and reduces inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, colds and allergic reactions responsible for the attack of asthma. Isothiocyanate from harbor anti-inflammatory, and together with quercitin and vitamin C, which destroy harmful bacteria, make arcs ideal addition to soups and stews in the cold and flu season.

In general we can say that the arch has many medicinal properties since, unless it improves your cardiovascular system, and regulate intestinal flora, strengthens immunity, antibacterial and dijuretično and purifies the body.

Energy and nutritive value

Onion is rich in chromium, vitamin C, and numerous flavonoids, especially quercitin.

Onions has only 42 kcal / 176 kJ per 100 g, of which the most energy comes from carbohydrates (92%).

The average chemical composition of the arc is: moisture 91%, protein 1.2%, fat 0.1%, Vitamin C 6 mg/100 g

Its chemical composition there is only one big difference: chives is rich in beta-carotene (3.4 mg/100 g) and vitamin A (0.56 mg/100 g), which is not the case with garlic and onions.

This food is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, folate and manganese, and it is also a very good source of vitamin C. It contains very little saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.

Blackberry

Basic blackberry sauce, sugar and water, you can pour over the mousse, parfait or ice cream desserts like ice cream Ricotta and vanilla cream. Compote of blackberry and apple Serve with roasted veal or venison.

Description and Origin

Blackberry is the name for several species of climbing plants of the genus Rubus of the family rose (Rosaceae). Usually grow in protected places along forest edges, fences, paths, hedges or the woods. Blackberry has the form spiny shrub with long, curved branches, and can reach a height of 50-300 cm. Tree of them is more or less covered with thorns and places is numb. Spines used for climbing, but also as a defense mechanism against animals that feed on the leaves of blackberry. The leaves are pinnate, on the edge serrated toothed, upper surface dark green and smooth, and the bottom covered with densely tomentose hairs.
Fresh blackberries Serve alone with the addition of a little sugar or honey or a fruit salad with a combination of berries.
Blooms from May to August. Thereafter, from each flower develops tiny red berry fruit, which later darkens to a deep blue and almost black. Mature in the period from August to October. Taste of young leaves is bitter sweet and aromatic fruit, sweet and juicy.
It is certain that the blackberries in the European area distributed back to ancient times and that the time was known plant almost all nations. Blackberries are distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, from Europe, Asia and North America, in countries with a continental climate. There are hundreds of varieties of blackberries and some are indigenous only to certain areas.


Salubrity

Blackberries are among the super fruit, primarily due to a very healing antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, vitamin C, vitamin E, ellagic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, rutin, gallic acid and Cinnamic. Antioxidants participate in the process of preventing the harmful effects of free radicals and thus help protect against cancer, protect the cardiovascular system, slow the aging body, help fight the harmful effects of the sun on your skin, aid in slowing cognitive system diseases (eg Alzheimer's disease) . To fully benefit from the positive properties of blackberries recommended intake along with some other berry fruit, or similar, which results in a synergistic effect and better utilization of medicinal ingredients.
Blackberries are processed and finished products such as jams, juices, syrups, desserts, wines and liquors.
Antioxidants also have antiviral and antibacterial properties. It is interesting to note that the ellagic acid does not destroy the heat treatment, and remains in jams and other delicacies blackberry retaining their beneficial effects. If you regularly consume, blackberries also help in maintaining the respiratory inflammation and thrombosis. Research conducted at the University of Pittsburgh and published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry found that blueberries contain natural substances that destroy leukemia cells.
Significant advantage in consuming blackberries is that the body provides a high content of dietary fiber, which helps cut the risk of diabetes, diverticulosis and create a feeling of fullness, which helps in weight management.
Berries naturally contain salicylic acid (the active ingredient in aspirin), which is used to relieve pain, fever reducing and anti-inflammatory effect. By eating blackberries also contribute to the protection of eyesight, strengthen the immune system, and applied externally to treat minor wounds.
Thanks to the high concentration of phytoestrogens, which was proven scientific studies at the University of Helsinki, examines the role in the prevention of breast cancer and cervical cancer. A high proportion of tannins can improve the healing of minor wounds, soothe indigestion and inflammation of the digestive system. In Germany, health community recommends blackberries to relieve hemorrhoids. Some scientific papers linking tannin content and antitumor effects.


Energy and nutritive value

Energy value of 100 g of fresh blackberries is 43 kcal / 180 kJ of which contains 9.6% carbohydrate, 1.4% protein and 0.5% fat.
From Blackberries contain minerals: potassium (162 mg), calcium (29 mg), phosphorus (22 mg), magnesium (20 mg), iron (0.6 mg), manganese (0.6 mg), zinc (0.5 mg) and copper (0.2 mg).
Of vitamin blackberry include vitamin C (21 mg), vitamin A (11 mcg), vitamin E (1.2 mg) and vitamin K (20 mcg).
Fresh blackberries 100 g containing 5.3 g dietary fiber, beta carotene, 128 mcg and 118 mcg of lutein + zeaxanthin.

Cucumber

Given that the cucumbers peak season in the summer months, it is not surprising that this is the most refreshing using raw vegetables and well chilled in combination with a variety of foods.

Description and Origin

If you want to get the most out of this refreshing vegetables, use it until two days after purchase.

Cucumber fruit is oblong in shape and dark green. On the surface has warts, and when ripened, has a smooth surface. The fruit is full of seeds žućkastobijelih.

Cucumbers originated in Asia, where they drank the juice as a refreshing during the hot summer days. There are already grown 5000 BC, and his relatives gourd and watermelon. It is believed that his origin from India, which are relayed to Greece and Italy, and later in China. The healing properties of cucumber was known physicians in the time of ancient Egypt.

Salubrity

A large proportion of water makes cucumber excellent diuretic, effectively removes accumulated toxins, stimulates the kidneys and gall bladder. In combination with dietary fiber which itself contains stimulates the colon and protects the body from cancer-causing substances.

Mineral composition of cucumber interesting though is the amount of something simpler. Potassium, which has the highest of all minerals promotes flexibility of muscles and helps in regulating blood pressure.

Cucumbers are an excellent complement to the dairy so that in many cuisines of Southeast Europe prepared salad of cucumbers with added yogurt or buttermilk.

Numerous references recommends the juice of the cucumber useful silicic acid, which contains trace. Silicic acid is very important for maintaining the health of connective tissue of muscles, ligaments, cartilage, bones, improves the complexion and maintains the health of skin and is associated with water, naturally hydrates and gives the skin a healthy glow.

Cucumber can be applied to the skin in the case of swollen eyes, skin irritation or burns. Cucumber extracts are used in products for skin rejuvenation. Soothing and mild effect of this vegetable is attributed to kafeinskoj acid and vitamin C to prevent water retention and give the feeling of cold typical of the cucumber. It was recently discovered that the caffeic acid antioxidant and anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity, which is an additional plus for cucumber.

Cucumber juice is also beneficial for diseases of the teeth and gums, especially in cases of bleeding gums. Cucumber supposedly helps with rheumatism, although not revealed in any way.

Peel of cucumber can be used to soothe skin after washing of exposure to strong detergents and hot water.

For those who aspire to digest a cucumber, it is recommended that you cut into small pieces, salt sea salt and leave for several hours in the refrigerator before eating.

Energy and nutritive value

Energy value of 100 g of fresh peeled cucumber is 12 kcal / 52 kJ. Since it contains 2.16% carbohydrate, 0.59% protein and 0.7% fat.

Cucumber contains minerals from potassium (136 mg), phosphorus (21 mg), calcium (14 mg), magnesium (12 mg), iron (0.22 mg), zinc (0.17 mg), manganese (0.07 mg ), copper (0.07 mg) and selenium (0.1 mg).

Since vitamin fresh cucumber contains Vitamin C (3.2 mg), vitamin B complex, thiamine (0.03 mg), riboflavin (0.03 mg), niacin (0.04 mg), pantothenic acid (0.24 mg), pyridoxine (0.05 mg), choline (5.7 mg) and vitamin K (7.2 mg).

In 100 g of fresh peeled cucumber is 0.7 g fiber, beta-carotene, 31 mg, 18 mg cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin, 16 mg.