Hearty Beef Stew

2 pounds lean beef, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp marjoram
1 tsp basil
1 bay leaf
1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
4 cups water
1 cup red wine
1 cup celery, chopped
4 cups potato, chopped
2 cups carrots, chopped
8 oz. mushrooms, chopped

In non-stick dutch oven or large pot, sear beef over medium high heat, stirring to brown on all sides. Add onion and garlic plus 1 tsp water and continue cooking until onion is translucent and softened. Add spices, stirring quickly to coat for 1 minute. Add water, wine and 2 cups potatoes. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally, until potatoes begin to break down and dissolve, thickening broth. Add remaining potatoes and additional vegetables, as well as additional 1-2 cups water if necessary. Return to boil and cook over low heat for another hour, or until vegetables are tender.

Shish Kebab

1 pound skinless chicken breast, cubed
1 large red onion, sliced
2 small zucchini, sliced
2 large green peppers, seeded & cut into 1" pieces
8 large mushrooms
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground


Mix lemon juice, ginger, garlic and black pepper to make marinade. Add chicken pieces and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours. Remove chicken from marinade and add vegetables to marinade to coat. Thread chicken and vegetables onto 4 skewers, alternating chicken and veggies. Place skewers on grill and cook for approximately 10 minutes, turning carefully to cook on all sides.

Stuffed Peppers

8 green peppers
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
4 cups rice, cooked
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 - 1 cup tomato sauce (sodium-free)
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground

Slice off tops of peppers and reserve. Remove core and seeds then steam peppers for 7-9 minutes. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine rice and herbs. Mix thoroughly. In large, non-stick pan, saute onion, mushroom, garlic and ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Stir into rice mixture. Place green peppers in non-stick baking dish. Fill each pepper with meat/rice mixture and cover with pepper tops. Additional meat/rice mixture can be placed around peppers. Cover dish with foil and bake for 1 hour at 350.

Guacamole

2 ripe avocados, chopped
1/2 cup Miracle Whip dressing
2 tbsp. lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
Mash avocados with fork in a small bowl. Add remaining ingredients; mix well.

Servings: 10 (2 tbsp. each)

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Suggestions: Top with chopped tomatoes and serve with Wheat Thins or other crackers, tortilla chips or cut up vegetables.

Crispy Potato Wedges

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Baking Time: 40 minutes

4 Medium Russet Potatoes, cut into large wedges

1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil

1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper

1/8 Teaspoon Salt

2 Cloves Garlic, minced (optional)

Reduced-Sodium Ketchup (optional)

Place potatoes in a large bowl; add cold water to cover. Let stand for 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a nonstick baking sheet with vegetable cooking spray. Set aside.

Drain potatoes in a colander. Spread on a double layer of paper towels. Cover with a second layer of paper towels. Press down on the towels to dry potatoes.

Transfer potatoes to a clean large bowl. Sprinkle with oil, pepper, and salt; toss gently to combine. Arrange seasoned potatoes in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.

Bake potatoes for 20 minutes. Using spatula, turn potatoes; sprinkle with garlic. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes, turning baking sheet after 10 minutes for even browning. Serve immediately with ketchup on the side.

*For a sweeter flavor, use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes. Proceed as directed and add 1/2 teaspoon of paprika when tossing potatoes with spices. Bake as directed.

Calories Per Serving: 132, Carbohydrates 23g, Protein 3g, Sodium 77mg, Cholesterol 0MG

Garlic - A Wonder Herb

Garlic - A Wonder Herb
By David Urmann

Garlic has been used for both food and medicine. Its medicinal effects are proven to be effective and used for more than 5000 years. It is considered a healing herb.

Thiosulfinate allicin (sulfur containing compound) is the main ingredient of garlic. It is naturally antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial that prevents common diseases and infections. The traditionalists regard garlic as a wonder herb. Modern technology attests to the wonders of garlic in medicine.

Garlic comes in 60 varieties throughout the world. Snow Mountain garlic from Kashmir has been established as the world's best garlic, especially in terms of potency and purity.

Benefits of Garlic

• Regular intake of garlic (mixed in food) can prevent a person from acquiring viral, fungal and bacterial infections.
• It contains more than 70 phythochemicals such as allicin that lowers or cures with high blood pressure. A seed of garlic after meal is recommended for those suffering from high blood.
• Garlic contains hundreds of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, B, C, calcium, selenium, potassium, magnesium and zinc.
• It can prevent heart disease.
• It lowers the rate of ovarian, colorectal and other cancers.
• It lowers cholesterol levels.
• It overcomes fatigue
• It increases endurance and energy.
• Frequent eating of garlic helps regulate levels of homocysteine, a chemical that leads to plaque. Plaque build-up is lowered by 12%.

Respiratory conditions:

• It reduces the risk of getting colds by 50% and it speeds up recovery.
• It boosts immune system.
• It prevents bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Digestive Disorders:

• It helps cure stomach ulcer, amoebic dysentery, diarrhea, worms and parasites.

Cardiovascular Disease:

• It helps in Atherosclerosis, claudication, post-heart attack therapy and post-stroke therapy.

Skin Problems:

• A person can be invincible against tick bites because of 20 weeks of garlic intake. Recommended dosage is 1.2 grams a day.
• Helps cure eczema, acne, boils, stings and insect bites.

Dosage Recommendations:

Normal Health maintenance - 2 to 3 bulbs a day just before breakfast.
Cancer - 3 bulbs in the morning before breakfast and another 3 before going to bed. 10 garlic bulbs a day in split doses can be given to patients in the advanced stages of cancer.
Influenza - 2 bulbs before breakfast (for prevention)
Hypertension - 2 bulbs before breakfast and 2 bulbs before sleeping at night.
Joint Pains, Arthritis and Rheumatism - 2 bulbs before breakfast and one before sleeping at night.
Existing Flu - 4 bulbs before breakfast and 4 before sleeping at night.
Other Ailments - 2 bulbs before breakfast.
Controlling Cholesterol - 2 bulbs before breakfast.
Increased Energy - 2 bulbs in the morning and 2 before sleeping at night.
For existing suffers - 4 bulbs in the morning and 2 before sleeping at night.
Most Chinese include garlic in their everyday dishes because it improves body circulation. Garlic can be eaten raw as a form of therapy. Raw garlic is more effective than cooked garlic.

Garlic can be incorporated in everyday meals without actual cooking. An example of this is spreading crushed garlic on toasted bread with butter. The most advisable garlic type is those with strongest odors.

The intoxicating fragrance and flavor of garlic helps create a wonderful aroma of dishes. Hence, garlic can affect blood clotting when not properly medicated by physicians. Garlic intake has limitations. It may cause cancerous effects also. The key is in moderation.

According to the American Academy of Family Physician, garlic has no effect on drug metabolism. Patients taking anticoagulants should be very cautious in eating garlic. Thus, garlic intake is prohibited 7 up to 10 days before surgery because it can prolong bleeding time.

Allium ursinum (wild garlic) is one of the most versatile plants for improving people's health. Many cultures all over the world use garlic as a medicinal herb.

Garlic is indeed a magical herb. It gives food an additional spice, and has curing properties that has improved the health of many people.

For more information on Garlic for healing and Vegetarian Curry Recipes please visit our website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Urmann
http://EzineArticles.com/?Garlic---A-Wonder-Herb&id=1673008

Easy Shepherd's Pie

From: Kraft Food & Family Dinner

Prep Time: 10 min.

1 Lb. Ground Beef
2 Cups Hot Mashed Potatoes
4 Oz. (1/2 of 8 oz. pkg.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Cubed
1 Cup Kraft Shredded Chedder Cheese, Divided
2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
4 Cups Frozen Mixed Vegetables, thawed
1 Cup Beef Gravy

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brown meat in large skillet. Drain.
Mix potatoes, cream cheese and the garlic until well blended.
Stir vegetables and gravy into the meat.
Spoon into 9-inch square baking dish.
Cover with potato mixture. Don't worry about it being perfectly even; the more rustic it looks the better.
Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Bake for 20 min. or until heated through.

Serves: 6

*Shortcut: Used instant mashed potatoes. Prepare potatoes as directed on package, omitting the milk. This way when you add the cream cheese, the potatoes stay fluffy.