Holistic Health Blog
Dr. Cathy Rosenbaum

Stuffed Zucchini Boats (Kroger Recipe)

Cathy Rosenbaum’s Holistic Health News,

3 medium zucchinis, halved lengthwise

1 large egg, beaten

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

1/2 cup grated pecorino cheese (or cheese of choice)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2/3 cup quartered cherry or grape tomatoes

1/4 cup chopped, fresh basil

1/4 cup shelled pistachios, toasted and chopped

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

3 Tbsp olive oil

RECIPE

  1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2.  Use rounded teaspoon to scoop out zucchini flesh, leaving 1/4 in thick border around edge.  Place loose flesh in center of clean dish towel and wring out any excess water. Place zucchini boats on prepared baking sheet.
  3. Chop zucchini flesh, then add to large bowl. Add egg, breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic, tomatoes, 1/4 cup basil, pistachios, salt and red pepper, stir until combined.
  4. Brush zucchini boats inside and out with oil. Divide filling evenly among each boat, drizzling any leftover oil over top.
  5. Bake until filling is brown on top and zucchini is tender. 15-18 minutes. Garnish with added basil and serve. Refrigerate any leftovers.

190 calories per serving, serves 6

 

Dark Chocolate Bark

Cathy Rosenbaum’s Holistic Health News

Karina Smirnoff’s (Dancing with the Stars) Recipe – DARK CHOCOLATE BARK

2 (12 oz) bags dark chocolate morsels (or equivalent Baker’s dark chocolate baking bars)

1 cup raw almonds or walnuts, chopped

1 cup dried cranberries (or blueberries, my favorite)

  1. Line a 12 x 15-inch baking sheet with waxed paper, set aside.
  2. Melt dark chocolate morsels or Baker’s dark chocolate baking bars in a large glass bowl over a double boiler pan with boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Stir constantly. Do not overheat.
  3. Pour mixture onto a paper-lined baking sheet; spread to 1/4-inch thickness.
  4. Sprinkle with nuts and fruit, gently pressing all into chocolate.
  5. Refrigerate 2-3 hours until firm. Cut the bark into pieces.

A Harvard study reports that consuming five or more servings of dark chocolate weekly might lower one’s risk of type II diabetes mellitus.  This is due to flavanols (antioxidants) that boost one’s metabolic health on top of their powerful effects on the immune system.