There are many avocado salads, but this avocado salad Ghanaian style, a special dish my Ghanaian wife makes for me, is elegant and superb. The spicy groundnut dressing really sets it apart from the competition.
(Photo Attributed to Author: Lablascovegmenu from London)
(Photo Attributed to Author: Heydrienne)
The health benefits of spices and herbs have long been known to many cultures worldwide. And these 9 super healthy spices being presented here on this post are by no means all of them. There are an abundance of spices on our planet that are good for you. But these nine are among the very best, for reasons to follow.
According to studies carried out by McCormick Science Institute, an independent research organization, there are many health-promoting advantages realized in the body by consuming more herbs and spices.
The following list is indicative of the benefits of (not just, but especially) the:
The health benefits of ginger tea are many. In fact, they are probably far more than you have imagined. Certainly, just the taste and “comfort” alone of a nice, hot cup of organic ginger tea is reason enough to enjoy a cup or three now and then. However, once you fully understand all the health benefits of ginger tea, you may want to drink it even more often.
This site is, of course, centered around and focused on providing recipes, information, and helpful resources for ethnic foods from cultures the world over. However, we do occasionally pick out some of the especially beneficial ingredients found in various ethnic cuisines and highlight them in a special post. Ginger is one such ingredient. Popular all over the planet, this marvelous root not only provides zing and zip to culinary creations, it is darn good for what ails you, too!
If you have a common cold in the winter? You can’t beat a hot cup of ginger tea for a cure. Ginger root contains extremely high levels of magnesium and other minerals, and the all-important Vitamin C. These qualities are what contribute to the long list of health benefits of ginger tea.
(Photo Attributed to Author: cyclonebill)
There is a simple, easy to make recipe provided below. The great thing about ginger tea is, once you have the basic tea made, you can have fun with the taste buds experience. You can add lemon, organic honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, peppermint, etc. to modify and/or enhance the strong taste of the raw ginger.
But before we get into how to make a cup of soothing, healing, and oh-so-good for you tea, here is a list of the many …
Occasionally I like to post about healthy foods. This article on the many benefits of almond milk is a bit of a departure from our main focus on ethnic foods from cultures the world over. However, our readership has always commented on their appreciation for these types of informative posts, also.
(Photo Attributed to Author: Daniel Schwen)
Dairy milk is by far the most well known and preferred type of milk in most cultures around the planet. It is known and revered for its high content of several minerals and vitamins, as well as providing some protein. Almond milk, however, tops cow’s milk in lots of ways, including even more protein and extra nutrients not found in dairy milk.
Health benefits of drinking almond milk, which I will get into at length and in detail below, include, but are not limited to: improved vision, weight loss, strong bones and a strong, healthy heart. Further, almond milk is an excellent substitute to nursing mothers’ breast milk. It will also help in building strong muscles, lowering high blood pressure and maintaining ideal blood pressure, and keeping your kidney healthy and functioning at optimum level. There is more … read on …
Many ethnic food cultures have rice as a main staple in their cuisine. And the question of: Which is Best White or Brown Rice – often comes up in the minds of many ethnic foods lovers.
Rice Paddies (Photo Attributed to Author: Angie, from Sawara, Chiba-ken, Japan)
Rice is cultivated all over the world, and is naturally grown in rice paddies like this image on the left. And “natural” rice is usually some shade of brown in color. But over the past several decades, “white” foods, such as white bread, potatoes, pasta, etc., have taken a bad rap. When asked the question about being the healthiest for you: Which is Best – White or Brown Rice? – most “health conscious” cooks will automatically respond with “brown”.
But is this really the case? I have had conversations with other cooking enthusiasts, chefs, and nutritionists, whose opinions I respect, and discovered that the “Little White Lie” about which is healthier for you – white “processed” foods, or the brown, marketed as “natural” foods, are best.
So I did some digging and research of my own on this, and came up with the following conclusions to help you decide:
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(Photo Attributed to Author: Dan McKay)
(Photo Attributed to Author: Takeaway)
Dulse Seaweed tastes just like bacon?
Interesting. I wasn’t sold on the idea, but hearing the recent buzz about this new “superfood”, my curiosity was piqued enough to give it a try.
I did some digging around on Google, read some blogs and other articles, and discovered quite a lot about this dulse seaweed, which I will share with you all in the following article.
The term “hemp” refers to cannabis (marijuana), but is generally exclusive of the psychoactive forms of the cannabis plant. Traditional cooking with hemp seeds, the subject of this post, is not about whipping up some drinks, soups, porridge, or brownies to get high on. We are not discussing utilizing the THC-laden buds grown for recreational and/or medicinal purposes nowadays.
Marijuana THC Buds (Photo Attributed to Author: D-Kuru)
Let’s get that clear right now, okay?
Hemp plants are indigenous to, and have grown wild, in many regions all over the world. For thousands of years, people living in these regions have made use of cannabis seeds in their traditional cooking. And why not? They grow freely, are widely available, and cost nothing more than the labor to go out in the fields and harvest them.
World regions such as China, Mongolia, Germany, Russia and Northeast Europe have, since remote ancient times, made use of wild hemp, and have long ago learned how to cultivate the plant for improved quality and seed production.
The title of this post, 5 Health Benefits of Red Palm Oil, really falls short of the vast amount of benefits one could list.
Red palm oil, home crafted in Liberia (Photo Attributed to Author: Antoshananarivo)
Red palm oil, in addition to its many culinary uses as a rich food high in nutrients, also has a long list of beneficial health and medicinal qualities. For the purposes of this article, though, we will concentrate on 5 of the most beneficial qualities it has.
Red palm oil is usually thought of as having originated in Africa but, in fact, it was revered and used in ancient Egypt as far back as 5,000 years ago. Beloved by Pharaohs as a sacred food, they prized the oil so highly that it was common to entomb Pharaohs with a bottle of palm oil – so they could have some in the afterlife.
Palm oil, for centuries has been (and still is now in modern times) produced primarily in the tropical belt of Africa, Southeast Asia and parts of Brazil. And it is a commonly used oil and food ingredient in those countries.
This subject, the best all world healthiest street foods, is one of great interest to me, and many people. Especially those of us who love ethnic foods of all kinds. Often the best ethnic foods are sold right on the street by vendors whipping up some wonderful taste treats to enjoy while walking through the marketplace.
But which kinds of street foods are the healthiest for you? I did a bit of research on the topic, and found out some rather interesting facts. So let’s get right into it, and which ethnic groups on the planet have …
(Photo Attributed to Author: Takeaway)
The health advantages of raw garlic are many. Especially when eaten raw, a small amount of daily garlic consumption is good for your overall health, for reasons which this article will explain.
(Photo Attributed to Author: Lee Kindness)
Since many ethnic food cultures use garlic in their cuisines, I felt it appropriate to address this marvelous herb here on Ethnic Foods R Us. So here we go, with the …
Many ethnic cuisines, especially in the Western countries, include eggs – by far the most common are chicken eggs. However, there are lots of other, unusual edible healthy eggs that are found in the cuisines of many cultures as well.
Before we get into these other, 
unusual edible healthy eggs, let’s get something cleared up about “regular” chicken eggs that so many people know and love to eat. The common belief is that brown chicken eggs are healthier food than their white egg counterparts.
Brown eggs are eggs that have been laid by brown or red chickens. White eggs come from white chickens. And the color of the shell is the only difference between the two – their nutritional value is absolutely the same and equal.
Now, when it comes to which chicken eggs are the healthiest for you, there is a significant difference between commercially farmed eggs and eggs produced by free-range, organically grown chickens.
Organic eggs contain substantially higher levels of Vitamins A and E, Omega 3, and beta carotene than commercially produced eggs. Organic eggs thus are not only much more nutritious, they are also tastier. Try a comparison and see for yourself. Additionally, organic eggs have lower levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, making them the far wiser choice for health-conscious people.
But enough about “regular” chicken eggs. Let’s now get into the main content of this post, and delve into this list of:
Here at Ethnic Foods R Us, we like to occasionally post information about healthy eating and drinking habits. Banana Cinnamon Tea falls into the category of healthy drinking, especially for anyone who suffers from poor sleep, or worse, chronic sleep apnea.
You can make banana cinnamon tea easily, using only a few items that are probably already in your kitchen. This recipe for organic, banana-infused sleep therapy tastes good and it really works great.Trust me, I know from experience.
In case you didn’t know it, bananas, particularly the banana peels, are chocked full of magnesium and potassium. Magnesium is well known for helping to prevent sleep interruptions, but magnesium and potassium together work to assist in relaxing your muscles. The fact of the matter is, magnesium is among the very best minerals for inducing relaxation.
For the best overall health, we encourage you to use only organically produced bananas. Commercially grown non-organic bananas are loaded with chemical pesticides, which accumulate in the peels. Therefore, since this recipe calls for using the banana peels, it simply has to be free from harmful chemicals.
This post, and recipe, 3 Beans Hash and Spicy Rice, is taken from our All-American Vegetarian and Vegan page.
(Photo Attributed to Author: Paul Goyette)
This recipe can be truly vegan, just choose a vegetable broth instead of the chicken broth. And it is so filling and satisfying even meat eaters will find it a pleasing, whole meal. It provides a solid, complete protein, with the rice and beans combined, and the tomatoes and bell peppers add vitamins and minerals. And the spices? That’s what puts the zip, spice, and tang into the extremely flavorful 3 Beans Hash and Spicy Rice!
There is an extensive list of reasons why cassava is good for you to eat, as a balanced part of your overall diet.
Traditional dishes in many Asian, African and Caribbean countries include cassava as one of the more common vegetables used in their cuisines. In these regions, cassava is in high demand, and, much like plantains, it is grown in mass quantities on large plantations. This provides not only locally favored foods ingredients, but a healthy export business to help fuel the economies.
Cassava Plantation (Photo Attributed to Author: Judgefloro)
Cassava Plant (Photo Attributed to Author: Willy Ochayaus)
Cassava (also called Yucca) is in the same family as other tropical root vegetables, like yams and taro, and is also related to the potato. Cassava thrives in fertile, moist, well-drained tropical soils. A perennial plant, it will, when mature, achieve heights ranging from about 3 to 5 feet.
Much like growing sugar cane, cut-stem sections are planted just under the surface of the cultivation fields. Newly planted cassava plants will produce the first harvest after about 8 to 10 months. Its elongated, globular roots (tubers) grow downward and deep (anywhere from 2 to 4 feet) in a radial pattern from the bottom end of the stem.
Cassava Tubers (Photo Attributed to Author: Thamizhpparithi Maari)
Depending on the type of cultivar, each mature tuber will weigh anywhere from one to several pounds. The tubers are brown-gray and have rough, woody-textured, tough skins. The inside of the tuber is bright white. This white “flesh” is a starchy, slightly sweet substance, and is what you eat. However, the cassava should only be eaten after cooking – for reasons that will be explained a little later on in this article.
But enough on background. Let’s get into the main topic at hand, and find out-
Because of the name, West African Ginger Beer, you would likely expect that it is an alcoholic beverage, but it’s Definitely not.
(Photo Attributed to Author: Hisakazu Watanabe)
More commonly known in West Africa as Ginger Juice or Ginger Drink, this totally non-alcoholic drink has beneficial factors that promote good health. And for people who are into Juicing Diets, this is one that you can easily try at home.
Alcoholic drinks, of course, make us feel good (for a while) but they are not all that healthy for us, if taken to excess. But West African Ginger Beer not only tastes great, and will give you a refreshing “lift” – it is also very good for your health.
West African Ginger Beer has been proven to reduce pain and inflammation, alleviate heartburn, as well as being a good preventative of, and treatment for, the common cold. Other studies have shown that it can reduce hair loss … and there is much more.
Widely consumed in West Africa, this ginger beer is also popular in Asia. You make it with fresh ginger root and pineapple.
Ready for some? Good. Here is the recipe for how to make West African Ginger Beer. My bet is you will absolutely love it, and feel better after drinking it.