Guinness Cake

By the Care2 Staff.
Simple Solution
Guinness is Ireland's famous dark beer--surprisingly low in alcohol and calories but rich in taste and possible health benefits (it may be called "stout" but moderate consumption won't make you that way!). The Irish give it to nursing mothers for its B vitamins and flavonoids; recent studies show a link between dark beer and the prevention of heart attacks. That said, the addition of Guinness--or a similar dark stout--to this lovely cake recipe gives it a special moistness and delicious Irish flavor.
Dried fruits, key ingredients of Guinness Cake, are another health plus, since they are rich in antioxidants. All in all, this is a darling of a cake.
INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup dark raisins or currants
3/4 cup dried cherries
1 1/3 cups golden raisins
1 bottle Guinness stout, or similar dark beer
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
3 eggs, beaten
2 1/4 cups self-rising flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1 pinch salt
1. Place dried fruit in a bowl and cover with Guinness. Allow to soak overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 350F. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until smooth, then beat in the eggs one at a time.
3. Strain fruit, reserving the Guinness separately. Add flour, spices, salt, and drained fruit to butter and sugar mixture. Add enough fresh Guinness to the drained stout to measure 8 fluid ounces and add to batter, mixing thoroughly to combine.
4. Grease an 8-inch cake pan and add batter, smoothing top evenly. Bake in preheated oven for about 2 hours, until the center is firm.
Serves 8.

Irish Potato Soup

Inspired by Witch in the Kitchen, by Cait Johnson(Inner Traditions, 2001).
Simple Solution
It has been said that on St. Patrick’s Day, the whole world is Irish. Certainly we can admire the spirit of the Irish people, survivors deeply connected to the spirit of the land, and graced with true grit and verve.
This traditional Irish soup is a delightful blend of potatoes, iron-rich leeks, and antioxidant greens that will please your health, your purse, and your palate: inexpensive but nutritious, and filled with the flavors--and some of the wildness and poetry--of the Irish soul. Read the recipe here.
INGREDIENTS
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 leeks, white and pale green parts only, rinsed well and thinly sliced
3 large potatoes, scrubbed and thinly sliced
2 cups chopped kale, parsley, spinach, or turnip greens--or a combination
6 cups good-quality vegetable broth
Salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
Optional toppings:
Chopped fresh chives or scallions
Shredded sharp Irish cheddar cheese
1. In a heavy-bottomed soup pot over low heat, melt the butter and add onion and leeks. Cover pot and allow vegetables to “sweat” for 20 minutes.
2. Add potato, stirring to mix, then cover again and cook 15 minutes. Stir in broth and salt and pepper to taste, and bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer soup 20 minutes, or until potato is just tender. Add greens and continue cooking 10 minutes, or until they are well wilted.
3. Process soup in batches in a blender or food processor, or with a hand-held immersion blender. Return to soup pot and reheat.
4. Serve hot with optional toppings, if desired.
Serves 4 to 6.

Clearing Clogged Drains

By Annie B. Bond, author of Better Basics for the Home (Three Rivers, 1999).
Simple Solution
My upstairs bathroom sink drain always needs attention: I think toothpaste is the culprit, but whatever, it always needs help.
You don’t need powerful industrial chemicals as the household cleaning industry would have you believe! Find out the surprisingly easy and non-toxic way I keep that drain open.
When our drains get clogged, we have been unwaveringly convinced that nothing short of the most powerful chemical arsenal will work. As a result, most of us resort to commercial drain cleaners that are some of the most dangerous chemicals found in the home. Lye or acid, these products can harm health, the wastewater stream, and PVC pipes.
A gentle yet effective approach to coaxing free a clog from a drain is to use simple household ingredients instead of burning a hole through the clog with industrial lye or acid. There are even bacteria-based enzyme cleaners available in health food stores that eat the clog free from the pipe without harming everything else in which it comes into contact. And it is always worth it to try unclogging a drain first with an old-fashioned plunger; they very often do the trick. If all else fails, you might try an electric plumber's snake, but it is recommended that to prevent injury, only professional plumbers should use this equipment.
Baking Soda Drain Cleaner
If water hasn't yet backed up in your drain, pour 1 cup of baking soda followed by 3 cups of boiling water. The boiling water will change the chemical composition of baking soda, making it more alkaline. Repeat a few times until the drain is clear.
Washing Soda Drain Cleaner
If the water isn't going down the drain, pour a cup of washing soda over the drain area and let it set for a while to work its way down to the clog. Once the clog is loosened, use the baking soda method, above. Washing soda is more alkaline than baking soda, with a pH of 11. You never want to use washing soda if a commercial acid drain cleaner has recently been used in the drain, as they will strongly react with each other. You also shouldn't overuse washing soda if you have PVC pipes, as the caustic nature of washing soda can slowly damage the plastic.
The Bubbling Method Using Vinegar and Baking Soda
Baking soda and vinegar react with each other to cause bubbles and fizzing. Sometimes the fizzing can unlodge clogs. Follow the baking soda and boiling water formula, above, with 1 cup of vinegar.
Enzyme Drain and Garbage Disposal Maintenance
All natural living enzyme culture drain cleaners will actually eat and break down any organic matter. Using enzyme drain cleaners once a month, such as Bi-O-Kleen's Bacout, will help not just your drains, but your septic system. They will also significantly reduce odor from garbage disposals. Colonies of enzymes will actually continue to grow and break down organic matter in your drains .
Washing Soda Maintenance
Enzymes don't work as well on hair clogs, so to keep drains clear that tend to collect hair, such as in the shower and bath, a few times a month pour 1 cup of washing soda followed by a thorough flushing of water.

The Top 12 Superfood Herbs and Spices

By Annie B. Bond, Executive Producer of Care2’s Healthy Living Content.
Simple Solution
Many herbs and spices fall within the category of powerful anti-inflammatory superfoods because they are rich in phytochemicals. Researchers from the University of Michigan have found, for example, that holy basil has anti-inflammatory activity compared to ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. Why are anti-inflammatory foods important for good health? Because inflammation is suspected to play a key role in heart disease, cancer, atherosclerosis, arthritis, asthma, allergies, and more.
Why not sprinkle some of these powerful healing herbs and spices on your foods? Here are the top 12 anti-inflammatory herbs and spices.
Ginger
Turmeric
Black Pepper
Cinnamon
Rosemary
Basil
Cardamon
Chives
Cilantro
Cloves
Garlic
Parsley
Herbs work on inflammation in a multi-faceted holistic and balanced way without the side effects of drugs. Helpful HintsCorrection: University of Michigan, not Michigan University.

Honey Almond Macaroons

Adapted from The Sustainable Kitchen, by Stu Stein (New Society Publishers, 2004).
Simple Solution
Desserts often sacrifice pleasure and flavor on the altar of good health, but these meltingly tender macaroons, sweetened with honey rather than sugar, are a wonderfully tasty and healthy offering for dessert-lovers everywhere.
(Cait reports that, at a recent gathering, the hostess made a variation of these delicious cookies, topped them with dark chocolate, and called them “Breasts of Isis!” They were enjoyed by all.) Find out how easy it is to satisfy a sweet tooth in a healthy way with these Honey Almond Macaroons.
INGREDIENTS
2 egg whites
Pinch iodized salt
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon almond extract
8 ounces finely-ground blanched almonds (about 2 cups sliced, blanched almonds ground in a food processor)
24 whole almonds (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 300F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg whites on low speed until foamy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add salt, increase the mixer speed to high, and beat until soft peaks form, about 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the honey, a little at a time, pouring away from the beater. Continue beating until the whites are stiff and glossy, about 5 to 8 minutes. Stop beating and add the almond extract. Fold in the ground nuts.
3. Drop the mixture by tablespoonfuls, 1 1/2 inches apart, onto the prepared baking sheets. If using whole almonds, press one almond in the center of each mound. Bake until firm and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a rack and let cool completely.
Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Black Bean Soup with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Inspired by Going Wild In the Kitchen, by Leslie Cerier (Square One Publishers, 2005).
Simple Solution
Here is a hearty peasant soup that makes a complete meal when served with a crisp salad and some warm corn tortillas or taco chips. Substantial, filled with good-for-you garlic, veggies, and black beans, this soup is low in fat, rich in vitamins, antioxidants, protein, fiber, and flavors but beautifully inexpensive to make.
Warming and nutritious: simmer a pot of this soup tonight for your budget, your taste-buds, and your good health!
INGREDIENTS
4 cups water
1 cup black beans, soaked overnight, rinsed and drained
4 bay leaves
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 1/4 cups chopped onions
1 cup chopped carrots
1 1/3 cups cauliflower florets
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Sea salt to taste
1. In a large soup pot, bring water, beans, and bay leaves to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until the beans are tender, about 1 hour.
2. In a medium-sized skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and add cumin seeds, garlic, onions, and carrots. Saute, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Add the sautéed vegetables to the beans and add cauliflower, bell pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes. Continue to simmer for around 20 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender. Stir in cilantro and salt to taste.
4. Serve hot.
Serves 4 to 6.

CMT - Hot Dish Recipe Archive