Pumpkin, Tofu and Spinach Curry

This recipe is from the Revive Cookbook One. I made a few changes when I made it and my adjusted recipes is listed below.

SERVES 4
1 large chopped onion
3 tablespoons roughly chopped ginger
2 cloves garlic chopped
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground chilli
400g can chopped tomatoes
400ml can coconut cream
1 teaspoons salt
2 cups diced pumpkin cubes
2 cups roughly chopped spinach
600g pack tofu firm cubed 2cm

Sauté onion, garlic, oil, ginger until clear and well cooked.
Add spices and salt and mix well.
Add chopped tomatoes, coconut cream and stir.
Mix in pumpkin and Tofu. Allow to gently simmer for 20 mins or until pumpkin is cooked. Stir carefully to ensure you do not damage the pumpkin.
Gently stir in spinach and cook for further 5 mins
Serve on brown rice or rice noodles with optional chilli garnish.



Photo from Revive.co.nz (I forgot to take a photo before eating)

How to boost your immune system

With the cooler weather now here, it's time to boost you and your families immunity. Here are some easy diet tips to help keep away the colds and flus.

• Include foods high in Vitamin A. Low Vitamin A is associated with impaired immunity and increased risk of infectious disease. Vitamin A also plays an important role in maintaining mucosal surfaces. Some of the foods that are high in vitamin A include: Apricots, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, kumara, pumpkin, red capsicum, spinach, watercress. 
• Include foods high in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that decreases the bodies susceptibility to infection. Some of the foods that are high in vitamin C include: berries, citrus fruits, brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, peas, silver beet and spinach.
• Include foods high in Zinc. Zinc is an element essential for cells of the immune system, and zinc deficiency affects the ability of immune cells to function as they should. Caution: While it’s important to have sufficient zinc in your diet (15–25 mg per day), too much zinc can inhibit the function of the immune system. Some of the foods that are high in Zinc include: Egg yolks, fish, legumes, mushrooms and whole grains.
• Garlic and Onions. Garlic and Onions have infection-fighting capabilities and stimulate the immune system.

Finally, make sure to eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in saturated fat and enjoy alcohol only in moderation.

Read more:The truth about your immune system

Home made Vitamin Water

Use the recipes for naturally flavoured water below and quickly turn plain water into an exciting and refreshing treat without added sugar or chemicals: Citrus: Slice an orange, lemon, and lime into a large jug of water. Add ice, allow to chill for 1 hour before serving. Raspberry Lime: Slice a lime into a large jug of water, add a handful of raspberries. Add ice, allow to chill for 1 hour before serving. Strawberry Basil: Slice 10 strawberries into a large jug of water, add 5 leaves of basil. Add ice, allow to chill for 1 hour before serving. Watermelon Rosemary: Place 1/2 cup of small watermelon chunks into a large jug of water, add two sprigs of rosemary. Add ice, allow to chill for 1 hour before serving. Pineapple Mint: Place 1/2 cup of small pineapple chunks into a large jug of water, add 15 mint leaves. Add ice, allow to chill for 1 hour before serving.

What's in Season in May

Want to know what's in season in NZ in May check out the list below:

Apples

Brussel Sprouts

Buttercup Squash

Butternut Pumpkin

Chillis

Zucchini

Feijoa

Fennel
Grapefruit

Kiwi Fruits
Kohlrabi

Leeks

Limes
Mandarins

Mango

Parsnips

Passionfruit

Pears

Persimmons

Pumpkins

Rhubarb

Swedes

Tamarillos

Turnips
Watercress
Witlof