Feb 6, 2018
This lamb dish uses earthy, pungent, hot and sweet spices commonly enjoyed in Moroccan dishes. Cumin, especially, adds a deep nutty flavour that turns smoky when grilled.
Prep time: 10 min • Cook Time: 10 min • Makes: 4 servings
Ingredients
8 lamb loin chops
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Sea salt, to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 large heads of Garlic, sliced in half
bunch of thyme
olive oil
Directions
- In a small bowl, mix together the cumin seeds with ground turmeric, paprika, coriander seeds, cayenne pepper, black pepper and salt and rub the mixture into the chops, coating evenly.
- Place the chops and garlic on an oiled grill rack and grill, turning once, for 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until done to your liking.
- Transfer garlic and lamb chops to a platter garnish with sprigs of thyme.
Feb 6, 2018
You won’t be able to resist sinking your teeth into this Valentine dessert. These whoopie pies consist of a soft, cream cheese filling sandwiched between two red velvet cookies. They’re not only delicious, but a perfect way to say, “I love you!”
Makes about 16 whoopie pies
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (granulated white sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon liquid red food coloring
Cream Cheese Filling:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 – 8 ounce box cream cheese, softened
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions
- Place oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat togther the butter and sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract; mix well. Mix the buttermilk and red food coloring together in a small cup. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour.
- Drop heaping tablespoons of the batter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Using the back of a spoon, smooth the tops of the cookies into a slight dome shape.
- Bake for about 9-10 minutes or when a toothpick inserted into the center of a cookie comes out clean. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cream Cheese Filling: In a bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the cream cheese and mix until smooth. Mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually mix in the confectioners’ sugar, a little at a time, until smooth and creamy.
To Assemble: Take one cookie and spread a heaping tablespoon of the filling on the flat side of the cookie. Top with another cookie. If desired, pipe on lines of filling. Thin out some the cream cheese filling with little milk. Place in a piping bag or plastic bag and pipe lines back and forth over the tops of the Whoopie Pies.
The whoopie pies can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for several days.
Feb 6, 2018
By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire
It is February, which means that Valentine’s Day is upon us. Synonymous with Valentine’s is the symbol of a heart – or in this day and age, the heart emoji! But I want to take a moment to talk about a different matter of the heart: heart health. The human heart is vital to our wellbeing, so it is important that we take proper care of it.
There are certain factors that can increase your likelihood of having heart disease, so it is important to recognise and address them: high blood pressure; high cholesterol; unhealthy diet or obesity; diabetes and smoking. Although there is nothing that can be done about them, other risk factors to be aware of are having a family history of heart disease and age: the older you get, the greater your risk of heart disease.
Some of these risk factors are particularly pertinent for Bermuda: we have an obesity and diabetes problem. In 2017, the Ministry of Health found that 34.4 per cent of adult Bermudians were obese, compared to 26.9 per cent of adults in the United Kingdom and we are beaten only by the United States, with 38.2 per cent. We also have a diabetes rate of 13 per cent among our population – nearly twice the average globally. In particular, Type 2 diabetes, which can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle, is common here.
To keep your heart healthy, take a look at your lifestyle and diet. If you are at risk for diabetes, it is better and easier to correct our eating and exercising habits before we get the disease. Making sure that you eat a well-balanced and well-portioned diet, with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and a good mix of colours, will help to reduce your chance of heart disease and go a long way towards making you feel healthier.
Making exercise a part of your routine is vital and will keep your body running at peak efficiency. Regular exercise helps to keep your weight lower, reduces blood pressure and can lower your cholesterol.
Omega-3 is often touted as a vital nutritional aid for those who want to keep themselves healthy – and with good reason. Omega-3 is a fatty acid which help reduce risk factors for heart disease, including high cholesterol and blood pressure. Omega-3 can be found in oily fish, walnuts and salmon. If these aren’t staples of your diet, though, then you can supplement it with cod liver oil (Seven Seas) other fish oils or flaxseed oil made by Nature’s Bounty among other brands. For those with cholesterol concerns, supplements such as Cholest-Off and Co-Enzyme Q10 can help you to keep your cholesterol levels in the healthy range – although this must be supported by a healthy diet.
Smoking and drinking heavily can put a lot of strain on the body. Smoking narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to pass and easier for blood clots to block them off. If you want to quit smoking, there are products than can help, such as Nicotinell and Nicorette patches or gum. If you want advice on how to quit smoking, please consult with a pharmacist or smoking cessation specialist, who will be happy to discuss the best option for you.
Meanwhile, excessive drinking raises blood pressure, putting you at risk for heart disease. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines low-risk drinking as no more than three drinks on any single day and no more than seven drinks per week for women. For men, it is defined as no more than four drinks in a day and no more than 14 drinks per week.
For some people who are at risk for heart disease, many health professionals recommend aspirin therapy. This is the practice of taking a baby aspirin (81mg) daily, which many studies have found to reduce the change of a heart attack. This is because heart attacks are caused by a blood clot blocking supply of the blood to the heart and aspirin lowers the blood’s clotting factor, which reduces the chance of blood clots. This therapy is recommended to those who:
- Have already had a heart attack.
- Have a stent, have had coronary bypass surgery or have chest pain caused by angina.
- Are considered high risk for a heart attack.
- Have diabetes and at least one other high-risk factor.
To find out more about whether or not aspiring therapy is for you, you should consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
It is important to look after yourself, and this includes regular physicals with your doctor, who will be able to catch things that you may not notice. This Valentine’s Day, make your greatest gift to your loved ones a renewed commitment to taking care of yourself.
Stephanie Simons is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and has been practicing for over 20 years. She is a registered pharmacist with the Bermuda Pharmacy Council and is a member of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.
Jan 28, 2018
Pan Haggerty is a famous British food from Northumberland. The recipe uses just three primary ingredients – potatoes, onions, and cheese; a combination that comforts the soul and satisfies any appetite. Pan Haggerty is often served with sausages, but roasted chicken or beef works well too.
Ingredients
4 ounces butter, divided
9 ounces onions, thinly sliced
1 pound large Russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
4 ounces aged cheddar cheese, grated
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt 1 ounce of the butter. Add the sliced onions and cook until soft but not browned.
- In an large ovenproof skillet, melt half the remaining butter. Remove skillet from heat and arrange a layer of potatoes in the pan, then a layer of onions, followed by a layer of cheese. Season with salt and pepper and repeat the layers ending with potatoes on top.
- Return skillet to stovetop and cook over medium-high heat for a few minutes, or until the bottom layer of potatoes have browned.
- Dot the surface of the potatoes with the remaining butter, then place the skillet in oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove skillet from oven. Increase oven temperature to 425°F. Return skillet oven once the temperature has been reached, and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
Jan 28, 2018
Salisbury Steak in a rich onion tomato sauce. Serve with roasted asparagus and potato wedges, over mashed potatoes, or egg noodles for a quick weekday dinner.
Ingredients
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can French onion soup, divided
1 1⁄2 lbs ground beef
1⁄2 cup dry breadcrumbs
1 egg
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1⁄8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons tomato sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, or more to taste
1⁄2 teaspoon mustard powder
1⁄4 cup water
Directions
- In a large bowl, add 1/4 cup condensed French onion soup, ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, salt and black pepper. Mix until combined. Using hands, form into 6 oval shaped patties.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook patties until browned on both sides; about 2 minutes per side. Drain excess fat from skillet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour and remaining soup until smooth. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, Worcestershire sauce and mustard powder. Whisk until blended. Pour over meat in skillet.
- Cover, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sauce will reduce and thicken as it cooks.
Jan 7, 2018
HERE’S THE GAME PLAN
Purchase ANY GAIN or TIDE detergent
WITH CHARMIN or BOUNTY. All sizes are eligible.
HERE’S HOW TO ENTER:
Purchase any GAIN or TIDE detergent of any size along with a BOUNTY or CHARMIN product of any size to enter.
Write your name, telephone number, and email on the receipt and put it in the ballot box at the front of the store.
Promotion ends on January 30th, 2018.
BGA and Lindo’s employees are not eligible to enter.
