Selene Truong

25/05/2025

Dandelion leaves is a vegetable with many health benefits. Its bitter taste may hinder our choice for the meal planning. My version of dandelion fritter is delicious with minced organic dandelion leaves, white onion, pink salt, and a touch of soy sauce for umami flavour. It could be a side dish with rice or a light snack. 💜

09/05/2025

Dandelion pickles or dandelion fries everyone💚😊!!
time

03/03/2025

I cooked rice with Gac fruit, beet with pork tail, pickle with chicken wings. This simple Vietnamese meal is rich in nutrients and delicious!!😊

16/01/2025

Cabbage is packed with phytonutrients, which are plant compounds that offer various health benefits. Here are some of the key ones:
* Glucosinolates: These sulfur-containing compounds break down into isothiocyanates like sulforaphane during digestion. Sulforaphane can help protect cells from DNA damage and may help prevent the growth of tumors.
* Anthocyanins: These pigments in red cabbage give it a vibrant color. They are powerful antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and improve heart health.
* Flavonoids: Cabbage also contains other flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
* Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant that supports immune function and collagen production.
* Vitamin K: Essential for blood clotting and bone health.
* Fiber: Promotes digestive health and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
———-

My cabbage spring rolls are yummy with the side of chilli mayo. They are soft inside with the flavourful filling and crispy outside with the light coating of sourdough breadcrumbs. It’s still tasty when the rolls are cool.
Who doesn’t love cabbage spring rolls 🧡😊?

05/01/2025

Four food ingredients are recommended in the diet as the most nutritious ones according to Oriental ancient wisdom. It’s not only about their nutrients but also the Yin and Yang balance by their properties✨.

27/12/2024

Roasted potatoes and gravy actually make a Christmas plate to the next level 😀🍽️!!

16/12/2024

Infusion is one of the lightest and gentlest methods for extracting compounds from plants. This method involves steeping plant material in hot water to extract its soluble compounds for our health benefits. The process is relatively quick and does not require harsh conditions, making it suitable for preserving the delicate flavors and beneficial substances of the plant.

Infusion is ideal for making herbal teas and beverages that benefit from a lighter touch, ensuring that the natural goodness of the plant is gently extracted and enjoyed.

"Tea is the magic key to the vault where my brain is kept." - Frances Hardinge

13/12/2024

Black beans are recognized with high credit for their health benefits and commonly used around the world.

Black beans have high protein for our bodily functions, rich fibre to manage blood glucose, B vitamins for brain health, iron for hemoglobin production, magnesium and potassium for muscle contractions, phosphorus for bone health, zinc for protein synthesis, copper for iron metabolism, polyphenols to protect cells from oxidative damage, anthocyanins to prevent type 2 diabetes, saponins and phytosterols to reduce cholesterol levels. The list reflects how valuable this type of beans is.

The legume has so many variations across various cuisines to enjoy its taste and nutrition benefit. It could be black bean soup, black bean hummus served with pita bread or vegetables, black bean chilli, and many more savoury dishes in Caribbean cuisine, Mexican cuisine, etc. Black beans are also a delicious ingredient in desserts which is very nutritious and satisfying.

My black beans were cooked with prosciutto shank, diced white onion, and a splash of wine to enhance the flavour. The dish goes well with black sesame seed rice as well. The meal is simple but truly delicious ✨🥄!!

“In a world full of choices, be like a black bean - nourishing, versatile, and a staple that brings comfort and health” - Unknown. 💜

Black beans cooked with prosciutto shank and served with black sesame rice.

07/12/2024

Juicing is the rapid way to get optimal nutrients from food including vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and enzymes. There are some key points we need to know for the good preparation.
- The good ingredients and preparation along with the right equipment greatly influence the juice quality. Whenever possible, buy fresh organic produce because research shows that it is more nutritious and it’s free of toxic pesticides. (CNC, 2003)
- The oxidation caused by light, air, and heat can make juice lose precious enzymes and vitamins. Therefore, we should consume as soon as possible as it is made within 24 hours to have their most nutritional value. Keep it cool without freezing it if we cannot consume all the juice at once.(CNC, 2003)
- Do not store it in a big container for repeated servings. Instead, keep it in prechilled, single-serving-size, amber-colored glass bottles. A vacuum bottle or temperature-retaining vessel, such as a Thermos, is good to restore juice in a convenient way when travelling. (CNC, 2003)

Reference:
CNC, P. A. B. (2003). Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal (2nd Revised and Updated ed. edition). Avery.

30/11/2024

Lycopene is good for heart health by lowering LDL as bad cholesterol level, for skin health from sun damage, for bone health by reducing the risk of osteoporosis, and for overall bodily systems by lowering the risk of chronic diseases. Lycopene is rich in red and pink fruit and vegetables.
Potassium regulates blood pressure and especially is required for muscular health with flexibility, strength, endurance, and muscle mass.
Vitamin B9, also named as folic acid, is crucial for the production of healthy new cells and DNA for living beings. B9 helps convert food into energy.
Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen to maintain healthy skin, blood vessels, and cartilage. Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron from plant-based foods. Vitamin K is needed for blood clot and wound healing. Vitamin K also supports brain health. Vitamin A is essential for vision as well as sustains reproductive health.
These valuable nutrients are packed in lovely tomatoes. This berry is actually a fruit too.

Tomatoes really do hold a special place in many hearts and kitchens 🍅✨! Who doesn’t love tomatoes ❤️?

" A world without tomatoes is like a string quartet without violins." - LAURIE COLWIN

22/11/2024

These antioxidant-rich foods could be incorporated into our weekly meals to optimize the benefits of their nutrients for nurturing our bodies. The phytonutrients in these food also strengthen our immune system, gut health, and brain health. 💜

19/11/2024

Herbs and spices can transform ordinary food into memorable meal, a practice that dates back thousands of years. Both possess healing properties, but they have some distinct differences.
Herbs are plants used for cooking, medicine, cosmetics, or fragrance.
Spices often have stronger aroma than herbs and a spicy flavour. They come from the flowers, seeds, roots, or bark of plants grown in tropical or subtropical regions.
Many herbs and spices that enhance the flavour of dishes also offer significant health benefits. They are rich in phytochemical and antioxidants, which help strengthen our immune system.
————
As for rosemary, I let it run all over my garden wall, not only because my bees love it, but because it is the herb sacred to remembrance and to friendship. | Sir Thomas More, English politician. ✨
————
My celery leaf pesto is really tasty with roasted garlic, sunflower seeds, Canadian hard cheese, lemon, salt, and good oil. This versatile sauce must add great flavour to my pasta or rice!! 😊

Pesto sauce can be used in a variety of dishes such as sandwich spread, pizza topping, dip, salad dressing, marinade, soups and stews.
We can vary the green part with any available one in our kitchen such as parsley, cilantro, arugula, carrot leaves, basil, kale, etc. Each variation would bring different taste. If you want to have a therapeutic dish in your meal, making pesto with a typical green is a good suggestion. 💜