Ber the Super Fruit and a Recipe!

Ber, or Jujube in English, is a fruit that is said to have originated in China and has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. Ber has calming properties and is an excellent source of anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The fruit can be used to alleviate anxiety and insomnia. Jujuboside A is a powerful natural chemical that affects the hippocampus and is used as a natural sleep aid. Besides containing anti- oxidants which fight cancer causing free radicals, ber contains a 20 times more vitamin C than citrus, vitamin A and B2, 18 out of the 24 required amino acids, and minerals like potassium and calcium. Light green to dark brown when ripe, these berries are a great way to maintain health, boost immunity, and get a good night's rest!

Ber is mostly eaten raw, but it is great cooked as well as a chutney, jam, or fruit butter. Ber butter is made in a similar way to apple sauce, and can be spread on toast, used as a chutney, or eaten on it's own.

How to prepare Ber Butter

What you Need:

A large saucepan

30 odd Ber pieces

½ cup sugar or more or less according to your taste

zest of one lemon and juice of half a lemon

1 cinnamon stick

a few cloves

water to cover the ber

1. Chop the ber so that the stems and seeds are out
2. Combine the fruit, water, lemon zest, and lemon juice in the sauce pan and bring to a boil
3. Lower heat and cook until the mixture softens
4. Add sugar and cook until the mixture darkers
5. Optional for skinless butter: rub the mixture through a strainer to remove the skins
6. Move the ber butter to a jar or tupperware

For more information and further reading:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/117526-health-benefits-jujube-fruit/

http://www.tasteofbeirut.com/2011/09/jujube-a-super-fruit/

Recipe: Organic Capsicum Stuffed with Spanish Rice

Capsicum is an incredibly versatile vegetable that can be cooked in many ways, and it's a great source of vitamin C!

Ingredients (to serve 4):

• 4 medium sized organic capsicum pieces + 1 chopped piece
• 3 cloves minced organic garlic
• 2 organic onions chopped
• 250- 300 g organic tomatoes diced (keep liquid)
• a pinch or 2 of cumin seeds (jeera)
• 1 cup rice
• a few organic green chillies chopped (according to your spice level)
• 500 ml (about 2 cups) organic vegetable broth or water
• 1 bay leaf (op.)
• Organic Coriander leaved to garnish
• salt and pepper to taste
• Op. cheese to crumble on top

To make the rice:

1. Heat 2 tbsp oil in the bottom of a large saucepan and add the cumin seeds.
2. Add chopped organic onions and saute until transparent.
3. Add uncooked rice, organic garlic, (op) bay leaf, chopped organic capsicum, and chopped organic chillies and saute until rice is brown.
4. Add diced organic tomatoes with liquid and the broth (or water).
5. Bring rice to a boil and then reduce heat and cover pot. Simmer for about 20 minutes or until rice is tender- add salt and pepper to taste.

To stuff the capsicum:

1. Pre- heat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut the tops of the organic capsicum and scoop out the insides. The capsicum need to be softened but still firm, so boil for 3-5 minutes.
3. When the capsicum is softened stand up in a baking dish and fill with stuffing.
4. Pour about 100 ml of water around the capsicum to keep them from burning.
5. Cover the baking dish with foil and place in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes.
6. Optional: Uncover the baking sheet, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake uncovered until cheese is bubbling.
7. Garnish with organic coriander and serve.

Variations: Try adding chopped pieces of organic summer squash or organic chappan kaddu to the rice to add more flavor!

Food tastes the best when it is cooked with the best ingredients!