Olives, oranges, onions and oats, these are just some of the foods beginning with ‘o’. Before we look at each of these, I’d like to discuss oregano and okra. Oregano is a spice that adds a fresh minty flavour to salad dressings and marinades. The name is often used as a synonym for ‘marjoram’, which isn’t exactly right because marjorams are a member of the oregano family - so all marjorams are oreganos, but not all oreganos are marjorams! Okra is a vegetable originating from Africa but now very popular in the Middle East, Japan and India - where it’s known as ‘lady’s finger’. It’s a good source of a variety of nutrients including calcium (for muscles, nerves, teeth and bones), vitamin B3 (needed for over 50 biochemical reactions in the body) and beta-carotene (converted into vitamin A, which is essential for healthy eyes).
Olives are an excellent food. They’re easily digested and they aid digestion by stimulating the production of bile by the liver. Like okra, olives provide us with calcium and beta-carotene, but olives are also a good source of iron (an essential component of blood). Olives are a good snack by themselves, but are also a great addition to salads and pasta sauces.
Oranges are a superb source of vitamin C – a powerful antioxidant that helps in the fight against diseases such as cancer. They also provide us with potassium – a mineral vital for both muscle contraction and nerve transmission. Like olives, oranges are a great snack by themselves, but are also a good addition to salads.
Onions are a very useful ‘detox food’ because the nutrients they contain play an important part in removing unwanted metals and parasites. This vegetable, which is used widely in casseroles, curries and salads, provides us with an array of nutrients including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, beta-carotene and vitamin C.
Oats, being a superb energy source, are used in a variety of different breakfast cereals and health bars. Their high fibre content facilitates digestion and relieves constipation. Oats provide us with a very wide range of nutrients including calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and vitamin B5 (important for healthy hair, skin and nails).
Why not try my delicious recipe for Marinated Olives…….
400g Green Olives
400g Kalamata Olives
1 Sprig Fresh Rosemary
1 Sprig of Fresh Thyme
2 tbsp Fresh Oregano Leaves (chopped)
2 Bay Leaves
3 Garlic Cloves (whole)
2 tbsp Peppercorns (whole)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Large Air Tight Jar
In a large bowl mix all of the ingredients together then transfer in to the glass jar. Top the jar up with olive oil. Place the glass jar in to a refrigerator and leave for a minimum of 4 days before serving. Your marinated olives are then ready to eat or you can give them to a friend as a fantastic present.
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