Adzuki-Butternut Squash Curry

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 June 2011 08:30 Written by Flax Wednesday, 15 June 2011 01:35

This is a dish that I prepared with my Nutrition Workshop.  The focus of this dish is to strengthen the Kidneys and nourish our Jing. 

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• 2 small leeks, chopped
• 1″ ginger, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, diced
• 1/2 green chilli pepper
• 4 dried shitake mushrooms
• 1 cup adzuki beans
• 1 butternut squash, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1/2 bunch coriander, chopped
• 1 tbsp arame (or any other type of seaweed)
• curry powder
• salt and pepper
• 1 1/2 liters water

Heat the olive oil in a sauce pan.  Saute the leeks, ginger, garlic and spices.  Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.  Simmer for one hour.

Serve hot on a bed of brown rice.

Serves 8.

Enjoy!

Adzuki Beans

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 June 2011 08:32 Written by Flax Monday, 7 June 2010 11:53

Adzuki are one of the highest protein and lowest fat varieties of bean. They contain high levels of potassium and fiber, as well as B vitamins such as thiamin, niacin, and riboflavin, and minerals such as iron, zinc, and manganese.
Adzuki beans promote regular bowel movements, are a good source of energy, and help lower cholesterol. They are wonderful for damp heat conditions and anything relating to the metabolism. They regulate sugar and water and are helpful for edema and yeast conditions.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, beans treat conditions of the lower body. The adzuki beans benefit bladder and reproductive functions and the kidneys, and are therefore used to treat problems such as urinary dysfunction and bladder infections. And because ancient Chinese folk wisdom says that the kidneys govern the emotion of fear, the adzuki bean is considered a source of courage that helps people meet challenges bravely. They are also the best bean for treating female sexual related issues, including, nursing, post-natal, menstrual and menopausal. They are also a remedy for long periods. Chew 5 raw adzuki beans a day until the menses stop.
Adzuki beans are rich in soluble fiber, which speeds up the elimination of waste from the body, promoting regular bowel movements and preventing the body from absorbing harmful substances. Soluble fiber has also been shown to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) in the blood.
Some experts credit the presence of phytoestrogens in adzuki beans with helping to prevent breast cancer. These weak estrogens block receptor sites that would otherwise be filled by stronger estrogens. In women, the phytoestrogens fool the body into believing it is still producing real estrogen, another reason why it is good for even post-menopausal women.

Nutrient Profile

ONE CUP of cooked aduki beans has as much iron as 4 ounces of lean steak, more folate than a cup of cooked spinach, and about as much protein as 4 tablespoons of peanut butter.
CALORIES                      294
PROTEIN                       17 G
FAT                           0 G
FIBER                         12 G
IRON                          4.6 MG
POTASSIUM                     1,224 MG
ZINC                          4 MG
VITAMIN [B.sub.1] (THIAMIN)   .26 MG
FOLATE                        278 MCG