Raw beet and cucumber medallions

  

It is unquestionable that the moon has a great influence on relationships and on the cycles of life.

  Sunday was a special day because the moon reached its closest point to Earth, and we could observe it bigger and brighter. Its proximity exerted a magnetic field surrounded by a special energy, whose strength was possible to assimilate with greater vigor.

  Inspired by this energy, I decided to prepare a dish based on the circle form of the moon and I designed beet and cucumber medallions.

  Beetroot has a sweet flavor due to its richness in sugars. To preserve all its properties, it is ideal to consume it raw. By eating it raw all its richness in iron, protein, vitamin A, B1, B2, B5, C, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, iron are preserved. It is a tasty root, with a beautiful color and a home remedy for anemia and for purifying the liver and the blood.

  When you buy beets check if they are smooth, if the color is uniform and the leaves glossy.

  I also used cucumber to balance the sweet of the beet. Cucumber is a natural diuretic because of its high water content. It is low in calories, high in fiber, carotene, magnesium and potassium. It contributes to bone health and to muscle flexibility.

  When you buy cucumber check if the rind is firm, bright and luminous.

To fill the medals I prepared a tasty and rich cream with avocado, sesame paste, lemon and fresh coriander.

  I just love avocados! I think it was the fruit that I  most ate when I was a child as the place where I grew up was very rich in avocatos and they were delicious!

  Although avocado is rich in fat these fats are healthy as they are unsaturated acids that can even help you lose weight by balancing the body. A full fruit, rich in proteins, vitamins and calories. Among those, omega 6, 7 and 9, vitamin E, beta carotene, potassium, magnesium and folic acid.

  For complementing the properties and the taste of avocado, I added sesame paste (tahin).

 Sesame paste is well known for its use in Mediterranean and Middle East recipes, such as the traditional "hummus". This butter paste is naturally obtained by roasting and grounding sesame seeds which are rich in calcium, proteins, fats, vitamins and good quality. Hmm, so tasty ...

  To neutralize the acidity of our internal body and to obtain an alkaline effect I added lemon juice. Lemon fruit works as an antibiotic, it has antibacterial properties and it is very rich in vitamin C.

Ingredients:

(Serves 2)

2 beets

½ cucumber

1 avocado

1 tbsp tahin

1 + ½ tbsp lemon juice

1 handful of fresh coriander

salt to taste

1 tbsp olive oil

alfalfa sprouts

Sesame seeds

2 strawberries

Wash and peel the beets.

Cut them in very thin slices (I used my food processor).

Sprinkle them with salt and olive oil. Let them stand for 15 minutes to activate their properties and to make them softer.

Cut the avocado in half and remove the pulp. Place it in a blender and add the sesame paste, the fresh coriander, the lemon juice and the salt. Grind until you have a creamy paste and rectify the seasoning.

Cut the cucumber into very thin slices.

Wash the strawberries and cut into slices.

Start preparing the dish:

Put slices of beet and cucumber on a plate. Place the filling on top and cover with a new slice.

Garnish the top of the medallions with alfalfa sprouts and strawberries.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

* Cucumber medallions have an intense flavor. If you don't appreciate it, you can either use zucchini. If you choose zucchini, sprinkle it with salt and olive oil as you did with the beets.

Bon appétit!

© veggie delicious food, June 2013