What are capers?  Many people think capers are berries.  Athough they might look like berries, what we generally call capers are actually the unopened flower buds from the caper bush (Capparis spinosa ) that grows in the Mediterranean region. The buds are picked by hand, partially dried and then pickled in vinegar and brine. They are about the size of a small green pea. Capers are frequently used in Italian dishes and are great with salmon or in chicken picatta or veal picatta. The caper berry is the fruit of the caper bush that forms if the flower bud is allowed to bloom and mature. Caper berries are larger than capers, about the size of a large blueberry and have a stronger flavor.

Despite their diminutive size, capers are not only packed with flavor but they are also potent sources of antioxidents and other beneficial substances. Capers contain glucosinolates which may help lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of various cancers such as stomach, colon, esophageal, lung and breast cancers. Isothiocyanates and rutin are also found in capers. Isothiocyanates are anticarcinogen phytochemicals and rutin is a strong antioxident, strengthens capillaries and has anti -inflammatory properties.

Capers are a natural with smoked salmon. A little lemon juice, olive oil and the capers make a perfect pairing with the the salmon. For an entree, try Shrimp Picatta Abbuzi using our Trenipoti Picatta sauce. Our picatta sauce makes it simple since the lemon, white wine and capers are already in the sauce.

” one of the largest natural food retailers in the nation, Earth Fare makes healthy eating convenient, affordable, fun and – of course – delicious!  With 21 stores in six states, we offer everything from ready-to-go meal options, local and organic farm fresh fruits and vegetables, and full service meat, poultry and seafood departments.

Our Food Philosophy makes us different.

What really sets Earth Fare apart from other stores is the list of things we don’t offer…like any products containing high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, artificial colors and sweeteners, and synthetic growth hormones in meat and milk. We believe food should be as close to the ground as it gets, and we are proud to read the labels so you don’t have to!”

Here is a link to Earth Fare’s main web site Earth Fare Company Website

Please join Trenipoti in giving a warm welcome to the new Earth Fare in Fairview Park!

Chicken Picatta

Ingredients:

4 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

salt and pepper to taste

flour for dredging

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup butter

1 16oz jar of Trenipoti Picatta Sauce

Place chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and tenderize by pounding with a meat mallet.  Salt, pepper and flour the chicken breasts and saute them in the butter and oil until fully cooked.  Add the Trenipoti Picatta sauce and heat through.

Serve with risotto or pasta and salad for an easy gourmet meal.

Veal or pork cutlets can be prepared in the same way

Here is a link to download a pdf recipe card of the recipe:

CHICKEN PICATTA RECIPE CARD PDF

You can order Trenipoti Picatta Sauce from our website trenipoti.com, or pick it up from one of these fine stores: Where to buy Trenipoti Products Mention that you got the recipe from our blog and we will give you $1.oo of a jar of any flavor of Trenipoti Pasta sauce

Montrose Mustard Seed Market

West Market Plaza

3885 W. Market St.

Akron, Ohio 44333

330.666.SEED (7333)

1.888.476.2379

Solon Mustard Seed Market

Uptown Solon Shopping Center

6025 Kruse Drive

Solon, OH 44139

440.519.FOOD (3663)

1.877.496.FOOD (3663)

Recently a study published in the PLos Medine online Journal suggests that regular, moderate consumption of alcohol at midlife may lead to an improved chance healthy aging.

The researchers, led by Qi Sun of the Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health investigated the effect of alcohol use in midlife on the chances of “successful aging”.  The researchers considered successful aging to be living to age 70 or older with no major chronic disease and  no major mental or physical impairment.  They studied the alcohol use of over 13,000 women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study.  What they found was that light-to-moderate alcohol drinking at midlife was associated with improved chances of successful aging.  In fact, women who drank regularly though the week (5-7 days) had an almost 50% higher chance of successful aging compared to non-drinkers.  “In this large cohort of older women who survived to at least age 70 yr, moderate alcohol consumption at midlife was associated with modestly better overall health status”.  Interestingly, they found that the pattern of alcohol use was important, and that spreading alcohol consumption throughout the week was associated with better overall health.  They cautioned, however, that heavy alcohol use is harmful “It causes liver damage and increases the risk of developing some types of cancer. It contributes to depression and violence and interferes with relationships. And it is often implicated in fatal traffic accidents”

So, enjoy that glass of red wine with your Italian dinner.  Just don’t overdo it!   The link below will take you to the original article if you are interested in leaning more details.

http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1001090