Bitter

Note: Some people may prefer to utilise Greek yoghurt instead of sour cream. Either taste smick!

Tip: If you want to be a little more creative, you could add some spinach and use this mix to make a lasagne or to keep it simple, try adding some crab meat to the mix.

Artichoke Dip

You have invited guests over to catch up for afternoon tea, but you have heaps on before hand and know your time will be limited when you arrive home. You prefer not to just put out some store bought option, which you know will be full of who knows what for the purpose of longer shelf life and the like, so instinctively fresh is always best. Bingo! Something a little exotic, tasty, and easy to make....

It will take about 10 minutes to prep and only 20 minutes in the oven. Simply mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and you are half way there. Start with 1/2 cup of sour cream, add 1/2 cup mayo, then 8 ounces of cream cheese, and lastly 1 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, now stir until evenly blended. Now include 225g non marinated drained and chopped artichoke hearts, some dill (fresh or dried) and a clove of chopped garlic. Set your oven to 180 C (350 F). Put the stirred ingredients into a baking dish, pop some parmesan cheese on top. Place in the hot oven for 20 minutes and you are done.

Here is a thought, if you would like to be a little ahead of the pack arriving, you can make this dish up and leave it for up to 3 months frozen. Thaw completely before reheating. Alternatively, you can just make the mix and freeze it, later baking it on the day you aim to serve it.

Our digestion system has what is now known as a reflex, referred to as the “bitter reflex,” sparking an array of actions to prepare the our bodies for the food about to be enjoyed. Without efficient digestion you are missing out on nutrients your body is unable to absorb from the foods you are eating and this will leave you not functioning at your peak

By adding bitter foods into your meal choices you help the digestion system increase secretions in the stomach, which in turn, aid in the breaking down of the food, preventing it from getting stuck for an unnecessary time in the gut. What this actually amounts to is bitter foods help your body to remain active in the parasympathetic nervous system (calmer). When you are at ease, so is your digestion system. If your producing gas in your gut, or are feeling nauseous, bloated or otherwise in the stomach, this is where bitters come to the rescue.